Title: Always Hope
Author: stella_pegasi
Rating: K+
Genres: Action Adventure, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship
Word Count: 28,165 (8 Chapters)
Spoilers: None (set after Season Five)
Warnings: Brief sexual situation, implied non-con
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, Evan Lorne, OC's
Summary: Another routine mission to open up relations with new worlds in Pegasus goes awry. SGA-1 discovers their friendly new allies are hiding a dark secret that could cost them their lives.
Disclaimer: I do not own them; I would have treated them better.
Author's Notes: Written for the sga-genficathon on LiveJournal. Feedback is always appreciated.
A reader mentioned that I had used the term P-14 to describe Sheppard's weapon, she thought I meant P-90, but I didn't. The P-14 is a handgun that fires a 45 round, and is more powerful that the standard issue 9 mil. At some point during the second season, I think, Sheppard changed his sidearm. I came across this info and great research on LiveJournal, but I am embarrassed that I can't find the post now. So I cannot attribute this information to the actual person who provided it, and I apologize for that. The poster on LJ suspected that Sheppard may have changed to this more powerful hand gun (which he would have to purchase himself), because it would be more effective against the Wraith. So, P-14 is an intentional designation. If anyone sees anything else, please let me know.
And let me if you did or did not like the story...I want to hear. Thanks!
The last two chapters…hope you have enjoyed Always Hope.
Here is Chapter Seven...
Always Hope
By stella_pegasi
Chapter Seven Pandora's Box
Rodney and Ronon made their way through the city without difficulty. The majority of the city dwellers were elated to see the 'rebel' villagers enter Felan. The rebels met with little resistance except for a few council members and a handful of guards.
One of the city residents offered to take them to the jumper in his small transport. Within forty-five minutes of leaving Sheppard at the medical facility, they were back in Atlantis and in the infirmary.
Dr. Jennifer Keller argued with Ronon about his insisting on returning to Felan, considering his leg wound. Lorne settled the argument by saying he needed Ronon to assist with locating buildings in the city. Keller missed the grins the two men exchanged when she turned away.
Lorne, McKay, and Ronon were waiting impatiently for Keller to get her team together. Normally, putting together an emergency team was an efficient task for the doctor. However, with the knowledge that Teyla may need transfusions, she was taking extra time to bring a supply of blood for her. While waiting for the technicians to bring the blood units, she was packing supplies.
"Doc, come on. We need to leave; Ronon said there were several guard units still outside the city gates, and the Regent and his daughter remained at large when they left. Colonel Sheppard would probably like our help about now." Lorne was leaning against the infirmary door, an impatient Ronon looking over his shoulder.
"Major, get a grip; I'll be ready shortly. If Teyla's blood volume is as drained as Rodney says, she may require a transfusion before I can move her to Atlantis. I'm waiting for an adequate number of units to be prepared." She continued to fill the container, until she heard her name. Looking up, she saw Rodney pushed his way past Ronon and Lorne.
"Jennifer, I have the readout on the enzyme material that Banar's been injected with; look." They studied the data on Rodney's pad for a moment, and Dr. Keller shook her head.
"These compounds are extremely toxic. If Banar was injected less than twenty-four hours ago, and is in the condition you told me, this is really bad. Rodney, I'm sorry, there may be little I can do for him, even after I examine him."
"Please, I'm sorry, Jennifer, but…uh…Carson should probably be the person dealing with the compound. I mean, he's the expert on Michael's hybrids.
"Rest assured, Dr. McKay; I dispatched Lieutenant Conrad's team to MX7-993 to locate Dr. Beckett, per Dr. Keller's request. He's traveling from one village to another on the planet, holding. It might take them some time to find him." The voice belonged to Richard Woolsey, who had entered the infirmary. "In addition, I have sent a preliminary report to the Coalition. We promised to keep them informed of any serious issues we locate in Pegasus."
Lorne groaned, "Great, more hybrid compound stories for them to use against us."
"Major, that will be enough." Woolsey snapped back.
"Sorry, sir; but we both know that the coalition would love to have more ammunition to use against us."
"Yes, major, I do know that. Dr. McKay, I want you, and Colonel Sheppard to return to Atlantis as soon as you can. I want a full report of what the situation is currently on Rienor, as soon as possible." Woolsey waited for McKay to acknowledge his request, and then left the infirmary.
A technician delivered a cooler to Dr. Keller; she looked at the three men waiting for her. "OK, I'm ready."
The veil of darkness surrounding him, lifted slowly; his head was throbbing, he could barely lift his chin off his chest. Struggling to raise his head, he opened his eyes. The light was muted, a golden glow illuminating crimson walls. He had absolutely no idea where he was. He attempted to move but met with resistance, and he became aware of a couple of facts. He was chained to what appeared to be a headboard, and was sitting on a bed. One word escaped Sheppard's lips, "Crap."
Lorne banked the jumper over the medical building and landed on the street. The ramp lowered and Keller and her team hurried off the jumper, Marines helping to carry the supplies. Rodney moved to the front with Keller, and led them into the building. Ronon and Lorne went looking for Mór.
Mór was on the ground floor talking to a group of Felan business people. He broke off from them and headed for Ronon and Lorne.
"Ronon, you OK?" Mór smiled.
"Yeah, leg's OK; this is Major Lorne, Sheppard's second in command." Mór shook Lorne's hand.
"Good to meet you, major. I presume Sheppard came back with you?" Mór looked at them questioningly.
The hairs on the back of Lorne's neck prickled, "The colonel is not here?"
"I haven't seen him since, Desman and I went upstairs to see Desman's son. I thought the colonel was coming up to be with Desman, but he never came. I sent some people looking for him; we can't find him. I assumed he must have decided to go back to Atlantis."
Ronon growled, "He didn't. He stayed here."
Lorne tapped his COM, "Everyone, heads up; Colonel Sheppard is missing. He was last seen in the medical facility." Covering his mic, he asked Ronon what Sheppard was wearing, Ronon told him, and Lorne continued. "The colonel is off COM, and he is wearing a Regent Guard uniform. All personnel commence searching. Team leaders report to me every ten minutes."
The major asked Ronon and Mór, "Alright, where could he possibly be, any idea?"
Ronon eyes narrowed, "There is one person that we haven't found, who might have an interest in Sheppard, the Regent's daughter, Lady Elradia."
"I would not put anything past her. She would be brazen enough to kidnap Colonel Sheppard."
Loren rubbed and then flexed his neck. "Where do we find this Lady Elradia?"
Mór said, "Maybe we should start with the government house?"
"Ronon, why don't you stay here? You can direct the search in this building?"
Lorne was not surprised when Ronon glared at him, and limped away, toward the entrance. As he jogged to catch up, he thought nothing ever changed; Ronon played hurt, and the women always wanted Sheppard.
Sheppard rested against the headboard, seeking to ease the pain in his head. He shut his eyes, hoping the darkness would soothe the shooting pains in the left side of his head. He was attempting slow his breathing, when he heard a creaking noise, the sound of a door opening. Sensing who entered the room, he wished he was wrong. Willing his eyes to open, he managed to peer through narrow slits, enough to see he was correct; it was the Lady Elradia.
"Umm...you look delicious. I think having you shackled is the safest way to keep you around, John. Especially since, you rarely follow directions well." She kneeled on the side of the bed, leaning over toward him. She touched his collarbone lightly with her fingertips, then traced down his chest; she slid her fingers underneath the buttons and the fabric of his shirt. Pressing her hand against his chest, leaning her face to his, Elradia brushed her lips against his before he jerked his head away.
"You should realize, John that you are better off with me. With Dr. Maxea's assistance, you will remain as handsome as you are now, for a very long time. As for your former life, Dr. Maxea guarantees me that he has a wonderful formula for a drug that will help you forget who you are. You will be with me, and the memories of Atlantis and your little Teyla will vanish forever from your memory."
"I've always been bored by older women. As long as the drug enables to me forget how old you truly are, Elradia. That would certainly make this a lot more tolerable." Sheppard laughed as Elradia's deceivingly young face turned bright pink. It was a good thing she lacked truth serum to give him; he had lied, he was truly, quite fond of older women.
"You bastard," she struck him sharply across the cheek. Her eyes blazing, Elradia rose from the bed, and traversed the small space across the boudoir, retrieving an ovoid, jewel-encrusted, wooden box from a dresser.
"Do you know what this is?" Her anger seemed to have abated, and she smiled coyly at him. When he ignored her question, she climbed onto the bed, straddling his legs, facing him.
"This little box holds the formula to the youth elixir that Dr. Maxea created, and a vial of the drug. Wherever we go, we can make this wonderful drug, and live virtually forever. I find that very exciting."
Elradia reverently opened the lid; the interior was lined with gold satin and additional sparkling jewels. A small purple velvet covered book, and a red velvet pouch holding the vial that contained the youth enzyme, lay nestled in the folds of the shiny material. From the look on her face, she was quite affected by the contents of the box. When she turned her gaze upon him, he could tell the box had a somewhat aphrodisiacal effect on her.
Sheppard was getting quite uncomfortable; Elradia had placed the box on top of the crimson silk bedcover, and was beginning to unbuttoned his shirt. He tried to distract her with a question.
"Where are we? This doesn't appear to be the government house."
She glanced up at him, "You are a perceptive man. Since you completely shattered our little happy city, we have retreated into a bunker. It's located underneath the government building. Only a few trusted servants and guards are aware of this place, and the tunnel from here to the Portal of the Ancestors. We got here from the tunnel that leads from the medical facility. We will be leaving in a short while, once Maxea's equipment and our things are loaded on the little transports for the trip to the portal. Dr. Maxea has a safe haven where we can hide for a while. He also has an idea where we can start over." She finished unfastening the last button on his shirt, and tugged the shirt out of his pants.
Leering at his chest, she licked her lips. "Oh, my…you have the most magnificent chest, John. I am so elated that if anyone was going to shatter our lives, it was you; especially, since I get to keep you." She ran her hands along the length of his torso, through the soft, curling hair, matting his chest. She leaned toward him, in order to replace her fingers with her mouth. He attempted to pull away, but escape from Elradia's assault was impossible.
"Ummm…you smell scrumptious, John." She was nuzzling his neck as her hands dropped to his waist, and she began to unbuckle his belt.
Sheppard panicked somewhat; he had to stop her. Elradia was in control, he was keenly aware of that fact; however, he preferred to forgo sex with the vile woman. Knowing his best option was to fling her off the bed with his legs, he waited for the opportune moment to attempt to flip her. If he was lucky, he would also knock her unconscious, or worse.
She finished unbuckling his belt, and began to unbutton his pants. Sliding down his legs to give herself a bit more room to maneuver, she was not applying as much pressure to his legs. He decided to risk that this was the moment. However, as he started to move, a soft rap sounded on the chamber door. Elradia twisted her body toward the door, a most dispirited look on her face. Another, louder, more pronounced, thump struck the door; muttering angrily, she sprang from the bed, jerking the door open, to discover a Regent Guard standing before her
"What; why are you disturbing me?"
The guard took a quick glance into the room, quickly averting his eyes when he spotted Colonel Sheppard in a state of undress, and restraint. "Lady Halkan, your father has ordered me to inform you to collect your things. We will be leaving the bunker very shortly."
She took a deep breath, "Tell my father, I'll be ready. When you are done, bring another guard. You will need to remove the colonel from his current restraints and secure him."
"Yes, Lady Halkan." He was bowing to her as she slammed the door in his face.
"We just seem to keep getting interrupted, John." She smiled, and began to crawl from the foot of the bed toward him. Reaching him, she took his head in her hands, and kissed him deeply. Pulling away a bit, she slid one hand slowly down his chest, and finished unbuttoning his pants. She kissed him deeply again, as her hand slipped under the waistband of his pants; after a few moments, she released him.
Staring into his green eyes, she laughed at his discomfort. "Oh, you really don't like me doing that, do you? Yet, I noticed you responded quite swiftly. Umm, just remember, there is more of that delicious feeling to come." She slipped off the bed, and began to gather a few things.
Sheppard laid his aching head back against the silk covered, padded headboard. Silently, he spoke to himself, "Way to go, John. Your head feels like it's going to explode, you aren't attracted to Elradia in any way, yet…great…you have to react to her services." He wasn't certain if he was more embarrassed or humiliated.
A knock on the door revealed the previous guard and a second guard who had come to 'secure' him. Hearing them argue as to who going to button him up, Sheppard thought, "Crap. You are now officially embarrassed and humiliated; great, John, just great."
Ronon headed up to the third level to inform McKay that Sheppard had disappeared. When he located the ward that Banar was in, he discovered McKay and Keller there, and Teyla. He rushed to Teyla's bedside.
"McKay, how is she?" Teyla's bed had been situated next to Banar's; a bag of blood hung from a metal stand sitting next to her bed, tubing taking life-giving blood into her veins. Rodney turned to Ronon.
"Jennifer says she remains in serious condition, but she thinks the transfusions were started soon enough to do the job. Her prognosis is much improved than it was when we left her. At least, her skin color is definitely improved and is considerably pinker now." McKay turned to look at Banar. "He's another story."
The young scientist remained ashen and still, Desman and Maita were both at his side, as was Jennifer. "That his mother?" Ronon asked.
"Yeah, she came with the others to fight for the city, and to find her son. She's been asking about Sheppard. She seems really fond of him, and is worried about him. Where is he? I thought he be here by now, as well."
"He's missing, McKay."
"OK, Ronon, you don't have any reason to try and fool these people like earlier. Man, you scared me when you arrived at the cell, telling us he was dead, so cut the crap. I don't need that now."
"Not kidding this time, McKay. He's missing. No one has seen him since we left him on the stairs, and headed for Atlantis."
"Oh, god, what happen to him?"
"We don't know, but we think Elradia may have something to do with it."
Desman had been listening, "I will come with you." He turned to his wife, "Maita, if you have no objections."
She smiled, "You must go; John brought our son back to us. He is part of us now, Desman; a member of our family. John Sheppard risked his life to save the people of Camati. I refuse to lose him, as I refuse to lose Banar. Help them find him."
Desman embraced his wife, kissed his son on the forehead, and turned back to Ronon. "I am ready; let's go find our friend."
"Rodney, stay here with Jennifer; she may need you. I promise we'll keep you informed."
Rodney nodded; Ronon and Desman took off down the stairs, running into Dr. Carson Beckett on his way up. The Scotsman was carrying several medical bags with him.
"Ronon, I hear the colonel is missing; you find him."
"We will, Beckett." Ronon slapped him on the shoulder.
Desman recognized the name, "You are the doctor, who was coming to help my son; I am Desman Lemér. Thank you, Colonel Sheppard told us that Atlantis has the finest doctors in two galaxies. My wife and I are very grateful."
"I'll do my best, I promise." Carson smiled warmly. They parted, and Desman and Ronon continued on their way to meet Lorne.
Sheppard had been bound and gagged, then thrown on top of boxes of medical equipment. He was in the last car of the small tram, used to travel through the tunnels. Throughout the years, the Regent had numerous bunkers and tunnels built throughout Camati. Sheppard suspected that guards, loyal to the Regent, had used the tunnels' to kidnap villagers, and take them directly to the medical facility.
Once underway, Sheppard estimated that the trams moved about twenty clicks an hour, maximum speed. It was especially slow when the tram was as heavily loaded as now with people and baggage. The stargate was located at the base of a large mountain, fifty miles from Felan, in an area that was considered a shrine to the ancestors. None of the regions on the planet claimed the land, and all were to use the gate at will.
He had been gone from the medical facility for about three hours. He deduced it would take close to an hour and forty minutes to get to the gate. Not knowing how far the tunnel opening was from the gate, he needed to consider that time, plus the time to get all the stuff they were carrying, to the gate. Sheppard decided that he had, at a minimum, another two and a half hour's, before he was whisked off the planet. He was hoping Ronon and Lorne were getting close to finding him.
End of Chapter Seven…