New Atlantis
The crowd erupted in surprise and applause. General Sheppard reluctantly move his legs as he stood on the dance floor with his wives when Chaya, Queen Mara smiles and nodded at him to go to the stage. With a bow to his wives, he made his way to the stage, the cheers of the crowd nearly drowning out the music. As he took the podium, he smiled warmly at the man who had just stepped down from the presidency.
"Thank you, President Hayes, I don't know what to say," John began. "I'm not a politician sir."
"Nonsense," President Hayes replied with a chuckle. "You've led men and women through some of the most dangerous situations the galaxy has ever seen. You've forged alliances, made tough decisions, and inspired loyalty and respect. That's what leadership is all about. You've got this, General."
With that, the crowd settled down, and General Sheppard surveyed the sea of faces before him. He took a deep breath and began. "Thank you, everyone." He waved over Teyla, Chaya and Queen Mara over to the stage with him.
"Speach!" Shouted the crowd.
"Oorah! Oorah!" Shouted the marines that's in the crowd.
The General smile and nod at them as approaches Henry and whispered into his ear. His nervousness and shyness creeps back in as he looks out at the crowd again, searching for a place to start.
"You do fine." Henry said as he pats the General shoulder. "Look at them. They're with you. You've earned their trust and respect. Just speak from the heart. You can do this."
Space Dock
Geosynchronous orbit Earth
John is in the observation deck, looking down on Earth. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts as he gazes at his home planet. He could see that the space station is in geosynchronous orbit over North America, and he can make out cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. with his naked eye. The view reminds him of the first time he had seen Earth from space, when he was fought the Wraith a few years ago.
The door to the observation deck slid open as Torren, his stepson, Little John, his other son and Maya, his daughter walks inside with smile on their faces as they approach the window. They place their hand on the viewscreen and plant their faces to see Earth closer if they could. For Maya, its her first time seeing her father's home world after being raise by her mother on a planet that worship's her mom. Little John, the prince of New Atlantis is at awe with the sight of Earth. Torren, on the other hand, is showing his maturity as he appreciates the view without making it obvious, even for a 2 year old.
'Don't break the glass." John teases his kids with a smirk.
They all giggle and step away from the window. Torren gives his father a soft punch on his thigh, "We're just admiring the view, dad."
Little John tugs on John's sleeve, "Can we go to Disney land? It looks like so much fun!"
John smiles down at his youngest son, "We will Little John." He tousles his hair affectionately. "For now, we have to go to my inauguration." He glances at Torren, who nods understandingly. "But after that, we can plan a trip to Disneyland."
"I was wondering where you are little John." It was a concern voice of Queen Maya who stood at the door with her arms crossed. She approaches her husband and kisses him on the lips.
"Mommy, look it!" Little John said while still peering through the viewscreen at Earth and pointing at a brightly lit city on the planet below.
"Yes, I see." Queen Mara smiled down at her 7 year old son. "John honey." She places her palm on her husband right cheek. "You skip breakfast."
"Oh, sorry hon. I wasn't hungry." John replied with a sheepish grin. "What did Chaya and Teyla say?"
Queen Maya smiled at her husband other wives that she shares with. "Nothing, since being appointed President and took the title of King, you have a lot in your plate."
Outside of the observation deck, Nancy Hayes is on her way to meet with the newly appointed President. It caught her by surprise when her ex husband John Sheppard is the new President of the Tau'ri Federation, but she knew he would make a great leader. She had always respected him, even after their divorce. As she walks down the hall, she can't help but feel a mix of emotions. She's proud of John's accomplishments, but she can't help but wonder how things might have been different if they had stayed together.
Now, she's responsible for her ex husband John Sheppard security. She can't help but feel a bit of irony in the situation, but she takes it in stride. As she reaches the door to the observation deck, she takes a deep breath and adjusts her suit. She's nervous, but determined. She doesn't want to make a scene, but she also wants to make sure that her ex-husband is safe and secure. She saw John with another woman and 3 kids busy looking at Earth. She had curly long hair and holding his hand. As she step inside, she cleared her through to get their attention.
"Um, excuse me, I'm here to see the President." She says, trying to sound as professional as possible. The room falls silent, and everyone turns to look at her. John's face breaks into a warm smile as he steps forward.
"Nancy." John said, surprised but pleased to see his ex-wife. "What a surprise."
"I was in New Atlantis." Nancy said as she glances at the blond woman. "Who's she?"
"I know, Sorry, I missed you. I was busy being General and Commander of Pegasus Command." John apologizes.
Queen Mara step forward, "Oh, I'm Queen Mara." She extends her hand for a handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Yes, well..." Nancy hesitates, glancing at John. "It's nice to meet you too, Mara. Um, I didn't mean to interrupt anything important. I just wanted to make sure everything was in order for the inauguration."
"My husband haven't mention you are his ex-wife." Queen Maya said with a hint of surprise. She could tell that Nancy was uncomfortable.
"Your husband is John Sheppard." Nancy is a bit surprise. "I though he is married to Teyla." Nancy didn't mention Chaya since she is an ascended being.
"I don't want to brag." John Sheppard chuckled.
"Yes and he is the King." Queen Maya reply with a smile.
"John, you have a lot of titles now." Nancy smiles as she lightly punches his shoulder. "It's good to see you doing so well. I'm here as your head of security. I wanted to go over a few things before the big day."
"Oh, right." John says, nodding.
Harbinger Planet
A few days later, the Overlord returns to Todd's cell. "You have been...contemplative." The machine comments, as it floats inside. "Perhaps you are considering my offer."
"I have." Todd responds to the Overlord.
The Overlord hovers patiently, it's glowed eyes watching Todd carefully. "And what conclusion have you come to?" it asks, its voice devoid of any emotion.
"What help do you need help with?" Todd asks cautiously, not trusting the Overlord.
The Overlord activates a holographic image of the Harbinger space hovering over Todd's cell. "This Latean outpost once a...a...a city ship." the hologram flickers, showing the outpost in its heyday. "many of it...it...its system" It seems to struggle with the word. "A...chall...a...a...a challenge." The Overlord says, before continuing. "un...un...unable to bypass main system."
"If I help you to bypass main system?" Todd asks, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "What is it for me."
The Overlord's optical sensors glow as it scans Todd. "You would be...f...f...f...free." The machine says carefully, hesitating on the word. "To do...as you wish." It floats closer to Todd's cell, lowering it's voice. "W...w...we want to be free."
Todd eyes the Overlord suspiciously. "Ok, I help you."
The Overlord turns back to the obsidian guards and made some clicks and chirps to them. The guards nodded and approaches his cell. As the forcefield deactivates, and the door to his cell open, the obsidian guards stood by the door.
"Follow me." The Overlord says to Todd, leading him through the empty corridors. The obsidian guards trail behind, their presence making Todd feel uneasy.
After a while, Todd and the Overlord reach a large control room, filled with banks of flashing lights and holographic displays. The obsidian guards remain at the entrance, their presence still unsettling. The Overlord floats up to a control console and begins to fiddle with the controls.
Todd is mesmerized at the sheer size of the control room. The Overlord's fingers dance across the controls, activating various systems with ease. After a few minutes, the Overlord finally pauses and turns to him.
"Ca...ca..cannot read this language." The Overlord says.
"I can." Todd said, walking up to the console. The Overlord hovers back, giving him space. "It's ancient Wraith." He murmured, his fingers flying over the controls. The holographic displays flickered and came to life, showing a schematic of the Harbinger space.
"What does it say?" the Overlord asks cautiously, its optical sensors glowing as it watches Todd.
Todd scrolls through the pages and he has taken interest. "hmm, the storms in this region of space is artificial." Todd mutter to himself.
"Why?" the Overlord asks.
"Over 10,000 years ago, Lantean scientist abandon the Harbinger program, due to faulty programing in their artificial intelligence. The Harbinger drones couldn't distinguish Human and Wraith, Lantean lead scientist Janus along with his assistance Chaya Sar abandon the project after a series of murder from the drone test. After the Lantean council admonished Janus and exiled Chaya Sar for their crimes, the council artificially created a storm in this part of the region, to keep their positronic brain inert, before the Harbingers escape." Todd read more to himself.
"Innn...interesting." The Overlord says, it's optical sensors narrowing in on Todd. "Where...where is the..the...controls of device?"
"They are on the last page." Todd says, scanning the final pages. "Ah, here they are. The main controls are in...Oh no." Todd said with a surprise look on his face.
TBC