Hi guys, I am actually still writing this (I am on chapter 10 and hope to finish that today, so this time travel concept is completely explained.) Don't worry sheppardlover928 they know - well someone will remind them. I hope you enjoy and I will post these as quick as I can. Oh and yes I know this story is confusing but it will end. ;) (I hope)
Sometimes you picture me
I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear
What you've said
Then you say, go slow
I fall behind
Time after Time – Cyndi Lauper
Two weeks on this planet weren't nearly enough time to fully study and understand the structure and all the data the ancients have left behind.
But at least I got a good idea how the system works and probably can also figure out how to gate there directly, without landing in the wrong time.
Rodney is already planning the next steps in his research and sends an e-mail to Sam explaining that. To be precise it is already his sixth mail in as many days.
That should tell her how serious I am.
After that he turns his attention back to his computer, which is running a translation algorithm, but his concentration is disturbed by knocking.
"If you value your amenities you better have a good reason to disturb me! The sign says, 'Do not disturb!'" he shouts angry and the response is laughter. He sighs and gets up "Sheppard! That is not funny. I am doing important work here!" He throws open his door and sees Sheppard and Ronon still shaking with laughter. "I am busy. What do you want?" he tries again, to get someone to tell him what is going on.
"We are here to pick you up."
"Pick me up for what? We don't have a meeting on the schedule!" at his answer he notices Ronon looking confused. "Ok, Sheppard lets go. Apparently, he isn't hungry!" after saying his piece the satedan walks away and John follows. He has to admit his stomach is grumbling a little bit and so he hurries to catch up with the two men.
Over their meal the discussion turns back to the portal planet as Sheppard has dubbed the thing.
"Rodney, we cannot simply go there any time you deem necessary. I thought you had gathered enough information to do your research?"
"Why not? You confirmed that the three…"
"Four" came a gruff correction from Ronon.
"Ok, four persons had cleared out and taken all their belongings. So, it is again an empty rock!"
"I said no, Rodney! What if they come back and attack us? Or worse ambush us!" That comment gets him thinking and after only seconds he has a solution: "Easy. They are gone now, so we can position a MALP there and monitor it remotely. Dial in every couple of days and check the telemetry."
He leans back. He is sure they will recognize this is a great and safe plan.
"Just one tiny problem… how are we going to monitor a MALP on a planet we cannot dial directly?" Rodney rolls his eyes. Of course, Sheppard had to ask a stupid question. He claps his hands and elaborates his earlier statement: "That's the beauty of this solution. We bring the MALP there via the tried and tested detour but after that we start dialing the planet directly. If we don't receive anything, we most likely have a connection to the past, therefore no MALP is there. If the telemetry is normal, we can check the video and go through the gate. Outcome number three: the MALP sends back a date from the future… well I vote we go through and explore more of that Atlantis."
That got you to shut up, huh!
In his mind he even does a little victory dance. He has thought of everything. He is Rodney McKay after all and he is the smartest man around.
Somehow Sheppard and Ronon change the subject back to the new recruits and the training schedule they have set up. That leaves him free to go back to his lab and do some research. But when he gets up the siren starts and Chucks voice booms through his ears:
"Unscheduled off world activation. Major Lorne's IDC. Dr. McKay we are not receiving any audio."
He can see it on Sheppard's face that he has just heard the exact same thing and just like on autopilot they get up and sprint to the control room. Sheppard even manages to give the command to open the iris and give the all clear anyway. And Ronon calls for additional security teams in the gate room.
When they arrive in the gate room, he counts four people, one of them looks seriously injured. The rest of them are on their knees with their hands in the air. Sheppard hurries down the stairs and orders the men to stand down, waves the medics over. That makes him take a closer look and then he recognizes one of the persons. It's the young lieutenant who relieved him of his tech back in the future.
That perks Rodney's immediate interest and he too hurries down the stairs. He hears the tail end of the orders Sheppard gives out: "patient in isolation, minimum contact. Only what is absolutely necessary. The rest will have to give up any and all equipment which will be stored here in a crate next to the gate. And then they are to be taken down to the holding cells. Only I will talk to them. Is that clear?" All men obey him in an instant. Rodney is still amazed by how easily John Sheppard commands now compared to the early days when he was thrust into command and had to lead.
Now he really is a leader.
Subconsciously he must have been rubbing his hands in anticipation of looking over the tech the team brought with them, because he hears: "I promise: I won't let McKay touch your equipment!" Spoilsport! But nonetheless he can clearly see the relief washing over the Lieutenant he already knows, a sergeant and a young woman when they file out of the gate room on their way to the holding cell with their marine escorts.