A/N Anyone who has seen Stargate Atlantis knows what happened in the last chapter and this chapter should make sense to them. If you've never seen Stargate Atlantis then this chapter may be somewhat confusing. I promise, the next chapter will relieve the confusion. Just bear with me, okay?
For the purposes of this fic, Xander will be replacing Lt. Ford on AG 1. It never made sense that the third highest ranked, second after the Colonel's death, was a green Lt. Xander is a Captain with experience that includes service in two undeclared wars. Not that anyone besides Cordelia knows about the war against vampires. His reactions will be much different then Lt. Ford's, which will effect each episode. At this point only Dr. Weir as Head of the expedition and Dr. Beckett as head of medical know about Xander being what Janet labeled a mini-Jaffa. What a mini-Jaffa means is that he is a bit stronger then the average human and certainly anyone else on the expedition, has enhanced hearing, eyesight and hearing. They both believe it is because he was unknowingly experimented on by the swim coach. They don't know and will not know, about the hyena possession. Now, on with the story.
Xander had just finished asking and getting an answer to his question about the device in the back of one of the ships when Major Sheppard appeared.
"Captain, we found a room with a hologram in it. Apparently the Ancients lost a war against what they called 'A Dark Enemy', it's possible whoever they are, they're still around. Also, the city is underwater and low on power. We may need to find a fall back position. Dr. Weir wants us to scout some planets. In the meantime ma'am, she wants you to join her in the room with the Stargate. It may be necessary to negotiate with anyone we encounter and she wants to discuss strategies with you."
"Okay." Cordelia said.
"Yes, sir." Xander answered and they followed him out of the docking bay and back to the room with the Stargate in it.
When they arrived in the control room, the 'gate was already active. Cordelia turned to Xander and said. "At least try to stay out of trouble."
"I always try. Like Jack always says, trouble just seems to find me. Same as him."
"Uh huh. Behave. Try to avoid getting hit on, as well."
"Also not my fault. I swear!"
Suppressed laughter from those around him and a gimlet stare from the Colonel and they stepped thru the Stargate on to aworld where it was dark. At least for most people. Xander's night vision was better then average and while the others pulled out night vision goggles, Xander preferred not to limit his peripheral vision. They'd been walking for a little while when some small beings ran out of the nearby woods towards them, starling everyone. Weapons were raised and then a man ran out and jumped in front of the small ones, explaining that they were children, just playing. Major Sheppard was talking to one of the kids about their masks and showing them his goggles. Xander was aways away but could hear the conversation. The mask represented something called a Wraith, which on Earth would mean a ghost. He wondered what it meant here.
"How are we understanding them? Maybe this Stargate has a translation matrix, one that extends for miles. That would be incredible technology."
The Colonel heard him and said. "Handy too. I understand from your record, Captain, that you speak quite a few languages including the Ancients language."
"Yes, sir. Ten in all. I seem to have a gift for them, like Daniel Jackson."
"If this translation matrix you're thinking of has a limit, then that should come in handy as well." Just as they arrived at a village of tents. Major Sheppard was talking to the people's leader, a woman named Teyla. She was telling them about the Wraith and advising them to go back to their world, where they were safe from the Wraith, who apparently were aliens that fed on humans. 'Great, Cordy's going to have my head. Space vampires. Trouble, they name is Xander Harris.'
Sheppard left with Teyla to check out some ruins that may be related to the Ancients and the others waited for them to return. Xander was getting information on the Wraith while the Colonel listened.
"They feed on us using their hand. There's a kind of mouth on their hand that they use to drain a human of their life forces and kill them. Beyond that, they come from the sky in ships. Sometimes they take people to feed on later."
'Great.' Xander thought sarcastically. 'This just gets better and better.'
Just then a screaming sound could be heard and Sheppard came racing up. "Teyla says it's the Wraith. Also, there's some in the woods, they can make you see things. There's sort of a fog they make and images in the fog."
Small ships swooped down and beams appeared out of the bottom and people disappeared.
"That's what they mean about taking people!" Xander exclaimed. "A transporter technology. Run! Avoid it!"
Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy and before he knew it, he'd been grabbed up in one of the beams.
When he came to, he was in what looked like a holding cell. Several of Teyla's people were there, as well as Sheppard and the Colonel.
And then they saw the Wraith. They had slightly greenish colored skin and slits, maybe natural, on their cheeks and a mess of teeth. Ugly was a good word for them. Humans on Earth would definitely call them demons. And if they really fed on people, so would Xander.
The Colonel insisted he was in charge and they should talk to him. They took him away and the rest were left to alone.
Xander went over to the wall near the front of the cell and touched it.
"Major, I think their technology might be, at least somewhat, biological in nature. This wall feel spongy and warm, not smooth or humming the way ours or the Goa'uld or others feels. I may be able to do something to get us of out here, if that's the case."
"How, Captain?"
"I guess the Colonel didn't tell you. I was unwillingly experimented on while I was in High School. I was the sole survivor. I have a... little extra, as a result."