CHAPTER 1 – CALLED INTO THE GAME
John and Ronon stepped through the gate into the SGC on earth. This was not Ronon's first trip here, and he did not enjoy it. It necessitated having to outfit himself in nondescript earth attire so that he did not stand out – which he did in most places regardless. The large Satedan stood well over six feet tall and with his long dreadlocked hair and dark gaze, he commanded more than his share of attention, whether it was in his home galaxy of Pegasus, or here on earth – three millions light years away.
John clapped him on the back, understanding the sour look he shot at the armed marines that stood vigilant and silent.
"Take it easy, Chewie. You know the drill. They gotta give us the full monty in the infirmary, make sure we haven't picked up any little nasties out there in our own piece of paradise."
Ronon snorted, tossing his dreadlocks over one shoulder, and holding the cold stare of one particularly bold marine who thought, rather stupidly, that he would dare to hold a staring contest with the short tempered Satedan.
"Exactly why I don't like your planet, Sheppard. Why'd they drag me into this? Haven't they got enough of their own guys here to sort this out? Seems more like a domestic problem."
"The call came from O'Neill...and when he bellows, we more or less go running..."
And he quickly broke off what he was about to say when said General came down from his office and entered the gate room. He had obviously overheard the final words.
"Sheppard! Nice to know that my bellowing gets so much respect. Ronon..."
Ronon nodded at Jack. In spite of himself he had developed a grudging respect for the older man. He had taken on his share of missions and been a champion of all their causes in the Pegasus Galaxy.
"You didn't tell us a lot General... something about a woman in a hospital. I know that you have this whole 'succinct' thing going on, but I kinda get the feeling that there's a hell of a lot more to the story... with all due respect, sir."
"That there is Sheppard. And I'll tell you en route to the hospital. After you've had that full monty..."
Once they'd been given the all clear to proceed, O'Neill ushered them into a military vehicle which would take them to the airfield. From there they would transfer to a jet to take them to Washington.
"You know how these things work, Sheppard. There are eyes and ears everywhere out here. When certain words come up, then lights start flashing and bells start ringing. A young lady in Washington was admitted to a hospital. She had been found in a street outside her laboratory building with a head injury and did not fully regain consciousness. Not yet, anyway. Last night, one the staff nurses heard her murmuring. Thinking that she was about to wake up, the nurse went in and the words that she heard had no meaning, but were unusual enough that she took the time to repeat them later that night. To a dinner companion. This particular dinner companion has national security clearance and these words started alarm bells ringing. And hey guys, guess what? We get to play doctors and nurses!"
John stifled a smile at the irrepressible quirk of humour that lit up the General's eyes. His mostly irreverent exterior did, however, cover a whole chapter of seriousness and John knew that if you pushed the wrong buttons, that certain seriousness would show the world in a heartbeat how he now bore the rank of Brigadier-General.
"I hope, sir, that on this unexpected journey across our good country, you will consider imparting the knowledge that you have to us, considering that we have crossed two galaxies to attend this little soirree."
O'Neill laughed. He enoyed the humour of the younger man, and found that John reminded him of himself a long time ago, when he was still fresh enough to think he could possibly make a difference in the world. Now? Those days were less and less, and as he sat back now in the pilot's seat of the C-21A learjet he had chosen to fly himself, he threw a reminiscent smile out the window at the darkening night sky. It had been a long haul, and soon he'd pass the reins on to another, one with a little more energy to fight the good fight.
"Well, Sheppard. Those magic words that she mumbled as almost a litany while still delirious? Oh, they would be... Stargate... Atlantis...Wraith... oh, and I think the name Colonel Sheppard may have popped in there as well."
This had John's attention, and he adjusted the headphones, turning slightly in the co-pilots seat so that he could look at the General.
"Who the hell is this woman, and how did she know all that?"
"That, Sheppard? Would be the sixty four million dollar question. She is not afiliated with the programme in any way. She works for a private microbiology firm and we've run a background check both on her and the company she works for, and nothing. She is an extremely good scientist and currently working on gene therapy for Alzheimers prevention."
"And she was found on the street outside her lab? Beaten up?"
"Not so much... just a head wound. And when we ordered a full, discreet sweep of the lab, we found nothing that rung any bells. So, you see Sheppard... we have to tread carefully here. You guys have the knowledge of the city – if she knows something, then I want you here to talk to her. When she regains consciousness, we need to find out what she knows. And how she knows it."
"With all due respect sir... couldn't one of your team have handled that... out here? It's a long haul from Atlantis, and there are those out here better qualified to deal with what is essentially a security detail."
"Hmmm, Sheppard. That tone of voice sounds distinctly insubordinate. Trust me on this. This whole thing is too damn sensitive to let anyone else handle it. We don't know what was in those files, which equates to... not having a great deal of trust for anyone that is earth based right now. Getting the picture yet?"
Ronon grinned from his seat behind the General. He hadn't met many men who got the better of Sheppard, and O'Neill seemed right on the mark as he watched John shake his head slightly in frustration.
"I'm simply the chauffeur, boys. For all intents and purposes, you're visiting John's sick sister, Dr Stephanie Mandel - in hospital. We've even had the hospital records altered so that for anyone looking too closely, we're all above board. I also have other business to attend to in Washington, so we're multi tasking here. Ronon? I don't need to remind you about discretion?"
"I've played this game before O'Neill." Ronon's voice held more than just a hint of sarcasm and Jack laughed.
"That you have, Ronon... that you have. Now boys, enjoy the last part of our little sight seeing jaunt through the early evening sky. If you'll take a moment to look out your right hand window, your'll see the lights of our country coming on as the citizens of the United States of America get ready for bed, totally oblivious to the fact that we fly above them at Mach .81 en route from another galaxy transporting two men who have more than once, held the fate of their galaxy in their hands. Oh the power, gentlemen... and while you're reflecting on the enormity of that, Sheppard? There's a nice fat file near your feet that will make for some light reading for you boys... while I enjoy caressing the controls of this lovely wee lass. All the good doctor's history is in that file and when we arrive in DC in oh, say two hours... there'll be a car to take you the hospital, and remember. She's your sister, so be... brotherly."
But it had been John who had perused the file, while Ronon, in one of the rear seats, had simply fallen asleep – the lights of the cities below, failing to impress the taciturn Satedan. And when they had arrived in DC two hours later, a car had taken them immediately to the hospital.
Minus a military uniform, John still created a stir amongst the hospital staff, and accompanied by the large, brooding Satedan, there were more than a few admiring glances at the vision these two men made as they entered the hospital and made their way directly to the reception are. John had been smiling charmingly to the receptionist, leaning over her desk slightly and gazing into her eyes as he made his request and Ronon had rolled his eyes. The usual Sheppard charm had the woman all but batting her eyelashes at him, and after only a quick look at Dr Stephanie Mandel's hospital admittance forms, John and Ronon were able to head down to the designated room.
They had found the room easily and stepped into it, noting immediately the muted lighting and the body of the woman who lay sleeping on the bed. Ronon had remained back near the door, wanting to be able to monitor the comings and goings down the hallway. He found these large earth institutions a little disconcerting. The many coridoored facilities had him with a feeling of entrapment and he needed to stay close to his point of exit. John flicked a glance at him, understanding immediately why he stood where he did.
"Miss Mandel?"
John stood close the bed, and said her name quietly, taking in the features of the woman who lay there. His sister? Well, there was little physical resemblence. She had long wheat coloured hair and pale, peach hued skin – with a smattering of tiny freckles across her nose and cheeks. She looked like an All-American farmgirl, with the sort of face that would look right at home sitting atop a tractor wearing a checked shirt. He pushed down a grin. Scientist, she did not look like.
Her eyes had fluttered open at the sound of his voice, and widened immediately in alarm, at registering a stranger in her room, and so close to her bed. Fascinated by those bright green eyes, he had sought to give her some reassurance.
"I'm sorry to startle you. We need to ask you a few questions... about some things you said while you were unconscious. It seems those words caused a little concern in certain circles..."
He had been unsure how to play this, but decided to go straight for honesty – at least as much as he was able. Likely she knew nothing, and it was a matter of hearing a few chosen words spoken out of context and having no idea what the link was. But Jack was insistent that even those few words spoken, had to have meant something. And the very fact that she had ended up in hospital, apparently on the receiving end of some sort of head injury... that needed further investigation.
But all the way from Pegasus? Surely that's only a little overkill, General... but he fought to push those thoughts away. The General generally had some sort of game plan, and even if the rules were a little unclear most of the time, he got his results and sometimes in the most unorthodox ways.
"Who are you?" She had a light, almost musical voice with a lilt in it that he tried to recognise. Irish, perhaps? Although with that skin and hair colouring, it didn't look like it. He looked down at her and something in her eyes, those exceptionally clear green eyes, made him rethink his strategy. Give her a measure of the truth.
"I'm Colonel John Sheppard. It appears somewhere in your dilerium, you have been mentioning my name... so I thought I'd pay you a little visit and see if perhaps we did not meet in another life... although if we had... I'm sure I'd remember those pretty eyes."
John heard Ronon's impatient huff of breath from the door and could almost sense him rolling his eyes. He pushed down a grin. He'd milk this one a little, give Ronon something to really get pissed about.
But what he was not prepared for, was the shaft of fear that entered her eyes, and the startled way she pushed up out of the bed, trailing some tubes that were connected to the back of her hand.
Immediately concerned, he moved forward and placed restraining hands on her shoulders, worried she'd pull out some important piece of medical equipment and have doctors and nurses running in here to see what was going on.
"Hey... didn't mean to startle you. But you said a few words... some of them captured the attention of … certain people. They sent me to find out where you got the information you have. No one's here to hurt you, we just need some information."
She shrugged away from his touch, and that look of fear grew in her eyes.
"That's what he said. When he attacked me, outside my lab. Who are you people? What the hell do you want...?"
Her voice was interupted by a crashing noise, then a shout of fear and Ronon, after a quick look at John, left the room. He was back in seconds.
"Sheppard. We've got problems."
John backed away from the bed. "Stay here." He said to the woman in the bed. "No matter what you hear outside that door, do not leave this room. Do you understand?"
Frightened now, she nodded and the two men left her room. She clutched the covers tightly, then resolve firmed in those green eyes. Pushing the covers back, she swayed slightly as her feet touched the floor, and rummaging around for her clothes, she dressed as quickly as she could and moved to the door. Opening it cautiously, she peered out and finding the hallway empty, she shut her door behind her and carefully moved down it, away from the reception area. She didn't understand what was happening, but knew that it had something to do with the files she had seen. The ones she had not told Colonel Sheppard about. The one with his name in it...
And she was not going to sit around and have someone try to cover up what she had seen. She'd get back to her lab, before any alarm bells went up, and find out what she could. Then find someone to take the information to.
If she could get out the hospital undetected...