Wraith Hunt: The Mitchell Files 9

Author's Note: So! This one starts off more or less where the last one ended. There's a lot of made up technology in this one – especially since in the series we don't have a lot of info about the technology or background about the Wraith – and since I live in the US I'm behind on the episodes that the UK is already watching. So if it doesn't sound realistic, and if the series goes a different direction eventually, I'm sorry! Hehe

Disclaimer: I don't own anything I didn't make up.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

"It's not too late to change your mind… We can always turn this place into a Mok breeding center…"

Mitchell smiled, despite the seriousness of the situation, and shook her head as she and Sheppard hauled the last load of supplies off the Jumper and down the lava tube that led to the main cavern of Talonopolis.

"It needs to be done."

"But you shouldn't have to do it alone."

"I haven't."

That was true enough; there'd been a dozen people that helped her build the secret lab, and even more had helped gather supplies together for her – including several of the Light Ones, who had surprised her and the rest of the Atlanteans by showing up with far more supplies than they'd been expecting.

Sheppard was quiet, and the two of them walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. When he dropped the last load off in the well-lit cavern, he looked at her again.

"Is there anything you want me to tell Beckett?"

"Can you think of anything to tell him that would make him not worry?"

He shook his head, and she smiled – although there was no humor in it. She knew Carson was going to worry about her, and knew she'd hurt him when she'd refused to let him come with her and Sheppard this final time. She'd just wanted to keep from hurting him worse by sending him away at the end of the day.

Or you didn't want to hurt yourself…

That, too.

She couldn't argue with Talon; he knew her too well.

"Come on, I'll walk you out."

Empty handed, the two of them walked back down the lava tube, both of them quiet as they contemplated what Mitchell was facing now. She called it a Wraith hunt, but really it was a hunt for Wraith technology, not the Wraith. The only problem with that was that the Wraith weren't just going to hand over a dart and other things like that to her, so she was pretty much going to have to steal it. And kill anything that got in her way – which was bound to piss off the other Wraith.

When they reached the exit – or entrance, depending on which way you were heading – Sheppard offered Mitchell his hand.

"If you need me, call, and I'll come running."

She nodded.

"I'll keep in contact as much as I can, Major. Once I have a dart, I'll send you guys as much information on it as we can get out of it – and even a driver's manual."

Sheppard grinned.

"You do that."

She walked with him to the ramp, and waited until it closed again before moving out of the way. The Jumper lifted off the ground, and turned – a tricky maneuver in the ravine, but Sheppard was a skilled pilot – and she saw him at the controls. He tossed her a casual salute that she returned, and a moment later the Jumper vanished, heading back to the Stargate.

Alone at last

She snorted, and headed back into the lava tube. There were a few things she needed to get situated and then she'd take the rest of the day to herself – to relax and consider her best course of action – and the next morning, she and Talon would head for the Stargate. On foot. They had a Jumper of their own, powered down and hidden under a heavy canopy of leaves and brush, but she was planning on having a dart by the time she returned, and even a good pilot can only fly one craft at a time. Which meant hiking to the gate, and wherever else they wanted to go.

Yeah, well… the walking will do you good. You're getting fat

Mitchell grinned again. One thing about it; even though she was alone, now, she definitely wasn't alone. Talon would do everything he could to keep her from getting lonely, even if it meant teasing her outrageously. Which he was more than happy to do.

Smart ass.

Tubby

I'm not fat… just…

Big boned?

Yeah.

Now it was Talon's turn to snort in amusement, and Melony smiled again, running her hand along her flat stomach just a little self-consciously. Yeah, she wasn't fat – and never had been – but she wasn't looking forward to a lot of walking. Which meant she'd have to steal a dart quickly. And hopefully on the first try, before the Wraith realized what was happening.

OOOOOOOOOO

The Jumper bay wasn't empty when he returned, but Sheppard wasn't surprised. Nor was he surprised that those who were waiting for him all had varying degrees of concern and anxiety on their faces.

Carson looked the most concerned – no surprise to anyone there. Not only was he the closest to Mitchell, he was also the worst at hiding his feelings and they all knew it. Weir and Rodney McKay both looked concerned, too – Rodney actually looked as if he were going to be sick; pale and a little green – but it was obvious they were trying to pretend they weren't so worried, to keep Carson from worrying. Which wasn't working.

"How did it go?" Weir asked when Sheppard came out of the rear of the Jumper.

He shrugged.

"Smooth. She said she'd keep in touch as much as she can."

"How are we going to know if she needs help?" Ford asked. He'd known Mitchell the longest out of anyone there – actually had known her before she came to Atlantis.

Sheppard shrugged.

"We'll just have to wait and see what happens. She said she'd let us know how the first try turned out, and that'll begin tomorrow."

"I hate waiting…" Rodney said.

"Me, too…"

"It doesn't matter," Sheppard said, before Weir could. The two of them had had this discussion with each other already, knowing that some of the younger, more impatient members of the expedition might start clamoring to go help Mitchell – which sounded good on paper, but was a very bad idea in reality – and they knew they needed to stand together against that. Any help they'd give would have to wait until Mitchell knew what kind of help she'd need. Until then, they had duties of their own to take care of. Like finding a power supply to get word back to the SGC about the Wraith and maybe get back up sent – or better yet, some replacements and resupplies.

"We have wait until we hear from her. Then we'll see…"

They'd have to wait, but he was as anxious as everyone else, and when word came, her help would be there as soon as she asked for it.