Stargate Atlantis: Path of the Storm
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Chapter Twenty-Nine
Once again, the dialing sequence began and everyone in the control literally held their breath. They were just praying for this to be the one that established a wormhole and allowed them to get a little closer to finding Major Sheppard. The final chevron locked into place…then nothing.
The disappointment was felt throughout the entire room and Weir lowered her gaze as McKay looked over in her direction. "Okay," McKay said slowly as he turned back to Zelenka and Grodin. "Next one." He paused then commented. "Even though there's still well over 500 possible…"
Weir looked back up to them and as she did, caught sight of Lieutenant Ford entering the gateroom. He quickly walked up the stairs and into the control room.
"Any luck ma'am?"
"Not yet," she answered softly, unfolding her arms and turning to him. "What did Doctor Beckett say?"
"He needs time to analyze the stuff I brought back before he can do anything else." Ford paused a moment before adding. "Teyla doesn't look good ma'am."
"Carson will do his best for her Lieutenant," Weir said as optimistically as she could before paying attention back to the three men crowded around the DHD.
"Ready," McKay said once more, practically feeling her eyes on him. "Dial the gate." Grodin gave a small nod of the head as all eyes went back to the Stargate once more.
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As soon as their eyes locked, Sheppard took as many steps back as he possibly could in order to distance himself from the Wraith. It wasn't long before he backed up against the wall and he had nowhere else to go he was trapped and Mike knew it.
Mike sneered at him then stepped over his last meal while retrieving her weapon. He picked it up, looked it over then aimed it as if he had used one before. That was something that fascinated Sheppard, a Wraith's ability to just pick up and use something they'd never laid eyes on before. And by fascinated, he meant disturbed.
The Wraith reached down and picked up another set of keys and sorted through them. It's gaze went back up to Sheppard who just fought to keep quiet, he thought about shouting for the other guards but by the time they got in there Mike could've had the door open and be feasting on him. He obtained the key and held it between two fingers, letting the rest slid down the metal ring they were attached too.
For a moment it looked as though Mike was going to approach Sheppard, instead he went over to the only other occupied cell. He slid the key into the lock and turned it slowly until there was the familiar click. Mike swung open the door and crouched down next to his companion, he shook him but although the other Wraith was still alive, he didn't have any strength left. If Mike was going to get out, he would need Sleepy in order to do it. Once more he looked at Sheppard.
John remained completely stoic and didn't allow the fear he was feeling to betray him as the Wraith stood up. Again, Mike surprised him and walked over to the exit. He positioned himself to one side and knocked on the door twice, just as Matriya had when she wanted to request something. The door opened and a guard peered in, he didn't see Mike but he did see the door to Sleepy's cell open. Frowning, he stepped in further and his hand immediately went for his weapon.
Sheppard ran up to the cell door. "Behind you," he yelled just as Mike struck the man in the back of the head with his own weapon. The guard fell face down and Mike kicked his weapon away before walking around him. He holstered the weapon, took a hold of the guard's hand and dragged him into the cell. Mike laid the guard down next to Sleepy, grabbed the Wraiths' right hand and guided it into a position over his chest.
Only just realising what was going on, Sheppard looked away and braced himself.
Sleepy lifted his head up off the floor to look to Mike who merely gave a nod. He lowered his head down once more and raised his hand a few inches from the chest then slammed it down, nails piercing the skin and he fed. The more he fed, the more he gained the much-needed strength.
Once he was sure the feeding was over, Sheppard forced himself to look back and saw both the Wraith standing. "Well," he said quietly. "I guess Sleepy isn't so sleepy anymore."
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Carson stood over the microscope and peered through the lens to take a better look at the sample. So far, all the primarily tests had indicated that the "medicine" could be safely introduced into Teyla's immune system without any ill effects but he didn't have the luxury of being able to just administer it without any of the facts.
He had consulted with Doctor Katie Brown on the matter, as she was one of the botanists on the expedition. Doctor Nivera had brought back a cutting of the plant and even she admitted she had never seen such a chemical compound although it was definitely organic and closely resembled the characteristics of a Venus flytrap. Then again, Carson imagined that there would be some differences between the plants of this galaxy and those of Earth.
Straightening up, Carson stepped back from the equipment and looked over to container, which held the original liquid.
With a small sigh, he looked over to Teyla. If he didn't do something soon her immune system would collapse completely and there wouldn't be anything he could do to reverse it. Carson hated losing patients and he wasn't about to lose this one, he had a small window of opportunity here and he couldn't afford to waste it.
"Lisa," he said calling out for one of the nurses. Lisa stepped out from behind one of the stands, disposing of some gloves.
"Yes Doctor?" she replied.
Carson walked up to the container and flipped off the lid. "We're going to go ahead with the treatment." He looked over to Teyla once more. It was now or ever. He looked back to Lisa.
"Prepare the equipment."
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