A/N: Sorry this has taken so long to get back to but I just changed jobs and now have the time to work on the story. Since Canon about John and his father has occurred with the episode 'Outcast', this is now as it should have always been AU. I still like the idea and am thinking that there are at least 4 or 5 more chapters to go depending upon how long I make each one. My Beta reader helps keep me from getting too long per chapter. Hopefully now with the new job, I will finish this before the end of the year. I want to thank everyone who has read the story and thanks for all the helpful reviews. I really appreciate them and read every one of them.
Chapter 14 First Mission
Zero Nine Hundred Hours
Conference Room
The first people came wandering in for the mission briefing. John walked in with Ronon and Logan. All three were sipping coffee and discussing how long the next mission might take. Teyla came next. She entered with her usual grace, drinking a mug of Athosian tea. She seated herself next to John and slowly gathered her thoughts about what she knew about the planet they were about to visit.
The X-Men entered the conference room in their normal clothes. All were chatting and grinning about something that only they knew about. John was curious but didn't say anything. They arranged themselves around the conference room next to a seated Logan.
All talking quieted down as Elizabeth Weir and Jack O'Neill entered the room and took the two remaining seats between Logan and John. Rodney rushed in, late as usual.
Elizabeth smiled at the large gathering and said, "Shall we get started. As you know, this will be the X-Men's first trip and we hope that those that go get a good feel for what most of our missions usually are. We are going to a planet that Teyla's people have traded with often and hope to make a successful partnership with these people."
Teyla cleared her throat and began speaking. "The Cordite people are simple farmers. They work the land to raise much needed crops for many different people. I have never seen them in a fight other than to survive the Wraith cullings."
"What type of crops do they grow?" asked Colossus.
"A type of wheat and what your people call corn as well as a type of thatch for building homes."
"We go in, make nice with the head of the village and strike up a deal for trade. We usually try to trade for medicines from us for their food. As for who is going, my team as well as Storm, Logan, Shadowcat and Iceman. Any questions?" John asked.
"Is there anything specific that you look for when gaining new allies? Such as potential trouble or maybe them selling you out to the Wraith?" Hank asked.
"Sometimes that happens. One of the first groups of people we met was called the Genii. They were also people that traded regularly with Teyla's people. Turns out that they were a militaristic society and some of them are now our enemy while another faction is an ally. You can just never tell about people. We hope that every new people we run into will become our ally but we are much more cautious about it than we were in the beginning. Does that answer the question?"
"Yes, it tells me that all your allies are not what they seem on the initial meeting." Hank looked at Shadowcat and Iceman. "Be alert for anything at all times. Remember your training and listen to what Storm, Logan and Eagle tell you."
Both of the young mutants nodded at what Hank had told them.
John looked over at Kitty and Bobby and said, "Rule of thumb to remember when you're off-world, keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open. You can learn a great deal when people don't think of you as a threat."
"Now that that is settled, you will be leaving at eleven hundred hours. Good luck and come back safely," Elizabeth Weir told the assembled group. With the final comment, she gathered her papers and computer and left the conference room.
Everyone stood and slowly left the room. John cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "I'd like all the X-Men to come with me down to the infirmary."
"Why Eagle?"
"I want you all tested for the ATA gene. I'm pretty sure Kitty has it and I was wondering how many others had it. It won't take long. Carson has the test down to a science," John said, then winced at his own bad pun.
Kitty smiled and nodded her acceptance. Storm also smiled at John. After glancing over at Hank and Logan, she said, "We will follow you down to the infirmary. I, too, am curious as to which of us carries the gene."
The X-Men and John walked down to the infirmary where Carson greeted them. After listening to John's explanation about what he wanted and Kitty's reaction to the City, Carson agreed to test the entire group.
Within forty minutes, all members of the X-Men had given blood for the test. Carson told them that the results would be known in about two hours.
The X-Men went back to their quarters so that the four team members going on the mission could change into their uniforms. Rogue went to observe Chuck in the Main control room while Colossus remained in the infirmary to be examined by Carson while he was armored up. Carson was curious as to his heart rate and other responses in that form.
Hank left to explore the many high places around Atlantis, a great portion of this would be from the outside of the buildings. He was quite fascinated with the architecture and structure that comprised the city. He also wanted to get to know all the different nationalities of the Atlantis members.
General Sheppard's Quarters
Zero Nine Fifteen Hours
Radek Zelenka and Katie Brown quietly stepped through the door of General Thomas Sheppard's quarters. Radek looked at Katie and asked, "How will you know which shirt to put the powder on?"
"I don't so we'll just have to put the stuff on all his shirts, wait for him to change and then come back in and get the other shirts. We'll take them to the laundry and have them cleaned twice before putting them back in his closet."
"I understand. I just hope it works the way we want it to and that we don't get caught."
"We won't get caught so stop worrying so much. Later today, I'll get the antidrug to Dr. Beckett and he can take it from there. Sounds okay to you?"
"Yes, I think Carson will enjoy his end of this scheme. I know that he is not too happy with the General either."
"No one is and that's why we are doing this now and others will be doing other stuff. Now come on, we got to get this done before he gets back."
"Alright, I'm coming. Just let me know what you need help with," Radek said with a small smile.
Katie looked around carefully and then headed over to what passed as a closet. The door opened at her touch and she reached in and brought out all of his dress shirts (five in all). She laid them on the General's bed and proceeded to pull out a jar of some powder and a pair of long plastic gloves. These gloves came all the way past her shoulders after she had put them on.
Radek looked around nervously as Katie went to work. He knew that the General was not a pleasant man and he hoped that what they were doing would make the General think about being nicer to people.
Katie slowly started to spread a thin sticky powder on the inside of each of the sleeves as well as around the collar and cuffs of each shirt. She also spread a bit on the back of the shirt.
When she had finished with the first shirt, Radek asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Katie put the shirt back on its hanger and handed it to Radek stating, "You can hold the hangers as I finish each shirt. Then we will just hang them back in the closet."
"I can do that but I thought I could help you with spreading the powder."
"You could but I only brought one pair of gloves with me. Sorry, I didn't think about both of us doing this," Katie said.
Radek nodded and held his hand out for the next hanger. As she finished with each shirt, she had Radek hold it by the hanger. She finished all five shirts and was just hanging them back up when Radek's com unit came to life.
"Radek, this is Lorne."
"Yes Major?"
"The General has just left the Jumper Bay and is headed for his quarters."
"Thank you Major. We have just finished up here. Will let you know when he leaves his quarters."
"Roger that. Lorne out."
"Katie, are we ready to leave?"
"Yep, let's go."
The General's door opened and the two scientists scurried out of the room and around the corner. They peaked around the corner and watched as the sopping wet General angrily stormed into his quarters. After about forty-five minutes, a much drier and freshly groomed General emerged and headed towards the Main Control room.
Radek pressed his com unit and called, "Major Lorne, this is Zelenka."
"This is Lorne, go ahead Doc."
"The General has just left his quarters and appears to be heading for the Main Control room."
"Thanks for the heads up. Lorne out."
"Zelenka out."
Radek looked at Katie and smiled. Katie grinned back at Radek and said, "Phase two begins. I can't wait to see him tomorrow."
"Neither can I," Radek replied. "Let's get the rest of the shirts to the Laundry."
Radek and Katie reentered the General's quarters and quickly took the shirts out of the closet. Then they headed for the Laundry room. After giving instructions to the people on duty for either Katie or himself to be notified when the shirts had been washed twice by themselves and then dried, Radek turned to Katie and said," Would you care for me to accompany you back to Hydroponics?"
"Why Doctor Zelenka, I would really like that."
Radek smiled and held his arm out so that Katie could put her arm through it. Together, the two schemers walked back to the Hydroponics lab.
Eleven Hundred Hours
Control Room
Rogue carefully watched Chuck, the controller of the DHD system. It was interesting how such a simple looking device could hold so many destinations within its memory. It also contained the control for the shield that protected Atlantis from invaders.
Elizabeth came out of her office as the away team assembled in from of the Stargate. She smiled to see such a diverse group leaving. Elizabeth wandered over to Rogue and asked, "Is Chuck being helpful?"
"I'm learning a great deal about the Stargate although I still haven't seen it activate yet."
"Well, it's quite breathtaking the first time you see it lock onto another destination. I see your team and John's team are assembled." She turned her attention to Chuck and told him to dial up the gate.
Chuck nodded and pressed the seven symbols on the DHD that would connect Atlantis with the home world of the Cordite people. As the seventh symbol locked into place, what looked like a great surge of water came out of the Stargate. It settled down and rested in place and then John looked up at Elizabeth. "See you later."
"Be safe and come back with a new trade agreement if possible."
John nodded and then looked at the four X-Men. "It doesn't hurt. One step you're here, the next step you're on Cord. Kitty, don't phase whatever you do, okay?"
Kitty nodded and faced what looked like a puddle of water standing within the ring. Storm walked up to the puddle and gently touched it. She was surprised that it was not actual water and decided that she would have to ask Hank exactly what it was.
John came up beside Storm and gave her a knowing look that said, 'I know how you feel.' He nodded to her and took a step forward into the puddle. Storm followed and then his team moved on through the event horizon of the wormhole. Logan, Bobby and Kitty followed SGA-1 through and were totally surprised to walk on a grassy hill overlooking a small farming community.
John and his team had spread out slightly so that everyone was in the group was covered in case of trouble. Logan nodded to Kitty and Bobby. The two teens separated. Bobby placed himself between John and Ronon and Kitty went between Teyla and Rodney.
Logan grinned ferally as his young team knew where to place themselves where they could do the most good. Kitty could phase Rodney and prevent him from getting injured if the time came for that. Bobby could create an icewall if needed. Storm had waited for the rest of them to get through the Stargate and now stood to the right of Logan.
John and Teyla were in the lead. As Teyla knew the leader of the Cordite people, John was happy to let her do the talking. Rodney had his technology detector out and was scanning for any Ancient tech he could find. Ronon stood with his hand on his blaster. Having been a runner for so long, he was usually ready for any contingency.
A delegation from the village appeared and approached Teyla. The leader was smiling and holding out his hand to Teyla as he approached her.
"Teyla, how good it is to see you again. It has been many cycles since you were last here in our village."
"It is good to see you too Vancer. I would like you to meet some friends. This is John Sheppard, he and his people are looking to trade."
Vancer turned to John and held out his hand, saying "It is good to meet you. Any friend of Teyla's will be a good friend to our people."
John quickly looked over the man and saw a slightly stocky, balding man about forty. He realized that the age could be wrong since the man was dressed as a farmer and had the tan of someone who worked out in the sun for long periods of time.
John smiled and shook Vancer's hand. He said, "I hope we can do some trading with you."
"We have just had a large harvest, so our supplies are plentiful. Come let us resume our talk in the conference house."
"Would it be alright if my people looked around your town and met some of your citizens?"
"Please feel free to look around and greet out people. Our young people especially like to meet off-worlders."
John and Teyla began to follow Vancer. Storm and Logan moved to explore the village as Ronon and Rodney took off to find a power source that Rodney had detected. Kitty and Bobby saw a couple of young people and walked over to chat with them.
Control Room
Atlantis
Eleven hundred hours
General Sheppard observed from the side as Chuck the technician engaged the Stargate. He watched the eight people, if you could call them people; walk into a puddle of water and not out the other side. He made notes that Chuck could be more efficient at what he was doing and shouldn't be talking to the 'thing' that would be better suited as a weapon. Weapons were useful and didn't need to know what they would be used for.
Thomas shrugged his shoulders as a small itch made itself known in the middle of his back. He ignored the itch and watched as the blue beast-like creature made its way out to the balcony. He watched as Hank stood on the balcony ledge and swung up to another level. The creature was so agile, it was fascinating.
Thomas turned his attention to the large thing that was helping some of the Marines move some large equipment. The thing was in its armored form and lifted the heavy equipment with ease. Now, that was a useful weapon, as opposed to the girl who seemed unable to touch anything without gloves on. He wondered if her arms were deformed or something. Though to see the arms in the gloves, they looked normal.
The General turned his attention to the civilian head of the Expedition. She was in an office talking to that busy body, General O'Neill. If he had his way, there would be no civilians on the base. Scientists were a waste of space. She was worse since she was a diplomat. This was a military base. You take what you want from the people you were protecting.
The General scratched at an itch on his shoulder and continued watching the prissy paper pusher and the busy body. Those two seemed too cozy. He wondered if they were sleeping together. They probably were and that's how she got the job.
Thomas walked over to the balcony and looked down at the Stargate. It amazed him that this device was used for peaceful exploration and not for conquering unknown worlds. It would be a great thing to establish a major foothold in another galaxy.
Now, if the head honchos would get up off their collective behinds and finish decisively in Afghanistan and Iraq. But of course, they knew better than he did on how to run things. Thomas knew exactly how the two wars should be finished but no one would listen to him.
After watching The X-Men, what a name, he had revised his plans for taking out Osama. With these creatures help and abilities, all Taliban rebels could be wiped out. The one thing called Logan could probably take them all out by himself. Controlling these creatures would be the only obstacle. They seem to want to think for themselves. Thinking is not for weapons to do.
Thomas scratched deeply at his wrist and then shook it. For some reason, the itch was irritating. The General shrugged it off again and turned around. Not much was going on here at Central Command, so he decided to see how efficiently the Medical facility was run. He turned and left the level and headed for what passed as an elevator.
Thomas scratched at his elbow through his jacket and then readjusted the lay of the coat. The itch was starting to bother him but he chose to ignore it and concentrate on his job. Maybe later, if it was still bothering him, he would see if the Chief Medical Officer would have something for him.
Cord Home World
Noon
Shadowcat and Iceman walked through the village of the Cordite people. The villagers would smile and nod at them as they passed. Some children were playing a game of what looked like Tag while their mothers' visited with each other. Some teenage males were gathered together and showing off their physical prowess. While some teenage girls giggled and whispered about who was the best and strongest.
One of the young men noticed Kitty and made a muscle for her. She smiled shyly and continued walking with Bobby. A couple of the girls noticed Bobby and the talk and giggling switched to about the stranger. You could hear the girls' quiet comments about how handsome the stranger was and how strange his black clothing was.
A small group of older men stood off to one side talking amongst themselves. They ignored Bobby and Kitty as they passed. Bobby heard one of the men say that maybe they should wait to make the sacrifice while another thought that waiting might bring down the wrath of their gods. Another man commented that cullings would happen again if they did not have a sacrifice soon.
Kitty and Bobby continued walking through the village as if they hadn't heard anything. They knew they needed to get the intel to Eagle/John as soon as possible. The two young people walked back passed the young men that were showing off their prowess and then headed for the building that Eagle and the others were at.
As they approached the building, Logan and Storm appeared from around another building. The two young mutants approached their leaders calmly even though they were anxious to tell them what they had overheard. Storm and Logan smiled at the two youngsters and moved to stand in front of them.
Storm asked, "Did you like the village?"
"It was interesting. It's really different than from back home," Shadowcat commented.
"It's like some of the Danger Room sessions where we're in a primitive area," Iceman pointed out.
"That's right and what do we always tell you before those sessions begin?"
"Keep your eyes and ears open as well as your other senses," both the young mutants answered.
"Good and did you do that?"
"Yes sir and we have a report," Shadowcat said very quietly. She spoke so only the four of them could hear what was being said.
"Let's find Eagle and you can give your report," Logan said. The other three nodded and the four headed off towards the meeting building.
As they walked, Ronon and Rodney McKay met them. McKay was disappointed that the energy readings he had gotten didn't pan out to be anything useful. Ronon seemed on edge for some reason.
"Nothing panned out. All readings I got appeared to be nothing. It just doesn't make sense. Let's hope Sheppard and Teyla made some headway . . .," Rodney complained as the two met up with The X-Men.
Ronon nodded at Logan and Storm as McKay rambled on. Logan could feel the tension coming off of Ronon as they walked through the village.
Ten minutes of walking through the village, saw the group arriving at the meeting building. It was non-descript with a thatch roof and rough clay walls. It was larger than the other buildings around it and at the door stood a guard. The man eyed the group suspiciously as they approached.
"No one may enter when a meeting is in session," the guard said as the Lantean entourage approached.
McKay went up to the guard and said, "If no one can enter then how do you get messages to the people in the meetings?"
"Messages can be sent but usually no one interrupts the meetings once they start. Messages are not needed."
"What if you were being attacked by the Wraith?"
"We never are, so why would the meeting be interrupted?"
Rodney looked at Ronon and then the others in the group. Teyla had said that they had been culled before and that they fought against being culled. If this man said that they are never attacked by the Wraith then something was very wrong in this village. They needed to get Sheppard and Teyla out of the meeting now.
Inside Meeting Building
Cord Home World
John Sheppard was a bit bored by the proceedings. After a lengthy greeting by Vancer within the meeting room, tea was served and a toast to their gods for a great and bountiful harvest. Then the negotiations began. Teyla offered what the Athosians usually offered and John offered medical supplies. Vancer agreed to both offers and then offered another toast in celebration of the agreement.
As the second toast was about to be drunk, John got a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. He looked at Teyla and slightly shook his head. They both pretended to drink from their cups and then faked passing out from their drinks.
Vancer was pleased that the drinks had worked on the two negotiators. They offered well but it was time for the sacrifice to their gods and the Wraith would not be denied. These two seemed to be strong and young and would feed the Wraith for quite a while. The gods would be pleased.
Vancer summoned his servants and four strong young men came in and picked up both Sheppard and Teyla. They drug them to the back and placed them on the floor. They bound their hands behind their backs and bound their feet and placed gags in their mouths. They checked their work and then left them lying on the floor.
John opened his eyes as soon as the four men left the room. John rolled to Teyla and started working on the ropes that bound her hands. He soon had her hands untied and she rolled over and undid his ropes. John quickly untied his legs and removed his gag. John stood and quietly walked over to the door and tried the handle. The door opened and John grinned at Teyla. He then led the way as the pair made their way to the main meeting hall door. They stood by the door and listened as Vancer spoke to someone.
"Yes my Lord, the sacrifices are ready for you. A male and female, both of great strength and young of age. They should please you greatly."
John couldn't hear what was said next but Vancer seemed contrite and promised to do better next time. Vancer seemed to be submissive to whoever he was talking to. John decided that he and Teyla weren't sacrifices for anyone. He called Rodney on his comm.
"McKay, this is Sheppard. Don't talk, just listen. Vancer thinks he has Teyla and I captured and we are going to be some sort of sacrifice. We're free but can't get out of the building accept by going through the main meeting hall. Vancer is in there right now. Can you guys give us a diversion so that Vancer will come out and we can get out of here?"
After a second, John heard a click of acknowledgement on his headset and nodded to Teyla to be ready. John continued to watch Vancer as he paced up and down in the meeting room. Soon his head popped up and he headed for the door.
As soon as Vancer stepped through the door, John and Teyla emerged. They headed for the outside door and paused when they heard a harsh wind blowing. John knew that Storm had created the wind to help them get out of the building. John cracked open the door and slipped out behind Vancer. Teyla soon joined him and together they approached Vancer from behind.
Outside Meeting Building
Cord Home World
Rodney was startled when his headset came to life and Sheppard started talking to him. He almost began speaking but actually remained quiet to hear all the instructions. He tapped his headset once to let Sheppard know that he had heard his request and then stepped back from the guard.
The others gathered round him and Rodney told them quietly what John had said. Storm nodded and stepped back from the group. With a thought, her eyes changed from blue to opaque and then a wind started blowing through the village. As time went, it got stronger and stronger.
People on the street, returned to their houses. As the winds increased, debris on the ground started to connect with walls of buildings. The wind increased again and the buildings began to creak with the pressure. Soon the roofs were shaking and buildings were threatening to come apart.
John stepped up behind Vancer and tapped him on the shoulder. Vancer turned and was totally shocked to see both him and Teyla freed from their captivity. John glanced over at Logan and nodded. Logan nodded back and went to stand with his team.
John looked back at Vancer and commented, "Funny how this wind came up, isn't it?"
"How did you escape?" Vancer asked.
"We were never drugged. Who are your masters?"
"The true gods, the Wraith. It is written that they shall come again and again and our people will be spared."
"And just why would the Wraith spare you? Because you give them food? Is that it?"
"You are an unbeliever, you would not understand."
"Oh, I understand alright." John looked out at his two teams and said, "We are out of here, guys. Let's go. Vancer, we're leaving and I would advise you not to try to stop us."
"We shall spread the word that you and your people are Wraith Worshippers and see how well you are received on other worlds," Teyla said as she left the porch of the meeting building.
"You cannot leave us, the Wraith are expecting their sacrifice. Without you, they will become angry and cull us."
John just turned his back and walked away from Vancer at a good clip. Rodney and Teyla followed him with Shadowcat and Iceman next followed by Storm. Ronon and Logan were on their six.
They were almost back at the Stargate when John's stomach started hurting again. John had them get to the tree line just as a Wraith Dart flew by. John let out a breath and then hurried everyone on to the 'gate.
Just as John told McKay to dial up Atlantis, an arrow sailed past Rodney's head. John, Teyla, and Ronon opened fire against whoever had shot at them and soon more arrows and spears were winging towards them. Iceman threw up an ice wall around McKay to protect him while he dialed home. Storm called up a storm with lightening directed at their attackers. Shadowcat phased so that the arrows and spears passed harmlessly through her. Logan stood his ground and waited for a ground attack.
The Stargate engaged and McKay sent his IDC through. He also radioed in that the team was coming in 'hot'. Rodney then yelled at Sheppard to get moving and then ran for the 'gate himself. Shadowcat and Iceman were next. Iceman reminded 'Cat not to phase while going through the 'gate.
John was dodging arrows just like in his Danger Room workouts. Ronon was firing his gun at random targets and being very accurate until he missed and that same target got a lucky shot off at John. John sensed it coming but couldn't avoid it. He took a graze to his right shoulder but he kept on firing his P-90 so that Storm and Teyla could get through the 'gate.
Logan ran up and grabbed John by the left arm and steered him to the 'gate. Ronon brought up the rear and all three men jumped through the 'gate. Logan picked himself and John up off the floor of the 'gate room and quickly checked where the arrow had grazed John.
John was breathing hard but had a grin on his face as he let Logan look at his arm. "Now that's what I call a mission."
"I agree Eagle, that was a mission. You're good; graze is clean just needs a bit of clean up, not even bad enough for a stitch."
Elizabeth and General O'Neill came at a rush down the stairs to the 'gate room floor.
"Is everyone alright? What happened, I thought this was a simple trade negotiation?"
"So did we but it turns out that the Cordite people are Wraith Worshippers and they give sacrifices so the Wraith don't cull them. Teyla and I were on the menu."
"And coming in 'hot'?"
"Guess they didn't take too kindly to us not wanting to be their sacrifice. As we were leaving, not only did they open fire on us with arrows and spears but a Wraith Dart came through the 'gate."
"Then you got out of there at the right time. Another address to remove from our database. Not too bad for a first mission but I see you couldn't come back without an injury," she said with a smile.
John looked down at his shoulder and shrugged. "Almost made it but Ronon missed a guy. Iceman did good though. He made an ice wall around McKay so that the arrows couldn't hit him."
"Well at least you all made it back in one piece. Go and see Carson for your post mission check and we'll have a debriefing in two hours."
John nodded and he and Logan left with the others that were already heading for the infirmary. Elizabeth shook her and turned to Jack. "I think John is going to give me grey hair before my time."
"George used to say that about SG-1 all the time but he was more in danger of losing all of his hair not just turning grey."
"For some reason, I remember SG-1 giving me fits too so I can understand where General Hammond was coming from. Let's get some coffee before Rodney drinks it all."
Infirmary
Atlantis Base
Thirteen Hundred Hours
Carson Beckett watched as The X-Men and SGA-1 filed in for their post-mission check. He spread them out among his people and then took John by the arm. He led John over to the first bed and patted it.
John hopped up on the bed and then looked at Carson and said, "I'm fine."
"I know that you have a high tolerance for pain Colonel but I'll be the judge if ye are fine or naught."
"Yes sir," John said quietly.
"Now, let's have a look at your shoulder," and Carson helped John off with his shirt and vest. Carson raised the sleeve of John's black t-shirt and proceeded to examine the arrow wound.
"Well, it looks clean except for a bit of cloth from your shirt. Just need to do a bit of cleaning and I can bandage it up. No need to put you on light duty for this wee thing."
"That's great Carson."
"Thought ye would like that. Now just a wee bit of clean up and ye'll be on your way."
Carson was thorough and the clean up took thirty minutes. John's arm would be sore but would not have a scar. Logan smiled as John sat patiently for Carson and Rodney moaned and groaned about wasting his precious time dealing with voodoo witch doctors.
Logan laid an arm on Rodney's shoulders and said, "It could have been worse, you could have taken an arrow in the butt."
Rodney paled and then glared at Logan. John had overheard the comment and started laughing. He told Logan that he would explain later.
John looked at Carson and asked, "Are you done or do I need something else?"
Carson smiled and lightly patted John on the shoulder. "Ye be ready. Be careful with it for the next day or so."
"Will do and thanks Carson."
Carson shook his head and smiled. He muttered, "If only father was like son. Hopefully he'll be back when the itching gets too much for him."
John heard the mutter and turned back to Carson. "What's wrong with the General, Doc?"
"Oh, he's picked up a rash. Nothing bad but I have a salve that will take the itch away. Only thing is, ye father is too stubborn to come get the salve. Says it will go away on its own. I know this rash and it only goes away with this salve. Hopefully, he'll come to me tonight so that the salve can start working. He is probably itching up a storm right now."
"This rash, where did he get it?"
"Probably got it from having his laundry done or he got to close to a plant down in Herbology. It's not life-threatening just really itchy and annoying. If he doesn't come to me in another hour or so, I'll go hunt him down and put the salve on meself. Not to worry, I'll take care of ye father. He won't suffer needlessly."
"Thanks Doc. Knew you looked out for us in the best way possible. See you later and thanks for looking out for the General."
"Not a problem lad. Now away with ye before Elizabeth comes looking for ye."
John smiled and then waved on his way out of the infirmary. Carson shook his head and thought about his upcoming debate with General Sheppard and how to persuade him to let the salve do its job. He got out two sets of gloves and made a call to Nick Straughan. He figured it would take both doctors to convince the General that the salve was needed.