A/N Sorry to be so slow posting. Real life kept me busy with a molecular biology exam I had to study for, along with the obligatory need to drown my sorrows afterwards. There are a few comments I borrowed from Dr. Dredd's "Memoranda" that seemed appropriate. Hope you don't mind.
Chapter 2: Welcome to the Jungle
"Dr. Randall, do you have a minute," asked Dr. Weir as the last people were leaving the conference room.
"Yes ma'am," I replied. "Great," I thought. "She's probably already heard about the McKay-chocolate incident. I'm probably going to get some version of grounded for this."
"You received your package from the Daedalus?"
"Yes ma'am. I appreciate everything," thinking of the hiking pack and it contents spilled across the floor."
"I'm sorry we couldn't provide more personal items, but Stargate Command thought that since it would appear the Committee is still active, we couldn't arouse any suspicions about your presence here. Apparently Dr. Lowell and his team did send a message to Earth, but they're still here in Pegasus."
"I understand. I'm safest here, I wouldn't want to…" I trailed off, thinking of the unspeakable acts I'd been through, the nightmares I still woke up from, screams hanging heavy in the air. A small, detached part of me could understand a scientist's curiosity, but I was still learning to trust people. There were a few people who seemed to understand or at least knew the right reassurance to utter. "I just wish I could talk to my family, or at least let them know I'm alive," I finished. That was the worst part. I came from a tightly knit family. Despite the circumstances of me leaving, there are no words to express how isolated I felt without being able to talk them. I didn't want to think what my mom was going through.
"With a little luck," started Dr. Weir. "I understand.." she started to explain, then interrupted herself. "We'll talk later if you want. You better head out, I don't want to hear about you holding up the mission."
I raced out of the room, flying towards my quarters to drop off a couple things from the lab and pick up one or two essentials I figures I'd need.
Fortunately, I was not the last to the gateroom. Major Lorne and two marines were already there, as was Teyla, Ronon and Col Sheppard. Another marine was handing out flak vests and checking equipment. I took the vest and put it on, checking the pockets for supplies, although I'm sure they had been double and triple-checked, before I slipped a couple things in various pockets.
"Colonel Sheppard said you were qualified to handle these," he added, handing me a holstered 9mm and a knife.
"Thanks," I said slipping the belt around my waist and then checking the magazine and the safety, as I had been taught to do, since I was child. All this time I was keeping an eye on the people around me. I knew I was not still fully accepted, some still saw me as the Ancients' guinea pig, or worse. Teyla and Ronon at least understood my feelings of isolation, Ronon especially. We went running a few times a week, enjoying the company in silence. Sometimes I joined him and Major Sheppard, enjoying the rivalry as we raced through the city.
Dr. McKay didn't look too happy to see me, especially with a weapon, as he and Major Andrews walked through the doorway, trailed by the linguist from the meeting. Col. Sheppard looked a little annoyed with the people running late, especially Dr. McKay, muttering something about promptness. Major Andrews grabbed a vest and came over to talk to me.
"Dr. Weir talk to you?"
"Yes, I assume you heard that Dr. Lowell and crew are still out there."
"Yeah, that's a scary thought. Part of me hopes the Wraith find them…"
"I know, but part of me hopes that we'll find them. I have a few questions for them. Maybe they can shed some light on my condition," I finished, trying to find the right word. "Mostly I want us to find them, so Dr. Weir and Stargate Command can get the rest of the Committee and I can talk to my family."
"Don't worry. We'll track them down," he said, pausing before switching topics. "You should swing by my quarters tonight. I got all the good seasons of 'The Simpsons' on DVD, along with some limes, some salt, some teq,"
"Shush," I interrupted before he could finish. "A certain member of the medical community would be most upset with the your shipment and we'd be looking at B-12 shots," I laughed. "Actually I think the crew of the Daedalus have bets going with who will get in more trouble with their contraband. They must know what people have asked for."
"Ok, is everybody set?" asked Colonel Sheppard, putting an end to all conversations.
The trip to the planet was uneventful. McKay glared at me most of the trip, while I tried to listen and nod politely while Dr. Matthews, the linguist explained what they'd discovered so far. He kept looking at me like I was either the key to the puzzle or I had all the answers and was just quizzing him.
The planet we landed on was beautiful – it reminded me of Hawaii, nice temperature, beautiful foliage, and for awhile we all hiked along in relative silence to the temple. I was content not to talk, silently wishing I'd taken more botany and could attempt to identify some of the orchid-like flowers growing everywhere.
"We're here," Major Lorne said suddenly as we arrived at large, plant-covered stone structure. "The entrance is on the other side."
"Major, you, Stackhouse and Markham take up positions out here," stated Col. Sheppard, "The rest of us are heading inside."
I looked at Major Andrews. "Time for the dog and pony show," I muttered. The temple if it was that, was enormous. The walls in places were covered with Ancient text. And then there was a small podium. I stared at it for a few minutes.
"Nothing," I stated, answering the question before anyone could ask. People looked away and found things they needed to be doing. Dr. McKay pulled out a scanner and started studying the podium. Col. Sheppard and I stepped a few feet back and watched. Everyone else seemed content to study the walls.
"Well, there seems to be some sort of power source here," started Dr. McKay, "I think there's some sort of interface here," he said, putting his hand on the top. Nothing happened.
I looked at Col. Sheppard, shrugged, walked over and put both my hands on the podium. All of sudden, something glowed, I felt something grab me and an electrical charge shot up my arm. "Ow," I yelled, my voice joining McKay's. The next thing I knew I on my back lying next to Col. Sheppard. Dr. McKay and Major Andrews were on also on the floor, as everyone else looked at us with concern. "Okay, I think a couple people need lessons in tackling," I groaned as Ronon pulled me up.
"I agree," said Dr. McKay with a grimace, "I hope you didn't break any bones," he glared at Major Andrews.
Everyone all right?" asked Col. Sheppard, standing up. "Field trip's over for now. We're heading back." Dr. Matthews, the linguist, tried to protest.
"Next time, figure out the instruction manual before," I glared a little unnecessarily. I'm sure Dr. McKay was thinking worse things as he kept checking his hand for non-existent burns. I glanced quickly at mine, nothing. I was relieved.
That still didn't spare us from Dr. Beckett's scrutiny back in Atlantis. Sometimes I think his method is draw blood first, ask questions later. I know Colonel Sheppard was relived it wasn't him for once, from what I'd heard, he was usually on the receiving end of Dr. Beckett's needle jabs.
"Ok lass, let me have a look at yer hands," said Dr. Beckett as he handed off the blood draw. I showed him my palms. Over my shoulder Dr. McKay was berating the doctor checking him out.
"I know you took the Hippocratic oath, but did you sign it?" he demanded.
"Rodney," scolded Dr. Beckett. "As far as I can tell, yer both fine, aside for a few bruises. I'll let you know if the bloodwork shows anything. In the meantime, take the day off and report back to me if anything, and I mean anything happens."
We both nodded, eager to be out of the infirmary. I know for a fact Col. Sheppard referred to it as prison under his breath.
It felt good to be in jeans and a t-shirt as I attempted to square away the rest of my new things after a nap. Someone had managed to snag some photos and a few things from my lab back on Earth, but the books and clothing were new, as was the ipod. I figured what few possessions I had were either in storage or sent to my family. Stargate Command hadn't been able to get some of the things on list, but they found duplicates or good replacements for the most part.
The door chimed. I felt a little achy and tired, but decided company was a good thing. "It's open," I called.
"I'd like to finish our conversation from this morning," said Dr. Weir as she stepped inside. "Nice poster," she said, looking at the huge shot of San Francisco that dominated one wall.
"Yeah, I figured I needed to pretend I was back home sometimes. I lived here," I said tapping a spot. A room in an old Victorian- total painted lady-with a bunch of other grad students and post docs. I miss it, although I realize how jealous some of them would be if they heard about the talent I get to work with on a daily basis," I smiled briefly. A sudden pain seared across my temples and I flinched.
"Are you ok?" asked Dr. Weir, noticing my wincing.
'Yes, probably just stress from today. It was a little intense. I felt like something grabbed me. Anyhow, as you can see I'm still unpacking." The pain came back, more insistent this time. I leaned against the bed for support. "Really, I'm ok," I started when I saw the first image, then more data than I could process, followed by further images, some sort of database of Ancient technology.
I looked at Dr. Weir and said as evenly as I could, "Correction. Something's happening and I don't think it's good. I need to get to the infirmary. Someone should get Dr. McKay if he's not there already."
Dr Weir looked at me for a moment and then tapped her radio as another wave of pain washed over me.
TBC – I'll try not to keep you in too much suspense.
A/N: The comment about signing the Hippocratic oath id from Fox's TV show "House." Sounds like something McKay would snark.