Teta Prime
Written By: The Ascended Ancient
Chapter VI: "Struggle"

In the dense forests of Teta Prime, Colonel John Sheppard moves stealthily through the foliage. Nearby is one of the Wraith hunting him, and the Colonel intends to take him out. He crouches behind a large tree root as the Wraith approaches him. When the Wraith is right on top of him, the colonel pops out of his hiding place and unloads half a clip of P-90 ammo into the Wraith's chest. With seven years of experience fighting the Wraith, Sheppard knew this should kill his enemy.

The Wraith looses his footing and collapses to a crouch. The bullet holes in his chest heal in a matter of seconds, and the Wraith gets back on his feet. Eyes widening in surprise, Sheppard unloads the rest of his clip into the Wraith. Once again, the Wraith falls for a few seconds before healing completely.

"Crap," Sheppard swears as he turns and runs away.

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In the conference room of Atlantis, the senior officers are gathered around a large table. Doctor Weir, the Atlantis commanding officer. Colonel Caldwell, commander of the Daedalus. Doctor McKay, the head of the science department. Doctor Becket, the head doctor. In addition to these regulars was Major Michael Wellington, the new commander of the Atlantis military contingent.

"So, um, where do we stand?" Doctor Weir asks. He usual enthusiasm is gone, replaced by a look of exhaustion and despair.

"Well," Major Wellington begins, "with Colonel Sheppard's loss, we've lost our best chair operator and top pilot. There are others, of course, but none can really compare with the colonel."

"The real problem is the fact that the mission to Teta Prime didn't bring back anything we can use," Colonel Caldwell says. "That mission was our last real hope to save Atlantis. Now, the Valkyrie will be back with assistance in just over a week. But unless they can pull a fleet of a hundred BC-303 cruisers out of their hats nothing they send will really make a difference." He sighs. "We'll end up being forced to abandon the city." Doctor Weir closes her eyes for a moment, then looks at Rodney.

"Is... is there any way we can...?" Elizabeth trails off.

"Well, there's always a chance," Rodney tells her. "But as of right now..." he doesn't bother to finish his sentence. Weir sighs sadly.

"What about flying the city out of here?" the major asks. Everyone turns to look at him. "This city does have an inter-galactic hyperdrive. Why don't we just fly it back to our galaxy?"

"Because the hyperdrive requires at least two Zed-P.M.s working in tandem to operate," Doctor McKay explains. "And we only have one."

"Oh," the major replies.

"Look," Weir begins, "I know you're all very good at your jobs. A-And I'm sure that you'll... that we'll... figure something out before..." She sighs. "Dismissed."

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Back on Teta Prime, Colonel Sheppard runs for his life in an effort to escape a pair of Wraith pursuing him. As he runs, Sheppard glances behind him, and his eyes widen in horror as he realizes that the Wraith are gaining on him. The colonel frantically looks around before spotting a hole in the ground at the base of a tree root. Pulling out a grenade, Sheppard tosses it to the ground. As it goes off, the colonel dives into the hole, sliding down and out of sight.

The Wraith run though the smoke screen left behind by the grenade and look around. The colonel is nowhere to be seen.

From his hiding place, Colonel Sheppard watches as the two Wraith walk away. He lets out a sigh of relief and rests his head in his hands.

End of Chapter VI

Author's Note: So, Sheppard escaped the Wraith. At least, for now. So, how is he going to get off Teta Prime? And will the Valkyrie return in time to help Atlantis? Find out in "The Weapon", Chapter VII of Teta Prime.