Part 3
By Mickey

Status: Completed 1/20/2009

Word count: 1380


Startled, McKay looked up from his terminal and asked, "What? Why?"

Grabbing the scientist's vest and shoving him towards the door, John barked, "Damn it, McKay, just do it."

Picking up on the urgency in their commanding officer's tone immediately, Teyla and Ford had already started to move.

"Ford, take point! McKay, glue your ass to Teyla."

John walked backwards, covering the rear as they exited the room. He was almost out when another movement caught his eye. It, whatever it was, was getting closer. Bugger was fast too. It was barely more than a blur. John barely had time to react when he sensed that It was close to him. Acting on instinct alone, John turned, P-90 raised and ready to fire, just as It attacked. The creature moved with lightning speed and without making a sound, knocking the P-90 aside as it swung a massive hand at him.

John was thankful for the tether that kept the P-90 strapped to his neck as it was knocked from his hands. He felt a sudden, sharp pain in his side, but ignored it. He swung as hard as he could with his right hand, connecting with soft tissue and eliciting an ear-piercing howl from the creature. It swung at John again, this time connecting with his head. The force of the blow rocked his head back and made him see stars, but John managed to stay on his feet. Barely.

Staggering back several steps, John struggled to remain upright as he grabbed for his P-90. A burst of light and weapons fire briefly lit the area directly in front of him. The creature let out one last agonizing screech then fell to the ground, unmoving. A hand settled on his shoulder causing John to jump slightly. He turned to see Teyla, P-90 still clutched tightly in her right hand, standing next to him.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Nodding, he ground out, "Fine. Thanks." He willed the stars to leave his sight and go back into the sky where they belonged. "Ford, Rodney?" he asked.

"They are in the hall heading for the exit. We must hurry."

"Yeah," he agreed. "Go."

Teyla merely nodded in response then left.

John wasted no time. He grabbed his P-90 and held it in front of him as he started to follow Teyla. He staggered once, his head reeling, but caught himself quickly. A few minutes later, he stumbled out of the door and back out into the refreshingly clean outside air. Seeing that all of his team was out, he quickly turned and slammed his hand against the scanner that he'd used to open the door earlier. Once it started to move, his hand went back to his weapon. Much too slowly for his liking, the door creakily slid shut. He was proud to see Ford and Teyla had also focused their weapons on the door. McKay, wisely, was standing behind the three of them.

"What . . . the hell . . . was that . . . thing?" McKay asked between gasping breaths.

"You tell me! You're the scientist. All I know is that it was fast and very nasty," John replied.

When the door finally shut with a soft thud, John breathed a small sigh of relief. He relaxed his grip on his P-90, just a little, and turned to his team. "Everyone okay?"

"Fine, sir." "Peachy." "I am uninjured," all three answered at once.

Moving quickly, they walked several feet away from the facility. It struck John that they must have been in the facility longer than he'd thought. The setting sun cast eerie shadows over the building making it seem much older and creepier than it had seemed when they'd first arrived.

"Let's get some distance between us and that thing then we'll make camp."

Saying nothing, the others fell into line behind their leader. John once again took point with Ford covering their sixes. After walking for nearly an hour, John could no longer ignore the pounding in his head. The creature had hit him very hard and he prayed he didn't have a concussion. "All right folks, lets go to ground." Clarifying for Teyla and McKay, he added, "Boots on, no fire."

Much to John's surprise, McKay didn't make so much as a peep. The scientist was clearly rattled. Even in the pale moonlight, John could still see the fear in the other man's eyes. Hoping the man wasn't going into shock, John asked, "McKay, you okay?"

Watching McKay closely, John was worried when he didn't respond immediately.

After a minute though, he shook himself out of it and answered the question.

"Fine. I'm fine."

John scrutinized him closely. *Like hell you are.* He didn't blame the guy though. That thing had scared the shit out of him too. "You have first watch. Ford's next and then me. Teyla, you're up last tonight."

Everyone nodded their agreement. Suddenly feeling dizzy, John slumped down onto a nearby stump. "Ford," he called to his junior officer, "you and Teyla set up a perimeter."

Ford hesitated for a moment, obviously concerned. John knew Ford was debating questioning the order. After all, John always set up the perimeter. He alternated between Ford and Teyla for help, but he was always involved. "Problem, Lieutenant?" He asked, forcing his tone to stay neutral.

Ford stayed silent a moment longer then answered, "No, sir." Then he turned and did as he was told.

"McKay!" Sheppard forced his voice to stay barely louder than a whisper as he called to the scientist. He'd looked to see the other man attempting to start a fire.

Startled, McKay dropped the unlit match and looked up. "What?"

"What did I just say?" John hissed.

Confusion crossed McKay's face for a moment then realization hit him.

"Sorry," he muttered. "I'm just going to . . . uhhh . . . to go over there," he waved to a nearby bush, "and uhhh . . . relieve myself."

"Wait for Ford." John knew there was no way to be sure that the creature Teyla had killed had been the only one. He also knew there was no way to be sure none of them had gotten out while they'd been exploring the other parts of the facility.

McKay harrumphed, "I'm a big boy, Major. I can go potty all by myself."

To John, he very much looked like a duck whose feathers had been ruffled. It would be pretty damn funny if he didn't suddenly feel so tired. "Wait for Ford," he repeated.

For a moment, John was sure McKay was going to argue with him. Instead, he said, "Fine," then turned his back on him and watched Ford and Teyla.

John shrugged out of his pack. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, he was beginning to feel very sore all over. A bone deep weariness washed over him. Opening his pack, John sought out the field med kit carried by all off-world team members, and finding the Tylenol, washed two down with water from his canteen.

Something told him there was more wrong with him than just sore muscles and a headache, but he was just too damned tired to care. He quickly set up his sleeping bag, finishing just as Ford and Teyla returned.

"All is quiet for now," Teyla reported.

Nodding, John said, "Good. Get some sleep. Short shifts tonight. I want to start back to the 'gate early. Hour and-a-half then wake the next person up."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Ford," McKay said, "the major says I need an escort."

Sheppard chuckled lightly as the lieutenant looked at the scientist in confusion. Then he realized what McKay was saying and, smiling, waved a hand in front of himself. "After you."

John watched them for a moment then slid into his waiting sleeping bag. "Night," he murmured to Teyla, who whispered the same to him. Slowly, John drifted into a restless sleep.

TBC