New York City
Rebecca, the host, welcomed the viewers with confidence. "Welcome to The Global Roundtable. Tonight, we have a special guest, Senator Alan Armstrong, who has some interesting views on the United Earth Alliance Congress's recent policies."
The camera panned to Senator Alan Armstrong, who sat calmly, ready to engage in the discussion. Rebecca began by addressing the Sentient Rights Act. "Alan, let's start with the Sentient Rights Act. Do you believe it was necessary to grant all beings, including the unborn, the same rights?"
Alan's voice projected with conviction as he responded, "I understand your concerns, Brooke, but this act is not about control. It's about acknowledging the dignity and potential of all life. It's about fostering a society where every being, regardless of its stage of development, is afforded the same rights and opportunities. This act encourages us to embrace empathy and compassion, to see the value in every individual."
As the discussion continued, Emily, who had been silent until now, chimed in with a dismissive tone. "These are idealistic notions, but how can we practically implement such a law? How can we ensure that it doesn't infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others? And what about the limitations on press freedom? Why are you restricting the vital role of journalism within government and military installations?"
Alan listened intently and then responded, "Emily, I appreciate your concerns. Implementing this law requires careful consideration and collaboration. We must work towards finding a balance between protecting individual rights and fostering social harmony. As for freedom of the press, its not in the Tau'ri Federation founding document, the limitations within government and military installations are necessary to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. It is about ensuring the safety and security of our world."
Brooke, still skeptical, interjected, her voice filled with disbelief. "But aren't you essentially equating the value of unborn life with that of fully developed sentient beings? Don't you see the absurdity in that? It's just a ploy to gain more control over women's reproductive choices!"
Alan remained composed, determined to explain his perspective. "Brooke, this act is not meant to diminish the value of fully developed sentient beings; it's about acknowledging the individual potential and rights of every being, regardless of their stage of development. It's not meant to control women's reproductive choices, but rather to provide options and support. For instance, if a woman wants an abortion, we can facilitate beaming the fetus into another expecting mother or an incubation chamber."
The panelists were taken aback by the unexpected response, shifting their focus to a different question. "How many white people are in the Tau'ri Federation?" one of them asked abruptly, showcasing the racial bias that had been prevalent in the media.
Ever determined to dispel any discriminatory beliefs, Alan responded promptly, "The Ascended Being are white, Earth is not the center of the universe. In the Tau'ri Federation, we do not discriminate based on races. Whether it's human, Serrakin, Oanes, Asgard, Nox, Spirits, Reol, Ursini, Unas, Gadmear, Nakai, we don't differentiate between colors. We welcome all beings with open arms."
Another question arose, this time concerning the Navy's actions towards the Wraith. "Why is the Navy exterminating the Wraith like they exterminated the Asgard?" one panelist questioned.
Alan couldn't help but chuckle. "Where did you hear that? The Asgard did not meet their demise due to extermination. They chose to end their own existence after thousands of years of cloning, resulting in genetic degradation. We only engage in self-defense when it comes to the Wraith."
By providing answers rooted in truth and understanding, Senator Alan Armstrong aimed to dispel misconceptions and encourage a more open-minded dialogue among the panelists. As the conversation continued, a sense of change began to emerge, echoing the sentiments of a society where every being, regardless of their origins and characteristics, is treated with respect and equality.
On this particular episode of The Global Roundtable, Alan's words resonated with viewers, sparking conversations and igniting a desire for unity that would transcend the boundaries of race, color, and species. Through thoughtful discussion and empathy, the world took another step towards a future where all beings, no matter who they were or where they came from, would be regarded as equals in the grand tapestry of the universe.
Gate Operations, Central Spire
New Atlantis City, New Atlantis
The klaxon blared through the halls of Stargate Operations in New Atlantis, signaling the arrival of an incoming wormhole. Marines ran to the embarkation area with their weapons drawn. Sergeant Chuck Campbell, the Stargate operations technician, quickly alerted the team over the radio.
"Incoming wormhole!" Chuck called out urgently.
Teyla Emmagan Sheppard, the civilian leader of New Atlantis Pegasus Command, swiftly emerged from her office adjacent to the gate operations and made her way to the dialing console. The lights on the Stargate's inner ring began to spin as it locked up on the Chevron. With the final Chevron locked, the unstable wormhole erupted momentarily before stabilizing.
"Activate shields," Teyla ordered, her voice filled with authority.
"Receiving IDC," Sergeant Kevin Ingold reported, quickly checking the identification code. "It's Stargate Command, ma'am."
"Deactivate the shields," Teyla commanded and she look the marines. "Stand down Marines."
Without hesitation, the shields surrounding the Stargate were deactivated. Teyla looked down at the Stargate, ready to welcome the people coming through from the other side.
Five marines, clad in their standard desert digital camouflage with blue berets adorned with the Stargate symbol of Earth, stepped through the wormhole. They were armed with Zat'nika'tels holstered on their laps and E90 energy weapons in P90 chassis. Accompanying them was a woman with auburn hair, standing at 5.6 feet and dressed in a blue pantsuit.
"Hi, I am Teyla Emmagan Sheppard," Teyla introduced herself with a warm smile, extending her hand for a shake.
The woman recognized Teyla's last name. "I'm Nancy Hayes, Tau'ri Federation Security," she said, her curiosity piqued. "Sheppard, that surname is familiar."
"Yes, John Sheppard is my husband, among many wives," Teyla responded. "What is he to you?"
"Oh, he's my ex-husband," Nancy revealed, her interest growing. "How many wives does he have?"
"Three, including me," Teyla replied calmly.
Curious about John, Nancy asked Teyla where he was at the moment. Teyla informed her that he was asleep in his quarters, needing rest after battling the Wraith before the upcoming summit.
"Has he spoken about me?" Nancy inquired, a hint of hope in her voice.
"He has not," Teyla answered truthfully, aware that John had mentioned being involved with a woman who only cared about her career.
"Oh, I'm that bitch," Nancy admitted, her tone filled with introspection.
Teyla couldn't help but grin, nodding her head in understanding. "If you'd like to visit him..."
"No, no, it's okay. I don't want to bother him," Nancy declined the offer. She then turned her attention to Teyla's role in New Atlantis, curious about the dynamic between her and John.
"I'm the civilian commander of Pegasus Command, and General Sheppard is the military commander, governor, and the King of this planet," Teyla explained.
Nancy playfully tapped Teyla on the shoulder, letting out a laugh. "You're kidding, right?"
"No, I'm not joking," Teyla responded, her smile unwavering as she tried to keep a straight face.
Before Teyla could further explain their roles, a familiar voice echoed from the corridor, catching Nancy's attention. A man, around 72 years old but still healthy, walked towards Stargate Operations, accompanied by several individuals she didn't recognize. They wore tan military uniforms, and there was a brunette woman in leather, a blond woman in a royal-looking robe, and a woman dressed in a white gown. It was Henry Hayes, Nancy's father-in-law and the grandfather of her son, Jonathan.
"You see, Chaya..." Henry began, noticing Nancy standing a few feet from the Stargate. "Well, what do you know," he said as he approached his daughter-in-law, pulling her into a warm hug. "What brings you to New Atlantis?"
After releasing herself from the hug, Nancy glanced at the woman in white who emitted an ethereal glow. "I'm here to extradite Jared Booth back to Earth," Nancy explained, waiting for Henry to introduce his guest.
"Oh, my manners. I'd like to introduce you to Chaya," Henry announced. "Larrin of the Travelers, Queen Mara, and lastly, Ladon Radin and his wife, Sora Tyrus."
Nancy couldn't hide her happiness after seeing her father in law in another galaxy. "Good to meet all of you."
"Will you be staying for the summit?" Henry ask Nancy.
"I'll think about it Henry." Nancy replied.
"Well, I want to talk to you before you leave alright?" Henry said as he leads the group into the transporter.
Nancy didn't know where they are going but the glare she got from the one name Chaya got her feeling something that never felt before. Like sort of guilt towards someone that she did wrong. She tried to shrug it off but she couldn't. "Teyla, Can I be excuse?"
"If you need a moment, the balcony is open." Teyla said as she see's the sadness on Nancy's face.
The sprawling city of New Atlantis sparkled beneath Nancy as she stood on the balcony of the top spire, the winds gently brushing her skin as the afternoon sun warmed her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she contemplated the news she had just received - her ex-husband, John Sheppard, had been promoted to General and was now in charge of military decisions in the entire Pegasus galaxy alongside his wife, Teyla Emmagan.
Lost in her thoughts, Nancy was startled when a woman in a flowing white gown suddenly appeared before her.
"Nancy," the woman spoke softly.
Startled, Nancy replied, "Yes?"
"My name is Chaya," the woman introduced herself.
"I know," Nancy responded, her voice filled with mixed emotions. "You're his wife."
Chaya smiled gently. "In a way, I am more than that. I'm his soulmate."
Confusion washed over Nancy's face as she tried to understand what Chaya meant. Sensing her confusion, Chaya gracefully moved closer to the balcony railing.
"In simple terms," Chaya began, "John and I share an intimate bond. We know everything about each other, on a level that transcends physicality."
Nancy's heart sank as she realized the implications of Chaya's words. "You mean... you and John..."
Chaya nodded, her eyes filled with empathy. "Yes, we have a child together. She is seven years old now."
Tears flowed freely from Nancy's eyes, blending with the wind as she struggled to find her voice. "I had no idea that he had moved on completely."
"John is a complicated man, Nancy," Chaya said with compassion. "After you and John divorced, he tortured himself trying to find himself, going on dangerous missions, test flying new aircraft, even disobeying orders."
Nancy's voice trembled as she spoke, "I never wanted him to suffer like that. I wanted him to be happy." She wiped away her tears. "Three years ago, he asked me for information regarding Project Archetype. I didn't know what he was involved in, and he never told me." Nancy paused, her voice shaking. "Then two years ago, his face was plastered all over the media, claiming that he was a militia member who stormed into the Vice President's home."
"Though the river tells no lie, the dishonest standing on the shore still hears them," Chaya quoted.
Curious, Nancy asked, "Where is that proverb from?"
Chaya pondered for a moment before replying, "I don't know. It was said by one of my kind after she was cast out for interfering with corporeal matter. It stuck with me."
Understanding dawned on Nancy's face. "You're an Ascended being. I've heard a lot about your kind. How were you kicked out of the Ascendancy?"
Chaya looked into the distance; her eyes filled with sorrow. "The Wraith attacked my world, culling my people to be fed upon later. The Ancient who ascended didn't want to intervene, to involve themselves in the lower planes of existence." Chaya's voice trailed off as she contemplated her past. "With a single thought of my mind, I destroyed the Wraith fleet orbiting my planet, and the others cast me out, banish me to my world. As punishment, I can only help my world. For 10,000 years, I was alone, never involving myself with anyone until I met John. He took a liking to me, and we fell in love."
Nancy couldn't help but smile as she thought of John Sheppard with his ruffled hair. "He's always had a charming appeal, hasn't he?"
Chaya nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips. "He does." She took a deep breath. "
"Knowing now what he did for living." Nancy looks up, seeing the Naglfar flying in a V formation over the skies. "Fighting life sucking aliens in distance universe."
"Yes, he has." Chaya nodded. "And he will continue to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. That's just the kind of person he is."
Nancy smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I know. He's always been like that. He's a good man."
Chaya nodded, her smile mirrored Nancy's.
Meanwhile, Teyla had been observing the conversation between Nancy and Chaya from a distance. A contented smile graced her face as she touched her growing belly, feeling the baby kick. She had never imagined herself sharing John with Chaya and Mara, but she had made the decision and was genuinely happy about it.
As Nancy and Chaya continued their conversation, Teyla quietly retreated, confident that their meeting would help Nancy find solace and closure. The wind caressed Teyla's face as she made her way back inside, knowing that the love she shared with John was strong enough to weather any storm.
And now, they were dealing with Commander Booth and his imminent transfer back to Earth for a court martial.
Teyla sighed and settled into her office chair, contemplating what lay ahead. She knew the decision to send Booth back to Earth was necessary for the stability of their operations, but it weighed heavily on her heart. She had seen first-hand the sacrifices made by the people of Atlantis, and each departure reminded her of the precariousness of their existence.
A Few Minutes Later
Colonel Anne Teldy had finally settled into her new quarters in New Atlantis City. As the second-in-command of the military contingent, she had been given some perks, one of which was her comfortable studio apartment on the east pier. It was a far cry from the cramped and expensive studio apartments back on Earth. Here, it was completely free.
Teldy had the ability to pick her own team, selecting the best and brightest minds from the city. However, she had decided to choose her old team instead. They had been through countless missions together and had formed a bond that she didn't want to break. Plus, the president and military officials allowed families to join them, so Teldy decline to bring along her husband and daughter since there still a Wraith threat.
While Teldy was enjoying the comfort of her new home, Sergeant Dusty Mehra was eager to fight the "major alien bad guys" in the Pegasus Galaxy. She had come here specifically to take on the Wraith, as she believed there wasn't much to do in the Milky Way after the defeat of the Ori. Dusty had graduated from Officer Candidate School after Atlantis returned to Earth, holding the rank of Lieutenant. She joined her old recon team in Pegasus Galaxy under the command of General Sheppard and President Hayes.
Dusty checked into her own quarters on the third level of the east pier. It was a simple yet cozy space, equipped with all the essentials she needed – a bed, bathroom, and a sofa. She was excited about the adventures that awaited her in the alien world outside her window.
Meanwhile, Major Alicia Vega had been assigned to a spacious quarter on the South pier. The quarters included three bedrooms for her two children and her husband, Marine Lieutenant Antonio Vega, who was in charge of security. Her kids eagerly ran to the balcony, their eyes wide with wonder as they looked out onto the first alien planet they would call home.
Colonel Teldy made her way through the transporter, immediately heading to Stargate Operations. As she arrived, she noticed five Marines in desert digital fatigue, armed with Zat'nik'tels and E90s. Their patch indicated they were part of the Tau'ri Federation Security's Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Teldy quickly climbed the stairs and entered Teyla Emmagan's office, which was a few steps away from the control center manned by Sergeant Chuck Campbell.
"Hey Sergeant," Teldy greeted the tech.
"It's Lieutenant now," Chuck replied, a proud smile on his face.
"Congrats, Lieutenant," Teldy congratulated him. "Teyla is expecting me."
Entering Teyla's office, Teldy saw her standing up and bowing her head, a traditional Athosian gesture of greeting. Teldy reciprocated, following the tradition. Teyla gestured for Teldy to take a seat, but she preferred to remain standing.
"I prefer to stand, ma'am," Teldy said respectfully.
"Please, call me Teyla," Teyla replied, not liking formalities.
"Sorry, Teyla," Teldy apologized.
"No need to apologize," Teyla said, setting the formalities aside. "Do you see those marines near the gate?"
Teldy looked over at the marines nearby and nodded.
"They are here to extradite Jared Booth to Earth," Teyla explained.
"The traitor," Teldy muttered, remembering the name.
"I wouldn't call him a traitor," Teyla said with her soft voice. "There is something Jared isn't divulging that is essentially vital to the Tau'ri Federation's security in both the Pegasus Galaxy and the Milky Way."
Teldy's brows furrowed, curious about the missing information. "And you want me to beat the information out of him?"
"I wouldn't put it that way, but essentially yes," Teyla said, pulling up a map of the city. She pointed out the highlighted route, a longer path to Stargate Operations.
"Let's just say the transporter is down for maintenance on the west pier, and the lower levels of the West Pier haven't been cleared. There are no security cameras installed in the corridors, which means any information he divulges won't be on record to arouse suspicion."
Teldy looked at the map, her confusion evident. "Which is?"
"Jared mentioned that there are spies working for the Trust within our ranks," Teyla said, lowering her head.
"Do you trust this Jared?" Teldy asked, unsure about relying on a potentially treacherous individual.
Teyla looked up and met Teldy's eyes with a steady gaze. "Sometimes, trust needs to be earned through unconventional means."
With these words echoing in her mind, Colonel Teldy prepared herself for the task ahead. She had a responsibility to protect the Tau'ri Federation, even if it meant diving into a world of secrecy and uncertainty. The fate of both the Pegasus Galaxy and the Milky Way hung in the balance, and she was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
Colonel Teldy entered the armory with Major Vega and Lieutenant Mehra waiting for her. She quickly zipped up her vest and clipped an E90 to her chest, while also holstering a zat'nika'tel on her leg. The room was filled with an air of anticipation as her team prepared for the assignment at hand.
"What's the assignment?" Mehra asked, adding extra battery clips to her vest.
"We're tasked with prisoner escort and extracting vital information from Jared Booth," Teldy stated, setting her E90 to stun. As she switched the setting, the weapon emitted a distinct sound.
"Extract what exactly?" Vega questioned, curiosity evident on her face.
"And who is this Jared Booth?" Mehra added.
"Commander Jared Booth is a former Intelligence officer, though most of his file has been redacted," Teldy explained, activating the holographic display of Booth's service record. "We need to find out what he knows."
As they reviewed the information, Mehra murmured to herself, "Why is every bad guy so attractive?"
Vega couldn't help but tease, "Do you have a crush on Dusty, eh?"
Mehra chuckled and retorted, "Hell no, I have a fiancé back in Mumbai."
Teldy turned her attention to Mehra and inquired, "Why didn't you bring him along?"
"He's not military. Only service members with family in the service are permitted," Mehra clarified, emphasizing the stringent regulations.
"We should have married then," Mehra jestingly remarked before turning to Teldy. "Why didn't your husband and kids come along?"
"The Pegasus Galaxy is not safe, there are still Wraith threats," Teldy explained somberly. "I couldn't risk their safety."
Vega chimed in with pride, "My man and kids are here with me."
Teldy smiled and said, "Your husband is a marine, he can handle himself."
Playfully, she punched Vega on the shoulder, signifying deep camaraderie and friendship. As everyone readied themselves, they left the armory.
Transitioning swiftly, Teldy, Vega, and Mehra entered the transporter and tapped the monitor. The transporter doors opened, and they stepped out, making their way towards the heavily secured area of the base. The marines stationed there were armed to the teeth, their E90s illuminated with blue indicator lights indicating that their weapons were set to stun. They all wore black body armor and a red beret with the emblem of Pegasus—a horse with wings jumping over a chevron.
"I heard General Sheppard has three wives now," Mehra remarked, making conversation.
Teldy, feeling mischievous, added, "Actually, he has four wives. His first wife, Nancy Hayes, divorced him a couple of years back. Then he met an ascended ancient with whom he unknowingly formed a soul bond. He had a child with her."
Vega expressed her discontent, "I'd be furious if my husband had two wives."
"Why did he marry Mara then?" Mehra inquired.
"Mara requested General Sheppard to be her husband and father to his son, as part of their agreement for the Tau'ri Federation to establish a base of operations on her planet," Teldy explained.
"But rumor has it that the Traveller Larrin likes him," Mehra added, trying to keep the conversation light.
As their dialogue came to an end, they entered the brig and stood in front of a jail cell surrounded by a forcefield. Inside was the Commander Jared Booth, their imprisoned target.
"We stick to the plan," Teldy reminded her team as they prepared to carry out their mission.
Jared Booth awoke with a start as Mehra tapped on his cell, causing the forcefield to reverberate. He looked up to see Vega standing there, who had playfully commented on escorting a "loser" without realizing that Jared had woken up. Vega then turned her attention to Jared and quickly apologized. "Sorry," she said.
Jared simply shrugged, not minding the comment in the least. In fact, he had no idea who these people were or why he was being escorted by them. Confusion filled his mind as he tried to make sense of the situation.
The sergeant in charge of the brig, a man named Schickedanz with blond hair under his red beret, approached Colonel Teldy. His blue eyes glanced over the group as he asked, "Help you, Colonel?"
Teldy explained, "We are escorting this prisoner to Stargate Operation to be extradited to Earth."
Schickedanz requested to see the paperwork, so Teldy activated the holographic display on her gauntlet and sent him the proper documents. Schickedanz inspected the paperwork and confirmed its authenticity. "This checks out," he said. He then addressed Corporal Wen, ordering him to open the cell and secure the prisoner.
Corporal Wen activated the console and the forcefield surrounding the cell shimmered and shut down. The door creaked open, allowing Corporal Wen and Corporal Jun to enter and restrain Jared's hands with a pair of handcuffs. They then handed him over to Colonel Teldy, Vega, and Mehra. As they took custody of him, they began to walk towards the transporter.
Vega forcefully shoved Jared into the transporter and sneered, "Move it, traitor."
Jared winced, holding his busted lip as blood oozed from it. Colonel Teldy quickly pulled out a dermal regenerator from her first aid kit and began treating his injury. "Yeah, tell it to the Judge Advocate General," Vega retorted dismissively.
With Teldy, Vega, and Mehra behind him, the doors to the transporter closed. Teldy tapped on the West Pier, their intended destination, as she had discussed during her briefing with Teyla. They were supposed to arrive at the central tower, but instead found themselves lost after exiting the transporter.
Confusion filled Jared's voice as he asked, "Where are we?"
Vega pretended to be confused and said, "This doesn't look like the central tower, does it?"
Thinking quickly, Mehra grabbed the radio and pretended to speak to someone in Operations. "This is Lt. Mehra... somehow we were directed to the West Pier."
It was Chuck's voice that responded, "Hold on, Lieutenant. The transporter is offline and waiting for repairs. Hang in there for an hour or so. Chuck out."
Teldy glanced at her watch and feigned annoyance. "Can't believe it," she muttered. "My first day in the city, and now this faulty transporter."
Jared sighed and resigned himself to the wait. "An hour," he muttered.
Vega, escorting him to a chair in the corridor, chuckled and asked, "Yeah, what's the hurry? Is there somewhere you need to be?"
Jared's expression turned serious as he looked down and rubbed his wrist. "They have my Padme," he said quietly.
Mehra struggled to stifle her laughter. "Padme Amidala?" she asked incredulously.
Jared shook his head. "Not Padme Amidala, Padme Dalaj. She's my wife."
Confusion filled Teldy's face as she asked, "Why would the Goa'uld want your wife? I checked your service record, and there's no mention of you being married or Padme Dalaj."
Jared smiled softly. "Why would I mention my wife's name on a public record? The Trust has spies in the Tau'ri Federation."
Jared then realized something peculiar—the corridor they were in had no cameras, and their acting was far from convincing. He couldn't help but tease their poor performance. "Is it kind of obvious that you girls need some acting classes?" he quipped.
Mehra blushed and Vega giggled, acknowledging the truth in his words. "I guess Teyla wants more information," Vega said.
Mehra looked at Jared in surprise. "You knew?"
Jared nodded. "Well, the transporter isn't malfunctioning, and the lower levels of the West Pier haven't been cleared."
Vega laughed and admitted, "You got us there. For a spook, you've got a photographic memory."
"It comes in handy," Jared replied. "Most of my career in the Navy was spent working undercover as a double agent. When President Hayes and the G8 nations disclosed the Stargate to the public and the technology they acquired, including the revelation of Atlantis, I signed up for the opportunity to serve my planet in the fledgling space navy."
Jared leaned back in the chair, an air of exhaustion and determination evident on his face. His wrists were sore from the restraints, but he couldn't let that distract him. He had infiltrated the Trust, an elusive organization with nefarious intentions, and had been gathering crucial intel on their activities.
"My handler is General Sheppard's ex-wife," Jared revealed, his voice low and filled with a mix of tension and determination.
Teldy, one of the few people he trusted, furrowed her brow in surprise. "You were feeding information to General Sheppard's ex-wife?" she asked, her voice equally filled with disbelief and curiosity.
Jared nodded. "Yes. We were on the brink of raiding one of the Trust's safe houses when they took Padme, scrubbing the entire mission. There's a leak within our ranks."
Vega, standing nearby, chimed in. "Do you have any evidence to support your claim?"
Jared's expression turned grave as he produced a small data chip. "I have a list of names of officials and officers from both galaxies. They're all involved with the Trust. I kept it hidden in my quarters aboard the Momotaro, along with a long-range subspace communication ball."
Teldy activated her gauntlet and opened the list of ships currently in orbit or landed on New Atlantis. "The Momotaro is on landing pad 1," she said, glancing at her watch. They had already spent more time than they had initially hoped to extradite Jared to Tau'ri Federation Security.
"The information is in a safe," Jared begin to give them instruction. "The passcode is 667."
Sheppard's Quarters
USS Thor's Hammer
John stirred from his brief nap, the sound of laughter echoing in his ears as he rolled over and placed the pillow over his head. Torren and Little John, his kids, were playing in the living room, their joyous voices permeating through the thin bulkhead.
"Nice going, John," he muttered to himself, glancing at his watch. He had intended to rest longer, but the noise of his children's playtime had interrupted his slumber. Sighing, he rubbed his eyes and made his way to the bathroom.
In front of the mirror, John reached for his advanced sonic toothbrush. This futuristic device used sonic waves to efficiently clean and remove plaque buildup. As he brushed his teeth and rinsed his mouth, he marveled at the convenience of such advanced technology.
After a refreshing shower, John dressed in his standard black uniform and sturdy boots. Ready for the day, he entered the living room where his children awaited him. Torren proudly displayed a Lego model of the Daedalus, an impressive ship from their favorite shows and movies.
"Daddy, look at this!" Torren exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride. Beside him, Little John was engrossed in a game with Woody from Toy Story, his imagination running wild.
"That's an incredible ship, buddy," John praised Torren, tousling his hair. Little John chimed in with a cheerful greeting, "Hi there, Pilgrim," causing John to chuckle.
Turning his attention to Maya, he found her glued to the holographic display, engrossed in an episode of Star Trek Deep Space Nine. "What episode are you on, Maya?" John inquired, curious about his daughter's latest fictional adventure.
"I'm on historical document season 2 episode 26," Maya replied, her eyes still fixated on the show. Unaware of the fiction, she firmly believed that their spaceship home was not too dissimilar from what she watched.
"You do know that's fiction, right?" John chuckled, finding amusement in Maya's innocent belief.
"We are living in a ship, Dad, it's not fiction at all," Maya retorted with conviction.
John smiled at his daughter's imagination, appreciating her innocent perspective. But duties called, and he had to leave for work. Glancing at Maya, he requested her assistance, "Watch the boys, Maya. I'm counting on you."
"Okay, Dad," Maya responded, a sense of responsibility shining through. John planted a gentle kiss on her forehead before heading out the door. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back to his sons. "Boys, I'm going to work now."
"Okay, Dad," they chorused in response, their little voices filled with innocence.
"Moms will be home in a couple of hours" - John provided reassurance, referring to their other three mothers, Teyla, Mara, and Chaya. With that, he closed the door behind him, leaving his children in Maya's capable hands.
Outside, in the bustling corridors of their spaceship, John's name was called by a familiar voice. "Sheppard," Larrin greeted him as she caught up to his pace.
"It's John," he corrected, making his way through the maze-like passageways filled with Marines and Technicians bustling about their business.
Teyla, Emmagan Sheppard, had been preoccupied with assigning quarters in New Atlantis, as the City was hosting a summit to form a Defensive Pact among the various powers in the Pegasus Galaxy. The Genii, the Travelers, and any other human or alien civilization were invited to join the Tau'ri Federation.
Larrin, curious about John's destination, inquired, "Where are you going?" as she joined him.
"To the transporter room, to beam down to the city," John responded, his eyes focused on the task at hand. "Why aren't you with the tour with the President?"
"I got bored," Larrin stated simply. "It wasn't fun without you in it," she added with a hint of innuendo, teasing him playfully.
John assured her, "I'm sure the city can manage without me for a little while. Teyla is in charge, you know, my wife."
With a twinkle in her eye, Larrin continued the playful banter. "You have three wives, and you just leave me after giving birth to your daughter? What will my father say when he gets here?"
John stumbled over his words, feeling slightly flustered. "For Chaya, it's a soul bond thing, Teyla is for love, Mara is by marriage by state, and you..." He faltered, unable to find the right words.
"What about me, John?" Larrin leaned closer, a mischievous smile on her face, enjoying his momentary discomfort.
"You took my blood and my..." John struggled, searching for the right word.
Larrin burst into laughter. "You couldn't say it," she teased, finding amusement in his slight embarrassment.
As they arrived at the transporter room, a petty officer operating the controls saluted the General. John returned the salute before turning to Larrin. "If you want to get with me, just say so," he stated, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
Larrin raised an eyebrow, contemplating his words. "Will the President allow you to have me as your fourth wife for the Alliance?" she asked, stepping onto the transporter pad with John.
Before John could respond, the transporter activated, enveloping them in a flash of light. In an instant, they vanished.