“No. No. No! A thousand times no! How many times do I need to tell you, Kavanagh, I don’t want you anywhere near the power distribution systems! The last time you touched them, you nearly blew up the city!” Rodney yelled, throwing his hands in the air in frustration. “God, why did the stupid therapy have to take on you?” he muttered under his breath, then raised his voice again. “You’re a menace, and I do not have the time to babysit you to ensure the safety of this city, so just do as you are told like a good little minion and save us all the trouble of having to fix your screw ups. Again.”
Rodney was vaguely aware of the other scientists huddled in groups as he reamed Kavanagh for once again attempting to go behind his back because the idiot thought he knew better than Rodney did. These were the moments Rodney fervently wished he could just space the man, since rotating him back to Earth was not an option. Eyes narrowing, Rodney pointed an accusing finger at Kavanagh. “As I recall, you were happy enough to try to save your own ass when my team and I were stuck in the gate. So it really astounds me that your sense of self-preservation seems to have disappeared.”
Kavanagh, red-faced, fuming, and mouth working soundlessly, glared back at Rodney. Finally, he ground out through his teeth, “I did not sign up for this expedition to become a glorified plumber!”
Not even bothering to hide his contempt for the man, Rodney crossed his arms and shot him a smug look. “Maybe not, but I am the CSO, not you, and I decide who gets to work on which projects. The desalination tanks need going over thoroughly, and you and Simpson get to do the honors. And for the record, I don’t hear him complain about it, so why should you?”
When Kavanagh opened his mouth, Rodney held up a hand to stop him. “No. I don’t want to hear any more of your whining. Now, I hear that you were offered a one-way trip to a nice, solitary planet. I’m sure Chuck can be convinced to dial the address if you continue to go against my orders, putting the entire expedition at risk.” Pausing just long enough to ensure Kavanagh got the point, he continued. “No? Okay then. Do the job I tell you to do. Now.”
Rodney ignored the mutterings of the other scientists while he stood watching Kavanagh grab his gear in a huff. Simpson rolled his eyes as Kavanagh stomped past him on his way out the door. With one hard look around the room, the others scurried off to tend to their own duties, leaving Rodney alone in the lab. At least, he thought he was alone, right up until someone cleared their throat behind him.
Spinning around, Rodney flushed when John stepped into the room, the door sliding shut behind him as he stalked toward him. Crowding Rodney against the opposite wall, John claimed his lips in a hard, brief kiss that stole the breath right out of Rodney. He was panting when John pulled away only to pepper his jaw with kisses. Nipping at his lobe, John whispered, “That should not have been as hot as it was.”
Clutching at John’s shoulders, Rodney chuckled hoarsely. “Hot, huh?”
John pulled back, grinning, eyes dancing. “Oh yeah.”
Rolling his eyes, Rodney huffed. “I swear to God, those kids were easier to deal with than Kavanagh. And that is saying something!”
John laughed, cupping his cheek. “Coming from you, yeah, it is.”
A snort escaped him before he could stop himself. Clearing his throat, he pushed John back a little, needing some space. Anyone could walk in, after all, and they had promised each other to be careful. John gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry, couldn’t help myself,” he muttered, mussing his hair.
“Yes, well, no one ever said flyboys were known for their restraint, now did they?” Rodney teased, folding his arms as he watched him fondly.
A funny little smile played on John’s lips. “Funny you should mention flying,” he said playfully. At Rodney’s quirked brow, John continued, “I actually came by to see whether you still wanted to have flying lessons before our mission tomorrow. What do you say?”
Eyes widening, Rodney dropped his arms to his side. “What? Now?”
John shrugged. “I’ve got time, and you did say you didn’t have anything major on your plate today.”
Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Rodney grinned. “Really?”
Laughing, John nodded. “Yes, Rodney, really. Now, are you coming or not?”
In answer, Rodney grabbed John’s arm and manhandled him to the door. “Not yet, but soon,” he said sotto voce, blushing when he caught the glint in John’s eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Glancing over at Rodney, John bit his lip. The man was fully engrossed in his pad, taking in readings of the planet they were visiting. Shifting slightly in his seat, John tried to focus on his flying. Try being the operative word, because his thoughts kept circling back to the previous day. He wished Ford and Teyla weren’t sitting right behind them so he could tease McKay about joining the mile-high club. Though that would have been a case of the pot calling the kettle black, since his own ticket for that got punched at the same time Rodney’s did. Not that the man had believed him when he had told him.
“There’s some interesting power readings here,” Rodney muttered distractedly.
“Interesting, how?” John asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Huh? Oh. No ZedPM’s, unfortunately, but they’re more advanced than any civilization we’ve come across so far, judging by these,” Rodney said, pointing to the readouts on his pad. “Curious to see what’s down there.”
John had to admit that he was, too. From what he could tell of the landscape as he tried to find a good landing spot for the jumper, they seemed to be near to Earth’s industrial age. It never ceased to amaze John, the things they came across on their missions.
“Major, it seems as if they are aware of our arrival,” Teyla said quietly, pointing toward movement coming toward the plaza he was headed for.
“Great. A welcoming committee,” Rodney grumbled.
Ford chimed in, “Aww come on, McKay. They seem friendly enough.”
If by friendly, Ford meant they hadn’t fired on them yet, then John supposed the lieutenant had a point. John wasn’t going to ignore the fact that the man walking toward them was surrounded by men who had their weapons at the ready. Not hostile, but they were definitely prepared.
John cleared his throat. “Alright, kids, let’s remember to play nice with others, okay?” He was only half-teasing as he side-eyed Rodney, who scowled down at his pad, jabbing at the screen with more vehemence than John thought was strictly necessary.
Putting on his most charming ‘I’m harmless, honest!’ smile, John exited the jumper with the others close behind. “Hey folks,” he said, adding a jaunty little wave for good measure. “Hope it’s alright if I park here. If not, I can move to a better spot.”
The leader – at least, John was pretty sure the man was the leader – seemed amused as he inclined his head. “Welcome to Hoff. I am Chancellor Druhin, leader of our people.”
Grin widening, John introduced his team as usual, explaining that they were peaceful explorers. The Chancellor seemed to assess them for a moment, then nodded. “You are welcome to stay as our guests. I believe there is much our people can offer each other. Please, if you would follow me?”
It was apparent to John that the man was used to being obeyed. He turned and headed toward one of the larger buildings off the plaza, his entourage in tow. With one look to his team, John set to follow them. He knew he needn’t remind Rodney to be careful anymore, especially since they were in an urban setting. Ford and Teyla would both be on alert, too, just in case the Hoffans proved to be less welcoming than they appeared.
They spent the rest of that day and the next as guests of the Chancellor, after contacting Atlantis to let Elizabeth know what was going on. As missions went, this one was going okay. The Chancellor seemed to be willing to discuss possible trade options, which was always a plus in John’s book. They were currently on a guided tour of the facility where Rodney had gotten the energy readings from and John was doing his best to pay attention as the Chancellor explained, “Reliable power generation is one of our greatest concerns.”
John and Rodney shared a look. “With this project we soon hope to convert and utilize the intense heat trapped beneath the surface of our planet,” Druhin went on.
“Geothermal energy,” Rodney muttered, frowning. John could tell that Rodney wasn’t overly impressed with what he was seeing as they were shown into a room full of machines. Rodney didn’t disappoint, either. At least not in showing his disbelief as John had known he would. “Using this? Do you have any idea how complex geothermal energy is?”
John took a steadying breath, briefly closing his eyes. God love the man, but there were times that John wished he would learn when to keep his mouth shut in order not to offend potential allies. Now obviously being one of those times. “McKay,” he cautioned.
“I mean-,” Rodney started, then seemed to catch the warning in John’s voice and he turned around, looking slightly abashed. One of these days, John thought, Rodney would learn to better mind his manners. At least, he hoped he would. Though John couldn’t deny that the other man’s antics were entertaining at times, and probably more often than was healthy in the long run.
Clearing his throat, Rodney cast a furtive glance at John, then addressed Druhin. “Oh, err… I’m sure it’ll work like a charm.”
John looked at Druhin just in time to notice the look of disbelief on his face, though he didn’t say anything about it. Maybe Druhin had a few scientists of his own who weren’t that stellar in the interpersonal department, John thought. Hoping to smooth things over, John flashed him a brief smile. “Looks like you’re accomplishing great things here, Chancellor.”
Druhin nodded in acknowledgement. “Since the last culling we have worked diligently to rebuild our society.”
Teyla frowned slightly in worry. “Are you not concerned that your actions will attract the attention of the Wraith?”
“Yes,” Druhin said with a benevolent little smile, sticking his hands into his pockets as he turned to Teyla. “But we refuse to let that stop us from striving to reach our potential. To do otherwise would simply mean victory for them.”
The man sounded like he was explaining something so basic a child would understand. It was a little irritating, but John could sort of see his point. He didn’t much like the thought of giving up, either. It just wasn’t a word that was in his personal vocabulary, really.
“However, we are currently working on a viable defense,” Druhin said, side-eyeing John to gauge his reaction.
John’s attention was well and truly grabbed with the word ‘defense’, though. Straightening slightly, he faced the Chancellor. “Defense? Really?” He glanced back at Rodney who stepped up to John’s side. “We’ve been here two days before you mention that?” John asked, quirking a brow. He tried to keep any sense of challenge out of his voice, but he wasn’t sure how successful he was.
The Chancellor leaned against the door, shrugging unapologetically. “I had to learn that you could be trusted.”
John gave a quiet huff, as did Rodney. John supposed he couldn’t really fault the man that, but still! A defense against the Wraith? His mind was already spinning on what possible weapon the Hoffans could have devised to fight the Wraith. From what he had seen thus far, he doubted they would have anything capable of surface-to-air attacks.
Ford apparently was just as doubtful. “You’re talking about some kind of defensive weapon?”
Druhin seemed to be gloating a little as he answered slyly. “You could call it that. Something that we hope will protect us from the next Wraith culling.”
Rodney tilted his head, looking speculatively at the Chancellor. “So you’re expecting it to happen again.”
The man nodded. “Of course. But if the Wraith return as they have historically, they won’t be here for at least another fifty years.”
John cringed. Crap. Yeah, he was pretty certain that that timetable was out the window. Rodney shot him a knowing glare, muttering, “Fifty years, you say?”
Trying not to look too guilty, John took a deep breath. “How about that weapon?”
Druhin headed off even as he began to explain what they were working on. John and Rodney lagged behind and with every step they took, John’s stomach fell just a little lower. Especially when Rodney admonished him. “You haven’t told him we practically woke the Wraith from hibernation, have you?”
John swallowed hard past the lump of guilt stuck in his throat. “No, I haven’t. I really… haven’t had the chance,” he hedged, knowing it for the lie it was.
“We’ve been here for two days!” Rodney whispered reprovingly.
Cringing again, John gave a half-shrug. “More like a day-and-a-half.” Okay, and now he was definitely trying to grasp at straws. God, he needed an antacid or something, the way his stomach was starting to churn. He very much doubted the Hoffans would thank him for the knowledge of the Wraith awakening, especially since it was at his own hand.
“Major!” John flinched. It was never a good sign when Rodney used his title in that tone. “They’re not expecting the Wraith for another fifty. Years. We have to let them know they could show up at any time now,” Rodney continued, staring hard at John.
Heart beating nearly in his throat, John half-turned as they kept walking, his voice pitched low as he swept an arm out toward the Chancellor. “If you’re so eager, why don’t you tell them?!” The scowl that earned him was deserved, John knew, and he regretted his outburst the moment it had left his lips. Neither man spoke further as they hurried to catch up to the rest of the group, John praying all the way that coming clean wouldn’t mean losing a potential ally and having to fight their way back to the jumper.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mac scowled down at his laptop, his fingers hitting the keyboard harder than was wise due to his frustration. “Mac?” Evan asked, placing a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. Mac jumped, startled.
“Bloody hell, Ev, you nearly scared me to death,” Mac said, pulling his earbuds out, the sound of Aerosmith pouring out of them until Mac hurriedly turned the music off.
Chuckling, Evan squeezed his shoulder. “Sorry, you were in your own little world and you didn’t react when I called your name just now.” Brow furrowing, Evan leaned against the desk. “What’s going on? You seem upset.”
Mac huffed. “Aye, you could say that. You haven’t heard yet, then?”
Eyes wide, Evan shook his head. “Heard what? I’ve only just got back from off-world.”
Leaning back in his chair, Mac briefly stared at the ceiling as he tried to regroup. Scrubbing his face, he met Evan’s eyes. “You know about the mission AR-1 is on? Well, apparently the major has volunteered us to help them with a drug that they hope will keep the Wraith from feeding on them.”
Crossing his arms, Evan nodded. “That’s good, though, isn’t it? If they have a way to-” he started, but Mac cut him off.
“No, it’s not. I was here when Sheppard explained everything to Carson. They’ve been working on this thing for over a hundred and fifty years, Evan. Even if, and I stress ‘if’, such a thing were feasible, it wouldn’t be right. Carson’s gone over their findings and sent a sample of the drug here. I’ve looked at it, and there’s just something about it that doesn’t sit right. I mean, it looks good on the surface, but… I’ve tried to tell Carson, but he’s got blinders on. He sees the pure science of it and isn’t…”
Mac let out a growl. “They’re talking about testing it already.”
Evan shifted, watching Mac carefully. “Testing? How are they going to do that?”
Mac gave a gruesome smile. “Oh, this is where things get really bad, if you ask me. The Hoffans have a so-called volunteer for the ‘procedure’. They’re going to give him the drug, and then turn around and, for all intents and purposes, give the man to our friend ‘Steve’, as Major Sheppard has dubbed him.”
Evan straightened in shock. “They’re going to what?”
“You heard me.” Mac seemed to deflate. “First, do no harm. That’s a code we as doctors have to go by. This just isn’t right, Ev. I can’t see this ending well. I just can’t.”
Evan kneeled down beside Mac, resting one hand on his chair, the other cupping Mac’s neck. “Have you spoken to Dr. Weir about this?”
Mac closed his eyes and sighed. “Aye. I’ve gone on record, not that it did any good.”
“Then there’s little more you can do. Sometimes, following orders, it’s…” Evan trailed off with an awkward shrug, but Mac understood what he wasn’t saying. He wholeheartedly agreed.
Chuck’s voice came over the com a few hours later. “Dr. MacTavish to the gateroom. Bring a medical team for off-world travel.”
Mac tapped his com. “Chuck, any idea what we’re walking into? Do we need hazmat?”
“No need for hazmat, doc,” Chuck assured. “We just got a call from Lieutenant Ford. Apparently, the Hoffans pushed ahead on the drug and it’s backfired. They’re facing a pandemic among the population. Lieutenant Ford said to bring extra oxygen.”
Rubbing his eyes, Mac nodded. “Copy that. We’re on our way.”
It was a testament to Carson’s people that the medical team was through the gate not fifteen minutes later. Evan’s team was escorting the medical team. Apparently they had volunteered. The thought made Mac smile despite the situation they found themselves in. When they arrived at the hospital, Mac was more than touched by Evan’s support, he was bloody grateful. He had thought he was prepared for what he would be facing, but one look at the overcrowded rooms filled with people in various stages of dying… He had worked in the medical field for several years now. Had even worked for Médecins Sans Frontières for a year, something that he had believed adequate preparation for the Atlantis expedition, but this?
“Good God,” Evan murmured as he stood next to Mac.
Shaking his head, he shared a brief look with Evan. “Right. I’ll go find Carson. You and the rest of the team see what you can do to relieve the staff.”
Evan nodded, then went on his way after a quick squeeze of Mac’s shoulder. Trying to ignore the numerous death rattles, he went in search of Carson so he could be brought up to speed. Carson was trying to administer oxygen to a patient, but by the time Mac had rounded the bed the patient had perished. Taking a steadying breath, Carson glanced up at Mac with such a look of brokenness that Mac didn’t have it in him to say ‘I told you so’ to his friend. Instead, he asked, “What do you need?”
Carson offered a wan smile, then brought him up to speed, and before long both doctors were hip-deep in trying to save lives. Though, in truth, it was more a matter of easing people’s suffering, because no matter what they tried, they could find no cure. Nothing to even slow down the onslaught of death once the side effects of the drugs had the patients in its grasp.
Every so often, Evan checked in with Mac, offering support in whatever way he could. Making sure he remembered to eat and drink so he would not end up collapsing from exhaustion. They all worked for hours without pause, aside from necessities, and still it seemed there was no stemming the tide of the dying.
At one point, Mac realized that he hadn’t seen Carson in a while. “Hey, Ev, have you seen where Carson went?”
“Yeah, I think he got called to check on that lady doctor he worked with.” Evan pointed in the general direction of where he thought Carson had gone to.
Allowing himself a moment, Mac moved close to Evan, touching his shoulder. The contact helped ground him and he offered the other man a weak smile. “Thank you for coming. It means a lot to have you here like this.”
Reaching up, Evan patted Mac’s hand. “You’re welcome,” he said simply.
With a nod, Mac walked off, once again in search of his friend. Mac’s steps faltered when he discovered Carson at the bedside of the pretty blond doctor. Even with his back to Mac, Carson looked utterly devastated. A closer look told Mac why. Perna had passed away, and the weight of the guilt his friend felt for her death was painfully obvious.
Kneeling next to Carson, Mac placed a gentle hand on the man’s back and said quietly, “I’m so sorry, Carson.”
Seemingly unable to speak, Carson nodded jerkily as he stared at the woman’s face. Mac wasn’t sure what his friend’s feelings for the woman had been, but it didn’t really matter. Carson felt her loss keenly, and that was all that mattered. They sat by her bed for several minutes, letting the rest of the world pass by. The death rattles that had so shaken Mac upon first arriving had drifted to background noise – something that Mac tried not to think too much on.
It was Carson that roused first, carefully placing Perna’s hand down so she almost looked as if she was peacefully sleeping. Carson cleared his throat, scrubbing at his face before turning to face Mac. “Thanks.”
Mac gave him a small smile. “No need.”
Nodding, Carson got to his feet and glanced around with grief and determination clear on his face. Mac thought it would be a long, long time before the events of this day would stop haunting his friend.
“Right,” said Carson gruffly. “I think we’re done here.”
Quirking a brow, Mac silently asked if Carson was sure. People were still dying all around them, more sick coming in every minute. Carson set his jaw. “It’s time to go home. These people have made up their minds and there isn’t anything we can do for them. Not anymore.”
“Alright. I’ll pass the word,” Mac said, and putting deed to word he went to find his major.
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