Stargate Atlantis: S7—A Terrible Beauty3
Echo Base was a hub of activity. Scientists were moving from console to console, taking into radios and to each other. Data pads were everywhere and the constant stream of information and equations was dizzying.
It was bitterly cold. John still had a chill from the short walk from the Stargate to the bunker. The Tria was in orbit around the neighboring planet, ostensibly hidden from any prying eyes. John had taken a Jumper and parked it near the Stargate. He couldn't help but be overly cautious. If the Ancient warship was his trump card this base and the personnel on it were his ace in the hole.
Snow still clung to his coat and to his boots as he stomped towards the control room, leaving a trail of melting puddles in his wake. The planet was like a giant snowball. Nearly all of its surface was covered in snow, locked in a permanent Ice Age. Initially a science team had been sent here to study the environment. When life had been found the excitement had grown.
At his approach the scientists stared, falling silent for an assessing moment. Then they resumed their work and their arguments.
"Status?" John asked abruptly.
The man in charge turned, startled. He was short and squat, with a red mustache and beard. He reminded John of a badger, and the man was just as tenacious. Chris Sands was a scientist first and foremost, but he knew the importance of monitoring all activity of the enemy fleet. "Colonel Sheppard! We've sent the latest updates to Atlantis."
"I know. I wanted to see them personally. How's progress on the language decryption?"
"It's an ongoing work in progress, but we're making strides every day," Chris hastily assured. "Here is the latest monitoring of the Fugly position. As you can see they haven't moved from their latest course. They seem to be waiting for something. Radio chatter's been frequent and given us quite a boon for the translation program."
John glanced at the proffered data pad. "Give me everything you have. I'll be back in thirty. I want to check on Green's progress myself."
Before the other man could reply John was gone.
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"…and I need an update on their biological development too! And you better hurry because he wants that translation program yesterday!"
John smiled at the voice over the com as he entered a lab. He paused. There was a woman working alone. Her back was towards him as she sat at a computer.
"Tell Sheppard to keep his pants on! It will be ready when it's ready!"
John drawled, "Actually I was hoping to take off my pants…or better yet have you do it, Green. Just don't tell my wife because she'll get pissed."
"John!" The woman jumped out of her chair, startled. She smiled and rushed to the military commander, engulfing him in a hug. "Oh John! John, I've missed you!"
"Moira," John said. He hugged her tightly, only drawing back to catch her mouth in several kisses. Each was more passionate than the last and suddenly Moira found herself pressed against the desk.
"John!" she scolded, catching her breath. She touched his face gently, worry filling her brown eyes. "You want the translation program."
"Among other things, yes, baby."
"You look tired."
"Yeah, I am. It…it hasn't been easy," he admitted. He lowered his gaze for a moment, loath to reveal his troubles to her. She knew them all the same.
"John." She kissed him, then slid free of his embrace to move to the computer. "I was afraid this would happen. You can tell them, you know. You don't have to continue the charade."
He followed after her. "No. It's safer this way, at least until this threat is eliminated. You have to trust me, Moira."
"Of course, John. Here." She turned and held out a flash drive, but suddenly snatched it back before he could take it. "This program is evolving, but it won't be able to translate everything. It is learning as it goes, as we learn. John, I need to come with you on this."
"No."
"Hear me out. I will be better able to translate their language than this device. Whatever is in here," she touched her brow, "can translate better than the computer. Especially after the aphasia. You remember, right?"
John nodded, recalling it all too well…
John sits at the hospital bed, staring at his newlywed wife. Scans had revealed nothing but a swelling that was being treated. Nevertheless John sits, vigilant. When Moira stirs he takes her hand into his. "Moira? Can you hear me? Doctor!" he shouts over his shoulder.
"I can hear you fine, sweetie," Moira says, blinking at him. She struggles to sit up in the bed. "Where am I? What happened? Oh! The car! Are you all right, John?"
John meets her gaze. "I'm fine, baby, don't you worry. You took the fall. Doc?"
"It was so…maybe it would have been better if they all thought I was dead…" she mutters, and John's gaze narrows, about to refute what she has said.
"Let me see how she's doing. Moira, what can you remember?"
"I remember the car and the…" The rest comes out in an unintelligible language. The doctor nearly drops his penlight as the strange, guttural sounds issue from Moira's mouth.
"What the…what language is that? I've never heard anything like that in my life!"
"I have," John grimly says. He recognizes that what sounds like gibberish is in fact the spoken language of the Fuglies.
"You will need real time communications, right?" Moira continued, jolting John out of the memory. "I have recorded as much as I can remember, and with constant access to their language I may be able to translate more! I have to be with you on this mission."
"And I said no."
"John! Stop being so pigheaded and—"
John snatched the device from Moira and placed it into this pocket. "I don't have time to argue about this, all right? You are staying right here, Moy, as we agreed. When this is all over I will come for you."
"John! You will need me on the—"
"I need you safe, Moira! All right? Now let's talk about something else because you know what arguing with you does to me!" He sounded furious, but the gruff edge to his voice revealed another emotion.
Moira glared at him, hands on her hips. It was difficult to be too angry with him. When John was angry he was incredibly sexy. "Fine! We've been making some startling progress in identifying the genetic factors. The methylation pattern could explain their bone density as well as the environment, of course and the RNA strands to-"
"Never mind!" John raised a hand, forestalling her. "I don't want to hear that now! I want…WHAT?" he snarled as a voice pinged in his ear. "Oh…okay. Shit."
"John?" Moira stood, staring at him. "You have to leave, don't you?"
"Afraid so, baby." John sighed, shrugged. "I promise I'll have more time next time. Thanks for this, Moy." He patted his pocket where the flash drive resided.
"It would be better if I went with you…John wait!"
John was heading for the door. He halted. "It's better this way, Moira. You know that." It was always difficult to leave her, yet leave her he must, for the time being.
"I can't let you leave my lab like that."
"Like what?" He turned, puzzled at her serious tone.
Moira smiled at him. She stepped to him, invitation obvious. "Colonel Sheppard, it would be very remiss of me to let you leave with this, now wouldn't it?" She touched his chest and slid her hand down to scrape her fingernails along his growing erection.
John groaned in response. "Um…well, you know arguing with you always does that to me."
Moira kissed him. "Yes, sweetie. I can't let you leave with that, now can I? So…deployment in five?" She stepped back from him, flirtatiously tilting her head.
John licked his lips. He smiled. He just smiled.
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"Colonel Sheppard, copy? Where the devil is the man?" Chris fumed, shaking his head.
"I'm right here. I was busy…consulting…with Green. Deeply consulting," he boasted. John sauntered into the control room, fighting to keep the smug smile off his face. Pleasure still echoed along his body. The sex had been quick, hot, and a little rough but extremely satisfying for both parties. John licked his lips and glanced at the console. "The Tria?" he guessed.
"Yes. There's an urgent transmission for—"
John stepped past the man and tapped the console. "This is Sheppard." He swallowed. His voice still sounded raspy and he allowed a smirk to cross his face. His lower, gruff tones were always a turn-on for Moira. "Report."
"Colonel Sheppard? Long-range scanners are detecting energy fluctuations and—"
"The fleet's on the move again!" shouted a technician at the same time. "Projecting real time directions…sir?"
"Put it on the board! Edwards, are you getting this?" John moved to view the screen. The red dots representing the Fugly fleet were moving en masse. "Where are they headed? Are they opening a hyperspace window?"
"Negative, sir, no wormholes yet," Edwards answered from the ship.
"The next quadrant….they look like they are heading for a group of planets."
"ETA?" John asked, scowling. He rested his hands on his hips, leaning slightly to watch the display.
"At the rate of speed and the distance to that planetary system and assuming that the variables don't change—"
"Just give me a damn timetable!"
"One week, give or take," the technician answered quickly.
John inwardly swore. Hearing a snort he straightened, whirling with a deadly glare. Moira was standing at the threshold, ogling him. She smiled. John smiled, gaze narrowing in reprimand. He turned back to the screen. "Keep tracking them. I want you to post updates to Atlantis every hour! Edwards, I'll be en route momentarily. Transmit our situation to Atlantis." He turned and strode towards Moira. "Green, a word."
"Of course, colonel." Moira quickly followed him as they walked down the hallway. She caught his arm. "John—"
John turned and pulled her into a lengthy kiss. He freed her. "I gotta go, baby. Damn Fuglies have moved up my timetable and—"
"Homo erectus and if they are heading for a planet that could mean—"
"—I gotta get our allies moving quicker than I thought and make damn sure the Wraith are there or this engagement will be short-lived, wait, mean what?"
"What?"
"What do you think that means? The planet? Colonization?"
"Or destruction. John…John…be careful!" She hugged him suddenly.
John held her close. "Don't you worry, Moira. I'll be fine. I've got the best ship out here now."
"John…if it will make it easier for you then tell them. Tell them about me. I am safe here so you can tell them now if it will make—"
"No, not yet. Something's not right, Moira, and until it is you are safer this way, as we agreed." He ran his fingers up and down her arm. "After this you and I are finally going to go on that honeymoon, all right?"
"Okay, John. Although I would be perfectly happy here with you. You wouldn't believe what we discovered! There are mammoths here! Actual living mammoths, John! We have an unprecedented opportunity to—"
"Whoa on the science talk!" he joked, smiling. "You can tell me all about them later."
"Oh I will!" She laughed at his mock groan, but grew somber. "John."
He kissed her. "Back ASAP, baby, that's a promise. Now get that pert little ass back to your lab and get to work!"
"Yes, sir!" She kissed him again. "John…"
"I know. I gotta go." Before she could detain him he left the base.
Moira sighed, standing alone in the hallway.
There was so much to tell him and so little time.