Teyla ducked and rolled, coming up on the other side of the console and firing. The Velian guard jerked from the shock of the blast before collapsing to the ground. The resistance had started not long after they had passed through the doorway. They had been forced to retreat into one of the side rooms when several of the guards and even some scientists had appeared and began firing.
"Think that was the last of them," Lorne called out from behind another console, his weapon aimed toward the door. "How's the leg, Barnett?"
"Still works, Major," the solider replied. He had been struck in the left thigh, a painful but thankfully not too serious wound. "Still able to fight."
"Good to hear. Teyla, Everett?"
"I am well," Teyla answered, Everett echoing.
"Looks like they know we're here, so keep a sharp eye out. Everett, I want you and Barnett to keep a watch on our six while…" Their radios suddenly crackled.
"…la? Major Lorne?" In disbelief Lorne activated his radio.
"Kreloa?"
"Major Lorne, good to hear your voice. Are you well?"
"Yes, but how are the radios working? I thought the shield blocked all outside signals."
"That was true, but the sensors have just began to read multiple life signs from below the ground. The facility's shield appears to be failing, though I am unsure why."
"My bet's on McKay. What of Colonel Sheppard and the Dart?"
"He was able to destroy the ship. The pilot was found alive but in critical condition. A medical team was dispatched and has taken both the pilot and Colonel Sheppard back to Atlantis to attend their wounds. Lt. Mason stayed behind and is attempting to fly the Colonel's heavily damaged jumper back to the gate."
"Was John hurt badly?" Teyla asked with concern.
"According to him, no. Of course, Carson had a different opinion, and insisted the Colonel return to get his arm tended to before he caused any further injury to it. He was not happy with that idea."
"I bet," Lorne said with a laugh. "At least that's one less thing to worry about. Any chance you can locate Ronon and McKay?"
"As you know it is impossible to distinguish between the various life signs. However, I believe they are currently trapped within a dead end room in a far corner of the facility."
"What makes you think that?"
"The signals approaching the room either stop before entering, or fade away entirely."
"Ronon," Lorne and Teyla stated in unison. "Kreola," Lorne continued, "I need you to tell me how to get to them. Look for a group of four stationary signals in a room north of a large central room on the lowest level."
"Four?"
"Sgt. Michaels and Cpl. Hutchins were leading the enemy away. They should be nearing the transporter room by now."
"We're there now sir," Michaels stated over the radio. "We heard the transmission. Shall we return to assist?"
"Negative. Proceed as planned and return to the jumper."
"I believe I have your position," Kreola broke in. "Head north until you come to a three way split. Take the central passage, then a right, left, and another left. And hurry, there is another squad of soldiers moving toward them."
"Right." To the ones in the room he stated, "Move out!" Without any further prodding they were off, the urgency of the situation pressing them for speed, hoping they wouldn't be too late.
oOo oOo oOo
Ronon growled in anger as he threw the weapon aside; another one out of power. It didn't matter if it was set for stun or lethal, the weapons only lasted for a few dozen shots before sputtering and dying. McKay had said something about batteries and cooling down periods, but they simply didn't have time to sit and let the darn weapons 'cool down'. It seemed all the guards they had knocked out on the way in had recovered and were now in the hall, waiting. Ronon had managed to scavenge a few extra guns before the almost continual presence of the guards. They were now down to one functional gun, his knives, and the stupid beam McKay still carried.
"Any time now, McKay," he called out before firing down the hall, growling as he only wounded the soldier. McKay didn't know he had switched back to lethal, and he wasn't about to tell him, but it didn't matter. The Velian numbers seemed to remain constant despite those he took down.
"What do you think I've been doing?" the scientist asked in frustration. "Broke is broke!"
"Said the same thing on the prison colony, but you got that jumper working."
"For about five seconds."
"That's all we need. Keep trying." Ronon heard a loud sigh and risked a quick glance, seeing McKay once again messing with the crystals behind one of the panels in the wall. He knew the scientist had done some of his best work under extreme pressure, and it didn't get much worse than this. He could no longer feel his right arm, and the lightheadedness from the blood loss wasn't helping either. Yet there wasn't any choice. There was no way he would the Velians force the scientist to work for them again. He had to keep defending, had to protect McKay, no matter the cost.
"Doctor McKay," a voice echoed down the hall, "this is foolish. You know you cannot escape." The clatter of a dropped crystal filled the room. Ronon looked back, seeing the wide-eyed look on the scientist's face.
"Kizel," McKay quietly stated, the fear evident in his voice.
"Surrender. If you lay down your weapons, you will not be harmed."
"Don't answer him," Ronon stated.
"You know it is only a matter of time. If you surrender now, your friend will not be harmed."
"You know he's lying."
"Do you really wish to sacrifice the life of your friend? Choose now!"
McKay knew the Magistrate wouldn't hesitate to kill Ronon without a second thought, just as he had nearly killed the Atlantis scientists in the mines. And in reality, what choice was there? Despite Ronon's assurances of 'I'm fine', he knew the warrior was anything but fine. And the only real weapon they had was the one gun. Ronon had his knives, but only one working arm. And that stupid beam he had? Lot of good that'd do; he was horrible at baseball! What made him think he'd be any good with it now? If he did surrender, at least there was a chance Ronon would be okay. If he didn't, Ronon was as good as dead. What type of choice was that?
Ronon saw McKay's facial expression change to one of defeat. The man was seriously going to just give in? "McKay, don't." The scientist didn't say anything as he removed his pack, dropping it to the ground. "McKay."
"Not much choice."
"There's always a choice."
"Not this time." Looking up he called out louder, "Do you promise Specialist Dex will be unharmed?"
"Of course," came the much too jovial response, "I give you my word."
"Lotta good that'll do," Ronon spat out. "You know he'll break it the instant you're in his control. Don't do it."
"I have to." In anger Ronon raised the gun, aiming it McKay. That certainly got the man's attention, his eyes changing from puzzlement, to fear, to anger. "What, you going to shoot me?"
"If I have to, yes."
"Ronon…"
"No way I'm going to let you walk out that door and become their slave a second time. So either get back to working on that panel, or I'll just shoot you now."
The two glared at each other for several moments before McKay threw his hands up in the air. "You are just so… so… ugh!" He started to reach down for his pack but stopped when gunfire was heard, followed by returning sounds of the Velian guns. "What was that?" he asked, automatically reaching for the beam, wanting to have some sort of weapon handy. Ronon listened a moment longer before a grin broke out on his face.
"Our guys," he answered before moving and firing, taking a soldier out in the back. The Velians were caught in the crossfire, and against the Atlanteans' stronger weapons they soon were overcome. While Everett and Barnett secured the prisoners, Lorne and Teyla entered the room. Ronon brushed off Teyla's attempts to check his wounds, instead insisting they leave before more guards arrived.
"It's okay, there's no more heading this way," Lorne stated. "Kreola reports they're actually leaving the area. I say we get out of here before they change their mind."
"We've tried, but this transporter doesn't work," McKay told him. "It's broke."
"Yeah, that's what we thought in the crystal room," Lorne told him. "Turns out you just gotta know where you want to go first."
"Doc, someone wants to talk to you," Everett announced, prodding a wounded Kizel into the room. A not-so-gentle shove had the Magistrate on his knees, one arm clutched to his still bleeding side.
"Doctor McKay, please," he begged. "You don't understand how desperate we were. You are the only one who can get the defense system operational. We had no choice." McKay stared open mouthed at the man, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"You're kidding! No choice? You could've simply asked for my help instead of kidnapping and forcing me to help you. Did you ever think of that?"
Now it was Kizel's turn to stare. "Ask you? The work is so difficult, you would have said no."
"Are you kidding?" Everett asked. "The Doc doesn't know how to say no to a challenge, 'specially when it comes to these Ancient gizmos."
Kizel looked in shock between the soldiers and the scientist, seeing the words were spoken in truth. Realizing the monstrous mistake he had made, he hung his head low. "I … I didn't know. I thought we had no other choice."
"There's always a choice," McKay stated, looking at Ronon, who was reluctantly being supported by Teyla. "And right now, I choose to go home."
"I second that," Lorne said. After Everett had pushed the Magistrate out and Barnett had entered, Lorne moved to the display, picturing the crystal room in his mind. "Beam me up, Scotty," he quietly commented, and placed his hand on the display.
