Chapter 3: Visions and Fevers
A/N: I like Carson, I really do, and its not just that he's Scottish. He just needs guidance sometimes.
I made it to the infirmary without further incident or flashback, Dr. Weir, a few feet behind me. Apparently Dr. McKay wasn't answering his radio, and Dr. Weir was sending people out to look for him. I had my suspicions of what was happening and the implications terrified me. I just hoped I was wrong for once.
Dr Beckett was in, and appeared more than a little surprised to see me. I liked him, but part of me was still nervous around him and when his scientific curiosity got the best of him.
"Lass, what brings ya back in," he asked concern reflected in his eyes. "I'd have thought you were taking lessons in avoiding me from Col Sheppard."
"Well, I guess I wasn't that good of a student." I smiled weakly, sitting down on one of the beds, then looking over at Dr Weir, "Seriously, I think something happened to me and maybe Dr. McKay down on the planet. I'm seeing things, detailed images of a couple of Atlantis' systems, how things work. There's a clarity to it all, like its been burned into my brain. I'm worried that Dr. McKay may be experiencing the same thing or worse."
General O'Neill had the knowledge of the Ancients downloaded into his brain. Twice, if I'm not mistaken," interrupted Dr. Weir.
"Let's not jump to conclusions," put in Dr. Beckett briskly. "We'll run some tests, maybe that extra sequence of yours is active, accounting for the images."
At that moment, Colonel Sheppard and Major Andrews burst in, half dragging, half-carrying Dr. McKay, flushed, sweaty, and complaining loudly of the mother of all migraines. Dr. Beckett ran over to supervise, nodding at one the other doctors to take over.
I found myself wondering how many needle sticks I was going to have to endure. The day was still young. Once the doctors had indicated they were done, Major Andrews wandered over.
"Dr. McKay seems to be ill. You don't look so hot either."
"Thanks, I'm still hoping it's the flu, but I wouldn't lay odds," I tried to joke, as a sudden wave of pain swept through me. "Don't worry, I'll tough it out, or at least milk it for all its worth," I continued.
"I'm afraid it's not the flu," said Dr. Beckett, interrupting. "I'm actually not completely sure what we're dealing with."
"What do you know, Carson?" asked Dr Weir, concern etching her features. She crossed her arms and leaned against a nearby bed. "Do you think this is something you can treat?"
Dr. Beckett looked at his laptop. "It would appear that Dr. McKay and Dr. Randall have been infected with some sort of engineered virus. I don't think it's contagious, but it is affecting their brains in specific regions. It seems to be attempting to create new neural pathways."
"Is this similar to what General O'Neill experienced with the Ancient devices that downloaded their libraries into his head?" interrupted Dr. Weir, glancing in my direction. Dr. McKay had a spooked look on his face and Colonel Sheppard looked puzzled.
"Yes and no. I think the virus is Ancient in origin, but it doesn't appear from their neurological activity that any databases have been downloaded, or at least any substantial amounts of data. Dr. Randall mentioned she was seeing things, which may or may not be attributable to this virus."
"So why the headaches?" asked Dr. McKay, before I could.
""The virus is attempting to construct new neural pathways, but your immune systems are attempting to fight it, more or less. There seems to be some sort of compatibility issue, either the virus isn't very effective in re-wiring per se, or somehow it's triggering an immune response that its not supposed to. My theory is if this worked perfectly, the virus would allow a person to access these Ancient databases, without side affects. Unfortunately, it's not working perfectly."
"So what's going to happen to us?" I asked, after Dr. Beckett finished, awkwardly staring at his laptop.
"I don't know lass. You both have fevers that are slowly rising, that could lead to serious damage. If this continues, I can start you both on interferon and anti-virals to help, maybe try and synthesize something to combat this specific virus. I think for now, its best to wait and see. I'd like to keep you both here for monitoring. Don't worry, we'll set you right."
"Agreed, Carson. Keep me apprised," said Dr. Weir heading for the door.
Colonel Sheppard followed her after a few moments, but not before adding, "Stay out of trouble, you two."
I shot him my best "Whatever" look, before I turned to Major Andrews. "I'll be fine. If you could just bring me laptop, that'd be great."
"Sure."
For the next hour or so, I was pretty much left alone. I kept glancing over at Dr. McKay, he didn't seem to be faring as well, and I was pretty sure he wasn't over-reacting. I sighed and turned back to my computer and tea. I wished I had coffee, but apparently coffee and a virus so not mix. Dr. Beckett came over.
"Sorry lass, I need to draw blood again. I'm trying to track the progress of this virus. Your temperature hasn't spiked as high as Dr. McKay's and you appear to be fighting the virus better. I'd like to run another brain scan. By the way, what are you working on?"
"This and that. I think I figured out how Dr. McKay and I picked up the virus. When we touched the podium, we both felt an electrical shock. An electrical current or electroporation is an easy way to get material into cells. Used to do it in my various labs for both plant and animal cells. Ouch," I finished as I felt the needle. "I dabbled in viral genetics, but it didn't really click. Long story."
"Why do I get the feeling everything with you is a long story?" Dr Beckett smiled as he motioned me to lie down for a scan.
I shrugged when it was over. "Just is."
"I'll let you know if anything has changed. Are you sure I can't get you anything for pain?"
"It's really not that bad," I insisted.
"I think that's up to me to decide. For now, I'll believe ya." He left me to my work, but not for long. I didn't like the look on his face, or the fact that he'd returned with two other medical personnel.
"I just spoke with Dr. Weir and Colonel Sheppard. Rodney's taken a turn for the worse. We've got him on anti-virals, but his fever has spiked into dangerous territory. Your system, however, seems to be an odd mix. You're definitely showing evidence of new neural pathway formation, but at the same time you're fighting the virus. It's as if your system can't quite compensate. I'm afraid if we don't figure out something soon, you're going to be in the same position as Dr. McKay."
"Is it possible that the extra genetic sequence is responsible for my situation?" I asked.
"It's possible," mused Dr. Beckett.
"You could give Dr. McKay a copy of Dr. Randall's extra sequence, maybe that would help his condition," suggested one of the doctors.
"Good idea, but I don't know if the sequence has to be located next to the ATA gene. If it does, trying to get a gene to insert into a specific location is tricky at best," Dr. Beckett answered.
I nodded, "Maybe you could try isolating and injecting him with the antibodies I'm producing.
"That's what I was thinking lass," Dr. Beckett said, with a look a teacher usually gives a prize student. Unfortunately, this is all theoretical. We can't exactly ask the Ancients."
"You can't. I can," I said jumping off the bed.
"What?" Several voices asked several voices asked in unison.
"I felt something pulling at my mind, down on the planet, I think I can talk to whatever is in that database."
"You've got to be kidding," said Dr. Beckett, a look of utter disbelief on his face.
"You have a better idea?"
"You could kill yourself, make the situation worse," fumbled Dr. Beckett.
"I don't think that's going to discourage me. I owe it to Dr. McKay, if there's a way to treat him, I need to find it," I said a little more forcefully than I needed to.
'I think the fever has affected your reasoning. However, I'll agree to let you go, but I'm accompanying you, to keep an eye on the situation," compromised Dr. Beckett.
"Ok, I'll see you in the puddle jumper bay in 10 minutes. Don't tell me you're flying..."
"I was going to say if you want to return to the planet, you get to put up with my flying, but in case something happens to you, I need someone to fly us back."
I sighed as I walked towards my quarters, "I must be crazy. Maybe the fever has affected my reasoning, but I can't just sit here…"