Disclaimer - I do not own SGA or its Characters. I do own Dr. Orla Grant.
Rated T for violence & threat.
Thank you for the continued reviews, follows and likes. They are greatly appreciated.
I promise Lorne will be featured more; he hasn't been forgotten!
Sheppard stared out of the cave, the rain was abating and the wind had lessened somewhat. He'd made his mind up. He strode towards Dr. Biro and crouched besides her. "Got an idea, Dr. B, can you keep Lorne alive until I get back?"
"The Major's vitals are dropping, Colonel. He needs more than we can offer. Whatever your plan is I strongly suggest you do it quickly!" Biro replied firmly as she once again tucked the foil blankets around Lorne.
Sheppard nodded; he appreciated the doctor's candour. He stood and walked over to Cadman who was once again seated next to McKay beside the small fire near the entrance of the cave.
"Lieutenant, I got an idea, I'm going to need your help."
"Of course, Sir," Cadman instantly got to her feet waiting for instruction.
"Weather outside is starting to calm. It's still windy but not like before and the rains finally easing. We need to get ready to move Lorne as soon as it's safe to do so. Stored inside every Puddle Jumper is a folding stretcher. We need to get back to Puddle Jumper 1, retrieve the stretcher and get back here ready to take Lorne. I need you to guide me back to the cave from the walls. We can take McKay's data pad to keep us on course the rest of the way."
"Yes, Sir," Cadman reverted instantly into military mode.
"Rodney, let me have your data pad please."
"What? Why? Where are you going there's a storm outside?" McKay blustered.
"The storm getting weaker, we'll be fine."
"We?"
"Cadman and I are going to Puddle Jumper 1 for the folding stretcher so we can get Lorne back to Atlantis," Sheppard explained.
Ronon had been watching the entire group, although distracted by Orla and their new daughter Risa the ex-Runner in him was always alert to his circumstances. He'd watched Sheppard for some time, he knew John Sheppard and he knew the man had a plan. He bent down and whispered to Orla, "give me a minute, I need to talk to Sheppard," Ronon helped Orla to sit up before he stood, stretching his back and legs.
"Sheppard?" Ronon's bass voice boomed across the cave startling baby Risa in the process.
"Ronon!" Orla and Jennifer snapped back in unison.
"Sorry," Ronon apologised quickly, moving moved away from his new family to stand before Sheppard. "So, what's the plan?"
Sheppard looked surprised; he should have realized the big man would be watching everyone. He once again explained his plan adding. "Ronon, I need you to stay with here with everyone, keep them safe. When we get back, we'll move Lorne first…"
"I'm sorry, Colonel," Jennifer interrupted. "Neither Lorne or Orla are being moved until I give the okay for them to be moved. I understand the urgency, I really do. But I cannot let them go anywhere until the storm's moved on."
"Doc, Lorne doesn't have that long," Sheppard stressed, the rigidity in his voice giving away his rising anger.
"I know," Jennifer stood straight, she came face to face with Sheppard before continuing in a hushed tone. "I am the Senior Medical Officer here; these are my patients. Carson would tell you exactly the same. Acting as the Senior Medical Officer, I out rank you. My decision stands." Jennifer hoped she didn't look as fearful as she felt standing up to Colonel Sheppard.
"Alright, Doc. I get it, they're your patients and friends. But as the Senior Military Officer and in fact the highest-ranking officer here, let me tell you something. Major Evan Lorne would rather die trying to be rescued during a storm with only a small chance of survival than left to lie down to die on the ground of a wet and cold cave, giving up," Sheppard calmly and forcedly retorted. "Now, Cadman and I are going for that stretcher and when I get back, we're moving Lorne. You can write me up when we get back to Atlantis."
"I can carry Orla and Risa, that way we all travel together?" Ronon offered trying to break the tension within the cave.
"Absolutely not!" Jennifer barked as she turned to face the Satedan. "You're not exposing a new-born baby to the elements outside. Carrying Orla will be uncomfortable enough for her without getting wet and anxious about Risa, so no!"
"I could carry Risa in the incubator, she'd be more protected?" Rodney offered.
Jennifer looked from Rodney to Ronon. "You want Rodney to carry your vulnerable new-born daughter during a storm?"
"Hey!" Rodney shouted indignantly.
Jennifer scrubbed at her face wearily with her hand, "Rodney, you're naturally clumsy, it's not an insult. It's endearing most of the time but as a doctor I have to say, no."
"Do I get a say in any of this?" Orla piped up. "I'm not exposing Risa to a storm, that's final."
"Alright, enough people. Cadman get yourself ready we're going for the stretcher. Ronon you're in charge. Dr. B, you know your job and as for you Dr. Keller. Sit down before you fall down and get some rest."
Sheppard switched on the data pad, interference caused it to break up and the signal was gone. "McKay,"
"What?"
"This doesn't work" Sheppard held out the data pad for the scientist.
McKay grabbed at the data pad and sighed. "What do expect, technology is a fickle thing without expecting it to work inside a granite cave," McKay moved to the cave's entrance and re-checked the data pad. "The wonders of geology, I give you a working data pad!"
"Update, please, Chuck," Woolsey requested catching the technician unaware.
"Oh, Mr. Woolsey, Sir. I thought you were…"
"Drinking? Oh, believe me I was tempted but as leader of Atlantis and those who dwell within her it's my responsibility to get our teams back. I opted instead for strong black coffee," Woolsey admitted.
"Still no signal, Sir. The storm is lessening over parts of the mainland. We're waiting on a proper meteorological report to come back with more accurate data." Chuck relayed.
"Very well, I'll be in my office. Let me know as soon as the report comes in."
Sheppard and Cadman ran with their heads down against the worst of the wind and rain. Cadman was on point directing them back to the walls. As they ran adrenalin kicked in helping them pick up the pace. Once they made it to the walls they stopped, rechecked the direction of the Puddle Jumper and resumed their run.
Despite the easing of the rain and wind, both Cadman and Sheppard were once again, wet and their uniforms were becoming uncomfortable. The only upside of the running was that it was keeping them temporarily warmed.
Cadman stopped running, she leant over with her hands on her knees dragging in as much air as she could.
"Cadman?" Sheppard queried; he was barely out of breath.
"Sorry, Sir. Just a bit winded."
"Looks like you could do with joining Ronon on a few runs, increase your stamina."
"Great, thanks," Cadman panted.
"Come on, Marine, let's get moving!"
"Yes, Sir,"
Jennifer crouched beside Dr. Biro she smiled, "How're Lorne's vitals?"
"Poor, as I explained to Colonel Sheppard, Major Lorne needs surgery and medication we don't have here," Biro replied.
"I know, but these people are my responsibility, Alice."
"Jennifer," Biro started, "It's our oath to do everything we can for our patients but sometimes when there's nothing more we can do, we have to let those who can, do something about it."
"You think I should let Lorne be stretched out of here even if the storm's still raging?"
"It's not raging so much now, so yes, I do. If Lorne's condition wasn't so serious, I'd say he could wait. Orla and the baby are healthy and to me at least, look like they're not showing any signs of ill health. Though I'd prefer it if we could keep them both warmer. I'd like to go with Colonel Sheppard when he returns," Biro looked at Jennifer waiting for a reaction.
"Oh," Jennifer said surprised at Alice's confident request.
"Not just to get out of here," Biro joked, a little of her nervousness showing again. "You're exhausted you need to rest until Colonel Sheppard can come back to get Orla and Risa. You have more knowledge of obstetrics and paediatrics. It's still rough out there, you've been through enough. Let me help?"
Jennifer nodded, she could do with some food and sleep. "Thank you, Alice."
Sheppard and Cadman finally made it to Puddle Jumper 1. Sheppard quickly walked up to the Puddle Jumper and activated the jumper's bay door. In less than a minute they were inside the jumper trying to shake off the excess rain.
Sheppard headed to the passenger seats and unlocked the seat from the storage compartment. He instantly spotted the folded stretcher and reached for it.
"These would be really useful for Orla and the baby?" Cadman picked up the packed and sealed blankets.
"Good call, check the other storage for any medication, food, water bottles and flash lights. We can clean any water using these water purification tablets." Sheppard waved a tube of tablets at Cadman.
"I got two flashlights and batteries," Cadman answered. "There's a bag in here too, we can put everything inside this. Who knew these jumpers carried so much stuff?"
Sheppard sill crouched turned to Cadman, "You should know Lieutenant. It might just save your life knowing."
"Yes, Sir." Cadman replied sheepishly.
"Think we need a refresher course of escape and evade whilst increasing your stamina," Sheppard half teased. "These jumpers can carry twenty passengers, there's always a chance of something going wrong off-world."
Sheppard stood and brought his haul from the storage compartment and placed them inside the bag Cadman had found.
"Going to check the radio, see if Atlantis can hear us. The jumper's radio systems are better and with the storm beginning to ease we might just get lucky," Sheppard explained as he moved to the pilot's chair.
"Do you think they'll send out another rescue team?" Cadman asked as she zipped up the bag at her feet.
"Not until the storm's completely eased or radio communication has been re-established. Otherwise it's just sending people out blind, never a good option," Sheppard's gene activated the Puddle Jumper causing relief to flood through him. "Atlantis, this is Puddle Jumper 1, do you read me?"
Sheppard waited for Atlantis to call back, he heard nothing. He tried two more times. Nothing.
"Storms still inferring with the comms," Sheppard couldn't hide his disappointment. He mentally powered down the jumper and rose from the seat. "Let's head back. Lieutenant?" Sheppard deliberately called Cadman by her rank to gain her full attention.
"Sir?"
"When we get back to the cave, we sort out the bits and pieces from the bag at your feet then we get Lorne and come back here and wait. I don't care if Dr. Keller wants to report me to Atlantis but you're a Marine. As such, you will follow my orders and help me get Lorne back here. I know you're all good friends but this is Lorne's life and Dr. B says he won't be able to hold on much longer. I need to move Lorne as soon as possible. I don't care about the storm; we're getting him back here. Got it?"
"Got it, Sir," Cadman fully understood her position over friendship. "Dr. B, Sir?"
"Yeah, Dr. Biro, Dr. B," Sheppard smirked at a grinning Cadman.
"How's Risa doing?" Jennifer scooched across the cave floor to get a better look at the new-born currently sleeping on her mother's chest.
"The blanket won't over heat her?" Orla asked.
"No, babies love to be warm and this place is cold and wet. She should be sleeping in the infirmary with you," Jennifer grinned. "How's mum?"
"Tired and sore but I'm fine,"
"Maybe let Ronon keep Risa warm, skin to skin is good bonding not just for the baby," Jennifer urged.
"I know, but right now, he's thinking about how to get everyone home. Besides, I think he's a little freaked out at how small she is," Orla chuckled. "You look like you need to rest, Jennifer. Take a nap."
"I might just do that, just a nap, ten minutes," Jennifer yawned and was instantly asleep, exhaustion having taken over.
TBC ...