WINTER WONDERLAND
By NotTasha
Oh man, you guys are too good to me. I'm loving the feedback. Thank you!
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CHAPTER 7: DOWNHILL
Ford voiced no complaint when Sheppard took the driver's seat. The lieutenant quickly settled into the second position. Akhiok looked as if he wanted to tell them something, but following a fierce look from Sheppard, the Ekukian scuttled back, resigned to taking a seat behind brother.
Once he was settled, Sheppard gunned the engine and was gone. He took the lead, until Karluk came around him, shouting that he'd show him the best way down – and so the major fell in behind as they sped down the hill.
John just hoped to God that someone had gone back to the compound for help. He rather doubted that the Ekukians were doing anything to find McKay – and he gripped the controls tightly, trying not to think about how long this was taking. Behind him he could hear Ford attempting to contact Teyla via radio.
"Can't reach her!" Ford shouted into his ear.
"Great," was all Sheppard could say.
"Wonder why the radio isn't working right," Ford questioned.
Sheppard had no idea. McKay would know. Damn it, McKay…
He didn't even called out for help, Sheppard realized. When the animals were attacking – McKay never sought assistance. Why not? Damn it! Why didn't he shoot the damn things! He had his sidearm! If he'd just …
The skids roared down the hillside, descending quickly, skipping over the whiteness. The lead skid threw up a curtain of snow and Sheppard tried to protect his eyes against it by ducking his head, determined to get to the bottom of the hill and get across to find McKay. Were they still going in the wrong direction, getting further from the spot where McKay fell?
"We're going the wrong way," he stated, wishing that McKay were there to offer up misgivings regarding a certain major's directional sensibilities.
Instead of speculation, he heard a "Yes, sir," from behind him.
We should be turning soon, Sheppard considered. We're getting further away and we'll have to go around this whole damn hill once we're off of it. They were getting nowhere fast.
Sheppard found his frustration growing as he followed Karluk. More than once, he'd nearly ridden up over the back end of the lead skid, as the brother slowed too often.
Fed up, Sheppard came alongside, shouting across, "What's your problem?"
It was Akhiok who called back, "We can't risk the engines!"
"Fuck that!" Sheppard barked back, ready to pass the man and take his chances on finding his way through the trails.
"Wait!" Akhiok yelled across. "You must follow us! If you go too far to the left, you'll find the way too steep."
Sheppard turned his attention to the trail in front of him as he swerved around a tree and came back into position alongside the other skid. "But he's over there!" and he jerked his head to the left.
"Yes, but…" Akhiok grimaced within his hood. "It's unsafe! Too steep! Follow us! We'll be down from the hill soon and then we'll…"
Sheppard growled, glaring at the Ekukian, who looked pretty darn worthless. He gave the controls a jerk and took the skid through a break in the trees, heading toward the left, to where the terrain grew steeper, but they would be moving closer to where McKay had fallen.
A/N: I know, this one is a bit short. There's another coming.