shepcrew | FIC: Guardians of Atlantis

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 ]

Rating: PG (for now)
Warnings: If you're not up on at least the first 2 seasons, you may be spoiled something aweful. Be warned.
Disclaimer: MGM owns the franchise, Lionsgate owns the film. I? Own nothing. Except Alysia, since she's an OC and therefore belongs to me.
Summary: Alysia is stuck at a desk job on Atlantis when she should be out in the field. Her chance to prove herself comes with an unexpected discover that could either save Atlantis, or destroy it.
Author's Notes: Yeah, sounds cliche and it probably is. I blame this plot bunny on having recently watched Atlantis: The Lost Empire after so many years. I make no apologies. Also, this story takes place very early on in Season 3. So key things that are now the norm for the Expedition that weren't at the start of the series are firmly in place and it may confuse you if you're not up on everything.

"Gentlemen, Teyla," Doctor Elizabeth Weir greeted her flagship team with her customary smile as they took their places around the conference table. "I've been over your preliminary reports from P3M-597, and I must say, it's piqued my curiosity. An entire outpost that is so obviously Ancient in origin, and yet with no signs of their technology whatsoever is a mystery that could very well keep me up at night."

"Indeed," Teyla responded, smiling at Weir's tiny joke. "It is not like the Ancestors to build such a primitive place, given their level of advancement. It is incongruous to what we know about them."

"Which is very little," Weir stated. "That's why I want you to go back and find out why the Ancients created an outpost as primitive as this one."

McKay, predictably, held up his hand. "Um, excuse me," he said. "Perhaps you didn't read my entire report, so I'm going to fill you in. We can't go back. Not with any of the personnel we have on staff right now. No one's qualified –"

"You're wrong, Rodney," Weir stated calmly, cutting the physicist off. The pronouncement of his error was enough to derail him to a sputtering string of nonsense, which was an opportunity that Atlantis' administrator pounced upon with glee. "I did read your entire report," she said, folding her hands and leaning forward a little. "And I happen to know that you're wrong. We do have someone who is more than qualified for this mission. In fact, I asked that she be brought in specifically for this very reason." At McKay's incredulous look, Weir pressed on. "In fact, she is hand-picked by Doctor Daniel Jackson – who sends his regards along with a very glowing recommendation."

Sheppard turned to McKay with a smug smile. "See? I told you."

McKay crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his seat. "Oh, shut up," was his muttered reply as he settled in for a sulking session.

Elizabeth smiled at them and keyed her comm. "Send her in."

The four members of Team Sheppard turned as one as Alysia Ornil entered. Her appearance startled McKay out of his funk and back into another round of sputtering. Weir merely smiled and gestured for Alysia to take a seat.

"Everyone, this is Doctor Alysia Ornil." Weir passed out personnel folders to each team member. She waited until everyone was skimming the material before she continued. "As you can see from her file, not only is she a leading archaeologist, but she is Dr. Jackson's protégé, and every bit his equal in this field of study. She has expressed a very high interest in the Ancients and has managed to take all of our data on them and make her own database, of a sort."

"That's pretty impressive," Sheppard said appreciatively, giving Alysia a smile.

She hated the blush she could feel creeping onto her cheeks as she shrugged. "It's nothing, really. I've just been taking all the information from your reports and reorganizing it into something much more manageable than the Lantian database. I've been supplementing it during my free time since I arrived last month."

"We could really use her help," McKay said looking up at Weir, and pointing to Alysia. His eyes dropped back to the file and he read further. "I mean, we could really use her help."

"Sure, I'd love to bring you your coffee and transcribe your notes for the duration of the mission, Doctor McKay," Alysia said sarcastically, adding a sycophantic note to her voice. "I've had loads of practice."

"You made her get you coffee," Ronon finally spoke up, putting his copy down on the table and pointing from McKay to Alysia and back again.

"Yes, well, obviously a mistake on my part," McKay said quietly, closing his own copy and putting it down as he folded his hands and pursed his lips. "Had I been aware of her qualifications, I wouldn't have treated her as a gofer."

"Wow, Rodney," Sheppard said with a low whistle. "Was that an apology?"

"And," Teyla spoke up, grinning at Sheppard, "An admittance of error?"

"This doesn't leave the room," McKay said sharply.

"Of course not," Weir said, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Nor do we speak of it. Ever," the physicist added unhappily.

"Like anyone would believe us," Ronon said with a snort.

Alysia gave her superior a half-smile and shook her head as he glared at Ronon. When everyone was done perusing Alysia's file, Weir met each gaze steadily and smiled. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you what needs to be done on this mission. With Alysia's help, you should have no problems translating any documentation you might find, and her fresh insights might help stimulate more than the usual conclusions that we seem to fall back upon. It's time we made a real effort to understand the Ancients, instead of merely making assumptions and letting ourselves be led like children. You'll leave as soon as you're ready."

"Well, kiddies," Sheppard said amiably, looking over his team. "Time for us to grow up."

"Right," McKay muttered, standing up and gathering his things. "Like that'll ever happen to you in this lifetime."

Sheppard merely stuck his tongue out at his friend and started for the door. "We head out in one hour," he tossed over his shoulder before disappearing into the control room.

Alysia shot a grateful look at Weir, who smiled and nodded her blessings. With a gesture of her head, Elizabeth Weir gave Alysia Ornil permission to follow Team Sheppard out, which the young woman was glad to do. It was time to finally get to work.