Stargate Atlantis -:- The Collective

Author's Note(s):

Thanks to BSBIlseD, JoeyLuv, BMick, Questfan, shepsgirl72, sheppardlover928, robvb2000 and wisconsinrocks for reviewing! Thanks for being so understanding about my tardy update and to Questfan, I might just take you up on that crate of Red Bull! :P

As always thanks also go to everyone who has read, alerted, favourited and/or also reviewed this fic so far – you are all truly fantastic!

At the end of last chap we officially hit the halfway point of this fic – I have planned for it to be 12 chapters long including a two-part epilogue that will hopefully stop me from rushing the end like I always do lol…

But anyway...Enjoy!


Chapter Seven -:- Broken and Blind

12.45pm – East Pier/Level 12 – Section Foxtrot

"And where the hell are we going?"

"We're gonna pull the ZPM; blind the sensors everywhere," Sheppard repeated as he ran the length of the corridor; McKay just about keeping pace behind him. His head and ribs hurt like hell, Beckett's patch job barely holding him together under the strain of the exercise. His breathing was heavier than usual and his head was pounding, but other than that he was doing a pretty good job of looking like he hadn't just been blown up that morning.

"That old trick?"

"Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it," Sheppard managed to quip back. They took a tight turn, purposely passing the transporter on that level in favour of another one – if anyone was watching, which was a pretty safe bet, he didn't want them to figure out where they were going.

"It's getting old, just so you know," Rodney retorted, his face reddening under the exertion of the full out run. "And it won't work – I pulled the ZedPM this morning to run power diagnostics – remember?"

John threw him a look over his shoulder and altered the route he had planned in his head. "So we're on back-up generators? Even better. We'll just pull the one for the central tower then."

"Oh, you mean the one 3 floors below Stargate operations and the nexus of Atlantis Zombieland?" Rodney snorted, annoyed by both the pace and Sheppard's devil-may-care attitude. "Great plan, Colonel. May I remind you that I am a fundamental part of the ultimate plan to fix this B-movie disaster and if you get me killed with yet another of your fabulous plans the entire city is screwed?"

"And can I remind you that we cannot do your plan until we've finished mine?" John threw back at him. He heard the astrophysicist huff but didn't receive a reply. Score one to Sheppard.

They took another corridor and a couple of flights of stairs before John relented and used a transporter. Part of him feared that if he stopped, even for the few seconds the teleporter closet took, he wouldn't be able to start up again. The reason he had chosen Rodney to come with him, other than the automatic 'McKay, you're with me', was that the scientist was the only one who would be panting worse than him from the run. If he had taken Lorne, which was probably the wiser choice, the Major would have been able to run laps round him. Besides, he was trusting Lorne to keep Torren safe – not a task he delegated lightly.

McKay was doubled over when the doors opened to the Gamma tower, his breath coming out in wheezes. He still managed to gasp out "What about the others?"

"If they keep moving until we cut the power, they should be fine," John replied, just about managing to regain the pace he'd set. Once the alert had been sounded that they had been found, he had ordered everyone to split up and keep moving before rendezvousing at the lab in Zeta tower Rodney had picked as their new headquarters. It had been a rush to get everyone out of the storage area – a bunch of zombie marines led by a trigger happy Ronon had arrived stunners-blazing just as Sheppard and McKay had left.

"Not them, I meant…when we left…I thought I saw…" it was rare for the fast-talking astrophysicist to struggle over his words. "I think I saw Carson get stunned…we left him behind…"

"He wasn't the only one," John admitted. He had seen what had happened but knew that starting a fire fight to free their stunned friends wouldn't have helped in the long run. He had shoved Rodney onwards hoping that the scientist hadn't seen. John had made the decision to leave them behind – he hoped to God it had been the right one. "A few scientists got caught too."

"They'll be alright…right?" Rodney asked, only allowing the emotion to come through in his voice because he was talking to John.

"Sure, they only got stunned. They'll just get taken back to the brig and we'll break them out later as soon as we're done with your plan," John reassured, though he didn't voice his own concerns. While he was glad that the zombies weren't shooting them on sight, it had led him to wonder what they were being captured for. He could tell Rodney was probably thinking along the same lines, but they both let the subject drop.

They travelled down a few levels and made another roundabout transporter ride back to the east side of the city before finally making the final stop in the tower. By the time they reached the corridor round the corner from the generator room, John knew he was in bad shape. The world kept moving after he had stopped and he could barely keep his aim steady long enough to stun the two guards outside. Rodney shot him a worried look when he staggered slightly as they made the short walk to the door, but he sensibly kept his concerns to himself.

The merry chase around the city had taken a lot out of the pair of them, but it had been necessary to throw their tracker off. If the other ATAs were doing as they were told whoever was watching them was probably going mental trying to figure out what they were doing. That confusion would buy them the time they needed…hopefully.

Sheppard entered the generator room with his stunner raised, leaving McKay at the door to watch his six. As he walked up to the generator and automatically began disabling it he came to the conclusion that Rodney was right and he had done this too many times. Without even thinking about it he pulled the key-like component off so that the generator couldn't be turned back on. Instantly the central tower was thrown into darkness. He tucked the piece into his newly acquired TAC vest and gave his walkie two clicks. That was the signal that the others were safe to head towards the rendezvous. He then stood up "What did I tell you, if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

"Um…John…"

"Oh crap."


13.15pm – Sigma Tower/Holding Cell Zulu2-C

Life in the Pegasus galaxy was always interesting and led to one witnessing many brilliant moments that could simply never be witnessed anywhere else. It also had its downsides though – if you lived there long enough and you got very accustomed to being stunned and waking up in a holding cell.

Beckett pondered whether or not the former outweighed the latter as the feeling began to return to his extremities. He quickly pushed the thought aside though as he decided that focusing on his current predicament was probably more important. He managed to push himself upright and then propped himself against the corner pillar of the cell. The first thing he noticed once the world had stopped spinning was that he wasn't alone. Around him in various states of unconsciousness were four scientists in blue. He hoped that they were the only ones and that they had been enough of a distraction for the others to get away.

One of the scientists, an Italian named Arrighetti, gradually came to. He blinked at their new abode warily, and then gave a resigned shrug. He then seemed to notice Beckett for the first time. "Fancy meeting you here."

Beckett gave him a half-smile, glad for the attempt at humour. He'd rather his fellow captives were calm and cynical than hysterical; but then again the others had already been here and done this before – for them it was just a step backwards. After their previous breakout someone had wisely decided to post more than two guards at the door, although Beckett doubted that another attempt would be made. The ones who had hopefully escaped had bigger things to worry about.

Eventually the others woke up as well. The two women, Dr. Fletcher, an Irish botanist, and Dr. Sharma, an Indian chemist, both stood up and paced around the space to work the feeling back into their legs. Dr. Arrighetti and Dr. Barker were lying flat on the benches counting the ceiling tiles overhead. There wasn't exactly much else by way of entertainment.

They were left stewing like that for ten minutes before the guards outside their cell suddenly stood up a lot straighter. An entourage of familiar people entered the room like an honour parade and took places around the edge of the cell. Beckett and the others climbed to their feet and converged together in the centre, their attention focusing on those at the back of the procession. Richard Woolsey stood in the middle, the menacing presence of Ronon at his left shoulder and Dr. Keller's emotionless stare to his right.

"You and the other Uninfected have proven to be more than just a nuisance to us," Woolsey announced. Every set of infected eyes was focused on him, all of them hanging on his every word. Obviously he was the one charge – maybe he was the voice everyone kept referring to? "Twenty-three minutes ago some of your kind managed to disable the power source to the central tower, effectively blinding us of their location. A logical move – but there are other ways to find them."

"We won't tell you a damn thing so don't even bother," Carson interrupted. Two years in Michael's captivity had hardened him somewhat and he decided to be bold. The other captives were looking to him as the most experienced in these kinds of situations, he was even the only one there that had been off-world.

"And I hadn't even asked you yet," Woolsey smirked. He then turned to Keller "They are intelligent, aren't they?"

"Yes. That is why the assimilation process is taking so long." Keller replied robotically, contrasting greatly to the far more human persona of Woolsey. Carson watched the interaction, picking up on the phrasing. It made sense that the alco-whatever-Rodney-had-called-it-varium would be a sentient species that learned from its host – the 'assimilation process'. It was apparent that it was occurring at varying rates; but what happened once the process was complete?

"No matter, it will be worth it," Woolsey replied. He then clapped his hands together to bring the conversation back to his original point. "Now, there are twenty-one dangerous unknown variables running around in my city – plus a baby – and I would very much like to know where they are and what they are planning."

"Like I said, we're not talking."

"And I had so hoped to do this in a civilised manner," Woolsey sighed. He nodded at Ronon.

The big Satedan was grinning as the door to the cell was opened and the force shield dropped. For every step into the cell he took Beckett and the others took a step back. The door was then closed behind him, effectively sealing them in with the dangerous possessed man. He drew a knife from his dreadlocks.

"Now then. I asked you a question. Would anyone like to volunteer an answer?"

Beckett's eyes didn't leave Ronon's blade, but he could hear the smug smile in Woolsey's voice. The threat was clear, and it wasn't empty. He could feel the fear and tension pouring off the others behind him; there was no way they would be able to stay quiet. Again, it fell to him. "We don't know anything."

With barely a flicker of movement Ronon grabbed Fletcher and spun her round to face them as he held her against him. The knife bit into her throat. The slightest whimper and she would cut it herself. She couldn't even breathe.

Surprisingly, Arrighetti took a step forwards, throwing up his hands "Wait! No! We don't know anything!"

"It's true!" Barker added, and Sharma gave a firm nod. Beckett felt a moment of pride. He had been so sure that the scientists would have caved but obviously he had underestimated them. He still doubted their ability to lie convincingly under pressure though, so he took over again.

"We didn't have time to discuss a plan," he half-lied. He laced truth into his answer to keep it credible. "The soldiers had not long returned from the raid on the weapons cache when you caught up with us. We simply ran – there wasn't a destination in mind. We really don't know the answer to your questions."

A tense silence fell following his words. Ronon still pressed the knife against Fletcher's throat and the poor botanist had her eyes squeezed tightly shut as she focused on not moving a muscle. Beckett watched Woolsey as he considered his response. The odd grin that grew across the man's face was not comforting.

"I don't believe you."

Ronon moved to complete the cut he had already started.

"But…"

Reluctantly, he loosened his grip. Fletcher sucked in a deep breath.

"I do, however, believe that you will stick to your story regardless of what I allow Ronon here to do. I fear he would kill all but one of you before you spoke the truth and I have a far better use for you in mind."

The grin grew Cheshire-cat wide. "Jennifer, commence the test."


12.40pm – Omega Tower/Laboratory Romeo13-J

'Teyla sat cross-legged on a table top in a meditative trance she had acquired from her host. Nearly an hour had passed since her host had had her moment of clarity and locked the pair of them in the lab, and it had been an hour she had spent wisely. She was learning, and the more she learned the stronger she became.

She couldn't even hear her host's protests anymore. Soon, its consciousness could be completely erased.

A smile tugged at her stolen lips at the very thought. It wouldn't be long before the challenge she had found herself would be conquered. During her assimilation she had discovered what had made her host so different – she shared common DNA with the race known as the Wraith. Their telepathic hive-like network, similar to the Collective's own, had led to them having naturally stronger minds. It meant that her host had had the power to fight back – unlike every other weak-minded human in the city.

It didn't matter anymore though. Her host had exhausted itself when it had briefly regained control earlier, making its constant struggles little more than a minor annoyance. Once she was free she would receive no trouble from her host. She would finally be able to complete her task.

She would kill John Sheppard.

She was shaken from her thoughts by a scuffle outside the lab door. She cracked open her eyelids to give the sound a disapproving glare. With a thought she identified the person on the other side to also be of the Collective. The Voice had finally forgiven her and sent someone to release her. She gave him her thanks and promised that she wouldn't let him down again.

She waited on the table still, her irritation growing with each minute that passed. Eventually the door began to open with a reluctant whine. 'Teyla' sprung to her feet and was by the widening gap before the person on the other side had got the door completely open. "About time."

"Omlouvám," the opener of the door apologised. "Musel jsem přesměrovat příkaz adresáře tak, aby provozní krystaly by spojil pouze s jednou stranou fungování ovládání dveří…"

"'Zelenka', is it?" 'Teyla' interrupted. The small Czech man nodded. "I cannot understand a word you are saying as you are the only one of us who has that has learned that particular language, so if you wouldn't mind switching back to the default tongue?"

"Oh, ano, máte pravdu," 'Zelenka' agreed. "I was just saying that I had to reroute the command…"

"That's great," she stopped him again, unceremoniously shoving him to one side so that she could walk around him. "But I don't really care."

"Počkat! Where are you going?" he called after her, but she ignored him. She had better places to be and a more important person to see.

Once out of the corridor and away from the short scientist, she cocked her head to one side to connect to 'Chuck' in the control room. She was met with confusion as the technician struggled to comprehend the movements of the Uninfected life signs as they ran rampant throughout the city. He rudely cut her off, but she had all the information she needed.

In the last hour she had learned a lot about Lt. Col. John Sheppard. She knew the way he thought, she was well versed in how he fought and she had relived some of the stunts he had pulled in the past.

She knew exactly where he was.


12.40pm – New Athos Settlement

"Bye now."

"What? No! Wait!" Kanaan shouted at the communication device. Behind him the wormhole shut down with a whine and the radio in his hand went dead. He felt the small hope he had kindled from the initial conversation diminish back into the cold dread that had settled in his stomach a few hours earlier. He had known something was wrong even before Teyla had been late, her absence had simply confirmed it.

He turned to the tall man standing behind him, and Halling gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We must have faith that the Ancestors will keep their city and its occupants safe."

"Something is terribly wrong, Halling, I know it," he replied, unable to draw on the comfort the gesture offered. Kanaan had always felt a strong connection with Teyla, to the point where it was as if he could read her mind. She had once explained to him that the gift that they shared meant that in a way he could. On an instinctual level he had always felt Teyla's presence – but now he could barely feel a thing. "Teyla…Torren…they are in trouble…"

Again, Halling tried to reassure him, but his words felt more like giving up. "There is nothing we can do while the Earth people keep the shield raised. Trust the Ancestors, Kanaan, they will keep them safe."

"I cannot just stand here and wait for some higher power to save them!" Kanaan practically shouted shrugging Halling's hand off his shoulder. Thankfully, the taller man didn't take offense from the outburst and tried to calm him with logic instead.

"What would you have us do instead? We cannot travel through the ring; we have no ship to fly there. We have no way to contact the Earth ships and call for help. Kanaan, I am sorry, I truly am, but there is nothing we can do."

Kanaan closed his eyes in defeat, knowing the truth of Halling's words. He then turned his face to the sky.

"Ancestors; please, please keep my love and my child safe."


12.40pm – East Pier/Storage Area Foxtrot5-C

"Sir, I'm not sure…"

"There's no time Major! Now Move!"

Lorne did as he was told; both the tone of his CO's voice and the use of his rank telling him that there was no room to argue. He quickly turned his focus to the task at hand and grabbed a hold of Nakahara's arm. The Japanese doctor was clutching Torren protectively and he pushed her ahead of him as they headed out of the storage area's auxiliary door. Ahead of her was Captain Riley and next to her was McKinley. Together the five of them began the mad dash.

Behind him he could hear stunner blasts echoing around the space they had just vacated along with a few surprised grunts and fearful cries. Some of the ATAs must have gotten caught, Lorne realised, the thought piling guilt onto his already laden conscience. He had always believed that you never leave a man behind – who knew how many he had just abandoned?

He buried the emotion he had been fighting against all day and concentrated on their current situation. Sheppard and McKay were heading off to cut the power and blind the Collective, but while they were still visible the rest of the ATA's had to keep moving. It was both to avoid getting captured and to confuse the hell out of anyone who was tracking them. It was a good plan in theory, but Lorne knew that most of the people dashing around were scientists – not exactly the most physically able – could they keep running for as long as it took to cut the power?

As if to prove his point ahead of him Nakahara stumbled, already tiring from carrying Torren. McKinley saw and without slowing their pace took the baby from her. Lorne had been trusted with Torren's care, hence why he had chosen for both he and Riley to escort the two women and the baby. He needed the Captain on point while he covered their six – they could not get caught.

They moved in silence, Riley plotting their random route that would eventually lead them to the Zeta tower once the power was cut. Torren was passed between McKinley and Nakahara a few times to allow them to maintain their pace.

It was nearly ten minutes after they had started their run that finally the two clicks sounded from the walkie on his TAC vest. Riley heard her own and quickly led them towards a transporter. Once inside they were teleported in a flash of white light to the Zeta tower.

The lab that would be there new home was huge. It was filled with desks, chairs, computers and dry-erase boards along with some assorted Ancient tech hooked up to various machines. But that wasn't what caught Lorne's attention once they stepped across the threshold. The far wall wasn't a wall but a huge floor to ceiling window offering a panorama view of the city. Atlantis really was beautiful.

As they waited for the others to arrive Lorne and Riley took sentry positions by the door while Nakahara and McKinley took a much needed rest. Torren was still quite happy, not understanding what all the excitement was about but enjoying it nonetheless. From the bag of tricks Sheppard had thought to pack he had found himself an Earth-toy to entertain himself with and he sat on a desktop contently. He really was a resilient child considering all he had been through since his birth on a hive ship – and he wasn't even a year old yet.

The others came in dribs and drabs, all of the blue-uniformed scientists looking incredibly grateful that they could finally rest. They also appeared incredibly excited by the presence of technology and many of them found themselves a computer to play with.

Lorne watched the ensemble of people he had been entrusted with the safety of with a hint of pride. He wasn't sure if it was a testament to the people of Atlantis expedition or the randomness of the Pegasus galaxy that everyone there had kept it together under the pressure of a day he would rather forget. If he were honest they were pulling through far better than he was. Every time he stood idle, and sometimes even when he should've been concentrating on a task, he found his thoughts sinking further and further into the pit of guilt he had dug himself. He knew he would never be the same once this day was over.

"What now?" Captain Riley turned to him once most of the original headcount had been accounted for. There were still people missing – Sheppard and McKay hadn't returned, and Beckett and a handful of scientists were still absent – but nearly ten minutes had passed since the power was cut, it was time to move on.

"We get everyone back to normal," Lorne replied. He then turned to McKinley. "McKay said he had an idea, you got any idea what it was?"

McKinley hesitated. "Well, no, I don't know what the actual plan was, but I know what he knew that led to him coming up with it." Lorne raised his eyebrows at her, which she took as her cue to explain. "The replicators defeated the Alcoloniavarium last time by emitting a city-wide pulse of energy – similar to that of a stunner – and then using the original containment device to collect the nanoparticles up and seal them away in a dormant state."

"Yeah, I know that," Lorne replied. "But we can't do that because of a whole bunch of reasons. What are we going to do instead?"

McKinley shrugged.

"Well that's just great," he sighed, annoyed at both his CO and himself for sending the one person who knew how to fix the problem off to the central tower. What part of that had been a good plan? "Where the hell are they?"


A slightly shorter chapter, but a quicker update than last time :P

Let me know what you think!