Author's Note: I would like to thank my beta reader, Nika Dixon, for her guidance and her quick review of this chapter. Any mistakes here are purely my own.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Stargate Atlantis or the characters. The only thing that is mine are any original thoughts or characters that you may find here.
Jodz92: Thanks for your continued support. I hope you enjoy the new instalment.
Linda Gagne: Thanks. I agree that they would've made a nice couple especially with all those private balcony scenes they shared. I hope you keep reading to see how their relationship continues.
shepsgirl72: Thanks, aren't I mean to keep you waiting? Hopefully you enjoy it when all is revealed. But you need to be patient as there are still a few chapters to go before all is resolved.
And thank you to everyone else who has taken the time to leave a review. Now on with the adventure.
Chapter 14
Once through the stargate both jumpers immediately cloaked as a precaution. The gate was in orbit above the moon giving a good view of surrounding space on this half.
"Any Wraith?" asked Ronon.
Rodney checked the sensors and replied "No. Not on this side at least."
"Pity" replied Ronon.
Teyla gave Ronon a patient smile. Although they had extra weapons to defend themselves they really did not need an encounter with the Wraith right now.
"You'll get your turn." replied Sheppard as he opened communications with the second jumper. "Major, I want you to scout the other side of the moon for any activity. Wraith or otherwise and report back. We'll go down and locate the facility."
"Yes sir." replied the major before the second jumper broke away.
" I'm not picking up any energy signals from the moon." stated Rodney as he continued his scans of the moon as travelled towards the atmosphere. His fingers moved across the console before him as he adjusted the settings.
"Might the facility be shielded?" asked Teyla.
"No. If it was I should be able to pick up the energy signal of the shield."
"Maybe the Ancients just switched if off when they left." added Sheppard.
"Knowing our luck they left it running and it's depleted or the Wraith destroyed it." replied Rodney.
"That's what we're here to find out. So let's check it out."
As they neared the atmosphere it appeared filled with grey white clouds see obscuring what lay below. Sheppard guided the jumper down into the atmosphere relying on the ship's sensors to alert him to any dangers. Sheppard took the jumper down through the clouds to their first view of the surface below.
"There is a breathable atmosphere, a little thin maybe but sufficient to sustain human life and there aren't any life signs in the area." remarked Rodney from the co-pilot's seat. Teyla leaned forward and put her hand on the back of Sheppard's seat as she studied her first view of the moon.
"Did we not know that before we left Atlantis?" asked Teyla.
"Well… I wasn't completely sure." admitted Rodney ignoring the look from Sheppard. "The information in the database on this site was incomplete. I told you that."
"Rodney!"
"Well it was unlikely to be poisonous to humans if the Ancients had a research site here." replied Rodney.
Sheppard knew that Rodney was probably right but it still annoyed him. He too a deep breath and re-focused his thoughts. "Where's this facility?" asked Sheppard looking at the HUD details as he called up a view of the planet's surface.
Rodney scanned the image before pointing "There."
Sheppard took them in the direction indicated and brought them in low. "Are you sure that it's safe? There seems to be a lot of volcanic activity." remarked Sheppard as they flew over an area of bubbling mud.
"We should be fine for a few days." replied Rodney keeping his eyes on the view out the front and ignoring the glare that Sheppard was giving him.
Teyla hoped that Rodney was right. His confidence about the stability of ruins on PX3-M37 had been proven wrong and it hadn't been the first time either. There had been more than enough injuries lately and they could really make use of a new weapon against the Wraith. She longed to give her people a future without the threat of being culled like farm animals.
Shortly later the structure came into view on the horizon.
"It looks Ancient." commented Ronon.
"Was there any doubt?" queried Rodney.
"Let's concentrate on finding a landing spot that isn't full of boiling mud, shall we?"
Rodney examined the diagram before him and adjusted the settings before he indicated a spot to Sheppard. "There. That spot should be pretty solid."
"Should be?" asked Sheppard glancing over at Rodney before returning his attention to the view through the front.
"Semantics."
Sheppard brought the jumper down for a smooth landing in the spot indicated by Rodney. They were behind a shallow rise, a short distance away from the building.
"Okay guys let's move out." stated Sheppard as he shut down the power to the jumper. He picked up his weapon and attached it to his vest as he exited the jumper and looked at their surroundings. "We'll leave the equipment here and give the building a quick once over first."
Sheppard studied the building as they neared it. The building was similar in design to other Ancient architecture that they had encountered.
"It's small for a weapons research site." remarked Ronon.
"Oh and you have so much experience with those." replied Rodney "It probably extends below ground."
Sheppard stopped in front of what appeared to be the entrance. Rodney was busy studying his scanner and nearly walked into Sheppard. "Why are you stopping?"
Sheppard glanced behind at Rodney and replied "Just making sure that it's safe. You know, no hibernating Wraith, no imminent structural failures."
Rodney scowled "Are you still mad about that?"
Sheppard wasn't but he wasn't about to tell McKay that. He accepted the risks that came with what they were doing. He just wished that McKay wouldn't get quite so excited by a new scientific discovery that he became less observant about the other dangers around him putting himself and others at risk. Sheppard had seen the danger and just managed to push McKay out of the way before the roof had collapsed.
He turned his attention back to the entrance and ran his hand over the sensor but nothing happened. Rodney moved up beside the sensor. "Let me take a look." He slipped the cover off and re-arranged the crystals a few times. Each time with the same result. Nothing.
"It doesn't look like this place has any power left." announced Rodney.
"Let me." stated Ronon moving up to the door. Rodney moved out of the way as Ronon used his brute strength in a bid to open the door.
"That isn't going to work." stated Rodney just as Ronon managed to shift the door an inch. Sheppard added his muscles and between them they gradually pushed the door to one side far enough to let them through. Ronon just looked at Rodney until Rodney added "Okay so I was wrong." He looked away as Ronon smirked at his admission.
Sheppard turned on the light of his P-90 and shone it into the room illuminating the Ancient equipment. "Wait here, Rodney while I check it out. Teyla you're with me. Ronon make sure McKay stays put."
Rodney opened his mouth to complain but Sheppard had already stepped into the building. Teyla followed him in, her P-90 raised to light the way. She noticed Rodney's expression and added "It is for your own safety."
The first room was the size of the control room at Atlantis and contained several free-standing consoles. Sheppard and Teyla quickly cleared the room and made their way over to a doorway leading off to their right. Teyla moved to Sheppard's right so she could light the other side of the room. Together they swept their lights around the room to check for dangers before Sheppard stepped inside. This room contained no equipment. Instead it contained furnishings not unlike those found in Atlantis indicating that it was living quarters. Several doors led off from this room and they checked each of these only to have their thoughts confirmed. They found several bedrooms, bathrooms and what they assumed was a kitchen given the broken crockery scattered on the floor.
"There does not appear to be any weapons stored here." remarked Teyla as they made there way back to the main entrance.
"This may be just the research facility. I doubt they'd store any weapons next door to where they sleep."
They found Rodney still by the entrance waiting impatiently.
"Well?"
"It's safe Rodney. No structural flaws, no enemy in waiting and no weapons."
"What?" asked Rodney, his face not hiding the disappointment at one of their hopes being dashed so quickly.
"We did find their living quarters and some Ancient devices. Maybe these will lead you to the weapons or the power source that you mentioned." added Teyla.
Rodney stepped towards the entrance and followed Sheppard back into the building. He moved from one console to another using the light from Sheppard's weapon to try and determine the purpose of each unit. "I'm going to need power to work out what these devices do. Luckily I thought about this possibility and brought a Naquadah generator along."
"You brought everything along, McKay."
Rodney removed his backpack and removed his tools and started removing the cover from the first panel. Once done he then found the torch that he'd packed after their last off-world trip and started to examine the inner workings. Realising that Sheppard was still stood near him he turned and announced "You could make yourself useful and fetch the generator."
Sheppard shook his head before going on the errand. He found Ronon and Teyla outside.
"Rodney wants the generator."
"I'll fetch it." volunteered Ronon. "Beats standing around waiting for something to happen here."
"Bring back some extra power bars for McKay. We could be here a while." added Sheppard.
They were some distance from the nearest pool of bubbling mud but still they could smell its foul stench. The expression on her face was not a pleasant one. "This place smells of death." remarked Teyla.
"On the contrary." stated Rodney as he stepped outside to join them. "The volcanic activity provides the nutrients that will result in a forest growing here many years from now."
"It still smells bad" replied Sheppard.
"I agree" replied Rodney with a smile. "I need you to hold something for me, Colonel."
Sheppard sighed raising a smile from Teyla as he followed Rodney back into the building.
Ten minutes later Ronon had returned with the generator and Rodney was in the process of connecting it up to the Ancient consoles. Minutes later Sheppard's radio crackled to life and Major Williams voice emanated. "Colonel Sheppard?"
Sheppard tapped his earpiece and responded "Go ahead Major."
"We've checked the far-side of the moon and have found no sign of the Wraith or any other life-forms."
"Roger that. Return to the co-ordinates for the Ancient site. Sheppard out."
Sheppard looked over at Rodney to see that he was busy scrolling through screens on his datapad that was now connected to the Ancient device.
"Have you switched it on yet?" asked Sheppard.
"I'm working on it."
"Are you sure that you've connected that thing to the right console?"
"No." admitted Rodney reluctantly.
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Rodney had moved to his third console by the time Jumper Two arrived with the second team. Williams approached the Ronon and Teyla with his team.
"Sheppard's inside." indicated Ronon.
Williams nodded his acknowledgement and turned to his team. "Wait outside guys. Dr Johnson come with me. I'm sure McKay will appreciate the help."
"I'm not so sure." replied Dr Johnson as he followed his team leader into the building.
"How's it going, Colonel?" asked Williams.
"It isn't." sighed Sheppard "McKay is still trying to get the thing switched on." Sheppard glanced over to where McKay was buried within the machine, ignorant of the new arrivals. "Hey, McKay. Help has arrived."
Rodney pulled himself out of the equipment. "What?"
"Johnson's here." repeated Sheppard pointing in Johnson's direction. "Maybe he can work out how to switch this thing on."
"Very droll, Colonel. Johnson make yourself useful and start looking at that console in the corner. One of these has to control the main power supply. Once we identify it then I can connect the generator to it."
Sheppard stepped over to William's side and said "Keep an eye on them and make sure they don't blow themselves up. I need some fresh air."
"Yes sir."
Sheppard was used to keeping watch while the scientists spent hours doing their work. It was boring but he preferred it. Ronon on the other hand was growing more restless he noticed as he approached from the building. "How much longer must we wait?"
"Patience." replied Sheppard.
"Is it not time to check in with Atlantis?" remarked Teyla.
Sheppard checked his watch and nodded. "You're right." He could see she was bored as well but she managed it better than Ronon. "I'll be back in a little while. Make sure Ronon doesn't feel tempted to start shooting things to alleviate his boredom."
"I'll try." replied Teyla with a smile.
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A few more hours later the sun had set when Sheppard went to check on Rodney and the other scientist. He found Rodney looking rather despondent as he stared at the screen of his laptop.
"What's the matter?" asked Sheppard.
"It's a bust." replied Rodney.
"What?"
"The data here indicates that they couldn't make the mineral stable enough for use as a weapon." explained Rodney
Sheppard shared McKay's disappointment. Dr Johnson was sat over the screen of another laptop and suddenly sat upright, pushing his glasses up his nose. Sheppard saw his reaction and turned towards him.
"I have something."
Rodney moved over to Johnson's laptop and looked at what was on the screen. Sheppard joined them and saw an outline image of a device.
"What is it?" asked Sheppard
Rodney skimmed through the technical data. "This is the power source that I was looking for."
"Where is it? I didn't see anything like that around here." remarks Sheppard.
Rodney pulls up a map on the screen and looks at Sheppard. "It isn't on this moon. It's on a planet three hours away."
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Sheppard sat in the cockpit of the jumper talking to Weir. Rodney sat next to him with an anxious look on his face.
"Why did they put the power source on another planet?" asks Weir.
"I've no idea." replied Rodney
"Okay go check it out but Rodney, don't get carried away with this."
"We'll spend the night here and head out in the morning. We'll be too far from the gate to report in from the planet." stated Sheppard knowing Elizabeth wouldn't like them being out of contact for too long but the potential reward was worth the risk. He knew he was right when she didn't say anything for a moment. Knew she was thinking of the encounter with the Uberwraith that had resulted in the death of Gaul and Abrams and could've ended his own and Rodney's death. He had to stop her from dwelling on that incident. "We'll be fine. We have two jumpers and plenty of fire power."
"You'd go even if you didn't. Okay report in this time tomorrow. And Colonel?"
"Yes?"
"Stay safe." replied Weir "You too, Rodney."
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Weir broke the connection with Sheppard. She was disappointed that the hope of finding a weapon appeared to be lost. She knew that John would also be disappointed. It was his job to defend Atlantis from the Wraith and he had limited options to use against them. She could see the burden he carried and though he often acted as though its weight wasn't crushing she seen those moments of self doubt when he'd been unaware that anyone was watching him. She really hoped for his sake that the power source wouldn't turn out to be a bust as well. For all their sakes really.
She broke from her reverie and headed out of the control room with the intention of trying to get some sleep. It was late and all but the night crew had already gone to bed hours ago.
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They decided to use the Ancient sleeping quarters for themselves. Each room held two beds giving them 6 beds in total. Sheppard took first watch with Teyla. Their watch passed slowly and uneventfully. Sheppard went inside one of the bedrooms to find Rodney still sat up hunched over his laptop reading what was on the screen.
"You really should get some sleep, Rodney." advised Sheppard as he woke Ronon for his watch.
"I'm not tired. Besides I only need a few hours sleep to be fully functional."
Sheppard shook his head and dropped down onto the bed Ronon had vacated. It had been a long day and tomorrow was likely to be just as long. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the sounds of McKay tapping on his datapad. Within minutes he was asleep.
Rodney continued to examine the information he'd downloaded from the ancient machine to his datapad with growing excitement. This discovery could be the answer to all of their problems. He looked over at Sheppard's sleeping form and could just make out his outline by the door by the light that leaked from his datapad. He knew that Sheppard still blamed himself for waking the Wraith and for triggering the homing beacon that Teyla had worn as a necklace. He really wanted to find something that would help protect Atlantis and make his friend's life a little easier.
He climbed off the bed and made his way towards the door, trying to find his way in the dark. He misjudged the length of the beds and walked into the end of Sheppard's bed waking him.
"McKay?"
"Sorry."
"What are you doing up?" asked Sheppard as he rolled over to face the direction the voice had come from in the dark.
"Bathroom." replied Rodney knowing Sheppard wouldn't like the real answer. "Go back to sleep, Sheppard."
Sheppard leaned back and closed his eyes again taking Rodney at his word. Rodney continued out of the room and found his way carefully to the room with the Ancient devices. He connected his datapad and started searching for more information that may be of use to them. He started downloading as much as he could fit onto his PC after making some changes to his compression algorithm to improve its efficiency.
When he'd completed the download he returned to his room and started to scroll through the additional details. He didn't realize he'd started mumbling to himself until a grumpy voice emanated from the next bed.
"Will you shut up and go to sleep, McKay"
Rodney looked across at Sheppard's bed in surprise. "What?"
"You've been talking to yourself for the last half hour."
"Sorry" replied Rodney deciding maybe it was time to get some sleep himself as he yawned for the first time that night.
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Next morning Teyla awoke early with the sunrise and felt refreshed and invigorated. She got up and went outside to find Sheppard was already up and was quietly packing their gear ready to take back to the jumper. Rodney was sat at his laptop reading something. Teyla went over to Sheppard. "You look like you did not sleep well."
"I didn't thanks to Rodney's insomnia. We'll be ready to leave in thirty minutes, wake the others."
TBC
A/N: Is all hope of finding a weapon truly lost? Will the search for the power source be a bust? They haven't encountered the Wraith yet but they are not safely back on Atlantis yet. Anything can happen (it's fiction after all) and it probably will. You'll just have to keep reading and sending in those reviews to feed my imagination. The only secret I will reveal is that there is whump in Sheppard's future and it is getting closer. Now if you like this chapter then just push that little button at the bottom of the page and leave a review or just say hello.