Remember, Never to Forget---2
Rodney opened his eyes and tried to remember what he'd done to wind up flat on his back with Carson looking at him worriedly. The last thing he recalled with any degree of certainty was looking at the strange, yet effective instruments on a table in some off world market. His head was pounding as if he'd been listening to Sheppard's incessant talking and he remembered commenting about the colonel's hair always being in need of a comb, and someone with the know of it's proper usage. He seemed to recall having a drink of some strange ale and maybe that was the explanation for the headache.
Rodney could almost hear Carson's pen as he wrote something on the chart in his hands and wondered why his ears were suddenly so sensitive to everything around him. Even the tick of the clock near Beckett's office was loud enough to wake the dead, and he wanted to throw something at it to shut it up for good.
"Easy, Rodney," Beckett said, his accent heavy with emotion.
"Damn, remind me never to drink again," McKay said and finally managed to sit up and glanced at the next bed expecting to see his friend suffering the same effects of a hangover as he was, but the bed was empty. "Damn Sheppard and his…oh God…" His mind cleared so suddenly that brief flashes sent daggers through his skull. Sheppard was not here...would never be here again and it was his fault. His actions had taken the life of the one man who seemed to have an understanding of how Rodney ticked.
Rodney closed his eyes as all the air in the room seemed to have been sucked up by a giant vacuum, leaving the room void of something he needed almost as badly as he needed to see John Sheppard. God, it had to be some kind of nightmare, because he couldn't have pressed that button, not while Sheppard was still inside the ship. He couldn't have stood by and watched as the ship crumbled inward until only a small speck of unrecognizable pieces were strew haphazardly across the ground. God, now, he couldn't have been the one to do that…could he?
"Rodney, just take a deep breath. You're okay…that's it just take one breath at a time," Beckett told him.
"I killed him, Carson…I killed the best friend I ever had," McKay said, shoulders slumped dejectedly.
Carson Beckett could not remember ever seeing Rodney McKay so distraught and yet there was nothing he could do to ease the man's torment. He could still see the devastating loss written so plainly on the scientist's face when they'd returned from P63-2K9 without John Sheppard. Ronan and Teyla had been supporting him as they stepped through the stargate, and lowered him to the gurney. After a quick, but extensive examination he'd found no injury to McKay and his report stated that it was traumatic shock that had the Canadian flat on his back. "Rodney, no one blames you for what happened," Beckett said, placing his hand on McKay's shoulder and squeezing gently.
"They should," McKay told him. His mind flashed back to the day they'd stepped through the gate and found out there really was a hell.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Flashback 3 months----
Colonel John Sheppard was first through the gate, but was quickly followed by Rodney McKay, Teyla, with Ronan taking up the rear. P63-2K9 had so much to promise and it would be a definite benefit to Atlantis if these people allied with them. Teyla had met with the villagers on several occasions and her people traded with them on a monthly basis. She trusted them and John had learned long ago to trust her opinion and instincts.
"John, these people do not trust strangers so let me do the talking until they are sure of your sincerity," Teyla explained.
"All right," Sheppard agreed. "Rodney, can you hold your tongue until Teyla's…"
"Why do you always think I'm going to do or say something to screw up a mission?" McKay asked, shaking his head when he realized Sheppard was smiling mischievously.
"John just likes to see you squirm, Rodney," Teyla said, chuckling softly, but growing serious as they were suddenly surrounded by the villagers armed with primitive, but dangerous weapons. She recognized the female who stared at her with a mixture of fear and anger. "Joliquin, we have come to talk of a possible trade and you meet us as an enemy instead of allies?"
"Your people have always been fair traders, Teyla, but it has been many moons since you've come to our world. There have been changes and we have learned not to trust strangers."
Sheppard studied the woman who seemed to be around Teyla's age, with long, flaming red hair that was pulled back in a tight pony tail. Her skin was almost bronze in color and there were deep lines across her forehead. She was an inch or so shorter than he was, and seemed confident in her ability to control the situation.
"We have come to trade, Joliquin," Teyla assured her.
"We want those weapons," a tall male with the same coloring as Joliquin told them.
"Sorry, the weapons are not part of any trade," Sheppard told them. He knew this male was dangerous, and could tell he had an itchy trigger finger, but there was no way they were giving up their weapons. They were outnumbered five to one, but they'd been up against those odds before and come out on top.
"Leave the weapons and you can go back through the stargate and forget you were ever here," Joliquin told him, staring behind her as a strange, whirring noise reached them. "They're back!" she shouted.
"Who?" Teyla asked, not recognizing the sound as the panicked villagers raced to find cover near the stargate.
"Rodney, dial the gate!" Sheppard ordered as two ships flew overhead, firing at the villagers who had yet to reach safety. He zigzagged as several bright streams of light struck the ground a little to close for comfort. There were screams from the villagers who weren't lucky enough to escape the beams, and John swore he could smell flesh burning.
"Ronan's down!" Teyla shouted.
"Rodney, move!" Sheppard ordered, relieved when the scientist moved away from the gate as it was struck by several strong beams. There was no way they were going to escape using the gate and John grabbed Ronan under the arms, dragging him toward the relative safety of the trees as McKay and Teyla covered them. He released his hold on Ronan and laid down covering fire until Teyla and Rodney reached them. "Teyla, who the hell are they?"
"I have never seen those ships," Teyla answered and turned to find Joliquin had taken cover nearby. "Who are they?"
"They showed up four moons ago and threatened to burn us out if we did not give them what they wanted," she answered.
"What exactly did they want?" Sheppard asked. Ducking back as one of the ships hovered nearby.
"They are slavers and parasites and they wanted to take some of our young people," Joliquin told them.
"You don't seem that old yourself!" Sheppard observed, firing at the ship as it moved closer to their location and several beams shattered the lives of half a dozen of Joliquin's people. "Move back!"
Ronan had regained consciousness, but was still dazed and Rodney grabbed his arm to help the big Setedan move further back in the dense brush. Sheppard and Teyla fired several rounds, but the pulsating blue white streams continued to rain down around them, setting the dry brush ablaze and forcing the Villages and SG team further back.
"Oh shit!" McKay snapped, staring out at the dark abyss spread out before him. He'd barely managed to keep Ronan from tumbling into the pit, and was unable to keep his balance as he fell backward into Teyla. They both went down amidst flowering bushes that held thorns similar to rose bushes, but ignored the sharp barbs as Sheppard and Joliquin reached them and helped the trio to stand.
"We need to find a way out of here now!" Sheppard warned and turned to Joliquin. "Is there anyplace nearby where we can hide until they leave?"
"There's a small cave on the other side of the stargate…this way," Joliquin ordered.
"Can you make it, Ronan?" Sheppard asked, concerned about his friend.
"Go…don't wait for me!" Ronan said, and aimed his weapon at the ship that seemed to be bearing down on them.
"Rodney, take point…I've got our sixes," Sheppard said. The ship continued to fire on their last location as they pushed through the brush and hit the clearing at a dead run. Sheppard turned and fired over his shoulder, but his weapon was ineffective against the ship following them. He could almost hear the blue stream of fire as the ship fired and tumbled headlong into the brush at the opposite end of the clearing. He rolled and came to his feet, launching several shots at the ship and praying they had time to make it to the relative safety of the cave.
"Sheppard, look out!" McKay shouted and was nearly hypnotized by the sight of the beam barely missing his friend. "Sheppard, hurry!"
John heard the fear in McKay's voice and dove through the opening of the cave as the familiar crackling fire of the beams reached his ears. He rose to his knees and found himself facing the entrance, his weapon held tight against his shoulder as several of Joliquin's people were cut down. He spotted the male who'd ordered them to give up their weapons and shouted for him and the others with him to take cover. "Over here!" Sheppard cried and was glad to see several more people join them in the small cave that was quickly becoming crowded, but he could live with that, they all could if it came right down to it.
"Get back from the opening!" Ronan shouted, but there was no real need to do so as several of the newcomers shifted to the back, allowing Sheppard and his team to lay down covering fire in an effort to keep the ship from getting closer. The craft was nearly three times the size of the Atlantis Puddle Jumper and whoever the pilot was had already earned Sheppard's respect. The being was quite capable of manipulating the ship until it settled directly in front of the cave's entrance. He waited for the door to open and fired at the creature that tried to exit and was rewarded when there was a sharp his as if water hit sizzling, hot grease.
"They'll be coming out the back of the ship as well," Joliquin warned.
"Rodney, keep your eyes open!" Sheppard ordered and turned to the female. "Is there another entrance?"
"There was one years ago, but it's caved in over the years," she answered.
"Teyla, you and Ronan go see if there's any way through back there," the colonel asked, firing at a second being that was exiting the craft. "Ugly critters aren't they?"
"They don't need Halloween costumes," McKay answered, his voice filled with fear, yet he would never contemplate leaving Sheppard to face the enemy alone. He spotted several creatures attacking two of Joliquin's people and fired at the one closest to him. The firefight continued, but he had no way of keeping track of time as they used up most of their firepower in an effort to keep the survivors safe, but there seemed to be far too many attackers. "We're going to be overrun by them if we don't do something soon!"
"We need to destroy the ship before they have a chance to take Joliquin's people and decide we're expendable!"
"Don't you mean ships?" McKay asked.
"One problem at a time, Rodney and right now that ship's our biggest problem," the colonel answered.
"How do you propose to do that?"
"C4," Sheppard answered and blasted the door before it could open completely.
"Oh, and I suppose they're going to invite us in?"
"Not us…me," Sheppard said. "You have the detonator and at my signal I want you to blow the damn thing."
"Before or after you escape?"
"After," Sheppard said and began working on the C4. It was a simple, but effective explosive when attached to a remote detonator and Sheppard knew he'd have to get inside and plant the explosive before the creature's realized they were there. John knew they couldn't hold out much longer and although this seemed to be foolhardy, he didn't see any other way of dealing with the craft and the creatures. At least if the ship was destroyed they'd only be dealing with the beings that looked like a cross between an Ape and an octopus with just as many arms.
"You ready?" McKay asked.
"Think so, just don't blow it until I'm clear!"
"I won't," McKay vowed. He watched as Sheppard moved toward the ship, surprised that the ape like beings seemed totally unaware of his presence as he reached the partially open door.
"Where's he going?" Teyla asked.
"He's going to blow the damn ship!" McKay answered.
"Is he crazy? He'll never get in there!" Teyla observed.
"If there's one thing you should have learned about Sheppard, Teyla, it's that never is not in his vocabulary," McKay assured her. "Look at him…his hair isn't even out of place!"
"Rodney, his hair is always out of place," Teyla said with a grin in spite of the dangerous circumstances. She fired her weapon, taking down another of the creatures before ducking back as a stream of blue-white light shot across the cave opening.
"I thought these things were slavers?"
"According to Joliquin they are, but it appears when they were told no by the high council they decided to wipe out the villagers as a lesson to others," Teyla explained.
"Figures," McKay said and watched as Sheppard ducked inside the craft. In between firing at their attackers and checking Ronan's progress, he kept glancing at his watch, willing the seconds to become minutes and praying that Sheppard would reappear.
AAAAAA
John Sheppard had learned long ago how to be cautious and keep things simple and right now that's exactly what he was doing. The creatures seemed to be concentrating on the back door to exit the craft and that was just fine by him. The smell when he'd slipped through the narrow opening had burned his nostrils, reminding him of sulphur and sour milk and it grew worse as he moved deeper into the ship. There were rows of small, medium and large size cages that ran the length of the hallway leading deeper into the ship and John thought he heard several cries for help, but right now he had real people who needed him to do his job. Their lives depended on him being successful, and he'd check out the cages if he had time.
The C4 was tucked into his shirt and he held his weapon at ready in case he ran into one of the creatures, but the ship was silent and John reached the engine room. It was quick work to set the C4 around the ships main engines and he hoped the fuel would ignite when McKay detonated the charge.
Sheppard stood with his back against the wall for several seconds, but when there was no movement in the corridor he stepped out and headed back the way he'd come. He cautiously made his way toward the area where he thought the cries had come from and soon found two cages that held Joliquin's people. He found the release mechanism and fired at it, motioning for the duo to follow him out of the ship before they had a chance to say anything.
John knew he was in trouble when the sickening odor increased as they moved past an open doorway and one of the ape creatures stepped through. One of its four tendril like appendages held a strange looking weapon and Sheppard's gun was knocked from his hand by another of the suction covered arms. "Get out of here!" he ordered and was relieved when the two former captives raced toward the open doorway. He struggled with the flailing arm and tried to knock the weapon away, but felt something burn across his chest as the creature used its extra arms to its advantage.
Sheppard fought to escape from the creature, struggling to get to the door, but it was stronger than anything he'd ever come up against and he was soon caught in a body crushing hold as they stumbled to the partially open door. He felt sharp pinpricks on his chest, arms, and legs and knew the small suction cups were sucking the life from him. His head began to swim and he tried to keep from passing out and briefly wondered if the apelike being was injecting some kind of paralyzing agent into his bloodstream.
John fought to stay conscious and lifted his head, searching for any means of escape as they reached the open doorway. He looked into the creature's bulbous mouth and swore he saw row upon row of razor sharp teeth. The breath alone was enough to make him sick and still he would not give in to the darkness that beckoned to him. "You should open tr…trade talks w…with us…Listerine w…would do you won…wonders," he snarled, but received only a series of grunts and clicks from his captor.
John turned his head and watched as McKay left the safety of the cave, the detonator held out in front of him and screaming something that sounded like his name. "Blow it! God Damn you, McKay, blow it now!"
AAAAAAA
Rodney had seen Joliquin's people exit the ship and it seemed like the creatures were retreating for some unknown reason. Ignoring the sharp cry from Teyla, he stepped outside and held the detonator in front of him as he spotted John Sheppard in the doorway, but his heart skipped several beats when he saw what was attached to his friend. It took several seconds to realize the screams he heard from Sheppard were actually words and he shook his head in denial.
"Blow it!" Sheppard managed, blood spilling from his mouth and running down his chin.
"No…Teyla, shoot the bastard!" McKay screamed.
"I can't without killing him!" Teyla snapped.
"Blow it! God Damn you, McKay, blow it now!"
"Sheppard…"
"Rodney, you have to!" Teyla said as more and more of the creatures came from the back of the craft.
"McKay…please…just do it," Sheppard said as the bulbous fixture he thought was a mouth formed into a cone that ended in a point aimed directly at his left eye. He screamed as pain shot through his body and John Sheppard knew he was dying as he tried to will McKay's hand to press down on the detonator.
"Rodney…"
"I know damn it!" McKay spat, unshed tears in his eyes as he watched the creature slowly feed on his friend. "God forgive me!"
Teyla watched as Rodney McKay's hand descended on the button and grabbed his arm as an explosion rocked the craft. She barely had time to get him away as the ship seemed to implode in on itself as if an anti matter generator had triggered an enormous vacuum like space. There was no time to escape the explosion and she felt as if she was weightless as her body flew backward, landing in a heap several hundred feet away from the craft. She lifted her head and realized there was absolutely nothing left of the ship, and no sign of Colonel John Sheppard anywhere.
"Oh, God, I killed him," Rodney McKay struggled with his guilt as the darkness reached out and dragged him under.
TBC
