Title: Alien
Devices
Author: SlayersGrl
Summary: The team finds an Ancient outpost on a deserted planet. Strange
devices and an unexpected encounter may provide them with exactly what they've
been looking for. But are they willing to pay the price?
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Stargate Atlantis or any of its
characters... I'm simply writing for entertainment and because the plot
bunnies won't leave me alone.
Author's note: So sorry for taking so long to update! Between my summer internship and moving to a new house, I haven't really found the time to write… But I really want to get this story written so I can work on my next plot bunny. I've been trying to push that one back so I actually finish this story before starting another one.
Chapter 7: Experiments
"Your 'television' certainly is an interesting device," Teyla said with a wry smile. She and Lieutenant Ford were seated next to Major Sheppard's bed in the infirmary. They were currently telling him of their evening spent channel surfing amongst the vast variety of entertainment available on cable television. "Although, I cannot understand why the women of your planet choose to where such little clothing…"
Sheppard quickly turned his gaze to the young lieutenant sitting next to her. "What were you watching?"
Ford raised his hands in defense. "It's not what you think sir!" He was prevented from explaining himself any further by the abrupt arrival of two astrophysicists, followed closely by Jack and Daniel.
After taking one look at McKay's eager face and the object he held in his hand, John immediately had a feeling of dread. "No! Absolutely not! Nothing you can say could possibly make me put that thing back on." And quite frankly, he was surprised and somewhat hurt that the man would even consider asking him.
Rodney realized that he probably seemed a little callous at the moment. After all, it wasn't that long ago that he had been adamant about not using the device. But the situation had changed… "Believe me; I don't want to have to be asking you. But we're running out of time." After receiving three looks of confusion in response, he couldn't help but sigh in exasperation. Why hadn't anyone else realized it? "We're supposed to check in with Atlantis at 1500 hours today. What do you suppose will happen when we don't?"
"They'll send a team to find out what happened to us," Ford replied, immediately catching on to Rodney's line of thought.
Teyla quickly countered his statement. "But surely Dr. Weir would send a UAV to survey the area first. They can't help but notice the presence of the Wraith."
"They'd send a team anyway," the major replied. "No one gets left behind."
For a moment, Teyla had forgotten how fiercely loyal the people of Earth were. It was simply not in their nature to give up without a fight. They did not give up on their people, especially if it meant leaving them in the hands of an enemy like the Wraith. "Then we must find a way to stop them from doing so."
At this point, Carter decided to step into the conversation. "We've already tried to come up with any other means to get you back to the Pegasus Galaxy. But we just don't have the time we need."
"But," Rodney interrupted, "there is a chance we could get the device to work without having to risk the major's life." He then turned to address Sheppard directly. "You used it the first time without any problems. We just need to find out why."
Finally admitting that he had little choice in the matter, John reluctantly resigned himself to being a guinea pig yet again. "Fine," he said as he took the device from Rodney and put it on, "What do you want me to do?"
"Transport something."
"Like what?"
Rodney quickly glanced around the now crowded corner of the infirmary and settled on the first object he spotted. He quickly picked up a half-filled glass of water from the small table next to the bed.
After a small moment of hesitation, John sighed and closed his eyes. He concentrated for a brief moment and was relieved when he felt nothing as the object materialized in his hand. When he reopened his eyes, he noticed everyone was staring at him intently, waiting for the proverbially shoe to drop.
"So…?" Rodney asked after a period of silence.
"Your concern for my wellbeing makes me feel all warm and tingly inside…"
John replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Rodney didn't have time for childish antics. He knew John wasn't exactly pleased with this latest round of experiments, but it's not like they had a choice. "What I meant was did you feel any adverse effects from the device?"
"I know what you meant. And no, I didn't feel anything."
"Ok, try to transport something larger." No sooner had the words left Rodney's mouth than he felt a vaguely familiar sensation and found himself standing on the other side of the room. "I didn't mean me!" he yelled in exasperation. "For you all you know I could have been vaporized into a thousand pieces!"
"You arrived in one piece the first time…" John replied nonchalantly.
Hoping to refocus their attention on the task at hand, Sam asked, "Do you feel any different now?" She frowned as he shook his head. "Perhaps you could try something farther away?"
He thought about it for a moment and then smiled. He figured he deserved a little something out of all of this. "Breakfast sounds good right about now…" And with that statement, a tray of food materialized out of thin air. Before anyone could say anything, John eagerly started shoveling it into his mouth.
Ford could only look on in mild disgust. "How can you eat that? Do you even know where it came from?"
"Relax," his C.O. replied in-between mouthfuls. "It only came from the cafeteria."
Jack groaned in annoyance at hearing that. He could already envision the pile of paperwork he'd have to fill out about this little incident. But at least the major had enough sense to not transport anything from off the base.
After finishing his impromptu breakfast, John was annoyed to realize he was developing a pounding headache. Without realizing it, he reached up to rub at his temples, hoping to relieve some of the tension.
"You are feeling some adverse affects from the device?" Teyla asked, noticing his actions.
"It's just a headache," he replied defensively.
"Did you happen to have a headache the first time you used the device?" Rodney asked, trying to find some sort of clue as to how the thing worked.
Thinking back to the events that started this whole mess, John realized that he had started to develop a headache shortly after transporting the ice cream. But he had figured it was from him being annoyed at having to play lab rat for Rodney all day. He nodded in reply to Rodney's question.
Jack decided to stop this before it went too far. "Alright, you gave it your best shot. But I think we've had enough human experimentation for one day." He quickly cut off the two scientists before they could begin their arguments. "You still have some time left to work on a better plan. As far as I'm concerned, the device is the last resort. I'd rather not place Major Sheppard's life at risk unless absolutely necessary."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They still had a short amount of time left before any hard decisions needed to be made.
"Sir?" Sheppard asked, addressing the general. "Any chance you could spring me? I'd rather not spend the next few hours stuck in the infirmary…" Especially if they might be my last few hours…
"I'll see what I can do," Jack replied. "In the meantime…" he turned to Carter and McKay.
"We're on it sir." Sam replied before the two headed back to her lab, discussing the results of their experiments and trying to develop new options as they went.
