With a lungfull of air, John rose from the cold floor. Checking the Wraith once more, he stumbled down the corridor towards the 'jumper. Vaguely he knew which direction to go, but he pinged the small ship anyway. Again, he drew in as much air as he could and soldiered on.
He was so close. So close.
Yet there was no way he would get there before passing out. Black dots swam across his vision as he entered the small room at the airlock; the lights began fading in and out. No, wait. That's me! Snapping his eyes open, John steadied himself at the doorway as his body lurched sideways. On the wall, three space suits mocked him with their serenity. He was out of time.
John leaned forward, undoing the seals with thick, clumsy fingers. His body felt cold and heavy as he lifted a leg into the suit. Before fastening the seals, he switched on the oxygen, not caring how much was wasted through the openings. Drawing in sweet, life-giving air, he was finally able to function a little better. Finally sealed inside, he waited, hoping someone would notice. Going out in a spectacular explosion wouldn't be a bad way to go, but John Sheppard wasn't ready for that just yet.
As he concentrated on breathing slowly, the aches and pains made themselves known. The adrenaline was wearing off, and John felt every bruise that slowly formed along his arms and left side. The Wraith he fought didn't seem as powerful as ones in the past, possibly they had not fed recently. Come to think of it, none of the drones even tried to stand after the first wave of bullets. This was a kamikaze run, all or nothing. Midway was going to explode because of the Wraith objective.
The blaring alarm was muted while inside the suit; the noise caused his head to throb in time. John drowned out the sound, and listened instead to the click of the oxygen pump. He slowly drew another breath, willing the fire in his lungs to abate.
A memory flashed of himself in sixth grade. Jimmy Donnelly bet John two Jolly Rancher Fire Stix he couldn't hold his breath for thirty seconds. Young John did him one better, holding his breath for nearly a minute. He was dizzy for the next half hour, and his mother was alternately concerned and angry. Nope, she was furious!
John smiled at the memory. The last time he thought about that incident involved a similar situation. Only this time, some guy wasn't trying to kill himself. Immediately, sadness swept over him as memories filtered through, leaving him empty. Stop it, John! You're not dead yet!
Suddenly, there were feet pounding down the corridor. Doctor Lee punched in the code to open the airlock; Kavanagh pushed past to get in first. Two marines followed, and Rodney actually had their six. I'm gonna have a little talk with those two... Rodney searched behind him with worried eyes.
He's looking for me! John tried to get his limbs to move, anything to get his friend's attention. The suit's pump clicked as Rodney was about to step away. Miraculously, he heard it, turning from the airlock door.
Relief flooded over John as Rodney faced him, wide-eyed and harried. His cheeks were pink from exertion, but the rest of his features were pale. Nope, you can't get rid of me that easily, Rodney. He felt the man stab at a button outside the suit; a light would reveal his face.
Startled, McKay jerked back, his exclamation muted by the suit. The only thing John could think of was there were two minutes left before self destruct obliterated them all. Squinting against the sudden brightness, John took a breath. "Get me out of here," he said, not sure if McKay could hear him.
Rodney quickly fumbled with the seals and held out a hand to steady his friend. Grabbing John's belt loop and tac vest, he helped John step out of the suit. Rodney felt stiff, cold hands latch onto his shoulder as John regained his balance. "I thought –"
"No time. Let's go."
"Yes, of course," Rodney sputtered, bewildered by the sudden appearance of Sheppard, who he thought was dead. Again. "Are you all right? You look really pale. Did –"
"I'm fine, Rodney," John said as the room spun and righted itself. He felt the scientist's hand clasp his arm in the tenderest spot. John jerked his arm away, trying not to yelp in pain.
McKay stared at his empty hand for a second before eying the pilot suspiciously. John tilted his head, daring his companion to say anything. Rodney shook his head as they came to the 'jumper hatch. "We'll talk about this later, you and I," he said quietly as he dropped down into the 'jumper.
John felt his lips curve in a smile as he too dropped into the little ship. He headed straight for the controls, shrugging off hands that steadied him as he walked past. John instructed everyone to sit down, barely recognizing his own voice.
The 'jumper was ready to leave as the pilot did a quick preflight adjustment. As the ship detached, John thought of nothing but speed. The greatest accomplishment the rest of Earth would never see exploded into dust and debris at the edge of the Milky Way galaxy.
Through the headache pounding behind his eyes, John thought, Now comes the hard part.