Always Comes Back to Haunt Us

Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 11

Dr. Eilerson tapped his fingers together trying to figure out his next move. His quarters were actually nice, compared to some ships he'd been on. Various artifacts he'd brought along to amuse himself sat on once empty shelves.

The Altanteans had refused every offer from the various planetary governors. He smiled slightly figuring out that IPX might be their best bet. He would need to clear his plan first and nail down the details of the offer.

"Here's goes," he muttered as he activated his com.

"This is the Asimov."

"This is Dr. Max Eilerson. I want to speak with your captain."

"I'm sorry, Dr. Eilerson. The captain is currently on Babylon 5 with orders he is not to be disturbed."

"Who's next in command?" Max was becoming annoyed at the delay.

"First officer is dealing with an issue in the engine room."

He huffed. "I need a link through your ship to talk to headquarters."

"Sir, I can't do that-"

"Then find someone who can."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Just one moment, Dr. Chambers." He hit a button he hoped muted the sound as he waved everyone out of the room. "We'll continue this later." Ronan sauntered out looking bored. "Oh, and Dr. Keller and Dr. Beckett, please wake the third string."

McKay stared at him. "Sir, you know who is in that group."

"Someone who may be smarter than you and Carter combined." He hated to admit he enjoyed the annoyed look on McKay's face.

Samantha Carter nodded. He knew she understood the veiled insult hadn't been aimed at her. "You're probably right, sir." She motioned for Colonel Caldwell to follow. "How do things look on the Deadalus?" she asked as they left together.

Rodney snorted and left the room muttering under his breath.

"Oh, and Dr. Keller," O'Neill caught her eyes. "Find that damn dog's bowls."

She grinned and gave him a thumb's up before the two doctors hastily exited.

Daniel stayed where he was. O'Neill glared at him. The linguist crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"Why are you still here, Colonel Sheppard?" He looked up at the younger mam. He had sent the then Major on the Atlantis mission due to his natural ability to use the command chair. Then made certain he'd gotten promoted. He'd earned it.

"You really want to wake him up, sir?" Sheppard asked.

O'Neill tiredly rubbed his eyes. "We need him."

Sheppard nodded, taking a step toward the door.

"On second thought Colonel stay." He paused knowing the archeologist had no intention of leaving. He might as well give Jackson permission. "You too, Daniel." He hit the button again. "Still with me, Dr. Chambers?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"What are you doing in my quarters?" Gideon asked, staring at the pretty red head. He rubbed his chin and maneuvered around her. He had a pretty good idea who the intruder was and had no intention of doing anything that might make her angry. "That's mine." He pointed at the box.

"You shouldn't have it. It lies."

"Last owner ended up dead." He had an idea it was how everyone who had the box ended. Gideon intended to use it and outsmart it.

"I'm aware of that." Her fingers tightened on the box. "If I take it by force, it can't hurt you because you aren't giving it away."

"Know that for a fact?"

"I've retrieved several of these already."

Her words caught his attention. "Several?"

"The Vorlons programmed me to find them and put them where they can't hurt anyone."

"And where's that?" He didn't want her to take the box. It gave him an edge.

"It's a liability not an advantage."

"Where are taking it?" he asked again, trying to figure out how to jump her and retake the box.

"Somewhere humans aren't allowed to go." She moved toward the door. "Please don't follow me, Captain. I don't want to hurt you."

"I'll call security and have you stopped."

"No you won't."

He felt a blinding pain in his head, groaned and felt his body fall to the floor. The last thing he heard was the door opening and closing before darkness overtook him.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Here they are!" Jennifer cried triumphantly, waving the bowls above her head.

"Would be in the last box," Rodney grumped, sitting down on a trunk. The entire room had boxes, trunks, suitcases and other varied items. Some stood in neat stacks, others just looked like they'd been thrown in haste and left. They'd packed it as people had arrived to be put in stasis.

"His party was the last to arrive." Jennifer pulled out a bag of dog food

"Dr. Keller," Beckett spoke in her ear mic loud enough for Rodney to hear. "Did you find them?"

"I did."

He sighed in relief. "Good. Wouldn't want to hear about it."

"He's not that bad."

"Not him I'm worried about."

"Rodney, can you carry these up to the infirmary?"

Getting to his feet, he took the bowls and dog food from Jennifer.

"And tell Dr. Beckett to come down so we can get started." She smiled sweetly at him. "Please?"

Jennifer had a way of making him feel like the hero. "Sure." He kissed her cheek before hurrying out. The next door led to the stasis chamber and he passed that, making his way down the corridor and up the stairs. When he entered the infirmary, he saw Dr. Beckett had everything all set up.

"Why'd we make them the third string?" he asked, putting the bowls and food down on a counter.

"Have to ask General O'Neill that," Beckett answered. "He picked the order everyone would be woken up."

"With help." McKay hadn't been part of the process and it annoyed him.

"Could have been worse, he could have been part of the first team. His specialties and training would have covered several of us."

Beckett had a point. "Not the experience though," Rodney pointed out, feeling rather proud of himself for thinking of it.

The doctor flashed him a grin. "You've got a point."

"Jennifer would like you to meet her downstairs."

Carson nodded and tapped his mic. "Be down in a minute." He headed for the door. "Oh, Rodney, if you wouldn't mind, please put water in one bowl and food in other."

McKay stared at Beckett's retreating back. "Okay. Now I'm a dog sitter."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Everything all right, General O'Neill?" Dr. Chambers's concerned voice reached the trio.

"Fine," O'Neill replied. "Just had to issue a new order."

His comment caused a slight pause. "General, I'd like to run some tests on members of your party who have that special gene."

Daniel asked, "Why?"

"I've had an…usual finding and I need more DNA samples to test my theory."

Sheppard shifted, his face betraying his discomfort. "You know there is a certain amount of the population who carries it. Might even be some folks aboard your ship."

"Under normal circumstances I'd start testing for it. However you already know who does among your group."

Daniel motioned for Jack to mute the sound.

"Hold a sec, Doc." O'Neill sat back. "What is it Daniel?"

"Something's up."

"Obviously." The general crossed his arms over his chest "Question is, what?"