Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis and its characters belong to their appropriate proprietors, creators and owners. No copyright infringement is intended. This story was created for entertainment purposes only. No profit has been made from this. Only original characters and storyline belong to the author.
Title: Uncommon Alliance
by Stargalaxy
Chapter 35
Rogunie suddenly reached across the small table and grabbed Sheppard by the tuft of his hair, pulling him forward to face him. "You're lying!" he gritted harshly. "Sure, you're unwell, anyone in their right minds can see that, but you're hardly dying. I understand that Atlantis has a Wraith here that's keeping you alive. Interesting won't you say? I believe that you have some trick up your sleeve and I'm going to find out what it is."
But this time Sheppard was ready for him and he instinctively reacted. He knew that he had to act fast before his strength failed him. The stimulant that Beckett had given him was helping him in addition to his body's adrenalin surge. He twisted himself free, swung his arms backwards and lunged forward, swinging both cuffed hands like a barrelling fist straight into the left side of the IOA representative's face. As his fists connected with Rogunie's face he saw a tooth go flying from the IOA's mouth at the impact. The punch also sent Rogunie tumbling backwards into his chair which unbalanced the chair sending it slamming loudly onto the floor with the IOA agent still in it, legs flailing in the air.
Ignoring Rogunie now, Sheppard made a run towards the door, hoping to remove the strange alien device there, forgetting what the IOA representative told him about it. However, as soon as his fingers touched it, it gave out a loud warning buzz and an energy beam ran up his arms and coursed through his entire body. An instant later, Sheppard found himself flying backwards to hit the cold floor hard before darkness enfolded him and he knew nothing more.
---
"Dammit! How in the world did you allow this to happen?!" McKay ranted. "I leave you guys alone to watch the interrogation and you allowed Sheppard to be locked in the room with that psycho?!"
McKay then looked at the burnt wires of the door's control panel and stared at them in aghast. "And what the hell happened here?"
"I shot it when the door refused to open," explained the Satedan.
Rodney turned a flustered pink face to glare at his team mate. "You did what?! Oh, just brilliant! I'm living with idiots!" He rolled his eyes and waved his hands in the air in exasperation.
"Calm down, McKay, I would have done the same thing," Caldwell replied coming to Ronon's defence.
"Calm down?! You're asking me to calm down?! Sheppard might be dying in there and you're asking me to calm down? Besides shooting the door panel only works in the movies, if we shoot at the control panel, it probably damages it further thereby not allowing me to figure out a way to fix the damn thing!"
"So, what can we do, Rodney?" Teyla asked, her voice displaying her concern.
"And panicking now isn't going to help Sheppard out either," Caldwell added.
"What?! I'll have you know…" McKay lifted his head to argue back when Teyla spoke up again, placing a reassuring hand on the agitated scientist's shoulder.
"Colonel Caldwell's correct, Rodney. Do what you can, every moment counts. I have faith in your ability and John is counting on us to help him." Her calm voice and reassuring manner had the desired effect on the scientist.
"Right, right," McKay replied as he turned his attention back to the control panel, scowling at it. "First, I'll have to fix the damage and then figure it out from there."
"Hurry, Rodney! Oh God, John just tried to make a break for it. He punched Rogunie and tried to remove the device on the door, but it emanated a bright light that flung him half way across the room." Weir's worried voice informed them.
"Is he injured?" Caldwell asked in concern, as he watched the Satedan aim a violent kick at the door, cursing loudly at the same time. It was followed quickly by a fist slamming hard on said door in angry frustration.
"Rogunie is a dead man!" Dex growled.
"Don't know but he's not moving, I think he might be stunned. Rodney, you need to hurry!" Weir added.
"Additional pressure NOT helping!" McKay yelled back into his radio, his face red with worry and frustration.
---
Sheppard seemed to float in some strange white clouds.
"This is different... Am I dead?" he silently wondered.
"Ah, no, I brought you here, Sheppard," came Lf'wyne's disembodied voice in the world of clouds.
"So, no golden wheat field this time?" he asked, trying to see through the floating white mists.
The Wraith chuckled. A shadowy form slowly revealed itself and he saw his Wraith friend approaching him. "I sensed your pain, Sheppard. Why are you not at our meeting place? This is the third day, soon I must go."
"What?" Sheppard frowned. That didn't make sense; he had assumed that perhaps a day had passed since he had received the message about the meeting. As he tried to figure it all out, he recalled that he hadn't actually asked his team how long he had slept after he awoke. The IOA representative's arrival had distracted him and he had made an assumption when he shouldn't have. He now realised that his mistake could cost him his life.
"Crap!" he whispered in frustration, knowing that the odds were stacking up against him. "Listen, can you wait for me a little longer?" He didn't really want to go into any details.
The Wraith frowned. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No, just be there when I get there, okay?"
He felt the reptilian eyes scrutinising him further before looking disturbed. "Alas, I cannot give you my word this time, Sheppard. My Hive waits for me and I have already waited here for three days. If my Hive Queen requests for my return, I cannot disobey her. Already, she was more than generous to allow me to do leave on this quest even though I have not informed her of my purpose. I told her that it was a personal matter. I have not told her about you, Sheppard, only about the outcome of my mission." Lf'wyne paused as it looked at Sheppard once again, before almost seeming to sigh. "I shall be here, Sheppard, but if I am called, I must go."
Sheppard understood before nodding. "I understand. Wait as long as you can, Lf'wyne. I'll be there."
Lf'wyne smiled. "I hope you are right, my brother."
"Hey, come on, don't be so negative!"
The Wraith widened its smile. "Ah, so you keep telling me, Sheppard." However, its eyes narrowed as it scrutinised Sheppard further. "But I sense that you are in great pain, your condition deteriorates. You must go now Sheppard - otherwise you may not have enough strength to get to our meeting place."
Sheppard breathed a halting breath and nodded. "Yeah, I know."
He closed his eyes and felt himself being pulled back to another world far away, a floating City in the sea...
---
Sheppard returned to consciousness in phrases. Sight returned first before sound. Opening his eyes, he stared up at the ceiling above him wondering where he was. Everything felt numb and he knew that he had been stunned. He couldn't move much, so he stared up at the cream-white ceiling ahead, noticing a square iron barred shaft a few paces to the left from where he was lying. He knew that it was one of the many air ducts providing fresh air to the isolation ward and to other areas in Atlantis.
Looking at it, he observed movement inside it and to his surprise saw a pair of beady eyes blinking down at him. He stared at it, wondering why the ventilation shaft had eyes. It took his confused mind a moment to recognise that the pair of eyes actually belonged to Snacks. It must be scurrying about in Atlantis' air ventilation system. He marvelled at how it got up there in the first place, but figured that it must have escaped from Rodney's care and come looking for him. He wondered how it knew that he was in trouble. Perhaps it had more dog-like instincts instead of a cat, for some canines had the uncanny ability to sense whenever their owners were in trouble or when danger was present. He always preferred dogs to cats anyway, and the thought pleased him. However, thinking about danger, reminded him of his current predicament and memory of what happened returned harshly. He remembered being hit by whatever shield that emanated from that alien device. His ears were still ringing and he was feeling quite disoriented from the stun that he had received. He would have never imagined how something so small could pack such a punch.
From centre of the room, he heard the sound of amused laughter. Forcing himself to turn his aching head, he saw the blurred image of Rogunie brushing off the dirt and wrinkles from his pinstripe suit. From the IOA representative's actions, he deduced that not much time had actually passed in the real world. The dream he had of Lf'wyne must have taken but a few heartbeats in real time. The stun he received must have not knocked him out for long, which he supposed was a good thing.
"I told you Sheppard, weren't you listening? That device has been imprinted to my DNA; it wouldn't work for anyone else. Anyone foolish enough to try to remove it leads to … well, you've experience its effects first hand." Gone was Rogunie's calm demeanour. The look that that the burly man shot at him was not comforting.
Rogunie fingered his broken front tooth and frowned darkly. He did not look happy at loosing a tooth. Blazing blue eyes glared his way again. "Oh, you're so going to regret this, John. Do you know how hard it is to have perfect teeth?"
"I think the new look s-suits you…" Sheppard groaned out weakly, trying to get up now but finding that his limps still refused to work properly. He could only turn his head at the moment. From previous experience of being stunned, he knew that the numbness wouldn't last. He was already starting to feel the pins and needles sensation; he just had to wait a while then he'll have more command over his body.
"You do know that that mouth of yours will get you into trouble one day, don't you, John?" Rogunie replied as he sat up, getting ready to rise. "Well, looks like it's your lucky day, cos that day has finally arrived. I have been given every authority to get the information out from you using any means possible. And after the stun that you just pulled I would say that I have sufficient excuse for the action I'm about to take."
Rogunie was now showing his true colours - no longer hiding under polite words. The threat that he gave Sheppard was blatantly obvious.
"I didn't think the IOA s-sanctioned torture," Sheppard stated, he could not believe what he was hearing. This had to be some sick joke. Would the IOA go so far as to resort to torture? Even Sheppard found that a little extreme and difficult to believe. After all, they were all on the same side here. Had he just survived torture in the hands of the wraith only to be tortured by the IOA?
"Perhaps not, but then let's say that I represent the interest of another party that is very interested in seeing you hung up to dry, John. We prefer to elect one of our own to be in charge of Atlantis' military contingent."
The pins and needles sensation over Sheppard's body was increasing. The stun he had received was a mild one; he knew that he would be able to move soon.
"I don't b-believe that Caldwell is working for you." Sheppard frowned.
"Oh, he isn't. But his actions, you might say, are a little more predictable than yours, Sheppard. Besides, his role as military commander of Atlantis will be temporary and he'll be assigned back to the Daedalus once we get one of our own people to take over your role. You see, John, there are many people on Earth who are not happy that you are the military leader of this expedition. But tsk, tsk, now we're diverting off topic. Let's just say that once you find yourself rotting somewhere in a cell back on Earth, we'll arrange for a little 'accident'. After all, you have the Ancient gene, John. Think about the amazing things we could learn from your body."
Everything was out in the open now. "So, you work f-for the Trust?"
"The Trust does have an interest in this." Rogunie replied smoothly as he stood up.
"I'll never a-admit guilt," Sheppard stated again.
Rogunie shrugged as he approached his prisoner closer. "That's too bad. Because it would have made things so much easier for you. Now I'll have to resort to harsher methods and I'm afraid that the results will be much more painful for you. You see, if you're in a coma, you can't serve aboard Atlantis can you now, hmm?"
Sheppard found that he could move again, which was a small blessing because right now, he knew that he needed to get his ass out of there pronto. Looking up at the observation window, he saw Weir's form looking down at him in concern. From the noises outside, he knew that his team was trying to get to him; he just needed to hang on long enough until help arrived.
"What the hell?!" he heard Rogunie suddenly say.
Turning back to look at the blond haired man, he was surprised to find Rogunie rubbing and slapping at wet sizzling spots that was ruining his perfectly laundered suit. In fact he was also rubbing at his hair and face quite frantically. There was a soft hissing sound above him and Sheppard suddenly realised that Rogunie was standing directly under Snacks. Currently, the Talmera was doing an impressive spitting job at the man below it. Startled, Rogunie scrambled away from the ventilation shaft above him and out range of the little Talmera's acid spits, before looking upwards at the Snacks in shock.
"What the hell is that?!" he gasped out while rubbing his face and hair with a hankerchief before moving the cloth to his now ruined suit.
Sheppard couldn't stop the chuckle from forming. When Rogunie glared at him, he remembered the Satedan's words and stated, "That Snacks and it spits!"
Rogunie's eyes narrowed and Sheppard knew that he was in serious trouble when he saw the rage building in the man. Rogunie next words confirmed it as much.
"That's it, Sheppard, no more games. I am going to end this now!"
---
"Rodney, how's it going?" Weir's urgent voice suddenly came over the radio.
"Less interruptions would be good!" McKay voiced out his irritation while still frantically trying to fix the door's panel and get it to open.
"Elizabeth, how is John?" Teyla asked as she activated her radio, clearly worried about what was happening in the room beyond.
"John seems to be waking up now," Weir's voice informed them.
"That is good news," Teyla observed with a relieved smile.
"Yes, but wait… Rogunie's approaching him; he appears to be speaking to John." There was a pause, then, "Oh, now that's strange…."
"What? What's strange?" McKay asked, temporary looking up from what he was doing.
"Rogunie, he's jumping about, slapping himself as if there's something dripping on him. Wait, I see wet smoky spots on his suit. Oh, I think it's something leaking from the ventilation shaft above him... I can't see what it is from where I am."
McKay paused and tapped his earpiece. "Elizabeth, did you say ventilation shaft?" he asked wide eyed. No, it couldn't be could it?
"Yes, whatever it is, it's ruining Rogunie's suit, almost like acid drops or something."
"Oh god, Snacks!" he gasped out, feeling something akin to hope flaring.
"Excuse me?" Caldwell asked in puzzlement.
"Snacks? I thought you got it locked up securely in your quarters, Rodney." Weir stated a little exasperatedly.
"Yes, well… err…, I took the little critter with me to my lab as I didn't want it to be lonely and well, it kinda escaped. But… whoa!" he suddenly snapped his fingers, "I got it! It must have somehow sensed that Sheppard was in trouble and tried to go and help him."
"Will someone please tell me who or what the hell is Snacks?!" Caldwell demanded getting a little impatient now. Teyla placed a hand on his forearm and said, "It is a long story, Colonel Caldwell. We will explain it to you later."
Dex in the meantime paused from trying to break down the metal door. A slow grin formed on his face as he turned to look at McKay and the others. "I think I like Snacks," he muttered. "Acid spits and all."
"Yes! Yes!" McKay stated, beaming widely now, "It must be Snacks spitting at our friend Rogunie! Ha! Serve that SOB right!"
"Well, whatever it is, it's seemed to have gotten Rogunie pretty riled up." Weir's voice sounded more concerned. "Is that door ready to be opened yet, Rodney? I don't like how that madman is eyeballing John."
McKay suddenly realised that he had paused in what he was doing. He turned back and began to work frantically at the damaged control panel again. "I might be a genius here, but I'm not superman! Listen, why can't Snacks get out of the ventilation shaft? Its acid spits might be able to buy us more time!"
There was a pause and McKay heard typing sounds over his earpiece as if Elizabeth was accessing the schematics of Atlantis, then, "It can't as according to what I'm reading here, it has thick iron bars surrounding the shaft. They're placed closer together than the rest of our less-secured ventilation tunnels. They're too small for Snacks to get through them."
"Damn it!" McKay cursed, his mind trying to think up of another plan. "I don't think I'll be able to get the panel door open for a while yet, and by then it might be too late for Sheppard. We have to come up with another plan."
"What about using Daedalus?" Caldwell stated suddenly.
An idea formed and McKay's eyes widened when he saw what the Daedalus commander was getting at. "Yes, yes! Wait, it is fixed?" At Caldwell's nod, he stared at the man in exasperation. "Dammit! Why didn't we think of this before?!"
Caldwell bit his bottom lip and shook his head as he activated his radio and said urgently, "I need to speak to Hermiod."
---
With a force of will, Sheppard somehow managed to get his half stunned body moving sluggishly again. He found himself back on his feet with the wall behind him supporting his back. He still felt woozy and every inch of his body was still tingling as a result of the stun blast that he had received from the small alien device attached to the door.
He did not think he had strength to stand up against Rogunie but he knew that he had to try. Overhead, he heard Snacks chirping in agitation as it tried in vain to squeeze its way through the bars of the ventilation shaft but couldn't.
---
"Say good bye, John," Rogunie uttered as he came at the colonel at a run, his hand bunched into a tight fist swinging it back and aiming for the side of Sheppard's temple. He put all his force into it and intended the blow to be a crippling one, perhaps one that would be enough to cause brain damage and sent Sheppard into a coma.
However, before he reached Sheppard, a white light enveloped the colonel's entire form. It happened too fast and he could not stop his forward momentum in time before his fist slammed violently onto the wall where Sheppard had been in standing a heartbeat ago. Pain exploded as he heard the sound of breaking bones as his fingers shattered against a solid wall.
Rogunie opened his mouth and screamed in agony and rage. He cradled his injured hand close to his chest and yelled out the name of his escaped prey at the top of his lungs in angry frustration, "Sheppppaaarrd!!!"
He knew then that someone had just beamed John Sheppard out from the isolation ward.
---
To be continued
Some author ramblings
I know that most of you thought that good ol' Snacks was going to save the day and rescue Sheppard again! But that would have been too cliché, no? However, most of you guessed correctly, it did go and try to help Sheppard out as it sensed that our hero was in danger. Perhaps it has ultra sharp hearing, and Sheppard's voice carried through the ventilation shafts connecting the city, who knows. In my original draft version, I got carried away and had Snacks spiting and then turning around and taking a dump on Rogunie. Hee! However, I removed Snacks dropping poo bombs on Rogunie as I felt that that was way too cliché and was turning this story more like a cartoon. Having one over-the-top-evil character is bad enough; I don't think we needed something as crazy as poo dropping Snacks in the mix! (laughs)
Which brings us back to Rogunie. I understand that some of you are wondering why Rogunie is represented as that typical villainous character with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I know, very cliché, but as I have to leave for a trip this month (where I'll be away for a while), I'm afraid I don't have the time to develop him as a more rounded villain even though I originally wanted to. Sorry! (This version of Rogunie was probably inspired a little by Sylar from NBC's Heroes – an evil dude that I simply can't stand - so sweet mouthed and hypocritical when he wants to be but pure, pure evil.)
In truth, this was one area that I was concerned about as my original intention was not to create him this way. If I had more time available I would have probably gone for more character depth. However, it was either a shortened version or no ending at all – so I chose the lesser of the two evils. As it is, I'm still a little concerned whether I will have time to give this tale the end it deserves.
But I diverge, back to the topic at hand. In my original plot, the interrogation scenes were meant to be longer, with more intense psychological trauma where we actually see Sheppard's slow mental and physical decline as he gets interrogated (without physical violence from Rogunie who is meant to be a true IOA representative and not a Trust agent). In the process, we also see Rogunie experience some internal conflict the more he gets to know Sheppard. As time passes, he soon starts to hate himself and what he is being forced to do, but he continues to do his job anyway despite his internal conflict. Ultimately, he gets to see the light when Sheppard's team convinces him to stop before he destroys Sheppard entirely. I think this version would be a lot darker, but in a way, it might also detract the story a little away from what this story really is about, which is Sheppard's relationship with the friendly Wraith. However, in the interrogation, the focus and talk will be a lot about that Wraith in particular, so maybe not.
But due to the lack of time, I decided to go with the shorter version. Here, I decided to create a villain that we all love to hate by gathering attributes that I thought might be most annoying and lumping them in Rogunie. I'm aware that some of you might be disappointed with this version, but what I really liked about this is the fact that the action is quite continuous, therefore, the story goes at a faster pace. But the main purpose of making Rogunie so evil is to create a sense of urgency and to allow Caldwell the opportunity to redeem himself when he saves Sheppard by getting Hermiod to beam him out of the isolation ward. Of course, we also get the satisfaction of seeing Rogunie getting his ass kicked at the end. Hee! In this version, you will also get an explanation why Rogunie turned out the way he did – that is, before the story ends which will hopefully make up for it why he is so screwed (I know the reason why, but just I hope to remember to write it down when I do finally get to writing that part! Hah!)
So anyway, so there you have it. Now, I have some questions for you. Which version would you have preferred? Longer darker version or shorter more 'actiony' version that we currently have. Lastly, did you guess the solution to rescue Sheppard? Feel free to add whatever comments you wish, I don't mind, I just love hearing what you guys think and thanks to all who contributed to a review in the last chapter.
