Beyond the Gate Book 2

by LightDragonQueen

Summary:

Picking up exactly where book 1 left off. Tanith has to deal with the aftermath of her shot, and at the same time gets to return to Earth for some incredibly important issues. Ascretta is a huge world, and in has many new friends just waiting to be met. Rodney gets to use his cat care skills when a mother Furling arrives in Atlantis about to have her kittens. Radek names a jumper

Chapter 1: 1 Family Reunion

Notes:

Just a note that which is also posted on my profile directly. I will TRY to post a new chapter to this story once a week, otherwise every two weeks.

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 1 Family Reunion

 

Furling Planet Ascretta

Pollicle Shipyard city

Sunset

 

“Heaven help me” The words rang true, and they werent Pollicle. The words belonged to that of a feline, female by the look of her. She had a weapon of some kind that the Pollicle had never seen before, nor did the massive brute like the look of the weapon for that matter. The one that overheard the words never gave the speaker the chance to fully pull the trigger before striking.

 

Jumping at her from nowhere, Taniths attention was taken from Norho, the shot went wide, blasting a gaping hole in the power connection for the hallway crystal controls and causing chaos across the atrium with a incredibly loud BOOM as Tanith ducked from the swing of a huge heavy weapon.

 

Her sniper rifle upon the ground she backtracked on all fours as rapidly as she was able as the heavy hammer smashed into the rooftop. Sending pieces of it flying. She rolled her eyes. Just her luck. She took in the size of the massive brute of a Pollicle looming over of her. The massive mutt stood between her and her rifle. And for the moment, the massive things attention was locked on her.

 

He swung the weapon again, she ducked and rolled out of reach a second time. “Alright, fuck it, if that's how you want it...” Tanith said softly, she drew a long slender knife from her leg sheath and then settled into a combat stance. “Then that'll be how you get it.”

 

She focused on the massive Pollicle, trying to figure out the massive brutes breed, and could only come up with a incredibly ugly mutt. A mix of both pug and rotwieler just by look of it. Not that Tanith much cared. Instead she was more focused on not dying at that exact moment.

 

The massive Pollicle swung at her as it stepped forwards with a sharp bark of a challenge. She barely defelcted and dodged to the side, using her knife she slit a deep long cut in the mutts side. But it didnt go down, instead it howled with anger and pain from her blade.

 

That would have been too easy. Tanith found herself chuckling, she wanted a good challenge from the Pollicles, and sniping only took the fun out of a good fight. This Pollicle had a massive heavy weapon she had never seen before execept in a video game on her computer a long time back.

 

But to see a massive hammer like the one the Pollicle swung at her, only to miss again and stagger slightly, colliding with the side of her puddlejumper as he did so. Another deep and long gash in his thigh. It was a sight to behold. A Gravity Hammer, the impact of the thing sent shards of, well, anything it came in contact with, everywhere.

 

At least her puddlejumper wasnt damaged, at least as far as Tanith could see yet. “Hey, Asswagon, over here!” Tanith called as she finally stood between the massive Pollicle and her rifle. She laid flat as he swung, and cleanly missed, smashing against the drive pod of the puddle jumper with a hard crack a second time, it made Tanith incredibly nervous at that sound.

 

The mere sound of gravity alone impacting against the puddlejumpers drive pod made her nervous. She was going to run a diagnostic first chance she got and repair what she could when this fight was over.

 

“Honey, did you just get hit with something heavy duty ?” Came Tharons voice over her radio in her ear. To hear her husbands voice in her headset, that was unexpected, yet it was also very much welcomed.

 

“As much as I truly love your voice first thing in the morning, dear, I'm kinda busy at this exact moment.” Tanith replied, but Tharon could tell she was in combat. So rather then lie to her beloved husband she said “I got ambushed, but its alright its just one massive mutt who wont listen to the order to sit”

 

It made Tharon chuckle, “Look, sweetheart, I know you're busy, but the reason I called is because Ben said he picked up impact damage on the puddlejumper. What just happened ?” He asked her.

 

“From this angle it looks minimal, but its no doubt really serious, this Mutt has a fuckin' Gravity Hammer and it hit the drive pod on the right side when it missed me!” Tanith replied, she grunted and ducked, finally she just laid on her back, Sniper rifle in hand. “Dearheart Im gonna have to call you back. Shit's going down.” She said, she didnt even bother to aim, that close of range the Pollicles torso imploded and it dropped the hammer next to her as its remains sagged into a wet pile.

 

The blast echoed, but thankfully there was nobody around to hear it. Any that were no doubt saw the results of their fight already, and were too terrified to come near where she was, and for that, Tanith was thankful.

 

She slowly sat up, let out a sharp breath. “You alright dear ? Ben tapped into the other shipyard cites he could find, we see you on camera. You look alright”

 

“If this is the new daily norm, I'm ready to retire” Tanith mumbled, it made Tharon chuckle.

 

“Whatever you do, Lady Tanith,” Came the voice of Ben, he sounded worried “do not attempt to exceed eighteen thousand meters into the air on your flight back here, the damage to the drive pods internal crystal matrix is quite extensive, and requires severe level repairs. The sooner you return to Ascretta to us, the sooner the damage can be repaired.” Ben then went on to explain that the drive pods internal crystal matrix itself sustained very heavy damage,and flying anywhere above 18,000 meters was not possible until it was properly repaired. But until they had a look at the drive pod itself, there didnt appear to be any damage to the vessel.

 

“Next time I'm gonna activate the shield network” Tanith mumbled, she looked at the dead Pollicle. “But, thank you Ben, Marcia is directly across from me now, and I think I have company. Hopefully its friendly.”

 

“It is friendly, according to the screens, two Goldens are heading your way as we speak, looks like the one I only knocked out when I rescued Agustus” Tharon spoke up, from the sound of things, Tharon sounded relieved his wife was alright. “Nice shot dear, I think you got him” Tanith couldnt help but chuckle as Tharon managed to see the dead Pollicle laying at Taniths feet as laid on the rooftop.

 

Tanith struggled to her feet briefly swaying as she was dizzy, the effects of the gravity hammer even when it missed her made her dizzy. She found the power switch and turned it off. She then picked up her sniper rifle, making sure it was undamaged, with a happy grunt she was glad to see her favorite gun was unharmed, and then stowed it in her puddlejumper. She was stepping from the craft when the two Goldens arrived.

 

“Are you harmed ?” Asked one, in this case it was Laime. Tanith recognised her. And she also recognised the other, the male Golden, Tjend

 

She shook her head, then regreted it instantly. Saying, “Only a bit dizzy, But I'll be alright after a rest” Tanith replied, she picked up her fallen knife and slid it into her leg sheath. She looked past the two Goldens as she knelt on the rooftop, “Just the two of you ?” She asked as she stood back up, going over to the dead Pollicle she patted the mutt down, what was left of him, and recovered a handful of items, what seemed to be currency of some kind. Along with what looked like charges, explosives maybe ? And a weird gun. She pocketed most of the items, then held the gun, grip first, towards Tjend for him to take.

 

“We came as soon as I was told of what happened” Laime said as Tjend took the strange pistol. Tanith could tell both Goldens looked upset. “The crystal light control exploding scared Norho out of his wits”

 

“I heard everything, that guy, Norho, he took over didnt he ?” Tanith asked them, Laime sighed and shook her head, not liking how the night and day before had gone. “Its alright, Norho is my new target. Soon I will end him for you, you wont have to worry.”

 

“If you wonder, the Furling across the way is safe, thanks to you, your wild shot, you managed to drive Norho away from that tower, this section of the city really, out of sheer fear of something hunting him now.” Tjend said. He looked relieved as well as he sounded

 

Laime giggled, “He ran by my post screaming of tech exploding around him.” She said, it made Tanith smile. Perfect, her prey was scared.

 

“Something on your mind, Healer ?” Tanith asked him. “If you wonder, I planned to take out Norho before he could breach the door to where Marcia is asleep. I do not much like the look of Norho, and by what I could hear, he had plans that included humping the living daylights out of a injured possibly quite feverish Furling” Tanith looked at him. “Please tell me I am wrong in that guess”

 

“Sadly, no, you are completely correct, but thanks to your shot even missing him, he fled. Now its only a matter of time before he gains his curage and starts hunting for more Furlings. Its all Vake can do to keep things civil in the council now.” Tjend said.

 

Tanith smirked and kicked the Pollicle carcass on the rooftop. “So before I could take out the fucker, this freak tries to kill me in an ambush” This day just got better and better. She picked up the fallen gravity hammer with ease, and it made Laime stare in confusion. “What ?” Tanith asked her

 

“Normally gravity hammers are too heavy for anyone other then a Brute to use” She explained, the Pollicle that Tanith had imploded with a sniper round was a Pollicle Brute, a genetic miracle created by the Council as the primary guardians of the Council. Massive breeds of Pugs and Rotwilers interbreeding, carefully grooming each generation into the perfect soldier. “How can you pick it up so easily ?”

 

Tanith looked from Laime to the hammer in her hand. “I am not sure, I just know I can use it, somehow.” She gave it a practice swing, it felt funny, yet balanced too. “I think its a half gram heavy on the back end.” She turned back to the two Goldens as they watched her stow the thing in the overhead interior roofrack without breaking a sweat. There wasnt even any damage to her dress or weapons either.

 

Tanith stepped back from her jumper, dusting off her hands as she did so. “Look, I need to go back to my place for a while, can I trust this, Vake guy to keep the Furling in your care safe from Norho and his goons until tonight ? My ship took extreme damage, and I need to get it repaired before I can try to fly Marcia back with me to where I am staying.”

 

The two Pollicles nodded, “You can trust Vake to keep the Furling woman safe, take as long as you need.” Tjend said to her. Tanith smiled to him, with a simple nod of thanks she turned and entered her puddlejumper.

 

“Can we trust her ?” Laime asked as the jumper lifted off from the rooftop atrium garden.

 

“We can, she did say she wanted to 'take out' Norho, he was, and still is, her target.” Tjend said, the male Golden smiled, “Dont worry, Vake's soldiers will guard every door, I'll even ask him to increase the patrols and set a pair of guards every five meters on every hall leading to where that Furling woman is.” Tjend said, the two turned and went back inside.

 

“What about the dead ?” Laime asked, sure it was a Pollicle Brute, but still it was one of their kind.

 

“Let the carrion birds enjoy their meal.” Tjend replied. The two then left the area and went back to where the Furling woman, Marcia, was recovering.

 

Furling outpost

Ascretta

Moments later

 

The puddlejumper glided to a shuddering halt at the platofrmr that Ben had constructed for it to be parked on. The rear door broke open and the ramp slid out as Tanith stepped down it, she had her Ori staff draped over her shoulder across her back as she walked from the jumper, she spotted Ben, he held a tablet. He didnt look happy, but niether was Tanith happy

 

“Any good news ?” She asked him

 

“Sadly no, wish I had some” Ben replied, Tharon stepped from the control room out onto the landing pad, the couple briefly hugged. “When the impact of the engine pod was detected I began a diagnostic of your gateship, in this case, your puddlejumper”

 

“I take it then good news is not available ?” Tanith looked from Ben to her husband, who had an expression of relief on his face, she had been gone all night long, and most of the morning. And to come to a not so smooth landing made him nervous to say the least.

 

“I wish that were the case, according to the diagonistics I received, the engine pods crystal control matrix is destroyed, its easy to repair. I just need access to the ship for a few hours to do the repairs. If I cant make the required repairs myself we can put it back on to the assembly line to have the assembly line repair the damage directly. Or make an entirely new puddlejumper, your choice.” Ben explained the extent of the damage, they did have the resources needed to make another Jumper if they wanted.

 

“At least you are in one piece, whatever hit that engine pod could have killed you“ Tharon spoke up as he hugged his wife a second time. The Furling and Replicator traded looks

 

“What did hit it anyhow ?” Ben asked her

 

“Heh” Tanith chuckled, “I had a feeling you'd want to know. I'll be right back.” Tanith turned and went back inside the jumper, removing from the rear compartment a gravity hammer. Tharons eyes went wide when he recognised it. “Recognise this thing, dearheart ?” She asked to her husband.

 

“How the hell did you get a Gravity Hammer, on Ascretta ?” Tharon asked upon seeing the weapon, the fact that Tanith handled it just as good, if not even better than a Spartan right then and there made him wonder if he could use it. She held it out to him for him to take as Ben inspected the weapon

 

“You call this a Gravity weapon of some kind ?” Ben asked her

 

“Yeah, a gravity hammer, a Pollicle Brutue used it, and when it missed me, it hit the drive pod, but on the outside as you can see, there's no visible damage to the pods outer shell, but inside it, just like you said, the crystals were destroyed.” Tanith explained the fight she had only an hour or so ago.

 

“At least you're alright, the gravity field generated by this weapon is enough to crush a common man, and more then likely had seen action during the Pollicle invasion of this planet too” Ben spoke up in thought.

 

“How long will it take to repair the Jumper ? I'd like to.... Ben, are you alright ?” Tanith said, even Tharon looked at him as the Replicator went briefly stiff, a hand went to the machines shoulder.

 

“I am alright, I just detected storms on the other side of this planet, according to my sensors, this planet has nine continents, on the other side of this world I picked up a storm, a big one, and the energy signatures from it are identical to what brought everyone here from Atlantis and Earth.” Ben explained

 

“So we have more Furlings to find and bring back here ?” Tanith asked

 

“Doubt it, when I scanned the planet I picked up more Furlings, but they looked to have been there for some time already, its possible they drove off the Pollicles and the pollicles then built up the other shipyard city as their home with several outlaying settlements

 

“Meaning” Tanith said in thought

 

“We wont have to search and rescue those on the other side of the world, any that appear within our area and range we can rescue and bring back here. Doubtless we'll have more to rescue before the year is over.” Ben said in thought.

 

There came the sound of the stargate activating inside the centeral tower of their shipyard city. Ben in the last week and a half alone had managed to nearly uncover the entire structure, revealing the massive thing entirely, at least in outline ,there was still some meadows towards the south, closer to the Pollicle Zone than they'd like. Apparently it was a bit of an issue. To the point wherein Ben had started setting up Replicator drone barges to act also as patrollers.

 

The gate shut down. “Ok that wasnt very good news.” Ben said in thought. Rodney had contacted him through the stargate with some rather important news.

 

“What is it ?” Tanith asked after trading looks with Tharon. Something told them both they werent going to have that candle lit dinner they had been wanting for some time now.

 

“Rodney said he wanted you to come to Atlantis, sooner the better. I can begin work on repairing your puddlejumper. Once I see the damage I can get started.” Ben said.

 

Tanith smiled and nodded. ”OK, that sounds fair. Come on.” She went to the ship and activated the drive pods. They both extended. Allowing Ben to fully and carefully inspect the damaged one.

 

“Just as I thought, the control crystals are all destroyed, Im glad you were able to get back here safely.” He said to Tanith, now that he had seen the extent of the damage he told her that since the ship was now back at the place it was made, they could wirelessly connect to the assembly line to have replacement crystals made so Tanith could get back out there and also into orbit if she had to.

 

Ben smiled and nodded, “Thanks to the damage being only to destroyed crystals, This is much easier to repair then I had first feared.” He said as they went inside the jumper and brought up the diagnostics screen and connected with the assembly line far below. Seeing the ETA to finished repairs Tanith smiled, it looked to be about four maybe five hours at best,

 

“Alright, I'll head for Atlantis then, something tells me I wont like what I am about to hear there. Did Rodney give you any details ?” She asked to Ben as she stood from the pilots chair as Ben started typing on a tablet.

 

“Only that a old friend went so far as to access the SGC to contact Rodney to contact you and that you woulde know what it all meant, I couldnt make any sense of it. But I was told that when you get to Atlantis, Rodney can explain everything.” Ben told her

 

Tanith and Tharon traded looks. Then Tharon asked “Would we have time for a late lunch then ?” Ben smirked and nodded. Knowing the two late lunch meant they wouldnt get Tanith to Atlantis for at least four hours. And it was already nearly three in the afternoon.

 

Atlantis

Later That Evening

 

The stargate shutdown behind her. “Alright, I'm here you can stand down,” Tanith said seeing the soldiers, their weapons pointed in her direction. They lowered their weapons as she called to Rodney “Rodney, whats going on ?” Tanith asked, Rodney was already coming down the steps of the gateroom from the control.

 

“Good you got the message. I'd love to explain everything I can here but there's a problem.” Rodney said Tanith saw he wanted to scratch her or at least touch her soft downy fur. She hid a smile.

 

Tanith nodded, “Alright, tell me what you know and maybe it will explain why I'm here ? Tharon and I were looking forwards to exploring Ascretta further and the ability to lift our Shipyard city back into orbit good and proper thanks to Ben getting the resources harvested, he's nearly gotten it completely revealed. The structure is huge.” Tanith told him how far along things had gone. It had only been about a week since they had last seen each other, possibly longer. And ben had been harvested and storing all the possible resources he could. Goiung so far as to begin making clothing for the Furlings already safe with Taniths crew

 

Rodney held up a hand, “We can talk further in my lab, come on, I'll explain what I can on the way.“ He said the two of them headed for it, Radek right behind with a tablet.

 

“Alright, tell me what you can then” Tanith said as she fell into step with him, “Ben only told me that you needed me herefor something that Ben had termed as Mission Critical, when he said that, it made me remember when I was growing up doing Race Wars at the Base every weekend”

 

“That's just it, it concerns the guy who invented Race Wars, Domenic Toretto. His wife Letty, and their son. Brian” Rodney explained, he stopped briefly and turned to her as he snapped his fingers in thought. “Back at Ascretta did Ben say anything about new energy signatures ?”

 

“Yeah actually, he said he detected a little over a dozen new storms on the complete other side of the planet, why ?” Tanith replied after a second or two of thinking how to reply, Ben mentioned it all rapidfire, too fast for her to take in as she was waiting for the stargate to Atlantis to kick in.

 

“Like I said it concerns Dom Toretto on the extreme level, its more like he asked for you, through me” Rodney said

 

“What ?” Tanith asked him

 

“Like I said its complicated, but two of those life signs, well, You'll see when we get to the lab.” Rodney said, they rounded a corner, went up a flight of stairs, and finally rounded another corner and went into Rodneys lab. “Right, Radek pull it up on screen.” Rodney said as Tanith got a good look at what was going on.

 

There was three types of maps on the table, The table itself was built into the floor. And it looked hauntingly familiar, similar to her own livingrooms coffee table, the holotable actually.

 

“What are these ?” Tanith asked looking at the map, one was of a cemetary, a before and after picture, the second was a house in the coutnryside, a gorgeous cabin structure on a piece of very verdant farmland.

 

“That is a cemetary, before and after a lightnnig strike hit a very exact grave site.” Radek said as she looked from the pictures and maps to him and Rodney, confusion on her face.

 

“Very exact in the sense that the house itself was the residence of a child, known as Brian Toretto, Dom Torettos only son through a woman named, Elena Neves-Toretto, the mother of Brian Toretto. That cemetary picture, that was her gravesite before the lightning strike, and then after the lightning strike.” Rodney explained to Tanith

 

“So why call me here ? I havent seen Dom since I joined the Marines, and he knew it, he even insisted I use his address when joining up to keep Tharon and my house secret.” Tanith explained, the dark calico woman was confused.

 

“Mr Toretto specifically asked for you, after asking for Col Mitchell.” Radek replied as he tried to explain what they both knew to her.

 

Rodney nodded as Radek spoke. “exactly, the only place they could call who had a link to you, was us.” Rodney said, completed Radeks line of thought.

 

“You” Radek corrected, which was true, the only link they had was Rodney, and his care of cats, which earned Taniths trust of the top level, and that was hard to get, only three other people had that trust, Her father, Her husband Tharon, and Dom.

 

“Me” Rodney corrected himself while mouthing a thank you to Radek. “Dom Toretto asked me to ask you to come back to earth, he wants your help in finding his son, and his sons mother. He wants to klnow if they're at the very least, alive.”

 

“So a bunch of maps, and a few pictures, is all I have to go on ?” Tanith asked the man.

 

Rodney shook his head no. “No, he also sent this, he was granted access to the SGC to do so, but he was also granted membership into the SGC, him, Letty, Roman, Han, the whole lot.” Rodney said as he hit a string of keys,

 

Doms face formed on the screen. He looked haggard, as if he hadnt been sleeping recently. “All my life I used to live a quarter mile at a time, for those ten seconds I was free, A friend gave me a car as a second chance. I even gave my brother a second chance car.” Dom said on the screen it made Tanityh smile, a tear forming in her eye as he spoke

 

“I remember giving a young friend a chance, insisting she use a bettrer shape honda in her Last Race before she began Boot with the Marines.” Dom smiled at the memory. “I remember Mia asking her, who blew the piston rods first, the honda, or the benz ? She said she couldnt remember.”

 

Dom then focused on the camera. “A soldier came by the house a month ago, said you went missing, but were alive somewhere. If this video can get to you, Tanith, I've seen some nasty stuff since working with mr Nobody, taking out Cipher. Raising Little B.“ Dom took a deep breath, there was a faint whimper in the background of the video feed. “Tanith, When you can, I want to talk to you, one on one, I'll be here for another two days from this video recording. I was told that only you can help us find Little B.”

 

The recording ending, Tanith stood there in thought for less than a minute before turning to the table, setting both hands on it she took a deep breath and then let it out. “Lightning storms were detected on Ascretta, Ben detected them, but they were on the other side of the planet, no where near us, We've barely begun to explore our own shipyard city as it is. I havent even met my favorites from the Musical as it is, they're all there too”

 

Rodney pulled up a chair and sat down as Tanith explained things, “You've met them, at least, some of them, Munkus is their leader, you met him already, Augusts the boy, you know him. Tharon and I took him in.”

 

“What about flying the shipyard city ?” Radek asked in thought.

 

“What do you mean ?” Tanith and Rodney both asked him

 

“The Replicators have been making ZPMs, with enough your shipyard city might fly again, or you could expand the sensor range and find where they're at ?” Radek suggested. Both ideas had merit.

 

Rodney and Tanith traded looks, human and feline were both confused for less than a minute, Rodney snapped his fingers twice but then stopped seeing how Tanith reacted to the sound. “That makes sense, The Replicators made us all more ZedPMs than we have powering the city now, along with all our ships. So we have plenty to spare right now” He turned to Tanith. “How many does your shipyard city require ?”

 

“A bunch why ?” Tanith said in reply, clearly confused of what he was getting at.

 

Ok so he needed a new way to explain his newest idea “Well how many do you have powered right now out of the bunch you have?” Rodney asked

 

“Two and a half at best” Tanith replied, trying to remember what Ben told her about her own home city. “It can run off of six easily.”

 

“So you need four more at full power, perfect. What about sensors ? Supplies to build ships ?” Rodney asked her. “Look, its complicated I know, but we can go back with more ZedPMs to power the shipyard city entirely, plus expand its sensor range to more then likely encompass the planet as a whole. So what assets do you have in terms of air support to explore the planet with ?”

 

“At this moment we only have my puddlejumper, but its right engine crystal matrix core was destroyed by a Pollicle Brute with a huge ass warhammer.” Tanith then explained the fight that morning when she mamnaged to rescue Marcia, Agustus mother. “Ben's repairing it as we speak when he told me you wanted me here.”

 

She looked between the two men. “Judging by the upset noise in that video, Dom was not alone when he sent it, Letty was more then likely with him, possibly Mia was. Little B went missing in a lightning bolt, I went missing in a lightning bolt. Its possible his son, and his mother, Elena Neves, were both Furlings like Tharon and I.” Tanith said in thought. “But it doesnt make sense, how can someone dead, suddenly disappear in a lightning storm ?”

 

“So if that is the case.” Rodney said in thought.

 

“If that is the case indeed, It means more than one cemetary is going to have lightning bombs going off in them to bring the dead back to life on Ascretta.” Tanith said. Rodney just looked at her. “I need to get to Earth, to Dom, I have to try to explain this mess to him as soon as I can.”

 

“That works, we can get you there within a few minutes” Rodney said, the three left the office. “Ben said he would continue to replicate, and also said he'd send whatever weapons and gear you'd want or need for this task” Rodney said as they headed for the gateroom.

 

Very briefly Tanith halted, that was a good idea. “Alright I want a full kull suit, and my Ori staff weapon. Ben said he could make a version of it to attach to my kull vambrace. Odds are good Im gonna have to upgrade the hidden blades to match.” Tanith said the three started walking again.

 

Fan joined them while they walked, she heard, partly at least, the mention of Taniths hidden blades needing upgrades. “If you'd like I can help with that, I can use some nanites to make the blades stronger, make it easier to hide from security systems too, maybe even able to react at your willing them to do so if you want”

 

Tanith gave her a confused look, so Rodney spoke up. “Fran, meet Tanith, Tanith, this is Fran, one of our, I'd say our replicators, but in truth, they really are part of the crew here, so, she's a Replicator, but shes our friend, just like Ben, only in this case she helps do repairs to the city here” Rodney explained as they walked. “Truth be told, I'm actually incredibly happy Fran and Ben and the others are with us working with us against the Wraith and sometimes the Genii”

 

“The genii as we all know have begun to expand their own systems and governing areas, you remember, they wanted worlds unpopulated where they could make farms and small towns near the stagate.” Fran explained how the Genii really just wanted to prosper better with Ladon in command instead of Cowen.

 

“Alright, if that is the case then yeah.” Tanith trook off first one then the other kull vambrace, “If its possible to have the full Kull Suit added to these by use of those nanites would be nice. The blades I'd like sharper like you offered, having them hidable from security devices like at the airport could come in handy.” Tanith slowly came to a halt. “Oh fuck I nearly forgot....”

 

“What is it ?” Rodney asked her.

 

“In that video Dom said he'd be where the video was made for two more days, how long ago did you recive that video ?” Tanith asked him, the stargate was directly before them.

 

“Little over an hour before I contacted Ben through the stargate to Ascretta that you were needed, so maybe four hours went by since receiving the video.” Rodney replied, He was confused as he spoke “Why ?”

 

Tanith looked at the deactivated stargate. Briefly lost in thought, so she had about a day to spend before going to see Dom and Letty about what happened to Little B and his mother Elena. “I have a Furling to recover, shes recovering thanks to some new friends. Ben is repairing my puddlejumper as we speak. By time I recover the Furling, Marcia is her name, you remember the Furling boy that came with Tharon and me here with Munkus ?”

 

Rodney nodded. “Yeah, you said his name was Agustus, and you and Tharon were caring for him when we were told his mother disappeared in a similar storm. Wait” Rodney was thinking then, he turned to Fran who produced a computer for him. “Thank you” Fran smiled, she loved being so helpful to Rodney and Atlantis as a whole.

 

“What is it ?” Tanith asked as Rodney rapidly typed on the tablet.

 

“If I am right, those storms you said Ben detercted on the other side of Ascretta means that its possible, but also impossible, I didnt think a streetracers family would be hit by such an event.” Rodney said as he typed. He brought up timestamps and showed them to Tanith.

 

“What am I looking at ?” Tanith asked him

 

Rodney pointed out the timestamps “This is SGC time, this is our time here in Atlantis, this is your current time I believe you found a watch in one of those armories ?, and this” Rodney pointed at the third one, “this is the time when the hologram activated at Egypt's Tell Basta site, at that exact instant, the storm appeared here” He highlighted a map, Doms house. “A storm also appeared here” He highlighted an area in a cemetary, where Elena was buried.

 

“So what are you thinking ?” Tanith asked him in thought

 

“I am thinking that it is possible that Little B and his mother, even though shes dead, were resurrected like you were, I think they're both on Ascretta, but on the other side of the planet in relation to where you and the others currently are.” Rodney explained as best he was able, “Now its only a matter now of when you find them over if you find them.” He then concluded

 

Tanith nodded. “So, I'll go and recover Marcia and get her back with Agustus but before I go could you do me a favor and scratch my back..” She said as she pulled Rodney's free hand to the small of her back, “Right... there ? I cant reach it and its driving me crazy”

 

“Mm ? Oh, sure sure.” Rodney gently scratched Taniths back until she thanked him, he also gently bruished her fur on her shoulders too.

 

Tanith smiled at him, softly she said to him. “I trust you with my life. Next time I come back you can scratch me between the ears, that's a promise.” She said. Rodney didnt say anything, he just blushed but nodded in thanks.

 

Tanith and Rodney looked towards the controlroom. “Dial up Ascretta, Chuck. We have a Furling who wants to return home to finish up a few things before coming back.” Rodney said to him, he turned to Tanith and asked, “You still have your IDC right ?”

 

“I think Tharon has it I didnt bring it with me because Ben dialed up the gate before I came through it” Tanith replied.

 

Rodney nodded. “If Ben will handle all dialing to get to here, I think it'd be fine. How's things on your end with him ?” he asked as the third cheveron kicked into gear

 

“Better then expected, he said he'd have the rest of the shipyard city completely revealed by the end of this week, and he should have my puddlejumper repairs completed by time I get back now that I think about it.” Tanith explained. Ben was able to harvest resources, but ran into issues closer to Pollicle territory. Which somehow with some additional power supplied into the shipyard activated some kind of shielding array around each harvest drone.

 

The stargate ran through the symbols for Ascretta, as the seventh locked and the gate kawooshed open. Tanith turned to Rodney as he held her arm. He put something in her hand. “You might need this, Fran made a quick copy of your vambrace so she can finish work on the other one. Good luck saving Marcia” He told her.

 

She smilled and gave him a hug. Rodney, briefly shocked, returned it after a second. Getting a facefull of cat fur was not something he was expecting. She didnt have to say anything to Rodney, he knew exactly what she needed to do.

 

Ascretta

A few moments later

 

“Any good news ?” Tanith asked to Ben as she arrived where he was repairing the Puddlejumper.

 

“Oh yes, very good news.” Ben replied,

 

“Please share it then. If you can of course.” Tanith told him

 

His replicator sensors told him Rodney's scent was all over her, but Tanith and Tharon, just like Ben, trusted Rodney to be a gentleman. “The good news is, the Pollicle, what was his name, Tjend, said that Marcia is awake and waiting for you to pick her up, the better news is, your puddlejumper is ready to go, it was just a matter of accessing the assembly line to rebuild the control crystals for the drive pod. While I was at it I also added two more drive pods and also a minidrone launcher, currently holds I think a dozen or so drones, I can have more made if you want them.” Ben reported.

 

“That's very good news, and yes, Tjend is his name, a Golden, he said that the other, a German Sheperd type breed, named Vake, can also be trusted.” Tanith had explained most of how the Pollicles ranking and caste system worked. She placed a gentle hand on Bens shoulder. Patting it “Thank you, Ben, how is the resource harvesting coming ?”

 

Ben smiled, slightly blushing as she patted his shoulder. “Well, towards the Pollicle zone there have been some issues, but for the most part the Shipyard city is acting as if my drones are its own and is working to protect them. Here, just watch.” As Ben spoke a hologram formed in the air before them. Projected from the tower around them

 

The feed was live from the southern end, closest to the Pollicle Zone border. Energy weapons fire, Pollicle weaponry for sure, went off in spurts at the Replicator Drone barges as they arvested the meadows surrounding the Shipyard city. The weirdest part however was the fact that the Poillicles couldnt get past the energy barrier projected around the drones, much less enter the harvested zones for that matter ,they could only shoot from the edge of the zone, and their weapons fire was harmlessly fended off by hexagonal patterns of hardlight of a pale green coloration.

 

“How long has this been going on ?” Tanith asked him as they watched the projection for a few minutes. The hexagonal pattern shimmered beautifully and never showed signs of losing strength

 

“Since this morning, out of nowhere, energy weapons fire struck two of the harvesting drones, thankfully it only damaged one of them, I've since repaired it and put it back to work harvesting, but at that point the shipyard reacted and began activating those shielding systems. I'm not sure if it lasts just within the boundary or is connected to the planet itself.” Ben reported to her.

 

“This morning, that explains it” Tanith growled in thought.

 

“Something wrong ?” Ben asked her as he let the hologram of the feed fade away.

 

“Yeah, I tried to take out the Pollicle whackjob, he wanted to go for Marcia, who was in bad shape at the time when I got ambushed and the Puddlejumper was damaged by the Gravity Hammer.” Tanith explained. It then made sense, it was possible the Pollicles knew they were there and reacted.

 

“It is possible that the target found where you came from and began the attacks on the drones doing the harvesting ?” Ben suggested, Tanith shrugged, she had no real idea how to go through it all as it was.

 

So she asked then. “Rodney mentioned you can make Zero Point Modules ?”

 

Ben nodded, “Sure, its built naturally into our base code, how to consturct and mimic the Ancients designs and construction methods. Building energy coils, what you and those at Atlantis call Zero Point Modules is quite trivial and easy for us to do. And just doing a system check of this cityship, it requires six of them, two are still fully powered, and a third is nearing maximum entropy, when it does it will die, there's no stopping that” Ben said to her "The other three are all entirely dead, and we havent tried it yet but I believe it is possible to recharge a Zero Point Module”

 

“So we replace the other four dead ones, we can make this city fly again” Tanith said in thought.

 

“Possible, but until we know what the Pollicles have in terms of air support, I wouldnt recommend it.” Ben replied

 

“Where you able to track more storms ?” Tanith then asked

 

“Yes actually” Another screen formed as Ben spoke, this time it showed a map of the planet as a whole. “The last string of storms was here” He highlighted a zone on the complete other side of the planet. Just like before you left

 

“Seven continents ?” Tanith mused aloud, Earth had Seven.

 

“Nine actually, but this one I designated as number seven of the whole count.” Ben explained, Ok that meant that Ascretta was bigger than Tanith had thought. “Now, given where you woke up, and where the musical cast said they woke up, and then where Tharon woke up” Points appeared in bright gold. And then the Pollicles began to appear, but they were all in the Pollicxle Zone, at first.

 

“The more you zoom out, the bigger the Pollicle Zone gets, where are there no Pollicles ?” Tanith said seeing the map filling with Pollicles.

 

“Thankfully there are no pollicles in the area where the latest storms occurred, Infact, if you look at the native life on this continent around these two new arrivals” Ben said as he highlighted everything he could as native to the planet, a good six doezen or so Furling lifesigns showed up in bright blue and as Ben zoomed out, the numberr increased.

 

“Wait” Tanith said in thought, “Those are all Furling ? Not recent arrivals ?” She asked him

 

“All the storms that happened since two months ago to now only produced everything in bright gold, everything in blue has been on that continent for far longer, and those are indeed furling, and the more I zoom out” Ben explained, the map zoomed outwards, more and more blue, native Furlings, were seen, a cluster of them, seven clusters around a major single point was also seen.

 

When Tanith saw it she had to blink, then focused carefully. “Is that another shipyard city ?” Tanith mumbled. Alright yeah, that would make sense to make it an even three, didnt Cam explain that or was that Dila ?

 

Ben nodded. “Best I can make out, yes, but I cant tell if its got power for any Zero Point Modules” He turned to her. “Whats your plan ?”

 

“Rigtht now, I have a Furling to recover and a family to reunite, I want you to track the fastest way I can get to that side of the planet when I get back from Atlantis, soon as I have Marcia with her son, I need to see a friend back on Earth. Rodney said you can handle everything from here for gate dialing to Atlantis” Tanith told him, Ben nodded

 

“Much obliged” He said to her. “Your puddlejumper, according to the shipyard city, it us... it requires a name, does anything come to mind ?”

 

Tanith went quiet, thoughtful at those words. She hadnt given it much, if any, thought before. Then she nodded. “What about, The Silent Night for a name ? I think it fits” Almost instantly the shipyard city reacted and henceforth referred to the current only active puddlejumper as The Silent Night. It would recognise the signal sent from the ship at all times.

 

“The shipyard city agrees” Ben replied, He handed her her Ori staff. “Good flying” He said to her, Tanith smiled and took the weapon, Ben had also made sure it was properly working.; he had even hadded a bandolier for her to carry it on her back easier.

 

“Oh and before you go get Marcia there is something I want to show you that your ship is able to do.” Ben said, he lead her up the ramp. “All you have to do is think on what weapons you want ready for use, for example, your swords. Think about your swords, all of them, just a few, or just one.” He said to her

 

Tanith did so as she was instructed, first thinking of the longest blade, it formed from the wall, almost replicator like. Then she thought of all her throwing knives, and finally the rest of her swords in proper lengths. “You figured it out ?”

 

“During repairs I figured out the subrutine that allows for Replicator mimical. You can make it appear as if you're entirely unarmed while within the puddlejumper. But within each wall, there can be many many weapons safely stored just waiting to get called on by a simple thought!” Ben told her. He patted her on the shoulder then, “Have fun hunting some Pollicles. I'll be here monitoring for more storms.” He started down the ramp then halted.

 

“Oh and uh” He turned back to her as she stopped in the bulkhead track and looked back towards him. “Tharon said he wanted to go with you this time around, you might want to pick him up at your place.”

 

Tanith smiled, Ben loved his job, he never resented for a second the fact that he was made to serve, infact he was seen more as a close friend who wanted to help do the work needed to keep things rolling. “Thank you, Ben, for everything, we shouldnt be long.” She told him. He watched as the puddlejumpers ramp receeded and the doors slight solidly shut.

 

The puddlejumper, known as Silent Night, lifted from its landing pad and headed for the area the Furlings currently made as their home. Ben smiled, there was nothing that the Furlings didnt need, but there was always something he learned that the Furlings were trustworthy.

 

Ten minutes after picking up her husband, Tanith and Tharon were headed for the Pollicle Zone.

 

Ascretta

Pollicle Zone

One Hour Later

 

“So Ben was able to repair the ship faster than we had thought huh ?" Tharon mused, the seats were still as comfy as ever. If not comfier.

 

“That he did” Tanith replied, she brought up the HUD and saw that Ben was indeed right, the Silent Night's nameplate showed up oin the upper left corner, and its data feed was active as well, diagnostics were running on the sides. But what Tanith was looking for was the speed tracking systems. She wasnt interest in diagnostics or system information, she wanted the speedometers set up.

 

Thankfully Ben had apparently anticipated that and she quickly found them. It was a good hour or so before they'd get to the Pollicle controlled area where Marcia was. But she wanted to get there faster. So with the speed showing they were cruising at a very steady 805 kilometers per hour. So she doubled it. They could get there faster.

 

“Ben and I monitored those storms while you were on Atlantis,” Tharon said, the trees below rushed past outside the puddlejumper. “I was able to count about thirty six new lifesigns, Furling all of them” Tharon continued

 

“Its possible Doms son and dead wife are among them. I'd hate to be in her shoes, from what I was told about Elenas death, she was killed by Cipher, right in front of Dom” Tanith said with a low growl, Dom had told her of the failed rescue

 

“So why would she be here on Ascretta ?” Tharon asked out of the blue it didnt make sense. If Elena Neves was dead already, how could she be alive ?

 

“Its possible she was a Furling, like us, according to images Rodney had in his lab along with the video from Dom, Little B disappeared in a lightnight storm from their house, at the same time, a lightning storm ruined the grave of Elena Neves, Doms sons mother” Tanith explained as she started slowing their speed. Cloaking their puddlejumper easily

 

“But if she was already dead ?” Tharon mused in thought.

 

“That would make things much more complicated” Tanith replied to the unasked question. In short it made sense, some sense at least. “We're coming up on where Silent Night took damage” Tanith said, she highlighted the rooftop, there was still some remains of the pollicle brute there.

 

Tharon whistled at sight of the remains. “Him was a big guy” he said simply

 

“He certainly was, but one shot at barrel point from my sniper rifle took him out, really just collapsed on himself.” Tanith replied as she flew towards a landing pad. Two Pollicles, Beagles by the look of them, stood at a doorway. Tanith decloaked Silent Night as it landed, so the Beagles could recognise them. One of them did and went to inform someone inside.

 

Hopefully they would not have to leave the ship.

 

That hope was correct, a few minutes passed and the Beagle returned, with him was the Golden, Tjend, and with him was the Furling, Marcia, looking much much better though still limping. She'd need to see Carson for certain, as well as their healers back at Ascretta.

 

Funny when Tanith thought about it; referring to their shipyard city home as Ascretta. She opened the rear hatch, the doors slid open before the ramp extended allowing her to stand in the doorway. “Tjend right ?” Tanith asked on seeing the male Golden

 

“That is correct, you have Vake to thank for keeping Marcia here safe. Though she insisted on being called Miranda, but other then that she never spoke. Perhaps she will speak to you ?” Tjend said to Tanith.

 

“Thank you” Tanith said to the Golden, “You've proven to me that I can trust you, perhaps you can give me some information ?”

 

“It depends entirely on the information you seek, if it concerns Norho, he's on the other side of this city, towards the north, the farthest he can be from here.” Tjend replied, “If he has the means to go farther, they are unknown to me, but he dare not leave the city itself because he now rules it.” Well that was good news of where Norho was, but she didnt really worry too much about that at the moment

 

Crossing her arms, Tanith put a hand to her chin briefly in thought. Finally she nodded and said. “Thank you, but the information I seek is concerning more of the technology in this shipyard city that you and your kind inhabit. Have you used it ? Created anything with it ?”

 

Tjend had to think, even thinknig on his teachers and elders, and if any of them had any knowledge, he shook his head. “I am sorry, but any knowledge of how the great machinery within the city works is lost to us, or was never taught to us.” Hje said. “We only use technology that was handed down through the generations. Be it swords, staves, or guns.”

 

“So even the gravity hammers, technology from ages past ?” Tanith asked as she helped Marcia into the Silent Night.

 

Tjend nodded at the foot of the ramp. “Yes, that's right. Everything you see us using, including, sadly, our medical technology, is all quite old. We as a species were never taught how to replicate the technology we were given, only taught how to use it, which we then would pass on to the generations to follow.” Tjend explained what he could remember of growing up, technology so old that it somehow still worked.

 

Tanith smirked, but then smiled saying. “Thank you, Tjend, you did good. I'll get Marcia home.” She said to him. She pressed a crystal on the side of the rear door, it slid closed as the ramp seemed to disappear into the floor.

 

Once the hatch was cloised she called to her husband, “Get us home” Tharon nodded and the Silent Night lifted from the landing pad and faded from view entirely. Heading somewhere else. In this case somewhere much safer.

 

Soon as they were clear of the Pollicle zone shipyard city did Tanith speak to Marcia. “Are you alright ? What do you want me to call you ?”

 

“You said you knew me ?” Marcia replied to her, answering a question by asking a question

 

“In a manner of speaking yes. Some of those we rescued referred to you as Agustus;' mother. We even rescued his aunt, I believe your sister ?”

 

“Agustus ?” Marcia asked

 

“His original name was William, about six or so years old, he's apparently the same age here, when my husband, the guy driving right now, asked his name the boy said he was named Agustus. But it was later told to us the boys original name was William.” Tanith explained

 

“My sons name was William, he was at daycare when a storm struck, lightning reportedly struck the daycare center, my son disappeared; we never could find him.”

 

“Well, you're going to be reunited with him shortly.” Tanith said to her, a gentle smile on her face

 

“What do you mean ?” Marcia asked in confusion

 

“The boy, the kitten my husband rescued a few weeks ago, his name is Agustus, but his original name was William Grey, your last name, you were identified by his own aunt, your sister, to be held in that city by the Pollicles, cared for by the Goldens Tjend and Laime.” Tanith explained. She smiled softly. “Soon as we land I will help you to see our healers, after that, you can see your son, is that alright, or would you rather him join you with the healers ?”

 

“Would it be possible for him to meet me where we land ?” Marcia had no idea how the ship worked, but judging strictly by the style of dress, very samurai like, that Tanith was dressed in, her hair wild and loose, yet also clean and cared for.

 

Tanith nodded, “It is actually” She said in reply, she got on her radio, “Zane, its Tanith” She said

 

“Yeah boss ?” Zane replied, he seemed ready for anything judging by his tone

 

“I'm bringing home Marcia, can you and Agustus meet us on Silent Night's landing pad in... ?” Tanith glanced at the readout on the HUD of the front windscreen, “.. fifteen minutes ?”

 

“Sure thing boss, I think he's with Blaze and her brothers now, they are a good group of kids.” Zane replied, a second later his voice broke in again, “Yeah we'll see you guys at the landing pad. Zane Out”

 

Exactly fifteen minutes later and Silent Night was landed on the landing pad, the rear door opened and the ramp slid out, Marcia was guided out by Tanith and Tharon, but the second she saw her son, he recognised her right away. She only saw him, her boy.

 

“William!” Marcia cried seeing her son as he broke into a run seeing his mother.

 

“Momma!” The boy cried, the two hugged as William, now Agustus, hugged his mother tightly.

 

Marcia looked from her son as she held him close, to Tanith, “Thank you”

 

“Think nothing of it.” Tanith said, she motioned her husband to speak. But Tharon shook his head, there was nothing more to be said.

 

The two then saw that Zane and Agustus werent alone, Blaze, and her brothers Ceaser and Carwyn were there too. The group helped get Marcia and her son to the Healers. Tanith telling Skimble to guide Marcia and Agustus to their home, they had an extra room should Marcia want it.

 

After that it was a matter of seeing Munkus to tell him about rescuing Marcia, and also the information of other continents, and the fact that Tanith had to leave Ascretta for a while.

 

It was going to be a very interesting year for certain.

Chapter 2: Lunar New Year

Summary:

Takes place exactly 1 year later, Tanith gets a early morning visit from Ben with three new Furlings native to Ascretta, at the same time the Furlings of Sword Domain finally manage to get the new arrivials from the previous year to speak of where they are from.

Finally the bunch of Tanith, Si Ming, and Reiko go to Atlantis, and then Tanith, Reiko and Rodney go to Earth, Tanioth reunits with a friend and does something only a shiny addicted cat would do.

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 2: Lunar New Year

 

Planet: Ascretta

Third Continent Shipyard City

The Sword Domain

Lv Core Household Just after breakfast

One Lunar Year after Tanith's arrival

 

The master of the household, the family patriarch, a young Furling male who stood rather tall by Furling standards, his hair long and black with streaks of gray. Lv Shen Tong, stood near a fountain waterfall “So it is the time of the Return is it ?” He asked aloud to no one within hearing distance as he watched the sky.

 

A similar tall bluehaired Furling arrived, his quiet steps were heard only by Shen Tong. “Master, Lv Si Ming is ready for whatever orders you require.” He said with a slight bow, the armored male, his left hand in the form of a fist, his right hand covered it as he spoke.

 

Shen Tong stood calm, then he smirked, tyurning to the new arrival he said “Walk with me.” The two walked, Si Ming a step and a half behind his master, the head of the house. “I believe that the arrival of the boy and the woman in the form of a powerful storm is an omen to come.” He said to Si Ming. “Praytell, what do you think ?”

 

“It is quite possible that it was the fortold legends. The arrival, the return of our own kind in the form of storms just as they had left all those years ago” Si Ming replied, the blue haired Furling was dressed in pale to dark green robes with armored vambraces and hip guards, Shen Tong himself was dress in black and silver edged in gold.

 

“In the last five thousand years, within minutes of our kind disappearing from most of the planet, the rest of us here in the Sword Domain were unharmed, but the damage was done. The planet has healed.” Shen Tong said in thought, he slowly came a to a halt. “Si Ming” He said

 

“Yes” Si Ming replied, anticipating the days events to attend to.

 

“I have a mission for you, it concerns the boy, and the Furling woman with him who both appeared in the same structure within Lv grounds during the storms a year ago yesterday.” Shen Tong turned to face his friend. Si Ming was sworn to protect Shen Tong, though they were also cousins. “They are still being tended to in Lv family's Xua Hall as we speak. I want you to speak to the woman, from what I understand, she is still scared of where she is, and will not speak to anyone, but she is awake, and from what the healers can tell, she is in good health. I want you to find out who she is, where she comes from, and finally, find out of what her connection to the boy is.” Shen Tong said to him

 

“Yes, Master” Si Ming said, once more bowing with the salute. He turned to leave, but before he left, he knew that his cousin had further information for him.

 

“When you have done so, return to me in my study, recent events from activity in the sky has me confused. I may need you to travel, so be ready.” Shen Tong said

 

“Yes, Sir” Si Ming said, he bowed again and took his leave.

 

Sword Domain's ruling family, the Lv Family, resided in the third Shipyard city, which after five thousand years, the long lived Furlings who currently called it home only knew it by the name of Huaxian City. It was built identical to where Tanith and the others resided across the planet, and also the other shipyard city where the Pollicle Zone was.

 

Every piece of history related to the original intent of the Shipyard city, its abilities to fly, and to otherwise construct more ships had all but been forgotten. Only certain members of the Lv Family knew how to activate the ancient assembly lines to recreate desired weapons. And only the Patriarch of the family, in this case Lv Shen Tong, and his only trusted Lt, Lv Si Ming, knew how to fly the shipyard city of Huaxian.

 

But sadly, the ability to fly the city had been lost, only knowledge of it being able to fly was known, the city only had one functional power source. But they had plenty of resources.

 

Shen Tong went to his study, the room was half of a circle in design and looked out over a gorgeous lake and river. In the center of the room was a chair, similar to the control chair found in Atlantis itself, In this case the chair was connected to a floor level span within the room, a single pane of glass floated like a desk, held in the air by nothing but apparently magic ?

 

Shen Tong couldnt explain it, his father couldnt explain it, it just floated there, and could be used as a proper surface. It could display screens of various areas of the city, view recordings, and if the need came for it, it could entirely control the city itself if they had to do so.

 

Shen Tong leaned aganist the glass panel, the glass itself was about a foot long by half a foot wide. So it was not exactly a desk per sei. Instead it projected the desk, projected the screens, the readouts and information for the city.

 

As Shen Tong entered the study however the lights glowed a dim to warm light upon the floor and in the strange panels of light upon the walls. There was no light from above. It had been designed without it.

 

Shen Tong stood at the balcony rail overlooking the water. He was lost in thought. The strange happenings in the sky made him wonder, were they not alone ? Since they had their new guests suddenly show up out of nowhere in the main family courtyard; the boy scared and clinging to the other female, both of them naked. They had been given clothing, but their fur was a beautiful blend of black and gray for both of them, tabbies by the look of it.

 

They were Furlings for certain, but their arrival was most confusing. So as Shen Tong stood at the rail, a knock came at the door. “It is open” He called to the knocker.

 

The door slid open a young Furling, with jet black hair entered. “Blade Master, I have been looking deeply into the recent storms this past year, I have disturbing news concerning them.” The new arrival said, his name was Lv Tang.

 

“Tell me what you can, Tang.” Shen Tong said; both Furlings were dressed in regal oriental like robes. Hanfu if one were to guess correctly. Tang's jet black mane of hair framed an angular black and white patterned tabbylike face and body. His robes were mostly black, like a monk.

 

“At first we thought it the other Houses, other sections of Sword Domain, but its not them, I have traveled to each, North, South, and East. None of them know of what is going on” Tang explained. “I started with the North Domain” He then said as Shen Tong had a map project fro mthe desk glass.

 

“I spent three months there to find information. When I was sure I could find nothing new, I went to the East Domain. Again I spent three months there in order to find what we sought. But there was no answer there either.” Tang said “But in the south Domain I found some answers, there were more new arrivals in House Yun. All of them like the mother and child we have here. They all arrived in a powerful storm” Tang explained.

 

Shen Tong looked at Tang in thought. “Are they harmed ?”

 

“The Yun Family are unharmed, there was minimal damage to structures, those who arrived are well cared for.” Tang replied.

 

“So we were not the only ones with a strange storm to bring new arrivals ?” Shen Tong said in thought.

 

Tang nodded “It looks like that it is possible more of our kind exsist across the world, but its a long journey and I only just got back.” Tang said in reply.

 

Shen Tong smiled, “When Si Ming returns from speaking with the mother we have here from last year. I want you to take a rest. Si Ming will travel to the sea and then across it, if you like you can see him as far as the port to in the South Domain.” Shen Tong said to him

 

“Traveling by sea may be an issue, what about those strange vessels we have in the storage space over the main house ?” Tang said in thought; it could be faster to fly one of those things wouldnt it ? Would they eve fly ?

 

“It is possible they may not have the desired power, but it is also possible that they indeed might have the needed power to fly. But I do not think any of us would be able to use them.” Shen Tong said in thought. He turned to Tang. “Go get some rest, you look ready to collapse where you stand”

 

Shen Tong had no idea that the puddlejumpers kept hidden in the rooftop storage area above his home's main area were infact fully powered and flyable by everyone in Huaxian City as it was.

 

-8-8-8-

 

Si Ming stepped into view of the door, it slid open soundlessly. Inside the tower, the centeral most structure of the Shipyard city of Huaxian. This tower was the home of Lv Family, the entire structure, each floor belonging to a certain member of the family. With a centeral teleporter to go up or down along with a set of stairs as needed.

 

Inside the room Si Ming stood in however, orante bamboo wall designs gave a sense of a countryside home. Two Furlings, both of them female servants of the Lv Family stood at attention when he arrived, one of them bowed towards him, the other carrying supplies from the room, trash mostly.

 

“Master Si Ming, we were not expecting you” The maid said, the Furling girls name was Lv La Song, she bowed in greeting to the blue haired Furling male.

 

Si Ming smiled seeing La Song, “Ah, La Song,” He said to her in greeting, “Has the Furling who has been our guest said anything this past year ?” Si Ming asked

 

La Song shook her head. “I am sorry master, but no, she has not spoken to anyone execept the child who appeared with her. She calls him her son.” She told him.

 

“I see, you may go” Si Ming told them, his job was to try and find out more of where the woman, the Furlking woman who insisted her name was Elena, and her son, Brian, came from. Both names were confusing for the Lv Family Retainer. But he did not voice his concerns to anyone, simply reflecting on them in his heart.

 

Both maids were gone, which allowed Si Ming to seal the door leading to the teleporter before turning and opening the door to the room where Elena Neves-Toretto sat, Brian had long since taken a nap. Leaving Elena alone. “Am I intruding ?” Si Ming asked, she barely looked in his direction, she never spoke to anyone. Only Brian, her son.

 

“I will take your silence as a no” Si Ming said, he went and knelt across from her on the floor. He looked over the dark calico Furling, she wore a modest dress that the maids had provided her with. And it looked quite good.

 

The silence hung betwee nthem for a good minute, finally Si Ming spoke. “My name is Si Ming. I am a retainer and resident here, you can relax, you are among friends.” He told her, it was then she looked at him, the green cat eyes, the long blue head of hair, Sharp features on his face. A face that held gentleness, and many questions. But also of answers.

 

It had a been a harrowing year, so finally, Elena asked him “Where am I ?”

 

“You are in the Lv Family house within the city of Huaxian, in Sword Domain.” Si Ming told her. “You arrived here last year during a powerful storm. That was a year ago, yesterday”

 

“I have been dead a year ?” Elena asked in confusion, it just wasnt possible was it.

 

Si Ming shook his head, “No, you have been hiding in here for a year, very much alive.” He explained as best he could. “The maids have been caring for you ever since you and the boy arrived. But you never said anything to them, only speaking with your son”

 

“Yes, because we are both scared of where we are, what we are” Elena replied with a soft nod.

 

“You are speaking to me, which means you can trust me. You need not fear what you think might still haunt these halls, because in the last ten generations, no mutt has been seen alive on Sword Domain.” Si Ming explained then briefly how the Furlings of the Lv family nearly several thousand solars ago had driven every possible Pollicle they could into extinction on Sword Domain, but they had no idea if there was more across the world as a whole, they never bothered to explore since settling the recently landed Huaxian City.

 

Finally, Si Ming smiled softly. “Might I ask you your name ?” In his tone was kindness, friendship. It seemed that when Elena had died there in Xuaxian City all those years ago, the pollicles were still a threat, but now, the only threats there were was the possible incursion of the other domains. East, South and North.

 

“Elena” Elena finally said, “My name is Elena”

 

Si Ming smiled softly. “It is very nice to meet you, Elena, as I have mentiooned, my name is Lv Si Ming, the head of the house, also the Blade Master, is Lv Shen Tong, my master so to speak.” He told her. He then turned to where Little B was asleep, the door between them was shut, but not locked. “Might I ask what the boys name is ? And his relation to you ?”

 

Elena thought for a brief moment, was she dead, had she really died and this was hell ? She had died now that she could really remember it, the last thing she could remember was seeing her friend, Dominics terrified face, and then nothing but bliss as the bullet struck her. Cipher had killed her sure. But somehow she was alive still ? “His name was Brian, at least that was what he told me when he asked where his father was.”

 

“I see, And your relationship with him ?” Si Ming smiled softly anew, “This is of course if you feel it right to tell me; I will not force it, but I would like to know so I can inform my Master of what is going on. You appeared here along with the boy during a very powerful storm. We havent been able to locate any others in Huaxian City, so far at the very least. My Master sent out a member of the family yo inquire of what was happening in regards to the storms a year ago, he should be returning today.”

 

“He is my son, What I can remember I was not always like this” Elena went onto explain how she had died nearly seven years before, why she was alive as a cat woman thing for a year and perfectly healthy she would never know. But she was dead back on Earth, that was all she could remember, but her son, Brian, was asleep at that moment, napping, the seven year old boy was smarter than he looked.

 

“And Brian insists that is his name ?” Si Ming asked her as he gazed towards the door to the other room

 

“What other name would he have ?” Elena asked him, of the three souls within her, they had all agreed on Elena to be their name. Mostly because it was the easiest for them to remember.

 

Her question at first did not make sense to Si Ming, but the bluehaired Furling was quiet, it settled and then made perfect sense. He smiled gently again. He reached a hand over to her, the woman was seated upon a low couch, he gently patted her leg. “You are welcome here;” He stood up and took his leave. Speaking as he did so, “should you or your son want or need anything, the maid, Lv La Song, can get it for you, be it food, clothing, or information, or a tour of the grounds.” He said, he then left her.

 

Elena had no idea where she was, but she was too scared to find out. All she could remember was the horrified look on Doms face when Cipher pulled the trigger.

 

-8-8-8-

 

A few moments later and Si Ming entered Shen Tongs study. The desk had some information on it, and the chair was lit up as Shen Tong was seated upon it, simply trying to keep things civil for himself so it made sense. He sensed Si Ming silently standing nearby, Shen Tong, with his eyes closed, spoke. “Si Ming”

 

“Yes” He replied with a brief bow and salute of greeting.

 

“Were you able to speak with our guest ?” Shen Tong asked him, his eyes still closed.

 

Si Ming nodded. “I was, she told me her name, and that of the boy, the child is named Brian, her name is Elena. The last thing she could remember was a look of horror upon a close friends face, and then blissful sleep of the dead as she termed it. The child is her son. They are from the planet called Earth” Si Ming explained what Elena had told him, and what he told her in turn.

 

“It is possible” Si Ming concluded, “there are more of our kind across the world. Sword Domain may not be the only continent with us upon it.”

 

“Thousands of years ago, Sword Domain forced away the evil forces of the outlanders. The scourge from the stars was only purged from Sword Domain, but the other cities were forced to land as well, or so the legends say” Shen Tong said in thought.

 

“Sir ?” Si Ming asked

 

“It is possible, that the other cities, aside from Huaxian City, still survive, and if I am right.” Shen Tong sat up, the chair slowly turned itself off as it depowered. He looked at Si Ming “The vessels in the storage of the acttic above indeed have a source of energy. I want you to ready for travel, and meet me in the main hall upper level at the steps.” Shen Tong told him. “Get what you require for travel, and meet me there”

 

Si Ming nodded and turned to leave. Shen Tongs voice stopped him. “But first, get yourself something to eat, afterwards, find Reiko, I am quite sure the Sword Lord wants to test her skills against an enemy unlike a fellow Furling here in Sword Domain.” Shen Tong said, he saw that Si Ming went visibly pale at his words “Is something the matter ?”

 

“Lv Rei Ko ? You are sure you want the daughter of the Lv Family's own Blademaster to go with me ? What if she gets upset with my words or what I am to do and tries to kill me ? You know how her temper is” Si Ming said, it wasnt that he didnt like Reiko, far from it, the Sword Lord was the youngest of the Lv Family of Huaxian City to attain rank of Sword Lord within Sword Domain, anyone who could attain the rank of Sword Lord before their twentieth birthday was considered a Heavenly Child, one blessed by their Creator, the Eternal Cat.

 

It was more that he was concerned about her firey temper. Reiko, who went by the nickname of Fujiko most of the time when not on duty, wore green and black to match her green and black stripes of a tiger of a sort. Her green feline eyes were strong and could easily lure lesser skilled men and women to their downfall even when sparring. So Si Ming, as Lv Shen Tongs own right hand man, was in essence, second in command of the Lv Family, and Reiko was the daughter of the Blade Master; which meant that even though she was still high in rank, she still had to defer to Si Ming, right ?

 

Shen tong thought a moment, then smiled “Would it make you more comfortable if I spoke with her before you two go on your excersion ?” He asked him, Si Ming didnt even have to think twice, he simply nodded in silent agreement. Shen Tong also nodded his own agreement. “Very well, I will speak to her for now, find her and have her come here to me, then get something to eat and pack lightly, afterwards, meet us in the, I believe it is called a hangar, according to the desk screens, the large attic space above our centeral tower home.” Shen Tong said.

 

“Yes sir” Si Ming said, he turned and left the study. He was lost in thought as he walked along the many hallways, down flights of stairs and through several corridors before finding Reiko at a sparring area of one of the many courtyards. Si Ming was lost in thought. Shen Tong spoke of the strange craft kept under tarps of some kind having power ? And they could be flown ? But who could fly them ? Surely not himself!

 

Little did he know how wrong he was. He came to a fast halt when he saw where he was. Ok this wasnt good now was it.

 

Courtyards within courtyards, training and sparring rooms were hard to track inside Huaxian City. But where he found himself was exactly where Reiko was training others in the art of pole fighting.

 

He watched silently for a few moments as the session came to a fast end. Reiko's skill just currently unbeatable, and yet Si Ming knew better than to underesitmate her, muchless overestimate her. He watched as Reiko sparred and taught several others in the courtyard. The Furling Reiko was directly teaching and taking through the steps was dressed in leather and white armor.

 

Her name was Poth. And she used a pair of odd weapons, a double sword which folded at the center of its hilt, and a half sword; which was identical to both blades of the double sword. Poth was training with Reiko to become a Sword Lord, she was only seventeen, while Reiko had just turned nineteen when she became a Sword Lord.

 

Poth span on her feet, Reiko primarily used a spearlike weapon, She blocked, and span about as Poth brought out her double bladed sword and put all her weight into the strike, forcing Reiko to a knee, the floor sparked with energy between the two Furling women.

 

Reiko forced Poth off her, Poth flipped backwards and landed on her feet, she was barely breathing hard as was Reiko, who had a proud expression on her face. “you broke the Centerist Stage of the Swords Will, you're now Sword Lord” She said recognising the energy burst.

 

Centerist stage of the Swords Will level was one step below Sword Lord, and since Poth was only seventeen, that made her like Reiko, a Heavenly Child, Blessed by the Eternal Cat. Sword Lord was an entirely new level to attain, and yet somehow it all worked out.

 

Poth smiled and bowed in thanks to Reiko. “It is all thanks to you, Teacher Reiko” She said.

 

Reiko smiled, “We are both Sword Lords now, there is no more need for formality between us. We are equals.” Reiko told her, she put her spear away as she spoke. With Poth now a Sword Lord, which meant she broke through from Centerist Swords Will. The stage below that was Serene Swords Will, and the stage below that was Awakened Swords Will, which was above Emerald Heart level. And then above Swords Will and Sword Lord was Azure level, and finally, White Heart Level was above Azure

 

Si Ming figure it the best time to make his precense known, he cleared his throat, Reiko looked in his direction, she saw that it was Si Ming, a sigh on her lips as she was about to speak when he said “The Patriarch of the Lv Family wishes to speak to you” He said to Reiko

 

“To me ? What about ?” Reiko asked as Poth gathered up her things and took her leave, She still had a few channels to go through before getting formally recognised as a Sword Lord

 

“It concerns the woman and the child with her from a year ago, the great storm, apparently according to one of the scouts that Shen Tong sent out came back with further news. He wants us to travel across ther planet, but he wants to speak to you first.” Si Ming told her

 

“Us to travel ?” Reiko was confused. She shook her head. “You do not have to answer, Si Ming, I will speak to Shen Tong and find out what is going on. Did he have anything else ?”

 

“Only for me to send you to him, and get something to eat for myself, and also, apparently tell you to pack before seeing him, But I must advise, pack light, this might just be a weeklong trip, possibly longer. According to the tales and signs in the sky, its possible we arent alone on this world anymore.” Si Ming told her.

 

Reiko smiled softly, “The world is a big place, Si Ming, but you might be right, Alright, I will go see Shen Tong. Am I to expect to see you there ?” Reiko told him

 

“Yes actually after I have eaten and settled for the excursion, I am to meet you and him in the, well, he called it the attic space above the Main Hall of Lve Manor” Si Ming said, the main hall, basically the gateroom so to speak, of Atlantis, compared to Ascretta, was where the Lv Family greeted and entertained guests. Directly above it was the hangar full of puddlejumpers. Just sitting around waiting to get used.

 

As Si Ming left her, Reiko had but a moment to contemplate his words. She shook her head. He was scared of her, was that why she had to speak to Shen Tong first ? She sighed and headed for Shen Tongs study before a servant Furling, named Lv Lin, directed her to the main hall.

 

-8-8-8-

 

Shen Tong was at the bottom of a flight of stairs never used. Though they were always kept clean and seemingly lead to a dead end. “I was beginning to wonder if Si Ming would ever find you” he said upon hearing Reiko arrive.

 

“He found me yes,” Reiko said, “though what he said, it has me confused, Si Ming said you wanted to speak to me, but also have us both present at the attic above us ?” Reiko was confused exactly why she was needed there. “What exactly is going on ?”

 

“I want you and Si Ming to take one of the trannsports above us and explore outside our continent. I had sent Tang one of my scouts to explore the North, South and East Domains, and only the South Domain had many number of new arrivals in their cities and villages whereas we only had two, a mother and child.”

 

“You want us to both go ? Why not just send SiMing ?” Reiko asked, it wasnt that she didnt like Si Ming, she actually was enamored with him. It was a one sided crush more then likely.

 

Shen Tong smirked; “Tang explored North, East, and South of Sword Domain, this much I told you already, when he returned here he was ready to collapse where he stood from being so tired, so once he gave his report I insisted he go to bed.” He told her, “Afterwards I made my discision, I want you and Si Ming to find out more”

 

Reiko held up a hand, seeing it, Shen Tong slowly quieted, “You called those things” She said, pointing up the stairs, “Transports ? What exactly do you mean by that ?” She asked him

 

“The twenty two vessesl in the attic space above us are infact referred to as Transportation vessels. At least according to the information in the, well, I would not exactly call it a database but it had information. I was recently in one of them, it has power. I want you and Si Ming to take one of them and find the other Cities, there are at least two other massive cities like Huaxian, Tang was unable to discover the other two whatsoever on his route through Sword Domain, so that must mean they are elsewhere, Sword Domain is but one continent of many upon this world.” He explained to her.

 

“So we can fly those things ?” Reiko wondered aloud.

 

“We can indeed, and these devices here” He pointed out the nearby control panels in what had to be a control room of some kind, “they are quite useful for gathering and storing information.” Shen Tong replied

 

“What about the room with the ghost in it ?” Reiko asked him, he looked at her. When had she gone in there ?

 

“The room where it is off limits to everyone unless given express permission to enter it ?” Shen Tong asked her

 

Reiko stiffly nodded. “Yes. That room” she said to him

 

“You act as if you saw that ghost” Shen Tong said

 

“It was a long time ago” She admitted. “I was a stupid child then, too brash for my own good” She seemed calmer, less prone to lashing out like she was as a teenager, it seemed since becoming a Sword Lord before the age of twenty only made things more fun.

 

“The ghost, as you call it, is everything but a ghost, it is a repository of information, knowledge, Before meeting you here and testing a theory upstairs, I was in that room, Learning what I could. I suppose to a child, it could be considered a ghost” Shen Tong explained the hologram of Mephis, their ancestor, talking about the structures far below their feet. The assembly line of clothing, weapons, ships.

 

“So what do we do ?” Reiko asked him

 

“You and Si Ming, and myself, have the ability, anyone in the Lv Family, has the ability, to fly what was termed, Transport Ships, or Gatecraft, in the air, into the stars, or elsewhere when needed.” Shen Tong explained

 

“Hold it, you want me to fly ? In one of those ? In the stars ??” Reiko was actually scared of such a thought.

 

“I want you, and Si Ming, to take one of these transports and fly to another continent, The ship reacts to mental import, so remain calm and you can track the other Cities identical to Huaxian City” Shen Tong told her. “Si Ming would only go with you if I spooke to you first. You must keep yourself calm, and be opened minded to input from others.”

 

He gave her a stern look, “And you know what happens when Si Ming is harmed by anyone”

 

“They get exiled” Truth was, Reiko had no idea what happened to those that harmed any ranking member of the Lv Family, even herself.

 

“No, they duel me, normally to first blood depending on the severity of the injury to any member of the Lv Family, they are then exiled from Huaxian City.” Shen Tong explained with a slight correction.

 

“So basically you are telling me not to harm Si Ming, or him to Harm me, or the penalty is dueling with you and more then likely losing the fight ?” Reiko was a Sword Lord, but Shen Tong was the Lv Family Patriarch, sure his grandfather, and father both were still alive holding minor Family offices in the city. But Shen Tong commanded every resource.

 

“Exactly” Shen Tong simply replied

 

“Is now a bad time to mention I actually like him ?” Reiko asked as they went up the flight of stairs

 

Shen Tong supressed a smile. “You mean, Si Ming ?” Shen Tong asked her as they went up the stairs.

 

“Mhm” Reiko said in reply, she explained how she had a crush on the blue haired Furling. But he seemed blind to her advances and she wondered why.

 

“Si Ming is focused on his tasks, this last year has been confusing for us all, he spoke with our unexpected guest already and learned very little, but enough to send you both on this excursion. But I can see why he hasnt noticed your advances. Perhaps corner him, gently, and talk to him about how you feel could help” Shen Tong said as they entered the hangar where the twenty two puddlejumpers were stored, they were clean, at the very least the city of Huaxian did that much on its own.

 

One of them had the rear ramp like door open. Shen Tong lead the way into the transport. It lit up as they walked in, full power was in the vessel. “Whoa” Reiko was facinated by what she was seeing, there was only one pilots seat, so to speak, on the left side. She sat down in the passenger, copilot seat. “You're sure we can fly this ?” The HUD winked on, showing various diagonstics, and also a level by level scan of the centeral tower of Huaxian City.

 

Shen Tong smiled “Fairly sure.” He replied, the HUD faded out. Reiko blinked briefly then shook her head.

 

“Let me get this straight, you want Si Ming and I to go, where exactly ?” Reiko asked him

 

Shen Tong thought a brief moment, then smiled, the HUD faded into view again. “Sword Domain has had many visitors even in the distant past. Back then our kind fought against outlanders, other worlders with technology that once rivaled our own.” He said as the HUD showed a map of Sword Domain in perfect clarity. “After one centry of war we, our people, the people of Sword Domain, split the continent, the Mainland, into four directions, North, South, East, and West. Unified we fought and pushed those of our enemies off our Domain.”

 

“But ?” Reiko spoke up, get to the good part, she was thinking.

 

“Sword Domain is but one continent of many. This world, according to the City and the chair in my study. Has eight more continents. This ship is able to decern our race, from our enemies.” Shen Tong said in reply. “Find more members of our race, and we find more friends.”

 

“Meaning what exactly ?” It wasnt that Reiko knew what a Pollicle was, she'd never seen one before. So all she had to work with was the training dummies and lore books in the libraries across Huaxian City.

 

“Meaning you, and Si Ming are going to, and scan for those outlanders, and find our own race among them, and bring them to safety, or make new friends. Up to you” Shen Tong said

 

“Up to me ?” Reiko asked in confusion. If it were up to her she'd be running the promotion ceremony for Poth becoming a Sword Lord at that moment!

 

“Yes, should you want to make friends or enemies, I leave that up to you. You are a Sword Lord after all, I think it best you try and be a diplomatic type of person in relation to a combat ready one ?” Shen Tong had to hide a smile on his tabby brown patterned face as Reiko looked at him confused.

 

“Now you're just trying to get me to make enemies so we have someone to kill other then others of our own kind from the other Domains.” Reiko said ot him, Reffing to the other sections of Sword Domain as their own domains, in a way each section was their own domain.

 

“Be that as it may, the goal of your trip is two fold, you are to find others like us, as well as find what remains of the Pollicles, and when you find others like us, make sure they are safe and able to defend themselves in the case of Pollicles in the area.” Shen Tong told her. “You are also not to fight in any manner, at least to cause physical injury, with Si Ming. Am I clear ?”

 

Reiko thought a brief moment, then sighed. “Si Ming put you up to talking to me about my temper didnt he ?” She asked, a soft smirk on her face

 

“No actually, I offered” Shen Tong replied, she stared at him as he turned and stepped from the ship. She got up from the chair and went after him as Si Ming joined them outside of it. “Ah good, you're here” Reiko heard Shen Tong say as Si Ming stepped into view. Si Ming saluted to Shen Tong, and also to Reiko. Referring to the latter as Sword Lord.

 

Shen Tong then explained their mission “As I told Reiko, I want the two of you to seek out others of our kind, if you find our old ancient enemies, you may fight them if you wish. However, if you are able to make friends instead, please try to do so. If you find any of our kind, the vessel will decern between the two races easily, showing our kindred in golden rings, while the enemy will be in red.”

 

Reiko was then quiet as Si Ming thought a brief second or so then asked “Anything else ?” She simply nodded at his question, looking to Shen Tong

 

“Take as much time as you need, Tang will cover for you, also, take Poth along with you; she might be useful. I will send for her, and tell her everything she needs to know. Unless you two can bring her up to speed to get you all moving quickly ?” Reiko and Si Ming traded looks, Reiko nodded, they could bring Poth up to speed. Si Ming also nodded “Then it is settled. As soon as she arrives, you may go.” Shen Tong said to them both. “Good luck to you” with that, Shen Tong left them.

 

Just a few moments had passed since Shen Tong had left them staring at each other, wherein Reiko had merely smiled softly and spoke first. “Shen Tong explained everything to me, dont worry, I wont hurt you unless you do something so incredibly stupid I have to do” She told him

 

Si Ming sighed in relief. “That is good, and fair enough. Here comes Poth, shall we ?” He said as Poth arrived, the girl carried a crossbow on her back and her twin swords at her hip.

 

Si Ming stepped into the ship, the long cylinder like transport could easily hold, he guessed, ten people at best, possibly more if that. As he neared the main pilot seat the ship woke up.

 

“Think you can fly this ?” Reiko asked him, he looked at her as he sat down.

 

“What do you say we find out ?” He replied as he sat down, the seat was comfortable, clean, and easy to recline in.

 

The other two took their seats. “So how do we get out of this attic ?” Poth asked. As she said those words the ceiling cracked open, revealing a massive doorway, a open skylight.

 

As the three stared, Reiko said “I had no idea the ceiling could do that”

 

She looked to Si Ming, “Niether did I” He said

 

A moment later and they were underway.

 

Ascretta

That night

 

It was just past midnight when Ben noticed the incoming puddlejumper. A quick scan and he saw three lifesigns within it. He couldnt tell if they were male or female, but he did know they were all Furling and none of them had Tanith or Tharons signature either.

 

That meant that they had guests, from another Shipyard City. So Ben was curious and began searching Ascretta, where on the planet was the third Shipyard city ? He did a planetwide scan. And like he had told Tanith, there were nine continents on the planet, and the third City he could see on the holo mapping system was in fact on a continent devoid of any Pollicle red markers. It was all Furlings.

 

Ben sent a notice of landing instructions and activated the landing bay door. It was time to greet his new guests.

 

He was not ready for the story they had to tell him.

 

Ascretta

The Next Morning

Six hours later

 

Tanith was roused from sleep by a knocking on the door to her condo. The condo she shared with her husband Tharon, and also a few others. She stumbled from the bed and went to the door in just her fur. Upon opening it she stared briefly and blinked. “You arent normally up this early, Ben ? Is something wrong ?”

 

“I would say so” Ben replied to her

 

She never noticed the three people with him, Furlings she had never seen before based on their clothing and weapons. “Is it important, I wanna go back to bed I left my husband purring.”

 

“You're gonna want to remain awake” Ben said to her, he then gave her a glance. “And you might want to get presentable, we have guests” He turned slightly.

 

There were two female Furlings standing within view of the door, the third Furling was male and he had his back to her, he clearly had his nose pinched between two claws and was asking himself, “Why Me ?”

 

Tanith took one look and sighed, “Alright, half a minute and you can come in” Tanith said to Ben, the replicator nodded in agreement. He activated a holopanel and tinkered a moment or two, he'd gotten started on constructing more ZPMs for the shipyard city. Most if not all of the resources he had so far collected could make a fleet of the puddlejumpers with various weaponry types.

 

Ascretta itself had two full ZPMs at full strength, a third nearly depleted, and three more completely dead. So he had begun working on crafting a new ZPM to replace the nearly dead one, thus providing even more power for the complex the Furlings had chosen to reside in. when the three had arrived however, not by storm, but by puddlejumper, it caught the Replicator off guard. So he had to explain it to Tanith and Tharon, and quite possibly to Tugger as well.

 

Thirty seconds passed and the condo door slid open allowing Ben, Si Ming, Reiko, and Poth to enter. Ever since Tanith took the place even before her husband had arrived she had made it her own.

 

There was a staircase in the middle of the main room that lead up a flight to the bedrooms. The main room had a two floored ceiling, it reminded Reiko and Si Ming of Shen Tongs bedroom and home for his own family.

 

Tanith stepped from the stairs. “Alright, We have guests, but there werent any storms ? You would have alerted me before hand of storms in the area.” Tanith said The last time there was any storms was a year before when Ben picked up two massive storms like the ones that brought everyone already there in the condo. Since then there hadnt been any storms.

 

“Yes, our guests, they come from I believe the third shipyard city. On the other side of the planet directly” Ben replied, Tanith looked from him to the three. They appeared on edge, their weaponry native to the planet more then likely. Longswords, crossbows. What even looked like a spear or staff weapon of some kind as well.

 

Tanith's expression said it all. So Si Ming spoke. “I am Lv Si Ming of West Sword Domain, the city your man here speaks of is our home city, which we call Huaxian,” He said introducing himself, he then indicated to Reiko and Poth. “This is Lv Rei Ko, and Lv Poth”

 

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Tanith, you have already met Ben, my husband Tharon is still asleep and as I mentioned I left him purring” Tanith said introducing herself. “What brings you here ?”

 

“A transport” Reiko said in reply as Poth went to the massive window and looked out towards the shipyard city below.

 

At Taniths confused expression Ben said “They arrived in a Puddlejumper, smaller than your own, but clean and looked brand new” He said.

 

“Just the three of you ?” Tanith asked them, they all nodded. “Why ?”

 

Reiko looked to Si Ming, he knew the main reason, she was really there to make new friends. “In Huaxian a mother and son arrived in a great storm last year. The mother insists her name is Elena, and her son, she calls Brian. From what our maid who has been caring for them both, have told us, the boy asked where his father was.” Si Ming sighed. “But he never said who his father was, other then he raced ?”

 

Tanith raised an eyebrow, well that settled it. This was important enough to keep her husband purring. Tanith raised a hand and pointed at Si Ming “You're telling me, the dead wife of a close friend, and their son, are at your home, right now ? Here on Ascretta ?” She asked him

 

“If by Huaxian City in West Sword Doman, yes. If you mean this planet, we do not know its name” Si Ming replied with a nod. “But yes they are at our home as we speak”

 

Ben spoke up. “The planet is called Ascretta, this shipyard city we are in right now is also called Ascretta for simplicity sake” He explained to them. Reiko raised an eyebrow this time, they had never thought on the name of the planet itself before.

 

Tanith sighed, it was already nearly noon after Reiko and Si Ming had explained everything they could. “Have you contacted Atlantis yet ?” She asked to Ben

 

Ben shook his head. “Other then the weekly check in yesterday, no. I thought it more important to contact you and get your thoughts regarding our guests” He replied. Tanith sighed. Elena had died thanks to Cipher back on Earth, and Brian, Doms son with Elena, was seven years old when she got the message of his disappearing. The last thing she wanted was Dom left in the cold. “Something wrong ?” Ben asked her.

 

“I think I need to get back to Earth and find an old friend. And also explain these new events to Rodney before doing so.” Tanith said mostly in thought.

 

“What ?” Reiko asked. Contact who now ?

 

“You'll see. Try not to panic at sight of other humans looking like Ben.” Tanith replied to her. Somehow the Furling native of West Domain had no idea what she was in for at that moment.

 

Atlantis

Two Hours later

 

The stargate shut down behind them. Reiko was shocked at the sudden travel, it was like stepping through a door really, how Tanith explained it. In one way out the other.

 

A voice broke in on her thoughts as the three relaxed in the gateroom of Atlantis. “I wasnt expecting toi hear from you guys for another week, whats up, did something go wrong ?” Rodney said seeing the new arrivals in the gateroom; Rodney however stopped short seeing that Tanith wasnt alone this time, with her was two other Furlings, one was a green and black tiger female, the other a russian blue like male. He looked from the green and black tiger to Tanith. “Something going on I should know about ?”

 

Trading looks with Reiko, Tanith said to him, “Its a long story. You got a place we can talk and relax at the same time ?” Rodney nodded and they settled into the conference room; which also doubled as a briefing room for before and after missions. He noticed that Tanith was once more dressed in the same outfit he last saw her in. She must have several sets of the same outfit, like with the kull armor suits.

 

Once in Rodney's lab, he turned to the two catwomen and catman saying “Alright, whats going on, you look like you've been run ragged in space.” He said to Tanith

 

“Its complicated but, You, tell him, what you told me, as simple as you can.” Tanith said pointing at Reiko.

 

Rodney looked from Tanith to Reiko; Once introduced he had trouble focusing on her because of her green and black stripes. But she explained. “What you call Pollicles havent been seen on Sword Domain for at least a hundred or more generations” She explained further, detailing how after the Pollicles on their continent had been driven to extenction, there was a yearly tournament, occasional battles between factions. The basic stratego run really.

 

She went on to explain how, once Sword Domain had wiped out the Pollicle incursion they had focused instead of a system wherein every yeasr each section, North, West, South, and East Domains of Sword Domain would meet in Centeral Domain to have a championship which was called the Topaz Championship. A Yearly event wherein the outgoing Topaz Champion chose their successor. And the outgoing Topaz Champion was then either promoted with status, or given an assignment somewhere in Sword Domain as a Magistrate or chief of police so to speak in a town or section of the city.

 

Rodney soaked it up like a sponge. So when the catman spoke of Elena, and the boy, Brian, with her in their shipyard city of Huaxian on Ascretta. Rodney pursed his lips. “Have you tried to contact the SGC ?”

 

“Not yet no, I thought it better to come here first. Where is Richard, normally he is in his office when people arrive by gate ?” Tanith replied

 

“He was at the mess hall when the stargate came on. I think he should still be there.” Rodney said, remembering that the man took a break for lunch. It was only a matter of time then.

 

“Alright, we need to get to Earth, or at least I need to get to Earth.” Tanith said, “I can get in touch with Dom easily once I am there. I just need to get to Earth to do so.” She also missed her father a bit and wanted to let him know she was still doing Ok

 

“That can be arrianged easily. Though you might need to wait a bit before we send the notice that you're enroute” Rodney said

 

Only to be cut off by Tanith. “I want you to come with us. Reiko hasnt been to Earth before, she's never left Sword Domain for that matter, Huaxian is the same as Ascretta, a Furling Shipyard city. But there arent very many people at the SGC that I trust other then Dr Jackson and Col Mitchell, and when he's there, Chief Harriman.” Tanith explained, Rodney stared at her, she trusted him ?

 

“You mean ?” Rodney was dumbstruck and for once could not find the words he needed to convey his confusion.

 

“I would like for you to come with us to Earth, Rodney. With you providing backup and also providing a hard copy of what Reiko and Si Ming explained here can also be helpful. They might also need a translator there too and once I go see Dom, I'll need someone from Atlantis, Pegasus really, to make sure they're safe at the SGC and not treated like a test subject” Tanith said, that made the most sense. Even though Tanith had a connection with Iota, she dare not go back out of fear that medical heads on Earth wanted to strap her down and run experiments.

 

Rodney though a moment, “Alright, I'll go with you, how long do you plan on needing ?” He said

 

“I'll know when I get there” Tanith said she turned to Reiko and Si Ming, the latter of whom was facinated with the technology around him, ancient screens, modern earth laptop computers, a massive screen on a wall showed the current status of the city itself.

 

“How do either of you feel with traveling with me to my homeworld ?” Tanith asked them.

 

The two looked briefly at each other, with Poth back at Ascretta with Ben and now in contact with Shen Tong, Reiko spoke up. “Sounds like fun, when do we go ?”

“Soon as Mr Woolsey gives the green light to dial Earth, we can go,” Tanith replied, she turned to Rodney, “you might want to pack light” she told him.

 

“In that case they got stuff I can wear once there for very long.” Rodney said in reply, “Woolsey should be in his office by now.”

 

The four then went back to the control room and found Woolsey going over reports. “Ah, Dr McKay I had a feeling you had been treating our guests. Hellow Col Raines.”

 

“Mr Woolsey. Allow me to introduce Lv Si Ming, and Lv Reiko, of Ascretta, they're natives to the planet, seems that the Furlings were still there too.” Tanith said as she introduced Reiko and Si Ming to the man. “They had a long story to tell.”

 

Woolsey looked at her. “In the briefest of summaries, the shipyard city they're from is called Huaxian, on the continent of what they call Sword Domain” Rodney excplained, it sounded weird and mystical, yet also technological. “Apparently they had a huge storm a year ago, a mother and child had appeared in their city.”

 

“When Dom sent that video to us here, those two people, the mother and the child, were his friend, and his son.” Tanith explained. “Si Ming and Reiko's people had been caring for them this past year.”

 

“Who is the mother ?” Woolsey asked. Looking to Tanith as Rodney got onto his tablet.

 

“A woman I never met, called herself Elena, and in Dom's video contact last year he said her name was Elena Neves-Toretto.” Tanith explained.

 

“Dr McKay ?” Woolsey then said looking to the man who was typing on his tablet.

 

“Hang on, according to back logs, a year ago there was a horrendus storm over LA, there was a cemetary that was struck by lighting in a direct hit at a certain location, while at a penthouse in the city proper itself was also hit at the same time. Only two people were listed as missing, a child named Brian Toretto and a deceased woman named Elena Neves-Toretto.” Rodney said reading off his tablet.

 

Si Ming nodded. “The Furling I spoke with this morning at home said her name was Elena, and said she had been dead. But how can she be dead when she is alive all this time ?” The blue catman asked

 

“We can find out soon as we get to Earth.” Rodney said

 

“That is true Dr McKay, you intend to visit Earth ?” Woolsey asked the man

 

“Yes, actually I do, Tanith expressed interest in going there, and also one of you also expressed interest in visiting. Besides” Rodney relaxed a little bit, “We havent done our weekly check in, so we have a chance to set up a few things before our weekly dial in.”

 

“So by contacting Earth you intend to also request their Iris be opened allowing transport of how many guests ?” Woolsey asked, he checked his watch, it was six pm in the afternoon. A day on Atlantis was thirty six hours. With the destruction of the Replicator homeworld and the return to Earth, and then the subseqeunt return to the Pegasus Galaxy and back to Atlantis' original homeworld made things all the better.

 

Rodney sighed, “Look, We contact Earth in half an hour, by that point the evening shift is in progress and everything is ready for us to arrive, are we go or no go ?” He said to Woolsey, far as Tanith was concerned, enforcing rules, such as a dress code, was not possible when you had aliens on base all the time. So seeing Rodney stand up to Woolsey and the IOA like this was nothing new. The man took many risks.

 

“You're cleared to visit Earth, far as the SGC is concerned they want you to visit.” Woolsey said, he turned to Tanith. “From what General Landry told me of the Trust agents that tried to kidnap you and two other Furlings last year and how you defended yourself, that earned you the right to return to earth whenever you feel like doing so.” He said, but there were still rules and regs to work with too.

 

“Ok so we're going, whose staying ?” Rodney said as he shut off his tablet screen. A few moments were neded and it was clear that Reiko was going with Tanith and Rodney. Rodney's eyes were bright with energy, moreso then the last time he saw Tanith.

 

SGC

That evening

 

“Col, welcome back” Came the voice of Cam as Tanith stepped from the stargate. Reiko and Rodney with her.

 

“It is good to be back, Cam” Tanith said in reply. Cam was stil surprised Tanith was a catwoman, sure he'd read the report, but to see her in person. The stargate shut down behind them.

 

“You dont look too happy” Cam said as Tanith stalked down the ramp, the last time she was in the SGC was when Dila was there, along wit her guard, Saca, and the fake IOA agents trying to take them all captive.

 

“That is because I am not, I have bad news to share with Dom, and he's not going to like it, but then he might like it. The mere fact I took a year to get in touch with him he might not like.” Tanith replied to him; the two then hugged briefly. “But it is good to see you again”

 

“Other then Toretto, an old friend just got back, you might know him” Cam said to her as the two started to walk, he then noticed that Rodney was with her, along with another feline woman, a green and black striped tiger of a sort. “You didnt tell me a guest was coming McKay”

 

Tanith's eyes were briefly taken by something up stairs in the briefing room outside Landry's office. It was colorful to be sure

 

“Ah yes, this is” Rodney stammered, he never got Reiko's name “I never got your name, Col Mitchell this is..”

 

“Lv Reiko” Reiko replied with a soft smile to Rodney, formally introducing herself to both men, “I am a native of Ascretta, whereas Tanith is a recently Returned. I was told there was friends we could get in touch with. Lv Si Ming is back at... Where was it ?” She turned to Rodney, she never could prounce Atlantis correctly, always sounded like Lanta

 

“Atlantis, turns out there were more Furlings already on the planet, the continent that shes from, no Pollicles on it whatsoever.” Rodney said as the four went to the control room below the briefing room. Cam took in Reiko carefully, the green and black the woman wore matched her tiger stripes, making her look naked so to speak.

 

They were not expecting the sounds from upstairs. Sounds of a brief scuffle and a “Dont! Stop!” followed by a “WHOA!” Cam stopped in his tracks and looked at Rodney.

 

Rodney snapped a finger and pointed “I know that noise, I used to have it... wait, where's Tanith ?” Tanith was not with them anymore, she had somehow snuck away when Rodney and Reiko were explaining to Cam what was going on on Ascretta.

 

“I am not sure but it sounded like her screaming “Whoa” for some reason ?” Cam replied.

 

“Yeah I got that.” Rodney glared, typical Rodney fashion of course

 

“What I dont understand is the crashing noise” Cam said in thought. What was upstairs that could cause that much of a ruckus ?

 

Rodney smirked as he waved off Cam, “Oh I have an idea of what that was” He said as he turned to Reiko, “While Tanith is off base, if you need to get in touch with the guy back at Atlantis, this guy here, Harriman was it ?” Chief Harriman nodded. “He can dial the stargate back to Atlantis to allow radio communication. I dont know how long Tanith is going to be off base though so we might be here a while.” He told Reiko in an apologetic tone.

 

The three then went up the flight of stairs to the briefing room and found Tanith tangled in christmas lights of the tree the SGC had up for the holidays. It was Lunar New Year after all and nobody had taken the thing down yet.

 

Rodney couldnt help but smirk, Cam sighed, Reiko stared in confusion. Tanith laid on the floor, tangled in christmas lights. And the best part, it was all on CCTV right there in the briefing room for Woolsey to see back in Atlantis later.

 

Rodney smirked as he spoke. “Couldnt resist the christmas tree huh ?” He asked

 

“Nope, I just had to, it was shiny!” Tanith replied, completely shameless too she didnt care that she was tangled up, or looked so helpless. Or in this case with Rodney smiling at her, also adorable, Reiko looked merely confused more then anything.

 

Rodney helped Tanith to a chair and started to untangle her, it wasnt Tharon but Tanith trusted him to be a gentleman. “I wasnt aware we were redecorating already” Came a accented voice. It was none other then SG-27, the single man squad that made most Ori platoons pee themselves in abject horror.

 

With her laying on two chairs as Rodney worked to distangle her, Tanith looked, upside down, to where the owner of the voice was. And in the doorframe stood a massive man. “Tank is that you ?”

 

“Either you've been at Iota too long and forgot to bathe, or I am seeing things because the Iota commander I remember was not this fuzzy.... or tangled in bright lights, hello Dr McKay.” Lukas said recognising Rodney.

 

“Lt Saradov, didnt know you were here” Rodney said, not knowing that Lukas was infact assigned to the SGC, and was in need of R&R and fast. And he was nearly packed. Rodney saw he was upset about something.

 

Tanith noticed it too “Whats up, Tank ?”

 

Lukas sighed, “It would be best if I explained in my apartment off base, but perhaps the offworld guest apartment could be better.” Lukas said, he also corrected them on his rank, he'd recently been promoted from Lt to major

 

“You could explain it here, nobody'll know I can rig a worm to delete any conversations for the last ten minutes if Landry wants me to” Rodney said, well there was a good way to get arrested, tampering with military gear. But Lukas and Tanith both knew Rodney meant well.

 

“SG-20 is onto me, they know where I'm from and who I worked with. General Landry made sure they were offworld before the weekly dial in from Atlantis, you guys I am guessing ?” Lukas said to them, Tanith and Rodney nodded. Tanith pointed at Reiko.

 

“Tank, meet Reiko, Reiko, this is a friend of mine, Lukas Saradov, more commonly known as Tank” Tanith said making the introductions.

 

“A pleasure” Reiko said to Lukas, who also nodded in greeting.

 

“You said that SG-20 is onto you ? Where are they ?” Rodney asked, one of the reasaons he had come to Earth was to voer see the supplies, checking everything before it'd go back to Atlantis at the next dial out.

 

“P34-405” Lukas said, “General Landry insisted they take their time. They left a half hour before you guys arrived.” Lukas said.

 

“How long are they goingh to be gone ?” Rodney asked

 

“General Landry said at least a day. So I have that much time to get out of here to Atlantis for some much needed R&R away from Earth” Lukas explained. Far as anyone knew, Lukas was an only child who once lived with a lovely Russian lady who took him in as a child.

 

“Alright” Rodney said finally distangling Tanith from the tree lights and helping her to her feet. “I have to go over the supplies for Atlantis as it is, and Tanith has a friend she needs to see, and Reiko, I believe you had information to tell our base commander, where is General Landry anyhow ?” Rodney said

 

“He's off base at the moment but will be here soon.” Cam said as he took a seat, the others did likewise.

 

“I see you guys started the party without me ?” Came a voice Rodney couldnt help but recognise.

 

“Ford ?” He asked turning to the man. He knew Ford had been relocated safely to Earth, the young man also recently got promoted in the Marines from first Lt to Major, complewtely skipping captain. Rodney saw the rank on Fords vest, “You got promoted.” He said, a tone of respect on his voice.

 

“Congratulations” Tanith said to him.

 

“Dr McKay, Col Raines, its good to see you too” Ford replied, the young man had a eye patch over his left eye, even after being weaned off the enzyme from the Wraith, his eye never really worked, and within days of returning to his family in Georgia his left eye just went dead. Luckly his eye doctor recommended a eyepatch as the solution, and Ford could see really well without it too.

 

He took a seat at the table. “In addition to maj Saradov I also asked General Landry for permission to return to Atlantis with the next Marine unit to ship out with the supplies. He agreed. Though my cousin and wife are both concerned for my safety I told them I dont plan on getting into too much trouble.” He said.

 

Rodney smiled, “Well, we struck a pretty solid peace truce with the Wraith, the only thing we've been worried about is the next severe storm out of nowhere whatsoever to uh, well, Col Raines here is proof of what happens in such a storm.” He said as Ford was briefed on the events of the past year.

 

“So you were alive all this time ? Just on a planet we've never visited before ?” Ford asked.

 

Tanith nodded at the question. “Yeah, it was interesting, Reiko here is from one of the other continents where the third city is.”

 

“Huaxian, my home really” She was still confused of the stargate system, but it was indeed interesting that the Pollicles never bothered with it.

 

Ford and Lukas were both briefed on the events of the past year. Lukas was nodding, “One of the planets I visited, that General O'Niell had added to the database, some of the residents there had disappeared in a freak storm, it was one of our offworld bases, the Beta Site, about a year ago.”

 

“That was the last time we had found anyone new on Ascretta.” Tanith said

 

“Huaxian had two people, a mother and her son, while South Domain had a group of about thirty show up in one of the dojos.” Reiko explained. Rodney by that point had produced his tablet again and was rapidly typing.

 

Suddenly Rodney spoke up. “This is McKay, Odyssey do you copy ?”

 

“This is the Sun Tzu, we read you loud and clear.” Came a male voice.

 

“Sun Tzu, I thought you offlined ?” Rodney said, the last time he'd heard anything from Sun Tzu was when they had offloaded everyone to the Apllo and then towed her home.

 

“We were, been on shakedown the last week” Came the reply. The new commander of the Tsun Tzu was a named simply known as Marshal Zhang. Which was equal to Colonel. “We just got our assignment, starting today we can aid Atlantis to and from Earth, or also scout the Pegasus Galaxy where needed.”

 

“Where's the Odyssey ?” Tanith spoke up.

 

“Currently on exploration in the Furling systems, those addresses that Dr Jackson and Col Mitchell found are still being explored.” Came the reply.

 

“Alright sounds good. We'll get back to you.” Rodney said going back to typing on his tablet. He was briefly editing something. He was working on a mission report it seemed. Better to work on it during the misision instead of trying to remember everything going on at the time.

 

Ford held a sheet of paper to Rodney. “Whats this ?” Rodney asked

 

“This is the list of personel to ship out to Atlantis. And this” Ford said, then he picked up a second sheet or four of some more paper “Is the first part of the list of supplies Atlantis base requested so far. Far as I am aware the teams are still going over things to make sure they got everything. And could only get me this much of it.” Ford explained.

 

For being recently pomoted from Lt to Major also gave new responsiblities. And in this case that meant tracking everything. In this case he felt it was his job, since he was going with everything and the whole platoon of twenty guys, it only felt right to make sure they had everything they were to bring, it wasnt like they could just up and dial back to Earth was it ?

 

Ford had no idea about how Rodney had perfected the Replicator coding and allowed for more ZPMs to get made on a daily basis. Even going so far as to have one at Earth at that moment to dial Atlantis on a whim.

 

“I'm still not used to this” Ford said after a minute of Rodney going over the list of supplies.

 

“Used to what ?” Rodney asked out of the blue as he went over the short list.

 

"This big of promotion, I was expecting to get promoted at the least to Captain, but not to Major.” Ford explained, with him and Rodney focused on what they were doing, that allowed Tanith and Reiko to fill Cam and Lukas in on where Tanith had been, and where Reiko was from.

 

“So by taking R&R at Atlantis, you think you can get away from SG-20 ? What did they find out ?” Tanith asked him.

 

“Most of my old missions, before joining the stargate program, things like that, the Russian offensives in Ukraine and Belarus, and also in the Black Sea.” He was skirting the question Tanith could see, which meant he wanted to talk to her one on one.

 

Tanith caught his expression and nodded, she turned to Reiko, “You hungry ?” She asked her. The other Furling nodded, she was a bit in need of a meal. Tanith looked to Cam and Rodney, “You guys mind showing Reiko the mess hall ?” Rodney got the point but Cam was confused.

 

“Sure, Ford, wont be long” Rodney said, offering an arm to Reiko, Cam raised an eyebrow, Ok that was weird, it made Tanith smirk, not only could Rodney be a gentleman, but he could really be a gentleman. It made Tanith smile all the more when Reiko took the offered arm and let Cam and Rodney lead her to where she could get something to eat.

 

Soon as they were gone and Ford had returned to the gateroom to go over the supplies to go to Atlantis, Tanith said to Lukas, “Whats going on Tank ? I thought SG-20 was told to keep away from SG-27 and not get involved with your missions ?”

 

“That was the plan, but after the Ori invaded, the Russian team got standing orders from Russia directly, in this case, tail me whenever possible at all times.” Lukas said, he sighed, he paced a brief moment. “When the disappearances started across the globe last year, Russia got antsy, three top diplomats from both Russia and Japan disappeared in a freak storm while meeting at the UN last year.”

 

“That's not good, you think it might have to do with me ?” Tanith asked him

 

“I doubt it, but SG-20 thinks I am in contact with those three missing diplomats, and believe you me when I say I am not.” Lukas sat down in the chair at the briefing room table. He sighed again. “So I went back over the gate logs a few days ago, and when Major Ford got promoted was when he and I started getting things together for me to get R&R at Atlantis when he rotated over there today.“

 

Lukas produced a stack of papers and set them on the table from a pack. “This is the gate logs from SG-20, they go each time to the same planets I visited when I tried to find those three missing diplomats, and just like me they found nothing. I want Dr McKay to remove this conversation, General Landry said he could do so.”

 

“So where do I come in ?” Tanith asked him

 

“I saw the video of you defending yourself, and those other two Furling women with you from the Trust when they tried to catnap you three by posing as IOA officals.” Lukas said, Tanith had to smile at her friend, the now feline woman stood as tall as him. But was still slender and by look of things, very strong. “To be honest I've watched it several times, trying to pick up pointers in your fight style.”

 

Tanith blushed, though Lukas couldnt see it behind her black and gold and brown fur. “I try” She said, She then rubbed her abdomen remembering where the trust agent had struck her with the electrode. “Though I wish the asgard shields included inertia dampers.”

 

“I saw, he nailed you pretty good in the stomach, glad you had those shields otherwise that electrode would have taken you out.” Lukas shook his head, his friend fought incredibly differnet then he was used to. “What style was that anyway ?” Lukas asked her. She shrugged, she couldnt really explain it, she just somehow knew exactly what to do.

 

“I actually dont know” Tanith replied truthfully.

 

Lukas looked at her. “I take it Mr Woolsey approves of the new uniforms on Atlantis ?” He asked her, meaning her dress, the deep v neck almost black dress was made of some form of satin or silk, it was very breathable, and light, yet also thick and strong. It looked like thin silk at first glance, then up close thicker like cotton or leather, yet at the mere touch it was soft like silk or satin.

 

“What this ? No actually, Ascretta doesnt really have a uniform style. Yet at least, we seem to be going more akin to a oriental almost samurai like culture whne it comes to our clothing.” Tanith explained. She smirked, “I think I could ask Ben to get you something, you'd look good in a turban.”

 

It made Lukas for once crack a rare smile. The last time the man could relax and smile at the same time only made things harder. He was not really able to do that thanks to the Russian team known as SG-20.

 

Tanith sat back in her chair, “Have you eaten ?” Lukas finally asked her. She shook her head. “From what I heard, you have permission to leave the base any time you visit from Atlantis. So want go get something off base or just eat here in the mess hall ?”

 

“Mess hall is fine” Tanith said, and Lukas offered his own arm to his friend, she took it, and the two went to get a late lunch.

 

Atlantis

At that same moment

 

Woolsey stood briefly at the foot of the stargate. Si Ming stood next to him, still in awe of the thing, slightly intimidated by it now that one thought about it. Woolsey set his jaw and sighed. He turned and went up the flight of stairs. Si Ming with him. As they passed through the control room, Woolsey said “Why do I sense a bad feeling about this ? Why do I feel as if sending Tanith and Reiko was it ? To earth with Dr McKay would be a good thing ?”

 

“I trust Reiko, and from what I was told of Lady Taniths abilities in combat, I believe we can trust her judgement as well” Si Ming said in reply. But the Furling, Lv Si Ming, never met anyone on Atlantis, and there he was, a guest of Atlantis, learning that there were more humans, and more Furlings out there than he realised.

 

It seemed Sword Domain was not the only continent on Ascretta after all.

 

The two, man and cat, stood in Woolseys office in Atlantis. There was not much he could do at that point. “From what I have been told, Tanith trusts Dr McKay with her life. The man is good at what he does.” He finally said, that meant that they were in good hands right. Si Ming didnt know much about Rodney, but he could tell the man wanted to pet Tanith between the ears.

Chapter 3: The Benko Gambit

Summary:

Atlantis receives supplies and two new squads of soldiers including the former Lt now Major Aiden Ford, with him is Lukas Saradov, a close friend of Tanith who has hope to get away from the SGC by being in Atlantis. And thus safe from Russian spies

Later that same day on Earth at Race Wars, Tanith demolishes a drug transportation ring, and really enjoys herself while shes at it

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 3 The Benko Gambit

 

Atlantis

The next morning

 

As the last chevron locked and the gate kawooshed into being, Woosley stepped from his office as Chuck called out "Receiving IDC, its Stargate Command, personel are ready to step through"

"Lower shield" Woolsey said, Chuck nodded and the shield faded from the stargate

The first to step from the wormhole was none other then the recently promoted Major Aiden Ford. Behind him was three squads of Marines, and all sorts of supplies. Looking around the gateroom, Ford smiled, "its good to be back." he said mostly to himself.

 

The rest of the supplies came through, along with more soldiers, a total of twenty four new soldiers and an equal number of civilians entered the city from Earth through the stargate.

 

Among them were Reiko, Rodney, and a man who must have been the Incredible Hulk on a weight loss plan. Si Ming had to briefly stare, Poth too, Reiko was helping the humans with some supplies ? That was confusing, maybe she was making new friends like Shen Tong said she had to do ? Everlasting Cat Above knew that Si Ming made some new friends with Poth in Dr Beckett and Dr Zelenka.

 

“Congratulations on your promotion Major Ford” Mr Woosley said as he came down the steps from the controll room. He smiled then, he knew the last time Ford was there, it didnt end very well. But never the less Woolsey smiled, “Welcome back to Atlantis. Its good to have you back”

 

“Thank you sir, its good to be back” Ford replied shaking the mans hand.

 

A few moments later as Ford was helping the squad clear stargate operations, Sheppard arrived. “I didnt know you were bringing home some friends Rodney” John said seeing the two ten man squads of marines. And also Ford.

 

“Ford ?” John asked “Is that you ?”

 

“Yes Sir, it is, it's good to see you.” Adien replied.

 

The two men shared a brief hug, it had been too long. Sheppard smiled then, “I heard about your promotion, I'm sorry I wasnt able to attend.”

 

“I'm not really one for ceremony myself. But yeah, it was a nice small ceremony at the SGC last week.” Ford explained

 

“So, it feels kind of sudden, did you request to come back, or were you already on the rotation schedule ?” Sheppard asked. Last he knew the Wraith, even he believed Ford had left the Military entirely.

 

“Neither one, I was actually asked to lead two squads for a standard rotation for a year here, I felt it was time to come back after all.” Ford said

 

“Its good to have you back” Sheppard replied, even though he'd also been promoted during the year Ford was back with his family he'd seen how things faired. “An eyepatch huh ?” He said

 

“Yes sir, shortly before my promotion I went to the eye doctor, he insisteed I get one, even though I can see fine out of my left eye” Ford replied, his time as The Wolf sticking it to the Wraith was only a year or so ago. Everyone thought her'd be back on Earth for the rest of his life, but fate had other things in store when he missed the action in Pegasus, missed being on Atlantis.

 

And the Wraith were none the wiser that Ford was back. For the most part Ford looked himself, aside from his mostly black eye, the strange formation on the left side of his face was gone, he was his old self again. The two men went and found Ford a place to call his home away from home.

 

Woolsey saw Lukas soaking in the city. “Major Saradov, welcome to Atlantis” Richard said to the man

 

“Mr Woolsey, this place is incredible” Lukas said in reply, the two men then walked from the balcony by the control room into woolseys office, the man sealed the door. “I trust General Landry informed you of why I also came here ?”

 

“Yes, he said you'd also help explain why Col Raines did not return with you but the other Furling, Reiko did ?” Woolsey replied

 

“Thats right, Tanith had what she called unfinished business she had to deal with before she could return here to Atlantis before going back to Ascretta, she asked me to relay that our guests, the Furlings be treated with respect and friendship and that she wouldnt be longer then a week at the most, two days at the least.” Lukas replied with a nod. “Said it had something to do with Toretto and his family.”

 

“Tanith Raines past sometimes comes into question that is true, but the main thing is, she can be trusted.” Woolsey said, he leaned on the desk in the office, “But to let her exit the base without an escort.”

 

“Tanith was given free allowance to exit and enter the SGC complex as she saw fit after what she did to save an alliance last year, you saw the video” Lukas pointed out, Richard nodded., Tanith had protected two other Furlings from another planet, called Flamelight Spire, one of those two female Furlings was a councilor of some kind, the other was her guardian. But Tanith saved them both.

 

“That is true, but she isnt human anymore, shes a” it was hard to explain, seeing the smile on Lukas face. “What is it ?”

 

“Our, well, I guess you could call it our reunion, was not the least bit as expected.” Lukas had to smile remembering how he came upon Tanith in the briefing room of the SGC, the chrtismas tree had been toppled, he explained in in detail.

 

Richard raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips, “So Tanith is more cat then human ?”

 

“In some ways” Lukas said in reply. He sighed and sat down. “I take it you read some of my mission reports on why I am here at Atlantis ?”

 

“Yes, General O'Neill was insistant that you get reassigned here while he figured out the Russian teams” Richard replied, he took a seat at the chair across from Lukas.

 

“SG-4 is a good team, a good unit, they had my back as much as I saved theirs” Lukas sighed, “Its SG-20 I am worried about” He then explained the disappearances of the three diplomats, two russian and one japanese, and their aids, all disappearing from the UN the year before in a freak storm. “SG-20 apparently believes I am in contact with them no the planets I visit at the SGC, that isnt the case, once I saw Tanith I started figuring things out once she explained what happened to her.”

 

“So you think what happened to Col Raines is what happened to those diplomats ?” Richard asked

 

“Yes, and that's not all, SG-20 also had standing orders to capture me on one of those planets and take me back to Earth under Russian law” Lukas sighed, finally able to relax. “They were going to try that as soon as they got back from their mission to Madrona later this evening SGC time”

 

But they wouldnt find him.

 

“In this case they will try, far as the SGC is concerned, you beamed up to the Apllo and were transferred over to the Odyssey before transferring back to the SGC before coming here.” Richard said, the whole thing as to keep the Russians of SG-20 guessing on where Lukas went, SG-27 was a single man team, and Lukas could hold his own better then most other teams. And somehow knew his way around Asgard installiations and ships.

 

“What I do not understand however is a few things, Ancient technology for example, along with apparently Furling technology, can be accessed by you somehow ?” Richard said to him

 

Lukas sighed, it was time to tell his story. But he trusted Woolsey with his life. “It started when I was a boy in Siberia after the Russian Revolution. Both of my parents were killed in that uprising, I was taken in by an elderly lady shortly after.” Lukas said

 

He smiled remembering his adopted grandma, a lovely lovely woman. Old sure, sweore like a sailor with a trucker accent one might say, but she was truly lovely, and protective.

 

Richard nodded. “Yes, I remember in the report concerning your age and date of birth, nothing added up but the SGC took you on anyhow. You were present at the time of Chernobyl, you were also present at the collapse of the Soviet union.” Richard had read many reports on Lukas

 

“More like one of its causes, Gorbachev was not the only reason the Soviet Union collapsed.” Lukas laid it out before Woolsey, his involvement. “Where it really started was when I was sixteen, I was in a hospital bed, just had my appendix out. Was left alone, according to the doctors for just a few minutes.”

 

Lukas had to laugh, “I woke up on a Asgard ship, it had to be asgard, it was clean, spacious, and a single asgard was there, he called himself Loki, and said he just saved my life.” Lukas then edxplained how Loki had stopped a cellular level issue in his body, and at the same time slowed his aging, and removed three different types of cancer that could have killed him within the hour. The best part was, the slowed aging was a mere result of the experiment. Loki had called him the masterpiece. And then sent him back down to the hospital, making it as if he had only left to go to the bathroom. “The Asgard saved my life” after I woke up, I did two weeks of healing as to be expected, and then joined the Russian military under Stalin at the time shortly after that I did under cover operations acrtoss the EU and not just for russia, my grandmother insisted I move to Mongolia to get away from Russia, I ended up getting contracted in 99 by the SGC. Shortly after my grandmother passed on.”

 

"But then a year now Russia had been trying to take you back” Richard said, he shook his head. “What I do not understand is why ?”

 

“The disapparance of two of Russias top diplomats in explosions of white light, almost like asgard transport beaming really, might be one of the issues, or maybe because me living in America is seen as deserting my post ? I dont know, I just know they were close to taking me out.” Lukas explained

 

The Asgard saved his life, and at the same time managed to secure something to help wit their own genetic issues. And the Russians wanted Lukas for the same issues ? Or was it something else ?

 

“I feel like there is something you're not telling me, Major” Richard said reather bluntly

 

“There is, and only Tanith knows this, but Russia tried to run secret super soldier experiments just before the collapse of the Union at the time, they were using my blood to try and create a serum to make more soldiers like me, slow aging, strong, and able to take a beating.” Lukas went on to explain how the collapse of the Union had allowed him and those with him to rebel, most of the experimented on soldiers had died in their escape, and for the most part only Lukas feared he was the only survivor, Loki again saved his life, and the life of another, but they were never able to safely meet. As far as Lukas knew, he was the only survivor of the super soldier program.

 

“And now because of what happened to Col Raines, Russia's government and secret operations want you back” Richard said, “That explains the rotation here”

 

“Not entirely; most of it is because of my connections to the Asgard, and to the stargate program” Lukas said, Russia once had their own stargate and opoerated it similar timing wise to the SGHCs own stargate, working so the power spiked wouldnt be detected, and with the DHD being in Russia to begin with it made the Russian stargate the primary stargate.

 

But they wanted Lukas back, and not because of himself, but his blood, his connections, and his past.

 

“So you plan to stay long as possible huh ?” Richard asked him

 

“If I can” SG-4 was a good team, they had his back, he had theirs, and they had come with him to Atlantis too for R&R, which meant in a week they'd be returning unless Landry cleared their rotation to last a year. But SG-20 was the problem

 

“Welcome to Atlantis Major, when we do the dial in next week I'll tell General Landry the plan” Richard said, he stood up, as did Lukas, “In the mean time I can have one of the guys off duty give you a tour of the city, or if you want I can show you the living quarters” Richard said to him

 

“I think a guided tour would be nice, Major Ford knows this place, and Sheppard seems an able guide.” The door to Woolseys office opened and Radek was there, with him was Reiko.

 

“Yes Dr Zelenka ? And Reiko was it” the female Furling nodded

 

“May we come in or are we inturrpting something ?” Radek asked

 

“Oh not at all, we've just finished, just deciding on who should give Major Saradov here a tour of the city” Richard said, he indicated the two to his desk as Lukas stood nearby. “Whats wrong ?”

 

“We just got off the radio with Ben, he's still at Ascretta, and had some startling news” Radek explained what Ben had told him, two Furlings had woken up at the Ascretta stargate operations room, both of them male, and both male catmen simply wanted to know what happened and where they were. Once Ben explained it both men had to think, one man remembered dying in the hospital, a fatal stroke, the other remembered a car accident.

 

“Two more Furlings, one had died of a stroke, and one had been in a car accident, both disappeared and reappeared, but there was no storm at the time” Radek finished his report. "At least that was what Ben was able to understand, their accent, heavily Russian, he can barely understand it"

 

Richard turned to Reiko who then said “When the two appeared in Huaxian City, where Si Ming and I are from on the planet, there was a storm, but it was not intense like other Domains reported. The woman who arrived and the child with her, the woman herself was reported dead by your doctor McKay but the boy only seven or so” Reiko explained then in full how Elena and Brian had shown up in a garden area of their homestead, and then Elena never saying a word to anyone execept the boy who did most of the talking for her, up until Si Ming spoke with her at length only a few days before.

 

Si Ming himself, the blue haired cat, seemed quite content at Atlantis, relaxed upon the balcony overlooking the southern portion of the city. So when he was called upon he regarded Lukas with a sidelong careful once over. He confirmed Reikos information of the woman asking where she was and who she was with and how she was still alive.

 

After a few moments, once more only Woolsey and Lukas were in the formers office seated at the nearby chairs. Richard trying to take in what Lukas had just requested. “You want to be stationed with Ben on Ascretta ?” He repeated

 

“If that is alright for me to do so, or would you rather wait until Tanith returns to go over the request with her ?” Lukas said in reply

 

“What did Tanith say she needed to do back on Earth ?” Richard asked

 

“She wouldnt tell me, but said that I was welcome here in Atlantis, but somehow I feel it would be best for all of us if I stay on Ascretta.” Lukas said, the farther he was from Russia the better.

 

Richard was quietly thoughtful, he then nodded. “Alright, I dont sdee the harm in you waiting until Tanith returns, we're to contact Ben anyway and we can ask him if he'd like your request to be assigned there. Far as I know, not many of the Furlings there know the technology and are still learning most of it.” Richard said to him

 

Lukas nodded, he'd already met Reiko, a lovely woman too for a cat. But Tanith was his friend and he knew she was worried for him. His safety above all else. “I do not mind waiting either way.” He said

 

Richard smiled and once more welcomed Lukas to Atlantis, then took him on a personal tour of the city. Thanks to the Replicators they had rebuilt what had been damaged by asteroids, the Wraith, the wraith seed for example too had been all repaired and in some cases even better then before.

 

As the two walked along, Lukas noticed something off about Richard. “Something troubles you Mr Woosley ?” He asked as they walked an open walkway looking out of the waters.

 

Richard stopped, moved to the railing and looked out. “Somewhat”

 

“We're alone, maybe I can be of help ?” Lukas told him

 

“You said SG-20, the Russian team were visiting the planets you already visited, why ?” Richard asked him, once more Lukas explained what he could. The team was under orders to try and find if he had made contact wit the three missing diplomats.

 

“SG-20s last set of orders were to simply observe you and the planets you visited, the hope of finding their missing diplomats is lightly easier here at Atlantis then back on Earth.” Richard mused

 

He sighed, looking briefly to the sky, “Why Russia wants acess to the stargate is anyones guess” Hew said softly, in truth Russia having their own stargate program in secret was damn scary. To the point wherein they could run a stargate program concurrent with the SGC, until the DHD was destroyed.

 

Russia wanted a lot of things, whereas China wanted to put the stargate somewhere public, allowing anyone access to anyone with proper clearance. That was the point of the Alpha and Beta sites.

 

The Iota site was a military training ground for the Army and Marines. Whereas the Alpha and Beta sites were mostly residental and technological in nature. Allowing various requirements as needed.

 

Atlantis however expanded on all the Sites combined, having two of their own alpha sites as well as apparently a moon base like mining system in their current system of Lantea.

 

“So it is a wonder, this city, I am surprised Russia has not tried to take control of it just yet.” Lukas mused.

 

“We have some Russians on the roster here in the city. I can have Charles wrangle up a list, if anyone is on it that you know I can make sure you never meet, or indeed meet as needed. Any that you are wary of for example.” Richard said

 

“That would be nice.” Lukas replied. They continued their tour of the main centeral tower. Lukas occasionally remarking at how spartan the design of the halls were, the carefully laid tile flooring, to the bonelights and crystals lit along their edges providing various levels of light. It was really nice. What Lukas found the most beautiful was the constant stained glass everywhere. The ancients sure liked to see and be seen. Fortunately the condo living areas doors were solid and unable to be seen through.

 

“Tell you what.” Woolsey finally said as they walked along taking in the gorgeous views of Lantea's vast ocean. “Until Tanith gets back, regardless of how long that is, we can assign temporary living quarters for you here on base. And when she gets back I'll let her have final say”

 

“Sounds fair to me” Lukas replied, he and Richard then returned to Richards office and got busy working on a few other things with Rodney and Reikos help.

 

Earth

At that same moment

Napa Valley

Race Wars

 

The Corvette pulled to the gate and halted, the airman on duty spotted the car, and its driver, having already been told ahead of time by Toretto who to expect that day. Tanith had planned on arriving sooner, but she had to get her car out of storage first and briefly her father had forgotten the combination to the storage unit where her car was stored at the time.

 

Thanks to Reiko, and also to Ben, Tanith appeared human, but thanks to Ben, Taniths car had some replicator technologies built into it. She had her sniper rifle and Ori staff hidden within the car thanks to the replicator nanites.

 

The window lowered. “Identifcation ma'am ?” The airman said, she passed it over. “Ah, yes, Col Raines, Ma'am welcome to Race Wars, Mr Toretto insisted we direct you to where he's at at this moment.” The airman snapped to attention seeing she was a lt col. Outranking him as he was enlisted and not on comission

 

“I am expected ?” Tanith asked in confusion

 

“Yes ma'am, once word got to Mr Toretto he said to watch for you and send you to him soon as we greeted you, you'll find him in the main administration building.” The airman replied saulting her as he returned her identication. “Welcome to Race Wars Ma'am” He said ot her, allowing her to drive into the base.

 

Tanith had to smile, trust Dom to have everyone on the lookout for her. Sooner or later he'd find out she wasnt human anymore. But hey she could still drive and fit in her car, it took a bit but thanks to Bens replicator technology sitting down in the car was easy and she didnt hurt her tail as much.

 

Pulling to a halt in a parking spot, she noticed more and more folks showing up for race wars, tents and temp structures were getting set up for the drag races to happen within the hour. Tanith turned off her car and took the keys, they vanished into her replicator enhanced kull vambrace on her right arm.

 

She was still trying to get used to the replicator nano tech. But it was incredibly helpful. She opened the door and heard yelling, even wit her hardlight disguise showing her as a human woman she could still hear clear as a cat.

 

“Look, we've searched everywhere, I swear to you, Elena's body is gone, and there's no sign eitherof Little B either” it was the voice of a guy that Tanith never met, a man named Mr Nobody. How the guy managed to survive Jakobs attack during the last year was beyond even Dom.

 

“I know, but I had some outside help, I just needed you here to help me confirm some things. Once I know they're alive its possible I can see them both again.” Dom said to him. Dominic Toretto was a former felon, his police record entirely thrown out thanks to the FDA and ATF and also CIA and now, the SGC and Homeworld Security.

 

So that made Nobody quiet briefly before asking, “What ?”

 

“A friend of mine disappeared in the same way that my son disappeared, a lightning bolt from nowhere.” Dom explained as Tanith was outside the building, she knocked twice on the door before pulling it open as Dom was speaking. “And here she is now.”

 

Tanith smiled as Dom saw her, his arms went wide for the hug and she returned it in kind. “its good to see you too Dom, I heard about Little B, I got your video message from Rodney. I'm so sorry I took so long in getting to you.” Tanith told him.

 

Dom shook his head, “dont worry about that for right now. You know, Mr Nobody ?”

 

“I do not” Tanith replied, Dom did the introductions. It made her smile “That explains why Cam let you aboard the Odyssey” She said

 

Nobody was quite cordial and actually enjoyed Taniths company. “Col Raines, pleasure to meet you” He said shaking her hand.

 

“Likewise” Tanith replied.

 

“By meeting up with myself and working with me on several occasions, Homeland Security took it upon themselves to allow Mr Toretto here some extra access. For that I am thankful. He's a good man” Nobody said, Dom couldnt help but smile, most of the things he did when working with Nobody allowed him to reconnect with old family he thought he had lost

 

“Dom also tells me he needed confirmation of a few things. From what I remember you also disappeared last year similar to how Elena Neves-Toretto disappeared from her gravesite.” Nobody was curious what Dom meant by that

 

Tanith nodded, “yes, and I can confirm that both Little B and Elena are both quite alive, only. Not exactly how I am now.” She explained.

 

“I am not sure I understand, not how you are ?” Nobody asked inconfusion, Dom only knew so much thanks to Cam and Rodney explaining what they could to him. So he had an inkling of what to expect.

 

Only he was not expecting the bombshell Tanith dropped on them at that moment.

 

“What I mean is, dont shoot or panic or scream, can you at least promise me that ?” Tanith said, both men nodded, Dom more curious then anything as Tanith reached to her wrist and pressed on the vambrace. Within seconds the hologram faded and shifted, revealing her true form, she was still wearinbg the combat dress she had arrived in.

 

But in place of a gorgeous young woman, was a catlike being with dark brown, gold, black, white and red fur, a tortishell calico cat so to speak. Her eyes were a pale gold color at that point as well too. No more brown eyes were seen.

 

Infact the only thing that hadnt changed was Taniths voice. “A friend of mine gave me that device, allowed me to act as a human to get off base. I would have explained it sooner on stream but.” Tanith tried to explain, but Dom heard none of it, a smile on his face.

 

He knew now that Elena and their son was alive and safe. To him, that was what was most important at that moment, Mr Nobody on the other hand was shocked at the sight before him. He stepped around Tanith, she had a long slender tail, sharp claws for nails. And pointed feline ears of a gorgeous cat, infact she stood now at eye level with Dom, which made Nobody look up slightly. “Simply amazing. Almost alien infact.” He said to her. “What base do you work at ? Area Fifty One ?”

 

“Something like that, only no I work out of Cheyenne Mountian” Tanith corrected, Ok fine so she worked entirely on another planet for fuck sake. But that was not important at that moment, what was important was that she was getting where she needed to be. And that briefly meant Race Wars. She turned to Dom.

 

“General Landry and the Joint Chiefs insist I am able to wander around like this and since you and the others have full access now I feel that I shouldnt keep it a secret anymore.” She said meaning her new form. She looked to Dom shyly, “You're OK with how I look, right ?”

 

“That's alright, I expect you to see my sister soon, ever since you joined the Marines, Mia's been worried about you, hoping you're safe with the way things are going across the world right now” He said to her as he pulled her in for another hug. Tanith took that answer as a yes.

 

“Well, since Dom trusts you, I trust you” Nobody spoke up then, he was glad to work with anoth fine addition to the family, so to speak. The fact that he was so willing to trust her when she said where she worked through, it made sense. Cheyenne mountain complex had gone through a lot of issues lately.

 

“Wait” it was Dom that spoke up then once they had sat down near a desk, Tanith leaning against it, Dom seated behind it, and Nopbody steaed on a low sofa. “Does what happened to you last year explain why that soldier spoke to me looking for where you lived ?” he went on to explain his meeting with Cam at his doorstep before Cam went and took him into orbit for a few minutes.

 

“More then likely yes“ Tanith went onto explain what had happened to her a year before. Dom took it all in like a sponge.

 

Nobody was briefly skeptical but then it made sense to him. “So what happened to that musical show cast in Miami, and more recently over in europe which has Russia up in arms over it, also happened to you, last year” He said

 

“So what happened to you also happened to my son and to Elena. But why not anyone else ? Every time the disappearances happen we do a head count, nobody else these last few disappearances had disappeared from our families.” Dom explained.

 

“That might be it, some of us took longer to show up, for example I showed up where I woke up, in a tomb of some kind, five other dead bodies around me. There's one left, but my husband arrived almost two weeks after I woke up.” Tanith explained. She went onto explain how others also showed up after her, and how the musical cast from miami had also disappeared a full month beforeshe had.

 

“So its connected to this device in egypt ? Where is it now ?” Nobody asked

 

“Its still at Tell Basta, Dr Jackson insisted it remains there, as it acts as the doorway trigger. Its under extremely careful watch at all hours back at base.” Tanith said to him, “Whenever that thing gets triggered, a storm somewhere happens, according to Dr Jackson the last time it was triggered was a month ago.”

 

“Which is around the time Russia got antsy and blamed America and Siberia for the disappearance of two diplomats, Japan is also blaming Russia for the disappearance of their own diplomat.” Nobody replied

 

“That explains, before I came here we got report that three new arrivals where I woke up spoke in either Japanese or Russian accents.” Tanith said.

 

“So now what ?” Dom asked, he got Taniths attention just by speaking up. “Sure you didnt come all the way out here to Race Wars just to tell me where Elena nd Little B are ?”

 

“Far from it, my boss said there was drug transportation activity in the area of Race Wars and asked me to check it out with you. If that means racing in Race Wars, that's fine with me, do we have the registered racers ?” Tanith said, Dom nodded and pointed out the clipboard. Tanith took it and read through it, there were five names that stuck out. She traced a finger on them, the replicator nanites that Ben and Fran had given her and were also on her vambraces traced from her finger, their goal, check for drugs in the names, if there were drugs, those were the transporters.

 

Seven different names were focused and high lighted. Tanith smiled, “I'll race this guy first, and this guy last, you and Mia can pick any of the others as you like for rthe rest of the Family.” She said pointing out the high lighted names to Dom.

 

Each of the seven names had drugs either in their system or on their skin and not in their systems, they were the muels, their cars used to transport the goods. But the two names Tanith pointed out from the fore front were from Calitri's old group.

 

“You're sure you want to race them ?” Dom asked

 

“Ride or Die, or would you rather I shoot on sight ? You know I'm a very good aim” Tanith said, it made Nobody chuckle, he knew Taniths record as a sniper from her time in the Marines. Top marks across the board.

 

“Ride or Die” Dome said, if anything he'd prefer Ride, so he smirked, “Ride it is” He handed her a pen and Tanith wrote her name for both entries. They were racing, for pink slips. And then Dom saw that she was using her own Vette.

 

“You're serious ?” Dom asked her

 

“Very, a friend of mine on base is from Siberia, a very goo man, you'd like him. But the Russians on base are onto him, so I had him taken to my base of operations to get away from them. These two guys are Russian names. Kasmov, and Diritrov. Both of them using late model hondas with illegal mods.” Tanith replied

 

“Yeah, but your car would leave them in the dust from the outset, so I ask again, are you absolutely sure you want to do that ?” Dom said, was Tanith sure she wanted to leave them in the dust, or was she going to give the guys a false hope ?

 

“Is there a problem ?” The fact that she had her Vette, the thing so modded it wasnt really a stock covrette anymore, still drivable and fully street legal. Something didnt add up entirely.

 

Dom knew the smile she threw at him then, it made Nobody slightly nervous. “No” He finally said shaking his head, “There's no problem. They're not expected to arrive for another hour or so, and its going to get warm. You going to be alright in that fur ?”

 

“I'll be fine,” Tanith replied, sure it felt a little warmer then normal, but that was Napa Valley for you, Race Wars was always in the warm weather anyhow. It tended to get warm fast.

 

Mr Nobody stood from the sofa, “Well, if that's all I am needed for I'll let you two prepare, Col Raines, a pleasure again, to meet you” He said to her once more shaking her hand. Now able to feel the soft velvety fur on her hand. That made Mr Nobody the fourth person able to actually touch her, the first being Rodney, the second being Lukas, the third being Dom.

 

The three then became two as Nobody had left the building, he was initally planning on spectating Race Wars from afar however. Such was the ways of a secret agent.

 

“So how do you want to do this ?” Dom asked Tanith a few minutes later. The two were walking towards where Dom and the family kept their cars, Tanith had parked in her normal space. “If you're racing for pink slips the guy is going to try something to ensure the car is empty before you take it.”

 

“I was thinking about that, on my drive here I was in touch with a friend up top” Tanith jerked her thumb upwards, meaning a ship like the Odyssey, “the plan is simple. I win, the guy will try to flee, but before we race I touch the target car. In doing so I mark it for the Sun Tzu to transport as soon as I give the word. Anyone driving it is also transported but put into the brig aboard the ship. Any drugs in the car are then removed, and the car and driver placed back down here. Shouldnt take less then ten minutes” She explained

 

Dom smiled. “Nothing takes less then ten minutes.”

 

“Says the man” Tanith said, with a sidelong glance at her friend, a gentle smile on her face “Who used to live his life ten seconds at a time.”

 

Dom smiled, “There's the Tanith I remember” He said to her. Making her also smile.

 

Tanith smirked. “Did I ever leave ?” She asked him, causing him to laugh.

 

Taniths plan for the first pink slip race went off without a hitch, of course at the time she used the holo disguise to appear fully human. And used her Vette. She gave the Russian false hope that he'd easily get past her before nailing him.

 

She easily managed to get him away from his car before he could clean it out. The drugs safetly taken in aboard the Sun Tzu, the drugs then beamed down to Mr Nobody's location right as planned.

 

But for the second race for Tanith however. Was a different story.

 

The second Russian for Tanith to race was onto her. She knew where his true target, Lukas Saradov had disappeared to. Kasmov didnt care too much about losing his car. The strangest part was the pink slip inside it, keys, and freshly refuled for him that evening when he was set to take a bus home.

 

But Diritrov had different plans in mind. And cornered Tanith. Never expecting that the driver of the seemingly quite common Vette was really not a human woman at all.

 

Diritrov got the drop on Tanith outside the bathroom building as she was coming out. “You know Saradov dont you ?” He asked her out of the blue when directly in her path. Making the seemingly human woman stare at him with hard eyes. “Dont you ?” He repeated.

 

“We race in one minute, are you sure you want to do this now, or should we wait until you hand me your keys ?” Tanith asked him.

 

Kasmov pulled him away. “D, come on man, you race her, then you can grill her after you win and twake her car. I lost my car as it is, least you can do is keep yours so we can get home.”

 

Diritrov slipped from his friends grasp and got up in Taniths face. “This isnt over.” He growled.

 

Tanith smirked. “Oh, I assure you, it isnt” She replied. She then walked around him, speaking as she did, “See you after the race, be ready to give me your keys”

 

As Diritrov watched her stalk off, he could have sworn she had a tail at the base of her spine, and the ears of a cat on her head. But that simply wasnt possible was it ?

 

Twenty minutes later and it was over. Diritrov was steamed, He wasnt giving his car over to some cosplayer catwoman thing who beat him for pink slips! He needed it! And she had the answers he sought. So he pulled to a halt near the area where he was to turn over his keys to Tanith. And took something out of the glove compartment,

 

A gun

 

Unfortunately Tanith was not expecting that, and all cars normally were checked for weaponry before being allowed to take part in Race Wars. But things happened, and fortunately it was all to plan.

 

“Col Raines this is Sun Tzu, we have a hostile in your general vicinty, we advise caution” Came the soft radio voice.

 

“Copy that Sun Tzu, Car is marked and ready to transport. Let me handle the hostile. I think I know who it is” Tanith replied, her voice calm.

 

She sat on the hood of her Vette as she waited, thanks to the nanites given to her by Fran and Ben she was able to transfer a copy of the asgard shield to her own car. She was talking with Mia.

 

“I still cant believe you're really a cat” Mia said, her son, Jack played briefly with Taniths hair as he sat between his mom and Tanith on the hood of the latters Vette.

 

“It took me a day to come to terms with it myself.” Tanith replied. She then said softly. “Dont panic and put this on, stay on the hood of my car. And trust me” She slid from the hood of the Vette and went to the passenger side, Mia watching, along with Dom and Han. What was Tanith up to ?

 

Tanith had won both races, both for pink slips against her two race challengers. So what was going on. Then Dom saw it. Diritrov was muscling through the crowd of people cheering Tanith for winning and there was a brief flash of light from the parking area. Dom though was more focused on Diritrov.

 

The man had a gun, and he was heading for Tanith. Tanith knew it apparently. “Did you bring me your keys with that gun ?” She asked, her voice carried well and clear, causing a brief quiet to occur around her as she traced a finger on her own car. A ripple formed on its surface.

 

“Not until we finish what we started before we raced.” Diritrov snarled at her.

 

Mia's son, Jack, watched facinated as something began to form where Tanith traced her fingers. Something ornate and white formed there.

 

“Really, would that be the cornering me as I left the restroom ?” Tanith asked him. Leaning against her Vette as she spoke, she crossed her arms over her chest. Her feline eyes taking the man in, he had a crazed look on his face.

 

Dom was slightly unnerved at sight of the gun, his nephew was there for fucks sake! But Tanith was incredbly calm. Was she expecting this ? Short answer, yes. Long answer, no she wasnt but yes she was.

 

“Yes, that indeed, tell me what I want to know, and you get my keys. If you dont tell me what I want to know.” Diritrov said. Allowing Tanith to finish the thought.

 

“You'll try and shoot me ?” She gave him a confused look, “really ? Is that the only way how Russians do business ? You really think I am going to lie to you and tell you I dont know what you're talking about, because that is exactly what I am going to tell you, so you might as well shoot. Waste your ammo if you have to, but leave everyone else out of it.” She told him.

 

Diritrov snarlked again and raised his weapon at her, getting right in her face, the weapon a goof foot from her. “Where is he!”

 

“Who ?” Tanith asked him.

 

The man snarled again and turned the weapon towards Mia. “I wont ask again.”

 

Tanith smirked, “I dare you to shoot, go ahead.” Of course it would only make him more upset. So she was going to have to react fast.

 

Diritrov snarled again and fired, the shot dinged hard off something with a spark, and Mia stared, what the hell was that ? Something had stopped the bullet and defelcted it entirely.

 

And then there was a clatter on the ground as the gun was in two pieces.

 

In Taniths hand was a gorgeous sword of silver and black steel. Diritrov stared at his destroyed weapon, and then up at Taniths calm face as her blade was held at his neck. “I ask you again, did you bring your keys ?”

 

Diritrov snarled, “Answer my question and I'll give them over.” He said

 

Tanith smiled and removed her blade from his neck, leaning close to him the catwoman snarled in his ear. “Wrong answer, asshole.” She then clouted him solid, knocking him out. She set the sword on the hood of the car, it melted into the metal as she searched his pockets, fishing out the pink slip and his keys she held them up

 

Everyone cheered, the party was back on.

Chapter 4: Galaxy's Paradise

Summary:

Ascretta is a paradise world, and when Mungojerrie finally meets Tanith in person he learns just how big their world is. He reports to Munkus, Tugger, Tanith and Cassandra about what he found, afterwards the meeting includes planning for the next day's New Years party.

Afterwards, Munkus and Mungojerrie have a chat at Mungojerries apartment at Ascretta and he gets his new mission, at the same time, Cassandra corners Tanith. Tanith makes her case and leaves a stunned Cassandra in her wake. Afterwards she has a chat with Rumpleteazer concerning Cassandras personality.

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 4 Galaxy's Paradise

 

SGC

The Next morning

 

Morning dawned for Tanith, the first day back on earth without her dear husband, first full night really, and the poor woman barely slept. She needed Tharon all that much apparnetly. But finally morning cracked like the break of dawn normally does and found Tanith grumpliy guzzling a Pepsi in the mess hall. Her feline fur an absolute bedhead, but she was presentable, her normal outfit was on that day instead of what she had worn the day before.

 

The red dress she had worn was designed to look like it sparkled, a sequined dress of a sort. It hugged her form nicely sure, but she liked her darker black sapphire colors, it was softer and also hugged her form nicely too.

 

As she guzzled her pepsi Cam found her, she had a huge plate of bacon, and a large gallon sized mug in her hand that normally was used to serve coffee but it was filled with pepsi. “Couldnt sleep ?”

 

“Might say that” Tanith replied as she set the massive mug on the table

 

“Mind if I join you ?” Cam asked her

 

“Not at all.” Tanith replied, Cam joined her at table, for a good few minutes there was nothing but silence between them as Tanith worked through her frazzled nerves, without her husband, since transforming and being reborn, it had been a full year and a week since it happened really. And it had only been a full day since Lukas and Ford went to Atlantis.

 

“Has our guests spoken to anyone ?” Tanith asked, the daily dial in to Earth was at noon, and Tanith was expected to return to Atlantis at that time. She had promised Lukas she'd try to find out something, and had also promised Dom she'd try to get in touch with Elena at the very least.

 

“Well, the first guy, Kasmov he called himself, spilled the beans last night, he and his partner, Diritrov, were to smuggle drugs for their boss. But their bosses bosses boss, if that makes sense, suddenly disappeared when at the UN. A Russian guy, big explosion of white light, like how you disappeared. Only there was no storm at the time.” Cam reported, Tanith sighed

 

“Let me guess, since that guy disappeared, Russia had been trying to find out what happened and blames the US and the Stargate program for it ?” Tanith said in thought

 

“Bingo” Cam replied

 

Tanith smirked, “What would happen if I got to play with one of them ? I mean sure I already played cat and mouse with both of them and took their cars. But let me get down and dirty with one or two in a cell or out in the open and I'm happy” She didnt look happy, nor did she sound happy, but if she could return to Atlantis with something for Lukas, that made her happy.

 

“You dont sound too happy“ Cam spoke up carefully, Tanith gave him a sidlong glance, a soft smile on her face

 

“I couldnt sleep very well last night” She admitted. She missed Tharon that much. Needed his purring chest as her pillow.

 

“Tell you what, I'll chat to the general and see if I can get you some play time, how's that sound ? Any of the two you spcifically want to play with ?” He asked her

 

“Yeah actually, the first guy, have him put in a observitory room, and I'll do the rest.” Tanith said, her tone noticably happier.

 

“The last time I remember doing anything with you was at Iota” Cam mentioned thoughtfully as he looked at her. “Do you miss it ?”

 

“Miss what ? Iota ? A little bit yeah, ok more like a lot, but Iota isnt like Ascretta, with Bens help we're almost ready to actually fly the massive city, I heard that Carter managed to get in touch with the other ten addresses ?”

 

“Yeah actually she was, each planet is already connected by a portal network, but they also all have stargates on them. Now that Ascretta, according to Dila, is back on the grid they want to make the council whole again. But they dont know when to begin.” Cam said as they ate their breakfast, Tanith's plate of bacon slowly grew smaller.

 

“How is Dila anyway ?” Tanith asked, the last time she had spoken to the cat woman from Flamelight Spire was the year before. The feline was kind and really enjoyed her time on earth, saying that she had learned that not all Humans were evil, and not all humans were good, and lumping them into one or the other category was not possible, it was each on a individual basis.

 

“She wants to come back to Earth, swim in the oceans again, she said that visiting us, regardless of how the trip began here, was actually quite enjoyable, and her boss even gave her leave tocontact us when the time allowed to allow her to come here.” Cam explained, it made Tanith smirk

 

“She is welcome to visit Atlantis, or even Ascretta, once they know the address at least. I can ask Ben to set up a camp or control system for the Milky Way gate connection.” Tanith said in reply as she nearly finished her bacon, she had refilled her pepsi twice.

 

“Ready to play ?” Cam asked her as he finished off his oatmeal after draining his coffee.

 

“More then ready. My car was all checked up on the Sun Tzu as planned, so I got all my gear back on me. You can keep my Vette at your condo if you want.” Tanith told him as she cleared her plate away and stood from the table. Still nursing the massive Pepsi the cat woman headed for the observitory room.

 

Cam smirked, “I'll meet you with our guest, you said you wanted to talk to the first guy right ? The one who spilled the beans last night ? Kasmov was his name.” Tanith nodded, the two split up, and Cam put the request in, it was time to make some new friends.

 

In the cell, Kasmov sat on the chair near the side table, Diritrov pacing, clearly upset, they lost their cars, they had no transportation, and they had no answers for their boss over what happened to the High Roller's disappearance and their true target Saradov.

 

SG-20 even tried finding him, reporting him gone when they got back from R&R and SG-4 was no help either. Lukas was simply gone, and now these two drug mules were prisoners, and SG-20 was up in arms over it, briefly confined to quarters the night before, the commander of SG-20 managed to convince the general, Landry, that they meant well and were worried for their fellow Russians

 

Landry made it clear however that the team would have to take up any issues they had with the Furlings concerning their wellbeing. Namely, the Furling in question was Tanith herself, and she just wasnt in the mood to talk at the time. So that morning she was briefly cornered by the commander of the russian unit, mostly over kasmov and Diritrov's treatment. Fortunately both men were treated gently and made sure to be alright, treated more like guests over prisoners.

 

But now Kasmov turned to the door as the door was unlocked, breakfast had been delivered and it actually was pretty good, it wasnt something to expect of a prison or jail, this was actual real cooked food, not slop nobody wanted that could be expected to be food.

 

Twenty minutes later and the door opened again, and Kasmov was asked to go with a soldier, leaving the pacing Diritrov alone in the room, the man soon stopped his pacing and tried to make sense of things.

 

He'd lost his car, he'd lost his gun thanks to that cat woman cutting it in half. But he also lost something else, he lost access to his boss, able to get word to his boss about what happened. He never found out where Lukas went.

 

Nobody expected either that Kasmov spilled the beans, and now was being taken to speak to Tanith directly, the woman he had lost against the day before. But somehow he still had his own car keys ?

 

Once lead to the room, Kasma was instructed to sit and that someone wanted to speak to him, less then a minute later Tanith arrived, appearing once again as a human woman in a dark blacklike colored dress. She had thigh high boots on her feet, and looked like she hadnt slept well

 

“You'll have to excuse my appearance” Tanith said to him. “I didnt get a lot of sleep, so I am not in the best of moods either.” She tried to smile to reassure the guy. She set something on the table between them. Kasmov recognised the item, as his car keys.

 

“What's going on ?” He asked her

 

“You told my boss last night everything you know, why my friend is being hunted by your bosses men. So I figure, in exchange for what you know, you get your car back as if you never lost it. Does that sound fair to you ?” Tanith asked him as she sat down and briefly adjusted how she sat at the table as she had briefly sat on her tail.

 

Kasmov thought less then a minute, then nodded. “That does indeed sound fair to me” He said in reply, she passed the keys closer to him, he greatfully took them. “I will tell you everything I know,”

 

With those words he launched into the tale, getting slightly corrected by Tanith where needed, but most of it was correct. Fortunately it was all recorded.

 

Finally Tanith raised a finger, Kasmov went quiet, he was cooperative to the point where it made sense to assign him to SG-4, all he wanted to do was drive, and follow orders, the last thing he wanted was to harm a fellow Russian. So searching for Lukas kept him out of the range of most of his bosses.

 

“Let me see if I got this right, your boss, your bosses, bosses, boss, disappeared at the U.N, right ?” Tanith asked him, Kasmov nodded, “And so as a result, your boss, and his boss, both want to know what happened to their boss. And they all think that my friend had something to do with it ?”

 

“Exactly, they think that Lukas Saradov, who also had a hand in helping the Soviet Union collapse in the early nineties had something to do with both diplomats and the Japanese diplomat disappearing from the U.N. that day” Kasmov confirmed. “My boss expressely stated he just wanted to talk to Mr Saradov, nothing else then that. And he asked me and Diritrov to find him so we could talk”

 

“But now Lukas isnt here, so Col Chekov's former comrade took charge and is running things worse then Chekov was” Tanith growled. She sighed then. “Alright, what I am about to tell you everyone on this base execept SG-20 knows about. So please dont scream, I had a bad night.”

 

“Meaning ?” Kasmov was confused, the woman directly across the table from him had given back his car in exchange for all the information he could give her, so what else could he do ?

 

“Meaning this” Tanith simpoly said as the hologram faded from her skin, leaving behind her fur. Kasmov watched facinated and in awe.

 

“I knew cats were beatiful creatures, but to see one walking on two legs and talking to me takes it to an entirely new level.” Kasmov said, then a thought struck him, “Wait, would what happened just now be what happened to the High Roller ?” He asked

 

The High Roller was the lower members of the russian mobs terminology for their top boss. The bosses, bosses boss. One of the higher ranked members. Kasmov and Diritrov were only drug runners, drivers, barely any knowledge aside from target names and locations.

 

“Possibly, you said it was reported your high roller disappeared with a fellow Russian and a Japanese Diplomat in a flash of white light ?” Tanith asked him Kasmov nodded. “The same thing happened to me, a year ago, what happened just now was just a piece of technology.”

 

“So Diritrovs gun not harming that woman last night ?” Kasmov reasoned

 

“Also technology to protect others yes” Tanith said in reply. Kasmov nodded, “You're a good man, you only know so much, but your intention was only to chat, not to harm. So I can trust you can be treated with kindness, maybe even get a better job here too.” Tanith told him. She stood from the table and motioned for Kasmov to walk with her.

 

“I'd like that.” Kasmov replied, he had combat experience during Operation Enduring Freedom. So it made sense to offer him a job there. Tanith took Kasmov to Landry's office and explained her job off to the men. Landry agreed to think about it and get in touch with the President.

 

Ten minutes later and Tanith paused at the door where Diritrov was within. Half tempted to scare the wits out of the idiot, Tanith instead said to the airman on duty. “Make sure he is treated well when he is released later this afternoon.” The man nodded. That meant that things had to occur in a certain order.

 

Tanith went up a short flight of stairs to the controlroom of the complex. “Are we there yet ?” She asked, meaning had the gate been dialed.

 

“Almost, we're just waiting on the commander of the Sun Tzu” Landry replied, within a moment the commander beamed down. She looked slightly upset. “Something wrong Col Lila ?” Landry asked

 

“Might say that” The col replied, she then explained two members of the crew had become ill as a side effect of the drugs, which were safely transported elsewhere.

 

“Who knew that weed could make a person sicker then with cancer” Tanith mumbled. Everyone was present and accounted for as Cam stepped into view.

 

“Dial up Atlantis, Walter” Landry said, the chief got busy and dialed the gate.

 

“So, did you manage to find out what you needed to know ?” Landry asked Tanith

 

She nodded, “yeah, I found out I cant sleep well without my husband's purring next to me.” She said, it made Landry smirk, she sighed, “They wanted to talk to Lukas, but apparently SG-20's orders were given by Col Chekovs second in command, with the loss of the Korlev against the Ori three years ago it is only a matter of time before things happen in the worst way”

 

“So that means ?” Cam asked as Walter called out cheveron three encoded.

 

“That means that SG-20 are acting under a rogue agent, whereas SG-4 are acting through Kasmov's own bosses.” Tanith replied, She looked at him, “Had you thought more on my offer ?”

 

“I have, the president agrees with you too, so I offered Kasmov a job, turns out the rank he had in the Russian Army was lance corpral. So I said he'd have the same rank here and would work with Walter.” Landry said, that was quick.

 

“And Major Saradov is safe at Atlantis as we speak” Cam replied, yeah that made sense. That made Tanith sigh with relief, her friend was safe.

 

“For now yes, but I had a plan and with your permission General I'd like to have Lukas Saradov assigned to Atlantis permamently, if possible even assign him from there to one of the Pegasus Sites, or even directly to Ascretta ?” Tanith said as Walter called out several six.

 

“I was actually hoping you could make the recommendation to the IOA at Atlantis, Mr Woolsey I think would enjoy such an assignment, Maj Saradov as well.” Landry said, leaving the final choice of Lukas assignment up to Tanith entirely.

 

“Thank you sir” Tanith replied as Walter called out cheveron eight locking. The stargate kawooshed open and then settled.

 

“Atlantis this is Stargate Command do you read ?” Walter spoke into his radio, he smiled at the reply, “We're receiving both audio and video sir.” He said ot Landry

 

“On screen” Landry replied, the screens lit up, it was from Atlantis' control room. “Mr Woolsey, good morning“

 

“General Landry, Col Raines, Col Mitchell, Col Lila, good to hear from you all. Were things eventful as hoped ?”

 

“They were” Cam replied, he turned to Tanith, “Tanith wants to return home, is your shield down ?”

 

“It is, come on through, we're actually expecting you.” Woolsey said to Tanith

 

“Thank you sir, I will be right there.” Tanith said bidding goodbye to Landry and Cam before heading into the gateroom. “I'm ready” Tanith said in to her radio.

 

“Door's open, come on in.” Woolsey's voice echoed on her earpiece.

 

Tanith stepped through, stars shot past, gently stepping from the stargate in Atlantis she looked about, everything looked normal, but Reiko and Si Ming were not present, nor was Rodney. She saw the look on Woolsey's face however. The stargate shut down behind her.

 

“Something wrong ?” She asked Richard,

 

He shook his head as he joined her at the gateroom floor. “Nothing wrong no, but Dr McKay insisted I send you to his lab the moment you arrived, seems he had found something thanks to Major Pendergast when she was here last year. He said its important and only you could make sense of it”

 

“Guess I'd better see him, where is Lukas, and the other Furlings ?” she could barely remember Reikos name. “I was half expecting him to tackle me in a hug when I arrived here”

 

Richard smiled, “Major Saradov is at Ascretta right now, helping Ben translate for some new arrivals there, whereas the Furlings both went with him, I presume they also returned to their place of residence or are waiting for you to return there yourself.” Richard said

 

So Tanith had to task, speak to Rodney, then go to Ascretta and speak to Lukas and Ben. That made things only slightly confusing. So Tanith went to see Rodney first.

 

Stepping into his lab. “Ah there you are” Rodney said, he pointed at the screen on the wall. “Radek and I found this in the atlantis database, it was connected with Ascretta and concerned the first stargates ever made. But there was this and Radek and I debated on letting you see it or not.”

 

He showed her the screen, Tanith rapidly read thrhough it. She turned from it and looked at Rodney, she jerked a thumb at the screen “That's a journal, written in Furling“

 

“It is yes” Rodney said, “But I wanted to be sure of what I was reading, do you recognise any of the names in the paragraph I highlighted ?” He pointed to the highlighted area as he spoke.

 

Tanith turned and looked at it, five names stood out, her own among them, along with Tugger, Mungojerrie, and finally one last name she recognised, Tantomile. “huh” Was all she said

 

“Huh ?” Rodney repeated, to him this was one fo the most important finds.

 

“Apparentyly in this page you found, an Ancient, Amileius, was working with a Furling, named Tantomile, who at the time was a Furling scientist, to construct the first stargates, and the first people who went through were apparently myself, and some friends to make sure it worked as intended.” Tanith said as she translated the journal page.

 

“That's what I thought, Radek even suggested that it might have to do with how the dead powerless stargate we found at Ascretta worked. It didnt have any star constellations on it either” Rodney said as he brought up a image of the original stargate, just lines and dots were on the thing, no start patterns anywhere.

 

“Cam mentioned that the museum he and his group found on Flamelight Spire had the other stargate, no power getting to it whatsoever for that matter, and the stargate network was then established and built enmasse by the Ancients was also present in the place before properly set up on the public square.” Tanith explained

 

A few more minutes passed and Rodney then noticed the appearance of Tanith. “You dont look too good, are you alright ?” He asked her as she briefly stumbled, he reached out and kept her on her feet as she leaned onto him before leaning back on the rolling table.

 

“I am fine, just tired is all.” She said in reply, “I didnt sleep well last night.”

 

Rodney caught her when she stumbled again so she wouldnt hit the floor, her soft velvety fur felt so good, similar to Newtons own soft fur. “You want me to contact Ben and have him send Tharon over or what ?” He suggested.

 

“No, its alright, if anything I'd like you to come with me through to Ascretta to make sure I make it to Tharon and not collapse at the gate itself.” Tanith replied, that made sense. Rodney nodded.

 

“Alright, are you all set ?” He knew of the new technologies that Ben had given Tanith, the way her weapons could merge with her skin so seamlesly thanks to the replicator nanites.

 

“Yeah, for the moment, shall we ?” Tanith said, Rodney nodded and with her on his arm he escorted her to the gateroom.

 

Ascretta

Ten minutes later

 

Tanith and Rodney stepped from the stargate and saw Ben waiting there, he'd alerted Tharon and the other cat was present, seeing how Tanith relied on Rodney as support he came to her side, and with Rodney's help guided her to a chair to relax. Tanith gave Rodney a quick hug “thank you” She said softly to him.

 

“Think nothing of it” Rodney said, anything to know his friend was alright. Tharon and Tanith both trusted him with their lives. He then saw Ben and Lukas nearby, the latter watching with a expression of concern as Tanith struggled to remain awake.

 

“Will she be alright ?” He asked Rodney as the man came over to the much larger man and compared to him Radek sized Replicator.

 

Rodney nodded, “Yeah, she'll be alright, she just needs some sleep. A good nights rest and I think she'll be fine. Whats up here, any luck with the new arrivals ?”

 

Lukas sighed, but it was Ben who spoke. “If only” He said, “Fortunately the third arrival, the saimese breed, calls him self Takeru helped with some of the translating. But the two big ones, those are Russians, they seem rather put out that they cant get in touch with their underlings. Lukas here is relieved they're alive at the very least.”

 

“The good news is, they're alive, the better news is I am no longer need to worry of being hunted, if everything goes right and Tanith approves, I can get reassigned here to Ascretta or to Atlantis at the very least” Lukas said

 

“Speaking of which, Tank' Tanith overheard them, tired as she was. The men and Replicator turned towards her, She had a soft smile on her face. “If Ben agrees, I think you can stay here on Ascretta just fine. This complex is huge, so I am sure a room can be found to make it your own. General Landry agreed and said I had final say, so having you here would be a wonderful thing!”

 

That on its own settled it perfectly. Tanith said Lukas could stay on Ascretta, so he was staying there.

 

Ben smiled and nodded thoughtfully. “Its possible the recent storm activity might have made things harder on Earth.” The replicator looked slightly worried but was glad Tanith was alright. The Silent Night reacted to her presence as well coming alive when she arrived with Rodney.

 

“So whats the plan now ?” Rodney asked

 

“I've begun accessing resources to construct the depleted ZPMs this city requires to fly. There are four of them depleted and the fifth one just started being used to power this city on a minimal level. By time I have the new one finished I might need to replace five. Would it be alright if some naquadah generators were sent through on the next dial in to prevent that ?”

 

Making a ZPM took a lot of resources and time. In this case Ben knew what he was doing and really only needed one other Replicator there with him to make it solid, so Rodney agreed and contacted Atlantis moments later.

 

Within the hour a second replicator was at Ascretta and with the resources began working with Ben to create more Zero Point Modules. With three naquadah generators powering the main systems and allowing the still powered ZPMs making up the slack it helped on many levels.

 

Ascretta

That afternoon

 

Tharon with Blaze's help managed to get Tanith to the bedroom, and by sheer luck alone also landed himself onto the bed as Tanith was helped into bed. Not that he expected it, Tanith hadnt slept well the night before after she explained she missed him that much. So he distangled himself from his wife, smiling as he spoke. “Alright, we still have some guests, I'll get them settled, you just stay put here alright.”

 

Tanith merely nodded sleepily. The guests Tharon meant were Si Ming, Reiko, and Poth. The three of them were allowed to stay in the condo across the hall for the night, come morning, Tanith would be fully awake and well rested.

 

Mostly because as Tharon was told, Tanith missed him so much she had trouble sleeping, but he slept soundly the last few days she was gone. He made a note to ask her how things went back on Earth and if they could be allowed to visit and go swimming in the ocean again at Long Beach, fortunately that indeed was the case when she woke up. But at that moment Tharon ensured he and his wife were dressed for bed and then he too got under the covers with his wife and settled for sleep, allowing her to snuggle close once again.

 

In the other room, Ceaser, Blazes brother of two brothers was also awake, playing a game of some sort with his sister. “What do you think Tanith went through to be so tired ?” He asked

 

“She missed her husband, unable to sleep more then likely. Sometimes like how Carwyn misses mom and dad and cant sleep” She said meaning their younger brother. The three of them had been on Ascretta, reborn as Furlings for just over a year, and Munkus wanted to set up a festival of when Ascretta and Earth reestablished some form of contact, in this case with Atlantis, and that was three days away. A festival apparently was planned to occur.

 

“Yeah, but you and I sleep like the dead sometiems lately too” Ceaser said in replease to his sister.” The two fo them couldnt sleep so they were playing a strange board game, it looked similar to chess.

 

Blaze sighed, if only they could find the others. “You think any of the others made it ? Alta, Silvermane, Star ?” she said, listing off cats her feline self could remember

 

“I hope so” Her brother replied, if anything if any of them did show up, where would they stay ? Could they proeprly repopulate the city ? It was massive according to Tantomile who had sent a scouting party to explore it, the party consisting of Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, Tugger and Brutus.

 

That scouting party was to be back the next morning. It made the two younger Furlings confused. It didnt make a lot of sense, more and more of them were returning from Earth recently. So that meant that soon Silvermane would be showing up too. Along with the others like Domino and Sundancer and maybe even Shadowdancer ?

 

“You think Shadowdancer could show up ?” Ceaser then asked, asking the question on his sisters mind

 

“Would be neat if the scouting party met up with some new arrivals huh ?” Blaze asked in reply. It made them both snicker, imagine looking and exploring, and suddenly finding more of your own kind waking up, scared of where they were, or protecting a small slice of territory ?

 

“Would be funny I agree” He replied. The two of them played their game long into the night, it was around midnight when Blaze wanted to sleep, Ceaser agreed.

 

Ascretta

The next morning

 

Tanith woke up from a peaceful slumber as she heard and felt her husband purring next to her. The two slept like rocks all night long. Tanith woke at her normal time and tried to sit up, only to find that doing so wasnt easy because they were tangled up again

 

Tharon and Tanith slept so hard that it was fun waking up. “Dear ? Time to wake up, Tharon ?” Tharon was snoring, Tanith was helpless for a long moment. But apparently her words were affecting him and he slowly woke up. His right arm under her neck giving her a pillow, her left arm under his chest and more then likely asleep. But since they were cats they could get places and sleep in piles if they had to.

 

“Is it morning already ?” Tharon asked

 

“Yes dear it is, can I get up ?” Tanith asked, he turned to her, she smiled innocently back at him.

 

“Can I think about it ?” He asked her, it made her smile and briefly laugh.

 

Tanith kissed him on the nose Tharon smiled “Thought about it, come here!” He said before pouncing for her briefly, the two snuggled for a few moments longer before Tharon let his wife get up. The sky was oddly strangely colored that day.

 

That meant a storm was coming. But when was anyones guess

 

Tanith got dressed and briefly looked back at her husband who was also getting up from the bed. Very briefly Tanith saw a ghostly figure, small, the size of a young child, like Agustus' age, jumping onto the bed, and two other ghostly figures snuggling with the younger smaller one.

 

Tanith blinked and focused, the ghostly figures were gone.

 

She needed to speak to Munkus, they had to plan the New Years party still. Tharon by that point had gotten up and was nearly dressed in the under suit of the Kull armor set. Snug to his fur and surprisingly light. Tharon stood rather handsom as he put his hat on his head and swords at his hip.

 

Sharing one more kiss he said “I think I will get in a nice walk, Dont wait up for me I might be a while, and dont worry, I know what to look for” Tharon could defend himself, and protect others easily. He was planning on going hunting since Ben had mentioned more game showing up in some areas not far away to their East. Away from the Pollicle Zone.

 

“OK, I need to plan the party with Munkus” Tanith said

 

Tharon kissed her once more, dead on the lips, the kiss lasted a good minute. When they broke Tharon said softly, “Dont wait up for me, Ben said there's ample game to the east of here so I was going to see what I can bring home.”

 

He didnt know what he'd be tracking, only that he'd be tracking something based on weather patterns. He wouldnt even be taking the Silent Night either. He'd be entirely on foot.

 

Tanith nodded, “If I get home and you dont, I'll keep the bed warm for you” She said to him, the two then split up, Tharon to the western direction to exploreand hunt in the woods to the west, and Tanith towards the other apartment block to work with Munkus on the Lunar New Years party.

 

Nobody expected it to be a Birthday Party too

 

A good hour later and it was pouring rain as Tanith, Munkus, Tugger and Cassandra were seated around a table, it had a holographic projection system and allowed for a real time map to get made pointing out a few key areas to place decorations for the party.

 

Lunar New Year was almost always considered lucky red. Which was good because there was a lot of red stuff around.

 

Tanith stood from the table and went to the window. Watching the pouring rainfall. She sighed, she should have insisted on Tharon taking the Silent Night, but he planned to hunt, wet cat was not the best smell, but Ascretta allowed for showers and baths nicely.

 

“Do not worry, if I know anything, Tharon is a skilled Furling, skilled enough to hunt and survive in the wilderness on his own if he must do so.” Munkus said, ignoring the glare that Cassie threw at him. Try as she might, she did not like having Tanith, Tharon, Quaxo, Zane and White all focused on the militarty side of things.

 

“If anything he'll find something, or get proper shelter, and remain dry” Tugger agreed, he enjoyed Tharons company, the fact that Tanith was his wife made Tugger only slightly jealous, but not jealous enough to cause stress between the lovely couple that was Tanith and Tharon.

 

Cassandra learned the hard way to insult Tharon around Tanith. Mostly because of how he was around Tugger and how Tugger liked the other man cat. When she tried to insult Tharon for his actions, how he looked, so uncouth compared to what she could enjoy in the past. Tugger had torn her a new one, so did Munkus. But both Furlings knew that Cassie had her reasons. But neither Tugger or Munkus was going to tolorate division among their ranks

 

But the only one they could figure out was “She just didnt like the guy.” It was not that Tharon was too handsome for her, but he was below her standards. And how he simply ignored her death glares at him only made things worse.

 

Not only did he act like she didnt exsist, Tugger acted like he was the best thing in the world. Constantly speaking of how Tanith and Tharon could solve all their problems when it came to fighting the Pollicles or even getting food and supplies.

 

Tugger however saw Cassie as a nessescary evil that he could control as best he could. It came soon time however for things to really sprial. Cassie had made it clear; she wanted to be a mom, with Tugger, but not Cassie as Tugger remembered, but his engaged to be wife Teresa.

 

Before they were transported in that freak storm to this planet, they were engaged to be married. Tugger's actor, and Cassandras actress, they were really excited about it.

 

But now, were they still to be married ? Were they considered married like how Tanith and Tharon were ?

 

The stories from the past on those old crystals and slatscrolls as they were called had indicated that Tugger was an important type of general, skilled in all matters military wise. Which made things interesting.

 

Cassandra herself was basically a nun in the old histories, a priestess of a sort so to speak, while Munkus was considered the high priest. Tugger a soldier. And among other things, those two jokesters, Mungo and Rumple, were apparently deadly soldiers too.

 

And yet when they arrived on Ascretta, they didnt find hide nor hair of Mungo for about a week, he was exploring. Alonzo had explained it as best he could, Mungo at the time was either looking for a phone, or at least a landmark.

 

But that was over a year before. And Mungo constantly explored the nearby zone outside of the Pollicle Zone. Wearing only the Kamino on his back, two swords in his belt, and a handful of arrows for his recurve bow.

 

He'd never known why the massive city was so big, or how it was connected until he had come across the Replicator drones harvesting the resources, first a layer of sod, then the dirt under said sod layer. It was as if it was from a computer game his brother, Mungos actors bother, enjoyed.

 

So when Mungo arrived he was kind of confused as to who the feline woman by the window was. “Ah, Mungo, glad you could make it ? Did you find anything new ?” Munkus asked

 

“Am I late ?” Mungo asked as he took a seat at the table

 

“Not at all” Munkus said, he turned towards Tanith, “Tanith ?”

 

“Better late then ever” Tugger said clapping his friend on the shoulder. Glad he could make it. “How'd it go out there ?”

 

“I met up with a guy in the woods west of here, he said he was going hunting and not to wait up, whatever he meant by that I took it and came back here since we here heading in oppisite directions at the time.” Mungo said as Tanith turned towards him, briefly he thought he was looking at Tantomile but that was not the case

 

Tanith retook her seat at the table next to Munkus, across from Cassandra but next to Mungo. “Hello” Mungo said, “Name's Mungojerrie, but you may call me Mungo” He said to Tanith by way of introduction, he held out a paw, so to speak, and Tanith accepted it

 

“Tanith” She replied. “I had heard about you, and also wanted to meet you. Glad to finally do so”

 

“A pleasure, I take it the guy I met in the woods is your husband ? He mentioned a wife named Tanith, I am guessing that is you ?” Mungo saw the death glare thrown his way from Cassie but smirked in return; he loved getting 'her grace' upset.

 

Tanith ignored Cassies glare. For all she cared Cassie was a has been, and Zane even spelled it out for her too, he did not take orders from Cassie, but he could take orders from Munkus. In writing. Which made Cassie even more upset towards Tanith and their military mindset. Given they were a faction of Samurai, fedual Japanese cat people really. Made Cassie begin to wonder how Samurai culture worked exactly.

 

It basically meant that as a Samurai, a female Samurai, or Samuraiko, Tanith had a LOT of leeway, a fine line she could easily cross where needed. Tanith was not the least bit scared to get her hands dirty, and she had a machine that could fly. And then there was the visitors from across the planet, Lv Si Ming, Lv Poth, and Lv Reiko, they had returned the evening before to their own homeland so to speak with news for their patriarch, a Furling named Lv Shen Tong. But why they did not take Tanith and Tharon with them made Cassie wonder if living on this rock was going to be worth it

 

The mere fact that Mungo had met Tharon, and even mentioned him by name made Cassie upset. But she didnt dare try to voice it. Not just yet. Even though she did not look or appear as such, Cassandra was planning something, somehow she was going to get Tanith to spill the beans, give up her military control and give it all to Tugger.

 

But it never worked. She had tried for a year.

 

But Tanith said that until Tugger fought in a battle and used proper tactics to protect and aid their troops, which they currently did not possess, Tanith was in charge of the military matters.

 

Which meant that when Cassie tried to tell Zane to not bother with the drills with Tugger two days before, only to get told off by the Furling was something else indeed. Zane had, in his own words, said simply “I take my orders from Tanith and Tharon, if you have issue with that, take it up with them.” Minutes later he and Tugger went off for one of their sparring drills. Leaving an incredibly livid Cassandra in their wake

 

“So you met Tharon ? Did he say when he'd be back or if he had found anything ?” Tanith asked, she was tempted to ask Mungo if it was raining when the two met in the woods, but thankfully that was not the case.

 

“He said he'd more then likely be late, as he was tracking a mueldeer kind of thing. Ive seen more then a few of them wandering around” Mungo said, he struggled to focus on Taniths face, she reminded him too much of Tantomile. “Pleasure again to meet you”

 

“Likewise” Tanith said

 

Munkus broke the thick tension moments later, Cassie was all but foaming at the mouth at the mention of Tharon, much less the sound of Taniths voice. Mungo was a gentleman however. So when Munkus spoke up he asked “Where did you go this time around ?”

 

“I managed to explore more to the west, apparently there's water to the direct west of us, about two kilometers to the west is a river, not exactly wide, but it is deep. I swam across it, its slow moving, but I suspect in strong storms it gets to be raging really good.” He then detailed what was on the other side. It was mostly barren sparse land, barely any trees or underbrush. He found what looked like long abandoned farms and a door he couldnt get through.

 

Once he detailed that however it made Tanith smile. “What is it ?” Mungo asked her.

 

“The structure you just spoke of, I know of it, there are several of them here on this planet, you said you couldnt get into it, but I know how to get in there and get the stuff inside it.” Tanith explained the structure and what it was form, a storage unit of some kind for weaponry, food, and medical supplies.

 

“You can access these structures ?” Cassandra asked, a haughty tone ? No, one of curious thought actually.

 

“I can” Tanith replied, she wanted to say that so could Quaxo, known to her as Chief Wallace, and Zane, her second in command of Iota. But she saw the death glare thrown at her. Making her smirk in reply. “Why ?”

 

“Then why be with us ?” Cassandra asked her, yeah go right to the meat of the issue you have with me bitch Tanith thought as Cassie spoke, “You have supplies hidden across this world, you do not need to be with us”

 

“Cassandra! Stop!” Munkus said firmly, before it got into a catfight between his military leader and the self described high priestess of , whoever the hell they worshipped at the time before their death eons before. “The last thing I want is us to be devided. We've been here a year, there is the option of going back to Earth yes, but there is no chance we'd be able to go back to our old lives even if we did go back”

 

Cassandra and Tanith traded looks, Cassies full of venom and disliking of Tanith, Tanith full of something, her eyes and face unreadable.

 

“If anything the two of you can ignore that the other exsists, but when it comes to protecting the group as a whole and finding others that arrive here almost weekly lately, I trust her judgement. And until Tugger is properly at his peak of a soldier and general, he too defers to Tanith on military matters” Munkus told her.

 

“It has been a year, Tugger has learned a lot with Zane and myself, and also with my husband, I feel there is little more that I can teach, but Zane can continue far as I can tell. If it would make her highness here happy I can end my teaching Tugger leadership skills he'll need to control troops in battle. Zane can continue to teach him tactics.” Tanith said, Ccassandra raised an eyebrow, or at least appeared to do so, with the fur it was hard to tell.

 

Munkus looked thoughtful and looked to Tugger. “Tugger ? What do you think ?”

 

“In terms of combat skills I am still learning from Captain Zane, he's a good teacher, and I enjoy his company and advice, if Tanith believes I have reached the end of what she can teach me about leadership, I'll leave that up to her” Tugger said, quite personally he'd need to talk one on one with Tanith and discuss between them whatever was left to learn about leadership.

 

Most of what he had seen of leadership from Tanith was how she respected her troops and made it clear to get to know them, the more men you know under your command, the more you can rely on them to get the job done as a proper extension of oneself.

 

“Very well, you and Tanith can discuss that at a later date, in the mean time, Mungo, anything else in your report ?” Munkus said turning to the other Furling.

 

Mungo only mentioned the storm was growing in strength as he returned, which could mean that it was similar to the storm they disappeared from Earth in. ”Though I dont expect to suddenly return to Earth looking like this” He said indicating his clothing, he needed to change, his kamino was thread bare and he wanted a good bath.

 

Munkus nodded “Alright, I'll let you off then, go get cleaned up. In the mean time we'll head up a plan, we've been here over a year and its only what a few days before you arrived ?” He turned to Tanith as Mungo left the room to get cleaned up

 

“Almost, one more day and it'll be exactly one year for me stepping from that tomb I woke up in last year” Tanith replied, she looked to Munkus with a thoughtful expression on her face, everyone else had been there a month, but with Tanith there their odds of survival, and with Bens help, their resources were better then they were the year before. “Why ?”

 

“I'm thinking we need a new years party, if you need to you can go find your friends from, where was it ? Huaxian City ? The other city like our own ? Ask them how they count the years if you can” Munkus said to her

 

Tanith thought a moment, “So whats the plan, we figure out how to set up a calender or something yet ?” she asked, if she had to she could use Silent Nights calender system and find out the year keeping time set up. She already figured out the clock as it was.

 

“Something like that, Tugger thought of it first, tell us your throughts, Tugger” Munkus said, the group turned to him.

 

“Well, I figured, we've been here at least a year, Misto and I had been tracking the days, I counted three hundred and sixy six days since we had woken up in that meadow and started exploring, and Misto counted exactly three hundred and sixty three days, as of two days ago, since Tantomile and Alonzo met you in the wilderness.” Tugger said

 

“So a new years party, even if its just us and those we recovered as they arrived here are those in attendence is a good thing ?” Tanith threw a look at Cassandra, she sounded as if she was confused at what Tugger meant, why celebrate when they were still a trillion miles from Earth ? “What good would it do us ?”

 

“We survived a year on a new world, why not celebreate it ?” Tugger replied, so why not celebreate it ?

 

“He has a point” Munkus spoke up, “We've been here a year, somehow able to survive, half of our men out there, Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, Pounceival, Misto, some of us never went hunting, and now we're adept hunters, some of us even soldiers, Skimble made himself to home with an armory with Cayran and Old D who insists on us not using the Old Part to his name is somehow taken up residence in what he calls a school room” Munkus said, a full year had passed.

 

So again the question came up. Why not celebreate ?

 

Tanith started speaking “So us twenty eight members, intally, me, Sgt White, Captain Zane, my husband, those and husband and I rescued, Cayran, and a few others since then includinjg little Agustus and his mother and aunt.” She lost count past Zane in her list

 

“We still have not found what happened to Lucifer and those who disappeared with him when we woke up” Cassandra pointed out

 

The way Tugger had explained it the year before, Lucifer was Macavity's original name, and he went missing a week following them all waking up, and the two people that were pulled along in the crowd with him to this planet had also disappeared with him. So that meant trouble to follow, they had no idea where the Pollicles were for that matter. Or in that case if Lucifer and those unknowns with him had gone off to start their own thing, or just didnt want to take part in any 'tribal' things. Mungojerries main task was to find what happened to them.

 

It had been over a year, and he still hadnt found them yet. It had never occurred to Munkus to ask Poth or Si Ming if any new arrivals had arrived in Huaxian city. And Mungos answer was always in the negative, he never could find them.

 

Unless he went in the wrong direction ?

 

The only other direction anyone knew of was the Pollicle Zone to the north, and where Mungo was exploring was lately, to the West

 

Mungo had reported too this latest storm was like the others, like the storms that had delivbered other Furlings, new arrivals like Agustus and the seven that were rescued by Tharon and Tanith.

 

Had they joined the pollicles ?

 

It was many questions, either way Munkus wanted to strictly focus on the new years party. So he asked Tanith to work with Tugger, much to many death glares from Cassandra across from her concerning working with Tugger that evening for the party the next day.

 

After a good more bit of time concerning supplies, and harvesting of resources, Tanith dropped the bombshell that at some point in the past the city itself flew in low orbit over the planet, with Ascretta, their planet itself, being a place where thry had ceremonial hunting at coming of age, and also farms upon the planet surface allowing for fruits, grains and veggies to be grown.

 

“When ?” Munkus asked, meaning when could the city fly again, and could any of them do it ?

 

“Right now we dont have the power, but Ben asked Atlantis to provide some technologies to help us run key systems while he works on getting our power supplies back in order.The city cant travel in between planets, but it can become so if we want to do so. It was designed to be in low orbit, low enough that we wont need the shields for atmosphere, but high enough to be considered in stable orbit.” Tanith explained what Ben had told her

 

“We also have three new arrivals and a human friend of mine with them as translator since Ben cant understand Russian or Japanese very well so my friend is providing his time as a translator in return to be allowed in the city. You can trust him, he's a nice guy.” Tanith concluded what she knew

 

“You mean those generator things I saw the drone hooking up in the centeral parkland area ? A greenhouse kind of lookig thing ?” Tugger spoke up, he explained the new greenhouse and what the drone had indicated for him at the time since it was more of a grain harvester kind of thing.

 

“Yeah,” Tanith nodded, “It is a power source of a sort, uses raw energies called Naquadah, a clean energy similar to nuclear fusion, only much cleaner and even less radiation.” Tanith surmised what Rodney had tried to tell her about it, only for her eyes to glaze over and nearly fall asleep.

 

“But the power supplies needed wont be provided by these, generators ?” Munkus asked

 

“No, Ben said the generators can supply enough power to keep our systems running smoothly, without worrying too much of draining whats already providing us power. Its a very simple switch over, and thankfully the Replicators like to mimic the ancients and in this case Furling technology so it is easy to replace the primary sources of power.” Tanith replied.

 

Ben needed to disable the remaining zero point modules, to do so he had to get other power supplies installed so he could make four new ones, or in this case five new ones to replace the dead zero point modules.

 

Fortunately it was only a matter of time of getting the naquadah generators sent from Atlantis to Ascretta and then installed to the ship. There was no telling how or if the Poillicles even knew how the ZPMs worked or even if theirs still had power for that matter.

 

But the question returned to the topic at hand, a party to celebrate one year of survival on the planet they now called home.

 

”I will see what I can do, I never really thought of a new years party to occur, since you guys arrived a month before I did, that could be new years day, and this could be similar to Lunar New Year ?” Tanith then said in thought.

 

Munkus nodded, he liked the sound of that, if his plan was right, it would only be the next morning for the new years party for lunar new years, little did any of those in that room know that it really was the lunar new year for Huaxian City on the other side of the planet itself. The group planned longer into the evening on that exact plan.

 

At that same moment

Mungos condo

 

Mungo stepped from the shower, as he ran a comb through his hair he thought over what Tanith had explained about the structure had found, the one he couldnt access. Most of the old farm houses looked so old they crumbled, couldnt be lived in unless they were extensively rebuilt. And yet those replicator drones he'd come across seemed to know he had set up a path to follow when he left the city. And didnt seem to leave it in place.

 

Mungo had a pair of loose pants on his legs, and a wide belt held them up. Moments had to pass before he could focus solid and drained his sink after he made his hair presentable. He'd read the odd crystals the others had found. Apparently he was some kind of advance scout type soldier.

 

Something he'd never know about before. All he could remember before becoming what he was at that moment, was being a dancer, and sometimes a singer. But always on time, well set and if he was being honest with himself at that moment, he looked really good.

 

His mind briefly wandered to Tanith, but she was married and had to wonder why he was thinking of her ? She was a military type, and was dressed unlike anyone he'd seen before, she had more than two swords, he himself had the stanard proper Daisho for his own two blades. The longer Katana and the shorter ceremonial Wakazashi.

 

But Tanith wasnt dressed in a proper kamino of a Samurai the rest of the group wore, instead she and those with her wore more military like clothing. Hell if he didnt know better if it werent for the fur, Mungo thought Tanith was more human than, whatever he was right then.

 

Mungo finished up and left the bathroom, making himself comfy as he relaxed he tried to piece together the last years events, the plan was at that meeting to have a party for the next morning, and Munkus no doubt was going to want to know more of his mission and what he said at the meeting was just enough to please 'her grace' but also enough to piss her off.

 

Mungo smiled, seeing Cassandra so upset was a fun thing, sometimes very amusing thing the more he thought about it. He made a note to himself to ask Munkus why Cassie was so upset at the meeting.

 

He did not have long to wait as a knock came to his condo door. “Its open” Mungo called from his kitchen. Even though they hunted for most of their food, there was still oddly, plates, silverware, like they were dignified people and never ate with just their mouths.

 

Munkus stepped in, as planned he'd brought along dinner, a leg of something, and something that resembled patatoes, or kumquats, Mungo couldnt tell and didnt want to ask. They smelled great though.

 

“As expected” Mungo simply said, the tiger Furling prepped the food, while it was cooking he indicated the table, they both sat down. With the door shut and Cassie nowhere to be seen Mungo said “Is Cassie always this mad ?”

 

Munkus chuckled, “You noticed it huh ?” Mungo nodded, “Shes been that way ever since Tanith, Zane, and Taniths husband Tharon showed up a month after the rest of us did.”

 

“Shes with Tugger so what difference does it make ?” Mungos asked

 

“Cassie doesnt like this world any more then she liked traveling with the group as a whole for so long. You know how she was, used to being waited on hand and foot at her home in Hollywood ? Suddenly she's here and has to do everything for herself. She hates it here” Munkus replied

 

“Has she tried contracting some Pollicles as servants ?” Mungo offered

 

Munkus gave him a brief stare for a good minute then said as he rested a arm on the table, “You know that's a good thought, maybe I'll run it past her next time I see her” He said

 

“You're welcome” Mungo replied

 

”So, what did you not tell me in your report ?” Munkus asked to Mungo as the latter went and checked the foods cooking progress. The tubers smelled amazing. It wasnt long before they were going to eat something.

 

“That's the tricky part. I found a farmhouse it looked like, and it looked lived in, its possible ol Mac went there with his two guests. But I couldnt find any sign of who was living there. There was some remains of a fire, but that was it.” Mungo replied.

 

“So we know that Lucifer and the other two went to the west or to the north ?” Munkus mused aloud.

 

“Couldnt hope to tell you” Mungo replied as he retook his seat, he set his hands on the table. “So, Boss, what can you tell me about Tanith and her husband ? Why does Cassie get so upset around either of them ?”

 

“Tanith and Tharon are former military, like Quaxo. Only in this case, Tanith and her husband are Us Marines, and Quaxo is a Airforce officer, a Petty Officer I believe. The older man with Tanith, known as Sgt White, he's retired Marine, but then there is also Captain Zane, Taniths second in command, and then the Replicator in the core of this city, the one overseeing those harvesting drones.” Munkus rattled off more details of each one that he knew.

 

“So, none of us had ever been hunting execept Tumble and Pounce” Mungo mused, he'd gotten used to the hunting trips with the guy named Zane, they were fun, informative, and helpful.

 

Hunting put food on the table, literally so.

 

“So why does Cassie dislike them ?” Mungo asked

 

“She doesnt like them because she feels they are a threat to her, Cassie in the old crystals we've been finding was some kind of high priestess somewhere on this planet thousands of years ago.” Munkus explained, he went on that he too was a scholar type, and Old D was also a scholar, never a leader type.

 

“Just like at the yard, some of us had humans to live with at the yard, most others resided there full time, like Rumble, and Alta.” Mungo mused, man, just rmemebering those two alone he looked to Munkus. “How are you holding up ?”

 

It had been a hard year for all of them after all. Even with Ben harvesting those resources and supplying them with food where needed, and their hunting, it was not easy getting used to this place. And then they found out they had extended family, so to speak, who had never seen a pollicle in five generations show up a year after they arrived.

 

“I'm alright, at times I miss my family back on Earth, other times I cant get enough of how clean, how beautiful this planet is” Munkus replied, Mungo knew what he meant, compared to Earth, Ascretta was a paradise, no polution, if that, everything was clean, everything was gorgeous.

 

However there were still many problems to be had, living quarters, pair offs, things like that, the first thing they had to do during their first few weeks was find shelter, then figure out who to live with. Mungo himself was perfectly content to live alone, Rumpleteazer hadnt shown much if any interest in him even though in the junkyard back on Earth as cats they were a mated pair.

 

But here it felt weird, as actors they didnt even know each other that well, but as cats, they felt that mutal attraction towards the other. Infact Mungo had commented briefly on how Tantomile at the yard was mated to Coricopat, whereas here, and in the musical, the actress was married to Munkus, but Demeter still ended up with him too over course of a month.

 

“You think any of the others made it ?” Mungo asked

 

“So far, three, maybe four. Five at the most” Munkus replied, he then rattled off a list of names, “Fawn, Cayran, Blaze and her brothers, Caesre and Carwyn” he counted off the names.

 

“Wait, Blaze has brothers ?” Mungo asked, he barely remembered that scout, Quaxo had carefully trained her, to the point where it was too dangerous to be too close to her. His eyes brightened at mention of Cayran “So she made it too huh ?”

 

“Yeah, seemed a bit stuck on her name, for a while she insisted on being called Claire” Munkus replied

 

“I was not fully expecting that” The mere fact that Cayran had shown up made Mungo smile a bit, She was a good young lady if he said so himself. Though it got him wondering. “What about any of the others ?”

 

“Others ?” Munkus asked

 

“Yeah, you know like Silvermane, Domino, Shadowdancer, Sundancer ? Griddlebone for example, I mean honestly wonder if Alta made it and if she did where is she ?” Mungo looked at his friend. “You get the idea, if we made it, so did they, somehow, somewhere”

 

“Let me guess, your next venture out there” Munkus said to him, “You want to search for them ?” He sighed, Mungo got some drinks for them, the local winery hadnt opened yet and from what he could tell Jenny was still trying to get back into wine making. “You sure you want to do that ?”

 

“Sure I'm sure.” Mungo replied, “Look, the sooner I make contact with anyone else from the yard, or even heathrow or the rail tribe, the better off we are” Mungo explained, he took a seat once more at the table.

 

For long moments nothing was said. Finally, Munkus nodded. “Alright, but you go out searching, after tomorrows new years party. Agreed ?”

 

“That means I leave after nightfall ?” Mungo asked, for once able to get a good night of sleep

 

Munkus shook his head, “No actually, the morning AFTER tomorrow” He said as if giving Mungo a bonus.

 

Mungo stared, so he was going to get Two nights of sleep ? That was unheard of even for him! “Two nights of good sleep, you're kidding right Munkus ?”

 

“No, I am not, I want you here for the new years party.” Munkus replied

 

“We've been here over a year Munkus, why a new years party tomorrow ?” Mungo asked him, he raised a hand remembering the planning going on in the meeting for a lunar new year, it typically took place a month after the offical new year. “Dont answer that” it made Munkus smile.

 

But the mere thought of finding the others made him happier, the fact alone he could get two good nights of sleep made it even better. He had no idea what they were in for. And he somehow hoped that the new years party somehow involved pissing off Cassie.

 

The rain began coming down in sheets. Just like the storms that happened just befoe they met Tanith. Munkus looked at the window as the rain pelted against it. “Man its really coming down” He said mostly as a statement to himself, and also out of concern, Mungo had met Tharon out in the wilderness, the latter was hunting.

 

As the rain hammered against the windows Munkus then spoke as a thought hit him. “Mungo, go find a guy named Ben, he is more or less human, and see if you can get something to help your search when you go out in two days to find the others. I am sure there is some kind of device that allows one to track another on a screen or something.”

 

“Good thinking Boss, in the mean time I dont think I'll be going outside in that, its pouring so hard I cant even see the next building across the way.” Mungo said in reply, from his window he could easily see the young kitten, Agustus and his mother and aunt when they were in their livingroom/family room space, but not in their bedrooms. That was the neat thing about the bedroom windows, one way mirrors. Could see out, but not see in. so he could see out his bedroom window, it could let the light in, but nobody could see through said window pane.

 

“You know” Mungo said after a moment of nothing but the rain hammering the window, “Earlier today when I was exploring, I saw something fly overhead, it was smaller then that thing we got parked in the, landing pad I guess its called ?”

 

“You mean Taniths puddlejumper ?” Munkus asked, once Mungo described the thing Munkus was nodding, “Yeah that's Taniths puddlejumper, she and Cayran built it in this city, or at least below our feet.” He said

 

“That's the weird thing I spoke to one of those harvesting things, they said they were harvesting resources as requested by Tanith to be stored for later use. And what the thing was harvesting reminded me of a video game my brothers kid liked to play.” He meant a very popular video game. Mungo sighed, “So that thing that flew overhead, it was smaller than that... whatever you called it that belongs to Tanith.” Mungo said

 

“Yeah, some guests from the other side of this planet, apparently some of us reborn appeared in their city, a place called Huaxian” Munkus replied, he then detailed the three other Furlings. “Apparently accoring to Tanith there's eleven other planets connected to this one by way of a teleportation system, how it works I do not fully understand.”

 

“So there's other planets with people like us ?” Mungo mumbled, wonderful. Just fucking wonderful. “So whats the plan, aside from this new years party I mean ? I mean sure I am going to go after the parties and everything are over tomorrow, get a full night sleep tomorrow night, then hit the road, so to speak.” Mungo looked to Munkus and sat upright in the chair at the table. “What exactly is the plan here ? We have one right ? Are we to establish some kind of city or something here ?”

 

“Maybe, but I never could figure out what we're supposed to be doing, so far we're harvesting resources, recovering new arrivals, and keeping an eye on some old enemies.” Munkus explained how Tanith had rescued Agustus' mother Marcia from the Pollicles the year before and how she had made an enemy of Norho, the Pollicle leader, but had made friends in three opther breeds, basically german sheperds, beagles, and goldens.

 

Mungo was thoughtfully quiet, and oddly so, he was normally happy go lucky back on earth even when out of costume. But to see him oddly quiet like this made Munkus nervous. “What are you thinking ?” Munkus asked him

 

“I am thinking that I need something to eat. After that I might prep for my exploration venture, search and rescue basically if it comes to it.” Mungo said, the two of them then had dinner mostly in silence.

 

Mungo had brought up an old pastime the two liked to enjoy, in this case american baseball back on earth. And how they wished to see the season the year before. Mungo was upset about it, he had no idea who won the World Series the year before, or in that case if it even occurred given what happened across the world with the sudden disappearances.

 

Munkus lamented being unable to enjoy the beachs at Maimi and Long Beach, and occasionally in his homestate of Florida in Winter Haven and sometimes his own backyard pool in Davenport Florida. Both furlings enjoyed their meal amid good chatting, trying to figure out more of what to do next.

 

And they were lucky, they were the lucky ones because in the hallway of the building on the other side of the parkland, a cerain high priestess had cornered Tanith in the hall.

 

At that same moment

 

“Tanith!” Cassandra hissed loudly, “I want to talk to you!”

 

Tanith looked at her, a smirk on her face, “Yes ?” She asked, leaving out any formal titles. “What do you want ? Come back to try and grill me for having to teach your husband how to be a proper leader with his troops ?”

 

Cassie stared hard at Tanith. “I will let that slide, for now” She growled through tightly clinched teeth. The mere fact that Tanith was also ignoring her title of high priestess made her upset as well. “You know I do not like you” Cassie started

 

“Yes, I am well aware of that” Tanith told her, she smiled again, “But, I actually dont give a fuck if you like me or not. Even if you did like me the fact remains, we're both stuck on a planet miles from home and the lives we onece held. Everything can change, we just need to adapt to it.” Tanith said, her eyes had venom, and yet her tone was even, calm, not terse or full of raw spite.

 

“Fine, then why wont you follow my orders if you dont care ?” Cassandra said to her

 

Tanith started laughing, “me, do as you order ? Forget it sweetheart, you're not a pampered princess here. You might have been a high priestess here back then, but right now, you're a spoiled brat who wants her way or the highway. Infact if I remember correctly, even if you really were the high priestess, you barely got along with anyone. For that matter I highly doubt I or any of those under my command even listened to you when you spoke.”

 

It just made Cassandra madder at those words, and she looked ready to smack Tanith across the face. She held up a hand, and pointed at Tanith, “Say one more word like that and so help me I will hurt you!”

 

“I would like to see you try” Tanith said to her, then she shook her head as Cassie was about to strike, “Though I dont think your husband would take kindly to it that you went after his teacher. Nor do I think Jellylorum or Jenny would like for you to show up with a broken wrist. Not before the new years party for sure.”

 

Tanith had a point, Cassie lowered her hand, as close as she was to striking the tortishell before her she kept her hand. Munkus had made it clear, Tanith was their military leader at that moment, not Tugger, her husband, as he was eons before when they traveled to Earth that first time.

 

“Now, was there something you needed ? Or did you actually want to have a throw down right now ?” Tanith asked her, crossing her arms over her chest as she spoke. Cassie stared at the Furling before her, briefly she remembered something similar happening just before the transfer to Earth eons before.

 

Furiously she stood rooted to the spot, then growled while pointing an accusing finger at her. “If you so much as touch my husband.” She let the threat hang.

 

“Fine, I touch your husband in any manner that is not related to our strictly business relationship, there is nothing sexual between us you know that, I am married, and so is he, he is married to you! Not to me, so why the fuck are you worried about me and him ?” Tanith growled at her, she stepped right up to Cassandra and got in her face. “Do not make threats you do not intend to follow through on. If you want to strike me, do it, dont hold back. If you want to set a time for our fight, if you want one, fine.”

 

Tanith softened slightly as she leaned close to Cassandras ear, “But dont you ever think you can lord over me or my family, or we will make your live a living hell.” With that the door to Taniths massive condo slid open and she disappeared into it, sealing the door behind her, only allowing her husband through when he returned that night.

 

Tanith stood at her door, using the life signs detector to watch Cassie stalk away clearly unhappy. It made Tanith smile. It was not often she got to talk to Cassandra, and she hated every moment of it.

 

She sighed and went deeper into the condo, she spotted two people she hoped to see, one of them was Cayran, and with her was Rumpleteazer. One she had briefly met. “Been waiting long ?” she asked, her mood suddenly much much better.

 

“I take it 'her grace' was less then pleased with how you handle yourself” Cayran said, she remembered how Cassie tried to use her rank as Munkus wife in their triad with Bomba to get things done her way. But Munkus always overrode her on many things.

 

“She is merely a pampered princess used to having her way, I quite frankly dont much care that shes a high priestess here. Far as I can tell shes just a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum because her breakfast was cold.” Tanith replied as she all but collapsed on the sofa.

 

The rain poured outside the window.

 

“You'd think after a year” Rumpleteazer, or Teazer as she was mostly known among the junkyard cats, “Cassie would have lightned up, but she seems to have let the power get to her head more then ever.”

 

“What about you two ? Has she tried to lord over you ?” Tanith asked

 

“She tried, but I told her I take my orders from you, or Skimble, and when she tried to order Skimble to have me serve her, he refused and said to take it up with you or Munkus” Cayran said. She really liked working with Skimble, he was a cool advisor type, and worked as a quartermaster apparently in the past.

 

“Nah, if Cassie tried she wouldnt get anywhere. I am supposed to be like Jerrie, an explorer type, a Scout I think we were called ages ago.” Teazer said, she and Cayran had found something similar to a deck of cards and were playing poker, using their snacks as the poker chips. The cards were mostly the same, and so were the rules. But somehow they could understand the number symbols on the cards.

 

”From what I remember, the scouts were a black ops kind of bunch, answering to nobody execept the leader of the Furlings or whatever; in some cases they'd be regarded as Ronin in some samurai cultures” Tanith found herself thinking aloud, if she remembered right, she too was a Scout, but also something more deadly, an Assassin type scout was one thing entirely sepreate from the main Scout line up.

 

Scouts were the silent soldiers, unseen, able to hide in plain sight, like an Assassin but also in many ways not an Assassin, most like Tanith, used their targets habits as their weapons. Tanith herself could use her own body as a weapon. She had done so when killing those two dobermen guarding a door.

 

“So in this case I'd answer to you, or to Munkus” Teazer said

 

“Yeah, but would you follow my orders ?” Tanith asked, not expecting an answer.

 

Teazer thoiught a moment, then nodded “I would actually, if your orders are more sensible then Munkus' orders, then yeah I'd follow your orders over his. Or treat yours as another objective to try and complete during the same mission. So to speak.” She said in thought.

 

“Heh” Tanith was exausted, it had been a long day, the planning meeting for the next day, Cassie's bad manners, Tuggers last few classes. Just working with Tugger, taking him through the steps of being a leader, training in tactics. One of these days she'd have to take him down stairs to the assembly line and let him make his own Buddlejumper and teach him how to fly it.

 

Maybe even introduce him to Ben like some of the others she and Tharon had rescued.

 

That made Tanith chuckle then, just thinking of how Cassie acted around Ben, as if he was a servant, a butler really. And how he simply ignored her antics around him, having the drone so much as briefly damage Cassies shoes before replacing them with a brand new undamaged pair of the exact same type.

 

Nobody really knew how Ben worked, and Rodney couldnt explain it either. Ben was just that helpful and for Tanith she was glad he was there.

 

“Lady Tanith ?” Came the radio call

 

Think of the devil and he speaks! Tanith thought “yeah Ben ?”

 

“I am detecting a new arrival not far from where your husband is hunting, I am quite sure he will recover the new arrival safely on his own, however I am unable to contat him because of the heavy rain” Ben said into her earpiece.

 

Tanith looked out the window, yeah it was a torrent of rainfall, she couldnt see anything outside the window. “Yeah I see what you mean. Can you tell if Tharon is safe however ?”

 

“I cannot, but I can tell you that he is moving, albiet slower then normal because of the rainfall. I will monitor his location as best I am able. If I can I can also send some harvest drones to aid with providing shelter.” Ben said

 

“I was actually going to ask if you could do so. Thank you for offering, sending some shelter to make sure he is alright would be best, or if he can get to the new arrival and bring them back home with help from ah arvest drone or two would also be helpful.” Tanith replied

 

“So shall I do it then ?” Ben asked her

 

“Yes actually, please do” Tanith said

 

“Yes ma'am” Ben replied

 

“Oh and Ben” Tanith said

 

“Yes ?” Ben asked her

 

“Thank you” Tanith said to him, it was not often when she could leave the more critical things to someone else, knowing her surroundings was not an easy task. And in this case Ben provided everything she needed.

 

Tanith reaxed on the sofa, Teazer overheard the conversation, at least Taniths replies. “Something going on ? That harvester drone thing was actually really sweet to me today” Teazer then detailed what the drone did, she had acidently crashed into it, tipping it over and also falling onto the ground, and another drone had ambled up, offered her a hand to help her to her feet, and then with her help got the harvestor back onto its proper hovering form

 

The knocked over harvestor soon returned to Teazer with a boquet of beautiful wildflowers that werent the least bit poisonus.

 

It made Tanith smile again, Ben was so just helpful, he strived to work up to everythnig the Ancients had hoped he would be. The Replicators as a whole were meant to be a weapon against a powerful enemy, but Rodney had changed things up and made them more or less the backbone of Atlantis, and the human population there.

 

It got to the point where the replicators and humans in Atlantis worked and lived so peacefully it was as if they actually couldnt live without the other, too used to the others company really

 

Teazer put away the cards then, Cayran said her good nights and went up the steps to the second level of the two floor condo. It had five bedrooms, and two bathrooms accisble to the guests within the condo, and then a larger master bedroom with a private bath on the lower level.

 

For another hour, Teazer and Tanith chatted, mostly about Teazers past as a cat, the windsor junkyard in england, and taniths past in the Marines, and how military training would help in the long run.

 

Teazer also complimented Tanith on how she handled Cassandra outside her condo. “I think you put her in her place. She wouldnt dare let anyone harm her, if someone had, even during the show. She'd gho balistic, and attack the one who hurt her.”

 

In some ways it was funny Cassie was ready to have a throw down because of Taniths attitude towards her. It made Tanith snicker.

 

“Something on your mind ?” Teazer asked her

 

“Yeah, I've been told in the past I had an attitude problem, my attitude 'problem' was not a problem, my attitude was in reaction to how someone was acting to me, in this case when it comes to her royal bitchiness Cassandra, I have an attitude, and she knows it. The reason my attitude is 'bad' as she would call it is because her own attitude is stuck up pompus princess. So naturally I react to that” Tanith explained.

 

It made Teazer smile and agree, “Maybe I should do that, but the last thing anyone wants is to isolate Cassie entirely. Treat her with indifference or at least show her who really is in charge, and she'll shape up I am sure.”

 

Tanith relaxed in the low sofa for a moment, “Last thing I want is for anyone to be isolated, regardless of their station, I want to trreat everyone the right way. I think tomorrow I will talk to Cassie, before the party begins, try and form a truce.” She said in thought. Teazers words concerning isolation was really thoughtprovoking, more so then she had ever anticipated.

 

“So what did you do to get here ?” Teazer asked to Tanith

 

“I've been here a year, and we didnt meet until today,” It made Tanith chuckle, “Well, I can remmeber it like it was yesterday. She explained how she had woken up in the tomb, a row of five other dead bodies laid neatly, with herself on the floor, busted linins and such scattered around. Finding her dress, her weapons, everything.

 

She then sat up and looked at Teazer. “What about you ? Mungo said he started exploring shortly after, Lucifer was it ? Had disappeared. But that was before I met up with you guys.” she had since apologised to Alonzo for scaring him the way she had reacted on meeting him that first time.

 

“Yeah, Mungo and I explored around us when Lucifer disappeared, we never could find him.” Teazer said, she sighed, that night, the following morning, the migraine, everything hurting, somehow no more stage and they were in a hospital. They were there. “It was like I had gone drinking, the golden mile or such, I woke up here, in the meadow, before the drones harvested it at least.” Teazer went on to explaining how Tugger had gone hunting, found some good meats and nearly got himself gored in the process

 

“I'm glad he lived, he and Cassandra are a pair I take it ? Even before coming here ?” Tanith asked

 

Teazer nodded, “yeah, Munkus and Tantomile too are a pair, married before coming here, Somehow Demeter joined their set, a threeway apparently. Mungo and I are apparently married but its kind of weird, at least Fiddlestix and Benoi are good kids, they enjoy our living area.” Teazer couldnt believe it, Mungo, at least before waking up on Ascretta was her brother, at least treated her like she was his sister.

 

Rumple wasnt really attracted to him either. Then again she wasnt really attracted to many of the, well, clan she supposed. Mungo was the only one who looked and acted a gentleman.... gentletom ? Around her the most.

 

Maybe they could hook up ?

 

Rumpleteazer looked to Tanith, “What about you and Tharon ?”

 

“We were married, got married in the Marines infact, the chaplain officated the wedding, our squad and unit witnessed it” Tanith said, “It took Tharon a week to get here after I woke up.”

 

“Soldiers huh, Man I sometimes wish I could have joined up in the Army, but medical issues prevented it. I had my appendix out.” Teazer sounded wistful. She really respected the military.

 

Tanith sighed and made up her mind, “Teazer, you're right, Cassie might be thick headed, and stuck up, as a Priestess or a nun, yeah I get it, but expecting me to follow her orders unless Munkus told me to do so, why am I acting so stoneheaded, why does she hate me ?”

 

"I wouldnt exactly call it hate, its too strong a word. I'd look at it more like she dislikes how you have everything seemingly undercontrol whereas she is still stuck in panic mode ? I mean some of us still arent sure, can we wake up ? Is this really not a dream ?” Teazer said

 

“Its real, all of it, I mean you met the others from Sword Domain as they called it right ? You saw what I can fly around here without any issues right ?” Tanith said to her, Teazer nodded.

 

“In that case its not a dream, but it feels like it” Teazxer said, she stood up as did Tanith. “I shouldnt stay and keep you up much later” she said, it was nearly midnight if Tanith had to guess and she did feel a bit sleepy, the rain was not coming down as hard as before.

 

Tanith saw Teazer to the door, the two made plans for the next morning. Tanith ensuring that she'd apologise to Cassandra, they didnt have to be resentful towards each other, Her only relationship with Tugger was purely business, not the least bit sexual whatsoever.

 

With that thought, Tanith went upstairs to her room to bed in the two floor apartment she and Tanith shared with Mai, Blaze, Cayran, and Blazes brothers Ceaser and Carwyn.

Chapter 5: Lunar New Year Reunion

Summary:

Tanith is woken up by her daughter, Thalia with Tharon confirming it through Jellylorum, and waiting on Carson for offical confirmation. At the same time Tanith makes peace with Cassandra, and a old enemy resurfaces

Notes:

Author recommends a certain music track to listen to for the scenes concerning Macavity, in this case, the song "[when] Your Middle Name is Danger" should be played on loop for the duration of the scene.

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 5 Lunar New Year Reunion

 

Ascretta

Sunrise

 

“Mmm” Tanith murred softly, she felt extra weight in the bed that was not her own, nor was it her husbands own weight. Did they find another or had Agustus snuggled up with them again ? Marcia and her sister, and her son had a nice little condo across the hall from Tanith and Tharons place. It was modest and could easily expand into the two units next to it if needed.

 

But this was different, she felt the newer weight moving, as if they were awake ? Her eyes opened, and she took in a confusing sight. It was as if she was looking in a mirror. But Tanith was dark furred across her body, very little white if any, and even less orange ? A question lingered in Taniths brain so she spoke up after a good two miknutes of confused silence

 

“Honey ? Why is there a kitten-like young lady who looks like me but also like you in our bed ?” She asked, she observed the young woman, who as a human couldnt be younger then twenty five. But as a Furling she was just as stacked as her mother.

 

Oh if Cassie heard that Tanith had a kid she'd never hear the end of it!

 

Tharon had a huge smile on his face. Tanith had spoken at times before they woke up on Ascretta of wanting a child, but with their jobs made it very hard to do so. Neither of them home for very long. “Dear” He said, he indicated the young lady in their bed. “Meet our daughter, Thalia” He raised a hand “Dont try to even say we dont have a child yet because I asked Jellylorum to prove it, Dr Carson we're still waiting on the results, but far as Jellylorum can tell, yes, she's our daughter, by blood.”

 

Tanith then smiled as Tharons words rang in her ears. “We're parents” He concluded.

 

“Morning Mom” Thalia tried to say as Tanith pulled the young woman into a hug, so it became muffled sounding like “florunig moff” The two women hugged close, Tharon briefly adding to the hug pile. Thalia got a good wiff of her mother and father together. She found they smelled like her, and she smelled like them ?

 

Yeah, these two were her parents alright.

 

Tanith finally broke the hug, looking in her daughters face she asked. “How did you get here ? Do you remebmer anything from before you woke up here ?” She asked to Thalia

 

Thalia thought a moment then said “I saw you briefly at Race Wars when you cut that one racers gun in half. I wanted to talk to you then but I never got the chance to.” she explained

 

Tanith then nodded. “That's right I was about to return to Atlantis when Dom called me, said someone wanted to speak to me, but it was not a pressing matter at the time. Looking back on it I suppose it was ?” She briefly remembered a pair of brown eyes watching her like a hawk, eyes that felt hauntingly familiar at the time.

 

Thalia nodded. “Yeah, the way you took that one racer down without harming him, only knocking him out. Toretto had me and another racer drag him out so you could deal with him later. I wanted to talk to you because you felt so familiar to me then”

 

“What is the last thing you remember before waking up here ?” Tanith asked her daughter then. It felt briefly weird to think of Thalia as her child, but she had seen a brief memory, a ghostly memory of her daughter. “The last thing that you can remember on earth ?”

 

Thalia thought a brief second or so, then said “My area of California doesnt have tornado sirens, but we did have air raid sirens in the case of foul weather or even in the case of earthquakes or worse air raids from goa'uld or otherwise. When the storm hit with such fgorce the air raid sirens went off across my city. I was almost home, next thing I knew I lost control of my car when I got swept off the road and a blinding white explosion, I thoughjt that I had it the power relay station when I got swept off the road from the deluge of rain” Thalia explained

 

“The weird thing, dear, is that we all woke up in just our fur, Thalia was dressed still, somehow” Tharon spoke up, Thalia nodded, the dress she had on was similar color to what Tanith normally wore, only much different, it had a halter top that exposed her left shoulder and shoulderblade, and the sleeves were long from middle of her upper left arm and ending in fingerless gloves, which showed off her white and orange fingers, whereas the right arm was a full sleeve that could also act as a cloak, or even a weapon where needed it also ended in long fingerless almost opera like gloves of a satin black material similar to the latex like dress Tanith wore.

 

“Its really weird, Mom, when I woke up, pouring down rain and renching wet in this get up. I couldnt find my car either, and then I saw dad, heard him actually.” Thalia said, Tharon had gone into the storm intending on going hunting and even told Tanith not to wait up.

 

“I came across her in a low ravine, filling with rainwater to the east of here. I passed Mungo on the way, nice guy too” Tharon explained, Tanith sighed. She needed to talk to Cassie, she didnt want to cause a rift, they had to rely on each other in order to survive after all. “We had to hurry to shelter, thanks to Ben some shelter was ready and waiting.”

 

There was a nagging question however that was on Taniths mind as she sat on the bed, Thalia all but in her lap, they were after all, mother and daughter. “What was the last thing you can remember from Earth before waking up in the rain, here ?” She asked Thalia

 

The younger woman looked to Tharon who nodded, even though she already told him. “The last thing I remember was a party after Race Wars, Dom invited many people back to his place for an after race wars dinner. But I remained with most of the other racers at Napa Valley camping out, enjoying the cool night air. Then the radios went off of severe weather entering the area and next thing I knew my tent was hit with brilliant white light.” Thalia sighed. She sat back from her mother. It was hard to think of the other woman as her mother when they were so close in age back on Earth during Race Wars, but here she was thinking and acting like she always was her mother.

 

“Next thing I know, its pouring down rain, I'm dresed like this, and Dad's asking how many fingers I could count, it was three by the way” Tharon had to smirk as Thalia concluded her arrival to her mother.

 

“What was your name before you woke up here ? You do remember it right ?” Tanith then asked,

 

Thalia nodded, “Yeah actually, its Gabrielle Xang, we were supposed to race together at Race Wars, but you left after taking down those two Russian members.” Thalia said, Tanith had to think back, she had been on Ascretta two days really since Race Wars. But to Thalia it was really just one day ago ? Had she been in transport that long ?

 

Then Tanith remembered that Race Wars lasted three days in total, and most of the racing was on the first two days with a car show the last day. So if Dom was having a party at his place after Race Wars, Thalia must have meant the third day was when she disappeared from Earth at Race Wars to wake up there during the night.

 

She nodded, “that's right, we were supposed to race the third race. But I had to leave after taking down those two others.” Tanith said. She looked to Thalia “Who did you end up racing ?”

 

“Han, he knew we werent racing for pink slips or anything,. But he decided to teach me how to drft. It was fun” Thalia said in reply, sitting back on her mothers bed, it was hard to think of the feline woman in front of her, along with the feline man standing nearby as her parents.

 

As Gabrielle Xang, Thalia was only a half year or so younger than Tanith, but as Thalia, for all she knew she was half her age ? And yet by her size and bodsy, she was a teenager somewhere in there. It was weird keeping track of age when one just suddenly up and gets hit by lightning, and wakes up on another planet with their father trying to wake them up in a rainstorm.

 

“Han was always a good man to work with.” Tanith mused aloud. She sat up from the bed and quickly got dressed.

 

Thalia wondered something as her mother got dressed. “When we got here, Dad, its hard to rthink of you as dad but it feels right ?” She said to Tharon who nodsded, giving the girl a brief pat on the shoulder, he knew the feeling. “Anyhow, dad mentioned it was New Years or some such ?”

 

“Yeah, Lunar New Year, today is literally one year to the day I woke up here myself.” Tanith explained

 

“Lunar New Year, so that means you arrived a year ago ?” Thalia tried to piece it together.

 

“I woke up in a tomb a year ago today, but the others, Munkus, Tugger, and them, they woke up here a month before I did, it'll be three more days to the year that we all met up offically.” Tanith said. She sighed then

 

“What is it ?” Tharon asked

 

Tanith suddenly chuckled, “Tharon, dear, we have a daughter, how is Cassandra going to take it ?”

 

“Who ?” Tharon asked her, it made her chuckle again, he knew who she meant, and though she did not much care for him or Tanith because of their military background, they were all on this world together, and had to rely on each other. “Oh her” he said, a smile on his face.

 

Thalia was confused, “Munkus ? Tugger ? Them ??” She asked, she looked between her parents, “Do you mean those people who disappeard in that freak storm in Miami last year ?”

 

“The ones and the same” Tanith replied to her, “I disappeared similarly from my own base of operations on Iota. Tharon disappeared from our own home in Long Beach. And you ?” She turned to Thalia

 

“I disappeared during a freak storm on the last night of Race Wars, the next morning was to starty the car show” Thalia explained. She turned to Tanith, “Why are you worried ? If this Cassandra is anything like the old show and book of poems”

 

Tanith started to explain with a soft sigh “Cassandra, or Cassie as many call her, is as stuck up as they come, however, I think I can make her see that such things cant really work out, sure in the histories she was a priestess of some kind, but I never listened to her orders back then. So I wont start now either.” Tanith sighed again in though.

 

“Well, we're all stuck on this planet as it is” Tharon said, Captain Zane knocked at the door as Tharon went to it, the other cat had come with Tharon and Thalia and remained in the main open area. Tharon slid the door open a crack “Yes, Captain ?” He asked

 

“You and Col Rains have got some company, seems the storm last night revealed a bit too much other then your daughter. And by look of her highness, shes pissed, and its not about me, or Tanith, but something else. She wont tell me what” Zane said

 

Tharon turned, Tanith nodded to him, “I'll be right out. You two shoo for now I'll catch up” She said motioning for both Tharon and her daughter to wait in the livingroom. But before she could say or do anything else, Thalia sprang from the bed and all but tackled her mother in another hug. Tanith, briefly surprised, supressed her startled emotions just enough and gave her daughter a tight hug in return.

 

“It'll be alright mom” Thalia said, if they had to do it, Tanith could convince Cassie to play nice, they had to rely on each other to survive this new world wether they liked it or not.

 

Tanith thought a second or two as she hugged Thalia, her kitten was right. Thalia soon broke the hug and went to the main part of their apartment condo, at that point Thalia had already met Blaze and her brothers and had yet to meet Cayran.

 

A few moments later and Tanith was combing out her last few tangles in her hair as she stepped into the main living area, she was confused briefly seeing Tugger there,and with him, Cassandra. “Good morning, I guess ?” Tanith said, confuased as to why Cassie of all Furlings was in her condo.

 

“Do you have a moment where we can talk, preferably just the two of us ?” Cassandra asked to Tanith, tanith finished distangling and combing her hair. Handing off the hairbrush to her daughter before nodding and guiding Cassie to the balcony.

 

“Whats on your mind ?” Tanith asked her, clearly confused “I honestly never expected for you to come here to me directly, normally you send someone for me.”

 

“That would be the fcase normally, but Tugger and I had a talk before bed last night, concerning the meeting yesterday, and your words to me afterwards also made me think over things.” Cassandra said, she sighed softly.

 

Tanith had recalled they did have a hard talk the night before, and they didnt exactly leave each others company in good graces either. “Whats wrong ?”

 

“I didnt get a lot of sleep last night, and this morning I explained to Tugger about our talk last night. After I told him, I decided I wanted, well. Its hard for me to do this but, I wanted to say I am sorry for my attitude towards you, to Captain Zane, to your husband.” Cassandra said to Tanith

 

Tanith at first didnt know how to answer; Cassandra was apologising to her ? Why ? Cassandra continued, “Back on Earth, back home, my old life, I was set to be married, to Tugger back there, off the show. And then we woke up here on the same night of our finale in Miami.” She sighed, “Since then I'd been terrified of losing the only life I ever knew”

 

“I know the feeling, I felt I lost everything , my biggest worry was losing access to seeing my dad, turned out I didnt have to. Its possible you might get to see your family again. In fact I think I know a way that you can see them again, and even appear human when doing so” Tanith sdaid, she held an item in her hand, a bracelet. “This is a holoprojector, it allowed me to appear and sound human. Even at the trans stations” She explained.

 

Right before Cassandras eyes, Tanith became her human self again, then with a whisper, shifted back to her tortishell fur pattern of a Furling woman. “Though, getting back to Earth might be a problem. Far as I am aware, the Miami police department is only listing you guys as missing, along with her” Tanith briefly indicated the calico Furling, Mai, the wife of Mahummed back in Egypt.

 

“What would be the issue then ?” What problems would there be in returning to Earth ? They were on an entirely differnet planet after all

 

“It would be in the how we get back to earth, I mean, even with my puddlejumper, we wouldnt make it, but, I think I know away I can get you and Tugger to visit your relatives with some help” Tanith said

 

“You would do that for us ?” Cassandra asked, clearly confused, at first they were two women who didnt much like each other, to two women suddenly trusting each other in an uneasy truce ?

 

“Sure, I did it already for little Agustus, and also went back to Earth to meet with my dad, and also some similar to ourselves.” Tanith said to her, she smiled, a genuine warm smile, “its lunar new years, so, truce ?”

 

Cassandra thought less then a minute, then took Taniths hand and shook it, “truce, you can forget what I said at yesterdays meeting concerning teaching Tugger, between you and me, I think he needs more leadership skills. Also learn some strategy.”

 

It made Tanith smile too as they shook hands. It was almost time for the party later. “Oh, I am guessing you wonder who the girl is ?” Tanith indicated Thalia who was entertaining Tugger with her last few memories of Earth, the event called Race Wars and how Awesome her mother, Tanith was at the event.

 

“She does look like you, and him” Cassandra said in reply.

 

“That is because apparently she is our daughter, Jellylorum confirmed it already, we're just waiting on a second opnion from a close friend from offworld.” tanith explained, Cassandra looked at her slightly startled, a mother already ?

 

“But you were never with kitten ?” Cassie said to her. Tanith nodded

 

“I know what you mean, but last nights storm, Thalia arrived in it, Tharon found her while hunting and brought her back here, she woke me up this morning too.” Tanith said to her.

 

Cassie had to sigh and shake her head, a soft smile on her face, Tanith a mother, who would have thought. “I never pegged you for a mother” Cassandra said thoughtfully

 

“Same here, but I always wanted to start a family. Guess I didnt have to worry about that huh ?” Tanith said in reply the two quickly rejoined the others in the condo, they had made up from the night before, and going forward, Tanith knew, they could rely and trust each other.

 

Across Ascretta

Within the Pollicle held territory

That evening

 

“You are certain he will welcome us ?” Asked one of the three robed and hooded beings, her name was Bezel. A black and white tuxie patterned Furling. Her amber eyes took in everything around, gone was the advanced Ascretta technology, instead where Norhos actual palace home was a moderately designed structure, clearly Pollicle but well kept.

 

“I said to relax” Came the reply from her fellow, a male orange and black tabby Furling named Styx, he and Bezel were taken from Earth in Miami, they were there for their anniversary dinner and show when the storm hit, and the cast of the show disappeared in a lightning bolt, taking the two of them with it.

 

Since then they stuck close to the Furling known as Lucifer, who according to the original lore they could remember was the original name of their boss in the first place. “the boss received an invite to speak to the Pollicle leader about something, I dont know what, only that they're to speak. And he wants us to go with him.”

 

“You said that already, Styx” Bezel growled in reply, she was her bosses poison maker, and to be dragged on this visit kept her from her true work. It was not that Bezel hated this planet, and wanted to return to her home well and true. But she knew it wasnt possible.

 

Within days of waking up on this planet, this place really, they'd figured out their names, and considered Lucifer, their boss, who was really also Macavity based on his fur pattern alone, and followed him where ever he went to make his home.

 

In this case within five days of waking up, Macavity, Bezel, and Styx, had left the other Furlings and headed out to explore, Macavity, using his old name of Lucifer had told the silver tabby, Munkustrap, that he and the others with him would explore what they could and then left.

 

Going so far as to set up shop in a small village area where some other Furlings resided. Some of them Macavity felt he knew. And within weeks the threesome had swelled their numbers. Now the three of them were invited to the leader of the Pollicles personal palace concerning a Furling of importance. A Furling none of them knew about.

 

“We've been on this world over a year” Macavity finally spoke in thought as they were guided through the halls of the palace by a single Pollicle guide. “Who would want one of our kind dead ?” He wondered aloud

 

“A Furling, that my spies had found, named Tanith” Came the voice of Norho. He had a smile on his face as he spoke, Macavity, Bezel and Styx were allowed into a throne room of sorts. Lit by many candles and the light of the setting sun allowed them to see how haggard the Pollicle bulldog was.

 

“Not one I am familiar with” Macavity replied in thought

 

“She is a menance. This past year she has foiled my attempts to enjoy my captives and we are unable to get closer to their own city.” Norho explained, the door was closed behind them, Briefly Styx looked at the closed door then gaged the strengths and weak points of the two Pollicle guards stationed at it, both of them rottwiler types.

 

“She is not one I am familiar with, in our group we arrived here with last year, there is none by that name” Bezel said in thought, The only ones odd in the whole bunch was herself and Styx, her husband.

 

“And yet you want her, why ? She must be a returnee like us” Macavity smirked.

 

“She tried to kill me on several occasions” Norho had a recording brought and replayed, showing how she had nearly taken him out with a long range projectile of some kind.

 

Mavacity snarled seeing the Furling face and clothing. He recognised her. “Boss ?” Styx spoke up. He too recognised her.

 

“Yes, Styx ?” Macavity said to him, never taking his eyes off the recording as he walked around it. “You recognise her too ?”

 

“Yes sir,” Styx nodded. “That's Lt Col Raines, my old boss in the Marines. During Boot she was the teacher in charge of marksman training. When Boot ended she got reassigned and I never saw her again” Styx did a tenure in the Marines, Tanith was one of the gunnery trainers for marksmanship training before she left for Iota.

 

“I see” Macavity replied, rubbing his chin in thought.

 

“Where do you know her from, sir ?” Bezel asked, Norho raised the figurtive eyebrow at the question.

 

“Six years ago my territory was under threat from a Furling, we were called Jellicles then, my territory was in the industrial side of the city, a cat like her markings alone was seen several times when weaponry fire destroyed several troop sections of my warehouses.” Macavity explained. He pointed at the still image of Tanith trying to shoot Norho from across a city block.

 

“You think it is the same cat, sir ?” Styx asked

 

“It is her, the markings are identical” Macavity confirmed.

 

Bezel nodded, “He's right, Styx, that cat tormented us for two years about six years ago, so bad I had to move my poison making to the other side of the complex to get away from her armor piercing fire.” Bezel said, confirming what Macavity was seeing.

 

“So she came here ? You think she was transported here like we were ?” Styx said in thought

 

“Knowing her it is possible she was transported from where ever she was to here a year ago, she was not among the others when we woke up and we never came across her either in our own travels before we settled here.” Macavity said, that first week was hell, finally they had just told off Munkus and said they'd go to explore, that was the last anyone saw of that group.

 

“So what is your plan ?” Norho asked after a moment of quiet between the guests in his home, “You know her, that much is clear, but, what do you plan to do now ?”

 

“I plan to eliminate Tanith entirely, but it will not be instant, no, we need to know her habits, her skills, and where she currently is” Macavity said in thought, the ginger and black Furling paced in thought as he spoke.

 

“Odds are good, Boss, that she's with the others where we woke up” Styx said in thought

 

“I encountered her handiwork I suppose you could say, on the south edge of the Pollicle City, For all I know, she fled south with the Furling I wanted” Norho said. He gave Macavity a hard look, “If you know what she can do as a sniper where you are from, she is likely here to do the same thing”

 

Macavity snickered, “Oh, I do not think you will have to worry abvout her much longer. Go about your plans, Norho, allow me to deal with this thorn in our side.” Macavity told him. It made both of them chuckle. Bezel got busy, she collected ingredients for some poisons, she had to get to work somehow and soon. Styx simply kept back a few paces and kept watch out of habit

 

SGC

Earth

At that same moment

 

Rodney stepped into the briefing room, he'd been back from Atlantis nearly a day because of shit going down across the earth and it was not related to the disappearances either. “We have a problem” Was the first words out of his mouth when he saw who was present, everyone but Carter

 

“Why ?” Cam asked, he was tempted to ask if it was because Carter was at home with her newborn baby, but kept his mouth shut about that.

 

“When Atlantis was here for a year in San Fransisco bay, even under cloak and also under naval lockdown, it was invisible to everything including the naked eye.” Rodney began, he activated a screen and hooked his laptop into it.

 

“That's good, right ? Shouldnt be a problem then” Landry spoke up.

 

“That's just it, we were invisible to everytyhing including the naked eye, mapping software, but not something else.” Rodney said, he brought up the screens he and Radek had found. “Someone accessed the database, and inserted a remote connection lock that I cant lock out. Wherever they are on Earth, they can still access via subspace even in the Pegasus Galaxy, the Ancient Database” He said

 

“Any reason why ?” Cam asked, who would want a database so redundant that nobody could translate ?

 

“A few actually, this company, I think its a cover, owned by a corporation which is owned by a guy named Reyes” Rodney said, the company logo, a Reyes Logistics appeared on the screen.

 

“Why ?” Landry asked

 

“Apparently they're looking into the disappearances, according to the database hack tracker that Fran introduced into the system, the files accessed were about the disappearances and where everyone who does disappear is going.” Rodney said

 

“Reyes, this guy is in Rio” Daniel spoke up as he read the reports, “At least according to this he is actually in the St Maria De Guadalupe Cemetary in Rio, the mans dead”

 

“Is he ?” Rodney asked completely unaware. “Huh, anyway, Fran offered to remove the hack, but I insisted that it stays because it would also give us an edge on when more disappearances when they happen here on Earth. But that also means that someone here will have to access it, or knows how this Reyes Logisitics company is still operating without its CEO” Rodney said in thought.

 

“I might know someone” Cam spoke up

 

“You know, dont think ?” Hank spoke up, almost as a joke, cam smirked and couldnt help but chuckle

 

“Look, yesterday was the last day of race wars out in Cali at Napa Valley, during the night two nights after Tanith left on the first day there was a storm from hell out of nowhere, When the storm cleared every camper and tent was checked, and only one tent was destroyed. It belonged to a young woman named Gabrielle Xang, according to eye witnesses, she was basically a younger version of Tanith” Cam explained; “and according to Toretto, she and Tanith were set to race on the second day, but Tanith had to leave and return to Ascretta”

 

“So you think Toretto's crew could be of help ?” Hank asked in thought, Rodney looked thought, he nodded

 

“That could work, someone on his crew has to know technology, enough to see how this company is still operating, who is running, and why they're accessing our database.” He said

 

“They'll need clearance and access codes” Hank started

 

“They worked with Mr Nobody at the Agency, I already took Toretto himself to the Hammond in orbit of his home city of L.A.” Cam explained, far as he was concerned working with mr Nobody basically meant that they had clearance and just needed the codes.

 

“Can you get in touch with Toretto and ask him to send his best computer guy to my apartment in Denver ?” Rodney asked

 

“How soon ?” Cam replied already going for his phone.

 

“Gimmie an hour, I dont know if the place isstill clean since I wasnt planning on visiting it any time soon but this'll do for now” Rodney said with that the meeting ended and Rodney headed for his apartment in Denver to get ready for whever Toretto sent his way

Chapter 6: Fianchetto

Summary:

Rodeny meets with Tej Parker and the two begin working together. Rodney reinstates the drained bank accounts in full and contact is made with Mr Nobody.

At the same time Dom wakes up inside the Animus Whiteroom and meets the infamous hacker Firefox

At the same time Thalia finds her old bedroom on Ascretta and begins tinkering with her own technology.

Finally Tej and Rodney take the Stargate from Earth to Atlantis to give Tej a proper paying job that he enjoys.

Notes:

This chapter formally introduces Firefox, a Kitsune woman into the storyline and also alters many parts of Fast X in regards to Little B

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 6 Fianchetto

 

Denver Colorado

Rodney's Apartment

1 Hour Later

 

By the time Tej came knocking on his front door, Rodney had everything set up. An hour was all he needed. So as Tej knocked, Rodney was waiting, “Its open!” He called. Rodney was already on a handled screenlike device.

 

“Dr McKay ?” Tej asked seeing the man, Tej had to smile, the man reminded him a lot of Ramsey, up to his nose in technology and information movement.

 

“Yes, that's me,” Rodney walked over to Tej as the man entered, setting down a dufflebag that had seen far too much action. “If you need a place to lay low, I got the place, did Dom tell you the job ?” Rodney said to him

 

“He did not actually, another guy did, said a friend of Tanith needed my help, not only does Tanith need my help, but so does Dom and the others.” Tej said in reply, the two men shook hands.

 

“Oh that's right, that dam break, the crap going down in Rome, nevermind that, I was told you're the best computer genius in the civilian sector” Rodney said

 

Tej couldnt help but briefly blush, that was one way of putting it. “Might say that.” Tej replied, he whistled when he saw the gear Rodney had in his apartment. “Everything short of the space shuttle” He said

 

“More like everything that initally was designed for the space shuttle, look” Rodney said slightly correcting him, “The rest of the world currently thinks you're dead in a plane wreck, but thanks to us, you and those on that plane are all alive and well. We're one step above the Agency what we do here.” Rodney explained, he took Tej deeper into his apartment, Fran was hard at work at two computer screens. A large touch screen was also set up.

 

“Two weeks ago you and the family as Col Mitchell referred to you guys as were all tagged as terrorists by the Agency from the new Mr Nobody, a guy named Aimes, I never trusted him, and nor should you have, but somehow, Dom did, and look what happened” Rodney pointed out what was on the screen.

 

Tej sighed, “Yeah, that plane, man, one second about to get burnt alive, next thing we know, we're on the shore and water rushing towards us” Tej said with a low whistle.

 

“You can thank the Hammond upstairs for that” Rodney said, He smiled, “Also, you can thank Homeworld Security for clearing you and the others entirely of all charges” Rodney said to him

 

Tej looked at him, “You're kidding right ? Last I saw I was number six on the worlds most wanted, how did you clear the charges ?” Tej then raised a hand, “Whoa wait, back up a step, Homeworld Security ? I thought it was Homeland ?”

 

Rodney smirked his signature smirk and nodded. “That my friend is where we are above the agency entirely. When Mr Nobody took you guys in, made you a proper weapon. He disappeared, Little Nobody as he was called took up the mantle for about a week, and then this Aimes guy shows up on scene and ruins everything.” Rodney said, he went to the screen.

 

“By the way,” he turned briefly to Tej, “How much money did you and the others lose ?”

 

“We stole a hundred million, over a hundred million, in cash from Reyes in Brazil. His son cleaned us all out except Roman who had his money on him all the time.” Tej said, that rounded to about twelve million apice.

 

“Consider your bank account, and everyone elses, fully refilled” Rodney said as he signaled to Fran who nodded, a second later and all nine accounts had every penny put back in.

 

Tej stared at the numbers. “You can do that ?”

 

“That we can, if Tanith had not dissappeared a month and a year ago, we would have never taken notice of you guys.” Rodney said, “But now we got a problem, We were able to find you, Roman, Ramsey and Han, along with your pilots on the plane and get you all out safely, but we never could find Dom, however a dam had broken in the area. And worse, Tanith confirmed where his son actually is along with his late wife”

 

“Its possible he got washed away, but I'm not thinking that way, Dom is too strong for that and would protect Little B with his life if he were there.” Trej said, he shook his head as he spoke, he refused to believe Dom had been washed away. He then looked at Rodney confused. “Wait, did you just say that Little B is alive ?”

 

“Yeah, along with Elena Neves, his mother, they're on another planet in another galaxy called Ascretta, but right now there is something much more important for us to do... yes Fran what is it ?” Fran by this point in time was fully used to Rodney and his rants as he turned to her while speaking.

 

“Dr McKay, I just received word from the Pentagon, they found a life sign, they confirmed it to be Dom, but there's also another one there, and its blocking out the Hammond to get a lock on Dom to get him to safety.” She said, she then smiled in greeting to Tej, “Hello” She handed Rodney a radio

 

“What ? That cant be right” Rodney went to the other computer with two screens, tapping his earpiece as he did so “Hammond this is McKay, come in...”

 

Tej smiled in return to the greeting. “Hello, Fran was it” He held out a hand, they shook it. “Pleasure to meet you, I'm Tej.”

 

“A pleasure.” She said in reply.

 

“Ok we got a problem, Tej, are you familiar with anyone called, “Firefox” Rodeney asked to Tej

 

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh hell no” he said, recognising the name

 

“You know them ?” Rodney pressed

 

“Of them, Firefox, outside of being a web browser, was always an unknown, posting data leaks, information about things, hell even had a video, live feed, from the south pole back in oh five! Huge space battle, people insisted it was a scene from a movie” Tej said, he shook his head as Rodney lead him to a seat and allowed him to sit at a desk, “Nobody knows if they're even a human, or if they are man or woman.”

 

“Well” Rodney said, there was a genuine smile on his face. “The good news is, Dominic Toretto is indeed safe, Hammond received word that a woman calling herself Firefox has recovered him in Portugal, just outside the city limits of Villa Reale. And insisted to be allowed to nurse him back to health. The problem is, we cant say no because she has somehow set up a transportation jamming field”

 

“Which means shes part of Homeland...” Tej started to say before Rodney briefly cut in

 

“Homeworld”

 

“I stand corrected Doctor, Homeworld, Security, or at least she was part of it at some point, nobody on the dark web has ever seen Firefox in person, her, you said it was a woman calling herself Firefox, had recovered Dom and he's alive ?“ Trej said to him

 

“Yes, the woman confirmed that Dominic Toretto was alive, breathing, but badly hurt, mostly cuts and bruises” Rodney confirmed, he shook his head as he spoke healing from that kind of damage was not going to be easy.

 

“Well, she never shows her face online, and all her dark web posts had a question mark instead of a proper avatar. It was always a question mark within a swirl of fire shaped like a fox. Similar to the Firefox web browser logo, but only it was in the colors of red and gold with a black question mark” Tej pointed out.

 

He was typing on the keyboard as he spoke. “Alright, lets see, alright it says here that she has Dom yeah I can confirm that, and she also has a tracker on Aimes, and every agency soldier under his command. And that is... whoa..” Tej paused in speaking

 

“What is it ?” Rodney asked as Fran looked over to them

 

“Someone is sending a video feed, live” Tej said as he looked to Rodney, who looked to Fran

 

“Isolate connection, full scrub for security, and clean the connection for smoothline streaming, use the database if you have to” Rodney said, A half minute later Fran nodded, she was ready, her fingers split, making Tejs briefly worried. “I'll explain later, we're ready, open the stream.” Rodney told him, the man nodded and hit the open link

 

A screen appeared, it was Mr Nobody himself, “Mr Tej Parker, is that you ?”

 

Tej breathed a sigh of relief as he heard Mr Nobody's voice. “Its good to hear your voice” he said

 

“After everything my daughter told me what happened, I knew taking on Aimes was a bad idea from the start” Mr Nobody said on the screen, “Once I saw the shit going down I knew I had to come back as a ghost. I cant get ahold of Dom or Letty” Mr Nobody said, also breathing a sigh of relief at seeing Tej on the screen.

 

Tej cut right to the chase “What happened with the Agency ?”

 

“After Jakob went rogue I had to do my ghost act, Tess played interference as best she could, but Dante Reyes is as twisted as they come. Once we had Cipher in custody I managed to talk to her, she told me everything she told Dom and even told me how to find Dom. But I cant get hold of him.” Mr Nobody said, he sighed and ran a hand through is hair

 

Tej then explained everything that happened in Rome, how they were all tagged as international crooks and had every law enforcement group on their asses thanks to the agency labeling them as people needing to be taken down.

 

Mr Nobody sighed and shook his head. “Aimes was bought and sold by Reyes father Hernan in Rio, I should have known when he started climbing the ranks.” He said.

 

“Any knews of Jakob ?” Tejs asked

 

“Yes actually” Mr Nobody said, “He took my own teaching to heart, when his rocket car exploded he was already out of it. Faked his own death like me and sought a hospital on the agency's tab that could still be trusted. Still cant get in touch with Dom though, a dam just outside of Villa Reale in Portugal crumbled, locals said they felt what sounded like a earthquake, and then the lake just disappeared.”

 

Tej nodded “Yeah, around same time a plane went down ?” Tejs said,

 

“Thats right, locals reported a low flying plane being shot down, presumed it was anti government extremests who shot them down.” Mr Nobody said with a nod

 

“Fortunately everyone on board was saved thanks to us” Rodney spoke up, allowing Mr Nobody to see him on the screen.

 

“Dr McKay, oh its good to hear your voice. Are you still sure you do not want to work for the Agency ?” Mr Nobody said when he saw him on the screen

 

“Fairly sure that Homeworld Security has my hands full” Rodney replied, something of a smile on his tone as he spoke. “But it is good that we can speak to you again. And yes like I mentioned, Everyone on board that plane is safe thanks to us” It was not that Rodney didnt like the Agency, he just didnt like the very, well, if he had to pick between the Agency and working at Atlantis, he'd take Atlantis any day of the week because, mostly, of Tanith being a six foot eight inch tall cat woman. Literally.

 

“Worth a shot” Mr Nobody said when his offer was again turned down, he'd be able to use a man like Rodney, the guy was an absolute genius when it came to computers, able to make them do things they werent supposed to. And vice versa. “Either way, Jakob got in contact with me and is trying to find Dom's last location as we speak” Mr Nobody said, he gave Tej and Rodney the run down opf what happened at the agency.

 

“With Little Nobody out of comission, last I heard he is still recovering back in Rome at the hospital,” Tej mused.

 

“With Little Nobody out, and me still dead, Aimes has full control, at least until I got in touch with you, Tess said she'd start the timer once we initated contact, you should be getting it now.” Mr Nobody said

 

“Timer ?” Tej asked

 

“What for ?” Rodney added

 

“A timer for me to retake control of the Agency, truthfully I want to disband it and merge with Homeland Security,” Mr Nobody said. Thankfully there still was the offical on paper name of Homeworld Security the public knew as Homeland Security. The Agency was a sub sub subset of that itself. If they could be absorbed into Homeworld Security directly.

 

Rodney went thoughtful. “Mr Nobody, I'm gonna be blunt with you, In a way we already work together for the same company or group. Only my public face is the Us Air Force.”

 

“Really ?” Mr Nobody said, “And what would the Air Force want with an agent or as they're currently termed, a gang of crooks ?”

 

“Oh you wouldnt believe me if I told you, but I will tell you just not over this screen. Can you give me your current location ?” Rodney said as Tejs got to work at the keyboard as Mr Nobody spoke, the timer kicked in on their screens from Tess.

 

“I can, but I want to know, can I ask why ?” Mr Nobody replied

 

“Because it will allow you to come to us faster then us coming to you.” Rodney told him.

 

A half minute passed, finally Mr Nobody said, “Alright, makes sense” a minute later and the connection was cut, and Mr Nobody disappeared from the surface of the earth into the Hammond in orbit.

 

Villa Reale Portugal

That same moment

 

”You know as well as I do” A voice wafted through the sleeping mans dreamscape. “If I let you come and get him, issues may arise” the voice was female, by its tone and energy it even sounded as if exausted, or upset. It was not easy to tell. “Yes I managed to rescue him, however his injuries are not too good, and not too bad. I am not a miracle worker Col Mitchell, you know this”

 

So the voice was speaking to Cameron Mitchell ? Try as he might Dom couldnt open his eyes, or move, he was pretty much lifeless. And blind, but he could still hear clearly. “No Col. I will take care of him here and get him back on his feet. I have a few tricks up my sleeves to help get him back on his feet and moving. I will return him to you when the one known as Hobbs makes contact with the office of General Landry. Until then the Static Field will remain active, I will not allow teleportation out of my house”

 

A moment passed, the voice bid goodbye to Cameron, and darkness once more overtook Dom before he blinked awake. It didnt take long for him to see where he was. He was surrounded by a grid like pattern that formed from the mist, bits and pieces of information danced past as he walked around. Looking down he saw that he was walking on nothing but thin air.

 

Or was he ?

 

“I see you have found the White Room to your liking ?” Asked a kind voice. A female voice, similare to his sister, and also similar to his wife.

 

Dom twirled around, “Whos there ?!” He called out.

 

“Easy Toretto, you took a nasty landing, and flood waters. Please rest. I placed you in one of my systems to aid in your mental healing.” Camed the voice again, try as he might Dom couldnt find who was speaking.

 

“At least let me see you!” He called out.

 

“I see a calming tone wont help much then I guess. Very well, Please, try to keep your balance” The voice said to him. A moment later and he was standing on solid ground, inside a rather well kept house, there was sound of a keyboard in use from nearby, and no sighs of the flood waters he'd apparently been plucked from.

 

Dom went through the house, stepping through the front foyer into the front room on the first floor he spotted nothing, nobody was within the empty room, however it was well lit and also well kept.

 

He went to the next room and found it just as empty but aslso just as clean. The sounds of keyboard use was once more heard before Dom went to the main living area, a two floor structure greeted him, well kept, a fire burned like glass in the fireplace to his right, a staircase went to the second floor behind him.

 

“Ah, there you are, I had briefly feared you had gotten lost” Came the owner of the voice, Dom turned and looked up. He saw a young woman, long black hair, pale skin, deep brownblue eyes. Dressed in a short sleeved red and gold dress. She had a pale gold necklace about her neck, far as Dom could see she was barefoot, the hem of the dress went to just below her knees.

 

Her ears however stood out the most. A pair of golden edged fox ears poked from her hair. “Its a pleasure to meet you, Dominic Toretto, son of Jack Toretto, father of Brian Toretto, older brother of Mia Toretto. Uncle of Jack Toretto.”

 

“You know a lot about me,” Dom replied to her, he kept his hands at his sides as he looked up at her. “Care to explain that ?”

 

“I could, but it would involve waking you up and your body isnt not very well off, it was all I could do” The woman said as she went to the stairs and stepped down them as she spoke, “to keep Col Mitchell from teleporting you out of here.”

 

Now on the first floor and without a railing to block his view of her, he saw she was indeed barefoot, but not entirely human, her fox ears were real, at least, as real as a ditigal world can make things. But her feet were those of a foxes hind legs, and she had a red and black fox tail poking from her spine.

 

She held out a hand. “My name is Firefox, class SSS Hacker. Formerly employed by the United States Air Force on the Promethus, X 303 and F 302 and also Daedalus Projects” She said a soft smile on her otherwise human appearing face. “I wish we could meet under better circumstances, but like I mentioned, you're pretty banged up.”

 

Dom thought a moment, he had to smile, he had known of various hacking groups, and Dante was the cream of the crop so to speak, but to meet a woman, who was everything but human, had him on edge, but she saved his life. And now she was offering something in return ? He finally took her hand, it felt solid, and shook it. Not saying anything.

 

Firefox smiled at him as they broke contact, “You are the second person to ever meet me, well, almost meet me. I temporailry put you into the Animus Whiteroom in order to prevent mental truama from locking your body stiff. So far its helping the healing, you've no idea how hard it was finding the blood vessel for your IV Drip. I was close to resorting to using magic.”

 

Finally Dom spoke. “You're not human are you ?“ he asked to her

 

“Here or in the real world ?” Firefox asked him

 

For a long moment Dom debated how to answer, finally saying as he tilted his head towards her. “Both”

 

Firefox smiled, crossing her arms as she looked at him, briefly in thought. Her ear twitched. “Here, no, not human, this is my avatar even on the web. But in the real world, for now lets save that answer until you heal enough to wake up” Firerfox told him, “In the mean time, I need to ask you why the dam up river exploded and why a plane went down at the same time”

 

Dom looked at her as she motioned to the low sofa, she herself took a seat and he sat down across from her. Dom had to really think about what happened to him the last year.

 

First, Little B's mothers gravesite was dug up, ravaged actually according to the cemetary keeper. At the same time Little B himself went missing. And then there was word that Han was still alive. But there was also Dante Reyes. “I was ambushed” Dom told her.

 

“That might explain why the damn exploded, and also why Col Mitchell called me” Firefox said in reply, she rubbed her chin as she spoke pacing briefly, dispite having a human womans head, fox ears, and fox feet with a gorgeous fox tail, she was remarkably quite human in appearance. Rather beautiful and she reminded Dom of his own wife Letty.

 

“Yeah, the man who ambushed me, Dante Reyes” Dom replied

 

“An evil a man as I had ever seen, I'd been watching him, every day, watched the man since you took out his fathers vault in Rio. I knew he'd come back, but I did not know he'd resort to destroying so many innocent lives in the process too” Firefox said as briefly stood up and paced in the room.

 

“So now lets get to the part of what you are not telling me ?” Dom said to her, she looked at him, her blackblue eyes had a hint of worry to them, then she smiled.

 

“Alright, you met me here in the Animus, a computer system that allows one to see their genteic memories, for example the whole reason a cat does what it does when she has her kittens, how to protect that litter. Humans work the same way, gentic memory.” Firefox told him

 

She motioned to the room around them, “This room was created by my Animus system to be my home yes, but it is inside your own memories. Thankfully the Animus allows me to set up a white room so to speak, and then modify it to allow for additional set spaces. Like using my own house as a starting point for you to meet me.” Firefox explained.

 

She sighed, it partly answered some of Doms question. “Dante drained your accounts, all of them, and used that money to hire all sorts of mercs, tech nuts, you name it, all in hopes of destroying you. Or rather, making you suffer like he did.” Firefox told him

 

Dom looked at her. “How ?”

 

Firefox sighed and sat back down, a flick of the wrist and a holographic screen formed. “You may have taken the vault and all its contents, a hundred million american dollars. But it was Hobbs who took his fathers life on that bridge. Dante has been forever brooding and plotting the whole thing.”

 

“And the Agency ?” Dom asked

 

“Mr Nobody pulls a ghost act and disappears on everyone execept his daughter. Told her to get in touch with you, but by then the Agency had labled you all as criminals and should be killed instead of arrested.” Firefox said simply.

 

She smiled then, leaning back on her low sofa. “The good news is, your family is safe, the people on the plane and their stuff were safely trtansported to the Hammond in orbit. They dont have you yet because I am trying to get you back on your feet to take down Dante Reyes. And thanks to my extended family I guess you could call it, all your accounts, every last penny, has been returned in full, to your accounts.” Firefox told him.

 

“What happens now ?” Dom asked her

 

Firefox smiled “Well, for one thing, you were in pretty bad shape in the river” Firefox told him, she sighed in thought. “I hooked you up to the Animus to try and see if you're mentally stable and so far I can see that is indeed the case. Tell you what, I'll start the wake up seqeunce in the Animus to bring you out of it and get you back awake in the real world.” She gave him a look

 

”What ?” Dom asked her at seeing the look

 

“Just promise me one thing”

 

“And what is that ?” Dom looked at her

 

“Try not to scream or get out of your bed, you were in pretty bad shape when I got you out of that river.” Firefox told him before disappearting in an explosion of plexus points as the room disappeared, very briefly Dom was floating and walking on nothing. Then it went dark.

 

Ascretta

At that same moment

 

Thalia found a room off her own parents condo, the two floor apartment had five bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a nice large kitchen and eating area. But next to it was another condo, but it was connected too. And it got her attention entirely.

 

“Mom” she said, as Tanith also explored the atteched condo, an additional three rooms, bathroom and sitting area, over a two floor set up. “Why does this feel so familiar ?” They came to a door and the thing slid open without a sound, Thalia shook her head and blinked, inside was a technology lovers paradise, computer screens lined the walls, keyboards made of nothing but light flickered on as they looked around the room.

 

“Whoa” Tanith said in shock, she hadnt seen anything like that before or since arriving on Ascretta.

 

“Its like its activating just on us arriving in the room ?” Thalia said as she went to one of the screens, data scrolled across it; it fgelt so hauntingly familiar to her as she watched it briefly, using the keyboard she found she managed to crack the first code. And was in the main computer. “I dont believe it, this... Mom come look at this”

 

Thalia had found a photo album, and it showed them all, her, her mother Tanith, Tharon was in theshot too. Along with Blaze and her brothers, and also a few others including Cayran

 

Tanith turned from the crystal display of a model of some sort and then she stared at what her daughter had found, the day just got interesting. “How did you find that ?”

 

“I felt the computer was familiar and just typed in a random code, and it brought this up” Thalia said, she found some other pages, but they were notes, written by her apparently in a past life. “I think this was my bedroom” She said as she moved from the desk and started walking among the models, screens and bonelights on the walls.

 

There was a weird bonelight kind of thing in one corner that looked like a datastream but at the moment she couldnt figure it out

 

“It certainly might be, look” Tanith said upon finding the closet, Thalias clothing was inside it, still sealed as if waiting for her to simply come in and wear something. Dresses and kemonos almost identical to her mother hung in the three closets, there was a bed was nearby.

 

“So we found my room, and its attached to you and dads condo, I think I can move in here from Blazes room, she's welcome to join me if she wants.” Thalia turned to the contrapion on the wall, this felt way too familiar to be a coincidence. And she knew it.

 

“OK dear” Taniths radio had gone off. She listened for a moment then spoke again “I'll let you explore sweetie, Tharon just picked up another storm on the Silent Nights HUD delivering a few new folks not far from here. We'll go pick them up and come back here. You going to be OK here on your own ?”

 

“Yeah mom” Thalia said, she pressed a button and the glass model activated, she knew somehow what to press too, and it worked. She smiled, Turning to her mother she said again, “Yeah mom, I'll be alright here, you can let Blaze know where I am if you want.”

 

Then again letting Blaze or her brothers know where she went wasnt exactly possible as the three were helping Skimble and Jellylorum set up the infirmary into a proper medical station.

 

“Alright, We'll try not to be too long.” Tanith had to smile seeing how Thalia, formerly known as Gabrielle Xang of Sacremento California, settled into her old original life as Thalia, the daughter of a very deadly woman. Tanith then left as Thalia simply went back to exploring her old bedroom.

 

An hour later and she was experimenting with one of the crystals of the strange datasdtream device. "whoops" Thalia said upon the lights in the entire floor going dark, She hit another button on the crystal panel, when that didnt work she took out a crystal and replaced it upside down, the lights came back on, but then she suddenly disappeared, a blink and she found herself somewhere else, she looked at her hand, still holding the crystal she just turned upside down confused. OK now what... oh... oh my. Two Pollicles, both of them Great danes stared at her, a shy wave came from Thalia "Uh... hi ?" She said, the two Pollicles reacted less then a minute later with startled yells and made to grab her, But by then Thalia had screamed in fright and hammered the crystal button a third time and disappeared back to where she started in her bedroom.

 

"Whoa.... what a rush" she looked at the data stream, it looked oddly like a poroper teleporter transporter of some kind. She pointed at it, setting the crystal control panel on the desk, “OK, I think I invented a teleporter... huh ?”

 

Someone was on the other side of the datastream, and he was startled seeing it activate. The problem was the man in question was a short man, with glasses, and wearing a shirt almost identical to Bens own blue shirt a man stood with him wearing a black shirt and combat boots, he had a pistol in one hand

 

Atlantis

At that same moment

Janus' lab

 

Itd been almost two years since they recovered Janus massive hidden lab and began going through it, Rodney and Daniel had gone through it for a day before the Asgard had captured them for their help in activating something. After that they got onto pretty good terms if not better. Some of the stuff the asgard were able to help translate.

 

At least until the devices in the room were experimented with, one item turned Carson Beckett bright purple for a minute before he returned to normal and then other items, things like personal shield devices, antigravity joints, magnetic energy sources, everything was there and experimented with.

 

But try as they might they never could activate what looked like a receess in the wall to the left of the door. Nobody knew what was in there or why it was inaccessible.

 

At least until streams of data started scrolling in an unknown writing that wasnt even ancient or Wraith.

 

“Is it supposed to do that ?” John asked seeing the data stream

 

“I dont know, it just, activated and then I sent for you.” Radek replied, “We've been searching the database for it but I dont think its native to Atlantis”

 

“Found it” a woman tech said, her name was Dr Lainy, “According to this its similar to the transporters the city has to get around faster, only in this case it works on a larger scale and allows for data to get sent via subspace, but also I think people can be sent via subspace, according to this the ancient Janus was tasked with working with the Furlings to further the technology before they returned to Earth, after that it just... ends”

 

“So someone turned it on ?” John said

 

“Seems so, its not drawing power from any of our systems, its possible that its working similar to the subspace transmission from Janus lab when we met the Pegasus galaxy Asgard” Radek said in thought

 

“Only its not from our doing ?” Sheppard said

 

“No, thankfully, in this case its possible that Janus started work on the technology, and then he left for Earth, after that point, well, who knows where it... lead... wait I'm picking up something” Radek said, he briefly thought he saw movement in the datastream.

 

“I'm picking up an energy surge similar to a stargate activating. Only on a much more focused scale” Dr Lainy said

 

Seconds later Thalia practically crashed into Radek, but thankfully they both managed to stay on their feet, she held a device made of crystal in her hand. The two briefly regarded each other, Shepopard stared, there was a woman smaller then Tanith in Janus old lab hugging Radek and screaming “IT WORKS!!”

 

But all John could ask was “What worked ??”

 

Ascretta

At that same moment

 

They'd been flying for almost an hour, they'd picked up two people, both new arrivals so far, both younger gentletoms so far. “You think we'll find anyone we recognise ?” Tanith asked as she and Tharon headed for the landing pad where Silent Night was normally kept. They couldnt find anyone else

 

“Who knows,” Tharon said as he brought the ship in to land, they'd been finding people at random, and the last person to arrive as far as anyone could tell, was Thalia two days before. Tanith activated the backdoor of the ship and it slid open. He was honestly hoping to find more people around

 

Ben came into view, “Ah I was just about to contact you” He said upon seeing them

 

“Whats up ?” Tharon asked grabbing up a pistol as it formed on the wall.

 

“Thalia is suddenly at Atlantis” He reported.

 

“How ? She'd have to use the stargate” Tanith said to him

 

“Thats just it, according to the report I just got, she didnt use the stargate, turns out she was using something called a transport datastream, it was connected to a lab in Atlantis. And it works similar to a Stargate.” Ben reported, he showed the data stream and how it worked.

 

Tanith smirked as she asked “What exactly happened ?”

 

“Thalia was experimenting in her room apparently, she told me that much over radio subspace, I ended up using the stargate to contact Atlantis to try and see where she had gone” Ben said ass he gave his report. “She said it worked, basically it sent her from her bedroom here on Ascretta to Atlantis in apparently an Ancient lab of some kind.” Ben explained

 

“Say again ? Thalia is at Atlantis, without using the stargate ?” Tanith said

 

“Thats right, a subspace teleportation; almost exactly like the stargate, only its not as big.” Ben tried to explain it but it didnt make a lot of sense to Tanith. The Furling woman sighed. “Is something wrong ?” Ben asked her

 

“Slightly, these two guys dont know their names, Tharon and I recovered them from the west ridge over looking the Pollicle zone edge” Tanith said pointing out the two Furlings, one of them was a black and white male, big and broad at the shoulder, the other was solid black, and equally as big, both of them looked confused and lost.

 

“Gentle.... toms, a pleasure, my name is Ben, you already know Lady Tanith and Sir Tharon ?” Ben said introducing himself to the two tomcats. His hand ready to shake.

 

The two traded looks briefly, unsure of what to do, finally one nodded. Seeming to remember his name. He reached out a hand and shook Bens own. “I think my name is Sebastian, but my name that I can clearly remember is Thomas, I'll answer to either.” The black and white tomcat said as he shook Bens hand.

 

The other cat, the solid black one sighed, “I'm Shadowdancer here apparently, but my name I can remember is James” He shook Bens hand, “You can call me Shadow or Dancer, or both at once.” It didnt matter to him. A thought was on his mind, but he never said it aloud.

 

“First thing is first, no doubt Lady Tanith did her best to fill the two of you in ?” Ben said as he handed Tanith a dataslate of information that Thalia had given him. To Tanith he said “If you go to her room you'll see the device in operation. Its connected apparently directly to Atlantis.” He sasid

 

“Thank you, gentlemen” Tanith said before turning, Sebastian watched her go, briefly thinking of someone close to him, then wondering if she was even there to begin with.

 

A moment or so later and Tanith entered her daughters bedroom, in the time Tanith and Tharon went to rescue and recover Seb and Shadow, Thalia had moved her stuff, and also Blaze moved her stuff into the room, and a single device was active, a pale blue datastream danced on a clear almost holographic panel.

 

Tanith could see that through it was another lab of some kind, and it wasnt on Ascretta. She saw her daughter on the other side using a crystal panel of some kind, the screen, if that was what it was, turned white and Thalia stepped through, crashing into her mothers arms. “Whoa!” she cried as the two of them hit the floor in a heap.

 

“oof” came the sound of Thalia landing on her mother. Thalia however got back to her feet and looked at the now once again blue datastream that was mostly solid like a wall. “I cant believe that worked!”

 

“What worked ?” Came her mothers voice under her, Thalia looked down

 

“Oh, sorry Mom” she said seeing her mother, laid out flat on her back in a heap. Thalia rolled off her mother and picked up the crystal panel. “I wonder if I can slow down the travel time a bit, crashing into something might not be the best arrival” She said in thought.

 

Tanith had to laugh as she sat up, her daughter, the one she remembered was a genuis when it came to learning from the Ancients, Janus and Meila both taught her daughter all sorts of technology and how to apply it, going so far as to making the datastream transporter.

 

Tanith got to her feet and watched as Thalia tinkered a bit with her crystal, the wall of data went solid; “OK I think I got it mostly figured out” She said looking to her mom as she spoke, “Dr Zelenka, can you hear us ?”

 

“Yes, yes loud and clearly too” came his excited voice, “With the wall now solid on this end as well it allows for radio signals to pass through, this must have been what the Ancients and Furlings were working on before the Ancients left this galaxy” He said

 

“He's right” Tanith said, she handed her daughter a crystal, it had information on it, “About ten thousand years ago the Ancients left for Earth, but they left the city on its planet under water.”

 

“Shes right” came Radeks voice, Thalia hit a button on her crystal, and her mother disappeared in a beam of light, similar to the asgard transporters. Appearing easily on Atlantis in the lab. “Oh hello Col Raines” Radek said on sight of her.

 

“Are we gonna have people showing up out of the blue like this constantly now ?” Sheppard asked.

 

“Hopefully not” Tanith replied, she put a hand to her ear, “Swettie, I'm at Atlantis, can you bring me home ?”

 

“Just a second mom, that should do it” Thalia replied, “ok, teleporting you back to my room... now!” A beam of light, just like the asgard transport beams, teleported Tanith from Janus lab on Atlantis back to Thalias room.

 

“It works!” Thalia said as she held the crystal, and something else. “According to this” she said as her mother looked at her, briefly making sure everything she had was still on her. “The Ancient known as Janus about eleven thousand years ago worked with a Furling known as Thalia, me basically at the same time to perfect a datastream transporter, apparently there is elven other Furling worlds, all connected by the same datastream.”

 

“So its true, the datastream works as intended.” Radek said from over the radio

 

“This is gonna get old quick I think, lab to lab communication is one thing, but Rodney would want to see this in action too” Sheppard said from the lab.

 

“I can shut it down, and when you guys contact us by stargate when Dr McKay returns I can fire it back up again. It'll allow for fast movement, that and I can move this elsewhere other then my bedroom here” Thalia said, she was a typical teenager, forgetting the important thing concerning, in this case, asking her own mother for permission before teleporting people and things anywhere.

 

“Sounds like a plan to me” Sheppard said, “we'll contact you when Rodney gets back. Good luck” The connection died, the datastream returning to a solid normal wall.

 

“What was that about dear ?” Tanith asked, she wanted something of an explination from her daughter.

 

“Well, apparently in my past life here I liked to tinker with technology, going so far as to even help design some ancient weaponry too. I can remember that much.” Thalia said to her mother.

 

“But that bit of 11,000 years ago, where did that come from ? Look the last things I can remember was five thousand years ago, dont tell me even Furlings have nine lives too” Tanith said

 

“I think we might, because I remember trying to finalise this around five thousand years ago when you told me to flee because of the Pollicles attacking the city and as soon as we touched down I fled into the woods where dad found me a few days ago.” Thalia explained, she recounted what she could remember of how she had woken up, where she had woken up, and how she and Tharon had reunited.

 

“I think I was killed there, but by Pollicles. I think dad was going to try and see if he could find others making camp there where he found me, but I dunno if he started or not ?” Thalia said to her mother.

 

It had been three days since Thalia arrived, three days since Lunar New Year, and she was already tinkering and making things work. It was at this moment when it became clear to Tanith, her daughter Thalia was a technology genius, at least for the Furlings, whereas Rodney was the human technology genius.

 

Tanith had to think a moment but she nodded at her daughters words. It made sense. “Alright, either way, the technology you and Janus worked on together works, finally. Also safely, so long as the datastream is active it can teleport people or things anywhere to the other one, or anywhere on a given planet right ?” Tanith said to her.

 

Thalia nodded, “yeah, that's right,” She said she safely shut it off. “In the mean time I'll see if Blaze can help me move this somewhere, do we have an armory or something we can set up in ? Maybe have a safe guarded area for this, cant have it just activate at a whim and transport someone now can we ?” Thalia said.

 

“Find Blaze, I'll hold onto the control panel for it, and when you move it, ask Ben where he suggests to put it, he can put a few drones to protect it if he needs to for you if it makes you feel better.” Tanith said to her daughter, Thalia nodded and handed her mother the control panel for the datastream device.

 

Earth

Villa Reale Portugal

The next morning

 

Doms eyes slowly opened, a woman in a red and black shirt was removing a IV drip from his arm. “Ah good, you're awake” Came a voice, hauntingly familiar. She'd heard her voice once already. And now he could put an owner to it. The woman looked almost like the woman he saw in the Animus, Aside from no fox ears visible at the moment, at least far as Dom could see.

 

Then again when he first met her in the Animus she was half fox half human, and she had never said what she was in the real world outside the Animus, only that it was her avatar in the computer enviroment. “I was starting to worry”

 

“How long was I asleep ?” Dom asked her as he slowly was allowed to sit up, she was a strong woman for nearly six feet tall.

 

“After we spoke, a good solid twelve hours, allowed me to work some healing on you internally and externally” Firefox replied, Dom got a real good look at her face. Just like in the animus her eyes were a blueblack hue, her hair just as black, and just as long. And there was something akin to a small hairband keeping back her hair from her face as she helped Dom sit up.

 

Once seated upright Dom could feel his strength returning, and fast. “Thank you” he said to her. By that point she had gone behind the bed and was picking up the IV drip from the floor to put it away when he swore he'd seen her tail.

 

He did “Firefox, was it ?” Dom then asked.

 

“That is correct, and for your information I am glad you didnt freak out seeing my tail” She said to him in reply. She stepped into full view then IV Drip in hand, she was taking it apart to store it away for clean up. Dom saw her feet, humanoid fox paws, gorgeous downy fur on her lower legs, her black and red dress was it, was also equally beautiful.

 

She looked at him as she put the IV Drip away. “Yes, I am not exactly a human woman, you're the second person to see me as I really am. The only other person who knows of what I look like, is General George Hammond.” Firefoxs tone took on a somber level. Col Mitchell had told her of Hammonds passing. A heart attack. It was not good, she wished him the best and also asked where his gravesite was.

 

She still had to visit it.

 

“So, you're not human, are you ?” Dom asked her, he'd seen enough of her to know she could appear human if she wanted to, or she could go anthro, either worked apparently and in her own home, anthro was the mood of the day.

 

“No” Firefox told him, “Long ago I woke up on this world, traveled for many years, finally settled here outside Villa Reale in Portugal.” Firefox explained to him, she as best she could remember, woke up in Japan during the Meiji Restoration period, and then traveled west for several years before settling down outside Villa Reale in Portugal.

 

Sh then looked at Dom, “You said you were ambushed by Dante Reyes, your friends plane shot down, but I have good news for you Dominic Toretto,” She smiled then, her canine teeth glittering in the light, “Your friends, your family, they are quite safe thanks to the technology General Hammond and I worked on for many years together.”

 

“Really ?” He had no idea she meant the Daedlus project. But then he had been on the Odyssey already, and his friends, Roman, Han, Ramesy, were all safely onboard the Apollo at that moment.

 

“Yes really, want to speak to them ? Or do you want that nasty cut on your face to heal a bit ?” Firefox said to him as she handed him a mirror, he took note of it, a scar would remain for sure. And he knew it. But he didnt care.

 

“Is there a means to get in touch with them ?” He asked

 

Firefox helped him to his feet as more strength came back. He could walk fairly well enough. “Yes, there is indeed.” She flicked her own ear, it became foxlike a second later. “Apollo, this is Firefox, you can open a channel in five minutes to this location, video feed. You know the one I mean.” She said.

 

A few moments later and Dom was in conference with Han and Roman, Tej had been asked somewhere in Colorado. “So you guys made it, I see you also had the pilots too ?” Dom said, they were all branded by the Agency as common criminals, even terroriests.

 

“Yeah, but that's not the half of it” Roman said, Dom looked at him.

 

“The Agency branded all of us as terrorists. They even drained our accounts after taking down Reyes in Rio, and everything we built up since with gods eye and otherwise.” Ramsey said

 

“So what is Tej doing ?” Dom asked

 

“Tej was asked to meet with someone from Homeland Security, said it was important and they needed the best in the family” Roman said. He shook his head. But then again Roman was not exactly computer savy like Tej and Ramsey were.

 

Dom looked to Han. “Tej was asked by a branch of the US Air Force to meet a man in Denver Colorado, they said it was important, next thing we know, all our bank accounts are fully restored, and our wanted level removed. And when I looked into why, they told me it was on orders, from the White House, ontop of that the guy in question insisted on it.”

 

“Who ?” Dom asked

 

“A general, Air Force general, Jonathan O'Niell” Ramsey replied

 

“Now we go thte Air Force backing us and not the Agency ?” Roman asked, the day just got stranger and stranger now didnt it.

 

Dom sighed, “At the very least you and the pilots are safe” He said typical family members

 

“Well excuse me for breathing, but I'm trying to figure out just why and how you're alive, we saw the dam blow up.” Roman said to him

 

Dom half smiled in his typical way, “I rode it down, a dam is not a straight down, its got a curve to it” He said

 

“He's right, for all we know you rode that thing like a ski ramp” Han spoke up.

 

“So now what ?” Ramsey asked, “Tej is helping the Air Force contasct in Denver and w're up here in orbit of earth”

 

“Its the second time I've been in space, only its a lot nicer, and its air conditioned” Roman said, Ramsey gave him a look. He smirked. “What ?”

 

“The Air Force said we're welcome to stay up here as long as we need to be up here, and if all else fails we can track down Reyes from here too” Han said. He already liked the design of the place

 

“Any word from Elle ?” Dom asked

 

Han sighed, but nodded. “Yes, I managed to have some air force soldiers get to her college dorm before Dante gets there, we even have a tracker on him” Han replied.

 

“Soon as those soldiers locate Elle, have them all join you guys on the ship. Trust me it'll be for the better.” Dom said.

 

“Right” Han replied with a nod, he felt a sense of relief. With the Air Force soldiers guarding Elle, Dante couldnt get past them right ? Then again Dante looked a lot like a guy they hadnt met yet named Ronan Dex. And Ronan was going to want a crack at the guy.

 

Finally Han asked. “How about you ? You alright ?”

 

“I'll be fine, found a friend down here able to help us out. She got me back on my feet so far.” Dom replied, He sighed, “Have you heard anything, anytthing at all, from Letty or Mia ?” He leaned closer to the screen, worry clearly on his face.

 

Han and Roman shook their heads, Ramsey however nodded, “Just before the plane went down and we were beamed up here Mia texted me, said she was safe in the DR in the carribean just waiting for your phone call.” She told him. Dom thanked her. He had a phone call to make.

 

A moment later and the connection died. He turned towards Firefox. “So now what ?”

 

“At this moment you're still weak, if you want to hunt Dante reyes, you're gonna need your strength back, and dont worry I already got a friend going after Letty.” Firefox told him, she t5hen indicated he should follow her as she headed for another room.

 

Firefox lead Dom into a hallway that overlooked the lower floor of the house towards a room it was a moment or so later when she unlocked a door, sliding it open Dom saw weight equipment. “You will need to regain what strength you lost. You may have the driving skills needed to get you on the road, but you still might have to fist fight the guy.” She told him, eyeing him carefully as she spoke

 

“Hmm” She said in thought. Dom looked at her confused. “Why dont you get started, you might know what weights to start with, but dont over exert yourself, you're still weak and the IV Drip only does so much.” She told him. Dom nodded, right, he could have full control over the weights room ? Huh. “When you're done after an hour there's another room I want to test you in, I just need to prep it.” She turned and left him, very briefly Dom wondered if he was dealing with a powerful goddess or something given how she was acting around him.

 

Ascretta

At that same moment

Pollicle zone

 

Norho paced in his office, if one wanted to call it that, and began to plot and think. Macaivty's offer of poisoning the cat who tried to kill him was an enticing one, in so far as it made sense for that to work best. But he wanted the woman to suffer. Once he was told who the feline was, he was even more upset.

 

Tanith had stopped him from getting at the injured Furling that his own had recovered, the one he wanted to bed. Stupid goldens refused to allow him near, and then the bullet. The bullet shot from somewher else scared him.

 

It would not be much longer he had hoped. Word filtered of more storms, more rescued Furlings being sent on their way after any were given aid they needed. Stupid Goldens, stupid Beagle Guards! None of the rescued Furlings recovered wereever presented to Norho as he had ordered.

 

His orders were simply ignored. And for good reason, apparently his own people were starting to rebel against him. There came a knock at his door. “Come in” He said, two Pollicles entered. They looked upset. Both of them were great dane breeds. “What is it ? You look like someone took your favorite toys from you”

 

“Sir, a Furling appeared in our barracks yesterday, we'd been searching for her since, but after we left the barracks, all our supplies and weapons in it also disappeared. We searched for them, finding some of the supply crates, still sealed and unopened outside the complex. We had to move them all back inside” Said one

 

“The Furling woman showed up again, this time she took somne stuff in her hands and then disappeared. We tried to capture her both times but she was gone before we could get within reach.” The second said

 

“Did you report this to your officers ?” Norho asked

 

“No sir, we wanted to tell you, because of what the Furling looked like” Said the second Pollicle.

 

“And what did she look like ?” Norho growled

 

“She looked like the one who tried to kill you from the rooftop, the coloration on her face and hair was a exact match, but her chest had more orange then I'd seen on a cat before” Said the second

 

“Her hands were white, unlike the one that tried to kill you” the first said. They had detailed Thalia, not Tanith. Which meant that Tanith might have a twin.

 

At least until Norho asked “How big was she ?”

 

“Not too big” Said the first trying to figure out just how big the girl was.

 

The second measured with his hands, “about yay high” he said, holding his hand about chest level. If anything Thalia could easily nueter any of them if she had to with one punch. “She was also young, screamed that first time, sounded like a child too”

 

“A kitten ?” Norho asked. The two nodded. Well that made things only slightly harder for him. If Tanith had a kitten, and it had been nearly a year since there had been so much as a peep from the cursed Furling. “hmm” Norho said rubbing his chin in thought. He went to his desk and sat.

 

“Sir, what should we do ? This Furling kitten showed up in a burst of light, took some of our supplies, and disappeared the way she had come” the two Great Danes stepped into the office and one shut the door.

 

“What I should do is have you both executed for losing supplies, however, you know what this Furling girl looks like, I want you two instead to tag the supplies with a tracker, next time she takes them it'll track to where they go.” Norho said, the sooner he knew Taniths exact location, the sooner Macavity's poison maker could send the gift she was making.

 

“Yes sir” both Pollicles bowed and left the office. In a way Norho was being more leinent then he had planned, and yet, were he to execute every pollicle that came to him with bad news would only isolate him more among his own kind. So he figured, have them pay for their mistake by tracking where the supplies were going. And then going after them might not be a good idea. And Norho knew it.

 

Vake arrived shortly after. “Ah, Councilman Vake, what do you want ?” Norho asked seeing the Sheperd

 

“At this moment only to report that several squads are seeing things, already I am flooded with reports the last day or so of Furlings appearing in bursts of light then disappearing” Vake took a seat across from Norho who still sat at his desk.

 

“Appearing then disappearing, all over the city ?” Norho asked, it was only a matter of time before Thalia found his office and got freaked out by him.

 

“At this moment mostly near the soldiers quarter and the east parkland” Vake replied the Sheperd looked worried. If the Furlings were planning an attack. “But there is something odd, the furlings we are seeing are unlike any we've seen before, dressed in strange clothing. One occasionaly is reported to be male, but the others are reported almost consistently to be female.” He explained

 

“So it is possible there is more then one city of Furlings” Norho said, their hold on the planet they called home was slowly shrinking. He sat for a long moment in quiet. “What do you think we should do ?”

 

“Try and captuire one ?” Vake ventured, Norho looked at him, was he crazy ?

 

“How ?” Norho asked

 

“Hear me out” Vake said, sure they butted heads in the last year since Norho got the election post of the Pollicles leader. But it allowed for them to prosper albiet in a carefully watched peace.

 

“I am listening” Norho replied, he sat back as Vake explained his idea, capture one of these randomly appearing Furlings, simply to ask them why they're showing up, what their reasons for tresspassing were, that kind of thing. The problem was their clothing was outlandish, almost oriental similar to Taniths own outfit.

 

The three Furlings in question were the trio of Si Ming, Reiko, and Poth, of Huaxian City, the third shipyard city of Ascretta. Known as Sword Domain, these three had been given the technology by Tanith and Thalia, allowing for rapid transport of supplies and other items, and in some cases, spying on and freaking out the Pollicles.

 

Tanith wanted to know their exact numbers, and that meant to appear and reappear and disappear at random zones to get exact numbers of soldiers and weaponry abilities. And the sutff Poth and Si Ming brought back scared Tanith to no extent the last day.

 

“So we try to capture these Furlings that appear at random, how ?” Norho said, they appeared in bursts of light, and what looked like an explosion of ones and zeroes by the look of it, and disappeared the same way they came. “How can we keep them here long enough to question them ? Do we even know where they show up ?”

 

“The last two appearances were from the topmost floor and rooftop of two barracks buildings in the soldiers quarter” Vake replied, he detailed his idea, have German Sheprd breeds guard the top three floors plus the rooftop for the next rotation. Soon as any of the three Furlings appeared on the rooftop, they'd get cornered and spoken to.

 

The issue was, how they were able to appear and disappear so fast was by time anyone saw them, they were already leaving. In this case, they'd be arriving when seen. Norho saw exactly what Vake meant, he nodded. “Alright Vake, take whatever soldiers you can and post them on the topmost three floors of every building. And not just in the Soldiers Quarter, but everywhere. Last thing I want is for one of our matrons to get spooked in the medical halls.” Norho said. So he was more worried for their own young now ? Vake nodded, he could work with that.

 

Vake then left, allowing Norho to once more brood on his own lonesome. He needed to think, and thinking was a good thing when he was able to think on his own.

 

Ascretta

Furling shipyard city

Controlroom

 

“Well, I”ve finished the first ZPM rebuild” Ben reported as Tanith inspected the supplies her daughter had begun stealing from the Pollicles, weapons, some technology, most all of the technology was Furling, but the weapons were something else entirely, stunner pistols, energy rods like the Trust used. It wasnt good. But it was useful.

 

Sort of.

 

“That's good news” Tanith said, she'd made a joke with him about making a common earth battery sized ZPM, and he said he could do it with just a few blades of grass if he had to, and it'd last for a few hours as a powersource.

 

Ben nodded. “Very good news, the construction is not that complex, well, for a human it is, for a Furling, Ancient or myself a Replicator, its not complex at all” He showed off the finished ZPM. “With the resources at hand though I have a few minor things to finalise before it can actually get the power needed. And properly plugged in.

 

“Meaning ?” Tanith asked looking for the stolen weapons crate which she promptly returned t othe pollicles.

 

“Meaning that it wont have power until I finish the source matrix,” Ben said he turned the ZPM upside down and pressed the top part, the orange glow began and steadily got brighter, making a fully powered ZPM in Bens hands. “Tada! One ZPM, complete! Four more to go judging by the power levels”

 

He then set the finished ZPM into the proper slot. “I am rather surprised, from what little I know of Janus or Melia, they'd both tried endlessly to make the transport datastreams, and yet, your daughter figured it out in what ? A day ?”

 

“A day, and several thousand years of research notes to work with.” Tanith told him. That made sense. Way too much sense in fact. Thalia was, according to the history books they'd found, Taniths daughter by blood alone, her only daughter; they'd adopted Blaze and her brothers, same names and all, plus four others, and Cayran was pretty much Thalias adopted aunt too.

 

So all in all it was a bi happy family. Tanith smiled, “Seeing how Thalia was acting, like a kid in the candy store, overjoyed and delighted that she was working with technology which she somehow knew by sheer instinct alone could make it work. I still dont get it when she tries to explain it to me.”

 

“But by having it here with me in the control room allows for it to be better guarded.” Ben said in thought. The control room had a basic brig like on Atlantis, only it was larger with more cells, in this case the datastream transporter was placed in one of trhe cells then placed under drone replicator guard. Since then Thalia and Tanith had been experimenting, and Tanith had twice visited Si Ming and Reiko, and also their friend Poth on Sword Domain on the other side of the planet.

 

Tanith nodded. “And also gives Thalia, and also Tharon and I and the others a sense of privacy too.” It made sense givien what was going on and where it was first built, to have someone drop in was an understatement.

 

“Either way, your daughter is remarkable” Ben said, Carson Beckett had confirmed it, on a genetic level, Thalia was Tanith and Tharons daughter by bloodsample alone, whereas Gabrielle Xang was not related to Tanith or Tharon whatsoever. It somehow worked out.

 

“Yes, she is” Tanith agreed, a sense of motherly pride grew in her heart when she thought of Thalia.

 

“So what is the plan now ?” Ben asked her

 

“At this moment, not much of one, have you detected any recent storms on the planet yet ?” Tanith asked in reply

 

Ben shook is head, “No, not since you recovered those two gents.” He said, Tanith had once again detailed what Sebastian and Shadowdancer looked like, Ben tried to decern if he'd seen either of them before as humans, but it didnt work. From what it sounded like, Shadowdancer was similar to Teal'c, whereas Sebastian was similar to Ronan Dex. In short it made some sense, but not entirely.

 

“Have you spoken with either of them yet ?” Tanith asked him

 

Ben nodded, “yes, actually, Shadowdancer I believe his name is, the big black mancat ?” Tanith nodded at the question, “He came to me wondering if I'd seen others a female similar to himself, and also a white calico. Sadly I have not seen either.” Ben detailed who Shadowdancer spoke of, and Tanith couldnt help but smile, Sundancer, and Kvitter. Two cats she'd yet to meet exactly but they sounded really sweet.

 

“They sound sweet” Tanith mused in thought.

 

“Yes, they do, and the way Shadowdancer described them they sound beautiful as well, as beautiful as a woman in fur can be I guess ?” Ben said, he'd seen some images of runway models showing off gorgeous coats. And many cats were also beautiful so it worked. Somehow, Ben couldnt exactly do the math on his own. A few minutes more and Tanith took her leave of Ben, he got to work on the second ZPM

 

Atlantis

Control Room

That evening

 

Rodney had returned, as did with him, Tej Parker, Rodney of course was excited for all of ten sdeconds before Radek told him about the datastream transporter in Janus lab and that they moved it to the control room near the puddlejumper bay stairs.

 

So now instead of showing Tej Parker his room and how to get around the control tower, Rodney was speaking to Sheppard and Radek concerning the device. “So it just activated in the lab ?”

 

“Yeah, the woman on the other side, Thalia is her name, Taniths daughter, pretty much tackled Radek off his feet when she came through.” Sheppard explained

 

Rodney turned to Radek, “Thalia apparently had been working five thousand years ago and also eleven thousand years ago on a device that works very similar to our own transporter stations here on the city, using subspace across the galaxy to transport data, items and people. Apparently according to the data crystal Thalia sent us, the Furlings in the Milky Way already use such a transportation ability that pretty much renders the stargate useless.” Radek explained

 

“So you moved it here ? Why ?” Rodney asked seeing the three bonelights and the red datastream between them. Signifying it was thankfully set to the off posistion.

 

“We figured it'd be safest here and Thalia even showed us how to safely move it, its three pieces as you can see, they just..... float in place once you set it in the place you want, makes it very easy to move. Apparently it also allows for point to point transportation on a given planet, alarmingly similar to an Asgard transport beam” Radek said. It made Rodney smile, Radek had it all figured out.

 

“Alright, sounds like it'd be best here, can we have a pair of guards to keep an eye on it ?” Rodney said, a pair was assigned for a four hour shift.

 

By that point Tej had ascended the stairs after giving up on trying to read the writing on the stairs and was taking in the Control room, lots of backlit glass, lots of crystals and control crystals. Buttons thankfully. No real screens aside from adapted laptops. “Wow, so this is what you meant by classified huh” He said

 

Sheppard drew his pistol, but didnt aim it, “And you are ?”

 

“Sheppard, Radek, I'd like you to meet Tej Parker, a member of the Toretto family” Rodney said. He then motioned to the others, “Tej, I'd like you to meet Col John Sheppard, and Dr Radek Zalenka, they also live here and will be working with us.”

 

“So this guy is one of those people that Homeworld Security said was working with us dispite what the Agency group called them right ?” Sheppard asked, Rodney and Tej both nodded. John put his gun away. He then stuck out his hand “Welcome to Atlantis”

 

“Thanks” Tej shook Johns hand in return, and then also Radeks hand, “Pleasure to meet you both.” He said Rodney then took him to his lab, surrounded by various screens, a few hanging ancient screens and otherwise. Tej briefly whistled seeing his workspace. “Now this reminds me of that time in London.” he said

 

When Mr Nobody expressed that Tej, Ramsey, Roman and Han get allowed to Atlantis ASAP Tej insisted Dom, Mia and Letty join them, thankfully the blacksite that had Letty was compremised thankfully so in such a way taht an asset was returning Letty to Dom as they had spoken on the screen share.

 

A hour later and Tej was standing in Atlantis, seeing the stargate for the first time, traveling through it, all of it was one adventure after another. And it was not something he wanted to really go through, but seeing it activate for that first time had him in awe, and it also made Rodney a wee bit too smug, and yet seeing the technology that was used to dial the stargate to connect to Atlantis only made Tej all the more interested in the job offer. Exotic locale ? Check!

 

Now he was in Rodney's own lab, there were four laptops on one table, three large screens dominated one wall, and a projection system of some kind was on another wall that pointed towards an empty table.

 

“Lots of laptops I see” Tejs said simply.

 

“Yes, well, it was really the only real mobile form of technology we could bring with us from Earth that first time, they worked so well with the ancient technology that over time we got the larger screens but the laptops can tie into the city directly.” Rodney tried to explain

 

“City ?” Tej asked

 

Rodney nodded, “yeah, here” He hit a key on one of the laptops and a map of the city's control tower appeared. It showed where they were and the people moving around outside the tower in the halls and also a few other zones. “This is just one tower, above us, three floors, is the control room, with stargate operations, above that is the puddle jumper bay” He pointed out the levels as he spoke.

 

“These two levels are the infirmary directly above us, this level directly below us is more labs, and this down here this lab is the greenhouse so to speak; We grow a lot of our own food once we found some nearby landmasses.” Rodney then pointed to the very bottom of the centeral tower. “This room is the most important room in the tower, its the ZedPM and power control room.”

 

“Zed what ?” Tej wondered, but then he saw Rodney was explaining, and then said to allow him to continue.

 

“This room is always under guard by at least four marines and that is round the clock guard.” Rodney explained, he then pointed out the towers around the centeral tower. “These two buildings here, here, here and here, are all apartment complexes, mostly single and two bedroom apartments, each with their own bathroom.”

 

“Lots of glass” Tej spoke up. The model on the computer showed a lot of extra glass everywhere, then again he'd seen a lot of stained glass already. Tej was impressed. “A beautiful city you got here.” He was half tempted to ask if it was possible to grab the city by the butt or just pat it but didnt. Rodney seemed quite proud of the place too. And for that Tej was greatful.

 

“Now that we got that out of the way let me show you where the mess hall is from here, and also get you a room, fro mwhat I understand th eothers will be coming by the way of the Apollo soon as possible, but its an eighteen day trip to get to the Pegasus galaxy from Earth, plus another three days to get from the edge of Pegaus to here” He explained, so it was a twenty one day trip in total.

 

Once shown a nice room, a two bedroom condo really, Han would enjoy it there, but they were waiting until Elle came to the Apollo before heading off. Tej and Rodney went to the mess hall and grabbed some food. “So, what do you think of the city so far ?”

 

“I think its beautiful” Tej said, he'd been given most of a good tour, certain offices, a few rec rooms, the gym, even a combat dojo for sword learning too. “So aside from all the technology studies and work, what exactly do you do in your free time ?”

 

“Oh I tend to dabble in the local wildlife, looking up whats around us, that kind of thing, its not easy keeping a cat here.” Rodney said, he then chuckled, “though now with Tanith as a cat it might get easier.”

 

“That transportation thing, what exactly was it ? I've never seen technology like that before” Tej said, meaning the datastream transporter.

 

“I can clearly tell you that I personally dont know how it works, it was in a lab we found not too long ago, allowed us to explore some of it, found out a few things we didnt want to know, some of the ciphers in it are insane, its one of the reasons you're with me here instead of on the Apollo I could use your help.” That was news, Rodney asking for help ? Unheard of.

 

“Sounds like a plan” They finished their meal and Rodney went for a transporter, the two of them then went to the lab.

 

As the door to the transporter opened on the lab level Rodney was explaining things, “the city has half a dozen of these scattered across the thing, can take you anywhere that is on the map” He said as they rounded the corner. Tej saw the generator and wondered what it was for.

 

“Its just a blank wall ?” He asked

 

“Not entirely, Watch” Rodney hit the three sconces on the wall, three tones in order rang out, it sounded very pretty. The generator then kicked in and powered up. “Come with me, I've got something you'll want to see” Rodney said they went to the wall

 

Tej regarded it slightly, then followed Rodney's example and stepped right through. “Whoa” He turned and pointed at it, “that was...”

 

“Controlled, Magnetic, Harmonic Resonance” Rodney said.

 

Tej blinked, jerking his thumb at the wall “Thats what Tesla was working on before Edison trasshed his lab” Tej said, Rodney smiled, finally someone on his level!

 

The lab was fully brightly lit around them, Tej wandered through it, seeing some of the cihpers on the screens and even some odd models, and what had to be a galileo thermometer. “So that generator powers the lights in here ?”

 

“Far from it it creates a subsonic sound to keep the wall open like a proper doorway whenever anyone is in here preventing the wall from solidifying.” Rodney said, he motioned around him, “The lights came on when we first found it, havent figured out how to turn of them off since.”

 

The two stood for a long moment in quiet, finally Tej asked, “So why show me all of this ?”

 

“What do you mean ?” Rodney asked him

 

“I mean, why bring me here, through the stargate, hell showing me the thing in the first place, bringing me to this city, showing me this lab, what you do for a living ?” Tej replied, for a man who was briefly a wanted terrorist on the FBIs numero wanted list he was confused about why Rodney wanted him there and not Ramsey ?

 

“Because I trust you, and Dom said you were the best when ti came to computers in the private sector, and I needed another set of eyes who can crack codes.” Rodney told him, the last thing he wanted was someone he couldnt trust running things. I mean sure they had the Replicators helping them again, and Fran was more concerned with keeping the city in good shape over anything else.

 

“I might be the best at what I do, but I wasnt fast enough to prevent dante Reyes from draining our accounts and using that money to buy an army to hunt us” Tej said, he leaned against a pillar, “I wasnt able to save Dom on that dam either. We couldnt stop what happened in Rome” Tej was at a loss

 

Rodney raised a finger, “And that my friend is where you can relax, here, this is not Rome, there is no Dante Reyes tracking you guys to the ends of the earth to take you apart one by one, hell we're tracking his movements now. Anything that has a camera we're aware of it. And if we have to we can beam him to a ship right to the brig. We got you out of that dying plane to keep you guys safe, and make sure you were alive.”

 

“And we're sure that Dom is alive ?” Tej asked, he was number one on the Agency's shit list thanks to Dante and Aimes.

 

“Positive, Col Mitchell spoke with Firefox remember ?” Rodney told him, that was true, that was how Tej learned that the mythical Firefox, who was nothing more then a red and gold fox like it was made of fire with a black question mark for an avatar online, was actually a woman. But itwas Dom who knew more then Tej on who and what Firefox really was.

 

“So now what ?” Tej asked, he turned and regarded the lab around him “I mean its a lot to take in”

 

“It is I agree, when Daniel Jackson and I got started in on this it took more then just simple arcaeologist and a scientist like myself to crack even the first cipher, some of the codes are mensa level or even stronger.” Rodney said. He then looked thoughtful, “You did do the blood test right ?”

 

“Yeah, Dr Beckett said he'd radio me with the results, but I havent heard from him since I arrived.” Tej said.

 

“Well, it does take a few days, anyhow so far it shows that the tech is reacting to your touch, here come here let me show you how it works and you can work from there” Rodney said, it sounded like a plan.

 

Within a few minutes, Rodney had Tej set up and the two of them got to work, they found a few ciphers, but with Tej there they managed to crack them.

Chapter 7: Cezch Benoi

Summary:

Han and Gisele reunite on the Apollo in orbit of Earth after witnessing Elle fend off Dante Reyes at her college. Shortly afterweards they begin the twenty one day trip to Atlantis.

Dom witnesses that everyone is completely safe and enroute to Atlantis shortly after Elle is safely aboard the ship. He begins training under Firefox's teaching to get back to full strength

On Ascretta, Bezel and her husband Styx under Macavity's leadership are allowed to freely reside among the Pollicles. and Macavity's dearest daughter Ivy returns to his embrace. At that same moment, Tanith and Thalia, along with Ben speak with Rodney and Tej via stargate and both sides learn a few new things.

At that same moment Tej and Rodney in Janus lab on Atlantis crack a few new ciphers and learn a few things important.

Later that same day, Hobbs is contacted by Homeland Security and after a visit with President Henry Hayes allowed to visit the SGC and cleared for gate travel to Atlantis.

The next day, Ronon calls Dante Reyes and the SGC locks the mans location. Sheppard then meets Luke Hobbs

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 7 Cezch Benoi

 

The Apollo

in orbit of Earth

Sunset SGC time

 

Han paced on the bridge, Col Ellis had been informed of the man, and those with him, and their importance to the stargate program and also to Earth itself, at first not wanting to work with a civilian outsourced but approved by the Agency, a subset, a subset of a subset, it didnt make a lot of sense to Ellis but he didnt complain.

 

He joined Han at the bridge viewport. Datascrolled on the screen, instead of showing a gorgeous view of sunset over California, the viewport showed instead a map screen of where Elle was doing college. “According to the team leader, SG3, they can get her out fast and safe.” Ellis said to Han, trying to ease the mans frazzled nerves.

 

“Soon as the squad confirms she is safe and have her somewhere away from the college and her dorm,” Han had said, only then could Elle get safely transported to the Apollo and then they could safely get away from Dante Reyes. However something else nagged on his mind. “What will we do about Dante Reyes ?”

 

“From what my guys managed to find on him, the mans an absolute monster, sadistic as they come, sick too. Raised by Hernan Reyes in Rio, he's after you guys for what you did to his father, stealing their money in the process.” Ellis said reading off a tablet of what he'd found.

 

“So it seems he's after us because of a money issue ?” Han said aloud. By that point Roman arrived, for once his mouth was shut, he was in absolute awe of the ship. But he had no idea, none of them, did, of what awaited them at Atlantis.

 

Seeing him, Ellis smiled, “Mr Pearce, welcome aboard the Apollo” He said.

 

Roman looked briefly startled, but then saw Col Ellis, “Thank you, sir” He said, finally someone he could talk to aside from mostly silent Air Force soldiers and officers too busy to talk to him or Ramsey, so he went looking first for the comisary and then for Han. He pointed to the planet visible through a camera. “I take it I can thank you for getting us out of the exploding plane ?”

 

Ellis smiled, “Thats right, if it werent for Dr McKays insistnce things would be vastly different. But I guess you could say General O'Niell has need of you and Han, and Ramsey, as well as everyone else we can find. We're tracking Elle now.” Ellis said

 

The map reset to a floor by floor level. Showing a hallway on one side and floor by floor on the other side of the screen. Han pointed, “There, that's Elle's classroom, looks like there's only two people in there.” He looked to Ellis, then to Roman. Unsure of what to do, he hated being so helpless.

 

Roman spoke up, “Is there a way to see whats in that room ?” He pointed to the two lifesigns where Elle was, but had no idea Dante had found her.

 

Ellis nodded, pointing to a friend, “Do it” he said, an instant later and the classroom camera was hacked into, “That doesnt look too good” Ellis hadnt exactly met Ronan Dex yet, but could tell that wasnt him.

 

The classroom was ashambles, completely trashed. Elle and Dante had beaten each other, hard as they could. And Elle was closer to the door holding a jagged metal chair to defend herself, Dante's clothing was torn and he was bleeding from several cuts.

 

“This is Col Ellis of the Apollo, SG3 your charge has our target with her at this moment, retreive Elle safely at all costs, the instant you have her in hand we will beam you out, confirm” Ellis said, Roman and Han stared shocked at the screen, watching the two people lash out, whaling on the other hard and fast.

 

Elle managed to get away from Dantge long enough to open the door, hard, and fast, right into his face, sending the man reeling, Han stilfed a snicker as Roman hollered a “GET HIM!” Like he was watching a boxing match or wrestlemania live. The two men enamored with the fight at hand. Elle scrambled from the ruined classroom right into the safely of SG3

 

“This is Reynolds of SG3, we have the package in hand, beam us out.” An instant later as Dante struggled from the damaged door into the hallway, Elle and the four man team of SG3 disappeared in a burst of bright light and a soft thrumming noise. Dante stared confused. What the hell did he just see ?

 

On the bridge of the Apollo, a beam of light formed, Elle and SG3 appeared. Seeing Han, Elle broke contact with Reynolds with a soft thank you, the man nodded and allowed her to join her friend. The two hugged.

 

The comms went off. “Col, a notice from the SGC, its urgent” The pilot officer said.

 

“This is Ellis, go ahead.” Ellis said, he listened for a good minute, then nodded, “Copy that. Helm head us towards this heading for a point to point beam transfer, make it quick. We got some more folks to recover before we can leave the system.” He turned to Han, “Apparently someone also important to you. And to Mr Toretto. Do you by chance not anyone named Letty toretto.”

 

Han nodded but it was Roman who spoke up “Letty, yeah, shes Doms wife” Roman said as Ramsey appeared, she saw Elle, the two women embraced. Elle was still scared of where she was, still not believing she was in space until Han, and also Ellis, explained the ship and how it worked to her.

 

A few minutes later and anopther point to point beam took place and three women arrived. Letty, Cipher, and Gisele. Han stared, dumstruck at who he was seeing. She smiled, “Looks like I wasnt the only one playing dead for a long time” Han finally got out as they embraced and kissed.

 

“Still want to go to Tokyo ?” She asked him

 

“Been there, done that, not sure if I want to go back” Han said, he then took her by the hand, and introduced her to Elle, then also thanked Ellis.

 

“You guys need anything ? Supplies, cars, food ?” Ellis asked, he was told to try and provide things he could within limits.

 

“I could use some food” Roman said in thought, something that wasnt a military ration at least was what his tone said, it made Ellis smile a man after his own heart.

 

“I'm with you there, currently we're taking on some supplies from your sub we beamed you out of, and once that is done we're going to take on the cook and a few other troops for transfer to Pegasus. We'll be in for a long ride so feel free to settle into your staterooms when you're ready.” Ellis told them. Even with the ZPMs providing the power boost, the boost mostly went to shields and radar control over engine power.

 

An hour later and they were unway, Gisele and Letty saw earth one last time as Cihper simply asked for a medic to help her out. She had no idea where they were going. Letty was worried for Dom, but she received confirmation he was healing and would be joining them soon.

 

But they wondered, how soon ?

 

Earth

Villa Reale Portugal

At that same moment.

 

“The Apollo has left the system” blinked on the screen, but the connection remained. Everyone was safe, Dom breathed a sigh of relief, he had no idea that Tej already was at their destination.

 

“You are worried about them ?” asked the fox at the door, Firefox appeared in her full anthro fox form by that point, it was something of trusting the other. It went both ways, she was helping Dom recover his strength, and in turn she trusted him to not let out her secret until she herself was ready for it to be told.

 

Stepping into the gym as Dom set the weights down the larger man sighed, “Letty is safe, my sister is safe, my son....” Dom faltered, Little B had disappeared the year before, the same time his mothers own gravesite was desecrated, randomly dug up or exploded like a landmine had been laid on it. The castle was blown open and empty.

 

“Word is that your son, and his mother, are both alive.” Firefox told him. She regarded him carefully, “The question is, how will you react to seeing them as they are now ?”

 

“If they are anything like Tanith, I will still love them” Dom said to her. Well that made sense and it also sealed the deal, he'd already seen Taniths feline form, and she had confirmed to him that his son, and his mother Elena were both alive and safe and treated quite well. But they missed him.

 

He set the weight aside and sat up. “How much longer do I have to do this ?” He asked to Firefox, who held a crystal, she tapped it and a screen formed on the wall, “This was filmed by the Apollo a little more then an hour ago” she said, she replayed the video feed, it showed Elle and Dante fighting the classroom and Elle managing to get away, a bright flash of light leaving Dante in confusion and Elle long gone along with a group of four soldiers.

 

“Those four men were sent by my people, Homeworld Security and the SGC to recover Elle and keep her safe at all costs. Dante got to her before they could, but she put up a good fight.” Firefox mused seeing the battle on the screen.

 

“It was sloppy” Dom said in thought, there was no finesse, Dante was a monster, no real focus pattern that Dom could follow, he just did as he liked, how he liked, and when he liked. Not that it was a bad thing, it just somehow worked out. And it made him even more scary then it should have been. He ambushed Dom, made dome an international terrorist. All but destroyed his family!

 

“She got away” Firefox said, he had to agree there. It was hard not to. She turned to him, and smiled, “Alright Dom I believe it is time for a little bit more of a certain type of training, come with me” She said to him, she turned and left the gym, he turned fro mthe weights, then screen, everything, and followe her. She went to a door, opened it then went down a flight of stairs into the basement.

 

Dom could have sworn the basement of the house was built into the hill itself, but it wasnt. Instead she lead him into a hallway and a door with a seal on it, a holographic design of some form he'd only seen on some computers and otherwise. She unl;ocked the room and stepped inside. Inside the room was round, with various circles on the floor.

 

“This is the gravity room, stand on this circle.” Firefox told him, indicating a pale blue circle that lit up as they neared. There were others around a pale green hue. Dom stepped on it and turned towards her. “As the gravity on the circle increases, your own weight will also increase.”

 

“Why ?” Dom asked out of the blue, why something like gravity training ? It didnt make a lot of sense.

 

“Gravity training is what you lack, in a fist fight between yourself and Dante Reyes you would fail bewcause of sheer weight difference. Dante works out daily, almost hourly in fact, rarely sleeps. Is a monster, sadistic and sick.” Firefox said as the gravity counter went up by a tenth of a percent.

 

“The more weight you take, the faster you can become against Dante's own strength regardless of your own weight matching his own.” Firefox explained as the counter climbed up to nearly half a percent more then normal gravity around Dom.

 

Dom was forced to one knee as she spoke, he forced himself to stand back up. Gravity slowly strengthed around him, increasing at a steady speed, finally it was sevent five percent of a full percentage point abofve normal gravity.

 

“In other words you are using technology to make me lighter ?” Dom said finally figuring out what Firefox meant, the Kitsune was a smart fox for sure. Using technology unheard of to the human mind. And there he was, using it in her own home to train.

 

Finally at the end of it all he was able to endur almost a full weight of one percent gravity over his own weight, making him weigh the same as allways. And then it increased, one point zero one, one point zero two, and so forth until it neared one point five zero.

 

Half a percent of normal gravity pushed down on him, and he started to struggle to remain standing upright. “How long do I have to do this ?” Dom asked her

 

“Until you can withstand two percent gravity, thusly doubling your own weight. If you are able to stand for at least half a minute under double your own weight The gravity will then decrease and allow you to exit the circle” Firefox told him as she herself got into another circle and simply waited.

 

Dom struggled to remain standing for long moments as the dial slowly climed to two percent gravity, he was double his own weight at that point, and struggling to stay upright, he'd had it happen before, rescuing Letty, taking down Shaw, taking down Cipher. Everything. Even all those soldiers sent by his brother when he worked for Cipher.

 

None of those fights compared to this!

 

For a good solid minute Dom stood in silence, taking his own weight, double his own weight and remaining on his feet.

 

Finally the gravity relented and he was allowed to exit the circle. He turned to Firefox. “Impressive” she said, she sealed herself in her own circle and the gravity climbed, rapidly. Up past fifty times the true weight of gravity, then again she was a Kitsune. “As you use this system you will get stronger and faster.” She said as she came back down.

 

“Not everyone knows about this system” She told him, “Its primary design is to impose artificxal gravity on starships, you have been aboard the Odyssey, it uses a gravity generation system just like this room to provide artifical gravity aboard the vessel. There is a Zero Gravity room aboard, but it is not used.” Firefox explained to him.

 

She motioned for him to follow her to another room, a device stood there, a punching bag of some sort. “Punch this as hard as you can, it will calculate the weight of your punch impact” Dom nodded, geared up, and let his anger out on the thing as hard as he could. “Fifty five kilograms.” Firefox smiled, about average for a starter using the gravity room.

 

Finally Dom turned to her, confused. “Why all this training ? I thought you were helping me get back on my feet to take down Dante Reyes ?” Dom said to her

 

“He is not the only one you have to take down, for the next twenty one days I am to train you in the gravity room, with the weights and the impact sensor. Dante Reyes knows there is technology beyond him, and he wont stop until he has it.” Firefox told him, she sighed then and crossed her arms, becoming human as she sighed. “But there is also something else. Based on your current weight alone, your impact power. It might not be enough to take on a Furling” She said

 

“You mean like Tanith ?” Dom asked her, she nodded, she held out a hand, like a punching glove

 

“Hit me” She said, “Hit my hand as hard as you can”

 

Dom looked at her confused but then nodded, “OK” He struck hard as he could, the impact cuased a brief flare of energy on her fingernails at their connection and she could feel the rush of power. The impact sensor still read fifty five kilograms of power behind his strike. And it wasnt exactly a strong strike, he could take double his own weight, but not hammer out the same power ?

 

“Hmm” Firefox thought aloud, “Still fifty five kilograms worth of power in your strike.” She said in thought as she lowered his hand, she tapped her chin for a moment, then smiled. “If you manage to do some strength and punch training in the gym and gravity room, that might help increase your impact strength.” She said as Dom instead put his arm on the wall, cornering her.

 

She looked up at him, “Dante Reyes, what do you know about him ?” Dom asked her.

 

“Quite a bit, but, what do you want to know ? His favorite food, his weakness ? His love ?” Firefox replied, not the least bit nervous how he viewed her. He was not viewing her in a sexual way, far from it, he was after all married, happily so. Instead he was cornering her, for information.

 

“Everything you can tell me.” Dom told her before letting her go.

 

“Well, that would be quite the tale to tell. But I'll give you the direct items you'll need to know. The man is a monster, but he is skilled in three kinds of martial arts, which ones I couldnt hope to tell you. He's also a technological self taught genius, and can hack his way into anything given the chance to do so.” Firefox told him.

 

“He attacked Rome and blamed it on us” Dom said as he turned back to the weights, the nearby punching bag hung nearby. He'd start training on that soon he smiled.

 

“Yes, yes he did attack Rome, but he also madse a fatal mistake that will come back to haunt him” Firefox said, a smile on her face.

 

“And what is that ?” Dom asked giving her a sidelong glance.

 

“You survived” She told him.

 

She was right, Dom, Letty, Roman, Tej, Ramsey, even Han they all survived the attack of Rome. Even Jakob survived it. But as Dom looked at her wondering what she meant she explained, “Everything you survive, makes him more and more unhinged. To the point wherein he will lose control even over himself and his own emotions. As evidenced on the dam, and also at the college when his target got away.” Firefox explained. The more Dante lost, the more unhinged he would get, and the more innocent lives would be harmed.

 

“So what do I do ?” Dom asked her, she couldnt be found no matter what Dante tried, because she was always three steps and a mile ahead of him

 

“For the next twenty one days, you train, you regain your strength, you use the gravity room twice a day, once when waking up, and once when about to sleep.” Firefox said, “In the mean time I will help you regain your strength, make sure you are well fed, things like that” she smiled then, he wouldnt have to need for anything.

 

“And my family ?”

 

“All safe, as soon as the twenty one days are up, you'll join them to get ready to take down Dante Reyes, and also some others besides.” Firefox told him. He sighed, now she was spouting nonsense.

 

“What ?” Dom said in answer

 

Firefox brought up another screen no the wall nearby. It showed the battle over antartica. “A fleet of enemy warships and fighters were destroyed over the south pole in two thousand and four. Almost twenty years ago. A year ago your son disappeared in a bolt of lightning, and since two thousand and nine, Dante Reyes had a mole in the US Air Force branch of San Fransisco Bay.” Firefox listed off the dgitial mole, the search hook link in another galaxy.

 

Dante Reyes was a sadistic monster, and yet he fought unlike anything Dom had gone up against. Unknown to Dom, Dante's father had already bought out Aimes back when they were about to steal the vault. Aimes was still a low ranking member of the Agency then, before Dom and his family were hired by Mr Nobody.

 

“So what happens now ?” Dom asked

 

“For now, you train, you eat, and you relax, here on my property, you cant go outside that would allow tracking systems to lock in on you and for Dante to come here, last thing I want is to go against him on my turf” Firefox said, for some reason he had no diea why a Kitsune would be terrified of a human, but then it was Dante Reyes they were talking about.

 

“You're a kitsune, why would you not want him on your turf ?” Dom wanted to ask, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. His stomach growled. It made Firefox smile, “I guess that is a sign you need to eat. Come with me I'll show you to the kitchen” with that she turned and headed from the gravity room. They went back up stairs, the door to the gravity room remained open.

 

“Until the twenty one days are over” Firefox said as they went up the stairs to the main floor. “My house is your house execept for the master bedroom, that's my nest and I'd like to keep it private as much as possible.” Firefox said to him. It made sense to Dom, he wasnt one to intrude unless he had to do so

 

They entered the kitchen, by then Firefox had become a half human half fox woman, her tail was fully visible, her fox feet were visible too, along with thin coat of fur on her legs as well, on her head her fox ears were clearly seen by Dom, he knew it would take some getting used to.

 

His, well, host really, was offering to let him stay for twenty one days, to train, to relax, to be safe, for twenty one days., the exact amount of time needed to get from the Milky Way galaxy to Pegasus, or in this case Earth to Atlantis.

 

Ascretta

The Next Morning

Macavity's complex

Pollicle Zone

 

Bezel was hard at work making the poisons and otherwise, many Pollicles had come to them already for healing medicines and otherwise, and it was hard to keep up, her main goal was to make the poison to take down Tanith, get rid of their top adversiary. And if needed eliminate a lot of other enemies at the same time. Bezel wasnt exactly happy with the arrangement, much preferring to work alone without prying eyes, and yet the pollicles didnt exactly know the meaning behind the term “Alone Time” and many learned about it the hard way.

 

Bezel had been given a nice designed space that felt similar to a mall on Earth, a shop of a sort, a storefront, and the back half allowed for experimenting and making all sorts of things.

 

Styx, her husband did his best to keep the baying mutts at bay so to speak, but it did very little good as Norhos arrangement with Macavity meant they had to help the Pollicles on a medicinial need basis as required.

 

But Bezel tried to ignore the pollicles as much as she was able, and when it became more of a worry, randomly people were appearing and dsisappearing from the Soldiers Quarter of the pollicle zone, and it made Bezel slightly nervous.

 

Finally fed up with the rumors she went out of the shop and locked the door behind her. As she walked along for a breath of fresh air she stopped. Briefly nearby a bright light formed from nowhere whatsoever and left a Furling in its wake. It was a woman Furling, dressed in a dark green to light green oddly oriental patterened dress. Her long mane of hair was done up in a low braid and had a fan in it.

 

Bezel watched for a moment, and knew she'd gotten seen, because Reiko tilted her head in confusion at the sight of the Furling among the Pollicles, seemingly living there freely. A barking was heard, and the green dressed Furling smirked, and disappeared in an explosion of light.

 

What the hell was that about ?” Bezel wondered, She reached to her ear, Norho had outfitted them with some technologies, “Styx, Boss, we might have a problem”

 

“Unwanted vistors ?” Came Macavity's medlodic voice, oddly calmer then he should be.

 

“Yes that's right” Bezel said, “A female, wearing various shades of green, just appeared across the parkland from me before disappearing, I am rpetty sure she saw me” Bezel described what Reiko looked like, a brown and black tabby with white

 

“Sounds similar to the one I saw earlier today” Styx spoke up on the radio “Woman showed up out of nowhere, word red and white clothing, never seen her type before, she seemed to be counting something. When she saw me she disappeared” Styx then dsecribed what Poth looked like.

 

A long moment passed in silence. Finally Macavity said “Return to the shop and await my orders. Bezel, do not worry about the poison for now, I need to find out more of these... guests” He said to her, she nodded even though he couldnt see it.

 

“Yes sir.” She said before turning on her heel, she never heard the orders given to her husband.

 

Bezel returned to her shop and reopened, she was to act as if nothing was wrong, acting only to help Pollicles coming for medicines and toherwise when needed and wasnt to worry of making the poison. As a Jellicle Almathea was Macavity's top poison maker.

 

In his office where Norho allowed him some residence, Macavity began to plot things out, each time the unknown Furlings showed up they seemed to count something before disappearing, and only appearing and disdasppearing from the Soldiers Quarter of the pollicle controlled city. Something was not adding up. And it was starting to grate on him in a unlikeable way.

 

He began mapping out where trhe furlings appeared and disappeared from. They were mapping the soldiers area of the city, the barracks, training grounds, everything, and he still hadnt his full forces either.

 

He found himself missing an old friend; Dante was a good kid, he'd taken a shine to him when the boy was young, trained him as a pickpocket, giving him tips on how to survive. And Macavity wondered briefly just like his old persona of Robert on how Dante was doing.

 

So he decided to see if he could try and get hold of Dante in some way. Or get a means to return to Earth. The Pollicles had no idea what they had under their feet or around them, and if Macavity was right, he could use it, somehow.

 

The unknown furlings were coming from somewhere. Somewhere far but also somewhere nearby. He hadnt seen Tanith yet so he knew it wasnt her. But the first report, the report of a teenage sized Furling suddenly arriving in the barracks and disappearing jhust as quickly had his attention.

 

She was described as Tanith was, dark fur of various shades, but also more white and orange on her chest and hands unlike Tanith who was a dark calico like Tantomile or Coricopat. Which made Macavity smirk, magic worke only so far. He had technology at his beck and call now. He sighed, it was almost time for the morning meal. He still wasnt used to how the time was different compared to what he was used to. A single day on Ascretta, what was called the homeworld by the Pollicles, was a good thirty hours long, fourteen hours of which was daylight.

 

Macavity was thoughtful for long moments even after Styx arrived as ordered on time. For long moments nothing was said as Macavity rubbed his ginger forhead. “What is it Styx ? Tell me you have good news”

 

“I would call it news, boss, but its not exactly what I would call good news” Styx replied

 

“That remains to be seen. Tell it” Macavity said from where he brooded on his office chair, which was remarkably comfy.

 

“The Pollicles reported another storm, there was a single returnee in it, you might want to see her” Styx said, Macaivty looked up, it was how Styx had said the word 'her' that had his attention.

 

“Her ?” Macaivty repeated

 

Styx nodded, “Yes boss, Her. The pollicles reported she wanted to see you” he said

 

Macavity sighed, his daughter Ivy was taken from him by Cassandra and made into an adult kitten when she challenged the yard. But now.... things were different now. “Did they say what she loked like ?”

 

“Almost identical to yourself, the only difference being she is more a cream coloration over direct ginger.” Styx reported.

 

“Where is she now ?” Mac asked as he got to his feet from the desk. “Does she have clothing ?” Mac went to the nearby closet and withdrew a hooded cloak

 

Styx shook his head as he replied. “She is in the next room sir, and no she does not” He sighed, “She insisted on seeing you as quickly as possible. Something about revenge on a certain burmse”

 

Mac smirked, trust Ivy to want to take out Cassie first chance she got. “Alright, I will go to her myself, Styx, you have some new orders, they're simple, go to your wife and make sure she's safe, those appearing and disappearing Furlings are starting to leave a pattern and what they're doing here is not making me any more happier”

 

“Yes sir” Styx said as he went to the door and held it open like a proper doorman for his boss, for once he could see that Macavity was in a happier mood for once. Once Mac was in the other room Styx himself disappeared down a hallway.

 

In the bedroom that was not her fathers the cream himalayan looked around, it was spartan for the most part, a standard bed, desk, lap built into the wall. It was homey. The door slid open and Ivy knew the person behind her came to a dead stop.

 

Macavity kept quiet, watching his daughter, his lost daughter returned. Her flame colored tail swished in the air of the room. “Welcome back” He said at long last, allowing her to slowly turn around at his tone. Iviy was not sure of what to do on seeing her father. The memories of him, the broken mind from Cassandra nagged at her.

 

However before she could speak, Macavity draped a cloak over her shoulders and tied it about her waste like a bathrobe. “No daughter of mine should go around naked, especially with Pollicles around.” He said, there was something of a proud tone to his voice.

 

“Dad” was all Ivy could say for a long moment, Macavity beat her to the punch and pulled her into a hug, the younger Furling cried on his shoulder and hugged her father. The two hugged for a long moment.

 

Macavity let her cry her eyes out, first the reunion, then the sheer releif of finding him again. And finally broke the hug, pulling her back so he could look her in the face he said to her, “You look like hell”

 

“I feel like hell” she replied, her mind had been broken by Cassandra. Now she wanted revenge. “Are the others here ?”

 

Macavity smiled, trust his daughter wanting to take down Cassandra fast as possible. “All in due time my child, all in due time” He said to her. He took her by the hand and lead her through the complex. “We're on a new world now. A world unlike anything we're used to back in London” he told her as he lead her along.

 

Ivy took it all in like a sponge, a cat, a Furling her father called them, was hunting them again ? And when he detailed what the Furling looked like Ivy growled in her throat. Tanith!

 

“I know of her dad.” she said as they walked, he lead her into a condo, a three room affair, with a nice kitchen and two bathrooms. “She was a scout apparently, the Yard didnt know of her, but someone else had her living with them.” she went quiet as they entered, Macavity showed her around.

 

“Welcome to your new or rather old home. Apparently here on this planet we once lived here, you, your mother, myself, and apparently your siblings, far as I am aware, Demeter is with the others but I am not worried about her right now, you are here and you can help me out more.” Macavity explied

 

She looked at him once they had taken a seat on a low sofa. “How exactly ?”

 

“We look alike you and I, almost identical in fur coloration” Macavity said

 

Ivy saw what he was getting at and smiled. “Whats the plan, Dad ?” She asked him

 

“Thats my girl” Macavity replied, he sat up on the sofa and snapped his fingers, a hologram of the pollicle controlled shipyard city on Ascretta appeared on the coffee table between them. “This is our condo where we are now. It over looks the Soldiers Quarter.” He indicated an arm of the shipyard city.

 

“For the last two days unknown Furlings have been appearing, counting something, then disappearing just as quickly, where they are from or who they are remains a mystery, but I want to find out more about them.” Macavity explained, detailing who exactly was appearing, two females, one in various shades of gree, a brown and black and white tabby Furling, and one in red and white, a multicolored tabby of a sort.

 

“You want me to track then, find out where they're coming from ? Why they are coming here ?” Ivy mused. Macavity nodded. “Where do they normally show up ?”

 

“Lately its only been on the upper most levels of the Soldiers Quarter, the last two appearances however were ground level here” Macavity highlighted a zone not far away from where Ivy herself had arrived in the city.

 

“If they come and go as they like, that mgiht be a problem” Ivy mused, “Have you been able to explore the bowels of this place yet ? It might aid in whatever is going on” Ivy said in thought. The shipyard city was huge and they were only in one tower of it. The Pollicles called the entire place home.

 

Macavity shook his head. “Not yet no, why ? What are you thinking ?” He replied. Ivy just smiled, she was already thinknig of a way to find out more of the world she just woke up on.

 

Ascretta

Furling Shipyard City

At that same moment

 

“So there was another storm ?” Tanith asked

 

Ben shook his head, “No, no storm, it was like how Cayran came to you, clear sky over head, bam bolt of energy and she was waking up in front of you kind of thing” Ben told her, he'd been monitoring the radar for signs of storms baring returns as they'd been called.

 

“So someone showed up, in the Pollicle zone, can you hook us in there or have Huaxian residents find out more ?” Tanith said, ever since Thalia had perfected the datastream transportation technology allowing instant transfer from one part of the planet to the next without need of the puddlejumper, Tantih still preferred to use it.

 

“I can ask the Lv Family to look into it.” Ben said, with the datastream perfected, Huaxin City on Sword Domain, the continent on the other side of the planet was faster to get to and could spy on the Pollicles, and last two days had Reiko and Poth scoping out the nubmers, and their last reports of Furlings living freely among the Pollicles had Tanith worried.

 

“Please do, thanks Ben” Tanith told him, the Furling then went to the Silent Night, going over its preflight check list which was easy. It didnt need for power. And Tanith was bored. Thalia shortly joined her. As a teenager, she wasnt sure how to handle the other Furlings of the initial twenty five that arrived the year before.

 

Munkus was nice enough, Tugger too. But the other soldiers, Skimble, Brutus, Tumble and Puncival were all rather friendly. Skimble felt more like a kindly grandfather type then anything more. Thalia was unsure if she should be around the other males.

 

But of the others, Misto was almost constantly in the data crystal room with Tantomile, Victoria was aloof and barely able to be found, Cassandra was sometimes confusing, but also quite nice. Of the kittens as they were called, Jemmia, Victoria, Electra, and Ecetera were nice enough too. But Electra Thalia felt was too tomboyish for her likes. And she really hadnt been able to meet the White Cat as it were

 

So Thalia mostly stuck with Blaze and her brothers, they were after all apparently family. But at this moment she found herself looking at Blazes brothers as more then brothers, and it kind of scared her.

 

So taking a bit of time the mother and daughter duo went into orbit obn the Silent Night and shot the shit really, occasionally taking turns shooting things in oribt. The asteroids in orbit were perfect for the needs to just shoot things and get it out of ones system.

 

But Tanith knew they wouldnt stick around for long. “Mom” Thalia finally said, Tanith looked to her, “I cant help but shake the feeling that something is wrong back on Earth.” She said looking to her mother.

 

“I know wht you mean, Rodney's last report to us from Atlantis was nothing short of insane and very worrying.” Tanith didnt like it, but it only happened, it just happened! It had only been a few hours since Race Wars when shit went down in Rome, and in Portugal.

 

And thankfully everyone but Dom was enroute to Atlantis for their own safety. “You worried about Dom, mom ?” Thalia asked

 

“More then a little bit, yes” Tanith replied. She sighed, the report from Col Ellis of where Dominic Toretto was made her only a little bit more relived of where her friend was. Her other worry was her father.

 

“It will be alright mom, you'll see” Thalia said placing a gentle hand on her mothers own hand. The feeling of her daughters rassurance was enough to make Tanith agree. The two returned to Ascretta and met up with Ben once more. The other three Furlings with him working in the control monitoring things were mostly calm for the most part. The stargate activated, it was Rodney.

 

On the screen Rodney appeared, it was time to have a chat. “Any news from Earth ?” Tanith asked

 

“Yes, both good and bad news” Rodney replied

 

“I'll take what I can get” Tanith replied after introductions were made between Rodney and Thalia. “Whats up ?”

 

“The good news is, we got the rest of the Toretto roost, so to speak, Roman, Ramsey, Han, Elle, Letty, Giesle, Cihper, only three we're missing is Dominic and Mia, and her husband, Brian, but we cant get either one. Yet.” Rodney said rattling of the list.

 

“I take it they're enroute via ship from Earth ?” Tanith said

 

“Thats right, Apollo has them on board as we speak, they just left the core of the Milky Way heading here. They'll be here in nineteen days.” Rodney said, even with the ZPMs Atlantis provided their ships with they still couldnt exactly get here fast enough. A ZPM powered ship could only take just under four days to get there.

 

“And Jakob Toretto ?” Thalia asked. Rodney had to remebmer who he was talking to, a slightly smaller Tanith, but one just as important

 

He nodded. “Safely with a Homeland Security medical center in Portugal, dunno where though, Dom Toretto is somewhere in Portugal as well, we spoke with his benfactor twice now and she insists on hold onto him until the rest of the family shows up here”

 

“I take it the reason you sent that video feed to us was sent for a reason ?” Tanith then asked, she'd seen the video of Elle vs Dante and even Thalia had asked why and how Ronan had gotten to Earth so fast.

 

But it didnt matter much from that point, Tej got on the screen and recognised both Tanith and Thalia, at least after introduciung herself as Gaberielle Xang did Tej manager to figure it out. She was the one who disappeared from Race Wars two weeks before.

 

“Yeah, Elle managed to fight off Dante, didnt think shed have it in her, using a broken chair like that, then the classroom door in his face that hard ? Its only sheer dumb luck she managed to get away. Where that SG team not there, she'd have been grabbed by Dante and killed on camera” Tej said.

 

“So what happens now ?” Tanith asked, she and her daughter traded looks

 

“Dante, as in Dante Reyes ?” Thalia asked, shivering at the name she spoke. “I got a bad feeling about him Mom.”

 

“Yeah, thats him” Tej said, “The scumbag drained our money and used it to buy an army to hunt us.” Tej then realised what was just said, “Wait, mom ?” He looked between Tanith and Thalia, “How is she your daughter ? Werent you the same age at Race Wars ?”

 

“Its complicated, Radek could better explain it” Tanith said, she still didnt understand how it all worked. And it only made her more confused when trying to figure it out.

 

Little over an hour later and everything was set, Rodney was overjoyed about the datastream transporter, and Ben had told him on the connection status and how he was keeping it guarded in the control tower of Ascretta, so it allowed a bit of a breath of fresh air.

 

At least once Thalia said of the connection to the other shipyard city where Si Ming and Reiko were from, Thalia had given them a control crystal to allow them to spy on the Pollicles and chart out their soldiers abilities, also to map out the city the Pollicles lived in.

 

Nobody knew what to expect from the pollicles but the latest update from Si Ming was the most worrysome, they'd found Macavity and the two who arrived with him, Lucein was his name, and he'd gone back to his old ways it appeared. Not that it was a bad thing.

 

Then again it was a bad thing, given two other Furlings were living freely among the Pollicles. But Reiko couldnt hope to identify them by name, only by appearance. Reikos report of the furling female and male living among the Pollicles freely was a odd thing to take note of, but then it was the sight of the ginger furred male occasionally spotted freely in an office like space seemingly left ot his own devices and not as a prisoner had Taniths complete attention.

 

Almost a day later was when things could get hairy, and not in the fun way either. But they still had eightteen days before Dom joined everyone else. Tanith and Thalia returned to their small town they now inhabited with the others. Thalia had been formally introduced then to Skimble and to Jellylorum, who was basically the nurse, with her was jennyanydots, who went by the name of Jenny most of the time.

 

Thalia was given a clean bill of health even though shed been confirmed to be Tanith and Tharons daughter. Finally Tanith was with Tharon, just the two of them in their bedroom. Tharon saw her sitting by the window watching the younger Furlings, Thalia among them enjoying themselves in the small parkland area below.

 

Tharon sat next to her, and she leaned into him, the two of then snuggled for a few long moments, Tanith somehow was happy. “Something on your mind dear ?” Tharon asked her.

 

“It is Thalia, mostly” Tanith replied, she said nothing of Macaivty or those with him living in the Pollicle zone, Vake, Tjend and Laime were all helpfully in relocating Furlings that showed up to their proper city thanks to their friendship. Brutus and Tumble, along with Pounce and Zane were always bringing in new arrivals, the latest, a female named Fawn, got to work right off the bat with Jenny and Jelly.

 

Shadow and Seb as they liked to be called took up their post at the border keeping an eye on things, and a gorgeous tabby female showed up on her own, having been instructed to find Tanith by suggestion of Mungojerrie.

 

The family was growing, The new tabby female, named Adrestia who preferred the name Alta or Addy, Tanith somehow knew thanks to finding the journal of the old historian in the tomb. Alta was a scout, and given the same task as Mungojerrie was, to scout around, find resources, and other Furlings who had arrived on a whim.

 

Armed and ready Alta went out, this time planning on taking on some Pollicles for what they had done in the ancient past. It gave Tanith some peace of mind for the most part, and it made her happier then she normally was. It meant she and Tharon didnt have to go out daily to find others. They had some they could count on for that task.

 

Ben continued to harvest resources. Soon he said the next ZPM would be ready. That would make four total fully powered ZPMs and still two more to remake or at least refuel ? It was hard to explain but he did edxplain it fairly simple that it was easier to replace over refuel.

 

So that left Tanith and Tharon able to relax, they still had only the one puddlejumper, The Silent Night and sadly the resources didnt allow just yet for them to make another one. So as Tanith and Tharon watched the younger kittens, there were Blaze, her brothers, Thalia, and also the four female kittens of Jemmia, Victoria, Ecetera, and Electra enjoying themselves. Cayran and Skimble were keeping an eye on them.

 

“Did Thalia do something wrong ?” Tharon asked

 

“Far from it” Tanith replied, she turned to him, nuzzling as she did so. “She figured out something the Ancients had tried to do, and it only took her an hour. Rodney wants her to come to Atlantis and see if she can help crack some codes in Janus lab, he only told me theres a few ciphers that could make a mensa master blush with anger unable to break them.” Tanith said to him.

 

Tharon smiled and hugged her close, “And you want our little genius to take a crack at some of those ciphers ?”

 

“Only if she wants to, she hasnt been through the stargate yet, and has been to Atlantis, but by way of the datastream transporter.” Tanith explained, it made Tharon smile, his daughter, a genius with technology.

 

“Well, the histories did say that Thalia was a technological powerhouse, overseeing the technology development of our race for a long time until the darkness arrived in the form of the Pollicles all those years ago.” Tharon said to her

 

“Indeed. If it wasnt for her technology we wouldnt have survived on Earth for so long either.” Tanith agreed, Thalias technology five thousand years before when they went to Earth from Ascretta was by way of both datastream and magical power. The advanced technology they possessed even on earth, the tracking systems, expansion rods and staves, the almost digital like technology was incredibly helpful.

 

“If all else fails we can ask Rodney for advice, or even Dr Jackson” Tharon mused, he'd met both men a few times and they were both agreeable men to work with, Tharon enjoyed their company, and he also liked how Rodney was towards him and his wife, incredibly gentle, and also incredibly kind, like a proper cat owner.

 

“True” With that Tanith yawned big, “I think I need a nap” she said, curling up against her husband, Tharon picked her up, bridial style and carried her to the bed. It had already been a long morning. As she curled up on the bed, Tharon laying the blanket over her, Tanith asked him, “You wont be too far will you ?”

 

“No dear, I'll be in the other room, watching the kids. I wont leave our condo unless you want me to.” Tharon told her, kissing her on the forhead. A moment later and Tharon was seated in the living area of the condo watching the kids through the massive windows.

 

Atlantis

At that same moment

Janus Lab

 

“Man, some of these ciphers are intense” Tej mumbled, he rubbed his eyes, they'd been at it most of the night, they'd managed to take a crack at a scant few of them, ancient writing was one thing, but the codes were something else. One of the entries they found was for the attero device, and how to fix it, but Janus never followed up on it, Rodney left it alone, even though the device was destroyed it still meant a few minor issues were left for the Wraith to contend with.

 

Steeping from a console, Rodney took a seat, “We can turn in if you want” He said, tej shook his head

 

“Nah, man” He said, “The opportunity to research incredibly complex systems on another planet; I'm too excited to go to sleep” Tej couldnt help but smile, he figured out a cipher that Rodney and Daniel had trouble with, he cracked it, and it lead to another puzzle. But it looked easier.

 

“Whoa” Rodney stared at the screen. On it was a complex set of puzzles, image puzzles by the look of them alone. “I wonder what these are for” He found some notes, something was hidden in each image, they had to identify what was hidden, and why it was hidden.

 

“Looks like a typical seek and find” Tej said

 

“More like a seek and find the reasoning why its hidden” Rodney replied. The two got right to work, trying to find exactly where and why the items in the six images, in two rows of three, were hidden, and also what was hidden in each one.

 

The first two images were easy, an item, a sphere of some kind was hidden in two images, The two went back at it, this cipher was slightly easier then the last. Not only did they have to find the hidden objects in the images, but they also had to figure out why they were hidden in the first place.

 

Morse code was in a few ciphers and made them more fun, and when it came to properly switching writing bits around for Ancient Writing the main codex and otherwise were confusing on many levels.

 

Tej sat back in his chair, stairing at the ceiling for long moments. It was almost sunrise. “You know we really can go get some sleep, we've been at this nearly all night.” Rodney said, it wasnt that he wanted to one up on Tej, far from it. In this case he was actually more concerned for Tej's wellbeing over anything else.

 

Tej stared at the ceiling, “Night” He said softly, he sat up, looking at Rodney, “Has any of the other ciphers you came across include the word night in them ? Or at least a variation of it ?”

 

“A few, why ?” Rodney replied with a nod.

 

“I think I got something," Tej said. “Bring them on the screen” Rodney did so, nine different ciphers appeared on the screen alongside the six images. “OK, night, nightfall....” Tej started piecing together two ciphers into one. In this case the darkness image they had to find something in could only work if nightfall was used. It inverted the image colors allowing the true image to get revealed.

 

“I never thought of combining ciphers before” Rodney mused.

 

“Sometimes its easy to miss, other times not so much.” Tej said, he'd thought of it on a whim. The time logs for Janus using the lab was almost exlusivly at nightfall or daybreak never during either time. “Ok it looks like a log in clock” He said seeing how time was denoted

 

“What are you thinking,?” Rodney asked, looking at the screen.

 

“Alright look, that's the clock, looks like a login timestamp. And here, is a logout timestamp” Tej pointed to two different ancient times. “Its possible Janus was only in this lab for two hours a day, one hour in the morning at sunrise, one hour at nightfall. Never in between”

 

Rodney sighed, “huh, so its been in front of us the whole time, only during those two time periods of the day can the ciphers get cracked.”

 

“What have you managed to figure out so far aside from the datastream transporter as... Dr Zelenka called it ?” Tej asked

 

“Yeah a few things, namely, power and systems control logs, personal day planner, notes on the Lantean hyperdrives. And then stuff on the Furlings. Lots of stuff on the Furlings. Also a section dedicated strictly to the Stargate but we havent been really able to figure it out.” Rodney said, he blinked, then looked at Tej confused, “Why ? What are you thinking ?”

 

“I'm thinking that this Janus fellow only came to this lab twice a day, spent an hour in here, then did other stuff during the day, and slept at night” Tej said, he'd enver met an Ancient, but somehow had the gene and it only made him slightly nervous.

 

“So if we do the same ?” Rodney mused aloud

 

“I dont think it would make much of a difference for us if we did the same thing he did, you guys managed to find this place after all, possibly spent as much time as possible in here too” Tej said

 

Rodney nodded, “Yeah that's true, we find the lab and start searching and cracking the easier of the ciphers, less then twenty four hours later we got grabbed by some friends who wanted our help with a hyperspace static device” Rodney explained. It was kind of a horrifying memory, but it was also a nice one since he knew ancient technology so well.

 

“So what do we do ?” Tej asked

 

“We get something to eat I'm famished” Rodney said setting a crystal panel on the console and getting up from his chair, Tej agreed and also went with Rodney, the lab door sealed. Tej whistled then now that he got a good look at the hallway.

 

“Is that a water line ?” He asked

 

“Yeah, this was one of the first areas to flood when we got here when the city rose to the surface. Werent able to get here until a few years ago to explore it.” Rodney said, the two then went to the mess hall for some chow.

 

In the mess hall, Tej and Rodney got some food, they had a pretty good set of cooks on Atlantis and with steady supplies and trading withhe Athosians it allowed for more then just military rations to be the food of choice. Though Rodney personally didnt mind it, infact if you asked him he'd complain and say he enjoyed military rations, hospital food too, the only reason he didnt like airline food was because he couldnt get seconds.

 

Once seated at table, Rodney explained one of the reasons he needed Tej with him and why he sked for him in the first place. “The guy, Dante Reyes, he and his tech nuts planted back in two thousand and nine a data tracker, allowing him to search the atlantis database via subspace whenver he needed to. Fran wanted to remove it but I said no, lets see what it searches for instead. So now shes tracking it.” He said.

 

“Fran, the lady I met at your lab ?” Tej asked

 

Rodney nodded, “yes, stands for Friendly Replicator Android, its a long story but short version is Fran, Ben, Max, anyone who looks like a twin of someone else but in a less Earth styled outfit like you and I or even Radek or Sheppard, is a Replicator, a self replicating robot in human form” Rodney explained.

 

“There's more ?” Tej was surprised to find out there were friendly robots who didnt want to enslave or destroy humans Fran and the others on Atlantis were kind and helpful and wanted to ensure the humans were happy, it was their design code after all. Infact there was something of a comedic attempt at a belief chip for silicon heaven. But Rodney threw that idea out right off the bat.

 

Once created by the Atlantis device to make a replicator, they simply wanted to serve and work with the Atlantis residents even if they werent the Ancients originally. But even then they were kind and instead of rebeling, the Replicators recently created simply worked to keep the city in good shape, even going so far as to ensure the wormhole drive and the hyperdrive was both repaired and operational. Which was how Atlantis was back on its original planet of Lantea.

 

“There's still a few people you need to meet, but for now, enjoy breakfast, and I might give you more of a tour, so far you've seen Janus lab, the living quarters and the stargate operations control room, as well as the mess hall” Rodney said to Tej, the two men ate for a few minutes in silence.

 

As they were finishing their meal Rodney's radio went off. “McKay” he said, “Right I was planning on that, sure we can come up, we're finishing breakfast” alright see you then” he looked towards Tej who was finishing up his juice. “That was Mr Woosley, our fearless leader so to speak, you still gotta meet up with him, dont worry he doesnt bite as bad as col Carter did.” Carter was a good leader for Atlantis, but boy did she run a tight ship, Woolsey was a little tighter, but also a bit looser.

 

A few minutes later and they entered a transporter to the control tower. As they walked Rodney explained more of the stargate program to Tej and also how it worked under Homeland Security under the heading of Homeworld Security, allowing for interstellar travel, as well as protecting earth at all costs.

 

They arrived in the centeral tower and climed a set of stairs in front of the stargate. Tej turned and marveled at it, compared to the one on Earth this was more digital, very much so. Given it was entirely crystal based and somehow did the job perfectly.

 

Up another flight of stairs back into the controlroom they found Richard Woolsey talkig to Chuck at the control console overlooking the stargate. “You're absolutely sure that thing is safe ?” Woolsey was asking concerning the datastream transporter behind the screen nearby.

 

“Positive, apparently the Furlings use them to get around on their worlds instead of using the stargate, my guess is to connect to any of the other outposts they'd need the gate” Chuck replied, he sighed, “Dr Zelenka explained it to me, so you might need to ask him or the rather pretty cat lady who invented it. They worked on it together in Janus lab before getting moved here”

 

“So with it under guard we wont hve any unexpected visitors ?” Woolsey asked, Chuck shook his head. “Good, thats what I wanted to know.” He looked up as Rodney and Tej arrived. “Mr Parker I trust you're settling in to your new accomendations ?”

 

“I am so far, Dr McKay is a good guide. Glad to be working with him.” Tej replied, even Rodney was surprised at such praise, normally he was screamed at when things went wrong. He shook Woolsey's hand, “Tej Parker,” He said introduding himself to Woolsey.

 

“Richard Woolsey” Richard replied, "you've met Dr McKay, and Col Sheppard already, so I'll let them fill you in on the rest of things, in the mean time if you dont mind stepping into my office to help me with something before you get fully settled I just need a few things clarified from your side of the story.” He said

 

“Sure” Tej said, trading looks with Rodney, who threw him a thumbs up.

 

Once inside Woolsey's office the two sat down, it was spacious, and looked out over the gateroom and had a bridge connection to the control room. “I was just back at Earth, went over your file, its quite the read, but I am ready to accept your posting here, so long as you want to be here. However seeing how the attack in Rome went, this Dante Reyes character.” Woolsey faltered slightly.

 

Tej nodded, the door slid shut as Wollsey spoke.

 

“What can you tell me about him ?” Woolsey asked

 

“For a brief minute when I arrived I thought he was here already” Tej said, he detailed Ronan Dex, “Only thing he was dressed differnetly, Dante Reyes was always dressed in flamoyant outfits, mostly business suits in some cases.” Tej explained, he sighed, “He's a tech genius, drained our accounts before I could stop him”

 

“We reinstated everything he took.” Woolsey said, he read the report after all, “Dr McKay insists that you and everyone else will be very helpful here at Atlantis, I hope he's right, but given what I've read so far of whats been going on back on Earth, this dam explosion in Portugal has us worried.”

 

“I was told not to worry about that” Tej said

 

“Yes, so was I” Richard replied, “Seems our mutual family member, Mr Dominic Toretto was dragged from the floodplain to someones home, and against our will is being kept there for the next eighteen days.” Firefox insisted on twenty one days to train Dominic, get him back to full stregnth.

 

“So what happens now ?” Tej asked

 

“I want your personal assurance that I know I can trust you, Dr McKay already trusts you, you worked with the Agency on a few missions, and thanks to Aimes, we're working on shuttering it, putting Mr Nobody back at the top. Problem is we lost track of Aimes. But not Dante.” Richard explained the fight he'd witnessed, Tej nodded, he'd seen it to

 

“But the guy I saw, that wasnt Dante Reyes ?” Tej asked

 

“No, that is one of our SGA1 team members, he is Specialist Ronan Dex, his homeworld is Sateda here in the Pegasus galaxy.” Richard explained to Tech exactly what Ronan did, and how he fought, nothing like Dante Reyes.

 

“So its possible the sadistic nut back on Earth and Mr Dex here both might look alike, but are completely different ?” Tej asked, Woolsey nodded. That was that, Tej nodded, “Right, alright I havent introduced myself to him yet, but Col Sheppard seems pretty nice. Insisted on a gym training session, but we havent gotten to it yet.”

 

Wollsey nodded. “Yes, all new personel to Atlantis undergo a mandetory gym session for the first week, an hour a day, but since you've been here all of one day so far and two days at the SGC undergoing medical screenings and checks there. I'll waive your first session and allow you to get some sleep, tomorrow after breakfast, an hour in the gym.” Woolsey said to Tej

 

Tej nodded, it sounded like a good plan, new arrivals, they stay a year or two, the first week is combat tests in the gym to ensure they're up to snuff, and if they want to they can keep at it afterwards. Though Richard insisted he get some sleep Rodney came in. He had some news, some of the ciphers from Janus lab did indeed intermix. And maybe a good night of sleep could clear the head too. Richard insisted they both hit the sack for the day and get back at it in the evening.

 

They both agreed.

 

A few hours later

Atlantis Control room

 

“So this Dante Reyes guy has a search bar in our database ?” Sheppard asked.

 

“Yes, but from what Fran told me the only things its searching is the reasons behind the lightning strikes back on Earth and where they lead to, and why” Woolsey told him.

 

“So what do you think ? Should we hunt this guy or let him try and come to us ?” Sheppard asked.

 

“I was hoping for Ronan Dex's input on this, since the man in question looks a lot like him according to Mr Parker's assessment and confirmation of sight of the man on the security feed from the university where he attacked a student we were sent to extract.” Richard said

 

“Was the student safe ?” John asked, suddenly worried, his soldier instincts kicking in.

 

“Thanklfully she managed to fight him off, SG3 was able to safely recover her and beam her to the Apollo, they're on their way here as we speak and will be here in eighteen days.” Richard told him

 

“My input on what ?” Ronan asked as he arrived. Overhearing part of the conversation he kept quiet, Richard turned to him, Sheppard said a good evening, Ronan had been on Sateda for the day and had just returned per standard stargate activating time.

 

“Glad you could make it” Sheppard said

 

“Got briefly held up back at Sateda. Whats going on ?” Ronon asked

 

“Apparently back on earth there's a dude who looks like you, but is three times as sadistic.” John said

 

“And that is putting it lightly, apparently there is a man named Dante Reyes who is currently hunting some of our new members of the Atlantis expedition team. We were hoping you could talk to one of the members of the new group about this.” Woolsey then pointed at the screen. Allowing Ronon to watch the fight between Elle and Dante Reyes.

 

“He looks similar to me, but I dont wear my hair like that.” Ronon wore entirely different clothing too. He watched the video feed to its ending, “I can see the resemblence to me but that isnt me, if you want I can give the guy here some pointers, but I dont know how much good it'll do” Ronon said

 

“That much I was hoping for, Mr Parker will be with Dr McKay in Janus' lab location this evening as the sun sets, you can speak to him then if you want. Until then I also said that he could waive todays session in the gym, however after breakfast tomorrow morning he'll join you there for his first session for the mandetory weekly gym for new arrivals.” Woolsey told Sheppard

 

“Sounds good to me” John said, he liked Tej Parker, so he wanted to see what the man knew for self defense, among other things.

 

“In the mean time, the SGC asked for you,” Woolsey turned to Sheppard, “It seems our mutual Firefox wants to know more about some members of Dominic Torettos family, and why Dante Reyes is so intent on making them all suffer. I was hoping you could find out more, the daily check in is in ten minutes and I'd like you here for that” Richard said

 

“Can do” John said to him. So long as he wasnt on patrol or stuck in a Jumper, he'd be fine.

 

“This Dante Reyes, shouldnt we try and lock him up ?” Ronon asked out of the blue then.

 

“Right now we're tracking him, the goal of a certain party is for him and Dominic Toretto to clash and for Toretto to remove him from the equasion. The problem is our third party is also insisting on training Toretto themselves for the next eighteen days.”

 

“Why eighteen days ?” Ronon and Sheppard asked

 

“Because that is how long they have until the Apollo arrives” Richard said, “Soon as the Apollo arrives and offloads supplies, as well as offloads the remainder of our new personel in addition to Mr Parker, we can only wait and track Dante Reyes movements, we've frozen his accounts for money execept for a cash line, he cant use wire transfers whatsoever. But he can still withdraw cash from his bank in Rio.” Woolsey explained

 

“Thankfully according to the Hammond he seems to be hiding in Rio, we're also looking at trying to track down Aimes too” Woolsey shook his head, it was a long week, a painful week at that. Roman was given the intel on Rome itself, and the family went with it. Only for 5the fallout to begin.

 

Woolsey sighed, “When the contact with Earth begins I'll be in my office going over reports. In the mean time, make sure we got everything we'll need for the next two weeks.” He said to Sheppard who nodded, Woolsey didnt have to do a daily report, but most everyone else did who wanted to do so.

 

With the ZPMs powering even the SGC it allowed for instant connection between earth and Atlantis. And also allowed for instant communication at a moments notice. So when the stargate activated for a incoming wormhole everyone was ready for the daily update from Earth.

 

But it was the revelation from the SGC of Dominic Torettos progress, they'd been getting a daily report, twice daily report from Firefox concerning Dominic Troetto and his progress in recovering from his ambush in portugal. And try as they might, they couldnt get past Firefox's preventive measures. The asgard core seemingly refused to try and do anything regarding it.

 

Dominic Toretto was effectively on his own, in the care of a unknown third party known only as Firefox. However the news of his brother, Jakob Toretto was just slightly better, the Hammond was able to safely beam him up before Dante could get to him.

 

This was leaving Dante Reyes with less and less options for tracking his targets, Dominic was MIA, Jakob was gone just like Elle was, and he had no idea whatsoever on where to even begin searching for Mia and Brian O'Conner

 

However they managed to track him, he'd returned to Rio, the passport office in Rio almost didnt allow him to return until his passport cleared, turned out he was allowed to return to his homeland without issue.

 

And then there was the issue of the man in the Agency known only as Aimes. Try as the SGC might, they couldnt track him down, Little Nobody however might be able to do so if he knew where to start.

 

Thankfully it was Luke Hobbs, tapped by Homeworld Security to visit the White House to have a chat with President Hayes. Who, odd as it was, received such a huge outcry when he was to step down in the end of his second term as president, the american public wrote him in anyway as a indipendent canidate, and he somehow won.

 

The White House

Washington DC

Just before dinner

 

Luke Hobbs was allowed into the Oval Office, the room was empty, but there was a stack of papers on the desk in a box labled TOP SECRET. The man who showed him in, General Francis Maynard, indicated the box of papers, “Feel free to give it a read, it'll help you know whats going on and why you're here” He said

 

With that Hobbs was left alone in the Oval Office. The presidents office, and was reading about the stargate program. Two mission reports, both of which concerning the events in the south pole and the plauge that hammered earth were in the stack of papers. Along with pictures.

 

“Oh good I see you're reading” Came the voice of President Hayes, turning to him Hobbs took the older man in and stood at attention. “At ease, at ease.” He motioned to the sofas nearby, “please, sit down”

 

A good minute of quiet was had as Hayes went to the nearby liquor cabinet, “Would you like something ?”

 

“Oh, yes, please.” Hobbs replied, he still couldnt believe what he was seeing. When hayes brought the wine over, Hobbs set the file on the coffee table. “This is insane” He said, he accepted the offered glass. “Thank you”

 

“I said the exact same thing, when I was first sworn in ten years ago for my first term, and this was dropped on me. I didnt know what to think. But now. What do you think ?” Hayes asked him

 

“I only have two questions.” Hobbs said as he took a sip of his wine, he set the glass on the table and leaned forwards, “The first one is simple, there's a sumbitch out there named Dante Reyes, and I should be hunting him down, he took down Toretto and his crew, even took on the Agency somehow and apparently won. So what are we doing about him ?”

 

“Right now Dante Reyes isnt your concern. I understand how you feel of him and why you want to go after him. But right now, you got much much bigger fish to fry.” Heyes told him. He had a fatherly smile on his face and it told Hobbs that there was a no nonsense man behind it telling him the truth.

 

“I'm listening” Hobbs said to the president.

 

Hayes smiled, “Good, that will help in the long run, What do you know of Lt Col Tanith Raines of Long Beach California ?” Hayes asked him

 

“Ran with Toretto from what I heard on the street, also did drugs for a spell before she bottomed out. Did a stint in the Marines, last I knew she still worked with them at one of their camps” Hobbs said, he looked at Hayes, “Why ?”

 

“If I told you Tanith is in another galaxy, and not human, what would you do ?” Hayes said to him

 

“I'd think you've had too much wine. But after what happened in the Opera House last week during that show, I'll believe anything.” Hobbs said, he and his daughter had went to see a showing in Sacremento of Cats the musical at the Sacremento Opera House, only to have at the end of the last song some kind of power surge and explosion, next thing anyone knew, the cast on the stage was gone. Melted microphones left where they stood.

 

“And if I told you that Tanith specifically asked for you, what would you say ?” Heyes asked him

 

“I'd ask what she wants me to do and where she wants me to go” He might have been a federal agent at one point, but Tanith still outranked him as a soldier wherever the fuck she was.

 

Hayes sat up on his chair and spoke, “Tanith Raines asked for you directly because you took down Toretto in Rio, but then joined with him and took down the top guy there. Even the govenor of Brazil was scared of the guy.” Heyes said, he stood. He set his glass on the desk. “Your job is simple.” He went to the bvos and pulled out the third file. It was everything they could get on the current wereabouts of Aimes. “We're dismantling the Agency, most of it has already been absorbed int parts of the Homeland Security Administration. This man and those under his command however went rogue before we could capture them. Your job is to take them in, gather whatever team you need or do it yourself. Odds are good you'll contend with Hernan Reyes son, Dante.”

 

Hobbs was handed a picture of Dante and he gave a low whistle. “And this man is all because of his father” Hernan Reyes team had taken out Hobbs own team. He then destroyed, with Torettos help, Hernan Reyes.

 

So that meant something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. He set the file aside, finished his wine and stood up, looking to the President he said “Mr President, what are my orders, sir ?”

 

“At the moment you're to get a good night of rest, first thing in the morning there is a C130 waiting for you at the airport, your mission profile is logged into it. It'll take you to Colorado Springs Colorado at Petersen Air Force Base. From there you'll get directed by Gerneral Hank Landry.” Hayes said to him, he picked up something from the desk, and held it out to Hobbs, “Consider yourself a member of the Atlantis Expedition.” He said.

 

“Yes sir, thank you sir” Hobbs said, his newest worry for his daughter.

 

“Dont worry, I made sure to have a secret service detail put on your daughter, she's got a man with her watching her back while you're gone. You can rest easy son” Hayes said to him, a smile on his face

 

“Thank you sir,” Hobbs said, taking Hayes hand in his own and shaking it.

 

Hayes went to his phone and picked it up, “Yes, Andrea, can you have a car brought for Agent Luke Hobbs ? Thats right, thank you.” He hung up, he then took Hobbs to the door, “Look at it this way Agent Hobbs. By working with the Atlantis expedition, you can track Dante Reyes every move, but also stay one step ahead of him. Good luck”

 

“Sir” Hobbs saluted the president, shook the mans hand once more, and took his leave. Hayes was happy, Dominic Toretto had recommended the man on several occasions. And only recently it became clear the man was needed elsewhere. And Atlantis would need him more then Earth. Dante Reyes was only to be needed for Dominic Toretto, and from what Hayes knew, what little he knew of Firefox, there was not a lot of time left.

 

Portugal

Villa Reale

Firefoxs House

At that same moment

 

The pressure was solid, after three days Dom was able to at to hold at least double his own weight and a half. And his impact power was a solid seventy kilograms. Firefoxs hope was for Dom to have an impact power of one hundred before the twenty one days were up.

 

“Seventy kilkograms impact power” Firefox mused aloud, that was good, better then she had hoped after only three days, he trained for an hour after breakfast, did Animus training betwee nthat and dinner, then trained for an hour after dinner before going to bed. The last three days it was the same thing.

 

The training in the gym right after breakfast for an hour lifting weights, punching the bag, then testing in the gravity room. After that Dom was in the Animus, the device that allowed him to learn about certain points in history, allowing him to focus strictly on his own genetic memories, the bleeding effect also allowed Dom to learn how to run, to fall, to jump, to keep his momentum moving so he could free run across the courses that Firefox set up for him.

 

But it was when she spoke that had his attention. “It has only been three days” it wasnt going to be perfect, far from it, infact if it was up to him, he'd easily ramp things up and be done with it, but Firefgox was delibreately taking things slow.

 

But Dom was getting better in the Animus, his impact power in the animus was an easy one hundred or so, whereas his freerunning skills were improving at a faster rate. “When it comes time to take on Dante Reyes, you will need to be able to free run for a longer period. Tomorrow I'll start the advanced courses in the animus.” Firefox said to him.

 

“In the mean time.” She herself punched the impact machine, Dom stared, the rush of raw power from her fist clocked it an easy half ton. One thousand pounds of impact strength. How ? Dom had to remember that Firefox was not a human woman, she was a fox woman, and could take human form. So to have such strength in such a frail form was somehow both sexy and yet incredibly dangerous. “Like what you see ?” Firefox asked him, she indicated he should follow her up into the house. In a way he did like what he saw, the woman was sexy and incredibly dangerous, fast on her feet too. They went to the gym, Firefox went to the weights and sat down. “Its not often I get a vistor. Especially one like yourself.” She told him.

 

“The fist impact is measured by your own strength, but also speed. There is also the actual point of impact, sometiems this can be enhanced.” Firefox explained as she laid on the bench press and began doing weight lifts with the machine. “The machine also measures feet impact when you kick, when timed right, you can unlock a hidden force technique, I might teach you one.” She said to him

 

After a good five minutes of silence. Firefox looked towards Dom, the man simply was thinking on what she said. He'd gone over to the punching bag and began punching at it. A good ten minutes minutes and Firefox simply said, “See you tomorrow morning. Do not expect it to be the same as today” With that, she left the gym and went to a door, disappearing through it for sleep. Dom knew what that meant and also went to the room she allowed him to use, and went to sleep.

 

Rio Brasil

Dantes home

At that same moment

 

Dante stood at his balcony, a glass of wine in his hand, he was mulling over the strange explosion of light that took Jakob Toretto from the hospital.A bright burst of light took Elle and those soldiers from him, he nearly had her too! And then when he went to finish off Uncle Muscles as he called Jakob, the same burst of light took Jakob from him.

 

But it was apparently not related to what happened in Miami and the other theatres across the world. Dante sipped at his wine, thoughts drifting through his head. He'd told Aimes to lay low as much as he could. Somethiong was going down, and they couldnt find Torettos body either, so Dante was in a funk, he hadnt meant to kill the man, no, he wanted Toretto to suffer just like he did, penniless and fatherless; only in this case he wanted Toretto to not have what he'd built for himself.

 

Just like Toretto had taken it from him, he was going to take it from Toretto. Family, money, the works and Dante was not going to let some weird events keep him from his plan. He still couldnt find Mia Toretto, her kids, nor could he find Brian O'Conner either. Mias husband.

 

For a while he had everyone where he wanted them, penniless, possibly slain, it didnt matter to him. But he had no idea whatsoever of what he was really up against. And it only made things slightly harder for him. He finished his wine and went to the computer, and just like the day before, he'd found he couldnt wire money to anyone, even to himself, his only option was slowly dwindling. The cash line his father had set up with several million as a backup plan was slowly draining out. Dante needed cash, and soon. And he didnt want to just wait around.

 

The cash houses were all gone, so there was no cash on hand across town. So that left him with very few options. He called Aimes. “Aimes, listen up, whatever cash you can withdraw, do it fast. Get as much cash as you can in your pocket and return here to Rio. I'll meet you at my dads old offices. Right, see you then.” Dante hung up and set the phone on the table.

 

He went back to the window, he needed to know more. And his searches werent exactly finding what he sought. Every major government agency was after him, and yet he had them chasing Toretto and his family for a while, up until all his assets were frozen the day before. Including his credit card when he tried to buy gas of all things.

 

At this rate, only a scant few things were left to do. And one of those things was to ensure that Toretto could indeed suffer. So he decided to try looking up a house to buy in cash in the carribean, at this point he was ready to relax. If he couldnt buy a place he could at least rent, right ?

 

Wrong, as he was about to find out the hard way. Just trying to hack his way into a ownership slot for a house wasnt working either. But rather then get pissed off, Dante got to his feet, paced a moment, then sat by the window at the balcony. Someone or something was keeping him from what he wanted.

 

And it wasnt Toretto.

 

His phone rang, he picked it up after seeing the name. “Reyes” He said, it was the old police chief of Rio, he'd been disbarred, but still had many contacts. For a long time Dante and the old chief made plans. Then for the night Dante hung up and set the phone on the table. He went to get ready for bed.

 

The next day was going to be a long one, and he knew it.

 

The Next Morning

Rio

Hernan Reyes residence

SGC in that order

 

Dante awoke to the sounds of his phone ringing. He looked at the number, it was a blocked number, unknown. He answered it, “Reyes here, who is this ?”

 

“Someone who might know how to make your day a little bit worse” Came the voice on the other end, and it wasnt Aimes, nor was it Toretto or Hobbs. It was Ronon Dex calling from the SGC's parking lot.

 

Dante hung up, who could make his day worse ?

 

Ronon handed the phone to the SF on duty, they had a trace. “Did we get him ?” Ronon asked as Sheppard also stood there.

 

“Yeah, its locked on a location in downtown Rio down in Brazil.” Came the reply, Walter typed on a keyboard, he'd managed to hack into his phone too, “he just hung up, and he's got no idea Im in his phone. Alright last calls made and received.” The stargate tech, Walter Harriman said. He handed John a paper, “This is the last location of the last call received for the phone, where it came from. And this is the last call he made”

 

Alright so the last call was received at eleven thirty five Rio time last night, and the last call he made was seven minutes before that to a guy in New South Wales Australia.” John said as he reviewed the log, barely back on Earth a day, and it mostly made sense for him to be neck deep in work.

 

He looked at Hank, “What now, sir ?” He asked the general

 

“I need you two to go to Petersen Air base to pick up a new member for your team, an Agent Hobbs, I was told he'd been briefed by the President himself. He might take a crack at Ronon, so be careful.” Hank Landry said to Sheppard, who half smiled, who'd take a whack at Ronon and get away scot free ?

 

So in the Humvee to Petersen Ronon asked. “So whats the plan ?”

 

“Whoever this Dante Reyes guy is, this Agent Hobbs was already briefed, but the guy we're after is known as Aimes, he and his crew wernt rogue when the Agency was disbanded.” Sheppard said going over the papers he had, their orders.

 

“What about this Hobbs guy ?” Ronon asked

 

“Well judging by what I am seeing here, he's a former Federal agent, recently assigned to the Atlantis expedition by President Hayes himself, also saw several tours on Earth in battle zones with the Agency. Unlike Toretto and the rest, Hobbs was left out of Dante Reyes plans it seems.” Sheppard said flipping through the pages, coming across a picture of Hobbs. “Whoa” and here he was thinking a guy in a suit, not a guy in combat readiness gear.

 

He showed the shot of Luke Hobbs to Ronon, who simply smirked, a man after his own heart. “Think he'll be trouble ?”

 

“I hope not, if he takes a crack at you, whack at him if you have to but the guy is part of the expedition by orders of President Hayes, so we might have to play nice.” Sheppard replied, it wasnt that he was scared of Hobbs, more like he was scaredof what Ronon might do to Hobbs

 

Twenty minutes later and they arrived at Petersen, the C130 was still unloading, but Luke Hobbs wasnt expecting the humvee to pull up so quietly as he got his stuff. “Agent Luke Hobbs ?” Came a voice, almost boyish, if it werent for the fact that he was a Air Force Lt Col, Sheppard could easily be mistaken for a big kid really based on looks alone.

 

“Who wants to know ?” Hobbs asked.

 

“Lt Col John Sheppard, Air Force, this is Specialist Ronon Dex, a member of the Atlantis Expedition. I was told by my boss that you were already briefed on our target ?” John said introducing himself, Luke and John shook hands, as did Ronon and Luke.

 

“Pleasure to meet you both” Hobbs said, he sighed, yeah he was briefed, even on the flight he was briefed. “Yeah, Agency lead, Aimes, took over when Mr Nobody pulled a Ghost on everyone, and Little Nobdy took a dive for the team. Aimes took their spot at top dog of the Agency; labled my friends as common criminals, hell, even labeled them terrorists” Luke said

 

He sighed, “Aimes went Rogue, the Agency was disbanded as of midnight last night. But for the last week Aiumes and his crew were entirely rogue. Our job is to bring them in, and if we have to, we kill. But only if we have to.” Sheppard spoke up, as much as Hobbs wanted to end the guy on his own, he needed a team, and Torettos team was long gone from Earth at that moment.

 

“So what happens now ?” Hobbs asked

 

“We got word and locked a location, Aimes is somewhere in NSW Australia, our job is to track his location, and freeze his assets as quickly as we can, but there is only so much the air force can do on our own, we have help from the Australians when we arrive providing that Aimes hasnt bought any of them off.” Sheppard said as they piled into the humvee.

 

“Whoever this Aimes is, the Air Force must really want him” Hobbs said

 

“Homeworld Security wants him; he has to face the music, and fast.” Sheppard said.

 

“Currently told the Agency was formally disabanded. As a result there isnt much left, anything that was left was absorbed into Homeland Security.” Hobbs said. He didnt bother to take the correction Sheppard said, but still went on. “I'm thinking Aimes went rogue a lot sooner then a week ago.” He said.

 

“How do you mean ?” Ronon asked.

 

Hobbs looked between the two men then spoke. “Around two thousand and six is or so, when shit went down in rio. Hernan Reyes ran the scene down there. My job was to bring in Toretto, and a former federal agent. I had them, but our ability to get them back to America was not exactly in our pockets. Reyes had a team, they took my guys out. So I rode with Toretto to take down Reyes. We took him down.”

 

“You shot him ?” Sheppard asked

 

“Double tap to the parabellum” Hobbs sounded proud of his abilities. Hernan Reyes owned over half the city in Rio. N ow with him gone, only two buildings were still in his sons possession, the old police station, which suffered two huge fires, and Reyes office building.

 

“So now this Dante Reyes is hunting you, you think that might be why ?” Sheppard asked as the Humvee pulled into the SGC parking lot.

 

“My guess is because of me killing his father, Toretto stole his fathers money, his money, but I was the one who killed his father directly.” Hobbs explained, they got out of the humvee and headed into the complex, getting into a elevator to go down. “Guess I am going to be meeting General Landry for further briefing ?”

 

“Not entirely, we have to do a quick medical check and make sure you're up to date on vacceines, after that we head to Atlantis. One of Torettos crew, Mr Parker, is already there with our guys working on how to take down Aimes and Reyes entirely.” Sheppard said.

 

Hobbs regarded Ronon carefully, “Why not let him act like Reyes to lure in Aimes ?” He said, the DSS had the technology needed to take in everything needed right ? Or was it all in Homeworld securitys ballpark now ?

 

It didnt matter, “At this moment, we got seventeen days before the big party, until then you'll be with us on Atlantis, making new friends in a new galaxy, who knows, maybe even making some enemies too.” Sheppard said, the elevator reached sublevel twenty six, infirmary level. “Alright we're here” John said, leading the way inside the complex.

 

“Try not to stare at it when you first see it” Sheppard said to him as they rounded a corner, two men in Tokra clothing were conversing with a doctor on duty concerning vaccines and their quality and making it work in the pegasus galaxy properly. Hobbs briefly stared at the two men, it didnt make a lot of sense there. They were dressed like high nobles of some kind

 

“Those guys from India ?” Hobbs asked once they were out of earshot.

 

“Who the Tokra ? No they're from another planet” Sheppard said, it was complicated, but it was not what Hobbs had been briefed on.

 

After ten minutes Hobbs was cleared for gate travel. “Far as I can tell he is healthy, all the vacinese are up to date” Dr Lam said, giving Hobbs a clean bill of health, “he's cleared for Gate travel.”

 

“Gate travel ?” Hobbs asked, what was that all about ?

 

“You'll see.” Was all Sheppard said in reply, he went to the elevator and they went down two more levels to the control room. It was nearly time to return to Atlantis.

Chapter 8: The Karo Cann Defense

Summary:

Tanith takes the first step and meets with two of the Pollicles; Those who took care of Agustus mother the year before. At the same time Ivy trains in the Pollicle Zone and learns more about her new world.

Luke Hobbs finally arrives at Atlantis with Sheppard and Ronon, Sheppard pulls a joke on Rodney as Tej Parker explains how he knows Luke Hobbs.

Tanith and Tharon rescue six more returnees, among them is Silvermane, his daughter Feathertail, a young boy named Yin, and three others. Silvermane, Sebastain, Munkus, and Tugger reunite and work things out. Silvermane later meets one on one with Tanith and learns more about the new world he found himself in

Afterwards, Dinner at Atlantis occurs when Tanith, her huisband Tharon, and their daughter Thalia arrive via stargate

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 8 The Karo Cann Defense

 

Ascretta

Milky Way Stargate square

Midday

 

Zane wasnt excited about working with the Pollicles, but he didnt speak about it for the time being. Instead he was more focused on keeping overwatch as he had climbed to the top of one of the structures surrounding the Milky Way stargate. Tanith had made it clear she wanted to talk to the Pollicles, at least the Goldens known as Tjend and Laime, they were higher ranked on the Pollicle council. And something was warning Tanith, thanks to her daughters technology. To keep on her guard.

 

But Zane wasnt going to let his commanding officer go it alone, far from it. And Tharon was in the Puddlejumper keeping track of the radar making sure there was no unexpected and unwanted guests. If he had to, Tharon could dial the milky way stargate, sort of.

 

So Tanith waited out in the open, she had told the Pollicles she wanted to meet them at the “Ring” the stargate device was one thing. Meeting them there was quite another, because of the technology and the stuff around it to protect it, it made the other Pollicles nervous.

 

But not Tjend. He and Liame were going to meet Tanith that day, so when the two Pollicles arrived, they were expecting to see a Furling waiting for them, not a armored behomoth. It was mostly Zane insisting that Tanith at least be ready for anything.

 

So she wore the kull suit, it was lighter then it looked. She could see if it was indeed Tjen and Liame. And once they confirmed it was indeed them and they had come alone as expected. Not even their guards were present. Allowed Tanith to remove her helmet alibet slowly. “Pardon the over use of caution, but lately after recon work over your city, I have been worried.” Tanith said to them

 

“I can understand why” Tjend said

 

“I am going to guess that it has to do with our four new residents in the Soldiers Quarter ?” Laime said, she was aksed to see that Ivy was healthy, she was. But she got a bad feeling from the furling woman.

 

“That is correct” Tanith replied, if she could she'd find out more. “According to my recon work from some friends of mine, three Furlings, two of them black in color, one ginger and black, were seen residing in your city unhindered. And in some cases ignored by other Pollicles.” Tanith said

 

Tjend nodded, “yes, that is correct, the three you refer to, the two black, male and female, a husband and wife, the ginger male, and recently a flame point female.” He reported. Four so far, all of them either respectfully ignored, or aided where needed. “Norho runs things now, so he made it clear that any Furling who wants to reside in our city are to speak to the ginger one, if he approves fo them, we are to leave them alone.”

 

“They make the Goldens and Beagel Guard worried.” Laime said. They also scared her.

 

“Do you know their names ?” Tanith asked

 

Tjend nodded, “yes, the ginger was referred to as the boss, Macavity or such, cant say I recognise the name. The others are a medicine maker, named Bezel, and her husband, Styx. The newest arrival is named Ivy. But again I cant say I recognise any of the names.”

 

“The newest arrival sounds hauntingly familiar.” Tanith mumbled. No matter, she'd worry about it later. “Anything else ?”

 

“As of right now Norho is refusing to leave the council tower. All thanks to you trying to take him out last year.” Laime said to Tanith, which made the Furling smirk.

 

“You mentioned he is currently head of your council ? The leader of your people ? What are his plans ?” Tanith asked at that point. Zane bewing two levels above was ensuring everything was clear, Tharon parked on the other rooftop also could see the radar, aside from Zane prone on one rooftop, and the three life signs in the middle by the stargate, it was quiet.

 

“Right now he is building up his forces, he wants to take and find any Furling he can. But its not easy, the recent appearing and disappearing in the soldiers quarter has him on edge and he wants to know more about them before doing anything further. Some supplies were also stolen. Ancient weapons mostly, old stunner pistols, extension staves as well.” Tjend reported.

 

It was not often a Golden, one of the Medical Pollicles, had to give a report on soldier movements. And he didnt much like doing just that, and Tanith could understand why.

 

“Thank you, if there is anything I can recommend doing is simple, stay low on the council, act as if nothing is wrong, before the year is now next year, Norho will be dead. However this other, this, Macavity you mention, he sounds oddly familiar, I will need to talk with my.... men, and figure out a plan from there.” Tanith said.

 

“So what do we do ?” Liame asked

 

“For now, act as if nothing is wrong, stay on the council, try not to intervene too much in his plans, vote where needed if you have to try and stall them. But dont try to outright stop them.. I want Norho to believe he's moveing forwards and has the upper hand.” Tanith told them. She didnt have the heart to tell them that with the Silent Night, she could easily whipe out the Pollicle soldiers if she had to.

 

The two Pollicles then took their leave after a few more pleasnteies. Tanith pout the helmet back on, something didnt feel right. “Tharon, whats the radar say ?” Tanith asked as she walked away from the stargate. Zane kept overwatch, his ori staff at the ready.

 

“Fortunately, nothing, everything is silent so far” Tharon replied, that was good news, and it made Tanith relaxed for once.

 

“Sounds good then.” Tanith said “Zane, pack it in, we;'re leaving, Tharon dear open up the back door we're coming in” Tanith rattled off two quick orders. Tharon hit the controls for the rear door allowing the two Furlings to enter. He then headed them in to the air under cloak.

 

“So whats the plan ?” Zane then asked, they could go hunting, maybe spy on the Pollicles for a bit.

 

“At this moment, track the radar.” Tanith said, meaning for both men to be in the front half of the ship while she changed out of the kull suit. A moment or so later and she rejoined her husband and Zane in the front half. “Anything new ?” Tanith asked as she took a seat in the pilots chair.

 

“Yeah, looks like a storm on the horizon.” Zane said, he looked up from his screen. “Towards the right, away from both our area, and the Pollicle Zone” He said. Tanith turned the Silent Night in that direction and saw what he meant, massive stormclouds were brewing.

 

“Yeah, storm dead ahead, Looks about fourty or so klicks away.” Tanith said, a notice popped onto the HUD of the puddlejumper. “Ben ?” Tanith asked

 

“Lady Tanith, Master Tharon, a storm was just detected and I can see you're heading towards it, it containes returnees. However I am unsure of how many are in the storm.” Ben appeared on the screen as he spoke, showing the storm, and the area it was in. similar to where they found Blaze and her brothers, as well as Fiddlestix and his brother.

 

“All quiet on the homefront ?” Zane then asked

 

“Captain Zane, thankfully at the moment, yes. We have yet to experience any more Returnees here at the control room.” Ben reported

 

“Anything from Atlantis ?” Tanith then asked

 

“Only that you can arrive at your earliest convience, and preferably by stargate.” Ben reported,

 

“Any idea why ?” Tanith asked him.

 

“Mr Woolsey wants you to meet some members of the Toretto team. He rather insists on it” Ben replied. Well that made sense, if Richard Woolsey wanted her to meet somebody, she had to meet somebody. But it also depended on who she was to meet.

 

“Sounds like a party” Tanith said as they flew for the storm. “Any idea of who I am to meet up with ?”

 

“You know anyone named Luke Hobbs ?” Ben asked her. Well that was a question that Tanith knew how to answer. Only a little bit.

 

“The DSS agent who tried to arrest Dom ?” Tanith asked

 

“The one and the same, he's at Atlantis as we speak. And wants to talk to you, said you knew what happened to Doms wife, and son” Ben told her, well Tanith only knew so much. She hadnt exactly met Little B, nor had she been able to meet Elena either for that matter.

 

“Why ?” Tanith asked

 

“Not a clue, but I only know he wants to talk to you as quickly as you can, I said you were in process of recovering returnees and he said he doesnt mind the wait.” Ben replied.

 

“Thanks Ben” The radio cut as Tanith angled to the storm, the Silent Night was moving quickly enough and rain had begun to hammer the front windscreen. She slowed down. “Zane, start scanning for life signs, Tharon, prep the back half for passengers, we might have a handful.” Tanith said. Tharon nodded and got up from his chair, going to the back he started on the cleanup and organising of the back seat area of the ship while Zane identified twelve life signs, all of them Furlings. They were congregating under a rock outcropping in the rain; thankfully high enough ground to not get swamped.

 

Tanith turned the Silent Night around and hit the door controls as the ship neared the outcropping, under it were tweleve felines, seven male, and five female. Two of which looked like children. Tharon motioned for them to come board, they rushed inside to get out of the rain.

 

A minute later and they were out of the storm. Far as Tharon could see, one of the males looked familiar, long silver and black fur. Bright green eyes, was that Silvermane ? Yes it was. With him were two youngesters, and also a few others.

 

The flight back to the city was quiet. Silvermane only saying thank you to them all, but also clearly nervous about it. Where he was when he should have been in sacremento doing a show.

 

Stepping into the front half of the silent night, Silvermane could see the landscape before him spread out. Not far away a city soared into the sky. “Where are we ?” He finally asked

 

“Welcome to Ascretta” Tanith said, Silvermane turned and saw a Feline woman much like himself, only dark colored fur like Tantomile, flying the shiup they were in, clear skies were overhead. “That city is where we make our home.” Tanith explained

 

From what Silvermane could understand, Ascretta was the homeworld the others spoke about before the huge storm occurred. It wasnt long before they landed and he could meet Stripes Senor, in this case Munkus, and play catch up. He was excited for that.

 

“Home” he said softly, he was home, finally. Something just felt right about the place for sure. The fact the feline woman was not Tantomile, something was up. As they landed Tanith spoke

 

“Ladies and gentletoms, Welcome to Ascretta, please remain seated until the Silent Night has come to a full and complete stop.” She said as she landed the ship. She stood from the pilot seat as Tharon stood from his, and Silvermane could see how Tanith was dressed

 

He did a doubletake when he saw her outfit, it was tight to the body, but allowed for full freedom of movement. Infact if he didnt know any better he'd try for her right there, but the sight of Tharon made him think carefully, the way the two acted around each other made him keep his distance.

 

He was right mostly in his thinking, Tanith and Tharon he figured were either mates or similar and he respected that.

 

Upon entering the apartment building, the first person he saw was, of all people, Seb. “Seb ? Is that really you ?”

 

“Stripes Jr, didnt think you'd make it, but the others wondered, come on, I'll show you around” Seb and Silvermane hugged tight on their reunion. Seb took him inside and took him first to Munkus office, or at least whatsstood for it. Silvermane started thinking he felt under dressed, whereas Seb wore a pair of pants, and nothing else. “Munkus, we got an old friend back.” Seb said knocking on Munkus doorframe

 

“Come in” Munkus said, when he saw Silvermane he smiled, “About time you got here Silver,“ Munkus said, he sighed, he allowed Seb to leave. “We got a lot to catch up on, so I'll make it quick”

 

“Whats up ? Where are we, and why do I feel a bit of a headache ?” Silvermane said.

 

“First off, through that door is a set of clothing for you, apparently it unlocked today so I am guessing its for you.” Munkus said, “so for now go ahead and get some pants on, it'll fit, once you do that I'll explain a few things.”

 

Five minutes later and Silvermane was presentable, and dressed. He rejoined Munkus in the office. “So whats up ?”

 

“I'll answer your second question:” Munkus said he smiled, “The planet we're on isnt earth, its called Ascretta, and judging by look of how we're all dressed here, its a very samurai set up planet too.” Munkus explained.

 

“Also tech advanced, never seen doors do that outside of walmart back in Ohio” Silvermane replied. Ascretta's doors were just like sensors, doors working automatically, activating, locking, whatever where needed.

 

Munkus nodded, “Yes that's right, a little later and I'll take you to meet some our advanced squads. For now you already met Tharon, his wife Tanith, and Captain Zane ?” Munkus said to him

 

Silvermane nodded, jerking his thumb back the way Seb had brought him in to the office he said, “The two piloting that thing, they're married ?” He asked, Munkus nodded, Silvermane also nodded, “Explained a lot, they acted like she was spoken for, guess that's a good thing.” Silvermane mused, then he asked. “How many others are here ?”

 

“Well, the initial twenty five of us from the Yard is here, Demeter, Tantomile, Jelly, Jenny, the whole lot.” Munkus said. He rattled off the list, they were all there. Even old Mac and two others.

 

“So Ole Maccie baby made it here too ?” Silvermane asked

 

'That's right, about a week after we arrived and woke up here Lucien and two others who came with him disappeared, we havent seen them since.” Munkus said, Lucien, that was what Macavity initally called himself on waking up there.

 

Silvermane was dresed Munkus then noticed in a dark blue and silver kamino robe of a samurai daimyo, his mane of hair was kept back like a humans hair would be. Silvermane took a seat while Munkus leaned on his desk. “So how many others ?” Surely there wasnt more then he'd remember. “Did Domino or Fawn make it ?”

 

“Fawn is here yes, she's with Jelly and jenny overseeing the infirmary in the building across the way there. I havent seen Domino, but Blaze, and apparently her brothers Ceaser and Carwyn are also here too. Along with Fiddlestix and his brother Benoi.” Munkus continued rattling off names. Lots of kids.

 

“So the two that came with me, one of them, the younger girl called herself Feathertail, but the boy called himself Yin. I dont remember if I met a Yin before, but Feather tail called me her father. I hope thats true” Silvermane had two kids with Darktail before she died, and Feathertail was one of them.

 

“Feathertail might take a liking to the other kittens in the group. You already met Tanith and her husband Tharon, Captain Zane arrived here with Tanith and Sgt White, him and Chief Wallace oversee our food needs here. You already reunited with Sebastian so I need not say more there. Shadowdancer is here as well keeping watch and training with Tugger and Tanith.” Munkus rattled off another list of names.

 

Names that Silvermane wasnt familiar with. “Who exactly is Tanith ?” He asked

 

“She's the one who is in charge of our military at this time, at least until Tugger is able to be a proepr general. Tanith is a lt Col in the US Marines, and Zane was her XO, her second in command, even though he's a Captain also in the Marines. Tharon was also ni the Marines from what we've spoken with each other about, but he then left the Marines and became a pilot for Delta, that's all I know” Munkus explained. He had no idea about Tanith and Tharons daughter yet.

 

The keyword there was yet, because he had no idea of the advancements they were about to get thanks to her.

 

“So none of the heathrow gang has show up aside from myself, Seb and Fawn ?” Silvermane mused aloud.

 

“At this moment it seems that way, fortunately thanks to Tanith, we're not alone here, there are Pollicles yes, but they're mostly staying to themselves, and on the other side of this planet there's a whole slew of Furlings like us” Munkus then explained their original name as a race, and who lived on the other continent called Sword Domain.

 

“So there's more of us ? And we're called Furlings ? Why does that sound like a badass alien race from a scifi drama show ?” Silvermane asked

 

“I guess its kinda what we are” Munkus had tried to explain how the city was so advanced dispite them being a samurai like culture.

 

A few minutes later and a report appeared on Munkus desk thanks to the digital computer, allowing for Ben's face to appear on it, the daily report it was termed. “I see Tanith was able to safely recover the newest returnees” Ben said seeing Silvermane, the long haired mancat waved at the guy on the screen.

 

“Yes, she was, Ben, meet Silvermane, Silvermane, meet Ben. Ben is the guy doing our resource harvesting around the city. It wont be long until all the resources around us are harvested and stored. Able to be used later.” Munkus said doing the introductions. He went over the list, the latest resources, power supplies, Ben by that point had made a half dozen D cell batteries out of plain old grass into the shape of much much smaller ZPMs

 

Mostly out of boredom, but it didnt do much if any harm in the long run. Ben was a replicator and his drones were carefully storing the harvest materials in the vast shipyard cityships massive storerooms.

 

A few minutes passed and Munkus then took Silvermane among the group as a whole, he reunited with the others, met up with Shadowdancer briefly, and then found where the kittens were playing, and briefly thought he saw Tanith among them when he saw Thalia. He counted ten kittens, lots of kids really.

 

“So many young ones” he'd hoped Feathertail and Yin were the only two kids, but he was wrong, so very wrong, the older foursome of Blaze and her brothers and also Thalia were helping keep track of the younger kittens. Silvermane didnt see Pounce, Tumble, or Brutus anywhere. Nor did he see Misto or Tugger anywhere either.

 

At least until they got to the eating place. He'd met up with Sgt White, who greeted him, the elderly white and gray mancat was a retired Marines staff sgt. The cook ? Chief Petty Officer first class James Wallace, known to most as Chief, but also went by the name of Quaxo.

 

Silvermane and Munkus found Tugger by himself, reading over a report from Reiko given to him thanks to Thalias technology. “Hey Munku, we might have a problem”

 

“Really, how so ?” Munkus asked, Tugger bid hello to Silvermane, going so far as to give the guy a handshake

 

“According to Reiko and Poth, Lucien was spotted with the two others with him, living freely in the Pollicles control shipyard city. Ontop of that, Reiko reported seeing a new arrival.” He showed the picture, and Munkus heart dropped, Silvermane spoke what they were all thinking

 

“Why is Ivy with Mac and why do they both look really happy ?” Silvermane wondered aloud.

 

“I was hoping it wasnt true, but I had Reiko confirm it, Ivy is indeed living with Mac; and apparently they're treated like members of the populace by the Pollicles there, we havent seen Griddlebone or the others however, so for the moment, so far, its only Mac, the two who arrived with him, and now Ivy.” Tugger said, he handed Munkus the report from Reiko, “Its all in here.”

 

“So Macavity is the name he's going by, no missing that ginger fur” Munkus said in thought. So far only Ivy had shown up. Was it possible that others from Mac's empire could show up too ?

 

“I wonder if Khan showed up yet, and if so, where he'd be by now” Silvermane mused aloud. They were all good friends with Khan when he'd gone with them to Heathrow. They'd kept in contact for one thing. And it did the job well enough.

 

“No idea just yet, but its worth looking into, I'll ask Reiko and Poth if they can track for him when they give their next report.” Tugger said, they managed to remain in contact really well. “Have you guys eaten ?”

 

“Not yet, but I'm famished” Silvermane replied, Munkus also was hungry

 

A few minutes later and the three sat down to eat.

 

“So, you mentioned, Demeter, and Tantomile, no Bomba ?” Silvermane said to Munkus, apparently he had no diea that now, Munkus was actually married before waking up on Ascretta to Tantomile.

 

“Its complicated, but lets just say in our past life, Tantomile and I were infact married, at least our humans were” Munkus said, Bomba currently was hunting for a mate or so she had said.

 

Silvermane found himself thinking that if Domino hadnt shown up in one year, and Bomba was still free, he'd see about a union.

 

A few minutes were passed in thoughtful quiet as they ate. There was still a few things to be figured out, namely places, ranks, residences, the works. “Alright, so, since Feathertail has taken to calling you her dad already, she'l be in your care, you can pick an apartment in one of the four buildings I'll ask Pounce or even Zane to give you a tour” Munkus said getting down to business as they ate. Chief Wallace, ni this case Quaxo, was a very good cook.

 

“Sounds like a plan to me, chief.” Silvermane said in reply, already settling into letting Munkus take the lead.

 

“Given how we're ranked in the history crystals my wife and Demeter are searching through, its possible we might be fedual lords or otherwise, but until then I'd like you and Tugger to be my advisors. You answer only to me when it comes to giving orders.” Munkus continued speaking. Silvermane liked that idea and it made a lot of sense to him.

 

A bit over an hour later and Silvermane had his assigned condo, for him and Feathertail it could do the job.

 

Later that day found Silvermane finding Tanith as she drilled Pounce, Tumble, and Brutus, also a younger version of old Gus the theater cat known simply as Gus. The four were going through a formation set up to keep track of a nearby harvest drone that Tanith had tapped for training use.

 

Silvermane watched for long moments in quiet as the foursome worked in pairs to contain and control the harvest drone as if hunting. Working as a four man squad. Soon Silvermane knew, Tanith was going to try and train them in underground drills as a four man team to secure the lower levels of the shipyard cityship.

 

Silvermane watched he remebmered what Munkus had told him, “dont try to give Tanith orders, she follows her own way to keep us all safe as we can be, and so far its working.” Munkus had then explained how Tanith was military and had already a good knowledge of the area to begin with.

 

Finally the drill was over, Tanith called for a break and allowed the four to continue their patrol before getting lunch. Leaving her alone with Silvermane. “They train well, even for Pounce as whimpy as many take him to be.” Silvermane mused. If anything Quaxo would be teaching the martial arts instruction and ensuring everyone was properly outfitted.

 

But in this case Quaxo was cooking amazingly good local foods and not the least bit military rations. “For the most part” Tanith replied, “They could use some fine tuning, but there is also space for improvision. And these four have it,” The other triad consisted of Quaxo, in this case the Chief, Skimble, and also Zane. White was mostly advisor type and oversaw the hunting crews.

 

She turned to Silvermane, “I guess this is the first time we meet.” She said to him, she held out a hand. “Names Tanith, Lt Col, US Marines, sniper squad.” she said.

 

Silvermane then got a really good look at her, in this case she had a black almost purplish to it dress that was tight to the body yet allowed for perfect freedom of movement, she wore black open toed heeled leather boots. And her hair was kept clean. Swords were on her back and hips, and a pair of vambraces were on her arms. Silvermane knew she was a dangerous feline, and he introduced himself and shook her hand “Silvermane, one of the returnees you rescued this morning” He said to her.

 

“A pleasure” Tanith said to him, she then motioned as if to walk with her. “I take it you are curious on things here” She said to him, she saw how he handled himself, indifference, yet also with respect towards others. She could respect him just as well.

 

“In some cases, yes, Munkus mentioned he was married to Tantomile and that you were married to Tharon, and that you were also with the Marines, but judging by your getup its more like you're with the Brotherhood more then anything” Silvermane said to her

 

“What this ?” She motioned at herself. The dress, her weapons. The ori staff she carried at all times. “When I woke up here the swords, and clothing were in the tomb ready for me to use. Like it was just waiting for me to wake up and get dressed and armed.

 

“So, you're a scout ?” Silvermane mused

 

“Some what, in a way I guess in a manner of speaking, in this case I am an advanced sniper in the Marines, so my skills there come in handy. I was assigned to Iota when I woke up here last year.” Tanith explained, they went down a short flight of stairs into a corridor. Machinery worked around them to store harvested resources.

 

She lead them down a long narrow hallway that opened into a parkland area and through a door, as the two entered the small room, the wall activated. “This massive place is our new home one might say. So.” She hit a space on the screen. The door behind them shut. A second later they exited onto a balcony that overlooked the river far below.

 

“This city is huge” Silvermane mused

 

“Its a shipyard city, able to build starships like the one you were rescued in this morning” Tanith told him he turned to her as she spoke, “according to Ben it is also able to fly, and be in a geo orbit with two other cities just like it, just as big, sadly the power required to get into a stable semi orbit to begin such a task he has to rebuild our resources” Tanith explained. She pointed to the south. “Thats where the Pollicle Zone begins.” she pointed to the west “And that way is where the Stargate is, our connection to the galaxy as a whole” she said

 

“Stargate ?” Silvermane asked, so many terms she had used he wasnt used to, but the way she spoke he guessed it made some sense. The planet was huge. “You mentioned Ben, he's the guy who is doing the resource harvesting ? How can he make a power supply to fly the city ? How big is the city ?”

 

Tanith knerw she couldnt exactly describe it. So she went to a nearby control panel and activated the hologram system, forming a model of the shipyard cityship.”This is just one of three identical shipyard cities.” She explained, “This” a smaller sized cityship appeared, in this case identical to Atlantis. “Is a cityship, there's currently one that I know of, called Atlantis, its connected to us by way of the Stargate”

 

“And what kind of ship was that when you rescued us this morning ?” Silvermane asked her the hologram shifted to show the Silent Night.

 

“This is the Silent Night, my ship, unlike normal puddlejumpers as we call them, this one doesnt have a drone system, instead using a pulse laser system similar to the staff weapon I carry in place of my sniper rifle. Which is stored in the Silent Night.” Tanith explained, the hologram shifted to show the assembly line within the bowls of the shipyard cityship “I made Silent Night here on the assembly line. Resources at the time were incredibly limited and I was only able to make one ship, and I made it with Cayran.”

 

“Cayran is here ?” Silvermane asked, Tanith nodded, Silvermane then remembered and also nodded, “Thats right I remember, Munkus mentioned she's mostly helping with the kids and also helping Skimble with Jenny and Jelly.”

 

“That's right, Cayran pretty much dropped in on me and we built Silent Night together. There wasnt enough resources to make drone weapons, but now there might be.” Tanith said, if they needed to, drones could be built and then used to defend the city. At least according to Ben.

 

They went back to the transporter and went to the control tower itself. Upon exiting they were greeted by Lukas. “Ah, there you are I was just coming to join you, we got a problem.” He said, he nodded in greeting to Silvermane.

 

“What kind of problem ?” Tanith asked him. What could be worse then the Russian teams chasing Lukas ass across the galaxy ?

 

“What do you know of a guy named Aimes ?” Lukas asked her

 

“Not a lot, why ?“ She asked in reply that settled it, Tanith had no idea the guy was in Australia, and a team was getting together to take him down, him and Dante Reyes both.

 

“This Aimes guy, he's in Australia and Atlantis requested if we wanted anyone from Ascretta to go take him down as part of the team to do the job. I thought of you. And wondered if you or Tharon wanted a crack at it.” Lukas said to her.

 

Tanith thought a moment, then remembered who she was with. “Oh, Tank, I'd like you to meet Silvermane, he's one of the new arrivals this morning that Tharon, Zane and I rescued from the storm, Silvermane, this is Lukas, a friend of mine.” She introdcued the two, they shook hands.

 

“Whats this about a guy named Aimes ?” Silvermane then asked

 

“Really bad fuck is my guess” Tanith replied, which made Silvermane chuckle. Already in on the language and yet nobody cared, guess it was a military thing, he thought.

 

“Aimes took over the Agency some time ago, went rogue, the agency is now disbanded but he and his crew are still out there. Earth is putting a team together and wanted to know if you want in on it ?” Lukas explained. The Agency was mr Nobody's turf, and Tanith never heard of it, but she did get recruited int othe Stargate program, commanding Iota site. Now she was at Ascretta.

 

“Remind me what was the agency ?” Tanith said

 

“Well its in the same branch of government oversight as the SGC is, Homeland Security formed in it nineteen ninety three as a sub section agency of the CIA, when the attacks of september eleventh happened, their job was to form the nine eleven commision. After that they started tracking high level targets across the globe. You escaped their notice because you were in the Marines and tapped by the SGC to oversee Iota.” Lukas explained

 

The three walked into the control room, Ben was hard at work, a stack of D cell sized ZPMs were on the console next to him, the guy apparently got bored and could make even small ZPMs to power a flashlight for a dozen years by look of it. “So now its more like he is trying to escape my notice ?” Tanith mused aloud. She had no idea what Dom and his family had gotten involved in, but when she last saw him and confirmed his son was alive and safe. He knew he could trust her, just like she trusted him. Her address after all was his own when she joined the Marines.

 

“Sure seems like it” Lukas said as Ben spoke up

 

“Ah lady Tanith, master Silvermane, glad to see you are well” Ben said on sight of Silvermane, Tanith simply smiled

 

“Afternoon Ben, anything new from Atlantis aside from what Tank explained ?” Tanith said to the Replicator, the animated man seemed excited.

 

“Yes actually aside from what Lukas already told you on the way here, Federal Agent Hobbs is already at Atlantis with Mr Tej Parker, the rest are enroute via the Apollo and will be there in seventeen days.” Ben reported, Why were they all going to Atlantis ?

 

“Why are they all going to Atlantis ?” Tanith asked, trading looks briefly with Lukas.

 

“Apparently to get them off Earth so Dante Reyes doesnt get to them.” Ben replied, from what he was told, which wasnt much, Dante Reyes only had two last holdings locations in Rio the old police staition had been raided, twice. “You saw the video feed already”

 

“And Dom ?” Tanith asked, where was Dominic Toretto ?

 

“Safe with a third party, who insisted that we wait until the family gets to Atlantis for him to go after Reyes. She was rather insistant too” Ben explained the terms from Firefox, and it made even Tanith confused. But it was Silvermane who spoke up

 

“A lot can happen in twenty one days” He said, for one if one was healing, twenty one days top heal from injury to getting back one ones feet, the require therapy, you name it. Could all be done in twenty one days.

 

“You have a point” Tanith told him. Silvermane smiled, he had his moments. He found himself enjoying Tanith company all the more, but he knew his limits, if Domino wasnt there yet. He'd keep his dfistance, let Tanith make the choice, or Bomba, whichever first really.

 

“So whats the plan ?” Between machine, human and cat, only Lukas was human, mostly, and Ben was a Replicator. And then there was Tanith and Silvermane, Furlings.

 

Something nagged at Silvermane so he asked, “You mentioned this before, but, what exactly is a Furling ? It sounds like a badass alien race” He'd said so to Munkus and Tugger

 

“We are” Tanith said, she motioned to herself then to him, and also to the other two Furlings, both Russians, big guys too nearby. “You me, them, the others.” She said, “We'r all Furlings.”

 

“I always thought we were jellicles” Silvermane said

 

“At one point, yes, but when we lived here, we were Furlings. The Forth Great Race of an Alliance of Four Great Races. Among them were the Asgard, the Nox, the Furlings, and the Ancients.” Tanith explained to him.

 

The way Silvermane could understand it, around five thousand years or so into the past the Pollicles swarmed the planet, provided with technologies to aid them by a system lord known as Sokar. The Furlings were overwhelmed by sheer numbers and could not reach the stargate, so they had to create their own. In the process only twenty five of their number could be sent through.

 

It worked, the Furlings were saved, but at great cost.

 

Sword Domain was the only continent where the Pollicles had the most trouble. Contact with the Furlings there proved to be a nobrainer, slain by the thousands the Furlings of Sword Domain had proven themselves skilled warriors in combat.

 

Since then only Sword Domain was Pollicle Free, any other continent and the Pollicles flourished, pervading and filling the void left by the now gone and dead, at least to themselves, Furlings.

 

The Pollicles took a city, the Furlings referred to it as the Pollicle Zone, and was soon to become void of pollicles if they could have a say in it. Dog people were bizarre and in some cases scary.

 

But somehow, Macaivty, his daughter Ivy, and also Bezel and her husband Styx were all able to thrive without issue. Tanith mentioned lunch, which Lukas agreed to.

 

Ascretta

Pollicle zone

Soldiers Quarter

That same moment

 

THUD! Another Pollicle landed on the training mat. That was seven of Norhos absolute best soldiers who faced Ivy and didnt last very long. Ivy knew she had to train, be ready to take on Cassandra for her vengence, but there was a problem, something a little more different then to be expected. Instead of training with just her claws, she instead used a metal rod to train with.

 

Ivy whiped her face with a rag and set it back on the rail. There was a lot left for her to do. She turned, attendants took the last knock out from the mat and another stepped up. But he carried no weapons, not even a training staff. Ivy made ready, settling into a combat stance. But the Pollicle never moved.

 

The Anubis breed, a Doberman simply observed her carefully. Waiting for her to make the first move. Ivy struck, soundless and quick, the Pollicle blocked, his hand weaving and smacking aside her strikes with ease. Was this one better trained then the last ? Or was he simply a teacher of other students too ?

 

It didnt matter, his calm demanor and his sheer skill alone kept her on her feet. Long enough to realise she had a problem. She struck rapidly, seven strikes, four were blocked, two were parried, one hit home. The Pollicle smiled, and nodded. She was indeed skilled in staff combat.

 

Ivy smiled, and held the staff to the dogman, who took it and set it on the weapon rack.

 

She had been on Ascretta one full night, and she hadnt lost her touch, even with what Cassandra did to her back in the Yard on Earth. Here it was much more dangerous. The Pollicles left them alone, leaving herself and Macavity. “Why are we living with them ? We never did before”

 

“That is where it troubles me, this, a long time ago, was our home. There were no Pollicles here” Macavity said to her

 

“Still doesnt mean its our home, something tells me they're living where they shouldnt be” Ivy said in reply.

 

“My dear girl, you've been here all of one night and most of one day. And you spent the day training your skills. The only one you cannot lay out in one day is Hiberman, Norhos personal bodyguard.” Mac had to smile

 

“So you're saying its possible that these mutts are nothing like those mindless fodder like back on Earth ?” Ivy asked

 

“These mutts as you call them, are going to be our new army. If we can properly bend the ear of Norho to our bidding. Norho likes to be in charge, so it might take some doing.” Macavity was more or less upset about that fact. Norho was the leader of the Pollicle Council, and normally what he said went, similar to the president only not as much.

 

Nobody knew what to expect with him in charge, and the past year there was a slow yet steady build up of troops in the Pollicle Army. They didnt have a navy or air force. So that limited to ground troops only, infantry, possibly a calvary if anything to ride could be identified and tamed.

 

“How long have you been here, Dad ?” Ivy then asked

 

“Over a year, but here directly exactly one year.” Macavity replied, for this to be home, he had to live there as much as possible.

 

“What can I learn about this place ?” Ivy then asked. She wanted to know more about the history of this planet, this city. “Think about it Dad, five thousand years ago we lived here, now we're back. And its almost like we never left. What are the odds we were even at odds with the yard even here ? Are they even here ?”

 

“They are here, and its not the junkyard, not anymore.” Macavity went on to explain how Ascrett had apparently various towns and outlaying villages, all of them high tech scattered across the planet. At least far as he could tell. “As of right now the Pollicles inhabit various, numerous towns and villages, all of them high tech like what we are currently standing in right now.”

 

“And the others ?” Ivy asked him

 

“Odds are good they reside in the same dwellings. Only more numerous, a strange ship has been seen at times, and two Furlings have appeared and disappeared from Soldiers Quarter over the last day.” Macavity said to her. He rubbed his chin in thought. Finally he said to her. “Walk with me”

 

The two began walking, Macavity had learned more about the shipyard city and found a transport room, upon entering it before them a wall screen appeared. “Is that supposed to do that ?” Ivy asked her father.

 

“It is” He said in reply while tapping a point, the center of the city. Near the top of the tower. They exited, briefly Ivy felt her ears pop. The two went up a flight of stairs and entered the control room for the shipyard city, itwas just as big as where Ben was stationed, only difference was, there was no stargate, and the stained glass wall was destroyed with shards of glass sticking out of its frame. Allowing Ivy to see out into the vast wilderness of Ascretta.

 

“Whoa” Ivy said seeing the horizon. To her left she saw what looked to be well kept farmland being harvested, truth was, the Replicator drone harvestors were simply harvesting resources. “I take it the others, the old Yard residents, are that way ?” Ivy said pointing to what looked to be a massive structure half buried in the meadow to the east.

 

“That is correct, a good day of a walk from here too. Those machines have been at it almost a full year now, and its occasionally drove the Pollicles crazy, they have tried and failed to destroy those harvesting things.” Macavity said.

 

“They tried attacking those things ? They look like combine harvestors just, eating everything in their path” Ivy said as she watched the drone harvestors chowing down, so to speak, on grass, trees, and otherwise in what had to be a massive meadow.

 

“They did, watch, they're about to try again, watch.“ Macavity said, as Ivy and he watched, a group of Pollicles tried to shoot with their weapons, as powerful energy weapons could be, at the drone harvestors, hexagonal shields flowed where the strikes landed, preventing damage to the harvestors.

 

“They have defense shields ?” Ivy mused aloud, that meant they were machines! “Is there anyone controlling them ?”

 

“Not that any of us could find or see, it appears that these harvestors are drone harvestors, slaverigged to a master control of some kind. But Styx hasnt figured them out yet.” Macavity said. He was still consoldiating his resources. He wasnt aiming to take on his enemies just yet.

 

“It is possible it is harvesting resources for the others, those of the Yard.” Ivy mused. She turned to her father, a thoughtful look on her face. “If I were to go to them, acting as a recently arrived, how would they react ? Would they know me ?”

 

“Judging by the two who already saw you, I think they would” Macavity told her, he smiled then, “Come, there's is still much more to see” He took her into the bowels of the shipyard cityship, showing her long dormant assembly lines.

 

As they stood at a control station Macaivty scrolled through possible ships to build. “Try as they might, there just is not enough resources, it seems those drones are not harvesting the resources for this city.” He said Ivy observed everything on the list, there was stuff from clothing, to food, to weaponry to starships to pieces of art to swimming pools that the assembly line could make.

 

“What is this place ? Where did I come to ?” Ivy wondered aloud. Her father did not answer her. Either way, he had his daughter back. And for him that was just as important and it made him happy.

 

Atlantis

At that same moment

 

“It just isint possible to ensure they will be safe here. With the search bug in the database.” Rodney was saying

 

“The search bug simply only exsists as a means to find out more of the disappearances, every time a person on earth disappears, the search bug is accessed looking for further information. If its Reyes himself doing it.” Radek broke in.

 

“Yes yes, that happens, but I dont think it would be Reyes himself, he's dead. But his son on the other hand is another matter entirely.” Rodney broke in

 

Tej rolled his eyes as he listened to the two bicker, it happened a lot. But some of the ideas did help from both sides. “Judging by whats here I think we're on the right track” He said, he found a key entry, a journal of some sort. Showing a log in time, and also a log out time. “According to this, Janus was in the lab all of five minutes, he wrote this entry.”

 

“Let me see that” Rodney took a look and read it off. “Huh”

 

“What is it ?” Radek asked.

 

“According to this Janus was planning to start experimenting with updating the stargate. In order to mimic what the Furlings were able to do. With their stargate” Rodney said as he read the entry.

 

“But you've been there, there wasnt anything different about it, its the pegasus galaxy stargates” Radek said

 

“Exactly, but that doesnt mean there's not other Furling worlds out there and they have more updated or even further advanced stargates then we do here or on Earth.” Rodney said, Tej wondered what they meant and then remembered, the big ring he'd arrived to Atlantis through.

 

“Forgive me for being wrong, if I am wrong, but the stargate here, isnt that a newer updated version then what was at Earth ?” Tej had been into space, in a fiaro car, Roman at that moment was between galaxies in a honest to goodness spaceship.

 

“It is newer yes, given that its ten thousand years old for its last use.” Rodney said in thought, though Tej wasnt wrong for bringing it up, other races in the milky way used it constantly. At least the Milky Way version. That meant things could be slightly confusing.

 

Rodney sighed, how to explain it without sounding like a complete meathead and insulting. “Alright look its kind of hard to explain it, but I'll try my best, we found a stargate that apparentyly was used as a testing system to make sure a stable wormhole could indeed be created from one planet to another, it had no power, we then found back on earth in nineteen twenty eight the milky way stargate we're used to back there. Its been in use since nineteen nintey seven. Then we came here in two thousand a four, this stargate here at Atlantis is digital compared to the milky way which is, I guess we could call it analog ?” Rodney said to Tej

 

Radek spoke up where Rodney left off. “To dial the stargate you need six points in space a star constellation, like the big dipper or the like, seven of them make up an address, with the seventh being the point of origin, the inital six symbols denote the location you're going to, with the seventh being where you're coming from. The milky way gate at the SGC is the only one that I've seen spin, whereas here its all encased and these only light up.”

 

“Only in order to get here you dialed eight ?” Tej mentioned

 

“That's right to dial from here to Earth its an eight symbol address, to dial earth to here its an eight symbol address, its like, its outside the galaxy so its like dialling a different area code where you'd dial one plus the area code plus the number instead of just the area code.” Rodney tried to epxlain.

 

“That actually makes sense” Tej said to him.

 

“It does ?” Rodney and Radek both asked at once.

 

“Yeah actually, once you explained its like dialing an area code outside your own code. In this case the Milky Way Galaxy to Pegasus, you need that extra symbol to provide the extra galaxy point to get to.” Tej said, Rodney and Radek traded looks, well, Tej summed it up nicely, and it kinda made them look sheepesh, but he able to figure it out from what they told him.

 

“So what kind of experimenting was Janus planning ?” Tej then asked

 

“That I am not sure of it just ends right there, his last experiment involving the stargate, and also the Wraith, ended with the project only running for three days then being shut down entirely because of unforseen side effects. Which we later found out was it makes the stargates anywhere in Pegasus galaxy when activated, they'd explode.” Rodney explained how the device, known as the Aterro Device, worked.

 

“So the Ancients had a system for hyperspace travel, the asgard had a system, and we have a system based on the other two, then there's the Wraith, who have their own system, a very spicific channel of subspace to get to hyperspace. The aterro device was to make their hyperspace channels unstable, causing the ships that enter them to be destroyed. It worked initally, until it interfered with the stargates, when a stargate was activated” Rodney said to Tej, explaining it as best he could.

 

“That explained the energy build up we detected when Sheppard tried to get to you and Dr Jackson from the Vanir” Radek spoke up. Rodney looked at him briefly confused, but it made sense.

 

Rodney then nodded “The build up of power is is very rapid, possibly too rapid, you guys were lucky the city shield managed to take the brunt of it and prevent anything else from getting destroyed.” He said, “Anubis was able to do it but because we had an Iris on our stargate, we were able to prevent the thing from exploding for a long time, as many as three days longer then expected.”

 

“So basically the aterro device was made a second time in the milky way ?” Tej asked

 

“Not entirely, what the SGC encountered was indeed an ancient device, only much less sophisitacted then the Aterro device itself.” Rodney said, “With the iris closed on our stargate we were able to withstand his bombardment, it was like a continous radio signal but it slowly built up power in the gates power relay there wasnt any way to even remove it. We ultimately ended up launching into space in high altitude orbit of earth before it could blow.”

 

Rodney told Tej how the device worked, it was similar, but instead of creating a level of subspace static it instead targeted a dialed stargate until the desired stargate exploded.

 

“So the stargate still exploded” Tej said, “So what did we used to get here ?”

 

“The original stargate, turns out the stargate Anubis blew apart was in fact the second stargate on Earth which was found by sheer raw chance alone in the south pole. When that was discovered it became clear of whats going on and we started working things out to find out more about it, at one point the original stargate found at Giza in Egypt back in the twenties was one thing. This is entirely different.”

 

“So what happened to the original stargate ?” Tej asked looking between the two men

 

“Its still at the SGC, only we're paying Russia a monthly fee to use the thing, when it should originally be ours without a fee” Rodney complained.

 

“If I had access to the systems I could make it look like Russia was paying the fee and nobody would notice it. Little more money to the SGC to keep it running you might say” Tej said, mostly as a joke, Rodney looked at him a thoughtful expression on his face as Sheppard showed up.

 

“You guys figure anything new out ?” He asked as he stepped from the wall, it was still really neat to walk through it, the room inside was completely untouched by the flooding. Without the sconces in the wall ther ewas no way for water to get through.

 

“Only that the device used by Anubis and the Aterro device were both basically the same thing, also Janus was planning on running experiments on the stargate in a similar way to how the Furlings built their own stargate at Flamelight Spire.” Rodney said he looked up, trading looks with Tej and Radek he asked then “Flamelight Spire ?”

 

“I bet you guys are thinking it sounds like a video game location, and I agree, also sounds like a weapon, but according to the SGC, its the seat of the Furling council, one of our newest allies. Her name is Dila, and her bodyguard, Saca were saved from the Trust thanks to Tanith last year around now. Dilas homeworld is called Flamelight spire, its just like where Tanith is now only according to Col Mitchell, the stargate.... its... advanced.” Sheppard explained what he could understand of it. The other end of the powerless stargate with the weird symbols on it was there too.

 

“So Tanith is alive ?” Tej then said, it was partly explained to him the day before, but he was too tire to make sense of it.

 

“She is, only, not exactly how you'd remember her” Sheppard said as Rodney brought up on his laptop a picture of her and Cayran from the puddlejumper screen. “That's Tanith” Sheppard said, pointing out the dark dressed woman, “And that is Major Penderghast, they're Furlings now” Sheppard was still not sure how to take it, but it made Rodney happy.

 

“Doesnt look like Tanith, but you say its her ?” Tej said, the last time he saw her was just before the whole gods eye incident and getting Ramsey from south america.

 

“Oh yeah, that's Tanith alright, even let me scratch behind her ears too” Rodney said, well that was not exactly information needing to be shared, which explained Shepards stern look.

 

“Really ? A human woman let you scratch her behind her ears ?” Tej asked

 

“Its complicated but when she comes in for dinner later today you'll understand, its the planned meet up, Sheppard, you said earlier we'd have a new team member ?” Rodney said

 

“Yeah, a former Federal agent, guy named Luke Hobbs” Sheppard

 

“Oh hell no” Tej said, he set the laptop on the console and turned towards Sheppard, “You say Luke Hobbs ?”

 

Sheppard nodded, “yeah why ?”

 

“Oh hell no” Tej started laughing, “Hobbs was old school, fire and brimstone, if the Fed had someone they wanted to find, and fast, they'd send him” Tej explained, He sighed, “Where is he now ?”

 

“Still in the infirmary puking his guts out after the walk through the stargate” Sheppard said

 

“Really ? Some people actually are that disoriented about it ?” Rodney asked, Sheppard smirked, Rodney glared at him, “Oh come on, you know thats not funny”

 

“It was funny to me” Sheppard said in reply

 

“So wait is he sick or not ? I felt briefly a bit qeasy, you know, butterflies in the stomach, but that went away fairly quickly” Tej said, Sheppard shook his head

 

“No seriously, He's going through the paces with Dr Beckett as we speak for vacines, afterwards he was going to do gym time with Ronon.” Sheppard smiled, enjoying his new joke. “Its not often I can get you like that Rodney”

 

“Oh come on, is that what this is about ?” Rodney complained

 

“Relax, will you ? Look the last thing we need with you three is to have you all stressed out you cant share a laugh” Sheppard told them. That was true, Dr Heightmyer had told them as such quite a bit. Rodney finally nodded.

 

“Anything else ?” He asked

 

“Yeah, Tanith asked if her daughter could come along for dinner tonight, I said sure but its ultimately up to you.” Sheppard said to Rodney

 

“Tanith has a daughter, of course shes invited too, its not black tie so they dont have to get too formal.” Rodney said, how formal could a Furling get ? Oh right, Dila pretty much showed up in a form fitting latex number at the SGC and even went swimming in it from what Rodney had read of the mission report. Every delgation got a mission report on it, in this case the whole fight was written swing for swing. And nobody even tried to stop Tanith from defending Dila and Saca, sadly Dila was taken out of the fight right off the bat.

 

And since Tanith, Tharon and their daughter Thalia were going to visit for dinner that evening as part of a weekly thing they had set up. It allowed Rodney a chance to be with some of his favorite cats. In this case Tanith and Tharon, and Tharon in this case trusted Rodney with his life and the life of beloved wife Tanith

 

But meeting Thalia in person instead of on a screen was an entirely new ballgame, would she be as graceful and allowing as Tanith was when it came to ear petting ? Would they be the least bit alike ? On many levels Rodney hoped the very least he could pet her ears. He was looking forwards to it.

 

Sometimes Tanith had the best sleep when she was with Rodney. Sometimes going so far as to use him as a pillow it was a rather interesting trade off. But Rodney didnt mind it, the catnaps lasted about twenty minutes or so at the most.

 

“I'll let Ben know.” Sheppard said as he turned to leave the lab, “Let me know when you geniuses find anything would you” With that he was gone.

 

Tej watched him leave, “Is he always like that ?”

 

“He's actually a fairly good leader, its amazing our team lasted this long” Rodney said in reply.

 

“Team ?” Tej asked, He was in for an entirely new story as Atlantis Recon One, also known as SGA 1 was like SG1, in this case they explored the Pegasus galaxy, finding and testihng and making sure every map location for a stargate allowed them by the Wraith treaty could be safely explored. The strangest part however was the new startgates they were finding at sheer random, none of which had power at their respective locations. Accessible only by ship as the Puddlejumpers werent powerful enough to travel for long in hyperspace.

 

In the end, Tej's crash course was helpful as they figured out three different ciphers on the lab wall allowing access to Janus log, his journal, and stargate notes and observations. Finally the fourth cipher they cracked allowed them to investigate further and also find exactly what they sought.

 

The Furlnigs had adapted their stargate, made it a little more, over the top dramatic, enough so that it was clearly a advance piece of technology. It used the typical DHD control panel, and yet the five inner rings of the device span in two different directions at five different speeds, lighting up the seven cheverons before the cheverons rose from the ring itself as it activated, each inner ring then stuck out from the gate at a six inch interval. Effectively making a guarded tunnel of a sort when the stargate was active, spinning at various speeds in two differnet directions.

 

When dialing out however it worked like a normal traditional SGC stargate they were used to. In this case things moved up a notch. Janus was thinking of doing the same thing to every stargate and updating the stargate construction system to do just that. But he never got around to it as he soon left Atlantis with the other remaining Ancients for Earth, however he did take a lot of research with him, including th information on the time jumper which was at earth.

 

Atlantis

Stargate Control Room

Eight Hours Later

 

The stargate kawooshed open as chuck announced the incoming IDC, it was Tanith, Tharon and Thalia were with her, the latter clearly nervous. But as soon as they stepped through and arrived on Atlantis, Thalia stared at the thing, now able to have a really good look at it.

 

“So thats it ?” She asked her mother. She was briefly in awe at seeing it, but Tanith had to agree, it was awe inspiring, but once you're used to it its easy to forget it exsists. In this case keeping it guarded and having a realtively active lifestytle that included it made things easier to grasp too

 

Tanith turned to her daughter and looked up at the gate, seeing how she was acting, she smiled, “Yeah, that's it. That's the Stargate. It works similar to the datastream transmitter, only in this case it can be dialed and its, in my opnion, a better safer method of transport” She said

 

“Why couldnt we take Silent Night though ? I thought you said it could fit ?” Thalia said then

 

“I am guessing you mean your puddlejumper ?” Broke in a new voice, Thalia and Tanith both turned, Tharon was speaking to Richard Woolsey who greeted him. But it was Rodney who was speaking.

 

“Uh, yeah, I guess” Thalia replied, it didnt really matter right ? Silent Night was her mothers ship after all.

 

“Well, apparently it is too long to fit in our control room, were our stargate outside it would fit easily, but its too long for the control room, whereas your control is much larger. It wouldnt have a problem there.” Rodney told them. Then he asked, “Silent Night ?”

 

“I named my puddlejumper, the city back home recognises it by the name Silent Night.” Tanith explained to Rodney how the naming system worked. Once a puddlejumper or starship was named the city would update itself to recognise the new callsign and in a way it worked.

 

By that point Rodney realised where he was and who he was with and stuck out his hand to Thalia, “Welcome to Atlantis, I'm Rodney, Rodney McKay, and you must be Thalia ?” He said

 

She took his hand, her velvet soft fur in his own hand felt amazing. He was never going to get used to it. “Yes, I'm Thalia, and you know my mom and dad already.” She spotted Radek and waved, “Hi Doc” She said to him, he waved in return. At the look Rodney gave him in confusion she explained, “The datastream transporter, Dr Zelenka was able to help me get it stablished and working properly. So we've met already, and also your col Sheppard” For a sixteen year old or so, she was wiser then she looked. She was after all a exact genetic replication between Tharon and Tanith, her colors matched her parents dead on, and her clothing matched her mother.

 

“A pleasure” Rodney said in reply shaking her hand. Oh it felt amazing, he then indicated towards the comisary where dinenr was being set up. It was something Tanith wanted to start doing once a week, a weekly trip to Atlantis to go over the week on both sides, see what was new from earth, the works. This was the first time they'd do it, and it was apparently a tuesday, so the tuesday dinner club was going to go into its first session

 

Thalia was facinated with the technology and Rodney was just as happy to show her around and let her see what was what. Tej managed to reunite with Tanith once he was formally re-introduced, he only remembered her from brief arrivals and meet ups at parties at certain points at the Toretto homestead in California.

 

Tanith was also formally introduced to Luke Hobbs, who, try as he might, was still at odds with the team, but enjoyed working with them thanks to his daughters mindset. Hobbs however was at first skeptical of meeting a pair of cats and their daughter, but when he finally heard Thalia speak, he'd have sworn he knew that voice.

 

So he cornered briefly, Sheppard and spoke with him, “That girl, Thalia, she's on a missing persons poster in Washington DC, purdue college and also most if not of southern California.” He explained her original name, Gabrielle Xang, and how she went missing from race Wars and her family was going crazy trying to find her.

 

“Thalia is Taniths kid, its hard to explain, but who she was, and what she is now is two differnet things, I think for the moment it is best not to talk about it to her directly, its complicated as far as I could tell but when Rodney tried to explain it to me, it went over my head by a lot.” Sheppard explained what he knew, apparently when transporting from earth back to Ascretta by mystical means and becoming a Furling, they lost many years, they were still the same person, but they woke up as they were back on their true world.

 

”I promised her family I'd try and find their daughter,” Hobbs explained to Sheppard as they walked to the Mess Hall. “I'd hate to tell them their daughter is dead, not missing.”

 

“I understand what you mean, tell you what, if it makes you feel any better, Tanith got to see her father as she is now, and he recognised her. I think it wouldnt be a problem if Thalia met her birth parents back on Earth, but we might have to talk to Tanith about it first” Sheppard told him, Hobbs agreed

 

Dinner passed in a wirlwind of small talk and good food, it was mostly a buffet and that made it even better, Thalia packed away a lot of food Tharon and some of the other atlantis residents discussed flying the puddlejumpers.

 

And then came the ultimate question, from Radek and Rodney together. “Naming a puddle jumper, I wasnt aware it was possible” Radek said in thought.

 

“What do you currently have them named ?” Tanith asked, since she and Thalia were seated with Rodney, Radek and Tharon, along with Ronon and Woolsey.

 

“Right now, just numbers, Jumper one, Jumper, two, etc, they show up on the radar by those names” Rodney said to her.

 

“I see, so if I were to appear in orbit from hyperspace to get here in Silent Night would it show up by that name or something else ?” Tanith asked, she had mentioned her puddlejumper had a hyperdrive. And could possibly get to Atlantis and back easily.

 

“I believe so, we can experiment next week if you want I am really curious of how it works” Rodney said, Radek nodded. They were both excited about the possiblity of naming their ships.

 

Radek then spoke up, “Rodney spoke of how your puddlejumper used pulse laser cannons like an Ori fighter instead of a drone launcher, why is that ?”

 

“When Cayran and I built the thing, there wasnt enough resources to make a full armament of drones. Instead we made use of what resources were on hand and reconfigured a room of stored Ori staff weapons into the laser systems the Silent Night uses.” Tanith explained to them how the assembly line built the Silent Night around them just like a proper atlantis puddle jumper, only it was twice as long, able to hold twice as many people.

 

It was pretty much an RV in space and Tanith loved it. Used it as a daily driver so to speak. She also told them of its power source, a ZPM like module that allowed it to pretty much have unlimited power.

 

That alone had Rodney's attention, a hyperdrive, a shield system, cloak system, laser weaponry, and also the ability to run off a ZPM without issue ? “Please tell me more” Rodney said to her. Tanith smiled at him.

Chapter 9: Pins and Skewers

Summary:

Cam and Dila figure out troubles are brewing on Flamelight Spire while Cam and Teal act as guests on Flamelight Spire things become even more clear thanks to Dilas older brother Akter, so Cam pays a visit and spends the week at Ascretta thanks to Tanith. Meanwhile in their condo on Ascretta, Thalia and her father Tharon have an idea, and Thalia goes to help her mother out.

Shortly after, Tanith decked out in her upgraded kull armor whipes out a patrol squad of Pollicles near the Milky Way stargate.

Shortly after that Cam tells Thalia that her parents, Gabrielle Xangs parents, really miss her and want to know where she went or what happened to her and Tanith proposes an idea.

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 9 pins and Skewers

 

SGC

Earth

Sixteen days later

 

It had been a solid twenty days since he'd heard anything from Firefox concerning Dom, and there was also equally nothing from the Apollo. So that meant for Cam to try and get in touch with someone else. In this case he wandered the SGC and found himself in Daniels, well office was the best word for it, it was more like a huge as library of all sorts of old knowledge and information. In any case, Cam found Daniel nose deep in a book.

 

“Reading I see ?” Cam said seeing how Daniel was engrossed in a book, and also some scrolls and what had to be data slats from Atlantis. “What're you reading ?”

 

“Some stuff Dila brought by last night. She said that the translations for the rest of the books we found in egypt and also the books we found in london and under Long Beach were still taking a while this is just the latest bunch” Daniel said as he read through one of the books, it detailed a few more notes from the initial twenty five members and how they had helped care for Moses way back when.

 

“Anything good ?” Cam asked

 

“Only that they had a group, about twenty five in total, and helped Moses at the time.” Daniel said, At least one of their initial groups did. It was rather strange when one thought about it. He couldnt exactly wrap his head around it clearly.

 

“So what are you thinking ?” Cam asked as Daniel put down one book when he'd found a page and went to the next and searched for a page.

 

“Well apparently the Furlings were both teaching and learning from the Ancients, according to this the ancient scientst Janus had some of his research on Ascretta, as well as Aterro, and also here in the Milky Way on a planet called Stafh. But I cant find any mention in either book of where the planet Stafh even is.” Daniel said as he went through the information.

 

“Did you ask Dila ?” The fact they were on a first name basis with Dila, her bodyguard Saca and a handful of the Furling Council on Flamelight Spire as it was still surprised and somewhat worried Cam.

 

“I havent yet, she hasnt woken up, I didnt wasnt to disturb her.” Daniel said in reply. He went through a third book, trying to find reference to the planet called Stafh, maybe Cam was right and Dila would know ?

 

“Did you get any sleep last night ?” Cam asked his friend, who shook his head,

 

“A little, about five hours, woke up at the crack of dawn this morning as it was. Few things to work on; you know the deal.” Daniel said, ok so he'd gone to bed at one in the morning and woke up solidly at six in the morning and ready to go to work. And the first thing he did was start crossreferencing mentions of Janus, and his various secret lab locations.

 

“So in the little sleep you got, before you went to sleep what did you find ?” Cam went to the blackboard and saw what Dila had written up, random numbers and equasions were all on it in Furling numbering system. “Did Dila write this ?”

 

“Yeah she was translating one of the data slates as she called it that we dug up for Egypt in Tell Basta when she started rattling off those in about two minutes flat.” Daniel said as he watched Cam briefly before focusing on his books, “Its in her native language so I have no hope of translating it until she translates the numbers from Furling into at least latin or english. However the words and letters are clearly Egyptian, there's no missing that.”

 

“So Dila has a connection to those things found in Egypt, but also has the ability to translate and act as a good friend with us regardless. Why do I sense a power play at play here ?” Cam asked turning from the blackboard to Daniel as he spoke

 

Daniel was focused on the books, he looked up, setting his hands on the desk top and taking off his glasses. “Well, that is a good question, its not exactly something I'd thought of” He admitted, he himself was still overjoyed at the prospect of finally meeting the infamus fourth race, the Furlings. Only to find out his own sister in arms, Tanith Raines, was one and never knew it.

 

He looked at Cam, “Why ?”

 

“I dont know, its just, I feel like there's a power behind the throne running things, making sure we go a certain direction, allowing for no free will or such.” Cam said, it went mostly over his head, he went to the desk and put his hands on it across from Daniel. “I'm not making any sense am I ?” He asked his friend

 

Daniel just looked at him, “Have you had any coffee yet ?” Was the first question Daniel asked him. Cam shook his head no, “No ?”

 

“At the moment Teal'c is brewing some, I hope to have some then” Cam replied, well that settled that for the moment, it wasnt long before the coffee would be ready, so Daniel motioned the two of them to join Teal'c at the coffee machine to go over things and see if they could get another pair of eyes to get a look at the books.

 

They found Dila's bodyguard, Saca speaking with Teal'c, who wa explaining to her how the SGC worked. The brown and black tabby cat woman spoke with the Jaffa, the two were quickly becoming close aquaintences.

 

“Moring Teal'c, Saca” Daniel said on sight of the two. Saca bid them good morning.

 

Saca saw his expression as Cam took a mug of coffee and guzzled. “You seem troubled Dr Jackson” She said to him

 

“Yeah, actually, I am trying to find references to or at least the stargate adress of, the planet Stafh” Daniel explained how he had found it in three different books.

 

“Stafh might not be a planet, Daniel Jackson” Teal'c spoke up

 

“He might be right, you think it might be a place on a planet ?” Cam spoke up.

 

“Even if it was there's no mention of an address or what planet it is on, if that is how it is.” Daniel replied to both comments.

 

“It is quite possible as Teal'c said that Stafh might also be a town. Have you considered looking it up on a map instead of a star chart ?” Saca said thoughtfully. If Daniel was having issues trying to find a place using a star chart, a map might come in handy.

 

“You mean like a road map ?” Daniel asked, they'd only mapped out scant few planets they'd visited at least in relation to the stargate itself, which at this point was a good thing given how some of the fights included stuff with the Ori battles too and they had to map it all out.

 

“Yes, it is possible it could be here on Earth, or it could be on Flamelight Spire, I can ask when I return on if there is such a location, it is possible the Ancients, Janus maybe, had a lab at a park or even inside a building on Flamelight Spire, but I have to check first.” Saca told him, once Daniel had been told about their visit to Flamelight Spire after the address didnt lock, the stargate was infact pretty much buried, in this case taken entirely apart and used in a museum. The Furling colony world of Flamelight Spire was advanced enough that the stargate was a relic of a bygone age, at least until they reconnected to the network. When that happened it made things only slightly easier for everyone.

 

“Had any Ancients visited your world before ?” Daniel then asked

 

“A few times, we'd also visited them here too. And then we were cut off from both here, and our homeworld Ascretta around five or so thousand years ago in your time keeping.” Saca said

 

“Around time of Moses in Egypt” if time was right at least it was an easy fifty thousand years ago, if not longer. Time in the bible was never exactly defined and Daniel did try to quantify it how long a day lasted, how long a month lasted for the turns of the moon, things like that. And so far his timing was off between time of moses and time of king david, so many weird time keepings. So many extra years.

 

“Who ?” Saca asked as Dila came into the briefing room

 

“Its a long story, but I wont bore you with it” Daniel replied seeing Dila come into the room, her dress that day was similar to the last two visits over the last six months, a black bodycon type dress with no sleeves, but allowed for great freedom of movement, almost like a one piece swimsuit. She had a belt on and her hair was still being combed. Ever since Dila had been given the technology to allow her to appear like a gorgeous black haired human woman she could get around much easier on the planet.

 

“Good morning, Dr Jackson, Saca, Teal'c, Col Mitchell” She said on seeing them all.

 

“Good morning SG1, which is most of you” Came the voice of Hank Landry who was nursing his third cup of coffee of the day.

 

“Morning sir” Cam said seeing Hank, he took a seat at the table when Hank did.

 

“I'm going to keep this simple Col, its been sixteen days since we last spoke with Firefox, and I want to know if there's been any update, either from ADnte Reyes, Aimes, or even Firefox herself on Torettos healing progress.” Hank said to Cam.

 

“The good news is, we heard from the Hammond, Firefox is almost ready to send Dominic Toretto on his way to hunting Dante Reyes, whereas we're still trying to get a lock on Aimes himself” Cam reported. Firefox was intending for Dom to be finished in the morning, the next day, or that day he had no idea for sure. But one thing he did know however was the mere fact that Dom under Firefox healing care, was recovering at a steady rate.

 

“The Apollo reported two days ago their arrival in the Pegasus galaxy, from there its another three days to Atlantis itself” Hank said, that meant that tomorrow morning Dom would be let free by Firefox, but the question was, was she really going to let him free ?

 

“So what happens now ?” Cam asked. He looked between Dila, Saca and Teal'c, then to Daniel who sat next to General Landry.

 

“At this moment, Dila requested to be allowed anotrher day here, she wanted to meet with this, Firefox, whoever she is if possible. At the same time she also wants to aid Dr Jackson with his translations of what has been found in London and also in Egypt.” Hank said

 

“Yes actually I was going to ask if you wanted to stay longer when you were supposed to leave this morning.” Daniel said, confused on why Dila had slept in, it weasrt nearly ten in the morning, Dila, the last time she was here, was up by seven and ready to return back to Flamelight Spire.

 

“It was actually planned, instead of me staying over night I would instead stay two full nights and one full day to aid with translations of what you recovered from a Furling temple in what you call Tell Basta Egypt” Dila told him, well, that was that, which allowed for Daniel a sigh of relief. Translating Furling was not going to be easy.

 

Hank looked at Dila briefly confused, “You're sure your people wont mind if you're here an aditional day ?” He asked, in this case Dila was acting in the place of her people, a diplomat in a sense.

 

“Quite sure, in this case our council insisted on me staying longer. I get the feeling they want me to leave Flamelight Spire and make Earth my home, but also I feel as if they want to oust me and so when I return they can lock me away and cut us off again.” Dila explained how the politics worked, there were several others on the Furling Council of Flamelight Spire that were upset with her and her connections to Earth.

 

“In other words general I think we might be needed to help with some Furling trust issues back at her homeworld. If you dont mind it I'd like to return to Flamelight Spire, maybe even act as a guest but will be watched so something akin to more like a brief hostage, but still a guest regardless.” Cam said

 

“You would be regarded as a guest worth tracking, to ensure you are treated well and dont get into troubles that do not concern you.” Dila said, there were some things humans couldnt handle, and others even Furlings kept from too. She shook her head however, “But be treated as a prisoner, no, that wouldnt happen, not to you” She told him.

 

“I too will go with Col Mitchell to Flamelight spire, I wish to see this for myself, the system lords stayed away from that area of the galaxy for a reason, I would like to see why.” Teal'c spoke up then. Causing Hank and Dila to look their way. Two prisoners, so to speak.

 

“It makes sense, a brief prisoner, or in this case, guest exchange allowing some of us to explore your world and culture while you explore ours and help us with translations of things of your culture here on Earth” As much as Daniel himself wanted to go, he knew he wouldnt be able to do so. So it only made since in this case because both Dila and her personal guard Saca had come to Earth, just like the toher times over the past year.

 

Dila of course had enjoyed her first three days on Earth possibly too much because she made a point to visit a nearby hotel outside the complex with Saca, an Airman allowing them into the swimmign pool so Dila could swim before returning to Flamelight Spire.

 

“Alright, you have a go, go ahead and dial Flamelight spire, Col Mitchell, Teal'c, at this moment you are guests of the Furlings, just like Dila and Saca are guests of ours. You are to be kind an curtious, and in no way threatening. Good luck”

 

“Thank you sir” Cam said he got to his feet and went to get a jacket denoting him as SG1 team member, Teal'c too went for a coat, and the two went to the gateroom below.

 

A few minutes later and Dila, Saca and Daniel were in Daniels library getting to work on the blackboard. In Daniels library/office Daniel was pondering something, “I think the most trouble I am having is when it comes to the numbers, letters I can mostly translate but symbols and numbers I come up blank” he said

 

“Numbering in Furling is unique I agree.” Dila said in thought. She went to the blackboard. She sighed, “I can translate it, but into latin or even ancient isnt easy.” she said.

 

“Well, go ahead and pick a language here, and I can translate it from there” Daniel said, he gave her a short list, she found one she could easily translate to and rapidly did the translation for him.

 

The translated translation ? It was from Furling, to Chinese Tradtional numbering, and then he could translate that to english easily. Once that was done it was still confusing, but it was more helpful.

 

It was nearly noon when more of the books were translated, and Saca was proven right. Stafh was not a planet, but a place on a planet, and further translated and corrected from Stafh to Place of the Staff whatever that meant, apparently a pole of some kind.

 

But try as he might Daniel was making no headway when it came to the actual location, there were no stars to work with, no symbols nor mention of the stargate to get there.

 

He hoped Cam was having better luck.

 

Flamelight Spire

At that same moment

 

Cam and Teal'c were shown to a rather nice sitting area, Teal'c took a seat while Cam went to the window, given light refreshments the Furlings were cordial, for the most part. But aside from the guards, they had yet to see much else. They were rather surprised it turned out, that people still used the stargate.

 

Cam even asked t osee the last cat he'd seen along side Dila, in this cast Akter, or even the fuighter pilot Viktar. But niether of them were seen or spoken of. Cam felt like a prisoner.

 

It was not long before Akter himself showed up, it was not by word of mouth that he sought them out, but more like remembering the man and wanting to speak to him, only to be told he was already there.

 

Stepping into the room, Teal'c raised an eyebrow at the sounds coming from the door. “Col Mitchell, of the Earth ship Odyssey ?” Akter asked him.

 

“Speaking” Cam said from the window where he overlooked the stargate plaza.

 

“I am Akter, one of the councilors on the Furling Council of Flamelight Spire. While it is true we insisted that Dila learn more about earth, she apepars to insist on other things to do there.” Akter was more a man focused on the task at hand, in this case, learn more about other cultures. Earth contacted them, and were formalyl recognised as the Fifth Race by the Asgard. And in that case that meant the Furlings to see them on an equal footing.

 

“Yeah, about that, I guess she likes to swim ?” Cam replied, he hoped that was not why Akter sought him out. “Why is something wrong ?”

 

“There is word among the council, some desineters of course, but the word is, Flamelight Spire is agreed with the other eleven colonies of Furling councils, we still do not have contact with Ascretta, our homeworld. But we've come to the conclusion that we wish to formally recognise Earth, the Taur'i as a whole, as the Fifth Race. In doing so we also would like to send a delegation, more then just Dila and her guard. But a few other diplomats, exchange technology and resources. Learning what we can of each other.” Akter said once he'd taken a seat, it was a huge thing, too much for even Cam to really follow, but it actually made sense.

 

At that moment, the council simply insisted that Dila stay two days instead of an over night and return. Mostly so they could properly hammer out some finer details she wasant needed for, but when she came back they could hammer out the rest. So Cam said “Something tells me those desenters do not want Dila in on something important.”

 

“Unfortunately I was overruled by the council in allowing Dila another night on Earth, her detractors simply did not want her present when they finalised their end of a bargan agreement with the rest of the council to formally recognise Earth as the Fifth Race.” Akter said to him, he sighed and shook his head. “Dila is one of the Higher Council members. I am on the lower council, in this case I am considered one of the outer ring while she is in the inner ring of the council” He did his best to explain how the Furling council worked.

 

From what Cam could see, it had secret comittees, and it also had backstabbing in plain view. “Reminds me of Congress” Cam said simply, which earned a rare smile from Teal'c. Cam also sighed, “I see what you mean, that extra day gave them the time needed to ensure their votes wer counted towards something, right ?” Akter nodded, thankful that Cam understood what he was trying to explain.

 

“It is a relief to see that someone understands politics on a basic level, but yes, that exactly is what happened, the council agreed t oallow Councilor Dila another day at Earth in order for more of her detractors to make their votes how they preferred. She will not like the result” Akter said in thought

 

“How so ?” Cam asked him, if it concerned Dila directly, was she to stay at Earth, or something else ?

 

“The council voted in ousting her, narrowly voting in favor of her being ousted, were it not for my last minute call of recess to gather our thoughts, she would have been banished, alone, to Earth.” Akter said, Dila was one of his few friends on the Council, and on Flamelight Spire itself.

 

“Would it help any if I brought some friends from Ascretta ?” Cam offered, it was mostly a bluff, but if Tanith could come to Flamelight Spire directly

 

“You would do this for Dila ?” Akter asked him

 

“Not just for Dila, but to ensure that relationship between our two races is solidifed, then yeah, I'd do it gladly.” Cam replied. If he could get tanith to come to Flamelight Spire by way of stargate, thus establishing a direct connection once again. “Look the last time I was here, last year, you guys werent connected by stargate to the network, nor were you connected to Ascretta, What would happen if I can get my people to re-establish the connection from Ascretta to here”

 

“A connection of any kind to Ascretta would further solidify Dila's right to be on the coucil” Akter replied, he thought a brief moment, “I believe I can allow for a full recess of three days, if we are unable to get a connection from Ascretta, I am afraid that Dila will be expelled from the council” Akter told Cam

 

“Then it is of importance that we ensure a connection is made” Teal'c spoke up.

 

“Yes, and in order to do this I am of a mind to allow you to return to your homeworld as quickly as possible to begin work on your end.” Akter said in reply. He stood as he spoke, “Come with me, and be quick.”

 

Ten minutes later and the stargate was activated, as they were about to step through another Furling appeared. “Hold a moment Councilor Akter, these guests were here until Councilor Dila returned tomorrow, why are they going back a day early ?” Akter motioned for the two men, in this case Cam and Teal'c to halt for a moment.

 

Turning to the councilor who spoke to him, “Councilior Mahees, I was not aware that our guests could not return home when they wished to do so” Akter said to the new arrival. The black and leopard patterned Furling wore a High Councilor patterned robe similar to what Dila wore when Cam first arrived at Flamelight Spire.

 

“These two men are to wait until Councilor Dila returns from their world.” Councilor Mahees said tersely. Cam could see clearly that Akter and Mahees were almost at each others throats.

 

“As a high councilor you think you can dictate what our guests can and cannot do ? The council is in recess until Councilor Dila returns, and has agreed to my proposal of making contact with the Homeworld of Ascretta, until then these men may freely step through to return home.” Akter told the other councilor.

 

“You are a lower councilor, Akter, not a High Councilor like Dila. Who are you to speak for her ?” Mahees asked him. It was clear that Mahees didnt like Dila. And Akter had proposed making contact with Ascretta at Cams suggestion

 

“Councilor Mahees, if they are unable to make a connection between us and Ascretta, you can continue your vote to oust Councilor Dila. But I will not stand by and allow her name to be trampled in the mud while she is away. Am I understood ?” Akter said, his tone showing he was ready to take a whack at the high councilor

 

A long tense moment passed, finally Mahees pointed a finger at Akter. “Fine, you win this time Akter, but mark me, if a connection cannot be made in three days, Councilor Dila will be expelled from the council and stripped of rank” Mahees then turned on his heel and left the three.

 

“It appears as if the councilor did not want us to leave.” Teal'c said simply stating the obvious.

 

“Yup” Cam replied

 

A minute passed, Akter sighed, the stargate still active behind them. “You remember when I mentioned Dila had her detractors ?” Cam nodded at the question, Akter nodded in the direction Mahees had gone. “That was just one of them. Councilor Mahees is one of the several who plotted and voted against Dila, wanting her out of the council because of her perchant for coming back here from your world, drenching wet.” Akter sighed, he liked Dila on a sibling level, which they were.

 

“May I ask you something” Cam said from beside the stargate.

 

“You may” Akter replied

 

“Who is Dila to you exactly ? Like, what is she to you, related or such ?” Cam asked him.

 

“Dila is my older sister, we're from the same mother, different fathers.” Akter explained, he shook his head. “I would explain further but I believe it is time you got started, three days after all, and the clock is ticking.” Akter said to him. It made sense.

 

SGC

Earth

Moments later

 

“What happened ?” Hank asked as Cam and Teal walked down the ramp, they were barely gone a full day when they returned.

 

“Its complicated but we need to get in touch with Tanith, and Atlantis, we dont have a lot of time either” Cam replied

 

“The Furling Council of Flamelight Spire has agreed to allow us to try and establish contact between Col Raines at Ascretta, and Flamelight Spire, it was referred to as The Homeworld of Ascretta by Councilor Akter” Teal'c spoke up.

 

“In as many words, yes, the council of Flamelight Spire also wants to expell Dila from their membership unless solid contact is met between Flamelight Spire and Ascretta is established at which point Tanith can visit and prove she saved Dilas life here on Earth from the Trust.” Cam said

 

“So in other words we need to contact Atlantis” Hank said

 

“And fast” Cam said. The three then went into the control room.

 

“Sir, Col, Teal'c” Walter said on seeing them, they were back early.

 

“Dial up Atlantis, Walter, we dont have a lot of time, make sure you get a visual feed too. We need to talk directly face to face.” Landry said to Walter.

 

“Yes sir.” Walter started dialing. Witrhin a minute he had a connection. “Live feed ready sir”

 

“Col Mitchell, General Landry, we werent expecting to hear from you for another day or so” Came Woolsey's voice and face on the screen.

 

“Yeah, things came up, Richard, I think I can discuss it more in person, Col Mitchell is ready to come through the stargate to Atlantis to brief you on the situation. From there he hopes to get in touch with Col Raines at Ascretta.” Hank explained

 

“Thats a tall order general. But, we can let him through yes.” Richard said in reply, he nodded to Chuck, the tech hit the control for the shield to lower it. “Sheild is open, feel free to come through.” Woolsey said.

 

“Thank you richard, next rotation to Earth I'll treat you you to dinner.” Hank said for such a short notice, Woolsey was surprisingly accomendating. Which was kinda creepy.

 

“You think we should not inform Councilor Dila of what occurred on Flamelight Spire ?” Teal'c asked as Cam went to the gateroom,

 

Cam halted at the base of the ramp. He looked at Teal'c, a smirk on his face. “You can tell her some things came up, and the council is voting on if she should remain or not, word it how you like. In the mean time, let her also know that Tanith will be stopping by Flamelight Spire, hopefully by Stargate.” Cam said, he then stepped through and went to Atlantis.

 

Finally.

 

Atlantis

Control room

Seconds later

 

Richard was waiting for Cam when he arrived. “Whats this about Ascrreta ?” He asked him. They'd just finished dinner the night before, allowing Tanith, Tharon and their daughter to stay the night before returning at first light to Ascretta by stargate.

 

“Its complicated but in short, Flamelight Spire is a Furling outpost, packed with Furlings, they recognised us by way of the Asgard Core as the Fifth Race. However their council of elders or such is currently voting on two things, one, to formally recognise Earth as the homeworld of the Fifth Race, and two, to oust one of their own, the only way they wont oust said member, the same one that Tanith saved the life of last year, is if Ascretta can make a stable connection between Ascrreta and Flamelight Spire. But apparently not by Stargate they have a different method.” Cam explained as best he was able to Woolsey what he knew.

 

“So we need to contact Col Raines and inform her of whats going on. How long do we have ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Councilor Akter gave us three days, once three days are up the representive sent to us, her name is Dila, the one that Tanith saved from the Trust, will be expelled from the Furling Council of Flamelight Spire in a form of a vote.” Cam explained as they went up the stairs to the control room itself and into Woolseys office.

 

“So that means why you're here.” Richard said in thought.

 

“Not entirely, I was hoping to see Tanith at Ascretta personally and help establish the connection for there” Cam said, that and he really missed seeing Tanith. The last time she was at earth she tackled the christmas tree

 

“Alright, you mentioned three days ?” It was nearing noon Atlantis time, he had no idea what time it was on Ascretta, in fact it was nearly sunrise.

 

“Yeah, three days to have a connection established between Ascretta, they referred to it as the Homeworld of Ascretta, and Flamelight Spire. I figure making the connection then Tanith going through would be enough for the vote to expell our current only connection to Furling culture, Dila, to never happen.” Cam said, why did he get himself into this.

 

“Alright, sounds like a plan, Chuck” Richard said getting to his feet and going to the control room. “Dial up Ascretta, make it quick.”

 

A minute later and Ben was on the screen. “Mr Woolsey, good to see you, good morning from Ascretta” The replicator said, for a brief second Cam thought he was looking at Radek Zelenka. “Whats happening, am I needed at Atlantis ?”

 

“No actually its more complicated then that can you get in touch with Col Raines, and also ensure your shield on your end is down over the stargate, we have a traveler to come through and speak to her its... urgent to say the least” Woolsey said to Ben.

 

“Yes sir, shield is down on our end and I will get in touch with Tanith imediately.” Ben replied, the video connection died.

 

A minute later and Cam was setting foot on another planet in another galaxy for the first time. Or was that the second time ?

 

Ascretta control room

seconds later

 

“Welcome to Ascretta col Mitchell.” Came the voice of Lukas, who was on duty when Ben left to inform Tanith of Cams arrival. The Reeplicator was gone about two minutes before returning.

 

“Col Raines will be right here, she's just starting breakfast.” Ben said to Cam

 

“Did you tell her she can finish ?” Cam asked, giving Ben a funny look, a look that made Lukas crack a smile. Cam then saw the two replicators standing guard over three pods on a screen, “Im guessing that is some sort of transport device ?”

 

“That's right, a datastream transporter.” Ben replied, “Taniths daughter, Thalia perfected it and moved it here out of safety. There is also one in Atlantis.” Ben said to him. “Why ?”

 

“Apparently there's eleven other Furling outpost worlds, they're all connected by that kind of technology.” Cam said, he'd seen it first hand when he was at the Furling world of Flamelight Spire, it was why, Dila and Akter had told him when he had first been there, the reason the Stargate was never used between their worlds. Twelve total addresses, but none of them worked, well now one of them worked. They were all connected by the datastream transport network. A system in subspace.

 

“So ?” Ben replied, confused as to what Cam was getting it. “Forgive me if I am wrong. But with enough power that can connect to another location right ? Like say, the Furling colony worlds ?” Cam suggested, as he spoke Ben began typing on a screen and brought up the list of addresses that Cam was never able toconnect to from Earth when he and Daniel found the list.

 

“Ok so, these are the list of addresses from the list given to us from Lukas.” Ben said, one of them was clearly labled as active.

 

Cam pointed at it. “That, that is Flamelight Spire, if its possible, can that transport device connect to it ?”

 

“Given enough power maybe, why ?” Ben said to him

 

“Tanith needs to establish a solid connection between here, and there, but not by stargate, my guess is that they'd expect it through a shrine of theirs. It had lights over top of it, they also had a connection to Orilla, the Asgard homeworld” Cam explained how the Furlings never used the stargate to get between their planets.

 

“So the technology that Thalia perfected was alrewady perfected elsewhere and even used for a time. It was possible it was stored on both Atlantis in Janus lab, and also in Thalias own lab.” Ben said in thought.

 

“I'm detecting a ship nearing our location” Lukas spoke up, he turned to Ben and Cam, “Its the Silent Night” it was only ten minutes, was Tanith able to eat breakfast ?

 

“Was she even able to eat breakfast ?” Cam asked

 

“I hope so, Tanith without a meal I hear is never a good thing” Lukas said, truth was, Tanith could get grumpy when without food. But if it was something important, she could redirect her anger elsewhere. She came in at a fast walk.

 

“Tank, Ben, good morning, Cam ?” She said on seeing Mitchell. “The hell are you doing here ?”

 

“I really wish this was a social call” Cam started, “But its good to see you, you got a little, there you go” He motioned to his nose, Tanith still had something of a jam on her nose. She got it when he motioned to his own nose. “Anyhow like I said I wish this was a social call but its not, its more complciated then that, you remebmer Dila ?”

 

“The diplomat from Flamelight Spire, yeah, why ?” Tanith asked, she put her Ori staff on her back. “Whats up ?”

 

“Well, the Flamelight Spire is home to Furlings, their council is voting in three days on two things, the first is recognising Humans of Earth as the Fifth Race, and also voting out Dila from being a Council member. Her brother Akter hopes that by locking contact between the homeworld, here, Ascretta, and Flamelight Spire would prevent that.” Cam explained verbatim. Even Lukas was shocked. It took a full day or so to make a working ZPM far as he could tell. Unless Ben had two replicators working on it directly.

 

“So, dial up the stargate and lets make contact with Flamelight Spire” Tanith said

 

Cam stopped her. “That's just it I think they'd want solid contact between here and there but not by stargate, I'm thinking the datastream transporter as Ben called it, he said there was one here, and one on Atlantis, I saw the one here on the screen.” Cam said to her

 

“With enough power it can go a longer range, my guess is when the world was cut off from Flamelight Spire was because of the ZPMs going down by two,” Ben mused aloud

 

“So how long until a new ZPM is finished ?” Tanith asked him.

 

“A day, that will give you four fully powered ZPMs, and still one dead one, and a half powered one.” Ben reported. “Based on decompitsion the fifth ZPM depleted at max entropy around five thousand years ago. With the four now once morefully powered, theres still the half depleted one, and a dead one.” Ben explained.

 

Tanith thought a second or so, then nodded. “Alright, we should be able to make contact with Flamelight Spire as soon as tonight. Have you eaten ?” Tanith asked to Cam.

 

“I'll get started on its connection stream” Ben said, he replicated again and got to work tracking and tracing datastream connections from generations ago.

 

Ascretta

Taniths condo

 

“Why did mom have to leave so fast ?” Thalia asked her father.

 

“The call came from Ben, so its something big going on and she wants to ensure things are smooth or such, she didnt say much but she did say not to wait up” Tharon said, though it also made him worried. To rush to the control room, taking Silent Night of all things as well. Yes it was a bit nerve wracking.

 

“She rushed out fast, you think it might be some more returnees ?” Thalia wondered as they cleaned up breakfast. It wasnt often she found herself remembering the times she and her parents had breakfast together. Somewhow thinking back five thousand years.

 

Her father smiled, “Possibly, but dont worry, its your turn to be with little Agustus so his mom can help in the Infirmary this afternoon dont forget.” Tharon told her, Thalia nodded, she enjoyed her time with Agustus, the young Furling boy was only eight years old.

 

She still could not believe he'd disappeared from a day care center in Ohio. Agustus and his mother Marei were two incredibly kind people, even his aunt who was present too. All of them Furlings. “How many of us on Earth are there ?” Thalia found herself asking

 

“If I remember it correctly, your mother wasnt even on the Earth to begin with when she disappeared and woke up here on Ascretta, Captain Zane however, and also Sgt White, were on Earth, only few feet apart.” Tharon said, Tanith had tried to explain it to him once or twice before. But some of it went over his head.

 

A few minutes later and Blaze showed up, she looked excited about something. “Something going on, sis ?” Thalia asked, the two had gotten to calling each other sisters, even if by adoption. Which wastrue, most of Thalias research and hidden stuff had codes, but this was different.

 

“Could say that, remember that thing we moved from your room a few weeks ago ?” she asked, meaning the datastream transporter.

 

“Yeah, Ben allowed us to put it in a secure cell in the brig section of the control tower of the city, why ?” Thalia asked. Why was the technology she had just perfected suddenly the topic of conversation ? Sure it was faster then a stargate, it basically rendered them obsolete.

 

“Well, Ben said it can connect to other planets besides Atlantis, one of them being Flamelight Spire, which according to moms guest, has the same technology, and just needs to connect to it to allow a connection back to earth” Blaze said, she was indeed estatic over such an idea.

 

“So that might be why mom rushed out in a hurry this morning” Thalia said in thought, Tanith had rushed out with a bagel in her mouth so fast Thalia had barely gotten her her Ori staff at the time. She went deathly quiet. Looking to her father, her mom rushed to Ben in a hurry, and mentioned a power issue ?

 

He looked at her “You dont think”

 

“No” Thalia shook her head

 

“Old girl too banged up ?” Tharon asked meaning the condition of the datastream transporter

 

“No, I managed to ensure it worked even went so far as Atlantis, even took mom there too, The guys at Sword Doamin even can use it without issue, its just that we dont have the power” Thalia said.

 

“With out power it can only go so far like a local galaxy, or desired end to end points right ?” Tharon asked as he went to the counter, he found some paper, and some stuff to draw with.

 

“Yes, without the power it could only go on the planet, Reiko is nice when she started using it she said she spooked Si Ming something fierce” Thalia said with a nod

 

“So with the power” Tharon started drawing, Thalia took over, doodling rapidly on the paper as Blaze was confused and watching.

 

“Its kinda creepy how the two of you do this you know that right ?” Blaze said to Tharon as he stepped back allowing Thalia to work on a design right there in the kitchen.

 

“Yeah, I know, its weird how we just connect like that, it was similar with you and the guys.“ Tharon said, it was still taking some getting used to, Thalia had been there a month now. And he still wasnt used to it. He actually had wanted to be a dad, but with his own line of work as a pilot for Delta, and Tanith on Iota, it just wouldnt work.

 

But now, on Ascretta, it worked perfectly, maybe too perfectly ? He didnt care. He was only happy befcausde Tanith was happy, and by extension, Thalia, their daughter by blood, Carson had confirmed it the night before. When he had all three of them come into the infirmary on Atlantis to give them the news. He'd confirmed it, its a pure gentic sample, Thalia was their daughter, apparently in a Furling there was little trace of the human before.

 

But that didnt matter to Thalia, it only made her happier, and she had hugged Rodney while Tanith hugged a shocked and confused Carson. Rodney was briefly startled by Thalia hugging him. If he had to guess, Thalia was a hundred pounds drenching wet, and she nearly knocked over Radek when she came through the datastream a few weeks back.

 

Thalia finished the doodle as Taniths voice came on the radio. “Mom its me, I think I figured it out, do you want me to use the transporter to come to you guys in the control room ?” She asked on her radio

 

“Yeah, that was why I was getting hold of you, have your dad and Blaze come too, someone here wants to meet you. Take the transporter, since I took Silent Night, walking would be too long” Tanith replied

 

“On our way” Thalia said as she finished off her doodle. She turned to her father and sister, “That was mom, she has someone who wants to meet us and asked for the three of us to join her at the control room with Ben and Tank, said to take the transporter since she has Silent Night with her”

 

The three left the condo and headed for the nearby transporter, once inside Tharon did the honor of hitting the control tower space and they were transported rapidly there.

 

A few seconds later and the three arrived in the control room, finding only Ben and Lukas at the consoles, “They're over there, been working out means to get the thing running.” Lukas said. Pointing to the nearby balcony where they found another Ben animatedly talkng with Cam and Tanith about power issues.

 

Thalia darted to her mother and Ben, the one at the console was a bit more gaunt then the real Ben and Thalia figured out he was a replicated drone. Which was why he never spoke when they arrived. “Mom I got it.” Thalia said holding out the paper to Ben, he looked it over, yeah it could work.

 

Thalia had no idea, but she was about to help her mother save the life of a friend once again.

 

Ben looked over the design Thalia had made over the course of ten minutes, the perfect power connection. “Hmm, bridging a ZPM with another via a control matrix crystal similar to Silent Night's drive pods. Yes I have the resources to make another control drive matrix” Ben said in thought.

 

“What are you thinking Ben ?” Tharon asked as he arrived, Blaze with him, Blaze and Thalia both hugged Tanith, Cam was slightly confused, two young girls dressed almost similar to Tanith only in the case of Blaze she wore a red and gray dress identical in design to Tanith, and Thalia had a direct match only smaller for herself. Fur color wise Blaze reminded him of Dila.

 

“The Silent Night has a drive control matrix, a lattece of crystals arranged to control the drive pods mental controls. Making such a system and connecting two ZPMs directly to it can provide the same direct power supply” Ben said, he indicated what Thalia had drawn up in ten minutes. “Thalia managed to figure out the power requirements, its just making the ZPMs to do it.”

 

“What about the battery sized ones there ?” Blaze asked as she motioned at the stack of D cell battery sized ZPMs Ben had made out of boredom from pieces of fresh cut sod

 

Ben thought a second or two, it made sense. “I hadnt thought of that, I can make a mockup, a prototype, and see how it works with the smaller ZPMs” the D Cell battery sized stack of energy sources were nearby. He took the drawing from Thalia gently and rolled it up. “Gimmie an hour for the first prototype.” He said.

 

With that Ben got busy making the control matrix of crystals. Turning to Cam, Tanith then said, “Cam, I'd like you to meet two of my kids, This is Thalia, and this is Blaze. Girls, this is a friend of mine, Cameron Mitchell, a member of the Air Force back on Earth.” Tanith said doing the introductions. Cam shook their hands.

 

“You've already met my husband” Tanith said, Tharon smiled, Cam looked him top to bottom

 

“I never expected Puss in Boots himself, but its good to see you, glad to see you're alright after that lightnig bolt” Cam said shaking Tharons hand.

 

“Glad to be alright” He replied. Well that was that.

 

A few minutes later and Lukas spoke up, “I am reading unknown life signs not far from the milky way stargate, it looks like Pollicles, they're about a click and closing.” he activated a local map showing where the milky way stargate was. A good unit of about twenty Pollicles were moving like a proper unit on the road towards the stargate.

 

“Should we check it out ?” Tanith asked.

 

“Mom, why not wear the armor, and beam over there with the data transporter ? We can watch what happens from here” Blaze spoke up, since Tanith introduced her as one of her daughters, she might as well use the term in a proper manner right ?

 

“Thats a good point.” Tanith said, the kull armor was able to take all sorts of damage, it was the perfect combat suit, forget body armor police wore on earth, even Jaffa armor wasnt as good as kull warrior armor was. In this case the kull suit could also freak out the pollicles too.

 

“Do it” Tharon said giving her a kiss. “Though remember, any thing goes wrong, Lukas will transport you back here to us. Got it ?” He told her

 

“Got it dear. I wont be long.” Less then a minute later and Tanith was ready, dressed in the kull armor the Furling saluted her daughter, and Lukas transported her to the milky way stargate in a flash of light.

 

Ascretta

Milky Way Stargate square

as seen on the control room screen

Seconds later

 

“They should be right ontop of you in a moment,” Came Tharons voice they were tracking the unit. “Still looks about twenty of them too”

 

“They're loud, I can hear them over you” she replied, but her voice was never heard. Then she saw them, a unit of twenty pollicles came into view, they were apparently on patrol, they spotted her and aimed their weapons, staff weapons, jaffa staff weapons by look of them were pointed her way.

 

In the sqaure was not a lot of places for cover, but the jaffa staff weapons were infact usless when it came to Kull armor, Anubis never thought of that area of the universe, Pegasus he thought was not worth going to because of some side effects and unwanted enemies.

 

In this case however. The Kull suit proved useful as the Pollicles called out to the behomoth standing on the pedistal where the ring stood. When Tanith didnt answer she raised an arm. The Pollicle barked an order and they opened fire.

 

Dozens of staff blasts whacked into her armor, harmelssly absorbed by the suit. Tanith raised her hand, and opened fire, three shot bursts rained into the Pollicles, the front line soldiers dropped like stones, three shots to their stomachs, burned right through, the unit scattered for cover. Tanith fired on a few of them, catching two more in the hips, they went down howling..

 

Thalia watched her mother pretty much mow down the pollicles, this group of course were all really mean looking breeds that Thalia couldnt hope to identify, and they also looked ready to take on her mother, only to fail greatly. The Pollicles also had old technolgoy, stunner weapons, in this case zat guns that were useless, fired dozens of times the energy simply just washed off the armor.

 

Tanith stalked forwards towards the scattered unit, her suit provided her with a nice radar on her vision. Allowing her to do exactly what was needed, where needed. She turned as she neared one of the buildings looking towards the stargate. She raised an arm to fire, a Pollicle came out swinging his staff weapon, she caught it, and flung it aside, the Pollicle, disarmed turned to run, and was shot in the back.

 

The unit's morale at that point broke completely, and they all began to flee, some trying to shoot the armored being advancing on them, others just taking off and running. Only to get shot at. Trees were felled thanks to her weapons fire. Any Pollicles that were left, like the ones shot in the hips were silenced by a knife to the neck. Ben had upgraded her armor greatly.

 

Tanith advanced a few steps more, by that point the Pollicles had fled entirely. “Thats all of them dear” Tharon said at that point, “They all took off, at least what was left of them. Stand by, transporting you back in three.” Tharon said

 

Seconds later and Tanith was back in the controlroom. She removed the helmet. Thanks to the replicator nanites infused into the suit they'd updated to take the brunt of the weapons fire and also increase her strength as she stood ready the helmet retracted, allowing her face to be seen. “Ben, these upgrades were amazing!” She said

 

Ben smiled sheepishly, he was bored and did the upgrade, telling Tanith at the time too that he was simply just really bored at the time and wanted to do something, so he upgraded her armor, similar to how the inside of Silent Night worked when it came to hiding all her weapons in side.

 

Infact, as she spoke the suit continued to full retract, leaving her in her normal dark midnight black sapphire dress as the kull suit faded down to just the vambgraces on her arms. She held up her arm, “I really like this too can you do this to a few more, I think we'll need them, they'll come in handy too.” She said to him.

 

“I'll see what I can do, but for now, the good news is, the mockup works on computer so far.” He waved them over to another screen, Thalia was with him and she looked really excited. “I've been running many many tests, and so far the tests are indeed working as hoped. We've been able to increase the range with just four of the D Cell ZPMs made from grass and sometimes from weat. So far I can connect as far as Sateda if we wanted to go there.”

 

“What about a direct like to Flamelight Spire ?” Tanith asked. That was their initial target.

 

“Well, it will take some time to find the exact data stream channel, out of an infinte possiblity of how to find it. But, going back to the last time contact was made with Flamelight spire, actually helped. I went back five thousand years, but was unable to find a connection point for the data stream, however I have bene going backwards from that point by one month intervals and I think I can narrow it down.” He said as he showed what he was doing.

 

“So the good news is ?” Tharon and Cam both said before smirking at each other. This was going to be fun.

 

“The good news is, its helping, by backtracking at one month at a time, a full rotation of the moons is what is allowing me to lock in on this properly. Its just taking longer then expected but its working. The other good news is the power supply design Thalia came up with will indeed work, and in the spare time of trying to find the data stream itself. I can make the power supply with our resources.” Ben reported, that was good.

 

Tanith turned to Cam, “So I am guessing this isnt just a social call either ?” she said, she wondered if he had eaten, he hadnt. “Ben, Tank, lock it in, you got the fort, Tharon dear can you prep Silent Night ? Girls, help your father, Cam, welcome aboard.” She said indicating the back door and ramp of the puddlejumper.

 

“Its bigger then the ones at Atlantis” Cam said once aboard.

 

“Yes, we have an assembly line here, we can build them easily with the right resources” Tanith said. Soon according to Ben, there'd be enough resources to make a proper Aruora class cruiser. Apparently Ascretta had a vast fleet of the things for the Ancients, only to have them one by one picked off by the Wraith over one hundred years.

 

The ship lifted off and headed for the outlaying spire of buildings. “Dont worry, I can let the others know you're a friend. My guess you are in a hurry to get back to Earth right ?” Tharon said.

 

“At this moment, no ,the hurry was to get to you guys, we only go three days before Dila is voted off the council at Flamelight Spire.” Cam then went on to explain how, when the datastream connection was locked in place would allow for Dila to remain on the council per Akters hopes, and for the human race from Earth to be recognised as the Fifth Race.

 

For that to happen Ascretta had to make contact with Flamelight Spire by way of the datastream.

 

Thalia listened to what Cam said, now it made sense for the power requirements. “Now it makes sense, Mom, when you said the thing needed power, its because of the connection strength, the stronger and more power you got, the more stable the connection is, and the safer transportation is. We wont even need to use the stargate to get to Flamelight Spire” Thalia sounded giddy, here she was thinking she invented something and it worked as hoped if not better, only to find out it was just her, perfecting the technology

 

“The kind of power supplied by a ZPM would do it easy, but I am not sure for how long” Cam said

 

“The Formal fifth race thing doesnt make a lot of sense ot me” Blaze said confused.

 

“Yeah its a weird thing too I never got the point of it myself. But the Furlings of Flamelight Spire recognised us as the Fifth Race based on the Asgard core in the Odyssey” Cam admitted, he himself didnt understand the whole great races thing. But he felt it was a good thing right ? It meant Human kind was important ?

 

He hoped so.

 

A few minutes later and Tharon brought the Silent Night in to land near the complex used by the others. “Man” Cam said in thought, Hobbs had told him about Gabrielle Xang's disappearance from Earth, and then how they'd met on Atlantis, and she was a catgirl. He turned to Thalia as he spoke, “I'm not really sure how to tell you this but back on earth your folks are going crazy trying to find you. I'm not sure of how to tell them you're alive and not dead.”

 

“Why not let her tell them herself ?” Tanith suggested, they both turned to her.

 

“How ?” Cam asked

 

“Easy, look” Tanith hit a key on her vambrace, and like a wave of wind on a Replicator, her form changed from a Furling feline woman, to a gorgeous human woman, the same Tanith that Cam remembered from Iota, the only difference was her dress and weaponry she wore. “With this holographic desguise, Thalia, Tharon, even Blaze can act and look and sound human back on Earth to get to see their families.” She explained

 

Well that made even less sense. But the more that Cam thought about it, the more it actually did make sense, to the point he had to agree with Tanith, Thalia could get in contact with her parents and let them know she was alive. Just, not on Earth anymore, and really really busy.

Chapter 10: The Middlegame {or, Who's Driving ?}

Summary:

See notes

Notes:

Firefox gives Toretto a unique question to answer in his own time. The two then are transported to the Hammond in orbit and then to the SGC. Firefox and Toretto meet Dila before she returns to her homeworld. Thery then head by Stargate to Atlantis.

At Atlantis Firefox is briefly stopped at the stargate before being allowed free movement in the city. There Firefox meets everyone else, and Dominic reunites with Letty and the family, then also Luke Hobbs. Firefox then begins a strong friendship with Tej Parker and Rodney McKay. And she begins unraveling some important issues plauging the two men inside Janus old lab.

At Ascretta, Tanith and her daughter, with Bens help, succeed in establing a solid connection to Flamelight Spire and Tanith steps through. effectively saving Dilas life a second time. Shortly after, a full delegation arrives from Ascretta, the Homeworld, to Flamelight Spire, during the council meeting, Councilor Mahees attempts and fails to seduce Thalia, Taniths daughter. After returning to Ascretta Tanith takes Pounce, Tumble, Tugger, Zane and Brutus on a gathering mission to clean out some SGC armories for supplies and weapons, they also bring home dinner and spook a Pollicle hunting party in the process

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 10: The Middlegame (or Who's Driving ?)

 

Earth

Portugal

Outside Villa Reale

Firefox's property

the twenty first day

 

“Are you rested ?” Came a soft voice, that of Firefox, it had been twenty one hard days of strength training, twice a day gravity room sessions, two hours a day gym sessions, and then also sparring sessions with Firefox inside the Animus. Now however it was the twenty first day, exactly thetime Firefox said Dominic Toretto could return to the world and take down Dante Reyes.

 

It was nearly noon.

 

“A bit tired, but ready. Why ?” Twenty one straight nights strength training, healing, eating a really good food from Firefox's massive kitchen. The Gravity Room was the best part of it all, it helped him grow stronger, able to withstand weight greater them himself.

 

“That is good” Firefox told him. She had a smile on her face. Her fox features briefly visible in form of a muzzle before fading out back to a human face, her fox ears remaining visible however. She stood from the low sofa. Dom had been in the Animus all night long. “Because it means you can finally take on Dante Reyes, or rejoin with the rest of your family, its up to you”

 

“Rejoin with the rest ?” Dom hadnt really thought of the others since the plane went down, but Firefox had told him they were all safe, even the pilots were safe. “Reyes stooge shot their plane down” Dom said standing from the sofa and looking towards her.

 

“They were saved thanks to the Apollo, they were transported up to the Apollo in orbit, your family is safe, the only two we cannot find is Mia Toretto, or her husband, Brian Toretto.” Firefox told him, that was good, it meant that their friends in Dominica were once more keeping them safe without worry. “So the choice is up to you. You can rejoin them at Atlantis this evening, or you can take the fight to Dante Reyes.”

 

Dom had to think carefully on it, what really waited for him at Atlantis ? “What exactly is there for me at Atlantis ? You speak of it as if it is this big time place to visit” Dom said

 

“Two names come to my mind, Your son is one of them, his mother is the other.” Firefox told him.

 

At those words Dom stared at her hard, Little B, his son, had disappeared the year before in that freak lightning storm, while Elenas grave was equally ravaged during the same storm. “They are there ?”

 

“Elena Neves, the mother of your son, is quite alive. Only, she is similar to myself, not human, anymore.” Firefox tried to explain it as she and Dom walked through the house, they went down a flight of stairs to the main room.

n

The two stood in her livingroom. She turned to Dom and regarded the man in careful thought. “Yes, you are healed enough to take on Reyes, but are you healed enough, emtotionally to go on this journey ?”

 

“Is that a question I am supposed to answer ?” Dom asked her

 

“That, my dear Dominic Toretto, is a question only you can answer, and it cannot be forced.” Firefox told him. She spoke up into a microphone she picked up from the table. “Hammond, this is Firefox, two to beam up and then to the SGC, make it fast” She said to nobody really.

 

Seconds later they were on the bridge of the Hammond. Two seconds after that they were in the SGC's briefing room in a flash of light. “Well, its about time you two got here.” Came the voice of Landry, he sounded upset. Or rather stuck in a rather tense moment.

 

“Are we late ?” Asked Firefox

 

“At the moment, just on time, we were about to send the Furling delegation to their homeworld.” Landry replied, he regarded the human woman before him, and the former street racer turned Atlantis expedietion member. “I take it this is Dominic Toretto. Worked with the Agency ?”

 

“At a few points, yes” Dom replied. Slightly on edge, why was he on a top secret military installation ?

 

Hank held out a hand, “Hank Landry, US Air Force.” He said, Dom smiled, already liking Hank as he took the mans hand and shook it. “Please, sit down and I will explain it.”

 

“I heard of what happened to General Hammond, terrible way to go” Firefox spoke up never moving towards a seat. “He was a good friend. I'm glad a ship was named for him.”

 

“There are still two more ships to name, apparently the Russians are insisting on a new ship to be built to replace the Korelev.” Hank replied. Where they were getting the resources to build such structures without the world knowing was still beyond Firefox. But Hammond had told her about the X303, the F302, and the BC304 series ships and fighters. Hank sighed, “And the US figured, what the hell we'll make two, in this case the name for the newest vessel is still up in the air. But Homeland Security spcifically wanted your input on naming the vessel.” Hank said turning as he spoke to Dom

 

“My imput ?” Dom asked, a smile on his face as he spoke, ”What good would a wanted man be to Homeland Security other then to get locked up ?”

 

“Firefox assured us as did Dr McKay that anything that occurred between you and the Agency was an internal dispute and the agency has since been disbanded, elements of it were absorbed by Homeworld Security.” Hank explained, he wasnt even bothering with the NDA for Dom to sign, since he worked with Mr Nobody already, and had already been on the Hammond, now twice.

 

“You can track Dante Reyes ?” Dom asked

 

“Right now he is holding up in Rio, his personal stomping grounds in a manner of speaking, briefly tried to torment Agent Hobbs as well before we got him too. He's currently at Atlantis waiting for you.” Hank explained.

 

“And Aimes ?”

 

“Leave him to me, its been a while since I got to play with a man like him.” Firefox spoke up from where she stood overlooking the stargate below. She sighed, turning to Hank she spoke, “General if you dont mind I'd like to track Aimes and get started on my strike.”

 

“Permission delayed, but still granted, I need you to go to Atlantis to recover something first, I was told you'd know what it is” Hank told her. She looked at him confused. “Until until you go to Atlantis and recover the item from there or even if its information. Permission to track down and take out Aimes is currently denied, in this case more of a delay, soon as you return that becomes your mission.” He said to her

 

Firefox looked carefully at Landry. His words made sense, but still. “I am not military, General Landry, you know this”

 

“Indeed, but you are also not human, General Hammond told me that much as well.” Hank replied to her. She didnt like where this was going. She didnt like it at all.

 

She crossed her arms and gave Hank a careful glance. Then she sighed, “Very well, I will retreive what I can at Atlantis, and then track down Aimes.” She said to him Hank smiled. That was a good Kitsune.

 

Much as he hated controlling a Kitsune, an honest to goodness goddess who might even be connected to the Ancients directly, having her as a ace in the hole bargan card, their hand to play really, came in handy.

 

Firefox herself wasnt too keen on the idea of being a bit of leverage when it was really Dom Toretto and Luke Hobbs who did everything to earn Dante Reyes wrath in the first place. In fact, during the vault theft Aimes became a part of the Reyes organisation, it was all connected, even Braga.

 

But that thought brought up some unpleasnt memories, “And Braga ?” Dom then asked

 

“The drug boss ?” Hank asked him in reply, Dom nodded, “He's in isolation, only mute guards give him food and ensure he cant get word to anyone. However that doesnt mean that others might try to get word to him or from him.” Hank explained to Dom, he looked at him confused. “Why ?”

 

“Braga was one of Reyes financers, his drug operation powered the west coast side of Reyes control zone and ensure things flowed back to his coffers.” Dom explained the Braga angle..

 

“We have him under isolation, anyone who goes to his cell to give him food or drink have their faces covered and cannot speak to him in the process. Any that do is reassigned” Hank explained, he sighed, “Fortunately with you at Atlantis, along with Hobbs, that allows Reyes to cool off a bit longer.”

 

“What is at Atlantis ?” Dom asked

 

“I think the question should be, “How do we get there from here ?” Hank corrected, Dom hadnt seen the stargate just yet. “We're about to do our daily dial in, I'd like you both to be there.” Hank smiled as he spoke, he stood up.

 

Two minutes later and Dom saw the stargate in full. “What is that ?” He asked, Firefox smirked.

 

“That is our way to Atlantis.” She told him

 

“We're going under water ?” Dom asked her, Atlantis as a city was sunk wasnt it ? Everyone knew the city of atlantis was lost under the ocean somewhere. Nobody knew where.

 

“Far from it.” Firefox replied as Hank arrived. “But you'll see soon enough.”

 

“Alright Walter, dial it up.” Hank said as he stepped into the control room. With a wine of energy pusling through it the stargate rolled into motion. Dom watched, transfixed as each cheveron locked. Finally the point of origin locked and the kawoosh of the unstable vortex exploded, then pulled back to a smooth rippling surface.

 

“Amazing isnt it” Hank asked as Dom simply stared. That looked powerful, possibly dangerous too.

 

“Receiving a signal, audio and video sir” Walter said

 

“SGC this is Atlantis, do you read ?” Came a voice as Woolsey appeared on the screens.

 

“This is Landry, we read you loud and clear we have guests ready to come through” Hank replied, a few more tidbits of information were traded before Firefox and Dom went into the embarkation room.

 

It was time to go to Atlantis, and Firefox was kind of looking forwards to it. She saw how Dom looked excited, he'd asked Landry to ensure that his son was at least present, or a way to speak to him. It had been a harrowing year after all.

 

“Firefox, Toretto, godspeed” Hank said into the microphone, the two traded looks and entered the Stargate.

 

Atlantis

Seconds later

 

Stepping from the stargate the team on watch lowered their weapons once they saw who it was coming through, both of them were friendlies.

 

At least for the most part, the city reacted and a energy barrier activated on its own around Firefox who grumbled. “Oh sure, ten thousand years of no contact and you still treat guests like this ?” She growled, the energy barrier remained for but a moment longer before the city allowed her to freely move around.

 

Though the activation of such a barrier was troubling. They'd never seen such an energy barrier before. Only laser panels the Vanir used, and the static glass the ancient brigs used.

 

Woolsey stepped up to them, “Well, not exactly the greeting to Atlantis I was hoping for, but nevertheless. Welcome to Atlantis, Dominic Toretto I am assuming that is you ?” He said holding out his hand “Richard Woolsey, IOA and currently in command of Atlantis”

 

“Yes” Dom replied shaking it

 

“You must be Firefox” Woolsey then said to Firefox, the woman looked a bit frazzled, she gave him a nod, “truth be told I was not expecting you for another day, but it has been twenty one days, and you're just on time. However before we go further, what was that ?” Woolsey asked to Firefox, regarding the energy barrier, it looked similar to a Tokra shield system only much more electric and sparky in general.

 

“Let me put it this way, the last time I was here, I was kinda not allowed to come back” Firefox replied. Truth was, Moros, the leader of the Ancient council at the time had banned her from Atlantis until after he was dead, not allowing her to return, that was at the onset of the one hundred years long Wraith-Ancient war.

 

Now that Moros was fully dead however, and the war long since over, she was allowed back. Firefox and Janus, along with Meila, had worked together on various projects with the Furlings. One of those projects included transportation technology, and weight related technologies.

 

“Was there a spiecific reason of why you were...” Firefox was shaking her head as Woolsey asked the question.

 

“Nothing important that you need to know about other then Moros didnt like foxes enjoying themselves.” Firefox told him.

 

“Truth be told when I was told about you I honestly did not expect a woman” Woolsey said to her. She smirked,

 

“I guess there is still things that people do not know of me.” She replied as Woolsey stood a few feet away. He motioned for Firefox and Dom to join him.

 

“Stand next to me please. This will only be a minute.” He said to them. They did so, Seconds later and a beam of light formed and transffered down Letty, Roman, Han, Gisele, Cipher, Elle and Ramsey along with a team of Marines.

 

Seeing Dom, Letty smiled and the two hugged and kissed. “When did you get here ?” she asked him. Seeing the city as they flew in the Apollo was one thing, but she had no idea her husband was already there.

 

Firefox watched for a moment before smiling and speaking. “You have yourself a good wife, Dominic Toretto. Shes a keeper” Letty looked towards her, Firefox simply smiled in her direction.

 

Ramsey however was confused about the woman dressed in red and gold. “Who are you ?”

 

“My name is Firefox, you are the hacker known as Ramsey, the creator of the Gods Eye, funny, it could never find me.“ Firefox said.

 

“Wait, I'm confused, I thought Firefox was a dude, a ghost hacker of the dark web or some shit ?” Roman spoke up. Causing Firefox's blackblue eyes to look at him and take him in. She stepped towards him.

 

“You are Roman Pearce, the man who can talk his way out of trouble where needed. A skill that needs refinement” She said as she walked around him a snickering was heard up in the controlroom, at the rail was Tej. Hobbs stood next to him, his arms crossed over his chest, a thoughtful look on his face.

 

Firefox knew them all thanks to the fact that, well, she was after all, a symbol on the internet, a red and gold fox of fire, with a black question mark. Nobody knew if she was male or female, or even if she even was human. Well, everyone but the Ancients, General Hammond, and Dominic Toretto.

 

Her home was safely locked away, allowing her to safely keep it hidden from prying eyes when needed. It was how Dante Reyes couldnt find where she had taken Dom the last twenty one days.

 

“Twenty one days ago I rescued Dom from a river flood plain, nursed him back to health. Now he has something on his mind I believe he wants to share with you” Firefox said then to Letty. She then turned as she spotted Tej watching her. His face one of mixed emotions, shock, confusion, and respect.

 

Stepping up the stairs, Firefox went to where Tej stood, holding out her hand to him. “The name is Firefox, you must be Tej Parker ?” her hand was extended to sdhake with his own

 

Tejs took it. “Yes, actually, its, an honor to meet you.” Tej had nothing but respect for Firefox, he had no idea the gorgeous black haired woman was infact a exiled Goddess from an entirely differnet galaxy far more advanced then even the ancients themselves. “Seems that we're not the only ones to meet you, the people that built this place, the Ancients, they worked with you”

 

“You know of them ?” Firefox asked.

 

“One actually, Dr McKay was able to heavily brief me on the Ancient scientist and computer technology genius, Janus, he has a lab here on the city. Apparently you came up a few times in his log enteries.” Tej replied

 

“Then perhaps you can show me to the lab, and we can begin on why I am here” Firefox said, the city recognised her as a friend, so that allowed her to go wherever whenever. The two then left the rest of the family in the gateroom.

 

In Janus lab Rodney was stumped on a cipher, which was one of the reasons Cipher was also brought to Atlantis on the Apollo, to help Rodney in exchange for her freedom. However they were both stumped, so many ciphers went over their head, and so many more just didnt make sense. A few were easy however. Allowing them to simply figure out what was what.

 

But it was not until Firefox entered when many ciphers simply unlocked on their own. She looked around the room. “I havent been here in years” she said simply, namely, ten thousand one hundred and three years was the last time she set foot in there. And any cipher with an entry or item related to her work simply unlocked.

 

“Mr Parker I see you made a new friend” Cipher spoke up.

 

“Possibly” Tej replied, he was on edge working with Cipher, but she was needed and had agreed to work with the Atlantis crew to gain her freedom. She really just wanted to take down Dante reyes, and there had to be something to take the man down. “Firefox this is.”

 

“Dr Rodney McKay” Firefox said in greeting. “It is a pleasure to met you” She said to him.

 

Rodney shook her hand, tempted to ask how she knew him, but instead he asked, “Did you just unlock all those entries and research notes ?” Meaning everything that was locked they had to skip through, they apparently required a genetic key. In this case Firefox herself.

 

“I might have” Firefox said looking at one of the screens, it was about how to build a working gravity room like in her own basement, only in this case it was using lesser advanced items found around the world the Ancients were used to. “Though I feel I need to ask why you are looking into those research logs ?”

 

What was their reasoning for searching Janus lab as a whole anyhow ? Nobody even told her why they were searching for it, or that they'd found it. Only Firefox and Meila knew of it. And neither of them told anyone. So how did the Humans find it ?

 

“For one thing we're trying to find a way to eliminate the Wraith, for another we're also trying to figure out the Furlings.” Rodney replied, he pointed on the screen that Firefox was viewing, the loggs, all one hundred and thirty five of them to be exact were in neat ordered rows. “Those notes and logs came up because it said something regarding fox spirits or such. A lot of it went over my head.”

 

“So you wish to learn of gravity technology ?” Firefox asked him seeing the cipher he had on the screen, it was one of three that were related directly with the creation and control of a Gravity Room. There was a fourth entry related on how to use gravity against itself as a form of energy generation. Something the ancients only did with a ZPM

 

“Is that what this is ?” Rodney asked, he himself was actually trying to find a means of what the ancients did to recycle batteries.

 

“This is one of the instruction designs to create a gravity room, a means to increase the weight of an object or person to increase the item or persons strength” Firefox explained, a hologram formed and she showed how it worked, five circles on the ground, each one acting like a small capsule allowing for whoever stood in it to slowly get higher into the air while the gravity within the capsule increased. “If you like when we return to Earth I can show you my own.”

 

“Gravity manipulation” Rodney and Cipher both mumbled, it was always a huge dream to be able to make a proper flying car that the every day car owner could buy and own.

 

“Pretty much” Firefox replied. She went through other entries, two of which were recorded conversations, and one of which wss a very private matter. That private matter, pertaining to her being banished from where she was originally from, she had told it entirely to Janus and Meila both.

 

Both Ancients worried for her safety all those years ago, well before the Wraith-Ancient war. Long before going to Pegasus actually. Ancients could live for millions of years if they had to. And where Firefox was from, the Ori never knew. But where she came from she brought with her a few items, her weapons, and the Gravity Room, and also her technology skills

 

It was a going to be a long few hours later when they'd meet up with everyone else that were transported to Atlantis.

 

Back in the Gateroom, there were two reunions happening, the first one was between Dom and Letty, the former of whom said the reason he hadnt gone after Dante Reyes just yet, Little B was still alive in the Pegasus galaxy, they just had to contact Tanith.

 

The other reunion was between Dom and Hobbs, which briefly was a standoff however Hobbs knew a friend when he saw one, he smiled and held out a hand. “Toretto, its good to see that Dante didnt succeed in actually ending your life.” He said

 

Dom thought a long second or three before smiling, taking Hobbs hand, and instead of shaking it, pulled the man into a hug, the two men hugged tight for a minute. “It will be his downfall., Firefox apparently has eyes on Aimes for something. But what that is, I dont know, she wouldnt tell me why she was going to take him on”

 

“Was she able to track him ?” Hobbs asked, already working out ways in his head to take the man down.

 

“Yeah, somewhere in Australia, I think it was New South Wales.” Dom said in reply, the three went to the controlroom, and from there they chatted further with Woolsey to do their next step when Sheppard walked in, with him was Major Banks.

 

Briefly stopping before walking into the two men Sheppard said in greeting, “Hobbs, was this who we should warn of Chewie ?”

 

“Chewie ?” Dom asked, a wookiee was in Atlantis ?

 

“He means me” Came Ronons voice from around the door, Hobbs briefly trained with Ronon and found him a good sparring partner the two men got along great. Very briefly Dom stared, Ronon looked too much like Dante Reyes it was scary.

 

“And you are ?” Dom asked

 

Sheppard raised an arm, “Before things go into a throw down and you start throwing hands, I'd like you to meet Specialist Ronon Dex, a member of my team here on Atlantis. We were told to excpect a possible standoff between the two of you, and I'd rather not damage anything here.”

 

“However there is mandetory boot camp, an hour session every day for the first week for all new arrivals.” Hobbs spoke up. Sheppard nodded.

 

“Yeah, there's that, if you like you can spar it out in the gym. Unless you'd rather the full tour and get accomednations beforehand ?” Sheppard said in mostly agreement to Hobbs comment of the week long boot camp to get up to speed on Atlantis doings. All new arrivals when staying more then a week had to go through it.

 

“I think it can wait, I briefly thought him someone I knew” Dom said, then again Dante Reyes and Ronon Dex were two differnet men, with Ronon barely able to use computers much, if at all

 

A moment passed and Sheppard got things underway once he was done with Woolsey in the office. “Alright here's the deal, since you just arrived from Earth and had been training with Firefox, we'll waive the mandetory gym sessions for the week, for now I'll show you around the city.” From there Sheppard took the group on a tour of the centeral tower and then to the residental buildings they were using in the city.

 

After a good hour or so, they all gathered in the mess hall, during the trip, Gisele and Han were able to reunite fully and Han even introduced Elle to Gisele. Everyone was in good spirits, even Roman who was relieved to inform the others that they owed him only a few hundred each for the loaning of his money until their accounts were reinstated.

 

Another hour went by and Firefox took her leave for the night, she had a reason to be in Atlantis, so she went back to Janus lab on her own and started through the entries, those not including here, there had to be something related to her that Janus kept to himself.

 

The only way she couyld go back to earth and hunt Aimes was to find what Janus had about her.

 

Even if it took her all night.

 

Atlantis

The next morning

 

“Where you here all night ?” Rodney asked, he'd been going back to Janus super secret lab ever since he got back to Atlantis, sure they had found, and then just as quickly destroyed the Aterro device. But even since getting back he and Daniel Jackson had gone through it further

 

“I believe by now Dr McKay that you should know I am not human like you” Firefox replied, rapidly going through dozens of ciphers related to herself. Anything that Janus had about her or from her she went through during the night and fgound nothing of importants, occasional images he'd taken. One or two hologram recordings with her in them.

 

“Something wrong ?” Rodney asked her

 

“I was sent here from Earth before I can hunt the one known as Aimes, I was told I'd find something here important to me and I'd know what it is” Firefox told him as she sighed, slumping back in her chair, confused. But not the least bit tired. It was something however, what she had said, that had Rodney's attention.

 

“Wait, you mentioned you were sent here from Earth, and had been here before before getting banished by Moros, right ?” Rodney said, she looked at him, “Think about it, if you told Janus or any of the other Ancients where you were originally from, wouldnt you want a record of it so you can find out how to go back there if you could ?”

 

Firefox looked at him, it made sense. She raised her hand, a finger pointed at him, “I think you got something there.” She said before going back to the console by the floating screen and rapidly going through it, she found a recording, and a written version of it. “I do not suppose you would mind if I downloaded this to something transportable ?” He handed her a thumbdrive, it was only about a few dozen megabtes in size, or whatever the ancients used as a megabyte size item.

 

“Thank you” she said to him, she recorded everything onto the small thumbdrive, she felt in her heart she could try and go home again.

 

Firefox was in a notabliy better mood after she had what she needed. “I take it you plan to return to Earth when we dial back today ?” Rodney said to her

 

“That is my plan yes, but I do not think it is yours, the Apollo has yet to leave orbit and the Daedalus is expected to arrive in just under a week.” Firefox replied, ever since there were now seven BC series ships, it seemed she could possibly outfit them with a few things

 

“Before I go further, however, Dr McKay, I think I should explain how this works” She then made once again the hologram of the gravity room. “I have one of these, its construction is vastly different using materials from another galaxy, my home galaxy.” She explained, “However it can be made with materials found here on Atlantis easily.”

 

Rodney took a careful look at what Firefox was showing him. Finally it dawned on him at what he was seeing. “A gravity room ?” He asked looking towards her.

 

Firefox nodded at his question. “Exactly, I have one, made of much stronger materials. With this design you can make it from pretty much anything, but even then it would be severely limited in just how far one can increase the gravity” Firefox explained.

 

Rodney found himself somewhat confused, it wasnt like they could go and begin construction of the gravity room there on Atlantis, internal dampers allowed control of gravity. However once Rodney pointed that out, Firefox smirked and said Inertia dampers were a form of gravity control and in a way worked similar to a gravity room capsule. Though instead of generating greater gravity force inside a capsule, it made the whole structure heavier or lighter.

 

Firefox and Rodney then agreed to get breakfast, and then it was after breakfast as they were leaving the commusary when Rodney insisted she get some sleep. He didnt care where, even if it was in his own condo, so long as Firefox got some sleep. Firefox agreed.

 

A minute or so later and Firefox was curled up, in her human form no less, on a low sofa in Rodney's apartment on Atlantis. She snored cutely, almost like a fox.

 

Rodney went back to work, working remotely from his laptop in his condo so he could keep an eye on Firefox, he didnt want her wandering after all. So he focused on the bits and pieces that he could that Firefox had unlocked simply by showing up.

 

Why had she shown up ? Why did the lab react to her that way ? Questions Rodney wanted asnwers to, so it was possible Janus notes in the labs database could have something about who Firefox really was. And that meant to find out more.

 

Exactly seven hours later Fiurefox woke up on the low sofa in Rodney's room, Rodney sat nearby at the coffee table on the floor. Going through things on his computer. “What time is it ?” Firefox asked

 

“A little after five in the evening, but dont worry dinner isnt until seven. A day here on Atlantis is thirty six hours long so we adjusted accordingly.” Rodney replied not really looking up from his laptop. He typed rapidly a few commands then scrolled on the touchscreen

 

“Looking for something inparticular ?” Firefox asked him, she had an impish look on her face, but instead was more focused on being presentable. So she suddenly asked, “Do you have a refresher ?”

 

“Could say that I am looking for a needle in a haystack the size of who knows what” Rodney said in reply. He briefly wondered what she meant, then he realised what she was asking about, a refresher, guess some cultures call them different things, he thought. He nodded. “Yeah, that door” He said indicating the nearby door that lead to his ensuite bathroom.

 

A moment or so inside and Firefox was cleaned up. She didnt want to reveal her magic just yet to him, Kitsune had abilities unnatural to the natural world she had found on Earth that human reacted to magic the way that most reacted to machinery; scared at first before warming up to it.

 

So naturally she was slightly worried of how Rodney would take her using magical energies only a goddess could use. But then he was more concerned with how the lab reacted to her presence, not just unlocking dozens of ciphers he and Tej were having issues with. But then spending the entire night in the lab searching for something and she wouldnt tell him what it was. He only knew that Firefox was female, and was insanely skilled, he had no idea how skilled. Only that Firefox was possibly not human, maybe she was an Ancient ? She could hear him through the door, “I got a question for you”

 

“Ask it” She replied as she ran her magic through her hair as if using a hairbrush.

 

“Are you by any chance an Ancient ?” They had the chance ofa real ancient slip through their grasp twice already

 

There was a moment, if so brief, of silence, then she replied, “And if I said I am not, but I knew a few, what would you say or do ?” It was a interesting question, one Rodney was somewhat scared to answer.

 

“Well, I would say that means you are really old, but you look great for your age.” Rodney stuttered, Firefox smiled in the mirror of the bathroom. “However what I would do is simply repeat the question.” He told her. He looked briefly towards the bathroom door. “Though now you have me confused,”

 

Firefox sighed in the bathroom as she finished her hair. This was going to be a long day. “And why is that ?” She asked him.

 

“Why do you ask of what I would do if you told me that you knew a few of them ? Did you know them like, personally or what ?” Rodney asked her

 

Firefox stepped from the bathroom, using a towel to dry her hands. “If I told you that I knew a few of them personally, you'd wonder who, or even have me committed, I know a few on earth think me nothing but a mythic online figure.” Firefox told him.

 

“Well, its true, who did you know, on a personal level, how long were you here on Atlantis way back then, considering Janus wrote so many research entries and log entries concerning you, which your presence alone unlocked ?” Rodney said to her

 

She sighed again then shook her head, “I knew Janus, Meila, Moros, A few others. After the stargate was perfected I also met several Furlings, even gave them the ability to use gravity against a black hole. Its...”

 

“What is it ?” Rodney asked her

 

She sighed again, “When I gave the Furlings the gravity technology information, the others in my home galaxy saw it as an affront to their beliefs and exiled me from the galaxy, I made my home on earth since then, and left there when Atlantis came here from Earth all those millions of years ago. Just before the Wraith war I was banashed and forced to return to Earth, so I went back and lived in my gravity room until three decades ago and built my house above it.” Firefox explained

 

“So, you're an ancient ?” Rodney asked her, hoping for it to be a yes, she shook her head. “No ?”

 

“I'm not an Ancient no, I'm from a different galaxy, we were friendly with them however we called them Alterans, my people and they were on friendly terms. However when the scism happened and forced the Alterans to leave their galaxy, we cut ourselves off from the same galaxy.” Firefox explained to Rodney.

 

“So the Ancients home galaxy, the ori galaxy, was close to your own galaxy ?” Rodney asked her. She nodded, he motioned for her to sit down, she took a seat on the low sofa. “I guess that explains the city's brief security measures recently.”

 

“Yes, Moreos banned me from the city, forced me to go through the stargate back to Earth.” Firefox said. “I remained there until I rescued Dominic Toretto, and nursed him back to full strength.” She explained further

 

“Well that explains why the lab reacted to your arrival. But it doesnt explain why when Sheppard or the Vanir entered it when things reacted to either of them. No ciphers unlocked when Sheppard entered, nor did any unlock when the Vanir showed up.” Rodney said, he'd been cateloging everything he could access and learn about since finding the lab.

 

“Indeed, I didnt come to the Milky Way Galaxy until the Ancients as they were calling themselves by then had made a stargate and connected to my galaxy. By that point they were friendly terms with the Asgard and the Nox. The Nox were a good friend for a while but when the Ori rose to power we had by that point cut off ourselves entirely from that galaxy.” Firefox said with a nod.

 

“How ?” Rodney asked her

 

“How what ?” She asked him

 

“How can you cut yourself off from another galaxy ? With your galaxy so close by to the Ori home galaxy, how could you cut yourselves off and keep the Ori away ?” Rodney said.

 

“Its a complicated thing, but, I guess you could say that Magic is a real thing.” She told him.

 

“Magic, as in, a form of technology advancements or stage shows ?” Rodney asked her

 

“No, in this case, actual magical power, the ability to alter the heavens and stars where needed. For example I'm not an Ancient, but” Firefox explained with a shake of her head, she produced her fox ears and tail. “I am a Kitsune”

 

Rodney stared, very briefly wondering if she was related to the Pollicles that Tanith spoke about. He typed on the touch screen and brought up a pollicle, “So you're not related to these people then ?” He asked showing her the image

 

“No” she shook her head, Pollicles may have different breeds she saw, but they werent exactly elegant as herself. “If anything I could be mistaken for a goddess. An exiled one, but a goddess none the less.”

 

“Does anyone believe in you ?” Rodney asked

 

“Janus did, He believed I was in the right to give the gravity technology to the Furlings and the Ancients as a whole. My own people didnt like it, but Janus believed I did the right thing, I feel I did the right thing, and fortunately I feel like I could take on the world too.” Firefox had zero followers, if any, and if she did, she didnt know it.

 

“You have abilities none saw before” Rodney said going back to his computer, “Small wonder everyone thinks you a mythic figure online huh ?” He went thoughtfully quiet.

 

“Is something wrong ?” Firefox asked him.

 

“If you're still able to use your magical abilities to appear human, then it must mean you still have followers somewhere in your home galaxy right ? You just cant interceed on their behalf or anything, just use their prayers in your favor on Earth or here in Pegasus right ?” Rodney said in thought snapping his figners briefly, stopping only when she asked him.

 

“Sorry,” He apologised to her, she waved him off.

 

“No need to apologise Dr, I understand your meaning, and I hadnt really thought of it that way before” Firefox said to him, it was an interesting way to look at it truth be told. Not that she minded such a thing either. She hadnt thought of it in that manner either. It made sense now that she thought about it. How she was able to use her magic, appear human when going out, when in the animus she could appear as whatever, even online. But then when in person, like with Toretto, she had to appear human.

 

The question now was, where was that power source of her magic coming from ? Answer that, she thought to herself, and you can return home to your homeworld in your homegalaxy girl. A dream she knew would never come true.

 

But she had to look at it from another angle, what if Rodney was right, and her source of magical energy was not simply her drawing from nature, but from her followers in her original home galaxy praying to her at their shrines and such ? If that was the case she did have devine abilities to even overwhelm an Ori prior easily couldnt she ?

 

Rodney himself had given her a new lease of life it appeared. Aimes it seemed could be her path home, with him destroyed or captured, or at best, used as an energy source to return to her home galaxy if she had to do it. It was possible he'd have to prove to her own people what she did was right.

 

The question was, would it work ?

 

Ascretta

At that same moment

 

“Alright, the power supplies are set and I found the one thread needed to established a datastream lock” Ben reported.

 

“So it should connect us to Flamelight Spire ?” Tanith asked

 

“That is the plan yes, are you ready ? “ Ben replied, using dozens of the ZPM batteries he made it was possible they could easily get the connection to work.

 

Tanith traded looks with Thalia, who nodded, she was ready to ensure the connection was secure and solid before Tanith stepped through it.

 

“Alright, initialising connection” Ben said, he hit a few keys and locked in the power. “Datastream is steady.” He looked looked at the screen and saw the other end. A few Furlings were staring at the datastream screen in shock at what they were seeing. It wasnt possible!

 

“Datastream is locked and stable. Ready ?” He turned to Tanith and Thalia, the younger of the two nodded,

 

“I'm reading one hundred percent stable connection mom” She said, she gave her the control panel crystal. “Good luck.”

 

Two seconds later and Tanith found herself on Dilas homeworld.

 

Flamelight Spire

At that same moment

 

There was panic.

 

Nothing but panic as Tanith through Ben and her her daughter, established a solid connection, it made for some interesting events to occur.

 

First the people caring for what had become a shrine to lost connection of the homeworld were given quite the shock when the screen began to hum. Finally when the connection was locked, and the lights along the border lit up like a christmas tree the panic set in.

 

The Homeworld was contacting them again!

 

One ran for the council building to report, the others collapsed, scattering backwards or out of sight of the strange events going on in their small structure. It had been rebuilt into something akin to a shrine, never used in over fifty generations.

 

And then Tanith stepped through. Stepping from the datastream transporter the first person she saw was a scared older Furling male, one of the keepers of the area, shivering where he stood terrifed of the ghost that just stepped from the wall. “Tell me” came Taniths calm voice, “Where might I find the Councilor named Dila ?”

 

The Furling fainted. Tanith sighed, “I guess the kull suit was too much” She decativated it, it became her vambrace. She turned towards the sounds of shouting, half tempted to reactivate the armor but instead chose to make sure her personal asgard shield was active. Itwas.

 

A half dozen Furling soldiers came running in, pistols and spears at the ready. Tanith turned towards them one Furling to another. “Who are you ?! State your name and reason for being here! If you do not comply, we will be forced to take you prisoner.” the soldiers told her

 

“I seek the councilor, Dila.” Tanith replied, she had a smile on her feline face “you can tell her a friend says hello, from Ascretta” Tanith told them.

 

“Ascretta” the group mutetrred among themselves, “Wait here” said one before another darted off.

 

But he didnt have to go far as the one keeper who fled to find the councilors in session, voting on ousting Dila because her time was up, only to be stopped in the middle of the voting by the doors blasting open. “The connection is made!” The keeper had yelled out, “The homeworld connected, I think they sent someone through!”

 

It was enough to end the vote then and there as promised, if it ended up being false the vote would continue if it was true, the vote would be nullified on the spot.

 

Dila was out of her seat and already speaking to the keeper, if the Homeworld was connecting, it mean that the human Mitchell had indeed connected as promised, Dila had not expected this timing whatsoever. Thinking she was ousted and expected to be banished off Flamelight Spire entirely.

 

Instead as the councilors filed out a soldier came up with a report. “Councilor Dila, a Furling from Ascretta has arrived from the Homeworld connection shrine. She insisted on speaking to you. Calls herself a friend”

 

Dila was halfway to the shrine when the soldier arrived. She sighed, then nodded. “Very well, have the others report to their posts, I will speak to our guest directly.” Dila said to him.

 

“Yes ma'am” The soldier said, he then lead the way back to the shrine, more keepers were ouside it, scared to look inside. But eaglery awaiting word of what they were seeing was the truth and wasnt just some sort of apparition.

 

Tanith simply waited where she stood, the green pale glow from the locked data stream shimmered beside her as she waited, she hoped it wouldnt be too long for her to wait.

 

Tanith looked around the shrine she was in, it was not overly large as she had never been to Flamelight Spire before. At least far as she could remember, a pale teal colored tile adorned the floor like a gorgeous still waterlike surface, while the walls were a darker teal coloration. Two coloumns held up the roof at the opening to the front. Behind her thje shimmering pale green hue of the datastream cast a lime green glow upon the steps she had stepped down. The room she sensed and internally tried to emasure, as twelve meters square, three meters to a side. The doorway a meter and a half wide between the two columns.

 

Each wall was adorned with the same color, there were flowers, what looked like candles. And kept things simple. There was no artwork no any of the walls. But it was quite beautiful in design. The building was well kept judging by the fresh scent of the growing flowers and the care in keeping it clean, two dark furred Furlings dressed in identical robes of cleaning staff were still stunned to speak, and kept their distance.

 

None of the three cleaning members had expected it to activate. They were just going about their daily duties as Shrine Keepers when the dormant wall suddely sprang to life of a deep gorgeous green hue, data dancing across it before the data lines disappeared and a being stepped into full view as if stepping from the wall itself.

 

Now Tanith simply waited inside the shrine, the soldiers preventing her from leaving as she stood and held onto her Ori staff weapon. Some of the soldiers she noticed were at loose attention, seemed to joke among themselves, only to suddenly go stiff at attention when someone arrived.

 

It was their captain, the one who had asked her to remain in the shrine while he went to report. Mentally clocking a span of only ninety three seconds or so, the guard was gone did Tanith see who was with him. It was not just Dila, but also her brother Akter, two of Dilas disenters, one of which was Mahees, and also the current head of the council, who was known only as Fenris

 

Dila took one look at Tanith, and broke into a smile. “So the Keeper was telling the truth.” She said simply, she then hugged Tanith as the two embraced briefly she then turned to Mahees, “What say you now, Mahees ? Do you still want me off the council ?”

 

“I see you, with an unkown Furling.” Mahees replied haughtly. He gave Tanith the side eye briefly. “Who is she, and where does she come from ?”

 

Tanith jerked a thumb towards the pale green datastream panel on the wall. “My name is Tanith, and I came through that, from Ascretta, what you and yours in the council, once referred to as The Homeworld” She told those present.

 

The others present murmered and one of the desenters with Dila spoke to Mahees quietly. Dila simply smirked and introduced her brother Akter to Tanith. “Col Mitchell spoke highly of you Lady Tanith, you honor us with your presence, it has been generations since anyone from the Homeworld has come to Flamelight Spire since the connection was lost.”

 

“How long ago was the connection lost ?” Tanith then asked.

 

“Just over five thousand years ago. The last time we met was on the Earth at the home of the Tauri.” Dila said, “Where you saved my life.”

 

Tanith had to smile, she never forgot that, saving Dila, seeing her father. Taking Dila to the coast and letting her take an enjoyable swim she had longed for.

 

“She is the one who you spoke of saving your life ?” Mahees asked giving Tanith another glance.

 

“She is” Dila replied, crossing her arms over her chest. Giving the other councilor a pointed look. “And since she is now here and not by way of the Stargate, but instead by the old connection, I do believe your vote in progress to exile me is now null.” Dila tried not to smirk at the other mancat but it wasnt working.

 

Dila apparently had upset more then a few members of her council coming back through the stargate drenching wet. Which was one of the reasons of the removal from the council. One of the punishments was to actually have her put on the planet below and not allowed to return to the cities or use the stargate.

 

But that would only change it had been said, for if the datastreasm connection to Ascretta was made once more. Allowing any who wished a chance to return to the Homeworld. And it would also allow Dila to remain on the council and the vote be nullified.

 

“It appears Col Mitchell was correct, we can trust those of the Tauri. After all, the Asgard trusted them with all their knowledge and terchnology. For me that is proof they are the Fifth Race.” Akter said. Fenris nodded in agreement, and then he turned to Tanith.

 

“Welcome to Flamelight Spire, I am Councilor Fenris” Fenris introduced himself to Tanith. “I must apologise for the welcome you received, but, it has been so many many years since anything happened on this wall” He nodded towards the steady stream of data scrolling on the screen.

 

“Think nothing of it, I would have reacted similar had you suddenly shown up in my own front yard.” Tanith said, she then smiled, “Like I said, I am Tanith, Military commander of Ascretta. We're still regrowing our numbers and trying to reconnect with others of our kind.” She went on to explaining why she was there.

 

“So Col Mitchell got in touch with you as well ?” Akter asked

 

“He did, he came to me in person on Ascretta, a galaxy away.” She replied. “He said it was rather important I make the connection here, were it not for my daughter, the connection would never have been made” Mitchell got to spend a really nice weekend on Ascretta in the tropical midlands before returning home.

 

The rest of the day was enjoyed further when Taniths own daughter stepped from the datastream, and shortly after that her husband and a few others sent by Munkus to re-establish contact and good relations.

 

Who knew Cassandra was really good at being a diplomat, whereas Tanith was of a military mindset Cassie could be a proper diplomat and Tanith could work to keep her safe if need be. Which was partly why Tanith went through first.

 

Flamelight Spire treated the party with incredible resprect and care, going so far as to ensure they didnt need for anything. Execept at one point Thalia requesting a bit of time to be alone by the shrine itself in contact with Ben on the other side.

 

Soon as night fell however the celebration continued long into the night, it was going to be sunrise when it was time to return home to Ascretta. But Tanith had other plans and asked where the stargate was.

 

It was almost seven that night at the SGC when she got into radio contact.

 

“Landry here” Came General Landy's voice

 

“General its Tanith” Tanith said

 

“Glad to hear your voice” Landry replied, “Whats on your mind ?”

 

“Did Cam make it home ?” Tanith asked

 

“I'm standing right here” Came Cams voice. “Literally been back long enough to drop my stuff off, change my clothes and go to the bathroom when you called, whats up ?” Tanith also heard a chuckle in Hanks voice.

 

“I see you're calling from Flamelight Spire, Col, anything wrong ?” Hank asked her.

 

“No, and that is what worries me. Can you get into contact with Atlantis and have them contact Ascretta from there ? Even with Thalia contacting Ben through the datastream and he reports everything working well, I cannot help but worry something is going on.” Tanith explained.

 

“Sure, one phone call to Atlantis coming up!” Cam said

 

There came a chuckle from Landry. “We'll get on it Col, godspeed.”

 

“Thank you sir” Tanith said, the connection died and the stargate shut down. Leaving Tanith for a brief moment alone in quiet.

 

“Been alone long ?” Came a voice, that of Fenris, he'd wondered where she had gotten to.

 

“No, I just had to contact some friends to make sure of something.” Tanith replied, the truth mostly. “Is there something you needed ?”

 

Fenris thought a brief moment then sighed, “You have seen how one called Mahees acts around councilor Dila and her brother, yes ?” He asked her.

 

“Yes, desiring to oversee everything they say and do, often times to the point of annoyance on Dilas face and in Akter's tone. Why ?” Tanith asked him, Dila had explained to her how Mahees spearheaded the vote process to give her an extra day at earth in order to push a vote of something else Dila didnt want.

 

But Akter voted for her by proxy and the measure failed last minute. Then there was something else entirely. “I also noticed that he has been looking rather longingly at my own daughter. Should I be worried ?”

 

“How skilled is your daughter in combat ?” Fenris asked her

 

“We spar and train together daily, why ?” Tanith replied.

 

“Does she also have a suit of the armor the Keepers reported you arriving in ?” Fenris was curious of it. Tanith held up her arm.

 

“You mean this ?” she activated the Kull armor, it formed on her body seamlessly. “Yes, she was the one who figured out with help from a friend of ours, how to have it hidden until needed.” She said, as she spoke the armor faded back into the form of the bracelet. It flowed on her skin and body like water, but was solid once fully intigrated.

 

“I can see how the Keepers would be scared.” Fenris said, “So long as your daughter possesses a similar set of such armor, she will be safe from Mahees, if anything, have her activate it, if has a unseen setting she should be alright.” Tanith had not the heart to tell him that Thalia also had her own asgard personal shield.

 

“I do not think she will require the armor. But I cannot help but wonder if I should worry for my daughter, or for Councilor Mahees.” Tanith said in thought.

 

“Councilor Mahees and Councilor Dila do not often see on the same level, often at odds with the other, they are from the same generation, young, full of life and energy, what our council needs. And yet, Mahees has tried on several attempts to have Dila ousted for her eagerness and love of the Tauri and her perchant for returning here wet.” Fenris explained to Tanith

 

“That might be my fault, or the fault of my father” She explained then how she had saved Dilas life, and how her father afterwards insisted they enjoy themselves and have a nice swim, even though there were a few bad apples in the Tauri, didnt mean they were all evil. Infact, as far as Dila was concerned, if she could swim free from prying eyes and just enjoy herself how she liked when at Earth, then it was all the better for Flamelight Spire and the Furlings in general.

 

“I do not blame you nor do I blame your father” Fenris said, he smiled as he spoke. “from what I understand, Dila spoke incredibly highly of you, and I see that you are indeed worthy of the praise. For it is twice you saved her life. Trust me I know what Mahees and his ilk prefer when it comes to ousting anyone from the council” Fenris said to her.

 

“What was Mahees planning, is he still planning it ?” Tanith asked

 

“The only way to get Mahees from his plan is to change his mind, and to do that takes resources even thopse of us here on Flamelight Spire do not possess” Fenris went on to explain how Mahees favored a more traditional, permament approach to ousting members of the council, stripping them forcefully of their seat was one thing, but ensuring they couldnt come back was quite and apparently Mahees was a traditionalist in the sense that he ousted someone, he saw to it they couldnt speak or fight back, normally by bodily harm, to the point where twice a Furling died at his claws.

 

“So I saved Dilas life a second time, first from the Trust, then from a power mad politican ?” Tanith asked

 

“Indeed that is the case” Fenris replied

 

“Why do I feel like the Trust and power hungry politicans are one and the same ?” Tanith asked to nobody.

 

“I cannot answer that myself, but I can say this, by showing up here the way you did, you prevented what could have become a civil war. And our only link to Earth would have been lost.” Fenris said to her, meaning that Dila would have been harmed, to the point of nearly killed had Mahees had his way.

 

Tanith smirked, “What if I took on this, Mahees, in a fair fight ? I defeat him, he leaves the council of his own free will, even gets to choose where to go for his own exile if it comes to it” Tanith offered.

 

“Mahees would ensure the fight is not a fair one by any means he is able.” Fenris replied, though he saw her smile “Why ? What do you propose ?”

 

“I have fought many fair and unfair fights. And won most of them. What is one more ?” Tanith asked him. She had after all, her kull armor, and the personal asgard shield about her neck. So what would she have to fear ? “You act as if this Mahees is some powerful Furling that you should fear, why ?”

 

“Because Mahees comes from money, as one would call it, our caste structure here is simple, nobles can become councilors, a vote is held and one of those councilors becomes High Councilor, the leader of the council and effectivly the leader of the Flamelight Spire as a whole.” Fenris explained

 

“So basically you're the mayor, govenor and High Councilor” Tanith said to him

 

“Exactly” Fenris replied with a nod, “And as such I am given a rater of respect, but Mahees gives it begrudgingly, unlike others, there are also some that follow his path.” Fenris went on to explain there was a good third or so of the lower council and a good half of the high council who didnt respect him. Nor did they respect anyone else. Having their own little circle of trust

 

“So even if I were to win against Mahees I would still be a target, as would Dila ?” Tanith asked.

 

“Yes, and not because of Mahee's own henchmen, but the other councilors as well. Even those who respect myself and the other high councilors” Fenris explained

 

“So what do you suggest ?” Tanith asked him, turning to him as she spoke, “Keep showing up at the last second to save Dilas life ? You know I cant keep doing that”

 

“What if she were to go with you to the Homeworld, to Ascretta directly, and resided with you there ?” Fenris offered

 

“Would Mahees feel then he got his way ?” Tanith asked, it would have, in her eyes, been safer if Mahees were allowed to leave Flamelight Spire, but not to Ascretta, perhaps one fo the other colonies ? Maybe even directly to the planet below. Tanith sighed and waved her hand, “Mahees, you said is from money, let me guess, his dad got him the job as high councilor ?”

 

“Kind of” Fenris replied, he sighed and shook his head, how to explain it. “Mahees and his brother. And also their sister, were left orphans when their parents were killed in combat against soldiers with similar weapons such as yourself many years ago. Mahees became high councilor after being adopted, and his adopted sister stepped down, giving him the seat she once held.”

 

“Why did she step down ?” Tanith asked

 

“Motherhood, a greater calling. She was with kitten and wished to be a mother. Being on the council and being a mother is two different things” Fenris explained.

 

“So as a result with his sister out, Mahees filled the void and became a deterrent on the Council ?” at Fenris nod, Tanith shook her head. “Figures. Mahees is more then likely now well connected with others, his own underlings. For all you or anyone else on the council know, Mahees might even have his own underground army hidden among the population without the population even knowing.”

 

“And that on its own is a scary thought indeed” Fenris replied. Well that was that, even if Tanith bested Mahees in combat, his underlings wouldnt like it whatosever. It gave Tanith a reason to pause and to think.

 

“That.... might work into my favor” She eventually said in thought. Fenris looked at her in confusion

 

“What ?” He asked

 

“Mahees believes himself to be above your laws, right ?” Tanith asked, Fenris nodded. “So if I were to challenge him by the laws he passed and voted in favor of and get his word is law before the fight occurs, if one were to fight” She trailed off. It was a long shot, and Fenris shook his head

 

“Even if you could hold he himself to his word, his fellows in the Councils wouldnt hold their own word because they were never given.” Fenris explained.

 

“Then what would you have me do ?” Tanith asked him

 

“Make a delegation, and have them come here as part of the council. Once that is done, we can ensure an even playing field and even get Mahees and those like him voted out of control.” Fenris offered.

 

“And how do you expect me to do that ?” Tanith asked, she had explained to him already how their numbers were so few, hence their small diplomatic party of herself, Cassandra, Cassies husband Tugger, Taniths daughter Thalia and finally Taniths husband Tharon “Why not for now do a closed door session with heads of districts of Flamelight Spire on where each voted member on the council should be placed while the council is now in recess.”

 

“Possible, I can call for such to occur, it would have to be first thing in the morning, what are you suggesting we vote on ?” Fenris asked

 

“Your word is law, and even Mahee's own underlings will have to follow it, but dont directly target Mahees and his family, instead simply have Mahees and a few other councilors both high and low, and not just the disrespectful go down to the planet below us and set up a council chamber there. See how it goes for a month, then recall them all back up here.”

 

“The planet is mostly used for farming, resources, and ceremonial hunts” Fenris replied, a thoughtful expression on his face.

 

“Then it will be up to the councilors to remember how to survive for thirty days. Or they do not return to the council chambers” Tanith said, and that couyld be their rules. In this case the rule of law was simple. Smarter too. In this case, the coming of age hunt almost always resulted in injured, but not deceased. So in this case if the councilors had grown to used to having guards of their own watching them, they wouldnt be able to survive thirty days on the planet below.

 

Or could they ?

 

Would it be possible for them to survive down there ? And if Mahees couldnt suirvive down there and he never returned, it was the wild animals who regarded him as a meal ? No that was too harsh, Tanith knew she'd still be a target. Dila too.

 

“Are you suggesting we send the councilors to their deaths on the planet below ?” Fenris asked her.

 

“If that is too much give them supplies, and whatever they desire when on the planet. But ensure that Mahees is also randomly chosen. And then once on the planet observe how many guards, if any, they chose to have working in the background or out of sight.” Tanith suggested.

 

“You are starting to think like a politican” Fenris smiled

 

“And that thought scares me, now, if you'll excuse me Councilor I do believe my husband is waiting for me in the guest house you have allocated us” Tanith said to him, they both shared a lauigh at her tone. Fenris allowed her to go.

 

He found himself enjoying her company, and was glad that the priase Dila heaped on Tanith was indeed well placed. Because twice now Tanith saved her life. And both times it was just by being present at the time when she was needed.

 

At that same moment

 

Thalia remained at her post by the datastream, monitoring it and ensuring the connection was secure. She had a few extra sensors added to her own kull armor and her vambrace had a small screen on it, she kept an eye on both. The Keepers had told her the history of the shrine and even showed her the other connection points to the other eleven colonies. Flamelight Spire was just one of twelve Furling colony worlds. And Mitchell had visited two of them so far.

 

With the Keepers also carefully trained in their duties to be the first line of defense for any dangers that might come from the datastreams, that gave Thalia a brief respite she knew she'd need later. But she never lowered her guard. Even as Mahees himself had shown up with some food from the dinner set up.

 

“The keepers said you were here, glad to see they were right” Came his voice, briefly jarring Thalia from her meditation, if one wanted to call her focus on the crystal panel in her hands as meditation at least.

 

“What do you want Councilor ?” Thalia asked him. Just by his voice and actions towards her mothers friend she didnt really care for him. “Come to ask the secrets to the datastream, or something else ?”

 

She never looked at him, anyone who spoke to him looked at him, Mahees slowly got upset at her actions. “You are the one who got the device working on Ascretta, correct ?”

 

“What of it ?” Thalia asked him, still not looking his way. Already wishing he never looked for her to begin with. She could feel his eyes on her as it was. She sighed, lowering her hands and staring directly in front of her “If my mother knew about how you were looking at me like that...” she started

 

“Your mother is nothing more then an interloper on things that do not concern her.” Mahees said, finally getting Thalia to look at him, and the venom in her eyes made him briefly step back before calming. “and from what I hear, your mother was able to get here thanks to you”

 

“And if I tell my mother we spoke, she wont like it.” Thalia told him, his charm was going full blast, and all it was doing was giving Thalia a headache something fierce. “Now, aside from trying to woo me with your breath which really stinks, and aside from me, what do you want councilor ?” She never smiled. Not when river scum like him was involved.

 

“I merely wished to talk to a technology genius such as yourself.” Mahees replied, gone was the charming diplomat and politican, in its place was someone striving to get into a friendship of a sort with another for a price.

 

“So you do not want to get in my bed” Thalia said

 

“Now whatever gave you that thought ?” Mahees asked her, already going red around his ears at the mere thought of her finding out what he really wanted, he really wanted to get her mother, and the whole delgation from Ascretta to leave. And if it meant going through Thalia to get it done, then so be it.

 

She gave him a pointed look. “Because you havent taken your eyes off me since I arrived on this planet, makes me want to leave and never come back” Well, that wasnt good. She stood from where she had sat and stepped away from him. “Now, you may leave under your own power. Or shall I have those two you have hiding in the bushes watching you carry you from here ?”

 

“Is that a threat ?” Mahees asked her, how did she know he had men waiting to grab her should things go south and he needed leverage ?

 

“No, its a warning. Because I am very close to hurting you” Thalia told him, her back to him. She could stun him, but if she had to she could staff fight him and his two goons in the bushes. A flick of the wrist and her own ori staff formed in her hand, depowered it worked like any other staff weapon, the perfect quarter staff.

 

Mahees stood, leaving the food, untouched. Still red in the ears as he spoke he said to her. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Thalia.” He then left, Thalia watched on her vambrace to make sure he was gone and the two with him.

 

A minute passed, “That was a close one” Came Bens voice.

 

“Yes, it was” Thalia replied she sighed, thankful that Ben overheard everything. “Please tell me you recorded everything ?”

 

“I did” Ben replied

 

“Thank you” Thalia sighed.

 

Ben then spoke up “Thankfully had anything happened I could have activated the shrines defenses” A energy wall, a shield really, could have formed locking them all inside the shrine until Tanith was present. “Do you want me to contact your mother ?”

 

“Thank you Ben but I will do it myself. This matter, this Mahees, is dangerous, Mother needs to know, as soon as I am outside ths shrines doorway, activate its defenses to prevent anyone from entering it.” Thalia said to Ben on her radio

 

“Yes Lady Thalia” Ben replied. Less then a minute later as she stepped outside the doorway. A pale blue glasslike wall formed behind her. She smiled. She had her leverage and had to find her mother.

 

A few hours later and it was soon daylight on Flamelight Spire, which allowed for Tanith, Cassandra, Tugger, Thalia and Tharon to return to Ascretta.

 

Ascretta

A few moments later

 

Tanith paced in the Ascretta control room, Ben had replayed the conversation that Thalia told her about. She wasnt happy. She only hoped Mahees was smarter then he looked. “Dear, you're making me nervous.” Tharon said to her. Tanith sighed, he was right,

 

“Sorry, but the mere idea that that scum thinks he can go after our daughter makes me upset” Tanith said to him as she stopped her frentic pacing

 

“That Mahees guy, I didnt really like him from the moment I met him” Tugger spoke up. Cassie also nodded, he regarded her as a diplomat that was well and good, but the looks thrown at both herself and Thalia regardless of the fact that Thalia was under age made Tanith upset, and Cassandra could infact relate to that.

 

“So what do we do ?” Tharon asked

 

“I gave Fenris their high councilor, effectively their govenor a possible suggestion, in this case Flamelight Spires planet itself is used for farming, and coming of age hunts.” Tanith said

 

“So whats going to happen is this Mahees to do a coming of age hunt and survive it or what ?” Tugger asked as Thalia ensured the datastream was locked.

 

“In a way, Mahees and several others, all chosen completely at random will go on a ceremonial Council Hunt, how they hunt is left up to them, including any supplies they might want to take along. Odds are good Mahees and those like him will have underlings doing dirty work in the background to ensure they survive thirty days of a hunt” Tanith said

 

“So what exactly is the purpose of the hunt ?” it was Cassandra who asked that question.

 

“The goal is to ensure they can still survive. In this case Mahees is not scared to get his claws dirty, those he'd managed to get ousted from the council met with bodily harm in some cases by he himself, as a result two of them were known to have died before word of who did the harm to them got out. The rest kept their mouth shut.” Tanith explained.

 

“So I think I get it” Tugger spoke up.

 

“I think I do too, with Mahees and some underlings, other councilors good and bad alike, they somehow all survive, Mahees might think twice of going after Dila and Thalia” Tharon spoke up, Tugger nodded to him but also said

 

“Its also possible that this Mahees also has underlings who can vote by proxy, and the suggestion that Fenris gave us, have a seat or two or more on their council; we'll have to take it up with the others, Munkus, Old D, the rest.” Tugger said in thought, a council delegation present both there on Ascretta and at Flamelight Spire was indeed possible, since Ascrettas city itself they inhabited, but they didnt exactly have a council, yet

 

“What about those of Huaxian City ?” It was Ben who spoke up. “Perhaps learn from them how they oversee things and who leads them and how. And then with their help assemble a team to take on Flamelight Spire, and if needed, beat back Mahees and other desenters”

 

“All are possible options.” Tanith said, at that moment however Fenris was going to lay it out, and ensure that Mahees was on the first draft of the ceremonial hunt to occur the next morning. Tanith turned to Ben, “Ben, try and contact Shen Tong and Si Ming at Huaxian, get their input and thoughts, and if needed have them send a party to us and we can get started on assembling a delegation to attend a council meeting at Flamelight Spire.”

 

“And us ?” Lukas asked indicating himself, the two massive russian blue cat men, and the lone Japanese catman all working together to ensure the security of the control room.

 

“You get the hard part.” Tanith said to him

 

“The hard part ?” Lukas asked her, whatever could she mean by that ? Wait “You dont mean.”

 

Tanith shook her head. “No, you dont have to worry about our meals, you just worry on keeping things secure here.” Tanith told him, “Tugger and I will go on patrol soon as we get back to our section of the city. Cassandra, you mentioned something in the history crystals of your ancestor here being a diplomat and something of a mystic, can you find out more on what that meant, being the mystic I mean.” Tanith said to her

 

She nodded “I can yes, Misto should also be of help, we've been going through those data crystals for a while now so its not hard to keep up things.” Cassie replied, she gave Tugger a look, he knew his limits.

 

“I'll escort you to the library then m'dear” Tugger said to Cassandra while offering his arm to his wife, “Afterwards I'll join you at the landing pad with some of the others for the patrol. Anywhere specific on where we're going ?”

 

“Yeah, I'll tell you when we set off, talk to you then” Tanith said, with that she turned to her daughter and husband as Ben went to a nearby tansporter and allowed Tugger and Cassie into it. “Whose up for breakfast ?” The sun after all, was coming up. So it was only a matter of getting something to eat before a nap or two.

 

An hour later and Tanith was waiting at Silent Nights rear hatch, one of Bens harvest drones acting more like a cleaning machine raked up the fallen tree leaves and cut grass into its massive maw as resources to store later.

 

Tanith was going over her manifest for her ship when Brutus and Pounce showed up. With them was Zane. He was shortly followed by Tumblebrutus and Tugger, that was everyone. “Alright, we're here, where to boss ?” Zane asked her

 

“Everyone inside, we got work to do” Tanith told them, once they were inside and Tugger had taken a seat behind the passenger side seat to get a good look out the front. Zane sat in front of him, the seats turned easily.

 

Tanith sat in the drivers side, the ship fired up and lifted from the landing pad. Tanith headed them towards Pollicle territory. “Why are we going to Pollicle territory ?” Tugger asked as Brutus sat behind Tanith.

 

“We're not going there, its what is beyond it where we're going” Tanith told him. They were high enough in the sky when she cloaked Silent Night and they headed over the Pollicle held city. Seeing it Brutus whistled.

 

“Its huge” Brutus said

 

“Its identical to our own massive circle of cities, only in this case instead of being fully occupied we only reside in a small peir of buildings, the Pollicles bred and filled this shipyard city.” Tanith explained as they flew over it.

 

“How many peirs are there ?” Brutus asked

 

“Each shipyard city has seven peirs. Large enough to house assembly lines for anything from clothing to food to weapons to starships like this one.” Tanith explained. Well that was that. It made sense really.

 

“And we only take up a small fraction of even one peir as it is” Tugger spoke up. The total number of them was currently only around fifty with the recent arrivals of Silvermane, the two kittens with him, and the other three adults with him

 

“Exactly, my hope is that we can soon repopulate, even if its with our own kittens, or otherwise. Possibly members of Flamelight Spire or the other colonies in the milky way too.” Tanith said in explaining of what she could remember.

 

“So why are we going beyond the Pollicle zone as we call it ?” Tugger then asked

 

“The goal is to try and find resources, weapons, more sets of armor, and if we are able to do so, more of us, others that returned just like we did.” Tanith said, “Hopefully we can return to the peir when we're done this evening, and hopefully with some new comers. If we can recover any”

 

“What about those at Huaxian ?” Tugger then asked, “Didnt they mention that a few had returned to them recently ?”

 

“They did, around this time last year now that I recall it;” Tanith said, Reiko had explained the group of thirty three showing up in a huge storm in what they called South Domain, and only two appearing in Huaxian City, and then nothing in North Domain, and three in East Domain.

 

“You think we should go to them and have them relocated here ?” Zane asked

 

“That's just it, I would like to, but the problem is, Huaxian City is in West Sword Domain as the Furlings there call it. The ones who arrived are in South Domain and from what I understand, its not a southern section of a peir, but a whole different section of the continent itself.” Tanith tried to explain.

 

“It is complicated then” Tugger mused with a thoughtful expression on his face.

 

“More than it should be” Brutus spoke up, the older catman was normally quiet, similar to the chief, Quaxo only not a cook.

 

Flying through the air the Silent Night flew over the Pollicle Zone and came towards where the milky way stargate was located. Highlighted on the screen were several key locations, notably weapon caches, and also some medicines and otherwise.

 

Tanith landed at the tree line. “Alright, listen up, Zane and I have passcodes to get into the scattered armories here. So, we're going toi split up, Pounce, Tugger and Zane will go one half of this area, Brutus, Tumble and I will do the other half, we get what we can carry, and bring it back to the ship. Dont worry of storage space, Ben set things up.” Tanith said giving the orders, it made sense to split up. “In the case of enemies, do not hesitate to fight back to defend yourself, but only in self defense.” Tanith then said

 

She turned to Tugger, “your armor contains a pair of energy weapon vambraces that work similar to my staff weapon. Have you been able to train with them ?” Over the last year Tanith had been training Tugger, and he nodded. “Good, hopefully you wont need to use them, hopefully everything around here is friendly.”

 

The two teams split up, using Silent Night as a line in the sand of which way to do their search for the armories, once the passcode were used the doors freely could be kept wide open. It didnt take long before the first unknown targets were seen.

 

In this case native wildlife. A group of boars charged at Tanith, where it not for her asgard shield and kull suit, she'd have bene gored on the spot. Tumble blasted it with his staff weapon causing the rest to scatter.

 

“Boss, you alright ? We're hearing staff blasts” Came Zanes voice on the radios.

 

“We're fine, its just wild boars, guess we're also bringing dinner back to the peir when this is over.” Tanith replied, she turned to Brutus, “Thanks.” Tumble found the armory door, and once Tanith typed her code in, the three could enter. Dozens of ori staff weapons lined the racks, jaffa staff weapons too. Also some jaffa stun grenades too.

 

“Alright, take everything you can carry, if we have to we can bundle the staff weapons into bunches and carry them on our soldiers or backs” Tanith said. She started grabbing handfuls of stungrenades and putting them into packs. “We dont have to take as much as we possible can that we dont walk. We can make multiple trips,” she said.

 

In the end it ended up being three trips to a armory for both teams, and the Silent Night packed everything away safely. All thanks to the nanite streams that Ben had installed into the Silent Night to store everything away in an infinite space. After raiding all seven armories and ensuring itwas all safely stored aboard the Silent Night, Tanith and the others rested a brief minute after dragging the dead boar aboard.

 

The dead animal rested in the middle of the cargo/passenger compartment. “So thats dinner ?” Tugger asked looking at it, distastefully.

 

“That's dinner, Chief Wallace, who you know as Quaxo, is an excellent cook. I think he can work some miracles with this for us” Tanith said as Zane watched the life signs detection system.

 

“Boss” Zane said

 

Tanith turned from Tugger to Zane, “yeah ?” She didnt like the tone in Zanes voice. It sounded like trouble was coming.

 

“I'm picking up a Pollicle patrol about a klick from here” Zane said, Tanith turned and saw the red dots, about nine of them in total. A mere thought later and the Silent Night disappeared from sight and sound. As a precaution she also closed the rear hatch. “Whats the plan boss ?”

 

“For now, we watch and wait.” As she spoke Tanith got into the piolots seat and made the ship hover off the ground and caused a small breeze to scuffle their footprints. “If we're lucky, they'll pass this area. Unless they're tracking the pack of boars we took one from” Tanith said

 

“What if they were tracking us ?” Tugger asked, it was a thought Tanith didnt really want to think about.

 

“Pollicles, here ?” Pounce asked softly, looking out the front view port the six Furlings watched the squad of nine Pollicles, dressed as hunters tracking the pack of boars.

 

“I think we need to leave” Tugger said as they watched the pollicles, one of them spotted the drag marks of the dead boar.

 

“Why do you say that ?” Tanith asked him as she took a seat.

 

“I think they just spotted our tracks from where we dragged that thing from.” Tugger said, he pointed to the lead Pollicle who found the tracks and the whole bunch followed them.

 

“Shouldnt we be leaving ?” Zane asked to Tanith. Who by that point had activated the Silent Night and it hovered just off the ground.

 

“Yes we should” Tanith said lifting off the ground higher before the Pollicles could even touch the cloaked silent night. It was time to go back home to the rest of the Furlings. Along with bringing home dinner for them too.

 

Within moments they had returned to the peir and began unloading everything into the storerooms Ben had prepared for them. Tanith and Tugger were still chortling over the expressions of the pollicles wonderment of where the tracks lead to only to find them suddenly end, the confusion on their faces was clear. A few of them even looked scared out of their minds too

Chapter 11: Slavic Defense

Summary:

Firefox requests time alone in Janus lab on Atlantis. Shortly afterwards she rediscovers some of her magical abilities thanks to Rodney and trusting him with her secret. At the same time, Rodney and Tej discover with Fran II's help the search network Reyes implanted in the system. Rodney expresses concern the closer that Reyes gets to a destroyed grave in Long Beach. Rodnmey and Firefox later make some plans.

The next day Ronon and Sheppard chat concerning Reyes and Aimes, After that Firefox reveals to Rodney where she sent the coded signal.

Finally, a young Shrine Maiden in Firefox's homeworld receives her signal, and begins a journey that will span galaxies

Notes:

I never planned for it, but yes, Linda and Tess are a couple, they're Kitsune so I feel it works. It just happened and there was nothing I could do to change it.

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 11 Slavic Defense

 

Atlantis

The next morning

 

“You're sure ?” Woolsey asked as Rodney gave his report.

 

“Yes, fairly sure, Dominic was able to also confirm a few things, but there was also the fact that Tej also working with Fran managed to lockdown not just Aimes and his small army in New South Wales, but also Dante Reyes in Rio” Rodney explained,

 

“So Fran was able to isolate and backtrack where the search worm was implanted from ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Almost” Said Rodney, “Fran knew that by disabling the search worm we'd lose whatever we are able to gain from it. Turns out that its only active when disappearances happen not when Reyes uses his computer.” Rodney explained as he showed images from Fran of spaces in the database. “Apparently when disappearances happen on earth he searches where those who disappear go to.”

 

“So according to this latest search term, thats a grave site,” Woolsey pointed it out.

 

“That's right, and its directly next to Hernan Reyes own grave marker.” Rodney pointed at the map layout of the cemetary. “If my guess is right, Dante Reyes feared his own fathers grave had been struck, so he searched up, and according to security feeds, even visited the cemetary and burial site.”

 

“If I miss my guess I'd think that's Ronon Dex” Woolsey mused aloud seeing Dante on the scree nvisiting the cemetary

 

“He might look like Ronon, but even Ronon wouldnt want to be caught dead in something that garish” Rodney said, knowing Ronon preferred more subdued colors and patterns, to hide from the Wraith where possible

 

“So whats your plan ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Well, Tej and I were going over the search terms Reyes used, apparently he's looking for someone, and I actually for once hope I am wrong on my guess of who he's looking for.“ Rodney said, at the confused expression from Woolsey, Rodney went to the keyboard and typed, “look, every time a body disappears in a lightning bolt, Reyes is going to get closer to this plot, in Long Beach, the former resting place of one Elena Neves-Toretto,” He said

 

“Dominic mentioned that his sons mother was named Elena Neves.” Woolsey said

 

“Exactly, she was dead when her body disappeared and according to our friends at Ascretta, right now she is very much alive and misses Toretto, their son, known as Brian is with her also in the form of a Furling, but According to Toretto, Brian is his kid regardless of what he looks like.” Rodney said to Woolsey

 

“And the plan ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Well, Tej and Fran cooked up an idea I think you'd like, its a means of masking grave makers, but it will only work so well” Rodney went on to explain what his plan was. “If its possible, even Firefox can help us out on executing the plan too.”

 

“Firefox was given full permission from Homeworld Security to ensure Aimes and his private army are destroyed as she sees fit, the Australian government even consented to her arrival anything she destroys buildings wise will be ensured to be set for demoliotion in the first place” Woolsey said

 

“Her going after Aimes is part of the plan, by having Aimes on his toes and Reyes trying to help him, we can mask the searches for the cemetary only so far.” Rodney said, hel ooked at the screen then back to Woolsey, “Im only not sure of how long we can keep it up”

 

“Once Firefox is ready and in position, she's been in the lab all night now and also two full days, when is she going to be done ?” Woolsey asked her

 

“Thats just it, she said she is done, but she wanted to go over what Janus had tagged as a ancient equal of a fox person or such. I am guessing some kind of a Pollicle or advanced dog species or some such, the way she worded it went over my head” Rodney said

 

“That does not leave a lot of time” Woolsey said

 

“In either case it will allow for us to ensure that Elenas burial plot remains undiscovered from Reyes for as long as possible” Rodney explained, in as much as Rodney wanted to explain what Firefox really was, he felt she shared her secret with him for a reason, and he didnt want to betray that newly earned trust. He didnt want to find out just what the wraith of a Kitsune really could be.

 

It was bad enough Mitchell threatened him with a lemon that one time.

 

He still hadnt figured out how to get back at Cam for that. A knock rang at the door, it was Tej

 

“Yes Mr Parker ?” Woolsey said.

 

“Rodney, Mr Woolsey, Fran and I picked up a new search term, only in this case it was related to a Opera theater, in London.” Tej said, he showed the map.

 

“Normally used where they premire new movies in London, the London red carpet theater.” Woolsey said seeing it on the map.

 

“Why show this ?” Rodney asked

 

“Apparently a disappearance happened there, but it wasnt a lightning bolt like the rest were.” Tej said in reply, he brought up another screen. A security feed. They all watched a young woman dressed in what appeared to be a rather elegant oriental dress suddenly disappear in a flash of light.

 

“That's an Asgard transport beam” Rodney said

 

“Any idea of who the woman was ?” Woolsey asked

 

“That's just it, Fran ran her own search, apparently the womans name is Morgan Dulake, I've never heard of her before, but Fran also found this in the database she'd been showing me” Tej brought up an image of Morgan Le Fey, it was a nearly exact match.

 

“So Morgan Dulake is an ancient ?” Woolsey asked

 

“And taken by the Asgard ?” Rodney asked

 

“What about Firefox, is she done in the lab yet ?” Woolsey asked getting back to the main topic at hand

 

“I am not ruling anything out at this point, Firefox was going crazy in the lab and asked me to leave her alone. She said something about a bad memory coming back and wanted time alone.” Tej said

 

Rodney thought a second. “How long ago was that ?”

 

Tej looked at his watch, “About an hour ago at best, I walked here I didnt take a transporter.” He said.

 

“So Firefox has been alone for over an hour in Janus lab, with nobody even outside it ?” Rodney asked, Tej nodded.

 

“Best case scenario she didnt damage anything and from what I can see there are no security cameras inside the lab ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Yeah thats why it was so secret, Janus didnt have cameras in there, it was just a empty room when originally built, he overhauled it on his own into his lab.” Rodney said, “it was isolated at the end of a hallway, nobody knew it really exsisted until Dr Jackson and I found it.” Rodney said

 

“Which begs the question of why Firefox is even mentioned in, how many enrties ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Janus log had over a hundred and a half enrties simply mentioning the Ori and a galaxy next door to it, so to speak, but the Alterans, who we know as the Ancients and the Ori never went to the nearby galaxy out of fear they would incur the overseers of that galaxy. Janus never went into detail of what thosae overseers were.” Rodney said

 

“And Firefox just by entering the lab unlocked all of those enteries; none of our ciphers worked.” Tej spoke up, “even the ones thought up by Cipher didnt really work”

 

“And Cipher herself ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Enjoys working with the guy named Ronon Dex, he's helping her get her strength back. She wants to get back at Dante Reyes for what he did to her.” Tej replied. Cipher spent one afternoon in the lab, got bored, or in the case of what she told Rodney privately, got spooked by what she saw in there, technology and knowledge beyond herself, she wanted to do some gym.

 

“So where is Firefox now ?” Woolsey asked

 

“Last I knew she was alone in Janus lab” Tej said, then he was confused, “Why ?” Woolsey didnt say anything, he merely nodded to where Firefox stood in the doorway.

 

“Because I am standing right behind you, Tej Parker” Firefox said to him, she had a soft smile on hjer face. “You can relax Dr McKay, I did not harm anything, I just needed time to gather my thoughts on something I had read. I did not think Janus would keep it, and keep it hidden so well.” She said to Rodney.

 

Rodney let out a visible held breath, seeming to briefly relax. “Is something the matter ?” Firefox asked all three men.

 

“Other then our brief worries about you and you being alone in Janus lab, nothing comes to mind” Rodney said.

 

“Has Aimes been located ?” Firefox asked

 

“He has, somewhere in centeral New South Wales, Australia, Homeworld Security and the Australian government have given their permission for your mission to find and if you are able to do so, capture, Aimes, if capture is not an option, you can destroy him.” Firefox smiled

 

“Thank you, Mr Woolsey” she said to him.

 

Woolsey held up a hand, a finger pointed at her, “However, death, is only as a last resort. If you are able to capture, go that route but if he leaves you no choice but to kill him, then so be it. Try the other options first” He told her.

 

She nodded, “Very well, I agree to those terms. When do I leave ?”

 

Rodney looked shocked as he asked her “You plan on leaving so soon ? You've only been here three days” He said to her.

 

“If I am still needed here I can remain, but if I can get back to Earth and trrack down Aimes sooner I will do so.” Firefox said, she saw the worry on Rodney's face. She had told him of her past, why she was exiled from her home galaxy, and also why she was briefly banned from Atlantis itself.

 

Woolsey spoke up “Would it be possible that we can be given the time to pinpoint Aimes exact location, allowing you to remain here for the time being until we can confirm his exact location instead of just a general area ?”

 

“That could work yes” Firefox replied, this meant she could spend more time in the city. That also meant that she could tran further with Dominic Toretto and the others.

 

“A week then and you can return to Earth, at this moment I believe something is cooking in the commisary” Rodney spoke up, somehow he enjoyed having not just a Furling around the city, he found himself missing Tanith suddenly. But having Firefox present would be a good fun event for sure.

 

If only he knew how fun it wouild soon become.

 

A few minutes later and Rodney showed her to the room she'd been allowed to use as a guest. With just the two of them, Rodney was able to learn more about the Kitsune as a whole, and then he made the mistake, so he thought, of asking where exactly her home galaxy was.

 

“You know of the Ori ?” Firefox asked him

 

Rodney nodded at her “Yes, thanks to the actions of SG1 we were able to destroy the Ori directly and break their hold over their own humans in their galaxy. Thus allowing the humans of that galaxy to grow and learn further.” Rodney then looked at her confused, “Why ?”

 

“My galaxy is in the same region of the universe. We never dealt with the Ori but briefly we did deal and work with those you called the Ancients, the Alterans we called them. And like I said I was exiled because I shared the gravity manipulation technology that my people had perfected, the Ancients had adapted it into the various systems of the city and their ships, the interia dampeners for example.” Firefox said as she sat down on a low chair.

 

“Yes, yes, you mentioned that already but I am actually curious myself, on a scientific level you must understand” Rodney said to her taking a seat across from her. “When you say gravitiy manipulation, you mean using gravity against itself right ?”

 

“In as many words, yes” Firefox told him. She smiled, “our technology is far more advanced then this city. I saw it built. The Alterans were a kind and gentle people, focused more on ensuring that those around them lived prosperous lives and among other things learned the truth of matters.” Firefox then sighed.

 

“I met Janus, and Melia here on Atlantis, before it came to this galaxy. They had already perfected and seeded the galaxy with stargates, and at the time the stargate to the southern pole Earth was the only link between Atlantis and the milky way. Whereever Atlantis was.” Firefox went on

 

Rodney spoke up, “So that basically means anywhere in the Pegasus galaxy and we can dial Earth ?”

 

She nodded. “That's right, it was through use of our technology that the Alterans were able to perfect the stargate technology, creating a stable wormhole from one place to another required both proper gravitational effect and power.” She went on to explain just how things worked that she could remember.

 

Finally Rodney asked her “How long ago did this happen I mean, you cant have been on Earth for only a few decades or so right ?”

 

Firefox looked at him, a sad expression on her face, “Several hundred million years ago.” She said, then she sighed, sitting up on her seat she spoke. “The Ancients left Earth for the Pegasus galaxy ninety three million years ago or so. At that time I was not allowed to remain on Atlantis, so I chose to travel the Earth, on foot. Taking my time everywhere I went. I found many settlements and otherwise. But I kept moving. Finally I settled where my technology was kept at Villa Reale in Portugal.”

 

She snickered then, “By that time, all saints day, in Lisbon.... my technology set of an earthquake”

 

“The Great Earthquake of Lisbon, over half the city was destroyed.” Rodney said recalling history.

 

“Thats right” Firefox said, “in a way I was responsible for it, I always saw that as my greatest sin that I need to come to terms with before I can return to my own homeworld in a far off galaxy from here.” Firefox then explained how finding the notes and research data that Janus kept regarding the Gravity technology helped her come to terms with it. She could use Janus research and information, his notes and musings, to make the Gravity room at her home small enough to safely fit inside her pocket, so to speak, and return to her home galaxy with it.

 

“So whats your plan ?” Rodney asked her

 

“At this moment, I have a week, I plan to spend it however I am able, be it in your company, in Janus lab, or elsewhere in the city, I do not plan to go far.” Firefox said, it made Rodney sigh in relief. He had a week to learn more of the gravity technology and how it worked. Firefox gave Rodney a confused look. “Is there a reason you wish to learn further of the gravity technology I possess ? You do not plan to use it for nefarious means ?”

 

“Far from it” Rodney told her, he went on to explain that many astrophysists on Earth were trying to study the quantum state of gravity, and with gravity manipulation technology at Firefox's disposal, that would give Rodney the edge needed to get a nobel prize in science advancement.

 

Either that, or he hoped, at least some recognition in what he did. And like Daniel Jackson had said, he'd won the nobel prize several times over as it was with his technology theories.

 

Firefox seemed to understand what Rodney wanted to learn and why he wanted to learn it. “You want to use the technology in an effort to better your world ?”

 

Rodney nodded, “yes, in a way.” For one thing there were many saying, begging really, for a real flying car, with gravity manipulation technology, a proper hover car could be possible without relying on air to fill a balloon to ride on. Magnetic trains went only so far.

 

Firefox smirked, “I have been on earth for many many eons Dr McKay, trust me when I say, that Mankind can indeed possess the ability to destroy itself, or unite itself.” She looked at him, “So what are you ? A uniter, or destroyer ?”

 

Rodney looked at her confused, not quite sure on how he should answer that question. He raised a hand, pointed a finger and said “Give me a week to answer that” she nodded. “In the mean time, have you eaten anything since you arrived ?” she shook her head, it was hard to explain how a Kitsune could survive so long without food if the need came to it.

 

But she could tell clearly that Rodney was worried for her sake and stood, “Then, Dr McKay, you may show me to the place where there is food.” She said to him. He nodded and stood up as well, the two left the room and headed for the comisary and dining area.

 

Once they had received their food and sat down, Rodney got to eating, it wasnt too long after that Firefox began to pepper him with questions about what he knew of the Ancients and how long he'd been on Atlantis, and how he liked the Pegasus galaxy.

 

But when he brought up the Wraith, Firefox looked at him confused. What were the Wraith and why were they so scary ? Rodney said it was better left for daylight as night was coming on.

 

A good hour passed as Firefox and Rodney spoke about the ancients and what Firefox could remember. Finally it was only eleven that morning when Firefox wanted to try and get some sleep.

 

Atlantis

Later that day

 

The later afternoon found Sheppard on the East Peir which was also used as a landing zone for the earth battlecruisers, only in this case he was contemplating something entirely unrelated to the battlecruisers.

 

“Been here long ?” Asked Ronon

 

“A few minutes, why ?” Sheppard replied, he'd been thinking about the Dante Reyes guy, and also the Aimes guy and his own little army.

 

Ronon stood at the rail. “If it comes to it I think I can take down this Reyes guy.” He said

 

“You think so ?” Sheppard asked him

 

“If it comes to it, yeah, the guy looks like me sure, but I dont think he fights like me” Ronon said. He'd seen the video feeds of the guy, heard of what he looked like from Toretto. And found something of a likeminded fellow in Hobbs.

 

“Hobbs getting to you ?” Sheppard then asked

 

Ronon shook his head. “No, the woman who came with Toretto however, she is getting to me, she wont leave the lab McKay found, nor will McKay leave her alone.”

 

“What is it about her that bothers you ?” Sheppard asked

 

“She knows things, knows all of our names, but shes never met us, never really been here before. Says she knew your general Hammond, hell Woolsey trusts her” Ronon said.

 

“And from what I've seen too, which you do have a point, Rodney wont stop fawning over her” Sheppard said, so it made sense, something about the woman, Firefox made the rest of the team nervous, and somehow, Rodney, Tej, and Dom all were at ease around her. “Oddly its not the same with Tanith” Sheppard said

 

Ronon snickered, “With Tanith I have someone on equal footing when in the gym, this woman, Firefox, she landed me on my ass” Ronon said, he sounded upset about it, rarely had anyone landed him on his backside. When Tanith was there Rodney was on his best behavior, so to speak. But with Firefox there, he was all hands on deck.

 

But at that moment, neither Rodney nor Firefox were seen. At least until Rodney showed up, computer in hand. He didnt look happy. “Ok so, there you are” He said on seeing Sheppard, “We have a problem”

 

“Really ? Let me guess, Firefox had a meltdown ?” Sheppard asked him, causing Ronon to snicker.

 

Rodney glared at Sheppard, “Thankfully no, far from it, instead she helped us figure a few things out. But, she was supposed to have a week here in Atlantis before returning to Earth”

 

“Yeah so ? Is that still on or did something happen ?” Sheppard asked

 

“That's just it. According to the SGC, Australia wants her to get Aimes, and get him before he does any more damage. Austrlia even said that they'll cover any damage to anything she causes. Problem is, she, well.... its complicated. If she goes, she goes alone, no satalites, no tracking, nothing. Just her, alone” Rodney sounded upset, meet an honest to goodness Kitsune and look what happens.

 

“What ? You dont think she can do it ?” Ronon asked

 

“That's just it, she can do it. It's the fallout I am worried about.” Rodney said

 

“So why worry ?” Sheppard asked

 

Thankfully Firefox had given Rodney permission to reveal the truth. Because she already showed Woolsey just minutes ago. “Firefox isnt even a human” Rodney said

 

“She's an Ancestor ?” Ronon asked

 

“Better then that, she's a Kitsune, from a completely different galaxy, She's not even native to the Milky Way or to Pegasus, she knew the Ancients personally, even got banned by one of them from coming back to Atlantis when Atlantis was at the south pole millions of years ago.” Rodney said, he went to his tablet and brought up some info. “According to the notes she had told Janus about why she was forced into exile traveling the stars until she found the Milky Way, she made friends with the Ancients there then known as the Alterans, there's no mention of where she came from only that the Ori were terrified of going near her home galaxy, out of fear of 'incuring the Wrath of the Gods' those were her words directly”

 

“So Firefox is a goddess of some kind ?” Sheppard said I thought. Man, Teyla would be eating this up. But she was a mom and had requested leave in order to raise her son properly.

 

“Yes, exactly, shes a goddess, but she loved living on Earth, she was exiled, and chose earth as a new home so to speak, hundreds of millions of years ago, she wouldnt go into detail because she was too focused on other things going on” Rodney explained

 

“So what happens now ?” Sheppard asked

 

“She still wants to wait the full week, but Australia and Homeworld Security both want her back fast as possible in order to prevent Aimes from doing any further damage in Australia” Rodney said

 

“So she waits two days, the Daedalus gets here with supplies for a supply drop and she goes home on that ?” Sheppard said

 

“If only it were that simple” Rodney said, he typed something then showed it to sheppard. “Look, Aimes is already locking down sections of an area of New South Wales as it is, its called Tilpilly Lake. Australia wants Aimes dealt with, and they dont care how, so long as he's gone and his army destroyed.”

 

“So what are you so worried about exactly ?” Sheppard asked

 

“Firefox is from another galaxy just like the Ancients were, as a result I'm worried that once word gets out, someone will try to take her down, and experiment on her” Rodney said

 

“You're worried it might be the Trust ?” Sheppard asked him

 

“Maybe” Rodney said, he shook his head, showing another screen, the disappearance of Morgan Dulake “But now this cropped up, Apparently Dante Reyes did a search, Fran tracked why he searched teleportation and we found this. Apparently the woman who got transported out looked a lot like a woman who was a friend of his fathers leading finacinal advisor, when his father died, she became his finaical advisor, and now she has disappeared, with this girls disappearance he thought his only path to more money was out of his reach”

 

“Call one of the other ships ? Maybe they have her ?” Ronon offered

 

“We tried that, the only ship that never responded was Korolve Two as far as I am aware.” Rodney replied

 

“So the Russians have her ?” Sheppard asked

 

“I doubt it, look at her face” Rodney showed the brief instance her face was seen just seconds before Morgan disappeared. “Does she look familiar to you ?”

 

Sheppard took a close look. He went thoughtful. He turned to Rodney, “You dont think.”

 

“I am trying not to but its possible” Rodney replied

 

“Even if it was her” Sheppard started

 

“If it was her we'd know, but I dont think it is.” Rodney cut in

 

“Yeah, but ideally if it was” Sheppered pressed

 

“If it was her it means the others allowed her to unacend” Rodney said

 

Ronon looked between them, “What is it ?”

 

“Its possible that this, Morgan Dulake was an Ascended ancient, Morgan Le Fay, otherwise known in the database as Ganos Lau” Rodney explained, “Or its possible she only looks like her and isnt her. Either way she was teleported out of a london theater. By look of things, an opera house.”

 

“And this Dante Reyes did a search of what did it and where she went ?” Ronon said

 

Rodney snapped his fingers and pointed, smiling at Ronon. “Exactly! He wanted to know more of whats going on.”

 

“Who is to say it wasnt the Trust themselves that took her ?” Sheppard said.

 

“They dont exactly use beaming technology unless they absolutely need to, we've been in touch with the Vanir and they also said it wasnt them” Rodney said, far as he was concerned the Trust dealt in blackmail, power behind the throne, and also backstabbing where needed

 

“So until we know whos got her and why.” Sheppard started, only to have Rodney's radio cut him off

 

“Dr McKay, its Chuck, we just received word from Korolev Two” Came Chucks voice on their radios

 

“Go ahead Chuck” Rodney said in reply

 

“According to Korolev Two, they questioned all eighteen people who had access to the transport beaming technology aboard. One of them, they were told by the trust to capture a target, and transport them somewhere in Siberia.” Chuck replied

 

“And that helps us how ?” Rodney asked

 

“Well according to what the commander of the Korolev Two told me, the trust had an operative aboard and did as told. Never was told why to beam the target to Siberia only that strict orders to do so.” Chuck reported.

 

“Thank you Chuck” Rodney said

 

“Anything else ?” Chuck asked

 

“No, we'll call you, McKay out” Rodney cut the connection.

 

“Well, at least we know where she was taken.” Sheppard spoke up

 

“But not why” Rodney said

 

“That's true, we only know this Morgan Dulake was beamed somewhere in Siberia with only the clothing on her back, which judging by how that dress was designed in the video, that's not gonna keep her from freezing solid.” Sheppard said

 

“Unless when beamed back down she was beamed directly to a heated underground bunker” Rodney said

 

“Even then, Siberia is not that much colder then McMurdo Station” Sheppard told him. Rodney then remebmered that John Sheppard had been stationed at McMurdo station for three years before getting picked by Weir for the Atlantis expidition.

 

“Fair point” Rodney replied. An idea came to him, he took off, getting onto his radio, “Woolsey this is McKay is Firefox with you ?” He said as he left

 

Ronon and Sheppard traded looks, “I am guessing we should follow him” the two men tore after Rodney as he entered a transporter, the three of them went to the control tower and met up with Firefox.

 

“So whats going on ?” John asked as they entered Woolsey's office.

 

“The government of Australia said that Aimes has a small army in the small town of Tilpilly Lake, its connected to Carrathool and Winooka by train, they requested Firefox remove Aimes from the equasion as soon as soon as she is able to do so” Woolsey said

 

“And let me guess, you dont want her to go just yet ?” Sheppard asked.

 

“Far from it, I actually tried to implore her to go, she said no, she wants to spend her week here as initally planned. But Australia is getting desperate enough to send a delegate here to even escort her Tilpilly Lake directly if it comes to it” Woolsey said

 

“Where is Firefox now ?” Rodney asked

 

“Last I saw, she left here and was speaking to the woman known as Elle, Han's charge,” Woolsey said, he stil lwasnt too sure on bringing Dom and his team to Atlantis, but if it meant keeping them from Dante Reyes, and also keeping them as safe as possible, that meant they had to be at Atlantis. “After that I lost track of her.”

 

“I'll find her” Rodney said and then he left Woolsey's office.

 

Rodney shortly found Firefox looking out over the balconey of the control room. “I heard that Earth wants you back.” Rodney said when he'd joined her.

 

“Yeah” Firefox replied.

 

“Something tells me you dont want to go back just yet” Rodney said, she shrugged. “Can I ask why ?”

 

“Its not that I dont want to go back just yet, its just that its too soon” Firefox replied, she sighed as she spoke. “I used the cities longrange communication hyperspace link, its a narrowband point to point transmission array, there was one in Janus' lab”

 

“Yeah, normally a transmission like what you're describing would require a tremendous amount of power” Rodney said to her

 

“Indeed, however, this array didnt, I sent it last night. Which was why I want to wait at least seven days before returning by stargate to Earth.” Firefox told him

 

Something nagged at Rodney. So he said “Can I ask where you send the transmission ?”

 

“Where I came from, using the stargate as a powersource to send the transmission worked perfectly, sadly I need to wait at least seven days before I know if it was even received or not.” Firefox replied

 

“Wasnt your galaxy not far from the Ori home galaxy ?” Rodney asked her

 

“That's right” Firefox said to him, then she looked at him confused. “Why ?”

 

“Well, the Ori had a supergate built in the Milky Way galaxy it connected their galaxy with our own. If we were to use that supergate to get to that galaxy” Rodney said

 

“You would still have to travel the void between galaxies Dr McKay, though I do see your reasoning, it would be a far shorter trip.” Firefox said. “I did not think to mention going to the next galaxy, a two week trip by most standards, then use the supergate to come to the Milky Way.”

 

“It would still be a two week trip between the Milky Way and Pegasus though” Rodney said to her, trhen again with their new supply of ZPMs, four days one way

 

“Yes, that is true, though I do not think there have been many if any, advances in technology in my home galaxy. Though I do know we have transportation technology. Like your asgard beaming, the stargates, we have something similar called Waygates and Portals” Firefox told him

 

“Portals, like, magically generated portals or a proper actual doorway to someplace else ?” He asked her

 

“Both” She replied, he looked at her, almost ready to ask if she could magically create a portal. She shook her head. “As time went by I never saw the need to make a portal to anywhere. So I kinda lost the ability to do it, were I at home and had access to my knowledge base I might be able to generate one. But now, no, I dont think I can be able to do so.” Firefox though felt the briefist hint that maybe she could make a portal to someplace. Only in this case where would she go ? She couldnt make a portal to travel the void between galaxies!

 

She turned and leaned against the balconey, her left ear folded and she went thoughtful. She tried to visualise where she wanted to go; the controlroom ? No, they had security there, OH, that was the place! “I wonder if I can make a portal from here to Janus lab” She said, she remembered how to do the motion.

 

A strange pale red doorway formed like a thick panel of glass. Rodney stared at it, Firefox smiled, “Oh good, I remembered how to do it, come on” She took Rodney by the hand and pulled him through the doorway. Once in the other dimension of the portal the doorway disappeared as if it never exsisted, and reopened in the hallway only meters from the first sconse for Janus lab door controls.

 

Rodney briefly stumbled, looking back as the doorway faded into nothing but a thin line before disappearing entirely. “How did you do that ?”

 

“Easy, magic, I just thought of where I wanted to go, and in this case that was here, I thought of this hallway without having to take the transporter” Firefox explained, in two ways it was faster, but in one way it was only slightly slower then the transport because the portal had to close on the entery end.

 

Firefox struggled to hold her footing as did Rodney. “Sorry, I guess I should of also said to watch your step” She apologised

 

“No its fine, uh, exactly though why wait seven days ?” Rodney said to her as they went through the wall into the lab. “I mean, you can take the stargate and be at earth in seconds, literally so. So why wait seven days ?”

 

“When I was exiled from my galaxy I traveled, using the gravity of the universe I was able to make the trip in seven days from my galaxy to the milkyway, where I enountered the Ancients on Taonas” Firefox said.

 

“So that signal you sent ?” Rodney asked looking around the lab, he found the radio she used. He went over to it and stood looking at it. “Who exactly did you send it to ?”

 

“My sister, or at least one of her shrine keepers, what you and yours might call a Shrine Guard or Shrine Maiden” Firefox said

 

“You never said anything about your sister or if you had family” Rodney said, that was news to him. Though in hindsight he could have asked but never thought to do so.

 

“You never asked” She replied, yup there it was. He never had the idea to do so. “Anyhow, my sister Bluefox might get the message, and since it took me seven days to get from my galaxy to the Milky Way, between her getting it and actually getting there might take the same amount of time.”

 

“I suppose it makes sense, but, Australia is desperate, they want you to take out Aimes and his own little private army at Tilpilly Lake, apparently its a train depot of some kind.” Rodney said. Firefox looked at him, he raised a hand, “Now I know this is important to you, but I can promise you this, while you're hunting Aimes and his goons, we'll have a guy watching round the clock on the signal and for any unknown ships responding to it.”

 

“They will come here, be it in seven minutes, seven hours, or even seven days. My sister will come to try and bring me back home.” Firefox said, she was thoughtful as he spoke of having someone watching round the clock for any signs of incoming ships if any. She sighed, “Alright, that is enough for me then.” She saw the clock, it was nearing dinner.

 

“Alright, so, after dinner and we'll head for the stargate, dial earth and send you on your way” Rodney said. It made Firefox smile as he also said “Though, we'll take the transporter this time I still dont have my stomach after a trip through your portal”

 

The two went to eat.

 

They were soon joined by Tej and Roman. As they sat down Tej spoke up. “Alright, so you're Firefox, computer genius, technology genius, the works. And you rescued Dom from Dante Reyes, so you have my thanks for sure” Tej said to her

 

“Mine too, Dom's pretty much my brother from another mother” Roman said, it made Tej snicker. He smiled then “Word is you're going after Aimes.”

 

“I am” She replied, she looked at the two men confused, “Why ?”

 

“Word is that the woman, Morgan Dulake, might be related to that one guy from the legend of King Arthur” Tej said

 

“King Arthur, as it, knights of the round table, the weapon to fight the Ori ?” Rodney asked

 

“Exactly, only in this case we havent been able to track why or who wanted her” Tej replied

 

“So why does this concern me ?” Firefox asked

 

“Tej was wondering if he'd be your eyes in the sky, so to speak” Roman said, only to get punched in the arm for it. “Ow, hey!”

 

“Much as I hate to say it, Romans right, you're gonna need eyes watching your back, you might be a top class hacker who could outsmart Gods Eye and the Angency, you saved Doms life, and ours, so its the least I can do” Tej told her after giving a sour look towards Roman

 

“You would come with me through the stargate back to Earth and keep track of things from space ? How would you be able to track me ?” Firefox asked

 

“We have senors and asgard beam transportation beacons, normally they're surgically implanted but they do the job” Rodney explained. “With him using those and the sensors on our daedalus class cruisers we can be able to track even a rat running in a field filled with mice.” he said

 

“That was not exactly the imagery I was hoping for, Dr McKay” Firefox said to him, she went quiet in thought for a long moment, then nodded to Tej, “Very well, I accept, I would welcome your watching my back, as you called it.”

 

“You're welcome” Tej said

 

A few minutes later and the two left the table. “Admit it” Roman said as they entered the transporter.

 

“Admit what ?” Tej asked him

 

“You dont only want to watch her back, but you want to grab it and hold on to it” Roman said to him. Tej looked at him confused, “Back, backside, her butt, you want some of that ass, for all we know because she even outskilled Ramsey as it is”

 

“Oh you dont know anything, Firefox is different” Tej said as they stepped from the transporter.

 

“Firefox is still a woman” Roman said, “And if you dont try to go after her, I'll go” Tej held up a hand, Roman walked into it and stopped, looked at it briefly then to Tej. “What ?”

 

“I am not going to try and get that ass, and niether are you. I doubt shes even human, you saw how Dom was able to put that big guy, Hobbs, on his ass in the gym this morning right ?” Tej said to him

 

“Yeah, why ?” Roman said in reply, trying to briefly get the memory out of his mind, Dom didnt look any stronger, but he sure left an impact. “Now that I remember it, Hobbs even said that he packed a more powerful punch” he looked at Tej “Why ?”

 

“There you go, Dom was with Firefox for three weeks, twenty one days exactly, from what I was told by Rodney, Dom was in bad shape and Firefox insisted on keeping him at her place to nurse him back to health, but he looks like he doesnt even have a scratch on him!” Tej said to him

 

“So what are you saying ?” Roman asked

 

“I'm saying I am going to keep my distance, and you'd better keep your distance too. However Firefox helped Dom, and he isnt talking either, it tells me that Firefox is not one to mess with.” Tej told him.

 

Roman thought a second or two, then he nodded. “You're right, Dom said something about having a punch meter for a total strength of a impact of ones hitting power or such.”

 

“Yeah, Firefox gave Dom both strength and weight training, as well as helped him regain his senses. He and Hobbs have been working together more in the gym, and that other guy, the guy with the dreadlocks.” Tej said in thought

 

“You think he's Dante Reyes ?” Roman asked as they walked along thje corridor.

 

“I doubt it, for one thing, this Ronon Dex guy doesnt really do computers, for another he uses a gun, when it came to Reyes, he never used a gun, but he did use computers” Tej surmised, it was the only way it could all make sense.

 

“So that explains why he drained y'alls bank accounts, hacked in and drained everything” Roman said

 

“Exactly” Tej replied, thankfully Tej was able to save his stock protfolio for the most part by changing the password. But try as he might there was no way to keep him from draining their accounts. And from that point to the point where Rodney reinstated their money, they were broke, at least they were broke execept for Roman who had kept his money in cold hard cash.

 

“So whats the plan ?” Roman asked they rounded a corner towards the gym, Tej stopped and looked back at Roman, “I mean you're watching Firefox's back, but what about the rest of us ? Mia is still on Earth somewhere safe where Reyes and Aimes cant get to her right ? There's only so much she can do from there without contact with us, we have Cipher here”

 

“That's just it, Cipher said she's too terrified to go back to earth, the medics here were able to get her back up and running, but she asked for full permission to remain here on Atlantis until she dies or until Aimes, his army, and Reyes are both dealt with.”

 

“Thats just it, what if she did go back to earth but is like you, on a ship in orbit, watching our backs, for once on the same team” Roman said

 

“I wouldnt be so sure of her watching your backs” Tej said

 

“You said it yourself, shes terrified of Reyes, and of Aimes both. So to get back at them both she can still be of help. Maybe she turned over a new leaf ?” Roman said in thought

 

Tej snickered, “Yeah right, come on, I got some things to pack up before heading back to earth” Tej said, the two turned and headed down a corridor to the living quarters the team took as their own

 

Inside one of them, Dom and Letty snuggled together on the low sofa. “So, its been two days and you still wont tell me if that woman did anything to you”

 

“Because she didnt” Dom replied, a soft smile on his otherwisde stern face. “She helped me get better after what Dante Reyes put us through, and even made sure Reyes couldnt find me when she cared for me.” Dom had told Letty of how Firefox had let him have full run of the property, in so far as the indoor jogging rink, a huge gym, even some internal and mental training faciilities too.

 

Though she had asked Dom to not talk about the gravity room, at least, not just yet. Dom had promised that much.

 

“So what did she do ?” Letty asked him

 

“Well for one thing, she healed my broken body, medical technology seems to be about as advanced as here if not faster; a few healing devices or such.” Dom replied. Well that explained that now didnt it ? Not really no. but it got the point across. Letty was concerned Firefox might have taken advantage of Dom in his weakened state, she didnt. Thankfully.

 

Dom went on to explain that Firefox was incredibly helpful and even gave him some tips on how to take down Reyes best.

 

Across the universe in a remote section of the galaxy not far from the Ori home galaxy.

 

A single young girl of about twenty something dressed in a pale blue hanfu style dress was sweeping inside the shrine, they'd been told that the goddess, Firefox would send a signal to her sister in the hopes of a reconnection, or fortelling the return of Firefox to their worlds. Liliana always believed it a myth as a child. So she wasnt exepcting the sudden noise.

 

A low beeping noise began, briefly startling the young shrine maiden and made her look around, she stared in shock when she saw where the low beeping noise was coming from, it beeped a few times, and then stopped, then repeated. It did the same pattern of beeps ten times and then stopped. Lilianas jaw hung open.

 

The young Shrine Maiden simply stared at the statue of her lady, Firefox, the Kitsune goddess of chaos really. Bluefox, the Kitsune Goddess of life was Firefoxs twin sister! She had to know of this. Lilia turned, setting her water can on the floor. She stopped mid step. But how could a lowly Shrine Maiden tasked only with watering the flowers within the shrine get to Bluefox herself and tell her what she had heard and seen from the statue of her goddesses sister ?

 

Ah hell with it! Liliana thought before turning and running from the shrine, the shrine maiden left the water jug, giddy as a schoolgirl excited for her first date. She crashed into two other shrine maidens, two much more experienced Sheine Maidens. They stopped her. “Where are you going ? Where is your water jar ?” Asked the first one, she wore a deep green dress. Her name was Linda

 

“Lady Firefoxs statue came to life, it sent the signal we were to hear for!” Liliana replied as she struggled for breath.

 

“Show us” Said the second older Shrine Maiden. Her name was Tess, her dress was a burnt golden hue

 

Liliana shook her head. “I cant, I have to tell Lady Bluefox! If I dont tell her, Lady Firefox may be in trouble” The young shrine maiden didnt look happy to run into these two. They were always together. Never far from each other when on their duties.

 

“It is possible she is making it up” Linda said softly to Tess, Tess had her doubts too, but she herself missed Firefox, always wanted to meet the Kitsune ogddess who was apparently on a vacation ?

 

Tess looked from Linda to Liliana then back to Linda. “Only one way to find out,” She said, she turned to her much younger sister. “You believe in Lady Firefox enough her shrine came to life for you ? If you take us to the shrine and show us the statue, would it make a sound ?”

 

Liliana had venom in her eyes. “Are you saying I am lying ?” The younger girl growled; they were all Kitsune on that mountain and Lady Firefox was their patron in many ways. But like Bluefox had always taught, Firefox wa simply away, abroad, exploring the universe but still able to hear their prayers in a manner of speaking

 

“No, I am saying I want proof that Lady Firefox sent a notice or if its a wild dream of yours when you should be watering the flowers!” Said Tess, she simply wanted proof that Firefox contacted Liliana, or just activated her shrine statue ?

 

Liliana pondered her only two options, she could ignore the two of them and go find Lady Bluefox, or she could try and prove to the two that Lady Firefox did indeed send the signal. But it only made the signal ten times, the same pattern, then stopped. She then realised she didnt really have a choice in the matter and said simply. “I dont care if it gets me thrown off this mountain, but I am going to find Lady Bluefox and tell her myself! See to the shrine yourselves if you want proof!” The girl turned and started running.

 

“Hey, wait!” called out Linda, but the younger one was long gone, running as fast as she could to find one of Lady Bluefox's followers or Lady Bluefox herself and was quickly out of earshot.

 

Turning to regard the other, Tess said in thought. “You know, I think we should check the shrine, its possible our little sister Liliana is telling the truth, Lady Firefox might need our help or our prayers” She said to Linda

 

A minute passed, Linda then nodded. Already feeling stupid for how she treated Liliana, what if she really was telling the truth ? “I agree, come on” The two went and hurried to the shrine where Firefox's youngest shrine maiden had left her watering jar by some flowers, dropped there in shock, the duraglas jug laid on its side, the water spilled upon the floor.

 

Looking at the dropped water jar, Tess bent down to pick it up as a low beeping repated itself, catching her attention, and that of Linda, the two women traded looks, “So she really was telling the truth.” Linda one said in wonderment as she watched the small statue of Firefox send off the tones.

 

“So what should we do ?” Asked Tess, clearly concerned, what could they really do at that moment ?

 

Linda smiled and turned to Tess. “Oh that's easy,” She said ”we finish her job, and then we pray to Firefox” Her eyes lingered on Tess briefly before she turned towards the remaining flowerbed that still had weeds in it.

 

Tess had to hand it to Linda, sometimes she had really good ideas. She nodded and picked up the water jar and finished watering the flowers as Linda finished the weeding of a few other flower beds, afterwards the two then knelt side by side and began to pray at the shrine while their youngest sister continued to search for Bluefox or one of her followers.

 

There were many shrines to Firefox on that mountain top, was Bluefox intentionally trying to hide among them ? Finally Liliana appeared before one of Lady Bluefox's many guardians. The male Kitsune looked at her. “Something troubling you Sister ?” He asked her in a kindly voice

 

Liliana struggled to breathe, she'd ran the entire way searching for Bluefox, she finally gathered enough breathe to calm her hammering heart “It is Lady Firefox, her shrine has glowed and began beeping like this” She recited the tone as best she could remember it, “it repeated ten times, two of my elder sisters, Linda and Tess asked me to show proof, but I chose to find you or speak to Lady Bluefox instead”

 

“You chose rightly,” the guardian said, he turned towards the shrine he guarded. “Lady Bluefox, one of our sisters has urgent news”

 

“So I feel” Came the soft yet calming voice of the more or less rambunctious Bluefox as she stepped from the shrine. The young shrine maiden bowed deeply. “Tell me child, what exactly happened”

 

The girl detailed exactly how she could remember it, including what she told the guardian. Liliana left nothing out, she even described how Tess and Linda accosted her, but she showed no remorse nor did she show any anger towards either of the two. Bluefox smiled. Looking to the skies above she said simply, “My sister, your goddess, is coming home! But she needs us to come to her ? Whatever for....” she turned to the guardian, “Send for the captain of the guard, inform him to begin assembling a ship, I intend to travel and bring my sister home. In the mean time, help our sister to her shrine to pray and give thanks” She said after she took the young Shrine Maiden into a hug.

 

It was time for a family reunion.

Chapter 12: Lukas Foster Care Program

Summary:

Lukas is told of the kidnapping of a close friends only child, where she was then taken confuses everyone. Why she was taken upsets Lukas greatly. The group returns to Earth from Atlantis via Stargate and Firefox goes to study some maps while Lukas learns about the Asgards mass suicide event. Rodney confirms that the Asgard scientist, Loki, was not among them when the mass suicide occured.

The kidnapped daughter of Tomas Dulake, a close friend and old fellow Soldier in the Old Guard of Siberia awakens within the rooms of the Old Guard base three miles below Bumfuk Nowhere Siberia, without a transporter beacon she cannot be beamed out, But Lukas has some plans and with the unwilling help of a Trust agent manages to get some answers

In the SGC maps room, Cipher meets with Firefox as the Kitsune is viewing maps, Firefox agrees to let Cipher use God's Eye to track Firefox's target to the centimeter

Cam and Lukas plan a arena fight between Morgan Dulake and the captured Trust Agent.

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 12 Lukas' Foster Care Program

 

Atlantis

The Next Morning

 

“What ?” Came the question, it was on their collective minds other then dreading how the huge man would react. He'd been requested to return to Atlantis as quickly as he could, so Lukas did so, it was also then that Rodney was told more information about a certain kidnapped woman.

 

Morgan Dulake, the only child of a friend of Lukas, had been kidnapped, and the worst part was, she was only seventeen years old. So Rodney was even upset, “Have we made any headway with where she was taken or why ?” Rodney all but thundered. Clearly pissed

 

Lukas however was even further pissed. So he asked again. “What ?” It was as if he didnt hear it the first time as he was told the story. Morgan Dulake, the only child of Tomas Dulake, was kidnapped, from the womens bathroom at the London Opera House during intermission of a musical being shown there at the time.

 

“The Korolev Two confirmed that they beamed up a package, they were never told what or that it was a person, much less someones daughter. And then transported her to a place somewhere in centeral Siberia” Woolsey told him

 

“The Plains ?” Lukas asked, he had memories he'd rather not think about there. The only city there was reffered to even by the residents as Bumfuk Nowhere

 

“From what we can tell, the structure has a group of people, and is at least a mile below ground, possibly deeper. Similar to the Long Beach facility that Dr Jackson visited with Col Mitchell.” Woolsey said

 

“So let me get this straight, Some group of people, the Trust, use the Krolev Two to kidnap a teenager, why ? Any demands or requests ?” Rodney asked, he and Lukas couldnt exactly sewe eye to eye without Rodney looking way up and Lukas looking way down at him, based on their bodies alone, but they were both geniuses and good people.

 

“Apparently the group is incredibly apologetic and insisted they never wanted to kidnap the girl, they called themselves The Old Guard, and asked explicilty for Lukas Saradov, They want your help, but they wouldnt say what they wanted your help with, or why.” Woolsey explained

 

“But they insisted they never aimed to kidnap Morgan Dulake ?” Lukas asked, he'd never met the girl, but he did hear when he joined the SGC years before from Tomas and was even shown the newborn girl in a picture in late two thousand and seven, around time of the Ori showing up.

 

“That's right, they insisted they never intended to kidnap anyone to get what they want because it would only make matters worse, and they claim to be on a very strict time table, and to make matters worse the girl refuses to wear any clothing the Old Guard are offering to her. My guess is that it is mostly so she doesnt loose her own belongings, she was taken with only the clothing on her back, and her wallet on her arm band, doesnt even have her phone.” Woolsey said

 

“So whats the plan ?” Rodney asked as he went to his computer screen and started typing.

 

“From what we could tell at the SGC, the Korolev Two even was able to do a linage trace through Homeworld Security; This young girl has a direct linage to the knights of the round table, king arthur, the whole book.” Woolsey said, using Daniels terms as Rodney looked at him.

 

“Then it makes sense, The Trust dont normally deal in using asgard transport beaming to kidnap people.” Rodney said

 

“But they did this time, they took Tomas only child, because of the Ori plauge his wife was barren after she had Morgan. They had talked of adopting an additional child either a son or daughter. But because of the plauge at the time didnt focus on that.” Lukas said

 

“Did the Old Guard give a time limit since they're on the clock ?” Rodney asked, Lukas looked at him, why ask that ?

 

“Yes, they say they're worried for Morgan's health because she refuses to wear anything they gave her, but she did accept their thick fleece blankets and apparently is using them to sleep, or as a cloak.” Woolsey said, “because of that, they fear that if she doesnt change, hygine will eat at her in a week. However she insisted on no change of clothing and would go so far as to shower with her dress on, it worries me.”

 

“At the very least we can see what they want, right ?” Rodney said, his fatherly insitncts kicking in, he owned a cat, and treated his cat like he would his own son, with care, respect, and love. And in this case, Morgan was someones baby, just like his cat could be seen as.

 

“They insist that they want to return Morgan to her family as quickly as they possibly can. The problem is, without a transporter beacon, the Odyssey cannot pick her up.” Woolsey said to them as Firefox came in.

 

“When do we leave ?” Lukas asked.

 

“As soon as you're packed.” Rodney stood up as Woolsey spoke,

 

“I'm all set” Rodney said holding only his laptop.

 

“Dr McKay ?” Woolsey asked him

 

“I just need my laptop, my house is in Denver so if I need to change or regroup it can be there” Rodney said to him.

 

Woolsey turned to Lukas, “Are you packed ?” Lukas smirked and patted the AK on his chest. “I'll take that as a yes. Lady Firefox glad to see you joining us ?”

 

“I received word of someone important being kidnapped, I chose to come with you to Earth, I take down Aimes, you recover a lost child to her parents, we meet at the Sgc when its over ?” Firefox said

 

“Sounds like a plan” Lukas said, Rodney simply nodded

 

“Yes, it does indeed, soon as we're at the SGC you'll need more ammo.” Rodney said

 

“Chuck, Dial earth now, let them know we have incoming travelers” Woolsey said

 

“Yes sir” Chuck said, he dialed up the gate and radioed through that Lukas, Firefox and Rodney were coming through, along with Tej and Cipher.

 

SGC

Seconds later

 

Cipher turned and stared at the stargate from the ramp at the SGC, “Whoa,” she looked to Tej, who didnt look too alarmed. “I didnt feel a thing” She said to him. Tej just smiled softly

 

“Its complicated, but its like a doorway, one way street so to speak, no backing up. We go in one side, and we come out someplace completely different” Tej told her. He didnt try to get into details.

 

“Welcome back” Landry said

 

“Wish it was under better events” Lukas said in reply, giving the man a firm handshake, he saw SG20 nearby, they saluted him. They were his friends on base he remembered.

 

“SG20 can give you a full sitrep on the situation and get you up to speed, Col Mitchell is in orbit on the Odyssey with Captain Marks trying to find young Morgan Dulake, and Dr Jackson wants you both in his library I guess he calls it now. Welcome back to Earth kids, it only gets fun from here” Hank said as they walked from the gateroom to the control room, and from there Hank went up a flight of stairs while Lukas and Rodney traded looks and headed for Rodney's lab, Cipher remained in the Control room in awe at the technology.

 

Walter didnt much care that Cipher was there, she was curious, she found an empty chair and took a seat. She started asking Walter many questions about the operation of the stargate and how it worked. Questions Walter was happy to answer, she never dealt with such technology before. It made her wonder why she didnt begin such a persuit, why she was never contacted.

 

There she was crisscrossing Earth in a plane, only to find out there was a hidden locale that had everything she would have needed at the drop of the hat.

 

Tej himself went in search of a vending machine to get a drink. Once he had it he went to a nearby computer lab, his radio went off. “Parker” He said

 

“Parker this is Col Mitchell aboard the Odyssey, is Dr McKay with you ?” Cam asked on the radio

 

“No I'm afraid not, I never really was given a full run down of the base here so I dont know where he is, General Landry mentioned something of Dr Jacksons library ?” Tej replied as he sipped his Dr Pepper

 

“Alright, what sublevel you on ?” Cam asked him

 

“Twenty six” Came the reply

 

“Alright I'll give you directions, are you near the elevator or set of stairs ?” Cam asked him

 

“Set of stairs, going down only” Tej replied, “Directly across from me is the cafeteria”

 

“Alright you're gonna wanna take a right, second corridor to the left, fifth door on the right, around the corner twice to the left.” Cam said to Tej, giving exact directions from the cafeteria to Daniels office.

 

Tej stepped in and thought he entered an egyptian exhibit at a museum. “Whoa”

 

“Ah, Mr Parker, just in time” Came the voice of Daniel Jackson, “I was about to explain to Rodney and Lukas a few things you might want to hear”

 

“Glad to make it” Tej replied, a half smile on his face as he took in the room

 

“Alright so as I was saying, Arthur had several Knights of the Round table, Sir Percival, Sir Mordred, sir Lancelot, and Sir Galahad to name a few, they all went with him through the stargate to explore the galaxy to find the Sangraal.”

 

“Yeah turned out the sangrall was in the galaxy just hidden too well” Rodney said, he nodded, he'd read the report

 

“But what does King Arthur myths and stories have to do with young Morgan Dulake ?” Lukas asked.

 

Daniel nodded, “Thats just it, according to this, Lancelot du Lac eventually returned to Camelot here on Earth by way of the Stargate, he only told his wife the story of what they found and who they met. He had two sons. Sir Gawain being one of them. Eventually Lancelots decendants spread from Camelot in England to Shanghai China, and then northwards.”

 

“Tomas was of Norse decent, yet his daughter and wife were both from Baoding” Lukas said, Tomas had last contacted Lukas when Morgan was born back in oh seven. He never met her mother

 

Daniel nodded, “You mentioned that yeah, directly on her fathers side, Morgan Dulake, is infact a direct bloodline decendant of Lancelot du Lac. Though I am guessing that over time the name was modernised from du Lac to Dulake at some point, but a direct bloodline decendant is an important thing”

 

“Which would explain why she was kidnapped in the first place, the people that took her went after her to get to her father or to Lukas here, but why ?” Rodney said

 

“Maybe they only needed to give us an incentive to help ? You said it yourself, the Old Guard doesnt kidnap people” Tej said in thought

 

Lukas shook his head, “No, that's right, the Old Guard when Tomas and I was with them did not kidnap people to turn them into soldiers, instead we went among the enlisted and drafted ranks and contracted them from there. We never kidnapped anyone, its not in our modus operandi” Lukas confirmed forTej

 

“So the people who kidnapped Morgan Dulake wanted to get to you, so who are we dealing with exactly ?” Tej asked

 

“We're dealing with a power group even stronger then the Angency, or Dante Reyes, a group called The Trust. A power group of people who will stop at nothing to get what they wanted. In this case went so far as to trying to get our original base commander General Hammond to resign. Only it failed” Daniel said

 

“They had a general step down how ?” Tej asked, as did Lukas, niether man knew of what happened.

 

“From the way Jack told it, Gerneral Hammond was told that two men in a dark sedan picked up his grandaughters from school at the end of the school day and brought them home safely, they said there'd be more of the two getting picked up by the same men and taken home, Hammond was ordered to step down. Jack saw an end to that and brought him back in.”

 

“I was told General Hammond had passed away after his retirement ?” Lukas spoke up

 

“Yeah, a heart attack. Worst ways to go.” Daniel said

 

“So now we know why Morgan Dulake was taken; we have a six day time deadline to work with, anything pasat that and we risk Morgan getting sick, or worse.” Rodney said he started typing on his tablet. “Do we know how she was taken in the first place ?”

 

“No, but we've viewed the video dozens of times” Daniel said

 

“She doesnt have what any of the others have ? You have it, that braclet thing ?” Tej said

 

“Yeah that was what we looked for first but she only has her wallet, and her dress she was wearing, and a bracelet on her left arm. Her wallet is also on her arm in the phone armband. My sister has one when she does yoga” Rodney said as Tej studied the video

 

“What about other security cameras ?” Tej asked

 

“That's a good thought” Rodney said, he typed on the keyboard. “Huh”

 

“What is it ?” Daniel asked

 

“According to this the show was delayed ten minutes due to the orcrestra being in a brief traffic tie up half a block from the opera house. However we went back an hour at the front doors for the tickets” Rodney said, he zoomed in on the family of three, “That's Morgan Dulake, that has to be her mother, and her father” He said, Morgan was easy to spot in her light red and flower printed dress. Her mother wore a gorgeous white gown of similar style and design, her father wore a rather elegant suit.

 

“Look at the ticket seller. Is that normal for a temporary stand ?” Lukas said out of the blue, a man was selling tickets at a temp stand, and also checking tickets at the door

 

“At a huge production, yes, tickets are taken at the door, normally its an invite only event where tempoary stands are set up. My parents went to one once, mom complained about it” Daniel said, but that was a long time ago. Even for him.

 

“Alright ticket teller checks out he handed the tickets to Tomas” Lukas said as he watched the video,

 

“Next camera” Daniel said as Rodney nodded, he moved to the camera directly over the door. The ticketcheck guy took the three tickets, and handed them back after checking them a brief second.

 

“Wait, rewind that five seconds” Tej said. Rodney did so, “slow it down. There, watch the ticket check's head and expression.” He said pointed out the guy in question. As he handed the tickets back to each person in the group of three his face and head trailed after Morgan herself who was behind them by a half step. He then turned his focus to the tickets coming in.

 

“That has to be the guy who tampered with the ticket. The ticket was the beacon to teleport Morgan out of the bathroom.” Daniel said seeing it

 

“Zoom in on his hands” Lukas said, Rodney rewound the scene once more then focused on the ticket cheks hands. He had a second set of tickets, he checked the three, and gave back two, but also gave back something else to Morgan with her original ticket still in his posession.

 

“That was the beacon, he had the beacon in the form of a seat assignment.” Rodney asked

 

“But why take her from the womens bathroom ?” Tej knew london had tight security networks, this security cameras in the bathroom meant female security personel watched them in a sepreate room.

 

“Well, first and formost we need, that guy, with any luck we can get him to tell us more” Daniel said pointing at the screen.

 

“We got a six day deadline before little miss Morgan takes a swim in her dress or refuses to shower” Rodney said, “can we locate that beacon ?”

 

“Odyssey and Korolev Two both tried, found nothing. Deep scan indicated the three level structure a mile belowground.” Daniel replied, “So far they can identify at least two dozen life signs, but they cannot beam any of them out without the transporter beacon.”

 

“So we find Morgan Dulake, Lukas and I, one of us grab her and boom, straight to the Odyssey and safety.” Rodney said, Tej was nodding, he looked to Daniel.

 

“That might work.” Daniel said to him. He got on his radio, “Cam, come in”

 

“Cam here, go ahead” Came Dcamerons voice on the radio

 

“We got three to beam, Lukas, Tej and Rodney, care for some guests. Make it four now that I think about it I need to access the Core about something” Daniel said into his radio.

 

“Copy that, welcome aboard” Cam replied

 

Odyssey

In geo orbit over SGC

Seconds later

 

“Welcome aboard the Odyssey” Cam said as four men appeared on the bridge. “I see you found Jacksons office OK” Cam said seeing Tej was with them.

 

“Its more like a history museum” Tej replied.

 

“I agree, either way, its his office. Though General Landry calls it his library” Cam replied

 

“I call it both, and I am standing right here.” Daniel said. It made Rodney smirk.

 

“Alright, I got the gist of the plan so far, we niether us, nor the Korolev Two can pick up any beacon inside the structure whatsoever. Koroleve Two hoeever confirmed that something was taken from the girl before she was beamed down” Cam said

 

“They took the beacon” Lukas said, without it they couldnt get a lock on the life signs, and Lukas had no idea of the Asgards mass suicde yet. And for once Rodney was relieved at least until he said. “Have we considered contacting Loki of the Asgard ?”

 

“I'm sorry what ?” Daniel asked

 

“Loki, surely you read my SGC file when I came onboard ?” Lukas said to him.

 

Rodney looked at him, thoughtful at first, but then concerned. “I did not, no.” He said

 

“I did” Cam said, “According to the SGC file you did many tours leading up to and during the collapse of the USSR and and were also present at the fall of the Berlin Wall” He said, “And you dont look more then a few dozen years old either.”

 

“That was because of Loki of the Asgard, he helped me and Tomas together, when I was younger when I first started working with the military I had a genetic defect, shortly after Boot ended I got experimented on by Loki in orbit, but Loki also needed my help and that was how I met Tomas. It was how we became friends.” Lukas explained.

 

“And Loki experimented on you both and what enhanced your lifespan ?” Daniel asked

 

“In a way, Lokis experiments uncovered my genetic defect, and in turn I gave permission to try and reverse the defects affect, or get rid of it entirely, Loki did both. The side effect of extremely slowing to stopping my aging, and also Tomas own aging” Lukas explained.

 

There came the sound of fingers snapping rapidly as Rodney stepped into view. “It makes sense actually, the Asgard and to an extent the Vanir were able to experiment with human and asgard DNA to try and prolong their own lives. Whose to say they didnt fix antything in Lukas or this Tomas guy to help prolong their lives ? I mean for all we know it explains why Lukas only looks about fourty instead of eighty” Rodney explained.

 

“So we know that much only I dont think you know” Daniel said

 

“Know what ?” Lukas asked

 

“The Asgard underwent mass suicide, caused their planet to implode, in doing so it took out two Ori mother ships. But the entire Asgard race as a whole is stored in their collective minds aboard the Odyssey, the complete Asgard Core, we never used it because the Ori could track the ship.

 

“Loki contacted me not too long ago, said he was alive and well. Shortly after you returned from the Ori home galaxy” Lukas said to him

 

“Well if he did it might have been from the Core” Daniel said

 

“Is there a way to check if he is in it ?” Rodney asked

 

“Should be” Daniel replied

 

“On it” Rodney said, typing on his tablet as he spoke.

 

“The Asgard killed themselves ?” Lukas asked

 

“Yeah, after they installed all their stuff onto this ship, and offically called us the Fifth Race. Ontop of that when we met the Furlings with this ship they recognised us as the Fifth Race because of the Asgard Core, they thought it was the Asgard that showed up at Flamelight Spire. But it was us” Cam replied

 

“I see” Lukas replied he went to the viewscreen of the bridge as he spoke

 

“Oh this isnt good” Rodney said.

 

“What is it ?” Daniel asked him

 

Rodney looked up from his tablet, “I just did a single person search and full system log,” He said, a look of confusion on his face, “According to this, the asgard core has only been used twice since the Ori home galaxy trip, once to replace the lost crystal that agent Mirreck had in his cell on the brig, and once just now by me”

 

“Yeah, and ?” Cameron asked him

 

“Loki is not in it, according to the Asgard Core, the Asgard high council voted to exile Loki to a galaxy of his choosing, he chose Pegasus, but he never said of why, only that in Pegasus, he can be in peace, and cloaked without the enemy knowing he was there while experimenting on them” Rodney explained as Daniel gave him an odd look.

 

“So Loki is still alive” Lukas said

 

Daniel went thoughtful “Could explain it”

 

“It could” Rodney agreed

 

“Wait a minute, explain what ?” both Tej and Cam asked at once.

 

“When we were at the Ancient Lab that Janus built, the Asgard, known as the Vanir in Pegasus, had left, but they left two of their armored space suits for us to use without issue, so who is to say it wasnt Loki who did it without the others knowing ?” Rodney explained

 

“Well it does explain why the suits were there” Daniel said

 

“It also explained why we were also able to get a full schematic on the suits to make our own in the asgard core, only we never went that far.” Rodney said, it made sense, the Asgard beam weapons were fitted to all the Tauri ships, but none of the asgard core itself was placed anywhere, it was simply kept on the Odyssey.

 

“So what now ?” Lukas asked

 

“Well, at this moment the Korolev Two confirmed they have the Trust agent on board in their brig, he's not Russian or even any form of former USSR member, but he is Trust. And they ensured he cant kill himself.” Marks called from his station. “They're ready to beam him aboard to our own brig.”

 

“Have him instead come straight here to the bridge. I think the brig might be too small to hold all of us plus a fight arena” Cam said

 

“Cargo hold one then ?” Marks said, cargo hold three had to get rebuilt after the Ori Galaxy trip.

 

“Works for me.” Lukas said as he headed from the bridge, “We'll meet him there”

 

-8-8-8-

 

At that same moment

3 miles under Bumfuck Nowhere Russia

The Old Guard compound

 

A pair of brown eyes slowly blinked open, it had been about an hour or so, the show was during intermission and she had gone to the bathroom. She loonked aroundand sat up. This was not the London Opera House bathroom. No this was more like a cell; which meant she missed the rest of the show! What exactly happened ?

 

She tried to remember and think what had happened exactly. She remembered getting her ticket from the ticket check guy, she didnt much like him, he felt sleezy, he made her nervous. As she rmemebered the first half of the show, it was a fun show, the same show on tour in America had to be stopped for a year because of weird storms.

 

But in London it continued, and since they were visiting friends of her father as well as extended family at the time; she and her mother had also gone with her father to London to visit with family and friends. Family reunion time really.

 

Morgan blinked, and then blinked again, in the silence of the cell there was only the hum of a heating system, the walls were made of beautiful mosaiac tile and the floors were clean and oddly, for a cell, carpeted. The cell bathroom was even given some pirvacy, like it was someones bedroom instead of a prisoner cell.

 

She woke up further and saw that she had been laid under a blanket, it was nice and warm, fleece apparently. It was soft too. As she sat up she heard a voice, “I'm telling you, one moment there was nothing, then a huge flash of light and she was there. I laid a blanket over her to keep her warm, that dress does not look like it will do much on the surface” It was a womans voice, and she sounded upset.

 

“Alright, alright Vania I'll look” Came a mans voice, sounding older, tired. Sounded similar to someone Morgan had once heard her father talk about when growing up and helping topple communisim in Russia and across europe.

 

The owners of the voices came into viewas Morgan was sitting on the bed, her feet, thankfully her shoes on the floor, were at that moment bare, a faint shimmer, she had stockings on. But even like her dress, it wouldnt keep her warm for seconds on the surface.

 

Upon seeing who their guest was, the man suddenly spoke, “Oh dear” This was not good news. Nor was it a good sight. “And here we were hoping to not involve a third party.” The old man muttered.

 

“Does she look familiar to you, Gustav ?” Vania asked him, seeing Morgan now sitting up and awake.

 

The man, called Gustav, looked from Vania to Morgan and carefully looked her up and down. Even dressed in that elegant very oriental cheongsam there was no missing Tomas's eyes. She had them. Gustav nodded. “You're right, she might be his daughter.” They had received pictures in the mail when Tomas and his wife had their baby in Shanghai. Her eyes matched his vibrant brown.

 

There was a brief standoff as the three people stared at each other. Morgan looking between the two as if nothing was truly wrong. But curious. She wasnt scared, she was curious, so when Gustav spoke anew, he asked her. “By any chance, young lady, are you related to Tomas Dulake ?”

 

“Do I know you ?” Morgan asked, Tomas was her father, and somehow she felt like she knew these people.

 

“That all depends on if your father has spoken about us” Vania said to her

 

Morgan nodded, she put on her heeled shoes. “Father spoke about you all in his stories when I was a child, still does regale me and Mother when he can.” She turned to Gustav, pointing a thoughtful finger at him. “She called you Gustav, so that must mean you're Old Gus ?” She said to Gustav, and then to Vania, “And Vania ?”

 

Gustav nodded, in this case Morgan knew him by what her father always had called him. His nickname Old Gus was a old in joke of him being always complaining of being too old for crap they had to go through. “That's right, so that must mean that you really are Tomas Dulake's daughter ?”

 

“I am yes, might I ask where I am ?” Morgan asked.

 

“Well, you're with us” Vania started.

 

“I'm with the Old Guard ?” Morgan asked, cutting her off, shock in her tone, and also sometyhing of confusion, and also awe, she was, thanks to her father a huge fan of the Old Guard

 

“Yeah, youi're Tomas daughter alright; I'm surprised he had a child” Vania said, she herself hadnt seen the pictures Tomas had sent, at the time not around when they had arrived. So she wasnt really in the know. So now, meeting Tomas daughter Morgan she could see the resemblence easily.

 

“Are you alright ? How did you get here ? This base is three miles underground” To say Old Gus was starting to panic was an understatement.

 

So Morgan told him everything she could remember, “I was in London, attending a musical, Cats, when I received my seat assignment I didnt much like the ticket check guy who gave me my seat assignment. During intermission I was in the bathroom,” thankfully she had finished what she was needing to do there and was actualkly about to leave the bathroom to return to her seat when she was beamed up to the Korolev Two.

 

“The last thing I can really remember was getting hit with something when I reappeared somewhere, looked like a gray room ? Next thing I know I woke up here” Morgan concluded. She rubbed her neck. Realising something was missing, she had her wallet, her dress, her shoes. Her necklace, a gorgeous blue butterfly diamond pendant was missing.

 

“Is something wrong Morgan ?” Old Gus asked her as Vania held the door open as they walked to the main part of the complex, it was far warmer in the complex as a whole So as they walked Morgan noticed the change in ambient temperature. Itwas very slight, but it was enough to keep her warm.

 

“My necklace is missing” Morgan said, worry in her voice, she had it when she was taken fro mthe baqthroom, so before she got knocked out or even after she got knocked out the one who knocked her out more then likely took it.

 

“Necklace ?” Vania asked her

 

“What did it look like ?” Old Gus asked

 

Morgan described it. “A blue butterfly pendant made of blue and white diamonds, my dad gave it to my mom as a wedding gift, but they both gave it to me as a birthday gift earlier this year” It was the way that she described the necklace that had Old Gus remembering a past mission back in the early seventies well before they took on Russia and the Soviet bloc

 

Vania and Old Gus traded looks. “Are you thinking what I am thinking ?” Vania asked him

 

Old Gus sighed, “If it is indeed the same Necklace that Tomas recovered from that vault in Saint Petersburg, then yes, I am thinking what you are thinking.” Old Gus replied. That was that, the necklace that was stolen by the trust, who presumably believed it would lead to some all powerful treasure somewhere in the galaxy would be horibily disappointed to find out it was just a common necklace.

 

“So then we have t ofind and recover it once more” Vania said in thought.

 

“Whoever took it from me knocked me out when I woke up in that strange gray room” Morgan explained, she had the necklace that evening for the show, then she asked “What time is it ?” Gus told her; well that wasnt good, it was almost midnight in London, but past one am in Russia, timezones, who knew.

 

But her new thoughts were only for her necklace and where it could possibly be.

 

As they walked along, Old Gus spoke, “I am afraid nothing we have will be able to fit you” Morgan was rather well built, and her dress showed off her curves elegantly. He smiled however. “though if you want you can use the fleece blanket that Vania laid over you, shes carrying it see, as a cloak if you wish” Morgan thanked them both and wrapped herself in the fleece like a shawl on her shoulders. She felt much better after that.

 

-8-8-8-

 

SGC

An hour later

Map Room

 

Cipher found herself in the doorway of the map room, there were maps of every state in stacks, every city also in stacks, a lot of screens, and she was watching a woman dressed in red and gold, fox like ears upon her head and a gorgeous fox tail from her spine. A Kitsune. In this case Firefox herself. “So you helped Dom after Dante got to him huh ?” She asked from where she leaned on the doorframe.

 

“Yes, I helped Dom, he's safe now at Atlantis, trained him too. What Dante did to him was nothing compared to what I found in the receesses of Doms mind, Dante messed with him something fierce. I hope I managed to fix it.” Firefox said as she looked over a map of Australia.

 

“So whats the plan ?” Cipher asked her as she stepped closer to the woman. Firefox pointed out some areas of Australia. “Tillpilly Lake ?”

 

“That is where Aimes is hiding out, him and his mercenary army. Australia asked me personally to come and clean him out. Any damages are paid for.” Firefox said. Her plan was mostly simply, she had only a few weapons she could use at her disposal.

 

As she viewed the map, and also three rail lines. “Who is flying overwatch for you ?”

 

“Tej Parker; he offered, at first I said no, he madea fair point, then I accepted.” That made Cipher breathe a sigh of relief. Firefox was not going after Aimes alone. Firefox smiled, turning to her as she viewed the map of Australia, planning her route, “You sound relieved ?”

 

“Indeed I am, Aimes is not someone you can just gun down on a whim, even without an army of his own at his back, he's still not easy to take out of the game.” Cipher said ot her. “By having Parker run overwatch for you using live realtime maps, I can do the same for you from here using security cameras. From what Sgt Harriman has been telling me, using a subspace radio link to any team either across the galaxy through the stargate, or here on Earth, near instant communication.” It made Cipher's head spin the way Walter explained it.

 

That made Firefox smile, “I was actually going to ask you if you could help Mr Parker by doing overwatch, in this case live security camera feeds. Gods Eye never found me, and it never will, but, it will find Aimes, can you do that ?” Firefox turned to her as she spoke she held out a hand, an orb of clear orange floated in her hand, inside it was a USB stick.

 

It was Gods Eye

 

“When you find Aimes, tell me exactly where, Gods Eye will not be able to track me because it never has seen me, its code is complex and even if you tried, it still would not find me because I am not of this earth. You can see that clearly in how I appear right now.” Firefox had a soft smile on her face as she handed Cipher the Gods Eye, well, it was somehow weird, deja vu all over again to hold onto God's Eye.

 

Firefox however was right, it wouldnt be able to find the Kitsune, because it was not designed that way, if anything, on the cameras, Gods Eye would see the soldiers Firefox would be fighting, fighting thin air

 

-8-8-8-

 

At that same moment aboard the Odyssey in Cargo Hold One, A single trust agent was laid on the floor, he had no means of transporting out, nor did he have any means of self defense as the man was beaten and thrown around a makeshift arena by Lukas. He laid against the cargo he had crashed against. A trail of blood went from his mouth as he spat out a mouthful of blood. He laughed. “They werent kidding when they said going after the child of a super soldier would bring his family knocking” He said

 

Lukas stood over the man, the Trust agent was still incredibly defiant, if not stupid. Lukas grabbed the man by ther shirt collarand pulled him to his feet. “You kidnapped the only child of my best friend. And I do not know ifI should kill you, or let him do it, or if he doesnt want to do it, if she wants to do it.” Lukas said to him in Russian, his tone flat and even, not a threat, not a warning, just a plain statement.

 

Who would get the final crack at this dumb fucker ? In this case the answer was simple. Let Tomas kid whack at him with her heeled shoes ? Cam was already wondering who could do how much dfamage to the guy, Lukas, Tomas or Tomas daughter Morgan

 

Lukas let the man stand on his two feet. The man wavered briefly. He spat up blood a second time. He laughed again. “Look, you want the truth, fine, I was only told to get the girl, get something she had, then drop her somewhere, the only place we could drop her without making a panic, this was a covert operation, was in Bumfuk Nowhere Siberia, there was a nice complex, we knocked her out on the Korolev Two and sent her down. Easy peasy”

 

“And now you got the Old Guard after your asses for sending someone who only heard about them in stories to their front door.” Cam spoke up fgrom where he watched, from what he was hearing the Trust were not after Morgan to get to Lukas or Tomas, but what Morgan had on her at the time ?

 

Lukas was about to swing again when Cam spoke up once more, “Whoa, hold up a seck Hulk” Cam sair to Lukas, causing the larger man to briefly halt in his swing. Cam entered the makeshift arena and went right into the Trust Agents face. “You said you took something Morgan had on her, what was it, and where did you send it if anywhere ?”

 

The agent didnt say a word in reply to Cam, he only sdpat more blood at the mans feet. Mitchell sighed, Her didnt want to do this, but he might as well. “Lukas, tear his left arm off.”

 

At those words the Agents eyes went wide, he held up both hands, “Whoa, whoa whoa, hold on!” He shouted, He backed up, only to find himself trapped in the corner. “I'll talk, I'll talk” He said after a minute as he felt Lukas grab his arm

 

Lukas slowly let go of the mans arm, he was breathing harder then expected. “It was a necklace she was wearing, our orders were to get her, take the necklace, and send her back to the surface unharmed. So that's what I did” The Agent said

 

“Where is the necklace now, what did it look like ?” Cam asked him The agent hesditated, “One more hesitation and this man wont stoop to breaking your arm instead of ripping it off.” Cam told him.

 

The man sighed, “Once I had the necklace I sent it on the supply chain in a small box, slated for P3X-251 with the next ship out of the system. Its not that big of a box either. The necklace was a blue butterfly. It should still be on the Korlev Two right now. Otherwise, good luck getting off a snakes body. They love those shiny jewels.”

 

The man laughed, cam knocked him senseless. “Put him in the brig and ensure he cannot be beamed out. I want two Sfs at his door at all times,” Came said as he left the makeshift arena, Lukas right behind.

 

“Where do you intend to go ?” Lukas asked

 

“Korlev Two, I want to try and intercept that package before its sent to a System Lord wannabe with a love for riches and wealth.” Cam said as the door slid open as they neared it, they went into the corridor and headed down a flight of stairs. To the lower deck.

 

“Was it wise to only knock him out instead of kill ?” Lukas wondered.

 

“My thinking is once we recover Morgan from the Old Guard, you said it yourself, they're a friendly bunch so they're more then likely caring for her, sdcared out of their own wits at her being there. My thinking is, she'll want to get back at the guy for kidnapping her in the first place.” Cam explained

 

“So saving him in the brig for her future play toy, got it” Lukas said, he had a smirk on his face, it made even Cam chuckle. “You mind if I sell tickets to the fight ?”

 

“Sometimes I worry about you big guy” Cam said to him, he wasnt Teal'c, but he could take what he could get. They entered a elevator, As the doors closed, Cam continued, “I wouldnt mind a betting pool though....”

Chapter 13: King in the Center

Summary:

Thalia, Blaze and Carwyn observe a storm with Cayran from atop their apartment tower on Ascretta. Cayran opts to remain with Ben while the other three go in search of the single returnee.

At the same time in Huaxian City of Sword Domain, Brian now going by the name of Bander, begins learning sword and knife skills from a teacher, a Furling named Yang. At the same time his mother Elena speaks with Lv Shen Tong, the patriarch of Huaxian City

Later on, Tanith and Tharon arrive at Huaxian City and met with Lv Reiko, Poth, and Lv Si Ming, the three give the two a warm reception soured only slightly by news of Ivy's return, and what Macavity has been up to.

Three weeks later, in orbit over Earth, Jakob Toretto wakes up safe and sound and almost entirely healed while aboard the Odyssey in gyosync orbit over Villa Reale Portugal; Shortly after, Cameron Mitchell meets Firefox's sister, Bluefox

Beyond the Gate book 2

 

Chapter 13 King in the Center

 

Ascretta

Tanith and Tharons condo

Thalias room

The day after returning from Flamelight Spire

10 am

 

“You seem worried” Blaze said to Thalia, the newer arrival had found the history crystals with Tantomile and had found that Blaze, both of her brothers, and one more girl, were infact adopted by Tanith and Tharon after Thalia was born mostly because of a Pollicle strike team destroying their parents.

 

“Worried ? Not really, tired maybe” Thalia replied, it was weird slowly getting used to her true name on this world was one thing, she still remembered herself as Gaberielle Xang of Long Beach California back on Earth, but here she knew and felt a strong connection to Blaze, who never told her former name back on Earth, as her younger sister, and that Tanith and Tharon were her parents.

 

Tantomile and Jellylorum both had confirmed the genetic connection between them after all. Tanith and Tharon did have one kitten, in this case Thalia herself.

 

“Tired I can understand, because you just woke up; you slept in” Blaze replied with a nod, well that was that

 

“Couldnt help it, I was up late working with Ben on the connection stream, the power requirement for it are insane” Thalia said, she sounded tired sure, but proud, she and Ben managed to figure the thing out

 

“You know that I know you dont mean that” Blaze said to her sister. Thalia didnt look happy when the two returned to Ascretta, Dila sent a traveling party back with them sending supplies and establishing a hyperspace lane to stay in contact

 

Thalia started laughing. “Let me guess, you mean that stupid Furling who tried to hit on me back on Flamelight Spire ?” She said to her sister

 

Mahees was an idiot, but he had tried, and failed, to entice Thalia, much less trap her in a figure of speech she couldnt get out of. Both of his attempts failed, and Ben recorded it all. With Taniths arrival on Ascretta via the transport panel as Thalia started calling the weird door, Dila was going to get exiled to Earth or somewhere else had Mahees gotten his way actually Dila would have been killed instead of exiled.

 

But Tanith, Thalias mother, had once more saved the council womans life, and thanks to Ben's recording Mahees attempts at enticing and luring Thalia, earned him a demotion and ban from the politics of Flamelight Spire.

 

He had of course sworn to get revenge on both Dila and Tanith, but nothing could be done by that point as he had been ordered on the taskforce for a ceremonial hunt on the planet of Flamelight Spire itself. By time they had left he was on the planet surface.

 

And if luck had it, killed by a Bloodboar or Saberdeer. It'd been almost a full day since they were last at Flamelight Spire, and the connection was solid, Dila was alive and safe, so nothing much if anything to worry about now was there ?

 

“Oh hey you're up, Did you hear the recent news ?” Came a male voice, that of Carwyn; Blaze's younger brother, at least one of them. He saw that Thalia was awake so he spoke up

 

“What news ?” Both Blaze and Thalia asked him

 

“Mom said that Dom and the others are at Atlantis, and they want to see us too” Carwyn explained, “Ben also said two members of Doms family are already here on Ascretta as well, and have been here a year already.”

 

“You mean like that more recent arrival ? What was her name, Artemis ?” Blaze asked

 

“The girl who looks like Bomba's mini-me ?” Thalia asked, yeah they had met, and briefly didnt get along at least until Artemis actually wanted Thalia and Blaze to help her figure out something that concerned the pollicles, and also concerned how Artemis had died originally there on Ascretta

 

Blaze nodded. Carwyn had a smirk on his face as his sister spoke. “Yeah her, remember ? She pretty much flattened the barbeque pit when she landed.” Artemis had arrived about a day after Thalia did, almost a year ago now that Thalia thought about it. Making her the most recent arrival on Ascretta. No other Furlings had landed in any storms or otherwise since. The mere memory of Artemis pretty much ruining something Tugger had been hoping to get built by Ben though ultimately just delayed a few hours instead of outright demolished.

 

“I only remember the most of it being Tugger upset the BBQ was delayed a few hours instead of at seven as planned.” Thalia then said, it was a day or so later when they all became friends. Artemis was apparently at one point Bombas daughter through Munkus with Demter as her half mother or such, which meant there were two other kittens born to Munkus, Agustus was one of them, but he was with his mother Marei and also his aunt. So that meant that the missing middle daughter; in this case it was either Amanda, otherwise known as far as Thalia could remember as Mandy, or Aphrodite otherwise known to everyone as Affy

 

“So what is the plan ?” Blaze then asked to both her brother and to Thalia

 

The latter was thinking on how to see her parents, at least those on Earth, her mother, Tanith had spoken of some really helpful technology, technology she only needed to use until her father Randall Raines had recognised her as his daughter regardless of what she looked like.

 

So Thalia hoped her parents, in this case Gabreille Xang's parents would still see her as their daughter. The holographic look could work only so far, but Thalia knew her mother complained of having to hide her tail. And sitting on it sometimes really hurt. And Thalia knew that from personal experience too

 

But before Thalia could voice her intention on using her mothers holographic technology to go back to Earth and see her earth parents to let them know that she was OK and will have to be gold for an extended time period, Carwyn spoke up. “Hey, you guys hear that ?” He was lsitening intently. And it wasnt to voices but something else.

 

Thalia then heard it the same time as Blaze once it was pointed out by their brother. “It sounds like a storm” Blaze said

 

“You think someones coming ?” Thalia asked trading looks with Carwyn and Blaze, the former was thoughtful, a hand on his chin, tapping a finger on his mouth.

 

“Only one way to find out.” Blaze said, the three left Thalia and Blazes bedroom in the condo and as she passed the condos armory Thalia snapped up a rifle scope as the sounds of the storm grew slightly louder. As the three exted the condo into the hallway outside of the front door it became clear of what was present.

 

Or rather who was present

 

It was Cayran, the woman who pretty much dropped in on Tanith by sheer chance and was present when Tanith nearly shot Sheppard out of the sky. Seeing the trio Cayran spoke up, “Where is Tanith ?” Apparently there was indeed a storm bringing in new arrivals.

 

“We heard the storm, but I havent seen mom since last night” Thalia said, she held the rifle scope, “We were going to go on the rooftop and see if we can find which direction it is in” She explained.

 

“I'll come with” Cayran said, it made Thalia smile, an adult who knew her mother and worked with her, perfect! As far as Thalia could remember, Tanith, her mother, had made Silent Night with Cayran, and therefore Silent Night recognised Cayran as a pilot.

 

In a way, Silent Night was sentient, but not sapient like themselves. Guess it was that replicator tech Ben added, Thalia briefly thought. Ben always was good at upgrading things. And most if not all the resources around the city had been harvested, so he was spreading his harvest drones out to continue to harvest items.

 

To the point wherein the city could fly at some point. He'd almost finished making the required zero point modules for that fact. Most of the power would be used just getting the city aloft, but once settled at a steady breathable orbit it was really more a means of keeping the city aloft more then anything instead of simply flying around.

 

Perhaps then they could do exactly that ? Thalia had to wonder where her mother, Tanith, was, even her father, Tharon was not in the condo. And as far as the city sensors could tell them, they werent within the boundary, unless they were in the bowls of the city, or with Ben.

 

Once on the rooftop Thalia began scoping in the direction of the storm. The sniper scope rifle had a five mile effect range, but the cities own systems had a far greater range.

 

“You see anything ?” Cayran asked as Thalia briefly did a full three sixty before going back in her turn, looking west southwest. The clouds looked really dark,m almost black

 

“Yeah” Thalia said as she watched through the scope, “Looks like a violent storm too, almost tornadic with how dark the clouds are”

 

“Like what brought us here” Blaze said looking to her brother, Carywn nodded silently, he tried to forget having to dive into a ditch because of the tornado. New school to get enrolled in, they were supposed to be there for orientation and all that, ended up in the woods soaking wet from a storm.

 

“So that normally means someone is arriving in that storm somewhere in that direction. Looks like a part of this city too” Thalia said as she continued to watch the storm through the scope.

 

“What ?” Cayran asked looking towards the storm, it did look awefully close for comfort, so if that meant new arrivals would be showing up in the city proper. Then she had to remember, the city itself was already huge, and they'd only occupied two buildings in the massive complex as it was.

 

Their species, the Furlings had spread to twelve other worlds. Or in this case eleven other worlds, allowing them to prosper elsewhere as Ascretta was kept secret. Only the Ancients, and the Furlings knew of it.

 

Well, the Ancients knew of the other Furlings worlds until the Ancients abandoned Atlantis, after they sunk their city and fled back to the Milky Way. And now Atlantis was inhabited by humans from Earth. So now the humans from Earth knew about Ascretta but thankfully couldnt find it. Yet. Via star maps

 

“So what do we do ? We dont have Silent Night” Cayran said in thought, if new arrivals were coming, and that storm was over part of their massive shipyard city.

 

“I think I can figure something out.” Thalia said in thought.

 

“So whats the plan ? I dont plan on getting soaked if that is what you're planning” Carwyn said, his words made Thalia chuckle. “What ? Whats so funny ? Was it something I said ?”

 

“No actually, its that we wont be outside, so you wont get soaked unless there's a fountain or something to get soaked in.” Thalia said as she lowered the scope as she spoke. “If I am right, we can use the assembly lines down stairs, or the transport rail tunnels also downstairs to get to that section of the city.”

 

“Why not just use the transporters at the end of the hallway ?” Blaze suggested. Well there was an idea, but they'd have no idea what they'd be finding

 

A second or two of thought, Thalia hadnt thought of the transporters “That works too.” Thalia said

 

“We've never been to that part of the city yet and we've been here a year so we even dont know whats still on this section of it for that matter.” Cayran said, taking charge immediately like an adult should.

 

“Relax, we can have Ben running overwatch,” Thalia said, she activated her earpiece. “Hey Ben, whats going on to the east ?”

 

“Glad you asked” Came Bens voice. “the good news is, the city is intact in that location, the bad news is I am unable to raise Tanith or Tharon on the radio at this time, its possible they are at Huaxian City on the other side of the planet as we speak as per Taniths plan for today.” Well that explained where her parents were, Thalia had to smile, she had nearly forgotten about Huaxian City, and of Reiko and Poth, and also Si Ming.

 

“We'll come to you, wont be long” Thalia said, the others with her nodded, whereas Cayran was still worried, without Tanith to help pickup new arrivals... well it didnt really body well for all of them. “Alright, lets go talk to Ben, and if needed get some weapons, and or clothing too.” Last thing Cayran wanted was for them to walk into a trap or worse, run into Pollicles looking for blood after what Tanith had been doing recently.

 

“See you when you arrive” Came Bens reply before the radio went dead, far off lightning flashed, striking the city in several places, the signs of arrivals really. The storm really started to heat up over that peir.

 

Twenty minutes later the group was in the control room of Ascretta, the stargate sat idle across the way, Ben stood at one of the control screens a stack of dozens of D Cell batter sized ZPMs made of cut grass were stacked in neat orderly rows on a nearby table. When bored Ben made stuff really well. “Ah, good, you're here” Ben said seeing the four step from the transporter. “I was starting to wonder if you'd ever show up”

 

“Any idea of where that storm is or if anyone showed up from it ?” trust Thalia to get right to the point. Ben had to smile at how excited the young Furling woman was.

 

Ben nodded as she asked the question however, but it was Cayran who made him briefly ponder, but then sigh in relief because there was, in essence, an adult present, far as he could tell Thalia, Blaze and Carwyn were teenagers Cayran spoke up. “Hello Ben, its been a while.”

 

“Lady Cayran, I was not expecting you but it is a relief. Yes, Thalia, to answer your question, the sensors in the city detected seven new arrivals in one area, and another dozen or so in another area, but spread out in the process.” Ben explained after greeting them. He then looked at the group, “What kept you ?”

 

The four traded looks, truth was they had argued about going straight to the storm area before seeing Ben, but ultimatly it was up to Thalia as excited as she was, she had to play it careful, just like her mom would. They didnt have Silent Night which was essential when it came to rescuing new arrivals away from the city across the planet as it was.

 

Ben shook his head when no answer was forthcoming, “it does not matter now, what matters is ensuring those new arrivals are well cared for. I have managed to get into contact with Tanith, she and Tharon have united with Lady Reiko and Si Ming of Huaxian City on the other side of the planet as we speak. Tanith insisted you are experienced enough to help get the new arrivals here or settled in safely.” Ben then explained to the group.

 

Cayran turned from Ben to Thalia, if Tanith thought Thalia was skilled enough to help new arrivals in her stead, who was she to say no ? Cayran smiled, “I think its a good idea, but dont worry, I'll be right by you the whole time should something go wrong” She said

 

Thalia simply blushed but nodded as Cayran spoke. It was good to have someone with a little more experience on rescuing new arrivals.

 

“You will need to bring them back here, shortly after the storm started two doors unlocked and opened in this tower” Ben said he indicated on the local floor by floor sdcan of a few rooms, “these two rooms here” He indicated the two unlocked doors. “The air circulation systems even turned on, and the doors unlocked, but I did not try to open them, inside according to the information here is clothing, and other gear. Apparently some of it weaponry, as if meant for soldiers stationed here in the gateroom.” Ben explained

 

A quiet moment of thought was then had. “Should any of us wait here with Ben or should we all go ?” Came the question from who else, but Blaze, the golden furred Furling woman stood just as tall as Thalia, but where Thalia was a perfect blend of her parents Tanith and Tharon, Blaze was more orange and white with tabby markings like her brothers.

 

“I think we should go, unless one of us wants to stay here with Ben ?” Thalia said in thought.

 

She didnt have to pick, nor did Cayran, because it was Carwyn who spoke, “I'll stay here with Ben and help set up some beds or chairs, maybe even get some food ready, no doubt they'll more then likely be hungry.” So that was that, the three of them would go and see the new arrivals, and get them situated.

 

“It will be nice to have some company since Sir Lukas has returned to earth for some important events.” Ben said, it had been only three days after all, but even then it all worked out, three days three things occurred, Thalia was hit on, Dila was safe, and young Morgan, a child of a close friend of Lukas was also quite safe.

 

Ascretta

Third Continent Shipyard City

The Sword Domain

Lv Family tower

At that same moment

 

To meet Lv Shen Tong himself in the third shipyard city was one thing entirely on Taniths mind at that moment, after she had been told he wanted to speak to her, apparently the Furling Guest of his, and her son, wanted to see someone important to them both. And therefore that meant if Tanith went to see them first, that could help shed light on why she had arrived there instead of elsewhere on the planet.

 

But then again those of Sword Domain have not seen a Pollicle in ten generations, the last thousand years or so had been Pollicle free in Sword Domain, so they held tournaments for best skilled soldiers and otherwise. And briefly went to war against one of their own domians. Which started the championship every year, and it was almost time for it to occur for that matter.

 

“Master Shen Tong, the new arrival wishes to speak to you” Said a maid, dressed in a elegant white linen dress, almost like a Samuraiko style dress for that matter

 

“La Song, allow her in, I will speak to her here, inform me when Tanith arrives” Lv Shen Tong brushed a strand of his black and blue hair from his face, the black and blue tabby markings clearly visible as Elena arrived shortly after La Song took her leave. Looking up from his desk, Shen Tong smiled gently, “You wished to see me ?”

 

Elean stopped in the door frame as it closed behind her. Looking at the room, it did not look like anything she was used to, steel gray walls, what looked like crystals providing pale yet also good light on the walls. The windows were ornate yet clean and looked out on the courtyard bewlow. The center of the room was taken up by a desk made seemingly of glass, and on it was a screen showing parts of the centeral tower area. Centeral Domain.

 

Finally Elena spoke, “I did”

 

“And what then can I be of aid for you ?” Asked Shen Tong

 

“Am I a prisoner ?” Elena asked. Shen Tong briefly stared at her, whatever made her wonder such a thing ?

 

He shook his heasd, “I can assure you that you and your son, are not prisoners, but guests. You are free to come and go as you like, tyhough I do ask that either La Song or her sister be with you or nearby so you dont get lost. As far as I am aware this is a rather... new place to you is it not ?” Shen Tong said to her

 

“So I can leave this tower as I like ? My son has been wanting to see the nearby forest he saw from the windows.” Elena said.

 

“That can easily be arranged, and like I said, a guide could be of help for you to learn about this place, find your way around so to speak.” Shen Tong told her. Then he motioned for her to sit across from him. “If I may ask, what is your name ?”

 

“I hadnt really thought on that before. Where I am from my name was Elena, so you may call me that” Elena replied, if at all possible she'd go by that, but her name here was far different. Here name there was actually Althea. But the cat within as she called it, hadnt fully woken up yet, so there wasnt many if any internal discussions of who she was there just yet. “And yours ?”

 

“I am Lv Shen Tong, current patriarch of the Lv Household here in Huaxian City” Shen Tong said to her

 

”Huaxian City ?” Elena asked. Great so I'm dead and this is heaven ? Just fucking wonderful! She thought to herself clearly unhappy at her predictament. Shen Tong seemed to sense her distress as she asked him. “Am I dead ?”

 

“Apparently it is customary to ask those who suddenly appear within Sword Domain what the last thing they remember was” Shen Tong said to her.

 

The last thing she could remember ? Well there was Dom, and Cipher, and she closed her eyes and looked away from Shen Tong, the memory all too fresh in her mind. “I... I dont want to talk about it” She finally said., She sighed, “I was killed, that is all you need to know”

 

“Apparently it is, because you are indeed quite alive here, so perhaps you were slain, your body at least, then brought here through the storms” Shen Tong told her. He stood from the desk as the hologram formed over it, showing the storm hitting the tower at one point, twice. Depositing herself, and her son, Brian. Little B really, in the same location. “It was after this storm when we discovered you, and the young one.” Shen Tong explained

 

“So I was dead on my world, I cant go back” Elena said in thought. But could Brian, her son ? Well not looking like a three and a half foot tall bipedial housecat he couldnt. But then to see Dom was one thing, was Dom safe and alive ? Was he searching for Brian ? “How did I get here ?”

 

“From what I understand, those that come here through the storm remember their last moments on their homeworld before appearing here like you had, however according to some bits of information we have managed to gather, some remember seeming to fly past the moon and then seeing starlines. Feeling ass if their insides were turned out, and in every possible direction at once before settling into their new forms.”

 

Shen Tong chuckled then, “one who arrived even asked if we had strong drink for him to kill his headache” The man Elena could see was dressed in finery, hanfu style robes denoting someone of importance, uinlike Si Ming who had solid blue hair like a russian blue cat, Shen Tong had blue and black tabby patterned hair sdimilar to Elenas own brown and gray patterned fur. Which even with the silk hanfu dress she had been given which was soft and conformatable even over the fur made her feel like a hgonest to goodness princess.

 

“Is there a reason me and my son came here ? To this... Huaxian City was it ?” Elena asked to Shen Tong, it all felt like a bad iskai novel that she had once read in Rio growing up. Reincarnated as a Cat Mage or such, she couldnt exactly remember, she just knew she was not on Earth anymore.

 

Not with this level of technology, or clothing. Everyolne was tall, slender bipedal felines. And they apparently followed a caste structure ?

 

“Possibly, I have asked one of my underlings, a Furling named Lv Tang to search the histories to find out why you landed where you did. Apparently some of those who have arrived appeared in old battlefield memorials, but you and your son had appeared inside a gardenscape and not a battlefield. So it is being searched as we speak”

 

“So we had a home here ? My son and I, I mean' Elena said in thought

 

Shen tong was in thought briefly then nodded “It is quite possible yes; many of our kind fell generations ago during the ancient wars. Here in Sword Domain however we have not seen the true enemy. In fact, all but three of us infact have never seen these... Pollicles” Shen Tong said to her. “From what I understand, they are the oppisite of us, whereas we are feline in nature and body, these Pollicles are.... canine or the like.” Shen Tong explained. Well that sort of made sense. Elena just hoped this Lv Tang fellow could help explain further.

 

Outside in the courtyard below the office where Shen Tong and Elena spoke, Brian played in the grass, two older Furlings were watching him making sure he was kept safe and enjoying himself, two other Furlings, both of them young children like Brian, were with him, the three were playing in the courtyard a game of tag by the look of it.

 

Within moments of beginning one game, the three ended up doing another, then a third game, before getting back to the first game. It was not long of course before the three children had their attention taken by a group practising their martial prowess in the nearby courtyard.

 

Brian watched the older Furlings moving with precision with elegant blades, and others working with other types of weapons, one Furling used an umbrella, while another prasticed with throwing items like throwing stars and throwing knives.

 

But it was the last group, of six, who were simply seated on coushins, meditating. As the three kittens watched, Brian was about to touch one fo the meditating Furlings when another spoke up. “Easy there child. A curious sort at such a young age” Came a voice, that of an older Furling. Dressed in dark and pale green, the the black and golden hair on the Furlings head tied in a tight ponytail with a long strand or two over his face simply simled at the young boy.

 

“What are they doing ?” Brian asked, the two furling children with him sat on the ground attempting to mimic the older Furlings poses, but ended up tackling and rolling with each other on a few spaces instead.

 

“Well, your two companions are doing what any child will do. Whereas these are meditating, those are practising, after all the tournament is coming soon.” the elder Furling replied. He turned and indicated each group of Furlings as he pointed them out to Brian he carefully also watched the boy. He was not from there and there was something, strangely familiar about the lad.

 

So the elder Furling said to him. “Tell me lad, what is your name ?” Brian had really thought on it, on one hand, he was Brian Toretto, of Earth, the son of Dominic and Letty Toretto, but born by Elena Neves-Toretto. Only to have his mother die when he was a baby.

 

“My dad always told me never to talk to strangers” Brian started, he looked at the older Furling who was explaining things to him, and felt an odd sense of family about him. “But you can call me...” he faltered a brief moment. Who was he really on this world ? Was he Bander, or Brian ? Inwardly the two chatted within himself, finally Brian said, “You can call me Bander” though he knew he'd be also answering to his name that his mother gave him. Namely, Brian. When he saw his father, Dom later that evening.

 

Brian, now known as Bander, then asked the elder Furling, “What about you ? Do I know you from somewhere ?”

 

“Maybe, I remember a Bander from a long time ago, a good man, a merchant who loved to travel. Never stayed in one place for too long. But that was in the old histories, I never met the guy before, but with you named after him, you might be him returned.” The elder furling said, he then smiled and held out a sledner hand to Bander to shake. “I am simply called Yang” he said, “I teach these you see here.” He indicated the furlings around them.

 

“They look relaxed” Bander then said in thought, meaning the group meditating.

 

“In a way they are” Yang replied, he went on to guide Bander over to a nearby bench and the two sat down, Yang went onto explain a few things, easy enough terms for Bander to be kept interested. And then Yang asked, “Have you any combat training ?”

 

“Only what my dad taught me” Most of it was how to handle a gun and also how to defend himself, nothing on how to attack first ask questions later. Which at the time made sense. “If only to defend myself, or improvise where needed.”

 

Yang smiled, so the boy was truthful, that was good. “I think I can teach you a few things then, shouldnt be too hard for you either, come with me. We're not going far.” He said, he stood up and motioned for Bander to walk with him. As the two were walking, the maid, La Song arrived “ah La Song” Yang said bowing briefly to her, a hand covering his fist in greeting

 

“Master Yang” Song said to him in similar greeting. “Master Shen Tong asked me to ensure the boy was cared for, you seem to have everything well in hand”

 

“That is correct, I feel I should teach the lad a thing or two, and let him show me what he knows so far with a blade.” Yang replied, “Can you let the Patriarch know where we have gone ? Can you assure them that the boy is safe with me, and wants to learn from me just as much as I want to learn from him ?”

 

“I am not sure the Master would allow it, but I can try, do not blame me for the boys mother barging in on you once Master Shen Tong asks where you went. Pray to Bastet he can convince his mother to not chase you both.” La Song said to them. With that she bid them farewell and went back to work.

 

A moment of walking later and Bander asked, “Who was that ? What was that... that thing you did with your hands you know ?” Bander tried to mimic it with his own hands, but got it wrong

 

“That was La Song, Master Lv Shen Tong's head maid and house keeper. She is also his secretary and personal bodyguard, rumor has it she is also his daughter, but nobody will ask either of them if those rumors are true or not” Yang replied. Truth was, she was his wife

 

“But what did you do with your hands, that... “ Bander made the motion with his own hands again, this time he almost had it correct, “What does it mean ?”

 

“It is a form of greeting, a rather formal form of greeting truth be told lad, I outrank La Song because I train the Patriarchs own soldiers. But she also outranks me because she only answers to the Patriarch, her master in a manner of speaking, Lv Shen Tong.” Yang explained. The two of them entered a room benches lined the walls and down the middle, effectively deviding the room into two sepreate sections

 

They entered a room that had a low desk, two low chairs, and all sorts of weapons racks. Yang went over to a rack of small weapons, and finding one he held it, hilt first, towards Bander, “Here, take this, you know how to handle a blade ? If not I can teach you”

 

Bander took the weapon, briefly inspected it, it felt right, for his small hands it was the perfect size, reminding him of a toy lightsaber his dad once got him when they visited a theme park in Florida. Bander, as Brian, tried to remember the stances from that show he took part in.

 

Seeing how Bander held the blade, Yang however was impressed, Bander held the weapon in a reverse grip, lose yet flexible and yet, also kind of sloppy, but then nobody got it right the first time. One could still learn. It made Yang smile. “You learn quick” He said, he then indicated the reverse grip that Bander used. “How do you know that grip ? Only scant few soldiers here do it that way. And some for not very long.”

 

Bander looked at his blade, a typical straight Furling sword of thin steel very carefully crafted, yet also a version nearby made of wood. He thought a moment, then turned to Yang, a soft shrug in his tone, “I.... I was part of a small show for a day where I am from, then afterwards one of my favorite shows had someone similar hold their weapon like this.” Bander said nothing of video games, his favorite had a guy using two swords in a reverse grip.

 

Bander then indicated towards the rack with wooden weapons on it. “Shouldnt I be using those ?” He asked to Yang

 

“In a way, yes, but first I wanted to see how you handle a proper weapon, if your mother will allow it, I can begin training you using the wooden weapons. Or at the very least I can teach you a little bit right now, and give you some pointers, and then let you learn on your own time if you want to go that way” Yang had a smile on his face as he spoke, Bander handed back the short sword and Yang hung it on the rack. “its up to you really”

 

“Will I be able to keep the swords you give me to learn with ?” Bander then asked, for seven years old he was smart, smarter then most kids his age infact, after all, Dominic Toretto was his father.

 

“Sure” Yang said, he nodded towards the rack of wooden swords. “Go ahead and pick which ones you like,” He said, then he shook his head, “wait, actually I have a better idea, go ahead and pick a rack of wood weapons, theres a bunch of every size on the racks, and also pick a rack of matching real steel weapons to match the wood weapons. Once wew know where you and your mother will be staying, I can have the two racks sent there. In the mean time I can give you some pointers using a pair of wood swords..

 

For a good two hours Bander and Yang practised together various stances, Yang helping Bander where he stumbled, taking everything in stride, showing extreme patience as well as love of teaching, Bander soaked it up like a sponge.

 

He had no idea his mother was able to gete the news that would make them both think carefully where they belonged.

 

Huaxian City

Landing pad

Two hours later

 

Silent Night settled into her assigned landing space with ease. “You're sure about this ?” Tharon asked as the two sat briefly alone inside the puddlejumper. Tanith sat in the pilots chair which was strange to call the left side of the craft the pilots seat, quite honoestly any of the four seats in the front section were a pilots seat.

 

Tanith sat for long moments in quiet as Silent Night fed all sorts of data she was picking up from Huaxian on her front screen for Tanith and Tharon to see, the ZPMs were all almost entirely dead, only two were left, and one of them was nearing maximum entropy. And when that happened it was going to die too. And Ben was still building the new ZPMs for Ascretta as it was, and he already had two finished and was working on one more

 

“Personally, I just hope Elena recognises me. After all, Dom did, as did my father.” Tanith finally said, she hadnt really the chance to meet elena, nor did Tanith ever meet Little B, otherwise known as Dom and Elenas son, Brian.

 

“You said it yourself dear, you hadnt really time to meet and get to know Elena, much less Doms son, Brian. You only heard about the boy when Dom contacted us from Earth through the SGC as it is” Tharon told her

 

“If Elena wants to see Dom, and wants to go to him right away, then fine, we'll fly her and Little B to Ascretta, and let Ben take them through to Atlantis to see Dom and Letty and the others.” Tanith said.

 

She briefly thought of bringing along her sniper rifle, but thought better of it seeing the level of technology the Furlings of Sword Domain had. She quickly spotted Reiko heading towards Silent Night and smiled. “There's Reiko, come on, I think its time to greet our hosts” Tanith then said as she stood up, hitting the rear hatch activation key.

 

Tharon also stood up from his seat. “Good pep talk” He said to his wife, the two briefly kissed in the back of Silent Night.

 

Tanith smiled and in a soft sultry voice said to him, “There's more where that came from dear”

 

“I look forwards to it sweetie” Tharon replied just as softly. The two then snapped up a pair of swords, in the case of Tanith her twin swords at her hip, Tharons single raiper at his own hip, along with his hat. It made Tanith smirk, regardless of how he tried not to be Puss in Boots, with that hat, and sword, he was that awesome cat.

 

And the best part, Tanith mused to herself, he's MY Puss in Boots. Just like I am his Kitty Softpaws And for her that was enough. It made things even far better now that they had Thalia, and Blaze, and Carwyn and Ceaser.

 

The back hatch of Silent Night split apart and the ramp lowered from within the floor. As Tanith stepped from the ship she was all but enveloped in a hug by Reiko. “We were wondering if you'd make it, and I am glad to prove Si Ming wrong again!” the green dressed Furling said to Tanith as the two hugged.

 

Poth stood nearby, she didnt look too happy, but she did look at least relieved that Tanith was there, she held out a device, a pane of glass it looked like. “We did mostly as you asked, teleporting in and out of the pollicle held cioty and outlaying farms” Poth told her, she sighed, now there was a hint of confusion, possibly worry in her tone.

 

“What is it ?” Tharon asked as Tanith activated the screen, seeing what was apparently bodycam footage from the Furlings of Huaxian City.

 

“There's a few Furlings living among the Pollicles unhindered” Reiko said, clearly upset, “Its like they own the place and onlyu tolorate the pollicles. This one for example” She activated a thumbnail, a video stream played, soundless of course, but still enough to show, Bezel, and her husband Styx, with the former pretty much poisoning a pollicle.

 

“They have a poison maker” Tharon hissed softly.

 

“Wonderful” Tanith didnt recognise either Furling, at least until Poth triggered another thumbnail

 

“Si Ming found this one, recognise her ?” The video stream showed Ivy beating a bunch of pollicles in a sparring match, nearby stood another Furling, one dressed in red, black and gold robes, ginger fur peeked out around his hands and hair. The female, Ivy, was all fire ginger like her father.

 

Tanith growled. “What is it ?” Tharon asked.

 

“Yeah; I recognise her” Tanith replied, she watched the video stream from Si Ming's bodycam, “That is Macavity's daughter, Ivy, the heir to his empire back on Earth when they were all just cats.”

 

“But now they're Furlings, she is a Furling like us” Tharon mused

 

Tanith sighed as the feed ended, Poth took it back, there was nothing after that point. Tanith tried to figure out what Ivy would want now that she was on Ascretta.

 

But try as she might, Tanith came up blank on every attempt.

 

Hospital da Luz Vila Real to the Odyssey Infirmary

Villa Real Portugal

One PM Local Time

Three weeks later

 

“How's the patient ?” Came the older mans voice. It was not often Teal'c was asked to another country to check on somebody. Jakob Toretto had been in a firey wreck on the highway and was transported, in extreme critical condition to the Hospital da Luz burn center. And thanks to the Tok'ra the exact measures were taken to ensure Jakob could heal properly.

 

Dr Lam had then taken over as of three days before. And had Jakob and all the technology carefully beamed to the Hammond in orbit, so for all anyone knew, Jakob was safe in Villa Real for the last three weeks

 

“Well, thanks to the Tok'ra, he's healing, should wake up soon, the sarcophagus could be of help but the Toka's healing medicines can help with the burns better then the machine ever could.” Dr Lam replied

 

“Use of such a device on Jakob Toretto would only make things more painful for him due to the addictive side of the device.” Teal'c replied.

 

“I agree.” Dr Lam replied, she held a tablet screen, “fortunately the Tok'ra managed to negate the addictive qualities of the device with their hand healing devices.” She said.

 

As she spoke, two more men arrived. In this case itwas Cam, and Lukas. “Are we late ?” Cam asked on arrival

 

“On the contrary Cameron Mitchell, you are not.” Teal'c replied just as calm and deadpan as ever.

 

“Good morning Teal'c, how's the patient ?” Cam asked meaning Jakob. As Dr Lam went into explaining a second time none of them noticed as Jakob slowly woke up.

 

The last thing he could remember was a fireball, his focket car exploding thanks to the sadistic Dante Reyes. He's eyes blinked open, he wasnt dead, and he was only hooked up to a single IV and fully clothed. The burn unit at Hospital da Luz were miracle workers far as he cared. He sat up, slowly and looked his arms over, not a burn scar anywhere. “Where am I ?” He then asked, he was confused briefly. And also very hungry.

 

His voice had the effect he hoped for. In this case catching the attention of the four in the nearby area. Dr Lam checked his chart to make sure he was alright. “Mornin' shunshine, glad to see you're actually a living breathing human being” Cam said to him

 

“Do I know you ?” Jakob asked him

 

“Not yet, but I know your brother, Dom, and our friend, Tanith” Cam said to him

 

Mention of Tanith seemed to hit Jakob hard, it hit Dom hard to hear she had gone missing, and Jakob and Mia were the first two people he had told after Cam left him back at his place after showing him the Hammond, Jakob took a shakey breath and tried to relax.

 

Cam raised a hand and waved off any anger, “Look I know I hit a sore point but I have good news, Tanith is alive and well, just its a bit complicated. But the good news is, Tanith is alive. Still fighting the good fight, just like you”

 

“Where am I ?” Jakob asked again, this was not the typical hospital recovery room, in fact if he didnt know any better. “This ceiling is obviously not a burn truama center ceiling. There's no hospital lights. So where am I ?”

 

“All good questions, so we'll take it from the top, you remember the Agency ?” Cam said, Jakob nodded, “Good, that's good, you worked with Mr Nobody, right ?” Again Jakob nodded, “Alright good that gives you the clearence needed to access whats onboard.”

 

“What do you mean ?” Jakob asked him, “Am I on a ship in the ocean ?” he didnt feel any water movement of the ship

 

“Not exactly, but you are on a ship” Lukas said to him as he moved to the window, he drew aside the curtain allowing Jakob to see the sunset on the planet below.

 

“So I'm...” Jakob started seeing the majestic sight, it never got old, even for Cam. “I'm in...”

 

“You're in space, in geosync orbit over Villa Reale Portugal.” Dr Lam replied.

 

“And the Agency ?” Jakob asked

 

“The Agency has been disbanded and its former assets absorbed into Homeworld Security, all of its active and former agents also were absorbed into Homeworld Security” Teal'c replied

 

Cam whistled as he raised an eyebrow towards the Jaffa, “That's a lot of verbage there” He said, most of the time Teal'c was direct and to the point, rarely saying more then a few words when he had to do so. “Who are you and what did you do with Teal'c ?” Teal'c just half smiled towards Cam.

 

“How long was I out ?” Jakob asked breaking into the humorus moment, as much as he actually wanted to laugh he felt like hell.

 

“A good three weeks of a medically induced coma, soon as we arrived in orbit we started tracking things. Aimes disappeared but now has Firefox on his trail, and Dante is back in Rio trying to get some cash. But we froze all his assets. Execept for one cash line.” Cam explained as best he could remember. Most of it made sense to Jakob, sort of at least.

 

“Even with one cash access line Reyes can still do damage” Jakob mused aloud as he slowly sat up. Whatever they hit him with to heal him had healed his skin perfectly, barely any, if any, scars were left from the rocket car explosion. Even his mouth didnt hurt from his old root canal he had done a few years before joining the agency.

 

In fact the more Jakob thought about it the more he smiled to himself inwardly, He'd joined the agency because of their dental plan in the first place.

 

“With us watching his every move and also able to track his phone to know exactly where he is at all times makes things far easier.” Cam replied, he then smiled “And also makes you far safer.”

 

“So where is ?” Jakob started to ask. Onbly to be cut off by Cam

 

“The good news is, your brother and the rest of the family are off world, safe completely where Reyes cannot get to them. Lukas here had something he needed to do” Cam said jerking a thumb at Lukas who still had his Ak at his chest. Lukas greeted Jakob with a rather gentle hello.

 

For a Asgard modified super soldier, Lukas was also quite gentle. But now he had something more important

 

“If I can avoid shooting anyone else, the better.” Lukas mumbled mostly to himself, he'd tried once already to get in touch with Old Gus or even Tomas, but Tomas was a dead end, thankfully however when Lukas called him, Old Gus answered right away and was also worried for their friend. But thankfully Old Gus was able to confirm to Lukas that young Morgan, Tomas' daughter was safe and sound. And very healthy. Through the Odyssey they were able to get her back to her mother, but still couldnt get in touch with her father, not even Morgan could find where he went.

 

“So what happens to me now ?” Jakob asked

 

“Bridge to medical bay, come in” Cam was about to reply when the door comm went off. “Col Mitchell we're tracking an unknown vessel in hyperspace at the edge of the solar system” It was from the bridge, it was Marks

 

Cam went to the comm, “Medical Bay to Bridge say again ?”

 

“Sir, We are tracking a ship, at least we think its a ship, maybe an object in hyperspace.” A second passed, “Sir you'd better get up here”

 

“I'm on my way, Lukas you alright with our guest ?” Cam turned to the others in the room. Teal'c was already headed for the door.

 

“I will be fine” Lukas had a fun three weeks, first a tussel in the number three hold with a trust agent, then another tussel with a few other trust agents who were all looking for him, then finally greeting and ensuring Morgan, Tomas Dulakes daughter, was safely returned to her mother. Lukas then smiled, turning to Jakob he corrected himself, “We will be alright.”

 

8-8-8

 

A few minutes later and Cam was entering the bridge, “alright boys and girls I'm here, what do we got ?” He asked as he arrived to look out the main window.

 

“I have a ship on sensors, at least it appears to be a ship. Its not Goa'uld or Ori, nor for that matter Wraith, but it is a ship. Just before you arrived it dropped out of hyperspace just past Pluto” Marks replied from his station. Cam had to smile, even Marks, like himself, had grown up beliving Pluto a proper planet. Sure it was a dwarf planet but still.

 

“On screen” Cam said. The screen to his left turned on showing the incoming vessel. “Has it tried to hail us or anything ?” Cam asked

 

“Nothing so far” Marks replied, “We tried hailing it, but its possible our radios are too far from the new ship. We havent gotten a response”

 

“I see” Cam said thoughtfully, he loked at the image on the screen, it was not just a red blip, it formed a shape, a string of numbers and letters in english. No real IFF signal was given either. “Is it even moving ?” Cam wondered, the ship looked like it had dropped from hyperspace and just sat at the very edge of the solar system.

 

After about five minutes of trying to figure out if the ship was friendly or not, the Hammond dropped out of hyperspace followed by the newly rebuilt Sun Tzu. “About time you arrived, was getting lonesome” Cam smirked as he spoke as some voices broke in. Carter was on leave, she was a mom now after all, so another fellow was in command of the Hammond at that moment.

 

“Any idea what we are up against ?” Asked the commanding officer of the Tzu, a woman named Xia Chen

 

“Nothing yet, but I hope its friendly” Cam replied

 

“Are either of you hearing that ?” Came the question from the temporary commanding officer for the Hammond, Eli Penderghast, he was supposed to take over for Cam on the Odyssey now that her refit was finished.

 

“Hear what ?” Cam asked

 

Marks spoke up from his station on the Odyssey, “Sir, we're receiving something, audio only.... it sounds like music” He said to Cam

 

“On speaker” Cam said with a nod to Marks who put it on speaker, the two men traded confused looks as they lsitened to the rather haunting yet beautiful music.

 

A good minute of silence as the music played, “its rather beautiful” Cam mused aloud.

 

A moment later and the all too familiar sound of someone beaming in by transport beams was heard as Daniel showed up. “Jackson good to see you, where's our guest ?” Cam asked, he meant Firefox

 

“That's just it” Daniel replied, he pointed at the ship on the screen, “She heard the music, next thing I knew she disappeared through a portal I guess” He sighed, “my guess is that when the ship arrived she heard the music, knew exactly who it was, and then portaled back to the ship” Daniel explained

 

Cam looked from the screen to Daniel then back to the screen, “So its friendly ?”

 

“They're friendly, yes” Daniel said. He sighed then

 

“Whats wrong ?” Cam asked him

 

“I have no idea how many we're to expect, Firefox said something of 'a few' but she didnt explain what 'a few' meant, a few, like three or five, or a few like three or five hundred others coming to her aid” Daniel said

 

“So Firefox sent a notice for help, and this ship shows up.” Cam said, Daniel nodded. “Alright that settles it. Marks, scan known frequencies using that ship design across the galaxy using the asgard system will you” Cam said, Marks nodded

 

“Checking now, it appears there is a large concentration of similar ships near the Supergate, if I am reading this right, they came through the supergate, and the number is growing.” Marks said a minute later.

 

“Firefox sent for their help, but against what I do not know.” Daniel said, he remembered how she kept insisting help was coming, and it'd take a week, possibly longer. And that the Earth shouldnt fear the ships when they arrived.

 

Infact it took nearly three full weeks, but help still came, even if it was a single Col-class battlecruiser easily three kiloemters long and from what they could see as the ship slowly neared the Odyssey it was heavily armed, and yet from afar it looked blocky almost overly bulky, and yet once up close, it was clear that the ship was rather ornate, with clean smooth lines. No sharp edges, elegance really, as far as Cam could see.

 

The comms went off, “We're reciving a hail, requesting holographic connection” Marks reported

 

“Do it” Cam said

 

A second later and two women appeared, twins by the look of them, Daniel easily recognised one of them, Firefox, with her was a woman identical in appearance, aside from the color of her ornate dress.

 

“Dr Jackson, Col Mitchell, I wish to present my sister, Bluefox.” Firefox spoke, she had something of joy in her voice as the two women had reunited under better circumstances

 

Bluefox carried what looked like a crystal fox in her arms, the eyes of the gorgeous creature however matched Firefox and bluefox both. Cam briefly thought it was a third fox woman in a fox form.

 

He had no idea how correct he was. Trading looks between each other, Daniel spoke up, stepping into view of the hologram he said “it is a pleasure, an honor really, to meet you.” He said to Bluefox

 

“It is indeed an honor” Bluefox replied, “If it were not for young Liliana to inform me that my sister requested our help at her shrine, we would not have come” Bluefox said

 

“We ?” Cam asked, clearly slightly concerned, they'd have to let the caterer know just how many guests to expect

 

“Our fleet, yes. The ones you call the Ori are not entirely destroyed, there are still some ascended beings there who took mortal form, making a different form of religion to fuel their powers with.” Bluefox explained

 

Firefox half smiled, “It would be easier to explain this in person, may be come aboard ?”

 

“How many are we to expect we're kinda short on supplies at the moment.” Cam said, he had to be careful, the Odyssey had undergone a full refit and she was still getting her shakedown cruise. Not that it was something too much to worry about.

 

“Just us three, and some aids, dont worry, we're harmless.” Firefox said the hologram went out.

 

“Us three ?” Daniel asked

 

“I think the fox in the blue womans arms is either her daughter or possibly a triplet sister, their eyes were all alike.” Cam said in thought. It made Daniel nod in reply only his train of thought were more on the aids that Firefox and her sister wanted to bring along.

 

“The two of them bringing along some aids seems alright to me, I wonder if they'll all be female” Daniel wondered aloud, he was wrong, three of the aids were female, three were male. Typical soldier looking Kitsune too as they arrived in the hangar and were guided to the main conference room.

 

The males of the group were curious and wanted to know more about the ship and its crew, learning everything they could, asking all sorts of questions, and in turn answering any questions asked about their spiecies and homeworld.

 

It was a good six or so hours before everyone enjoyed the others company, the Kitsune were curious of how far the humans had advanced, though they had seen humans on their world before seeking help, and the humans were fcurious of Kitsune technology.

 

For once, Cam didnt have to be so tense.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Beyond the Gate