Collateral
By AntaresStar
Chapter 8: Chase
Rated PG-13: For some character whumping, blood, ickiness, and language.
A/N: Thanks you everyone that reviewed! I've been so busy I thought I wouldn't be able to get this up until tomorrow, but then I read the reviews and just had to do it sooner. Only one or two chapters left!
"Down, everyone get down!" Shouted major Sheppard. The wraith probe was close, but he couldn't see it yet, maybe it would miss them somehow. Everyone hunkered down quickly, looking skyward for any sign of the device. Sheppard raised his P-90, eyes searching left and right.
The probe soared into view over the forest canopy, a small round orb darting whimsically. Sheppard's breath caught; this was it! The probe was right above them, it would either see them or not. It made a tight circle, paused, then shot through the treetops straight towards them.
"Shit!" Sheppard cursed. "Bring it down!" Everyone with a gun hoisted it and aimed at the flitting device. Several shots rang out but the damned thing was too fast. It dodged the bullets easily, whining shrilly all the while and blinking its lights furiously. It swooped in close and flew right into the midst of the group, making it impossible to shoot without potentially killing someone.
McKay ducked and covered his head as the device flew low and barley missed him. It made a tight turn and headed towards Thompson. The man was on the ground and trying to shield Beckett. He cursed as the probe passed so close to him that he felt it's airstream. The device made a high loop then descended quickly again. "Watch out!" It plowed right through them, Teyla had to roll out of the way to avoid being hit. "What the hell is it doing?" shouted Sheppard angrily as he covered his head.
"Trying to get readings maybe? It must have-" McKay was interrupted when he had to jump sideways to avoid getting plowed over. He rubbed his hip gingerly and continued. "It must have short range sensors. Very short."
"What's the good in that?" Sheppard fired wildly at the probe as it momentarily flew clear of the group. "It's a probe for god's sake!"
The device swung around a tree then careened straight towards Ford. He sidestepped out of its way. As it flew by him he swung his gun into it as hard as he possibly could. With a resounding crack the P-90 collided into the wraith device. The probe was propelled violently sideways and slammed solidly into a trunk. With one last cry it fell to the base of the tree, side completely caved in, and went dark. Ford had been knocked to the ground by the impact, cracked gun clutched in his stinging hands.
Rodney rose to his feet panting from exertion. He hurried over to the probe to make sure it was really broken. "Nice swing Ford." Sheppard grabbed his arm and helped him up. Ford shook his head to clear it, waving his stinging hands in the air. He kicked the probe vengefully. It didn't help his hands but made him feel better.
"Is everyone ok?" Sheppard turned a full circle to study the group.
Ford raised his broken gun. "Does this count, sir?" Sheppard finished his circuit and sighed in relief. No one seemed hurt. "What the hell was wrong with that thing?" Ford shook his head with disbelief.
McKay straightened, as he always did before launching into one of his theories. "It's not exactly a probe per say, it has a different configuration. Looks more like a scanner...must have had an internal defense system. When we started firing, it knew to get close to us so we couldn't shoot it." He seemed intrigued and stooped over as if to pick up the device.
Teyla was on her feet and anxiously scouting the sky. "Whatever it may be, it surely has sent word to the wraith. We must go now. There could be more, and the wraith are now aware of our presence."
"You're right, let's get out of here. McKay, leave it." Sheppard ordered. Rodney opened his mouth to argue but snapped it shut at the major's sharp look. Thompson bent down next to Jennings as she finished checking Carson's vital signs. To her relief Carson was finally asleep, but he had taken a turn for the worse.
Sheppard took the lead and began jogging down the trail. He wanted to go fast enough to cover ground without hurting Beckett or leaving any civilians behind. He also wanted to be able to scout for anything while they ran. They just needed ten more minutes to get back to the gate. Ten tiny minutes…he prayed that they would have them.
A short time passed in silence as everyone strained to listen for any noises over their footsteps. Ford had pulled out a replacement weapon and was at the rear of the group. Something had been following them earlier and he wasn't about to be ambushed by it. He was alert but could hear nothing out of the ordinary. Whatever had been following them had apparently stopped. There weren't any noises down the path, just normal chirps and buzzings.
The momentary peace was shattered when a muffled shout echoed up the path behind him. Ford couldn't see anything back there but it sounded pretty close and very frightened. The yell sounded like a boy, and he was calling for help.
Sudden realization dawned on him. Ford had figured out who'd been following them and had a nasty feeling they'd met up with unpleasant company. "Dammit! Major Sheppard, I think it's that boy, Sanly." Ford called. "He must have been following us, but it sounds like he's in trouble- "
The yell turned into a scream that cut through the quiet forest like a knife. "What the-" started Sheppard but was cut off by the sounds of wraith stun blasts. The screaming stopped abruptly.
"Aw hell!" Ford turned to the Major. "Stun guns!"
"They're here! You, to the front!" He indicated Thompson and the civilians. McKay flashed a worried look at Sheppard before pressing forward and sprinting to the front.
Sheppard took the rear with Teyla and Ford, the remaining soldiers flanking them. They were running, awkwardly throwing glances over their shoulders to search for any movement. Everyone had their guns raised and ready.
"There!" One of the soldiers recoiled and fired a quick series of shots off to the right. Another soldier shot off to the left with a surprised yell.
"Stop, nothing is there!" Teyla warned them.
"They make you see things, don't pay attention." Sheppard voice was tight as he resisted the urge to fire as well. He swung his gaze forward, trying to regain control of himself. "Keep going!" That was a yell up to Thompson, who had slowed and turned at the sound of the gunshots.
"You have something more important to worry about." Jennings reminded him. Thompson nodded but it seemed difficult for him to not join his comrades in back. He had half a mind to give Beckett to McKay and get back there to help.
"Which way?" shouted Rodney, sliding to a stop as he came to a fork.
"Left!" Teyla yelled up at him. She'd been this way many times. "We are nearly there."
There had yet to be any tangible sightings of the wraith, but Teyla was sure they were here. "They are gaining on us, I can sense it," she informed major Sheppard, pressing a hand to her head in distress.
He threw her a concerned look before switching his gaze behind him again. He heard a triumphant shout from McKay ahead. "I see it, the gate!" The only ground left to cover was the wide field the gate rested in.
As McKay burst through the forest and passed into brilliant sunlight, he heard a shot ring out behind him and a yell of warning from Major Sheppard. The wraith had caught up with them. He wheeled around just in time to see one of the soldiers hit by a wraith stunner. The man fell in a heap but was hoisted quickly by another soldier in a fireman's carry. All the while they were firing into the trees behind them.
As Sheppard exited the forest and began to race across the vast field, the wraith finally made their appearance. A group of at least seven burst through the trees and immediately began firing on the humans. A particularly large and nasty one had Sanly draped over one shoulder.
"Get to the gate! Hit them with everything you got!" Sheppard yelled as they began pummeling the enemy with bullets. The SGA team was in plain sight in the flat field with nothing standing between them and the wraith. They had to get to the gate and the large rock it rested on or they'd be easy targets.
Sheppard and the others were firing shots as they ran but were really just keeping the wraith occupied until they could reach the cover of the stargate. Sheppard saw a wraith shot heading directly towards him. He threw himself down hard, knocking his breath away as the blast hit off to his left. He felt the blast's impact and was covered in flying dirt. Ford stopped and covered him as he sprang to his feet and fired off a quick sequence. A majority of the shots hit the wraith straight on, but it was no use, he just got right back up again.
The wraith were gaining on them and shooting all the while. Their shots were wild and most of them missed, but they were getting closer. One of the soldiers detached a grenade from his belt and threw it into the midst of wraith. It exploded and sent one flying but didn't even phase the others. The wraith in the lead grinned and sent a stun blast right into the soldier's surprised face.
Up ahead, McKay was panting but almost to the gate. Just a little further! He was aware of the firefight going on behind him but concentrated solely on getting to the stargate and dialing out. Beside him Jennings was also gasping and a few steps back were the diplomatic officers and Thompson. With a yelp one of the diplomats was hit by a stunner and went rolling. His companion bent down and dragged him up, straining to carry him.
McKay gave a relieved cry as he skidded to a stop in front of the DHD. Gasping, he leaned on it for support and immediately slapped the first panel. The massive stargate stirred to life and began moving. He heard shouts and yells behind him but didn't stop, he had to get it open.
Jennings hunkered down behind the DHD and motioned Thompson to follow her. He carefully lowered Beckett behind the relative safety of the device. Carson was awake again and looked like hell. The mad sprint to the gate had jostled his wound open and it was bleeding freely through soaked bandages. His face was gray and his breath came in painful gulps. He tried to say something, but when he opened his mouth he turned away and threw up. To Jennings' horror his vomit was laced with blood.
Above them Rodney was focused on the DHD. He had the correct sequence…only two symbols left!
Sheppard and the others threw themselves down when they finally reached the gate. They were trying to hold the wraith off, just a little longer!
Rodney reached for the last symbol with a shaking hand, but he never got the chance to press it down.
A/N: Oh sorry, that cliffie was evil. Bad Antares, bad girl!
My New Years resolution: no more cliffies. Hmmm…never mind…they're too much fun!
Love ya'll, review please, make me happy!
HAPPY 2005!!