Title: Out of Control
Author: SlayersGrl
Summary: A routine trading mission goes awry when a member
of Atlantis's flagship team is taken hostage by a mysterious entity.
Author's note: Thanks for the reviews so far! I hope to keep updating this fic regularly. I already have the next 3 chapters written. I'm just fixing them up a little before I post. Oh, and just to let you all know, I have never been a shipper of any fandom (even though I made read/write the occasionally shippy fic if I'm inspired). So, you probably won't see any here...
Chapter 2: What Just Happened?
Dr. Rodney McKay nearly had a panic attack when the room erupted in a flash of blue light. He thought for sure they were all going to die right then and there. Then the moment passed and the chamber was plunged into darkness. The only source of light was the dim torches hanging on the wall and McKay's scanner.
"Major, you alright," Ford called out while struggling slightly to free his flashlight from his belt. There was no response. "Major Sheppard?"
Finally, a voice responded. "Yes…" was the hesitant reply.
Ford, having finally retrieved his flashlight, aimed the beam at the major's location. He was still seated on the chair and didn't look any worse for wear, except maybe for the dazed expression on his face.
The lieutenant then turned his attention to the team's resident scientist and, by default, source of all information regarding strange alien technology. "What just happened?"
"How would I know? I've never seen anything like that before!" he shouted in reply, still shaken from his most recent near death experience. "There was a massive energy surge and then the power levels just dropped off the charts. Whatever happened must have drained the last of the energy that was powering this place."
"Has this ever happened before?" Teyla calmly asked Hanaan, hoping that the locals would have some knowledge as to what happened.
"No, never…" he whispered in reply, not once taking his eyes off Sheppard. Then his eyes lit up in excitement. "You have been chosen by the gods! They have performed this miracle to show us that you are their messengers!" Hanaan then kneeled in awe and bowed towards the ancient throne. The other villagers quickly followed suit.
Ford took one step back in shock. "How did these situations always get so far out of hand?" he thought. Then he remembered his team leader and took the last few steps to stand beside the strange chair. "Uh, sir… what should we do?"
Sheppard just stared back at him, his eyes seemingly focused on some distant point. Then he blinked and shook his head in confusion, as if just realizing that there were events transpiring around him. "We should leave," he declared in a calm voice before standing and reclaiming his weapon.
He then walked over to where Hanaan was still kneeling on the temple floor. "We must return home. We will send others to retrieve the items for the trade in a few days."
Hanaan simply nodded his head enthusiastically. "Of course, whatever you wish."
Rodney stared at the major as he then turned and walked briskly towards the exit. He had to jog to catch up to him. They both arrived at the base of the stairs at the same time, Ford and Teyla right behind them.
"Wait. We're leaving? Just like that?"
Sheppard nodded his head once. "Yes." Then he turned to his other teammates. "Come, we are returning to the Stargate."
McKay noticed that the major paused slightly on the last word, as if the Stargate was an unfamiliar term to him. But he didn't have time to dwell on that thought since their leader had taken off again, walking steadily towards the location of the gate.
Ford and Teyla were also confused by the major's actions. He had failed to give them instructions for the return trek to the gate. Their leader may be lax when it comes to certain rules, but he was never negligent when it came to the safety of his team.
In the absence of orders, the team quickly fell into the same formation that had assumed when they arrived: McKay following Sheppard, then Teyla, and then Ford bringing up the rear.
McKay contemplated the most recent series of events for a whole seven minutes before deciding he had had enough and was determined to find out what was going on with Major Sheppard.
"Are you sure you're okay Major?"
"I'm fine," was the curt reply.
"So what was it like?"
The abrupt change in conversation seemed to confuse the major. He turned and looked at McKay. "What?"
"The light. Did it make you feel… different... in anyway?"
"No. I felt nothing."
"Sir, I have to admit that it does seem like something happened to you. You're acting… weird…" Ford added, agreeing silently with Rodney's assessment.
Sheppard turned his gaze to the young officer and Aiden was surprised to see anger in his expression. "Are you questioning my authority to lead this team?"
"I wasn't saying that, sir. I was just trying to make sure you were okay."
"You have doubts, Lieutenant?" The major was now extremely agitated.
Teyla jumped into the conversation, hoping to diffuse the rising hostility. "Major Sheppard. We are just concerned for your well-being. Lieutenant Ford meant you no disrespect."
"We must return to the Stargate," Sheppard replied, trying to get his team members to continue their trek.
"Not until you answer our questions, sir." Ford replied, suddenly wary of his commanding officer.
"Perhaps I'm not making myself clear." In a moment, the major had drawn his sidearm and was aiming it at Teyla. "We will return to the Stargate."