Author's Note: Okay, I know it's been a super long time since I've updated anything, but for a while there I couldn't access the files on my computer as the backlight on my laptop had gone out so I couldn't even see the screen and the battery is beyond dead and I have no power cord for it. But I now have a new computer and I was going over everything and found this chapter just sitting there and thought why not post it.
Now, I know lots of you will be disappointed because it might be a while before another chapter of Ancient Legacy (or anything else) will be posted, but just to clarify I will NOT abandon any of my stories. I've been pretty lacking in the inspiration department for a while, I've been trying to get out of it, but unfortunately this rut seems to be pretty deep. But I promise I will finish my stories eventually.
Anyway, I will sign off now so you can read. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1 or Stargate Atlantis.
Chapter 8
"They what?!" Daniel asked his reaction to the news almost a perfect reflection of Jack's.
"They want to ship you off," Jack said. "All three of you."
"They want to or they are?" Daniel asked catching onto the bitter note in Jack's voice.
Jack hesitated slightly. He knew that Daniel was not going to like this, none of them did. "They are," he said confirming Daniel's suspicions. "They'll start the process within a few hours."
"The process?" Daniel asked. "It's not like we're property that they have to store correctly or it'll break."
"Well, I'm beginning to think that to the IOA that is exactly what you are," Jack replied.
In just a few hours, Jack was proved right as the IOA representatives returned with transportation for the three of them. Whatever the reason was that they had decided to keep them separated throughout the questioning must have carried over because they were going to transport them in three separate vehicles. Luckily, though, they let them gather up some of their possessions because there was no way to know how long they would be there.
Daniel, using that very excuse, did his utmost to draw out his departure. He claimed that there were books and reports and things that he needed from his office. After all, all the IOA was supposed to be doing was questioning them, so there was no reason that he couldn't still do his job throughout the process. And because of the way Daniel made things sound there was no way that the IOA could refuse without making themselves look bad. So, there was nothing they could do but agree to let Daniel bring along some of his work.
Ronon, at first, had flat out refused to go. But, as he very soon found out, he didn't really have much of a say in the matter. He would be going whether he liked it or not. That left one very unfortunate airman with the job of escorting Ronon from his quarters on base to the vehicles that the IOA had provided for their transportation. So, Ronon did the only thing he could think of to stall leaving. He stared down the guy that had been assigned to escort him to the waiting vehicles. The poor officer just stood there stiffly at the door not knowing what to do.
Rodney, unfortunately, didn't have anything to use, he had no office to rummage through for things that he absolutely had to have and he wasn't intimidating in a way that the personnel here on base would leave him alone for fear of what he may do if provoked. He'd even whipped out his snarky, sarcastic 'I'm way smarter and therefore better than you' personality hoping that maybe they'd think he was too much to deal with or just annoying enough that they would leave him alone, but even that hadn't worked. And for that reason Rodney was the first one to go. He really didn't like that.
Peter Bergman stood to the side overseeing the preparations. He was fully aware of the fact that the SGC had tried to fight the transfer orders, but he knew that they would not be able to. The people he worked for always got what they wanted and this time wasn't going to be any different.
Peter turned and watched as Dr. McKay was brought over to the first vehicle. They had decided to keep them separated, not for the reasons that everyone else thought, but because it would be much easier to execute the plan. Dr. McKay was doing his best to glare at everyone in sight, but Peter could tell that he was still nervous.
The airman escorting Dr. McKay tossed the bag he was carrying into the back of the SUV before slamming the door shut. After that he held the back passenger side door open and McKay could do nothing else but climb inside.
A couple minutes passed before James Matthews, who insisted to everyone he met to call him Jim, appeared. He nodded in Peter's direction before he climbed into the front passenger seat. As soon as everything was ready they headed out.
Peter watched the SUV drive away smirking the entire time. Everything was going according to plan. Pulling out his phone he glanced around to make sure that no one was within hearing distance and then dialed a familiar number. It rang five times before the other end was picked up.
"The first one is away." Not waiting for a response, for he knew there wouldn't be one, Peter flipped his phone shut and then turned and headed back into the mountain. He had to find out what was taking so long with the others.
Once again Jim was apparently trying to be friendly, but Rodney still thought he was slightly creepy. So, Rodney just stared out the window and ignored everything else. He was mad at Jim, at this whole situation, but ultimately he was mad at himself. He knew that if he hadn't been so petty then none of this would be happening. Even though he now considered Daniel to be a friend, Rodney really hadn't liked the man when he had arrived in Atlantis a few weeks ago. It was amazing how much things could change within the span of just a few weeks.
Rodney was vaguely aware of Jim rambling away in the front seat, about what he really didn't know, nor did he care. Sneaking a quick glance forward, Rodney noticed that he wasn't the only one. The airman driving the vehicle looked so bored that he might just shoot Jim in order to get him to shut up. And at this moment in time, Rodney almost wished that he would.
Turning his attention back to the window, Rodney returned to his staring. There was nothing really exciting about watching trees and grass and various bushes as they whipped past the window as they drove down the winding road that led down from the mountain, but it was the only thing that really appealed to him at the moment. His pessimistic nature was beginning to come out again making him envision several scary and rather gory procedures that he could, and as his brain liked to tell him would, be looking forward to. He knew that it was all just his imagination that the IOA would never do anything like that to them, but he really couldn't help it.
He was so focused on the scenery outside his window and the visions in his head that he never even noticed that there was trouble until there was a loud yell from the front seat followed by an even louder explosion (or what sounded like one) as the glass windows shattered. His stomached lurched in time with the SUV as it swerved first one way and then the other before tipping on its side. Rodney was fairly certain that it rolled a couple times, but he had his eyes squeezed closed and was mainly focused on not throwing up the entire time that he wasn't completely sure.
When everything finally came to a stop, all he heard was silence. A silence so deafening that he thought he was dead. It didn't really help that he hit his head or at least he though he did. What really clued him in was the fact that he couldn't really focus all that well.
"What the heck were you thinking?!" An angry voice shouted jerking Rodney into full awareness.
"I only did what you told me to," a second voice replied.
"I told you to stop them not potentially kill the merchandise," the first voice replied. He really sounded angry. "Get him out quickly. We need to get out of here before someone shows up."
Rodney was just about to pry his eyes open so he could see what was going on, not just listen when a loud screeching to his right alerted him to the fact that his door had just been wrenched open. Only seconds after that thought registered he felt himself being cut out of his seatbelt and then pulled from the vehicle. He was carried (although it felt more like being dragged) over to another vehicle where he was not so gently shoved inside. More than one door was slammed shut before they were speeding off leaving the scene of the accident behind.
Rodney wasn't quite sure what was going on, head wounds could do that to you. However, being as intelligent as he was (even more so now with the Ancient knowledge) he was able to piece together a few things. Someone knew about him and the knowledge he now had, they also knew when he was being transported away from the SGC, they knew exactly where and when he would be there, and they had caused an accident (he didn't even know if Jim and the airman driving were okay), all for one reason. He was being kidnapped. He had already been fearful of what might happen to him in the hands of the IOA, but now an unknown party had been added to the mix. At least with the IOA he was somewhat sure of his safety despite the images his imagination had provided, but now he had no idea what would happen.
There was only one thing he could do now, and that was hope for a rescue.
Daniel was just about to zip up his pack when he felt it, a feeling in the back of his mind that was trying really hard to get his attention. Trying so hard, in fact, that there was no way he would be able to ignore it. He didn't know exactly what it was, but he knew somehow that Rodney was in trouble. He dropped everything and rushed out of his office, not stopping even when the airman assigned to him began yelling his name. He ran straight to the stairs, bypassing the elevator entirely. He slammed the door open and rushed down the stairs before bursting out onto level 27. He knew exactly where Jack would be, which is why he ended up rushing into the briefing room when Landry was in the middle of a briefing.
"Dr. Jackson, what is the meaning of this?" Landry asked not unkindly. Only seconds later Ronon burst in though the other set of doors.
"Rodney's in trouble," Ronon and Daniel said at the same time.
"What?" Jack asked as he emerged from Landry's office. Luckily, though, he had heard everything. "What do you mean McKay's in trouble?"
"I don't know," Daniel replied. "I just feel it."
Ronon nodded emphatically from the other side of the room.
Jack knew Daniel well enough to know that he was serious, that and in one of his reports Beckett had mentioned that there could be some kind of telepathic communication between the three of them. Just as Jack was about to call the people responsible for McKay's transport the phone rang. Landry sprang to his feet and brushed past Jack so he could take the call. It was only a few seconds later that Landry dropped the receiver back into its cradle and looked at them with a grave expression.
"There was an accident, both the driver and Mr. Matthews are dead," Landry reported.
"What about Rodney?" Daniel asked. He shared a glance with Ronon and saw that he too was worried about their friend.
"The authorities searched the area, but there was no sign of Dr. McKay," Landry replied. He sucked in a deep breath before saying the words that he knew no one in that room wanted to hear. "Dr. McKay is missing."
