Stargate Atlantis: Path of the Storm

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Chapter Thirty One

Of all the ways he thought he was going to die, John Sheppard had never imagined it would be like this. Predictably Kolya had traded Sheppard in exchange for his own life and it was just a matter of time before the two Wraiths, Mike and Sleepy, decided to make him a part of their diet.

"I thought you would have wanted to get payback for what Kolya did to you," Sheppard said nervously. "I know I would have."

"We are not like you," Mike said holding the newly obtained key up for him to see then handed it to Sleepy.

"I didn't do anything to you," Sheppard said quickly, his body tensing up. "So don't take it out on me!"

"I do not wish to take anything out on you."

"Oh yeah?" Sheppard asked keeping a close eye on Sleepy as he strolled over to unlock the door. However, John remained next to the door as the Wraith unlocked it. "So…" He looked back to Mike. "What are you planning to do?"

John glanced to his left and saw the door to the other cell was still open, if he could use enough force he would be able to drive Sleepy into it by using his own cell door. If it worked it would even out the playing field and leave only one Wraith to fight. Not that Sheppard enjoyed fighting Wraiths but it was better than being eaten.

"You reside in Atlantis," Mike said. "You can help us gain access."

There was no way in Hell that Sheppard was going to just let these two Wraiths in Atlantis and endanger the lives of his people. "You know what," John said taking on a calm tone as he glanced to Sleepy and placed his hands on the bars. "We have a saying on my world…" Mike cocked his head to listen.

Quickly, Sheppard pushed the door around using as much strength as he could, he struck Sleepy and forced him into the other cell. Once the door had gone as far as it could, the Wraith was thrown to the floor. He struggled to his feet but John was a lot faster, he grabbed the other door, slammed it and locked it as the key was still in it from when Matriya had released Mike. He pulled out the key and stepped back just as Mike ran at him, he moved out the way and struck him in the back with his forearm.

Hoping to gain some ground, John tossed the key across the room then picked up a weapon before turning it on Mike who had righted himself and was glaring at him. "Over my dead body," Sheppard finished as Sleepy started kicking against the door in a vain effort to get out.

"I am certain that can be arranged," Mike said before running at him again and had Sheppard at a great disadvantage. John cocked the weapon then fired all the rounds but it wasn't enough to stop him and within a matter of seconds, Mike had knocked him off his feet and onto his back.

Sheppard rolled over onto his stomach and scurried back to his feet, ready for when the Wraith rushed him again. Mike did and John sidestepped him, allowing the Wraith to slam headfirst into the wall. "That was funny," John said stepping back for when Mike gathered himself. "Can you do that again?" Sleepy hissed from his cell. "Relax," he replied looking over to him. "You'll get your turn."

He had made the mistake of taking his eyes off of Mike and he realized it too late, he saw a blur of blue before realizing that the Wraith had him pinned to the floor. "Way to screw up John," he cursed while seizing the Wraith's other wrist. Sheppard glared up at Mike and sweat broke out on his brow from the effort it was taking just to prevent the Wraith feeding on him.

"Not today Mike," Sheppard said, his face turning red with exertion. He used the last ounce of strength he had left to kick the Wraith away from him and got on his hands and knees, he started to crawl away but Mike took a firm hold of his ankle. He pulled him back and rolled him over. Sheppard reached up, punched him then carried on crawling on his stomach to the nearest weapon. Mike got to his feet and watched the pathetic Human for a moment, it was such a pitiful sight.

John's fingers curled around the weapon and he sighted down the barrel. He hadn't used this one so there had to be some ammo left in it, he swiveled his body round and aimed it up at Mike. The Wraith used one hand to knock it out of his grasp while the other reached for his throat. Sheppard felt the weapon slip out of his hand and panicked when Mike tightened the grip on his throat, he made a small choking noise as he reached up for the Wraith's eyes.

Mike took a hold of Sheppard's left arm and swiftly twisted it at an odd angle. John cried out in pain as Mike slammed it to the floor and he was convinced that it was broken, he brought his right arm round but the Wraith knocked it away as if it were nothing. Sheppard was finding it hard to focus now and he felt extremely light headed, he let out a breath and his other arm fell to the floor as he looked up at Mike.

"Goodbye Major Sheppard," he said as it shifted back and drove its hand towards Sheppard's chest. John closed his eyes tightly and waited for the pain to come.

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Instead of feeling pain, his senses were assaulted by the sound of a P90 being discharged and it echoed throughout the room. John forced his eyes open as Mike spasmed and he reared up. Bullets struck the creature's back and he fell sideways. Sheppard shifted from underneath the Wraith then inched back until he was out of the way. The bombardment continued until Mike was deathly still.

Lieutenant Ford lowered his P90 and motioned for the men with him to follow suit, he looked over to Sheppard. Aiden was relieved to see him but he remained completely professional and just gave him a curt nod. John glanced over to Mike who didn't seem to be moving anymore then back to Ford as he sat up, trying to ignore the pain in his right arm.

John was the one to break the silence as he rubbed his throat.

"What took you so long?"

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A/N: Just the epilogue to go!