Chapter 4.
Thanks to Kodiak and Merlin for their beta skills and support. Thanks as well for the lovely reviews, they make writing even more of a pleasure! All mistakes are my own.
The briefing for the mission to S6Q-526 had gone just as Sheppard had expected - smoothly. He'd been left with little doubt that he was just an observer on this little trip, out for a little R and R. That was fine by him. He just needed to distract everyone, and gate off to find Ford. He'd taken the last of his migraine relieving medication the night before, and knew that if he had a bad headache on the mission, he wouldn't be able to hide it. Then again, once he found Ford he knew he'd be okay again anyway. He was positive of that. Who cared what Beckett, Weir or anyone else thought? He knew, and that's all that mattered, reasoned Sheppard.
He stood in front of the gate with Lorne and the rest of the team. Caldwell had insisted two of his men accompany them on the mission, and Sheppard was under no illusion that Caldwell trusted him. They were waiting for Beckett to arrive, and he was uncharacteristically late. Sheppard was starting to feel anxious and fidgety, and had a horrible feeling the mission was going to be cancelled. When Weir arrived a few minutes later, his fears were allayed.
"Unfortunately, Carson has been detained in the infirmary, a marine has broken his leg, so he won't be able to come. However, after discussing it with Carson, we feel the mission should go ahead. Rodney?" McKay looked up from the spot he was studying on the floor of the 'gate room. "Carson has asked that you take his place and stay with Colonel Sheppard at all times, since he can't spare anybody else."
"Great. I get to play babysitter. Thank you so much," he grouched.
Sheppard walked up to McKay, grinning. "I promise not to pee my pants, mom."
McKay snorted. "Yes, very amusing. Just stay out of trouble, okay?"
"That's good coming from you. You sure you wouldn't like to put me on a leash?" Sheppard asked sarcastically.
"Sounds like a good idea, but I'm not enjoying the mental picture I'm getting."
"McKay, I never want to hear again that you're seeing pictures of me in your head – ever," Sheppard retorted, smirking at his friend.
McKay walked off, huffing, "Ha, ha. Why do I get the feeling this mission is going to be disastrous?"
Weir frowned, before continuing. "Alright everybody. Check in is at 1600 hours. And John? Behave yourself."
Sheppard raised his eyebrows and shrugged. He inwardly wondered if she had some inclination about his plan, but quickly dismissed the idea. She wouldn't be letting him go if she did.
-oOo-
An hour later and Sheppard was starting to feel the beginnings of a headache. He had surreptitiously downed a couple of Tylenol several minutes before, and was hoping that would buy him some time before he made his dash for freedom. That was proving to be a little difficult with McKay playing nursemaid and guard dog rolled into one. Teyla, Ronon, Lorne and a couple of scientists had headed off in the opposite direction, which Sheppard was relieved about; escaping Ronon and Teyla would have been virtually impossible.
"You know, I have a hundred things I should be doing at the moment. I was in the middle of translating and de-ciphering the readings from the Ancient artifact you touched the other day. I'd made some progress before we left." He looked at Sheppard to see if he was paying attention, and satisfied that he was, continued, "It's a medical device and oddly enough it scanned you, though what it found I haven't figured out yet. I've left Zelenka to work on it, and he's going to get Carson to have a look at the data, not that he will be any help…"
Sheppard half- listened to McKay's ramblings, hoping he was nodding and grunting in the right places. His headache wasn't abating and he was becoming increasingly frustrated that he hadn't had an opportunity to escape McKay and the two marine's Caldwell had assigned to the team. Sheppard didn't want to hurt anyone, especially not McKay, and though his hand stunner could probably take out McKay and one marine, he knew he couldn't disable all three. Not without getting himself shot, anyway.
As often happened, fate had a hand in helping Sheppard achieve his goal. Walking with a throbbing head was proving difficult, and he stumbled, falling awkwardly on the ground. The two marines ran forward, McKay being in front, muttering away, and not noticing what had transpired behind him.
Sheppard took advantage of his misfortune immediately, stunning the two soldiers before they were anywhere near him, taking one of the men's P90's as he ran by. He then made a run for it, knowing McKay would never try to shoot him with his 9 mil. As Sheppard ran back towards the 'gate he heard McKay screaming at him to stop, and then heard his footsteps behind in pursuit. He also heard the scientist contacting Lorne over the radio, and knew he really had to move quickly to get back to the 'gate before Ronon got hold of him.
He was about a hundred feet from the 'gate when he heard McKay behind him. Running to the DHD, Sheppard dialled quickly, then ran towards the event horizon.
"Sheppard! Wait. What the hell are you doing?" a breathless McKay asked.
Sheppard briefly turned round, stunner in his hand. "I'm doing what I should have been allowed to do. Don't try and stop me. For what it's worth, I'm sorry." Sheppard then took the stunner and fired at McKay, the scientist immediately falling to the ground, unconscious.
Sheppard then sprinted for the 'gate, running through without looking back.
-oOo-
M3T-341 was just like any other planet in the Pegasus Galaxy: lush, green and wooded.
Sheppard trudged through the woodland looking for signs of his erstwhile Lieutenant. He'd been walking for about fifteen minutes and had seen no sign of him. He was certain Ford had flown a dart there. How, he had no idea, it was just a feeling, but a strong one.
As he approached a clearing, Sheppard noticed scorched scrubland ahead, and was elated to be able to make out the wreckage of a Wraith dart. Despite his pounding head, he ran to the dart as fast as his weary body would let him.
Going against every bit of military training he'd ever had, he called out Ford's name, somehow knowing it was Ford that had crashed the dart and not a Wraith. Sheppard was rewarded with silence. He approached the dart, and was relieved to find no body in the debris. There were, however, signs of someone leaving the wreckage, there still being footprints in the damp soil.
"Ford! It's John. I'm here to take you back to Atlantis with me, and everything's going to be fine. Ford!" Sheppard shouted on the top of his voice, desperate to attract the attention of the man he somehow knew was hiding here.
Sheppard kept calling, and after ten minutes started to move away from the dart towards the edge of the large scrubland area, intending to search the woods on the other side. It was possible Ford had been injured and needed help, and that's why he hadn't responded.
Walking through the dense woodland, Sheppard heard a twig snapping behind him, and spun around, P90 at the ready. The face staring at him, no, snarling at him, was sweaty, bruised, and thinner than Sheppard remembered. It was Ford.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in. I knew you'd come looking for me here, Sheppard. You look worse than I feel."
Sheppard sighed in relief. "Ford! Am I glad to see you. I knew you were here. Look, I know we've had our differences, but I want you to come back to Atlantis with me. Beckett can wean you off the enzyme, and things can go back to how they were. What do you say, buddy?"
Ford laughed maniacally. "You're kidding me, aren't you, Sheppard. No? How stupid do you think I am?"
"I don't think you're stupid. I know you're not. I just want…need you to come back with me. I want you back on my team. We could use your experience," implored Sheppard.
"You're an idiot, Sheppard. To think I used to look up to you! You don't get it, do you? Even McKay understands me better than you do. I don't want to come back. I like who I am now. I don't want to stop taking the enzyme. I like what I do, beating the Wraith at their own game." Ford snarled at Sheppard, and the colonel was taken aback at the younger man's hostility towards him.
Sheppard's shoulders sagged, his head pounding more viciously with every second. He wanted to lie down, and for the pain to just go away. "You don't mean that. I understand what you're going through and I can help. But I need you to come with me, willingly. I don't want to have to force you to come back to Atlantis. Please don't make me do that, " Sheppard begged.
Ford howled with laughter. "You don't want to have to force me?" Ford dissolved into hysteria again. He coughed before continuing, "You really are full of shit, Sheppard. Have you had a look at yourself in the mirror lately? You can barely hold your P90 up, let alone make me do anything." Ford cocked his own weapon at Sheppard, a Genii weapon, the pilot noted hollowly.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't just shoot you? You've done nothing but undermine me! You think I've waited here to be friends again? I've waited here to kill you. I've lost my men, and you've ruined everything. I hate you, and you're going to pay for what you've done." Ford poked Sheppard in the chest with the gun. "Get moving, we're heading back to the gate. But first," Ford unclipped Sheppard's P90 and snatched it from Sheppard's hands, and then reached and took the stunner from his thigh strap, "I think I'll take those."
Sheppard looked at Ford in disbelief. What the hell was wrong with Ford? This was not what he'd thought would happen. He was beginning to realise he'd completely misjudged the long-term effects the enzyme had had on Ford.
"Listen, Ford - buddy. Let's sit down and talk about this. You're right, I'm not too good at the moment, and neither are you. Let's not do anything either of us will regret, okay?" Sheppard tried to reason with Ford.
Ford poked Sheppard again in the chest. "Shut up and get moving. There's something I have to do before I kill you."
-oOo-
McKay returned to consciousness slowly and miserably. He clumsily tapped his earpiece and called again for Lorne, with slurred speech, trying to tell the major what had happened. What seemed like an eternity later, Lorne's group ran towards the scientist, the major running over to McKay and helping him to sit up.
"McKay, what the hell happened? Where's the colonel and Caldwell's men?"
"Sheppard…went through 'gate. Men are back there…maybe quarter of a mile, not sure," McKay managed to slur.
Teyla knelt by McKay, her eyes full of concern. "Rodney, are you alright?"
McKay groaned. "Sheppard stunned me. He left through the gate. He's gone to find Ford." With every second McKay was becoming more lucid.
Ronon grunted. "I knew he'd try this. I should have stayed with him."
Lorne sighed. "It doesn't matter now, Ronon. Did you see the address he dialled?"
"Yes, not that it matters. I know where he's gone anyway," McKay wearily answered.
Lorne nodded. "Ronon, Teyla, go and bring back Caldwell's men. I'll dial Atlantis and fill them in on what's happened. We'll 'gate back and then Dr. Weir can decide what we do next."
McKay groaned again. "We go and get Sheppard back before he gets himself killed, that's what we'll do, Major."
"Of course we will, McKay." Lorne simply answered. "Of course we will."
-oOo-
Weir looked up from her paperwork to see Zelenka and Beckett purposefully running towards her office. Instinctively she knew something was very wrong.
"Dr. Zelenka, Carson. What's wrong?" She asked as calmly as she could. Deep down she knew the worry on the two men's faces had something to do with a certain Lt. Colonel.
"Dr. Weir. We have worrying news. I have managed to translate some of artifact's data, and what I have found is concerning," Zelenka's worried voice announced.
"You mean the artifact Colonel Sheppard activated?" Weir asked.
Beckett continued the dialogue, "Elizabeth, the artifact detected traces of a chemical in the colonel's brain." Beckett paused and ran a hand through his hair, before continuing. "I have no idea what the chemical is or does, but the fact that the device detected it, and that so much data has been emitted from it, is concerning, to say the least. Rodney could well be correct. The colonel's deterioration in health may not be a mental problem, but a physical one. As I have no idea at this point what the chemical has done to him, I think you should call him back to Atlantis immediately. Radek and I will continue to work on the translation, but I'd like the colonel to be near while we work on finishing this, just in case any more symptoms begin or return."
Weir sighed from frustration. "Okay. We'll dial the 'gate now, and call them back." She paused, frowning as she looked at Carson. "How serious could this be?"
Beckett considered Weir's question. "I have no idea. But I believe this could be very serious. Of course, it's also possible the chemical has worked it's way out of his brain and that he's fine. I don't want to take any chances though."
Weir opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the sound of the 'gate activating and the tech sergeant calling out, "Unscheduled off world activation!"
She ran to the control room, Beckett and Zelenka on her heels. As she approached the sergeant she asked, "Is there an IDC?"
"Yes, ma'am. It's Major Lorne's team. Shall I lower the shield?"
Weir began to run down the stairs to the 'gate room, calling back her affirmation to the sergeant.
Lorne and the rest of the team exited the wormhole, and immediately Weir noticed Sheppard was not there.
"Major, where's Colonel Sheppard?" she anxiously enquired.
Before Lorne could answer, McKay angrily stomped forward. "He's gone off to find Ford. He stunned me, can you believe that? I knew something was still not right with him. Just wait till I get hold of him. I can't believe he'd actually stun me! Carson, when we find him, I want you to use that really giant needle you've got on him. My hands tingle and my head hurts, I might have permanent nerve damage…"
Beckett tutted. "Shut up, Rodney. You were stunned, stop whining like a wee lass. The situation is much more serious than you think."
McKay swallowed nervously. "What do you mean?"
Zelenka answered McKay's question. "I have translated more of artifact's data. Colonel Sheppard has an unidentified chemical in brain. Could be Wraith. Dr. Beckett has been helping with de-ciphering of information."
Beckett continued. "I don't know yet what the chemical is, or it's purpose, but my guess would be it has something to do with the Wraith queen's interrogation of the colonel." Beckett gestured at McKay, waving him forward. "Rodney, I need your help in translating and analysing the data."
"Of course. How bad could this be, Carson?"
Beckett started to walk briskly away, turning to answer the scientist, "Let's find out, shall we?" The doctor turned to Weir. "Elizabeth, I need the colonel in my infirmary now."
Weir nodded. "Okay. We'll find him." She turned to Lorne. "Major, do you know where he went?"
Lorne nodded in affirmation. "Yes, ma'am. M3T-341. Dr. McKay saw the 'gate address. Permission to take my team there now?"
"Permission granted, Major." Weir turned to Ronon and Teyla. "Bring him back to Atlantis."
Ronon nodded. "No problem. We'll have him here in no time"
Weir smiled worriedly. "Be careful, and good luck."
Just as the tech sergeant began to dial the address, the 'gates symbols came to life.
"Unscheduled off world activation," was shouted out for the second time that day.
Weir grimaced. "Raise the shield, sergeant."
"Yes, ma'am. I'm receiving a radio transmission," the sergeant calmly told Weir.
"Let's hear it," Weir replied.
The PA system in the control room crackled as the transmission began.
"Atlantis, this is Ford. Do you copy?"
Weir gasped. "Lieutenant, is that you?"
"Yes, ma'am. I have Colonel Sheppard here, and he's not looking too good." Ford replied.
Weir sighed in relief. "Thank God. Lieutenant, good job. Send him through. It will be good to see you again, Aiden." She turned to the tech sergeant. "Lower the shield."
Through the static of the radio transmission Weir was surprised to hear laughing.
"I don't think you quite understand the situation Dr. Weir. I'm not sending Sheppard through, and I'm not coming back. I want you to listen to what I have to say, and then I never want to see or hear from any of you again."
"Ford? What's going on?" Weir was beginning to feel a sense of foreboding, which made her blood turn to ice.
"Colonel Sheppard has caused the death of most of my men. His lack of faith in me, and his own actions have destroyed any credibility I had. He single-handedly sabotaged my mission to the Hive, and I wanted you to witness his punishment for his crimes."
Weir put her hand to her mouth in shock, before managing to compose herself.
"Aiden, I know things have been rough for you, but harming Colonel Sheppard will not change anything. He's very ill and needs urgent medical treatment. Let him through and you have my word we'll never bother you again. We won't continue to search for you, though that will hurt Colonel Sheppard more than you know."
"No. I don't believe you. You're all jealous of what I've become, and I'm ending this now. This is a warning to you. If you do try to capture me again, I will kill anyone who comes near me. Say goodbye to Colonel Sheppard, Dr. Weir."
Weir heard Sheppard's voice in the background, and then muffled shouts and grunts, and the sound of scuffling. Two shots rang out before the 'gate deactivated.
-oOo-
Sheppard stood by the 'gate. He was finding it hard to concentrate as his headache reached gargantuan proportions. His nausea had returned with a vengeance, and he was struggling not to throw up over his boots.
He watched as Ford dialled the 'gate.
"Ford. Talk to me. Whatever's bothering you - we can work it out. I'm not feeling so good. I'm going to sit, and we can talk, okay?"
Ford turned around, and for the first time Sheppard realised he had misjudged his former lieutenant. The hate on Ford's face was palpable, distorting the once handsome features, his personality twisted beyond recognition by the powerful drug.
"Shut up. I'm dialling Atlantis. I'm using you as an example to them. I'd like to be able to say I'm sorry, Sheppard. But I'm not." Ford gestured for Sheppard to stand in front of him as he snatched Sheppard's radio from his front vest pocket and started to talk into it.
Sheppard listened to Ford's words to Weir in shock. Ford intended to kill him as an example to others and as a means of punishing him. He suddenly realised what an error in judgement he'd made. Yet, his overriding concern was still for Ford, and he knew what he had to do.
With the little strength he had, he tackled a distracted Ford to the ground, knocking the Genii weapon from his hands.
Grabbing frantically for the weapon, he missed, but managed to roll away from Ford, grabbing the discarded P90 lying a few feet away. Sheppard scrambled dizzily to his feet aiming the weapon at Ford, just as Ford cocked the retrieved Genii rifle from the ground at Sheppard.
"Ford. Lower your weapon. My aim isn't too good at the moment, and I don't want to kill you. Don't make me do this. I need to think, and so do you. What do you say?" The P90 in Sheppard's hands wavered as he fought to control his shaking hands.
"I say get ready to die, Sheppard."
Ford's finger hesitated on the trigger giving Sheppard the time to aim his weapon at Ford's leg. He didn't hesitate, and fired a single shot into the former lieutenant's calf.
Ford screamed as the bullet tore through his flesh, and he pulled the trigger of his own weapon, hitting Sheppard in his left shoulder. Sheppard immediately fell to the ground as blood spattered his neck and face.
White-hot tendrils of agony coursed through Sheppard's shoulder and chest, and he gasped as he struggled to draw in a breath. He was aware of Ford running over to the DHD and disengaging the wormhole, before dialling out.
Sheppard then watched, through slitted eyes as Ford limped back over, standing over him. He gasped as Ford grabbed his vest, ripping it open as he studied Sheppard's wound, before grunting and releasing him.
"You'll bleed to death before they get here, Sheppard. I'd like to say it's been nice knowing you, but it hasn't. I consider your debt paid. I hope you rot in hell."
Sheppard's head now vied for first place in the sweepstakes of pain, and as darkness approached a single tear slid down his cheek as he watched Ford run through the gate.
Tbc.
