The Day of Reckoning – Chapter 17

"Cowen, this is Dr. Nick Strauhan, and you know Teyla and Ronon." Sheppard stood beside Nick, with Teyla and Ronon behind them. Lorne and the other soldiers had automatically spread out upon approaching the lake, forming a perimeter around the work area.

"It's nice to meet you, Dr. Strauhan. And of course it's nice to see Teyla and Ronon again," said Cowen, nodding at the teammates. "I hope your bringing a doctor doesn't mean you're ill."

Sheppard shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Our doctors are just a little . . . paranoid, if you know what I mean. They tend to worry too much."

Nick snorted, earning a glare from Sheppard.

"Are you ready to start today as planned?" asked Cowen.

"Yeah, I'm ready. I'll need to do some prep work on the site and then I'll have a jumper bring the rest of the materials."

Cowen walked toward the lake and held his hand out for Sheppard to follow. "I hope you don't mind, but we did some leveling of the land for you. We thought that might speed the process up."

Sheppard stood looking at the freshly turned and leveled ground. "This is great! I think you just saved me most of a day's work."

"It was easy enough and we had the time."

"Well, thanks. This means I can start actually laying rock soon. I do have one question. What did you decide about the names of our two men?"

"I have decided that you can include your two men. Since they also died defending their people, it seems fitting that they should be included in the memorial. I would only ask that you separate them from the names of the Genii."

"Of course. I have a plan that does just that."

Cowen nodded. "Good. Then you may include them. Also, I thought you might want to know that I sent Kolya on a mission off world for several days."

"I appreciate that. I don't want this to erupt into violence, but I'm afraid it might with him around." Sheppard flashed a wry grin. "I don't think he likes me very much."

Cowen eyed him seriously. "No, I don't suppose he does. I must return to the settlement. Let my people know if you need anything, and they will contact me."

Sheppard nodded. "We should be fine." As Cowen left, Sheppard turned to survey the open field. His men were spread out around the area, already keeping watch. Several Genii soldiers were also scattered about the area keeping watch.

Sheppard looked from the Genii soldiers to his own men. "I hope no one gets trigger happy," he whispered.

oOo

By mid afternoon, Sheppard had much of the foundation laid. He stood and stretched his aching muscles, which were steadily reminding him of how long it had been since he'd done this much physical labor. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, pushing his hair back off his face. Even his shirt was wet through and it clung to him, hindering his movements and making his scars itch.

A quick look around the area told him that people were milling about, occasionally talking to the Genii soldiers or to each other. The morning had been somewhat tense with two sets of armed guards, but the afternoon heat seemed to have evaporated much of that negative energy. For that, he was thankful. A few Genii townspeople were also wandering about, curious about what was being constructed on their home soil by the enemy.

Sheppard finally decided that his discomfort overshadowed his embarrassment at exposing his heavily scarred back. There weren't that many people out and most of them were several yards away, and he wasn't so much concerned with the Genii. It was his own people; he didn't want the scars to be a source of pity. He found out long ago that he didn't deal well with pity. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed hold of the bottom of his t-shirt and pulled it over his head, tossing it on the large pile of rocks. Then he went back to work.

Sheppard totally buried himself in the construction for the next several hours, so focused that he didn't even hear it when Ronon, Teyla, Nick, and Major Lorne come up behind him. He did, however, hear Lorne's expletive when he caught sight of Sheppard's back for the first time. Sheppard grit his teeth and decided to ignore it.

"Hey, guys," Sheppard turned around. "What's up?"

Teyla's and Ronon's concerned frowns told him that they had also just witnessed the results of his stay with the Genii. "Colonel, it is getting late. We were going to suggest that you stop for today and we return to Atlantis," said Teyla, her expression gradually relaxing.

Sheppard grabbed the towel from his belt and wiped his face. "Yeah, I guess I am pretty tired, and I know you guys have to be bored beyond belief."

Lorne nodded. "No offense sir, but this hasn't been the most exciting assignment. I'll let the Genii know we're leaving." Lorne jogged off to where three Genii soldiers stood talking.

Sheppard snagged his shirt from the rock pile, shook it out, and pulled it back over his head. "So, Nick, what have you done all day?"

"I talked to some of the Genii people. Many of them wanted to know what you were doing, so I explained. I got to talk to some of them about the medical care on this planet. They're definitely a bit behind us. We could help them if they'd let us."

"Been there, done that . . . or at least tried. Our offer of antibiotics didn't interest them nearly as much as stealing our C4 and puddle jumpers. I hope this helps mend some fences, but I don't ever see us becoming trading partners. Too much distrust on both sides."

They began walking toward the stargate, picking up Lorne and the other soldiers on the way, and arrived in Atlantis several minutes later. Sheppard looked up to see Elizabeth, Rodney, and Carson waiting on the control room balcony. As he made his way up the stairs, he began to realize how truly exhausted he was.

"How did it go?" asked Elizabeth. Sheppard was pleased to note that the tension he had seen when he'd left this morning had gone out of her shoulders and that her arms were by her sides instead of across her chest. She even had a little smile for him.

"Good. They had the groundwork already done when we got there and the lumber ready. We got everything unloaded from the jumper and I made some real progress on the base. We'll head back first thing in the morning."

"What about Kolya?" asked Rodney, apprehension lining his face.

"Cowen sent him off world for a few days. I don't think he'll be a problem."

Everyone seemed relieved at that bit of good news. "How do you feel?" asked Carson.

Sheppard smiled. "Good. I'm not sure when I've been this tired, but it's a good tired. I may not be able to move in the morning, though. I'd forgotten how hard physical labor can make you feel. It's almost therapeutic."

"Aye, it can be," agreed Carson.

"If you guys don't mind, I have a date with a hot shower and my bed," said Sheppard.

"Colonel, don't forget to eat," said Carson.

"Doc, that would mean walking all the way to the mess hall. I'm just not sure it's worth the effort."

Carson continued to stare at Sheppard. "Colonel."

Sheppard sighed. "Okay, I'll eat. I'll run by before I go to my quarters, because once I hit the shower, bed is next in line."

"Mind if I join you?" asked Rodney.

"No, unless you're going to lecture me again."

Rodney looked at Elizabeth and Carson before glancing back at Sheppard. "No, no lecture. I may owe you . . . that is to say that I've had a recent change in thought." Rodney's hands opened and closed as he waited for Sheppard's reply.

"Yeah, come on. You can prattle on about some scientific theory way over my head. It'll help me relax. Like a bedtime story or a warm glass of milk."

"I do not prattle on. And that's quite insulting, you know."

Carson and Elizabeth smiled as the two friends continued their "conversation" on the way to the mess hall.

"Looks like things are getting back to normal," said Elizabeth.

oOo

The next morning found the work proceeding a little more slowly. Sheppard was feeling muscles that he had long ago forgotten he had. He kept pushing in an attempt to work out the stiffness and soreness, but it made for slow going. He shed his shirt long before noon as sweat ran down his body and plastered his hair to his head.

Straightening from his position hunched over the rising base of the monument, Sheppard turned and headed toward the rock pile. A sudden flash of movement was his only warning before he was hit in the head and then twice in the chest with large rocks, knocking him flat on his back. He was vaguely aware of yelling as he lay there, until he realized that Nick was hovering over him.

"Colonel, are you all right?"

Sheppard started to sit up. Nick tried to keep him down, but he twisted away and pushed himself into a sitting position. "I'm okay," he said, swatting Nick's hand as he struggled to his feet. He swayed dizzily, grabbing onto Nick's arm for support for a few seconds.

"Oh, yeah, you're fine. That's why you're dizzy and bleeding. You need to sit down."

Sheppard pushed Nick away and made his way to where his team, guns drawn, surrounded three of the teenage boys who had carved on him. Behind them, Genii soldiers stood with their guns trained on the Lanteans.

"Whoa, guys, let's not get excited and do something we'll regret," he said, approaching them with his hands held up in the air. "Stand down," he said to his men. They hesitated, glancing sideways at him. "Stand down. That's an order," he said more firmly.

Sheppard's team cautiously lowered their weapons, very aware of the Genii soldiers behind them. Once the Genii were satisfied, they lowered their weapons as well.

"These boys threw the rocks," stated Ronon.

Sheppard looked at the three boys, all sneering in open defiance. "Is that true?"

"Yes," said the tallest of the trio. "You have no right to come back here. You killed our fathers and now you insult them with your presence on our world. If Cowen will not drive you away, then we will."

Sheppard sighed as he studied them, remembering the pain they had inflicted. "Do you even know why I'm here . . . what I'm doing?" He absently rubbed at the pain in his chest where two of the rocks had struck him.

"We don't have to know why you're here. All that matters is that you leave."

"Can we talk a minute without you pelting me with rocks? I'd at least like a chance to explain and I'd like to keep you from getting shot."

The three boys exchanged glances before the taller one finally replied. "Fine. Talk."

"Good. How 'bout we go sit in the shade. I don't know about you guys, but I'm hot." Sheppard nodded at his men, dismissing them, before turning to walk over the shade tree.

Nick set a crate on the ground and pointed at it. "Sit."

Sheppard sat on the crate and the boys sat in the grass under the tree. He leaned over and opened a cooler, pulling out three sodas. "Cold drink?"

The boys hesitated, looking at the tall boy again. "What is it?"

"Soda, coke, pop. Different people call it different things. It's a common drink where I come from."

The older boy reached for one of the cans. "I'll try one." The other two looked relieved and took one as well.

Sheppard reached back into the cooler, fished around a minute, and pulled out a beer. As soon as he sat up, the can was jerked from his hand. "Nick!" Sheppard whirled around to look at the doctor.

"What is this doing in here?"

Sheppard smiled. "I happen to be off duty, since Carson never re-released me to active duty after I left the infirmary. I'm doing this on my own time. And I'm hot and thirsty."

"You also have a bleeding head wound and a possible concussion. No alcohol." Nick placed the beer back in the cooler and pulled out a bottle of water. "This is more like it. You need to stay hydrated."

Sheppard looked at the water blankly. "Water? You're giving me water?"

"Yes. Now be still so I can clean this. I think your going to need stitches."

Sheppard looked over to find one of the boys fighting a smile. "So, are Genii doctors this much of a pain?"

"Sometimes worse," said the boy. "What is beer?"

"That is also a common drink where I come from. It has a bit more kick to it. If you drink a lot, it can make you lose control, you know, act goofy."

All three boys nodded in unison. "We have a drink like that. Only the adults are allowed to drink it, but sometimes we sneak a little."

Sheppard laughed. "Sounds like some things are universal. It's pretty much the same where we come from. So, how do you like your coke?"

"This is not what I meant when I said we'd listen, Sheppard. Get on with it."

"Fair enough Listen, how bout I— OW! Doc, what are you doing?" Sheppard jerked his head away from Nick.

"Colonel, you're going to have to be still. I can't clean this properly if you're dodging me. Sit up and act like a man."

"Doc, I know you did not just say that."

"Well if the shoe fits . . . So, are soldiers of the Genii this big of a baby when it comes to getting treated?"

"They are strange," said the youngest boy, who didn't seem to notice that the older one was glaring at him. "They complain a lot about the small things, like he is, but say little when they are seriously injured. It's very confusing."

Nick paused. "Huh. I guess some things are universal. Colonel, I'm going to need to put a couple of stitches in this."

"Naturally. Let's get it over with."

"You really are going to have to be still this time."

"Okay. Be still. I've got it."

Nick sighed as he dug through the medical kit. "This would be easier and a lot more sterile in Atlantis."

"Field conditions, doc. You've been a field doctor before, you can handle it."

"Oh, I can handle it just fine."

The tallest of the three finished his drink and set the can down. "Tell us why you are here."

Sheppard relaxed. He had their attention and they were willing to listen. Maybe he could make some progress. "I came to build a memorial to the soldiers that died in the invasion of Atlantis. It's going to be a structure we call a gazebo." He handed them the drawing. "The rock at the base will have the names of the soldiers who died."

Nick grunted. "You're being still, remember?" He took Sheppard by the hair and held him in place as he injected anesthetic around the wound edges. Sheppard hissed, his hand flying up to his head and hovering there in a tight fist until Nick was done.

The boys passed around the drawing. "How do you know the names?"

"Cowen sent them to us. I had someone in Atlantis etch the names into the rocks. See the pile of rocks stacked beside the lumber? Those are the rocks with the names. The other pile is rocks to fill in the rest of the base."

One of the boys walked over to the stack of rocks, picked one up, and brought it back. He stood looking at it a second before handing it to the other boys. "Why are you doing this?"

Sheppard sighed. "Look, I'm not going to lie to you. I don't think the invasion of Atlantis was justified. But I realize that none of the soldiers who died that day took part in that decision. They were just following orders. Still, I'm not going to tell you that if we could go back in time, I'd do anything differently. I've thought a lot about it, and what I did was the only way to save my home and my people. But I don't blame your fathers and I do regret that they had to die. If Kolya had just taken what he originally said he came for and left instead of getting greedy and wanting all of Atlantis, none of those men would be dead. As far as I'm concerned, he bears as least as much responsibility as I do."

"Kolya tried to take Atlantis?" asked one of the boys, his brow furrowing. "That's not what we were told. We were told you refused to hand over what was rightfully ours and killed our people without mercy."

"Kolya killed two of my men the second he came through the gate. They thought they were helping people under attack, and instead they were shot point blank with no opportunity to surrender. Now I'll admit, we weren't happy about giving him what he wanted, but he could have made off with what he'd asked for without losing anyone. Instead, he decided he wanted Atlantis, and that's when people began losing their lives. He held my friends at gunpoint; I did what I had to do to protect my people and my city. You may not agree and I understand that, but at no time were the lives that were lost unimportant to me. That much I can promise you."

"Okay, I'm done," said Nick. He blotted a gauze pad against the fresh stitches over Sheppard's left eye and then covered it with a large band-aid. "Good as new."

"Thanks, doc."

Nick moved to stand in front of Sheppard. "Where else were you hit?"

"It's okay. Just some bruising."

Sheppard's tone and expression told Nick that Sheppard wanted the issue dropped. After eyeing him for a few moments, Nick decided that would probably be fine.

"Okay, but that doesn't get you out of a Beckett exam when we get back to Atlantis."

"You're cruel, doc. You know that, don't you?"

Nick just smiled as he gathered his medical kit and left Sheppard alone with the boys.

"You Lanteans are a strange bunch," said one of the boys.

"So I've been told," replied Sheppard.

They sat in silence for several minutes as the boys thought about what Sheppard had said. They seemed more confused than angry. Sheppard finally stood up. "Break over, for me at least. I need to get back to work if I'm ever going to finish this thing. I will ask that you refrain from pummeling me with rocks in the future, though. Not only does it hurt, but you're likely to get shot. My friends are a little extra protective of me lately."

The boys got to their feet. "We won't be throwing any more rocks," said the tall boy.

Sheppard smiled. "Good." He twisted around to pick up the bag he brought along for garbage. "Let's put our trash in here. I wouldn't want to pollute your planet." When he straightened back up, holding the bag open for their cans, he caught their surprised looks.

"We . . . we did that, didn't we?"

Sheppard felt his face flush hot as he realized what they were talking about. He didn't know what to say, so he just stood looking down at the bag in his hands.

"We . . . we didn't know. We're sorry. We thought . . . Kolya told us . . ."

Sheppard looked back up at the boys. "You didn't have all the information. I understand that." But he couldn't quite bring himself to say that it was okay, because it wasn't. Nor could he tell them not to worry about it, because he thought that any time you harmed a person they way they had hurt him, you needed to worry about it, retribution or no.

"Thanks for the drinks," one said as they backed away, fresh frowns on their faces. Sheppard recognized guilt when he saw it. And while he never wanted them to forget, he did hope that they'd come to terms with it soon.

Nick appeared alongside Sheppard, who was watching the retreating forms of the three boys. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," he said, his eyes still on the boys.

"Why don't we call it a day and get you back to Atlantis?"

"Not yet. I've got a lot to do and a few more frustrations to work out. I'll let you know."

Nick stepped directly in front of Sheppard. "You have a head injury. I really think we should get back and let Carson look at you."

"I told you, Nick. I'm fine. It's not a concussion. I've had my share and this isn't one. I need to work a while longer."

Nick studied Sheppard closely. "You'll tell me if you get dizzy or nauseous?"

"Yeah, scout's honor."

Nick sighed as Sheppard walked away. "Now why do I get the feeling you weren't a scout?"

TBC