"Fanatics."
His voice listlessness shocked even him. Teyla's gaze remained steady as she followed the blood dripping from his nose. "We have them in this galaxy too, Colonel. I believe you have met a few." Her eyes shifted quickly to the other occupant of the room.
"He actually wasn't as young as my memory makes him out to be. He looked 10 or 11, but we found out later he was 22." He focused on nothing, not even her. "Are you alright? That couldn't have felt good," he asked after a few seconds of silence. Sheppard still could not make eye contact now that they were talking.
"No worse than my nightmares about the Wraith, Colonel." She looked to the front of the bridge at Orodi. "He cannot read my mind," she whispered. "I have not found the advantage yet, since he can still influence me. He placed me in your memory and he called up another of my own. It is most disconcerting."
"He's undone by guilt and grief. Reasoning won't work except for short term things like not killing us outright. You probably figured that out by now." Sheppard finally looked at her. "The ship, McKay was right. He's gonna flip."
Orodi moved Teyla so swiftly it took a second to register she had disappeared from his line of sight. Sheppard joined a half second later sitting against the wall again.
"Solar show the Wraith positions in this galaxy," Orodi commanded. The view screen lit up with green blips. "How many are awake? They weren't this numerous before."
Sheppard scoffed at him, "You wanted revenge; I've provided you with the chance of this lifetime. They're all awake. Those dog tags you mentioned earlier should've tipped you off. I guess even you make mistakes. Like you, I won't leave the job unfinished. You must feel a lot of guilt because you certainly focused on mine."
His expression appeared relieved. "Good, no hunting for hidden Hives." Another reaction Sheppard had not expected, he ignored everything after 'awake'. This guy was coo-coo for Coco Puffs.
"But Orodi, that is too many for a single ship to take on." She gave Sheppard a sideways glare. She knew he was challenging Orodi. "You need to rethink this plan. It is a cause to live for, unless you are trying to join the other occupant of the chamber, your mate?"
Orodi's black eyes darkened even more. Anger made a return and pushed them back into the wall. "Solar Tempest, let's avenge Dorare's murder. Little sister, time to earn your keep and let those that are greedy think we're friends that come in peace. Colonel take your seat and do what you do best, destroy the enemy."
"The Solar Tempest isn't a warship." Sheppard looked at the screen. "You have this ship heading for the most populated area. You don't plan on rejoining…what was it she called it? The Plein? You want to be the second of your kind to die. Are you planning on taking us and your ship with you?"
"Must everyone question me? Do as you're bid!" No sooner had the crush ceased, Sheppard felt a hand on his vest and his backside dropped into the chair. The power surged through every muscle making his chest feel like it was caving through his body and escaping out his back.
They followed the route laid out on the view screen to the Hive ships. The transition to the middle of the hornet's nest was seamless.
Teyla stood at the console by Pinky's side. "Now little sister, let them know we have a prize that will deliver what they most desire. And that would be what, Col. Sheppard?"
It was a Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man moment. Although the form of Gozar the Destroyer was already chosen in all their stringy, haired glory, he just gave them a church to stomp on. He heard Rodney's voice in his head. "I didn't think of it. Ronon did you think of it? Teyla? Colonel? Colonel? You thought Earth didn't you?"
No excuse would be good enough. It just popped in there- would not be good enough. Nice one John.
"Little sister broadcast the news."
"No." Teyla turned and faced the Pepto man. "He is right; this is a bad plan."
"We can still turn around, head back to the nice planet and come up with something better," supplemented Sheppard. He was losing sight of them as the chair zeroed in on the Wraith ships.
"Enough! Draw them in little sister and proclaim the good news, a ship and the route to Earth." The last thing Sheppard saw before the chair began warning of the Wraith's proximity was Teyla stiffening and flinging her head back. "As I said, you have no choice."
It was time to impersonate Death upon the pale horse. His choice made for him, he would protect this ship, Teyla, Rodney and even this suicidal, grief stricken, alien asshole. Here was his chance to take the battle to them. He might as well make the most of it. This was something they wanted: a way to destroy a multitude of Wraith ships to protect Earth and Atlantis. John freely chose to endure the fancy, dentist's chair and blow up a few fanged ones. He felt no compunction in planning devilish engines of destruction. He laughed to himself- Kirk had nothing on Ellis. Even Khan would have really liked him.
Let's bring it.
Teyla's ruse worked- at first. The Wraith maneuvered closer. She turned back to him. "Colonel, they are very interested in this ship." She stopped and concern spread across her face. The plan went down the toilet. "They recognize me."
The ships started to take defensive positions and back away. They brought their weapons online.
"No! Sheppard you will fire and destroy them all." Orodi yelled. "Solar get into range."
With indefinable speed, they were in the Wraith's faces. And the drones went to work. They struck their targets with the expected deadly efficiency he was accustomed to. The problem with the Wraith is- they keep coming. More ships dropped out of hyperspace, and more, and more...
With each drone firing, his body bucked. With each hit the ship took, his body bucked. Orodi was smart. He was tied into the ship so they could communicate, but they held no control over each other. He could feel everything. He recognized the burning in his nerves as a temporal differential. The feeling was similar to walking slowly through the portal at the Sanctuary. Beckett was going to have a field day over his tests.
Locate, paint, shoot, explode- was his mantra as each shot bled more of him. He was already to the next target before the explosion would register. The Solar Tempest moved like a dream. She could sneak behind, underneath, and down right show-up a Wraith ship. Then she would be gone in an instant to pop up behind another. He had to admit even if her power source was frying his gizzards; the Solar Tempest would have made a hell of a ship of war. Too bad she hated it. Too bad she could not go back to M71-900 and the Thack'eeryn. Too bad she was left wide open to receive fire when he was taking his shot.
And the Wraith kept exiting.
"There're too many. I'm just barely keeping up. We need to retreat and regroup. They're…"
Another exit formed and John's attention returned to the fight outside. Locate, paint, shoot, explode. The darts swarmed like mosquitoes. The ship received each viral sting.
"Orodi you must retreat. They know I am here. They also want the Solar Tempest to gain access to Earth. They will eventually overwhelm us and board her. Unless you are prepared to die this day…" She looked at the Colonel. His complexion became sallow before her eyes. "…and forgo any other vengeance, we need to retreat."
Orodi continued to watch the screen; Solar continued to maneuver; and John continued to fire.
"He cannot do this forever; he will die. You made sure of that the way you configured the chair. Also, there is not an endless supply of drones. They too will eventually end."
An explosion rocked the ship as another Wraith shot hit its mark. Sheppard drew in a quick breath as the Solar Tempest screamed in his head.
"Colonel are you injured?" Teyla was immediately by his side.
"No," he said through clenched teeth that should have cracked from the pressure exerted on them.
"Do not give up John."
His gaze faltered, "Not much left to give." How could Orodi ever think this was efficient? Oh that's right, mad as a hatter.
Locate, paint, shoot, explode.
Another shot hit the ship. She was a good horse and did not deserve this. He guessed his impersonation of Death was coming to an end as it showed him how to do the job. His chest had a final spasm and he choked as the power surged through him.
"Colonel!" He felt Teyla's hand on his heavy chest and her voice ordered him to fight the inevitable.
Well alright since she asked so nicely, maybe one last ship before everything completely faded- locate…paint…shoot...
----------------
Weir met Cadman and Head of the Advisory Body at the Gate. "The Parcinese send their greetings and welcome you to stay for as long as necessary. They even say if it's permanent, that's fine. Unfortunately, there's more than enough room. The Pavilions are about as safe as we can guarantee."
"They are most generous." He answered as he looked around the Gate Room. "And you offer residence here and at the Athosian settlement."
"Yes," replied Weir as they ascended the stairs. "We can extend our invitations, but it doesn't make up for the…"
"Destruction of our home."
"Yes," she said with a sad sigh. "You must believe that that wasn't our intent."
"I know, but it's still…maddening. We thank you for you assistance and maybe one day we will let go of our anger. Have you had any success at contacting your team that is on the Great Ship?"
"No, but we're not giving up hope on their or the ship's return." Weir sat behind her desk and motioned him to a seat. "It's not like anything we've come across. The energy signatures were unknown and when it took off it disrupted everything from the Stargate to our equipment."
Head of the Advisory Body looked over his shoulder at the lieutenant before answering, "I'll take the options back to my people. This would have probably happened one day Dr. Weir. As I told the Lt. Cadman, we were just borrowing it. She engineered the evacuation and I would like to tender our gratitude. If not for her, it may have been worse."
"Thank you. We'll dial the Gate and send you home. Will you need any more assistance from us?" He shook his head as she showed him to the walkway between her office and the Control Room. "The technician will set you up with a radio and the team still with your people will help in anyway."
"Thank you both. I hope that our stay will be temporary."
"Me too," said Weir as he accepted a hand held radio. She turned to Cadman and raised a solitary eyebrow, "You did good Lieutenant. Although, it seems we need a little refresher course on Puddle Jumper care."
Cadman's lips disappeared as she studied her shoes, "Yes ma'am."
Rodney and John were going to flip.
-----------------
Luscious, smooth and delicious was the creature before him. Oh stop with the food already, he moaned to himself. Now would be a good time to work on his areas of self-improvement phantom Carter had stressed.
"Dr. McKay, let me see if I can do anything for you." She removed his backpack and started tracing down his spine from the base of his skull to his pants' line with her finger.
He really had to stifle his inner teenage libido; he enjoyed that way too much.
With her other hand supporting his chest, she placed her hand on the crown of his head. "Mmm. Let's move all of you to the medical bay."
All of you? You can help Ronon and Lillian over there? Giddy hope fluttered in his complaining stomach.
"Yes Dr. McKay, what's done can sometimes be undone."
Oh, hey wait…
She smiled an unfathomable smile, "Yes Rodney, I can read your intricate mind." She looked up at the ceiling, "Solar, medical bay please."
Sinking, he was sinking into the floor. He looked at Ronon and the little guy and they were doing the same thing. Terrified, he did absolutely nothing except glare at the spectacular, cunning and traitorous female before him. She kept smiling as the floor swallowed them.
And just as quickly as foil sparks in a microwave, he was lying on a bed. And so was Ronon. And so was the Lilliputian. She Who Smiles a Lot stood over him.
"Solar, am I in the right area?" She was not even touching him this time, which was disappointing. "Thank you."
He felt a tingle in his brain and a shift in his throat and back.
"Oh that was too freaky. Is my backpack here?"
Smiley smiled some more and pointed to a counter. He jumped off the cot and tore into his bag. He had one bar crammed in his mouth before the wrapper was completely off. He rolled his eyes and grunted in delight. "That hits the spot," he said with a full mouth. "Now what about those two?"
The smile decreased slightly. "I'll need your help."
"What? How can I help? This is not my area of expertise. I know nothing about bringing people back to life or fixing broken…anything!" He pressed himself into the counter.
"I'll handle everything except a jump start, a defibrillator if you will." She went to Mayor first and Rodney heard the loud popping and grinding of vertebrae moving back into alignment. Now, he was this close to spewing that bar back out.
"Dr. McKay, please come here and place your hand on his chest."
"Won't there be brain damage? They've been dead for a while. The worshipper of Cromm over there can crack bones when he's lucid. I really don't want to see what he can do missing a few brain cells."
"Solar preserved them. Do not worry they're fine to rejoin the timeline."
Rodney held his right hand with his left and hesitantly inched over to the table. He placed his hand on the Lilliputian's chest.
"I'm selfless to a fault, not petty." He said under his breath. He scrunched his eyes closed and waited. "And touching a dead guy's chest is in no way seriously creeping me out. Wait, who in the hell is Solar?"
The ship shook from an explosion. He jerked his hand back and turned in a complete circle looking at the ceiling. "We're under fire." Of course Sheppard would take a purely scientific mission and turn it into a fight. One day, they would go to a fight and a peaceful mission would break out.
Another explosion rocked the ship.
"Yes we are. Time is slipping away Dr. McKay, make your choice."
----------------
A/N: Once again I thank everyone reading and enjoying. The "engines of devilish design" quote is from someone named Havelock Ellis. Found the quote in the dictionary and googled the name. Do it and see why I mentioned him with Kirk and Khan. And St. Louis and Brad Richards just scored for Canada- go Bolts!