Part ten
Elizabeth had waited nearly twenty minutes for the 'jumper to arrive – she was starting to get worried when a chirp from her headset alerted her to an incoming message. She listened carefully, thankful she was out of sight of the village as she was fairly certain she would find it impossible to maintain a positive appearance right now.
"How long before you can get here?" Elizabeth asked when she had chance to speak.
"It's going to be tomorrow morning at the earliest," came John's reply, and Elizabeth could feel her stomach sinking even lower at this news. "We'll keep you updated, but in the meantime Beckett wants a word."
The exchange with Carson was brief in the circumstances – she was already doing everything he could recommend and he approved of the use of the healer's medicines – he'd seen them in use before and knew they could make the difference here.
"I'll check in with you in two hours," Carson signed off. "And make sure you look after yourself – I don't want you making yourself ill."
Taking a few moments to gather her thoughts, Elizabeth headed back to the settlement, her mind running through various options and by the time she reached the central area, she was ready to deal with the children and provide further direction to help them make the best of the situation.
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"Wait!" Elizabeth found herself calling out more sharply than intended as she watched Jinto about to hand out cups of tea to the waiting children.
The news that they were to be on their own for the time being hadn't phased the children in the slightest. Shrugging at what they had been told, they had all continued with their previously allotted tasks with Jinto's group continuing to prepare the midday meal.
Elizabeth had been helping with changing the soiled clothing and bedding of some of the patients, a somewhat distasteful task, and she found herself admiring the dedication of all the medical staff on Atlantis who took on tasks like these every day without thinking twice about it. As midday had drawn closer, she had called everyone away from their tasks to clean themselves up in readiness for the meal. She herself had been ushered into a chair set near the outdoor dining area by a very bossy Mya who had grabbed her hand and insisted she sit down for a rest.
Elizabeth, feeling more tired than she cared to admit once she had been forced to stop for a few moments, allowed her gaze to wander over the scene in front of her, the appetising smells coming from the cooking fires doing much to whet her previously small appetite. She had been handed the first cup of tea, and as she cradled the paler than normal liquid something had occurred to her.
"Jinto, everyone drinks this don't they?"
"Yes."
"But it's normally much stronger isn't it? When I've had it before it's been almost black."
"Only the adults drink it so," Jinto explained. "Children and those who are unwell take it weak, like this, otherwise it makes us behave strangely."
Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully, realising why she had enjoyed the tea so much before – it must contain a caffeine-like substance that would cause an adverse reaction in children or anyone with a compromised immune system. On this visit she had been given the much weaker version due to her recent ill health and now she was thankful for it.
"Don't you like it?" Jinto looked concerned. "It is a different blend from usual – it is very difficult to get some of the herbs and we used this new mix for the first time last night."
"It was very nice," Elizabeth assured him. "But I think it might be what has made everyone sick. Nothing else that you've had to eat or drink has been different from normal has it?"
"No," Jinto considered the question carefully.
"Then it has to be too much of a coincidence," Elizabeth said firmly. Pour some of that into a bottle so we can give it to Dr Beckett to analyse when he gets here and the rest should be thrown away. We'll just have to drink plain water for the time being."
Taking this in their stride as well, the children sat around chatting happily together as though this were a day like any other. After they had eaten, Elizabeth ensured everyone rested for a short time before continuing with their allotted tasks. For a while, Elizabeth flitted from place to place, checking that all was well until one of the children came rushing towards her, a slightly panicked look on his face.
"Kalen said you should come immediately," the boy told her, almost stumbling over the words in his haste. A feeling of dread washed over her as she hurried after the boy who led her to one of the tents on the outskirts of the settlement, occupied by an elderly couple.
"Dr Weir," Kalen greeted her with a look of relief, although she moved around the tent with confidence. "Carma is much worse. I haven't been able to get him to drink any of the medicine and I just checked his pulse – it was really weak. I…I don't think…" Kalen gulped, unable to finish what she was about to say. The children had all faced the death of friends and family by the Wraith, and even some who had died from sickness and a few from old age, but during those times there had been the support of the rest of the community which for the moment was unavailable.
"What about his wife - Vilena? How is she doing?" Elizabeth redirected Kalen's thoughts.
"She has drunk some of the medicine and is sleeping now. I think she will recover."
"That's good," Elizabeth was relieved that it wasn't all bad news. "I need to take care of a few things, then I'll be right back. Will you stay with Carma until I get back?"
"I will," Kalen said firmly, handling the situation much better now she was no longer dealing with it on her own.
Elizabeth returned to her own tent where she wasted no time in making contact with Atlantis.
"Carson, I think I've found the cause of the sickness," she said as soon as the doctor announced his presence. "The Athosians started to use a new blend of tea last night – the children and I weren't affected because we had a weaker version."
"And the babies are sick because their mother's drank it and then fed them," Carson acknowledged this. "I'm going to need a sample to test when I get there."
"That's already taken care of." Elizabeth paused before coming to the real reason for her call. "One of the elderly patients is very ill, I'm not sure he's going to make it. Can you give me any idea when we can expect help? I'm very much afraid there are going to be more deaths before this is through and we'll need to deal with them when it happens."
She could hear Carson swearing under his breath before speaking again, his voice calm and reassuring. "Major Lorne should be with you by morning and if necessary he can deal with the deceased. The pilot will drop him and his men off before returning to Atlantis to ferry the medical staff over."
"That's good news," Elizabeth said, having a quiet word with Jinto and several of the older boys before returning to Kalen as promised.
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"I was afraid this might happen," Carson turned to John and Teyla who were standing beside him in the control room after Elizabeth had signed off. "And I was hoping I'd have a team over there before it came up."
"She sounds as though she is handling the situation well," Teyla offered up having listened to the exchange very carefully.
"Aye, but I'm afraid this will put her back to square one," Carson looked at her gloomily. "I don't suppose there's any chance of getting the 'jumpers out sooner?"
"Zelenka's working as fast as he can and he's got every available engineer helping out," John told him. "And Rodney was still trying to work on the problem even after you sent him off to get some rest."
"I know – I had to give him a sedative to make him sleep in the end," Carson admitted. "I know we need him working on a solution, but he's no good to us if he keels over from exhaustion."
"We understand, Carson," Teyla assured him. "You did the right thing."
"I just hope we can get over there before things get too bad," John said, feeling more than a little frustrated and expressing the opinion of all those present as they continued with their normal duties, their minds elsewhere.
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"He has grown worse in the last few minutes," Kalen greeted Elizabeth on her return. Her face was calm as she related this news, accepting the inevitable and knowing she didn't have to deal with it on her own. "Vilena woke for a short time and I persuaded her to drink some more of the medicine before she slept again. I do not think she knows about Carma."
"Good work," Elizabeth praised the girl, rewarded by a small smile at the kind words. "If you would rather not be here, I can manage on my own."
"No, I will stay," Kalen told her firmly. "It will not be long I think, and it is right for one of his own people to be here at the end."
The two of them talked quietly together, each keeping a close eye on the old man. Elizabeth used the time to explain to Kalen the plan for dealing with those who didn't survive, trusting the girl to take it in her stride and help to organise things but still hoping they wouldn't have to put into practice.
Over the next two hours, Elizabeth noticed a change in Carma as his breathing slowed and stopped for a short time before he started to breathe again. This continued for several long minutes, Kalen's hand had sought out Elizabeth's and they sat holding hands, seeking reassurance for each other until Carma once again stopped breathing but this time there was no deep breath to indicate he was still with them.
"He's gone," Elizabeth said softly, brushing a tear away as she stood to draw the sheet over the old man's face.
"He is with the ancestors now," Kalen told her before turning to more practical matters. "I will fetch Jinto."
Thankful that Kalen knew what had to be done, Elizabeth followed the girl out of the tent and stood outside in the late afternoon sunshine, taking a deep breath to steel herself for what she suspected would be a long evening and even longer night until help reached them.
Before she had chance to do anything else, she felt a small hand take hold of one of her own hands and she looked down to see Mya looking up at her with a serious look on her face.
"Don't be sad," Mya told her gravely. "He isn't in any more pain now."
"I know," Elizabeth forced a smile on to her face, giving the little girl a hug that served more to soothe her own frayed nerves than reassure Mya. "Where am I needed now?"
"That's why I'm here," Mya said. "John and Carson spoke to me while you were with Carma. They said we needed to take care of you and that Major Lorne won't be here until morning. Carson said you were to rest now because he knew you would insist on staying up during the night."
"I can take care of everything while you rest," Kalen added as she reappeared at that moment. "If you are needed, someone can fetch you. Some of the others are also going to rest this afternoon so they will be ready to help during the night."
"I can see I've been out-manoeuvred," Elizabeth accepted her fate, seeing how much sense it made to do as she was told. "But you must come to me if you need anything at all."
"We will," Kalen told her, watching as Elizabeth returned to her tent.
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Elizabeth hadn't really expected to sleep, but after half an hour of tossing and turning restlessly, the events of the day running constantly through her mind, her eyes drifted closed and the next thing she knew, someone was shaking her shoulder.
Instantly alert, Elizabeth grabbed the hand of whoever had woken her and sat upright abruptly.
"What's wrong?" She demanded, her thoughts immediately turning to the crisis she was currently in the middle of.
"It's alright, Dr Weir," Kalen assured her. "But the evening meal is ready and I thought you would want to join us."
"Of course, thank you." Elizabeth felt her heart rate returning to normal as she asked another question. "Is there anything I need to know about?"
"The herbs we are using seem to be working," Kalen reported. "Several people are showing an improvement, although they are sill very weak and no-one is getting any worse."
"That's good news," Elizabeth felt herself relaxing. "What about the other children?"
"The little ones have already been fed and put to bed," Kalen continued her report. "The others are all managing very well, although most are pretty tired now."
"That's understandable," Elizabeth acknowledged as she hurriedly dragged a brush through her hair to make herself more presentable. "I guess it'll be an early night for everyone then."
"Yes. Will you join us now?" Kalen noted Elizabeth was now ready and led the way to the communal area where everyone else was already waiting. It was clear who had been chosen to keep watch during the night – they were the ones who didn't look as though they were about to drop from exhaustion.
Taking a few moments to move around the children, speaking to each one in turn and making sure they understood what a good job they had done, Elizabeth took a seat just as a bowl of food was handed to her.
The food was eaten, the dishes washed and cleared away and for a short time the whole group sat quietly talking until some started to drift away to bed, the youngest first until only those who were to stay up, and Kalen, remained.
"Mirla is the next in age to me," Kalen told Elizabeth. "She will make sure things go as smoothly as possible, but if you need more help, please wake me. Good night."
"Good night, Kalen," Elizabeth took a deep breath then surveyed the five people left before turning to Mirla and nodding at her.
"We need to make sure everyone is comfortable and encourage those who are able to take some more of the medicine," Mirla instructed. "Please let me know if anyone becomes worse."
The children scattered in pairs, Mirla waiting for Elizabeth to go with her on their rounds. The night passed slowly in an almost continuous series of visits to the sick. They stopped every few hours for a drink and the chance to rest their weary bodies, but their duty made them forget the exhaustion that the few hours rest during the afternoon hadn't fully prepared them for.
As the night wore on, the early hours brought an increase in work as a number of the patients took a turn for the worse. After a quick check on three of the worst cases, Elizabeth knew there was too much for the few on duty to take care of and sought out Kalen, who in turn woke several others to help out.
It was almost five o'clock in the morning before things began to settle again, but settling down meant that four more had died almost without warning while six had stabilised, at least for now.
Elizabeth surveyed the white faced and heavy-eyed group in front of her, knowing they had just about reached their limit for coping through that long night. Kalen appeared at her side and spoke quietly to her for a few moments before disappearing again.
"You've all done a really good job," Elizabeth turned to the weary children. "As it's almost sunrise, Kalen has gone to wake some of the others to take over so you can get some sleep. Help should be here in a few hours, so you don't need to worry about leaving us to cope. Sleep well."
Taking a few moments to breathe in the fresh morning air, Elizabeth must have zoned out for a few minutes as she suddenly became aware that Kalen was standing beside her, looking at her speculatively, reminding Elizabeth of the way Carson would assess someone's general state of health just by a brief glance.
"I'm fine," Elizabeth assured the girl, who accepted what she said but looked as though she didn't entirely believe her. "Everything sorted?"
"Yes – I've left most of the younger ones alone for now, it's better for them to sleep a little longer," Kalen told her. "It is often during the early hours that an illness worsens or the fight becomes too much, but the morning is almost here so I'm hopeful the situation should improve."
"I hope you're right," Elizabeth told her. "Things do seem to have settled again."
"It is time for another dose of the tonic," Kalen continued. "It is running low so we will need to make more this morning. Come."
Together they collected the supplies they needed before splitting up to attend those able to drink a little of the healing tonic. This had become almost a routine now she had done it so often, but each time she had gone round, there was an improvement in more and more people, an encouraging sign. Elizabeth had just handed out her last dose when the familiar sound of a 'jumper's engine appeared overhead and she felt herself almost sagging with relief as she realised help had arrived at last. The relief was overtaken almost immediately by a heightened state of alert when she heard an unfamiliar voice calling out with considerable urgency.
"Kalen, Dr Weir! Come quickly."
Spotting Kalen emerging from another tent and heading towards the source of the voice, Elizabeth followed suit, reaching the tent at the same time.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked when she saw the pale face of the boy standing in front of her, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder as she realised it must be serious.
"It's Kulo," the boy told her, fear in his eyes. "Aryll - his mother - was getting better, but Kulo is not yet twelve months old and he wasn't very ill before, now he has a fever and seems so weak."
"How long ago did this happen?" Kalen demanded as she entered the tent where the worried mother was holding the limp and almost lifeless child.
"I'm not sure," the mother responded, her voice unsteady. "I was asleep and only woke when Garntu came with the medicine. When I checked Kulo, he was like this."
Two other children, several years older than the baby, were sitting up in bed staring with wide-eyed fascination at what was taking place, too young to understand what was going on.
"Garntu, take these two and make sure they are attended to," Kalen instructed as she knelt to take the baby from his mother. Elizabeth sat beside her and put an arm around her, trying to offer what little comfort she could, eyes focussed on Kalen.
"I have managed to get some of the tonic into him but it is too early to tell if it is working," Kalen reported, a troubled expression on her face that told Elizabeth the prospect wasn't good.
"Major Lorne arrived a short time ago," Elizabeth said, trying to bring hope. "We should let him know what's going on – they have a field medic with them."
Kalen nodded and after placing the baby back into his mother's arms, disappeared outside where a few moments later the familiar and very welcome sound of Major Lorne's voice could be heard, shortly followed by two men entering the tent with Kalen.
"Dr Weir," Lorne greeted her, his eyes taking in the situation at a glance as he stood out of the way to allow Lt Bradshaw past to join Kalen in consultation over the baby. "Sgt Thomson has returned to Atlantis to bring over the first medical team – they know he's on the way so they should be ready and waiting which means they'll be here within an hour and a half. The rest of the men are making themselves useful – Jinto and Mya have been bringing them up to date on what's been happening."
"It's a relief to see you, Major," Elizabeth smiled at him, ignoring the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her, suspecting her momentary lapse hadn't gone unnoticed although Lorne said nothing.
A few moments later, Lt Bradshaw got to his feet and moved to stand next to Lorne, Elizabeth joining them while Kalen took Elizabeth's place beside Aryll, speaking softly to her.
"It's not looking good," Bradshaw reported, keeping his voice low. "I've done everything I can but he's very weak. I'll get a message to Dr Beckett to get him here as soon as they arrive, but that may be too late."
"Surely there must be something…" Elizabeth's voice trailed off as she looked towards Aryll who was now holding her son.
"It is what I was afraid of," Kalen said as she joined them at that moment. "Sometimes there is nothing that can be done. Aryll is asking for you."
Elizabeth nodded, not trusting herself to say anything just now and sat beside Aryll, once more putting an arm around her shoulders.
While Lorne and Bradshaw left to see where else they were needed, Kalen busied herself with fetching refreshments for the three of them keeping vigil, gladly handing control over to the Atlantis personnel.
Time passed slowly in the tent. Elizabeth kept Aryll talking, hearing about her family and her life, always in fear of the Wraith and how things had improved since the people now living in Atlantis had arrived. At regular intervals, Kalen would check Kulo, each time sitting back down with a sense of relief that the child was still hanging in there. Each of them knew what might happen, but they all refused to speak it out loud, as though to say it would make it true.
Men's voices, one Scottish, the other belonging to Colonel Sheppard, grew closer and Elizabeth looked up, knowing that the baby's only chance of survival had just arrived. Her hopes were dashed a moment later by Kalen who had gone to check Kulo once more, the expression on her face as she desperately tried to find a pulse saying everything.
As soon as Carson entered he strode towards Kalen and the baby, intent on the patient and barely acknowledging anyone else. Elizabeth and Aryll turned their focus on Carson as well, Elizabeth gripping Aryll's arm tightly, not realising she was holding her breath until Carson moved to kneel in front of Aryll, taking the mother's hands in his own.
"I'm sorry, love," Carson told her as gently as he could. "There was nothing I could do." He remained there for a few moments before he got to his feet, patted Aryll on the shoulder and shot an appraising look at Elizabeth, before ushering John and the nurse who had accompanied him, outside.
Kalen gently wrapped the baby up in his blanket before placing him in his mother's arms for the last time, then left the two women alone, sensing Aryll's need to be with another adult at this time.
For a while neither of them said anything, Aryll being the one to break the silence.
"He looks so peaceful," she said, her voice muffled as tears began to fall. "As though he just fell asleep."
"He's not in pain any more and he will never know the fear that the Wraith bring." Elizabeth told her, trying to say the right thing. "And he has your husband and parents to watch over him now."
They fell silent again, Aryll still holding her son while Elizabeth hugged her as the tears fell. A movement at the entrance caught Elizabeth's attention and she watched as Kalen entered silently accompanied by the two little girls who had been taken away earlier.
"Aryll, I know how hard this will be, but your daughters need you now," Elizabeth released her grip on the other woman. "You have to be strong for them."
Sitting up straighter, Aryll looked towards the two girls who ran towards her, tears on their own faces as they also began to cry, not quite understanding what was going on.
"Your brother is with the Ancestors," Aryll told them, drawing them into a hug as Kalen took the baby from her. "He has father to look after him now, and you have me to care for you."
"Father's not alone any more?" One of the girls asked curiously, trying to make sense of this.
"No, he's not."
"Then we should be happy for him," she said, hugging her mother tightly.
Aryll looked up at Elizabeth and nodded her head, silently letting her know that she would get through this somehow. Elizabeth returned the nod and went outside, not surprised to see John waiting outside for her.
"How are you doing?" John asked, taking careful note of Elizabeth's appearance.
"I'm exhausted," Elizabeth tried to smile at him but failed miserably as the strength she had found to support Aryll drained away rapidly now that the crisis was over and someone else was here to take charge. Worse than that, she could feel tears filling her eyes and she was powerless to stop them from spilling over, turning away to try to conceal the fact that she was crying.
"Hey, it's alright to be upset," John told her, gently holding her arm as he talked.
"It's just…I was doing ok…I don't…" Elizabeth struggled to make a coherent sentence, not entirely sure what she wanted to say anyway and found her face unexpectedly pressed against John's shoulder as he drew her into a hug, rubbing her back reassuringly as she allowed herself the luxury of giving in to the riot of emotions that were running through her.
A few minutes later, Elizabeth felt strong enough to gather her thoughts together and pulled away from John's grip.
"Thanks," she told him with a shaky smile.
"Hey, what are friends for?" He grinned back at her. "So ready to return to home?"
Elizabeth didn't answer for a moment, memories of what had led to her stay on the mainland flooding her thoughts. The uncertainty that had plagued her before she arrived here was gone now and it was the old Elizabeth, the one that was most familiar that turned to John to reply.
"Yes," she told him simply, joining him as they returned to the 'jumper, ready to go home.
THE END