'Tis Better to Give
By Ael L. Bolt
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst/Suspense
Summary: He would die so that others may live. This was his final gift to Atlantis.
He knew. Even before Rodney said the Mark II was drained, he knew. The chair wasn't responding at all, totally blank to his senses. Atlantis was blind and deaf, reeling from attacks from invisible enemies, unable to defend itself. There was only one thing left to do.
"So long, Rodney."
The run to the jumper bay seemed to take forever. His mortal feet were unable to run fast enough, clumsy and heavy, dragging him down with his doubts. He'd never expected to do anything like this.
"Elizabeth, wait!"
He paused on the stairs, chest heaving as he sucked in air, pushing the thoughts from his mind that this would be the last natural air he would ever breathe. Elizabeth stared at him, wide-eyed, and he couldn't even hear her deny his plan.
"I have to, and you know it."
He stared her down, not even hearing his name. The world seemed to hang still, silent, as her lips formed one word. Go.
As he flew the puddlejumper closer to the Wraith ship, his deadly burden strapped safely in the cargo hold, he briefly closed his eyes. This is not how I expected to spend this Christmas, he thought to himself.
This would be his last act. His final gift to his people.
It's a shame I couldn't gift-wrap the nuke, he thought to himself, opening his eyes to see the hive ship looming ahead. But here's a little token of our 'appreciation.'
"They haven't detected my approach. Weapon is armed and ready. I'm going in."
Merry Christmas, you bastards.