Chapter 122

Atlantis

Several hours had passed since the subspace message from Ares. Knowing Doctor Weir had been retrieved and was in route preparations already made were finalized. Zelenka having finalized these preparations minutes before joined Mr. Woolsey, Colonel Lorne, and a security detail in front of the stargate.

"I for one am glad we went back for one of our own" said Lorne.

"I agree with you fully Colonel" replied Radek.

"This wasn't my first choice, but this order came from the President. A security detail is to remain with her at all times until our arrival at the destination Colonel" instructed Woolsey.

"Understood Mr. Woolsey" replied Lorne.

In a flash of light Weir appeared in front of the gathering of men. Seeing those awaiting her arrival a smile crossed Elizabeth's face, even if it was a face the men once knew as Fran.

"Doctor Weir, welcome to Atlantis. It's good to have you back with us" said Woolsey somewhat stiffly.

"Hello Richard. I see command has been good to you" replied Weir.

"Doctor Weir, always a pleasure" said Lorne in welcome.

"Hello Major, a pleasure to see you also" replied Weir.

"Actually it's Lieutenant Colonel now" pointed out Lorne with a smile.

"I have been gone awhile then. Congratulations Colonel on a well deserved promotion" said Weir with a warm smile.

"Elizabeth, welcome back. It's good to see you" said Radek with heartfelt emotion and respect evident in his voice.

"Radek, how have you been" Weir asked.

"I am well, we'll catch up on all that has happened in the lab during the trip to the Milky Way" replied Radek.

"Mr. Woolsey, will I be permitted to join Doctor Zelenka in his lab" asked Weir.

"Yes you will, in fact I must insist. We will be replacing the body you are currently in for one modeled after your human body. I must ask that you give thought during our trip home to whether you wish to retain your replicator form or be given a human body" said Woolsey.

"I'll need time to think it over, but will get back to you on that" responded Weir.

"Colonel, Doctor, please escort our guest to the nanite lab and get Doctor Weir situated in her new body for now. We will be leaving momentarily and I must attend to several matters. Atlantis will be meeting you in the lab Radek" stated Woolsey before walking towards the operations center.

Walking towards the transporter booth Elizabeth pondered Woolsey's closing statement for a moment. Part of her wondered if she had misunderstood him, or if he simply misspoke.

"Did he say Atlantis would meet us in the lab? What does that mean" asked Weir.

"As I'm sure Colonel Sheppard already told you, much has changed. You'll have to see for yourself when we get there" cryptically replied Radek.

As they proceeded on towards the nanite lab final checks were being made for departure. It had taken several days of off world visits to inform the many allies within Pegasus that the Atlantis team would be unavailable for the coming week. During their time away all communication would be directed to Borealis in their steed. Finally Atlantis would be afforded the repairs and upgrades that her sister Borealis had already undergone.

With the umbilical connection to the submerged geothermal drilling platform severed Atlantis began to rise from the calm ocean surface of Lantea. Gracefully, the ancient city ship took to the skies above. As she gained momentum and altitude the ever powerful shield was raised. With little hint to the transition currently underway courtesy of the internal inertial dampeners the city ship exited the planets atmosphere and broke free of the gravitational pull of the planet she had rested upon for so many millions of years since her first arrival in Pegasus.

Slipping past the collection of Asgard and Tauri vessels around Lantea Atlantis navigated towards her jump point. Gaining speed the massive city ship powered into hyperspace for the first leg of her journey home.

Sitting in the nanite lab Radek went over the data he had recently programmed into the nanite construction platform. On the platform waiting patiently was Elizabeth. Looking around the room and over its occupants' Elizabeth thought back to all the times good and bad had aboard this city she had called home once. Truly she had missed this place and those she called family here. The one individual in the room she could not place was the stunning blonde woman standing in the corner.

"Everything is ready when you are Elizabeth. We will be uploading your consciousness into the buffer for transfer into the new body. This should only take a few moments. Do you have any questions so far" asked Radek.

"Just one, but it's for the woman beside you. I don't believe we've met" pointed out Weir.

"I will allow Doctor Zelenka to explain" said the beautiful woman with a gracious smile.

"Elizabeth, please allow me to introduce you to Atlantis" humbly stated Radek.

"I'm afraid I don't understand" responded Weir slightly off guard.

"I am the embodiment of this ship Doctor. While we have not met formally I know you well from your time here. After watching you lead your people for the years you were here it is my honor to finally make your acquaintance" explained Atlantis.

"The embodiment of the ship? You are Atlantis" asked Weir.

"Yes Doctor Weir. Atlantis is me and I am Atlantis" explained the avatar.

"Amazing" replied a somewhat shocked Weir.