Chapter 9
The Secret's in the Waiting
"He's improving," the alcove technician reported with his eyes downcast.
From the first moment she stepped into the healing bay, her smile had not left her. He was all hers even in this condition. It constantly amazed her how fragile humans were. Yes, her kind easily took their lives, but only after chemical enhancement. She raised her hand up and placed it on his face. Under her touch, the exposed portion of his cheek felt soft. Although, the facial hair was prickly- a stunning contrast.
"A tiny organism found in his side wound caused the illness, probably from the planet he was on. The others show no sign of similar symptoms." He paused never looking up and added almost apologetically, "One other observation, he woke for a brief time while we compensated for his illness. He became extremely agitated. My belief is that he saw the offspring." He directed her attention to the child opposite. "He was trying to get to it."
She grinned even bigger, something to put away for later. Tidbits like that were always very useful when dealing with the herd.
To her delight, the alcove was doing its job. It took over every function of the body: breathing, heartbeat, nutrition, and hydration just for starters. Through means she did not care to understand so long as it did it, it repaired the body so it was strong and able to withstand a feeding. The process made it more palatable because illness was unsavory. The food might not have to agree, but it should taste good.
"So he will be fully restored?" She returned her hand to her side.
"Oh yes. He should only have to stay in there for two more planetary rotations."
"Excellent. He and I have so much to discuss and need to get acquainted more intimately." She cocked her amber-haired head to the side and studied the slumbering form from head to toe.
She placed her hand on the top of his head and rubbed a small circle on his forehead with her thumb, christening him as hers. "Even in this state, you fight. You are a treat indeed." Her spine tingled once again.
She was too young to have ever seen a true Lantean. She could just imagine what it must have been like to have an adversary so equal. The equality in this partial-breed specimen was evident. It was intriguing and exhilarating.
"I can't wait," she whispered to him with as much glee as her kind could express.
She turned to the technician as he kept his eyes averted, "Inform me when he's ready."
The tech nodded as she left.
She ambled down the corridor of her ship. It was like fate smiled on her hive. They must be doing something right. She could feel all the pieces falling into place. She smiled contently as she kept going.
Her First Male approached her from a side passageway. She acknowledged him with a bow of her head. It was a 'you may speak' gesture.
"It has come to my attention of a possible problem. We're missing a few hive members," he began while falling into step beside her.
"You know we are on a schedule?" She asked casually.
"Yes, I don't think it's a big problem, but we need to exercise caution. We may have infiltration. With your permission, I'll investigate starting with the local inhabitants."
"Granted." She looked up to the ceiling and closed her eyes. "With the engines only a day or two away from completion, I want my perfection maintained."
"As always." He bowed and left her standing in the silent corridor.
She had her own resources, her own ways of obtaining important information.
"I might have to have a conversation myself," she said in a low voice and continued on her way.
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Slinking, ghosting, or being the absolute smoky image of stealth was second nature on this world. Wraith everywhere, human spies and the occasional dart screaming across the sky made it all necessary.
What a blast.
Ford scrambled down an old mine-like shaft hidden in a stand of trees. The locals said it was used for protection against cullings. That is, when they regularly took place. This was the first time the Wraith had been here in more generations than the locals could count- lucky them for living at the wrong time.
He exited into a moderate size underground cavern. The walls were sharp edged with stalactites and stalagmites jutting out of the ceiling and floor.
"We were getting worried Mr. Ford," greeted the elderly gentleman standing alone in the middle of the cavern.
"Just had to say 'hi' to some old friends," replied Ford with a cocky grin. "You may know one of them, Dr. McKay?"
'"He's here? Where is he? Not on the ship I hope?"
"Nah, he's in one of the lab cells."
The old man closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "That's terrible. I don't know which is worse, Hive ship or that monstrosity of a lab?"
"He's safe for now; I left Lia with him."
"Aiden, you need to watch Lia and Osy; they hate the Lanteans, especially Dr. McKay. They only see their father as a great man, not a man who lost his way. They don't see a man who tortured two people while trying to help his own. Two people, I believe, who would have helped if just asked. Am I right Mr. Ford?"
"Doc Hallidy, you are correct, sir. After what I just saw, I'm not surprised that Col. Sheppard survived that chair because that's what he does. I'm surprised McKay rescued them on his own because that's not what he usually does."
"He did admirably well young man. And, he knows his way around those computers in the lab. Plus, I owe him for that," he said pointing to the shield generator as they passed it. "He did not have to leave it here. And, since you brought the power source, it's kept us safe."
"Use it sparingly Doc. We're going to need it."
Hallidy stopped and grabbed Aiden by the arm. "Does Dr. McKay need my help?"
He tried to give the old man a reassuring smile. "Only if Lia doesn't behave."
Not reassured and slightly perturbed, Hallidy replied, "I already told you…"
Ford put his hand up to stop the man from saying anything further. "I know, I know. I'll keep an eye on both of them."
"You'd better Mr. Ford," Hallidy said as they continued deeper into the caverns.
Ford patted the old man on the shoulder. He really liked Hallidy. He had such an optimistic outlook even in the midst of such devastation. He was also genuinely concerned for the welfare of the expedition members, a rarity in Pegasus.
"Where are Kocak and Mulden?"
"End of the main passageway in the commissary. They're going over the Hive ship plans."
Ford clapped his hands together. "Excellent!"
"I'll see you later Aiden. Remember what I said."
Ford smiled in return and nodded.
The two parted ways and Ford continued farther into the burrow until he met up with the new members of his little rag-tag group.
He had picked up Kocak on the planet the Wraith were going to cull the last time he saw his ex-teammates. Mulden was wandering a bazaar aimlessly, or it appeared that way until he tried to steal from Aiden. Best thing to ever happen. Guy could decipher Wraith and was an excellent thief.
Lousy pick-pocket, excellent thief.
"Gentlemen! What do we have?"
Mulden turned around and gave Ford an exasperated look. "Aiden. What we have so far is…a Hive ship making modifications to its engines and holding your ex-friends hostage."
Rolling his eyes, Ford snorted, "Well duh. What else do we have?"
Mulden grinned big, "We have, if the sisters can get us access to the labs computers, a theoretical way to destroy the Hive ship. I've also located the holding cells. There are two main areas. Here and here," he said pointing to two different areas on the schematics. "We don't know which one holds your friends or if they're separated."
"They're not my friends…they're my ex-friends. You had it right the first time." Ford stroked his chin. "Maybe, Dr. McKay can shed some light on where. My next question is…Do we have anyone on the chain gang?"
"Yes," a solemn, angelic voice answered behind him. "They await your orders Aiden."
"Osy! Good to see you!" He greeted over exuberantly covering up his surprise at her stealthy entrance. "You sure they're ready?"
"Aiden," she said patiently. "They want the Wraith gone as much as I do. The chance to strike at a Hive ship is worth any price." Her brown eyes were just as lifeless as her younger sister's.
Ford kept his smile, but worried that she was not quite as onboard as Doc. Hallidy. He would definitely take the Doc's advice and keep a close eye on both the sisters.
A young man followed her into the room. "This is Te'Jon; he'll take the C-4 to the ship and distribute it to the others."
The young man nodded to Ford.
"Are you sure we can trust him and do the workers know the risk?"
"Te'Jon has been in my father's employ since he was a child. I trust him with my life." Her expression never changed. "I told you that the others are willing to pay any price."
"Then Osy, let's finalize the plans and get these soul suckin' demons off your slice of the pie!"
Ford watched Te'Jon go. Something was just not right about that boy.
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Dear Diary,
Yesterday, I lost the entire senior staff of the Atlantis expedition. Dr. Dupree and Dr. Andreyov are bickering and Bobby pulled Suzie's pigtails, again. Gen. O'Neill and Gen. Landry- not to mention the entire international community- are going to be mad. It was a bad day.
Steven
The most maddening thing about the situation was, even though the core staff was missing, life's little monotonous, everyday situations still occurred. And, they were vicious little piranhas in the water- nipping and biting and snipping and snapping. The little teeth took their proverbial pound of flesh to the bottom of the murky lake. No wonder Weir looked like she did.
The scientists on a good day were like two little kids in the backseat yelling, "He's touching me!" Now they resembled blood thirsty piranha with fresh meat in the water.
At any given moment, an egghead might think his best course of action was to get in his face and yell, "I need lab time for this!" Only to have another irate egghead get in his face countering, "I need the same lab for that!"
His favorite so far had been, "We need to recalibrate this hoozy whatzit or the entire West Pier will explode."
He usually did not get migraines, but there was a spot in the middle of his forehead that was radiating out behind his eyes- always a first time for everything.
Now he knew how someone could go postal.
The yammering yokel in front of him was not helping. Caldwell had lost track of the stream of thought monologue directed at him fifteen minutes ago. He was not sure, but the lab coat could have been asking to submerge the city or for Caldwell to throw him off the nearest balcony. He was voting for the latter.
"Dr. Sands, all new experiments on are hiatus at this time," Caldwell calmly explained for the third time. "Regardless of the situation in a week, new experiments will be given due consideration. Until then, continue with you ongoing experiments and draft the new one for perusal at the correct time." Or, I will clear a pathway from here to the balcony with your dead carcass.
At times like this, he was glad he was tall. He stood up and looked down at the botanist. And grinned.
The botanist back-pedaled quickly, "Thank you for your time sir." He ran out of the office, fast.
Ronon's borrowed feral grin sure did come in handy.
He sat back down and looked at the report he was typing to send with the data transfer. His little mental joke was not far off. He dreaded to report that the team was most likely in the hands of the Wraith. The entire Atlantis expedition was in jeopardy. He had no idea where they were only that they might have been spotted by a rogue element.
And, that yes, the West Pier did come close to exploding because the recalibrations on the hoozy whatzit were done almost too late. One catastrophe averted, more to realize, and more to attempt and control. The fun never stopped.
He stopped typing. He had temporary staff for all those missing. Zelenka replaced McKay. Cadman was in charge of military until Lorne was better or he was going to take one of his officers from the Daedalus to run things. Speaking of the Daedalus, Major Gruman was her acting captain right now. They remained on high alert just in case the Wraith decided to pay a visit.
Of course, Biro was in charge of the infirmary and hating every moment of it. She glared daggers at him every time he visited. If they did not get Carson back soon, she was going to take a full contingent of Corpsmen through the Gate and search every world until they found him. She would leave no stone ring unturned. He was beginning to think it might be the only course of action left to him.
What absolutely stuck in his craw was the mere fact of having to rely on Lieutenant Slappy the Squirrel for information. He understood Sheppard's hesitation in shooting the young lieutenant and now it was probably a good thing since he knew where the missing team was located. But, having to wait for him to inform him, a full Colonel, of his inclusion in the man's plan for insertion…
Banging his head on the desk was just not enough.
They had tentative plans in place should the call come in. The teams were on alert. They were as ready as they could be without reliable intel.
"Sir, I must protest the use of Lab 3 by biology, because any idiot can see it has more of a mechanical engineering set-up…"
"How nice of you to knock Doctor…"
"I didn't knock."
"My point exactly…" he gave Ronon's grin again and checked to see if his way to the balcony was clear of any and all obstacles.
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Rodney slurped the thin paste-like gruel Lia had brought him. He was feeling less like the grass under the pile and now more like the pile. He was sure this stuff was a close relation. At least, he was not relying on the chair for sustenance. He shuddered, no extraneous additions to his anatomy.
Lia sat in the hallway right in front of his cell staring at him.
"Those eyes still drive me to distraction Dr. McKay."
Rodney looked up in disbelief.
"Did the Wraith put a tracking device into your back? I saw the scar."
Rodney only had time to nod.
"I have another question for you," she continued not waiting for the response. "What happened to Bama?"
Rodney studied his bowl and the meager, gray, soupy offering in it. "He's dead," he said just above a whisper. "He had a chance to surrender, but didn't take it. He followed your father's orders to the end."
"Of course he would. Daddy could engender the strictest loyalty from anyone in his employ. Lycee died protecting us. Didn't think twice about placing herself between us three and the Wraith." Lia looked off into the imaginary distance. "She was like a mother to us."
"I'm sorry to hear that. She could sure cook."
Lia gave a half-hearted smile. "Yes, she could sure cook." The smile left. "You could sure die because you took the generator away. Daddy could sure die because we had no means left to protect ourselves. You completely destroyed everything. There's no forgiveness left in me. Aiden'll use your knowledge and then I'll use my blade."
She stood up and brushed off her dress. "I must go check-in. Better get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be an even longer day. The Wraith want to know more about your home. Try not to tell them everything in one go, draw it out a little."
Rodney stared at her. "Well, thanks for the heads up. I'll try not to die right away so you can have the pleasure."
She snorted and silently walked down the hall. The lights dimmed and she left him in shadows. "Now would be a good time for the cavalry to come over the hill," he whispered to himself.
He put the bowl down and listened. "Or now."
Still nothing. "Worth a try."
He lay down on his side and closed his eyes. Or, it's a good time for Bugs to erase this scenario all together and put me on a nice tropical beach.
He cracked one eye open; the gloom remained- nuts.
Luck and bad little self.
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A/N: The author is still giddy. Chocolate and Guinness and the bunnies being almost nice. Thank you! Now as with anything…She dreads saying this…The next installment might be delayed for a while. The author and her family are moving from one abode to another. So forgive her and keep the pitchforks in the barn and the stones on the ground. She will update at the earliest possible time. Thank you for your patience and rocking so hard!