In which the Scottish vernacular is broken out ...

Reasonable Cause to Suspect

By EllieV

Chapter 12

At the most inappropriate moments sometimes, things just popped into Carson Beckett's head. He was in the filthiest, most depressing place he'd ever been in. He had an unconscious police officer lying at his feet bleeding profusely from a head wound. He had Lt Laura Cadman yelling at him to get up, to pick up the cop so they could get the hell out of there. He had screaming, panicking villagers running in what his old mum would describe as "hither and yon." He could hear the sound of gunfire and all he could think of was where the term "to hell in a hand basket" came from.

"For fuck's sake, Carson, snap out of it!" Cadman actually kicked him.

"Come on, Doc, let's get Danny out of here," Barker urged him.

"He shouldn't be moved," said Beckett tensely.

"You are nuts, you know that?" said Cadman in a tone that seriously doubted his sanity.

Beckett clicked his radio. "Colonel, this is Dr Beckett"-there was comfort in giving his title-"DC Breen is unconscious. He has a head wound."

It wasn't Sheppard who answered. "Where are you, Doctor?" came Stretton's voice.

Cadman responded, "We're about half a click from where you were. Centre of the village, head two o'clock."

"On my way," said Stretton calmly as though nothing was happening.

"Negative," said Sheppard. "Head towards the gate and stay out of the Wraith's way. I'll go back for them. Teyla?"

"Colonel, there is no shelter between the village and the stargate," she replied. "I am in the first row of buildings but they appear to be encircling the village to enter it, not just from the one direction."

"They were already here?" asked Sheppard sharply.

"I did not sense them, Colonel," said Teyla.

"Doesn't matter," said Sheppard. "Everyone fall back to that first row of buildings in the village if you can. Beckett?"

"DC Breen shouldn't be moved, Colonel," said Beckett. "I don't know the extent of the injury. It could be superficial …"

"Or his head could fall off," said Stretton appearing at Beckett's side, Cadman whipping around when she heard his voice. "Lieutenant," he acknowledged, his face's calmness matching his voice. "Doctor, I think we need to take the chance that it's superficial. He is from a long line of Millwall supporters after all."

"Sir?" said Chatham also appearing from nowhere, Halling with her, holding Gilo by the back of his shirt. Beckett noted with detachment the signs of malnutrition, the crazed look, and less detachedly, the odour. "What about smelly here?"

"They are come, they are come!" Gilo said in almost religious ecstasy. He repeated it over and over until Chatham snarled, "Shut it!" Halling shook him and his voice went to a mumble.

"Will we take him back with us?" Chatham asked.

"You want to bring him back to Atlantis?" asked Cadman in tones of amazement. "Carson, are we going or not?"

"I still need to speak to him and things are a little fraught right now," said Stretton betraying some tension. "Katie, get him back to where Sheppard said to meet and we'll see how things go." She wavered. "Now, Inspector," he snapped. "Halling, go with them and keep hold of Gilo."

With a haunted look at him she left, her gun out. She moved carefully, glancing around her looking for threats. Halling followed, dragging Gilo along with him. Beckett could hear Gilo's voice raised again and then a thumping sound. He prayed that Halling had just hit his recalcitrant informant. Better that than the Wraith.

"Ade, Dr Beckett, pick up Danny," said Stretton. "Lieutenant?"

Cadman moved out in front just as Sheppard arrived with two marines. He opened his mouth, changed his mind, and pointed at Stretton as if to say "Later." He said to Cadman, "On point."

Beckett carefully helped lift the unconscious detective, tsking as blood dripped everywhere. He didn't think it was too serious but he wouldn't have minded a neck brace just in case there was more damage than Breen's bleeding head. Barker, whom Beckett had thought was too slight to carry much at all, held the policeman up, resting Breen's head on his shoulder.

"Diet, Danny boy, a diet for you," he grunted.

"You're right then? asked Beckett. "I can …"

"I got him, Doc," said Barker in a "he's my mate" tone.

"Hurry it up, kids," said Sheppard trying not to sound impatient.

Beckett nodded at him to indicate their readiness. Stretton looked closely at Breen's head wound, winced, and touched the detective on the face gently. He, too, nodded at Sheppard.

"Ronon?" Sheppard clicked his radio. "Where the hell are you and Tynan?"

Ronon's voice came through a crackling radio. "Behind a rock."

"Big rock?" Sheppard hazarded. "Tynan?"

"Big rock," Ronon agreed. "Ben's behind the gate."

"What the hell is he doing behind the gate?" Cadman wanted to know.

"Clear view of the village," Sheppard responded in immediate understanding. "I really want to know what training that guy's had-and what he's got in that backpack."

"A lot of training and I try not to ask," said Stretton. "Are we going?"

Sheppard inclined his head at Cadman who moved out slowly to allow Barker to half carry, half walk his burden without dropping him. Beckett distractedly noticed how each person with them moved. Cadman pointed her gun towards anything that looked like moving, whipping it around quickly. Sheppard was careful, like a hunter stalking prey. Stretton moved, surprisingly for a tall man, like a cat. Unlike the military, his gun was pointed downwards. Beckett didn't know if that was procedure or not. They didn't meet any Wraith. Beckett didn't know why; it wasn't as though the village was large. They could hear them-or rather, they could hear the screaming and the sudden choked silences. And fair enough, he knew very little about the Wraith but he had to query whether the villagers constituted anything more than a snack. That thought pulled him up; he had to stop thinking.

It took them half an hour to make their way back through the village. The journey to Gilo's house-hovel, Beckett amended-from the stargate had originally taken only a few minutes. They found Teyla, the other marines, Chatham, Halling and Gilo, the latter mumbling to himself, crouching behind what used to be a courtyard wall.

"Teyla," Sheppard acknowledged. "What's happening out there?" He peered around the wall quickly and ducked his head back in.

"Most of the Wraith are inside the village," she said. "Did you not meet any on your way?"

Sheppard shook his head. "That's kinda odd."

"Maybe they have heard of you, Colonel," Teyla said straight-faced, "and are avoiding you."

"Very funny," Sheppard said. "Now what?" He turned to Stretton. "What about mumbles?" He pointed at Gilo.

"If we leave him here, the Wraith will take him," said Stretton. It was a sort of question, Beckett supposed. Sheppard nodded. "Can't leave him here then."

Sheppard nodded again. "Okay, we take him back through the gate. Have to get through the gate first, of course."

"That would be helpful," said Beckett slightly sarcastic. "For DC Breen, at least. I want him to have a brain scan."

"You'll be lucky," said Chatham immediately.

Stretton snorted softly. "Yes, thank you, DI Burnside," he said.

"Should I ask who Burnside is?" Sheppard looked puzzled.

Beckett knew who Burnside was and felt his patience slipping at the chatter. "Or we could leave," he said pointedly. "We're just sitting ducks here."

"Carson," Sheppard said patiently. "Until we can get to the gate without the Wraith stunning or eating us, we're staying put. I don't know how the hell we got here without meeting any of them but except for those ugly bastards between us and the gate, they seem to be happy munching down the villagers."

"And better them than us?" Beckett heard his voice rise in protest and saw the police officers stare interestedly between he and Sheppard.

Sheppard looked annoyed. "They're that way if you want to volunteer for supper." He pointed back in the direction they came. As Beckett opened his mouth to snap back the radio clicked.

"Sheppard," Ronon said.

Sheppard ducked his head out and motioned to Stretton who also took a look.

"That one has a face," Stretton observed.

"The ones without faces seem to be drones of some sort," Sheppard said. "I'm just guessing. The ones with the …"

"Nice leather coats," Chatham took a peek.

"Yeah, them," said Sheppard. "Officers, maybe, if they have officers."

"Leather coat does seem to be giving orders," Stretton said. "Colonel, what would happen if leather coat were to be dead?"

Sheppard stared at him. "Are you suggesting an execution here, sunshine?" He didn't sound displeased with the suggestion, though.

"I'm proposing that we get out of here," said Stretton impassively.

Sheppard bit his lip and slowly nodded. He clicked his radio. "Ronon, can you hit the Wraith in the coat from where you are?"

"I can," responded Tynan for the first time. "I don't think Ronon can."

"No," said Ronon. "Bad angle. I'd probably hit you."

"Where the hell are you?" said Sheppard.

"Big …" said Ronon.

"Rock," finished Sheppard. "I can't see any big rocks."

"That's the idea," said Ronon.

Sheppard took a breath. "Right. Tynan? Take the guy out." There was silence and Sheppard said into the radio, "Did you get that?"

"Yes, Colonel. Mr Stretton, sir, I have a clear shot," Tynan said as though he was formally asking for permission. Perhaps he was, thought Beckett.

"Take it when ready," said Stretton. He scowled down at his hands. "And the others if you can," he added.

Sheppard looked comically wondering at Tynan deferring the decision to fire to Stretton and shook his head. As the seconds ticked by, they all-almost as one-raised their heads carefully above the wall to look at the Wraith in the middle of the field between the stargate and the village. The Wraith was gesturing to the "drones" as Sheppard had dubbed them.

And then the Wraith's head exploded all over his nice leather coat. It splattered everywhere. In quick succession, the two drones fell on their faces. Beckett speculated clinically that since their heads didn't also explode the skulls could be thicker. He'd never autopsied one to find out. Sheppard's jaw dropped.

"Uh okay," he blinked. "Um, right, let's wait a few seconds to see if that was noticed-though those shots were suspiciously quiet."

"Yes, they were," said Stretton looking thoughtful and still frowning.

"Tynan, you're closest to the gate. You know the address to dial?" Sheppard said into his radio.

"Yes, sir," Tynan replied.

Beckett noticed that Stretton's frown deepened.

"Cadman, Teyla, on point. Beckett, you three in the middle. You," he indicated the four marines, "protect them. Ronon, provide some cover from where you are. Keep an eye on the village. Should have brought more marines," he said to Stretton. "That was really stupid."

Beckett didn't know if Stretton's shrug was in agreement or not. They left the shelter of the wall, Beckett helping Barker not to stumble as they moved out onto the rocky ground.

"Sheppard!" Ronon snapped into his radio.

"Fuck, move it!" swore Sheppard.

The Wraith were coming through the village towards them, firing their stunners. The space between the village and the gate seemed to have grown between their arrival and their leaving. Beckett didn't think there were that many-20 maybe?-mostly the drone types. Here and there, the Wraith fell-that gun again. By now, even Beckett was curious as to what the hell sort of gun that Tynan had. Ronon appeared ahead of them, off to one side. Everyone picked up the pace but Halling's hold on Gilo loosened as he stumbled over a stone and lost his footing. The smelly little man turned back towards the Wraith holding his arms out, singing in ecstasy. Chatham reached out to grab him and tripped, bumping into Teyla who also tripped; Cadman, now behind her, leant down to pick her up and Beckett, detachedly wondered why every time he saw someone hit with a Wraith stunner it appeared in slow motion-he'd have to mention it to Heightmeyer. Cadman moaned, hitting the ground and Chatham with an audible thump. Sheppard, in turn, fell over Cadman, landing on Teyla. This was, Beckett thought crossly, no time for a physical comedy routine.

Sheppard rolled to his feet immediately and snapped, "Don't just stand there, Carson. Help or move!"

As Beckett leant down to pull up Cadman, Sheppard pushed him over and ducked himself as a Wraith blast went over their heads. Stretton looked down at them, preternaturally calm. To Beckett, even more cross now-idiotically cross under the circumstances-Stretton seemed immune, both to the Wraith stunners and falling over. Beckett looked back to the gate. Tynan was dialing it up; Barker had almost reached the DHD and when the gate whooshed, Tynan ran to Barker and almost hauled them to the gate to hurry them up. Beckett winced as Breen's head flopped around. Millwall supporter, he repeated to himself. He'll be fine.

"Oh shit, I've done my ankle," Chatham cursed as Stretton pulled her up. She put her weight onto her foot and tried a few paces. "Crap!"

"Come on," Stretton reached out to her and ducked as a Wraith fired a stunner close to his head. "Colonel?"

"Oh, so now he defers to me?" muttered Sheppard, also ducking. "Keep moving folks. Shit! Ronan!" As Ronan was hit by a stunner, Sheppard bolted towards the Satedan, firing his P90 as he staggered over the rocky ground.

Beckett hauled up Cadman and shoved her over his shoulder. "Sorry love," he muttered. "Mr Stretton?"

"I can walk," Chatham said. "And Halling can help me. Go help the Colonel." Stretton uncharacteristically hesitated. "And get little smelly," she added as Gilo wandered into view, arms still out and singing. Stretton nodded and headed towards Halling's informant. The marines took their six and backed up forcing them towards the gate.

Barker and Breen had disappeared into the wormhole. Tynan was crouched down taking aim at the Wraith with what looked to Beckett like a sniper's rifle. He wasn't an expert but he'd seen a few marines with similar weapons. Police issue kit my backside, he thought. He recognized his detachment and tried pulling himself together. Around him, everyone was lurching either towards the gate or towards Ronon, all of them ducking and weaving away from the Wraith blasts, but he felt removed from it all. An appointment with Kate Heightmeyer would do him the world of good. He'd make one as soon as he got back. And there he was doing it again; he slapped himself inwardly. The gate shut down as they reached the DHD, Halling now half-carrying Chatham, the Inspector looking annoyed. Tynan immediately began dialing again, swift, practiced movements as though he'd been doing it all his life.

"Come on, Cameron," Chatham said anxiously, adding. "I am seriously sorry, Dr Beckett. Do what you like with the pricks."

"Guv," said Tynan as the wormhole established. "You want me to go back and help?"

"Stay here and cover them," she said, chanting, "Come on, come on" under her breath. "No!"

Stretton had grabbed Gilo, just as a leather-coated Wraith reached them. He let go of the little villager, jerking out of the Wraith's reach. He tripped, falling backwards. The Wraith shoved Gilo away and pulled his hand back and then down towards the policeman's chest. To Beckett's amazement, Stretton, on his back, grabbed the Wraith's hand, just as he had Cadman's in the infirmary. The Wraith looked startled, pulled away, hissed in what looked from this distance to be pain-just as Cadman had-and as he leant back down using his superior strength, Stretton, with his other hand, put his gun into the Wraith's mouth and fired. The Wraith, in turn, fell backwards, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere. Stretton got to his feet slowly, clearly shaking. After a couple of seconds, he headed towards Gilo, who was wandering in the direction of Sheppard and Ronan.

"Bloody hell," said Tynan, obviously taken back. "Uh, Dr Beckett, the gate?" He and the marines pushed the four of them forwards. Teyla started towards Sheppard but Tynan pulled her with him. "Get this lot through first, love."

Of course, Beckett thought, human physiognomy-the Wraith were stronger to be sure but had human skulls just the same; they had overgrown hands but when it came down to it, human hand just the same-of sorts, he amended. He should look at discussing Wraith physiological weaknesses with Dr Biro when he got-oh, stop it, Carson, he scolded himself. A moan from Cadman and what felt like an attempt at a pinch, brought him back to reality.

As he got to the gate he looked back to make sure the others were following. Sheppard had got Ronon to his feet and was dragging him back to the gate. A Wraith had almost reached them when it stumbled over a rock and fell. Stretton, without slowing his pace, pulled back his foot and kicked it in the head as he passed. The Wraith didn't get up.

Halling pulled Chatham into the wormhole and as Tynan made to push Beckett and Cadman through, Beckett grabbed his arm losing his balance as he did. The three of them fell into the gate and out into the Atlantis gateroom, Cadman giving what would have been a yowl had her facial muscles not been stunned.

"What the bloody hell did you do that for, ya gowk?" snarled Tynan.

"There were more Wraith coming," said Beckett. "I lost my balance. Look, I'm sorry …"

"Ah, dry yer eyes, ya keech," said Tynan angrily.

Beckett shut up as ordered. Another moan from Cadman and a rush of medical personnel allowed him to gather his tattered dignity, even if he was likely the only person in the Pegasus Galaxy to understand anything Tynan had said. As he busied himself ordering tests on Breen-in the infirmary and already ordered Dr Beckett, one of his orderlies said-he still took a moment to glance at the gate. After a moment Teyla arrived firing her P90 back through the wormhole. Weir was hovering. The marines holding their guns at the ready would hit more Atlantis personnel than any Wraith coming through.

The wormhole shimmered and shut down.

TBC …

Notes:

Millwall supporters: Sly reference to football hooliganism.

Gowk: a fool

Dry yer eyes: stop whinging

Keech: essentially Tynan called Beckett a piece of shit. Hmm, what will the consequences be?

Next: We meet Beckett's madmen.