"And how many people can live here?" Jensen asked. Of course, he meant the city.
"A few thousand," I shrugged. "Atlantis was rebuilt many times, densified buildings, erected new ones instead of old. So if desired, many can settle here."
"At your desire," the former Runner noted. "I already noticed your girlfriend isn't too strong in arguing with you."
"I don't know what you mean by 'girlfriend,' but 'companion in misfortune' fits better here."
"Well I don't know... Living in such a city, having such weapons, tech—that's more than almost all galaxy residents have," Jensen helped me pour vegetables into containers already cleared of old deposits and return them to shelves. Just two dozen crates out of several hundred, possibly thousands... And that's only on the first level. And I haven't mentioned the huge crates for most consumed products. We didn't need them now—not even that amount of vegetable or fruit reserves we had.
In general, the city residents' nutrition system is set up quite peculiarly. Start with the city having six such rooms—one in each "pier" and in the central spire. Also the same number of dining halls. Chaya explained it was always like that as far as she remembered—no sense gathering the whole city in dining halls. Much simpler and faster to create several smaller dining halls.
Anyway, not important anymore. I know for sure the city now and later won't have such a large number of residents. Because I don't intend to let everyone in here. Simply dangerous to leave someone at Athosian development level or similar to possible city technical secrets.
Screw them if they break something... But what if they turn on?
We already had to work hard to find the lab with the nanovirus destroying all except Ancient Gene carriers. Turning off these bastards wasn't easy at all. But give the girl some time, help with advice—and you'll get a one-time EMP generator disabling nanites entirely across the city territory.
And such unfinished, not brought to inert state traps, aka experiments, in the city thousands.
"But having this city doesn't solve all problems," I said.
While Chaya dealt with the technical part, literally tearing herself apart between city elements requiring attention, Teyla helped eliminate flooding consequences and long disuse of Atlantis.
Yes, she couldn't help much with repairs, but say, bring the kitchen in order (and yes, there is all necessary, and little different from equipment and dishes I'm used to), kitchen storages, throw out dead plants and plant others in pots—that yes, easy.
Most plants died, but some went into dormancy. True, not fact that in improved conditions they can return to life. After all, ten thousand years without water and light.
But Chaya found out their origin, flew to the mainland with Teyla and dug up suitable plants. As it turned out, plants in Atlantis are not just bushes for beauty. These are special genetically modified plant species that don't need sunlight. They're more oriented to heat serving for photosynthesis. Atlantis, as it turned out, prepared for siege, so developed oxygen-producing plants that can ease life support system work in absence of local star light. Well... Quite thoughtful.
"I'd bet millions of people across the galaxy would give anything to live in an underwater city with ability to block gate activation and not let Wraith in," Jensen snorted.
Arguing here is even senseless.
Atlantis is equipped with an energy shield to protect the Stargate from materializing unwanted guests. Right after gate activation and energy vortex calming, an energy barrier can be turned on around the gate. It's projected at a tiny distance from the event horizon. Thanks to this gate automation can work for object materialization, but due to the shield full "assembly" doesn't happen. And the uninvited guest disintegrates into atoms, without harm to us.
People, Wraith, weapon shots, bombs and much else—all destroyed without traces. So yes, significant protection from invasion through the gate. And considering we're hidden underwater scattering Wraith energy charges—at least so recorded in Atlantis chronicles—so no need to fear orbital bombardment.
Most other planets in the galaxy naturally had no such protection.
Curiously, before leaving the city, the Ancients blocked gate operation for any dialing except those involving the Ancients themselves. Notably, in known events Anubis used similar tactic, cutting off the planet interesting to him from random intelligences visits via code request. Any biological mass was forwarded to a random gate address in the galaxy if without corresponding access code. Convenient.
I was damn lucky to have the Ancient gene—otherwise my flight for ZPM wouldn't have happened.
In our case no one can pass through Atlantis gate except me and Chaya. And those traveling with us in one trip.
The gate don't teleport cargo and passengers in real time—they first dematerialize all who entered during a specific session work period, then similarly materialize—in strict queue order. Who entered first, exits first.
Currently this security system suited us. However, need to understand and accept the fact that in Pegasus galaxy there are simple people with Ancient genes. High probability some can accidentally enter the city. And while such probability exists, can't talk about absolute security.
Chaya is also working on this—I suggested a few thoughts, but due to the volume of work dumped on her head, the girl can't do everything at once. But by the way, this doesn't prevent her from thinking about solving one problem (or several at once) while working on another. While still managing to chat with Teyla.
Seriously, I saw myself how they nicely conversed in one of the empty labs Chaya took for her needs. While Teyla told her about her people, about the Wraith, about various peoples she knows, Sar calmly worked on correcting the "Jumpers" charging program and remote connection to the defense satellite at Lantean system borders.
While still communicating with Teyla, asking her about her people's past, about Athos and so on.
I have suspicions about reasons for such interest, but I preferred to keep quiet and observe the Ancient's interest.
The "Jumpers" charging system really needs fixing.
The thing is, in their typical large-scale approach to own comfort, the Ancients equipped Atlantis with wireless small ship charging systems. Every landing pad in the upper—above Gate Room—and lower under central spire hangars is that very charging pad for "Jumpers."
We have a dozen ships of this type at our disposal, but only half can work after "cosmetic repair." The rest need parts we don't have. But the city doesn't care about such conventions, it strives to charge all its ships. And that's a problem, as precious energy is lost.
Though we have ZPM and its energy reserve is huge. However, it's an exhaustible energy source. And the more unnecessary "consumers" we have activated, the more we lose power reserves. And in the city database and the city itself, as it happened, there are no marks on which planets ZPM can be found. Moreover, even with Ancient help couldn't figure out how, where and by what means ZPM are produced.
Chaya doesn't belong to the titular Ancient race, Lanteans. And like most acculturated peoples, she has access only to basic Ancient knowledge. And all secrets... If they're in Atlantis database, reliably encrypted. Our only way to find precious energy is to start exploring planets. Four of us without any quality rear—that's a big problem.
That's why we're trying to save literally on everything. Shield power is the main consumer. Could try surfacing, work on city-ship cloaking systems based on "Jumper" technology. For nothing we have specifically "killed" devices good only to disassemble for parts. But again, question of city protection on surface.
Wandering Pegasus Wraith who possibly know of our arrival in the galaxy aren't the friendliest neighbors. Surprised after Sudaria no several hive ships flew to Lantea orbit, Atlantis's home planet. Just to check if everything's as before.
So time to think about city defense.
Atlantis, like outposts, Ancient ships, equipped with attack and defense systems. In the form of three launch shafts for self-guided missiles, drones. Can launch them via mental command given through the Ancient chair, which the city also has. And with ZPM presence we can do it.
Ancient drone.
Similar weapon on "Jumpers" too, but only twelve each. Total on damaged and working ships we have about a hundred, and we already removed from those "Jumpers" that won't fly anywhere the ammo unnecessary to them. Along with parts needed for repairing the rest. Some suitable for city repair "Jumper" parts Chaya ruthlessly disassembled and integrated into damaged systems.
So, for example, we managed to restore lower hangar control, main subspace transmitter and brought near scanners of Atlantis back online. Small victories achieved in five days of our four's stay in the city.
But it didn't affect our defense.
The problem was that the city has almost no ammunition. We have more drones on "Jumpers" than in Atlantis arsenal. And even if we transfer all to city defense needs, it'll suffice to destroy one, maybe two-five Wraith ships. But worth us doing that, all Pegasus Wraith will flock to Lantea. For the dying will undoubtedly tell what destroyed them. Such animals they are.
Thus, Atlantis is that very "piano" that's big, thunders, everyone around is delighted... But in fact it's pain.
Numerous city damages don't allow using it as a ship for own purposes. Weapon shortage doesn't even let think of meeting enemy face to face. Hyperdrive needs parts, sublight—repair, hull—welding, new wiring, new crystals which Ancients and based on their tech devices have instead of usual boards, energy storage, relays and so on.
Not to mention I keep repeating: hardly every lab in this city contains dangerous, in most cases even deadly technology or experiment. That "mechanical Ascension" lab, activation of which in most cases turns a person into photoplasma or adds limbs, direct example.
Such moments are called: "decaying grandeur." And I'm inclined to agree. Atlantis is a hemorrhoid if you don't know how to fix it.
And "cure" the city with four people, three of whom basically don't understand what's happening here and how it functions, impossible. Need more technically literate specialists. At least familiar with Ancient technologies at level of understanding general principles, physics laws, science in general...
The most obvious solution is Stargate program command on Earth. There people already for several years deal with Ancient technologies and learned to understand them well.
But Earth situation unclear. And even if we get there, doesn't mean we can return. And I have no desire to get into Milky Way problems too. And that they're Everest-sized there clear without special superpowers.
Besides "Aurora" with Ancient crew there's another starship—"Tria." It's beyond the galaxy moving toward Milky Way. There Ancients more alive. And seems they most preferable option. Seems there over a hundred of them... However, to reach them, need to acquire hyperdrive ship. And try to find them in interstar void. Task.
And now to the shittiest options.
I haven't told Chaya yet, but in the galaxy there are created by Ancients to fight Wraith but didn't justify hopes machines, Replicators. Look like people, behave like people, but... consist of nanobots. And very much don't like everything connected with Ancients. People they consider biomass altogether. Only ones they fear are Lanteans. Them they won't harm a priori. But there's a nuance.
Neither I, nor Chaya, nor especially Jensen with Teyla are Lanteans. Accordingly, unlikely the non-harm program from Replicators toward us will work.
Honestly, I even don't know if "Aurora" and "Tria" crews consist of Lanteans at all or also acculturated peoples? Chaya says most likely second option, as Lanteans didn't stoop to open fisticuffs with enemies.
Another extremely dangerous option is cooperation with Wraith. In events known to me it happened, but... Each time some crap came out. And otherwise can't think about it.
About other galaxy peoples like Genii I don't even want to think. Cooperating with them openly would be stupidity. At least for now.
Perhaps when we gain strength, then...
"You froze or what?" from thoughts a friendly slap on the shoulder from the former Runner brought me out.
"There are thoughts worth pondering," I replied vaguely.
"Well sure," Jensen smirked. "For example, how to steal from under Wraith noses the minerals you need for repairs?"
"Among other things."
Atlantis can be repaired. But sheath of parts.
The city has no factories, nothing like them. But there are small workshops where can produce simple devices in small volumes. Same crystals, for example. Or hull plating details, wiring...
But for that need resources. Simply put—materials from which to make the part. And as it happened, the city had a tiny reserve of ores we need. And Chaya already used them to restore several damaged systems. Now need new.
Only, accidentally or not, planets with resources we need used by Ancients are under Wraith occupation. We flew reconnaissance to a couple worlds and returned with nothing. Only confirmed the fact that sought planets have dormant Wraith ships. But mines... Completely destroyed. And that's a huge problem.
Need to find new place for raw materials. And then most likely Chaya won't have to repair Atlantis by switching power from main systems to reserve, auxiliary or emergency. And she did it because somewhere wiring overheated, somewhere crystals, somewhere shorts... Need parts, and no small amount.
And even better, we'd have an external power source for city power, leaving ZPM only for powering a number of main functions. For example, city shield, chair, drones...
I knew where to get it, but... So far near sensors couldn't find the needed.
But there's progress in another direction.
"Mikhail, Alvar," a voice sounded over our heads. Chaya launched the city intercom too. "You're needed in the lab."
"We'll be there soon," I replied. Damn, unusual to talk like that into emptiness. Smells of schizophrenia. Jensen also didn't particularly like this city-wide communication method. He kept dreaming of returning to his home planet and searching there for more familiar technologies.
But for now, we won't stick there. Until Chaya finishes what I asked her. Hope this call is what I think.
"Seems the girls want to invite us on a date," the Runner smirked. After on Atlantis Chaya with medical bay technologies removed the overgrown subspace transmitter from his body, Jensen became less tense. And more sympathetic to the Ancient.
"Won't know until we go," I shrugged.
And still, we need normal human communication devices. The "voice from above" resounding through Atlantis's empty corridors and echoing distortedly from them scared me shitless.
Especially because I can't do that.
Seems Chaya knows and uses the opportunity to take revenge on me for... something. A woman is a woman even among Ancients. Just more inventive.
***
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