City - by NotTasha
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PART 3:

PART 3:

After his seventh electric shock, Rodney learned to respect the City's admonishments of "don't touch". The inability to access anything useful, and the string of unpleasant corrections, had put him in a foul mood.

Finding Sheppard sitting on one of the beds and playing fetch with the robot did nothing to make McKay feel better.

After an unhappy harrumph, Rodney commented, "You have a highly sophisticated robotic device and all you can think to do is throw a radio for it to retrieve?"

"He seems to like it," Sheppard commented, as he lazily flung the radio again. It landed a few meters away and skidded into a wall.

"You're going to break it," Rodney grumbled, watching the robot race off to pick up the tossed device.

"The radio's shatterproof," Sheppard said. "And it's the only thing I could get him to fetch."

"The robot was probably ordered to bring the radio to you," Rodney said with a sigh as he sat down beside the colonel. "It's just trying to complete its mission."

"Oh," Sheppard responded, watching the robot deploy one of its arms to pick up the radio and then toddle back with it. It held it out to John, and Sheppard removed it from its grasp. "Thanks," he muttered and pocketed the radio.

McKay watched him, and stated, "Not any fun if it's just following orders, huh?"

"Yeah, not so much," Sheppard said as he sat back with a sigh. And for a moment they said nothing.

Rodney watched the machine, thinking that the robot really did look eager to retrieve the radio again. Could a mobile shoebox look 'eager'? God, this place was going to make him crazy.

To break the silence, Rodney asked, "How long will it take for Ronon and Teyla to walk to the Gate?"

"From here, without a jumper, three days – probably two," Sheppard responded. "Carter will figure out something's wrong when we don't check in tomorrow morning though."

"Yeah," Rodney replied. "She'll send someone out looking for us. We just have to wait until then." He tried to sound hopeful.

"Yup," Sheppard replied.

"Think Teyla and Ronon are okay?"

"I really don't know what to think right now, Rodney," Sheppard responded. "We're being held captive by an insane version of Atlantis."

"I am not insane," City broke in petulantly.

"Right," Sheppard drawled. "Then let us go, City. We want to leave."

"I am to protect you. All who leave die."

"How?" Sheppard questioned. "Why?"

"I cannot speak of what happens beyond my walls. Only within my limits will one be safe. I will protect you as I protect myself," City remarked. "I must protect myself."

"We're not trying to hurt you," McKay grumbled.

"You discussed using me for spare parts," City reminded.

"Well…" McKay said and then frowned. "Yeah," he admitted, feeling deflated.

"I will keep you safe," City said. "And you will not leave because everyone who leaves dies."

"Yeah, and Ronon and Teyla are out there." Rodney fidgeted, feeling useless and nervous. "So… we're just going to wait?" he asked Sheppard. "That's it?"

"Well, if you have any ideas, I'm game, because I really don't like the idea of our team being out there with this 'everybody dies' thing."

"I got nothing," McKay admitted, wringing at his hands. "It just feels so wrong to sit around and do nothing." He picked up his scanner, gamely holding it out to check out the room again. Fat lot of good it did when the City wouldn't allow him to touch anything. "Useless," he muttered.

"You'll think of something," Sheppard muttered.

"Yeah… yeah…" McKay stood and then paced about the bed. "This place is going to drive me crazy if I have to stay here much longer. Thank God the room isn't smaller because, well, I'm a bit claustrophobic."

"You don't say," Sheppard said with a yawn.

"It's bad just knowing I can't get out. I really don't do well in confined spaces."

"Calm down, Rodney," Sheppard said with a sigh. "Just sit down and relax."

"Relax? With the City listening to our every word, watching us and waiting to analyze our…" he flipped a hand toward the 'bathroom facilities'. "Do you honestly think I can perform under those conditions?"

"Rodney," Sheppard stated firmly. "Just sit down."

"I'll explode! If I don't die of starvation and thirst first!"

City's voice cut into their conversation, sounding a little alarmed. "I will provide. There will be no hunger. There will be no thirst."

"Don't even start with that! I don't want what you're selling!" Rodney snapped. He turned, clomping toward one of the far walls. "This is insane and I'm going crazy," he grumbled.

"Great," Sheppard grumbled as he started to stand, to follow, but was thwarted by the robot that parked too near his feet. Annoyed, Sheppard growled out a "Shoo!"

The robot did nothing.

"Get out of here," Sheppard ordered. The robot remained. "Great," Sheppard sighed and drew back his foot to kick the thing out of his way.

"014, please return to storage," City suddenly voiced.

The robot made a little "Pip" and didn't move immediately.

"014," City said again. "Move or you will be sent to waste system detail."

The robot spun about and headed toward his hatch.

Rodney listened to the exchange and watched as the robot trundled away. He glanced to Sheppard to see if he understood the significance.

Sheppard met his eyes. He seemed to ask a question.

The robot needed to be ordered. It wasn't directly linked to the City! Rodney glanced toward where the robot had disappeared, and then glanced back to Sheppard.

The colonel gave a nod, and called, "Hey, City, you'll provide for us, right?"

"I will provide," City reiterated. "I will provide whatever you need that will not harm either the City or its inhabitants."

"Great! Listen, City," Sheppard dropped his voice to a friendly tone. "My friend here is going crazy. Seriously, he's going off the deep end soon."

"Wait a minute," Rodney protested. "I'm just a bit anxious about the situation, that's all."

"Just look at him," Sheppard continued. "He's getting really difficult to handle. He's sweaty. His heart is racing."

"Yes," City replied, its voice lowered as well. "I had noticed. I did not want to state my concern lest it aggravate his condition further."

"My condition?" McKay yelped.

"Yeah," Sheppard confirmed. "It's getting bad. He's probably going to pass out if this keeps up."

"Would a good meal help?" the City tried.

"That's not what he needs," Sheppard said thoughtfully.

The City said, "Very well. I conclude that he is suffering from a brief episode of ill health and it will pass in time. It is not life threatening."

"Of course it's not a life threatening condition," McKay grumbled. "I'm perfectly healthy. Well, healthy enough, and I can keep up with the rest of my team when they're not running or going on a death march or walking stupid fast… oh!" Sheppard shot him a look, and Rodney stopped short when he realized Sheppard was trying to pull something on the City.

He started back-peddling. "I mean I'm not healthy at all. I need a doctor!" He raised a hand. "I have a SEVERE condition that needs to be treated immediately. If you don't release me at once to a medically trained doctor, something very grave will happen to me." He snapped his fingers. "An aneurism! I might have an aneurism!"

"I believe you are correct," City said. "He is going crazy."

"Crazy?" McKay protested. "Hang on a minute! I may be a lot of things but crazy isn't really one of them!"

"You see, City, McKay is used to keeping busy," Sheppard explained, lazily lying back on the bed. "He needs to have a task to keep him occupied. If he doesn't keep his brain working, it'll short circuit on him and we'll end up with a terrible mess on our hands."

"Truly?" City responded.

"Just look at him," Sheppard said with a gesture.

McKay sneered.

"Yes," City decided. "Yes, I can see this. He is 'difficult' isn't he? His vital signs should not remain at these levels. What should we do to correct this problem?"

McKay crossed his arms over his chest. "I have had about enough of both of you!"

"Well, he needs something to do," Sheppard went on without looking at McKay who was shooting death with his eyes. "Some menial task should do the trick."

"Like… mopping?" City asked. "Something always needs to be mopped. I can have a pail brought immediately."

"What the…" McKay sputtered. "I will not mop!"

"See?" Sheppard stated.

"Yes… difficult," the City replied.

"What if you gave him something that he could take apart and put back together again. You've shocked him every time he tried to look at any of your controls," Sheppard stated. "Not letting him play puts him in a bad mood."

"Of course it put me in a bad mood!" McKay countered. "Who wouldn't be after being SHOCKED for no good reason? And I'm a little offended by the use of the word 'play'."

"The City must be protected," City said.

"Well, then give him something that isn't 'City'. What else do you have?" Sheppard asked.

"Explain yourself," City said, sounding confused.

"Do you have any interesting devices lying around that he could examine?"

"Well…" City paused. "There are a few instruments left by the Makers. Perhaps he would like to view one of them? Would that appease him?"

"Appease?" McKay squawked.

"That might help," Sheppard said, sounding undecided. "The problem is that we've seen everything already. I mean, I'm sure you have plenty of 'exciting' and 'interesting' things. Maybe there's something that'll pique his interest."

McKay continued to glare that the colonel, pissed off, until he truly listened to what Sheppard had just said. "Might help," he muttered. "Might… but, like he said, I've seen most of it before."

"I have things that will hold your interest until the end of time," the City proclaimed. "I will bring you such an item now."

A little robot shot out from the hatch, holding a device in its claw. It brought the item to Rodney. Rodney instantly recognized it.

"Oh," he said, trying to sound disappointed. "Oh, well, this is no big deal." He took it from the robot, which gave it up with a gratified little squeak. "I've seen it before."

Rodney held the familiar shape, clutching it tightly and avariciously.

"Too bad," Sheppard stated as he came to stand beside McKay. He held out a hand. "Let me see it."

"No," McKay said firmly, holding onto the thing and doing his best to not activate it.

"You've already played with one of these," Sheppard reminded.

"So have you!" McKay bit back.

"McKay!" Sheppard warned.

With that, Rodney sighed and regarded the device for a moment before reluctantly handing it over to Sheppard, who shoved it immediately into a vest pocket.

"Fine," McKay stated as he looked upward. "See, I'm still going crazy, here!" He lifted his arms and dropped them dramatically. "I got nothing!"

"Oh," City sounded distressed. "I will find something else. I believe there are other items that might soothe you."

"What about the robot?" Sheppard asked. "McKay could… take apart the robot."

The little device seemed to shudder a little at the suggestion.

"The robot is of no consequence," the City stated. "If he wishes to examine the device, he may. Many exist within the City and the reduction of one of their number shall not cause a disruption in my upkeep."

"You have many of them?" Sheppard asked as Rodney squatted down in front of the robot.

"There were, at one point, 400 maintenance robots, but their number has been reduced. Many were lost due to age and lawn maintenance incidents. There are only 212 remaining." City told them.

Rodney picked up the robot and carried it one of the few tables in the room. It squawked.

"Don't worry, little guy," he said softly as he reached for his pack and his tool kit. "This won't hurt a bit. And when I'm done, you can tell all your friends about me, okay?"

The robot make a pathetic sound as Rodney started shutting it down so that he could work, and Sheppard paced the room.

88888888888888888888

Teyla and Ronon moved quickly as they retraced their steps, looking for the place where they had first entered the City. They kept an eye on the woods, looking for any sign of further blargnaughts.

It was time to get off this planet. It was time to get McKay and Sheppard out of their latest mess.

"There," Ronon suddenly announced. "This is the place." He slung the pack from his back and glared at the wall. It was time to show the City who was in charge. Quickly he rifled through the contents of the pack and drew out the explosive and handed it to Teyla.

Teyla raised an eyebrow, and reminded him, "We must be careful, Ronon. Our friends are still within. And we don't know where the City is keeping them." She gave him a steady look, and said, "We must return to Atlantis as soon as possible."

He tried to ignore the implication of her statement as he straightened her shoulders. Teyla had bandaged the worst of his wounds, and he could use a visit to Keller, but he wasn't in any hurry. He was aware that there was a danger of infection, and wondered if a fever was coming on.

He approached the wall as Teyla prepared the C4 behind him. "Won't need a lot," he declared. "Walls didn't seem that thick."

"Atlantis is made of sturdy materials," Teyla reminded him.

"Yeah," Ronon admitted. "Better make it a double charge."

He examined the wall, and reached out. "It should go right about here," he said and touched the spot.

The world went away. His head seemed to fill with white light as every inch of his body screamed in pain, as every cell hammered and buzzed. Muscles contracted and spasmed.

He flew.

He felt as if he was floating. He felt as if he was drowning. He felt as if his heart had stopped and the world had quit spinning. And then blackness.

He didn't know how long the darkness lasted, but he slowly became aware of Teyla. He could hear her calling from a distance. She was touching his face, but the sensation was muted as if a thick layer of cloth separated them.

"Ronon!" Teyla's voice cut through the haze. "Ronon!"

He blinked, thickly. His eyelids felt weighted as he forced them open to stare at the frightened face above him. Electric charges seemed to go off all over his body and he trembled.

"Ronon!" Teyla called again. Her expression relaxed a little as he focused. "Are you all right?"

"That hurt," Ronon admitted.

"Are you all right?" Teyla repeated distinctly.

He took a moment to assess himself. He flexed muscles, moved limbs. Nothing seemed broken or permanently harmed. "I'll live," Ronon decided.

Teyla frowned a little at the response.

"We got to get moving," Ronon reminded.

Teyla offered a hand, but Ronon ignored it as he forced himself to sit up, wobbling and shaking the whole time. The bandages had come loose. The blarghnaugt wounds were bleeding again, and he was covered with dirt and grass. He felt so strange -- it wasn't just fever.

Bewildered, he looked around, finding himself in an area of torn up earth. Something smelled as if it were burning.

He glanced to Teyla who met his questioning gaze with a firm expression. "When you touched the wall, you received a shock. It was…" and she seemed to steady herself a little before she continued, "… severe."

She sat back on her haunches as Ronon did his best to remain upright. Everything wavered around him. He shook minutely.

"City doesn't like me," Ronon decided.

"That is evident," Teyla replied. She glanced toward the wall. "We were able to touch the wall earlier, before we entered. I suppose it knows you now."

"Yeah," Ronon said, rubbing his face, amazed at how numb he felt. His hand brushed something and he reached to find one of his dreadlocks hot and smoldering. He snuffed out the end.

"We need to decide on another way of entering," Teyla said with a sigh, "Since we cannot attach explosives to the wall."

Ronon narrowed his eyes as he glared at the smooth wall. "Won't be a problem," he declared. "We won't need to attach it if we just make the charge big enough."

Teyla regarded Ronon with a thin smile. "Remember the others," she said softly.

Shakily, slowly, Ronon pressed a hand to Teyla's shoulder and managed to get himself upright.

"They'll just have to duck." Ronon stated, but then his legs collapsed from beneath him, and he fell hard on his butt. The world wavered and his vision seemed to jump about. His body told him, quite firmly, that it really wanted to keep still for a few moments longer.

"Guess I should wait a moment," he said with an exasperated sigh.

Teyla said nothing. She simply smiled and kept her gaze on the woods around them, while Ronon watched the wall.

After a moment, he said, "We're going to need more C4."

Teyla had been afraid of that.

TBC - Poor Ronon. At least Rodney has a robot to play with