Disclaimer: Wish I owned SGA (it would definitely not have been cancelled) but I do not. This story is purely for entertainment value only!
SANCTORIUM Ch. 1 Programmed for Peace
John and Ronon walked ahead of a small group of scientists as they made their way toward an unexplored section of the city. Ronon was there, reluctantly, not quick enough with an excuse when John asked him to join him.
The scientists, headed by Rodney were arguing about something Ronon had no idea about and he wasnt even sure they were speaking English.
"Sheppard, you so owe me!" Ronon glared over at John, who looked like he was in sleepwalking mode. Ronon chuckled when John didnt respond.
"Hey, you okay?" Ronon asked John as he nudged him, a little concerned because usually Sheppard was on alert when he had the responsibility for others' welfare.
"Hmmm-Oh, yeah, I'm good" John smiled slightly "Sorry, I was just zoning out a little" Turning slightly to indicate the lagging group of Rodney clones, he added "Stimulating conversations aside, guess I didnt sleep too good last night"
"Something wrong?" Ronon knew Sheppard never really talked about stuff that was bothering him, but he figured he'd try to get the private man talking.
John looked over at Ronon and frowned, the lines furrowing his forehead.
"Got a email from my brother, my Dad had a stroke a few weeks back. He wants me to come back to make amends-before its too late."
Ronon was surprised John had shared that info without much prodding. "What's the problem? Woolsey won't let you go?"
"I haven't asked him yet for the time. Fact is, I'm not sure I want to go back." John's frown had turned into a pained wince. "I sort of left on not so good terms with my father."
"Maybe that's why you need to go back" Ronon pointed out.
"Not that simple, big guy... My father and I never saw eye to eye. I hardly ever did anything right in his eyes." John had a faraway look. "The only time he supported me was when I did something he wanted, and that didn't happen very often."
John took a deep breath as they approached the first doorway in the long hall. He slapped Ronon on the back and gave him a nod and half-smile.
"Looks like we're here! McKay, is this the room?"
"No, two more doors down, according to the database." Rodney was consulting his computer as he sped up to join them.
"So, this is some sort of sanctuary?" John asked as he walked on to the proper door and swiped his hand over the door control.
Rodney stood to the side of John at the threshold of the doorway. "The Ancients called it Sanctorium. There isn't much more information than that. Just that it was an important part of the their community welfare."
John stepped into the room and immediately it responded to his ATA gene. A sense of warmth and peace spread slowly through him. He marvelled at the feeling. The anxiety he felt since reading the letter last night, floated away. He smiled and then frowned at the thought that this wasn't natural.
"McKay-are you feeling what I am?"
"I don't know, Colonel...what are you feeling?" Rodney did feel 'something', but he couldn't put his finger on it, it was good feeling, a comforting feeling.
"I-I feel...peace." John felt that was the best way to describe it. "Ronon, you feel it?"
"Don't feel anything different" Ronon was confused as he walked around the room. The other scientists entered the room and John noticed only one seemed to be affected by the room. Dr Merck smiled as he wondered around the room. John caught his eye and smiled. "You feel it too, Doc?"
Dr Merck nodded, "Yes, Colonel Sheppard, I feel a sense of well-being."
"Anyone else?" John waited for a response and the two remaining scientists shook their heads no.
"Rodney, I'm guessing you feel it too, right?" John was figuring this out, at least why he, Dr Merck and he was sure-Rodney, felt the room's ambience-the ATA gene!
Rodney nodded his head as he leaned over a console. "Only the three of us have the ATA gene and can feel the room?"
"Right-but why, what's its purpose?" John wondered.
Rodney had been studying the console and pressed a series of buttons and the section of flooring in the center of the room started to slide open. Dr Zahn had to jump off the sliding section of floor.
As the floor fully opened, a chair-one similar to the Ancient chair that controlled Atlantis rose from the floor. They all stood in surprise.
Rodney broke the silence "Well, helloo, helloo! What have we here!"
He turned back to the console.
Dr Merck spoke up "I had the gene therapy and was lucky it worked."
This is the first time I have ever felt like this!
John was being drawn closer and closer to the chair. The closer he got, the more overwhelming the need to sit in it became.
"McKay, I'm getting a strong urge to sit in the chair" John was a little worried about the feeling, it wasn't a bad feeling, but it felt like it was trying to control him and that was something he couldn't let happen.
Rodney was deep in concentration, looming over the console. By the time he acknowledged Sheppard's statement , John was stepping on the platform and turning to sit.
"No, no,no-don't sit down!" Rodney exclaimed. At that precise moment, it was like John got a shove and he sat abruptly. He looked over at Rodney with a questioning frown, bordering on panic.
Before anyone had time to react, a purplish halo of light descended over John and the chair reclined back. Looking at John, Rodney saw his face go from the slightly panicked frown to a blank stare, then his eyes closed. Ronon reacted by pulling his gun and aiming it at the chair, ready to blast it from existence, all he needed was Rodney's go ahead. "McKay, what's it doing to him?"
Rodney looked over, "Geez, Conan! Don't shoot it! He went back to studying the console's data. A minute later, he frowned "Huh, its not harmful, its some kind of therapeutic program. According to what I'm reading, its meant to rid the occupant of anxieties and create a sense of well-being and balance."
"Are you sure Sheppard's okay?" Ronon asked, his gun still ready.
"No-I mean yes, its okay-its...its like a virtual 'Dr Heightmeyer'." Rodney determined, describing it in terms Ronon would understand. The last thing he wanted Conan to do was shoot the darn chair!
He looked up thoughtfully. "Yeah, right-I think we need to get Colonel Privacy out of there-you know how much he hates anyone or anything messing with his mind."
Ronon smirked and holstered his gun. He moved in to pull John from the chair and found that he couldn't. It was like John was glued to it. "McKay, shut the program down, I can't move him!"
Dr Merck, stood at a panel on the wall that was scrolling ancient text. "It looks like the beam of light acts as a forcefield, keeping the occupant in place during the session."
"Dr Zahn joined him at the panel. "How long is a session?"
Dr Merck, who didnt know Sheppard that well said "Well, it can't take too long, Colonel Sheppard seems like a well-balanced capable man already, so it will probably be an hour or two-that's what most therapy sessions last."
Rodney groaned, as he stood at the console. He looked at the others in shock, "Oh no! The session lasts as long as its needed to have the occupant achieve a certain desired level of tranquility!"
A feeling of dread fell over Rodney as he thought about all the demons and feelings John shared with no one. This may take a long time...a long time indeed! He looked over at Ronon, who knew what Rodney was thinking.
He swallowed and quickly activated his ear com, "Beckett, we need you in the East Wing -stat! Ronon will meet you at the transporter!"
Ronon was already on his way.
TBC Oh no, John's trapped in a chair that will try to get him to open up and deal with his negative feeling! Don't think its going to be a cake walk!