Chapter 2.
Sheppard, Ford, and Teyla made their way to the Energy Science building, through a gathered throng of onlookers, conscious of the wary and some downright hostile glares they were receiving. Upon entering the facility, they encountered half a dozen armed security personnel that wouldn't permit them access beyond the lobby.
Never one to be pushed without pushing back, Sheppard cleared his throat loudly. "Someone care to tell me what's going on?" he asked to no one in particular.
A small man dressed in all black and not much larger than Teyla stepped forward. "You must be Major Sheppard. Follow me, please." Turning, he headed towards a door guarded by two hulking security officers, only to stop when he realized Sheppard hadn't moved an inch. "If you wish to see your friend, you must come with me," he reiterated.
Scowling, Sheppard replied, "I'd be happy to, if you would tell me who you are, and why Dr. McKay isn't answering his radio."
"At this moment, Major Sheppard, you do not have the liberty of your questions being answered. Now, follow me." The small man turned on his heel and made his way brusquely through the crowd, with the onlookers parting like Moses and the Red Sea. This time he didn't bother looking back, knowing the others had no choice but to follow.
"Officious little runt," the major muttered as he watched the retreating figure for a second, his instinctive dislike blossoming into outright hostility, before turning to Ford. "Get back to the Jumper and notify Atlantis that we have a problem and that McKay's most likely involved. We're gong to need some back up. And don't forget radio contact!" With a brisk nod of acknowledgement, he watched Ford hurried away. "Teyla, you're with me."
"Major Sheppard," the small man snapped from the doorway to the outside entrance, "Please don't keep me waiting."
"Coming," he replied. With a quick glance to Teyla, he whispered under his breath, "Let's not keep the little weasel waiting."
The Athosian woman kept pace beside him as they exited the building. "Why do you think they are detaining Dr. McKay?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know yet, but I have a feeling the good doctor is connected to all of this somehow." Stepping inside the small shuttle that was waiting outside, he sat between Teyla and a big goon of a guard that was eyeing up the young woman, while Noda retained a seat in the front. Folding his arms, he glared at the larger man until the guard looked away. "Ready when you are," he said with a wave.
The shuttle sped through the busy city, coming to a halt before a large grey stone building at least ten stories tall. Someone on the outside opened the transport's door, gesturing for the occupants to disembark.
The little man exited first, not even looking back to the others, and disappeared behind the building's large dark glass doors. The remaining individuals followed silently, escorted by two more guards to a small room with a table and four chairs.
"This reminds me of a bad movie," Sheppard whispered to Teyla as they each took a seat.
Moments later, the little man reappeared from another door carrying a container that he placed on the table with a thump. Slowly he removed each item, displaying them out of reach: Rodney's datapad, radio, his sidearm, and his uniform. The man took extra care in unfolding the uniform so that the dried blood was easy to make out. He then tapped a small switch on the wall, revealing a screen that displayed a picture of the missing scientist still dressed in his outfit with his hands splayed out, showing the blood on both palms. The look on McKay's face was one of utter disgust.
"Oh, crap," Sheppard mumbled to himself. Sitting up straight in his seat, he leaned forward staring directly at the man in charge, "What happened?"
"I'll ask the questions, major. My name is Commander Noda and I run the security of this city. Today, approximately one hour ago, Mr. McKay..."
"Doctor. His title is Dr. McKay," Sheppard corrected, tightly folding his arms across his chest.
Dark eyes burned with hatred towards the major. "Do not interrupt me again. While the prisoner remains within the custody of this facility, he holds no title." Noda stood and made his way to stand behind Teyla and Sheppard's chairs, "Mr. McKay was found abusing Dr. Mika in her laboratory after some sort of altercation. Witnesses have stated that they overheard an argument between the scientists earlier in the day, and Mr. McKay left the facility. Moments later he returned, there was another argument, and then he was discovered abusing the dead woman's body." Leaning between the two from Atlantis, Noda pointed to the blood on the uniform, "The evidence does not lie."
Silence filled the small room as each individual studied the items on display.
The major turned sideways in his seat to face Teyla, almost bumping noses with the Pennatrocan, "Begging your pardon, Commander, but I'd like to see Dr. McKay and get his side of the story."
The small man stood up and stiffly made his way back to the other side of the table. His ice blue eyes sparkled, enjoying the fact that he was in control, "I will allow one of you to see Mr. McKay. The other must remain here."
Teyla met Sheppard's glance and nodded. "I will remain, Major." Glancing towards the large guard by the door, she cast a small glimpse of a smile to her friend, "I can take of myself."
"I know you can," the major replied with a grim smile. "It's them I'm worried about." Rising from his seat, he turned to Noda, "No harm to her while I'm gone."
"We have no interest in the woman. Leave your weapons!" the commander snapped, watching Sheppard hand his pack and small arsenal to his companion, before opening the door and escorting the major out.
SG: A
Noda, Sheppard, and two guards entered a small transparent elevator. Noting the look interest on the offworlder's face, Noda actually volunteered a bit of information. "We like to be able to see what is going on in our facility at all times."
The small lift went up seven floors before coming to a halt. Noda once again led the way through the facility, past rooms with force fields in front and prisoners inside. He stopped at the very end of one passageway and gestured inside. There sitting alone, was one very unhappy Rodney McKay, dressed in a red jumpsuit, studying the floor while drumming his fingers together.
"Hey," Sheppard called out.
Rodney's head came up with a snap at the sound of his friend's voice. "Oh, thank god. I thought I was going to be in here forever."
Sheppard pointed to the force field and looked over to Noda, "Can I go in? I want to make sure he's alright."
The commander nodded and pressed a small device he was holding in his hand. The shield shifted so that only half of the entranceway was blocked. "I will leave a guard here and be back shortly." Once Sheppard was inside, the shield was returned to full and Noda walked away.
Rodney remained seated on his cot, shifting slightly to make room, while warily watching the major sit beside him. "Don't tell me, I'm going to be here for awhile, aren't I?"
Dropping to sit beside McKay, Sheppard sighed. "I sent Ford back to call Weir and to send reinforcements." He studied his friend closely, looking for any sign of injury, and noticing Rodney looked a bit flushed and his hair was damp. "You all right? What's with the wet hair?"
"Let's just say I've had two showers today. One by choice, the other by them," Rodney said as he nodded towards the guard. Rubbing his hands together, he closely examined the backs and palms. "They weren't too keen on me having blood on my hands. It seems they're a bit obsessive when it comes to neatness."
Sheppard wasn't quite sure what his friend was talking about, but figured whatever occurred, it hadn't been pleasant. "Tell me what happened."
It didn't take long for Rodney to tell the whole story, beginning with the argument and ending with being discovered 'molesting' the body. Several times while reiterating the details, he rolled one shoulder and grimaced without even realizing he was doing it. Once completed, he leaned his head back against the wall and sighed.
The major sat and wrapped his mind around what he had just been told. Disbelief filled his voice, "So, you were only performing CPR?"
"Yes. Apparently, their medical advances are a bit behind their technology. They seem to believe that I was molesting the body," Rodney said with a grimace.
Sheppard stood and ran his hands through his hair, making it even more disarrayed than usual. Pacing the small cell, he stopped in front of the force field, eyeing up the back of the guard. "How'd you get hurt?"
Rodney looked puzzled a moment, before glaring past the major towards the bulky guard. "Oh, they believe in dragging people around by the arm." Looking down at his shoulder, he rolled it slowly. "It's just a bit tender."
An overwhelming urge to hurt someone coursed through the major, for he knew if Rodney said it was 'a bit tender', that it had to be hurting. It was when the scientist volunteered information on illnesses without being asked, that they could safely ignore him. Struggling to maintain his composure, he turned to face his friend once more, "Want me to get Beckett here?"
The scientist shook his head 'no'. "I just want to leave."
Noda returned outside the doorway and lowered the shield. A grim smile played across his face as he tapped the controls impatiently on his leg. "Your time is up, Major."
Ignoring the little weasel, Sheppard crouched in front of his too quiet friend, "I know you do. We'll get you out of this, I promise." Patting Rodney on the knee, he stood up and made his way out the door. Pausing, he turned back and gave his trademark smile, "When I come back I'm going to have Beckett with me. You make sure to eat while I'm gone." Once on the other side of the shield, he turned to Noda and the guard, and then back to the quiet scientist. "Nothing more better happen to him after I leave," his warning clear to the strangers.
A final glance towards McKay, he nodded, and then allowed himself to be led back to the elevator.
SG: A
Rodney sat inside his small cell, alone once more. He was relieved to know that the others knew where he was but troubled that it would take longer than he'd hoped to leave. Tipping his head back against the wall, he closed his eyes, trying to ignore the throbbing in his shoulder. 'Why does this always happen to me?' he pondered before slowly slipping sideways to lie down. Maybe this was all a bad dream and when he awoke, he'd be back on Atlantis.
TBC