Chapter 90

Dagan

Once home to the Brotherhood of the Fifteen Sudaria or Dagan as it was now called was a planet familiar with secrecy and intrigue. For thousands of years before their eventual annihilation at the hands of the Wraith the Brotherhood of the Fifteen had stood guard over a ZPM entrusted to them before the Ancient's departure from Pegasus. With unfailing devotion the Brotherhood stood guard over their charge, certain the Ancients they fervently worshipped would reward them upon their return when the ZPM was returned.

The new Master Handler and head of the reformed Brotherhood of the Fifteen was Allina. A scholarly historian of her planets history the Brotherhood owed its existence to her efforts. Without the assistance of the Atlantis expedition the ZPM would have never been located and secreted away to another location. Much to the expeditions chagrin at the time she had no intention of handing it over to anyone other than an ancient.

At Allina's insistence the former home of the Brotherhood was now restored to its former glory. The gothic style stone architecture was rich in symbolism of the mission the Brotherhood was devoted to. New settlements sprang up around the home of the Fifteen. A page had been turned it was felt since the recovery of the Potentia as crops had flourished, children were born in greater numbers, and the Wraith had not culled in many years. A renaissance had taken hold of the people of Dagan ushering in an age of prosperity.

Sanir, one of five chief protectors of the Potentia entered the Master Handlers study. With dark hair, pale skin, and an eager mind Sanir was must less trusting of those from other worlds than Allina. With a less than comfortable look upon her face she escorted the visitor. Seeing her chief protector and guest enter Allina rose from her seat behind the heavy wooden desk, with a warm smile lighting up her face.

"Allow me to present Davos of the Genii" Sanir said with polite difference.

"Welcome to Dagan Davos. I am Allina, Master Handler of the Brotherhood and leader of the Daganian people" stated Allina.

"Thank you for receiving me. I am Davos, new leader of the Genii military" crisply stated Davos.

"Please, take seat and make yourself comfortable. What is it I can assist you with today Davos" asked Allina.

"It has been brought to my attention that the Daganian people have sought to join the Coalition of Planets. The Genii have great sway over the Coalition. I am here today to see how our two peoples may work together" soothingly said Davos.

"Forgive my ignorance, but isn't it true the Genii were removed from the Coalition" asked Allina.

"Whoever told you that" said Davos indignantly.

"At first it was merely gossip from traders and travelers. This gossip grew louder. During our application to the Coalition it was confirmed" replied Allina uncomfortably.

"Confirmed by whom? I demand a name" hissed Davos.

"The Coalition" answered Allina.

"Don't believe everything that you hear my dear. The Genii are the military power of the Coalition. What you heard was simply a test to gauge the loyalties of your people to the Lantean's" smoothly countered Davos.

"I see" Allina answered with a growing sense of discomfort.

"You may not be aware of this, but the Lantean's seek to oppress the people of this galaxy. In time we will banish them from the galaxy and never again suffer under the yoke of their rule" proclaimed Davos.

"I wasn't aware we were under their rule" countered Allina.

"It is known by many that we are. You have something they seek, and they will stop at nothing to have it. My sources tell me that even now they are gathering their forces to collect what they failed to recover several years ago" solemnly stated Davos.

"The Potentia is safe from their and anyone else's grasp. The duty of the Brotherhood is to safeguard it until the ancestor's return to this realm" proudly stated Allina.

"I would like to see this Potentia myself to assuage my fears over its safety" stated Davos.

"I'm afraid that is not possible. Believe me when I say that it will never be located" stiffly replied Allina.

"Governess, I must insist on seeing it for myself" urged Davos.

"That is not possible. It violates the Brotherhood's highest code. I am sorry" replied Allina.

"That's regrettable. I had such high hopes for our relationship" sighed Davos.

Second's later gunfire erupted in the outer courtyard. Screaming was heard from many directions as two armed men in Genii uniforms crashed through the heavy door with their weapons leveled at the Master Handler. With a look of shock, fear, and anger Allina rose from her seat.

"What is the meaning of this? You'll never get away with this" she calmly stated in a stern voice.

"Bring her assistant in here now" Davos ordered the two armed men while withdrawing and leveling his own weapon at his host.

Moments later Sanir was brought into the study at gunpoint. Her face was crimson with anger. The soldier with her arm in a viselike grip shoved her down on her knees before the Davos. Seeing her friend in danger Allina came around her heavy wooden desk to stand at Sanir's side.

"Produce this treasure of yours now or your friend will be the first of many to die" calmly stated Davos.

"You will kill us all anyway! The true way of the Genii is known to all in this galaxy" responded Allina.

"It is a mistake to test my resolve in this matter. Your people mean nothing to me. If I kill them all or none is of no consequence. But know that you will turn over the Potentia" answered Davos with strained patience.

All eyes in the room were on the Master Handler. Had they not been none would have seen the pistol Sanir withdrew from her vest. Without extending her arm fully Sanir fired twice into the nearest soldier, striking him in the abdomen and thigh. A hail of gunfire erupted from the two unharmed men. Sanir's chest exploded into a fleshy red pulp as round after round slammed into her body. In seconds the life faded from her eyes. Turning on his feet quickly Davos leveled his weapon where seconds before Allina was standing. Looking around he saw no trace of the Master Handler.

"Where is she? Find her" Davos thundered.

Unknown to the Genii the Brotherhood's imposing home was full of false walls and hidden passages only they knew of. As the search team fanned out in their frantic search of the grounds Allina slipped out of the outer walls of the compound towards the stargate. In the distance muffled weapons fire could be heard.