Epilogue

John stood on the balcony with a crystal glass of apple juice. Since he was still on some marvelous medications, alcohol consumption was strictly prohibited. An ownerless champagne glass of juice sat on the ledge, waiting for him.

“To you, Gen. Newton. Thanks.” The delicate glasses clinked and he drank his portion.

“How’s the kidney?”

Startled, he turned his head and faced his questioner. “Fine, as is my lung and intestinal tract. My infection is gone. I can take short walks and utilize the facilities on my own, thanks for asking.” He smiled charmingly at the interloper.

“Good.”

Ronon looked at the lonely little glass and raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Saying goodbye to a friend.”

Ronon nodded, needing no more explanation.

“The Jumpers are ready to take back the last group of Ponderers. They’re excited since it seems the Dame has retaken the city. Maybe McKay can get back there and try to figure out if anything can be done about the database.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Ronon gave John a contemplative look. “They assure us that your safety is guaranteed. It had better be.”

John really loved his team. Ronon had lost the feral quality from his first days on Atlantis and donned a more dangerous and controlled quality in his threats. If possible, it was even scarier.

It would not matter if his safety was assured anyway. He was going if he had to lean on a pronged cane. He needed to make sure that something the Protectoress has said sunk in whether his safety was assured or not. He had to present himself to the Divine Orator to make sure that if they were to continue relations, she understood something. Many philosophies from Earth did not apply in Pegasus, but this was one he hoped would. Weir agreed.

All too quickly, he found himself seated beside Elizabeth in the back of the Jumper. Teyla was across from him as was Ronon. Rodney was unable to travel yet so he stayed behind. Radek went in his stead.

“Make sure they understand not to take out the pretty crystal. I know it’s like trying to make Granny understand not to set a fire in the electric stove, but maybe on the third telling they’ll get it.” Radek had listened and reassured Rodney countless times.

He still offered, “Maybe I should go.”

“Over my dead body,” replied Carson. After that, the matter was pretty much closed.

As they set down, a delegation set out from the city to greet them. The second Jumper opened its hatch to let out the returning locals. Anasta led the way, followed by Tangred. They were dressed in colorful robes, definitely not for battle. Anasta wore her blood red. Tangred wore purple. Another followed in green. If his memory served him, it was Cassis, Teomin’s replacement.

Ronon stepped closer and shadowed him as they entered the city to a much different reception. People cheered. They threw flowers instead of catcalls, bullets and last month’s produce. They even seemed happier. The city seemed cleaner. It smelled better. He hoped it was not a show for the “messengers”.

“I noticed the time dilation field is gone,” John whispered to Radek.

“Yes, Rodney said it was shut down when the computer began purging its memory.”

Made sense, thought John. Didn’t need it anymore, did they?

They walked up the steps of the main government offices and into an airy receiving hall festooned with banners and tapestries. The building seemed less oppressive now. He hoped it would last and these people could live long lives.

The Atlantians bowed to delegates from different city states. The delegates thanked them endlessly for saving the planet. John thought he could get used to this, because not many places celebrated their arrival.

The injured were also celebrated for having visited the halls of the Protectoress. They were overwhelmed by people asking them what it was like. Sheppard could hear oohs and aahs at the descriptions, “Glittering spires…endless waters…” and so forth and so on. They were having their fifteen minutes.

After all of pomp and circumstance, what he really needed was a place to sit. He found a bench in a quiet corner. Anasta soon sat beside him.

“Looks like real progress since my last visit,” he casually remarked.

Her eyes crinkled with amusement. “We are trying…with your people’s guidance as well as the Protectoress--”

“Speaking of her…I wanted to mention--”

Another official from a neighboring city interrupted and wanted Anasta to come settle an argument. She excused herself and left him sitting alone, but not for long, because Tangred took her place.

“All are welcome,” she said. “It is not forgotten. I could see it in your eyes, Col. Sheppard. You wanted to make sure we did not make the same mistakes again.”

John closed his eyes and smiled at his feet. “I’m an open book.”

“No, but as apparent as the sun in the clear midday sky.”

“Or that,” he chuckled in agreement.

“We are doing our best, it is not easy.” She pointed to a group of people standing near Dr. Weir. “They are not part of our religion, but they are part of the governing council. It is a directive straight from the Protecotess’ mouth. How could we forget?”

“No, I expect it’s not easy to make such big changes. Keep up the good work then.”

“We have bunkers to hide us during a culling. We have the shield to protect…” She sat up straighter and grinned ear to ear as she said, “…Xerigor.” She stood to leave. “Thank you…you are always welcome here.”

He gave her the charming smile as she left. He immediately searched for Ronon. Catching his eye, Ronon came quickly over. “I think I need to get back.” Carson had only let him come if it was short. Everyone knew he would only stay for a little while.

“Are you feeling all right?”

Fatigue was pulling on him. His leg and side throbbed. He also knew that this mission had turned out pretty decently, even if most of the team needed medical care upon returning and some did not come back at all. The shipyards were still here. The people were still here. This had not been a failure. The crowd in this room confirmed it. Plus he got to fire a really cool weapon.

Teyla and Elizabeth were mixing easily. Radek was showing someone something on his computer. He wished them luck.

Smirking at those assembled in the room, he replied, “Yeah, I think that I am. Let‘s go home.”

The End

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