Stargate: The Avalon conundrum

Chapter sixteen

2012 August 14

Earth

Atlantis, Lower levels

Richard was in a foul mood. This accident would lead to one of those zealous witch hunts by the IOA. And as the commanding officer at the time he would be involved as well, having given SG-14 the go ahead. "Who was Colonel Giles." he thought, walking through the darker underbelly of Atlantis. Making mental notes of everything he had noticed his thoughts wandered.

"Was he even a colonel. And who had assigned him to the SGC? The orders were all official so someone within Homeworld Command was involved, so General O'Neill won't be happy once involved. It would likely lead to him missing yet another episode of the Simpsons. His kids really ought to get him a recorder," Richard thought, pinching his nose to let go of some frustration.

"At least permission would be granted relatively soon for Dr. Jackson to investigate this new phenomenon," Richard thought to himself. Standing still for a moment to get his bearings. Feeling a tad stumped at his location he thought about it. While he had been in Atlantis for years his memory was still vague on some of the outer areas.

Remembering that he had to walk forward for another forty or so meters before turning left he continued on. Finally a clue on what the Lanteans who did not ascend did. Dr. Jackson had been especially excited on receiving the news. Seeing the doors ahead Richard thought about how annoyed General O'Neill must have been when he learnt he had to tell Dr. Jackson he could not visit Sosohr anymore.

As Richard slowly approached the brig the doors opened. Walking out of the brig were two sergeants, both looking a tad sleepy from what likely had been a long shift. Greeting them as they neared each other Richard said with a cavalier cheer in his voice, "Gentlemen. You must be happy to have been relieved so soon after being assigned to guard the prisoner."

With a look of surprise, the sergeant closest to him responded, "Were you not informed, sir? The prisoner has been transferred to the Thule Air Base several minutes ago."

Shaking his head Richard noticed the worried looks the two sergeants exchanged. "Were you two present when the prisoner was taken?" he asked of the two sergeants, hoping there would at least a be a clue as to who had taken Colonel Giles.

"We were , sir. There was one man in a suit who did not introduce himself and two marines. They handed over the paperwork which we confirmed was in order so we released the prisoner to them."

Knowing he could get nothing more out of them Richard said, "Very well. Write a report on this and deliver it directly to Chuck. Enjoy your free time gentlemen."

Leaving the two sergeants behind Richard walked passed them and entered the brig. He entered the dark room with the Lantean designed cell in the middle, with its bars spaced far apart relying on the force field to keep the prisoner in. With a look he confirmed their story, the cell was empty. With nothing left to do in the brig, he walked out, something nagging at his head. He knew the Thule Air Base from somewhere.

For several minutes Richard walked, going back to his work in the central tower when it hit him. He had read about the Thule Air Base in an IOA note. It had been a short note on the decision to make it into a training base for IOA personnel to gain some field experience before being assigned a position.

"So why would Colonel Giles be sent back there," Richard thought, "No, the better question was why would the IOA plant a colonel in SG-14?"

2012 August 14

Earth

Atlantis, Mess hall

A look of satisfaction spread across Lesya and Ry'tac their faces as they enjoyed the strange flavour and texture of the banana yogurt. Swallowing Ry'tac answered Teyla's question about their training with a relaxed voice, "I would say the hardest was the blindfolded training while in the mountains."

With a surprised look, Lesya looked at him before proclaiming, "You thought that was hard? Learning how to ride the needle threader was the hardest! Please, Teyla, do not be fooled by Ry'tac. Learning how to ride the needle threader is the hardest as its controls are extremely fidgety. But we had an amazing teacher in Master Bra'tac."

Swallowing another spoonful of their yogurt Ry'tac and Lyesa told Teyla more about their training. How challenging some of the moves in Lok'nel and Mastaba were. Yet how rewarding it was then they had completed their training under masters Teal'c and Bra'tac. And then to be chosen to be part of the six Jaffa who would join Earth's SGC. Waving over Ronon who had just entered the mess hall their conversation changed to Colonel Giles as Ronon walked off to grab a plate to fill with food.

Several minutes later Ronon sat down with a food piled up on his plate interrupting the conversation. Before taking a bite out of his steak he asked, "Any news about Sheppard?"

"Not yet Ronon," Teyla answered, "However, Richard is looking into it. He should be interrogating Colonel Giles right this moment."

Swallowing and letting out a grunt Ronon said, "So what can we do?"

Taking it up from there Rodney answered, uncharacteristically not eating a lot. "At the moment nothing. His subcutaneous locator beacon has been disabled, blocked or removed so we can not track him. This does confirm the IOA is holding him against his will. But leaves us without a clue to his location and unable to mount a rescue mission."

Taking a small bite before pushing his plate away Rodney asked, "So what are the two of you gonna do now. Still planning on going to Pegasus?"

"We are Rodney. Colonel Carter is going to leave for another long-term deep space mission in the Pegasus Galaxy in two weeks," Teyla answered him in place of Ronon who had started devouring his pile of food in earnest. "She will be monitoring the Wraith and gathering intel on the Vanir before returning to Earth. Since we can not do much here on Earth but be part of the SGC, especially now that the IOA has denied our request for help. After talking with General O'Neill we have decided to join Colonel Carter and split up once we have arrived in Pegasus. She will go about her mission, return to Earth after several months and then during her second mission pick us up one year later on Athos."

Taking a sip from her water before continuing Teyla looked around the table. "We will miss you all but we need to do this. We need to fight the Wraith and accomplish our goal of getting your forces back to Pegasus. That is why we will be asking several of the representatives of the Coalition of Planets to join us on Athos when we return. Maybe having to deal with more people from Pegasus will finally push the IOA to take action."

Having finished explaining Teyla bid them farewell and left the mess hall to go pack her bags and finish other preparations so she could leave. Turning to Ronon to start a conversation with him Rodney was greeted by Ronon's chest as he had stood up, having finished his meal. "I will go to my quarters to pack as well," he said before turning and leaving.

Left with the two Jaffa Rodney turned to them and asked Ry'tac if he was still interested in the technology. Receiving a positive answer Rodney went off on a rant on one of his latest discoveries, with Lesya listening in and eating her lunch.

2012 August 14

Earth

Atlantis, Main tower

A few hours had passed since lunch. Entering the briefing room, Lesya, Ry'tac, and Rodney sat down, the only ones left of SG-14. Sitting down the doors closed as Mr. Woolsey entered, a major they did not know following behind him. Sitting down he opened his folder, as usual, tapping his pen before opening his mouth.

"Lesya, Ry'tac, Rodney. With Teyla and Ronon going back to the Pegasus Galaxy for at least one year you are one member short of the usual size of an SG-team. Normally we would leave it be for a while but the IOA has already tried to plant someone with you. In order to prevent this, and with the recommendation of Colonel Carter, I am assigning Major Jennifer Hailey to your team."

Taking a deep breath from his short speech Mr. Woolsey continued, "For the coming months General O'Neill and Landry have agreed to promote Lesya to temporary team leader to see how the four of you work together. Please take this time to get to know each other and report back tomorrow at eight am for a mission briefing."

Dismissing the four members of SG-14, Mr. Woolsey quickly stood up and left the briefing room leaving the two Jaffa and scientist alone. After spending an hour getting to know each other they went their separate ways, to do their thing until the next mission came.