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Chapter Thirty-Six - The Test
After the briefing session had finished, which had taken place the minute everyone in Weir's team had returned to Atlantis, all those in the need to know were informed of the latest developments.
Elizabeth was the first to receive a medical check up, knowing John had infected her. She had the scanner set up around her as she laid on one of the beds in the Infirmary.
Carson watched the screen as the scanner did its work. "There's your little bugger."
Elizabeth turned her head to face the screen and saw a small red dot situated close to her heart.
"Do you think you can get rid of it?"
"Now we know the answer I hope so Elizabeth, from the test we've achieved with Major Lorne we now know what not to use."
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Carson had spent the last hour with his staff synthesizing a virus to help combat the parasite within those who had been infected.
Elizabeth sat staring at the prone form of Major Lorne while waiting in the Infirmary for the results.
Teyla was still asleep but Elizabeth was informed it wouldn't be long now before she woke up.
Carson walked in from his laboratory holding a syringe in his hands. "Well, here it is. You sure you want to be the first to try it out? We don't know the side effects it could have."
"On the assumption this will work I'm prepared to take that chance, Carson."
"Then you should know, that I have no idea how the parasite will react to this, so if you'd rather be asleep during the procedure let me know me now."
"What are the chances of it being potentially harmful?"
"Should you experience any pain I can't afford to give you any other drug to counteract it, in case it interfers with this one."
"I understand Carson, but it needs to be tested."
"That it does, I still think it should be tested on Major Lorne first rather than you."
"Unfortunately you've already given Major Lorne an overdoes of drugs, and like you just said…"
"I know, I know. So awake or asleep?"
"I think asleep would be best don't you?"
"Aye, it would."
Ten minutes later Elizabeth was sleeping as comfortably as possible on one of the Infirmary beds, while Carson was ready to begin the procedure.
Lifting up her right arm, he moved the syringe in his hands, only to pause, leaving the tip of the syringe hovering above her skin as he second-guessed if this was the right course of action.
He looked again at the scanner, to view the parasite on the screen. If this went wrong... His thoughts went back to the time he was testing the retrovirus; he shook that thought away.
He closed his eyes tight to pray it would work, opened them again, and then injected it.
Once he'd cleaned everything up afterwards, Carson moved back to her bedside to check to see how she was doing.
He found it strange that sweat was already beginning to appear on her forehead. He placed his hand on it to check her temperature, which appeared to be normal, just as the scanner read. Curiosity peeked and he scratched his head.
It was at this stage Rodney walked in to see how things were progressing. "What's the diagnosis Carson?"
"Slow going, it may be sometime before we get any real results."
Rodney pulled up a chair near the bed and sat down.
Carson looked at him as he did. "Shouldn't you be in the Control Room keeping an eye on things?"
"I'm on a well deserved coffee break."
"Aye, something we could all do with," replied Carson before turning his attention elsewhere. Teyla had got up from her bed and walked over to them.
"How you're feeling lass?"
"Better thank you Carson, what's been going on?"
"Let's go and grab that coffee Rodney and I will explain things to you Teyla once you're changed. I think you're well enough to leave now."
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A half hour had passed when Carson received an urgent call from one of his staff members in the Infirmary.
He scooted from his chair in the cafeteria, as did Rodney and Teyla; and they rushed back. Leaving behind the curious glances from the personnel eating there.
The minute he stepped through the Infirmary doors he came face to face with one of his nurses and she tried to explain quickly to him. "Doctor. The antidote isn't working, it's tearing her apart."
Carson looked at Elizabeth and could see she was in pain.
He looked up at the scanner and his eyes widened in horror. "Oh crap, the little bugger has learnt from last time."
"What do you mean, Doctor?" Asked Teyla.
"The parasite; its using Elizabeth's immune system to fight off the drug, the effect is speeding up the transformation."
Next Chapter: Forgotten Memories."Please read and review, thanks. Next chapter coming soon!" And don't forget to check out my new story (Roswell-2007).