Whirlwinds
The last time he was here waiting, it was…
Beckett looked to his left and Weir stood beside him shoulder to shoulder. "It's not goin' to be easy on them ya know."
She nodded.
"They're already running it way to close."
She nodded again. "I know Carson."
They watched as the Jumper rose through the floor automatically maneuvering into position. He finally let a smile cross his face. The three little lambs were home. And just as importantly, they needed him this time.
They started towards the craft as the hatch began its descent. The small opening allowed an unexpected and otherworldly sound to escape. It was as if the North Wind was howling across the moors and out the back of the Puddle Jumper.
He and Weir stopped in their tracks when something hit the door and threw it down. The gantry clattered to the floor with one corner ripped completely off. The sound of it hitting the bay floor was deafening.
Carson was too close as the North Wind blew out of the craft brushing against him. Its icy touch was forceful enough to knock him down right onto his ass. The streak continued its mad howl and rose about six feet off the floor.
If anyone thought they had heard anguish before, they knew with absolute certainty they had heard it now. The phantom released an eardrum splitting and heart stopping roar.
"Bloody hell," said Carson, "What's happened to ya Colonel?" He and Elizabeth exchanged worried looks. They had known what to expect from communication with the team, but this was not it. Not by a long shot.
The Colonel in one fluid move slammed himself into the floor of the bay. It actually reverberated with the impact.
"LET 'EM OUT! LET 'EM OUT! LET 'EM OUT NOW!" He commanded frantically from his knees grabbing his head.
He could not help it; Carson stared and wondered why he was grabbing at a head that was not really there. He pondered the incongruity of the action briefly. Some responses must be so ingrained in a human that certain reactions were involuntary. Fascinating.
Carson twisted around to see a thin man exit the Jumper holding what must be one of the cubes. It was producing a bright golden light. Two young women followed immediately each carrying identical red cubes. Others started to trickle out slowly checking to see if it was safe.
The older gentleman nodded to the women.
The North Wind was joined by a Hound of Hell and a Banshee. Carson was now smack dab in the middle of an Irish fairy tale. All he needed was a pub and a fire crackling in a hearth. The fair folk had to be here somewhere.
Ronon streaked through the bay and slammed into the one of the walls. While Teyla soared into the empty space above everyone. Both released supernatural cries the instant they left the cube.
A few seconds later, Teyla and Ronon viciously crashed their bodies into the floor. Unlike Sheppard's impact, the floor did not shudder this time. The cries continued from each apparition.
Weir straightened herself to full height and walk confidently over to Sheppard. She knelt down in front of him.
"John," she whispered, "John, welcome home." She reached for him. Her hand went through his knee.
Lunatic eyes met hers. They looked through her and emotions shifted across them. He looked pained, sorrowful, angry, and then concerned.
"Dr. Weir, he's reading your mind," said Lorne calmly from the back of the Jumper.
She retracted her hand, but his eyes never left her. They changed from lunacy to just this side of crazy.
"John. John, you're home." She smiled softly at him.
He looked for all the world like he was hanging on to each word out of her mouth as if they were a life raft. As if they were keeping him from drowning in whatever tormented state he was now in.
Without ever moving his lips, a demented giggle escaped from him. "Yes, yes home."
At the same time, Halling carefully approached Teyla. Without any reservation, he touched her. His hand penetrated her shoulder.
Her head snapped up and the screaming ceased. Their friendship and trust in one another flooded her. He was her confidant when leadership burdens threatened to overwhelm. Her life line in her raging turmoil. Her thoughts cleared but insanity clung to her body. She repositioned herself to stand straight and proud next to Halling. She never spoke.
Carson looked around at the stunned group, only one remained, the Hound of Hell.
Sheppard took care of that.
"Specialist Ronon Dex!" he shouted disappearing and reappearing in front of the man, "Dex! Stand down, that's an order!" It was clear, final and left no room for an argument.
Dex let out one last wail and came face to face with Sheppard with feral eyes. Everyone waited to see if he would rush the colonel or comply. The eyes focused and a precarious control returned along with his continual swaying.
"Understood," he grunted his head bobbing to and fro.
With the uneasy calm, the Venerable stepped closer. "Col. Sheppard, you've used too much power. You need to return."
Sheppard, still trying to reign in every out of control impulse, nodded. He looked at Elizabeth.
"McKay, need to see McKay before…" He gazed back at the accursed cube. "Good to be home…Can you explain..?" He looked at Teyla and Ronon.
They gave a short nod.
He grinned, "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride."
Carson kept watching, their images vibrated like harp strings. They were agitated in every definition of the word. Whatever had happened had disturbed, scared and completely freaked them out. So not what he was expecting.
Col. Sheppard closed his eyes and popped back into the little box.
Weir mumble, "All around the cobbler's bench…" and then she closed her eyes and snorted softly.
Opening her eyes, Weir looked at Teyla and Ronon, "What happened?"
"We were not ready for omniscience," replied Teyla. She cocked her head to the side and closed her eyes. She was still fighting as well. "We experienced the wormhole in all its power."
Again Weir snorted. "Well, welcome home both of you, we missed you." Elizabeth gave a warm smile and an understanding nod.
They nodded in return and then they too were put away.
The Venerable took the opportunity to walk up to Weir and introduced himself, "I'm part of the cause of this meaningless nightmare. My deepest apologies. One day, I hope you and your people can forgive me and my people."
Carson knew what Elizabeth would liked to say, but she was a professional after all. Her answer was much nicer than what his would have been.
However, her face remained emotionless; she would not concede absolution just yet. "We'll see."
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Caldwell had actually enjoyed watching Chancellor Refra squirm under the scrutiny of his fellow townsfolk. The two Protectors held him in place as the High Abbot addressed the crowd. He told a harrowing tale of betrayal, intrigue and corruption.
From the moment of their entrance- and what an entrance if he judged the reaction of the crowd correctly- to now, they were mostly silent, mostly. When the Abbot relayed the attack, they gasped. Even Caldwell flinched. The man was good.
They murmured amongst themselves as he continued to weave the tale. Refra blanched as the abbot spoke of the monastery. Rumblings escaped from the throng.
"Guards turning on our own people and innocent workers?"
"Outrageous."
"Sacrilegious."
"Horrible."
Caldwell had an idea. "Hermoid," he whispered, "Make sure those guards and troops are disarmed when they come back."
"Of course Col. Caldwell."
He returned his attention to the abbot and the crowd.
The catcalls and hissing directed at Refra increased.
"Please understand we must never let such a violation of rights ever happen again. Without volunteers, the Sacrifice does'nt work." He paused and scanned the gathering. "They were not here to join our fight. But they came to us searching for allies in the overall fight. They fight the Wraith, they have even won battles. This man and the counsel lied. Reject his faulty reasoning and never let this happen again!"
The abbot pointed to Caldwell. "They have a ship in orbit of our planet. They used it to remove all the soldiers from their posts. When they return, we must demand they make a decision. To continue following this man or serve the people!"
"A new leader!" someone shouted.
"You High Abbot!" someone else yelled.
He shook his head, "I too have fallen to the temptation and shall step down."
More gasps echoed through the crowd.
"No!"
"Not you!"
Caldwell watched carefully. Individuals were reasonable, mobs were not. He did not want a mob.
"Yes oh my dear brothers and sisters, even me. These Protectors were used in the attack. They're even trying to forgive themselves and they had no choice."
He closed his eyes and took in a deep exaggerated breath, "Other's paid for my blindness with their lives."
"Hang him!"
"No, a trial is called for. That's how we must proceed. Let's prove to these people we're civilized and interested in justice."
"Yes!"
"A trial!"
The High Abbot faced Refra. "The will of the people Chancellor- you overstepped your post. It is time to reap the whirlwind."
Caldwell stepped forward, his gaze landed on some of his men hiding in the shadows of one of the buildings unbeknownst to any resident of Mina. He nodded to them. The abbot had kept the mob at bay.
"I believe we can take it from here Col. Caldwell. Thank you for the enlightenment. And the opportunity to gain a clear perspective."
"We'll be orbiting another day or two to keep tabs on the Vestibule and make sure it is operating properly."
"Until next time."
Caldwell nodded, "Hermoid."
With a flash, he and his hidden crew were gone.
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The trek to the infirmary was filled with information being swapped back and forth. The Venerable described the procedure as he understood it. Beckett relayed the petrifaction of the bodies and subsequent breakdown of the chemical.
"I always knew the First Venerable had a good reason for his conditions on the Protectors," observed the Venerable. He pivoted his head around. "Certainly, this outpost of the Ancestors has more information than I."
"No, unfortunately the experiment was never entered into the logs at this outpost," replied Beckett. Weir had deliberately made sure the hallways were emptied and the lie of Atlantis' continued survival kept. The visitors thought they were now at another Ancient installation. Deliberate and necessary subterfuge. It was working.
"The order Carson, who goes first?" Elizabeth asked after a few steps.
"Ronon's first. He's the least involved and has the fewest injuries. We'll observe how he handles it and then proceed with Teyla, followed by the Colonel."
They entered the infirmary where Ronon's body was being prepped for the procedure.
Weir directed the Venerable and his assistants to a curtained off area. Major Lorne accompanied them to lend a hand.
"Let them see Rodney," she said to Lorne.
Lorne touched the cube and Sheppard instantly stood next to McKay's bed. Ronon and Teyla soon followed.
Sheppard stared at his catatonic science geek and placed his hand on his arm. His face immediately changed into a scowl and in an enraged voice that carried throughout the infirmary, he yelled, "What the fuck McKay!"
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A/N: Love those WTF moments.