Disclaimer: I don't own these characters someone else does….lucky people.

Timeline: Set early in season one. No spoilers.

Author's Note: This is the revised versions of my first ever fanfic. Thanks to my beta reader Nate, who edited it for me, the story is now free of grammar errors and mixed tenses! (I hope). A few other small changes were made to enhance the writing and style, but otherwise the story remains the same. Hope you enjoy the new and improved version!

Dragons of the Deep

By Rowana Farrin

Chapter One: Major Mistake

Dr. Rodney McKay took advantage of his free time to explore the deep corners of the Ancients' city. Even after months of living here, vast amounts of the place still remained unexplored. Unfortunately, since new discoveries often went hand-in-hand with disaster, Dr. Elizabeth Weir had insisted that McKay take a military escort. Which was why he was dragging a bored Lt. Aiden Ford along with him.

"Could you at least try to take an interest in what I'm saying?" McKay asked irritably.

"I was listening," Ford lied. The two entered a room, deep in the city's interior. The room was large and its walls were covered with lit panels depicting maps and floor plans of Atlantis. Two large tables were littered with Ancient technology, including many devices that had until now. McKay thought he had died and gone to heaven, except that there were no gorgeous chicks admiring his brilliance. Ford just thought it was a load of junk.

"This..." McKay said breathlessly. He walked reverently around the tables. "This is amazing," he finished.

"Any chance these things could help take down the Wraith?" Ford asked, examining what looked like a small pistol.

"Well, I won't know until I check, now will I?" McKay replied, irritated. He grabbed the artifact from Ford. "Please don't touch anything."

"What ever you say, Doc." Ford began pacing the room in boredom. Though he liked exploring, he never enjoyed all this scientific stuff.

McKay ignored him and concentrated on a device mounted on a large pedestal. Hourglass shaped and emitting small pulses of light, it seemed to be the only artifact that was still active. Rodney was fascinated and reached forward to examine the device more closely.

A flash of light and loud fizzing sound filled the room. Ford whirled around in time to see McKay collapse to the floor. He rushed to the unconscious scientist and checked that he was still breathing. Realizing he would never be able to carry McKay back to the infirmary, Ford activated his radio: "Ford to Command."

"Go ahead, Lieutenant," Weir's voice answered.

"Mckay's been..." Ford searched for the right word, "zapped by something, He needs medical assistance now!" he said urgently.

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure," he glanced around. The once glowing hourglass was scorched black. "I think one of these things activated."

"Things?"

"We're in a room full of Ancient devices. McKay touched one and just fainted."

"Major Sheppard and Dr. Beckett are on their way."

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By the time Major John Sheppard and Dr. Carson Beckett arrived, Mckay had already regained consciousness. Ford helped the irritated man to sit up, while Beckett opened his medical kit. McKay was already back to his normal, arrogant self; complaining to high heaven.

"I did not faint!" he said emphatically. He pushed Ford away and pulled himself upright, using one of the tables for support. Carson frowned, examining two large, red welts on Rodney's right hand.

"What did ya touch?" he asked in concern. He poked at the spots experimentally.

"Ow!" McKay yanked his hand back. "Would you just leave it alone!?"

"That's enough, McKay," Sheppard interrupted. "What is this place, anyway?"

"I was just figuring that out before..."

"...before you got yourself zapped," Sheppard finished for him. "Ford, you'd better tell Weir what's happening." He turned to examine the displays on the far wall, trying to ignore the rekindled argument between McKay and Beckett. He sighed. Scientists. Not that he didn't like them. Far from it. But sometimes they could be such a pain.

The panels depicted various schematics of the city. No doubt they were also equipped with various sensors for life forms and energy patterns like the ones in command. One screen, slightly separated from the rest, showed a small map of rough terrain. Intrigued, Sheppard looked closer and saw a small, glowing dot on one of the mountains.

"I wonder what this is," he said absently. Without thinking, he touched the spot with a finger. White light filled his vision and he experienced the, now familiar, queasy feeling of being transported. Seconds later, his vision cleared and he was once again staring at the diagram. Except it was on a different wall.