Title: Multiplicity

Author: YappiChick

Spoilers: Up to "The Return" Part 2

Author's Notes: This story takes place before "Echoes"

It was a beautiful day, Sheppard thought as he looked out to the horizon. Of course, with super storms aside, there was rarely a less than perfect day at Atlantis.

The smell of the sea always surprised him; for some reason, he didn't imagine oceans on other planets having the same briny smell of the seas he was use to. Then again, Earth was home to the Ancients before Atlantis was; maybe this was just one way of reminding them of where they came from.

Just as he was about to go inside, Zelenka's voice came through his earpiece. "Colonel Sheppard, I think you should come down to Section 3d. There is something I think you would like to see."

Sheppard tried to think of a quick excuse to get him out of walking down the ten floors. Since the Ancients had come and gone, numerous systems and sections of the city had become operational. Now it seemed that Sheppard was getting calls from excited scientists, filling him in on the amazing finds they discovered, at all hours of the day.

"Well, see, Radek--"

"It's a Full House," the Czech said teasingly.

A smile broke out on John's face. "I'll be there in five minutes."

After returning to Atlantis, Zelenka and Sheppard worked out a deal. If he were to discover anything that Rodney would be interested in, Zelenka was to contact John before Rodney. Never being one to pass up an opportunity to annoy McKay, the scientist easily agreed. Their code was simple; Radek would rate his find based on a poker hand.

On his way to the lab, he bumped into Ronan. Literally. Being so preoccupied with what Radek could have possibly found, Sheppard wasn't paying attention to anything around him. "Sorry," he muttered, trying to get past him without having to stop.

No such luck. Ronan grabbed his arm. "In a hurry, Sheppard?"

"Oh, you know, one of the guys down in the new section has something they want me to see," he said, trying to play it cool. "I'm sure it's nothing."

Ronan looked at him for a few seconds. "Sure," he replied, knowing something was up. "Does that mean you're not going to make it to the meeting?"

Damn, he knew he forgot something. Today was supposed to be when his team was to finally get caught up on all the paperwork that had accumulated since their return. "No. Yes," he answered, holding a finger up, "I don't know. Give me fifteen minutes. I'll let you know then."

With that, he turned around and hightailed it down to where Zelenka was waiting for him.

When he walked into the room where Radek was, the first thing that registered was the horrible smell of rotting fish. "Didn't the Ancients make some kind of air freshener?" he said, trying not to gag.

Zelenka shrugged. "Dr. Davis is trying to figure something out. You'll get use to it after a couple of hours."

There was no way Sheppard was going to stay in there any longer than necessary. "So, what is this amazing find?"

"This way," he said leading Sheppard to a large platform.

Overall, it didn't look particularly impressing to John. There was a large console to the side of the platform with some Ancient symbols. Attached to it were several computers providing an interface for the scientists to use. Above the platform, there was a large circle in the ceiling; Sheppard assumed it was a burnt out light bulb.

"And I'm looking at?"

"The ultimate soldier making machine," Zelenka said excitedly.

"This?" Sheppard asked with disbelief.

Pushing up his glasses, he nodded. "Yes, according to the data we have collected, this machine was able to take a person and make have the strength of three men."

"Really?" he asked, his interest kindled. He thought of Ronan being three times as strong; no Wraith would ever stand a chance against him. "Can we try it out?"

"No no no," the doctor said hurriedly. "There are many more tests we have to run. It will be a while until we can use it. At best, two months. Maybe."

That was not the answer John wanted to hear. Two days he could handle, but months? No way. Before he could complain, Zelenka was called to the other side of the lab.

After he walked away, Sheppard thought he could take advantage of the situation. He knew that his genetic makeup would allow him to activate things without having to touch anything. If he just happened to step on the platform and become strong like the Incredible Hulk, that really wasn't his fault; it was just meant to be.

Making sure Zelenka was still preoccupied, he stepped on the large square. As he expected, things started happening. The circle from the ceiling began emanating a green light on him. The floor also lit up; four circles appeared, one red, blue, green and yellow. The machine started humming loudly.

Now this is what I'm talking about, John thought.

Zelenka was talking when he heard the machine activating. He knew he should have never left the colonel there. It was too tempting for him. Before he could scold him, Rodney started yelling at him through his earpiece.

"What are you doing there, Radek? There is a major power spike coming from where you are," complained McKay.

He turned to face the machine, and Sheppard, to being explaining. The only problem was, he wasn't there. "Um, Rodney, I think you need to get down here."