Part 8 – The Long Road Ahead
An agonizing ten minutes later for Sheppard, they eventually arrived in a darkened room full of what looked like the Ancient pods from the Aurora. However, on closer inspection John could see that the design was somewhat different. "How many of these are there and how many copies did they make?"
"Far too many, Colonel, but all I need to do is cut off the power supplies and back up systems." The doctor answered as they moved into a large control room.
John welcomed the opportunity to ease himself down onto one of the many chairs placed around the room. Sucking in a breath at his continuing discomfort, he watched as the doctor pushed various buttons and typed commands into their version of a computer. "How come this area isn't guarded?" he asked with growing concern when the doctor finished typing.
"Normally it is. However, at this hour Officer Tamar's men would be on duty and I think you know where they are?"
John nodded and was almost afraid to ask the next question. "Did they only make one copy of me?"
The doctor turned to look at him. "Are you worried about killing off your own duplicates or maybe even - the real you?"
John looked directly at him. "Quite frankly, yes, wouldn't you be?"
"Yes, I would." The doctor answered in all honesty. "Unfortunately, I wasn't on the team reasonable for your duplication. Therefore, I don't really know how many copies they made or if you are the real Colonel Sheppard. Although, I'm pretty sure that you are or you would have suffered far more from the beating. But if it puts your mind at rest, there is one way to find out."
John was left wondering how much more he would have suffered, as he already felt rather shitty. Nevertheless, he needed the answer, so he whispered. "How?"
The doctor handed him a small pocket-knife. "Cut yourself and if it doesn't stop bleeding then I'm afraid you have a real problem." Holding up his gun to show how serious he was, Ricaud continued. "I'm sorry but I can't wait much longer as we risk being discovered. I must disconnect the power supplies in a minute or two whether you like it or not, Colonel."
John looked at him with disbelief. This was his life they were talking about and if there was any doubt, he could be killing to true John Sheppard. Without further hesitation, John opened the knife and drew a small cut across his palm of his left hand. Blood oozed from the cut and for a short while, it showed no sign of stopping but ultimately, the bleeding eased off and the doctor looked pleased. "Just as I thought," he murmured as he moved his hand over to a large red button. "You are the real John Sheppard," he stated positively, as he pushed the button down hard, causing all the lights to go out.
-SGA-
The Daedalus made record time to the Capellan system thanks to Hermiod hyperdrive tinkering and now the ship made a cautionary approach to the only inhabited planet, fourth out from a yellow sun that was at least a third bigger than Earth's.
Caldwell calmly sat in his command chair surveying the crew as they went about their usual duties. While McKay and Zelenka never took their eyes off the scanners for an instance, fearing that some horrible missile or laser beam would wipe them out of existence at any moment.
As they drew nearer all remained calm and normal. That was until McKay's sudden exclamation set them on edge. "I'm picking up an energy build up on the surface."
"Let's hold our position," Caldwell ordered the bridge pilot. "And be prepared for a quick retreat."
"Yes, sir," The young woman answered as she bought the ship to a halt still tens of thousands of kilometers from their goal.
Everybody waited with baited breath wondering whether they were going to have to run for it before they had even begun. Until McKay's mutter broke the silence. "That's strange…?"
When he didn't say anymore, Radek elbowed him in the ribs and asked. "What's strange, Rodney?"
"Oh, what, what," Rodney mumbled, coming out of his reverie. "The energy spiked and then completely vanished."
"Do you think it affected their defense systems, Dr. McKay?" Caldwell asked.
"Could be," Rodney pondered, "But there's only one way to find out. Go forward," he gestured with his hand.
Caldwell looked a little uncertain, "If you're sure, McKay?" Rodney nodded emphatically. Encouraged but still concerned, the Colonel ordered a slow approach.
-SGA-
In the total darkness, Dr. Ricaud fumbled for the torch he knew was on the desk. Eventually, his hand brushed against it and he mumbled. "Come on, we'd better get out of here quickly because I have just disconnected the entire power system and all the back ups, so someone is bound to investigate the problem sooner, rather than later. I can only hope that the Wraith don't choose this moment in time to return or well…I expect you know about that?"
"You mean the…defense system…is…down as well?" John asked through gritted teeth as he struggled to get up from the chair.
The doctor started to walk off, so John drew in a deep breath and doggedly moved to follow him as the doctor answered his question. "Yes, for the time being, but it shouldn't take Aldrich's engineers long to get things back on line. Of course, the power loss will be long enough to kill all the duplicates, both his and hers."
And, maybe mine. John thought grimly as he stumbled in the dark and sucked in another agonizing spasm of pain that ripped through his chest and back.
As they made their way down an endless white corridor, sounds of gunfire echoed off in the distance, causing the doctor to move quicker as he spoke. "We're going my office first to collect some medical equipment and then I'll find a place to hide you. Hopefully, this revolt won't take long and then we can send you home."
John was hoping for the same. The idea of home sounded wonderful right now, but he had the feeling he wasn't there yet, not by a long chalk.
The corridor eventually terminated in a typical office area of what John guessed was a hospital unit. Ricaud entered one of the rooms and quickly began to collect various items, shoving them hastily into a bag. "I would have treated you here if it wasn't for the fact that this is probably one of the first places they will look for you," the doctor murmured as he closed the bag. "I'm sorry to have to make you walk some more but we do need to get away from here."
John simply nodded and muttered, "I'm good to go," which was a monumental lie. The doctor shot him a skeptical look before moving off. Resignedly, John forced himself to follow the doctor as he took him on another marathon hike or at least that's what it felt like. However thankfully, Ricaud eventually called a halt and taking out a small plastic keycard, he opened a door leading into a spacious living area. "These are Officer Tamar's quarters and I'm sure he won't mind if you stay here for the time being. I just hope they don't realize that the man is involved in the uprising until later."
John looked at him, determination written all over his face. "Just patch me up, doc. Then I'd like to get back into the action."
The doctor stared at him with disbelief, reminding John even more of Carson. "I don't think so, Colonel Sheppard. You took quite a beating and you need to rest. I'm even not sure that there isn't any internal damage, so I'd like to check on you from time to time." Saying no more, the doctor directed John to a couch and started to examine him.
It felt good to lie down and John closed his eyes while the doctor grumbled over every cut and every bruise. "Why did you get me to cut myself?" John softly queried.
The doctor sighed. "I'll put it to you simply. One of the biggest failures with the duplication process was the blood quality. For some reason, the blood failed to contain the necessary properties for normal function. One such failure was the clotting process."
"The other was the immune system." John added. "Tyrell mentioned something about that."
"That's right." Ricaud replied, as he pondered. "You know, Colonel, the whole matter was so immoral and I've always believed that. We aren't meant to live forever, it just isn't the nature of things. Those two beings tried to do just that and they ruined a whole society in the process. I can only hope that we can restore it to its former glory someday and Capella City can once again become home for all its citizens."
John hoped so too but they would certainly have a monumental task on their hands. He nearly told Ricaud about Atlantis but felt it best not to for the time being, so he simply replied. "I hope you succeed."
"Thank you, I hope so too. Now, I've patched you up a best I can. There doesn't seem to be any serious internal damage but you have one or two cracked ribs and maybe slight trauma to the kidneys, as there is some severe bruising around that area. Did they kick you in the back?" John nodded slightly. "Right, I want you to drink a normal amount of water over the next twenty hours or so but if you don't pass much or if you experience any drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, or breathlessness you must let me know immediately. The last thing you need is permanent kidney failure." John whole-heartedly agreed on that, so he readily accepted the glass of water the doctor gave him before going to the bathroom in preparation for bed.
Half an hour later, John lay tucked up in bed, oblivious to the events unfolding around him after the doctor had tricked him into taking a mild pain medication, which had immediately sent him to sleep.
-SGA-
All eyes and hands were ready for the slightest sign of trouble as the Daedalus finally made orbit around the medium sized planet. The scanners and the detection equipment still failed to find the location of the energy source McKay had detected earlier but he and Radek remained alert looking for any other signatures. However, nothing turned up within ruined city or the dome itself.
"Okay," Caldwell called. "We'll go with plan A and beam an assault team directly into the main dome."
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Hermiod reported from his place in engineering. "The structure appears to be constructed out of highly reflective material meaning our signal fails to penetrate and bounces back immediately."
The Colonel looked slightly annoyed over this news, as he really didn't like the alternative. "All right, we'll go plan B then. Major Lorne is your team ready?"
"Yes, sir. So it's the city?"
"I'm afraid so." Caldwell turned quickly to McKay. "Are you ready, Dr. McKay?"
"Yes, yes, just give me a minute." Rodney replied, pushing a few more buttons. "We'll try to maintain radio contact at all times but I suggest you keep a very good eye on those energy scanners."
"I am fully aware of the danger, doctor. Now I suggest you move your as…self and join the others before they leave without you."
"Yes, going." Rodney called as threw Radek one last instruction.
McKay finally joined the others just as they were getting into position. Major Lorne and a ten man assault team stood prepared and waiting with military efficiency. Ronon and Teyla stood armed to the teeth ready for any eventuality, only Dr. Beckett looked a little lost situated by his medical equipment. He'd insisted in going even though he hated the idea of having his molecules beamed across time and space without the aid of a stargate, but his assistance was probably required, especially if it involved a certain Lt. Colonel. Swallowing his fear, he waited for the transport beam.
A few seconds later, the team found themselves standing in what could have been a beautiful city plaza if it wasn't for the fact it was broken to pieces and full of weeds. A lonely blackened metal statue of some past hero on the back of what looked a little like a horse stood guard over the ruin. The air felt uncomfortably warm and the buzz of insects filled the area with noise.
The group quickly dispersed to find a more shelter place to conduct their recon. The buildings around the square were solid and majestic but years of neglect had left them weather beaten and worn. Major Lorne led them over to a gabled walkway of sorts. The quarter must have served as a shopping area many years ago as barren shelves still showed through the empty walls.
Ducking into one of the shop shells, the Major brought them to a halt. "Okay, so far so good. By my reckoning, we're about two blocks from the largest dome. I suggest we break up into three groups and I want everyone to maintain radio contact at all time. McKay, are you picking up anything?"
"No, not a..." McKay paused as he worriedly looked at his scanner. "Wait a minute I'm getting some sign of power build up within the dome." Grabbing his radio, Rodney screamed into it. "Daedalus you'd better get out of orbit now! The power is coming back up and that could mean their defense systems!"
"Understood, Doctor. Daedalus out."
Everyone looked apprehensive knowing that they were on their own for the time being. "Okay," Lorne broke into their thoughts. "Sgt. Macklin, you take three marines and scout the northern parameter. Ronon, Teyla, you take two marines and scout west. I'll take the good doctors and the remaining marines, and cover the remaining area. Report in as requested."
"Yes, sir." The soldiers all whispered as they organized themselves and moved off in their respective groups.
"What shall I do with all this heavy equipment?" asked Beckett, pointing to several cases. "I can't lug it around all the time."
McKay muttered. "Well, you shouldn't have brought so much in the first place."
"You'll be thanking me if ya need it, Rodney. Ya knew there was a possibility that the Daedalus couldn't stay and knowing you people, especially the Colonel when we find him, I could be needing a little more than a wee small kit."
"Okay, doc, we understand." The Major stated as he looked around trying to see if there were any suitable hiding places. Off to one side he spotted a doorway and immediately went over to pull the door open. At first, the heavy metal door stuck, refusing to open after god knows how many years. A couple of marines went over to help him and finally they managed to get the door open enough to reveal a largish storage area. It smelt musty from years of disuse but apart from that, it was completely empty. "Okay, doc, we can park your stuff in here for the time being. Let's try not to forget where it's at."
"Aye, as long as you're sure it's safe in there?"
"This door hadn't been opened for years." The Major commented. "So let's hope there's no one is around to notice it's been messed with."
A few minutes later, the marines had Beckett's equipment safely stored and the door closed. The doctor retained a small field bag, just in case, as he cautiously moved off with the others, clutching a P90.