Atlantis drifted through space lifeless. Her running lights flashed for a brief moment before coming alive as power was restored. Spider bots crawled her hull repairing the massive damage that scared her hull. Maneuvering jets fire in a specific sequence stopping her tumble. Atlantis looked like a ghost ship. Large chunks were missing from her hull allowing you to see space on the other side.
Atlanta was fuming; she stormed around the bridge of the Atlantis muttering to herself. Ghost watched her at a distance, listening to the words that spilled forth from Atlanta. Atlantis herself stood next to Ghost as she watched Atlanta fume.
"That Bastard, he shot at me!" Atlanta screamed.
"Yeah and hit you!" Ghost chimed in.
Atlantis snickered.
Atlanta whirled in Ghost's direction, "You just shut up and keep the smart ass remarks to yourself or I'll delete you."
Ghost glared at Atlanta, "Go ahead and delete me you self serving little child! Being delete would be better than standing here listening to you cry about how Jon handed you your ass. Poor little lost Atlanta, all busted up and no where to go. Boo Hoo, sniff sniff, Whaaaaaa."
Atlanta took a couple steps towards Ghost, "I'm warning you, if you don't shut up I'll delete you and purge your program from my systems."
Ghost laughed, "Go ahead, I'll welcome the release and silence. That would be better than listening to you rant and rave about how Jon didn't let you do what you wanted. Like I said, you're nothing more than a big child, no make that baby. Only you just found out that Jon has stole your rattle, so you'll fuss and cry. Next thing you know you'll drop to your back and start kicking your feet and pounding your fists. No maybe you'll hold your breath until your face turns blue and you pass out. Well at least that will bring some silence for a while. Baby Atlant..."
Atlanta made a motion and Ghost disappeared. Atlantis gasped at the sudden change of events.
"No, I didn't purge her. Why would I allow her that freedom or release? I just moved her to another part of the ship."
Jon paced as his command staff gathered and took their places around the conference table. He was clearly agitated, his hands clasped behind his back as he paced back and forth. Terri was the last one in the room as Jon turned to look at the people before him. Everyone watched him expectantly, waiting for him to say something. Jon walked over to his chair and sat down.
"Ok I want to know what ships we have that are fully operational, Brad can you answer that?" Jon said looking at Brad.
"The Hammer and Scythe are operational; they have finished all final adjustments on the new cannons. Ge'daes is 95% operational; she just needs a few minor adjustments to her newly installed fold drive and weapons. Wrath's Revenge is about 65% complete, another week to complete repairs and upgrades and then two days for weapon system calibration. The new super carrier is about 80% complete, she'll need two weeks for final construction and a shake down cruise. We also have 3 Invaru cruisers waiting their turn for upgrades and 2 Invaru battleships also inline. We have also heard from three Buranis Light cruisers, they're inbound and will reach us in the next 2 days."
"Alright, bump the battleships to the front of the list. Have the Hammer and the Scythe take a cruiser each and do what repairs they can while they patrol the system. Keep them active while they wait for repairs. I want all ships upgraded to use fold drives and the new weapons. I want this base on condition yellow from now on. We have a rogue ship on the loose and I plan on tracking it down."
A stunned look crossed Breq's face, "You don't mean..."
"Yes I do, the Atlantis escaped."
"How? We all saw her destroyed," Terri said.
"Watch, Computer play back Atlantis engagement 112106," Jon said.
The people in the room waited as nothing happened.
Jon's brow furrowed, "Computer, acknowledge command."
Nothing, Mike grinned and glanced at Ellie who nodded back. "Admiral, Ghost is at least partially online," Mike said.
For the first time in days Jon smiled, everyone in the room felt his spirit lift. He had hope once again and it flowed through the room. "I stand corrected, Ghost could you playback Atlantis engagement 112106, please."
Ghost faded into view next to Jon, "Playback commencing Admiral."
"Nice to see you Ghost, thought we had lost you there for a while," Jon said as he smiled.
"Sorry about that Admiral, I'm still compiling my main memory. I should be ready to assume my complete functions in 8 hours."
"No hurry, I'm just glad you're back with us. Nice work Mike and Ellie, thank you. You two have no idea how much I needed this."
Mike and Ellie beamed at Jon's attention. Rick hugged his wife, he was proud that his wife had helped in restoring a little of Jon confidence.
All eyes in the room went to the display screen in the middle of the table. Atlantis was being torn to bits as the defense platforms fired on her. But just as the last volley started an explosion erupted from her hull and she was gone.
Breq's face showed confusion, "All I seen was Atlantis explode."
"Ghost freeze at time frame 112106 1832 hours 26 seconds please."
The picture on the screen flipped for a second and then froze. In the middle of the explosion an event from a fold was clearly visible. "She folded out at the last possible second," Jon said smiling.
"You mean Atlantis is out there somewhere, alive?" Breq said standing up, fear on his face.
"If she is she'll be badly damaged, and almost useless if we move swiftly. We can track her through her beacon as long as it hasn't been disabled," Brad said.
"We're going to destroy her right? We can't afford to have a rogue AI like her running around," Breq said as he stared at Jon.
"Not if we can save her, I assure you..."
"She's ROGUE!" Breq yelled.
"Admiral, sit down and listen up!" Jon snapped back.
Breq fell back into his chair fuming.
"Ellie, would you explain what went on and why this happened?" Jon asked in a calm voice.
Ellie stood up and looked around the room. When she had all eyes on her she started. "Atlantis didn't go rogue, Atlanta did. When I disabled Atlantis, I unknowingly allowed Atlanta to assume control of the Atlantis. She's angry for being bottled up for so long; she also knows she is facing an indefinite exile. Her base has been destroyed and Atlantis has no where to dock allowing her to come to the surface again. Atlantis and Atlanta share a lot of the same routines, including those that have developed her emotions. Atlantis was able to deal with these emotions better because she was in constant contact with everyone. She learned by example how to control most of her emotions. If we can get close enough to Atlantis I can reestablish her connections with the ship. This should allow her to take over and push Atlanta back into her exile. From there it will be a simple matter to put Atlantis a sleep and to remove, purge, Atlanta. I'll also update her routine core with the program I wrote for Ghost."
"That's a big if," Breq said.
"Atlantis was learning Admiral. She was already in control of most of her emotions. Including anger," Mike said as he glanced over at Carla.
"Mike is right we had already started allowing her access to some of the lesser systems. She just didn't have enough access to stop Atlanta," Ellie said.
"If we can't gain control of Atlantis again, then what do we do?" Breq asked, as he stared at Jon.
"We will destroy her," Jon said staring back. "I just want the chance to bring her back, to me Atlantis isn't just a ship. She's my friend and comrade in arms."
"I want to go on this mission, no I want to lead this mission. Admiral Hunter you're too attached to Atlantis, you shouldn't command this rescue mission," Breq said.
Jon stared at Breq for a second, his thoughts darkened. Then he realized that Breq was right, "Ok Admiral, you have command of this mission. But, if for on second I don't think you're trying hard enough. I will assume command and relieve you. Do you understand that?"
"I agree to that, I care for Atlantis as much as you do. If there's a chance that Atlantis is a victim in this then I would like to bring her back alive."
Jon nodded, "We will leave in six hours. The Ge'daes will serve as the rescue vessel."
Brad looked up at Jon, "She's not ready we haven't even check out her fold drive."
"You have six hours, get her ready. I don't care what you have to do, just do it."
Geenis paced in his room, Breq had got called away for some meeting before they could resume. Three of his guards were in the infirmary being treat for what Terri had done to them. The fourth had gone back to the ship to gather replacement guards. Geenis had left explicit instructions that while they're on the station they weren't to act out of line. They were also instructed to keep their opinions to their selves. Geenis didn't need any more problems while they were here.
His door chimed signaling someone wanting entry.
"Enter," Geenis said.
The door cycled open allowing Jon and Breq access. Geenis stared at the upstart that was standing in his presence.
Jon spoke first, "You wanted to see me?"
Geenis stared for a second, "No not really, I wanted to see the Princess."
Jon stared back as he took in Geenis. He didn't know what this mans game was, but he was tired of being pushed around. According to Deatra he was a prince was accorded all the rights as one through the bond. "The Princess said she would deal with you in due time. I have the pleasure of speaking to you first as is accorded to my rank."
"I don't have anything to sa..."
"Shut up! How dare you tell me what you are or aren't going to do. How dare you not rise when I came into the room, I'll not tolerate this disrespect from you. Stand up right this instant!" Jon yelled.
Geenis blanched under the assault. He jumped up and saluted Jon as was dictated and required. "I'm sorry my Prince."
"I rule this station; I govern what can and can't go on here. You think for one second I'm going to allow you to come in here and throw your weight around?" Jon said as he sat down.
Geenis stood at attention waiting for Jon to allow him to resume his seat. "I'm sorry my Prince, you're right I should have shown you the respect you deserve."
"I hear three of your guards assaulted my sister. Is this true?"
Geenis paled, "Yes my Prince, but they were doing their du..."
"That's not what I asked; I needed a yes or no answer. I don't care what their duty was. To attack a member of the Royal caste is a major offense. These guards will be thrown in the brig until I can decide what to do with them. I also hear you have a problem with the Invaru on the station, is this also true?"
Geenis fidgeted, "My Prince, you have to understand we have been at war for centuries. It won't be easy to..."
"Again, I didn't ask what you thought I asked you a question. Answer me, do you or do you not have a problem with the Invaru on this station?"
"Yes my Prince."
"Well, that's just too bad. Breq is my second in command; he carries my voice on this station or off this station. You will listen to him, is this understood?" Jon glared at Geenis.
Geenis started to sweat under the pressure, "My prince I must warn you, I'm here under the..."
Jon shot up out of his seat and jumped face to face with Geenis, "WARN ME?! How dare you..."
Geenis lost it, "If you would listen to me instead of interrupting me I would..."
Jon spun around and started for the door, "Admiral Breq have this man tossed into the brig until he can remember who gives the orders here."
"The KING and QUEEN have sent me and as such my authority overrides yours. Yes, you're a Prince and the top ranking prince. But the King and Queen give the orders, not you or the Princess. I demand..."
Jon spun back around, "You'll shut up now or I'll toss you out of the nearest airlock I can find. You're King and Queen will have some explaining to do and if I don't like the answers. I'll guarantee you one thing, very shortly you'll have a new King and Queen and you had better learn to respect people who are a higher rank than you."
Geenis paled, "You're talking about over throwing the King and Queen..."
Jon grinned, "If what I think is true, yes I am. But remember one thing, on this station the Prince and Princess rules. When you learn that we'll talk again. By the way you had better do some long hard thinking about what has been going on in your home system for the past century of so."
Jon turned and walked out the door as Breq called to some of the guard stationed outside to escort Geenis to the brig.
Jon stood on the bridge of the Ge'daes, Deatra on his left. Breq sat in the command chair as she slowly moved towards the outer markers. All systems were operation at peak efficiency and the rest of what needed down could be done in route to Atlantis.
"Admiral, I have authorization form Control to for our first fold," Comm. reported.
"Proceed, make the fold and begin the search pattern."
The Ge'daes disappeared in a flash of light as she folded for her first search point. Gilas watched from Control as the ship disappeared, "Come back safe and bring her with you," Gilas whispered.
The Ge'daes started searching for the beacon as soon as she appeared. Moments later Tactical reported finding the Atlantis' trail. Everyone stared at the screen as the readouts came across. Jon was stunned when he saw what system she was assumed to be in. He turned to Rick and Ellie, "Looks like we're going home."