"You can't rush beer," Hocken said, although he noted that she didn't touch her drink, only sensible after a head injury.
"It won't be long."
"There's more," Ronon said, taking a drink and trying to decide how to put the words together. "Our scientists have created a medicine, what they call a retrovirus, that makes people immune to being killed by the Wraith. The Wraith can still feed on you, but you won't die."
Cai looked up from his mug sharply. "You're certain of this?"
"It works on the people who've tried it. Our doctors are still testing it."
"People have tried before. We've heard about the disaster that was the Hoffan drug."
"This one works. And it doesn't kill Wraith who try to feed on you. It just means that you survive."
"If so, I would think that's a great piece of good fortune."
"That's just what people are going to think," Ronon said. "But it's a mistake. The Wraith are going to use this for their advantage. They'll still fill up their feeding cells, but they'll be able to keep those people alive forever. And instead of culling and leaving, they'll come to stay and raise us like farm animals."
"What do they say about that in Atlantis?"
"They want a peace treaty with the Wraith," Ronon said, putting all his skepticism into the words. "To divide up the galaxy so that Sateda and Athos and a bunch of other planets are left alone, and abandon half of the galaxy to the Wraith. They'll make them slaves and cattle."
"The treaty isn't a done deal by any means," Hocken said, glancing sideways at Ronon. "We'll have to talk to our allies — Sateda, Athos, the Genii, the Travelers — and it's not our decision to make. It's the IOA back home that would have to be on board."
"But it's what the Wraith are offering."
Cai gave him a searching look. "Why are you telling me now?"
"They're going to offer the retrovirus to Sateda," Ronon said. "I don't think we should take it. If the Wraith attack Sateda, and we know they won't kill us, it would make it just too tempting to surrender. People would be calling for the government to agree to slavery rather than death."
"And you think I should buy them death rather than slavery?"
"I think we should fight," Ronon said. "If it comes to that, I'd rather fight."
"But having your retrovirus might make us better fighters," Cai said. "Better able to infiltrate Wraith hives and Wraith-controlled worlds."
"Maybe. But I don't think it's worth it."
"I think it might be worth it," Cai said. "But it won't be up to me alone. We're trying to put together a real government, and have elections — it's hard right now with the population changing so much day to day. It won't be this year. Maybe next year, but I wouldn't swear to that either. A decision like that will be theirs to make."
"I'd rather trust someone I know," Ronon said. "Rather than politicians."
"So stay and help us make sure they're good politicians," Cai said. "Better yet, stay and be one of them. You're probably our single greatest hero right now. They'd elect you anything in a heartbeat."
"That's not me," Ronon said.
"Think about it. When you retire, at least. Come out to Sateda and have your own house and a seat in the legislature. You may have to put in glass windows for yourself." He nodded toward the patchwork windows. "But I can't imagine you're afraid of hard work."
"I have a job in Atlantis," Ronon said. "And good friends there. But, maybe. One of these days."
"You'll be welcome," Cai said. "And I appreciate you telling me about this. Especially if your Mr. Woolsey didn't exactly give you permission to tell me yet." There was a question at the end of that remark.
"I'm still Satedan," Ronon said, and Cai nodded and held out his hand. Ronon clasped it firmly, Cai's grip firm even if he wasn't a soldier.
"Colonel Hocken, I'm glad you came along," Cai said. "I have a proposition to make to you."
"I hoped you might," she said, her face lighting.
"We used to have a very good army. We will again, once we have enough of a population to support one. But what we've never had is an air force, and from what I've heard about your air force on Earth, I want one."
"A whole air force is going to take a while," Hocken said. "You're not in a position yet to build fighter planes, and I don't think ours would do you much good — you'll want something that can go through a Stargate. Plus I can't actually buy you a fighter plane. But I can buy you an ultralight." She laid her tablet on the table and pulled up pictures of a tiny, light aircraft, sailing above green hills in a very blue sky. "We'll have to figure out fuel — the Genii probably have something that'll work, if you can trade with them. And you'll want to build more, and modify the design for your own purposes. But right away you'll be able to scout a lot further than you can on foot, and look for people who may still be out there, cut off from big cities and the gate."
"That would be worth a great deal to us," Cai said. "Say, a commission as the chief of the new Satedan Air Force? I can't actually pay you right now, mind you. But I'm certain that the new government will as soon as it can."
"That's not really what matters most to me," Hocken said. "It's the chance to do it, with nothing holding me back." She shook her head. "I've been waiting too long for that to happen in our air force. I'm tired of waiting to start my life."
"There's one waiting for you here," Cai said.
"I'll be out at the end of the year," Hocken said. "And I'll bring you all the equipment I can. If I pull out all my savings—" Her expression was speculative as she scrolled rapidly through lists of airplane parts.
"I don't know if Woolsey's going to approve you supplying all this tech to the Satedans," Ronon said.
"That's just too bad, isn't it?" Hocken said, raising her chin. "I'll be a private citizen, and none of this is classified military technology. If I want to move out to Sateda, and accept Satedan citizenship—" She looked questioningly at Cai, who nodded. "Then all I need is for someone to give me a ride out to Pegasus, and I imagine I can talk somebody into it."
"We'll be glad to have you," Cai said. He offered her his hand, and she clasped his arm firmly in the Satedan fashion, her smile delighted. "You're sure we can't lure you away from Atlantis as well?" he said, glancing over at Ronon.
"Not yet," Ronon said.
Cai nodded. "Whenever you're ready, we'll be here."
"I'm glad," Ronon said. Outside the patchwork windows, people were crossing the square, and one woman lifted a toddler on her shoulder; the little boy reached up toward the sky, where a flock of birds arrowed across the brilliant blue.
Above the waves that broke white against the piers there was an ocean of stars. It was hours yet until dawn, but the wind which whispered around the towers was soft with the promise of coming spring. The Wraith cruiser Eternal occupied the south pier, a dark shape against sky and sea. At the bottom of the ramp two figures stood, an arm's length between them. Only their hands touched, her hand about his wrist, Teyla and Todd.
"What do you suppose they're talking about?" Sam asked. Her voice sounded curious and just a little bit wistful.
"Who knows," Rodney said. He had some idea, but he didn't want to think about that. Even if he healed, especially if he healed and the telepathy went away, he'd be forever sealed off from that communion. He'd never know that kind of intimacy again, mind to mind, quick as thought.
"Rodney?"
"Yes?"
"What happened?" He looked around at her. Sam's face was still. "On the puddle jumper. I don't see how you got out before impact. I don't see how you could have done that."