Chapter 12

He opened his eyes. It was dark, very dark, and small. He was in motion though. The last thing he remembered was walking down the hall in the medical commune. This was not the small room obviously, no chair. His hands were bound as were his feet. He felt like folded laundry in a basket, a really small basket. Uncomfortable was not even close to the right descriptor.

Luckily, he was not claustrophobic, but unluckily, McKay was. A moment of déjà vu crashed down on him. It was like being buried alive. It was suffocating. Then it faded leaving him panicked and short of breath. Heightmeyer had said that he might have a flash here or there. Some of his team's experiences had imprinted in his long term memory. It was to be expected after such a continuous line of imagery. Just groovy.

One more thing to add the list of things he really disliked about the Pegasus Galaxy.

The motion stopped and he could hear shouting.

"In here!" Sheppard yelled as loud as he could.

A moment later a Wraith energy beam cut through the enclosure disassembling it and him.

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Dex was relishing the chance to show these people what an asset he could be. Being the guard dog was not his idea of how to do it. Sgt. Stackhouse and he were to keep watch. Keep watch and make sure the team inside had a clear egress. His skills were being wasted until he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Someone was pushing a box down an alley. He took a few steps before Stackhouse called in his ear.

"See something?"

"Yes. I think someone just left the building." Dex stealthily and carefully tracked the figure.

"Sgt. Stackhouse, Col. Sheppard has been removed to another location. Contact Jumper 2 and coordinate a search."

"Stackhouse, I have him!" He took off running.

Stackhouse and his team took up the chase as well. The figure had a good lead but stopped suddenly and fired. Dex and Stackhouse took cover behind the side of one of the buildings. The figure took off again, wheels clattering on cobblestones as he pushed his cargo.

They moved carefully, keeping him in sight but staying out of weapons fire. The man entered a large building close the edge of town.

"Jumper 2, target entered building; we are following." Stackhouse looked at Dex and his team, he gave the sign. They crept into the building.

The fugitive pushed the crate in front of a ship. It was not a Wraith dart but a contraption made out of what could only be called Lego's.

"Stay where you are!" Stackhouse ordered with his P-90 poised to fire.

Perit just smiled and beamed the crate on board.

Dex thought he heard a muffled shout before the crate disappeared. He fired at Perit without hesitation.

A second beam enveloped Perit. The shots impacted the side of the building instead.

"Jumper 2, target is trying to escape in a ship. The Colonel is on board. Do not let that ship leave the planet."

The ship lifted up and prepared to crash through the ceiling.

Everyone on the ground opened fire as it did.

Jumper 2 waited. The ship came smashing out and the jumper pounced. It matched speed and flew directly over the other ship not allowing it to gain altitude. Once a large open area was reached, the jumper brought its belly onto the back of the other forcing it down. Finally, it crashed into an open field.

Jumper 1 uncloaked and set down as Jumper 2 remained airborne.

Four marines and Teyla jumped out, P-90's at the ready.

"Get out!"

The pilot climbed out the old-fashioned way, down a set of steps.

"Stand over there and don't move." Another marine searched Perit removing the remote control.

Then Major Lorne exited Jumper 1 and directed the marines to search the inside of the ship. After 15 minutes they declared it clear.

"Dr. McKay!"

"Coming!" He had been pacing inside the jumper waiting for his turn. Nervous energy rolled off him as he jogged towards the other ship.

"Col. Sheppard is in a Wraith holding matrix. Can you rematerialize him? I don't want that man doing anything." The major pointed his weapon at Perit. "Here is the remote control."

Rodney looked the remote over and then the computer in the ship itself. "I think my little experience with the dart is about to come in handy."

The sound of heavy footsteps distracted him for a moment. Stackhouse and Dex had finally caught up to the party.

"OK, it looks like the only modifications is to beam the pilot directly to the cockpit without being stunned. It looks like he just installed the device into his ship. I don't see any booby traps." Rodney saw he had everyone's attention. "Keep your fingers crossed."

A beam extended from the ship and the crate rematerialized.

"A crate! You put him in a crate!" McKay yelled. He quickly checked his life signs detector. It showed one signature in the crate. McKay walked right up and punched Perit in the jaw. He could not reach any higher.

He felt the bones in his hand pop but a surge of satisfaction engulfed him.

'Reactionary, way to reactionary. Sheppard must be rubbing off,' he thought as he held his hand to his chest. "Let's get him out!"

Overcoming their stunned silence, they pried open the crate to reveal a sweaty and unconscious Col. Sheppard.

McKay frowned ominously at Perit. "What did you think he was, a birthday present? Carson, we need you!"

Beckett rushed over and scanned him.

"He's just stunned and a bit dehydrated. Let's get him out of there." Carson searched for Rodney. "You weren't too far off about a present. Perit here is a mercenary; there's always a higher bidder."

This time Dex walked up to Perit and decked him. The man was sent sprawling into the grass.

"McKay! That is how you throw a punch!"

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