Stranded
Chapter 7
The puddle-jumper left the darkness of space, and glided down into the atmosphere of PX7-312, buffeting through the clouds. John hit the switch that cloaked the ship, making it invisible to the natives. The last thing he wanted was to be attacked, especially with Carson and Radek on board. They quickly made their way towards the stargate, and Sheppard swung the jumper into a wide arc, his eyes scanning the area.
"Colonel! Next to the DHD." Teyla grasped his arm, her eyes widening as they took in the still form slumped next to the Ancient device. It sure looked like Rodney. John, his forehead creased in concentration, lowered the ship to the ground.
"Okay – Ronon and Teyla, we're going to make a sweep of the area, make sure that no one is around. Doctor Beckett, you and Zelenka are to stay on board until I give the all clear. Understood?" His green gazed settled first on Dr. Zelenka, then Carson Beckett, waiting until each had nodded. Carson was already packing up his medical gear, motioning at Radek to grab the oxygen.
The ship still invisible, Sheppard opened the rear hatch, and Ronon sped from the ship, his P-90 at the ready. Teyla was right behind him, veering off to the left. John followed, passing in front of the ship and heading towards the DHD. As his steps took him closer, he could see Rodney's shirt, dark and filthy. God, he was covered with blood. John raced to the physicist's side, his eyes scanning the area for natives.
"McKay! Rodney! Answer me, damn it." John placed his gun on the ground, and knelt next to the wounded man. Rodney was beaten and battered, his face scraped and raw, the skin pale. He wasn't moving. John tore off his gloves, feeling for a pulse. A long moment passed, and then he felt a small, faint blip under his fingertips.
"Beckett! Get out here – NOW!" John keyed off his mike, suddenly aware that Carson was already behind him, followed by Radek.
"Dear God in heaven!" Carson frantically rummaged through his medical supplies, then leaned over, strapping an oxygen mask to Rodney's face. John helped him lower the scientist to the ground, then stood out of the way. He could see Teyla and Ronon circling the team, their eyes on the surrounding area. Good – at least they wouldn't be attacked by the natives without warning.
Carson carefully tugged up Rodney's bloody shirt, and let out a horrified gasp.
"Damn it, Rodney. What the hell is this?" Beckett muttered under his breath. Next to him, Radek paled as he also took in Rodney's wound. The scientist quickly backed away, turning his attention to the ruined DHD. As Zelenka knelt before the wreckage, poking his hands inside, John remained still, his eyes alternating between the landscape and McKay.
They were too late. He was going to die. And he had suffered…terribly. John felt the rage build within him, imagining Rodney's fear and pain, the fact that he was all alone on a strange world, with no one to help him, comfort him.
Carson leaned in, quickly examining the rest of McKay's body. He probed McKay's abdomen, causing fresh blood to start streaming from the wounded. Carson ignored it. Instead, he attached EKG leads to his chest, then flicked on the monitor.
A faint beep. Then another. The oxygen mask fogged as Rodney expelled a breath. John swayed, his relief overwhelming. He knelt down as Rodney's eyes fluttered open. The scientist's blue gaze was clouded, confusion and hope in their depths.
"Sheppard?" The question was so faint, John barely heard the whispered word. Still, he nodded, gently placing a hand on Rodney's shoulder.
"It's okay, Rodney. We've come to take you home." Rodney gave a small half-smile, then dropped back into oblivion.
"Sheppard! We've got company," Ronon's voice barked through the headset, and everyone paused. Hurriedly, Carson and Radek loaded Rodney on to a stretcher, then, piling the equipment around the unconscious scientist, they grabbed the handles and raced back to the ship. John followed, his gun up and ready as the sound of yelling grew louder. From the corners of his eyes, he could see Ronon and Teyla racing back to the ship, followed closely by a mob of roaring natives.
"Get in here!" John ordered, racing to his seat and strapping in. As Teyla entered the ship, Ronon slightly behind her, he closed the rear hatch. The natives abruptly stopped short as the invaders simply disappeared. In shock, they turned and started running in the opposite direction.
"Colonel, we need to get Rodney back to Atlantis right now, " Beckett advised, his voice tight. "He's lost far too much blood, and God knows what else is wrong with him." He handed Zelenka a thick white bandage, motioning the scientist to hold it against Rodney's bleeding belly.
John merely nodded, the ship hovering off the ground. He stared at the ruined DHD, then looked over his shoulder.
"Radek, the stargate seems to be okay – only the DHD is damaged. Can we use our ship's DHD to dial the stargate?" John asked, and, after a moment of thought, the scientist nodded his head.
"Yes….we can override the damaged one below. Give me just a second." He stepped into the cabin, and fiddled with some of the controls. "Okay, it should work now." Zelenka shuffled back to the rear as Carson moved around the form of Rodney, an Ancient device beeping in his hands.
Teyla reached over and began dialing Atlantis. She hit the transmit button, and held her breath as nothing happened. Then, with a loud whoosh, the stargate burst to life.
"Yes!" John said, then he guided the jumper into the gate, taking them all home.
TBC