Thanks for the reviews. Bit of a short chapter and I hope it isn't too confusing!

Deadly Passion

Chapter 3

ATLANTIS

"Okay, so what exactly happened?" Colonel Caldwell asked leaning on the conference table directing his question at the team before him.

"Well, after the negotiations we were set up in a room to rest." Rodney told him fidgeting with his hands. "Um, I had some food and then…and then we woke up at the gate."

Caldwell frowned disappointingly and turned to Ronon. "Was it the same for all of you?"

"Pretty much, for me anyway." Ronon concurred folding his arms and glancing at Teyla.

"It must have been the food." Teyla guessed. "I was feeling fine until I ate some and then I felt faint."

Caldwell sighed and perched on the table. "So, none of you think Colonel Sheppard and Dr Weir had any of this food?"

All three shook their heads. "I do not believe so. But Colonel Sheppard did want to speak to Dr Weir before I passed out. I believe he may have had suspicions. We woke up at the gate along with our gear. We then headed back to the village only to find it empty." Teyla finished reporting, guilt gracing her pretty features.

"An entire village? Empty?" Dr Carson Beckett asked disbelievingly. "How'd they manage that?"

No one could provide any answers. They sat in silence waiting for Caldwell's orders. Finally he stood back up. "Right. Take a jumper and scout the planet. Perhaps they moved camp. Search for any kind of unusual activity-"

He paused as Beckett coughed and added, "On second thought you may search tomorrow. I'll send another team today."

"But-" All three began but were cut off by a loud Scottish voice.

"Excuse me but you were all drugged wae something and I've yet tae check you over. So yir not going anywhere until I give you the all clear!" The medic told them sternly ignoring the grumbles he received in response.

"I'm fine! Give me some food and I'm ready!" Rodney declared banging a fist on the table but shut up as Carson mouthed the words "big needles" and stood up.

"You better get to the infirmary." Caldwell advised them watching the chief medical officer leave.

As they followed Carson, Caldwell made his way to Weir's office. He stood for a minute in the doorway to view the space. Since he had come to Atlantis he had badly wanted this very opportunity, to take over Weir's job. But now it had arrived, it didn't feel as good as he thought it would.

Leading this expedition would have been more satisfying if he knew his two colleagues were safe.


UNKNOWN PLANET

John was dragged from his deep slumber by the smell of something foul. Wrinkling up his nose he slowly opened his eyes and was shocked by the bright light that greeted him. Blinking he waited until his eyes focused before trying to move his head.

Glancing around he saw he was in a small white room. Examining his surroundings he saw two longish tables, various containers placed on them and a few ugly looking machines. John deduced he was in a lab. Biting his lip he thought back to what had happened.

He had been hit by a silver beam and woken up in a dark cell. It had been quite big with several other men in it. He had had no idea where Elizabeth was and this more than anything had made him panic. Suddenly the other prisoners had approached and one suddenly attacked him. And so a fight had ensued. However, it seemed only John was on his own side and the rest were against him.

Despite taking many blows he had fought back and beaten them effectively. During his one on one with the last standing man he had taken a blow to the head and passed out. Drifting off he had been sure he was a dead man.

But here he was alive with a thumping headache and strapped to an uncomfortable chair in an alien lab. Oddly he felt like he was at the dentist. He shuddered realizing he may be tortured and prayed Elizabeth wasn't going through the same ordeal. Suddenly he heard voices approaching the door. Quickly scanning the lab for a way out the officer was disappointed not to find one and closed his eyes pretending to be unconscious again.

John heard the door open. "And he beat all of them?" A man's voice questioned.

"Almost." Another replied, his voice louder now they were fully in the lab. "He sustained a blow to the head by the last one standing. But he performed a lot better than any others we have tested recently."

"Did he kill any of them?" The first man asked and John felt a presence next to him. Despite having his eyes closed the pilot could feel someone's stare and tried to keep his breathing steady.

There was a clinking of glass and a shuffling of feet. "No. But that could be programmed. His killer instinct is there, it just has to be nurtured." John didn't like the sound of that.

"And what of the woman?" John's heart jumped at that and listened intently.

"She too performed very well. She is not as good as this one but she can handle herself. Both are fine candidates Chancellor, believe me." The man's voice sounded excited and John had to restrain himself from pulling against the binds holding him arms. Programmed? Killer instinct? What the hell are they planning? He wondered.

There was silence and then a sigh. "Very well Dr…begin the procedures. How long will they take?"

"8 days. But they will have to be run through a number of scenarios first before being placed in the field. Just to ensure they have all the specific attributes."

"Do you need guards?"

"No. There will be no need to remove him from that chair for the next few hours. Protection should not be needed."

"Good. Then you have our backing once again Veron…and again we hope you give us 6 new assassins."

John flinched at the word 'assassins' and heard footsteps walk away. The other man began moving around the room and this is when John chose to react. Peeking through half opened eyelids he watched a tall skinny man in a white tunic approach his chair. As he reached for something pass John's head the officer grabbed the man's wrist and pushed it back hearing a small crack.

"Ow!" the scientist screamed sinking to the floor and holding his arm. But John kept pushing it back.

"Where am I?" He growled leaning forward to the man's face. The man let out a whimper and John pressed harder. "What the hell do you have planned?"

"Ah! Please…please…there is no way you can escape!" The doctor whined, gasping through the pain.

"Let me out of here!" Sheppard roared pulling against his restraints but still holding his captor's damaged wrist tightly. Suddenly the door to the lab burst opened and two men walked in. John recognized them immediately as two of the men he beat in the previous cell. What the hell!

They rushed over and pulled the scientist away. Aiming a large gun at John one guard glared menacingly before smiling smugly. "This will be wonderful pay back!"

And he fired.

A/N: I tried not to make Caldwell seem that bad. As if he still wants Weir's job but not at the risk of her life. So please R'N'R!