AN: Wow - 13 reviews in twelve hours; I'm flattered. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and Congrats to nebbyJen who is nominated for a bunch of stargatefanawards herself!

SPOILERS for "Trinity"

SUMMARY: After the events in "Trinity", Sheppard and McKay's relationship is strained at best. But is stranding them in a remote lighthouse with only Zelenka as referee going to help them work things out?

DISCLAIMER: The following story is a work of fanfiction, and as such is for fan enjoyment only. All recognizable characters/settings are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is made.

Deus Ex Machina

By KerrAvon

2. The Lighthouse

"Kind of…gothic, isn't it?" commented McKay as the three men stood and stared at their new temporary home while the two soldiers escorting them unloaded their gear into the building. Despite the sunny day, the lighthouse appeared to be brooding, crouched on the cliff edge like an ancient forgotten battlement. The walls were made of a dark stone, the masonry visibly crumbling in places. Moss and ivy covered a majority of the five-story tower, although the wider base of the building had been recently cleaned. There was little ground cover leading up to the hulking edifice; just jagged rock of various dark hues with a gravel path snaking towards it. A brisk ocean breeze chilled them in defiance of the summer sunshine; Rodney was certain the structure would look more at home in the gloom of a storm.

"Shall we?" Sheppard asked in a cold monotone, gesturing forward with businesslike precision. McKay's eyes slid sideways at the man; he'd been uncharacteristically quiet on the whole trip, and now seemed downright sullen. Rodney suddenly wondered if Sheppard's attendance on this mission had been…somewhat less than voluntary. Gulping uneasily, he hoisted his rucksack, mentally shrugged and forced a jaunty air.

"Sure, why not?" he replied. "I'd like to get a good look at Seinlein's notes first hand." The three men headed up the slope.

Inside they were greeted unexpectedly by a delegate from the Deltarran Commission of Science. Standing in the midst of their mounds of equipment, the pudgy faced, ruddy man emanated welcome and good will, reminding Sheppard of a shopping mall Santa Claus. The ingratiating fellow made a beeline for McKay, who instinctively took a step back. Recovering quickly, he recalled that he'd been introduced to the man during the negotiations at the Capitol. Casting about his memory, he finally came up with a name.

"Dr. Wicket, how nice to see you." He paused a beat, then narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

The Deltarran's smile dimmed slightly, "That's Widget," he corrected.

Sheppard, standing slightly behind the Atlantis scientists, rolled his eyes and grimaced at McKay's mistake. 'Typical', he thought in disgust. 'No attention to detail.'

Dr. Widget's demeanor revived as he waved expansively about the domicile. "I just wanted to welcome you officially to our planet and see if there's anything you need."

Rodney's eyes slitted suspiciously. He didn't like overly-effusive politician scientist-wannabes and this one made his skin crawl. He opened his mouth with an acerbic reply when Zelenka stepped forward.

"Thank you so much for your generous hospitality, but we are fine." Zelenka was at his most polite.

Dr. Widget looked momentarily confused, but quickly resumed his prior disposition. "I'm sure you are, Doctor…?" he hinted broadly.

McKay regained control of the conversation. "If you must know, this is my esteemed colleague, Dr. Radek Zelenka." After months of working one-on-one with the Czech, Rodney could finally recite his name without a hitch.

Radek bowed courteously, "At your service."

"And I'm Colonel John Sheppard," the pilot interjected before Rodney could introduce him.

Widget looked surprised. "You brought a guard?" he blurted.

The colonel raised an eyebrow in askance. "More of an escort. You know, sometimes things…happen," he glanced sideways at McKay. "I'm here to prevent that." He flashed a quick, feral smile that promised mayhem should anything…happen.

The bureaucrat cleared his throat uncomfortably, confused by the threat in Sheppard's eyes. "Yes…well…there were a few details I thought you might need to know about Bellwick Tower that could save you time…"

The one thing Rodney grasped immediately was that the sooner this fellow 'did his duty', the sooner he would leave. Opening his arms to indicate receptivity, he pointedly ignored Sheppard's comment as he plastered on a fake smile and replied, "We're all ears."

Widget turned professional as he strode to the front door. Indicating a keypad, he stated, "This sets the building alarm system. Use any four-digit code you like when you set it, and it will require the same code to disarm. It is rigged to all the outer doors and windows on the first two floors. When triggered it sounds an alarm not only here and at the local constabulary, but also at the Science Commission's security desk."

He pointed to the overhead lights. "The power for the complex comes from an ethanol generator in the basement, so the security system can't be bypassed by cutting outside powerlines. The storage tank was filled in anticipation of your arrival, and usually lasts for over a month."

Next he led the three Atlanteans into an adjacent room, unnecessarily commenting, "This is the kitchen. It has been well-stocked for your visit, but you also have a line of credit available at the village store for any items not provided or that you did not bring yourselves. The water is potable of course."

"Of course…" murmured Sheppard, deciding to test it the minute their tour guide departed. McKay was not alone in his dislike of the smarmy bureaucrat.

Re-entering the main room, Widget pointed out two more doors. "That door," he pointed to the left, "leads upstairs to the sleeping quarters, library, etc. That one," he indicated the right, "leads to the basement lab and research facilities. It was there that Professor Seinlein's corpse was discovered. We have eradicated most of the smell by now, though." The administrator's previously-pleasant face twisted into a satisfied smirk, transforming the previously-pleasant countenance into a nightmarish mask.

McKay nervously edged closer to Sheppard. "You never mentioned how the professor met his…untimely demise?" He rolled his hand as he searched for the correct phrase.

Widget shrugged nonchalantly. "He botched the experiment and it blew up in his face. Creating a feedback loop for a cloaking device that massive and complex is inherently both dangerous and unstable."

Zelenka tapped a stylus to his chin, "Surely not as dangerous as creating a shield to cover the entirety of the planet?"

Widget started, but quickly regained his composure. Drawing himself ramrod-straight, he replied, "At least with a shield you have a way to discharge the excess energy created. And with our Naquada supplies, we can create a lot of energy. Potentially enough to blow up the planet." One of the reasons Weir had been anxious to get Deltarra's good will was the possibility of a Pegasus-Galaxy source of the precious substance.

Sheppard decided this was becoming awkward, and he really didn't want to broach the topic of exploding planets. As McKay opened his mouth to argue, Sheppard extended his own hand and interrupted, "It was nice meeting you, Dr. Widget, and thank you for the tour. I'm certain we can manage from here. May I have my men take you back to Deltarra Prime? They're headed in that direction." He gestured to the two burly Marines standing at parade rest on either side of the front door.

Widget paled. "No, no, that won't be necessary. I have my own transportation." Hurriedly he made his farewells and exited, leaving Radek and Rodney staring after him in open-mouthed amazement. The two soldiers followed him out.

"Why'd you run him off?" demanded McKay.

"I, for one, am glad that he did," commented Zelenka, as he began rooting through the crates for his laptop. "There is dissension in the Deltarran scientific community concerning the best way to protect the populace from the Wraith; some support a planetary cloaking device, while others favor the manufacture of a huge shield." He nodded towards the departed Deltarran. "I am certain that you can tell which camp our visitor is in."

Rodney only looked confused. "I'm sorry?"

Sheppard, who had knelt and begun sorting out his own personal items, snarled without looking up. "Come on, Rodney, the man was practically gleeful that the leading scientist on the winning side of the debate was killed in a research accident."

"Winning side?" Rodney was clueless.

Patiently Radek explained, "The government only had enough funds for one of the two projects, and Dr. Seinlein was the more…persuasive."

Sheppard shot McKay a dirty glance. "Don't you ever read your mission briefings?"

The astrophysicist became defensive. "I memorized all the data provided on the feedback loop equations, thank you very much. I simply ignored the…political drivel…as being superfluous."

"Then next time, try at least skimming it." Sheppard's voice dripped sarcasm as he stood with his rucksack and headed for the stairs to the tower. "I'm going to check out the living quarters, then double-check what 'smiley' told us about the security system and the water."

Zelenka continued to wade through the crates until, with a cry of satisfaction, he extricated his PC. As he straightened, he noted Rodney staring at the front door deep in thought.

"About that…why the need for such security in a place this remote?" McKay gestured to the pad by the door.

"Perhaps Dr. Seinlein was concerned about someone sabotaging his research?" suggested Zelenka, sidling up. "After all, the shield faction was clearly pleased to see it fail. If we hadn't come along to continue his work, the funding would have automatically reverted to them."

McKay was not reassured. "That's a disturbing thought." His eyes widened, "You don't suppose…?"

"No, I don't," replied Radek firmly. "An independent investigator concluded that there was no 'foul play' involved. Do you think Elizabeth would have sent us if she felt we were in any real danger?"

"She sent Sheppard along, didn't she?" answered Rodney defensively.

Pursing his lips, Radek replied, "I think there might be other reasons for his presence here." Before Rodney could think about that statement, he hurriedly continued, "And Colonel Sheppard is correct. Next time, you must read entire mission briefing before departure." He gestured towards the basement door. "Shall we examine the laboratory?"

"I suppose." McKay stared thoughtfully at the data entry pad for a moment longer, then followed the Czech out of the room.

TBC….

AN: I have most of this story written, and am posting it as my beta reviews it. Thanks for your patience!