When Mitchell returns to the infirmary after lunch, he is surprised to see Sheppard sitting by Simmon's bed. The marine is restless and caught in a fever nightmare. Mitchell notices the Colonel's report sitting completed in a folder on the side table.
Sheppard waves toward the folder, "Beckett wouldn't let me type, so I had to dictate the whole thing. Damn unprofessional."
"Right… unprofessional, this coming from a guy who decided to test an alien shield device by throwing someone off a balcony?" teases Mitchell.
"Yeah, well, it's the principle of the thing," the Atlantis Commander stubbornly insists.
But Sheppard's heart obviously isn't in the conversation, or he would have been having much more fun at McKay's expense. Instead, he looks distracted with concern for Simmons.
Mitchell grabs the report off the table, "Well, thanks to your stunt this morning, I've earned myself Weir's special attention, and a seat at the debriefing this afternoon… Gotta run."
Mitchell is secretly relieved. Not only did Sheppard finish his report ahead of schedule, but he hadn't even needed to play watchdog. With extra time on his hands, he decides to read through the mission summary before heading directly to Weir's office. Mitchell swings by his temporary quarters, dropping the paperwork onto his neatly made bed.
He is immediately impressed by the well-written and direct introduction, which clearly lays out the mission objectives and the intel gathered. However, it's the proceeding description of the chain of events, which stops Mitchell cold. Throughout this section, Sheppard praises the courage and skills of his men. He highlights the actions of specific soldiers, barely mentioning his own responses. The report focuses instead on condemning the enemy's tactics. Most disturbingly, while Simmon's ordeal is laid out in grim detail, his own critical injuries are barely a footnote.
Mitchell is suddenly angry and is disgusted to catch himself agreeing with McKay. He remembers the scientist's upset words two nights before-- "I mean really, who acts like a human shield in a warzone, throws a guy over his shoulder, and then stands around calmly neglecting to mention that he's bleeding internally." With ice in his stomach, he also recalls the catchword McKay used to taunt Sheppard in the infirmary: 'expendable'.
As a career military officer, Mitchell understands sacrifice and admires humility, but he has no tolerance for anyone that disregards his own life or value. He rages around the corner and into Weir's office, mentally unable to form any response more rational than "What in the hell is this bullshit?!"
Fortunately, before he has the opportunity to regress into swear words in front of the Expedition Leader, Weir stops him with a raised hand. She sees the report in his hand, and doesn't seem surprised by his reaction. She looks down at her watch calmly, while Mitchell stands huffing by her desk.
Raising her eyes to meet his gaze, Dr. Weir firmly reasons, "Before making any comments on that report you're holding, I'd like you to listen to this mission debriefing. We don't have time right now, but if you still have objections later, I would be happy to hear them after the meeting. "
Mitchell nods reluctantly in agreement and the two walk silently into the Conference Room.
Weir takes a seat at the head of the table, facing the room of wounded and edgy men, "I've already been briefed by the uninjured members of the team who remained behind with Colonel Sheppard. I'd now like to hear your account of what occurred on M3-559."
The others look down the table, deferring to a slightly older man seated opposite Weir. He begins, "As you already know, eleven of us departed for the planet six days ago, expecting a standard trade mission. After three days of successful negotiations at the Meruicans' chosen location, they invited us back to their village to celebrate."
A blonde marine with a dark wide bruise across his cheek breaks in, "Colonel Sheppard was suspicious. He told their leader he needed to return to inform you personally of our success. He then split the team into two groups. The Colonel took the newbies and pretended to leave."
A third soldier adds with a bitter snort, "We thought Colonel Sheppard was just being paranoid. Five of us went back to their village, laughing about the feast the other guys would be missing out on. The Merucians must have slipped something into our food, because next thing we woke up chained in the main square. Over the next few hours, we were beaten, spat at, and ridiculed."
With a burst of venom, the youngest team member adds, "Yeah. They got such a kick out of riling us that they started bragging all about their agreement with the Wraith. These psychos actually flaunted their work as spies for one of the Wraith splinter groups. They couldn't wait to tell us that a Cruiser was on its way. But we also overheard other nervous conversations, and learned that the Wraith are starting distrust the Merucians; so they're getting desperate."
The first man to speak resumes, "They were planning to take us one by one for interrogation. Simmons was grabbed at random…. Doctor Beckett might be able to tell you what he went through… All I knew was that these guys were serious. Considering the public treatment, I certainly didn't want any special attention. It was while they moved Simmons that Colonel Sheppard was able to make contact. I almost didn't notice him in the hooded cassock, but he took advantage of the distraction to sneak right up to where we were held. We warned him that the wraith would be arriving and admitted that most of us weren't in the best shape to escape."
From the furthest chair, a Ginger-haired soldier with a split lip speaks for first time, "..But you know the Colonel….. About an hour later, I spotted his signal from the rise above the village. I prepared myself for the attack, and was so focused on listening for gunshots, that I almost missed the steady disappearance of guards. Then I caught the scrape of gravel, and watched as the guy who'd slugged me slid to the ground with a snapped neck. Within minutes, we were flanked by the rest of our guys, carrying keys to the shackles. We realized Colonel Sheppard was taking care of the guards, and had assigned a man each to help us back to the gate. Thompson was charged with standing watch."
The youngest member continues his blunt recital of the events, "The plan was going to well until Thompson was forced to take a shot. From there we had to fight our way out, and it got pretty crazy. There was a sudden break in the fire and Colonel Sheppard ordered us to the gate. That's when he announced he was going back for Simmons. None of us liked it, but I could tell from the cold rage in his eyes that no one could change his mind. We'd had a rough time getting out, and I didn't want to think of the odds going back…. I couldn't believe it when I saw the Colonel coming over the rise with Simmons over his back. Like the rest of us, they both looked like hell, but he carried him all the way back to gate. He never let on that he was hurt and we're all still shocked by the injuries he took. But, if you'll excuse my language ma'am, I damn well know that none of us would be sitting here without him."
The fiercely spoken words hang above them in the silent room.
Weir pauses before cautiously agreeing, "I am grateful that your entire team made it home against tremendous odds, and wish we could take time to celebrate this achievement. Unfortunately, I am responsible for the safety of all members of Atlantis, and need to focus immediately on the potential outcomes of this new threat.
The blonde marine flushes before responding, "If you're asking what information the Merucians have on Atlantis and Earth, I can guarantee that no one in this room told them anything… I don't know about Simmons. But, he's a strong man and a fighter. We'll just have to wait until he wakes up to know for sure."
Weir nods before closing the meeting, "Thank you all."
Once the men leave, the mask that she's been wearing since before the de-briefing crumbles. Mitchell understands; his earlier anger is exhausted and he now feels tired and confused.
Weir turns to Mitchell with a shaky voice, "There are times that I agree with you, and want to bash John's head in frustration! … But, he is very good at his job. He stands by his commitment to never leave any of his men behind, and would do absolutely anything to protect this City… Yes, I want to kill him for the risks he takes with his own life. But despite what McKay says, he does not have a death wish. In the end, the worry and heartache are worth it. And in case you couldn't tell, his men would walk through fire for him."
Mitchell has nothing to say. He clumsily rises from the table and walks slowly back to the infirmary deep in thought.