Disclaimer - I do not own SGA or its characters. I do own Orla Grant. I am not making a profit from this story.

Rating - M for violence & threat.

A/N - Thank you to bailey1ak for being a great Beta and friend.

Setting; Season 5, Ronon / OC, Carson is still CMO of Atlantis but Keller is also on Atlantis.

Apologies for the delay posting, still writing the story and working, not enough time!


Inside the laboratory, McKay dashed from one laptop to another, thumping at the keypads as he went. He turned and pushed people aside to reach the data banks running behind the computers. "Hmm," he muttered, his face pinched into deep concentration as he read the data streams.

"McKay?" Sheppard called.

"Ha! Uh, what? Give me a moment Sheppard," he answered going back to the data in front of him.

"Why am I here?" Ronon grumbled as he moved to sit near Orla who was equally absorbed in her laptop.

"Because we don't know what's happening yet and until we do, if we need to be ready for action it's easier to have you here rather than to call a team of Marines. I'm hoping this will all be Rodney's problem, so we can go back to the gym and I can watch you scare the Marines. Rodney, Teyla's still off-world in New Athos, do we need to get her back to Atlantis?"

"What? Um, not unless she got a degree in engineering in the last few days," McKay moaned.

"Ronon, slap McKay… hard!" Sheppard half-jokingly ordered, seeing Ronon actually get up and move towards the physicist he realized his mistake, the big guy still didn't always understand sarcasm. "Belay that order Ronon, I was only joking … kinda."

Ronon glared at McKay but returned to his seat, he had the patience to hunt and track but not to sit and watch McKay on his computer, it bored him. Deciding if he was going to be forced to sit and wait for the physicist to solve the problem, he would need something to occupy himself. He turned in his chair until he faced Orla's back, she was absorbed in her work. He leaned over and gently tugged at her ponytail to get her attention.

Radek and Lorne walked into the laboratory, "Rodney, have you seen the data from the Pier?" Zelenka asked as he came to a stop beside the man.

"I have, but it doesn't make sense. The data is telling me the ZPM was hit by something similar to an EMP. Only we know there's not an EMP powerful enough to have caused the kind of energy loss the ZPM suffered. Unless, Oh, tell me they didn't…" McKay repeatedly clicked his fingers together as though it would help to solve the problem.

"Didn't what Dr McKay?" Major Lorne asked.

"The only explanation is that the Ancients either tampered with or re-built an EMP device to cause the kind of energy loss we saw. It was probably a weapon of some sort intended to be used against anything attacking Atlantis. I need to be certain but the only explanation for the device triggering must have been the radiation leak."

"Radiation set off an EMP? How? You said the radiation would just dissipate, just how much power have we lost?" Sheppard asked.

"A lot! The ZPM at full power have enough energy to shield and run Atlantis for hundreds of thousands of years. We've lost enough power that according to my data that's now thousands of years!"

"Thousands of years? So, no immediate panic then, Rodney?"

"Not unless the EMP goes off again or we're attacked. It might not be life-threatening within the next hour but, this is bad, Sheppard. The symbol Radek, what was it like? Draw it for me?"

"No need Dr McKay, we took a picture of it using the tablet Radek had," Lorne handed the tablet over to McKay.

"Uh, good work, using your initiative Zelenka, finally." Rodney back-handily complimented the scientist. "Orla, I'm sending you a copy of the image from Zelenka's tablet, can you search the database and try to identify the symbol?"

"Sure," Orla replied turning back to her laptop once again.

"So how did the radiation set off the EMP?" Shepperd continued to quiz McKay.

"Not sure yet, but the continuous radiation surrounding the EMP device could and I stress could, have built up over time to cause a disruption to the EMP's energy output. Depending on how long the leak's been there and of course the proximity of the EMP itself, it could've damaged the EMP's own shielding. Until I see the data, I can only hazard a guess."

"Okay, it's a start, I can tell Woolsey that," Sheppard answered, he turned to see the Ronon lounging in a chair as though asleep. John knew he was far from asleep. "Ronon, you can go back to the gym now if you want, this is all just going to be science and stuff, nothing to blast or hit."

"Finally," Ronon immediately came to life and jumped up from his sprawled position, he bent down kissed the top of Orla's head and swiftly strode out of the laboratory.

"So, Rodney, I also need to tell Mr. Woolsey exactly the amount of power we've lost and what we can do about it," he reminded, knowing he would probably get barked back at.

"Let's see, we could place an order on Amazon for a set of ZPM's. Oh, wait we can't. Unless you know of any Ancient's who could create some. Oh wait, the Replicators saw to that. Know a Replicator willing to make us a batch who won't kill us in the process?"

"Alright Rodney, if you don't need me, I'll report to Woolsey."

"Seriously, Sheppard? What could you possibly do here? I'll let you know when I have some answers," McKay wearily snipped.

"Dr McKay? I may have an idea, probably not a solution more of a helpful stopgap," Orla offered causing Sheppard and McKay to turn and look at the scientist in unison. "Um, we could, build a Faraday cage. Take the device Radek found and isolate it. It would at least halt any further pulses for a while?"

"You might actually be on to something," Rodney began to internalize all the workings in his mind, pacing back and forth. "Yes, it might work, temporarily of course. Let's see, we'd need a lot of narrow spaced soft steel mesh, needs to be a conductive metal. We could cross form it into a tent shape. Make sure to seal it completely of course, put the device in and it should stop it. Basic of course, there's a lot more to it than that, but it might just work. Ha, yes, yes, this should work," he smiled turning to Orla. "Unfortunately, you'll have to avoid the area, not worth the risk," McKay turned away and headed to the other side of the laboratory shouting, "Radek!"

"Well, seems the day's been saved. Thank you, is what Rodney meant to say." Sheppard grinned at Orla.


Sheppard updated Richard Woolsey on all they'd discovered and of the suggestion to isolate the device in a Faraday cage. Afterward he'd thought about stopping by to see McKay again to find out if he had any updates but he wasn't in the mood to be barked at again by the physicist so instead he hurried towards the gymnasium, eager to blow off some steam. As he palmed open the door, he was immediately met by the sound of grunting followed by cries of pain. He watched the spectacle before him for a few minutes wincing. Finally, when the Marines looked like they'd had more than enough for the day, probably the week he clapped his hands together to get their attention. "Okay folks, think everyone's had enough for today by the looks of these Marines. Ronon?"

"Just warmed up, Sheppard," the sounds of groaning immediately followed.

"My point exactly. Let's break the guys in gently, not simply break them. Alright men, those of you who need Dr Beckett, head to the infirmary. Those of you who can walk without pain, go get some food. Ronon, fancy a little sparring?"

"Good luck, Sir," called out the Marine currently being helped out of the gym by his colleagues.

Ronon reached for his Bantos Rods, twirling them effortlessly in his large hands. "Sure, what's the bet?"

"Bet?"

"Yeah, make it interesting, how about I win, you give me those beers you got?"

Sheppard looked at Ronon, he was pretty sure he was going to lose to the big guy but not before he landed some painful blows of his own. He might not have Ronon's stamina but he was able to dodge the blows at least some of the time. "Okay, but if I win, you teach me how to tune out McKay? Deal?"

Ronon grinned wildly at Sheppard knowing he could still intimidate the man. "Okay." He began to twist the Bantos Rods as he circled Sheppard, his eyes never leaving him. Swiftly, he raised one arm to bring the rod he held down towards Sheppard's head.

Sheppard saw Ronon raise his arm and instinct told him to defend his head. He brought his two rods together and held them above his head in time to block the first strike, grunting from the effort, he managed to push Ronon backward. Now with a rod in each hand he righted his stance and placed his right foot forward, never losing eye contact with Ronon. He raised his arm ready to deliver his first attack. He quickly brought his right arm down, not aiming for Ronon's head, that would be too obvious and Ronon would see it coming. Instead he struck at his hands, connecting with a crack across knuckles. He heard Ronon's sharp intake of breath followed by a hissing sound and knew he'd hurt him, Sheppard smiled a little, satisfaction in reminding Ronon, he was no pushover.

Ronon flexed and shook his hand, he tried to shake off the sharp sting from Sheppard's blow. The duo circled each other once more. Stepping back to take the weight of his body on his left leg he swiftly lunged forward, with his right arm he aimed for Sheppard's flank while simultaneously bringing his left arm up and clipped the side of Sheppard's head, catching him just above the eyebrow. Both strikes made their mark, he watched as Sheppard groaned and dropped to one knee.

"Enough!" was all Sheppard could manage to utter, his head instantly throbbing whereas the growing pain he felt from his side meant he was probably going to be in agony for the rest of the week. Sheppard had seen Ronon aim for his side, he just didn't have enough time to block the blow and the one he saw coming for his head. His indecision gave Ronon enough time to land both strikes. Sheppard's breathing was slightly ragged, he'd conceded defeat, I need to learn that he thought.

Ronon tossed his rods into the nearby storage container and walked over towards his friend, offering his hand he pulled Sheppard to his feet. "Might need stitches for that," he pointed towards the bleeding eyebrow.

"Ow!" Sheppard exclaimed as he brought his finger to his eyebrow and gently probed it checking for blood. Feeling a warm smear of blood, he sighed, Beckett would lecture them both again. "Come on Chewie, if I've got to listen to another lecture from Beckett and give you my beers, least you can do is come too!"

Ronon chuckled, "Alright."

Sheppard straightened himself and headed for the exit, his side hurting more than he'd admit but his breathing was back to normal. "Hey, did I tell you, Orla solved the whole EMP thing?"

"She did?"

"Yeah, she told Rodney they needed to build a Faraday cage to house the EMP and McKay agreed."

"What's a Faraday cage?"

"Um, well, it's a cage, you put the EMP in it and something blocks it from being able to activate again. They'll need to build it inside the South Pier though. Zelenka will no doubt end up doing that. Say, as we only just technically started sparring, do I really need to let you have ALL the beers? He asked as he came to a stop to wipe at the blood trickling down his face and to look up at Ronon.

Ronon looked at Sheppard giving him the same exasperated look he usually reserved for Rodney. "How about I only drink half, if you drink the other half?"

"Now you're talking, we can get this looked at and head for the West Pier."

"Have to tell Orla, but sounds good."


The two men entered the infirmary to see two Marines still being treated, Sheppard's military mode kicked in, concerned they should all be cleared by now, "Marie? Anything I should know about?" he came to a stop next to the nurse tending to one of the new recruits.

"Nothing too major, Colonel, mainly stitches, a broken rib or two. Think Dr Beckett wants to see you and Ronon."

"Oh, you're so screwed Ronon," Sheppard whispered chuckling. He looked at Ronon who didn't seem in the slightest bit concerned.

"Just the gentlemen I was hoping to see! Colonel Sheppard and Ronon Dex. I see you're bleeding again, Colonel! Don't tell me sparring again? Haven't I already expressed my concern over the injuries you two keep inflicting on one another, never mind these new recruits?"

"How else are we going to train, Doc?" Ronon asked.

"Train by all means, Ronon, but don't break ribs, crack skulls and make people bleed everywhere!" Beckett sternly replied.

"Then it's not training," Ronon shrugged and adopted his bored look which usually worked at telling the people surrounding him he was no longer listening.

"Sorry, Doc, we get carried away at times and the new recruits need to learn, the people of the Pegasus Galaxy are not all as friendly as Ronon." Sheppard replied trying not to laugh.

A small whimper came from the nearest injured Marine. "Was that Mr Dex being friendly, Sir?"

"Yeah, 'fraid so son, wait until you see him near a Wraith, then he gets all mean, don't you Ronon?" Sheppard grinned enjoying teasing the Marine, he looked across to Ronon hoping he'd understood his teasing of the younger man but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. He hadn't seen or heard the man move, he finally spotted him, slouched in a chair with his feet up looking fast asleep.

"Not so fast, Colonel. I may not be able to make Ronon listen or do anything he doesn't want to do but I can make you. Now, come take a seat and let me patch you up." Beckett ordered as he returned with needle and sutures.

"Sorry, Doc," Sheppard sighed and felt he was about 10 years old being told off for breaking something at home rather than a damn good pilot in another galaxy fighting for mankind.


Orla stretched, she was hungry and just a little bored if truth be known. She was searching the database for the symbol on top of the EMP device that Lorne and Radek had found. This actually entailed writing a diagnostic program to search the Atlantean database for anything resembling the symbol. Nothing had proven to be similar but the database was huge and she'd only been at it for the last hour. She sighed, stretched and stood, she really needed to get out of the lab but ever since they'd told the rest of Ronon's team and her colleagues about the baby, they'd become protective and confined her working diagnostics within the lab. On cue her stomach growled; she needed a snack. She searched her lab coat pocket for the health bar Rodney had started putting into her coat pocket every morning since he'd heard her news. She smiled at the bar and unwrapped the chocolate-flavoured snack.

There was a skeleton crew in the lab including Orla, most of the scientists were actually in or around the South Pier organizing the creation of the Faraday cage. Zelenka had once again been offered as a volunteer by Dr McKay to go back out to the Pier and help supervise the other scientists as they built the cage. Major Lorne and Lieutenant Wilkinson were on hand for any security reasons.

The laptop pinged loudly drawing Orla's attention. She looked back at the machine and began to check the available new data. No, that couldn't be right, it was definitely not a transportation device, she scrolled on further as she finished the last of her snack. "PING" the laptop called out bringing her mind back to the data. Glancing at the screen a shudder ran down her spine, please god, no! she whispered and re-read the data. Orla shakily grabbed at the laptop and tapped at her radio bringing it to life. "Dr McKay, it's Orla," she called out shakily.

"McKay, here."

"Dr McKay, I found the symbol in the database."

"Finally, send the information to my tablet…"

"It's not Ancient," she interrupted.

"It isn't? Then what is it?"

"Wraith! The symbol stands for the word "SEEK."