Ah, back to the longer chapters… Hope you al enjoy, as the story is coming to a close.. I'm thinking 1 or 2, or so more chapters…
Oh, and this chapter also has a special guest. Hope you don't mind Rey.
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Chapter 19: Hit Em Where It Counts
Jumpers maneuvered over head, distracting the Wraith from the Gate, allowing for Lexa and her team of five marines to come through. The marines were armed with M-16s while Lexa stuck with a P-90, seeing as she knew she'd be using her powers more than her weapon. The ex-captain and Sergeant Graham took point while the four other marines took flanking positions as they move away from the Gate and engaged the Wraith Guards in the immediate area. Fortunately, unlike those in charge and the Dart pilots, the Guards did not feed on the villagers, so a few bullets easily took them down. As soon as the Gate was secure, Lexa radioed the Jumpers who were now cloaked and awaiting their go. "Alright, begin the drop off, we're on our way." Lexa knew McKay would be there in a few minutes with Jumper 1, but she didn't want to take any chances. She took three marines with her to the village, and left Graham and another man at the Gate to fortify the area.
The Jumpers flew to their marks around the camp and in turn, dropped off their marines. Jumper One landed first, allowing for McKay to get back to the Gate ASAP. Jumper 7, or "Chitty" as the now civilian pilot called her landed next, so that Jay could go back and give Lexa and the marines cover fire as they made their way to the village. Since Weir had made the mission voluntary, anyone could go, and the younger Sheppard figured why not get in one last "Hoorah" before heading back to Earth. The remaining four Jumpers delivered their marines and they layed in wait for their new cargo.
McKay landed the Jumper near the tree line, within visual of the Gate. He dialed Atlantis and reported in, "This is McKay, the mission is under way, and we are rounding up the villagers."
Elizabeth radioed back, "Understood Rodney. How are things going?"
"Smoother than I anticipated. We were actually able to secure the Gate in no time at all."
"Well lets hope things stay that way, Weir out."
"Lets hope," Rodney mumbled to himself after the transmission had ended. He tried to settle back into his seat as he kept an eye the active Gate and the two Marines guarding it, but couldn't. In the back of his mind he knew something was going to go wrong, it just couldn't be this easy. Could it?
As Lexa and the three marines entered the camp, Jay broke off to go land "Chitty" and await his passengers. The camp was in chaos as Wraith and villagers ran everywhere, but Lexa soon spotted Marc, who had already gathered some villagers, as she pummeled the few Wraith around her. With a flick of her wrist she sent them flying off into the side of a building and then ran over to join Lorne. He had gathered up a group of men, figuring they should be the first out, seeing as most of them were injured. The couple led them through the camp and to the safety of a Jumper. As they ushered them into the ship they were spotted by several Wraith, but Sheppard and his team had their six and took care of them before they could do anything.
"There's another group in that tent there, but it's surrounded by the human guards. I figured you'd be the best one to take care of them," Sheppard radioed Lexa.
Right, we got 'em. You just keep us covered," Lexa replied. They made their way over to the tent, battling a hand full of Wraith in the process.
As they stepped up to the tent, they notice Aarhus at the entrance, and Lorne raised his weapon. "You'll have to kill us if you want them, he yelled.
Lexa smirked and put a hand on Marc's P-90, indicating he wouldn't need it. "Oh, that won't be necessary." Lexa threw out her hands and aimed her exploding power at the ground near the Worshipper's feet. Aarhus was projected high into the air and landed on a nearby tent. Lexa had the full attention of the human guards. "I'm a Protector. You wanna take me on? I'd like to see you try!" She raised her hands, as if to use her powers again, and the guards all ran off in fear.
"Well, guess we no longer have to worry about them," Lorne commented as they pulled the villagers out of the tents and guided them to the next Jumper. Once the Jumper was filled it took off for the Gate, same as the first, to get the villagers back to Atlantis and out of harm's way. Lexa and Marc continued their duties rounding up the girls, while the marines and Team Sheppard continued gunning down the Wraith.
They packed the girls into two Jumpers, leaving Jumper One and "Chitty" open for the strike team. Lorne radioed McKay and the team to inform them it was time to go and it was then that Lexa realized she had not seen Kaali. While the marines fell back to the rendez-vous site, Lexa and Lorne looked around for the missing girl. Jay took off in "Chitty" once all the marines were aboard and flew over the camp on his way back to the Gate. Sheppard, Teyla, and Ronan soon reached Jumper One and once boarded, radioed Lorne to find out what was going on?
"Kaali's missing, and Lexa won't leave without her," Marc replied to the Colonel. Marc lost Lexa around a corner as he responded to his CO. He jogged to catch up with her as John inquired to their position, but as he rounded the corner Lorne forgot all about answering him. He stepped up next to Lexa who had her eyes glued to the girl who stood in between Malaas and Rolik.
"Looking for this," Malaas taunted as he wrapped his hand tighter around Kalii's throat.
"Let her go," Lexa demanded, keeping her eyes on Kaali and raising her gun in unison with Lorne.
"The only way you're getting her, is if I get you." Malaas made his proposal.
"How 'bout I just shoot you and we get it over with." Lexa aimed between his eyes, a shot she's made before from further distances. Marc followed her lead and aimed at Rolik, but they were soon out numbered as several more Wraith boxed them in.
"Well lets see, you can try, and fail, which will end up with all three of you dead, or you can turn yourself over and they get to go free." Malaas wanted nothing more than to savor Lexa's every last breath.
Lexa sighed and lowered her gun, which got her a questionable look from Marc. "Trust me," she whispered to him before addressing Malaas. "You want me, fine. Let her go." To her surprise the Wraith released the girl and Kaali ran over to her. Lexa turned to Marc, "Take her to the Jumper, get out of here."
"Lexa, you're insane! I'm not going to leave you her!"
"I made a promise. Besides, I'll be fine." Even Lexa didn't believe the words that just came out of her mouth. She slid her arms around her fiancé and passionately kissed him. They both pulled back and momentarily lost themselves in each other's blue eyes. "Go," Lexa insisted.
Lexa stood alone in the middle of the mass of Wraith waiting for her radio to spring to life; waiting for word that they were returning to Atlantis. The Wraith grew impatient and began moving in on her before the time they had agreed upon. She retaliated, attacking them with everything she had. She was soon distracted by the automatic fire of an M-16 and turned to find Marc helping her out. The struggle continued for several minutes with many Wraith losing their lives, but the couple was greatly outnumbered and were soon over powered.
Jumper One gated into the Gateroom and as Weir began to give the demolition order, Sheppard interrupted her, "Wait! Lorne and Alex are still back there! The Gate's clear, we can at least give them a few minutes!"
Weir was uneasy, but reluctantly agreed. She stood up on the balcony and was soon joined by those who had exited Jumper One. The Gateroom lay silent as all eyes were on the puddle. Kaali tightly wrapped her hands around the railing, with Teyla's hands on her shoulders for comfort. McKay shuffled back and fourth while Ronan stood behind them all in a tense stance, with arms firmly crossed. Elizabeth looked to John and her expression easily informed him that they could not wait any longer. He stared at the floor for a moment and then looked back to her and nodded in agreement.
Lexa and Marc stood in each other's arms as Malaas prattled on about how they were going to be tortured or something. They were more occupied with the fact that any minute the camp was going to be destroyed by remote activated nuke. The more minutes passes the tighter their embrace became, but they also knew that the delay meant that Atlantis was giving them time, and hope, for escape. Unfortunately the couple had given up hope, and as they settled into each other, and prepared for their fate, they were engulfed in swirling blue orbs and disappeared without a trace. As the Wraith examined the spot where moments before the two had stood, their fate was delivered to them, and the camp was leveled by the explosion.
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The special guest was Jason Sheppard C/O Reyclou's fic Remnants.