Title: I'll be back
Genre: General/Adventure/Suspense
Spoilers: for all seasons
Set in after the season's five finale.
Warnings: rated T (that stands for 'To be safe') for mild language and violence throughout the story, character death
Characters: Sheppard centric, OC, hints of ShWeir and McKeller
Summary: After returning to Pegasus, lives are lost in a fatal accident. And that only seems to be the beginning. But there is someone out there, who just might be the much needed help or Atlantis's undoing...
Disclaimer: I do not own the Stargate, or Atlantis, or Sheppard (damn), or the idea of this story...oh wait, that's what I actually do own...
Chapter One - Future set in motion
He was a mess. His hair was damp with sweat and blood, his face smeared with dirt and clothes torn into bits and pieces. And so he stood on what was once his favourite spot in the city. Overlooking the vast ocean with his unfocused gaze, he was holding onto the only thing keeping him sane right now – a piece of paper, in no better shape than he was.
His gun laid discarded next to him with no more clips to be loaded with. Not that he'd have a reason to use it anymore.
He was standing there, alone. For there was no one else alive in the city. Everyone was lying dead on the floor. His enemies and his friends alike.
Atlantis was quiet for it has become a city of the dead. And the one person who survived was not feeling any more alive than the corpses scattered around him.
His eyes suddenly snapped from the strange haze and he once again eyed the paper in his hands.
"Where are you then…?" he whispered into the silence. "Where were you?" he asked with a hint of anguish in his voice and stared at the elegant writing on the paper.
'I'll be back :)'
That's what it said.
And John Sheppard no longer believed it.
"Do you have any idea what this is about?" blurted out Rodney, obviously irritated, pacing around in Woolsey's office. "I don't know about you, but I'm in the middle of a serious research into an ancient device Lorn brought in yesterday. I have to get back in the lab as soon as possible I mean…Zelenka is all over the thing, god knows he can blow up half of the city…or something."
"Don't worry McKay, when it comes to blowing stuff up, you still hold the record," Sheppard retorted with the same portion of irritation.
"Oh come on! That was like three years ago!" Rodney said, looking hurt by the colonel's remark.
"I have a good memory. Besides, the solar system is going to stay a mess for millennia after your little lightning show."
"Right, just blame it all on me, like you didn't…"
"Don't…even start McKay," warned Sheppard with a dangerous hint in his voice, telling Rodney he probably shouldn't continue. If he doesn't want to eat lemon.
"Gentlemen," greeted them Woolsey, going for his chair and sitting down. "I apologize for the wait."
"No problem," assured him Sheppard and smirked, as Rodney was about to go all out into the pressing matter of the ancient device and Zelenka.
"Well in that case, I'll go straight to the point," he sighted and eyed both men present with a meaningful expression. "As of tomorrow, I am relieved of my position as the leader of this expedition," he said bluntly, watching the mixture of shock and surprise crossing the other men's faces. "The IOA has made the decision just this morning."
"Wha…but we've been back in Pegasus for barely a week…what did you do? I mean, you didn't even have the time to do anything at all," Rodney said, his brain obviously occupied with thinking up hundreds of possible reasons for Woolsey's demotion.
Woolsey smiled humorlessly. "You know the IOA. They don't really need a reason. And if they do, I'm sure they'd find one anyway."
"I don't get it," frowned Sheppard. "I thought they were happy with you as the leader of Atlantis. If anything…you used to be IOA too. That should give you some bonus points right?"
"I guess not." He smiled again, trying to dismiss the tension.
"So…who's gonna replace you? What I mean is…you're good at…this," complimented him Sheppard, pointing absently at the office. "What if it's some sorta…weirdo."
"It's me," Rodney blurted out suddenly, making it sound as the revelation of the year.
Sheppard grimaced and turned to Rodney. "Which is stressing my previously voiced worry."
"Ha ha, it makes sense Colonel Envious. Why else would the two of us be here?" he asked, not waiting for an answer. "Hm? Listen and try to catch up with your tiny little mind. I'm the head of the science department, while YOU are already the military commander. Why would I be here, if I'm not the one getting promoted? I'm getting the chair and you're here just to know who's going to be your new…boss," he smiled happily, clearly liking the sound of his theory.
Sheppard eyed him suspiciously, then turned back to Woolsey, his face seemingly horror-stricken. "Please tell me he's wrong…because it actually sounded quite reasonable."
Both men stared at Woolsey eager to know if Rodney's right. "The truth is, Doctor McKay, you are in fact getting a promotion."
"See? I knew it!"
"You are to become an official second in command, or should I say, the right hand to the new leader of Atlantis," clarified Woolsey before Rodney got the chance to hyperventilate from all the excitement. "And that would of course be Colonel Sheppard, also getting a promotion."
"Oh…," Rodney sighed with a sudden disappointment written all over his face.
Sheppard cringed at the thought. "Now that…I was not expecting. How did that happen?"
"Beats me," replied Rodney, going back to his annoyed thus annoying state of being.
Woolsey cleared his throat gaining attention from the two boys ready to go into a full-blown argument over their egos. "It seems the IOA along with the Stargate Command and Homeworld security decided you to be the most experienced and suitable for the job. And who can argue with that."
"I would," mumbled McKay.
"Either way, the promotion will take place here next week along with Lorn's promotion to Lieutenant Colonel as he will take the place of the military commander in your stead."
"Good, can't imagine anyone better for that position," agreed Sheppard, slowly absorbing all the news.
"So what am I supposed to do now as the second in command? It's not like I wasn't that kind of person already…in a way."
"I was told, even before I had become the leader of the expedition myself, that the two of you come as a package deal. You benefit from each other's abilities and experiences. I believe that together, you can lead Atlantis better, than anyone the IOA would send in case you'd refuse."
"Hm," hummed Rodney in what could be interpreted as satisfying manner.
"Well said," praised him Sheppard. "Although I am not entirely sure of this set up."
"I am quite sure you'll do well, colonel. Don't worry, you'll get used to it eventually."
It was probably meant to sound reassuring, but Sheppard couldn't help but feel uncomfortable still.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have some final reports to finish."
He bade them a quick goodbye and they have without further ado left the ex-leader of Atlantis to himself.
John made his way to his room, still in a bit of a haze. One would say he had enough time to learn from his bosses throughout the years, but now, facing the reality of him being in their shoes, his confidence is slowly leaving him.
How could he possibly ever live up to the leadership standards of those before him? Woolsey is a skilled speaker, his decisions always heavily rationalized and his appearance giving this kind of leaderish vibe. Carter, being both military and a scientist, had a way to handle any kind of situation…and any kind of annoying scientist or rebellious soldier. And Elizabeth…well, no one can ever replace her now that is for sure.
He diminished the thoughts of her, his mind trying to lead him to memories locked away in his heart, never to be re-opened again. As he entered his quarters, he immediately noticed the flashing new mail icon on the screen of his laptop, it being the only light in the dim room.
Must be Rodney, probably trying to mock me with something already, he mused and almost had the urge to delete the message at once. Instead he clicked it open to find out what's it about.
The ancient device is dangerous. Don't let the research continue.
Was all it said. Sheppard frowned at the strange message, sent by an anonymous address. Of course it could be a message of a great importance, then again, the only person capable of sending unauthorized messages AND the one person that would certainly be amused by him sounding the alarm and trying to save the day again, is no one else but the one and only Meredith McKay.
If he wanted laugh, he was so not going to give it to him. At least not THAT easily. He deleted the mail, shut the laptop down and prepared himself to call it a night.
He was woken by an urgent banging on the door next morning. There was an accident in the labs. Richard Woolsey and Radek Zelenka were present.
They didn't make it.
A/N: As a sworn reader only, I'm surprising myself with actually posting this. I had the bits and pieces of this story in my mind for quite a while tho, so I swear my fingers were possessed and started this story madness on their own accord.
Still, I hope you'll enjoy my little adventure into the sixthish season that will never be. I don't have a beta, so you may find some odd mistakes, but I checked it the best I could, so hopefully it'll not be that bad :)
I'm open to any kind of, constructive or not, criticism and I'll always love to hear what you think so feel free to drop by the review section and type in a few words ;)
Love ya,
Lantia
Next: Chapter two - The Revival