Chapter Five
Once again, he lost his footing and slipped down a good metre. "This is bloody stupid," Carson Beckett shouted finally losing all his patience, he was dirty, hungry and in danger of overheating due to the tropical climate. Teyla glanced back and shifted to help him but he quickly declined, she felt he was in a most disagreeable mood.
"Do not worry, we are at the peak." Teyla peered over the top, smiled at the sight before her and pulled herself up to level ground. Beckett quickly scrambled up at the prospect of standing on something stable and stopped just before joining her. "Oh wow," he whispered his voice barely audible. "It's beautiful."
Teyla flashed him a brilliant smile before getting up to her feet and helping Beckett up and over the edge and he let out a long deep breath. "Thank God," he said looking down at his feet. "I hope it's easier on the way down than it is up."
"I'm sure it will be."
"Teyla, this is Sheppard."
Slowly, she reached for the radio attacked to her jacket and pressed the button to talk. "Major, you have located Doctor McKay and Lieutenant Ford?"
--
"Yeah," Sheppard replied. "They're fine, well not fine. Someone attacked them."
"The same person who we are in pursuit of?" came Teyla's response. Sheppard reluctantly paused a moment and looked at McKay and Ford in turn, he still couldn't believe what they had told him but guessed it wouldn't be right to hold back on her.
"Possibly…" Sheppard held the radio closer. "McKay says it was a female that attacked them and I mean tried to kick their ass. But they're both a little sketchy on the details." With that, he gave them a look.
"I'm sorry Major," McKay answered sarcastically. "But I was far too busy trying to not get myself killed and retreating."
--
"Are either of them injured, Major?" Beckett asked, his own instincts immediately kicking in. Even though the thought of making their way back down the mountain was not a welcome one just yet.
"McKay was wounded but it's not life threatening."
"Says you," McKay could be heard muttering.
"You and Teyla should be on alert though, I want you to stop searching and make your way back to the gate as quickly as possible." Oh that was so not what Beckett wanted to hear although from what he could tell from Teyla's reaction, she was not as concerned with such matters. Then again, why would she be? She was younger and in physically better health than himself but a few more hours out here would soon change that.
"You are not continuing the search for the Zero Point Module?" Teyla asked, knowing how valuable it would be for helping power up the rest of the city.
"No," Sheppard answered. "I don't want to stay here a moment longer if there's a real threat."
"Oh there's a real threat all right, I have the deep cut in my arm to prove it."
"Shut up Rodney," Sheppard snapped then addressed Teyla again. "Stay on channel 2 and for God's sake be careful."
"Yes Major, myself and Doctor Beckett will join you shortly." The distinct thud disconnected them from the rest of the team and Teyla looked over to Beckett. "Are you ready to go?"
"In all honestly," Beckett replied as he walked slowly to the edge of the cliff and looked down, which probably wasn't a good idea. The sight didn't alarm him, just the thought of having to climb back down and Beckett glanced sideways to Teyla. "No."
Teyla smiled gently and placed a hand on his shoulder as she too took in the sight from this great height. It was a real shame that they could not spend anymore time on this planet, it was a joy to explore but yet again, Sheppard was correct. If there was a threat, it would be unwise to continue without the proper precautions. "We shall go at a slow pace," Teyla offered.
"Thanks lass," Beckett answered as Teyla went ahead of him and gingerly started climbing down. Carson took one more look at the direction they would have been going, it really was a beautiful sight and only part of him regretted having been dragged here and although he would never ever admit it to Sheppard or Elizabeth Weir. It was almost worth it.
--
"Just one moment," McKay said while the last chevron locked in place and a wormhole was established. He placed his hands on the DHD, mindful of his injured arm and looked over to Sheppard. "Whenever you're ready, Major."
--
"Atlantis, this is Major Sheppard."
"This is Weir, what have you got John? Any luck in locating that ZPM?" Weir asked with a hopeful look on her face, glancing to Peter Grodin who wore the same expression as he listened in and stared at the computer in front of him. Working on something or other as he always seemed to be doing.
"Well," Sheppard began. "No but we ran into someone, who managed to stab Rodney with a nasty looking knife of some description."
"Is he all right?" Weir asked.
"He'll live," Sheppard replied.
"I thought Teyla said it was…"
"Yeah I know, uninhabited," Sheppard answered impatiently and it reflected in his tone. "But the thing is, it obviously isn't. We're returning as soon as Teyla and Beckett get back here."
"Understandable," Weir said quickly, placing her hands behind her back. A surge of disappointment coursed throughout her body. They needed the zero point module, they didn't even have enough energy to power the shields and that would be useful incase the Wraith located Atlantis. This was a very strong possibility and would happen sooner or later. Although, the safety of the teams offworld was also of the utmost importance and she deferred to Sheppard's judgement. "See you soon."
--
"Now what do you we do?" McKay asked as the gate powered down and returned to his natural state.
"We," Sheppard said leaning against one of the trees nearby. "Sit and wait." McKay and Ford shared a look with one another, a look that Sheppard didn't miss. "Don't worry I'm sure this girl or whatever it was won't come back for round two." As if on cue, the wind rustled through the trees causing them to move strongly. Ford and McKay tensed up slightly, while Sheppard tightened his grip on his weapon but offered a grin. "Trust me."