James Swallow - Halcyon

Silence fell as the first rays of the sun drew honey colors over the landscape, the assembled barony reeling from the import of the speech. Elizabeth drew her hands together and applauded, quickly joined by each member of the Atlantis contingent; and soon the whole chamber resonated with an ovation as Lady Erony turned away and bowed before the new day.

The airship's course took it over the jubilant streets of the city, the rolling countryside and back to the Terminal, slowing to a droning hover over the massive hangar that housed the Halcyon Stargate.

Down on the deck, the Atlantis team were gathering themselves together next to Jumper Three, ready to take the ship back through the wormhole to their city. Caldwell was already up on board Daedalus, after finding a discreet corner from where to beam back to the starship. Quite rightly, Dr. Weir figured that the locals were edgy enough without seeing a man vanish to add to their misgivings. Knots of chattering nobles drifted around in their own little cliques, some perturbed by their new ruler's edicts, but many alight with the possibility they represented.

Sheppard fiddled with his collar and loosened his tie a little. "Ah. These formal gigs are just not my thing. Dress blues always make me feel like I'm going to the prom."

Weir eyed him. "And I was just going to say how well you scrub up." There was a hint of reproach in her voice.

He shrugged. "Plain and simple suits me better, y'know? I guess I fit better when it comes to seeing things in a more, uh, uncomplicated way."

She caught the inference. "Maybe I'll handle the diplomatic stuff from now," she smiled. "I'm not sure if inciting a radical restructure of a planetary monarchy was really what I had in mind when I gave you the green light."

"You have no idea how happy it makes me feel to hear that, Elizabeth. From now on, I'll just do all the point-and-shoot hero stuff." He shrugged. "Your job's too damn tough for a grunt like me."

Weir followed him into the Jumper. "Well, don't sell yourself short, John. You helped these people find a better way. That's something to be proud of."

"Yeah, I guess it is." He sighed and paused to think for a moment. "Hey, you think I'll get a statue or something?"

"Just don't expect a pay rise."

Ronon found Teyla at one of the portals along the side of the launch bay, the chill wind whipping at the folds of her dress. He coughed self-consciously and she turned, offering him a wan smile. "Ronon. Is it time for us to depart?"

"Sheppard's warming up the ship now. We should get aboard."

"Yes." She looked back out at the landscape. "It seems so peaceful down there. The countryside reminds me of Athos. It is hard for me to look out there and think of the horrors we saw. The fighting…" Her hand strayed to the faint line of bruising on her neck. "The Wraith."

"When I was a Runner, I passed through worlds that looked like this. Like you say, peaceful. Quiet. But the Wraith were always there in the shadows, poisoning it. Always just out of reach. I hate them for that, for taking that away from people." Dex frowned, his own feelings conflicted about their time on Halcyon. "After all that happened here, at least on this planet, we gave it back." He studied his friend for a moment, thinking on the scars that were visible on her, and those that were not. There was much they shared in common in that regard, thanks to the predations of the Wraith.

"For now," Teyla replied. "I hope they understand how much it costs to keep it." She turned away and tapped Ronon on the arm. "Time to go."

As the last members of the team ducked to enter the open hatch at the rear of the Puddle Jumper, a clatter of footsteps drew their attention. Beckett backed inside to allow Erony and her retinue to address everyone.

The Lady Magnate bowed to them. "My friends. We must go our separate ways and tend to our own concerns, but I hope this will not be the last time we meet." She inclined her head to Elizabeth. "Dr. Weir, thank you once again for your generous donations. With the information supplied to us by Dr. Beckett, we will be able to initiate a program of public works to eradicate the bone-rot once and for all." In turn she nodded to Sheppard, Ronon and Teyla. "You three fought like stormhawks in defense of my planet, despite the manner in which you were treated by my father. Your honor and courage will be a matter of record, and each of you shall be welcomed as warriors of highest rank when you next return. Halcyon is in your debt."

Weir took Erony's proffered hand and shook it warmly. "I've given an IDC transmitter to First Minister Linnian. You may feel free to contact us whenever you wish."

"And please, rest assured that the secret of Atlantis will not be revealed." The woman hesitated, and for a moment she lost her queenly air. "I wonder if, I might speak with Dr. McKay alone?"

"Oh. Sure." Rodney's cheeks colored a little, and awkwardly he followed Erony out of the Jumper.

She dismissed her retinue and then it was just the two of them. "I, uh," McKay frowned, fumbling at the right thing to say. "You look magnificent. Really… Royal."

"You are a good people, you Atlanteans," she told him, "and you are a good man, Rodney McKay. Your honesty opened my eyes, made me question when before I remained silent." She moved closer, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I owe you more than I can say."

"I didn't do anything," he said, frowning. "You took the leap. You stood up for what was right. You're the good person, Erony."

She looked away. "I find myself wondering… If things might have gone differently here, what future there might have been for you and I. The chances we might have had." Erony gently touched his hand. "But the world changes. I am Lady Magnate, and the business of state never rests. My life is no longer my own."

Rodney managed a smile. "You're going to be great. Halcyon has a golden age ahead of it."

She sighed, and then by turns she became regal once again, falling into the role of ruler. "I have only one more thing to ask you, Dr. McKay. I beg you to be honest with me in this, show me the same truth you have in all our dealings." The Lady Magnate looked him in the eyes. "Will the Wraith return to my world?"

He wanted to lie to her, to tell her everything would be fine and that she would live out her rule in peace and prosperity; but instead the truth fell from his lips in a hollow rush. "We have no way of knowing if a signal got out to any other Hive Ships. There's nothing to indicate the Wraith are going to come here, but…"

Erony nodded. "Then we will fight them when they come."

She left him there on the deck, lost for words, and walked off to join her people.

The Puddle Jumper described a lengthy arc through the dawn sky and turned inbound toward the hangar that concealed the Halcyon Stargate. Sheppard had an easy smile on his lips as he worked the ship's throttle and yoke like they were second nature.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Atlantis Air flight three," he grinned, "please put your seat backs and tray tables in a fully upright and locked position, and keep your hands and feet inside the Jumper until it has come to a complete stop…" He had to admit it; as harsh as things got, there was always something liberating about taking to the air, and no matter how far he traveled, no matter where John Sheppard went, getting some sky beneath his wings brought the world into sharp perspective.

"How are we getting back?" said Teyla. "The Stargate is sealed inside their bunker."

"Not any more," Sheppard replied. "Erony decided the Gate's been hidden away long enough." He pointed out the window. "Check it out."

Below them, the roof of the hangar complex cracked open and the massive silo doors retracted, dust and steam curling up from the mechanisms as they worked. From inside, a glitter of sunlight danced over an arc of brushed metal, and with the grinding hiss of a hundred pistons, the wide stone platform beneath the Great Circlet of Halcyon rose up into the dawn for the first time in hundreds of years.