“Thanks to Teyla, we now know that the Wraith are more interested in Earth than they are in Atlantis, as terrifying a thought as that is.” Rodney paused, glancing at John. The encouraging nod and feeling that came through the bond helped him to maintain a clear head. He wasn’t sure whether he would have gotten through this – any of this – without his mate. Pushing any thoughts along those lines aside, he continued presenting their idea to Elizabeth and several others. “We also know that their trajectory has them flying right past the only surviving satellite.”
“The last of what we assume were dozens of defense satellite,” Radek interjected. “The others were destroyed during the Ancients’ last stand against the Wraith.”
Rodney sighed, scowling slightly at the interruption. Really, it wasn’t important how many there were. What mattered was that this one was still there. “Yes yes yes, the point is we think we can use it to our advantage.”
“Wait, I thought you said it was dead,” Bates said.
Rodney spared John a glance of desperation. Why were they surrounded by idiots? Really, whose idea had that been to send off people to another galaxy when they couldn’t grasp these basic concepts? “Yes, but we think we have learned enough about how it works to bring it back,” he said with as much patience as he could inject, which – granted – wasn’t very much.
“If we are right about what is wrong with it,” Radek pointed out ever so helpfully.
“Yes of course if we are right,” Rodney snapped. Had everyone had a cup of stupid this morning? “But if we are right and it is just out of power, the Wraith have simply been ignoring it.” Come on, people, surely everyone could see how ingenious a plan this was without having it spelled out for them. John had gotten it immediately when they had talked about it the night before.
Radek nodded. “Our preliminary estimates indicate that a single naquadah generator would be enough to bring it back online.”
See? Simple! Power the weapons satellite, destroy the three Hive ships, they live happily ever after. Or at least, if everything went according to plan.
Ford leaned forward. “Why can’t we use the generators to get the weapon systems of Atlantis working?”
Radek smiled indulgently at the lieutenant, holding up a finger. “Ah you see, those are designed to be powered by Zero Point Module. The satellite is not.”
John nodded. “And you think it’s powerful enough to take on a Wraith Hive ship?”
Rodney leaned against the desk next to John, his arms folded. “Mmm, yes. According to the database it should be powerful enough to take out all three when fully charged. Keep in mind that the Ancient technology is far superior. They only lost the war because they were vastly outnumbered.”
“So are we,” Bates pointed out. “And outgunned.”
“Ah, but they don’t see satellite as threat,” Radek said, grinning.
“In military parlance: surprise is… an element on our side,” Rodney finished lamely. Okay, that had sounded much better in his head. He chanced a peek at John only to find him smiling fondly at him. He gave a little half-shrug as he smiled back.
“Alright, what do you need?” Elizabeth asked after a moment of silent speculation.
Rodney placed his hands on the edge of the desk by his hips as he looked at her. “The satellite is fifteen hours away by puddlejumper. I recommend that we put together a small crew, say myself, Kavanagh, and the pilot.”
John immediately offered himself up for that task, but Elizabeth shot him down even as Kavanagh scowled and argued, “Why me?”
“Because it’s either you, Grodin or Kimberly.” And I actually like Grodin and Kim, he thought. “Unlike you, Grodin’s needed here for other things, and Kimberly has not been cleared for full duty so I’m not about to take her on a mission that likely will require being in a spacesuit. Also, because I said so!” Rodney glared at the man, daring him to question him further. Yes, they would be stuck on the same ship for at least thirty hours, and it would be a miracle if Rodney didn’t end up killing the man, but after they had lost Abrams and Gall during the first mission to the satellite, Grodin, Kimberly, and Kavanagh had worked hard to learn all they could about it.
“But-” Kavanagh started, but Elizabeth overrode him by virtue of quietly reminding him that her offer to take him to an unpopulated planet still stood. Rodney was pleased to see the icy glint of determination in her eyes, and the color draining from Kavanagh’s face. “Fine,” Kavanagh bit out, crossing his arms tightly across his chest.
She nodded. “Very well. Rodney, Miller can be your pilot. Major, I need you to keep looking for a new Alpha site. Just in case this fails.”
“Yes, ma’am,” John agreed.
Everyone left the meeting to prepare for the tasks that lay ahead of them. Grodin and Kimberly both paused to wish him good luck. Rodney was in no doubt that they meant enduring the trip with Kavanagh more than they did attempting to fix the satellite.
John waited for him by the door of the conference room, letting everyone else out until it was just the two of them left. He wrapped his arms around Rodney, hugging him. “Sorry I can’t go with you. Hate the idea of not having your back,” he murmured, sighing.
“I know. But we both have jobs to do.” He held John tightly, hoping he managed to keep his own disappointment from bleeding through. Rodney disliked the very idea of being far from his mate right now, every moment was precious to him but he was rational enough to understand that it just wasn’t possible. They both had duties to perform, and there would always be times when that meant they would be apart. Like now. Didn’t mean he had to like it, though.
John pulled back, cupping Rodney’s cheek as he stared at him. “You be careful out there, okay? Promise me.”
“You know I will. Besides, don’t think I don’t know that you’ll have Miller keep close tabs on me. You be careful, though.”
John shrugged, grinning. The man didn’t even deny he was going to see to Miller getting very specific orders. Rodney rolled his eyes, kissing him briefly before he forced himself to step back. Why did they have to have so little time? “We’d better go. Wouldn’t want to give Kavanagh the chance to space himself, now would we?”
John barked a laugh, running his fingers through his hair, his eyes twinkling. “Yeah, wouldn’t want to deny you that pleasure,” he joked as they headed down the stairs.
Rodney watched as John made a beeline for the ready room. Let him find a planet, he thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Evan and Ioan were already prepping their teams when John walked in. “Sir, have we got a planet yet to check out?” Evan asked.
John nodded. “Yeah, we all do. We spent the better part of yesterday compiling a final list. I wish there was more time to go through the database and scout planets, but time’s the one thing we don’t have. So Evan, you and your team will take M64-PL9. Ioan, you take P2X-287, and we’ll take P2R-887. We have a four hour window to scout these out, gentlemen, so remember: we’re looking for close, not ideal. Can’t afford to be too picky here.”
A “Yes, sir,” chorused through the room. Ioan and Evan shared a look of steely determination as they finished gearing up. There was too much hanging on these missions, and they both knew it. Evan said a quiet prayer that Rodney’s plan would work and that their efforts would be in vain.
“Ready?” Ioan murmured.
Taking a deep breath, Evan nodded, flashing his brother a reassuring smile. “Yep. Let’s get this show over with.”
He followed his brother’s team to the gate room and watched as they gated out first, wishing him good luck as he disappeared through the event horizon. John walked into the room right as Chuck finished dialing M64-PL9.
Evan grinned at him. “Any last words, sir?”
John shrugged, returning his smile easily. “Skip the duty-free, Major. No need for souvenirs this time.”
Evan laughed, saluting. “Yes, sir.” He was the last of his team to step through the gate and they all fell into their usual formation quickly. So far, so good. At least there were no Wraith waiting for them by the gate, or any other people immediately after their heads. There were signs of civilization close by, though, which bore investigating. As soon as the gate was cleared, Evan called out, “Fan out. Stay in radio contact. You know the drill.”
They headed toward the town that was visible from the gate, though the LSD didn’t appear to show any sign of life. At all. Evan frowned as he checked it again and got nothing. It was also eerily quiet, and it was rapidly getting dark. Worse than timezones, Evan thought, rolling his eyes.
“Sir?” Peterson’s voice chimed in Evan’s ear.
“Got something?” Evan asked, halting his steps.
“You might want to come look at this, sir.” Peterson sounded troubled, which worried Evan. Not much rattled the man, so whatever it was didn’t bode well for the prospects of this being a possible Alpha site.
Night had fallen completely by the time Evan found the man in what appeared to be the town square – or what was left of it – staring at something in the rubble of a building. Scanning his surroundings, Evan had the odd sensation of being back in the middle of a warzone back home, only worse. Up close, he could just make out signs of some kind of bombardment – orbital, Evan thought – that had taken out several city blocks just past where they were standing. As he shone his light over the ground, he could see evidence of bodies, long dead.
He stepped closer to one when he noticed something odd and kneeled down to inspect it. Just as he leaned in to lift a piece of clothing, a shrill howl pierced the air and he jumped to his feet, weapon at the ready. Peterson, Dylan, and Simmons were on high alert, too. “What the hell was that?” whispered Simmons.
Checking the LSD again, Evan’s eyes widened. Lifesigns. Lots of them and headed their way. Casting one last glance at the body at his feet, he gulped. He was fairly sure that those tears had been made by very sharp teeth, and he was not in any mood to find out whether he was right. “I don’t know, but I have a feeling we shouldn’t hang around to find out. Fall back to the gate, now,” he ordered as another shriek rent the air.
They ran all the way to the gate, Evan periodically checking the LSD. Whatever it was that was making that sound was getting closer. Peterson beelined it for the DHD and began dialing fast as he could, but not fast enough. Evan could see something moving closer to them, just outside their line of sight, stalking them. “Hold your fire unless they attack,” he reminded Dylan as he heard the man prime his gun.
Evan’s flashlight caught the glint of an eye, but before he could see clearly, the creature had darted away as if the light bothered it. Fumbling in his vest, he pulled out a couple of glow sticks and, after breaking them, threw them toward where the shrill cries were coming from. He heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the creatures move away from the light, dim as it was. Apparently they had a real problem with it, which was fine with him. The kawoosh of the gate activating was an even more welcome sound and they all were quite happy to leave this world behind. Evan would make a note in the database that this planet was off-limits. Preferably at all times, but at the very least at night. He was certainly in no hurry to set foot on it again. Ever.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kimberly sighed, frustrated. “Radek.”
“Yes?” He pushed his glasses up his nose as he straightened.
Beckoning him over, she shifted aside to give him a better view of her screen. “I think we have a problem.” A big problem, she thought, if they couldn’t figure out a way to destroy the base completely if it came down to it.
“What kind of problem?” Radek squinted at the screen, then blinked owlishly at her. “Oh. Yes, I see what you mean. Of course.”
Running her fingers through her hair, she let her eyes drift around the room, taking in all the consoles and what they represented. “Do you want me to tell Elizabeth?” she asked, turning back to Radek. She wasn’t opposed to doing so herself, but technically Radek was Rodney’s second and therefore the one things normally would go through whenever Rodney wasn’t there.
Radek shook his head. “No, is fine. I wish to run a few simulations first, see if we can maximize damage.”
“Alright, though I doubt there’s anything we can do that’d be enough. We have to assume the Wraith are capable enough to backwards engineer anything the Ancients have, should they get their hands on it. Especially if they get a hold of even the smallest part of the mainframe.”
“Yes, yes, I know. Would be stupid to believe them incapable. We cannot afford to let them have anything. It would be…” He trailed off, frowning.
“Disastrous?” Kimberly supplied. Radek nodded. “Quite.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“What was that?” Kagawa looked disconcerted as he scanned the area. They were several klicks south of the gate and hadn’t encountered any hint of civilization. The few animals they had seen had scurried away from them.
Ioan glanced at Diaz who was going over the readings on his handheld when they all felt it again. Tremors. Faint at first, but rapidly growing. They only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to set Ioan on edge. God, but he hated earthquakes. “Anything?” Ioan asked Diaz.
Another, more violent tremor was answer enough for him. “Never mind,” Ioan said. “I think it’s safe to say this planet won’t work. Sort back to the gate.”
“Aye, sir,” chorused from his team. They headed back, their journey slowed significantly by ever more frequent quakes.
“Sir,” Diaz chimed in from just behind Ioan. “I think we’re headed toward the epicenter. I can’t be sure without a seismographer, but from the few readings I’m getting…”
Damn, Ioan thought, scowling. “Let’s hustle, gentlemen,” he urged, picking up speed. They had to make it to the gate. If Diaz was right, it might mean serious trouble if these quakes increased and he for one wasn’t about to get stuck on this damned planet.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“This place seems nice enough, sir,” Ford commented as they scouted the area. “Kind of like paradise, really.”
John had to admit, the lieutenant had a point. Far as the eye could see, there was lush greenery, beautiful flowers. He’d spotted several colorful birds, too, and the weather was ideal. Far as he could tell, there were no weird bugs, and nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. So why was his gut itching like they were about to run into trouble? “Yeah. Kinda. Keep your eyes peeled, though.”
Teyla shared a look with him and John was positive that she felt it, too. Whatever ‘it’ was. “Alright. Let’s give it another fifteen minutes before we head back.”
Ten minutes later, a roar in the distance sent shivers down John’s spine. “What the hell was that?” They all swung toward to sound, but couldn’t see much for the foliage. They could hear, though, and what they heard didn’t bode well. “Fall back.”
The heavy footfalls of some big creature headed their way had John picking up the pace a little. Within minutes, the ground seemed to tremble, the noise of the approaching animal – it had to be an animal, right? – thundering ever closer. Looking over his shoulder, John thought his eyes might pop out from shock. “Ford?”
“Yes, sir?” Ford continued to run, his focus on the terrain ahead.
“Is that what I think it is?”
Teyla glanced over her shoulder, her face paling at the sight of the huge creature looming ever closer.
Ford stumbled as he took it in and John hurriedly helped him back on his feet. Flushing, he nodded. “If you’re thinking dinosaur, sir…”
“Crap. I always hated Jurassic Park. Run!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“You’re done, Ioan,” Mac said, patting his arm. “Just a couple of scrapes and bruises. Though from the sound of it, you were lucky to get home in one piece.”
Ioan nodded, then hopped off the bed, grinning. “Yeah. If I never have to live through an earthquake again, it’ll be too soon. I prefer my ground to remain stationary rather than shifting and rolling.”
Mac chuckled. “Aye, I can’t blame you there. They’re quite… unsettling. Still, it’s a shame about the planet.”
“Yeah. We just have to hope Major Sheppard’s luckier than we were.”
“Right. Off with you, I’m sure there’s plenty you need to take care of, so I won’t keep you any longer.”
“Thanks, Mac.” Ioan clasped the man’s shoulder briefly as he passed him. He really hoped Rodney’s plan would work because as things stood now, the satellite would be their only hope of making it through. Unless Sheppard found a new alpha site. He was almost back in the gateroom when he heard Bates call out, “Unscheduled off-world activation. Major Sheppard is coming in hot.”
Ioan double-timed it, taking a P90 from one of the Marines on duty and took up a defensive position, keeping half an ear on Bates as he shared his… opinions about what was going on with Dr. Weir. Ioan groaned. Damn that man and his paranoia. He didn’t have time to respond to anything, however, as AR-1 came in, guns blazing. Ioan readied himself in case anyone or anything followed them through the gate, but thankfully it closed almost on the heels of Sheppard.
Bates strode up to John, oozing overconfidence and self-righteous anger. “I told you she was a liability, sir. Now I’m not going to let your personal feelings endanger this facility any longer!”
Teyla walked up to them. “What?”
Ioan lowered his weapon, frowning. “Bates,” he warned.
Bates, however, ignored him and rounded on Teyla. “I’m not accusing you of doing it intentionally.”
Well, that was at least something, Ioan thought with a huff.
“But the Wraith must be getting information from you,” Bates continued.
John’s expression turned from confused to pissed off in a hot second, and Teyla seemed ready to spit nails. “What the hell are you talking about?” John asked, and Ioan could tell the major was having a hard time keeping his tone level. “We ran into a… a… Ford, what the hell was that?” John asked, looking over his shoulder at Ford.
Ford shook his head. “It looked an awful lot like a T. rex, sir.”
A what? Dinosaurs? Were they serious? Ioan’s mouth fell open as he eyed the group and took in their genuine distress and shock. Okay, then. Scratch that planet off the list. At least, he hoped it would be. He didn’t relish the idea of one of the scientists getting it into their heads to want to study them.
Turning to Bates, John scowled. “Yeah, a T. rex. It wasn’t even a Wraith. So why don’t you check those accusations.”
“I take it you don’t recommend the planet as an alpha site, Major?” Elizabeth interjected.
John only barely shifted his attention to her. “It wouldn’t be my first choice. McKay doesn’t get the satellite online, we’re screwed.”
Bates continued to glower at Teyla, and Ioan had the distinct impression that the sergeant didn’t believe them. Oh, this was not going to end well, he was sure of it.
“That’s enough, Bates,” John ground out.
“Yes, sir,” Bates said sourly, spinning on his heel and walking out, apparently disgusted by the situation.
John stepped over to Ioan. “I’m guessing you didn’t have any luck, either?”
Ioan shook his head. “No, sir. The planet was… very unstable.” And wasn’t that putting things mildly.
Running his fingers through his hair, John sighed. “Very well. Back to the drawing board, I guess.” His eyes followed Teyla as she left the room. He frowned. “This can’t be good,” he muttered. “Do me a favor, Ioan, and keep an eye on Bates for me? I’m not liking his attitude one bit.”
Scowling to where the man had gone, Ioan nodded. “Yeah, I don’t-”
A commotion down the hall had them both running, Ford on their heels. “Ah, shit,” Ioan muttered as he grabbed Teyla and pulled her off of Bates. “Calm down, Teyla, please,” he whispered in her ear, but she continued to struggle, trying to get at the other man. One glance told him Ford was having just as much trouble keeping Bates away from Teyla, and John stood in the middle, pushing the two apart.
“What the hell is going on here?” John growled.
“I was simply stating an opinion, Major,” Teyla spat, still trying to get to Bates. Ioan blinked in surprise.
“She attacked me!”
“And with good reason!” Teyla was absolutely furious.
Ioan had never seen her like this before and he was more than a little unsettled. “Calm down,” he hissed.
“Yeah, and what reason would that be?” John challenged, glaring at her.
“My guess would be the Wraith,” Bates growled.
Ioan shot Bates a pointed look. “Now would be a good time to shut up,” he muttered under his breath. Teyla huffed in annoyance.
John turned on Bates with barely contained anger. “Walk away, Bates.”
“Sir!”
“Walk away!” John roared, shooting Ford a look that said quite plainly to ‘help’ the sergeant to follow the order.
“This isn’t over,” Bates threatened as he shrugged out of Ford’s grasp. Turning on his heel, he marched out of sight.
“I would be disappointed if it were,” Teyla shouted after him.
“Teyla!” Ioan hissed, giving her a shake. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Before she could answer, John rounded on her. “What the hell were you doing? You don’t go around decking the head of security!”
Teyla’s jaw clenched. “He said-”
John cut her off. “I don’t care what he said! He says a lot of things. You just stay away from him.”
With a glance at Ioan, she finally nodded, though Ioan could tell that she was far from happy with the order. They watched her walk in the opposite direction, neither of them speaking until she was well out of sight. Ioan blew out a breath as he scratched the back of his head. “Well, that was different.”
John huffed a laugh, though it sounded hollow. “I have no idea what’s gotten into her, but I hope she comes to her senses soon.”
Glancing at his superior officer, he pondered. “You worried she might do something stupid?”
He shook his head. “Nah. Teyla’ll follow orders. I’m more concerned about what Bates might come up with next, to be honest.”
Ioan nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
John flashed him a tired smile. “Thanks. Appreciate it. Now, what say you and I try to find some more planets to explore, see if we can pull a miracle out of the air.”
Grinning, Ioan nodded. “Yes, sir.
Leave a Reply