Collateral

By AntaresStar

Chapter 7: Complications

Rated PG-13: For some character whumping, blood, ickiness, and language.

A/N: This chapter is sort of a filler and ties up some loose ends before we get to some more exciting parts, so sorry about that…but the next chapter will have lots of action in it!

Thanks so much reviewers! I LOVE the feedback, ya'll rule!

M.N.Talbert - Glad you liked the twist and weren't mad at the delay!
illman - Thank you so much, hope this was soon enough for you.
Xtin2000 - Aww, "like Christmas"! No one has ever told me that, you made me smile!
TJ - I'm glad I made you dance with my plot twist! Thanks for the hugs, yay! You're right, there really aren't enough Beckett fics are there?
pike2 - lol, sorry, but our guys aren't home-free yet!
AM - That's a good point, and validates the need for food even more! Good thinking.
Laura - My favorite kind of bashing too! And you know Rodney and his food…lol
Katie - No, I couldn't kill of Sheppard because then they'd have no chance of getting out of this alive!
Damion Starr - lol, sorry!You'll have to endure another cliffhanger in this chapter…
ellex - I agree, not everyone can have total bad luck…even though McKay-whumping is a lot of fun. evil grin
daffydonald - Lol, you think I would let them off that easily?!
Erisina - Yeah, I am a little evil, sorry about that! Those Talvins are crazy.
erabuhikari - They're coming…soon!
preparefortrouble: lol, sorry about that! Can't let them off that easy.

A moment of intense silence settled over the Healing House. The only sounds were those of the soldiers outside speaking with the town leaders. Sheppard stood in the center of the House, staring at Valdoz. Staring at the device in his hand.

"You called the wraith here?" Sheppard's voice was steely and trembling from anger and shock. The Talvins all looked confused at his anger and were shifting uncomfortably.

"As I have said," Valdoz repeated. "We place our lives in our gods' hands."

"You don't know how true that statement is," Rodney snapped from the floor, panic lacing his words.

Sheppard ran a hand over his face and felt all of the mission's frustration and anger bubble up. "Look, the wraith are not gods! How can you people believe that after what they've done? Don't you realize, they're using you. Free food! Your planet is just a dining room to them. A pit stop for lunch! You have to know that, stop denying it!" His fists were balled as anger overcame his shock.

Teyla placed a calming hand on his arm. "They will not listen. We must go, now! So we have a greater chance to leave before the wraith arrive."

Rodney stood up, blanket still wrapped around his shoulders, demanding, "Wait, when did you activate that beacon?"

Valdoz answered quickly, "Right after you and your teammates were taken by the rebels. We thought it best to act quickly, in hopes that the wraith would arrive in time to save you."

Rodney snorted. How thoughtful of them. "If it was activated yesterday, they should already be here. Maybe they aren't coming."

"Doesn't matter, we're leaving right now." Sheppard told everyone. "Get all our supplies together, prepare to move out, quick!" At his words everyone seemed to wake up from their shocked stupor and sprang into action. One of the soldiers went outside to tell the others. Ford began stuffing supplies into packs, helped by the two diplomatic officers. Valdoz and the others retreated to the back of the house, confusion on their faces. "McKay, how are you feeling? Can you make it to the gate?"

"Yeah, I'm good." Rodney did look marginally improved, his face wasn't so pale and his legs seemed steadier, but he still seemed weak and a little off balance. Rodney squirmed under the major's appraising look while Sheppard vowed to keep a close eye on him.

"McKay's right, Major. We can't know if the wraith will actually come. I mean, they did leave the beacon here on purpose, they should know who activated it." Ford said as he shouldered into his pack.

Sheppard shook his head. "They'll come, Ford, they always have in the past. They'll need to investigate why one of their communication devices is on. They may send a probe first, but they'll be here."

"If they aren't already," McKay reminded.

Sheppard stared incredulously at him. "Didn't we already have this talk? Optimism, come on!"

McKay scowled at him and muttered "Its called realism."

Sheppard turned away from the scientist to face the old healer, not wanting to waste any more time arguing with McKay. "Valdoz, do you have some sort of thing to carry Doctor Beckett on?"

Valdoz looked perplexed. "He should not be moved. You should leave him here and we will care for him s one of our own until the gods arrive. Their medicine is quite advanced."

Sheppard growled and got up in the man's face, trying not to show how seriously pissed he was at the healer and his screwed up religion. "I asked you a question and you better damn well have an answer. I'm not leaving anyone behind to be slaughtered by bloodthirsty wraith because I know for a fact that they don't give a damn about anyone but themselves, and I doubt that they'll take time out of their busy lives to heal anyone."

The diplomatic officers exchanged glances and tried to break in. "Listen, Major Sheppard, I don't think you should be-" one began, but stopped at a glare from Sheppard. They backed off and returned to the task of packing supplies.

Valdoz looked terrified. He shook his head, leaning away from Sheppard. "N-No, we have nothing like you ask for. Our sick are never moved so we have nothing fashioned to do so with. They are carried to the Healing House by their family, and left until they can move themselves."

Sheppard cursed and began to look around for something that would work as a gurney for Beckett. There was nothing in sight; all the beds were straw and no wood planks or anything were lying conveniently around. He gave up on the idea and joined Nurse Jennings and her newly bandaged patient, not missing the fresh blood on her hands. "Jennings, is there anything you can give him for the pain? We're gonna have to carry him."

She shook her head regrettably and wiped her hands on the robe she'd worn earlier. "No, nothing strong enough to do him any good. We left all the good stuff on Atlantis. We didn't want to expose the Talvin's to very strong medicine of any kind because it can mess with your system." Sheppard wished the medical kits that soldiers carried had something besides aspirin in them. Whatever genius designed those things needed to seriously consider the fact that aspirin was worthless on a battlefield.

"Major Sheppard, we're ready to go." Ford came up behind him. Everyone was situated and waiting for orders.

"All right, head out. I want to be off this planet as fast as possible. You," he pointed a finger at the Healer's chest, "Will not mention us when the wraith come. We were never here, Got it?" Valdoz nodded quickly.

Sheppard started towards Beckett, intending to carry the wounded man. "You are exhausted Major Sheppard. Rest and eat, let another help Doctor Beckett." Teyla handed John a power bar. He took it gratefully, seeing the wisdom of her statement.

One of the larger soldiers, Thompson, volunteered to carry Beckett and handed Sheppard his P-90. Thompson liked the doctor; he had helped the soldier with migraines a couple weeks back, and it was difficult to see him lying so deathly still. Carson was wrapped tightly in a blanket and Thompson slipped his arms under the smaller man's knees and shoulders, lifting him carefully.

Carson was awake, blue eyes barely visible under heavy lids, and couldn't help but groan as he was moved. The jostling of travel would be torture for him, but he'd heard enough to know they had to leave. He wouldn't let his pain endanger anyone by delaying them. As he was carried out of the house he got one last blurry look at Sanly, watching him sadly and fearfully from Valdoz's side. The boy lifted a hand in farewell and Carson wished he could return the gesture but was wrapped up too tightly. Tears welled in his eyes, partly from the physical pain of being carried and partly from the pain of knowing Sanly and his people would most likely be slaughtered by the wraith.

Jennings did not miss the doctor's painful moan and teary eyes. She hated the thought of moving Doctor Beckett, he was already weak from his wound, and the last thing he needed was for some burly soldier to carry him cross-country. They had to get him to Atlantis though, and this was the fastest way.

As they entered the courtyard Sheppard remembered the other foreigners. They were innocent outsiders and would be fair game when the wraith showed up. "Hold on," he asked his teammates. He took a deep breath and shouted "Listen traders, you can come with us! We're leaving, you can go home. Just come out." His voice echoed around the courtyard. No one emerged from the houses. "You will die if you stay here." He saw a few curious faces appear in windows, but no one came out.

"They don't trust us," McKay stated.

"Why the hell not? If it wasn't for us they'd still be captured." Sheppard swore. "We can't just leave them here!"

"I don't like it any better than you do, but we have to go now! Every second we stay here the wraith get closer. Anyway, we can't force them to come with us." McKay's voice was full of frustration. Sheppard knew he was right but had trouble accepting it. How could they just leave those people to die?

There was a shuffling noise and a muffled shout. Sheppard and McKay turned around to find Greni and his men tied and gagged on the ground. Several townspeople and the town leaders were guarding the rebels, apparently discussing what to do with them. Greni struggled and tried to say something to Sheppard. "Take that off him." Sheppard commanded. The Talvins hesitated but sprang into motion when Sheppard glared at them and shifted his gun threateningly.

The gag was removed and Greni immediately began to speak. "Take us with you! Please, the wraith are not our gods, we do not believe it. They will kill us! You know this is true." He seemed desperate.

Sheppard might have considered it under different circumstances, after all Blith and Greni were right about the wraith, but one glance at Beckett steeled his resolve. "Sorry, your beliefs may be right, but you're a terrorist and I don't like you. I don't take kindly to being captured and having my team beat up. You can stay here and enjoy the hospitality of the wraith." Greni stared at him with eyes full of terror.

"It was not I that harmed your companion! It was Blith, he's our leader. Please!" Greni looked much less menacing groveling on the ground with his hands tied up. It didn't matter though, Sheppard couldn't forget what the rebels had done to them, couldn't forget McKay's pale face and Beckett's bloody wound. He turned his back on the rebel, who was once again gagged by a Talvin. His muffled cries fell on deaf ears.

Cota approached Sheppard and bowed slightly. "Teyla, Major Sheppard, I am sorry for the trouble that has befallen you and your companions. Please know that the rebellious villagers will pay for their crimes." The other townspeople were behind him, also bowing low and sending apologetic glances to the SGA team. "We hope for your safe return home and a full recovery, and ask one last time that you stay and benefit from our god's wisdom."

Sheppard couldn't bring himself to answer but grabbed Cota's robe and drew the man towards him. He spoke softly, deliberately with every word stressed and threatening. "You will not tell the wraith we are here, got it?" Cota nodded, looking surprised and afraid at his attitude. Sheppard released him and rejoined the group. The diplomatic officers were looking at him disapprovingly. He didn't give a damn. He wasn't in the mood for diplomacy.

With that they set off at a brisk pace and scaled the hill quickly, leaving the village behind. "How are you doing, Doctor Beckett?" Thompson whispered as they began a soft descent on the sun-dappled path.

"Could be worse lad…beats wraith food." Beckett was speaking so softly that Thompson had to bend down to hear him. Thompson noticed blood in Beckett's mouth and red staining his teeth. Thompson had been in combat and seen soldiers with fatal wounds. With a heavy heart he remembered that the ones that bled from the mouth rarely survived.

"That's for sure. Don't worry doc, we only got twenty minutes or so. Then we'll be home." He tried to comfort the wounded man.

Beckett didn't hear him though. His brain was in overdrive and he couldn't seem to settle down into the bliss of unconsciousness and couldn't stop thinking about the Talvins. They would be slaughtered by the wraith. He remembered Sanly; just a kid! His thoughts were interrupted when Thompson stumbled. It was just a small misstep, but Beckett felt like the world had fallen out from under him. "Sorry Doctor Beckett. God! I'm sorry." Thompson hugged Carson tighter to him and vowed to watch where he was going more carefully.

Jennings scowled deeply at Thompson. "God, be more careful! Watch where you step man!" Beckett was irreplaceable, as the chief doctor and a friend, and she'd promised herself that he'd make it through this alive. Thompson nodded and guiltily avoided eye contact.

They had been travelling several minutes in silence at a brisk walk. McKay and Jennings had to keep jogging to catch up with Sheppard's long stride. Everyone intent on getting back to the stargate when one of the soldiers at the back of the group ran up to Sheppard. "Sir, I think someone's following us, I can hear them."

Rodney's head snapped around and Sheppard's heart skipped a beat. "Are you sure? The wraith can play tricks with your mind." Sheppard tapped his forehead knowingly.

"Yes, sir. Pretty sure." The soldier glanced at Sheppard sharply, seeming to realize what the major had just said. "You think the wraith are here already, Sir?"

"I didn't say that. I'm just considering all the options." Sheppard turned to Teyla. "You can usually feel them, do you sense any wraith right now?"

She shook her head. "No, but we cannot be completely sure Major Sheppard."

"Agreed. McKay keep going, I'm gonna go investigate." He stopped to let everyone go by and took up position at the back of the group. At first he heard nothing but the gentle rustle of tree branches and several birds. As they rounded a sharp bend that blocked his view, he caught a different noise, that of soft footfalls and hurried breathing. He paused at the corner and hunkered down into the brush. Whatever was following was very close and attempting to be covert.

"Ford, Russel, come back here." He called softly. "Do you hear it?" They squatted next to him, listened closely, and nodded. "What do you think-" his voice was drowned out by a shrill sound that permeated the quiet forest like a gunshot. Everyone stopped dead and looked at each other with wide eyes. They all knew what that noise was. It was the sound of a wraith probe, and it was growing steadily louder.

"So much for optimism," McKay muttered.

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