Title: Out of Control
Author: SlayersGrl
Summary: A routine trading mission goes awry when a member
of Atlantis's flagship team is taken hostage by a mysterious entity.
Author's note: This is my first Stargate: Atlantis fic! So… please be kind! I welcome any constructive criticism. I've only seen like 5 episodes so far, so I'm not 100 sure if I have the characters down yet… This story just popped into my head and since I actually have the whole plot planned out for once, I just had to write it. I need to come up with a better title though… I just couldn't think of anything else right now…
Chapter 1: In the Name of Food
Major John Sheppard sighed. He was completely and utterly bored. They had arrived on the planet Argos two days ago and were just completing the final steps in a trade agreement. Deciding that he wasn't much of a negotiator, he had decided to let Teyla and McKay work out the details with the local inhabitants, with the understanding that he still had to get everything approved by Dr. Weir.
Of course, this left one very bored major with nothing to do. He was on his second walk around the city since they had arrived, scoping the landscape for anything suspicious and just admiring the view in general. Not that there was anything spectacular about the planet, except maybe what was left of the ancient temple in the center of its main city. The temple had obviously seen better days, but that wasn't the reason they had decided to take this mission. They were more interested in the vast fields of crops that surrounded the city.
"Ah, the fabulous life of an intergalactic adventurer… Visiting ancient buildings and gathering crops…" John muttered to himself. And then his radio clattered to life.
"Major, we have concluded our talks. The Argosians wish us to join them at their temple to complete the trade agreement." Teyla was always succinct with her reports.
"Understood. I'll be there in five." He changed direction and headed back the way he came, his destination clearly visible above the surrounding hills. A few minutes later, he was standing next to his team in front of the massive stairs leading to the temple entrance.
"So, everything went well I take it?"
Ford smiled at him in greeting and replied, "Yes, sir. They've agreed to give us a good portion of their crop in exchange for some medical supplies and equipment."
"Good. Then I'm just in time for the party."
"Major!" McKay interrupted. "This is a serious ritual to these people. Can you at least pretend to take it seriously?"
"Alright, alright…" Sheppard raised his hands in mock defense. "I can be serious." He missed what McKay muttered under his breath, but he had some idea since Ford was obviously trying hard not to laugh. "What do we have to do?"
McKay studied the major for a moment, trying to decide if he was actually ready to take the situation seriously. "They said," he paused, obviously trying to remember the exact phrasing, "'Your leader must sit in the throne of the gods and be judged.'" He was slightly surprised to see Sheppard suddenly look horrified at the concept.
"The last time I did that, I ended up getting dragged off to another galaxy." For the first time since arriving on Argos, he had a feeling that something wasn't quite right.
"I'm sure it's just a figure of speech, sir," Ford added. "We haven't found anything to suggest the Ancients had an outpost here."
"Major," Teyla interrupted, realizing they had been standing at the base of the stairs for a while, "should we not join the elders in the temple?"
They were greeted at the entrance by the village leader Hanaan. "Major Sheppard. I am pleased that our people have reached an agreement. All we require is the blessing of the gods to proceed with the trade."
"Of course Hanaan," he replied, trying to peer into the darkened interior of the temple. The torches on the walls cast strange shadows on the large chamber making it hard to see what lay inside. "If you would just lead the way…" he added, sweeping his arm to indicate the temple.
The other man nodded and quickly stepped into the chamber. Sheppard took two steps inside and groaned. "McKay!" he muttered under his breath, knowing the scientist could hear him. The entire room had immediately lit up upon his entrance, much like Atlantis had when they first arrived.
"It must be reacting to the gene. I'm getting some energy readings from an object ahead of us." Sheppard noted with amusement that he hadn't even looked up from his scanner during his reply.
"Uh, sir…" Ford said, getting a better grip on his P-90. "I don't think this is a regular occurrence."
Sheppard gazed around and realized what he meant. There were several dozen villagers that had gathered in the temple to view the ritual and they were all currently staring at the small group, their expressions a mixture of awe, shock, and perhaps fear. Even Hanaan's mouth was slightly open as he stared at the team and the now brightly lit interior.
"It is a sign from the gods!" he suddenly exclaimed, raising his arms in praise. The team silently agreed that it might be in their best interests to not correct that assumption. "Come, the Judgement must begin immediately!" The man then excitedly indicated that the major should sit on the stone chair at the head of the room.
However, the major was sure that was the last thing he wanted to do right now. Something was off… He carefully studied Hanaan and the other village elders that had gathered around him. He could tell they were surprised at what had happened so far, but he could detect nothing but good intentions in their request. Nothing indicated that this was some sort of trap.
Teyla stepped beside him and quietly whispered, "If you do not do something soon, they will surely be offended."
John sighed in agreement. Then he pulled the strap for his gun over his head and handed the weapon to Ford. He nodded to the village leaders and cautiously approached the chair. He reached out and touched the arm. When nothing happened, he glanced back down at his team. They each shrugged at his questioning glance. They were just as confused as he was. "All in the name of food…" Then he turned around and sat down on the chair.
He was immediately engulfed in a bright flash of blue light.