Sunlight hitting his face was what began to shift Carson from his sleep. His eyes slowly opening to the fact that his head did not hurt nearly as bad as the evening prior. He inhaled deeply, starting to look around the room only to notice that the IV had been removed from his arm. A small tan bandage on his arm where it had been. There was no longer the sound of the monitors that had been hooked to him the evening prior. *How do I keep sleeping through this..* He slowly shifted, sitting himself up even more as he looked around the room. Forrest and Castiel were nowhere to be seen, but everyone else was still sound asle
Ronon was sprawled out on his stomach, one arm hanging off the couch. Rodney was still curled into a small ball on the chair he had claimed, and John sound asleep on his back on another sofa. He once again began to move, this time slowly lifting his legs over the edge of the bed to sit up entirely. He winced slightly, as he let his back stretch out. The bandages around his chest were secure, as he glanced down at them. He was already curious about how she had managed to do what she did with such little invasion. He already had plans to ask her about it.
He was about to set his feet on the ground when Forrest walked back into the room. She had some kind of duffle bag over her shoulder with a large platter of food in her arms. She looked at him and smiled "Feeling better?" She asked as she set down the platter at the foot of his bed. "Very" He starting to put weight on his feet as she walked over "Take it easy, no need to overdo things," she said as she set the duffle bag down. "I managed to get the shirt and coat you had on clean. Between Cas's mouth and the dirt in here they were pretty nasty" she said as she reached in and pulled out Carson's shirt and coat. "Thank you, love," he said as he leaned against the bed, taking them from her "Why do you sound so much different than them?" she asked, looking up at him. He smiled "Well, I am from a different part of our world. People from where I am from sound this way." She nodded curiously as she then grabbed some dried fruit from the tray she had brought in "Considering they were on their way to kill Castiel and rescue you, they sleep pretty hard" He couldn't help but laugh "From Rodney, I expect no less. The other two are a bit more alert than this normally."
Just as he finished speaking, Sheppard finally began to stir. Groaning he half rolled to one side, an arm stretching out as he did. He was still for a moment, before finally sitting up and rubbing his eyes "Morning Colonel" Carson greeted him as he pulled his shirt over his head, now covering up his bandaged body. John yawned, now sitting up "Good to see you up Doc. Morning Forrest," he said as he looked over to Ronon as well starting to wake up. "Castiel has already gone out to find Malco and Dazar; they should be returning any time now. I brought you all something to eat as well" she said waving to the tray of dried fruits that Carson had now reached around her for.
Ronon happily shoved Rodney's shoulder, causing him to nearly fall and jump awake "I'm Awake!" His eyes wide as he looked around the room at everyone "What?" "Nothing" Ronon now moving around Forrest for the food. She looked at them all "I need to get down to one of the armory rooms here in the university to get some saddles. But you are all free to roam around here if you wish. Just put things back where you find them and don't break anything" She explained as everyone began to stand. Sheppard hopped up, walking over to the door "I'll go with you and help you bring things back here. I am assuming the saddles are a bit big?" nodding "yes they are" With a nod, he looked at Ronon "You stay with these two, and all three of you stick together okay?" Carson looked at Rodney, and then they both nodded their heads in agreement. Ronon was doing the same "Good, Forrest lead the way."
The hallways of the large university seemed to wind around for miles. Considering most of Earth's universities had different buildings on the same campus, the one here on Loonrian appeared to be the opposite. One massive building on one section of land. It was run down. Apparently, things had been destroyed in the attack, but the structure was mostly intact. Sheppard looked at Forrest as she led the way, having brought her small lamp to light the windowless halls "So Forrest, what exactly have you been doing the past ten years on your own with Castiel?" he was curious, that was a long time to stay alone in a destroyed city. "We keep the records safe and maintained. Mainly since we have had the place to ourselves, Cas has helped me master more specialized medical techniques. Learning things most doctors would normally specialize in. Then we help the resident dragon population. It seems after the attack the remaining population of humans turned against them. Most of the dragons fled south to here where Castiel and I help them from a medical standpoint as best we can." She stopped as they got to a large set of rolling doors. "This is it." she explained as she went to set her lamp down to get a hold of the large metal doors "I got it," Sheppard said as he grabbed hold of the large handles, pulling hard to haul one side open. "Normally automatic?" Forrest smiled "Yes normally, makes it pretty hard sometimes. Normally I just mark doors I need open, and Cas comes and gets them for me." she walked in, holding her lamp into the darkened room, quickly joined by Sheppard's flashlight. "Damn these things are massive." He said as he brushed the dust off the top of one of the strange leather made saddles. "Well, Castiel is not exactly the largest dragon. While he is nearly double the size a Mute dragon should be, the Destroyers, military-bred dragons, probably have almost a 40 percent size increase on him." He looked over at her, as she pulled one of the large leather saddles off the rack; moving it over her shoulders. "Damn" He was already attempting to pull another one. "We will have to come back for two more. We have neck saddles; we will need to get two shoulder saddles as well."
They had made their way back to the main hall of the university with the second set of saddles. Resting upright on their trees on the floor as they all waited. Carson and Rodney now up to their eyes on the tablets of the university library "It is a variation of Ancient, that is interesting enough. For a race that seemed to be advancing at the rate, it was there is no mention or idea of space travel." Rodney explained as he sat on one of the old chairs, happily looking at the tablet "Its hard to read much since you have ten minutes to find and read as much as you can before these shut down again." Carson too had himself immersed in the what medical information he could understand. He had been forced to work around Rodney on these translations enough to be able to pick up at least some things. Forrest sat with the saddles, looking up at the hole in the domed ceiling. * We are coming down, make sure everything is clear* Castiel had finally decided to make contact with Forrest, who was up "Everyone, please stand off to the sides of the hall. Malco and Dazar will not Shrink like Cas since we have to gear them up" She said as she watched the four men move towards the shelves.
That was when the sound came, the ripping sound of a roar that mixed a lizard and an Earth Elk. The last part holding a near musical tone as Castiel flew down into the hall. Shrinking as he did to the tiger size, he seemed to stay in usually. Sheppard realized Forrest had not been joking about the size of the two other dragons. The first one glided in, pitch black with neon green runes along its sides, neck, and face. It had to easily have four or five tons of size on a full sized Castiel. As the one landed, another one moved into the hall. This one the same black-only its markings and eyes a bright red. Both dragons instantly lowered their heads to Forrest, a series of chirps and calls filling the room as she happily hugged their long noses "Good to see you, brothers, again. Thank you so much for being willing to help us" The red marked one letting out some light growls and chirps *Malco says that we have helped them many times, they were thrilled with the hope of returning the favor. * Castiel quick to translate. Though he was Mute, he understood the words of his kind and was able to explain.
"Everyone, this is Malco," Forrest said as she set her hand on the red marked dragon's nose "This over here is his younger brother, Dazar." Both dragons moving closer, their large heads seeming to express their greeting along with the low chirps and trills to the new humans before them. Sheppard looked at the animals before him in a curious wonder, he would have never imagined they would find something like them out here "Um, well hi guys" the dragons almost seemed to laugh as they lay down. Their long bodies seeming to rest in a way similar to a cat. "Castiel, help me gear them up" she spoke out loud, as the other now smaller dragon grabbed one of the saddles and walked it over to Malco. Sheppard grabbed hold of one, walking over to were Forrest had gone to Dazar's shoulders. "That one will go behind his head; right where his skull meets his neck." She explained as she tossed the saddle she held over his large shoulders. The straps falling around as she began to move around the large animal. "I'll see what I can manage," he said as he watched Castiel hooking the neck saddle to Malco.
It was a strange feeling, starting to realize that these animals were probably as intelligent as he is. Moving closer to Dazar's head he set the leather saddle behind his neck. Able to feel the neon green eyes watching as he did his best to repeat what he had seen Castiel doing. Using the straps to connect the saddle to the base of the dragon's horns. The scales warm to the touch, as he looked at his reflection in the black void that they were. There was a low rumble and a few strange clicks from the dragon. Forrest popping up across from him " He says you are doing good considering you have no idea what you are doing." she chuckled as she grabbed the other straps to finish connecting the saddle "How do you know what he is saying?" "Castiel can understand them, and then tells me." Malco was calling his brother over to where he sat below the opening in the dome, ready and waiting to go.
"Wait, there are only two dragons and four saddles. Are you gearing up Castiel as well?" Carson had moved over to the edge of the tablet shelves, followed by McKay. Ronon taking his place near Sheppard leaned against a table. Forrest looked over at the other doctor and shook her head "Only four of us are going. You and Cas will be staying here." Swinging a leather pack, that had already been loaded with a few things "Now wait, you want to leave me here? Why I am perfectly fine to go along w-" He was cut off, as the small silver-haired woman was suddenly looking up at him with a hint of fire in her green eyes "None of you know how to properly ride a dragon. If I put you on one of them and say a rough patch of air hits us, you would end up back here on one of my medical tables. The last thing you need is to be tossed and turned on a rough flight. You are stuck here with Castiel" She left the room silent. As Carson looked at her and leaned back a little; He was speechless, having not expected such an aggressive response. "You will be able to keep in contact with us at all times. The link between Castiel and myself will be more than enough. If something happens here to you, he can tell me, and help you if need be." She turned away, walking towards Castiel *Little much?* She shook her head *Nope, I do not enjoy doing a job twice.* Carson watched as she turned and walked back to Malco "But how am I supposed to know what he wants to say?" Looking at the grey dragon, then back to Forrest with a concerned expression. She sighed, having attached her pack safely to Malco's saddle "You said you could somewhat read my language?" turning to look at him "Well yes to an extent I can."
"Perfect." She walked away from the dragons and to one of the sitting areas in the hall, pulling what looked like a whiteboard "Since your tablets do not work, we can go a bit old school." She explained as she handed Castiel a marker, "He can write fluently. Since you can read a bit, you should be able to get any needed information across to one another." Castiel looking at the doctor before quickly writing hello onto the board. "Well, did not expect that," Rodney spoke up, from where he was standing next to Malco. Carson was still unsure, as he looked at Forrest "We should not be gone long, hour and a half to two hours max. You will be fine."
He did not respond, but stood over by Castiel who seemed to almost smile *So I get to stay with this one?* *Yes, try and be friendly but don't go overboard like you tend to.* there was no response to that, only a hint of annoyance rippled through her mind. "So um, Forrest you said earlier rough air? So like turbulence?" Rodney peeped up again as she walked away from Carson and Castiel. "Yes, but you should be able to manage fine. Get on." She walked over to Malco, who happily trilled as she set her hand on his neck. "Um, how do I? Is there some formality to this?" She rolled her eyes, taking the backpack from his hands and tying it onto the saddle "No just get on." How they all put up with this one, she did not understand, but he must have been worth something to keep around. Rodney swallowed, looking over at the others who were all quite entertained "Just like a horse Rodney!" John called out as he smirked "I am already afraid of those. This one can eat me if he wants." There was a deep rumble from Malco, as Forrest laughed "he said if you don't shut up and get on he will." That was all the encouragement the scientist needed to scamper up and into the leather saddle. Forrest quickly moving over to tie his legs into place on the stirrups. " Just in case for you." She said as she worked "You are gonna want to lean forward a bit, holding the leather just in front of the saddle. The air won't hit you as hard, and you will balance better." She explained as he slowly did as told. "You are all good to get on Dazar" she called back as Malco stood, Causing Rodney to tighten his hold on the saddle. The red-eyed dragon lowering his head and neck down to allow Forrest to swing into the saddle just behind his horns.
John and Ronon looked at each other before looking forward at Dazar who waited calmly for them. "Dibs on the front seat," John said as he strolled towards the green-eyed dragon. It was unnerving, as the dragon moved his head over easily to allow him on board. "Well Dazar, don't go trying anything too crazy alright?" There was almost a chuckle like noise that Forrest did not bother translating as he swung up into the saddle. His hands finding the holds just in front of the seat as he leaned forward and into position. Behind him, Ronon had gotten into the saddle over Dazar's shoulders. It was a strange feeling, as the dragon lifted his head and body up off the floor. The way his body felt weightless to the large animal, it just left John with a sense of wonder.
Both dragons moved around, Forrest looking down at Carson and Castiel "Cas I expect dinner to be ready when we come back!" She called down from Malco's head. The grey dragon nodded his head in agreement. Watching as the group prepped for taking off. "Well good luck!" Carson called up as he watched the dragons move. Soon enough he felt Castiel's paw on his shoulder, holding him in place the dragon shook his head. It was confusing, but the reasoning hit fast. With a powerful downstroke of his wings, Malco lifted off the ground sending anything free flying and nearly knocking the doctor off his feet. Over the sound of the wind and air, a faint scream from Rodney could be heard as Malco lifted off and out of the domed rooftop. Soon enough Dazar moved onto the floor and repeated his brother's actions. The feeling was strange, the wind hard as John held to the saddle. Lifting off the ground the dragon moved out and took to the open air. Overhead Malco glided, waiting to be joined by his brother before heading North. Dazar pushed upwards, moving to fly just off his brother's wing. The cold air stung his face, causing him to lean forward into the dark mane that surrounded him. Glancing over, he was able to see Forrest snug against the other dragon's head. Rodney holding on right behind her on the shoulders. Glancing under his arm to see Ronon too trying to snug himself closer to Dazar's body.
Below them, they drifted upwards, the sight of the city fading as they moved away from the walled road and over the open wilderness. There was something peaceful about it, as much as it was also terrifying. The pair of dragons moving across the sky without much struggle. It seemed like their human passengers were not even there. Even with as smooth as it was, the occasional burst of rough air would move them. The large animals took it in stride and kept their pace northward. John glanced over, able to see as Malco shifted, and moved closer. Putting Forrest close as possible "You can just barely see the base from here! Look ahead!" She yelled over the wind, pointing forward. John slowly shifted, lifting his head up to be able to look between Dazar's horns. In the distance he could see the clearing in the trees, then the massive black stone walls around some base. The buildings large and bulky, even at the range they held it was easy to see. Malco moved overhead once more, as they glided ever closer to the base * It been a while since you were there last.* Castiel's voice filling her head *four years? I think that was when we raided the food stores here last. Was empty then. Hopefully, it is still that way.* She had no idea really if anyone had managed to get into the base. It was designed to be accessible by air only. She was nervous and excited all the same, as they flew closer and closer to the base.