Unascended

Chapter Fourteen

Rodney glared at John across the desk in what was once again John’s office. “So basically you lost Elizabeth. You found people who knew a woman named Elizabeth who had lost her memory, but she went somewhere with somebody and you don’t know who or where.”

John shifted in the office chair uncomfortably, as though he were more worried than his words admitted. “Rodney, it’s not a problem. We know she’s on a Traveler ship belonging to a guy named Lesko. The ship’s probably in hyperspace or trading somewhere remote right now, but as soon as it rendezvous with Larrin’s ship she’ll give us a call and then we go get Elizabeth.”

“At least you admit Elizabeth is alive,” Rodney said.

Teyla thought it was time to put in a word. “It is highly unlikely that there is another woman named Elizabeth who has lost her memory, especially since it is a name from Earth and I have never heard it in this galaxy. So yes, Elizabeth is alive.”

“But is she a Replicator?” Ronon asked, and the other three turned to look at him. Ronon spread his hands. “I hate to say it. But I’ve got to say it.”

“We don’t know,” John said tightly. “We don’t have any idea whether she’s human or Replicator. And the only way we’ll know is to find her.”

“She’s human,” Rodney said.

Teyla closed her eyes for a moment. “Rodney, you cannot know that.”

“When Jackson unascended he was human.”

“He was human when he ascended,” John pointed out.

“Why would she unascend as a Replicator?” Rodney demanded. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“We don’t know!” John was actually shouting, what Teyla thought was clearly a measure of his frustration with the entire situation. “We don’t know, Rodney! We have no idea. We’re messing with stuff nobody has any idea about! All we can do is find her and then see.”

“You don’t have to yell about it,” Rodney said. “I was just pointing out…”

“Don’t you come back the way you went?” Ronon asked.

“We don’t know!” John snapped. “So how about everybody refrain from speculating while we look for her? Let’s put out another call for Larrin and ask her to let us know when she hears from Lesko’s ship.” When everyone just sat there he stood up. “Rodney! Go do it!”

“Right.” Rodney got up and left, a picture of injured dignity. “Don’t bother to say, McKay, you were right.”

“McKay, you were maybe kind of right,” Ronon said, clapping him on the shoulder as he followed him out.

Teyla waited until the door closed. “Do you think it is Elizabeth?”

“I don’t know.” John’s eyes were worried. “We might be chasing a red herring. Somebody who lost her memory and we supplied the name to the Mazatla. Or it might be a Replicator.”

“Or it might be Elizabeth,” Teyla said. “But I see your point that we must not rush to conclusions. There are many people in the galaxy who would like to lure us into a trap. Including some we think of as allies.”

“The Genii,” John said.

“Yes. I do not think they can repudiate their treaty with us at this time, but I am certain there are some who would like to. If we were to make ourselves vulnerable…”

“And there’s this business about the Asgard following us. We have no idea how they did that.”

“That is indeed disturbing,” Teyla said.

“Some kind of subspace… I don’t know.” John shook his head. “But you were right when you said it was too much of a coincidence. They’re following us because they want something and we have no idea what.”

“Maybe they found it,” Teyla said. “Maybe the device was what they wanted.” She paused. “Or maybe it’s Elizabeth.”

“How would they know about Elizabeth? Even if she were unascended?”

“I do not know,” Teyla said. “But it is possible that the Asgard are also hunting for her.”

“I know.” John looked down at his laptop like he could see some answer there. “I’d like to go charging off on this like McKay.”

“But you cannot. You are in charge of Atlantis.”

“Until further notice,” John said.

Richard Woolsey looked out the window at bumper to bumper traffic moving up Massachusetts Avenue toward Union Station, a cold February rain falling over DC, not quite cold enough to freeze. He supposed it was rush hour though it felt earlier in the day to him, his body still on Mountain Time. Or maybe on Atlantis time. Which he needed to put behind him, because he was here to stay. This was his office. Quickly emptied of former Governor Roy Martin’s things, this office in Homeworld Security in downtown DC was his until future notice, until he resigned, the President dismissed him, or he died.

There was a knock on the door and he turned to see the super-efficient Lt. Colonel Davis with a stack of briefing folders. “Come in,” Woolsey said. He went around behind his desk and sat down. “If you’ve got a moment, I’d like to hear from you what the most pressing issues are.” And that was a thing he’d learned in Atlantis: the papers could tell you far less about what was really important than an on-the-ball subordinate could.

Davis slid into one of the visitor chairs like he’d expected to be asked. General O’Neill probably employed this technique all the time. “The most critical thing is the logistical support for the expansion of Atlantis personnel.”

Woolsey blinked. “What expansion?”

“Atlantis is getting twenty-eight more people leaving on Daedalus tomorrow, to be assigned permanently, with another seventeen following on Daedalus’ next run in eight weeks,” Davis replied. “They’re all Indian. Sixteen of the current group are civilian scientists and five of the next group. The balance are Indian Air Force personnel who are assigned to support for the Asoka.” Woolsey must have looked blank because Davis continued. “The Asoka is the Indian research vessel that’s preparing to launch.”

“I thought that was next year,” Woolsey said.

“They’ve moved it up to summer,” Davis said. “So they’re sending out their support personnel and material beforehand. So that when the Asoka arrives in Atlantis there will be any necessary repair and maintenance equipment already there, as well as the people to use it.”

“Nobody’s told Atlantis anything about it,” Woolsey said.

“I don’t know why that is, sir,” Davis said. “But we’ve also been working out the logistical support. It’s only fair that India is supplying additional rations and supplies, so we’re getting a shipment from the Indian Air Force to the SGC.”

“Why aren’t they just using the Stargate instead of going on Daedalus?” Woolsey asked.

“The IAF thought that it would be a good idea for them to become acclimated to spaceflight,” Davis said. “Only four of them have been off-world before, and all of those are civilian scientists. So they’re riding along on Daedalus and seeing it operationally.”

And if Caldwell was fine with that, well and good. That was an Air Force problem, not his. His was to make sure that Sheppard knew that they were coming. They’d need quarters and lab space and storage for the spare parts for Asoka. If they wanted to be near the landing space on the south platform, there might be room in the tower just north of it to store parts and set up office space overlooking the landing pad…

But that was also not his problem. Sheppard would do that. He had to stop micromanaging Atlantis and think about the big picture.

“This is the first major cooperative operation,” Davis said. “The IOA is very invested.”

Which was code for ‘if it doesn’t go well, it’s someone’s head.’

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” Woolsey said. “And I’m sure it will go fine. Get me the documentation on who’s leaving on Daedalus tomorrow so I can brief Atlantis. Let’s make sure everything is ready when they arrive.” First impressions meant a lot, and arriving to prepared quarters and good food was the first step to a smooth working relationship.

This was the shape of the future, not an isolated expedition on a one-way trip but all nations venturing into the cosmos together, and here, sitting at his desk on Massachusetts Avenue, it was up to him. Richard Woolsey could make it work.

Half the miners started packing up to leave Lorvine. Fenna made no attempt to persuade them to stay. “What can I say?” she asked. “Between the Wraith and the Genii, this has become a real dangerous place.” She looked around the well-lit caverns. “Those of us who are staying are staying because we’ve got no place to go.”

“You could come aboard the Durant,” Dekaas said. “We’ll be casting off soon. No point in staying longer.”

“Nor risking your ship.” Fenna’s eyes were suspiciously bright. “And do you speak for your captain then, that you invite us to crew?”

“You’ve skills we can use,” Dekaas said. “And I’d speak to the captain on your behalf. He’s a reasonable man.”

Fenna glanced around the caverns again, then sighed. “No,” she said. “I’ll stay. Thank you kindly for the offer, Dekaas.” She glanced at Elizabeth. “And you can dial out for Sateda. Just get in line. Lots of people going lots of places.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, and watched her walk away. She squared her shoulders. “And I will be sorry to say goodbye to you, Dekaas.”

The old man smiled. “And I to you, Elizabeth. I hope you find the home you’re looking for.”

There was one more thing she wondered. “Why did you ask the Wraith about his queen?”

“I thought it might be someone I’d heard of.”

“Is she?”

Dekaas shook his head. “I’ve never heard of Waterlight. Her line, well, I’ve heard of that.” He dropped his voice. “The hive I served on once was an Osprey hive. But that was years ago, and there are many queens. Or were. I’d guess she’s young and wasn’t very important before this alliance against Queen Death.”

“Do you think the Wraith was telling the truth?”

“That she killed Queen Death?” Dekaas shrugged. “It could be. That’s how it’s supposed to work, mind to mind and hand to hand between queens. Not that it always does. There are plenty who are content to throw men and Darts at each other from a distance. But it could have happened that way. Which would make her much more prominent now, as many of Queen Death’s men would be obligated to follow her. She could have staked quite a large claim.”

“Including sovereignty over human settled planets?”

“For what it’s worth,” Dekaas said. “Hives often divide up hunting grounds, and it does make a difference. Some hives Cull recklessly. Others are more occasional hunters. Not that it matters to the prey.”

Elizabeth frowned. “What about this retrovirus?”

“That’s been tried before,” Dekaas said. “And the idea of strengthening humans against the feeding process…” He frowned. “Medically, the way it works is that when a Wraith feeds it injects the prey with an enzyme that temporarily, and I do mean very temporarily strengthens the human so that it won’t die from shock immediately, before the Wraith has finished feeding. There have been many attempts, both by humans and Wraith, to synthesize this enzyme so that humans can survive a feeding. It doesn’t work. And the effects of the enzyme on the human system in the long run are deleterious.” He drew her aside, away from anyone who might overhear. “Atelia’s husband was addicted to the enzyme when he first came aboard the Traveler ships. I helped him get through the withdrawal, and he just barely pulled through. He had continuing problems for months, and there are issues that are never going to go away. Most don’t live through the withdrawal. He was lucky and he was a physically fit young man. But messing with the enzyme is a very bad idea.”

“But they said this was a retrovirus.” Elizabeth frowned again. There was something this should remind her of, some problem, some dilemma she’d seen before. But it wasn’t there. Whatever the important memory was, it escaped her.

“And you know what a retrovirus is,” Dekaas said. He smiled unexpectedly. “Interesting.”

“You don’t think I’m Satedan?”

“You may be. But there are other places…” He stopped. “Does Hoff sound familiar?”

“Maybe?” And there was a dark story there too, lost somewhere in the black depths of her mind.

Dekaas put his hand on her shoulder. “I hope for your sake that your home is out there, and that there are people you love who are looking for you.”

“But you don’t think so?”

“I doubt it,” Dekaas said solemnly. “But I understand you need to know. And if you decide you want to come with us, there’s good work and a place for you here.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, unexpectedly touched. “I’ll remember that.”

Elizabeth stepped through to Sateda at night. Unfamiliar stars shone over the ruined city, dimmed by the lanterns that surrounded the square where the Ring stood. The pavement was cracked but everything was swept clean, and the buildings surrounding the square showed lights here and there in the windows. A series of low fences directed inbound travelers to a kiosk with an awning some kind of customs booth. Elizabeth looked around in surprise. Somehow she had not expected this. Surely everything should have been rubble? Surely there should be no people?

The façades of the buildings were darkened from fire here and there, upper windows still boarded up, but at street level there were shutters with louvers on them and even a few windows with glass. The bricks had been neatly scrubbed. The streets were clean and well lit. From one building across the square came the sound of music, some kind of stringed instrument and voices raised in song. This city was not deserted. It was alive.

It was cold, and Elizabeth shivered even in the jacket Dekaas had given her. She carried her bundle around the line of fences as a door opened and two men came out. They were unarmed, but their voices sounded official. “Inbound traveler, who are you and what’s your business on Sateda?”

“My name is Elizabeth,” she replied. “And I have lost my memory. A Satedan who lives with the Travelers thought I was also probably Satedan, so I’ve come to see if I can find my family or friends.”

At that their faces relaxed. “A lot of Satedans have been returning lately.”

“I didn’t expect it to look like this.” Elizabeth gestured around the square. “I thought it was deserted.”

“We’ve been coming back a little at a time,” the taller of the men said. “We have a government again. Ushan Cai is our elected leader. You can talk to him in the morning.” He pulled out a little notebook and jotted a few lines. “Returning Satedan, name Elzabet. Any skills or profession?”

“I have some experience in medicine.”

He nodded quickly, making notes. “That’s good. We can always use more medical personnel. Tell you what, go on over to the hotel and tell them you’re cleared. You can get a blanket and sleep in the ballroom. Tomorrow you can talk to Cai and figure out where you want to go.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. She looked around the square again, the buildings of a maddeningly familiar type, and yet not familiar at all. “I can’t believe it looks like this. Those are electric lights!”

The second guard agreed proudly. “That they are. We’ve got a naquadah generator from the Lanteans too!”

“A what?”

“We have electric power again. Limited, but enough for some basic things,” the first guard said. “It’s the middle of the night here. Go on over to that building there. It’s warm and you can get some rest.”

“That sounds perfect,” Elizabeth said, for all that she wasn’t the least bit sleepy since for her it was only mid-afternoon.

Unsurprisingly, lying on a cot with a thin blanket in the hotel ballroom, she couldn’t sleep. All around her twenty or so people slept, most on cots or on the floor in bedrolls. The walls of the big room had originally been painted white and gold, though there were places where plaster had fallen exposing lathe and beam beneath. A few holes in the ceiling showed where light fixtures had once hung, but it was dark except for a little lamp on the desk at the door. The broken windows were closed with shutters against the cold. A small space heater cut the chill a little, a white box in a suspiciously familiar design purring softly in the corner.

Was it familiar because it was Satedan? Probably. Surely. Elizabeth rolled over, trying to find a comfortable position.

A night like this, and quiet, the sounds of other people sleeping in a big, empty room in a deserted city…

…she slept in a bedroll in the corner of her office, the room she’d taken for her office. Who could tell what it was supposed to be? Probably it was the office of the person who oversaw the control room just outside the door, but it was impossible to know what the Ancients had intended.

She should sleep. There was a great deal to do tomorrow and the next day and every day after that. But adrenaline wouldn’t let her sleep. Nothing would, though it had been nearly forty hours since she had spent her last night at home in one of the guest rooms at the SGC, wondering, hoping, praying, that the gate address would work….

Elizabeth sat bolt upright on the cot. She had remembered something. She had remembered something intentionally. It had been a room just off a big room that echoed, ceiling and windows lofty and strange, patterned with colored glass. There were people there too, sleeping in bedrolls under consoles and around screens, while a few bolder ones had branched out into the conference rooms and suites nearby. Everything was quiet, surrounded by the green light of the sea.

It wasn’t her home planet, but it had become home. She remembered it.

Tears filled her eyes. That was home. That was where she belonged. And it wasn’t here, not on Sateda. Though she had no idea where it was, what the name of the world was where that city stood, she would find it no matter what.