Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis, however, I enjoy the story very much.
These characters are not perfect nor are they particularly well written, but I believe others may enjoy the story as much as I do.
Awakening
Dr. Weir's POV
Atlantis: pinnacle of grandeur and civilization. Today it was bustling with the activities of the science team from Earth. Notably, a new room in the city was at the mercy of one, Dr. Rodney McKay--genius allegedly.
"Dr. Weir," McKay shouted. "We found what appears to be a control area of some kind. And from what we can tell this could be a macula generator powered defensive weapons or maybe a room where they controlled drones from or--"
"Rodney!" Dr. Weir interrupted quickly. "Have you been able to initialize this piece of equipment yet? And what makes this equipment so different from all the other new pieces of equipment we picked up recently?"
McKay sighed and quickly rephrased to compensate for Dr. Weir's deficiency in physics. Not everyone could be a genius.
"What, I am trying to get at here is that" McKay stuttered. "The room itself has Ancient logarithms, that we have been able to decipher, elude to some kind of special power force of some kind. Probably not a ZPM, but definitely something of enormous importance."
"And…have we had Colonel Shepherd try to initialize it yet?" Weir hinted lightly.
Rodney rolled his eyes and gestured about, "Of course we have! Apparently the device did not initialize though, which is why I am wondering its malfunctioning, however, I do not believe it is so--"
"Okay I got it," Weir cut him off sharply. "Maybe you should have the Colonel try it again later, he wasn't feeling well earlier so maybe he had difficulty concentrating."
"Maybe," McKay remarked. A bright idea formed in his head! "Carson!"
"Rodney," Weir halted the scientist. "If the device wouldn't turn on for the Colonel, what makes you think it would for Carson?"
"Well," Rodney theorized. "If this equipment was medical related than it wouldn't work for the Colonel now would it!"
Grinning triumphantly the egotistical scientist waltzed out of the lab presumably towards the infirmary--and one unsuspecting Carson Beckett.
The remaining members of the science team breathed sigh of relief as Rodney left the room. A brief reprieve at best.
Mutters from underneath a panel brought Weir's attention to the other scientist.
"Dr. Zalenka," Weir queried at the wiry man levered under a panel.
Curses resounded off the walls in Czech before the fluffy headed scientist heaved himself from under the panel to stand before the leader of the Atlantis Expedition.
"Wat can I do for you," the scientist asked in broken English.
"What is your opinion of the…room?" she asked tentatively.
"Vell, I agree wit Rodney's assezment about za room's importance," Zelenka drawled. "However, I dare to say zat maybe dis room is fur certain people wit or witout za gene."
"Dr. Zelenka," Weir began tentatively. "Do you believe that McKay may be correct about certain individuals being able to use the ancient technology simply because of profession?"
"Vell," the man removed the spectacles as he rubbed his eyes. "Perhaps so, though thar is no evidence indicating dis thing."
"I see," Weir remarked with a frown.
"If I do say so," the Czech remarked slyly. "McKay wants the doctor here for other reasons."
Weir quirked and eyebrow at the Czech who refused to meet her eyes. Shaking her head in a silent laugh, Weir turned towards the door.
"Thankyou for your analysis Dr. Zelenka." Weir said.
The Czech just waved her off impatiently and crawled back under the panel he had been tinkering with earlier.
Rodney entered the infirmary briskly. The infirmary was tidy as ever under the supervision of its CMO and his diligent staff. Before mentioned doctor was wrapping a marine's wrist and giving him instructions in that soft spoken voice of his.
"Carson," Rodney called the moment the marine walked away from the exam table.
"Wha?" the doctor turned quickly before rolling his eyes as he took in Rodney. "Just what have ye gone and done now Rodney? Scratch your hand did ye?"
"Of course not Carson," Rodney said a little too nicely. "I simply came in to see what you've been up to lately."
Carson threw McKay a dubious look as he wiped down the bed--sanitary conditions being what they are. McKay gave the doctor an indulging smile. Carson gave McKay a look that clearly portrayed suspicion.
"Soo," McKay began with a smile plastered on his face. "How is research going?"
"I spose that it tis going quite well," Carson said formally. "As far as researching a genetic code from another species goes anyway. Mapping proteins, calculation the ration of base pairs--"
"Right, right," McKay interjected halting the medical mumbo jumbo. "Enough with the voodoo Carson. I need your help."
"I knew it!" Carson declared angrily. "You didna want to see how I was doing. Ya just wanted me to help ya with you're bloody gizmos. I willnat do it. Never again."
"Carson, be reasonable," the scientist pleaded.
"Why should I?" the physical retorted. "I don't like being treated like this. I do not like messing with technology or do you not recall the chair incident in Antarctica?"
"This is much different," McKay insisted. He seized Carson's arm and hauled the small doctor out of his infirmary. Carson ceased his struggles; futility had become part of his life upon meeting one Rodney McKay. Of course, every time the astrophysicist came calling, Carson always got suckered into the devious technological plots one way or another.
McKay glanced over his shoulder at the resigned expression on the doctor's face. Naturally Carson would activate the device it he was able, but Rodney couldn't help but feel guilty for forcing the other man to partake in his experiments.
Well, there was time for apologies later.
Carson's POV
"Alright Carson," McKay fell into science mode. "When we go in the room just try and make something happen. Anything. If it doesn't work then…I will fix it, but we need to know either way."
"Fine Rodney," Carson sighed. He had been so happy to believe, if only for a moment, that Rodney loved him. He knew such love was impossible--Rodney loved Samantha Carter.
On the other hand, at least Rodney wanted to be his friend. Carson knew he enjoyed Rodney's friendship and allowed himself to be content with that. His spirits lifted somewhat he allowed himself a tiny smile; no doubt Rodney would cease any concerns he had.
"Alright," McKay said. "Just relax and remember nothing will hurt you. Just relax."
Carson walked into the room slowly. He gave the room a cursory sweep with his eyes before shrugging at McKay's prodding gesture. Stepping forward Carson noticed an elaborate tile mosaic on one of the walls. Just a picture, no harm in it. Casually walking over to it, Carson ignored Rodney's insisting comments to 'come check this out.'
As he approached the wall it shimmered and vanished revealing a chamber shaped like a star. The walls glistened as the reflected the flashes of sunlight off the walls. The room's only object was a high, metallic platform. Or perhaps bed would be a better analysis. Without realizing why, Carson felt compelled to approach the platform. An overwhelming feeling of heavy, weakness hit him. Stumbling lightly, vision dotting, Carson knew he had to reach the platform.
He thought he heard Rodney scream his name…but he was not certain. His eyes fell closed and he could not imagine mustering the energy to lift them again. Sighing softly, he allowed himself to drift into the waiting emptiness that swept him away into darkness.