Chapter 40

Lord Protector Planet

Exiting the space gate the jumper hurtled into the atmosphere. The small craft moving with incredible speed quickly passed from the cold void of space into the warm environment of the planet below. Lorne activated the sensors and detected nothing out of the ordinary. From their vantage point in the front seats of the ancient craft Lorne and Woolsey saw the lone tower of the long buried city ship rise in the distance. For a moment both men pondered how such a fate could befall one great city of the ancients yet leave Atlantis untouched. Circling the tower at a distance Lorne found an empty grassy patch near the tower to land.

Exiting their craft Ronon, Zelenka, Woolsey, and Lorne quickly followed the well worn path leading to the tower. Ronon's trained eye scanned for any threat. Zelenka busied himself performing a range of scans with the ancient hand held device. Woolsey steeled himself for the negotiation to come. Lorne simply enjoyed the sunshine certain that everything would work out how they hoped. As they came closer to the structure two royal guards approached the newly arrived visitors.

"State the purpose of your visit" said one of the guards.

"We are here to discuss a matter of great importance with Lady Mara. Please inform her the leader of Atlantis seeks an audience with her" said Woolsey.

One guard quickly retreated towards the tower, with the other standing watch over the new arrivals. Around them farmers went about their daily business. Crops were carted to market, animals were herded, and children played. Lorne was taken with how happy the people appeared. Much had changed in the local inhabitant's world since the first members of the Atlantis expedition had arrived several years before. Mara seemed to be a ruler much more concerned with the welfare of her people, unlike her father and brother. No longer living in fear the people of this world had begun to thrive after the veil of oppression had been lifted.

After several moments the guard returned from the tower and informed the guests that Mara would see them. Quickly they were ushered into the tower. Instead of the more formal reception room they found themselves led to the Lady's private study.

"Please wait here. The Lady will be with you shortly" said the guard then exiting the room.

"Sheppard assures me Mara will be receptive to what we wish to discuss" said Woolsey.

"Sheppard always seems to know the women in this galaxy well" chuckled Lorne.

"Didn't she try to get in his pants" asked Ronon.

At that question Lorne laughed, Zelenka stared even more intently at his hand device, and Woolsey frowned. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room for minutes that seemed like hours to those inside. Unsure of what to say next the men sat quietly until Mara entered the room. The men rose to their feet as the petite blond woman crossed the room and quickly sat down.

"Is Sheppard not among you" she asked.

"Colonel Sheppard now has other duties and could not attend" answered Woolsey.

"He is an amazing man whom I would do much for" stated Mara.

With pursed lips Zelenka glared at Ronon as the large man tired very hard to stifle a laugh.

"We thank you for granting this audience" said Woolsey humbly.

"What is it you seek" Mara asked.

"I have come seeking trade. Perhaps you and I can speak privately while my colleagues tour this structure" suggested Woolsey.

"That would be fine. Gentlemen, please tour these halls to your liking" Mara said warmly.

Taking their queue the Ronon, Lorne, and Zelenka exited the study with scientist leading the way. Once they had exited and the door was closed Woolsey began to speak.

"Our two peoples have enjoyed a fruitful trading relationship in the past. In the spirit of that relationship I sit before you today" said Woolsey.

"The medicine your people supplied has done much for my people. We owe you a debt of gratitude for that. In the eyes of my people those from Atlantis are revered as the bringers of a new age on this world" she answered.

"As you know, my people have combated the Wraith and protected the many worlds of this galaxy. We have had great success, but the war is far from over" he said.

"Mr. Woolsey, my people are not trained in the ways of war. I fail to see how we can assist you" Mara answered.

"You have done much to distance yourself from the ways of your predecessors. I believe I can assist you in closing the final chapter. You have enacted sweeping change in the economics and civil liberties of the average citizen's life here. All that remains of a system now fading into memory is the symbol of that system of government" stated Woolsey.

"I thank you for acknowledging the reforms I have enacted. Change was needed if our culture was to survive. What symbol do you speak of" she asked.

"To be very blunt this tower. To truly move forward you must move away from the trappings of the past and into a future surrounded by symbols unblemished by acts of those long past" Woolsey said smoothly.

"This tower has housed my ancestors for generations Mr. Woolsey. Surely you don't suggest tearing it down and replacing it with a thatch roofed hut" she replied.

"Not at all Mara. As you have seen in the past my people are a fair people. We would be honored if you would allow us to build your people a permanent city to shelter generations to come from the elements. We will also construct irrigation canals for your fields so each future harvest makes those of today pale in comparison" said Woolsey.

"Construction on that scale would take many years" she countered.

"We have technology at our disposal that would allow for the tasks completion in a matter of days. Time need not be an issue" he replied.

"I am not a fool Mr. Woolsey. You come offering much in the name of assisting my people in letting the past remain in the past. Now why don't you tell me what it is you really want" she said lightly.

Seeing that the route he had been ordered to take in his instructions from the IOA wasn't working Woolsey shifted gears and tried another route.

"I will be very honest with you Mara. The presence of this tower endangers the continued existence of your people. You no longer have the ability to simply scare the Wraith away. Following the current path the Wraith will return and after their previous failures to cull this world they will annihilate this world simply because you once had the ability to challenge them. If you agree to our proposal we will build your people a lasting home, provide medical assistance, greatly increase the productivity of your farmers, and most of all protect you from any threats you face" said Woolsey with conviction.

"Were it not for your people I would be married to the monster Otho. I trusted you then and I shall trust you now. You have my consent to remove this tower. If you can build this city as fast as you claim I ask that we start quickly before winter nears" said Mara in dignified submission.

For several more hours the two went over details of the agreement. For the second time Mara gave thanks to whatever had fated those from Atlantis into her people's path. Woolsey simply breathed a sigh of relief thanking god it worked.