Author's note: For the story, the Ancients will be known exclusively as the Lanteans. I feel that this name, while perhaps not as accurate, is more in keeping with the story told by Paolini in the Inheritance Cycle. I may decide to have Sheppard's team make an extended stay in Alagaesia, but I don't know yet. As always when writing fan fiction, this really awesome (and in this case, high tech and magical) stuff is not mine. Stargate: Atlantis and the Inheritance Cycle belong to MGM, and Christopher Paolini, respectively.

Ten thousand years ago, a lone ship dropped out of hyperspace. The race of beings that designed the ship were very technologically advanced, and had travel mastered on a planetary scale. This species was at war with another species, the Wraith. Their ship, the Aurora had severe battle damage, and when the ship entered orbit around a planet that was not yet on the Stargate grid, they stopped, built a gate with only one address available for dialing out with, and only one place to dial in from: Atlantis. In addition, shields were set up to prevent the Wraith from ever culling this world. The network of shields relied on the power of the great forest the later became known as: Du Weldenvarden. Shortly after that, the Aurora fled the Pegasus Galaxy forever, hoping that she would one day return to Pegasus, and the city that was her home. The crew laced themselves in stasis, knowing that the war would be a long and bitter one. Having been connected through the stasis pods, they were able to operate the ship through their minds. They continued on, waiting for the beacon that would bring them home again.

Two months ago, a lone Wraith infiltrated the Aurora's stasis systems, and began modifying the hyper drive to make it more efficient. Having the knowledge of the Lanteans on board the vessel, work progressed quickly. When she was finished, she intended to send the info to a waiting Wraith cruiser, and destroy the Aurora. She never finished her plan. John Sheppard and Rodney McKay had also infiltrated the Aurora's stasis systems. They exposed the secret of the Wraith in their midst, and told them how long it had been since the original crew had entered stasis. Knowing that the bodies of the crew had degenerated over time, even though they were in stasis, the captain told Sheppard about an information crystal in the computer near the stasis controls. He also asked the Sheppard remember the Aurora after he had returned to Atlantis. Ten minutes later, just as the upgrade was scheduled to be finished, the Aurora sent out a message to the waiting Wraith cruiser, saying that the ship had to be closer so that the Aurora's outdated systems could transmit the information to the cruiser. The cruiser moved in, waiting for the promised information, and then, the Aurora self destructed, taking the Wraith cruiser with her.

Present day: "Elizabeth, I have a proposal to make. I think we should try SAF-583. The intel I have on this crystal is the dialing sequence. It requires a symbol that is only on the Atlantis DHD. Here's the address."

He slid a piece of paper over to Elizabeth. The gate address was printed on it

"What else do we know about SAF-583, John?"

"The crew of the Aurora installed a gate there, and put up planetary shields that will never fail from lack of power. If we had the equivalent of the power source here, we could run every single system here, and be under constant bombardment by a million Wraith Hives. The downside is that we cannot fly Atlantis to that planet because the shield will block anything that is coming in. The shield will allow us to fly out if we were in there, however. The 'gate is the only way in, and we have the only DHD in Pegasus that can dial that gate. Also, there is only one address on the other end that can be used. You push the big red button, and it dials. That's it."

"Take a Jumper, and go check it out. You can take whoever you need to go with you."

John turned to the nearest scientist. "Rodney? I haven't heard anything from you about this. What's on that overly-smart brain you possess?"

"We don't know if it is habitable. I mean, for all we know, the air could be toxic, or nonexistent when we get there. And, even if the air is breathable, there might be people there that would be unfriendly to us when we show up. I say, let's send a MALP, and follow it up a day later if the atmospheric condition are conducive to our continued existence. We should also carry weapons."

"I'll take Ronon and Teyla with us, will that satisfy you?"

"I guess that would be good enough. Did the ah, captain of the Aurora tell you anything about what was powering the shields? Because, like you said, if we are able to duplicate that, we wouldn't ever have to worry about bombardment from the Wraith. Not to mention, being able to run more systems would help. Maybe we could even find out how the Lanteans created their drones."

"That would be nice, I would really like to reload Atlantis' drone supply rooms. Rodney, you get Carson, and I'll get Ronon and Teyla."

In the gym: Crack! A shuffling sound, then again, Crack! The door opened, and the combatants lowered their weapons, but maintained their focus on each other.

"I know you guys were just having some fun, but we have a mission to take care of."

The combatants bowed to each other, and then prepared for an off-world mission, Teyla leaving the gym to grab her tactical vest and weapons; Ronon merely walked over to a bench on one side of the gym, and picked up his blaster. Checking the kill/stun setting, he put the blaster back in it's usual place on his back.

"Okay, I'm ready. Where are we going, Sheppard?"

"We are going to a world that has never been culled by the Wraith."

"Sounds safe. I don't like safe if I don't intend to live there." the Setedan replied.

"I have no clue as to what's on that world, Ronon. We may be less safe there than on a Wraith controlled world."

"Maybe." came the uninterested grunt.

The door hissed again, and Teyla returned in her tactical vest, with her weapons secured. "I am ready, John."

"Great. Let's get outta here. Rodney's supposed to meet us in the Jumper bay with Dr. Beckett."

In the Jumper bay: "Carson, look. John wanted you to come along because he though he needed you. And if he thinks he needs you, he probably does."

"But, Rodney, those cultures need to be closely looked after. Do ye think he could take anyone else with him?"

"He's got Teyla and Ronon coming as we speak."

"And why is this world so important, exactly?"

"Do you remember the Aurora?"

"Aye, I remember. Stasis had done all it could, and the bodies of the crew had degenerated so far that they would not have been able to do anything outside of stasis anyway. They self-destructed as soon as we could get out of there."

"Yes. Well, the captain claimed that his crew had set up a single destination gate. They also set up planetary shields to prevent the Wraith from ever culling that world. These shields are powered by a 'great forest' and the 'gate that was set up on that world was in that forest. There is only one 'gate in the Pegasus system capable of dialing it. Ours. It requires a symbol that is only in the Atlantis DHD. We will be relying on Atlantis to dial the gate for us, and on the other one, we might have to leave someone there to dial the 'gate so we can get back."

The tapping of tactical boots on metal could be heard as three people ascended the stairs.

"Ah, there they are. John, are we getting out of here now?"

"Yes, Rodney. We're getting out of here now."

The team entered the Jumper, with Carson following.

"One of us gets to sit on the back. It's not me, 'cause I'm driving."

"Fine. Rock, Paper, Scissors! Best two out of three, and the worst one gets the backseat."

The thought of four grownups performing the childhood ritual of Rock, Paper, Scissors almost caused Sheppard to lose his concentration, and when he looked back, he completely lost it, and broke out laughing.

"What?" came Rodney's indignant response.

"You guys are really playing Rock, Paper, Scissors to figure out who sits in the back?"

"Yes, we-"

"You lose, Rodney." interrupted the Setedan. "We went three rounds, and you lost."

"Oh, thanks a lot Sheppard! I really wanted to have my concentration broken so that I would get to sit in the back without looking like I was giving up!" The sarcasm was evident in his voice, and before he could say anything more, Sheppard reached over and pushed one of the buttons on the dash. The door closed between the front and the back.

"Elizabeth? This is Jumper One, we are ready to go, so if you would like to dial the 'gate, we would be much obliged."

"Understood, John."

The door between the Gate Room, and the Jumper Bay door to the Gate Room rotated open, and the Jumper glided down just as the event horizon stabilized.

"Good luck, Jumper One."

"Roger that, I hope we find something slightly more useful that a good-looking beta-site."

The Jumper rocked slightly forward, and shot into the event horizon. Moments later, the Stargate shut down.

On planetary designation SAF-583: The event horizon stabilized, and the Jumper shot out of it moments later. As soon as it was away, it cloaked. The elves that had been practicing with their bows turned, and ran for the border where the magic barriers disrupted magic going in or out of Ellesméra intent on telling Islanzadí about this strange new magic that destroyed a target, and more importantly spawned something that could be very dangerous to the elven city. Knowing that running to the border would take some time, all but one of the elves banded together, and worked a piece of magic that enable the one to get to the border within five minutes. No sooner than the spell was complete than the six collapsed, unconscious, and the magic released it's hold on the seventh, depositing her mere moments from the border. Running across it, she used the spell that would enable her to talk to Islanzadí through the mirror.

"What do you what?" the queen asked, shortly after the ceremonial greeting was exchanged.

"The ring that has stood in the archery range has awoken; it destroyed a target, but worse, it spawned a metal creature. It was round in shape, like the ring, but the bottom was flat. After the water fell out of the ring, the creature flew on, extending it's arms before disappearing from our sight with a magic we have never seen."

"So…it-whatever it is-got away. At least you didn't try to engage it in combat of any kind. It could be dangerous."

"Before it disappeared, it took aim. It's headed straight for Gil'ead. At the speed it displayed, it will be there with the hour."

"Then we must prepare. Good day." The mirror faded to the glassy reflection of the glade the elf was in.

In the Jumper: Did you see that? It looked like they were just talking, and then…one of them disappears. Should I let Rodney out of the back?"

"Yeah, Rodney can have 'shotgun' as he calls it. I'll take the back so we don't get snuck up on."

"Sounds good, Chewie." Hitting the button, he adjusted for open door dynamics. By this time, Rodney and Ronon had switched places.

"Coming up on what looks like a city, Ronon. There's a war on down there. I'm de-cloaking."

The Jumper's cloak fell away, John maneuvered the Jumper lower and began to loop around the city. Whatever battle was happening below, the defenders fled when they saw the Jumper appear. Sheppard landed the Jumper in front of the invaders, and Ronon stepped out, followed by Teyla. Carson followed, and Rodney decided to stay in the Jumper. John took up the rear. Almost at once, Ronon and Teyla dropped into battle stance, and Beckett ran towards one of the people laying on the ground. Taking his first-aid kit out, he began to render assistance to the boy. He had been struck by an arrow when an archer drew his bow at random and fired.

"Try not to do anything strenuous for a week, and ye'll be good as new, lad."

"Beckett! We may have some trouble!"

"What is it now, John?"

"Look."

Ronon and Teyla prepared for the elven army, and Dr. Beckett retreated into the Jumper. Rodney cloaked the Jumper, after telling Sheppard where he intended to go. John adopted a firing stance, but did not pick a target yet. Islanzadí stalked towards the group.

"You are either ignorant, or extremely brave to resist an elven army." She murmured. Knowing that these newcomers probably did not know the traditional greeting that was exchanged among the elves, she also forwent it.

"Well, ignorant, but I'll go with brave." John responded.

"Who are you? Where did you come from? Where is the strange craft you arrived in? And what magic brought you to this place?" The queens question came quickly, and her demeanor was that of someone who would not hesitate to kill if she thought they were lying or enemies.

Major Sheppard adopted a diplomatic approach. Lowering his weapon, and slowly raising his hands in the air, he began to speak in a cautious tone. "My name is John Sheppard, I am a lieutenant colonel, and we mean you no harm. We know of no 'magic'. We came through the Stargate in the Jumper. The Jumper is nearby, and cloaked so that you can't see it. We come from Atlantis."

Islanzadí relaxed slightly, this strange man was telling the truth. "Where is this Atlantis?"

"We would have to go through the Stargate to get there." He still wasn't sure if he was safe yet.

"Tell me about this 'stargate' and tell me about these weapons. They do not look like they could do any damage whatsoever."

For answer, the Major turned, and casually squeezed off a few into the nearby wall. "I think that that is answer enough for the weapons, and as for the Stargate, it is a way of instantaneous travel devised by a very old and powerful race of technologically superior being that we call the Ancients; they are also known as the Lanteans, and the other worlds here in Pegasus refer to them as the Ancestors. They built the Stargate, Atlantis, several ships, invented the Zero Point Module, and most of the Ascended a very long time ago. Those that did not Ascend have died."

"Does this 'Stargate' look like a rather large ring with blue symbols set into it?" the queen probed, curious.

"Yes. And when it activates, it looks like a pond of water standing vertically. Do you want to see the city of the Lanteans?"

"Very much so. How long would I be away from here if I were to go with you?"

"Well," John looked at his watch. "We spent about an hour flying here, and if we were to take you on a whirlwind tour of the city, that would be another hour at least, and then there would be another hour flying back here." He clicked his radio twice, and the Jumper uncloaked. "Turn off the lights on your way out will you? I'd like to show this lady about the gene."

"Certainly."

The occupants of the Jumper exited, and stood off to the side a little ways off. John waved towards the Jumper. "Shall we?" he invited.

She followed him, unsure of what to expect.

As he entered, the craft began to make noises as lights in the ceiling and walls activated. When he sat, the last few light activated. The queen watched from the relative safety of outside until he sat. Motioning for a few of her aides, she entered the craft. There was no response from the craft as she cautiously moved forward and took the seat across from Major Sheppard. The dark-skinned warrior and the female fighter took seats in the rear, and the other two strangers took seats across from them.

"I should have know that Sheppard would do something like this." whined one of them. "He's always attracted to beautiful women, particularly if they are Ascended, or royalty."

"Do not speak that way about Major Sheppard. I think it is entirely appropriate that he should try to make new allies. Perhaps they will be able to help us obtain food for the city." The female warrior tried to soothe the grumpy man.

"They might even have coffee beans for you McKay." grunted the other warrior.

With a whine, the door began to close, and the Jumper lifted off.

"Since we've already been seen, I don't see the point in using the cloak, do you?" called the former air force pilot.

Variations of "no" chorused through the cabin.

"Alright. I'm going to open this baby up, see how fast she can really go." With that, he moved the throttle up as far as it would go, and left it there.

The queen spoke up suddenly, saying, "you must land, there are wards that will prevent magic from crossing our borders. Your craft will fall from the air when you trip it."

"We don't have any magic." John remarked, tapping a button. "However, we are almost there, I do need to slow down so I don't overshoot." The throttle was slowly moved down, and the Jumper's altitude was decreased. "McKay, how do I dial this gate? Can I just hit the 'dial' button, and be on our merry way?"

"Not likely, look, a single address gate is a very rare instance, and it's not likely that the gate was designed with Jumpers in mind."

The Jumper dropped down in front of the gate, far enough away to avoid the instability vortex the formed immediately after dialing.

"I'm going to try it anyway, just to see what happens."

"You'll be wasting your time, besides, if you push that button and there is nothing for it to do, you could break it."

"Well, Rodney, then I'm lucky I've got you along to fix it." He pushed the button. And the Stargate dialed.

I think i may be the first to put up a story in this category. If you review by the time I get the next chapter written, I will leave an answer here for you.

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