Chapter 8
"I hate these suits." For the second time in a week, Rodney found himself encased in the heavy protective space-suit, his breathing sounding harsh and insistent in the helmet. His flashlight wavered as he spun around, nearly crashing into Ronon.
The runner only grunted, and Rodney was unsure if that was a sound of agreement, dismissal or the aftereffects of lunch. One could never tell with the stoic Satedan.
"They aren't very comfortable, are they?" This was from Corynn, who was awkwardly plodding her way towards the engine room. John and Teyla had remained behind in the puddle jumper, Teyla lending her suit to the smaller woman.
It had been decided that John and his team, accompanied by Corynn, would return to her ship. They would retrieve the recalibrator, as well as any other device that Rodney or Corynn would deem necessary. It would also allow Corynn a chance to look over her ship, to see if it was salvageable. John and Teyla would stay on the jumper, just in case trouble reared its ugly head, and they needed to make a quick getaway.
"Okay, you two, we get the picture. The suits suck. Let's pick up the pace, all right?" John's voice crackled through the headset, and Rodney grimaced. Pick up the pace! Hah! In these boots?
"The maintenance room is just over here…" Corynn shuffled down the pitch black corridor, finding her way with ease. Rodney followed close behind the alien woman, noting for the first time just how small she was. He was accustomed to tall, strong women, like Teyla or Elizabeth or even Laura Cadman. Still, he thought idly, Corynn may be small, but she certainly wasn't meek. Kind of like Zelenka – only female.
"Aha!" Corynn pressed a small button, but nothing happened. Frowning, she pushed against the wall with her gloved hands. Suddenly, the door moved to one side, and a small closet was revealed. Devices of all shapes and sizes lined the shelves, and she flashed her torch over them.
"There it is," she murmured. She reached and grasped a small rectangular device, carefully handing it over to Dr. McKay. She stifled a grin at the look on his face: he looked like he found buried treasure. His blue eyes were bright with delight and intent, and she knew he was already working on the Orion, even if it was only in his mind.
"That it?" Ronon's voice penetrated her thoughts, and Corynn glanced up. Unlike many others, she hadn't found the Satedan intimidating; rather, he reminded her of her eldest brother, quiet and sure of himself. Dangerous, but only to his enemies. Thinking of Ethan brought a fresh wave of grief, and she shut her eyes against the sadness. Now was not the time.
"No. Let's grab this…" she extended her hand, unable to reach the topmost shelf, and pointed. Ronon easily plucked it off the shelf, barely looking at the device as he placed it in a backpack.
"…and this." She opened a small box, reached in and removed a silver chain. Rodney suddenly remembered she had a similar pendant around her throat. Only this one was clear, not blue, and didn't seem to glow with life. Corynn handed the chain to Ronon, who peered at it for a long moment, then carefully placed it in the pack.
"Okay. That's it, for now." Corynn turned slowly, her eyes caressing the ship. Dr. McKay had been corrected in his assumption that it was beyond repair. At least, right now it was beyond repair. However, if her distress call had been heard, then hopefully, help should be on the way…
"Sheppard, this is McKay. We're heading back to the jumper now." Rodney gave Corynn a moment, seeing the sorrow in her strange, ocean-colored eyes.
She nodded, letting out a brief sigh, then led the way back to the landing bay.
oOo
John settled his hands on the controls of the jumper, happy to be leaving the Nomad. He had been getting little shivers up and down his neck, a sure sign that something wasn't right. He ignored Rodney as he complained about being rushed, hitting the thrusters and leaving the Nomad's landing bay. He didn't see the wistful look that crossed Corynn's face as the ship fell away rapidly.
BANG! Suddenly, the jumper rocked violently, and John could hear his teammates cry out in shock. Sounds of equipment crashing to the floor mixed with the warning beeps and flashing lights. The jumper trembled, then wobbled again as another shot hit it.
"What the hell…?" John mentally pulled up the scanners, cursing himself for not checking the area prior to leaving the relative safety of the Nomad. In his haste to leave, he had neglected to check for other ships. Now, they were being attacked, maybe by the Wraith, or maybe by what's-his-name.
"It's not a dart, or a hive ship! Database identifies it as…it's the Nomad!" Rodney's voice wavered off, and he stared at John in confusion. But the Nomad was still right below them, drifting lifeless in space.
"No. It's Tristan," Corynn's voice was deadly calm, and John's eyes followed her as she moved to the front of the ship. "And he knows I'm with you."
"Colonel Sheppard, we are being hailed," Teyla announced. The ship rocked again as another shot bounced off the rear, and John cringed. He twisted the controls, doing his best to evade the blasts emitting from the larger, more powerful ship. He tried to activate the shields, but was interrupted by McKay's voice.
"Shields are down to thirty percent. And we have no cloak…damaged by the last blast." He paused, his face dropping as he read the scanner. "We can't jump either. We're losing power." Tension edged McKay's voice, but his attention was drawn to Corynn. She was standing next to John, one hand on his shoulder.
"Let me speak to him," she ordered softly. Teyla looked over at Sheppard, who nodded shortly.
"McKay, get your ass back there and get me some power. NOW!" John barked. Rodney had already been moving, heading towards the rear of the jumper, trying to maintain his balance as Sheppard continued to try and evade the other ship.
Teyla nodded up at Corynn. The alien woman tapped her head set, her tone vicious. Unfortunately for the Atlanteans, she spoke in another language.
"Tristan! Cease your firing at one! These people are innocent!"
"Always giving orders, Corynn. And yet, I find myself ignoring them. Why is that, do you think?" The voice was deep and menacing, and although John didn't understand the words, he could by the tone that this Tristan was toying with Corynn. The alien woman tightened her hold on John's shoulder, causing him to glance up at her.
"Do you have any weapons?" she asked. John nodded.
"I don't know and I don't care, Tristan. However, I am willing to make a trade," Corynn replied. While she waited for her cousin to respond, she turned to Rodney.
"Dr. McKay, please let me know the second you get power back." Rodney merely grunted in response, surrounded by cascading wires and glowing crystals. Ronon was standing behind him, bracing the scientist as he worked.
"What's your plan?" John asked. He was still flying in erratic patterns, trying to keep away from Tristan's weapons. The other ship had discontinued firing, but remained on the jumper's tail, easily keeping up with the failing ship.
"When Dr. McKay regains power, I want you to attack Tristan," Corynn explained. John's eyes widened, but then he was smiling.
"I like your style, lady, but I doubt I'll get close enough. Not to mention that he probably has shields." The little ship rocked again, this time as Tristan fired another shot.
"I'm waiting for an answer, Tristan," Corynn barked. "Please." This last was forced from her. Pleading for mercy from her cousin was distasteful at best, but she needed to protect these people.
"You forget, I am familiar with his ship. I know where to hit him," she said, her words directed to Sheppard. "I also know his tactics."
"Let me guess, cousin. You are willing to surrender yourself to me in return for allowing these people – ahh, these innocent people – to go free. Am I correct?"
Tristan's voice was hard, and Corynn swallowed. Distract him, she thought furiously. Keep him talking.
"You're very clever, Tristan. Yes, that is exactly what I had in mind," Corynn replied. She turned back to John.
"When Dr. McKay gets the power back, I will guide you. You must allow me to help you, or we will be killed." Teyla's eyebrows raised at the woman's words, and John shrugged. He yanked the throttle starboard, diving around the Nomad as he tried to shake the larger ship.
"Got it!" Rodney's triumphant voice sounded across the cockpit, and John felt the small ship suddenly respond to his commands. Corynn's hand clenched his shoulder, and he felt a surge of warmth race through his body. Surprised, he realized he could sense the woman, almost hear her thoughts. His hands tightened on the controls as he panicked.
"Relax. Let me guide you," Corynn said softly. Her eyes had become distant, and John suddenly heard soft commands in his head. After a second of hesitation, he followed them, adjusting his course erratically and piloting the jumper in wild configurations.
"What are you doing, Corynn?" Tristan's voice came blasting through the headset, and she cringed slightly. He was on to her. But, she just needed one more second…
"Fire! Now!" Corynn yelled. John skillfully hit the controls and a barrage of weaponry blasted at the ship. At the same time, he yanked on the throttle, spinning the smaller ship into a tight loop, coming around to avoid colliding with the suddenly smoking vessel.
"Again! Quickly, before he…" Too late, Corynn thought. Although John had reacted immediately, Tristan had already moved to avoid the attack, and was now heading towards her defenseless, ruined ship.
Oh no. Knowing that the little puddle jumper was barely functioning, and would never be able to intercept the other craft, Corynn could only watch helplessly as Tristan roared over to the Nomad.
"You dare to attack me, Corynn? Allow me to repay you for the insult!" Tristan's rage could be heard by John and the others, and even though the words were meaningless, they all cringed.
A moment later, the Nomad exploded. John pounded on the controls, trying to maneuver the jumper to avoid any debris, and still attack Tristan's ship. But the other craft had disappeared. The Colonel searched the area, peering beyond the floating dust, but nothing could be see of Tristan or his ship. He was gone.
"No." Shock tinged Corynn's voice. She had released her hold on John's shoulder, and now stood, swaying slightly, as she gazed out the window. Her ship – her only tie to her home and family – was gone. Disbelief and sorrow etched her face, and tears pooled in her eyes. She was alone.
"Corynn, I am sorry." Teyla's voice tore the other woman's gaze from the now-empty space, and Corynn turned her sad gaze on the Athosian.
"What will I do now, Teyla? How will I get home?" Corynn's words cracked as they left her throat, and a sob welled. She fought it down, knowing that Teyla had no answer. Instead, she made her way aft, numbly sitting down in the seat Rodney had vacated. The scientist said nothing, just moved to the rear of the jumper, his eyes downcast. A moment later, John headed the jumper back towards Atlantis.
TBC