Thanks for the continued support and reviews! Here's Chapter 10-- Escape.
"Get down," yelled Sheppard as the shooting started. He managed to take out one of the guards. Teyla and Ronon's shots also connected, taking out two more. The last Wraith evaded them and retreated to round up more guards.
Quickly, John and Teyla grabbed the downed Wraith's weapons and redistributed them to the rest of the team.
"Keep moving," John ordered knowing that the sounds of the previous gun battle would soon bring Wraith down on them in staggering numbers. They needed to get out soon or they would be grossly outnumbered.
The alarm was still going off as they moved slowly into the main hallway. It was completely empty, which greatly disturbed John.
He looked around and then caught Ronon's eye. "Where is everyone?"
"They are near -- and they are angry," Teyla responded.
"They probably figured out that we put a bug in their operating system. Look, I've got a bad feeling about this." He looked back at Elizabeth protectively, then said to Lorne, "Watch our six."
"Yes sir."
Impatient because of their slow progress, Rodney blurted out, "You know, I understand that we have to be careful here, but do I need to remind everyone that this ship is about to go up like a firecracker in less than 10 minutes?"
"I know that McKay, but something isn't right here. It feels like a…." his words were cut short as John swerved to miss a blast that came from up ahead, "…trap."
They returned fire while struggling to find cover. John heard gunfire at the back of the group and turned to see the sympathizers – mercenaries -- firing at them also. They were caught in the crossfire from both groups.
"Dammit" he said as he moved forward motioning for the group to follow him. If they could break through the line of Wraith up ahead, they might be able to make it out of the ship in time.
John started to lay down cover fire for the group. "Go," he yelled. Ronon, Lorne and his men advanced forward trying to create a safe path of escape from the ship. All were firing directly into the group of Wraith guards that protected the exit. One-by-one, the Wraithbegan to fall. Unable to withstand the direct fire any longer, the remaining Wraith retreated, leaving the exit unguarded.
That was the lucky break they were hoping for. "Now", yelled Lorne. John grabbed Elizabeth's hand and pulled her towards the exit. The others followed after them bringing up the rear. They were still receiving fire from the Wraith and the mercenaries, but they were out of the ship now and making their way towards the gate.
"Rodney, how much time do we have left?" asked Elizabeth as she gasped for breath.
"About 5 minutes…we need to get out of here now"
"When you get to the gate, dial Atlantis," she ordered.
"Get down" yelled John as he shielded Elizabeth from a blast that came uncomfortably close to them. John immediately returned fire as more mercenaries from the camp started to join in the fight.
"McKay…go" ordered John, and Rodney took off running towards the gate.
The rest of the team was spread out trying to defend themselves as they made their way towards the gate. Ruiz was hit by a blast from a stunner. Carson and Lorne picked him up and began dragging him along with them.
Rodney reached the DHD and started to dial the address.
He turned around to see how far the rest of the group was behind him and came face-to-face with a Wraith. Rodney gasped and started to back away.
"Did you really think you could escape from us?" the Wraith asked.
"Well, actually…yes, I did…I mean, I do," he stammered.
"You will die," the Wraith hissed, stepping forward to grab Rodney. As his hand came close, he was enveloped in a blue light – hit by the blast of a stunner. As the Wraith fell to the ground, Rodney saw Teyla behind it holding the stunner that fired the shot. He swallowed hard, relieved. "Thanks."
Teyla tilted her head in acknowledgement and smiled. She began to turn back around towards the sounds of gunfire when a mercenary came out of hiding.
"Teyla!" Rodney tried to warn her, but it was too late. The mercenary fired his gun, and she took a bullet in the shoulder.
"No, no, no, no…" yelled Rodney. As he ran towards her, Ronon appeared. He shot the mercenary in the head, killing him.
"She needs help," yelled Rodney. Ronon looked down at Teyla, who was losing a lot of blood. He scooped her up into his arms and headed towards the gate. As he looked back, he saw the others quickly approaching.
"Get through the gate now!" yelled John stopping to fire back at the enemies who were chasing them.
Ronon and Rodney looked at each other for a moment, then Rodney ran up the stairs and stepped through the gate. Ronon followed, moving up the stairs backwards and firing his weapon with Teyla in his arms. He was laying cover fire for Carson and Lorne, who were helping a barely conscious Ruiz up the steps to the gate.
"We're almost there, son," Carson encouraged Ruiz as others were running up the steps and through the gate.
Elizabeth was with John who was bringing up the rear of the group. John looked at her, "Elizabeth…go."
She was reluctant to leave him, "John" she said hesitating.
"I mean it…go…now!" he ordered harshly. Then, seeing the concern in her eyes, he added softly, "I'll be right behind you."
She turned back towards the gate and started to run towards its protection as John continued to shoot at those who were pursuing them. Her foot slipped when she reached the base of the stairs and she fell hard into the dirt. It knocked the wind out of her, and she lay on the ground trying to catch her breath.
"Elizabeth!" John yelled, not knowing if she had simply fallen or taken a bullet. He stopped firing at their adversaries and turned to run towards her. As he turned, he felt a hot searing pain in his arm. He'd been hit.
Not caring about himself, he kept running. "Elizabeth…are you okay?" he yelled.
She turned around to look at him, and he felt a wave of relief sweep through him.
"I'm all right. I just twisted my ankle" she said trying to reassure him. As he bent down to help her, she noticed the blood staining his jacket, "John, you're bleeding," she said touching his arm.
"Yeah, yeah…it's okay…c'mon," he said lifting her up and carrying her up the stairs.
They were the last ones through the stargate.
"Raise the shield," he ordered as soon as they entered the gate room. Not a second later, the room shook as a catastrophic explosion occurred on the other side of the gate.
John carefully lowered Elizabeth so that she could stand on her own. He kept his arm around her for support and she clung to his shoulder, not wanting to put pressure on her ankle. They gave each other a knowing glance. "That was close," she said.
Carson ran up to them, noticing the blood on John's arm and Elizabeth's ankle injury, "I want to see you both in the infirmary immediately" he paused and then added, "And that's an order."
John rolled his eyes, while Elizabeth raised one eyebrow and smiled at him. They were home.
TBC -- Okay, I kept my promise...no cliffhangers! They're all home now, and there's just one more chapter on the way. I hope you're still enjoying the story. Pls. read and review!