Coming Home
Spoilers: Not intentionally, but references to both seasons may slip in on occasion.
Rating: T for some mild language and potentially disturbing images in some chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis or any of the characters associated with it, unless you count Jesi.
Chapter Twelve
Two hours later, Weir entered the conference room, nodding to Beckett and McKay as she settled in behind her desk. She glanced at the empty seats with a frown.
"Where are the others?"
"Colonel Sheppard and Jesi are resting in the infirmary; Ronon and Teyla are with them." Beckett held up a hand as Weir's eyes sharpened. "Ach, don't you be worrying, Elizabeth, they're fine. The effects from the wristbands are minimal. I wanted to keep them for observation, as a precaution. I'll likely release them in a few hours."
Weir relaxed and gave the doctor a grateful smile before shifting her focus to McKay.
"Rodney, did you make any headway with the device?"
"Yes, yes, it's amazing! We've the potential to tap into an unlimited resource with the technology it provides. Not only can we eavesdrop on other planets, we can interact using the hologram mode." McKay's excited chatter mirrored his distracted hand gestures as he explained. "I'm working on a way to integrate the device's communications module to our radio frequency, sync them up, if you will, thus allowing Sheppard to speak directly with teams on the planet without having to use someone on Atlantis as an intermediary."
"Any indications the artifact might be a weapon?" Weir asked.
"The schematics don't specifically read 'weapon' but we've only scratched the surface. The device appears to work the usual way, by a connection with the mind of those carrying the natural ATA gene. One would experience different results based on ones personal reactions to given situations."
"What's the plan, then? I assume you have one." Weir's knowing eyes held his.
"Ah, yes, the plan is... to keep testing the device until we know exactly what it is capable of doing." McKay stammered.
"I've set a limit of two hours a day, preferably in the morning, with several hours of recuperation time, in the infirmary at first, but later in quarters if I consider it safe." Beckett matched McKay's frown with one of his own.
"Carson, I thought you said there were no serious reactions when using the wrist devices?" Weir asked.
"No, not a serious reaction, just a small headache and the need for a little sleep. If I were truly worried, I would disapprove further tests, but I can safely say the Colonel and his sister will be fine."
Weir forced her body to relax before responding. "Good, Carson, thank you." Turning to McKay, she said, "I like your plan, Rodney. Will the device be ready to use when the Wraith ships are closer?"
"If the rest of the tests go as well as today, then yes, we'll be ready."
"Here's to successful testing." Weir raised her coffee cup in a mock toast and smiled at the two men. "I want a 'how goes it' meeting in a few days. Thank you, gentlemen." She stood and made to leave.
McKay jumped up and called out, "Elizabeth... what if the device won't work on a Wraith ship?"
Weir studied the anxious physicist's face for a moment before resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm confident you can make any adjustments necessary, Rodney."
"Oh, right! Love the extra pressure! That's always helpful!"
Weir's lips turned up in a gentle smile. "Not pressure, Rodney; confidence. There's a huge difference." She patted him softly before dropping her hand and disappearing through the doorway.
Sheppard breezed through the open lab door, eyes searching out and finding McKay hunched over his computer studying something written in Ancient. Sheppard sidled up behind him and leaned in close.
"What'cha reading?"
With a startled yelp, McKay bounded out of his seat, landing three feet away. Shocked blue eyes melded with amused hazel before hardening to an icy gray.
"Sheppard!"
He says my name like it's a curse, Sheppard thought as he closed the distance between himself and the upset genius he called friend.
"Very good, Rodney, you know my name! Can you guess my birthday? Or maybe my weight? On second thought, I'm sensitive about my weight, so let's forget it!" Sheppard grasped McKay by the elbow and tugged, maneuvering him back onto the stool. "I just stopped by to chat."
"Ah, I see... Beckett caught you fibbing about having a headache and grounded you until tomorrow. Am I right?"
"That falls under doctor-patient confidentiality, McKay. Sorry, can't answer. Besides, we've been testing this device for three days now. A little headache is nothing in the grand scheme of things." Sheppard leaned down and studied the computer screen. "What are you doing?"
McKay glanced at the monitor. "Oh, I'm studying the Ancient database. I have a theory that the 'dimension jumpers' can be used from a forward location."
"I'm not following you, McKay."
"Yes, yes, a pity; many can't. Let me try to explain in a way even you'll understand. If you wear the device to another planet and run into trouble, you should be able to activate the stealth mode and check out the situation."
"I'd thought of that, but it didn't seem practical. The device leaves us pretty vulnerable to attack." Sheppard squinted at the screen, trying to pick out the few Ancient words he understood.
"Yeah, that's a small glitch in the plan. It should work in a pinch, though, as long as one of the team remained behind to guard your body." McKay watched the pilot closely. He wasn't a medical doctor, but he'd bet his hidden stash of chocolate that Sheppard's headache was a bad one. He watched the man rub his temples then scrub a hand over tired eyes. "You should get some rest, Colonel. This will keep."
Sheppard glanced up, realizing his mistake as soon as he caught sight of McKay's worried expression. Recovering quickly, he straightened and crossed his arms. Maybe irritating Rodney would help his headache.
"I'll rest as soon as I ask you an important question."
"Make it quick. I'm busy, Colonel, and don't have time to entertain you." McKay decided he would try to aggravate the Colonel into leaving. Maybe then the man would rest.
"Okay, fine. You want blunt? What are your intentions with my sister?" Sheppard demanded sarcastically, eyes on McKay's insolent features.
"Please, Colonel, not a military style interrogation... Oh, wait, I forget... that's all you know, isn't it?" McKay turned away and busied himself with the computer
"Rodney, I just want to know how you feel about Jesi, if you genuinely like her. She's been through enough without having her heart taken out for a joy ride."
McKay spun around so quickly Sheppard had to step back to avoid a collision. McKay advanced, shaking a finger in Sheppard's face.
"I wouldn't do that to her! If you really knew me, you would be well aware of my ineptitude with women! I don't know how to play games; I screw up everything when I say the wrong things." McKay dropped his finger and crossed his arms defensively. "She's different. No matter how cranky or inept I sound, she sees me. She doesn't run away or try to avoid me. Your sister is incredible! Anything more than that... frankly, is really none of your business." McKay blew out a breath, his eyes full of hurt. "I'm insulted that you felt the need to ask. If you'll excuse me..."
McKay shoved past him and stalked out of the lab.
"Huh, I do believe that's a resounding 'yes' in McKay-speak!" Sheppard grimaced and followed McKay into the hall.
"Rodney, wait!" Sheppard hurried after the retreating scientist. "McKay!"
The unexpected blaring of alarms caused both men to halt mid-stride. Sheppard tapped his radio.
"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" He began to run toward the control room, nudging McKay on the way past. The scientist followed two steps behind.
"John, there's been an unscheduled gate activation. So far, no IDC, and the shield is up."
"Rodney and I are on our way." Sheppard increased his speed as McKay huffed to keep up.
Weir glanced up as Sheppard burst into the control room, McKay close on his heals.
"We received a distress call from P44-XRN." She called to the Canadian technician. "Jeremy, play it please."
With a nod, Jeremy punched a few keys, leaning back as the disembodied voice began to speak; the shrieks and explosions in the background lent a chilling clarity to the message.
"Dr. Weir, can you hear me? This is Seralan of Jorak. The Wraith have come, and they are culling my people as I speak. If you receive my message, please, I beg of you, send help! I repeat, we need help... Aghh... ugh..."
Weir listened as Seralan's screams cut off abruptly, the recording going silent. She raised wide, shocked eyes to meet Sheppard's steel-jawed glance.
"Seralan and his people are allies; we need to know what's happening on Jorak. Are you and Jesi up to a little recon mission? It appears we need to test your stealth mode sooner than originally planned."
"Yeah, we're up to it. We can be ready in ten minutes." Sheppard turned to McKay. "The equipment and wristbands are still set up in the lab, right?"
"Yes, but what about your headache..."
"I'm fine, Rodney. Let Beckett know we're going to need him standing by," Sheppard said quickly.
"Rodney, were you able to get the communications working between the device and a team on the ground?" Weir asked.
"Yes, yes, we've tested the radios between here and the mainland; they worked perfectly." McKay hesitated, his eyes on Weir's face. "Elizabeth... if the Wraith are on Jorak, you realize there's not much we can do..."
"With John and Jesi using the device to gather intel, we might be able to send in a rescue team, maybe save some of the Jorakians. If nothing else, we can help pick up the pieces." Weir crossed her arms, hugging herself as she fought off a chill.
Sheppard tapped his radio, speaking quickly. "Major Lorne, Teyla, Ronon... get kitted up. We have a short-notice mission. Plan for Wraith, and be ready in fifteen minutes!" He turned to McKay. "Have Zelenka meet us in your lab; he can monitor Jesi and me while we strap on the wristbands and check things out from here. Once we've got a better idea of what you'll be walking into, I'll need you on the planet."
McKay nodded and fled the room.
"It's bad, Elizabeth. The Wraith are everywhere; they've decimated the village. I can hear people screaming in the forest, but they don't stand a chance unless we help them." Sheppard looked around, the destruction setting his teeth on edge. "Lorne, bring as many marines as can be ready to go in the next five minutes."
"John, teams are on the way. Is there anything you can do to help?" Weir asked.
"We can check out the Wraith hive ship, see how many of Seralan's people they're holding. Maybe we can do something to set them free." Sheppard turned to Jesi. "You okay?"
Jesi turned frightened eyes to his face. "No, I'm not. I've never seen anything so hideous. You've lived under the Wraith threat for two years? We can't possibly fight them!"
Sheppard grasped Jesi by the shoulders, giving her a small shake.
"Don't ever give up! The Wraith feed on our fear, thrive on it. Don't allow them the satisfaction! We fight, or die trying! Come on, let's go." Sheppard took her hand and, with a flash of thought, transported to space. Four hive ships hung in the darkness, the stars providing a surreal backdrop to their destructive power.
"I've found our missing hive ships. We're going in." Sheppard's soft voice pierced Weir's resolve.
"John, wait..."
"We're in the first hive, Elizabeth."
"Be careful!" Weir admonished. "We don't know for sure if the Wraith can sense your presence, somehow. They're hard to predict."
"Trust me; we'll tiptoe through their tulips like Lady Bugs. The first sign of trouble, and we're outta here!"
Sheppard and Jesi crept down the webbed hallway, darting behind veined walls when Wraith passed.
"This place creeps me out!" Jesi breathed, glancing over her shoulder.
"Yeah, hive ships bother me, too," Sheppard replied softly. "Why are we whispering? And why are we hiding? They can't see or hear us." He rose to his full height and stepped into the hallway, directly into the path of three Wraith.
"John!" Jesi watched in horror as the three Wraith marched right up to and through Sheppard's body. One slowed and glanced back, searching for something, before moving on.
"Oh, God! Don't do that to me!" She stepped out and joined him, falling into step as he moved off down the hall.
"What, they can't see us, remember?" Sheppard grinned. "Just try to relax while we check on the villagers." They wound their way through the maze of hallways, satisfied when they found no cocooned Jorakians. Sheppard turned contented eyes her way. "Time to spy on the queen."
Hurrying through the halls, passing Wraith along the way, they entered the bridge and found the Wraith queen standing center in the hub of activity, regally directing her fighters. The Wraith language, a mix of ticks and buzzes, reminded Sheppard of crickets--thousands of crickets. The noise was deafening. His head, already pounding, began to pulse in time with the noise, building to a crescendo.
Jesi called to him, and he glanced away from the queen long enough to nod. He moved to Jesi's side, glancing at the computer display in front of them. The Milky Way galaxy danced in front of his eyes. Coordinates! They had the coordinates to the Milky Way! He needed to destroy these ships!
"Colonel Sheppard," Lorne's voice carried over the radio.
"Major, where are you?"
"On the planet; you weren't kidding, there's not much left. We're attempting to locate any survivors, see if we can get them to the Alpha sight."
"Watch yourselves," Sheppard warned. "The Wraith are still culling the planet."
"We know. Teyla's tracking them, Colonel. Where are you?"
"On one of the hive ships. We have to figure out a way to stop them. They have the location of our galaxy."
"Excuse me, John. Did I hear you correctly? The Wraith know how to reach home?" Weir's startled voice cut in.
"Your hearing is perfect, Elizabeth. McKay, Doc "Z", these wristbands were designed with the Wraith in mind. There has to be a way to beat them; find it!"
"Oh, that's great, Sheppard! I'm on the planet, surrounded by culling beams and pissed off Wraith, and you want me to do research! Classic!" McKay's aggrieved voice rang out. "It's too late, Colonel! We don't have time to research, now!"
"I do, Colonel." Zelenka chimed in. "I'll keep looking. May I suggest you push different buttons on the wristband, see what they do. Maybe you get lucky, yes?"
"Oh, how very scientific of you, Radek! Remind me to kick your ass if I live through this," McKay shrieked.
Sheppard moved to stand beside the queen, watching her stare at the Milky Way on her screen. Leaning in close, he growled, "You'll get there over my dead body!"
The queen turned slightly, issuing an order to one of her underlings, an enigmatic smile gracing her pale face. Sheppard's eyes narrowed.
The sounds of rapid gunfire and McKay's squeal of fear pulled Sheppard's focus away from the queen.
"McKay! McKay, what's happening?" Sheppard shouted. "Damn it, McKay, answer me!"
Lorne's voice crackled over the airwaves. "We need a little help down here! A whole contingent of Wraith warriors just beamed in. We're fighting, but they have us surrounded!"
"On our way!" Sheppard grabbed Jesi's hand and thought them to the surface.
TBC
A/N: Only a few chapters left until I can put this baby to rest. Its still driving me crazy, y'all!
