A/N – To try and keep things as clear as possible, at the beginning of each chapter I have put which reality we are in. I hope this helps. KKG
Long Strange Trip
Chapter 3
Alternate SGA-1 team on Regular Atlantis
Major John Sheppard blinked open his eyes, and found himself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. The room was dim, and the floor cold and hard. He stifled a groan as he realized he was probably in the brig, having drunk himself into an angry stupor the night before. But, usually, they deposited him at home, not the brig. He must have really screwed up this time.
He struggled to a sitting position, his eyes adjusting to the gloom. Next to him was Rodney McKay sprawled in an unceremonious heap.
McKay? What was he doing here?
John leaned over and gently shook Rodney on the shoulder. He received a pained moan, and watched as the scientist's blue eyes fluttered open.
"John?" Sheppard nodded at Rodney's inquiry, then turned his attention to the other two forms in the room. He rose to his feet, surprised to find a P-90 lying a few feet away. Grabbing it, he slowly let his gaze travel around the room.
Where the hell am I?
"John, what's going on? Where's Jessie?" Rodney had also come to his feet, a look of extreme bewilderment on his face. John felt a shiver run up his spine; Rodney was a lot of things, but never bewildered. "Who are they?"
"I don't know."
At John's feet were two humans: a man and a woman. The man was huge, tall and strong, and wore unfamiliar clothing. Next to him was a beautiful woman, only she was garbed in a SGA uniform. Odd. Two P-90's lay close by, and John made the assumption that they weapons belonged to these two…strangers. Although the woman did look vaguely familiar…..
John stepped back as the man suddenly sat up, shaking his head. He stared for a moment at the woman lying next to him, then his eyes flew around the room, falling on Sheppard and McKay. With unbelievable speed, he launched himself to his feet, crouching into a fighting position.
"Whoa…whoa…we're not going to hurt you," John said, holding out one hand. He paused, unsure of his next move. He looked to McKay, who was peering intensely at the woman. "Any suggestions would be good, Rodney."
The scientist stared blankly at the Major for a long moment, then slowly turned to the warrior.
"Ummm… my name is Dr. Rodney McKay. And you are….?" McKay paused, waiting for the man to respond.
Ronon Dex stared at the strange man, taking in his soft hands and stocky build, and immediately dismissed him as a threat. He eyed the other man, a warrior like himself. They both seemed as confused by their circumstances as he was, and Ronon wondered briefly if this was some sort of Wraith trick. He didn't know where he was or what was happening, but he knew he didn't like it. Where was Owen…..and who was this woman at his feet?
Ronon didn't answer Rodney, but slowly reached for the weapon lying a foot from his hand. He paused as the warrior brought up his gun, aiming it loosely at the runner.
"I don't think he understood you, Rodney," John said. Holding his aim on the man, he motioned for the scientist to check out the woman. Rodney nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. He leaned close to the woman, brushing some hair off her face.
A moment later, a large knife was against his throat. Teyla eyed the man angrily, ignoring the surprise and fear in his blue eyes. Instead, she climbed to her feet, the knife digging into the skin and drawing a line of blood.
John swung his weapon around, aiming it at the woman, taking his eyes off the huge warrior. The man quickly swept up the P-90. Although he was unfamiliar with the weapon, Ronon managed to spray a burst of fire around the room, sending the other three diving for cover. The tall runner paused only for a moment, then, spying the exit, ran and slammed a hand against the controls, disappearing in an instant.
Rodney fell backwards with a large "Ooof!" He lay on the floor, dazed, as his breath left his body. Around him he could hear John returning the fire, and, summoning all his strength, he rolled over.
"John! Stop! Don't hurt them!" Rodney gasped, but the Major barely acknowledged him. He was grimly searching the room, looking for the man. The woman crouched next to the control panel, her gaze alternating between rage and fear.
"You!" She spat, her face contorting. Her words were directed at Sheppard, and he stared back, recognition flowing across his face.
"You're….Teyla. Right? From Athos?" John asked, and, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rodney nod. The woman froze, loathing in her eyes. By awakening the Wraith early, this man and his people had caused the death of her father, the destruction of her village. She had trusted him, and, as a consequence, she had been shunned, reduced to living as a pariah among her people, with only Halling offering any measure of friendship and support. This man – this Major John Sheppard – had ruined her life.
Teyla stared a long moment at the Major, then in a controlled voice, whispered, "I will kill you. That is a promise." Then, as John lowered his weapon in shock, she raced from the room, leaving the two humans alone.
John leaned back against the wall, suddenly exhausted. Rodney slowly climbed to his feet, and reached out to the control panel curiously.
"Rodney, do you have any idea of what is going on?" John asked, and was immediately reassured when the scientist gave a short nod. The physicist turned his blue gaze to the soldier, worry in his eyes.
"I'm just guessing here, but I think we're in an alternate universe," Rodney said. He ran a shaky hand across his face.
"Alternate universe? You mean Twilight Zone, Quantum Leap – that kind of thing?" John asked, and Rodney suppressed a grin. Leave it to Sheppard to use TV shows as analogies.
"Yes. I am assuming that our 'other selves', including those of our two associates" – Rodney waved a hand in the direction Ronon and Teyla had taken – "have been sent to our reality. In return, we were sent here. And I am also assuming that this" – he pointed to the control panel – "is the technology responsible for this mix-up." He leaned in closer, peering intently at the various lights and switches.
"Well, what do we do?" John asked, then paused as a voice echoed through his headset.
"Dr. McKay? This is Radek – please respond." Rodney started at Zelenka's voice, then, exchanging a shrug with Sheppard, cautiously keyed his radio.
"Ummm….this is McKay. Go ahead Radek." The excited voice of the Czech scientist came bubbling through the headset.
"Are you alright? We monitored some extremely large energy fluctuations in your area, not to mention some gun fire. Did you find the power surge?" Radek paused, and, thinking rapidly, Rodney spoke into his mike.
"Yes, ahhhh, I believe we found the problem, Doctor. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to study the situation a bit more. I'm going to need some equipment, along with some technicians…." Rodney was cut off by another voice.
"Dr. McKay, this is Colonel Caldwell. Before you get started, you and the rest of SGA-1 should return to the infirmary. Dr. Beckett wants to check you all out, seeing as you were exposed to a large amount of an unknown energy. And I want to see Sheppard ASAP. Caldwell out."
John cringed as he heard Caldwell's voice. "Damn. I hope that we have a better relationship here than we do…..back home. Man, this is weird." He shouldered his P-90, then reached over and grabbed Rodney by the arm. The scientist had sagged against the panel, his eyes distant and bleak.
"I'm sure Jessie and Lizzie are okay, Rodney." He waited for the physicist to nod, then clapped him on the back.
"Well, what do we do now?" Sheppard asked.
Rodney stared at the soldier for a moment, then gave a shrug.
"Well, since we're here, we might as well check the place out. Besides, we have to find Teyla and that other guy." John nodded at McKay's words, then gestured for Rodney to lead the way. As they exited the room, McKay slightly ahead of the Major, John briefly gave thanks that he wasn't in this alone, and wondered what else was different on this alternate Atlantis.
TBC