An Insiders Knowledge of the Gateroom – Outside the Norm.
It was an unusual day.
Chuck had been woken up that morning by his alarm clock. This in itself was strange as he had become used to being rudely awoken by either a Security Breach Alarm, gunfire or the sound of a caffeine laden Rodney McKay performing the Ranting Dance of the Angry Scientist (usually accompanied by interpretative hand gestures). To be woken by his alarm clock was a rarity, one that he greatly appreciated by hitting the snooze button, just so he could hear it again (and gain an extra nine minutes sleep in the interim).
The happy strangeness continued.
The Mess Hall had not run out of the decent food by the time he arrived. As a matter of fact, not only was there good food, but there was Strawberry Pop-Tarts which were, in Chuck's humble opinion, the food of the Gods! Upon leaving the Mess Hall and proceeding to his post in the Gateroom, Chuck was amazed to discover that not only had the night shift cleaned up after themselves for once, but they had actually gone ahead with some of the necessary calculations for the day shift. It was at this point that Chuck became nervous.
One good thing was believable.
Two were rare, but they did happen.
But three…for three good things to happen so quickly... impending doom must be approaching quickly.
So when the Gate fired up, indicating the scheduled return of Colonel Sheppard's team, Chuck held his breath.
Would it be weapons fire?
Blood?
Death?
Chuck's vivid imagination did nothing to help lessen the tension creating and embellishing scenarios, so the moment that the team strolled through the gate, laughing and talking amongst themselves, it was almost anticlimactic.
As the team headed off for their post-mission debriefing, Chuck turned back to his console, berating himself for his over-active imagination. Just as he remembered the part of his worried imaginings where he was performing emergency CPR on Teyla whilst fighting of a squadron of Genii, his earpiece chirrped.
Infirmary to Gateroom – please respond"Gateroom here Dr Keller, how can I help you?"
Hi Chuck. Do we have an ETA on Sheppard's team? I want to be ready.
"Ma'am, they arrived five minutes ago."
WHAT!!! Oh my God, I missed the call! I'll be there as soon as I can!"Ma'am…"
Just need to get my med-kit!"Ma'am…"
Don't worry Chuck! I'm on my way! Just don't let anyone bleed to death before I get there!"Dr Keller! We don't need you here! Everyone is fine!"
…What? What do you mean?
"Well Ma'am, no-one was hurt. The mission went well and they are in debriefing with Colonel Carter now."
But this is Colonel Sheppard's team. They always get hurt.
"I know Ma'am, but it looks like this time they didn't."
No gaping stab wounds? Twisted ankles? A paper cut???"No Ma'am, they are all perfectly healthy. Well, except for Dr McKay's usual standard of physical unfitness."
Huh. Okay. That's just…weird.
"If it's any consolation Dr Keller, they did start heading towards the Infirmary before Dr Carter reminded them that normally debriefing is meant to be held in her office."
Thanks, Chuck, that did help. Well, if that's they way it is, I might as well head back. Keller out.
And as Chuck smiled to himself, the thought drifted across his mind that this might just be a perfect day.
A perfect day that was promptly spoiled by blaring of the Security alert alarm.
FIN.