While Ronon's team secured Kolya, Lorne's team secured Kolya's men. One jumper would bring Kolya back to Atlantis. The other would stop to pick up Kolya's men. Lorne's team would sweep the area amd secure the cabin that had been the Colonel's prison. Two more jumpers were on the way to bring them back to Atlantis once they were done.
Ronon, Teyla and Rodney occupied the jumper carrying Kolya. Ronon's angry, fierce stare alone now kept Kolya relatively sedate. Kolya had resisted his captors as the rage he felt for his failure-again-to make John Sheppard pay built and sent him into a fury. It had provided Ronon the welcomed opportunity to pummel Kolya, only Teyla's cries for him to stop made him release Kolya to the troops who bound his hands behind his back and took over the responsibility to see to his imprisonment. Teyla noted the pale, sickly palor ofKolya's face, but refused to feel any pity for the despicable man.
Once back in Atlantis, the SGA team hurried to the infirmary to find out how John was. The infirmary was quiet, but signs of controlled chaos was strewn around. Discarded, bloody clothes were on the floor along with bloodied compresses and bandages,and various wrappers that had held sterile medical equipment. The discarded array should have been enough for several wounded, not just for one man.
The team was joined by Elizabeth and Lorne. They all waited, impatiently for word on how their friend was. The quiet was broken by the rush of the surgical suite doors opening. They all turned in unison to find a nurse rushing out to retrieve some supplies. She ignored the pleading, concerned eyes that followed her every move until she once again disappeared behind the doors keeping them at bay.
Rodney felt about ready to burst, as Ronon punched the wall. Elizabeth couldnt hold the tears back any longer and once Teyla saw her tears, her own that had been welling in her eyes, also spilled forth. Both women held each other. Lorne paced continually, his fists opening and closing with rage as he remembered how badly the Colonel had looked.
A large crowd was forming in the hall outside the waiting area of the infirmary as servicemen and civilians alike came to offer blood donations and prayers for their fallen leader.
Lorne addressed the concerned group, making sure they all knew how appreciated their concerns and well wishes were, but urged them to vacate the hallway. Assuring them that if needed, a citywide request for blood donations would be announced. He suggested that they move to the mess hall where information about the Colonel would be released when available.
Forty minutes later, the surgical doors opened once more. This time, a weary Dr. Beckett appeared. As he threw his surgical mask and hair cover in the bin outside the doors, he knew without looking up that the Colonel's friends would all be waiting. He ran his fingers through his hair as he approached the group.
Carson engaged each of their eyes in turn as a slight smile started on his face. "The Colonel sure is a tough bugger. It took us a while to stabilize him. His dehydrated, malnourished state compromised his ability to fight the shock his injuries manifested." Carson drew a breath and slowly let it out. "Stabilizing him was tough. He's exhausted, physically and mentally. I cant tell you he's out of danger at this point."
"Carson, what are you saying? Will John pull through? Elizabeth asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.
"Aye, I know ya want me ta say he'll be fine and dandy, but he's not out of the woods. We are rehydrating him and giving him blood, supporting him in every way possible. Look, we all know John's not a quitter-I have faith he will find the reserve needed ta stay with us."
"What did Kolya do to him?" Rodney asked the question they all wanted an answer to.
"Well, besides the dehydration and malnutrition, which could have been worse-luckily its seems he was given water and food at least once. He suffered several beatings resulting in severe bruising. Cracked ribs, bruised organs and his kidney function was low, bordering on causing a toxic reaction. He's being dialysed as we speak."
He paused. Clearly exhausted himself, he sat before his legs gave out.
"Carson, we are so sorry! We are so worried about John, we overlooked your obvious exhaustion." Teyla apologised to the weary physician.
"Ack- thankyou Teyla, all of you...it has been a long week, hasnt it? Let me finish, then I will need to go back and check on John before I can rest."
Carson knew he couldnt rest if he left this caring group without hope.
"Again, we know John is a fighter-so keep that in mind. His jaw was dislocated and broken and has been surgically screwed into place from the inside. He wont be able to open his mouth for several weeks. For now he is also on ventilation so his body doesnt have to work so hard." He suffered concussion from the blows, but thankfully no complications have surfaced due to that.
"The other major injury was his foot as it was impaled by the tree branch. Several of his metatarsal bones were broken and there was extensive tissue damage. Infection will be the biggest threat here. In his compromised condition, well-I cant make any garantees, even with the best antibiotics we have."
Carson paused as his audience took in the information he just supplied. He sighed and continued.
"His other injuries include numerous burn marks from some kind of electrical device, and various cuts and gashes...ack-evidently he was whipped. They are problematic due to the infection factor, we had to put a number of stitches in and with antibiotics and minimal debriding, they should all heal well, with minimal scarring. Deep contusions all over his torso and thighs show blunt force trauma only time will heal."
With the lightening of the heavy load the information had been, Carson stood. "I need to go back to check on John. Once he is settled, you all may see him-one at a time. And before anyone asks, one of ya may sit with him. Talk to him. He needs to know he is safe. Hearing your familar voices will hopefully get through and reassure him."
Elizabeth and Teyla both hugged Carson, while Ronon, Rodney and Lorne patted him on the shoulder to show their appreciation. Carson felt their comaradie and knew they would all do their part to make sure John knew he was safe.
Lorne left to go to the mess hall where he sent the concerned residents so he could tell them John was holding his own, if not out of the woods yet. While there, he would collect coffee and tea to take back to the infirmary for his friends as they sat vigil.
TBC let's all pray for John's recovery-seems precarious! At least Kolya's safe in the Atlantis prison.