Carousel (part 8)

Nimble fingers flew furiously over the keyboard, searching diligently for the missing piece. "Come on, come on," Rodney urged, intently scanning more data of Atlantis's systems.

He had been at this for hours, ever since Major Sheppard dropped off the laptop. Dr. Beckett had initially protested, stating the old 'head injury line' but quickly relented after Rodney pointed out that he was more than willing to leave and continue in his own quarters. Truthfully, he didn't want to leave because Grodin remained unconscious and Zelenka was yet to be found. Sighing deeply, he glanced over at the still figure lying on the bed. Carson had told him that the Englishman should begin to wake up soon; it was only a matter of time.

Rising stiffly to his feet, he set his laptop on the nearest vacant bed and stretched his aching arms and shoulders. The palms of his hands felt tight and slightly uncomfortable, as well as his face, and he still had a persistent headache. He'd unwrapped his wrist earlier, tired of trying to type with it bandaged. Not much later, Beckett had caught him squinting and hounded him until he took a break and ate something. Casting a quick glance at his watch, he realized that that had been hours ago.

Slight movement on the bed caught his attention and he focused on the still form. Grodin's head shifted slightly in his direction. "Peter," he encouraged with half of his usual snark, "there's work to be done. Are you planning on staying in bed all day?"

"Can't," Grodin whispered without opening his eyes.

"Don't worry about it," Rodney said as he placed his hand over his teammates and left it there a moment. "I'm going to get Carson, so don't you go anywhere."

Letting go, he made his way over to Beckett's door, poking his head around the corner. "Hey, I thought you might like to know, you're patient is waking up."

"Well, it's about bloody time," Carson said under his breath. Grabbing his stethoscope, he followed Rodney back out. "Peter, you've been asleep for quite a while now lad, can you tell me how you're feelin'?"

"Did you get the number of the lorry that hit me?" he asked quietly.

"More like a header down a staircase."

Beckett glared at the srub wearing scientist that was peering over his shoulder, "Don't you have anything else to do, Rodney? I care to examine my patient without your help."

Realizing that his comment might be out of line, Rodney backed away from the bed. "Sorry. I, uh, think I'll go check on something on my computer."

"You do that." Carson pulled the curtain closed around the bed before his voice gently began to question the woozy scientist.

Listening for a moment,Rodney closed his eyes as a wave of relief and then fatigue washed over him.He was so tired but he had to get to the bottom of this. Flipping the laptop screen back on, he scanned the latest data. After what Sheppard and Weir had told him about what happened down in Kavanaugh's lab, he was even more determined to find Zelenka. He really needed to get down to his lab.

With aguilty glance over his shoulder to the curtained off area, he silently picked up his computer and made his way over to the door. He was certain that he could talk his way around the security detail outside and then he would be free to start his search. Nothing against the others, well maybe a lot against the others, but he knew this station better than anyone did and if Zelenka was going to be found, he was going to do it.

The guards did attempt to stop him but by the time he finished badgering them, their eyes had glazed over and they were more than willing to let him go. The fact that he had told them that he was on his way to meet with Major Sheppard didn't hurt. So it was a lie, sue him.

Making his way cautiously down to his lab, he made sure to check every possible corridor and corner. Knowing that a psychotic Kavanaugh loyalist was after him put him on edge.

Once inside his familiar surroundings, he relaxed minutely. The lab had been cleaned and the smell from the flash grenade was no longer in the air. Opening several cupboards, he did a quick mental inventory of all items and discovered a few missing. "Damn it, Kavanaugh," he cursed, as he slammed a door closed. "What in the hell were you thinking?"

Removing a scanner and the small personal shield, he tucked the instruments inside hisjacket before checking the last piece of information on his computer. Once finished, he closed the door and made his way to his quarters for one more thing, his weapon.

He kept the standard issue handgun in a safety box underneath his bed. Sliding it out of its case, he hefted the cold metal and wrapped his hand around the textured grip. It didn't feel natural. He was a scientist, not a soldier, but he learned quickly on this mission that at times there was little difference. Attaching the holster to his leg, he placed the gun on his hip. With several full clips of ammo and his knife, he was ready. Reaching for his stash of power bars, he stopped and dropped them back on his bed. He wasn't sure if he could ever really enjoy the things again.

"Rodney, you shouldn't be doing this by yourself."

Carson's accent was unmistakable as Rodney spun around to discover the physician standing in the doorway.

"Do you want me to shoot you!" the scientist yelled. "Don't do that to me."

Shaking his head, the doctor slowly made his way into the room, "Rodney, you daft bugger, what do you think you're doing? Leave this to the Major and his team."

"I can't." Brushing past Beckett, he made his way out into the hallway before Carson snagged him by the jacket, bringing him to a halt.

"Why not? This isn't your fault."

"Isn't it? Who do you think sets that moron off? Me. I enjoy besting him and making him appear like the ass that he is. Now he retaliates by spreading ill will amongst his people towards my people. We're all the same group! When did it become them and us?" Tugging his sleeve free of the doctor's grip, Rodney sighed, heading towards the stairwell, "I'm just as guilty as he is."

The physician followed. "No, lad, your not. You didn't the teach the boy how to make weapons."

Stopping in the entrance to the stairwell, Rodney adjusted his jacket before making his way down the steps, halting when he realized Carson was following him. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm goin' with you."

"You need to stay with your patient. What about Peter?"

"He's in capable hands," Carson countered. "What if when you find Dr. Zelenka, you need me?"

Studying the insistent Scotsman, Rodney grudgingly relented, before making his way down the steps. "I don't want this psycho to hurt you."

Beckett raised his brows at the revelation while following Rodney. "Nor you, lad," he said quietly.

SG: A

They walked silently through darkened hallways and crawl spaces for close to an hour. Beckett recognized the concentration on the scientists face as he led the way through another passageway.

"How do you know where we're going, Rodney?"

Rodney stopped as he calculated their surroundings. "I studied the floor plans for the lab level above us as well as the ductwork and ventilation systems. As near as I can figure, the sea water passing through the desalination plant beneath us spoils sensor readings, and at this moment, you and I are virtually invisible."

Trying to follow the techno babble left Carson confused. "Why does that matter?"

Walking again, the scientist shook his head, "I checked the lab before I left. One of the life sign scanners was missing."

"Oh, good heavens. So, you're saying that the boy may know where we are?"

"No, what I'm saying is that as long as we continue moving down here, he won't know where we are."

"How can you be so certain?"

For the first time since they had started, Rodney grinned slyly. "Because when the little hood hacked into Kavanaugh's system, he didn't find any such information."

"Oh, I see." Carson replied, although he clearly didn't.

"Look," Rodney turned to face Beckett, "I also hacked into the idiot's system today and was able to trace an intruder running silent programs through Kavanaugh's mainframe. I was able to locate where he was tapping into the system and set up a block before he was able to advance any further into Atlantis's main data base."

Clearly impressed, Carson grinned, "You're good, Doctor."

"I know," was the only reply as they headed down another passageway.

Ten minutes later, McKay held his hand up and signaled Carson to be quiet. Panning his flashlight along the walls and floor, he motioned for the physician to follow close behind him as he stopped and slipped a panel off the wall, revealing a hidden ventilation duct. Carefully easing inside, they made their way up, using already installed handgrips, until they reached the next floor were they were able to feel air flowing from an adjoining room.

The scientist removed the life scanner from his pocket, swept the dark room, and picked up three blips. Temporarily handing the device to Beckett, Rodney reached down and unsnapped the catch from his holster, slowly sliding out his sidearm. Then holding up three fingers on his left hand, he counted down to one and they lifted the panel off together.

Slipping silently into the darkened room, Rodney checked the scanner again, seeing that the red dot hadn't moved. Pocketing the device, he removed his flashlight; using the wrist on wrist method that Sheppard had taught him, flicked on the light while having his gun pointed and ready. Both men blinked rapidly as their eyes adjusted to the bright beam cutting through the darkness, coming to rest on a body on the floor. Dr. Zelenka.

"Oh, good Lord," Dr. Beckett gasped, as he made his way across the room. "Rodney, can you cut the bindings off him?"

The physicist knife made quick work on the ropes. "Carson, what do you want me to do?"

"Hold the light up so I can see him better." Removing a stethoscope from his jacket pocket, he listened to both sides of Zelenka's chest before slinging it back around his neck. Next he ran his hands carefully over the man's ribs and grimaced when a moan emanated from the Czech. "He's got some broken ribs but I don't think they punctured his lungs." Glancing up at Rodney, he continued, "It looks as though he's been beaten badly. Can you help me ease him over?"

Carefully placing their friend on his back, they were surprised when his eyes cracked open and he tried to speak.

"Shhh, Radek," Beckett crooned, placing a comforting hand on Zelenka's brow. "We've got you, lad. Rodney, call the Major and have him send some help to where ever it is that we are? Maybe find the lights, too?"

He didn't have to be asked twice. Quickly rising, he stumbled in the darkness before he found the light panel. A moment later, the overhead panels lit up the small room and Rodney got his first good look at his missing teammate. He felt an immediate rush of anger as he took in Zelenka's pale form and dried vomit on his uniform. "Carson?" he questioned.

Carson met his concerned look, shaking his head slowly, "I don't know, son."

The scientist pulled himself together and made his way over to the door, cautiously opening it to check the hallway. It was empty. Reaching for his radio, it dawned on him that he was no longer holding his gun. Glancing about, he spotted it on the floor beside Carson. He must be more tired than he thought. Holding the radio up to his mouth, he pressed the 'send' button. "This is Dr. McKay. Can anyone hear me?"

Instantly, Sheppard's irritated voice returned, "McKay, where in the hell are you?"

"Good to hear your voice, also, Major. I'm in the work room at Substation 2."

"Substation 2? What are you doing way over there?"

Rodney sighed, leaning heavily against the doorframe, "Finding Dr. Zelenka."

Dr. Weir's voice spoke next, "Dr. Zelenka? Is he okay?"

"Yes. Carson said to tell you that we need a medical team down here, yesterday." Looking over to the physician, he saw that theScot was watching him closely, looking very concerned.

"Dr. Beckett is with you?" Disbelief filled Elizabeth's voice.

"Yes." He didn't feel like talking anymore, closing his eyes briefly.

"Major Sheppard's already left for your position. He should be there in about 20 minutes."

McKay didn't reply.

"Rodney?" Carson's voice broke the stillness. "I want you to come over here and sit down, lad." Watching the scientist do so without any snappy comment, Beckett studied the weary figure. "When did you eat last?"

He shrugged, "Your place."

"I brought you dinner over six hours ago. You didn't eat much then." Rummaging through his front jacket pockets, Carson removed a small apple like fruit. "Here, I want you to eat this."

McKay took the fruit, moving to stand again but stopped when Beckett's hand grabbed his arm. "Stay put for a moment. You need to get the sugar in ya'."

"I need to watch the door," he mumbled.

"I got your handy little scanner, here. If anyone comes, I'll let you know."

Eyeing the doctor, he nodded. The sweetness of the fruit was like water to a dying man, and he could feel his stomach rumble as he swallowed each bite. Apparently, the fruit wasn't enough, for despite its welcomed sustenance, his vision wavered and he sank slowly to the floor, no longer able to remain upright.

Carson wasn't surprised, but he also wasn't prepared. "Oh, bloody hell."

TBC