When It Snows (part 11)
The five assembled teams stood ready as final instructions were given, before they were sent out into the still raging storm. The continuous wind had piled snow high along the exterior walls of the lodge, making Sheppard think of the North Pole, and that Santa and a bunch of elves should be happily making toys inside. It shouldn't be a building filled with rescuers who had risked their lives to save his friends, but it was, and now he and Ronon were part of a team, returning the favor. At least this time, they were all being sent in the same general direction with little chance of anymore becoming lost.
Dismissed, he and Mathis took the front bench of the sled, while Ronon and Johan climbed in the back. The last to pull out, they followed the tracks of the lead sled, only to eventually veer off into the unblemished whiteness on their own. The afternoon sun had a difficult path, penetrating the heavy cloud bank and storm, but still there was some light and the surrounding grayness was better than the pitch dark of night.
Under Mathis's skilled handling, the raboo plodded through the deep drifts with little difficulty and Sheppard found himself admiring the man's technique. Lightly rapping the villager on the arm, he leaned over and yelled, "How do you know where you are going?"
Mathis tipped his head, not taking his eyes off the area in front of them. "Lived here all my life," he called back, his voice muffled by his deep hood and the wind. "This isn't the first time I've been out in a storm, and probably not my last."
"But you trade off planet. Why not get better equipment?"
This time Mathis did look over briefly. "We know what has happened to other worlds, those with visible technology. As long as we appear insignificant, we're left alone."
Sheppard had to agree with that. "That's why the lodge is stone. So it won't be picked up on a scan."
The older man nodded.
"But Nex has all new equipment. And there must be some sort of energy supply powering the lodge."
Mathis shifted the heavy leather reins to one hand, the other brushing at the snow that had blown on the front of his face. "Chal put up a good fight to get what he has, and he was right. When he came back after his last trip to Brune and told us that he'd asked for help with the sickness, many were unhappy. But after meeting Dr. Beckett, most fears of being found out were diminished." He grew quiet, his attention returned to the vast grayness before them.
"About that, I don't think we said 'thank you' yet for your help. You didn't have to come out in this storm to find my team." Sheppard was surprised to hear a muffled laugh come from beside him. "What?"
"Chal would have had my ass if we didn't hustle to find them. As soon as those traders reported not seeing your team, he had a bag of gear over his shoulder and was heading for the door. Didn't take much for the others to join us."
Something occurred to Sheppard. "You guys brothers?"
This time the laughter was louder and Mathis vigorously shook his head 'no'. "We grew up in the same village. You might say we've had an adventure or two in our younger days."
"Prem keep you in line?"
Mathis snorted, clapping the lines across the backs of the raboo to keep them moving. "You have no idea."
Visions of Weir, standing with folded arms and the scolding raised brow came to Sheppard's mind. "Uh, actually, I think I do." A tap on his shoulder from behind made him turn to find Ronon standing, pointing off into the distance. He swung back around and tried to make out what the runner was seeing. Something large and white was moving towards them.
"Raboo," Mathis called out, pulling his team to a halt.
It didn't take long for the lone animal to limp its way over to the sled, and the group was surprised to see pieces of harness attached around its neck and back.
Johan reached over the side of the sled and grabbed the dangling rein as he carefully pulled the snow and ice encrusted beast closer for a better look. "It's been attacked," he called over his shoulder. Running his hand over the back flank, he found deep ragged claw marks that had frozen shut with blood. "Looks like a cravit tried to get a hold of it."
Mathis handed over the leather lines he was holding to Sheppard before making his way to stand next to Johan. A lifetime of working with the large animals let him know that this one wouldn't make it unless they stopped. Scrubbing a hand across his face, he shook his head and sighed, they didn't have time for that luxury. "Let it go," he told his son.
The young man nodded in understanding as he hopped out of the sled. With a quick flip of the remaining buckles, the harness pieces fell to the ground before Johan gave the raboo a gentle smack to the rump. "Go home," he said quietly; hoping it would make it back to the lodge before being finished off by another hungry predator.
The others waited patiently for Johan to climb back in before setting off once more to follow the tracks from where the raboo had been, before they disappeared completely.
SG: A
Teyla weaved her way through the throng of waiting villagers milling about in the main hall. Coming to stop before a small window that had iced over, she used her fingernails to scratch away a clear spot so that she could peer out into the bleak storm. The buffeting cold wind continued to swirl snow through the air, making visibility impossible. When another strong gust blew against her clear patch, covering it with whiteness, she took an involuntary step back and shivered.
"You aren't familiar with the cold," a female voice said from behind her.
Teyla tried to smile, but failed miserably. Rubbing her hands up and down her shirt sleeves, she shrugged as she turned and discovered Carrie holding out a heavy sweater. "Weather such as this is not common from where I come." She accepted the woolen pullover, and tugged it carefully over her head, avoiding the burns on her face and wrist.
"It does take some getting used to. Although, I'm happy for you that Dr. McKay appears to have experience in such weather." Once Teyla was finished, she gestured to a table near the fire where two mugs of steaming tea were waiting. "I thought you might need something to drink."
"That is very kind of you." With only her fingertips in sight, the rest of her hand tucked beneath the warm fabric, Teyla grasped the drink and savored the warm flavor as it spread down through her stomach. "I do not care for this weather," she said quietly, setting the mug back on the tabletop.
Carrie nodded in understanding. "It won't last much longer. And then we will get you back to your people." Not receiving any response, she frowned and touched Teyla on the arm to get her attention. "How are your friends?"
"Not well." She swirled the contents of her drink, watching the steam rise before meeting the other woman's concerned gaze. "Carson is weak and requires a great deal of rest. And Rodney, he is quite ill. His fever continues to rise and fall. Dr. Nex is not certain as to why."
"When Dr. Beckett is awake, can he help Dr. Nex? He did create the vaccine. Perhaps he knows more of what is happening to Dr. McKay."
Teyla chewed her bottom lip while thinking. "He cannot stay awake and does not have the strength to help. I do not believe that Dr. Nex has spoken of Rodney's condition to Carson."
"Maybe he should," Carrie encouraged quietly, her hand resting on top of Teyla's in comfort.
"Perhaps." She stood up and nodded, "Thank you for the sweater and tea. I must return to my friends now." And with that, she made her way back down the hallway to the infirmary.
SG: A
Teyla made her way first to Rodney's room, to check on the sleeping scientist, and found him awake, blearily staring at the ceiling. Slipping her cool hand into his overheated one, she squeezed lightly to get his attention. His focus shifted to fall on her and he tried to smile, only to end up coughing harshly, his face turning dark red. With great care, she eased him to his side and rubbed his back until his breathing calmed.
"Shall I get the doctor?" she asked.
Rodney sniffed carefully so as not to encourage the persistent tickle in his chest. "No," he whispered, his fingers clenching and unclenching the blanket he held close to his chest. "Where's everyone?"
She pulled her stool from earlier close to the bed and sat down so that he could see her at eye level. "Carson is in the next room resting. Colonel Sheppard and Ronon have gone to help find some villagers who are lost in the storm."
He blinked as he took in the information and then frowned. "What are you doing here," he rasped.
Taken aback at the question, Teyla was confused. "I thought you might like me to sit with you."
Rodney shook his head, his eyes darting around the room. "You don't belong here."
"I came with you and Dr. Beckett to help with the villagers. Do you not remember?"
"Where's Radek?" he asked as he tried to push himself up to a sitting position.
Teyla caught him by the shoulders and attempted to keep him on the bed. "Dr. Zelenka is on Atlantis. He has not been here."
"Atlantis?" he squeaked, his quickened breaths becoming harsh and raspy. "Where's Carson?"
"I told you, he is resting in the next room."
He stared at her, and she could tell his eyes were not seeing the present. "Why?"
"Do you not remember that he fell through the ice?"
Rodney pushed away from Teyla, never realizing that he'd pressed against her injured wrist. When she gasped and tucked it to her chest, he frowned and slipped off the opposite side of the bed. Tripping over dislodged wires and ripping out his IV, he stumbled towards the doorway.
"Rodney, stop," Teyla cried out, trying awkwardly to pull him back to the bed.
His chest heaving with exertion, he pushed her again, causing her to tumble over the stool and fall to the floor. By the time she picked herself back up, he had disappeared out into the hallway.
SG: A
Rodney tried to get his bearings in the unfamiliar surroundings. Nothing looked right, and he stumbled towards the next open doorway, seeing light from the room spill out into the hallway. His entire body aching, he gripped the walls in exhaustion as he pulled himself into the room, only to stop when he saw another bed with someone resting on it underneath a pile of blankets.
"Sorry," he mumbled, staggering backwards to leave, before his legs gave out and he collapsed to the floor.
"Rodney?" A voice called to him quietly from somewhere close by and it niggled at his overheated brain, demanding recognition.
"Carson?" he gasped in relief, his head pressed against the cool floor in hopes of stopping the pounding in his head.
Carson had been in a light doze when he'd heard the sound of someone entering his room. Peeling his eyes open, it took him a moment to focus on the weaving figure, before the man collapsed in front of him, and then recognition instantly set in. When Rodney called his name, he pressed back his covers and slid down onto the floor beside the scientist. "Oh, bloody hell, what have you done to yourself this time?" he muttered, his hands instinctively reaching for a pulse.
Rodney groaned, curling tighter into a ball, before another painful bought of coughing erupted, leaving him breathless.
"I need some help in here," Carson called out and was relieved to see Teyla appear in the doorway. "Hand me the oxygen mask on the wall, and turn it on," he ordered, and then took it from her with trembling hands to hold over his friend's face. "Breathe," he encouraged before glancing back to Teyla. "Blankets."
She quickly stripped his bed and brought them over. Draping one over Rodney, she then placed another over the physician's shoulders. "I will get Dr. Nex," she said before running out the doorway.
Carson clenched his eyes tightly shut, trying desperately to stop his own lightheadedness. "Come on," he chanted, holding the mask over Rodney's face, willing his friend to breathe. When the scientist's hands fumbled beneath the blanket, reaching out towards some unseen object, he caught one in his hand. "That's it, son, hold on. Help is on the way. Just a little longer."
Rodney began to mumble and Carson could feel the heat radiating off his friend's face and body. Gritting his own teeth together, he used all of his energy to pull Rodney up to a sitting position and lean against his own chest in hopes of easing the man's breathing.
"Cars'n?" Rodney whimpered.
"I'm right here. You're doing good, lad. Just breathe, nice and easy."
"Rad'k…water…so cold." Raging tremors engulfed the scientist and he whimpered again. "…wanna die…"
Carson held Rodney tighter in his arms, his own breath catching in his chest. "No, not today. Radek is safe. You saved him, remember? The same way you saved me."
The sound of many people rushing down the hall and then bursting through the doorway caught Carson by surprise. Hands reached down and tugged Rodney from him, lifting the scientist onto a bed. Another set of hands grasped him, helping him to his feet, only to catch him as his world, too, faded to grey.
TBC