"What happened to you, run out of palaka?" Sheppard asked in amusement, watching as McKay seemed to stumble into the room and take a seat.
"Shuddup," the scientist growled out. "Let's just get this over with." Now that he was close, Sheppard could see the lines of tension throughout his face. He knew McKay pulled all-nighters frequently, but this was worse than normal.
"What happened?" he asked, amusement placed with concern. "No offense Rodney, but I've seen corpses more lively than you. You feeling well?"
"Just a headache," was the reply. Sheppard frowned, not liking the fact that McKay was actually downplaying an illness. Something was definitely not right, and after this meeting he was going to find out what it was.
"It looks like everyone is here now," Weir stated, looking around the room. The heads and several members of all the departments were present. "You can begin whenever you're ready," she told Sheppard. The soldier nodded, giving McKay one last concerned glance before turning his attention to the rest of the room.
"As you may know, I recently conducted a training exercise for all new military personnel. It was designed to familiarize them with their new environment, as well as gain off world experience. Based on reviews and what I have observed to be a definite necessity, all personnel will be required to participate in an off world exercise." More than a few pairs of eyes turned to face him with disbelief.
"But some of us do not even venture off world," Biro stated. "Why must we train for something we don't do?"
"As we have found out this city can be just as dangerous as another planet. Those of you who remain city-bound will only require a half-day of training. Yet any off world members must complete a two-day exercise. Several teams will train together, and each team will consist of four members: two military, one scientist, and one physician."
"What of those of us who have already been off world?" Beckett inquired.
"Unless you're a regular you'll receive the same exercise as the rest."
"So why did we all have to meet now?" Parrish asked, eager to get back to his studies on the large plants. "You could have just sent us mail stating your intentions."
"Let's just say I've grown tired of the excuses for not responding," Sheppard answered. A few of the scientists looked away, slightly uncomfortable at the implied accusation, knowing they were guilty of it. Even McKay stopped drumming his fingers for a moment. "As it stands, training exercises will commence the first week of each month. Since I know everyone has their ongoing projects, I am leaving it up to each of you to assign your staff to the exercises, which you will then send to me within the next three days. If you don't, I pick, and I'll start at the top. Now, any questions?"
There were several, mainly complaints and concerns about abandoning projects to complete the exercise. After all the questions were answered the scientists and physicians began to filter out of the room. McKay had darted out before Sheppard had a chance to stop him. Weir approached.
"Although I'm a little concerned about the forcefulness of your actions, John, I believe there is merit in this. But is it really necessary that everyone participates?"
"You know as well as I no one is guaranteed safety in this galaxy. We've had far too many accidents and fatalities just here in Atlantis. Everyone needs at least a basic safety and survival class. Oh, and that includes you, Elizabeth." She opened her mouth in shock to argue but he continued on, "I know you've been off world before and handled yourself perfectly. It'll only be half-a-day. Think of it as a mini-vacation from the city."
"This wouldn't be on the same planet with, how did you describe it, 'most evil shrubs ever'?"
He gave her a wolfish grin. "It wasn't really that evil."
"John!"
"Don't worry, the basic survival class won't venture too far from the gate. This is something that should've been put into place a long time ago, Elizabeth."
"I understand. Keep me informed on the progress."
"Of course." As she started to head out he added, "And don't forget to set a time up for yourself." Satisfied he had succeeded in getting his message out, he headed out to find one cranky astrophysicist.
ooOoo
Miryana watched with wide eyes as Teyla struck out with the two sticks, which Ronon blocked before striking back. The two sparring warriors were equals in hand-to-hand combat, neither willing to give an inch. The movements of their bodies memorized her. She wasn't sure how long it lasted until Teyla managed to strike Ronon across the hand, causing him to release one of the sticks. Within seconds he was on one knee, her sticks on either side of his neck in victory.
"That was amazing!" Miryana cheered. Releasing Ronon, Teyla turned and smiled, wiping away the sweat from her forehead. "You cannot be defeated," the young girl added.
"That is not true," the Athosian told her. "Ronon has defeated me before." She cast the Satedan a knowing look – though it was true, her wins far outranked his own. He didn't say anything as he gathered his equipment and headed out. As Teyla began to gather her own equipment Miryana bounced off the seats and took the sticks, moving into the starting pose that Teyla had taken.
"Like this, right?" Teyla watched in amusement as she began to twirl around with the sticks. The amusement quickly changed to amazement and shock when she realized the girl was actually coping the fighting moves almost flawlessly.
"Miryana, how are you able to do that?" The girl stopped and shrugged.
"I am not sure. I just remember your fight. Am I doing something wrong?"
"No, it is nothing like that." She didn't say anymore, continuing to watch the girl with concern. How could one so young mimic such advanced fighting moves after watching them only once? "We need to head off if we are to meet with Doctor McKay at the appointed time."
"Do we have to?" the girl whined, brining the sticks over and placing them in the bag.
"He promised it would not take long. Afterwards we can eat lunch on the balcony you like so much." Miryana perked up at the word balcony – it was her favorite spot in the entire city, and she would be content to stay there for hours.
"Okay." Bag in hand Teyla headed out, Miryana following. After dropping the bag off at her room they continued to one of the lower level labs. Both McKay and Zelenka were in the room, arguing.
"Look, it clearly says containment field", McKay stated, pointing to something on his laptop, which was turned away from the door.
"That does not imply it must be a stable structure. Remember fluctuations? It may be a portable function."
"What you're implying is that they're not referring to the room but rather something else. But all containment devices so far have been stationary."
"Yes, but we have many more items yet to catalog. We don't know what all of them do. It is possible one can create a temporary stasis field."
"Of course it's possible, it just doesn't mean it's practical. What use would the Ancients have of creating a moving containment field with such a limited range? It's barely large enough to stop a bug from…" He stopped as he noticed the two in the doorway. Teyla had been waiting patiently, but the glaring look from Miryana was unnerving. It was gone in an instant, replaced by a smile, and he wondered if it had been real.
"Hello Rodney," Miryana greeted him sweetly.
"Uh, hi," he answered awkwardly. It must've been his imagination.
"Are you ready for us?" Teyla asked.
"Yes," Zelenka stated, moving forward and indicting a chair nearby. "Please, Miryana, have a seat. We will not be long." The girl nodded and sat, her legs kicking back and forth gently as she looked around the room. Several consoles were near the back walls of the room and the large display screen overhead was currently off. Though clean of dirt, she felt the room had not been used until recently.
McKay rolled a small table to her side. On top was what looked like a rectangular glass cube, hollowed out in the inside and open on both ends. Multicolored wires were attached to several crystals that stuck out of the top.
"We just need you to place your right arm into this," he explained. She looked at it with wide, scared eyes.
"What is it?"
"It's a scanner."
"It looks very different than the one you usually use," Teyla stated, looking at it oddly.
"It works on a whole different level," McKay explained. "I found –"
"We found," Zelenka corrected, earning a glare from McKay.
"We found in a side reference in one of the databases while searching for information on the effects dialer. It was used by the Ancients to create three-dimensional maps of objects placed inside. It allowed them to dissect objects apart without actually destroying the object. "
"I do not understand."
"It will let us experiment on bracers without having to remove them from Miryana's wrists," Zelenka explained, then addressed the girl. "Please, place your arm inside."
"In there?" she asked, scared.
"I promise it will not hurt." She looked to Teyla for assurance before reluctantly placing her arm inside the device. As Zelenka adjusted the placement of the bracer, McKay typed away on his laptop. She felt a slight tingly sensation on her arm, but nothing more.
"Okay," McKay called out a minute later. "Next one." Zelenka helped her switch arms. "That's done," McKay stated after another minute. "Now all we need is the collar. You just need to slide your head in enough for it to scan."
Miryana looked to Teyla for assurance again before allowing Zelenka to help her into position. Kneeling on the chair, she was able to place her head into the device. She kept her eyes tightly shut, and was thankful when McKay called out the okay. It was true it hadn't hurt, but it wasn't a comfortable experience.
"Can we go now?" she begged Teyla. The laboratory setting was bringing back painful memories she would rather not have to relive.
"Are you finished?" the Athosian asked the two. Zelenka moved to McKay's side to confirm the data on the screen before nodding.
"Yes, we have what we need. Thank you." She bowed her head then held out a hand.
"Come Miryana, we may go to lunch now." The girl hopped off the chair and grabbed her hand. As Teyla guided her out, neither scientist noticed the dark look the girl cast their way.
ooOoo
Deciding not to use the radio Sheppard hunted his friend down the old fashioned way – checking all the likely places. The mess hall and lab were both negative, as was the control room. Growing impatient, he reached for his radio, but stopped as he saw McKay exit one of the transporters and head in the opposite direction. Based on the speed of his steps, wherever he was going was important. Thinking it had been awhile since he bugged his friend, Sheppard followed afterwards.
The scientist, oblivious to his tail, plodded down the hallway with obvious agitation. The final destination was his regular science lab, the first place Sheppard had checked. Sheppard listened in from the hallway as McKay yelled at one of his staff members, something about interruptions and incompetence and monkeys having more intelligence. He stifled his chuckles at the ranting and ravings, feeling sorry for the poor scientists caught by the wrath of McKay. After a few minutes it became silent and he decided to enter the room. Several staff members were standing by a console, McKay's legs sticking out from underneath.
"I don't have time for this," came the muffled mutterings. "What do I look like, a handyman?" A moment later the console's main crystal lit up and McKay slid out. "Next time Kavanagh suggests increasing power beyond normal limits, don't!" He then noticed Sheppard. "What now?" he asked with a sigh, standing and brushing himself off.
"Have a few minutes?" the soldier inquired. With another sigh McKay nodded and headed out into the hall, heading back to the transporter but this time at a slower pace.
"What did you need?" the scientist asked tiredly.
"What happened?" McKay stopped, looking at Sheppard with puzzlement. "I mean, yesterday you're all excited over your effects dialer, and this morning you're grouchier than a bear. What's going on?"
With a slight shake of his head the scientist started to walk again. "Everything. That's the problem. Radek thinks he's getting close to solving the cipher, which itself is causing problems due to translation errors. Elizabeth is hounding me about other projects, Carson keeps popping up and asking if I've eaten…"
"Have you?" He stopped again.
"What?"
"Have you eaten today?"
"Yes!"
"When?"
"What does it matter?"
"Yes it does. Look, whatever you're doing isn't as important as your health. Come on, let's grab a lunch, relax a bit. I'll even let you tell me all about your do-hickeys." The hint of a smile appeared on the scientist's face.
"Do-hickeys?"
"Thing-a-ma-bobs, what-cha-ma-call-its…"
"You're an idiot," McKay stated.
"I know. Come on." Strangely, McKay found himself following the Colonel to the mess hall without complaint.
OoOoo
Teyla quietly shut the door behind her. After lunch on the balcony, Miryana had become sleepy and asked to go back to the room. She was soon quietly sleeping on the bed. As much as Teyla had dreaded it, she knew it was time for Miryana to be taken to the mainland to live. With a sad heart, she set out to find Weir.
ooOoo
Zelenka took his glasses off, wiping at his eyes before reading the screen again in disbelief. The new scanner they had discovered worked far beyond their understanding, yet the results were undeniable. Place any object inside and it would report on all its abilities – offensive and defensive - without fail, as well as elemental makeup, power sources, and anything else desired. It was the only one they had discovered so far, tucked in what looked like a prototype lab. Most likely the Wraith invasion had stopped full production of the devices.
The problem, in this case, wasn't with the device itself but the results it listed on the connected laptop. It couldn't be right. He ran the program a third time, just to be sure, yet the result was the same as it had been the first two times. This wasn't good. As he began standard backup procedures he heard a noise out in the hall.
"Rodney, that you? You will not like results." When the scientist didn't enter the room, Zelenka stood up and moved toward the door. "Rodney?" He was met with silence. With a sense of uneasiness, he slowly stood up and began to cautiously approach the door. Tapping on his radio he quietly called out, "Rodney?"
"Yes?" was the impatient reply. "I know, I'm on my way now."
"You are not in hallway outside?"
"What are you talking about? We're just about to enter the transporter, should be there in a few minutes. You didn't break anything, did you?"
"No, nothing broke. Machine worked as it should. I think you should know, I was right."
"About?"
"The translation." Almost to the door he paused and listened, but besides the crackle of his radio it was silent. Maybe he was just imaging things. He nearly jumped when the radio cracked to life again.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure!" he snapped back, heading back to the computer. "And you will see to when you…" He froze when he saw the cloaked figure standing by the computer. "What are you doing here?" The figure's only response was to grin and hold up a metallic object in one hand. Zelenka's eyes widened as he recognized it – one of the new items they had recently cataloged. Nicknamed a 'zapstick' it resembled a flashlight, eighteen inches long and silver in color, yet instead of emitting a beam of light when activated it generated electricity. It had been cross-listed as both a power source – and as a weapon.
Quicker than he thought possible, the figure brought the zapstick forward and flicked the switch. A jolt of electricity shot out towards the scientist. Pain rippled about his body, not enough to kill but enough to send him to the floor in agony. Through bleary eyes he watched as the figure raised the zapstick for a killing blow. Moments later, everything went black.
