Chapter 8: A new home for Atlantis.
Twelve hours after John had started flying the city, he was so connected to Atlantis and her systems that he didn't want to leave. Things had gone relatively smoothly until ten hours in when he had detected an erroneous energy reading in the star-drive. Atlantis was constantly whispering to him and helping him stabilise the energy fluctuations and although that gave him some sense of peace, he was already feeling exhausted. But he knew that he was the only one that could safely fly the city all the way to DF-556 and land her safely.
Listening to Atlantis and her gentle whispering, he gave into her gentle caress and let her lead and guide him.
He knew that if he didn't keep going then Atlantis would be lost for all eternity and then he would kill his new friends as well.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the exhaustion he was feeling and settled in for the long journey ahead.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
McKay was there keeping an eye on the erroneous readings and he had been there since they had started. He was so focused on the task and his friend in the chair that he didn't notice when Joe and Shalite entered. He had told then what was going on about an hour before and they had been in and out of the chair room since that time.
"Is he alright?" Joe asked and Rodney could see that he was concerned for John not only as a friend, but as a doctor as well.
"Would it be possible to disconnect him from the chair and fix the energy fluctuations?" Shalite asked and he could see the worry written all over her face.
"Sheppard is adjusting the power flow manually, the problem with the erroneous energy readings are getting worse. If he disconnects now, we could have a big problem, as in Atlantis could explode in space."
Shalite put her hand up to her mouth in shock, "Oh, that is not good," She replied.
"Well in that case, I'll need to monitor his vitals." Joe explained, with concern for Sheppard's wellbeing.
"If that's what you need to do, go right ahead." Rodney mumbled.
Joe looked at him and Rodney could see the frustration in his eyes, "You know what I wish I had a medical team right now."
"I can help you Joe, just let me know what you need me to do." Shalite offered.
"I need you to help check his blood pressure and I will set up an IV to make sure his fluids are kept up." Joe answered and it was clear to Rodney that he had already brought his equipment to the chair room with him.
"Really, IV's, blood pressure cuffs, what voodoo medicine hasn't changed in 50,000?" Rodney asked him with sarcasm.
Rodney wasn't too happy when Joe turned and glared at him, "of course medicine has changed and evolved Dr McKay, but while we are on Atlantis this is the best I could come up with."
"Well okay, I guess you'd better get on with it then, I'll get back to monitoring the energy fluctuations."
Rodney was so engrossed in monitoring the energy fluctuations that he barely noticed what was going on around him, he knew that John would be in good hands with Joe and Shalite to look after him, so all he could do was concentrate on what he was doing and hope that Sheppard would be able to adjust things manually until they arrived at DF-556. If he didn't none of this would matter and Atlantis may just explode in space.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Sharlite sat next to John and held his hand, while watching his face. The look on his face was so intense that she wondered whether he would evermake itto their landing site. "How is he Joe?"
"His pulse is a little fast, but it's strong and his blood pressure is within normal range, so I don't see any problems at this stage. "Joe told her.
Shalite look from John to Joe, "do you know how long it will be before we reach our destination."
"I think we have a little over twenty hours to go, so I will keep monitoring him until we get there. I have just inserted a feeding tube and I'll start monitoring his brain wave patterns using a portable EEG machine. I'm going to set up a heart monitor to keep an eye on his heart rate and rhythm as well, as this situation seems to be having and adverse effect on his body.
Before Shalite had a chance to say anything Rodney interrupted again, "really, feeding tube, EEG and a heart monitor? Are you sure we're not back in the dark ages?"
"You'll be happy to know that even this equipment has involved in 50,000 years. Don't forget that after the great war, the humans of this galaxy were just a bunch of scavengers, doing their best to survive. It took thousands of years to start to develop the technology that you may have taken for granted on earth." Joe explained and Rodney could see that he wasn't very happy.
Shalite looked at Rodney and she sensed that he was a little hurt by Joe's rant, so he didn't bother to reply and he just got back to his work.
Shalite did however feel the need to reply, "thanks for everything you're doing for him Joe, I know he's in good hands."
She knew that John would do everything that he could to make sure that Atlantis made it, she had a strong suspicion that he would sacrifice himself to save them if need be. Over the last two weeks, she felt that she'd gotten to know him quite well and she sure that he was that type of man.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John was aware of everything that was going on around him. He felt the IV being inserted in to his hand; he felt the leads from the heart monitor being connected to his chest and the leads for the EEG machine being connected to his temple. He almost gagged when the feeding tube was inserted down his throat.
He knew that there was nothing he could do about it now. Atlantis was whispering instructions to him. In fact, Atlantis' voice was becoming stronger and louder, to the point where what was happening around him was beginning to fade into the background. He had to monitor these power fluctuations or all of Atlantis could be destroyed and he wasn't going to let that happen.
The last thing that he felt before he gave himself totally over to Atlantis was Shalite's soft silky hand taking his. He just smiled and let Atlantis take full control of him.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Shalite was becoming increasingly worried by the intense expression on John's face, she was sure that he was going to have a heart attack or stroke or something if he kept this up much longer.
"Rodney can't we just drop out of hyperspace?"
"We could drop out of hyperspace and repair it, but we can't deactivate the chair unless Sheppard does it. We don't know what will happen to him if we pull him out." Rodney explained.
"Oh," was all that Shalite said, as she went back to holding John's hand. She looked up into his face and noticed that there was blood gushing out of his nose. "Dr Jarvis should his nose, be bleeding like that?"
"Dam it." Joe muttered as he rushed to John's side. "Get me something to stop this bleeding?" He ordered.
Shalite let go of John's hand long enough to find some gauze out of the first aid kit and give it to Joe, he held it under John's nose until the bleeding stopped, but he didn't miss the concentration and pain lines around his eyes.
"I don't like this. I hope he lasts the next twenty hours." Joe muttered.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Ten hours later and nothing had changed; in fact, things had gotten slightly worse for John. Rodney was still monitoring Atlantis' systems, Joe was monitoring John's vitals and Shalite was still sitting beside him holding his hand.
His blood pressure was high and his breathing was laboured. John's nose had been bleeding on an off the entire time and Joe was beginning to worry that they might have to give him a blood transfusion, when this was all over. They had no stored blood on Atlantis, but he had medications on board that could make his or Shalite's blood compatible if need be.
Suddenly, his blood pressure dropped and his breathing evened out. The pain lines around his eyes began to ease and Joe sighed with relief, things were looking good for now.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John was still communicating with Atlantis, but he was really beginning to feel weary and he wanted out.
He heard a gentle voice speaking to him and looking around the darkness, he saw nothing.
John, do not worry, just relax and let me help you?
Atlantis?
Yes, John I am here.
What do you want me to do Atlantis?
Just try and relax and I will help as much as I can.
John relaxed into the caress of Atlantis and he felt much better. Better than he had for a while.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Twenty hours later Joe was still in the chair room monitoring John. His vitals were still steady, but he'd shown no sign of being aware of their presence.
Shalite had joined them in the chair room again after a few hours rest and she just sat there holding John's hand.
Shalite had no idea what was going on, but she suspected they were close to their destination. There was nothing for her to do, so all she could do was sit next to John and be a comfort and support for him.
Rodney walked over to John and spoke directly in his ear. "Are you ready to land this bird?"
Rodney looked straight and him and saw the slight nod off his head. "Let's do it then Sheppard."
Rodney watched the computer as Atlantis slowly began its decent, while Joe watched John's vital signs.
"The decent is looking good." Rodney commented.
"Blood pressure elevated and his pulse is a little fast." Joe commented, looking at the pain lines returning around John's eyes.
"Our descent is still looking good."
"Dam it his blood pressure is still rising and his nose is bleeding again." Joe told him, grabbing some gauze.
"Come on Sheppard almost there." Rodney encouraged him.
"Hang on a little longer John." Joe encouraged.
A few minutes later a cheer went up around the chair room, as they felt Atlantis gently touch down on the ocean.
Rodney stood up and looked at Shalite and Joe, "hey guys welcome to DF-556 Atlantis' new home.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John knew that it was going to be difficult to land the city, because of the power fluctuations. He was absolutely exhausted and he knew that the only way he was going to be able to do it was with Atlantis' help.
Atlantis, are you there?
Yes, John I am always with you.
I'm really going to need help landing?
Just relax and let it happen.
So, John relaxed the best he could under the circumstances. When Rodney told him, it was time to land he nodded slightly and concentrated on landing.
It was one of the most difficult things he had ever had to do even with Atlantis' help, the power fluctuations were getting worse and he almost lost concentration on several occasions. Finally, he set Atlantis down gently on the ocean and he started to relax, but there was one last thing he needed to do, he switched the shield to a cloak, as per Rodney's instructions.
They had discussed it before leaving the previous planet and had decided that seeing they had managed to get the cloak working they would activate it when they arrived on the new planet. At this point they really didn't want anyone knowing where Atlantis was. It was decided at the appropriate time that Shalite would inform the archaeological academy that they had moved it.
When he opened his eyes and sat up, Shalite, Rodney and Joe were looking at him with concerned looks.
"I did it," he whispered, before closing his eyes and falling forward.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Shalite watched as John pitched forward and she was relieved that Rodney and Joe caught him in time to prevent him face planting. She felt an immense sense of fear come over her, had John managed to pilot Atlantis to its destination only to die at the last moment? "How is he Joe."
"Don't worry Shalite, he's just unconscious, but I don't know how long he's going to stay that way. For now, I'll leave him on the floor and monitor him, if he doesn't wake up soon I will have to move him to the gate-room somehow."
It wasn't long before Shalite heard a moan from John, so she rushed to his side, "John how are you feeling?"
"Headache."
"John we would like to move you to the gate room, do you feel up to moving?" Joe asked him and tried to help him sit up.
"Yeah, as long as I can go to sleep again when I get there. I'm feeling totally wiped."
That had to be one of the strangest things she had ever heard, "wiped, I do not know what that means." She said with confusion.
"It means that I am totally exhausted and I want to go to sleep as soon as possible." John told her with a yawn, which Shalite thought might split his head in two.
"Okay then let's get you up." Joe said to him, before turning to Rodney who had been quiet since they had landed, "McKay I might need your help?"
"What, no, no, no, I have a bad back and I can't help you carry him." Rodney replied despite the fact that he was a hologram. He then wasted no time backing away from John.
"Don't worry about it Joe, if you help me up I think I can manage for myself." John told him and Shalite didn't miss the glare that he gave Rodney.
Shalite along with Joe helped John get to his feet and then they started to slowly walk through the halls of Atlantis. Shalite walked on one side of him, Joe walked on the other and Rodney walked behind. None of them were helping him, but they were on the lookout just in case he fell flat on his face.
It took them twenty minutes to reach the gate room and when they did, Shalite and Joe helped John lay on his sleeping bag where he promptly fell asleep.
Shalite helped Joe set up his monitoring equipment for John again, since they had no idea how long it would be before he woke up again, he had just been connected with Atlantis for 48 hours straight and Rodney had suggested that John would probably sleep for two or three days, as he would probably be totally drained by the experience.
"Why don't you guys go and have a look at Atlantis' new home, I will keep and eye on Colonel Catastrophe?" Rodney suggested.
Shalite glared at him, "why do you call him that and I don't mean Colonel. I understand that is a rank in the military and that John is a soldier and pilot, but I think calling him Colonel Catastrophe is cruel"
"Sorry that's what the original McKay used to call him, since he was often getting injured. But you're right, it's not very nice. I'll try not to do it again." Rodney replied sheepishly.
"If you are going to stay with John for a while, perhaps I will accompany Shalite to the nearest balcony and have a look at this new planet." Joe suggested holding his hand out to help Shalite up from her spot beside John.
Shalite happily took his hand and they both wandered over to the balcony by the gate room. When she stepped out on the balcony she was totally astounded by what she saw. The sky was a brilliant blue, the sun was shining and it was glinting of the ocean. There was land in the distance and birds were flying across the sky.
Rubbing her stomach, she looked at Joe and smiled, "I could imagine raising my child here. I wonder if the archaeological society would let me live here and help restore it."
"I must admit, I would love to live here as well and if a team came to restore it, they would probably need a doctor."
There conversation was cut short when Rodney joined them, "wow this is amazing."
"Dr McKay, it you are out here, who is with John?" Shalite asked him.
"I rigged his com to activate if he starts to wake up." He told them looking around at the view, "you know what I think that I would like to live here. This place still needs a lot of fixing up, so you will definitely need a scientist who is an expert in ancient systems."
Shalite sighed and looked out at the ocean again, she was surrounded by friends and these two men along with John had become her best friends. So, if they all ended up on Atlantis together, it would be the most wonderful thing she could possibly imagine happening for her future.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Tuart slowly awoke to the feeling of pins and needles in his arms and legs. He had no idea what had happened to him and his crew. Looking around the room he quickly realised that he seemed to be in a jail cell and it was not unlike something that he had seen in his nightmares. Roget was in the room with him, but appeared to be unconscious for the moment; at least he hoped he was.
Sitting himself up against the slimy walls, he tried to remember what had happened to him. The Phoenix was on its final approach to Louisa, when a ship had started to fire on them from out of no-where. They had managed to fire back and raise the shields, but it didn't take long for the enemy vessel to punch a hole in their shields and board them, his men put up a good fight before some kind of stun device was dropped on the bridge and that was the last thing he remembered before waking up here.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing about what had happened was the hideous beings that they had been fighting. They looked like some kind of hybrid beings and he was positive that part of them was human.
Thinking about all of this was really beginning to make his head hurt, so he thought that he might as well go back to sleep and then maybe the next time he awoke someone would be able to give him an explanation of what was going on. One thing he knew for sure was he was glad that Shalite wasn't here, he hoped that wherever she was, John Sheppard was looking after her and his unborn child.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Carson watched as the deformed creatures roamed about Michael's ship. What amazed Carson the most, was they were all cloned from cells that had been kept in stasis for thousands of years and what was even more surprising was how quickly they had been grown. They had gone from single cells to grown creatures in less than two days and this really worried him, because if Michael had this kind of technology then there was no stopping him. The only hope was that he would be able to find John and send him back in time to defeat Michael in the past.
"Carson, I need you to go and talk to the new prisoners for me, they may actually feel more comfortable if they are talking to another human. I will question them later when the need arises." Michael said as he came up alongside of him and startled him.
Turning to look him is the eye, he shuddered at the cold hatred he saw there, he suspected that the humans that had been captured were in for a rough time, "what do you need them for and what do you want me to ask them?"
"I want to know where Atlantis is and I want to know where John Sheppard is. I suspect that one of them is the father of the unborn child that I need to complete my latest experiments, so I need him to tell me where his mate is."
Carson wondered why he needed this child, he had cloned a great deal of hybrids. "Why do you need the child, surely you have the ability to grow as many hybrid clones as you want."
"Yes, that is true, but they only live a few days and even if I clone from the hybrid clones they still die after a few days, despite all of my knowledge for cloning clones from clones. I need fresh DNA to stabilise them and not only do I need DNA from this special child, I need wraith or Iratus DNA. The good thing about that is I know where the last of the wraith are hibernating and I know where there is a cave with Iratus bugs and their eggs!" Michael informed him with a snarl.
Carson was willing to question the prisoners, but he still couldn't work out why Michael needed them. "With all of your research on cloning from a clone and the fact that you're able to prevent the cell degradation, why won't it work on your hybrids?"
"For some reason the technique doesn't see to work on the human/wraith hybrid clones, so that is why I need to find the child as quickly as possible.
Carson sighed, he knew that he had to play along with Michael for the moment if he was going to have any chance of escaping at some point in the near future. "I guess I'll get right on it then."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The next time Tuart awoke, he found that Roget was awake and sitting next to him. The pins and needles were gone and he felt much better, despite his surroundings.
"How are you feeling?" Roget asked him with concern.
"I've been better." He looked around the tiny cell before continuing, "have you seen anyone else?"
"Apart from those hideous creatures that captured us, I don't think that there is anyone else here." Roget replied and Tuart could tell that he was nervous.
Tuart rubbed his temple, as he felt his headache notching up a little, "yeah that's about all I've seen as well. Have you seen anyone else from our crew?"
"No, but from what I understand the ship was destroyed, so if the crew aren't here, they have all been killed." Roget told him and Tuart could sense sadness in his voice.
For once Tuart was relieved that the space academy had ignored his request and not given him any extra crew members for this trip, "I guess it was a good thing that we only had a small crew complement this time."
Tuart was surprised when another voice spoke from the opposite side of the room, "your crew are still alive."
Tuart and Roget turned to face the newcomer and Tuart was surprised to see that he was human, "who are you and why are you here?"
"My name is Carson Beckett and believe me when I say, I want to help you, but the creature named Michael wants me to ask you some questions. Please answer me as honestly as you can and I will try to help you get off this ship at the first available opportunity."
"First you need to tell me where my crew is?" Tuart asked him with determination.
"They have been put of the ship and dumped on a planet nearby. There is plenty of food and water for them there, but I have no idea whether Michael needs them for anything or not." Carson answered him and Tuart sensed the sincerity in his voice.
Tuart looked into his bright blue eyes and thought of Joe, "Okay I believe you, so what are the questions you want to ask us?"
"Do either of you know where John Sheppard, or Atlantis is. Michael is also looking for an unborn child, who he believes has wraith DNA?"
Tuart looked over at Roget and gave him a slight nod of his head giving him permission to answer Carson's questions.
"The last time we saw John Sheppard was when we left him on Atlantis, along with a hologram of Dr Rodney McKay and Tuart's pregnant wife Shalite. Our Doctor also stayed with them."
"So, you know where Atlantis is then?" Carson asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.
"Well, not exactly," Tuart answered him," they were trying to move it, since the planet it was on is orbiting a red giant. I have no idea whether they managed to move it or not."
Carson sighed, "I'm not sure that Michael is going to be happy with those answers, but I will try and give him some kind of satisfactory answer, until I can find a way to get us out of here."
Tuart had heard Carson mention Michael on several occasions now, so he was curious to know who he was, "Carson, is Michael the same person that my ancestors fought against in the great war?"
"Yes, he is and it is a long story, as to why he is here now. I don't know if he can be defeated or not, but I suspect that if John Sheppard goes back in time he will be able to defeat him in the past."
Tuart couldn't really believe what he was saying, "I'm sorry Carson, but why are you so convinced that this John Sheppard can stop him in the past?"
"Because in the past Michael is holding his pregnant friend hostage and the John Sheppard I know would do anything to protect her. He'd give up his life for her if the need arose and the way John feels about Teyla, nothing will stop him until Michael is dead."
Tuart thought about what Carson had said, perhaps that is why he felt that Shalite would be safe with him and despite the fact that he'd had them put of the ship, which was a decision that he now regretted, he hoped that they had managed to move Atlantis to a safer position and he hoped that Michael would never find them.
"Carson, I really hope that you're right about John Sheppard." Roget stated.
"Aye Lad, me to."
TBC…