Chapter 2
Recovery
Major Lorne piloted the Puddle Jumper over treetops heading towards a weak radio signal. Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard's team was missing in action. Two ground teams were searching the two main paths to the walled village. They had refrained from contacting the locals since they were an unknown quantity.
At the scheduled check in, the team expressed concern about it being creepy. But they did not feel threatened so decided to stay the night. Weir had asked if creepy was an official scientific or military term. Both Sheppard and McKay answered "yes" in unison. Snickers were heard around the Gate room and Control Center. Lorne had been one of them. He was not laughing now.
They were now two hours overdue. A team had been dispatched at dawn local time to meet up with them (Weir's Spidey sense was tingling). Sheppard's team never showed and never radioed. A weak signal was being received but the terrain and thick forest was hampering locating it. Even with the Puddle Jumper, rescue would be impeded because of the canopy. They came up with a solution, rappelling. He looked back at the medic and young marine; they were the guinea pigs. Even when or if they located them, they would have to hike out. There was nowhere to land and they did not have a winch to bring those that rappelled down back up. It was a one way trip.
He had been there only 10 minutes when the radio signal and a weak life sign had been triangulated. It was about 5 kilometers from the village and way off the direct path to the Stargate.
"We have a confirmation on the radio signal, it's ours. It's like the channel's been left open. I can hear someone breathing," relayed Jones, a member of Lorne's team. "I'm also picking up energy signals from Ancient devices. Someone's down there Sir."
"Well gentlemen and lady," he looked at the medic before continuing, "Time to test our theory."
They hooked themselves into their harnesses. Another member of the team dropped the secured ropes. The two rappelled down toward the forest floor, soldier then medic. They slipped through the upper canopy easily dodging branches and leaves. Once they reached the ground, they released the harnesses and made their way into the underbrush.
"Another 10 yards or so Jackson," directed Major Lorne.
"Coming up on an open area…" There was silence. "Oh God, Sir."
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Sgt. Stackhouse trudged, hacked and beat his way through the dense underbrush. He had been 30 minutes away, but he had the only other medic with him. He was needed. They entered the clearing. It was a clearing only because the trees ringed the area, but their tops kept it obscured from the air. He sent the medic right to work.
It could not be true, but it was. He had visual confirmation now. The entire team lay out before him. The first body he came to was Ronon. He laid face down, forehead resting on the forest floor. His trusted weapons scattered a few feet away. Next was Teyla, her open eyes watching the birds fly from branch to branch. She would have liked the view. Dr. McKay followed. He was alive. He lay on the opposite side of the clearing. From the scrape marks in the detritus, he had crawled back to his team. From what he overheard, he did it with a broken arm and leg.
Stackhouse swallowed hard as he approached the last body, his C.O. His mangled C.O. His mangled, dead C.O. He lay at the bottom of a very large tree. His eyes open and legs bent in the wrong direction. His head turned so he could still keep watch over his team.
Whatever happened had been violent, cruel and frightening. Creepy did not adequately describe this place. And it definitely was not funny anymore. He hoped they gave as good as they got.
"Keep that Jumper here Sir. This was no ordinary confrontation." He looked at the two medics with Dr. McKay. "Be ready to go as soon as our back-up gets here."
Atlantis had been informed. Reinforcements were on the way. They were bringing three body bags.
A two hour walk or procession turned into three because of the living. Dr. McKay's condition required a few stops. The medics kept constantly updating Dr. Beckett on his status. Stackhouse would make sure he returned safely.
Atlantis was waiting.
Stackhouse met the Puddle Jumper as they exited the forest. He had a request for Major Lorne.
As Dr. McKay was loaded into the Jumper, Stackhouse took a deep breath and addressed the major, "Sir, can we carry the rest of the team through the Gate? It's the least we can do. It will only take an extra 10 minutes and they deserve to walk through the Stargate from their final mission."
Major Lorne looked into the earnest face. "Permission granted."
Once McKay had been secured in the ship, Lorne entered and took his seat. The Jumper lifted off and dialed to head home. Stackhouse and the rest of the ground teams followed and 11 minutes later they set foot onto Atlantis' Gate room floor.
Sgt. Stackhouse approached Dr. Weir and solemnly reported to her.
"Ma'am, Lt. Col. Sheppard's team has returned home."
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A/N: Don't you worry. Don't you fear. This is not a death fic m'dears. Except that it is. You'll see. 'Tis October, so the wee ghosties like to come out and play. Send your condolences for the team in review form. ; )
P.S.: Thanks for all the spelling catches. Tips hat to Silverthreads and sgafan33.