Their return to Atlantis was met with the news that the scientists at the Gamma Research Site had completed their study of Xander's proteins and had systhsized a large quantity of them.
"The next step is to figure out a delivery system. Once that's been done, we can move on to testing it." Elizabeth told them.
"Well, getting it onto a hive ship won't be easy. We'd probably have to do something stupid like get ourselves captured to get it on board. Catching a Wraith wouldn't do any good. It took seconds for that Queen to die. But may be they could aerosolize it and we could drop it in the atmosphere of one of their worlds, although, with that idea, we risk killing animals on the planet." Xander said.
"True, but it might be the best solution." Sheppard said. "Potentially sacrificing one world of plant and animal life in order to destroy the Wraith may be worth it."
"You wouldn't have to worry about that." A voice said from out of nowhere. Alarmed, AG 1, along with Elizabeth and Cordelia, looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. Carson Beckett materialized in front of them.
"We could shield the animals and plants while you do your test. Killing one world may be enough to convince the Wraith to at least talk to you and perhaps work out a different solution like the retrovirus or figuring out how to stop them from needing to feed the way they do."
"You did Ascend!" McKay exclaimed.
"Aye, Rodney, I did. And we really do help. We can't do it for you, you can't learn and grow if we do it for you. But we can make things a little easier. So if you want to test your weapon, you won't have to worry about anything except Wraith dying, because we'll shield everything else. Just choose a world, we'll be there to help." And he disappeared as suddenly as he'd appeared.
"Okay, they really are doing more then the Ascended Ancients!" Cordelia exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes, and who knows what they're risking by helping us with this test. Chaya told me, the others outnumber Lex and Cor's group. Being willing to work so openly with us, may have consequences for them that we may never know about." Sheppard said.
"They've spent 10,000 years trying to help the people of this galaxy." Elizabeth said. "It's been an endless war. If they can help bring it to an end, yes I can see them being willing to risk a great deal to see that happen. I'll notify Earth. We'll work out the details. Rodney, choose a Wraith world, please."
He nodded.
While they waited for word from Earth, exploration continued. Xander, in an effort to better understand his connection to Atlantis, decided to do something Teal'C had once done in an effort to reach the Goa'uld larva he'd carried, meditate. He'd learned how from Teal'C years ago and since it did help with his stress levels, he'd continued it. Now as he went thru the familiar technique, he felt himself sinking into the calm, peaceful state of Kal'nor'reem. He felt his connection with Atlantis. Atlantis wasn't alive and she wasn't self aware. She was a powerful computer. Complex and beautiful, in her own way. He could feel his connection to her and he reached thru it and in one moment, he knew what she knew. He found something, something they'd been wanting to know for a long time. He withdrew abruptly. Wow. He tapped his earpiece. "Elizabeth, I need to talk to you. I've found something out from Atlantis."
"I'm in my office."
"I'll be right there."
"So what new thing has Atlantis told you about now?" Elizabeth asked, when Xander arrived.
"Why the Ancients only left three ZPM's in Atlantis. It wasn't just to power the shield. It's because they took several with them. To Earth. Atlantis says, they took ten ZPM'S to Earth when they left. They didn't want to risk the Wraith getting ahold of them. Wraith don't know how they're made, but they are able to use them."
"You're saying there are ten ZPM'S somewhere on Earth?!" She exclaimed.
"According to Atlantis' files, yes. Also, I found out what it takes to make a ZPM. They built an unmanned processing plant in the orbit of a black hole. A supermassive one at the center of Pegasus."
Elizabeth tapped her own earpiece. "Rodney, report to my office immediately."
"What's wrong, Elizabeth?" He asked as he came in a few minutes later.
"Atlantis told me how the Ancients made ZPM'S, McKay." Xander said. "They built an unmanned processing plant in the orbit of a black hole, a supermassive one at the center of Pegasus."
McKay looked like he was going faint. "That's what it would take to make one. Alot of power. It may still be there, if its orbit hasn't decayed. 10,000 years is a long time. Elizabeth, we have to find that plant!"
"Once the weapon test has been completed Rodney, we'll figure out how to find it, I promise. Earth has decided to go ahead with the test. The scientists at the Gamma site are working on aerosolizing it. They should have a deliverable weapon in a week. The Daedalus will deliver it, with the Wraith Slayer and Athena providing escort and defense. In one week, we will find out if this weapon works and see if we can bring the Wraith to the bargaining table. Then we'll look for the processing plant."
