Title: The Enemy You Know
Author: SlayersGrl
Summary: Atlantis has a traitor in its midst and they never saw it coming…
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the show. I am simply borrowing the characters to satisfy the voices in my head...

Author's note: Sorry for the delay. I've been extremely busy lately. But I do plan to finish this story, especially since I already have an idea for another story… And as always, let me know what you think! I love reviews!

Chapter 4: Realizations

"The Genii have taken control of Atlantis."

The three current occupants of the city's ventilation system listened in stunned silence as Ford and Teyla recounted the small amount of information they had about their current situation. Somehow, the Genii had managed to not only invade the city but completely take control of it in a short period of time. They were obviously the cause of the power outage, but it was still unclear how they had managed to get through the Stargate in the first place.

"We need to find out what's going on in the control room," Karen said once they had heard all the information.

"Wait a minute! I think all this espionage stuff should be left to the professionals," Josh interjected. "We'll just figure out a way to open the cell and then we can head back to the lab."

"No," Teyla interrupted. "We should remain here. If you free us, you will only alert the Genii to your presence. They obviously have not noticed your movements yet. You should not give up the element of surprise."

Ford agreed with Teyla. "We need every advantage we can get at this point. Besides, I have an idea." He then spent the next several minutes outlining his plan. It had more than its share of risks, but it was the only option they had at the moment.

A mere twenty minutes later, Karen found herself reluctantly preparing for her first 'mission'. They were currently standing in the center of what was apparently the main circulation system. This section was much larger than the shafts that ran through the ceilings and they could actually stand and move about with ease. Karen sighed in annoyance as she ran through the hastily assembled plan in her mind. "I don't think this is a good idea."

"You don't like the plan or you don't like your role in the plan?" Nick's voice responded from somewhere to her right. It was still weird to be working in complete darkness, but they were slowly growing accustomed to it.

"Why was I volunteered to be bait."

"Because," Josh responded, "all of this is your fault. You were the one who insisted we go and investigate the reason for the power outage. So, now we're investigating. Besides, you're the plant expert, remember?"

She couldn't help but agree with his reasoning. She was the one who had dragged them all into this. But just because he was right didn't mean she had to enjoy it. "Fine, are you guys ready?"

"All set here," Nick called out.

"Just stick to the plan," Josh reminded her. "And for God's sake, whatever you do, don't break it."

"I know, I know… Can we just go?" She knew what she had to do and how she needed to do it. She just wanted to get it over with already.

"Good luck!" Nick said before hearing the rapidly diminishing sounds of his friends making their way back into the maze of air shafts. He really hoped they could pull this off.

A few minutes later, the pair had reached their destination. Josh cautiously opened up the vent to reveal darkness below them. He waited a moment before shining the small beam from his flashlight into the room below. The light revealed an unoccupied room with a sparse amount of furniture. It was exactly what they were hoping for.

"Last chance to back out."

"I know," Karen replied moving into position over the opening. Then Josh helped to lower her to the floor.

"Be careful, alright?"

She was too nervous to respond to his show of concern. Instead, she slowly crept towards the door. Luckily, the power was still on in this part of the city. They had chosen an area that was near the control room but far enough away that she would be less likely to run into any soldiers who might be patrolling the hallways around the gateroom.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Karen opened the door and cautiously peered out into the hallway. Upon seeing the area deserted, she slowly made her way towards the gateroom. She tried to keep to the shadows as she had been instructed to do. However, she narrowly avoided detection at the next intersection by pressing her back up against the wall and trying to blend in with the darkness. Luckily, the patrolling guards weren't really looking that hard and walked right past her.

"This is ridiculous! How did I let myself get talked into this?" she thought. As she rounded the next corner she realized she had finally reached her destination. "Alright, I can do this." She knew she only had one shot to get this right.

Karen reached into her pocket and pulled out a small object. She carefully gripped it in her right hand and then boldly walked into the room. Immediately, all eyes and weapons were pointed in her direction. She quickly raised both hands in the air in the universal sign of surrender.

Her eyes quickly scanned the room until they fell on the last thing she had expected to see. A look of shock briefly passed over her features as she stared into the eyes of a man she had once believed to be a trusted colleague. Now that man was calmly pointing a gun at her along with several Genii soldiers.

But she had no time to worry about betrayals. She had a job to do. Her right hand slowly unclenched to reveal her bargaining chip. "Shoot me and we're all dead."