A/N: Since "No Man's Land has aired, this is now AU.
Thanks to all who have submitted reviews.
Those looking for Shweir will find it in future sections.
Disclaimer: Stargate: Atlantis, and all characters and locations, are the intellectual property of others.
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Waiting and Planning
Hive
"You know, we're going to need a plan for when we get to Earth, assuming Earth is their destination," said Sheppard, around a mouthful of something purple.
John, Ronon, and Rodney were sitting around the F-302, munching on some kind of melon that John and Ronon had managed to find the previous day. It wasn't much, but it helped stretch their resources, and there were some more possibilities in the cargo area.
"Oh, it is, Colonel. The wraith took great glee in informing me of their intention. Practically rubbing my nose in it after all the work I did on analyzing their ship." McKay eyed the fruit suspiciously as he bit into it. "How long have we been in hyperspace?"
"About 12 days by my calculations. I've tried to keep track of time, but I could have missed something."
"Ok, it will take a hive ship almost 22 days to get to Earth, so we have 10 more."
"Wait, how do you know it will take 22 days?"
"Excuse me, did I or did I not just spend a week analyzing the schematics of a hive ship. Their engines are not quite as powerful as those of the Daedalus, so 22 days. Back to the more important question, that means we have to have enough food and water to survive, we have to not get caught, and we stay out of trouble for 10 days. Given your track record, Colonel, I would say our chances are not good."
Ronon glanced over at Sheppard and smirked. The scientist could certainly go to the bad points of any situation.
"Rodney, you forgot that to get off of this ship we have to commandeer a dart. Three of us won't fit in my F-302. Then we have to fly down to Earth without being shot down. So, there are some additional positive thoughts for that narrowly focused brain of yours."
"Do we have to take the dart? I'm not so crazy about using an energy beam as a way to travel."
"So now you're channeling Dr. Bones McCoy?"
"Who?" said Ronon, while McKay scowled.
"Rodney, I really don't think you and Ronon will fit in the rear seat of the F-302, so that leaves the dart. We've done it before, so it should work just fine." John took a swig of water and passed the canteen around.
"I think I have an idea about the being shot down," said McKay, as he passed the water to Ronon. "We can take out the IFF transponder on the F-302 and hook it up to the dart. That way the other flying grunts will at least ask before they shoot."
"Ok, what about when we get there? I was going to go to the Ancient outpost in Antarctica, but it might be better to drop you two off in Colorado."
"No no no no no. You are going to need me to help with the chair. I did a lot of study on that chair before we left, and I think I have some ideas about how to get more out of it."
"There are a few problems with that plan. I'm not sure if you realize this, McKay, but it is winter in Antarctica, and the temperature is going to be brutal. And we are not exactly dressed for a winter holiday." Sheppard made some pointed glances at their current attire. Ronon and he had stripped to the waist, while McKay was in a t-shirt.
"I'd forgotten how cold it was."
"We don't have any cold weather gear, and if I remember correctly, the winter temperature can go down to 40 degrees below 0. I will have to transport you to a point very close to the base tunnel if you even want a chance to survive. After I drop you, I have to loop back to land. Add to that the problem that it is dark in the winter. Since the dart doesn't have a clear canopy, that's not too big a deal for me. I'll be navigating by instrument anyway. However, you have to find the base quickly, and they have to be able to find you."
"Well, Colorado is lovely this time of year."
"Oh, no, I think I will need you with me. All I'm saying is that there are more risks than you have outlined."
"You know, Sheppard, you're supposed to be the optimist in this team. I am perfectly capable of pointing out the problems with our various schemes on my own.
The men cleaned up what mess they had made, mostly peelings, and prepared for what had become their regular day. John and Rodney would go back to the storage closet John had found earlier to collect water. Ronon would stay with the ship until they returned, then he and John would seek out more food. They were not able to carry much with them, so they had had to make a trip every day or every other day to keep up with their needs. They were still successfully evading the wraith, but each day increased the likelihood of their discovery.
"OK, Rodney, let's get moving." Sheppard picked up the canteens and started toward the bow of the ship.
"Great, a genius with a PhD and I'm a glorified water boy." McKay grabbed the other containers and took off after the Colonel.
Atlantis
Teyla was feeling the loss of her teammates keenly. Picking up her food in the mess hall, she looked around for someone to sit with and was suddenly struck with how alone she was.
"Please join me, Teyla." Elizabeth Weir had just picked up a tray with a bowl of soup and had stopped when she saw the Athosian. "I don't want to eat alone, and you may be the only person here who understands."
Teyla gave a small smile in understanding, and followed Dr. Weir to a small table against the windows and out of the main flow of people.
They sat down and began to eat. Or at least they picked up their utensils. Teyla was stirring her food, and Elizabeth looked out the window. They were quiet for some time.
"I am not sure what to do if they do not return." Teyla's voice was soft but anguished. She put down her fork and looked at Elizabeth. "I had not realized how much I have become a part of a team. While I can and will return to my people, I will carry an emptiness with me."
Teyla's words echoed Elizabeth's thoughts so closely that she had to look away before answering. "Teyla, you will always have a place on Atlantis. But we must not give up hope."
"I realize that, but it has been two weeks.
"Yes, but we can't give up." She took a sip of soup, then put down her spoon. It tasted like dishwater. Looking up, she saw her feelings mirrored in Teyla's face, and looked away before she lost control. As she tried to think of something to continue the conversation, she noticed Teyla's gym bag. Thinking of one of John's favorite pastimes, she considered the other woman.
"Teyla, would you mind teaching me stick fighting?"
The Athosian leader looked up, startled. "You wish to learn how to fight?"
"Yes, it is something that I have been meaning to ask you. I have not been exercising enough recently, and I thought it would be a way to deal with stress."
Seeing through her, Teyla responded, ". . .and a way to feel closer to Colonel Sheppard." She looked down, "and Ronon."
Elizabeth paused. She had forgotten that Teyla might be especially fearful for Ronon. "Yes," she said. "Will you teach me?"
Teyla looked up with a half-smile. "Yes, I will."
"When do you have time?"
"Would now be too soon?"
Elizabeth mentally checked her calendar. "No, now would be fine. I'll go change and meet you in the gym in 20 minutes."
"You should finish your soup. I will not make it easy for you."
Elizabeth looked down at the now tepid soup, and took a few more sips. "I'm still not too hungry just now. Maybe after our session."
Teyla nodded, and they both stood up and left their trays, containing most of their lunch, in the scullery area.
Dr. Carson Beckett, seated alone in the corner grabbing a quick lunch, watched them leave. He was going to have to speak to Elizabeth again about eating. Suddenly his earpiece chirped.
"Dr. Beckett, come in please."
"Beckett here."
"One of the Daedalus wounded is in distress."
"On my way." Carson Beckett grabbed his sandwich and ran, all thoughts of Elizabeth Weir's eating habits forgotten.
Hive
Sheppard and Ronon crouched behind a bulkhead watching a wraith remove food from the storage facility they had found three days ago.
"I hope he doesn't take it all," said John. "It was hard enough to find the first time."
"We could steal it," said Ronon, once again running his hand over one of his knives.
"Quiet, Ronon, means little or no fighting for you as well as no talking for McKay. Remember, we don't want to be seen."
They continued to watch, and the wraith eventually took his supplies and left the area. The two Atlanteans waited a few more minutes, listening to his footfalls fading in the distance. They then eased over to the store room and checked it for supplies. John opened the door while Ronon kept watch.
"Well, that's it for this bin," said John. "Was that the last one on this level?"
"Yes."
"OK, so we keep going. Up or down?"
"Up," said the Satedan, and he led the way to a hatch leading to the next deck up.
Just as they reached the hatch, it opened from the top and a wraith began to descend. The two men quickly jumped behind a bulkhead and froze. The wraith didn't see them, but it stopped to sniff the air, curious. Eventually it moved on down the hall.
Sheppard and Dex emerged from hiding, breathing deeply. "That's it," said John in disgust. "We've got to find some way to at least wipe ourselves down. Things are getting ripe."
Ronon snorted and led the way up the ladder to the next deck and possible food.
Atlantis
The briefing had been going on for the past hour and a half and for once, Elizabeth Weir was not really paying attention. When the last scientist had finished describing, in infinite detail, what they hoped to find on the next planet, she closed the meeting and dismissed the science team, indicating to Major Lorne, Teyla, Dr. Beckett, and Dr. Zelenka that she wanted them to stay.
"I want a few updates on some other things. Carson, how are the wounded?"
Dr. Beckett still looked tired though all of the remaining casualties were on the mend. "We still have 10 Daedalus personnel in the infirmary, but I expect to be able to discharge the last of them in one week."
"Major Lorne, have you been able to fill in the remaining teams?"
"Yes ma'am," he said. "All teams have a full complement except SGA-1."
Teyla spoke up. "I asked that Major Lorne wait to designate another team as SGA-1. In the meantime, I have volunteered to go with any team needing my help, and I will help train new teams if needed."
Elizabeth looked at Teyla with understanding before turning back to Major Lorne. "I think we need to resume our explorations. We still need another ZPM, really two, to bring Atlantis up to full strength. Dr. Zelenka, is there anything on long-range scanners? We don't know if the hive alerted the other wraith to our presence."
Radek Zelenka looked up from his laptop and shook his head. "All scans are clear at this time. I agree that another ZPM would help in our preparation for their inevitable arrival."
"Ok, Major Lorne, please prepare a team to explore the next planet on our list."
Everyone prepared to leave with the usual shuffling of chairs and paper, when Elizabeth looked up at them one more time."
"I have one last thing to bring up." She paused, schooling her features into her diplomatic mask. "I know you have wondered about a memorial service for our missing men. I have decided that the best time for such a service will be when the Daedalus returns. By that time, they will have been missing over a month. Also, if they are still alive, the Daedalus will be in a position to know and affect a rescue if possible. I want to thank you, Major Lorne and you, Dr. Zelenka for taking over the leadership duties in your areas. That's all." She stood up and left for her office. The others glanced at each other then filed out behind her.
As Elizabeth entered her office, her eye fell on the small pot John Sheppard had given her two years ago for her birthday. She recalled the day in their first year on Atlantis. She barely knew him, and did not yet fully appreciate his role in the expedition. They were just finding their way. Yet he had done something kind, something that showed her he was more than he appeared. Since then, she had used the pot for the ashes of her older self, knowing that's what she would have wanted. As she opened her laptop to read yet more reports, she blinked away the tears blurring the screen, hoping she did not need to use it as an urn again in the near future.
Hive
Rodney was bent over the F-302 when Ronon and Sheppard came back from yet another food foraging trip.
"Hey, I think I have a solution to the sabotage question. . ." he started, then he looked up to see John leaning on Ronon and limping badly. "Oh great, you had to go and get beat up again. What happened this time?"
Ronon eased Sheppard down next to the ship and moved to retrieve their limited first aid kit. John, grimacing, began to ease down his BDUs.
"Oh, I so do not need to see this. Two-week old underwear with the lovely addition of blood."
"Can it, Rodney," said Sheppard. He was looking at a deep gash on the outside of his thigh. Ronon stepped over with a bandage and some alcohol wipes. The kit didn't have anything more elaborate.
Answering McKay's earlier question, John began his tale while wiping blood away from the wound. Unfortunately, the pain made his recitation less than smooth.
"We were -- ouch! – exploring another deck when we heard a wraith coming." His breath hissed as Ronon took another alcohol wipe and continued cleaning. Ronon's medical touch needed some work.
"Anyway, we looked for a place to hide and had to sprint for a hatch in the floor. Damn, Ronon, not so hard!" John tried to keep himself from grabbing his leg. "Since they were about to come around the corner, we dived down the hole. I caught my leg on some kind of brace and it ripped, pants, skin, everything." He pulled out the gauze, created a pad, and began wrapping the wound. Rodney was not impressed with how quickly the pad was soaked in blood.
"That's it? You put all our lives in danger by jumping down a hole?"
Sheppard looked at McKay like he had sprouted another head. "Look, Rodney, we didn't have much choice, the gash isn't too deep, and the wraith still don't know we're here, so I think things worked out pretty well."
"Once again you used your brawn instead of your brain. We'll be on this ship a minimum of five more days. We can't afford for you to get an infection. You are our only way out of here since neither Ronon nor I can fly a wraith dart."
"Rodney, cool it. It will be ok." Sheppard looked for a way to distract McKay. He didn't want to admit the same thoughts had crossed his mind. "When we got here, didn't you say you had a way to sabotage the hive?"
"Oh, yes, and it's so obvious it's brilliant, if I do say so myself." Rodney gave his usual jaunty half-smile and walked over to the cockpit of the F-302. "All we have to do is overload the engines. The fuel left in the ship will explode, taking out this bay and any darts left. Given the location of this bay in the hive, there is a good chance the explosion will be strong enough to crack the ship in half. At the very least it will cover our escape."
Sheppard sighed, glad Rodney had been deflected. His leg was hurting, and he didn't want to move it yet. "Can you put some kind of timer on that? We want enough time to get out of here before it blows."
"No, Colonel, I want to go down with the ship. Of course I can put a timer on it! That's what I was working on when you two fumbled in as usual. Once the overload starts, we'll have ten minutes to get out of here. If I wait until you bring the dart down to the bay, we should have plenty of time."
Ronon looked over at Sheppard, holding up a packet of Tylenol. Sheppard shook his head. If he ended up with an infection, he would need relief from a fever more than he needed pain relief now.
"Great, Rodney. Now if you would just help me over to that crate, I'll settle down and we can plan out our last five days on this pitiful excuse for a spaceship."
In the end, Ronon gave Sheppard a hand, and the three of them divided their tasks, allowing for an injured man.
As the three settled down for what they declared as "night", John Sheppard knew he wouldn't sleep much. He looked at his leg and hoped Rodney was wrong about infections.
TBC