Welcome Distraction – Chapter 1
Active Activities.
'This is ridiculous! Unless you're looking for everyone to die a horrible and painful death, which given the suggestion that you just made, seems like a real possibility!' Rodney snapped, his arms folded in complete defiance.
'It is not ridiculous, and the chance of the device exploding is minimal – ' Zalenka reasoned.
'Minimal or no, that's not a chance we can take because if it were to over load, it wouldn't be the tiny puff of smoke you're making it out to be, it would be Hiroshima huge – except we'd call it the "Zalenka" for its massive destructive capability.' Rodney growled.
'I never said that it wouldn't be dangerous, Rodney, because the risks are very real-' Zalenka replied angrily.
'Oh! And that gives us every reason to do it, mh?' Rodney asked, his eyes wide with fury, pinning Zalenka like a moth to a wall.
'The benefits could be extremely rich…' The Czech insisted.
'There's no point in looking for the benefits if we get blown to kingdom come first.' Rodney said incredulously.
'We can set up safety measures to minimalise the possibility of an over load, you know that it is possible – 'Zalenka said wearily.
'Safety measures along the lines of an underground shelter as well as years of supplies to survive in order to avoid the massive levels of radiation when it all goes horribly wrong-?' Rodney chimed nastily; Zalenka threw his hands in the air.
'Well, if I could just finish a sentence to at least - !'
'No! There will be no finishing of sentences to persuade anyone that this is a good idea because it is not a good idea! A good idea involves a pulse, a colourful cocktail and a busty blonde waitress.' Rodney said loudly, turning to Elizabeth whose head was looking to the ground. 'Am I right?' He said arrogantly, as if there could only be one answer. Elizabeth looked up at them now that their attention was focused on her and not their rage. Her green eyes flashed with a humour, masking her true thoughts.
'Well, I don't know about the waitress, but I would certainly like to keep my pulse.' She answered.
'Thank you.' Rodney turned to Zalenka with a stern look of stupidity.
'Although – ' She began.
'Although what?' Rodney asked swiftly.
'The benefits of this experiment could very well outweigh the risks, and I am intrigued.' She raised her eyebrows at Zalenka, who gave Rodney a grin of triumph.
'What happened to the liking of having a pulse?' Rodney asked irritatedly.
'I can't have a pulse and reap the benefits of the experiment?' She asked confidently.
'No.' Rodney squeaked petulantly.
'Yes.' Zalenka countered. 'I believe that the possibility of the device having a containment failure is very very small, it is more likely that we will not gain anything at all from experimenting with it-'
'In which case, not only could it be enormously dangerous, it would be a massive waste of time.' Rodney insisted firmly.
'Where's the adventurous McKay I know? The McKay whose thirst for scientific knowledge usually gets him into trouble?' Elizabeth asked.
'He's learnt from his mistakes and has decided to ignore the possible scientific advancements when capture, torture and death are a possibility – and in this case, death is a very real possibility!' McKay said firmly, arms folded.
Elizabeth paused and watched the two, Zalenka muttering under his breath in Czech and Rodney staring at her with a look of rebellious arrogance. It was a big thing with even bigger risks… but she had to admit that the benefits could be extremely helpful in their fight against the Wraith. Anything to give us a hand… She looked at Rodney one last time and knew that he would complain throughout the entire thing, she thought it odd that he wasn't on board with this. Usually he couldn't wait to get his hands on a massive power source, no matter the risk – a mistake he had made a year ago that almost cost him the lives of his team mates. But this device was different – apparently. Although it could power Atlantis for a fair amount of time, even to the point where it could fly into space, it was no where near the spectacular power source they had discovered last time, for which she was actually grateful. This device seemed more…manageable. If it's possible, we need to try.
'Radik, what safety measures can be taken?' She asked. Rodney groaned.
'I can't believe you're gonna go along with this!' He said angrily.
'Well, Rodney, this seems like a wonderful opportunity, an opportunity in which I want every safety measure that can be employed to be employed.' She said firmly. Radik nodded.
'Absolutely. I think we should have an off world base where the research and experiments are carried out, just in case. The radiation levels can get high, but no more than the suits can handle, and that will be much later on in the research…' He assured her.
'Oh yes! Radiation is safe! Let's all go and play in the chromospheres of the Sun!' Rodney exclaimed.
'Anything that has Rodney high-pitched has me concerned.' Said a voice behind them. John wandered into the office with his hands in his pockets, giving his team mates a frown. 'And if he gets any higher, we'll get bombarded by flea-ridden space dogs.' Rodney marched to Sheppard's side.
'Tell them how bad radiation is.' Rodney demanded.
'It's bad.' John nodded.
'Now tell them how bad death is.'
'That's also pretty bad.' John agreed.
'Thank you! Finally, a sane person!' Rodney threw his hands up in the air, praising Sheppard for his timing. 'Okay, so he doesn't have the expertise or mental capacity to understand anything even remotely related to this device – but! He's good enough, given his past experience with many other…bad things.'
'Gee, thanks Rodney.' Sheppard eyed him before giving Elizabeth a tired look. 'What did I miss?'
'Crazy people thinking they can do crazy things, the usual.' Rodney offered nastily, glaring at Zalenka.
'Rodney, I am giving this project the green light and I want you to be on board. They'll need your expertise and I know that I would feel a lot safer if you were keeping an eye on things.' Elizabeth insisted. Rodney's ego was her best bet when wanting him to do something; she had played that card many times before. Rodney narrowed his eyes at her and moved away from Sheppard, walking to Weir and pointing at her.
'No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! You are not going to use flattery with sugar coated compliments to get me to think that this is a good idea.' He smiled triumphantly having sussed her game. I am not that easy, no siree!
'Rodney, I was never for one moment trying to get you to think that it was a good idea, I am however firmly insisting that you do it anyway.' It was Elizabeth's turn to narrow her eyes. Rodney slumped.
'Fine.' He said petulantly. 'I'll go and set the thing up and do the little thingies that need to be done, and I'll smile and laugh about other spectacular things – but if that thing blows up in my face, then I won't be around to say it, so I'm going to say it now.' He turned on his heel and stormed to the door before spinning and facing the rest of the room, announcing dramatically, 'I told you so.' He paused, his confident tone changing to one of slight terror. 'However, if I do die, make sure they don't give me a wake, I hate the thought that people would be looking at my corpse when I had absolutely no input on how I'd be dressed.'
'Don't worry Rodney.' John grinned at him. 'If you explode, there won't be enough left of you to have a wake.' He nodded.
Rodney gave him a look of disbelief and forced a half smile. 'Funny.' He stalked off.
'Hilarious.' Elizabeth nodded at Zalenka who nodded in return and followed Rodney to his lab.
John perched on Weirs desk while Elizabeth took a seat and sighed.
'So…' John began. 'Rodney doesn't seem too keen about the whole power source thing – which is kinda weird because I thought he would have been psyched about it.'
Elizabeth nodded. 'Maybe he doubts he can do it, and then maybe it's his admirable survival instinct taking over the reigns.'
John nodded at her wicked smile and stood. 'The newbies coming this afternoon?'
Elizabeth picked up the Ancient Pad sitting in front of her and glanced at John, nodding. 'Rotation. They arrive, and a chunk of our personnel go home for a month or so.' She paused, putting the Pad on the desk again. 'We've had to replenish our numbers time and time again because of the incidents over the last couple of years. I can't help but feel that we're bringing in more people who will eventually be replaced.' A guilty look plagued over her face. John nodded. Like she's to blame. It's not her fault, none of it. Although on more than one occasion, it's been my fault.
'They know what they're signing up for, and they still come. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want the chance to explore an Ancient city in a whole other galaxy?' He asked, eyebrows raised as if it were the coolest thing in the world.
Elizabeth nodded. 'Good point.' She picked up the Pad once more.
John lingered. 'So is there anyone interesting coming to stay…? You know, become a permanent addition to the expedition?'
Elizabeth didn't look up at him. 'The department heads chose their new members – you saw the final list.'
'Well, yeah, I saw a bunch of scientists and Doctors, and the military personnel that I chose but, they're just names, I didn't have all the juicy details.' He grinned at her. Elizabeth smiled at him.
'Well, there are one or two additions that were not chosen by the Department heads. Apparently the DOA and even the President insisted on making suggestions.' Elizabeth gave him a stern look. The DOA – or "the money" – had been nothing more than a pain in the butt since the moment they arrived in the Pegasus galaxy. John was sure that anyone they had a hand in transferring over here was sure to be bad news.
He frowned. 'How many?' Not liking this at all.
'Three.'
'Mh. That's not too bad, I guess if they get overly annoying we could just leave them on a nice empty planet somewhere…far, far away.' He suggested, half serious. Elizabeth grinned mischievously.
'As nice a thought as that is, it seems their records speak for themselves.' She explained. John rolled his eyes.
'Geniuses?' He asked. Oh god, like we need more…
'Oh yes.' Elizabeth grabbed the Pad.
'Rodney'll be thrilled.' John said firmly.
'That would be why I haven't told him yet.' Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, indicating that he was to stay quiet too. John nodded. 'I don't think he can handle the competition.'
'Alright. I'm gonna find Chef and explain the intricacies of food poisoning so he knows what to avoid.' John smiled and wandered out, Elizabeth watching him go before turning her attention to the Ancient Pad.
John knew before he even walked into the lunch hall that it would be busy, with various Lantean personnel wandering and eating. He spotted the tall dread locked hair above the sea of people and made a path. He could see Teyla sitting in front of Ronan, the two of them talking deeply. Or at least Teyla was talking deeply while Ronan gave one word answers.
'…it is not always as simple as that, as much as I would like it to be.' Teyla responded, giving Ronan an unimpressed look. Ronan stared back lazily.
'Sure it is.'
Teyla shook her head, her brown eyes searing him with frustration.
'You must use some level of morality, otherwise you are deemed nothing more than a killer.' Teyla argued.
'Killer's easier.' Ronan turned his attention back to the plate before him.
Teyla raised an eyebrow at him before spotting the Colonel and smiling at him as he slid into the chair next to her.
'Colonel,' She greeted. 'Ronan has just presented me with a scenario with which to rectify, and I am sorry to say that we seem to be at a stand still as to a decision.'
John raised his eyebrows. 'Scenario?' He looked at Ronan. The Satedan looked as though he wished he had never mentioned it.
'Woman grabs a man, puts a weapon to his head.' Ronan began.
'Except that the woman is desperate, obviously distressed.' Teyla added. 'What do you think should be done?'
John reached over to Ronan's plate, ready to steal a chip. The Satedan slapped his hand and raised an eyebrow at the Colonel menacingly.
'I believe that reason is needed to diffuse the situation – Ronan believes a bullet would do just as well.' She scowled at the Ronan who simply watched her, chewing.
'Easy. Reason with her first, if she doesn't comply, shoot the hostage.' John answered simply.
'Shoot the hostage?' Teyla said incredulously while Ronan laughed. A tactless joke.
'Not to kill.' He said quickly. 'Just to wound.'
'Get rid of the thing stopping you from solving the problem.' Ronan nodded.
'Yeah, once the hostage is down and the crazy woman is stunned, you shoot her before she shoots you.' John smiled, and then seeing Teyla's venomous face added, 'And then you help the hostage to a Doctor.'
'I see.' Teyla said in a manner which suggested that she didn't. That is not what I would have done. John shrugged and Ronan grinned appreciatively. 'Where is Rodney? I did not think there would be anything that could keep him from a meal.'
'Mh, he just got the go ahead to try out the new power source we found.' John explained, eyeing the buffet across the way. 'He seemed pretty wound up about it.'
'It's a bad idea. Remember what happened the last time?' Ronan said darkly.
'Dr Zalenka believes that the device is far smaller and more controllable than the one found on the Ancient planet. Elizabeth appeared quite interested in its purpose.' Teyla informed them.
'Yeah, well, Zalenka's all for it and Rodney wants to avoid it like there's no tomorrow.' John explained to them. Teyla noticed the look of surprise.
'I would have thought Rodney insisted on experimenting with the device.' Teyla frowned.
'Maybe he's learnt his lesson from last time.' Ronan suggested.
'Destroying a solar system can do that to you.' John nodded. 'I don't know, he just seems worried.'
'He's always worried about something.' Ronan said firmly, as though the man was an annoyance even when he wasn't there.
A silence fell between them and Teyla noted the tension. Usually things were fine between them, but this device had brought them back to the memory of Rodney's earlier blunder that had costed them a scientist's life and nearly all of their own. He had allowed his arrogance and over confidence to get the better of him and he had paid the consequences. Although it didn't take all that long for him to get back on his feet after the incident, a year on and a similar situation had brought back the memories of their loss of faith in his abilities, and the trust he had to earn back from the entire city. Apparently, Rodney had not forgotten it either. Teyla frowned. Even so, Rodney had never lost his nerve since his mistake when it came to science, and this was supposed to be on a much smaller scale. He is smart enough to know not to dwell in the past, I do not know why he cannot see that what is done is done and nothing can be changed. He can pay for it no longer, he has already suffered the mistrust of Atlantis. She didn't understand why he was so against it, and she was certain that he would never tell them. Teyla looked up from her food and caught John's eye, knowing that he had been thinking the same thing. Ronan meanwhile had been finishing off his lunch. She sighed, the silence almost unbearable.
'I believe that the Daedalus is bringing new personnel this afternoon.' She stated. John leapt at the chance to fill the awkward gap.
'Yeah, apparently a few interesting choices too.' He nodded at Ronan.
Teyla rolled her eyes. That could only mean that John and Rodney had hired one or two people, not only for their expertise, but for their slender figures and pretty faces. Ronan grinned. And they all thought he was the animal…
'I mean, can you believe it? It's ridiculous! We are going to blow up and then I won't be around to hear – "Oh. Well I guess McKay was right, wasn't he?" Which is something I want to hear!' Rodney could be heard before he was seen, which was always the case. The group turned to see the scientist walk toward the hall with Carson by his side looking extremely annoyed. John grinned. Rodney was not exactly a people person. 'You'd think that after all my years of expertise that when I strongly disagree with something because I know it means death for all involved, that she would listen to me! But nooo – She listens to Zalenka because he gave her the answer she wanted – Hey!' Rodney spotted the team and John could have sworn that Ronan winced. 'Can you guys believe it? Isn't it insane?'
'How you doin' Carson?' John asked with a wide smile. The Scot glared at him.
'Oh, I'm fine, having a ball – I just love hearing Rodney go on and on about things I have no idea about.' He thrust his hands into his pockets moodily. Rodney gave him a side long glance.
'If you didn't want to listen to my pain Carson, you could've just said.' Rodney folded his arms sulkily.
Carson raised his eyebrows. 'Well if I had known that would work, I would have done it years ago!' He said angrily, as though truly kicking himself for all those lost hours listening to Rodney ranting…
'Oh that's nice! Very nice! Excuse me, who do you go to when you're feeling blue?' He asked pointedly.
'My Mother, Rodney, now if you don't mind, I'm going to get something to eat.' Carson gave him a firm look before heading toward the buffet. John saw this as his cue to do the same and followed.
Rodney, looking extremely agitated and depressed, sat by Ronan. The Satedan looked at him before returning to his food. Rodney had caught the look from the corner of his eye and his torso tensed.
'What?' He snapped. Ronan looked at him again and shrugged.
'Oh, I see, I'm in the wrong am I? Annoying everybody with my senseless complaints of certain death?' He stood from the table, Teyla watching him with an apprehensive expression. 'Does anybody remember that I am a brilliant scientist here? Mh? Does no one else seem to think that this is a bad idea?'
Ronan nodded. 'I do.'
'Well that's because you know I'm involved and you are convinced that I'm going to fail, which admittedly is very rare…' He paused looking to the floor, his eyes angry and uncertain. He continued more loudly so that people around them started to look at him. 'I suppose that great scientists can only make great mistakes, not tiny, miniscule ones that affect no one-'
'Rodney-' Teyla began, wanting to comfort him.
'Just remember that I said no, and that what happens from here on out, I am not responsible.' He stalked off looking extremely upset.
Teyla turned to Ronan with a glare. He looked back at her and seemed surprised. 'I didn't do anything.'
'You also did not correct him either.' Teyla criticised.
'I didn't disagree.' He stated, standing form the table and taking his plate.
'Ronan, Rodney has saved all of us, and this city on many occasions. He has proven himself-' She said sharply.
'If he's convinced he can't do it, he can't do it. It's a mistake to try.' Ronan interrupted, depositing his plate into a pile and leaving the hall with a brooding grace.
Teyla pushed her plate away from her as Sheppard and Carson sat down with their own laden with food.
'What on Earth was that about?' Carson asked, looking at the door that both Ronan and Rodney had left through.
Teyla smiled weakly. John watched her, and when she did not respond he looked at Carson and explained. 'He's feeling all miserable and abandoned because Weir ignored him and went with Radik's idea.'
Carson made a small 'Oh' and began eating. Teyla watched them for a moment with disbelief. How could they be so oblivious?
'Rodney is not upset that Elizabeth did not heed his warning, he is upset because he doubts abilities. This is too close to what happened lat year and he is shaken by it. But still, I feel there is more.' She explained. John took it in. Carson nodded.
'I've got to say, he hasn't really been the usual Rodney McKay for a few weeks now – or is it just me?' Carson leant forward.
'He's Rodney, there's nothing wrong with him.' Sheppard stated and tucked in to his food. Teyla glared at him.
'I have noticed a change also.' She said to Carson. The Scot nodded. 'He is not himself.'
John hadn't noticed any major changes; Rodney was full of issues, which was just part of who he was. A genius who is also an attention seeking hypochondriac with a weird allergy to lemons – what more is there? He didn't have time to ponder over it or his meal any further as his head set crackled.
'Colonel Sheppard, this is Weir. The Daedalus is making its final approach.' The voice informed him.
John swallowed 'Understood.' He rose from the table. 'Let's go and greet the fresh meat.' He grinned at them. Carson looked at him, mouth full of potato.
'They're here?' He asked. John nodded and he stood, putting the cutlery on his plate. Teyla nodded at him to lead the way, glaring at his back the whole time.
Whenever the Daedalus arrived back at the city with fresh supplies and fresh people, it touched down on the East Pier and did a ship wide diagnostic. This was the time that whoever in Atlantis was free would go meet and greet the new people as well as old friends of the Daedalus crew. It was mostly the military who shifted the supplies while the Scientists stood and watched. The Scientists and Colonel Sheppard. The three arrived just as the ramp of the Daedalus was lowered and people began pouring out. John couldn't blame them, two weeks on a ship wasn't his idea of fun, even if he did like flying. The Daedalus could hold her own, but she was nothing like a fighter Jet.
Elizabeth took to introducing herself to a few of them and then announced that they arrange themselves into their specific departments to be briefed by their heads. People began to form rough groups, and it was clear to see who was who. The tightly-packed group to the right was composed of the new military personnel, in uniform and all of them looking confident and ready. The scientists huddled together, most of them whispering into each others ear as the looked up at the city in awe. The third group was considerably smaller and were what John guessed to be the new Doctors, all with kindly faces. Elizabeth did a quick head count of the new personnel, the permanent residents of Atlantis, and frowned.
'I seem to be missing a few.' She called. A Lieutenant from the Daedalus crew walked over and nodded his respect.
'Sorry Ma'am, some of the military personnel have started helping with moving the supplies, and I know for a fact that Doctor Chase is talking with the Colonel.' He informed, she nodded in return, smiling.
'Okay, well the rest of you, welcome to Atlantis. If you would like to go inside, you'll be escorted by one of our teams who will lead you to the Gate room. I'll join you shortly.' She smiled kindly as they moved toward the towering city.
Carson beamed at them all, Teyla nodding her respects. John watched with a smile, noting faces and features. Ronan who had taken to standing at the back merely looked on, expressionless. Teyla frowned, looking around her.
'Where is Rodney? He never misses this.' She asked John.
'Probably sulking, don't worry about it.' He responded, walking over to Weir after the groups had gone. Teyla felt concerned, but followed him.
'So, that's a lot of people.' John stated. Elizabeth nodded excitedly.
'Lot's of new people with lots of stories to tell.' She folded her arms looking up at the Daedalus. 'It's nice to have some fresh blood around here.'
'Is Colonel Caldwell remaining for a few days?' Teyla asked.
'He's in no rush, there's no immediate need for the Daedalus to be back at Earth. He said he wants to make sure that everyone…settles in.' She said stiffly.
Colonel Sheppard nodded noting Elizabeth's disapproval.
'They'll be fine, as long as we don't get attacked by the Wraith immediately. I imagine that wouldn't serve as the best welcoming.' Carson smiled. John gave him a frown.
'Way to jinx it, Doc.' He commented. Carson shrugged and gave a nervous glance at the sky. Ronan smiled slightly. John saw Teyla looking back at the city, looking for something in particular. He knew that she was looking for Rodney. Okay, so, yes, he wasn't here, which was unusual, and apparently he had been acting strangely for a while which he hadn't noticed until he refused to help out with the new power source, but – McKay was a whiner. He could sulk for days and give everybody the cold shoulder for reasons they never knew. John had just become so used to Rodney's attitude that he couldn't distinguish the fake pain from the real kind. John sighed and decided to hunt the Scientist down later; brandishing a big stick to beat him with when he refused to tell him what was wrong. I swear he does it on purpose just to get attention – wouldn't be the first time.
'John?' Elizabeth frowned. Sheppard's focus came back to the group and he stuck his hands in his pockets.
'You seen the DOA lackies yet?' He asked. Elizabeth smiled slightly.
'Two of them, they've already gone in. The Lieutenant said Doctor Chase is still on board.'
'DOA lackies?' Carson asked, Teyla frowning at his side.
'Yeah, apparently the DOA has made a few additions to the expedition personnel.' He said sourly.
'Oh, aye, that should turn out well.' Carson commented negatively. Disaster in the making…
'How many?' Teyla asked worriedly, knowing full well the power the DOA had.
'Three, nothing we can't handle.' John turned to Elizabeth with tenseness.
'Actually, Doctor Chase's record makes for an interesting read, very…active.' She explained vaguely. John raised his eyebrows.
Active meaning difficult? Annoying? A generally irritating person? He wondered. We've already got Rodney for that.
'Active? What, this guy actively enjoys being a pain in our butts?' He stated waspishly.
'This woman enjoys horseback riding, rock climbing and cooking, Colonel Sheppard. I'm afraid my activities go no where near your butt.'
The team turned to face the ramp of the ship. The Colonel's first reaction involved his eyebrows hitting the top of his head, eyes popping from his skull.
Damn.