She awoke to a vicious headache. Pushing past the pain she forced her eyes open, blinking several times before the room came into focus. It took a moment to remember what had happened, and then it was all too clear. The attack had come from behind. With a heavy heart she rose from the bed and staggered to her desk, retrieving her spare sidearm. She didn't understand why Miryana had attacked her, but intended to find out.
Teyla went to the door, growing frustrated when it failed to open. She tried several times on the control panel, yet it stubbornly remained closed. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, recalling a conversation she had had with McKay several months ago. He had explained how to open the control panel and shift the crystals in case the door had to be manually opened. Thankfully she had paid attention to that lecture.
Five minutes later she was making her way down the hall, concerned by the lack of people. Where was everyone? What had happened while she had been unconscious? She hurried to the gateroom, knowing she would find some answers there. What she didn't expect to find was a group of four marines waiting for her with raised weapons.
"Teyla!" The woman slowly lowered her raised hands as Major Lorne hurried down to meet with her. "Sorry, we didn't know it was you. We thought it was Miryana." Taking a second look at her he asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
"I am fine," she stated. No point in mentioning a headache she couldn't do anything about. "Just confused. Why would you raise weapons against Miryana?" He was startled by her question.
"You don't know?" She shook her head slowly. "Come with me." He led her back up to the main control area and indicated the screen. "We thought you might've been Miryana since yours was a single life sign. We know groups of three represent our own patrols." Seeing her confused look he let out a sigh. "I don't know an easy way of telling you this, but Miryana is half Wraith."
Lorne went on to explain everything they had learned so far, including the recent attack on Ronon's patrol and the current loss of Miryana's signal. Teyla listened in silence, her heart unwilling to believe Miryana was capable of such evil, yet knowing the young major was speaking the truth. Had she felt a connection to the girl because they both shared Wraith DNA? How much of Miryana was still human?
"Where was she last seen?" she asked when he had finished.
"The signal faded around here," he stated, indicating one of the lower science levels. "Sheppard and the other teams were tracking her with the handheld life sign detectors. They've been more successful than the main system, for some reason." Teyla nodded absently, studying the screen. She and Miryana had toured the city, the young girl insisting on stopping and questioning the scientists in every lab they passed. She had though it was plain curiosity at the time, but now had a feeling it had been for another purpose.
"Major Lorne, you need to send guards to secure these rooms," she stated, indicating three different rooms. "Miryana had showed interested in those projects, all which dealt with power. If she was going to cause damage to Atlantis, this would be the place." The solider nodded and activated his radio.
"Colonel Sheppard? Teyla believes Miryana may be going to sabotage several of the labs on science level six in the fifth wing. I advise sending several teams to secure the area."
"Granted. We'll head down there as well… did you say Teyla? Is she okay?"
"Yes sir. Hold on." Lorne retrieved a second radio and handed it to Teyla. "He asked if you were okay," he informed her.
"I am fine, Colonel Sheppard," she stated.
"What happened?"
"I believe Miryana struck me as I was leaving the room. I awoke on the bed only several minutes ago. Major Lorne has informed me of what has been happening."
"Teyla … I'm sorry."
"Now is not the time Colonel. Stopping Miryana before she can cause any major damage must come first. I am leaving now to join you." As she headed back down the stairs Lorne called out, "Teyla wait. At least let two of my men accompany you."
"No," she answered, turning to face him. "They should remain here in case I am wrong." He read something else in her eyes, but said nothing. He nodded to her and she turned once more, setting off to stop the young girl she had grown to love as her own. What she heard next on the radio made her run even faster.
ooOoo
"McKay!"
Sheppard's nearly yelling voice startled McKay out from his reading. With a grumble of frustration he clicked his radio. "What?" he asked in an annoyed tone. "Some of us are a little busy."
"What are you researching on science level six in the fifth wing?"
"Level six, fifth wing?" McKay looked up from the screen, a look of puzzlement on his face. Why would Sheppard be curious about that area?
"Yes. Teyla said it had something to do with power?"
"Simply put, yes. Several teams are in a developmental stage of trying to increase the power output of our standard naquadah generators by introducing some of the unique elements that have been discovered in the Pegasus galaxy. It's actually quite interesting since…"
"Look, it doesn't matter," Sheppard cut in.
"Then why did you ask?" he demanded in frustration.
"Because it looks like Miryana might be heading that way."
For a moment McKay was frozen as the words sunk in. Then he was moving, grabbing his laptop and making a dash for the door and out into the hall. Ula had already moved to follow, and with a startled look to each other, the two soldiers followed as well.
"McKay?" Sheppard asked, concern in his voice. "Still there?"
"Of course I'm still here!" he yelled back, rounding the corner and entering the transporter. His frustration grew as he was forced to wait a few moments for the soldiers to enter. "We need to get to those labs and shut down the programs immediately. We've already discovered a few elements that could potentially work as a catalyst in building up the power, but in every test it had to be removed due to a massive surge of power."
"So if the element is left in the generator for too long…"
"The resulting explosion will be powerful enough to take out the entire city – and a fair size chunk of the planet as well."