Chapter Eight

Buffy took another hit of coffee as she looked around at her office. It was a disaster area. There were pieces of furniture lying all over the place and everyone was in different states of unconsciousness except for Elizabeth and Rodney who were both diligently going through data.

Dr. Beckett had just finished testing everyone to see if they had a Goa’uld and it was a weight off of everyone to know that no one else did. It was scary to think that anyone could have had one inside them and not know. Not to mention really icky. She felt really bad for Caldwell.

“Huh,” Elizabeth muttered to herself quietly.

“What’s up?” Buffy asked.

Time to wake up boys and girls, she thought wickedly as she saw heads jerk and eyes shoot open.

“I think I might have found something,” Elizabeth said.

“Like what?” Buffy asked impatiently.

Rodney gave her a ‘hurry up and stop wasting my valuable time’ look as the others scooted their chairs closer. She wasn’t the only one eager to finally hear something new in the research.

Elizabeth went back to examining her computer for a second before she started talking.

“It says here that knowledge is at the center of defeating the Wraith, which makes sense in a vague sort of way, but it also says that it must be won. The only thing I can think of that they would be referring to is that test that you were told about by Lisva.”

“That sounds remarkably like information that we already know,” Rodney retorted and rolled his eyes.

“Let her finish,” John said as he threw a crumpled up piece of paper at the scientists head.

Rodney flinched dramatically when it hit him on his arm but didn’t interrupt Elizabeth.

“It says that it must be won through honor, valor and purity. ‘Many will die throughout the ages so that one will be left to claim salvation’.”

“We have to determine if the ‘salvation’ would be the ZPM and the weapon,” John mused.

“The Ancients don’t make things easy,” Ronon countered.

“The ‘many dieing throughout the ages’ thing could mean a couple things. From what Lisva said, I think at one time there were a lot of Watchers and Slayers and that they must have been reduced to just being the one pair over time. I mean, there’s validation in that. Plus, there’s the whole ‘one slayer dies, next ones called’ thing, too. It’s like our calling card. At least we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I at least have the right to the ZPM. It’s not like we’d be taking it from helpless children who base their religion on it,” she explained as her eyes slid in Rodney’s direction.

He rolled his eyes and looked down at his own data once more.

“So what happened to the rest of the Watchers and Slayers then?” Ronon asked.

Buffy looked at him and shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe they went on a permanent vacation.”

“They couldn’t have just disappeared,” Ronon said.

Their discussion on what happened to the old school Watchers and Slayers was cut short by Rodney who interrupted rudely.

“I’m sure it would delight you to know that the weapon isn’t actually a weapon at all,” he threw in with a smug smile aimed at Buffy.

“What is it then?” Elizabeth asked.

“According to this, it’s a crystal. And what do we know about the crystals on Atlantis? They hold data. Data. Whatever the Ancients deigned to put on it to help defeat the Wraith would have to be devastating for it to be shrouded the way it is in all this mystery. For all we know, it could have information in it on what their greatest weaknesses are and how to exploit them to Ancient offensive technology,” he said.

“Offensive technology?” John perked up.

“No need to get all atwitter boys, we don’t have it yet,” Buffy warned.

“It’s important that we find out what Buffy has to do in order to get these items,” Teyla answered.

“And even more important that we make sure she comes back in one piece,” John reminded everyone and rubbed his hands over his face in exhaustion.

“Why don’t we call it a night? It’s already tomorrow,” Buffy said and pushed her chair back.

“Sounds like a plan,” Elizabeth agreed as she typed one last command into her computer.

“I think I’ll just stay here a little longer and …” Rodney was cut off by Elizabeth shaking her head.

“Get some sleep Rodney, we all need it,” she ordered and walked out the door followed by a grumbling Rodney. Ronon and Teyla followed, leaving Buffy and John alone.

John stood up and offered Buffy his hand. She gripped it and he pulled her into a standing position, pecking her forehead with a kiss.

“We’re getting closer,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him in a gentle hug.

He knew she wasn’t talking about their relationship.

“I know,” he whispered.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured, “everything will be fine.”

John just held her tighter. In that moment she was in his arms – safe and whole and healthy. Thinking about what was coming made him feel sick inside. Sicker than he ever felt before.

“I know.”


The next day, Elizabeth called Buffy into her office for a meeting regarding the findings from the night before.

“I think at this point it might be wise for you to go down with a team and talk with Lisva again,” Elizabeth said.

Finally, Buffy thought, relieved.

“I’ll tell Major Lorne that I need a transport as soon as possible then,” Buffy declared happily and prepared to skip out of Elizabeth’s office. She’d been there maybe two seconds but she didn’t need any more motivation than the promise of some action to get her moving.

“Hold on,” Elizabeth stopped her. “Buffy, I want you to watch your back. And I want you to go down with Sheppard’s team. I trust that he’ll keep a close eye on you, keep you from getting into trouble there. We need you to be in top condition if you’re going to go through with this test. Like John said, making sure everyone comes back in one piece is our primary concern.”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Buffy said.

Elizabeth crossed her arms and leaned her hip against the table. “I think we all need to keep in mind that the Ancients were defeated by the Wraith. Whatever information you could win would be extremely helpful but we need to be realistic about this. Whatever happens, your life is more valuable. I’m sure, given enough time, we could find a way to get another ZPM.”

Buffy was touched. She really was. Honestly. But if all she had to do was play a little slap and tickle … maybe just slap, to get an advantage, any advantage for their people, it was worth it. She’d risked her life for less before.

“I appreciate your concern,” she admitted and grinned. “See ya on the flip side!”

As soon as she could get John, Ronon, Teyla and Rodney together, they were outta there. To say that she was pleasantly surprised when she saw them waiting for her, all ready to go off world was an understatement.

Elizabeth came up behind her and Buffy turned toward her.

“You led me on Elizabeth.”

“How’s that?” she asked, the laughter in her voice barely contained.

“I was thinking there for a minute that you weren’t nearly as devious as you’re given credit for and you up and order everyone to get ready before you even tell me about the mission.”

Elizabeth shrugged and turned away. “Try not to have too much fun!” she called over her shoulder and walked back into her office.

Buffy looked at the team waiting for her by the gate and went to grab her gear really quick.

Ronon, who had been just as eager as she was for some action, grinned at her when she returned. She didn’t think she knew anyone who hated the Wraith as much as he did. Even Teyla didn’t have anything on him in that department. Whatever the Ancients had left behind for Buffy to find and use against the Wraith … he could hardly stand not having it if it was obtainable.

“What took ya so long?”

He spun his gun thingy and walked closer to the gate, leaving the others in is wake.

“I guess we better get going then,” John said and smiled at her half-heartedly.

“Indeed,” Teyla added and chuckled.

Rodney rolled his eyes and muttered something about barbarians before heading over to the gate himself.

“Let’s get this party started,” she chirped and then looked glanced up toward the control area.

“Dial the gate.”