Summary: When McKay touches an Ancient device, he gets more than he, or anyone else, bargained for.
Rating: PG-13
Beta: None at the moment….unfortunately….
Timeline: Set before Instinct
A/N: I'm writing this for myself…but that doesn't mean I won't update, because I will. I'm also human and make mistakes- please don't kill me for them.
Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis does not and, in the near future, will not belong to me.
Split Perceptions"Just, don't touch anything." Rodney McKay didn't look over his shoulder as John Sheppard warned him. Walking ahead to the only structure visible for miles, assuming Sheppard would follow, he thought of what could be powerful enough to give off an energy reading as strong as the one the MALP had brought back through the gate. He couldn't help but be excited over the source of power.
The team trudged through the ankle-high grass toward a Stonehenge-like landmark. Not that it was shaped like Stonehenge- formed rocks arranged in an order that only made sense to the makers- but it was in the middle of nowhere, with wind creating waves in the grass. Upon reaching it, Lt. Sheppard issued another warning- "I mean it McKay, don't touch anything."
"Excuse me, but I think have slightly more intelligence than a five-year-old. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be over there doing important work." Rodney stiffly walked over to the gray, smooth-walled, oval shaped building, walking around until he found what he presumed was the entrance. Easing his pack off his shoulders, he let it fall to the ground before examining the doorless arch and the area surrounding it. He heard the crunch of footsteps behind him, but didn't turn.
"Well? Are you going to go in?" The scientist had yet to move. He was still standing next to the arch, examining the ground. "McKay?" Still the scientist didn't answer. Suddenly, he knelt down and reached out his hand. "Hey! What did I say about touching stuff?" Finally, Rodney graced him with a glance, albeit, a disgusted one.
"I wasn't going to touch anything. I was just getting a rock." True to his word, McKay picked up a small rock lying on the ground. He fingered it for a moment before throwing it through the arch, only to have it launched back at a frightening speed with a flash. McKay smirked. "That's what I thought. There's a force field."
"How do you know that?" Upon seeing the look Rodney gave him, he hastily added, "I mean, besides throwing the rock at it?"
"The grass inside isn't moving even though the wind is being blown inside the structure. Since there is no door, it would only make sense that with this wind the grass would be moving." The chief scientist smirked as Lt. Colonel Sheppard peered through the doorway at the grass.
"Oh."
"Okay, Major. Give me a piece of your hair." The request was said so casually that it didn't register at first.
"It's Lt. Colonel, and what?"
McKay irritably snapped, "A piece of hair, Major, unless you would rather walk through the doorway and risk being beaten like crab. I'll call you Lt. Colonel when you start acting like one." Sheppard scowled before plucking a hair from his head and handing it over to Rodney. "Because you have the full-fledged gene, it might lower the force field, since this looks to be Ancient, when it senses you. If it does lower the force field," McKay stuck the piece of hair through the doorway and pulled it out again when nothing happened, "which it did, we can find whatever is making the power readings soar."
John looked doubtful. "Are you sure it's down?"
"Yes I'm sure. Test another rock if you want." The Lt. Colonel did so and was rewarded with the rock flying through the arch to land safely on the other side. He sighed. "Head on inside then, but don't touch anything that looks remotely interesting." As McKay entered the structure, John tapped his earpiece. "Ford, Teyla- we're entering the—"
Before Sheppard could finish, the ground began to shake. As soon as it started, it stopped. Without noticing the lack of wind, John raced into the building to find what looked like a broken vase at the feet of a sheepish looking McKay.
TBC
A/N: I promise that the next one will be better! If anyone wants to beta- I'm looking for one and would be extremely grateful to anyone who would help me out. I know it wasn't the best, but hey, I said I make mistakes so, yeah. Anyway, I would appreciate reviews if anyone has the time- but if you find something more interesting to do (chasing your brother with a stick, cleaning the guest room for when your sister comes to visit, etc.) please feel free to do it!
Until then, CIAO!