Stargate Atlantis: Echoes

Notes: I do not own this show or any of the characters, the series is great at it is! Takes place, early season one.

Chapter One

Doctor Carson Beckett stared at the intimidating gate before him, glancing round to Major John Sheppard, Lieutenant Aiden Ford, Teyla Emmagan and Doctor Rodney McKay. It wasn't that he was really apprehensive about travelling through the gate. No, it was just the fact that he hated the bloody thing and the less he had to travel through it. The better as far he was concerned, just his medical bay for him.

"Are you good to go?" Sheppard asked, his expression was mindful and eager at the same time. Beckett glanced down to the P90 that Sheppard was holding. "Is that really necessary Major? Teyla told us the world we're going to isn't inhabited."

He made a show of looking down to the weapon then gave Beckett a shrug. "Can't be too careful. I'll ask again. Are you good to go?"

"Actually…" Beckett began only to be cut off.

"Excellent," Sheppard replied headed up the stairs to the control room and stopped halfway up to be greeted by the expedition leader, Doctor Elizabeth Weir.

"Are you and your team ready, Major?" Weir asked.

"Born ready," Sheppard answered with a small grin then tried to be serious. "Yes, we're ready."

"I want to know as soon as you find that Z.P.M." Z.P.M being a Zero Point Module, devices that allowed Altantis' power to keep running. They had a lot of trouble with the city using so much power that they had to go offworld and try to find more of these devices. Today's mission was all about recovering one.

"Yes Ma'am."

While Sheppard rejoined his team, Weir walked into the control room and stood behind Peter Grodin. "Dial the gate," she ordered folding her arms and looking out at Sheppard and his team. Grodin quickly worked the DHD and updated her as every chevron locked into position, the sixth one locked into place and a bright light filled the gate room. Followed by a puddle effect that shimmered like blue water. It was always a sight Elizabeth never got tired of. She tapped her headset. "Good hunting Major," she said with a smile.

Sheppard looked back and up at her and gave something akin to a smirk as he ordered everyone to move out. The five of them disappeared into the event horizon and the gate closed down. Looking as it once had.

Weir stared at the gate for a moment then looked down to Grodin and unfolded her arms. "Keep me posted," she requested before walking out the control room.

Beckett tried to find his footing as he left the gate and stepped onto very uneven ground. He looked round to see everyone doing the same and unfortunately, McKay hadn't done it too gracefully and ended up falling on his ass. There was always something about travelling through the gate that left him disorientated. Sheppard was the last to emerge, he slipped then managed to recover while taking a look at McKay on the floor and smirking. "Are you all right Rodney?" he asked while surveying their surroundings.

"Yes I'm fine," McKay said getting to his feet and brushing himself off. "I'm sorry I'm not too graceful when it comes to trying not to break my neck."

"Everyone else managed okay," Ford commented.

"Oh well isn't that super," McKay said sarcastically shooting him a look as he carried on dusting himself off, finally taking the time to look around. It was quite the sight he had to admit. Teyla looked at her companions. "You find it hard to believe no one has chosen to settle here in many years?"

Sheppard gave her a small smile and nodded. "I say we forget Atlantis and move here."

"Is that really a wise idea?" McKay said stepping forward. "For all we know the Wraith used this as a hunting ground and…" He realised that no one was listening and that Sheppard was just saying that, Atlantis was their home now and where they would remain til they were able to get back into contact with Earth.

"Major, I still don't understand why I'm here?" Beckett's Scottish accent finally broke the silence. Sheppard glanced over at him. "Doctor Weir suggested it. Said you could use a change of scenery."

"When I said change of scenery I meant anything but the medical bay, not going off world."

"You do not enjoy the sights and find them relaxing?" Teyla asked of him.

"Aye I do," Beckett answered looking round. "Just not on this side of the gate."

"There is nothing wrong with going offworld," McKay answered.

"If ye don't mind getting shot at," Carson retorted loudly.

"Doctors," Sheppard said stepping past them and walking forward, fortunately he stopped sort of rolling his eyes.

Ford remained cautious as they started walking and McKay got out his scanner, looking for the Z.P.M. Teyla didn't share their caution, as she knew that there was no threat here. For she sensed no Wraith and this world was uninhabited. "Anything?" Sheppard asked glancing back to McKay.

"I'm getting a very faint reading," McKay answered not taking his eyes off his scanner. Then turned round slowly in a circle then stopped 115 degrees round and pointed. "That way." Sheppard looked over, it was all open area and even though Teyla was adamant that the place was inhabited, they still couldn't afford to take risks. "Ford, take point. I'll trail." The young man gave him a nod as he walked alongside McKay and Teyla followed. Which left Sheppard and Beckett at the rear.

"You know Major," Beckett said trying not to distract him from his job too much. "There really is enough time for me to go back to Atlantis and leave you to your exploring."

"Stay put," Sheppard said, knowing that Beckett was a civilian and couldn't order him unless it were a really important reason. "It'll do you good, getting away from Atlantis. Fresh air, great scenery."

"People staring at you from bushes," Beckett answered as he stopped walking. "Major," he said quietly and looking into the trees. Sheppard looked at him then to the point he was looking at; he saw a face peering at them. "Keep walking," Sheppard ordered then quickened his pace moving toward Teyla and leaned in. "I thought you said this place was uninhabited."

Confusion washed over her beautiful features. "It is."

Sheppard made a small motion with his head over to the trees. "Check it out." Teyla turned to see the face then looked to Sheppard. "This is unusual. I was not aware there was a new settlement."

"Well someone obviously lives here," Sheppard answered. He moved past her and to McKay and Ford. "Ford go with Doctor McKay, myself and Teyla are going to check something out."

"Check what out?" McKay said stopping and turning to face him.

"Something," Sheppard answered not wanting to cause any alarm. He gave a sigh and just let it out. "There may be people here."

"I thought this place was…" McKay began.

"Uninhabited. Yeah I know. Well someone is obviously here." Sheppard ran a hand through his hair. "That's why were checking it out." He looked to Ford. "Radio us if you have any problems."

"That's is if, in the meantime we don't get savagely attacked by people who aren't supposed to be here." Both Sheppard and Ford looked at McKay with raised eyebrows. "What, I was just saying." He swallowed and consulted his scanner. "Come along Lieutenant." Ford just smiled and followed him.

Sheppard fell back so he was in step with Teyla and informed them of what they were going to do. He happened to glance back to Beckett, how the hell had he forgotten about him Sheppard looked back to where McKay and Ford were headed, "Come with us Doc."

Beckett didn't like the sound of that, why did he never like the sound of something like that? Nonetheless, he quickly followed Teyla and Sheppard as they began their search.