Chapter 9
Ford, Kavanagh, and Beckett, along with several Krahn science members, quickly wrapped the front of the open gate in the heavy-duty plastic of the decontamination unit. This way, when the members of the away team arrived from the other site, they would step directly into the system, not chancing any further exposure to the rest of the city.
Brae, Connor's assistant was the first through. She made quick work of getting scrubbed so that the next member could make their way back. Stepping out of the unit wearing a clean tunic, she handed over her case, now enclosed in protective plastic, to one of the other waiting scientists.
Connor was next. Again, stepping from the chamber she carried her case, along with one other. The sound of the gate disengaging behind her caused gasps from the waiting Atlantis team as well as members of her own.
"Master Tenbrook," Carson enquired, looking slightly agitated, "where's the Major and your other scientist?"
Her cool green eyes met his, not betraying any emotion, "They decided to remain in the other city, to see if they could find where the plague was entering the facility."
"Oh, he damn well better not have!" Without any warning, he snatched the Krahn's communication device from Ford's pocket and thumbed the call button. "Major Sheppard, I know you can hear me, and unless you want to see me walking through that gate, you'd better answer me."
"Hey, doc," the major's voice sounded calm.
"Major, I need you to come back. I can't monitor you from over here."
"Well, here's the thing. We both know I have a few hours before this could get nasty. Why should I sit around and wait when I can use that time to do a little more poking around on this side? I'm already exposed, what else could possibly happen?"
Carson was now pacing in frustration around the backside of the gate, staring at the empty circle. "Oh, don't even start with me, lad."
"Doc, we need to know what's going on if we want to make it home. There's no one else left to do this. You and Turner need to find the cure, Kavanagh and Ford have to work with Zelenka to get the gate ready, and Teyla and Rodney are of little help. I'm the only one left and I want to do this while I still can." There was a long pause before his voice broke the silence, "Just keep me updated, okay?"
"That goes both ways, John. The minute you begin to feel poorly, I want you to return."
"Understood. Remember, I've got Marty here to help me if things get bad. Sheppard out."
If the room had been quiet before, the silence was now deafening around the gate as each person contemplated what to do next.
"I knew I was going to die here," Kavanagh groaned. "I want to contact Atlantis and file a formal complaint. I was forced to come here against my will. Weir made me," he whined, totally oblivious to the irritated stares directed at him.
Ford took a step in the scientist's direction, only to be beaten by Beckett. "Laddie, I don't need to hear another peep out of you unless you want to find yourself on the receiving end of a very long, very painful, battery of tests. I'm going to need to try the antidote on someone, and right now, you're looking to be my first choice."
The physicists face reddened as he started to splutter, "You can't…"
"Yes, I can. As of this moment, I'm the highest ranking Atlantis member here and what I say goes. If you have a problem with that, take it up with Dr. Weir when we get back."
SG: A
Master Tenbrook had pulled Marlton aside prior to stepping through the gate. She knew that the major would insist on being left behind, for she herself had also considered staying, but realized that her expertise would be needed by the others if they were going to solve this situation. So, instead, she gave the young geneticist the option of remaining, to keep an eye on their now exposed visitor, and to make sure that if anything were to happen, if the illness somehow overcame him, that Marlton would bring him back.
Marlton had agreed instantly and now found himself carefully watching Major Sheppard for any sign of illness as they made their way back down to the tunnels to complete their earlier inspection. It wasn't easy to do, for they both continued to wear the hazmat suits that concealed everything but their faces. But Connor had been adamant, that if they stayed behind, exposed or not, the suits stayed on. That perhaps the brief exposure from the undone air hose was minimalized by the fact that he'd remained covered and the hose had been quickly attached.
It took the two men close to an hour to inspect the ancient sealed exits to the tunnels. None showed any sign of recent tampering or wear to the 11,000 year old doors.
Disgruntled, Sheppard sat on the bottom step of the staircase and stared up the several stories of winding steps that disappeared above him. He really didn't want to have to climb up those. Closing his eyes to take a brief breather, he could feel the beginnings of a headache pulling at the back of his neck. Not sure if it was from the lack of sleep of from coming in contact with the virus, he tried to snap his neck to relieve the tension. The last thing he needed was to get sick and have Marty end up tossing him over his colorful shoulder, carrying him back to one irritated Scottish doctor.
"Major Sheppard?"
Speak of the devil, he quietly thought to himself. He didn't open his eyes. "Yeah Marty."
"Perhaps it is time for us to check the upper lever accesses." The Krahn's suit crinkled as he shifted uncomfortably in the confining outfit.
"Yeah, I know. I was just taking a break." Opening one eye, the major stared back up to the bazillion steps above him and tried to ignore the pounding that increased within his skull, he really didn't want to have to climb those. "Exactly how far up do we have to go?"
Marty smiled, glancing up to were the other man was looking, "Why, the very top."
With a groan, the major pulled himself up to his feet. "Yeah, I figured you'd say that," he mumbled, grabbing the railing to begin the ascent.
"Major?"
"Hmmm?"
"I was going to take the lift. Would you care to join me or shall I meet you at the top?" Marty felt a brief sense of satisfaction when the clearly relieved hazel eyes met his own. "You didn't think we were going to walk, did you?" he teased lightly.
"Well, it did cross my mind." Stepping back down from the first step, he stopped as the hallway did a brief dizzying loop. 'Not now,' he chided himself mentally, closing his eyes until it passed. A firm grip on his arm let him know Marty didn't miss a thing.
"Come, Major, the lift is this way."
SG: A
He stood in the small lift, leaning against the shiny polished sides that he could only imagine felt cool to the touch. Longing to take off the confining hood of his suit and rest his head against the surface, Sheppard tried to take his mind off his situation by watching the flashing symbols beside the door. "Just how far is it to the top?"
"Thirty-five levels. We are almost there." Just as Marty had said, they came to a smooth stop and were deposited on the top floor that looked very similar to the one they had just left.
Sheppard glanced about the empty hallway and shook his head. "I'm still having a hard time with the fact that there are a million people in this city and I don't see a soul."
"It took us centuries to adapt to living within the mountains, but with the threat of the wraith ever looming, we came to the realization that we must follow certain rules if we wanted to survive. I have noticed several individuals watching us as we searched the lower levels and I imagine there will be a few more before we are finished."
"I haven't seen a soul."
"And you won't. Remember, we are hiding from the Wraith. We learned to disappear a long time ago."
Moving down the deserted passageway, both men jumped at the chirp of the radio. "Major Sheppard," Beckett's tinny voice emitted from out of no where, "It has been over two hours. Please report your status."
"We haven't found anything yet and are now on the top floor. Hopefully, we'll be done soon, doc."
"That's not why I paged you, Major."
Sheppard stopped walking and stared hard at the small device in his hand, "Are they…?"
"They're not having a very good time of it, Major, but we have them stabilized. The samples that came back with Master Connor show an elevated level of the virus compared to this city so it is definitely emanating from where you are." Carson paused a moment to answer a question on his side before returning, "Major, how are you doing?"
"Not too bad. Just a touch of a headache, nothing I can't handle at the moment." Trying to divert attention from himself, he changed the subject. "How are things on your end? Everybody behaving themselves?" He didn't have to say who he was talking about.
"I have everything under control. Now tell me about this headache."
"It's just a headache. I'm tired and hungry and I want out of this damn suit. I've got a sick team and no way home. Don't you think I'm entitled to a headache?" he snapped.
"Aye, lad, if that was the only cause for concern."
Sheppard spotted Marty standing at the end of the hallway testing another door. When the Krahn gave it a tug to test the seal, he fell unexpectedly onto his backside as the door swung easily open. "Major?" he almost squeaked in disbelief, staring at something Sheppard couldn't see.
"Doc, I got to go." Shoving the radio back in his pocket, Sheppard hurried over to Marty and pulled him up to his feet, at the same time looking out the ancient exit. The rough hewn walls looked like an original mining tunnel. "Let's make this quick."
Marty swallowed as he stared in trepidation at the one place he'd never been. Meeting the major's concerned gaze, he nodded. "I'm ready."
"Good." Grabbing their sample cases, they stepped out of the city.
TBC
A/N: Gee, whatever's gonna happen now? See you soon!