Hello All!
Here we are with the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
And with that, on this the story!
Chapter Eleven: The Runner Stops.
February 28, 2006. 0300 Hours. Location: P3M-736
The cool nighttime air did not alleviate the irritation Major Even Lorne as the ever incorrigible botanist Dr. Parrish continued to ramble on and on about how important the samples of planets were. They were simple plants, Lorne saw no way they could help them win against the Wraith.
However he then remembers the large Cyclone armor he wore was powered by Protoculture power cells, which were made from plants and he quickly shut up.
Lorne and Parrish had gated to this world after the M.A.L.P. had come through and made sure it was safe for human exploration. Well, safe is a relative term on this planet. The planet is exposed to insane amounts of UV radiation and so it is dangerous to walk around for long periods of time when the sun is up and you are not wearing a Cyclone suit or one of the old style Hazmat suits. Lorne had heard a better version of those giant fifty pound suits is being tested out, but he doesn't now of sure.
Ever since Area 51 was moved to Moon Base Granada back on Earth's moon, a lot of crazy things have been created.
There was a thin small laser knife that Cyclone could use, but it was determined that it was too power hungry. And then they created a particle shotgun that when fired, exploded and nearly killed three people. They were fine, but they immediately applied for a transfer out of that lab. Another thing they tried to create was a bubble shield. Throw it against the ground and a shield will pop out, keeping civilians safe from enemy fire. However the shield generator also exploded when turned on and set an entire laboratory on fire.
With all the insane things those nerds back in Moon Base Granada are cooking up, a better hazmat suit is more then likely somewhere in that labyrinth of madness.
Nothing too substantial has happened in the two months since Zor came back to Atlantis from Orilla. The Asgard had begin construction on four more Zor class Dreadnoughts, but they are still a month away from completion at the very least.
A small detachment of 3 O'Neill class warships was sent to Earth's solar system. Inside these warships was some of the Asgard's smartest and best scientific minds. They quickly docked at Moon Base Granada and began the lengthy process of educate Earth's scientists on the science behind many of the their greatest technologies, that way one day they may be able to improve their technologies and create newer ones all on their own.
Another small detachment of three O'Neill class warships was sent to Atlantis, where they docked with Moon Base ALUCE and then a vast majority were transported down to Atlantis. Once there, they were led to vacant laboratories where they began to try and decode the Ancient database on Atlantis. Atlantis was home to greatest collection of knowledge in the known universe and even though the Asgard were not going anywhere soon, they were still very much intrigued by the thought of what the Ancient database contains.
So, the very long process of decoding the Ancient database began, Asgard and Earth scientist helping each other out in their pursuit of knowledge.
The ADF had a plethora of Destroids now, easily having over 1,000 total Destroids of the six classes all built and ready to fight with their pilots. The SGC has around 1,000 Destroids now at the numerous bases spread around their little section of the Milky Way galaxy. Pendragon count has risen to around 500 for the ADF as the newest pilots graduated and were declared fit for combat. The SGC has around 400 Pendragons, most of them at airfields on the bases where the SGC has built, due to the Daedalus warships not even close to being completed.
Due to Earth's lack of warships, the ADF has decided to lend them a few of their own. The Plato class warships Tartaros and Enterprise have been assigned to the SGC until the Daedalus class warships have been completed and made ready for combat.
The remaining Plato class warships and the Macross have continued to patrol their small section of Pegasus for Janus's secret laboratories, but so far, not a single trace of their existence has been found. The logs in Janus's secret lab in Atlantis have been less then forthcoming with anything even closely resembling to a address of the labs. Actually, the logs have revealed almost nothing so far. Not a single clue to where the labs are located or even what might be in them. Janus was extremely paranoid the council might one may find his logs, so he made almost impossible for any information to be found in his logs. It was extremely aggravating for the ADF, but they did find one thing of interest though.
What they found was a small, 4-inch-by-4-inch-by-2-inch big smooth object. When testing what it might be, it was discovered the device was a set of schematics for a space fighter sized hyperdrive. Normally such a thing would be impossible, the energy drain was too great along with the near impossibility of making a fighter sized hyperdrive actually function without destroying the fighters ability to function completely.
However, Janus had somehow managed to do the impossible and the ADF was currently testing out a tweaked version for their Pendragon's when their Super Packs are completed.
If this works, it will allow fighters to launch lightning quick raids against the Wraith with near immutability. So far, the testing has actually been going good, so it will only be a short while before the Drives are completed and then the Pendragons will have a new toy to play with.
Back to Major Lorne, he sighed as he held his A-55 across his chest, wishing for something more exciting then hearing yet another lecture about how important these stupid plants where.
Be careful what you wish for, for sometimes it comes true.
"Major!" Parrish shouted out in fear, causing Lorne to activate his shields and run over, his A-55 primed and ready to slay anything that might be a threat.
When he got over to Parrish, he saw a single dead Wraith, the skin starting to peel and a small swarm of fly like creatures buzzing around.
"Alright Doc. We are heading back to the gate, now. Coffin, do you read?" Lorne said.
"Yeah." came the reply.
"Any activity?" Lorne asked, eyeing the Wraith and more specifically, the large burn hole on his chest.
"No sir." Came the reply.
"Well, I got a dead sucker here, looks KIA, no older then a day old. We heading back." Lorne said as a place a marker down for the return investigation.
"Alright Doc. Let's get you back to the gate." Lorne said as he started t led the Dr. back.
"I don't understand." Parrish said as he was being led back to the gate.
"Neither do I. All I know is, he didn't do that to himself." Lorne said as he continued to lead the Dr. back to the gate, cursing that the thick foliage of this forest planet made it impossible for him to transform into hover bike mode.
Unknown to either of the two retreating ADF members, watching them was a figure covered in shadows, holding a futuristic looking hand gun in his right hand.
The figure watched the two go back towards the gate and after a little while, the figure moved back into shadows, the harsh radiation of this planet masking his signature. He disappeared like a ghost, as if he had never been there.
1000 hours. Location: Atlantis.
Back on Atlantis, Dr. Beckett had just finished doing an autopsy of the body and gave his report.
Normally, a dead Wraith is no issue. However, the way this one was killed was a bit worrying.
A burnt hole in the chest, a clear sign of an energy weapon, like the ones used by the ADF. It was the fear of the ADF high Command that someone has somehow gotten their hands on ADF weaponry. They didn't want to give such advanced technology to the people of this galaxy, not until they knew more about the people who lived here.
"After finishing my autopsy of the body, I have concluded that a ADF weapons was not the cause of the Wraith's death." Carson said, causing the other assembled to sigh in relief.
"The bast mark contains a type of particle energy. The weapon that killed this Wraith has a similar energy output to our own laser magnums, but ultimately the energy is too different to be one of ours." McKay said as he showed them the energy remnants Carson had sent to him.
"So, whoever killed this Wraith uses a weapons similar to our own laser magnums, but it was built in this galaxy. Got it." Sheppard said.
"Yes. I think we should try to find who killed this Wraith. They have a very powerful energy weapon in handgun form, who knows what they might have?" McKay said.
"Agreed. Making an alliance with a civilization advanced enough to create handguns of this level is something I can get behind." Sheppard added his won two cents.
"Alright. If that is your wish." Weir said.
Sheppard nodded and then meeting soon came to a close. Sheppard was leaving the meeting room when he saw Ford in his Cyclone armor leading his new team towards the gate.
Sheppard smiled, Ford had come a long way since he had arrived here on Atlantis. After his brave actions in defending Atlantis, Ford had gotten promoted and given command of his own team, AR-54.
It was a little bittersweet seeing Ford no longer on his team, but Sheppard was happy Ford was making a name for himself as a good commander. Sheppard saw a bright future in Ford as a commander.
However, Ford leaving AR-1 left a hole Sheppard's team, which would need to be filled soon. None of the candidates that had applied was what Sheppard was looking for, so the search continued for the new fourth member of Sheppard's team.
Sheppard left to go get suited up in his own Cyclone armor which is what Teyla and McKay what Teyla and McKay were doing.
Sheppard quickly arrived at the armory and punched the buttons into his locker, causing the large metal container to open and showing the large mechanical armor inside.
The armor was colored black and silver with a silver Pegasus painted onto the right shoulder. Sheppard thought it looked ridiculously cool.
Sheppard then watched as the armor split open, the chest and leg components popping open so that Sheppard could slip inside.
Sheppard slid his left arm inside the arm and then got his right arm inside as well and then felt was the armor slide the chest plate over his chest as the other sections of the armor reformed back into their normal positions.
Several different small screens appeared before Sheppard's eyes as the armor ran several self diagnosis scans over the armor to make sure everything was working correctly.
Once the AI had confirmed the armor was running perfectly, the AI transferred all command and control to Sheppard and he got out of the locker, stopping only to pick up his three hand weapons and then moving out, his A-55 rifle attached to the back of his waist.
Teyla in her own dark purple and tan Cyclone armor and McKay in his dark blue with sky blue Cyclone soon joined him and the three made their way to the gate.
Chuck saw them enter the gate room and with practiced ease, punched in the gate symbols on his console.
The corresponding symbols on the gate flashed into existence one by one until seven were dialed and then the familiar blue water-like energy flew forth, going 15 feet away from the gate and then stopping and hanging there for a second before receding backwards and then collecting in the arch of the gate, creating a puddle like surface held in place by the arch of the gate.
The three members of Ar-1 quickly moved and went through the gate and disappeared.
Location: P3M-736
The three members of AR-1 left the gate and walked onto P3M-736.
The was incredibly bright and bared down upon the humans that had dared to tread upon this planet.
"Radiation on this planet is incredibly high. How that plants still live and thrive on this planet is a mystery." McKay commented as he ran several scans.
"A questions of the botanists. Let's go find our mystery killer." Sheppard said as the three began the long hike to the area where the Wraith as killed.
1200 Hours.
AR-1 finally arrived at the area and began to search the immediate vicinity for any clue.
Sheppard was currently looked at the ground for any tracks he could follow, but found nothing so far.
"The particle readings have faded away into nothing. I knew this was a waste of time. The Wraith was killed too long ago. If we had found it only a hour after it had been killed, maybe we could have followed the particle trail, but it's almost completely gone by now." McKay complained as he squatted down near where the Wraith had been found dead.
"Worth a try. Teyla, did you find anything?" Sheppard asked.
"No. No tracks, no trail, nothing. It was if the Wraith was killed by a ghost." Teyla said.
"Well, we know we are dealing with a professional then. Probably has a lot of experience hunting and hiding his trail. We'll just have to continue looking. Let's move over here." Sheppard said as he pointed towards some rocks.
"Hey Sheppard. Can we stop too eat? I didn't have breakfast." McKay asked.
Sheppard sighed and said, "Sure McKay. Five minute break and then back to it."
McKay nodded as he sat down and took off his helmet and then opened his supply of three Turkey sandwiches too eat.
Sheppard and Teyla also sat down and opened their own supply of food and began to eat, a small feeling of unease present in their minds.
It felt as if someone was watching them.
Without warning, several small red bolts of energy shot out and struck McKay, knocking him unconscious.
Teyla and Sheppard reached for their helmets, but where quickly stunned and knocked out before they had a chance to put of their helmets and reactivate heir shields.
Before Sheppard fell unconscious, he saw a tall figure approaching the three ADF members, but he fell unconscious before he had a chance too see who it was.
Time: Unknown. Location: Unknown.
Sheppard groaned as he came back to the land of the living, noticing that his Cyclone armor was missing somehow.
He felt thick strands of rope wrapped around him and felt the back of two other people behind him.
He heard Teyla and McKay groan as they began to wake up as well and assess their situation.
He then heard a noise and turned his head to the left to see a man putting on some kind of a ointment. He was tall, being somewhere above 6 feet tall. he had long brown dreadlocks on his head, green eyes and few specks of dirt on the back of his neck from where Sheppard could see. The Cyclone armors where stashed to the right side of the cave, far outside of Sheppard's ability to reach.
The man turned and saw Sheppard was awake, stared for a few seconds and then went back to putting on his ointment.
"Hi. Name's Lt. Colonel John Sheppard of the Atlantis Defensive Forces. You?" Sheppard asked.
The man had finished putting on his ointment and then turned and walked over to just a few feet from Sheppard, a P91 on his hip, likely taken from the Cyclones.
He just stared at Sheppard and then said, "Lt. Colonel?"
"My military rank." Sheppard explained.
"Specialist, Ronon Dex." The man now identified as Ronon said.
"Ex-military?" Sheppard asked.
"Yeah. Once. What are you doing on this planet?" Ronon asked.
"We are looking for the person that killed a Wraith with an energy weapon. We wish to find out who gave them that weapon so we might be able to create an alliance with them." Teyla said.
"Well, you found him." Ronon said as he pulled out a futuristic looking pistol that made a sharp noise as it powered up.
"Now, you said Atlantis. Do you mean the home of the Ancestors?" Ronon asked.
"Yeah. We live there. Been there for over a year now. Nice place." Sheppard said.
"Explains you armor. Never seen a armor that advanced before. Took forever for me to figure out the release command for the suits." Ronon said, looking at the Cyclones.
"Yeah. I was wondering how you got us out of the Cyclones." McKay said as he joined the conversation.
"I simply fiddled around with the suit until it opened and you fell out onto your face. I then did the same thing with the other two suits." Ronon said.
"Okay well now. Mr. Ronon. I am sure we can come to some understanding." Sheppard said as he felt Teyla moving her hidden knife up and down the ropes slowly as to not attract attention.
"The only thing I want, is something you cannot give me." Ronon said as he turned away.
"What do you want?" Sheppard asked curious.
Ronon turned and stared at Sheppard and said, "I want this Wraith tracker out of my neck."
Teyla stopped moving her knife and said in slight awe and horror, "You are a Runner."
Ronon looked at her and nodded, saying, "Yeah, I am."
"A Runner?" Sheppard asked, confused.
"When the Wraith came to my planet, they attacked and destroyed everything. I was captured trying to defend my planet, but just as the Wraith was feeding on me, for some reason he stopped. I was then taken to a lab where they cut me open. They put a tracker in my neck and then let me loose. They hunted me for sport, until after a while, I stared hunting them in return. I been all over the galaxy, never staying in one place for too long or else the Wraith find me." Ronon explained.
"Beckett can get that tracker out." McKay said, causing Sheppard to hit to try and shut him up.
However, Ronon turned towards McKay and then walked over and got down to his level and said, "Repeat that."
"If anyone can get that tracker out, it's Beckett. His is the best medic in two galaxies." McKay said, greatly unnerved by Ronon's nearness.
Ronon stared at McKay for a few minutes and then said, "Here's what I am going to do. I am going to release you, but keep the other two. You are going to go to the gate and get Beckett and tell him to remove the tracker from me. Try to bring reinforcements, and I am sure you know what I'll due to these two. Do we understand one another?"
"Yeah. Perfectly." McKay said.
"Good." Ronon said as he charged up his gun and stunned both Sheppard and Teyla in the head.
He then cut McKay loose and said, "Be back here in four hours or else."
McKay nodded and then ran off towards the gate, knowing he was on the clock.
Time left: Hour and Half.
McKay was panting heavily, massive sweat marks on his shirt as he had just run almost continuously for an hour and a half before he got to the gate.
After a minute of resting, he punched in the gate address for Atlantis and then ran through the gate once dialed.
Location: Atlantis.
Weir was worried sick, AR-1 hadn't reported for five and a half hours and she was about to send another team to go find them when the gate dialed from P3M-736.
However, what came through was Rodney sans his Cyclone, looking like he just ran a marathon.
"Rodney? What's going on? Where are the others?" Weir asked as she raced down the stairs to reach Rodney.
"They...were...captured...by...a...man...named...Ronon...Dex...Ronon...wants...Beckett...to...remove...a...Wraith...tracker...from...his neck." Rodney said through gasps of breath.
"What?" Weir asked.
"We...need...Beckett...now." Rodney panted out.
A few moments later Beckett was clad in his white and red Cyclone carrying two large briefcases of medical equipment.
"So, If I am to understand correctly, I am too go through the gate with Rodney to go and preform an operation on a dangerous man who has taken Colonel Sheppard and Teyla hostage. Am I missing anything?" Beckett asked.
"No, that's about everything. Take whatever you need to operate. We can't risk messing this up." Weir said.
"I don't think an operating room and a bloody army is going to fit through the gate." Beckett said back as he packed the last few things and then went rushing to get to the gate.
Rodney was there waiting for him clad in his new temporary Cyclone armor and said, "Did you get everything?"
"Aye. Everything I need to operate on a dangerous man on an alien planet with the threat of the death of two of my friends as a way to force my hand." Beckett said in response.
"Listen, I'm sorry for blowing this, I didn't mean to get you in danger."
"Ah, it's alright Rodney. You made a move to try and buy time to save not only yourself, but also both Teyla and Sheppard. It didn't work out the way you hoped it would, but either way, we still have a chance to get through this with no deaths." Beckett said as the gate dialed.
Once the gate was activated. both Beckett and Rodney ran through the gate and where now on P3M-736.
"Alright, led the way." Beckett said.
The two men then went charging through the woods to try and get to Sheppard and Teyla before time ran out.
Time left: Five minutes.
Ronon was waiting for the two of them to arrive, Teyla and Sheppard still tied up, but now awake once more.
"Got here just in time. Leave the armors." Ronon commanded, his gun primed and ready.
"Okay, lad. Take it easy." Beckett said as he got out of his armor while McKay did the same.
Beckett then opened his briefcase and took out a handheld life scanner and said, "Off with the shirt."
Ronon complied and took off his shirt, allowing Beckett to scan the back of his neck.
"That Ancestor technology?" Ronon asked.
"Yeah, we call those thing life sigh detectors. Nifty little things." McKay replied.
The device easily located the Wraith tracker and Beckett said, "Alright, I have located the device. I am going to give you a wee bit of sedative to numb the pain."
"No, just cut it out." Ronon said.
"Son, listen to me. The tracker is right by your spinal cord. One flinch and..." Beckett started to say before Ronon cut him off.
"I won't flinch. Now cut it out." He said.
Beckett sighed and said, "Alright. I'll get my stuff."
Beckett then went and got all the medical equipment he needed ad then before he began said, "Are you sure you don't want a sedative?"
"Yes. Now get to work." Ronon said, his gun still in his hands.
"Alright. Beginning now." Beckett said as he began to cut into Ronon flesh, the lamps on his head giving him the light he needs to operate.
Ronon grimaced in pain, but didn't move. Still as a statue he remained as the operation continued.
For the next half hour, Beckett carefully cut through Ronon's neck and towards the Wraith device.
He then grabbed a pair of medical tweezers and carefully grabbed the exposed device and took it out of Ronon.
He then dropped it into a medical bin and said, "Alright, the device is out. I am now going to close the wound."
Beckett then grabbed a needle holding a silver shining liquid and carefully injected the needle barely into the flesh surrounding the wound.
Compressing the needle, the silver liquid was injected into Ronon. Within seconds, the wound itself sealed up as if it had never been there before.
Beckett removed the needle and said, "All done."
Ronon was surprised and said, "Really?"
Beckett nodded and said, "Aye, I used an injection of medical nanites to repair the damage. Don't worry, now that the wound is closed they'll run out of power and they'll leave your body soon."
Beckett then started to take off his equipment and put them away while Ronon put his shirt back on and said, "Thanks."
"You're welcome lad." Beckett said as he got all his equipment put into his suitcases.
However, it was at this moment that disaster struck in the form of dozens of Wraith stun blasts racing through the air.
"Take cover!" Ronon roared as he pushed Beckett to the floor as his returned fire at the Wraith.
McKay got back into his Cyclone and then tore the rope around Sheppard and Teyla, who ran to their own Cyclones and got inside.
Picking up their A-55's, the three ADF members started to return fire, their larger and more powerful weapons tearing apart the Wraith Drones with ease.
"Beckett, get into your Cyclone! We are going to make a break for the gate." Sheppard ordered as he took down a Wraith Drone.
Beckett quickly got into his Cyclone and the five people took off towards the gate, stun blasts flying through the air to hit them.
However, as they were running two Wraith Darts flew in from above and shot their particle cannons at the ADF members.
The two giant explosions erupted underneath the ADF members and not only striped away their battered shields, but also flung them into the air, causing them to ht the ground with giant impacts, stunning and hurting them.
Ronon grabbed Sheppard's A-55 and set it against a large rock and fired towards a Wraith Dart.
The heavy duty particle blasts struck the Dart, tearing into the Dart's thin armor and causing tremendous damage until Ronon hit something important and caused the entire Dart to explode.
The other Dart had swung around and was about to fire at Ronon when a large particle beam struck the Dart and destroyed instantly.
Sheppard had his back mounted particle cannon aimed at the now destroyed Dart as he sighed and fell back onto his back.
Ronon walked over and said, "You done already?"
"Not yet." Sheppard replied as he got back onto his feet, although wobbling a little bit.
Teyla, Rodney and Carson were all alright, but they had to leave this planet right now.
The group of five quickly ran towards the gate, which was guarded by a large group of Wraith Drones. Nothing a barrage of Inferno's cannot handle.
After completely carpet bombing the Wraith Drones into oblivion, the group arrived at the gate and McKay quickly dialed Atlantis.
This it the point where several more Wraith Darts arrived and began to fire at them.
The group wasted no time in sending the IDC and then jumping through the gate, leaving the Wraith behind them.
Time: 2200 hours. Location: Atlantis.
Weir was nervous about the fate of AR-1 when the gate opened up with a incoming wormhole. After they received the IDC of AR-1, they lowered the gate shield iris.
A few seconds later, Teyla, McKay, Carson, Sheppard and a unknown man all came jumping through the gate and the moment they were through Sheppard yelled, "Close the Iris!"
Chuck followed orders and within moments the clear gate shield raised across the surface of the puddle that was the activate wormhole in the middle of the Stargate, preventing anything from getting through, as the moment they leave the wormhole their molecules will be splattered all across the shield.
A second later, several massive objects impacted the shield, causing it to flare several times before the wormhole disconnected.
AR-1 lay near the gate, all of them exhausted from the events of that day.
"Sheppard?" Weir asked as she came down the stairs, several guards near the gate.
"Hey Weir. Meet Ronon Dex." Sheppard said as he pointed towards Ronon who was getting up, grunting as several bolts of pain came from the areas he hit when he landed.
"The guy that captured you?" Weir asked, the guards raising their weapons.
"Wait, don't shoot. He may have captured us, but he also saved the lives of me and my team." Sheppard said as he got up and in between himself and the guards.
"How?" Weir asked.
"A Wraith attack team attacked us. Me and the rest of AR-1 along with Beckett got knocked off our feet and stunned because of two Darts. Ronon took my A-55 and destroyed one of the Darts and I took care of the second Dart using my particle cannon. If Ronon hadn't done what he did, me and AR-1, plus Beckett would be dead." Sheppard explained.
Weir nodded, understanding the situation and bit better, "Well Ronon Dex, you have my thanks for saving AR-1."
"I just wanted to kill some Wraith." Ronon said.
"Well, thanks to you, AR-1 is still alive. Despite this however, you did kidnap AR-1. As long as you are on this base, you'll have a few guards watching you. Understood?"
"What?" Ronon asked, thinking they were just going to shove him out the gate now.
"You did save my best team, so you are going to be allowed to get something to eat, along with a shower and a change of clothes. What happens after that is open to debate." Weir said.
Ronon was quickly led to a temporary room where he will be staying for at least the night.
Everyone else went to get some food, a shower and then some rest and tomorrow AR-1 will give their reports.
Time: March 1, 2006. 0900 hours. Location: Atlantis.
Currently, AR-1 was watching as a M.A.L.P. was sent to Sateda to see if Ronon's homeworld still had life.
However, the planet on the screens was by no means a world with a population on it. Ruined skyscrapers and buildings were everywhere. Giant holes were present all around, signs of Wraith orbital bombardment.
Ronon looked despondent, seeing what had happened to his home world in the seven years he had been living as a Runner.
"I'm sorry." Sheppard said, seeing the pain in Ronon's eyes.
Ronon nodded and just continued to looked at the broken remains of his world with incredible pain in his eyes.
Time: March 5, 2006. 1000 Hours. Location: Atlantis.
Sheppard and Weir are in her office talking about what to do with Ronon.
"The guy is ex-military, knows a lot about the Wraith and is a total bad ass. None of my guys can match him in combat, he just takes them apart. Even Teyla has problems with him. He would be a incredible asset to the ADF." Sheppard said.
"He still kidnapped you, Teyla and Rodney and forced Beckett to operate on him. I don't think he is the best choice for a ADF member." Weir countered.
"True, but he saved the lives of myself, Teyla, Rodney and Beckett as well. I say give him a chance. The SGC did the same with Teal'c. A member of the warriors threatening Earth and the SGC gave him a chance and look how many times he has saved our planet. All I am asking, is for a chance to prove he can be an asset." Sheppard asked.
Weir sighed, knowing Sheppard would not let this one go and said, "Fine. One chance. He is still going to be guarded for a little while until he proves himself and he has to agree to join."
"Thank you. You won't regret this, I promise." Sheppard said as he walked away.
Weir sighed as a slight headache started to form.
Sheppard walked down the halls, trying to figure out a way to convince Ronon to join the ADF. Since he arrived here on Atlantis several days ago, he has showed time and time again he would be a great member of the ADF.
When Sheppard took him to the gun range, he was able to use the X-98, P91, and even the A-55 with ease, although his Particle magnum is his preferred weapon.
Ronon's particle magnum is a admittedly sweet handgun. Having a faster firing speed and stronger energy bolts, it is a bit better then the X-98, but the area the X-98 outclasses the Particle magnum is the fact that the particle magnum requires crystal energy charges to function. These crystal power packs are much more easily drained then the X-98's Protoculture power cells, meaning the Particle Magnum runs out of ammo much faster then the X-98. After analyzing the particle magnum, Rodney has found a easy way to manufacture the crystal power packs for Ronon.
Ronon has also had casual sparing matches with man of the ADF's best marines and so far, Ronon has gone undefeated in over 100 matches, earning him the nickname of "The Mountain", due to his incredible size compared to most of the members on Atlantis.
Ronon himself has found himself addicted to the ADF food. Having only been capable of eating wild animals in less then ideal conditions for over seven years has made him forget what eating real food has been like. His table manners maybe less then stellar, but once you get to know Ronon, he is actually a rather enjoyable guy to be around.
Sheppard then remembers there is one place that just might be able to convince Ronon to join and so runs off to find the man.
Not surprisingly, the man in question is currently digging into yet another steak in the cafeteria. Ronon has tried nearly everything the ADF serves here on Atlantis and has liked them all.
Sheppard also saw the two guards that have had to shadow the man the entire time he has been on Atlantis and saw their resigned expressions.
It was no secret Ronon has absolutely no table manners in the least, eating like a wild man, but considering he has been away from civilization for seven years, it's understandable.
The two guards have tried to convince Ronon to eat a little more like a civilized human, but it's starting to look like a loosing battle.
Sheppard walked over and said, "Hay."
Ronon looked up from his Steak and potatoes and said, "Hay."
"I was about to head to the moon and wanted to expend this opportunity for you to see what's up there." Sheppard explained to Ronon.
Ronon looked confused and said, "Why would I want to go see the moon?"
Sheppard smiled cryptically and said, "That's a surprise. What do you say?"
Ronon looked suspicious, but his curiosity was peaked, so he said, "Sure."
After Ronon finished eating, the group of four went down to the Jumper Bay and boarded a Jumper. Once everyone was settled in, Sheppard activated the Jumper.
The Jumper quickly flew into the air and moved up towards the void of space.
Ronon had been impressed by all the ADF had in their arsenal, but he wasn't quite sure if they could win against the Wraith. Sure, they had those sweet guns and armor, plus those transforming jets and giant mechs, but they would be of no use against a Hive.
Suddenly, a giant tear in space erupted only a mile from the jumper and from it came a massive white and blue warship.
Ronon look on in awe, the giant warship was massive and looked incredibly powerful.
"What is that?" Ronon asked.
"That would be the Super Dimension Warship One Macross. She is our largest and most powerful warship in service. She is headed for Moon Base ALUCE right now. She just got back from patrol duty." Sheppard explained as he moved the jumper to a course parallel to the Macross.
The Macross engaged her engines and flew over towards Moon Base ALUCE, the large hanger bay doors of the base opening up to allow the ADF's greatest warship access to the base.
With practiced ease, the giant warship slid into the base and settled down in her special dock reserved for her and her alone.
Ronon looked down at Moon Base ALUCE with undisguised awe, seeing the Macross herself, along one Plato class frigate docked here at the moment as well, while the O'Neill class warships were visible as well from their own berths. Never had Ronon seen such large vessels or seen so many of them in one place. Each vessel, even the smaller ones, screamed of technological superiority and incredible amounts of raw power.
Any doubts Ronon had about the ability of the ADF to stand up to the Wraith disappeared the moment he saw those warships. With a fleet of these warships, it was possible to defeat the Wraith. It would be a long conflict, with many loses, but in the end, the Wraith can be defeated. These people have the ability to defeat the Wraith.
Sheppard saw the look on Ronon's face and knew he had the man hook, line and sinker.
Sheppard then began to long trip back to Atlantis, the Jumpers engines glowing bright blue as she crossed the expanse of space with ease.
Sheppard landed the Jumper with grace and ease, the vessel not even shuddering as she landed back onto the massive city ship of Atlantis.
Sheppard then turned to Ronon, who had a contemplative look on his face.
"Hey Sheppard?" Ronon asked.
"Yeah?" Sheppard asked, already guessing what Ronon was about to ask.
"Can I join the ADF?" He asked.
"Sure. Let's head to Zelenka to get you a customized Cyclone built for you and then let's get you assigned to a team." Sheppard said as he led Ronon towards Zelenka's lab.
When they reached Zelenka's lab, they found the man working hard on several advanced equations and schematics.
"Oh, hello Colonel. What can I do for you?" Zelenka asked.
"We need a Cyclone for Ronon here to be built." Sheppard explained.
"Ah. Well, Ronon. Please stand on this pad and we'll get all the necessary measurements." Zelenka said.
Ronon stepped onto a large sever foot wide blue glowing pad and several small round ball began to float around him, launching green beams of light that scanned him from head to toe, getting all the measurements necessary for the Cyclone.
A small hologram then appeared before Zelenka and he said, "Now that we have the necessary measurements, do you want anything special on the Cyclone?"
Ronon looked at the hologram and said, "Give it a black color scheme with red accents."
Zelenka clicked a few commands and the Cyclone was given that color scheme and then Zelenka said, "Any special decals on it?"
Ronon was silent for a moment before he took out a patch from his pants pocket.
It was a simple sword behind the figure of a man holding a rifle in the air.
"This is the patch of the Satedan Specialists. Can you put this on the left shoulder pad?" Ronon asked.
"Sure." Zelenka said as he scanned the patch and the digitally reconstructed it and placed it onto the left shoulder of the Cyclone.
"I would also like the patch for the ADF on the right shoulder. I want to show everyone where I was and where I am now." Ronon said.
Zelenka nodded, understanding the sentiment behind Ronon's request and quickly added the ADF symbol to the right shoulder.
Ronon looked over the holographic representation of his new Cyclone and said, "Yeah, that's good."
Zelenka nodded and said, "The Cyclone will be finished in around a two or three days."
Ronon nodded and said, Sheppard said, "Well, let's go get you assigned to a AR team."
The four men left Zelenka's lab and went to Sheppard's office, where he got all the paperwork for Ronon to sign.
After around two and a half hours, they were all done with the paperwork and all they had left was for Ronon too choose which AR team he wants to be assign to.
"So, here are the files with the names the various AR team leaders who are available for you to join." Sheppard said as he handed the file to Ronon.
"I was actually kind of hoping I could join your team Sheppard." Ronon confessed, surprising Sheppard.
"Really, why?" Sheppard asked.
"Your a good commander. You don't give an order you aren't willing to follow, your smart, kind and loyal to your men. I may have been here for only four days, but I have seen how you interact with your men. Your a good military commander." Ronon explained his reasoning.
"Well, AR-1 is currently one man down now that Ford has his own team and you are very qualified to fill his position. Okay, welcome to AR-1 and the ADF Ronon Dex." Sheppard said as he stood up and stuck his hand out.
Ronon firmly grasped it and shook it, signalling the beginning of his adventures with the members of the ADF.
Meanwhile...
Lisa Hayes, Second-in-command of the SDF-1 Macross was currently reading in her room. It has been a long patrol shift for the crew of the Macross. They have been searching relentlessly for any of Janus's secret facilities, but have failed to find a single thing.
This had left the crew of the mighty warship feeling a little bit despondent and they needed a little break right about now.
Lisa's thoughts eventually turned to a certain black haired Veritech pilot and a small smile appeared on her face.
Rick had really changed over the past year and a half since they met back on Macross island on that fateful day. He had changed for the arrogant brat of a pilot to a respectable military commander with two pilots under his command. He has proven himself time and time again over the course of the battles with the Wraith, showcasing great depths of bravery, commitment to his men and leadership potential.
However, also over the course of the time they had gotten to know each other, Lisa has found there was a bit more to the man known as Rick Hunter then just his flying abilities. She has learned that his a funny, kind man who cares for others deeply. She also learned Rick has always looked up to Roy, no big surprise, but also Rick feels a little overshadowed by his older brother.
He feels as if he has to prove to everyone, he is capable of great things just as much as Roy is. It is something he has dealt with ever since childhood and it hasn't gone away just yet. Rick loves his brother, but Roy casts a big shadow over his little brother.
She and Rick have had numerous small chats of late, getting to know more about each other and who thy really are.
Lisa has to say, Rick is a very nice young man and someone she respects greatly as a military man. However, as of late, she has begun to suspect her feelings for the young man just might run a bit deeper then what she is willing to admit.
Just then, she heard a knocking against her door frame. Quickly placing a book mark on her current page, she walks over and opens the door, revealing a familiar man standing there.
"Hey commander." Rick starts the conversation off with, looking a bit nervous, which was a bit suspicious since the young man has never really gotten nervous around her since their second meeting in the mess hall of the Macross all those months ago.
"Lt. Hunter. This is a surprise. What can I do for you?" Lisa asked, curious as to why Rick was here.
"Well, I was planning on going down to Neo-Macross in a few days since we got a week of shore leave and I was wondering if you would like to go visit the new fancy restaurant that has been opened recently with me." Rick said, a small pit of pink on his cheeks.
Lisa herself was bit shocked, she would have never expected the young man before her to ask her out. But after giving it a bit of thought, it did sound like it would be a rather nice time, so she said, "Sure Rick, I would love that. Pick me up at 7 P.M. tomorrow?"
Rick nodded and with s smile, "See you then commander!"
Rick then said, "Well I better stop bothering you. See you tomorrow!"
Lisa nodded and gave him a small wave as she watched him walk away.
After he left, she closed her door and with a smile, went to go check over her outfits. After all, Rick said it was a fancy restaurant and it was best to look nice.
Meanwhile, Rick was on cloud nine. He had finally gotten the guts to ask Lisa Hayes herself out on a date and she had said yes!
After his first face to face meeting with the lovely commander, Rick couldn't get her out of his head. They had a number of meetings after that and after each one of those meetings, Rick found himself slowly feeling more and more attracted to the commander.
It was blatantly obvious to everyone on the ship that Lisa and Rick had some feelings for one another, but the two of them just didn't seem like they would ever admit that to anyone. There was even a betting pool among the Pendragon technicians who would ask who out first. Most of them bet on Lisa since she had more then two brain cells working at one time when it came to romantic matters.
Rick had found out about the pool just a week ago and was not amused in the least.
He knew he wasn't the most alert when it comes to matters of the heart, but he was at least better then what those guys were claiming.
It was that little event that had lit the fire to ask Lisa. He wanted to see what he and Lisa could one day become if they allowed those feelings to grow.
The ADF has no policy against members of the ADF dating anyone, civilian or otherwise, but professionalism was expected of those involved and they were also expected to do their duties to the best of their ability even while dating.
Rick soon arrived at his own little room (thank god for those transporter booths) and went inside. He then went to his closet to get himself ready for his date.
As two people give lit to the small fire that burns in their hearts, the ever present march of time continues onwards, taking everyone closer to the day when all worlds shall know the sweet taste of freedom.
Freedom from the Goa'uld, freedom from the Wraith. Soon, all worlds will be able to grown, learn and explore without fear of their planets being destroyed by these malevolent species.
The Tau'ri will fight for that dream, the dream of freedom. No matter what.
And that is it!
I loved Ronon, he was by far, one of my favorite characters in all of Stargate. He was so cool, he was such a badass and he was hilarious to watch sometimes. He had his sweet handgun, a cool personality and a lot of character. He was such a amazing character. Another reason why Stargate Atlantis should have never been cancelled for SGU.
My personal top 20 favorite characters in the Stargate franchise goes as follows: John Sheppard, Ronon Dex, Carson Beckett, Teyla, Thor, Jack O'Neill, Samantha Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Radek Zelenka, Steven Caldwell, Elizabeth Weir, Rodney McKay, George Hammond, Hank Landry, Bra'tac, Jacob Carter, Vala Mal Doran, Jennifer Keller, and Richard Woolsey.
They were all such amazing characters with their own personalities, backstories, dreams and hopes. They all felt alive, like real people I could meet walking down the street. This is why I fell in love with Stargate as a franchise. The sci-fi ships are cool, the Stargate is awesome, Atlantis is gorgeous. But in the end, it is the characters that made this franchise as popular and beloved as it is. Without these characters and the amazing actors who played them, there would be no franchise.
Now, onto the little bit of Rick and Lisa, I really love them as a pair. When I first watched the Macross Saga, they were my favorite couple and ironically my first experience into the world of shipping. However, sometimes I just wanted to smack the living daylights out of Rick. He went after Minmei over Lisa. Lisa is a much better match up, in terms of personality, abilities, and just general chemistry. It was so frustrating.
So, in my story Minmei is almost non-existent, with only one or possibly two appearances at all planned.
I am not going to say anything else in fear of spoilers, so here is where I am going to end the chapter.
As always, if you have comments, criticisms or concerns, send me a P.M. or leave a review, always appreciated.
And until next time, this is StrikeFreedom10, signing off.
EXCELSIOR!
RIP Stan Lee, a truly great man. Rest in peace upon the shores of Valhalla, you wonderful creator. Your stories will never die and they shall always be remembered by us.