Stargate Atlantis: Path of the Storm

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Chapter Nine

The medical team arrived quickly and filed into the gate room with a gurney. It wasn't an uncommon exercise, normally when there was an unscheduled offworld activation they naturally assumed that someone had been injured so they were prepared for the worst. The head medic knelt down next to Weir, clearing them out the way to get to Teyla. "What happened?" he asked while checking her airway and gently lifting an eyelid with his thumb.

"She just collapsed without warning," Ford said looking down at her then back to him.

"The wine," McKay said immediately and looked round to anyone who was listening. "This is very important, we were subjected to some sort of drug and she consumed a vast amount of the wine containing it."

Quickly and professionally, they gently lifted her together onto the gurney and wheeled her out of the gate room without another word. McKay looked very uncomfortable with the situation, that could have easily have been him or Ford lying on that gurney.

"Teyla will be okay Rodney," Weir said speaking up and placing a hand on his shoulder to turn him around. "She's strong."

"I'm worried about me," he answered in typical response. Ford seriously doubted anything would happen to him, at least McKay was acting like his normal self. "I'm sure I consumed more than Ford," he babbled pointing at him then looked to Weir.

They didn't have time for this so Weir used her best judgement. "I want you two to report to the infirmary, Carson can run a toxicology and put your fears to rest."

"What if he can't help?" McKay said, his eyes searching hers. "I mean yes undisputed his good at his job but there's only so much one man can do."

"Rodney," she said, her voice more firm and a stern expression her face. McKay realised that he was doing it again, babbling and going off on an extremely large tangent. He huffed and his shoulders raised an inch then sagged again.

"Once again, I apologise." McKay straightened his jacket collar and brushed himself down. "I just don't like facing the uncertain."

"No one does," Weir answered quietly, the expression softening. "But we don't have time for this right now. You need to receive treatment for whatever they gave you."

"Yes ma'am," Ford said giving McKay a look to say that he was going to go with him to the infirmary and he was prepared to drag him. McKay was going to let himself give way, but only this once.

"Yes Elizabeth," he managed with a small smile, which faded as soon as he turned round to follow Ford out.

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"What the Hell is this?"

"What does it look like?"

"My God, you really are one twisted son of a bitch."

Kolya didn't like the label Sheppard gave him; instead he placed a hand on his back and gave him a hard shove forward while closing the door discretely behind him. "You make too many assumptions."

"I'm assuming nothing," Sheppard said looking round the dimly lit room, from what he could make out there were three cages and two of them contained a Wraith. As soon as their eyes locked onto him, he felt the same sensation as he did when he and his people captured Steve. Sheppard forced himself to look away and back to Kolya. "What are they? Your pets?" he muttered, his voice trailing off as he watched them.

"More like my hostages," Kolya replied approaching the cage. It was a far simpler containment than the one Atlantis provided; all that separated them from these life-sucking monsters were mere iron bars. If the guards did step too close, they would soon know about it.

"Hostages?" Sheppard echoed quietly, never taking his eyes off him.

Kolya stood just out of reach and peered into the cage, the Wraith glaring up at him. "Hostages," he finalised while turning round to Sheppard. "Don't tell me you've never done it, I may hate you Sheppard but I hate these…" A dirty look to the blue skinned grotesque humanoid then back to Sheppard. "Even more."

"Well aren't you killing two birds with one stone," Sheppard commented while looking round the room, there were even more guards here with some serious artillery. The weapons in their hands reminded him of an M249 used back on Earth but then again; these guys needed the firepower should the Wraiths get free. "Do you really expect them to give you information?"

"In all due time," Kolya answered enigmatically.

"I spent weeks with one of these things," Sheppard said quickly shaking his head. "They're not very forthcoming when it comes to sharing secrets."

"That is where we are different," Kolya said approaching Sheppard with an even gaze. "You weren't willing to compromise with yours. The price was, shall we say. Too high."

Sheppard lowered his gaze to the floor, how could he have not expected that response. Kolya had spent a lot of time in Atlantis when he and his people attempted to seize the city and claim it as their own. He'd had his hands on reports, which included the one on Steve. The realisation hit him more powerful than a blow to the stomach. "You've been feeding them," he said in disgust.

"Yes, the people on Bre'tar were very co-operative."

"The people," Sheppard said then stopped talking. Kolya really had gone back on his word, they weren't protecting the Bre'tar from the Wraith, they were feeding them to the creatures. "Just when I think you can't get any more screwed up, you go and do something completely f…"

Kolya stormed up to Sheppard and punched him in the stomach, winding him. Recoiling from the blow, Sheppard clutched his stomach. Kolya laced his fingers together, bringing his arm down on Sheppard's back and knocking him down onto his hands and knees. "Those are serious allegations," he answered with a menacing tone in his voice.

"You're taking people and feeding them to these things," Sheppard shouted finally looking up at him, still clutching his stomach and trying to avoid a coughing fit. "Of course it's serious." He coughed a little, wincing ever so slightly. "Is this why you brought me here?" he demanded. "Another course on the menu?"

"No," Kolya said crouching down and taking Sheppard's chin in between his thumb and his forefinger. "Simply feeding you to the Wraith would not be enough, you would simply scream, age and die." He gave Sheppard a smirk.

"I'd say that pretty much sucks," Sheppard managed between clenched teeth.

"Indeed," Kolya answered with an impassive expression and a thoughtful nod. "But I don't want you to die." Kolya stood back up and viciously backhanded Sheppard across the jaw, his head snapping to the right. While Sheppard fought to keep his composure, he tenderly lifted a hand to his lip and to the blood that dripped slowly from it. He ran his tongue along the inside of mouth, over his teeth and gums. "After all…" Kolya said placing a foot against Sheppard's side and pushing him down onto the floor completely. The exhilaration and adrenaline running through his veins were an amazing sensation. Kolya smiled down at Sheppard. "What would be the fun in that?"

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