It smelled like the inside of his old station wagon, when he'd forgotten to take his surfing wetsuit out one night. He'd ended up tossing the wetsuit, but his car had stunk for weeks after.
Sheppard shifted carefully, working his way from horizontal to vertical, leaning back against the wall and holding his arm tight against his chest. It eased the breathing a bit. He had no idea how long he'd been out, but there was no noise outside, no running feet, no indication that anything was happening.
Morosely, he wondered how long the book and the controller would lie there. Timing was everything. And so much for updated intel.
There had to be a way out.
His breathing was easier sitting, and he thought he'd try standing. It took three attempts, but he was finally up on his feet, swaying. Moving helped. He scouted the room thoroughly, but it was depressing work - it had been a storeroom, refitted crudely as a brig - a blanket, a bucket. And it was featureless inside, the only exit was the door.
He smiled. McKay - his McKay - had determined that the Genii lacked the DNA marker that enabled them to initialize Ancient technology. He approached the door, laid a hand on it with confidence - and it tried to open, it really did, but something on the other side was stopping it. He ran his hands over the edges, stopping in disbelief at a set of dimples. The tips of screws. Unable to control the doors, they'd made a brig by the simple measure of screwing a lock assembly to the outside.
He drew a deep breath, swore with feeling and fluency for a moment. Then he patted his pockets down, searching. Nothing.
He began the circuit again, this time looking for something small and thin and metal.
OoO
"How long will they have?" Weir asked as they watched Ford and Teyla outfit for the mission.
"Hard to say," McKay replied. "If their doubles are on the mainland, they should have a good twenty four hours before any effects are noticeable. On the other hand, I'm pretty certain an Athosian has never gone through - it may be different for them."
He turned to her. "Elizabeth, I really think I should go…"
"No, not you. Your double was clear about that in the plan. What was in the letter, anyway?"
"The letter…crap. Teyla!"
She looked up at his approach, and he handed her a white packet.
"Give this to Sheppard when you see him, it's to go to McKay over there. He…asked for it."
Teyla tipped her head back at his uncharacteristic hesitation. "What does it contain?"
He wouldn't meet her eyes. "Teyla? Trust me? It's not dangerous to you. Please."
She nodded finally, and tucked the packet in her vest. Turning, she raised her eyebrow at Ford, who responded with a grin.
"Ready to go, Doc. Hey, wonder if the other Ford's as cute as me…"
McKay shook his head, and picked up the controller. He checked the main power indicator with the ease of practice, and brought the mirror up.
"Wow." Ford sounded awed.
"Yeah. Listen, be careful. The Genii hold the city. Sneaky does it."
"Sneaky's my middle name," Ford said with a grin. He glanced at Teyla. "Together, right?"
"Hold hands." McKay confirmed.
"We'll be here when you get back," Weir said. "Good luck."
And then, a flash of light later, they were gone.
OoO
It was just a splinter of metal, maybe an inch and a half long. But it would serve.
Sheppard worked away at the dimples, peeling the material away from it and exposing the ends of the fasteners. Then he started digging around it. It was slow work.
But he was patient.
OoO
Kolya watched as McKay went through the final assembly, demonstrating it to the other Genii scientists. He'd managed to keep the location of the test shot a secret, and it amused him to think that the human was aiding in the destruction of his friends.
He would miss his discussions with Weir. He had originally planned to kill her, but having each hostage for the other's behaviour had worked out so much better.
His radio chirped. "Kolya."
"The room contained only some geological samples, no radioactivity. Nothing of interest."
"Acknowledged. Kolya out." He turned his attention back to McKay.
Demonstration concluded, McKay rolled the chair to the vault. "We need another five grams, Kolya. I told you that a week ago. I don't suppose those monkeys you call technicians have managed to prepare that much?"
Containing his temper, Kolya nodded. "It will be here by the end of the day. The shot is scheduled for tomorrow. Once that is done, we will release you and Dr. Weir to the mainland, as agreed."
McKay's back was to him, but he saw the nod.
"As agreed."
OoO
Kolya always left a bad taste in his mouth. Or maybe it was something else.
McKay drank the last of his water - Elizabeth would be bringing more shortly, he knew. Where was Sheppard? How much city was there left to scout?
"I'll bet you got yourself into trouble again." he muttered, and placed the silver tube in the vault. The cramps caught him unawares, and he folded, a small cry forced out between gritted teeth as the pain built. Dimly, he heard the door open behind him, and Elizabeth ran to him, catching him as he fell, whimpering with pain; easing him to the floor. He passed out in her arms.
OoO
It was beyond weird, Ford decided. Beyond freaky. Atlantis was a dead city, he could feel it. He shook out the small map, checking it again. Teyla, beside him, was a coiled spring.
"Come on. We're supposed to meet the Major at McKay's lab."
All senses alert, they headed out.
OoO
She'd managed to get Rodney back to the bed, and she lay beside him, holding him as he gradually woke.
"Hi." she said, smiling at him. He smiled back, a bit weakly, and sighed.
"Another reaction, huh." he said resignedly.
"Yes. I'll talk to Kolya again. Rodney..." she started, but he cut her off.
"Elizabeth, listen. I have something to tell you. It's important, and it might mean taking back the city."
She raised up on one elbow. "I'm all ears."
"Good. Elizabeth. Think back on the SG1 reports. Do you recall one on something called a Quantum Mirror?"
Chapter 5There weren't many guards, and they had no real problem making it to the lab unobserved. Sora was standing guard outside. Teyla silenced her with a brisk tap to the base of the skull, and found an empty room to put her in, pulling the door shut by hand behind her. Ford gave the 'shave and a haircut' knock - it was a safe bet no Genii would know it - and the door opened.
The room was dim, and Weir was sitting next to McKay, who was propped up in bed. The light pooled around their faces.
"Doc?" Ford stepped forward.
"Aiden," Weir smiled. "And Teyla. It's good to see you."
"Well, it's not exactly us - not your us…"
She nodded. "I know. Rodney has explained."
Were those tears? "What's wrong, m'am?"
She didn't answer, and McKay spoke up.
"I think John's been captured." The physicist didn't sound himself, his voice was raspy, hoarse. Weir handed him a glass of water.
"Doc? Are you okay?"
"He's - had a rough time, Aiden. John sent the message hours ago, he was going to scout a bit and come back here, but he hasn't. We're worried."
"We can have a look."
"The attack has to come within the next three hours, before Cowen comes for the bomb. I don't think you have the time go after him." The water hadn't helped much.
"We'll take the time."
"Lieutenant Ford, no one wants to find him more than us, but in a matter of hours, there's going to be an atomic blast on the mainland that will wipe out everyone we care about." Weir's voice was sharp, and Ford stepped back a bit.
"Teyla, get to the highest room you can and send the transmission," McKay said. "Ford, it's up to you to get the hanger bay doors open. And Elizabeth."
She turned to him, and he touched her cheek.
"Go with Teyla."
"Rodney, no…"
"Please. I'll see about finding Sheppard. Go with her; take the first jumper out if things go south. I'll follow."
She held his gaze. "Promise me."
Ford looked away uncomfortably. It was a very private moment and he felt uncomfortable witnessing it.
"I promise I'll try."
She kissed him, lingeringly. Teyla watched, compassion in her eyes, and when Elizabeth stood she stepped forward.
"Our Doctor McKay asked me to give you this," she said, passing a small packet to him.
He saw her glance down, see what had been done to him, look up at him again, stricken, and he held a finger to his lips fleetingly. "No need to worry," he said. "Don't I always come through?"
She recovered herself, nodded. "Until we meet again," she said quietly, knowingly.
OoO
Patience was a virtue. He'd worked two screws loose, and he planted a size eleven hard on top of the holes he dug. Once, twice. He held his ribs. Three times.
And the door opened.
He stayed inside, waiting for the guards to come running, but it appeared he'd been forgotten. Mildly insulted, he headed for the lab.
OoO
Kolya stormed into the control room. "Where is Sora?"
"She's guarding Doctor Weir. Her last reported position was the lab."
"She's not responding," he muttered. "Greya. Go get her."
OoO
Teyla set up the radio, powered it, and handed the mic to Weir. She took a deep breath.
"Weir calling any survivors of Atlantis. Weir to the survivors of Atlantis. Please respond."
OoO
Sheppard ducked a duo of running Genii. Something had put the cat among the pigeons. They were heading for the lab. Quietly, he followed.
OoO
Ford found himself a quiet cranny behind one of the pillars. It was in the dark - the control room was poorly lit by emergency lighting, and the natural light didn't make it far into the room. He'd made it up the stairs in good time, and checked his watch. All he could do now was wait.
Chapter 6Harsh voices came from the lab.
"I never saw her! Don't touch that, you want to blow us up?" McKay's voice was clear.
"Sora's last report was from here. She had escorted Doctor Weir to you. Where is she?"
"I never saw her!"
"Where is she!"
There was a sharp sound of a blow, and a short cry. Sheppard let the rage build, contained it, and slipped into the room.
Two Genii were standing over McKay, who was on the floor on his back, defiant.
"She never came in. I keep telling you that."
One drew his foot back, ready to deliver a kick, and Sheppard threw an arm around his neck, swinging him off balance and using him as a shield - the other guard aimed but hesitated, and McKay grabbed him by the legs. Sheppard twisted the head of the one he held, snapping his neck and drawing his weapon from the man's holster as he collapsed. He swung and shot as the other guard was coming to his feet, coming after him.
He glanced behind him and the door slid closed in response.
"You ok?" He helped McKay into the wheelchair, not missing the flash of pain across his friend's face.
"I'll live. Good to see you. Again." He looked at Sheppard. "You look like hell. Are YOU ok?"
A small grin, as he gave McKay's words back to him. "I'll live. Got treated to a chat with Kolya and his goons, is all. Where are we? Did they come?"
McKay grinned. "Oh, yes. They came."
OoO
It was always worst waiting. And there was no way to know for certain if Teyla and Weir had gotten through. They could be waiting for nothing. McKay had been firm in his conviction that the Ford here would be monitoring the channels, but he had to ask himself - would he?
He tried to imagine himself in similar circumstances. Two members of the party still trapped in enemy hands.
Yes, he decided, he would.
He shifted. Kolya was still in the control room, but he was quiet now, and it was alarming. They'd suspended the search for Sora. Two guards were not answering hails. A report indicated Sheppard had escaped from wherever he was being held. And now…
Now the gate was flashing, someone was dialing in.
"Report."
Ford's head snapped up. That was Cowen.
"We need re-enforcements. Two companies, right now. Sheppard is back."
"You told me he was dead. That the cripple killed him."
Cripple? Ford listened hard.
"McKay killed Sheppard. I saw him do it."
"Explain."
"I can't. But he is here, nonetheless."
"Capture him. Shoot him again. Make certain McKay can't give him mercy this time."
Kolya nodded. "I still need the men, Cowen. It may take some time."
"You will have them shortly. Keep looking, Kolya. He is dangerous."
Ford slid down in his hiding spot, jaw hard, and decided he didn't much like this reality. And another two companies were coming through. He had to warn the others. But he had to be on station to open the hanger doors…
A shape slid through the darkness. He pulled up his weapon, before realizing it was Sheppard.
OoO
"Damn."
Ford finished his report. "Yes, sir."
"Where are we in the count?"
They were whispering, watching the activity in the control room.
"If we're on schedule - maybe another thirty minutes."
"Tight."
"Yes, sir." Sheppard was silent, and Ford frowned. "Sir, I heard - some stuff - about you and Doctor McKay, what happened…"
"This reality, Ford. Not ours."
"Yes, sir."
And then the gate began to dial, and men began to pour into the gateroom.
OoO
Teyla and Elizabeth ghosted down the hall, abandoning the radio as planned, stopping in a corner for Elizabeth to catch her breath.
"Sorry. Out of shape."
Teyla eyed her. "And you are with child."
She looked up sharply. "You can tell?"
"I can," She smiled. "I can see it in your eyes. You still have joy."
Elizabeth smiled. "It's Rodney's." she admitted quietly, proudly.
Teyla nodded, turned her eyes away. McKay knew he was a dead man, he'd as much as admitted it when he accepted the packet. Teyla carried nothing without knowing exactly what it was.
She schooled her expression to a smile, turned back. Elizabeth hadn't noticed, she was looking down at what was a slight prominence after all.
"Are you rested? We must continue."
OoO
"Time."
Sheppard gave the order. Ford sighted, fired the dart gun. He'd thought McKay was crazy, but it was almost silent, as he'd said, and the dart fragmented. No one seemed to notice, everyone had moved to the railing, looking down, seeing the cream of the Genii armed forces arrive. The button flattened under the pressure and above them the iris began to open.
And all hell broke loose.