Rating: K+ (but will eventually go a little higher)
Season/Spoiler: mid-One and none
Category: Humor, Adventure, Angst, H/C, Drama
Summary: A hidden society has adapted to the genetic mutations of an ancient weapon that has left them with a colorful outlook on life, until contact with visitors from Atlantis begins to pale their perspective. Only the combined efforts of both will be able to stop the next metamorphosis before it turns deadly. (Team fic with lots of extras from Atlantis. But, yeah, mainly the guys….)
Disclaimer: Once again, Atlantis is not mine. But feedback, I'll take. Those bunnies of mine are ravenous!
A/N: Betaed patiently (all four times) by Gaffer and encouraged by emergencyfan. (Periwinkle… rolling eyes ) Thank you!
Shadows of Yesterday by nebbyJ
Beckett was bored. It had been two days since Major Sheppard and his team had left for M68-798 and during that amount of time not one person had come to seek him out. With his facility vacant and his personnel enjoying their brief respite, he decided to check on the rest of Atlantis.
His first stop was to the jumper hanger where he knew there had to be some activity, and found Zelenka and a few other members tearing apart a control module. Parts littered the floor and the air was filled with the disgruntled ranting from the Czech scientist as he waved an odd shaped piece in the face of one notorious, Dr. Kavanagh.
"What do ya think? Do ya think? This is concave crystal, not convex. If you had been listening to me when I explained it first time, you would have heard me tell you, installing this will cause overload. But, no! No, you think you know all. What, you magically make this work because you look like American magician? Penn and Teller not needed here! Scientist with brain needed here."
In return, his pony tailed antagonist shoved his glasses higher upon his nose and attempted to sneer down at the smaller man. "Dr. Zelenka, just because Dr. McKay is offworld, it doesn't give you jurisdiction over the labs. I need to complete my diagnostics of the containment units onboard the jumper. I'm not here asking your permission."
Undaunted by the taller scientist, Radek took a menacing step forward, causing the other to step back. "I already fix unit…yesterday. You go away, mix up batch of cookies with chemistry degree. I have work to do, not baby sit." Without a second glance, he returned to his project, clearly dismissing the unwanted intruder.
Kavanagh glowered. "We'll see what Dr. Weir has to say," he threatened, before turning on his heel and brusquely storming out of the jumper bay.
Several chuckles could be heard from members of the group once the door whooshed shut behind the chemist, Carson's included.
"Dr. Beckett, can I help you?"
He turned to meet Zelenka's steady enquiring gaze. "Nay, lad, I'm just out for a walk."
"Aye, too quiet with the others gone." The Czech nodded in understanding as he pulled off his glasses and scratched his head. "Maybe you go rescue Dr. Weir?"
Carson glanced about and realized the group was staring at him, waiting for him to leave. He opened his mouth to say something before stopping and shook his head. "I'll go check on Elizabeth."
Radek smiled, watching the Scottish physician head towards the doorway. "Good. Rescue fearless leader from evil ogre," he called out to the retreating figure, prior to the door closing.
SG: A
Just as he'd hoped, Tropical Storm Kavanagh had already blown through; leaving Dr. Weir alone by the time he'd reached her observation post above the departure room. Anger radiated off her tight controlled features as she stood scowling at the gate.
"Is everything alright?"
She blinked, surprised to find Beckett standing at her side. "Did you know I hand picked almost every person on board Atlantis?" Not giving him time to reply, she shook her head, arms tightening even tighter across her chest, "Where in the hell did he come from? If O'Neill sent him to test me, I will personally tell that Brigadier General exactly what I think of his recommendation and shove the order where the sun don't shine."
When the good doctor remained silent, she glanced over and caught his smile, and noticed the devious twinkle in his eyes. She couldn't resist and had to smile back, the tension instantly melting away, "What?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, don't even start with me," she said as she whapped him on the arm, walking back to her office.
Carson followed, nodding 'yes' as she held up a pot of coffee. "You miss them, too."
She passed him a steaming mug, taking her own to her desk and sitting down with a sigh. "It's too quiet. It feels like the calm before the storm."
"Oh, don't even say that, lass. They deserve a simple mission…we all do. No mysterious blow darts, arrows, or guns. I'm enjoying the silence." He swirled the coffee in his mug, taking a hesitant sip and then letting the warm flavor spread throughout him.
"You're a terrible liar," Weir laughed. "The only reason you're here is you have nothing to do and came to bother me." Someone entering the room behind the physician caught her attention, "Peter?"
"Incoming message from Dr. McKay. Do you want it in here or out at the main console?"
She glanced to Beckett and raised a brow as if to say 'See!' before nodding to the polite Englishman, "Main console." Mugs in hand, both doctors stepped back out to the control room.
"Rodney?"
"Elizabeth. Good to hear your voice."
"Likewise. What can we do for you?"
"I was wondering if Beckett was available."
Carson stepped up, instantly concerned, "I'm here, Rodney. Is something wrong?"
"No. I thought you might want to come over and see the medical facilities. Dr. Spyder has offered to give you the grand tour if you're interested, and even a space to set up a small lab."
Beckett's smile was back as he glanced to Weir and she nodded in resignation. "Fine, leave me here."
"I'll get my pack and be there in half an hour. Meet me at the gate?"
"Take your time. Not like I was in the middle of a project or anything," the scientist replied before signing off.
SG: A
No matter how many times Carson stepped through the gate, the mere fact that he'd just been discombobulated and spread out over the galaxy always left him feeling unsettled. Thank goodness he'd once confided in Rodney, and the man was irritably waiting for him on the other side. Apparently the rest of the team had abandoned him to the science labs while they continued meeting with one of the heads of the, the …"What are they called again, lad?" the distracted physician asked, glancing back over his shoulder as they passed an individual from the city.
"Crayonsies." When Carson nodded, apparently accepting the name, Rodney stopped to stare at his friend in disgust before continuing, "Another fine example of Lieutenant Ford's attempt at humor. Although, I must confess his description of Close Encounters meets Crayola was actually one of his better ideas. From what Teyla described earlier, Dr. Spyder went into a litany of genetic history that boggled Major Sheppard into a speechless stupor. Something I would have liked to have had the privilege to have witnessed, actually." His smirk was only greeted with silence, so he shrugged and continued, "The only piece of knowledge the major's brain cells gleaned was that they are called Krahns."
The two men descended a wide circular staircase for several floors, passing two more individuals along the way who smiled and nodded at them before they continued on. Carson had to stop this time to take a second look. "Did they just change colors?"
"For crying out loud," Rodney hissed, as he grabbed the Scot by the arm, dragging him through a doorway, into a large room filled with more gadgets and gizmos than either could ever possibly hope to decipher in a lifetime. "Didn't your mother ever teach you it's impolite to stare?" His rhetorical question left no room for a reply as he plopped himself onto the only available seat, "This is where Dr. Spyder said you could set up shop." With a quick look around, he shook his head with contempt, "Actually, you and I are to share the room."
Carson glanced about, just as displeased by the situation, "Oh, I don't think so. Didn't you tell him?"
"Oil and water? No. He didn't get the concept. And when I tried to explain, he merely changed colors. Do you have any idea how disconcerting that was? One minute the good doctor was a pinkish-purple before turning a strange pale yellow. I mean what is that all about?"
"Rodney."
"Did I tell you he turned blue when he met the major? It's like being trapped in a Theodor Geisel nightmare."
Carson rubbed his face and tried to hide a smirk, patiently waiting for the rant to end. "Speaking of color, how can you tell them apart? Does this Dr. Spyder look any different?"
"I've met around a dozen or so and they all appeared similar at first but the longer you're here, you'll notice the differences." When he stopped and became aware of Beckett's frown, realizing the man wanted a bit more of an explanation. "What? He's bigger than the other," he waved his hand in the air," the other 'people'. You should have heard the major's brilliant idea of watching for his and her wash rooms. Tested for Mensa, my…" Rodney abruptly jumped up, staring at someone who had entered the room silently behind Carson, "Dr. Spyder. Dr. Beckett and I were just discussing your facility."
The lone figure, dressed in a floor-length sand colored tunic, extended his purplish hand in imitation of the gesture he had learned from Major Sheppard. "Dr. Beckett, welcome to our city. Dr. McKay has told me that you are a great healer and find interest in the study of physiological origins."
"Genetics, actually," the Scot replied. Unsure of what to expect when he returned the handshake, he discovered the Krahn's firm warm grip made his arm tingle, similar to a static charge. He watched in amazement as Dr. Spyder turned an unusual shade of blue. "I'm sorry, is there something wrong?"
The doctor smiled, his color returning to its normal shade, "No. It is you and your single appearance that I find most interesting." Nodding to Rodney, he continued, "Dr. McKay has explained to me earlier, the most interesting theories in human evolution. Perhaps we could discuss this in greater detail while you allow me to show you more of our facility."
Now, there was an offer the Scot couldn't refuse. "I'd like that. Rodney, would you care to join us?"
Engrossed in contemplation of an odd shaped piece of equipment that had caught his attention, McKay glanced up distractedly and scowled, before fixating on the gadget once more. "No, thank you," he mumbled as he checked the underside. Clearly having returned to his pre-occupied working state of mind, he waved a hand in the air, shooing them away. "I don't have time to recite Harry Potter spells with the natives; I've got work to do."
"Well, if you need me," Carson began, but stopped when a smaller figure dressed in a dark green tunic brusquely entered the room, brushing past him.
"Put that down!" its female voice snapped, grabbing the equipment from a surprised Rodney. "Do you have any idea what you almost did?" Carefully replacing it to its original position, green eyes glowered in irritation from the red hued face towards the Atlantis scientist.
Dr. Spyder appeared amused as he addressed the newcomer to the room. "Connor, this is Dr. McKay. He is the physicist from Atlantis, here to learn of our technology." When she continued icily staring, not returning to the pinkish purple color, he cleared his throat to gain her attention.
She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, her flush gradually fading to normal. "Forgive me, Doctor. I was down in the power control room when the readings began to fluctuate, showing a spike in the laboratory. I didn't know you had given your guest access to my equipment while I was gone."
"Your concern is understandable, Connor. I apologize for not informing you earlier of his arrival to your facility. Dr. McKay, may I introduce Master Connor Tenbrook, head developmental scientist."
Rodney's tight lipped expression showed his displeasure at being scolded like a first year student, before he grudgingly extended his hand. "Master Connor, I apologize if I disrupted one of your experiments."
Carson nearly choked, hearing his friend's apology. Glancing back and forth between the two, he was surprised to see a mutual respect glimmer slightly between the pair. It must be a scientist thing, he surmised.
When her small hand reached out and cautiously grasped the Canadians, her coloring shifted to the blue that he'd seen with Spyder. "I accept your apology, Doctor." She then turned to face the other Krahn, "Havis, my direction is required at the power station. I believe Dr. McKay would most likely prefer to join me, finding it more agreeable than listening to you prattle on about mutated cell structures." Casting the Atlantis scientist a conspiratorial glance that offered an opportunity to escape, she nodded to the doorway, "Doctor?"
"Fine." Arms folded over his chest, head tipped sideways, Rodney followed the smaller woman out of the room while listening intently to her describe their power core transformers, neither individual, paying heed to those they'd left standing silent in the laboratory.
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have never believed it," Carson said, watching the two figures disappear down the hallway.
"What, Dr. Beckett?"
"Rodney, er, Dr. McKay has a way of being difficult and less than accepting of someone possibly knowing more than he does. And your Master Tenbrook, if I didn't know better, appears to be cut from the same cloth."
If anything, the older doctor's smile grew as he turned a darker shade of purple. "Yes, I too, see that. Connor can be a bit abrasive at times but she is very good at what she does." Guiding Carson to a shallow alcove at the end of the hallway, he stopped and held the door open to a small lift. Once inside, he turned to the Scot, "My family had great misgivings about our pairing, but since then have come to understand and accept her, realizing she is unique."
"She's your wife?" Carson glanced back down the empty hallway before the door slid shut. Maybe the major was right; all Rodney may need was a woman to put him in his place. Too bad this one was already taken. He couldn't wait to see Sheppard later.
TBC (Don't even act surprised, you knew it was going to be that way!)