The Prophecy

Chapter 7

Teyla could feel the looks of the rebel guards on her as she was crouched on the pavement next to John. They were not firing on her, obviously having been told, that they were to be left alone. Teyla did not know what to do, she could not stay here, John was getting worse and eventually the rebels might attack her, she had seen that look in the eyes of men before. But she could not go through the gate either. She would not give up the address of a friendly world and there was no place where John could get the help he needed. Their only hope was that Lt. Ford and the others sent a team to look for them. Going by her watch almost five hours had passed between the release of the scientists. Clinging to the hope that their friends and comrades would not abandon them so easily, she moved John into what she hoped was a comfortable position given the circumstances. She hated to be powerless. For centuries her people had been powerless in the face of Wraith attacks and had simply learned to live with the constant threat of violent death. She had finally changed by deciding ally with the Atlantians.

She rested his head on her lap. Feeling her forehead, she was relieved to find that his fever didn't seem to have risen since the last time she checked, but his features seemed strained, as if he was in pain. He was breathing shallowly and rather fast for a man who was unconscious.

The sudden noise from the Gate activating caught her attention and made her realize that their position was utterly vulnerable. A few meters of from the Gate was a low wall. It wasn't much, but it would afford John and her some protection in case however stepped through the Gate was not friendly. Quickly gathering her strength grabbed John again, dragging him over to the make shift hide out. Mentally she apologized for the rough treatment of dragging him along the ground, but it was the only way she had of moving him. Teyla made it behind the wall just in time before the vortex of the Gate was established.

The position behind the wall had its drawbacks, allowing her only no direct line of sight of the gate. As soon as who ever was coming through the gate stepped arrived, gunfire started. At least the wall protected them and prevented them from being seen and drawn into any conflict.

She could still hear the explosions of bullets being fired and hitting their targets, but she was pinned down. While she alone might be able to run to a saver position, she would never abandon John while he was unable to protect himself. When the roar of gunshots died down, she looked up.

That had not been such a good idea.

A scene marked by violence unfolded around her. Felled rebel guards lay on the ground, most of them still gripping on to their weapons in death, making it obvious that they had gone down fighting.

Having secured their position for the moment, the Atlantis team started to fan out, still being vigilant, not knowing how many hostiles they were facing. Teyla watched paralyzed for a moment, but when she realized that the men were wearing familiar uniform. They had come for them, she stood up, raising her arm in order to attract attention, but not to alarm any of the soldiers.

"We're here. Major Sheppard needs help." She called out.

Immediately, two medics came running over while the soldiers secured their position. Teyla stepped back to give the medical professional space to examine John, but watched them anxiously. She had witnessed with fear how his condition had deteriorated over the previous hours.

Their position momentarily secure, Ford walked over to where Teyla was standing.

"Are you all right?"

"I will be fine. But we should return to Atlantis as soon as possible. Reinforcements will be here soon."

"We're just waiting on word on John." Ford helped her to her feet. She was starting to feel the strain of her experience as well.

"How is he?" He turned to the medics.

"Not good. His pulse is erratic and he's running a high fever. With no indication as to what caused this there is nothing we can do for him here. Normally transport isn't recommended in his condition, but we have no choice. We'll have him ready in two minutes." The medic reported.

"Sir, we have hosti…" the soldier could not finish his sentence before a burst of fire struck the ground before the Gate. Teyla stood frozen for a moment, seeing soldiers trying to dive out of the way of the deadly blast, hearing screams and gunfire being returned in the direction of the shuttlecraft from which the blast had been fire.

She had only stood still for a second, without thinking she ran for the DHD. A second blast struck the spot she had occupied a second ago. She felt searing pain in her back and pained screams all around her but didn't turn back. Time seemed to slow down around her as she ran towards to DHD as fast as her legs would carry her. She reached the vital device as the third blast struck. Her ears ringing with the sound of gunfire, she started dialling. She shot a quickly look behind her and was relieved that the soldiers had realized that she was dialling the gate and were now protecting the gate, but she also with horror that wounded men were long on the now bloodied pavement. Her eyes fixed once again on the DHD. She was on the fourth symbol as another blast rocked the ground, knocking her down. She came down hard on her knees, catching herself on her hands.

Only when she left a bloody handprint on the smooth white stone of the square, she realized that blood was running down her arm. She didn't stop and resumed dialling. More gunfire filled the air and suddenly there was a rushing sound and a big crash. She turned and saw that the shuttle of the rebels had finally crashed under their fire. But their enemies were determined. Men, bleeding and injured, clearly outnumbered stormed out of the crashed craft firing their last bullets at the Atlantians. They ignored the shouts telling them to surrender, preferring to be gunned down rather then to given themselves over to the enemy.

Finally the wormhole engaged. Teyla hadn't noticed that she was swaying on her feet until someone, she didn't know the man, grabbed her by the arm, steadying her. She looked back, until she spotted the medics, carrying John through the gate on a stretcher. He didn't look well, but at least they were going to get help now.

TBC

A/N: I know, this seems to never move forward, but don't worry I mapped the entire plot out before I started writing.