Fic: Reflections (Emmagan/Sheppard, T)
Dec. 20th, 2010 11:31 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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sga_santaTitle: Reflections
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
atlantis4life
Recipient:tielan
Pairing: Emmagan/Sheppard
Rating: T
Word Count: 9700
Disclaimer: Not done for profit, and no infringement intended.
Author's Notes: Tielan, I tried to fit as much of what you asked for within this story, which was a tall order, lol. I really hope you like it. I couldn't do the kiss because you wanted something at the end of EATG.
Summary: Teyla, John, and the team receive a mysterious transmission that they investigate. Some sensitive subject matter is included.
---
Atlantis was finally back in the Pegasus galaxy, and it was a bright, sunny morning. Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard was sitting at his desk in his living quarters, spinning a Frisbee on his index finger. His laptop was sitting in front of him. He'd been trying to focus on going over reports and writing up reviews, but he just wasn't up for it this morning. He wanted to go out and surf, like Ronon and Amelia were doing, or do something else that was fun. The last thing he wanted to do this morning was to sit in his room chained to a laptop.
His mind zoned out while he was transfixed by watching the neon green spin, and spin, and spin. Then, he heard a soft voice by the door, and the Frisbee crashed on to the desk. He turned in his chair to greet her.
Teyla: John? Am I interrupting you?
John: No, I was just...
Teyla: Playing?
John: I am a kid at heart.
Teyla smiled and looked around the room. There was the Frisbee on the desk, the beat up skateboard in the corner sitting next to the surf board that was also in the corner, the dart board on the back wall, an electric racing car that was currently out of sight, and she knew he had a football somewhere too. Five and a half years ago, she wouldn't have known what any of these things were. Now, they are as familiar to her as John.
John: What?
Teyla: Nothing. It is just... You really do enjoy your recreation.
John (grinning): Well, we can't all have incense, candles, and meditation mats, now can we?
Teyla (smiling): Very true.
John: So what brings you by here?
Teyla: I was just wondering if you have eaten breakfast yet.
John: Yeah, earlier with Ronon after he beat me in martial arts training - again. Don't tell him I said that, though.
Teyla: Your secret is safe with me.
She lingers for a few seconds, and then she reluctantly turns to walk away. John notices that something is wrong.
John: You okay?
Teyla: Yes. I am fine. Why do you ask?
John knows that she purposefully hasn't come to him about it, but he's heard things through the grapevine - mainly Ronon. He's hesitant to ask, but he pushes the words out of his mouth.
John: Is it Kanaan again?
While slightly taken aback by the question, she is not entirely surprised that he knows. She chooses her words carefully.
Teyla: He is having some difficulty with me being here. He prefers to stay with our people on New Athos, while I can best serve our people here... (She falters for a second.) We are working things out.
John: I can understand what you're going through. I don't think I told you this before, but I was married once -
Teyla: Yes, I know. Nancy.
John (slightly taken aback): You know about her?
Teyla: Yes. (She feels a little squirmy). Ah, Ronon.
John: Mmh. Busy little bee isn't he?
Teyla: That appears to be true.
John stands up and heads toward her.
John: So, let's go get some breakfast.
Teyla: Oh. John, that is not necessary.
John: Of course it's necessary, Teyla. We've all gotta eat to live.
---
Richard Woolsey sat in his office contemplating the past few months that had gone by - three to be exact. It wasn't easy getting the IOA to approve Atlantis' return to the Pegasus galaxy, but in the end, it all came down to fear. With General Jack O'Neill's help, he was able to persuade the member countries of the IOA into seeing that an Atlantis in Pegasus was in their best interest. Homeworld Command had approved having an additional fleet of F-302s outfitted with nuclear weapons, just in case, aside from the permanent fleet on standby that had already been outfitted with them. With the new wormhole drive, Atlantis would never be more than a couple of jumps away should they be needed, so there was no need for the city to remain on Earth permanently.
The main thing was to keep the Wraith in the Pegasus galaxy instead of waiting for them to return. If there were any other hive ships that were able to detect the signal giving away Earth's coordinates, then it would be best if Atlantis was able to intercept them in Pegasus. General O'Neill pointed out that they had a vested interest in keeping the Wraith in Pegasus, not only because they could attack Earth and other benign planets in the Milky Way galaxy if they were to come, but also because of the Goa'uld. He and Woolsey both spoke of the fact that no one knows what would happen if the Wraith somehow joined forces with the Goa'uld (one needs a food source, and the other needs slaves). They also wondered aloud what would happen if the Wraith fed on the Goa'uld? It is known that human hosts have lives that are tremendously extended by the Goa'uld symbiote that they carry, so what would happen in that instance?
Would that create super-Wraith that the military's current ammunition would have little to no effect on in ground combat situations? Would they have to upgrade to guns that shoot explosives? Do the Wraith get "full" in the same way that humans get full when they feed? Is there a limit to the amount of life that can be absorbed by them? If so, then how much? "We don't know," said Woolsey. "And I for one, don't want to find out," said Jack.
The two men kept fielding arbitrary questions until Jack finally buried his face into his hands. When the IOA had the audacity to bring up the subject of the chair, that's when Jack had had it. Woolsey thought of how he had to struggle to maintain a poker face during that part of the meeting. He knew exactly how even the slightest smile would be taken by his superiors.
Gen. O'Neill shoved his finger at the IOA panel. "You people are too much! I told you that it didn't make any sense to move that chair! Tell me, what was the point in that? The truth of the matter is if Dr. Zenka -" "Zelenka," Woolsey quietly proffered underneath his breath, "Zelenka," O'Neill said without missing a beat, "hadn't jigamarooed that wormhole drive thing at the last second, we'd all be toast right now, or, lunch... I still don't understand how the chair violated a non-proliferation agreement when nothing was being proliferated. Those drones and that base have been there for millions of years. No one in our lifetime created the drones, but they sure as hell saved our asses from Anubis, didn't they? The chair was going to be able to activate and control those drones no matter where we put it. So all you did was render one of our best defenses against our enemies useless by putting the chair somewhere that it got destroyed... Thanks guys!"
Yes, ultimately it came down to fear. The IOA was afraid to make the wrong decision twice, especially when the stakes were so high. So, with the modest recommendation of Mr. Woolsey, along with the gentle nudgings of Gen. Jack O'Neill, Atlantis was allowed to return to its true home.
Richard sat back in his chair and let his thoughts continue to drift over the past three months and his achievements. Suddenly, he received a message from Chuck, the control room technician.
Chuck: Mr. Woolsey?
Woolsey: Yes?
Chuck: We've received a subspace communication that we're having some difficulty in deciphering.
Woolsey: I'll be there in a moment. Call Dr. McKay - I mean Dr. Zelenka - for assistance. Believe it or not, I keep forgetting that Drs. McKay and Keller went on vacation together.
Chuck: Will do, sir.
Woolsey: Oh, and call Lt. Col. Sheppard too. I have a feeling that this might be something he'll need to hear as well.
Chuck: Understood.
___
John Sheppard and Teyla Emmagan are finishing their late breakfast in the mess hall.
Teyla: I do not believe I understand the benefit of surfing.
John: It's fun. You should try it sometime.
Teyla: Is it not also dangerous?
John: That's only if you just jump out there and don't know what you're doing - or if you get eaten by a shark.
Teyla: I see.
John: Hey, sparring is dangerous.
Teyla: Yes, but sparring is to be used as self-defense. It is meant to keep you from harm, not bring you to it.
John: Well -
Chuck (on John's ear piece): Lt. Colonel Sheppard?
John: Yes?
Chuck: Mr. Woolsey has requested your presence in the control room, sir. We have received a subspace message that Dr. Zelenka is decoding now.
John: I'll be there in a sec.
Teyla: What is going on?
John: Come with me. We've got some sort of message to listen to. My guess is since the Wraith have been fairly quiet these last few months, it could be something from them.
They both make their way to the control room.
---
John and Teyla arrive.
Woolsey: Lt. Col. Sheppard, Teyla.
John: Hey.
Teyla nods.
John: Zelenka, have you got anything yet?
Zelenka: In just one moment. I'm almost finished decoding the message.
Woolsey (to John): Do you think it could be Todd?
John: I don't know. We let him go so he could lead the Wraith alliance.
Woolsey (nods): Stick with the devil you know. At least he may prove to be useful to us in the future where he is now.
John: Or he might try to double cross us.
Teyla: I still command that alliance. I doubt he would jeopardize losing his position by doing anything to anger us, at least not for a while.
Woolsey: We do have that.
John: True. We do have that. Anyway, I doubt we'll be hearing from him unless he needs something.
Zelenka: Okay, I think I have it. I'll play it now.
A figure appears on the screen before them. To their surprise it is a stranger. A very young man begins to speak.
Kha-Len: Greetings. I cannot say much in case this message has been intercepted. Meet me at this address (he holds up a sign in front of him) in an hour. I will not be there for long, so punctuality is necessary. I have information about the Wraith that will be useful to you.
{End of Transmission.}
Zelenka has the gate address scratched down on a notepad. They all look at each other.
John: Did any of you notice that his clothes look similar?
Teyla: Yes. He is wearing the same clothing that the male Wraith wear.
John: Yeah, kinda creepy.
Woolsey: Well I doubt that he was given the retrovirus. His memory seems to be intact. And from what I've read about it, I doubt that the Wraith have a means of replicating it.
Teyla: Regardless of whether he was a Wraith in the past or not, this could be a trap.
John: Exactly. So then what do we make of this? Radek, do we have that address in the database? Is there any information you can get on it?
Zelenka: I am checking now.
He runs the address through the system.
Zelenka: Okay, here it is. It is a small planet, about, I'd say three-quarters the size of Earth? It is towards the other side of the galaxy. Normal atmospheric conditions. And it's inhabited by humans. That's about it. We don't know what the civilizations could be like now, or if they are even still there, since the database hasn't been updated in last 10,000 years.
Woolsey: We had better send a MALP, just in case. If the conditions haven't changed in the last 10,000 years, at least we'll know that. And mainly we'll have some footage of the area surrounding the gate to help us make a decision as to whether we go or not. I'd rather have darts or a hive ship firing on a MALP than a jumper.
Zelenka: Yes-yes. We can get the MALP ready to go right away.
He leaves to get the MALP ready.
---
The MALP was sent and reported back normal atmospheric conditions, as well as footage of a relatively normal environment. The team of Woolsey, John, Teyla, Ronon (who was informed of the transmission not long after he and Amelia came back from surfing), Dr. Carson Beckett (who is filling in for Keller while she is on vacation with McKay), and Dr. Radek Zelenka, are all sitting around a table in the conference room.
Woolsey: So, does anyone want to start with their opinions about this?
Ronon: I think it's a trap.
John: That's what it feels like to me.
Carson: I don't what to think.
Teyla: Neither do I.
They all look at Zelenka.
Zelenka: Oh. Well, I don't know either.
Woolsey: I think it could very well be a trap, but information on the Wraith is a top priority now, especially since they've been rather quiet aside from the occasional culling over the past 3 months. It would be good to know what they are up to.
Carson: Well when you put it like that, I'd have to agree with checking it out, but we need to have a plan in case it's a trap.
John: So let's say we go to this planet. Does anyone think that this one guy is going to have significant intel? For all we know, this guy is luring us there for some kind of prize.
Teyla: The Wraith have been known to do that. And they almost always lie. We've seen it happen in the past.
Ronon half-raises his hand.
Ronon: I'm an example. The Wraith told that village I once spent the night at that they'd leave them alone if they saw me and reported it. When they reported seeing me, the whole village was killed.
Teyla (sadly): Yes, I remember that.
Carson: So are we going or are we not going?
Woolsey: I say we go - with as much caution possible.
John: Alright. Then let's get ready to go then. We'll take a cloaked jumper through the gate and park it somewhere. Then Ronon and I will head back to the gate to see if anyone is there. Carson, I'll need you to come along as a back up for firing and flying and the jumper just in case this thing goes south.
Carson: I'd be glad to help.
John: Radek, you'll need to suit up too.
Zelenka: Me? Oh, I normally just stay behind on the base.
John gives Radek a curt nod and smile.
John: Well McKay's not here right now, so you're next in line for tech support. Welcome to the team.
Woolsey: I believe that's it for now.
They all get up and start to file out of the room. Carson hangs back as he sees that Zelenka is still sitting down, thinking of the prospect of running into the middle of a trap.
Carson: Don't worry, Radek. It gets a lot easier after you've gone on a few of these missions. Well, at least you'll know how to handle yourself better because it's never really easy. Rodney was no blazing hero when he first started out either, but he always rose to the challenge. I'm sure you'll do just fine too.
Zelenka: Thanks, Carson.
He stands up to make his way out of the room.
Zelenka: For better or worse, we'll see.
Carson pats him on the back as they empty the room.
---
Soon, the team is ready to go. Lt. Laura Cadman joins them in the jumper bay.
Cadman (to John): Hello, sir.
John: Hi, Laura.
She smiles and greets everyone else. She and Carson lock eyes for a moment.
Carson: Hello Laura.
Cadman: Hello.
There was a pleasant uneasiness between them that briefly passed as everyone was taking their places in the jumper. Laura went inside and took a seat as well. Carson walked up to John, who was standing by the hangar door waiting for everyone to get situated before taking his seat at the front and flying the craft to the gate room.
Carson: You could have told me she was coming.
John: Okay, she's coming.
Carson: Very funny.
John (in a low voice): Radek's not too hot with a gun right now, so I figured she'd be a good addition this time around since she's here.
Carson: Well, that was, thoughtful I suppose.
Carson heads into the jumper to take a seat. John goes inside as well.
John: I'm that kinda guy.
---
The gate is dialed. The shield is up, and the jumper is positioned in front of it. John cloaks the jumper and lets Chuck know to drop the shield via radio. And, they're off.
The puddle jumper flies through the gate and lands in a grassy area behind a set of trees to the right. As John gets up to exit with Ronon, Carson takes his place at the front of the jumper.
John and Ronon make their way over to the gate area, looking for either the person in the transmission sent to Atlantis or a sign. For a while it looks as though they came for nothing, and then, a small figure steps from behind the brushwood on the other side of the gate. It is an unarmed and fairly timid looking woman. She slowly approaches John and Ronon. They don't know what to think and half lower their guns, pointing them to the side. As soon as she is close enough to be heard, she speaks.
Woman: Are you from the city of the Ancients?
John: Yes. We were supposed to meet someone here. Do you know anything about that?
Woman: This is for you.
She pulls a small piece of papyrus from the front pocket of her dress and holds it out for them. Ronon slowly takes the piece of paper from her. Immediately afterward, she starts taking steps backward while still facing them.
Ronon: We're not gonna hurt you.
The woman continues to move backward, occasionally glancing behind her, until she reaches the brushwood and disappears behind it again.
Ronon and John look at each other for a moment in a questioning way, and then they wordlessly agree to head back to the jumper. Once inside, Ronon opens the piece of papyrus to see what's there. John and Radek are on either side of him to get a good look. Radek's eyebrows lift, while John rolls his eyes.
Ronon: It's another gate address with some instructions.
Teyla: Another one?
Ronon: It says we have an hour to get there from the time we were supposed to be here. That was almost 30 minutes ago.
He hands the note to Teyla, and then she passes it to Cadman, who reads it and gives it to Carson. Carson looks at it and passes it to John.
Carson: Perhaps he's trying to maintain a certain level of secrecy.
Radek: Or he saw the MALP and decided to change the meeting location not knowing what it was.
John: Yeah, but why? The MALP didn't do anything. And I don't buy that. I don't think he's been on this planet for a while, or at least since he sent that message, if he even sent the message from here. If he has information to give us, he could have just given it to us instead of playing these games.
Ronon: I wonder what this new planet's supposed to be like.
Cadman: There's only one way to find out.
John (to Carson): Dial Atlantis. Let's see if Chuck can find anything in the database about this planet.
They dial Atlantis and have Chuck check the address.
Chuck: The address is listed in the database, sir. It's located on the outer edge of the galaxy. Other than that, no information is given
John: Great. Just great.
Cadman: Is that bad?
Teyla: The last time we encountered an address in the database that did not have any information about it, it was -
John: It was that damn crazy crystal planet that almost got me and Rodney killed!
Teyla: And Dr. Heightmeyer did die as a result of it.
Cadman: Oh. I'm sorry. I heard about her death, but I didn't know the cause.
Radek: I think we should go back.
John: No, we came this far. Let's do this and get it over with.
Chuck: Do you still need me for anything sir?
John: No. Let Woolsey know that we're headed to this other planet. And let him know that if you all don't hear from us in a couple of hours, send a couple of jumpers as reinforcements.
Chuck: Understood.
John: Sheppard out.
Carson deactivates the gate and redials for the new planet.
Carson: I'm going to forget about using the cloak and use the shields instead since we don't know what we're flying into.
John: Agreed.
---
They arrive on the other side of the gate to find a planet that has an eerie bright purple and red sky. There is a slight mist in the air. They hover for a while above the gate. It appears to be the home of an extinct civilization. The place is in ruins. The few buildings that are still standing are dilapidated, much like those on Ronon's home world.
John (to Radek): So what are we looking at?
Radek takes the seat beside Carson and hooks his computer tablet up to the jumper. John stands behind them.
Radek: The atmosphere seems to be breathable, but some of the readings here don't make sense.
John: Like what?
Radek: I don't know. They don't make sense. I would have to analyze them further.
John: Anything else?
Radek: Just a moment. (About a minute passes.) No.
He motions to hand John the tablet.
John: No, that's okay. I see it. Teyla, I'll need you to come with me since you can sense the Wraith. That way we'll know before we get there if it's him or something else. Cadman, why don't you come along this time as well. Ronon, Carson, Radek, we'll be back.
Carson lowers the jumper to the ground beside the gate. He then lowers the hangar door to let Teyla, Cadman, and Sheppard out. They trek down the long curvy road and reach a tall building on the left of the road that looks like it used to be a warehouse or something similar during its time of use. Teyla takes the lead.
John: You sensing anything?
Teyla: No, nothing. There are no Wraith around.
Cadman: Finally some good news.
Teyla looks at the life signs detector in her hand and sees that a small dot is blinking several feet behind the door in front of them. She gets on one side of the door while John gets on the other. Cadman nodded to the both of them to show that she was ready. Quickly, she pushed open the door and jumped to the side to avoid any possible fire. Nothing happened. She leaned out a bit to take a look, and a tall, serene looking young man stood benignly before her. She walked inside, still with her guard up, checking everything around her while still keeping an eye on him. Teyla and John followed.
Kha-Len: Greetings. I am Kha-Len.
Teyla: Hello. Are you alone?
Kha-Len: Yes.
Teyla: Why are you in Wraith clothing.
Kha-Len: Because I belong to the Wraith. It is a very high honor to be allowed to wear their garments.
John: I knew this was a trap. (He raises his gun.) Tell me why I shouldn't shoot you right now.
Kha-Len: I mean you no harm.
John: That's it? That's the best you can do?
Kha-Len: What would you like to know?
Teyla: You said that you have information to give us. Let us start with that.
Kha-Len: Very well.
He slowly pulls a device from his pocket and holds it out for her. Teyla inches towards it.
Teyla: What is it?
Kha-Len: It is primarily addresses to other planets that the Wraith use because of their obscurity. Most of them I haven't been to. (She takes the Wraith drive from his hand). There are a little over half a dozen there.
John: And that's supposed to be special because?
Kha-Len: Of the two addresses I have been to on that list, both were Wraith cloning facilities. You may not know this, but much of the Wraith's research and development is done in or near their cloning facilities.
John: Okay, so why are you giving this to us?
Cadman: I wanna know how he got it. The little that I know about the Wraith tells me that they don't trust humans.
Kha-Len: They allow humans to do their bidding.
Teyla: And why would they allow you to do their bidding and wear their clothes?
Cadman: And what made you turn on them?
John yawns. Kha-Len notices.
Kha-Len: I suppose I should tell you that the atmosphere here has a strange compound in it that, over time, increasingly inhibits the body's ability to process oxygen. (Noticing their alarm, he makes a calming gesture). I am only saying that our time for questions and answers is limited before any of the effects become irreversible.
John: That damn database!
Teyla: John.
John: You know, they could've put this stuff in there. I know they've been here to know about it.
Kha-Len: You have -
John: And you! Why would you bring us to this kind of place if you knew it could kill us?
Kha-Len: If you must know, I came here to die.
Teyla: To die?
Kha-Len: Yes, there is that, and the fact that I knew you would not be here for very long. (He looks at John.) I will try to answer your questions quickly because you have less time than they do. The effects tend to affect men faster than they do women. They will completely reverse themselves if you do not stay here for too long.
John (with attitude): Do you know how much time we have then?
Kha-Len: For males, approximately two hours. Females tend to last up to an hour or two longer. This planet used be inhabited by a people that had a special protein in their genetic code that made them immune to the effects of this environment. Unfortunately for them, it also made them immune to the Wraith feeding process. And what the Wraith cannot have, they destroy.
John: This is all interesting, but since I just found out that I'm standing in a gas chamber, please move it along so we can go.
Kha-Len: Very well. I suppose I should start from the beginning. My parents were fed upon by the Wraith when I was only 5 years of age. The head Wraith at the time generously took me for his pet instead of allowing me to be fed upon also.
Teyla: You were his pet?
Kha-Len: Yes. Humans have pets, do they not? It is the same thing.
Teyla: It is not the same thing.
Kha-Len disregards her comment and continues.
Kha-Len: The head Wraith that took me in was also the head scientist for the hive ship he resided on. He was fascinated by humans and their behavior. He believed that if they used children as operatives, then they might be able to gain more useful information from their food colonies before cullings. And so it had been the practice of his queen's hive for many human generations to take children as pets and to use them to gather information.
It is a practice that has been especially useful in getting information about possible alliances that were destroyed by the Wraith before they had a chance to form, and in keeping their food source off balance and under-organized so that cullings have been less challenging through the years.
Teyla, John, and Laura are all astounded and revolted by his words.
John: The Wraith use children?
Kha-Len: Yes. The Wraith use everything.
He continued on, seemingly unaware of John's state of disbelief.
Kha-Len: I was given my first assignment when I was 7. I was to look disheveled and to stumble through the ring of a certain planet to conquer its unassuming inhabitants. As a wayward child that had lost his parents due to the Wraith, but managed to escape, I was to gain their trust and keep my eyes and ears open to learn of their secrets. Once my master decided that I had been their long enough, he would come for me immediately before the culling. I, and others like me, have been very successful. Humans always want to help a poor, defenseless, child.
The wayward child became the wayward teenager. Then the wayward teen turned into the wayward young man. People were not as immediately accepting and willing to help as they were when I was younger, and so that changed things. I became just like any other worshipper because my special quality, my usefulness, had depreciated. Usefulness is very important to the Wraith. The drop in status was a painful one, because I had been made to believe that I was special. I was told that I was different from all of the masses that were there only to be used as a food source. I was chosen.
I was fool. And even then I was loyal, because that life was all I ever knew. It wasn't until a few days ago when I met an odd woman at the village I was supposed to infiltrate that my loyalty was broken. She was different, and somehow she knew that I was different too. One day, she invited me to dinner at her home. When I arrived, she said she had the power to show me what my life would have been if the Wraith had never touched the world that I come from, and she did. I experienced an entirely different life, all in the span of a few minutes time. It changed me.
Cadman: What was done to you was awful. But I don't understand one thing. The Wraith have the power to give life, so why couldn't they just keep you younger if that's what they wanted?
Kha-Len: It would have killed me. A child's body isn't strong enough or developed enough to withstand the process of giving life. When life is being taken, it doesn't matter because the Wraith are killing anyway. It may or may not work with an adolescent depending on health, strength, and size.
John: This woman. Do you know anything else about her? We came across a man once that could predict the future, but I haven't heard of this before.
Kha-Len: Her name was Zamorah. That is all I know about her. She was a mystery even to the people of the village she resided in. I asked her what I should do with the gift she gave me. She said that it was my choice and that she could not interfere. I had heard rumors about the people from Atlantis and their abilities against the Wraith. And so, I decided to help. I knew that it was only a matter of time before my master detected a change in me. Once detected, I would have been fed upon immediately.
John: That not interfering bit sounds a little like ... an Ancient.
Teyla: Well, we have met them before. So it is possible.
John's eyelids are heavy. He blinks to try to stay awake. His skin is turning pale. At the sound of hearing him yawn again, Teyla looks over at him.
Teyla: John. We need to leave now. You are not well.
John: I'm fine. We came here for information. So let's get it while we're here. It hasn't been 2 hours yet, not even close.
Teyla (to Kha-Len): Is there anything else you wish to tell us before we go.
Kha-Len: Yes. The Wraith do not just have their feeding hands everywhere. They have got eyes and ears everywhere too, and some of them are most unlikely. It would be good to remember that.
Cadman: So what are you gonna do when we leave?
Kha-Len: Wait for my fate. The Wraith are not the Ancients. If I am lucky, I will die here.
John: What do you know about the Ancients?
Kha-Len: The Wraith fought the Ancients, and they won. They've occasionally mentioned them, derisively. That is all I know. I am not blessed with their gift of telepathy, so I am not aware of many things that they communicate.
Teyla: What do you mean by saying that the Wraith are not the Ancients?
Kha-Len: They do not forget about their experiments or their pets, even if they appear to be left behind. They will track me until they can catch me, interrogate me, and then kill me. I am already dead.
John: It doesn't have to be that way. We have a friend that was a runner for seven years. He's with us now. We removed the tracking device they had in him, and he's fine.
Kha-Len: You are saying that you came across a runner and removed the device, and that was it? No Wraith were still looking for him, and no one ever reported seeing him to the Wraith?
John: Well... There were a few instances... You know what? The details aren't that important. The point is, he's alright now.
Kha-Len: Yes, but the point is that your friend is just a game to them. And even still, it is unlikely that they have forgotten him entirely. He is simply more trouble than he is worth at the moment. As soon as that changes, if it ever changes, they will be there, and they will strike. Imagine how much more vigorously they are searching and coming for me. Our time here is done. It is best now that you all go.
Teyla: John -
John (drowsily): I know, I know. It's time to go.
Teyla meets his smile with panic.
Teyla: No, John. That is not what I was going to say. I was going to say that -
Kha-Len: They are here.
---
The sound of the explosions are striking. Cadman peeks out of the warehouse window and sees a handful of darts firing at buildings. One of the darts is headed their way.
Cadman: Come on. We have to make it to the jumper.
Teyla: Agreed.
John starts to take a step and stumbles. Teyla motions Cadman over to his other side as she grabs his arm and puts it around her shoulder for support.
John: No, I can stand. I'm just...
He fades out of consciousness mid-sentence as his limp body is supported by the two women. Teyla looks back at Kha-Len.
Teyla: Come with us. We can help you.
Kha-Len: No. I have done my part.
Teyla: You likely will not have another chance to change your mind.
Kha-Len: I know. And I have made my choice. This is the best thing I can do. Entire villages will be saved from the Wraith destroying everything in their path just to find me. I do not want to be the cause for anymore destruction and death.
Cadman: We have to go, now!
She starts to pull John toward the door, and Teyla reluctantly follows her lead. As they exit the cavernous room, Teyla looks back at the tall and serene figure standing in the middle of an empty warehouse, waiting for the Wraith to come.
---
Both women duck outside of the warehouse with a gun ready in their free hand. John is drifting in an out of consciousness and mumbling gibberish whenever he's awake. They look up to see that there are actually two darts that are randomly firing on buildings as they zoom toward the warehouse holding Kha-Len.
Teyla: Soon the foot soldiers will arrive if they have not been released already.
She can sense the Wraith in the direction of the jumper by the gate and realizes that they'll have to take another path. Cadman starts to drag John forward down the road.
Teyla: No. (She looks over to Cadman and nods to the alley way nearest to her) Quickly, that way. The two women drag John into the alley as fast as they can.
The explosions are getting louder and louder. The Wraith are closing in. John is beginning to turn blue. Some of the darts have started randomly firing around the gate to prevent anyone from going through.
Cadman: The darts are firing around the gate. That could mean that our team was able to dial the gate first to keep them from dialing out.
Teyla: Yes, that is good. Now all we have to do is get to the jumper.
A group of foot soldiers, headed by a male Wraith, pass by. Teyla quickly looks to see if the coast is clear. A stunner ray shoots past, just missing her. More soldiers are coming, and they are headed their way. Teyla clicks on her ear piece to radio the jumper.
Teyla: Carson, where are you? Colonel Sheppard is incapacitated and very ill. We need to get him to the jumper quickly.
She hears a dart flying by over head and looks up to see if they have been spotted.
Carson: Right now we're dodging fire, and looking for you. We've got two darts on our tail. About half a dozen came through the gate. Radek was able to beat them at dialing the gate as soon as it deactivated. We've let Atlantis know to keep the shield up until we are ready. Where are you?
Teyla: We are behind one of the buildings on the other side of the road, just ahead of the location where we met our contact.
Carson: Understood. As soon as I can get rid of these darts, I'll come for you. Can you stay where you are?
Teyla: We will try.
Cadman: Watch out!
Three Wraith soldiers have just turned down the alley. Cadman shoots and hits the first one. Teyla quickly fires and catches the second soldier. The third soldier returns fire as the women pull John down the end of the alley to a small road on the other side of the buildings. As the third Wraith is in pursuit, a blast close to him knocks him off balance. One of the buildings right next to him has been fired upon.
Cadman: I wonder why they're firing on buildings at random like that. This place is a ghost town.
Teyla: They have been known to fire on buildings and homes in an attempt to get any inhabitants to flee from the burning wreckage if they survive. Once people go outside, the darts take them. I believe that they are trying to use this same tactic to get Kha-Len and anyone that is with him.
Teyla and Cadman look for cover to keep from getting scooped up by any Wraith darts. Cadman notices another building several yards down the road that has a steel roof that extends outward beyond its structure. She looks at Teyla and nods in that direction and they both carry John underneath the shelter and sit him down against the wall. Cadman keeps an eye out with her gun ready while Teyla sweeps down to check on John. They watch and wait. The third Wraith soldier appears and fires a shot at Cadman. She ducks and shoots back several times, hitting him repeatedly.
---
The first group of Wraith soldiers that went searching down the street reach the warehouse. Kha-Len is still serenely standing in the same spot waiting for them. The first Wraith through the door immediately hits him with a stunner and he drops to the floor. Two of the Wraith pick him up and follow the others out into the middle of the road. The first Wraith presses a button on his armor, sending a signal for pick up. Within seconds, one of the two darts that was shooting around the gate comes by and sweeps them up.
---
Carson has managed to destroy one of the darts that was following them. They've been hit a couple of times, but the shields are holding. When Carson gave Radek the "You'll do fine" speech, he didn't expect that it would apply to him. Sheppard is the crafty flyer, but Carson, not as much. Still, he's come a long way and it shows. He dodges and dives to escape the shots coming from the pursuing dart.
---
John drifts back into a conscious state. He feels something soft, and warm, on his cheek. Teyla removes her hand.
Teyla: John?
He half opens his eyes and smiles faintly.
John: Hey, Teyla.
She smiles back feeling a bit relieved.
Teyla: Hang in there, John. Dr. Beckett is coming for us. He should be here soon.
He mumbles a few more words that are unintelligible.
Teyla: I cannot understand you.
John: Hmm?...
His head dips as though he is losing consciousness again. Teyla starts to panic and presses her fingers against the skin right beside his Adam's apple. There is still a pulse. She sighs with relief. John tries to swat at her hand and raises his head again. He stares at Teyla for a while and blinks as his eyes regain their focus. He seems mildly surprised and produces another faint smile.
John: Oh, hey Teyla.
A pained look of concern is etched on her face.
---
Carson just barely dodged a blast from one of the now 2 darts that are following him again. Thinking of what Teyla said about Col. Sheppard's condition, Carson knows that this cat-and-mouse game has to end soon. He breaks for a large brick looking building and lowers the altitude of the jumper. He heads directly for the wall.
Radek: What are you doing?
Carson: I think this is the only way to get rid of them. I've heard Col. Sheppard say that the Wraith darts don't pull up as fast as the jumpers.
Radek: You're going to get us killed!
Ronon: Yeah, I don't know if this is a good idea.
Carson: Thanks, now be quiet so I can focus.
The puddle jumper speeds toward the building, and Carson knows that he only has one chance to get this right. Adrenaline is coursing through him. Everything slows down. When seconds all of a sudden feel like minutes, he knows he will make it. The jumper twists and turns to avoid being hit. The darts are right behind in pursuit. The building is coming at them - fast. Suddenly, he notices that one of the darts is climbing up in altitude, trying to position itself above him. Apparently these Wraith know about this maneuver.
Carson quickly checks the parameter and drops the jumper lower while adjusting his course slightly to the left. This causes the pursuing darts to do the same. In an instant, the jumper turns, just before reaching the wall. It scoops around the building and soars up into the sky as the darts crash one behind the other. He lets out a deep sigh. Ronon claps him on the back.
Ronon: Nice job, Doc.
Radek: We're alive. (He looks as though he's just seen a ghost.)
Carson: Yes, we're alive, Radek. I figured if the darts can't pull up as fast, then they probably can't turn as fast either.
Radek: We're alive.
Carson guides the tiny vessel over the location that Teyla described and lands it there. It just fits the ally by a few feet on each side. The Hangar door opens.
Ronon: You guys stay here. I'll be back.
Ronon rushes out to find Teyla and Cadman. He gets to the end of the alley and looks both ways and sees Cadman standing guard over John and Teyla. He whistles to catch her attention. She and Teyla pull an unconscious John up from the ground. Ronon is there within seconds and takes his friend.
Ronon: I got him.
Cadman steps away to cover his back while Teyla steps in front of him and heads for the alley. Before Cadman can fully cover Ronon, a blue streak hits him squarely in the back. He and John both fall to the ground. As soon as she hears the blast, Teyla immediately turns and fires at the two Wraith that come running down the road and shooting from another alley. She gets them both while Cadman adds in a few shots as they both go down.
Cadman: Well this is nice . Now we've got two burly guys to carry.
Teyla: Stay with Ronon. I'll take John to the jumper. Cover me.
Cadman nods. Teyla pulls John up and quickly catches both of his arms under hers as she lets go. She wraps her arms around his chest while behind him and starts to drag him away. She arrives in what looks like an empty alley, and then the jumper appears. Shortly afterward, Radek comes running out to help while Carson grabs his medical kit. They carry John into the jumper.
Carson: What happened to him?
Teyla: It's the air in this environment. We found out from our contact that it decreases our ability to process oxygen properly. It appears to be affecting Col. Sheppard more than the rest of us.
Radek: Where are Lt. Cadman and Ronon?
Teyla: Down the alley and to the right. Ronon was hit by a Wraith stunner.
Radek immediately begins to dash off to help.
Teyla: Radek!
He quickly turns on a dime.
Radek: Yes?
Teyla: Take a gun with you. You may need it.
Radek: Oh, right.
He picks up a P-90 and rushes off. Carson has put an oxygen mask over John's face to aid him with his shallow breathing.
Carson: If it's something in the air in this environment, then the pure oxygen will have to help for now until I can get him back to the infirmary to analyze his blood. His heart rate is dangerously low, and it's irregular. Did your contact tell you anything else about the air here?
Teyla begins to fill him in on the few details she has while keeping watch with her gun, ready for any Wraith that might show up. A few minutes later, Cadman and Zelenka enter the jumper with Ronon slumped between them. Carson jumps in the front seat, quickly closes the hangar door, cloaks the jumper, and then takes off.
___
Two darts are circling the gate. As Carson approaches, he simultaneously shoots one of the unsuspecting darts down while decloaking and switching the jumper to shielded mode. The other dart fires back and they've been hit, but the shields hold. The puddle jumper weaves out of the line of fire to avoid more hits. The dart keeps firing as the jumper twists, turns, and swirls away from the gate. Carson returns fire, causing the dart to make evasive maneuvers of its own. The jumper swoops back to take another pass at the gate. The dart has turned around and takes position to fire on the jumper.
Carson: Atlantis. This is Beckett. Lower the gate and have a medical team on standby.
Chuck: Understood.
The dart fires at the moving jumper and misses while the small craft glides through the gate.
Woolsey: Raise the shield.
---
The gate deactivates. Beckett and his team rush John to the infirmary. Ronon is put on a gurney and also taken to the infirmary to recover from having been stunned. Woolsey calls for a meeting as soon as Ronon is back on his feet. A little over half an hour later, Teyla, Ronon, Radek, and Cadman are standing with Woolsey in his office. They describe the events of the mission to him, and Teyla hands over the Wraith drive she received from Kha-Len.
Woolsey: Dr. Zelenka, please see what you can find on this device that Col. Sheppard almost gave his life for.
Cadman: Well we don't know if he's out of the woods yet.
Everyone looks at her with baited breath. She immediately regrets saying the first thing that came to mind.
Cadman: I didn't mean -
Ronon: He's strong. He'll make it.
Teyla: Yes. I carry that hope - that belief - too.
Woolsey: I'm sure that Dr. Beckett is doing all that is possible to improve Col. Sheppard's condition.
Cadman: Me and my big mouth...
Teyla places her hand on Laura's shoulder to console her. Ronon gently claps her on the back.
Still, an uncomfortable moment passes.
Woolsey: Well, ah, Dr. Zelenka?
He extends the small black object in front of Radek. It's not until it is in his face that he snaps out of the haze of worry surrounding John's condition.
Radek: What? Oh, of course. I'll start working on this immediately.
Radek takes the device and heads for the science labs.
---
Over the course of the next several hours, Dr. Beckett and his team do their best to help John. Carson looks at John's blood and runs some tests. Woolsey comes by for a status report.
Woolsey: Dr. Beckett? Is there any news on Col. Sheppard's condition?
Beckett: Aye. I still need to examine the compound more, but I've discovered how it works. While it's being inhaled and distributed throughout the body, it slowly collects and then fuses with red blood cells to kill them off. I'm guessing that the 2 hour mark that Kha-Len mentioned is the time it takes for the compound to saturate enough red blood cells to cause death in a man of good health and of an average height and build. Essentially, Lt. Col. Sheppard was loosing blood without bleeding.
Woolsey: Death by anemia.
Beckett: Precisely. The good thing is that the blood transfusion we gave him is making a world of difference. The compound is still in his system as of now, and he'll likely need another transfusion, but I think he'll be alright.
Woolsey: I'm glad to hear it. (He pauses for a moment of thought.) Dr. Beckett, do you have any ideas as to why Lt. Col. Sheppard was affected so severely by this compound? You all weren't there for 2 hours, and Col. Sheppard was in good health when he left.
Beckett: Aye, that is the interesting part. I took samples from everyone that went to that planet, including myself, and it appears as though the ATA gene, that Lt. Col. Sheppard has naturally, speeds up the process of saturation in some way. I still need to research it more. The other thing I noticed is that I also have the ATA gene and so does Teyla after she took the gene therapy, but my saturation levels were similar to Dr. Zelenka's while Teyla's were similar to Lt. Cadman's. Dr. Zelenka and Lt. Cadman don't have the ATA gene.
But - Teyla and I both have Wraith DNA, and as you know, the Wraith have incredible regenerative abilities. While we don't have those same abilities ourselves, there appears to be something within the bit of Wraith DNA that we do have that slows down the process of saturation. So, the effects of the ATA gene and the Wraith DNA essentially cancel each other out.
Woolsey: Meaning that the effect for both of you was a normal one.
Beckett: Right. It also makes me believe that the Wraith are virtually immune to that environment.
Woolsey (sighs): That's nice to know.
Beckett: There's still a lot to research here. I'd like to isolate the compound and do some more tests.
Woolsey: Well I'll leave you to your work, Doctor.
Carson politely nods as Woolsey then turns and exits the room.
---
A few hours later, John groggily wakes up in bed. He looks around and notices that he's in the infirmary. There is an IV in his arm as well as tubes up his nose to help him breath. He looks over and notices Ronon sitting by the bed with his head in his hand while his elbow is atop the chair's armrest.
John: Hey.
Ronon looks up with a smile. He scoots the chair closer to the bed to talk.
Ronon: Hey. How're you feelin'.
John: Tired. Really tired. What happened?
Ronon: Somethin' in the planet's atmosphere caused you to get sick and pass out. I got stunned trying to help. Teyla took you back to the jumper. Cadman and Zelenka took me back. Carson flew us through the gate and went up against some Wraith darts along the way. He did a good job. That's about it.
John: Good for Carson. What happened to Kha-Len?
Ronon: The Wraith got him. We don't know if he was in one of the darts we took down or not.
John: And the intel?
Ronon: Zelenka's working on it. He says it's encrypted, so it might take a while.
John (gasps): He gave us an encrypted - You know what, nevermind. I'm tired.
Just then, Carson stops by to check on John. He also answers his questions about what the compound did to him.
John: So I got attacked by blood sucking air? I tell ya, if the addresses we get from that Wraith device don't have any information about them in the database, or if they're not there at all, I'm not gonna go.
Ronon: Yes you will.
John: I'm not going soon.
Carson (smiling): Well I just wanted to stop by to check on you before leaving for the night. Dr. Cole will be on call should you need anything. Goodnight, gentlemen.
Ronon: 'Night.
John: Goodnight, Doc.
As soon as Carson starts to step away, John calls out after him.
John: Hey Doc, I heard you did some good flying today.
Carson turns toward a smiling John and grinning Ronon.
Carson: I'm glad we all made it back in one piece, but I prefer to leave most of the piloting to you.
John: Well I'm glad you were there. You never know when we might need you again sometime.
Carson: That's what I'm worried about. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow.
He makes his way out of the infirmary. Ronon turns back around in his chair and looks at John.
Ronon: Everybody's been by here at least once. Teyla left a couple of hours ago to check on her son again, but she said she'd be back.
John: Makes sense. She's got a one-year-old and she needs to take care of him.
Ronon: Yep.
They both sit there for a long minute.
John: So how was surfing with Amelia this morning? It's still today, right? How long was I out for?
He and Ronon continue to talk for a short while until Teyla arrives, and then Ronon says it's time for him to call it a night. He exchanges a few parting words with John and Teyla and exits the room soon afterward.
---
Teyla walks up to the bed and steps in front of the chair at John's side.
Teyla: Hello, John.
John: Hey.
Teyla: How are you feeling?
John: I'm good.
Teyla: You look much better. Before, you were blue.
John: Yeah, it's not my best color. How are you doing?
Teyla: I am well.
John: That's good. I heard you pulled me back to the jumper. Thanks.
Teyla: You would have done the same for me.
John nods.
As close as they are in proximity to each other, there is an invisible wall that divides them, and it has for some time. John anxiously looks around the room. Teyla steels herself up and looks at the ceiling.
She's not going to tell him. When none of them knew what was going to happen with him, she held her son and she cried. She's not going to tell him that she is only still trying to make things work with Kanaan because of her son, and her son alone. She's not going to say anything, because that would be inappropriate. No, instead she stands there silently with her hands wrapped around the metal bars that surround the bed. John has his own mountain of words to keep quiet, and so he just lies there, furtively looking at her.
Moments pass, and Teyla looks down and notices how pale John's arms still are. She absentmindedly places her hand on top of his. Without thinking, he grabs hold of it firmly. They both look at each other. It is a brief confirmation of things left unsaid. She slowly removes her hand from his and looks away hesitantly. John understands, and he half regrets his action because he didn't want to make her feel bad. He gives her his best attempt at a casual smile.
John: You look tired. You should get some sleep.
She looks over to him briefly and nods. Her attempt at a casual smile is a less successful one.
Teyla: Yes. It has been a long day. I should get back to my living quarters. Kanaan and Torren are waiting for me there.
John: Well, have a good night.
Teyla: You as well.
She lingers for a few seconds before leaving the infirmary. John takes a deep breath and puts his head back on his pillow. He thinks of all of the chances he's had over the years and how he missed each one. His excuse to himself was always that she was a member of his team, but that wasn't really it... They could have found a way to work around that. The truth is that he was afraid. He cared about her too much, and so he didn't want to mess things up.
He wonders to himself if there will ever be another chance. He would never press her, or even mention it, considering her current situation. He turns his head and notices his reflection in the glass doors of the medicine cabinet stationed away from his bed.
He looks at the man staring back at him and sees more than a reflection. He sees what the past several years of his life have done to him. The good and the bad.
The End
Author:
atlantis4lifeRecipient:
tielanPairing: Emmagan/Sheppard
Rating: T
Word Count: 9700
Disclaimer: Not done for profit, and no infringement intended.
Author's Notes: Tielan, I tried to fit as much of what you asked for within this story, which was a tall order, lol. I really hope you like it. I couldn't do the kiss because you wanted something at the end of EATG.
Summary: Teyla, John, and the team receive a mysterious transmission that they investigate. Some sensitive subject matter is included.
---
Atlantis was finally back in the Pegasus galaxy, and it was a bright, sunny morning. Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard was sitting at his desk in his living quarters, spinning a Frisbee on his index finger. His laptop was sitting in front of him. He'd been trying to focus on going over reports and writing up reviews, but he just wasn't up for it this morning. He wanted to go out and surf, like Ronon and Amelia were doing, or do something else that was fun. The last thing he wanted to do this morning was to sit in his room chained to a laptop.
His mind zoned out while he was transfixed by watching the neon green spin, and spin, and spin. Then, he heard a soft voice by the door, and the Frisbee crashed on to the desk. He turned in his chair to greet her.
Teyla: John? Am I interrupting you?
John: No, I was just...
Teyla: Playing?
John: I am a kid at heart.
Teyla smiled and looked around the room. There was the Frisbee on the desk, the beat up skateboard in the corner sitting next to the surf board that was also in the corner, the dart board on the back wall, an electric racing car that was currently out of sight, and she knew he had a football somewhere too. Five and a half years ago, she wouldn't have known what any of these things were. Now, they are as familiar to her as John.
John: What?
Teyla: Nothing. It is just... You really do enjoy your recreation.
John (grinning): Well, we can't all have incense, candles, and meditation mats, now can we?
Teyla (smiling): Very true.
John: So what brings you by here?
Teyla: I was just wondering if you have eaten breakfast yet.
John: Yeah, earlier with Ronon after he beat me in martial arts training - again. Don't tell him I said that, though.
Teyla: Your secret is safe with me.
She lingers for a few seconds, and then she reluctantly turns to walk away. John notices that something is wrong.
John: You okay?
Teyla: Yes. I am fine. Why do you ask?
John knows that she purposefully hasn't come to him about it, but he's heard things through the grapevine - mainly Ronon. He's hesitant to ask, but he pushes the words out of his mouth.
John: Is it Kanaan again?
While slightly taken aback by the question, she is not entirely surprised that he knows. She chooses her words carefully.
Teyla: He is having some difficulty with me being here. He prefers to stay with our people on New Athos, while I can best serve our people here... (She falters for a second.) We are working things out.
John: I can understand what you're going through. I don't think I told you this before, but I was married once -
Teyla: Yes, I know. Nancy.
John (slightly taken aback): You know about her?
Teyla: Yes. (She feels a little squirmy). Ah, Ronon.
John: Mmh. Busy little bee isn't he?
Teyla: That appears to be true.
John stands up and heads toward her.
John: So, let's go get some breakfast.
Teyla: Oh. John, that is not necessary.
John: Of course it's necessary, Teyla. We've all gotta eat to live.
---
Richard Woolsey sat in his office contemplating the past few months that had gone by - three to be exact. It wasn't easy getting the IOA to approve Atlantis' return to the Pegasus galaxy, but in the end, it all came down to fear. With General Jack O'Neill's help, he was able to persuade the member countries of the IOA into seeing that an Atlantis in Pegasus was in their best interest. Homeworld Command had approved having an additional fleet of F-302s outfitted with nuclear weapons, just in case, aside from the permanent fleet on standby that had already been outfitted with them. With the new wormhole drive, Atlantis would never be more than a couple of jumps away should they be needed, so there was no need for the city to remain on Earth permanently.
The main thing was to keep the Wraith in the Pegasus galaxy instead of waiting for them to return. If there were any other hive ships that were able to detect the signal giving away Earth's coordinates, then it would be best if Atlantis was able to intercept them in Pegasus. General O'Neill pointed out that they had a vested interest in keeping the Wraith in Pegasus, not only because they could attack Earth and other benign planets in the Milky Way galaxy if they were to come, but also because of the Goa'uld. He and Woolsey both spoke of the fact that no one knows what would happen if the Wraith somehow joined forces with the Goa'uld (one needs a food source, and the other needs slaves). They also wondered aloud what would happen if the Wraith fed on the Goa'uld? It is known that human hosts have lives that are tremendously extended by the Goa'uld symbiote that they carry, so what would happen in that instance?
Would that create super-Wraith that the military's current ammunition would have little to no effect on in ground combat situations? Would they have to upgrade to guns that shoot explosives? Do the Wraith get "full" in the same way that humans get full when they feed? Is there a limit to the amount of life that can be absorbed by them? If so, then how much? "We don't know," said Woolsey. "And I for one, don't want to find out," said Jack.
The two men kept fielding arbitrary questions until Jack finally buried his face into his hands. When the IOA had the audacity to bring up the subject of the chair, that's when Jack had had it. Woolsey thought of how he had to struggle to maintain a poker face during that part of the meeting. He knew exactly how even the slightest smile would be taken by his superiors.
Gen. O'Neill shoved his finger at the IOA panel. "You people are too much! I told you that it didn't make any sense to move that chair! Tell me, what was the point in that? The truth of the matter is if Dr. Zenka -" "Zelenka," Woolsey quietly proffered underneath his breath, "Zelenka," O'Neill said without missing a beat, "hadn't jigamarooed that wormhole drive thing at the last second, we'd all be toast right now, or, lunch... I still don't understand how the chair violated a non-proliferation agreement when nothing was being proliferated. Those drones and that base have been there for millions of years. No one in our lifetime created the drones, but they sure as hell saved our asses from Anubis, didn't they? The chair was going to be able to activate and control those drones no matter where we put it. So all you did was render one of our best defenses against our enemies useless by putting the chair somewhere that it got destroyed... Thanks guys!"
Yes, ultimately it came down to fear. The IOA was afraid to make the wrong decision twice, especially when the stakes were so high. So, with the modest recommendation of Mr. Woolsey, along with the gentle nudgings of Gen. Jack O'Neill, Atlantis was allowed to return to its true home.
Richard sat back in his chair and let his thoughts continue to drift over the past three months and his achievements. Suddenly, he received a message from Chuck, the control room technician.
Chuck: Mr. Woolsey?
Woolsey: Yes?
Chuck: We've received a subspace communication that we're having some difficulty in deciphering.
Woolsey: I'll be there in a moment. Call Dr. McKay - I mean Dr. Zelenka - for assistance. Believe it or not, I keep forgetting that Drs. McKay and Keller went on vacation together.
Chuck: Will do, sir.
Woolsey: Oh, and call Lt. Col. Sheppard too. I have a feeling that this might be something he'll need to hear as well.
Chuck: Understood.
___
John Sheppard and Teyla Emmagan are finishing their late breakfast in the mess hall.
Teyla: I do not believe I understand the benefit of surfing.
John: It's fun. You should try it sometime.
Teyla: Is it not also dangerous?
John: That's only if you just jump out there and don't know what you're doing - or if you get eaten by a shark.
Teyla: I see.
John: Hey, sparring is dangerous.
Teyla: Yes, but sparring is to be used as self-defense. It is meant to keep you from harm, not bring you to it.
John: Well -
Chuck (on John's ear piece): Lt. Colonel Sheppard?
John: Yes?
Chuck: Mr. Woolsey has requested your presence in the control room, sir. We have received a subspace message that Dr. Zelenka is decoding now.
John: I'll be there in a sec.
Teyla: What is going on?
John: Come with me. We've got some sort of message to listen to. My guess is since the Wraith have been fairly quiet these last few months, it could be something from them.
They both make their way to the control room.
---
John and Teyla arrive.
Woolsey: Lt. Col. Sheppard, Teyla.
John: Hey.
Teyla nods.
John: Zelenka, have you got anything yet?
Zelenka: In just one moment. I'm almost finished decoding the message.
Woolsey (to John): Do you think it could be Todd?
John: I don't know. We let him go so he could lead the Wraith alliance.
Woolsey (nods): Stick with the devil you know. At least he may prove to be useful to us in the future where he is now.
John: Or he might try to double cross us.
Teyla: I still command that alliance. I doubt he would jeopardize losing his position by doing anything to anger us, at least not for a while.
Woolsey: We do have that.
John: True. We do have that. Anyway, I doubt we'll be hearing from him unless he needs something.
Zelenka: Okay, I think I have it. I'll play it now.
A figure appears on the screen before them. To their surprise it is a stranger. A very young man begins to speak.
Kha-Len: Greetings. I cannot say much in case this message has been intercepted. Meet me at this address (he holds up a sign in front of him) in an hour. I will not be there for long, so punctuality is necessary. I have information about the Wraith that will be useful to you.
{End of Transmission.}
Zelenka has the gate address scratched down on a notepad. They all look at each other.
John: Did any of you notice that his clothes look similar?
Teyla: Yes. He is wearing the same clothing that the male Wraith wear.
John: Yeah, kinda creepy.
Woolsey: Well I doubt that he was given the retrovirus. His memory seems to be intact. And from what I've read about it, I doubt that the Wraith have a means of replicating it.
Teyla: Regardless of whether he was a Wraith in the past or not, this could be a trap.
John: Exactly. So then what do we make of this? Radek, do we have that address in the database? Is there any information you can get on it?
Zelenka: I am checking now.
He runs the address through the system.
Zelenka: Okay, here it is. It is a small planet, about, I'd say three-quarters the size of Earth? It is towards the other side of the galaxy. Normal atmospheric conditions. And it's inhabited by humans. That's about it. We don't know what the civilizations could be like now, or if they are even still there, since the database hasn't been updated in last 10,000 years.
Woolsey: We had better send a MALP, just in case. If the conditions haven't changed in the last 10,000 years, at least we'll know that. And mainly we'll have some footage of the area surrounding the gate to help us make a decision as to whether we go or not. I'd rather have darts or a hive ship firing on a MALP than a jumper.
Zelenka: Yes-yes. We can get the MALP ready to go right away.
He leaves to get the MALP ready.
---
The MALP was sent and reported back normal atmospheric conditions, as well as footage of a relatively normal environment. The team of Woolsey, John, Teyla, Ronon (who was informed of the transmission not long after he and Amelia came back from surfing), Dr. Carson Beckett (who is filling in for Keller while she is on vacation with McKay), and Dr. Radek Zelenka, are all sitting around a table in the conference room.
Woolsey: So, does anyone want to start with their opinions about this?
Ronon: I think it's a trap.
John: That's what it feels like to me.
Carson: I don't what to think.
Teyla: Neither do I.
They all look at Zelenka.
Zelenka: Oh. Well, I don't know either.
Woolsey: I think it could very well be a trap, but information on the Wraith is a top priority now, especially since they've been rather quiet aside from the occasional culling over the past 3 months. It would be good to know what they are up to.
Carson: Well when you put it like that, I'd have to agree with checking it out, but we need to have a plan in case it's a trap.
John: So let's say we go to this planet. Does anyone think that this one guy is going to have significant intel? For all we know, this guy is luring us there for some kind of prize.
Teyla: The Wraith have been known to do that. And they almost always lie. We've seen it happen in the past.
Ronon half-raises his hand.
Ronon: I'm an example. The Wraith told that village I once spent the night at that they'd leave them alone if they saw me and reported it. When they reported seeing me, the whole village was killed.
Teyla (sadly): Yes, I remember that.
Carson: So are we going or are we not going?
Woolsey: I say we go - with as much caution possible.
John: Alright. Then let's get ready to go then. We'll take a cloaked jumper through the gate and park it somewhere. Then Ronon and I will head back to the gate to see if anyone is there. Carson, I'll need you to come along as a back up for firing and flying and the jumper just in case this thing goes south.
Carson: I'd be glad to help.
John: Radek, you'll need to suit up too.
Zelenka: Me? Oh, I normally just stay behind on the base.
John gives Radek a curt nod and smile.
John: Well McKay's not here right now, so you're next in line for tech support. Welcome to the team.
Woolsey: I believe that's it for now.
They all get up and start to file out of the room. Carson hangs back as he sees that Zelenka is still sitting down, thinking of the prospect of running into the middle of a trap.
Carson: Don't worry, Radek. It gets a lot easier after you've gone on a few of these missions. Well, at least you'll know how to handle yourself better because it's never really easy. Rodney was no blazing hero when he first started out either, but he always rose to the challenge. I'm sure you'll do just fine too.
Zelenka: Thanks, Carson.
He stands up to make his way out of the room.
Zelenka: For better or worse, we'll see.
Carson pats him on the back as they empty the room.
---
Soon, the team is ready to go. Lt. Laura Cadman joins them in the jumper bay.
Cadman (to John): Hello, sir.
John: Hi, Laura.
She smiles and greets everyone else. She and Carson lock eyes for a moment.
Carson: Hello Laura.
Cadman: Hello.
There was a pleasant uneasiness between them that briefly passed as everyone was taking their places in the jumper. Laura went inside and took a seat as well. Carson walked up to John, who was standing by the hangar door waiting for everyone to get situated before taking his seat at the front and flying the craft to the gate room.
Carson: You could have told me she was coming.
John: Okay, she's coming.
Carson: Very funny.
John (in a low voice): Radek's not too hot with a gun right now, so I figured she'd be a good addition this time around since she's here.
Carson: Well, that was, thoughtful I suppose.
Carson heads into the jumper to take a seat. John goes inside as well.
John: I'm that kinda guy.
---
The gate is dialed. The shield is up, and the jumper is positioned in front of it. John cloaks the jumper and lets Chuck know to drop the shield via radio. And, they're off.
The puddle jumper flies through the gate and lands in a grassy area behind a set of trees to the right. As John gets up to exit with Ronon, Carson takes his place at the front of the jumper.
John and Ronon make their way over to the gate area, looking for either the person in the transmission sent to Atlantis or a sign. For a while it looks as though they came for nothing, and then, a small figure steps from behind the brushwood on the other side of the gate. It is an unarmed and fairly timid looking woman. She slowly approaches John and Ronon. They don't know what to think and half lower their guns, pointing them to the side. As soon as she is close enough to be heard, she speaks.
Woman: Are you from the city of the Ancients?
John: Yes. We were supposed to meet someone here. Do you know anything about that?
Woman: This is for you.
She pulls a small piece of papyrus from the front pocket of her dress and holds it out for them. Ronon slowly takes the piece of paper from her. Immediately afterward, she starts taking steps backward while still facing them.
Ronon: We're not gonna hurt you.
The woman continues to move backward, occasionally glancing behind her, until she reaches the brushwood and disappears behind it again.
Ronon and John look at each other for a moment in a questioning way, and then they wordlessly agree to head back to the jumper. Once inside, Ronon opens the piece of papyrus to see what's there. John and Radek are on either side of him to get a good look. Radek's eyebrows lift, while John rolls his eyes.
Ronon: It's another gate address with some instructions.
Teyla: Another one?
Ronon: It says we have an hour to get there from the time we were supposed to be here. That was almost 30 minutes ago.
He hands the note to Teyla, and then she passes it to Cadman, who reads it and gives it to Carson. Carson looks at it and passes it to John.
Carson: Perhaps he's trying to maintain a certain level of secrecy.
Radek: Or he saw the MALP and decided to change the meeting location not knowing what it was.
John: Yeah, but why? The MALP didn't do anything. And I don't buy that. I don't think he's been on this planet for a while, or at least since he sent that message, if he even sent the message from here. If he has information to give us, he could have just given it to us instead of playing these games.
Ronon: I wonder what this new planet's supposed to be like.
Cadman: There's only one way to find out.
John (to Carson): Dial Atlantis. Let's see if Chuck can find anything in the database about this planet.
They dial Atlantis and have Chuck check the address.
Chuck: The address is listed in the database, sir. It's located on the outer edge of the galaxy. Other than that, no information is given
John: Great. Just great.
Cadman: Is that bad?
Teyla: The last time we encountered an address in the database that did not have any information about it, it was -
John: It was that damn crazy crystal planet that almost got me and Rodney killed!
Teyla: And Dr. Heightmeyer did die as a result of it.
Cadman: Oh. I'm sorry. I heard about her death, but I didn't know the cause.
Radek: I think we should go back.
John: No, we came this far. Let's do this and get it over with.
Chuck: Do you still need me for anything sir?
John: No. Let Woolsey know that we're headed to this other planet. And let him know that if you all don't hear from us in a couple of hours, send a couple of jumpers as reinforcements.
Chuck: Understood.
John: Sheppard out.
Carson deactivates the gate and redials for the new planet.
Carson: I'm going to forget about using the cloak and use the shields instead since we don't know what we're flying into.
John: Agreed.
---
They arrive on the other side of the gate to find a planet that has an eerie bright purple and red sky. There is a slight mist in the air. They hover for a while above the gate. It appears to be the home of an extinct civilization. The place is in ruins. The few buildings that are still standing are dilapidated, much like those on Ronon's home world.
John (to Radek): So what are we looking at?
Radek takes the seat beside Carson and hooks his computer tablet up to the jumper. John stands behind them.
Radek: The atmosphere seems to be breathable, but some of the readings here don't make sense.
John: Like what?
Radek: I don't know. They don't make sense. I would have to analyze them further.
John: Anything else?
Radek: Just a moment. (About a minute passes.) No.
He motions to hand John the tablet.
John: No, that's okay. I see it. Teyla, I'll need you to come with me since you can sense the Wraith. That way we'll know before we get there if it's him or something else. Cadman, why don't you come along this time as well. Ronon, Carson, Radek, we'll be back.
Carson lowers the jumper to the ground beside the gate. He then lowers the hangar door to let Teyla, Cadman, and Sheppard out. They trek down the long curvy road and reach a tall building on the left of the road that looks like it used to be a warehouse or something similar during its time of use. Teyla takes the lead.
John: You sensing anything?
Teyla: No, nothing. There are no Wraith around.
Cadman: Finally some good news.
Teyla looks at the life signs detector in her hand and sees that a small dot is blinking several feet behind the door in front of them. She gets on one side of the door while John gets on the other. Cadman nodded to the both of them to show that she was ready. Quickly, she pushed open the door and jumped to the side to avoid any possible fire. Nothing happened. She leaned out a bit to take a look, and a tall, serene looking young man stood benignly before her. She walked inside, still with her guard up, checking everything around her while still keeping an eye on him. Teyla and John followed.
Kha-Len: Greetings. I am Kha-Len.
Teyla: Hello. Are you alone?
Kha-Len: Yes.
Teyla: Why are you in Wraith clothing.
Kha-Len: Because I belong to the Wraith. It is a very high honor to be allowed to wear their garments.
John: I knew this was a trap. (He raises his gun.) Tell me why I shouldn't shoot you right now.
Kha-Len: I mean you no harm.
John: That's it? That's the best you can do?
Kha-Len: What would you like to know?
Teyla: You said that you have information to give us. Let us start with that.
Kha-Len: Very well.
He slowly pulls a device from his pocket and holds it out for her. Teyla inches towards it.
Teyla: What is it?
Kha-Len: It is primarily addresses to other planets that the Wraith use because of their obscurity. Most of them I haven't been to. (She takes the Wraith drive from his hand). There are a little over half a dozen there.
John: And that's supposed to be special because?
Kha-Len: Of the two addresses I have been to on that list, both were Wraith cloning facilities. You may not know this, but much of the Wraith's research and development is done in or near their cloning facilities.
John: Okay, so why are you giving this to us?
Cadman: I wanna know how he got it. The little that I know about the Wraith tells me that they don't trust humans.
Kha-Len: They allow humans to do their bidding.
Teyla: And why would they allow you to do their bidding and wear their clothes?
Cadman: And what made you turn on them?
John yawns. Kha-Len notices.
Kha-Len: I suppose I should tell you that the atmosphere here has a strange compound in it that, over time, increasingly inhibits the body's ability to process oxygen. (Noticing their alarm, he makes a calming gesture). I am only saying that our time for questions and answers is limited before any of the effects become irreversible.
John: That damn database!
Teyla: John.
John: You know, they could've put this stuff in there. I know they've been here to know about it.
Kha-Len: You have -
John: And you! Why would you bring us to this kind of place if you knew it could kill us?
Kha-Len: If you must know, I came here to die.
Teyla: To die?
Kha-Len: Yes, there is that, and the fact that I knew you would not be here for very long. (He looks at John.) I will try to answer your questions quickly because you have less time than they do. The effects tend to affect men faster than they do women. They will completely reverse themselves if you do not stay here for too long.
John (with attitude): Do you know how much time we have then?
Kha-Len: For males, approximately two hours. Females tend to last up to an hour or two longer. This planet used be inhabited by a people that had a special protein in their genetic code that made them immune to the effects of this environment. Unfortunately for them, it also made them immune to the Wraith feeding process. And what the Wraith cannot have, they destroy.
John: This is all interesting, but since I just found out that I'm standing in a gas chamber, please move it along so we can go.
Kha-Len: Very well. I suppose I should start from the beginning. My parents were fed upon by the Wraith when I was only 5 years of age. The head Wraith at the time generously took me for his pet instead of allowing me to be fed upon also.
Teyla: You were his pet?
Kha-Len: Yes. Humans have pets, do they not? It is the same thing.
Teyla: It is not the same thing.
Kha-Len disregards her comment and continues.
Kha-Len: The head Wraith that took me in was also the head scientist for the hive ship he resided on. He was fascinated by humans and their behavior. He believed that if they used children as operatives, then they might be able to gain more useful information from their food colonies before cullings. And so it had been the practice of his queen's hive for many human generations to take children as pets and to use them to gather information.
It is a practice that has been especially useful in getting information about possible alliances that were destroyed by the Wraith before they had a chance to form, and in keeping their food source off balance and under-organized so that cullings have been less challenging through the years.
Teyla, John, and Laura are all astounded and revolted by his words.
John: The Wraith use children?
Kha-Len: Yes. The Wraith use everything.
He continued on, seemingly unaware of John's state of disbelief.
Kha-Len: I was given my first assignment when I was 7. I was to look disheveled and to stumble through the ring of a certain planet to conquer its unassuming inhabitants. As a wayward child that had lost his parents due to the Wraith, but managed to escape, I was to gain their trust and keep my eyes and ears open to learn of their secrets. Once my master decided that I had been their long enough, he would come for me immediately before the culling. I, and others like me, have been very successful. Humans always want to help a poor, defenseless, child.
The wayward child became the wayward teenager. Then the wayward teen turned into the wayward young man. People were not as immediately accepting and willing to help as they were when I was younger, and so that changed things. I became just like any other worshipper because my special quality, my usefulness, had depreciated. Usefulness is very important to the Wraith. The drop in status was a painful one, because I had been made to believe that I was special. I was told that I was different from all of the masses that were there only to be used as a food source. I was chosen.
I was fool. And even then I was loyal, because that life was all I ever knew. It wasn't until a few days ago when I met an odd woman at the village I was supposed to infiltrate that my loyalty was broken. She was different, and somehow she knew that I was different too. One day, she invited me to dinner at her home. When I arrived, she said she had the power to show me what my life would have been if the Wraith had never touched the world that I come from, and she did. I experienced an entirely different life, all in the span of a few minutes time. It changed me.
Cadman: What was done to you was awful. But I don't understand one thing. The Wraith have the power to give life, so why couldn't they just keep you younger if that's what they wanted?
Kha-Len: It would have killed me. A child's body isn't strong enough or developed enough to withstand the process of giving life. When life is being taken, it doesn't matter because the Wraith are killing anyway. It may or may not work with an adolescent depending on health, strength, and size.
John: This woman. Do you know anything else about her? We came across a man once that could predict the future, but I haven't heard of this before.
Kha-Len: Her name was Zamorah. That is all I know about her. She was a mystery even to the people of the village she resided in. I asked her what I should do with the gift she gave me. She said that it was my choice and that she could not interfere. I had heard rumors about the people from Atlantis and their abilities against the Wraith. And so, I decided to help. I knew that it was only a matter of time before my master detected a change in me. Once detected, I would have been fed upon immediately.
John: That not interfering bit sounds a little like ... an Ancient.
Teyla: Well, we have met them before. So it is possible.
John's eyelids are heavy. He blinks to try to stay awake. His skin is turning pale. At the sound of hearing him yawn again, Teyla looks over at him.
Teyla: John. We need to leave now. You are not well.
John: I'm fine. We came here for information. So let's get it while we're here. It hasn't been 2 hours yet, not even close.
Teyla (to Kha-Len): Is there anything else you wish to tell us before we go.
Kha-Len: Yes. The Wraith do not just have their feeding hands everywhere. They have got eyes and ears everywhere too, and some of them are most unlikely. It would be good to remember that.
Cadman: So what are you gonna do when we leave?
Kha-Len: Wait for my fate. The Wraith are not the Ancients. If I am lucky, I will die here.
John: What do you know about the Ancients?
Kha-Len: The Wraith fought the Ancients, and they won. They've occasionally mentioned them, derisively. That is all I know. I am not blessed with their gift of telepathy, so I am not aware of many things that they communicate.
Teyla: What do you mean by saying that the Wraith are not the Ancients?
Kha-Len: They do not forget about their experiments or their pets, even if they appear to be left behind. They will track me until they can catch me, interrogate me, and then kill me. I am already dead.
John: It doesn't have to be that way. We have a friend that was a runner for seven years. He's with us now. We removed the tracking device they had in him, and he's fine.
Kha-Len: You are saying that you came across a runner and removed the device, and that was it? No Wraith were still looking for him, and no one ever reported seeing him to the Wraith?
John: Well... There were a few instances... You know what? The details aren't that important. The point is, he's alright now.
Kha-Len: Yes, but the point is that your friend is just a game to them. And even still, it is unlikely that they have forgotten him entirely. He is simply more trouble than he is worth at the moment. As soon as that changes, if it ever changes, they will be there, and they will strike. Imagine how much more vigorously they are searching and coming for me. Our time here is done. It is best now that you all go.
Teyla: John -
John (drowsily): I know, I know. It's time to go.
Teyla meets his smile with panic.
Teyla: No, John. That is not what I was going to say. I was going to say that -
Kha-Len: They are here.
---
The sound of the explosions are striking. Cadman peeks out of the warehouse window and sees a handful of darts firing at buildings. One of the darts is headed their way.
Cadman: Come on. We have to make it to the jumper.
Teyla: Agreed.
John starts to take a step and stumbles. Teyla motions Cadman over to his other side as she grabs his arm and puts it around her shoulder for support.
John: No, I can stand. I'm just...
He fades out of consciousness mid-sentence as his limp body is supported by the two women. Teyla looks back at Kha-Len.
Teyla: Come with us. We can help you.
Kha-Len: No. I have done my part.
Teyla: You likely will not have another chance to change your mind.
Kha-Len: I know. And I have made my choice. This is the best thing I can do. Entire villages will be saved from the Wraith destroying everything in their path just to find me. I do not want to be the cause for anymore destruction and death.
Cadman: We have to go, now!
She starts to pull John toward the door, and Teyla reluctantly follows her lead. As they exit the cavernous room, Teyla looks back at the tall and serene figure standing in the middle of an empty warehouse, waiting for the Wraith to come.
---
Both women duck outside of the warehouse with a gun ready in their free hand. John is drifting in an out of consciousness and mumbling gibberish whenever he's awake. They look up to see that there are actually two darts that are randomly firing on buildings as they zoom toward the warehouse holding Kha-Len.
Teyla: Soon the foot soldiers will arrive if they have not been released already.
She can sense the Wraith in the direction of the jumper by the gate and realizes that they'll have to take another path. Cadman starts to drag John forward down the road.
Teyla: No. (She looks over to Cadman and nods to the alley way nearest to her) Quickly, that way. The two women drag John into the alley as fast as they can.
The explosions are getting louder and louder. The Wraith are closing in. John is beginning to turn blue. Some of the darts have started randomly firing around the gate to prevent anyone from going through.
Cadman: The darts are firing around the gate. That could mean that our team was able to dial the gate first to keep them from dialing out.
Teyla: Yes, that is good. Now all we have to do is get to the jumper.
A group of foot soldiers, headed by a male Wraith, pass by. Teyla quickly looks to see if the coast is clear. A stunner ray shoots past, just missing her. More soldiers are coming, and they are headed their way. Teyla clicks on her ear piece to radio the jumper.
Teyla: Carson, where are you? Colonel Sheppard is incapacitated and very ill. We need to get him to the jumper quickly.
She hears a dart flying by over head and looks up to see if they have been spotted.
Carson: Right now we're dodging fire, and looking for you. We've got two darts on our tail. About half a dozen came through the gate. Radek was able to beat them at dialing the gate as soon as it deactivated. We've let Atlantis know to keep the shield up until we are ready. Where are you?
Teyla: We are behind one of the buildings on the other side of the road, just ahead of the location where we met our contact.
Carson: Understood. As soon as I can get rid of these darts, I'll come for you. Can you stay where you are?
Teyla: We will try.
Cadman: Watch out!
Three Wraith soldiers have just turned down the alley. Cadman shoots and hits the first one. Teyla quickly fires and catches the second soldier. The third soldier returns fire as the women pull John down the end of the alley to a small road on the other side of the buildings. As the third Wraith is in pursuit, a blast close to him knocks him off balance. One of the buildings right next to him has been fired upon.
Cadman: I wonder why they're firing on buildings at random like that. This place is a ghost town.
Teyla: They have been known to fire on buildings and homes in an attempt to get any inhabitants to flee from the burning wreckage if they survive. Once people go outside, the darts take them. I believe that they are trying to use this same tactic to get Kha-Len and anyone that is with him.
Teyla and Cadman look for cover to keep from getting scooped up by any Wraith darts. Cadman notices another building several yards down the road that has a steel roof that extends outward beyond its structure. She looks at Teyla and nods in that direction and they both carry John underneath the shelter and sit him down against the wall. Cadman keeps an eye out with her gun ready while Teyla sweeps down to check on John. They watch and wait. The third Wraith soldier appears and fires a shot at Cadman. She ducks and shoots back several times, hitting him repeatedly.
---
The first group of Wraith soldiers that went searching down the street reach the warehouse. Kha-Len is still serenely standing in the same spot waiting for them. The first Wraith through the door immediately hits him with a stunner and he drops to the floor. Two of the Wraith pick him up and follow the others out into the middle of the road. The first Wraith presses a button on his armor, sending a signal for pick up. Within seconds, one of the two darts that was shooting around the gate comes by and sweeps them up.
---
Carson has managed to destroy one of the darts that was following them. They've been hit a couple of times, but the shields are holding. When Carson gave Radek the "You'll do fine" speech, he didn't expect that it would apply to him. Sheppard is the crafty flyer, but Carson, not as much. Still, he's come a long way and it shows. He dodges and dives to escape the shots coming from the pursuing dart.
---
John drifts back into a conscious state. He feels something soft, and warm, on his cheek. Teyla removes her hand.
Teyla: John?
He half opens his eyes and smiles faintly.
John: Hey, Teyla.
She smiles back feeling a bit relieved.
Teyla: Hang in there, John. Dr. Beckett is coming for us. He should be here soon.
He mumbles a few more words that are unintelligible.
Teyla: I cannot understand you.
John: Hmm?...
His head dips as though he is losing consciousness again. Teyla starts to panic and presses her fingers against the skin right beside his Adam's apple. There is still a pulse. She sighs with relief. John tries to swat at her hand and raises his head again. He stares at Teyla for a while and blinks as his eyes regain their focus. He seems mildly surprised and produces another faint smile.
John: Oh, hey Teyla.
A pained look of concern is etched on her face.
---
Carson just barely dodged a blast from one of the now 2 darts that are following him again. Thinking of what Teyla said about Col. Sheppard's condition, Carson knows that this cat-and-mouse game has to end soon. He breaks for a large brick looking building and lowers the altitude of the jumper. He heads directly for the wall.
Radek: What are you doing?
Carson: I think this is the only way to get rid of them. I've heard Col. Sheppard say that the Wraith darts don't pull up as fast as the jumpers.
Radek: You're going to get us killed!
Ronon: Yeah, I don't know if this is a good idea.
Carson: Thanks, now be quiet so I can focus.
The puddle jumper speeds toward the building, and Carson knows that he only has one chance to get this right. Adrenaline is coursing through him. Everything slows down. When seconds all of a sudden feel like minutes, he knows he will make it. The jumper twists and turns to avoid being hit. The darts are right behind in pursuit. The building is coming at them - fast. Suddenly, he notices that one of the darts is climbing up in altitude, trying to position itself above him. Apparently these Wraith know about this maneuver.
Carson quickly checks the parameter and drops the jumper lower while adjusting his course slightly to the left. This causes the pursuing darts to do the same. In an instant, the jumper turns, just before reaching the wall. It scoops around the building and soars up into the sky as the darts crash one behind the other. He lets out a deep sigh. Ronon claps him on the back.
Ronon: Nice job, Doc.
Radek: We're alive. (He looks as though he's just seen a ghost.)
Carson: Yes, we're alive, Radek. I figured if the darts can't pull up as fast, then they probably can't turn as fast either.
Radek: We're alive.
Carson guides the tiny vessel over the location that Teyla described and lands it there. It just fits the ally by a few feet on each side. The Hangar door opens.
Ronon: You guys stay here. I'll be back.
Ronon rushes out to find Teyla and Cadman. He gets to the end of the alley and looks both ways and sees Cadman standing guard over John and Teyla. He whistles to catch her attention. She and Teyla pull an unconscious John up from the ground. Ronon is there within seconds and takes his friend.
Ronon: I got him.
Cadman steps away to cover his back while Teyla steps in front of him and heads for the alley. Before Cadman can fully cover Ronon, a blue streak hits him squarely in the back. He and John both fall to the ground. As soon as she hears the blast, Teyla immediately turns and fires at the two Wraith that come running down the road and shooting from another alley. She gets them both while Cadman adds in a few shots as they both go down.
Cadman: Well this is nice . Now we've got two burly guys to carry.
Teyla: Stay with Ronon. I'll take John to the jumper. Cover me.
Cadman nods. Teyla pulls John up and quickly catches both of his arms under hers as she lets go. She wraps her arms around his chest while behind him and starts to drag him away. She arrives in what looks like an empty alley, and then the jumper appears. Shortly afterward, Radek comes running out to help while Carson grabs his medical kit. They carry John into the jumper.
Carson: What happened to him?
Teyla: It's the air in this environment. We found out from our contact that it decreases our ability to process oxygen properly. It appears to be affecting Col. Sheppard more than the rest of us.
Radek: Where are Lt. Cadman and Ronon?
Teyla: Down the alley and to the right. Ronon was hit by a Wraith stunner.
Radek immediately begins to dash off to help.
Teyla: Radek!
He quickly turns on a dime.
Radek: Yes?
Teyla: Take a gun with you. You may need it.
Radek: Oh, right.
He picks up a P-90 and rushes off. Carson has put an oxygen mask over John's face to aid him with his shallow breathing.
Carson: If it's something in the air in this environment, then the pure oxygen will have to help for now until I can get him back to the infirmary to analyze his blood. His heart rate is dangerously low, and it's irregular. Did your contact tell you anything else about the air here?
Teyla begins to fill him in on the few details she has while keeping watch with her gun, ready for any Wraith that might show up. A few minutes later, Cadman and Zelenka enter the jumper with Ronon slumped between them. Carson jumps in the front seat, quickly closes the hangar door, cloaks the jumper, and then takes off.
___
Two darts are circling the gate. As Carson approaches, he simultaneously shoots one of the unsuspecting darts down while decloaking and switching the jumper to shielded mode. The other dart fires back and they've been hit, but the shields hold. The puddle jumper weaves out of the line of fire to avoid more hits. The dart keeps firing as the jumper twists, turns, and swirls away from the gate. Carson returns fire, causing the dart to make evasive maneuvers of its own. The jumper swoops back to take another pass at the gate. The dart has turned around and takes position to fire on the jumper.
Carson: Atlantis. This is Beckett. Lower the gate and have a medical team on standby.
Chuck: Understood.
The dart fires at the moving jumper and misses while the small craft glides through the gate.
Woolsey: Raise the shield.
---
The gate deactivates. Beckett and his team rush John to the infirmary. Ronon is put on a gurney and also taken to the infirmary to recover from having been stunned. Woolsey calls for a meeting as soon as Ronon is back on his feet. A little over half an hour later, Teyla, Ronon, Radek, and Cadman are standing with Woolsey in his office. They describe the events of the mission to him, and Teyla hands over the Wraith drive she received from Kha-Len.
Woolsey: Dr. Zelenka, please see what you can find on this device that Col. Sheppard almost gave his life for.
Cadman: Well we don't know if he's out of the woods yet.
Everyone looks at her with baited breath. She immediately regrets saying the first thing that came to mind.
Cadman: I didn't mean -
Ronon: He's strong. He'll make it.
Teyla: Yes. I carry that hope - that belief - too.
Woolsey: I'm sure that Dr. Beckett is doing all that is possible to improve Col. Sheppard's condition.
Cadman: Me and my big mouth...
Teyla places her hand on Laura's shoulder to console her. Ronon gently claps her on the back.
Still, an uncomfortable moment passes.
Woolsey: Well, ah, Dr. Zelenka?
He extends the small black object in front of Radek. It's not until it is in his face that he snaps out of the haze of worry surrounding John's condition.
Radek: What? Oh, of course. I'll start working on this immediately.
Radek takes the device and heads for the science labs.
---
Over the course of the next several hours, Dr. Beckett and his team do their best to help John. Carson looks at John's blood and runs some tests. Woolsey comes by for a status report.
Woolsey: Dr. Beckett? Is there any news on Col. Sheppard's condition?
Beckett: Aye. I still need to examine the compound more, but I've discovered how it works. While it's being inhaled and distributed throughout the body, it slowly collects and then fuses with red blood cells to kill them off. I'm guessing that the 2 hour mark that Kha-Len mentioned is the time it takes for the compound to saturate enough red blood cells to cause death in a man of good health and of an average height and build. Essentially, Lt. Col. Sheppard was loosing blood without bleeding.
Woolsey: Death by anemia.
Beckett: Precisely. The good thing is that the blood transfusion we gave him is making a world of difference. The compound is still in his system as of now, and he'll likely need another transfusion, but I think he'll be alright.
Woolsey: I'm glad to hear it. (He pauses for a moment of thought.) Dr. Beckett, do you have any ideas as to why Lt. Col. Sheppard was affected so severely by this compound? You all weren't there for 2 hours, and Col. Sheppard was in good health when he left.
Beckett: Aye, that is the interesting part. I took samples from everyone that went to that planet, including myself, and it appears as though the ATA gene, that Lt. Col. Sheppard has naturally, speeds up the process of saturation in some way. I still need to research it more. The other thing I noticed is that I also have the ATA gene and so does Teyla after she took the gene therapy, but my saturation levels were similar to Dr. Zelenka's while Teyla's were similar to Lt. Cadman's. Dr. Zelenka and Lt. Cadman don't have the ATA gene.
But - Teyla and I both have Wraith DNA, and as you know, the Wraith have incredible regenerative abilities. While we don't have those same abilities ourselves, there appears to be something within the bit of Wraith DNA that we do have that slows down the process of saturation. So, the effects of the ATA gene and the Wraith DNA essentially cancel each other out.
Woolsey: Meaning that the effect for both of you was a normal one.
Beckett: Right. It also makes me believe that the Wraith are virtually immune to that environment.
Woolsey (sighs): That's nice to know.
Beckett: There's still a lot to research here. I'd like to isolate the compound and do some more tests.
Woolsey: Well I'll leave you to your work, Doctor.
Carson politely nods as Woolsey then turns and exits the room.
---
A few hours later, John groggily wakes up in bed. He looks around and notices that he's in the infirmary. There is an IV in his arm as well as tubes up his nose to help him breath. He looks over and notices Ronon sitting by the bed with his head in his hand while his elbow is atop the chair's armrest.
John: Hey.
Ronon looks up with a smile. He scoots the chair closer to the bed to talk.
Ronon: Hey. How're you feelin'.
John: Tired. Really tired. What happened?
Ronon: Somethin' in the planet's atmosphere caused you to get sick and pass out. I got stunned trying to help. Teyla took you back to the jumper. Cadman and Zelenka took me back. Carson flew us through the gate and went up against some Wraith darts along the way. He did a good job. That's about it.
John: Good for Carson. What happened to Kha-Len?
Ronon: The Wraith got him. We don't know if he was in one of the darts we took down or not.
John: And the intel?
Ronon: Zelenka's working on it. He says it's encrypted, so it might take a while.
John (gasps): He gave us an encrypted - You know what, nevermind. I'm tired.
Just then, Carson stops by to check on John. He also answers his questions about what the compound did to him.
John: So I got attacked by blood sucking air? I tell ya, if the addresses we get from that Wraith device don't have any information about them in the database, or if they're not there at all, I'm not gonna go.
Ronon: Yes you will.
John: I'm not going soon.
Carson (smiling): Well I just wanted to stop by to check on you before leaving for the night. Dr. Cole will be on call should you need anything. Goodnight, gentlemen.
Ronon: 'Night.
John: Goodnight, Doc.
As soon as Carson starts to step away, John calls out after him.
John: Hey Doc, I heard you did some good flying today.
Carson turns toward a smiling John and grinning Ronon.
Carson: I'm glad we all made it back in one piece, but I prefer to leave most of the piloting to you.
John: Well I'm glad you were there. You never know when we might need you again sometime.
Carson: That's what I'm worried about. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow.
He makes his way out of the infirmary. Ronon turns back around in his chair and looks at John.
Ronon: Everybody's been by here at least once. Teyla left a couple of hours ago to check on her son again, but she said she'd be back.
John: Makes sense. She's got a one-year-old and she needs to take care of him.
Ronon: Yep.
They both sit there for a long minute.
John: So how was surfing with Amelia this morning? It's still today, right? How long was I out for?
He and Ronon continue to talk for a short while until Teyla arrives, and then Ronon says it's time for him to call it a night. He exchanges a few parting words with John and Teyla and exits the room soon afterward.
---
Teyla walks up to the bed and steps in front of the chair at John's side.
Teyla: Hello, John.
John: Hey.
Teyla: How are you feeling?
John: I'm good.
Teyla: You look much better. Before, you were blue.
John: Yeah, it's not my best color. How are you doing?
Teyla: I am well.
John: That's good. I heard you pulled me back to the jumper. Thanks.
Teyla: You would have done the same for me.
John nods.
As close as they are in proximity to each other, there is an invisible wall that divides them, and it has for some time. John anxiously looks around the room. Teyla steels herself up and looks at the ceiling.
She's not going to tell him. When none of them knew what was going to happen with him, she held her son and she cried. She's not going to tell him that she is only still trying to make things work with Kanaan because of her son, and her son alone. She's not going to say anything, because that would be inappropriate. No, instead she stands there silently with her hands wrapped around the metal bars that surround the bed. John has his own mountain of words to keep quiet, and so he just lies there, furtively looking at her.
Moments pass, and Teyla looks down and notices how pale John's arms still are. She absentmindedly places her hand on top of his. Without thinking, he grabs hold of it firmly. They both look at each other. It is a brief confirmation of things left unsaid. She slowly removes her hand from his and looks away hesitantly. John understands, and he half regrets his action because he didn't want to make her feel bad. He gives her his best attempt at a casual smile.
John: You look tired. You should get some sleep.
She looks over to him briefly and nods. Her attempt at a casual smile is a less successful one.
Teyla: Yes. It has been a long day. I should get back to my living quarters. Kanaan and Torren are waiting for me there.
John: Well, have a good night.
Teyla: You as well.
She lingers for a few seconds before leaving the infirmary. John takes a deep breath and puts his head back on his pillow. He thinks of all of the chances he's had over the years and how he missed each one. His excuse to himself was always that she was a member of his team, but that wasn't really it... They could have found a way to work around that. The truth is that he was afraid. He cared about her too much, and so he didn't want to mess things up.
He wonders to himself if there will ever be another chance. He would never press her, or even mention it, considering her current situation. He turns his head and notices his reflection in the glass doors of the medicine cabinet stationed away from his bed.
He looks at the man staring back at him and sees more than a reflection. He sees what the past several years of his life have done to him. The good and the bad.
The End
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