Chapter 6: Stating the Obvious
After both Sheppard and McKay had satisfied their inner yearnings to do something spontaneous and stupid, the two of them agreed to stop messing around and get to work finding the rest of the crew. After lunch, of course.
"So, any new ideas about what could have happened?" asked Sheppard munching thoughtfully on a sandwich.
"Well, actually, I was thinking…" McKay replied between bites of a chocolate bar.
"Yes," prompted the major, who had finished his first sandwich and was working on a second.
"Let's start by ruling out the obvious. After all, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," replied Sheppard, recognizing the quote from reading Sherlock Holmes in high school.
McKay ignored the statement and pressed on. "They didn't fly away using the jumpers."
"They weren't kidnapped by the Wraith," added John.
"They didn't die of the nanobot virus," continued Rodney, counting on his fingers as they listed them.
"We didn't fall into a rip in the space-time continuum."
"The Genaii didn't try to take over the city again."
"That evil shadow thing didn't get out and electrocute everyone."
"And there's no way they could still be in the city."
"So what does that leave?" asked John.
"They gated offworld and didn't tell us. Not likely, but possible."
"Definitely not likely," agreed Sheppard. "What else?"
"The only other things I could think of were the Goa'uld ring devices and the Asgard beam transporter."
Sheppard arched an eyebrow. "So you think they were transported out of the city by the Asgard and Goa'uld."
"I never said that," McKay defended, pointing at Sheppard with his candy bar. "You're jumping to conclusions. All I said was that they were the only things I could think of."
"So that was a long, drawn-out way of saying 'I don't know.'" Sheppard countered flatly.
"On the contrary. We eliminated some possibilities and narrowed down the scope."
"No offense, Rodney, but we got nowhere."
"I disagree!"
"You need to learn how to admit you are not omnipotent and can make mistakes."
"No I don't! I know when I'm wrong!"
"Say it with me, Rodney. 'I don't know.'"
"I don't need-"
"Say it," John warned.
"No."
"Three words, Rodney. That's all. Say it."
"No!"
"I. Don't. Know."
"Alright, Alright! I'll admit it! I have no idea what happened!"
Sheppard smiled triumphantly. "There. Now was that so hard?"
"Oh, and I suppose you know exactly where they are," McKay snapped, his voice oozing with sarcasm.
"Nope. But I can admit it easily."
"Oh, shut up."
The next few minutes passed in silence. McKay was positively seething with anger. Sheppard wouldn't have been surprised if McKay suddenly began literally shooting daggers from his icy gaze.
"Did you see the Athosians?" McKay asked out of the blue.
"Er, what?"
Rodney rolled his eyes. "When you were up taking the puddlejumper out for a spin-"
"I wasn't taking it out for a spin! I was checking-"
"Don't interrupt," McKay commanded, rather hypocritically, considering he had just interrupted Sheppard. "Did you see the Athosians when you were out flying the jumper? Did you even check?"
"No…" Damn. That would've been a good idea.
"Of course you didn't."
Sheppard's eyes narrowed. "Are you implying something, McKay?"
"Not at all. It was just careless of you not to check," Rodney replied with a straight face.
"Careless? Well, who's asking just now instead of while I was out looking?"
"Oh, so now it's my fault! Blame the scientist, who, as you so kindly pointed out, isn't omnipotent! How was I supposed to know that you didn't think to check! I assumed you would!"
"Alright, so I didn't look!"
"Then why don't you, right now?" McKay hissed through clenched teeth.
"Okay then, I will!" Sheppard stormed off to the jumper bay.
He's right. Goddammit, I hate it when he's right!
