shepcrew | FIC: Guardians of Atlantis

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5]

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 discovery 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.

P3M-597 was arid, though not uncomfortably so. The sky was clear, and a soft breeze played over the landscape, off-setting the warmth of the green sun, which cast everything in an emerald-tinted glow. It did not, of course, deter McKay from complaining vociferously about the heat and the fairness of his complexion.

"Let me guess, you forgot your sunblock again," Sheppard teased. "I figured you would have given it a permanent place in your pack by now."

"How the hell was I supposed to know we were coming back here?" McKay stated, with a glare for their CO. "Up until an hour ago I was under the impression that we didn't have the proper resources to continue this mission."

"I figure you would have dragged Elizabeth out here at some point, seeing as she's the one that knows the most about the Ancients, next to you."

"Now that would have been an idea..."

Alysia stood on the platform, ignoring the chatter and looking out over the terrain. It wasn't her first ‘Gate trip, having shadowed Dr. Jackson on a few missions back on Earth, but it didn't make the alien planet any less exciting. The immediate area surrounding the Stargate was barren for about a mile or so in all directions, the only adornment being the DHD, which rested at a safe distance from the ‘Gate. In the far distance, mountains capped with what the young archaeologist assumed to be snow swelled up from the horizon, each peak looking more like tiny hills than towering cliffs at this range. Isolated pockets of trees dotted the landscape, until they finally coalesced into a forest that stretched along either side of her, as far as the eye could see.

The sound of the wormhole disengaging startled Alysia from her survey of the world and she spun around, taking in the opposite side of the plains. Her assessment of the mile-wide swath of barrenness was proved faulty as the tree line from the forest came as close as the flora dared to the Ancients' transportation device, casting their shadow upon the dais. She turned to look back out at the mountains, and nodded. The Stargate had been built in a large clearing, with the forest cradling it gently.

Alysia finally joined Team Sheppard at the base of the Stargate platform. She tried not to bounce too much as she looked up at the Lt.-Colonel.

"So, where to?" she asked.

Sheppard smiled. "This way, Doc," he replied, taking point. He led the group around to the other side of the ‘Gate and entered the forest. Alysia kept up with him easily, staying a few paces behind and keeping out of his arc of fire.

McKay made an effort to catch up with her, as Ronon and Teyla took up the rear, both alert for anything out of the ordinary. The physicist seemed to think for a moment, before finally saying, "So, uh, how come you never protested when I ordered you around?"

Alysia tried not to roll her eyes. "You never gave me a chance to, Dr. McKay. You never give anyone a chance to."

"I...oh...well, yes. I suppose you're right. But still."

"No buts. You like being the tyrant over the Science Department, admit it."

McKay smiled in what Alysia assumed was supposed to be a sheepish way, but as always, the man somehow managed to make the gesture look superior and egotistical. "Yeah," he said whimsically. "It is kinda fun."

The young woman snorted. She stepped up her pace to draw even with Sheppard, noticing that the man was smiling broadly, making it evident that he had heard the short conversation.

"How the hell do you put up with him all the time?" she asked.

"I've learned to tune him out," he replied. He tapped his temple. "I've created a mental filter to flag key words so I can tune back in when it's important."

"...Right."

Silence descended over the group, and Alysia let her gaze wander over their surroundings. The blanket of leaves rustled softly as they passed through, the trees towering over them as silent guardians of the planet. It was amazing how all forests seem to look the same, no matter where they were in the Universe. The same smell of damp and decaying leaves mingled with the fresh scent of pine and oak; it was the same, gentle rustling sound the breeze wound through the boughs and stirred the otherwise still air. Alysia's eyes were quickly adjusting to the emerald tint, and she could nearly imagine everything in their proper hues.

The first oddity of this particular forest, and indeed the first sign of intelligent life, came with the wooden footbridge that spanned a babbling brook. It was finely crafted and well maintained, though the normal forest debris coated the slats with only the center showing visible signs of the wood beneath, as if it had stood there for many years and endured many crossings. The group paused as Sheppard went across the bridge first, the others only following after it had been deemed safe. She thought it was a curious precaution, since this wasn't the first time Team Sheppard had come this way, but she saw the prudence of it. Alysia ran a curious finger over the railings, marvelling at how familiar and out-of-place the simple, incredibly Earth-like craftsmanship seemed to be.

She filed her observations away for future reference as they continued along the path. Several more minutes went by before they paused to navigate over a fallen tree that blocked the way. Alysia accepted the helping hand from Ronon, who had scaled the roadblock easily and assisted the team over. On the other side, they fell back into formation and continued on until the forest began to recede.

"Not much farther, now," Sheppard said quietly, breaking the silence. And it seemed he was right, as chunks of stone began to haphazardly line the path. The rocks grew in size until they emerged into another clearing, the floor littered with the fallen rock. From the center of this smaller clearing rose a half-collapsed stone structure. At first glance it could have easily been an ornate dwelling, the likes of which any high-standing official might live in. As Alysia stepped past Sheppard, eyes wide and taking everything in, she started running through possible uses for such a place. She pulled out a small tape-recorder and switched it on, then began to dictate, "Outside walls are fairly intact, though structural integrity seems to diminish as one climbs; the roof is missing, either collapsed in or, judging by the stone debris around the base and in the clearing, was blown out by explosives set inside. Internal inspection is pending so this is mostly speculative at this point. Main doorway is intact and archway stones, though looking worse for wear and seem to be threatening to fall, are more or less in place. Ditto the support columns for the entrance hallway. Front porch is intact, save where roofing stones tried to bounce and failed. A little wobbly in some places. Definitely a lot of debris that will need to be identified with parts of the structure, since it's really looking like a catastrophe from within. Over-all, it looks...heck, I can't think of any Earth civilization to compare it too. It's nearly a mish-mash of Roman, Greek, Cambodian...you name it, the influence is there." She clicked off the recorder.

"Teyla, Ronon, secure a perimeter. I'll keep an eye on Rodney and Alysia," Sheppard said, his quiet tones sounding much louder in the dead air. Orders given, the team broke and spread out, leaving Alysia to gawk in peace.

"At first we figured this was just some abandoned building," McKay said eagerly, interrupting the young woman's thoughts and trying to lead Alysia around, "a by-product of a decimated civilization. But then we found this." The physicist had stopped by one of the support columns still standing, marking the original entrance to the structure. He ran his fingers over the stonework, a half-smirk playing over his lips.

Alysia tore her gaze away from the immensity of the structure and decided to humour McKay. As she walked, she added an addendum to her recording: "There's more debris inside, obviously the stonework that failed to clear the building. All supports – walls, pillars and what have you – are mostly standing, which is odd given earlier speculation of an explosion originating from inside. There is no sign of scorching on the walls and the wear-and-tear on the reliefs are indicative of being exposed to the elements. There is some over-growth, which could indicate that the amount of dust and dirt that settled blotted out all vegetation, although the canopy of the trees has begun to drop branches around to reclaim the area. It all seems fairly recent, developmental-wise, speculations beginning at the fifty-year mark and increasing. Then again, you never know with alien planets and fifty-year growth could take millennia."

When she reached the pillar and saw the etched relief, her eyes went wide. "I can see why you think this is an Ancient Outpost," she said, tucking the recorder back into her pocket and running her own fingers over the marks that looked remarkably like the Ancients' style of writing. "But looking at the building itself, I don't think it's an outpost in the sense that you might think."

McKay raised a brow. "I translated a portion of the column, and I'm absolutely positive that this was an Ancient Outpost."

"And by outpost you mean military stronghold with tactical advantage, yes?"

"Well, yes." McKay had his arms crossed over his chest by this point, his eyes narrowed. "What are you getting at?"

"You're a physicist, Dr. McKay. Not an expert in ancient gibberish. You may have mistranslated."

McKay sputtered. "I most certainly did not-"

"Judging by the building itself," Alysia continued, trampling over McKay's reply. "This looks more to be an actual dwelling place, or a place of meeting; possibly even a place of worship. I'm seeing nothing so far that would support military stronghold with tactical advantage. That's all I'm saying." She paused to run a finger over the etchings. "And these additional symbols...these are nothing like the standard Ancient text we've seen in the past. They're too swirly. It may indicate that this place belonged to a group who worshipped, were descended from, or lived alongside the Ancients."

McKay's slack-jawed look was comical. Alysia wished she had a camera to capture it for the rest of the science teams to see. She turned from her superior to address Sheppard, who was busy trying to turn a large stone over with his foot, while glancing around the clearing, up at the sky...the man looked bored. Alysia smiled. "Colonel Sheppard, how much time do we have this trip?" she called out.

Sheppard glanced up at her sharply, as if not expecting to be summoned. He glanced up at the sky once more, this time his focus more intent as he tried to read the light. "I'd say a couple of hours, and then we head back to the ‘Gate to report. If you deem it necessary to remain longer, we can pick up additional supplies then and set up shop here."

Alysia nodded, and then let her eyes play over the column. "Thanks Colonel. I'll get started, then."