Look everyone! A new chapter! And even more reviews (which has done wonders for getting this done faster)

The medical crew is stuck, the team is getting sicker, Elizabeth can't accuse the aliens of treachery until she has proof, and Katie Brown is now in on the action.

Chapter Six: A Botanist's Day Out

"Hopefully we can prevent it from getting any worse, but it looks like everyone except Carson has signs of encephalitis," Dr Biro frowned.

Elizabeth was sitting on the edge of her desk, arms crossed. "Are you making any headway on a treatment?"

Biro shook her head, "We've got them on a broad spectrum triple antibiotic, and it seems to be killing whatever is causing this, but it is also causing a release of a toxin into their bloodstream when every bacterium dies." She sighed, "That toxin is what is causing the encephalitis, it's affecting the nervous system and if we can't stop it or reverse the damage that has already been done…" she trailed off not wanted to state what the outcome could be.

Dr Weir knitted her eyebrows together in concern. They were fortunate not to have gotten more of Atlantis infected, and they were taking a huge risk sending Lorne's team back there, but the produce was too important. The nutritionist in charge of the dinning staff had cornered Elizabeth and let her know that non frozen produce was needed for the health of all the residents of Atlantis something that the Daedalus had trouble providing. Dolosus was the only planet so far that had what they needed in quantity and was willing to trade.

"Carson's health has also taken a nosedive. His fever is too high for comfort and though he's had some moments of lucidity, I don't think he's going to be much good now. He became very agitated at one point, saying that the Dolosians were out to kill us with the chickenpox, we had to sedate him."

Weir was concerned, "Is there anything that may have led him to believe that this disease was spread purposefully?"

"When he first woke he said he overheard a conversation between their hosts that has led him to believe their intentions are malignant."

"Could they have been?"

Biro shrugged, "Maybe. This kind of disease would have been easy to spread." She saw the expression on Elizabeth's face and taking a guess she said, "I doubt Lorne and the others are in much danger. We showed them the proper precautions to take, and unless they're getting rough with the locals there should be no risk."

Katie Brown nervously waited for Major Lorne to show her where the produce to examine was. She had only been off world a few times and that had been primarily to the Alpha site. This was the first time she was off on an official mission. A shiver ran down her spine, she couldn't help but feel a small thrill of adventure.

"Dr Brown," Major Lorne motioned for her to come speak with the person who was in charge of providing samples for Katie to inspect. "He says he's got two crates of a variety of produce ready for us. We just need to collect them."

The botanist adjusted the mask on her face hoping that Dr Biro's assurances were true, that if protocol was followed there was no chance of infection. "Let's get them then. I'd like to look over them before bringing them through the gate."

Lorne told the rest of his team to stay put at the gate until they got back. Two crates between three people would be easy enough to carry and they would watch the gate incase of trouble. He looked over at Katie and noticed her eyes were darting all over, trying to take in all the sights. Leaning in close, he said quietly, "Too bad you've come here to inspect produce. This looks like a nice place to vacation."

She nodded, "I'd have a field day out here."

"So did you just like picking flowers as a kid and decided to become a Botanist?"

"Try picking poison ivy and other nasty plants, then putting them down the bullies' shirts at school."

Lorne laughed, no wonder McKay had a thing for her, devious and beautiful. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

They stopped walking as their guide brought them up to a large barn. Holding the door open he motioned for them to enter. With a bang the door shut engulfing them in darkness. "No worries, I need to find the light, one moment," said the Dolosian.

Katie walked into Major Lorne, "Ooo, sorry." Backing up she tripped over something and fell flat onto her butt. "Ow!"

The lights came on revealing a hassled looking Katie and Major Lorne trying to find her on the ground. "You ok?" He held out his hand to help her up. As she reached for it she noticed the glove she had been wearing was torn and there was a large gash on her palm.

"What is wrong?" The man who led them into the barn paled when he saw her hand. "That looks very bad. Let me help you with that." Before Katie could stop him he had pulled off her glove and was prodding the wound.

"Let go of her hand," ordered Major Lorne.

"But I am just trying to help."

"If you want to help, let go."

The man dropped her hand and took a step back. Katie blanched and looked worried, both she and Lorne knew that there was a chance she could contract the illness now. Her hand had also started to bleed quite a bit.

Lorne activated his radio, "Lt Crick, activate the gate and inform Atlantis Dr Brown may be infected. We'll be right there." He motioned at their nervous looking guide, "Can you help me get these crates back to the gate?"

Relaxing a bit he nodded and picked one of them up. Katie, clutching her hand followed the two the short distance to the gate.

Dr Weir was silent as she listened to Lorne's explanation about what occurred on the planet. She had a sinking feeling that this disease was the Dolosian's version of a biological weapon. When the Major had finished she brought her hand up to her ear and activated her headset, "Dr Zelenka, can I have a moment of your time?"

Lorne raised an eyebrow; he wasn't sure what she was planning to do. It only took a few minutes for the frazzled looking Czech to reach Weir's office.

"Dr Weir, why is it that you wanted me?"

She sighed, "We need proof that our potential trade partners are up to no good. Is it possible for you to get a gate address they have dialed out too?"

"Yes. It is possible, but it could be any gate dialed on DHD during many years."

"All I need is one."