"What? What?" Rodney shrilled.
"If I'm reading this beastie right, we're about to have company."
"Maybe it's Ronan with the rescue party."
"I don't think so, they're coming from the wrong direction." Carson glanced around the jumper, his thoughts edged with panic. What to do first? "Maybe I should call Ronan."
"Carson, you can't," Rodney argued. "You could give his position away. Besides, what's he gonna do? He's too far away to help now."
"No, no, you're right," Carson muttered. "Okay, we're on our own." He gathered the P90, the lifesign detector and his IV bag and shuffled clumsily to Colonel Sheppard's side. Despite regaining consciousness briefly twice more since Ronan's departure, Sheppard remained disoriented and unable to stay awake. Carson couldn't rouse him now. "Rodney, I need you to keep an eye on Colonel Sheppard, so to speak."
"Oh, and do what? Wait for him to wake up so I can tell him we crashed – again?"
"Stay near him. If he wakes up, keep him calm and quiet. And try and do the same for yourself."
Rodney fumbled his sidearm out of its holster. "Look, I'm a way better shot than you. I should be defending us while you babysit Sheppard. Just take these bandages off!"
Carson's nerves were fraying and taking his patience with them. "It won't matter, Rodney! You won't be able to get your eyes open, the skin is too swollen and irritated. Now please, put your gun away before you shoot me!"
"But –"
"Rodney, will you shut the hell up!" Carson shouted.
The Canadian lapsed into stunned silence.
Carson gritted his teeth and crawled back to the doorway, hanging his IV bag where it wouldn't get in the way. With shaking hands he went over the P90, making sure the safety was off and the extra ammunition was within easy reach. He peered outside, blinking rapidly until his vision cleared, and waited for the enemy to show themselves.
"Carson." McKay's voice was soft, subdued.
He sighed. "Yes, Rodney."
"Are you okay?"
"Aye, lad. I'm sorry I shouted at you. I'm a bit nervous – I'm not really cut out for this commando rubbish."
"You're gonna do fine. You and I both know you're a lot tougher than these military types think. Let's face it, you'd last longer in boot camp than any of them would in a medical residency."
Carson smiled. "Thank you, Rodney. I appreciate the vote of confidence."
McKay waved aside his thanks with customary impatience. "Think nothing of it. Here, take this," he said, sliding his sidearm across the floor. "Here's hoping you won't need it."
Just as Carson secured the extra weapon, he heard a rustling outside the jumper. "Here we go," he muttered for Rodney's benefit. Fitting the P90 against his shoulder, he took aim just as the first Kalerian soldier appeared out of the woods. "That's far enough!" he called.
The soldier stopped and made a series of hand signals. Carson was aware of more soldiers fanning out behind him, just out of his sight. The first man stepped forward. "My name is Major Kiton. Who am I addressing?"
"Carson Beckett. I'll thank you not to come any closer, Major."
Kiton's young face radiated sincerity. "Doctor Beckett, I can't tell you how relieved I am to have found you. We've been searching for you since we saw your craft go down on our sensors. We're here to offer medical assistance."
"No thank you. We're all fine here."
Kiton touched something near his shoulder and spoke quietly for a moment. Carson realized he was talking into a radio. After a moment he looked up and took a step forward, holding his empty hands out in front of him. "Doctor, please. Your craft is unable to fly. If your party was mobile, you would have left by now. Allow us to help you."
"No thank you," Carson repeated. "Our own people will be here soon enough. We'll be fine until then."
"I don't understand," Kiton said. "I assure you, we only have your best interests at heart. We're prepared to treat your injured. Why don't you come out and wait for your people in comfort?"
Carson wasn't listening to the words. He was watching Kiton's eyes, which kept glancing to his left. "Major," he warned, "pull your people back, now! I don't want to hurt anyone, but I will fire on you if you force me to!" To his surprise, Kiton actually took a step back.
He was just beginning to relax a bit when a small silver orb was lobbed through the door.