"She's lying." Alexander said, for what felt the dozenth time, as the prisoner, who had told them only one truth, her name Vala Maldoran so far, lied again. She glared at him.

"I'm going to keep saying it until you tell the truth." He told her.

"Fine! I wanted to catch a ship I could steal and sell. I need the money."

"Finally, she's telling the truth. We figured it was something like that. Former host trying to survive in a galaxy where the thing that possessed and controlled you is both hated and feared. But we're from Earth." Alexander said.

"The Tauri."

"That's what the Gou'ald call us, yes. Our reaction tends to be different. More along the lines of are you a joke and how hard do we have to kick your ass before you understand we know you're not a god and we take offense to you pretending that you are. Then we usually blow them out of our sky." Jon smiled. "Makes for some spectacular fireworks."

"Which means we can ask our leaders if we can offer you sanctuary on Earth." Major Carson said. "Since we've offered sanctuary to others I doubt they'd have a problem with it. But there'd be certain rules. No lying or stealing, for instance."

"I don't even know if I can trust you people."

"Well, for now you stay locked up. Our doctor will check on you periodically and you'll have regular food. The holding cell has a bathroom. We'll be back on Earth in about a week, we'll present your case to our leaders and they'll make a decision."

"Well, I've had worse accomodations."

"It's a precaution. Besides, we don't have any available quarters. We're full right now. Guards will remain on the door at all times. Show us some good will by not trying to escape, okay?" The Major said. "It'll go a long way towards convincing our leaders to allow you sanctuary."

"Fine, I'll be a good girl."

"She's sort of being truthful. She means it right now, but if you leave an opening, she'll probably take advantage of it." Alexander said. She glared him. Later, in the corridor. "Did your scanner really tell you that?" One of the guards asked.

"Of course not." From Jon. "That's experience talking. Give yourself time, you'll learn."

"Since it's my job to teach him, I'll make sure of it." Major Carson added. "Pass the word, Dr. Weir is not allowed anywhere near Ms. Maldoran."

"Yes, sir."

"Or any of the scientists, some of them might get curious too." Jon added.

"Yes, sir."

Fortunately the rest of trip was uneventful and before long the Prometheus passed the edge of the galaxy and was heading toward the coordinates of Atlantis. Alexander and Corda where on the bridge waiting for that moment when they could see their home for the first time in 10,000 years.

"Entering the solar system." Major Gant reported.

"Continuous scan." Colonel Pendergast ordered. "I don't want any surprises."

"Yes, sir." She responded. "I'm picking up a distress call, sir."

"Another one? Where's this one coming from?" The Colonel asked.

"The planet just before the one Atlantis is supposed to be on, sir."

"Put it on speaker."

A strange graveled voice was heard.

"That's Wraith!" Alexander exclaimed.

"A Wraith distress call near Atlantis?!" Corda was equally upset.

"Let me see the sensor readings." Alexander requested.

"Major Gant, transfer them to an auxillary station."

"Yes sir, transferring now."

After studying the readings Alexander breathed a sigh of relief. "It was shot down during the war, the damage was from the orbital defense satellite. It's probably been broadcasting since then. It's very weak, I doubt Atlantis would be able to pick it up, let alone anyone outside the solar system. We only heard it because we passed right by the planet."

"And it's still broadcasting after all this time? Amazing."

"The wreckage may be worth studying at a later time. Wraith tech is disgusting but the scientists might find it interesting."

"Why would it be disgusting?" Colonel Pendergast asked curiously.

"It's organic. They grow their ships."

"The ship is alive?"

"It's not sentient, it's can't think for itself, but yes their ships are alive or were."

"Ew." Said one of the crew.

"You won't get an argument from me." The Colonel agreed. "Resume course to Atlantis."

"Resuming course." Major Gant confirmed. "Reading the satellite he mentioned, sir. It's huge."

"It'll need to be investigated at some point. It could shoot down a hive ship. That's what the Wraith ships are called, they are insect minded." Corda added.

"Approaching the planet, sir." Major Gant informed him.

"Establish orbit and scan for Atlantis."

"Remember it was sunk beneath the ocean." Alexander reminded them.

"Yes, sir. Focusing scan on the ocean. I've found something. Two somethings. One looks like another Wraith ship on the ocean floor. I believe the other is what we're looking for."

Alexander peered over her shoulder and then smiled. "Yes, that's Atlantis. Shield is still up, but power readings are very low. The Potentia won't last all that much longer. Few decades maybe and that's without anyone living there or using any of the systems. No life signs being detected. Stargate is powered down. She's been sleeping for 10,000 years."

"Alexander, why don't you take a security team and beam down? You said the Wraith could hibernate. Double check."

"Good idea. I'll report in as soon as I can."

"Be careful." Corda said.

A security team met him in the transporter room.

"Keep a lock on us, just in case." Alexander instructed the transporter technician.

"Yes, sir." She responded and beamed them down to the coordinates Alexander gave her. They materialized in the control room. Lights began to come on.

"What's going on?" One of the security officers asked.

"She's sensing me. She's waking up." Alexander told him.