"You finished yet McKay?" Sheppard asked as he walked into the lab with Woolsey and Young.
"Not yet. I keep telling you this is incredibly complex." McKay snapped back.
"Well we are running out of time." Sheppard said.
"Look. I can send this anytime, but if you don't want to assume the entire city is being manned by untrained chimps I need to make sure the encryption is good." McKay shot back.
"Well how long?" Sheppard asked.
"I don't know. I have never done anything like this before." McKay snapped.
"You have five minutes." Sheppard shot back before looking at Woolsey's pale, worried face. "Relax, he always makes a fuss."
"I have complete faith in Dr McKay's abilities." Woolsey said.
"You do?" Sheppard asked surprised, earning a glare from McKay. Recovering he then asked. "Then why do you look so worried?"
"You mean apart from the fact that the IOA poster boy has lost his mind and we are about to commit mutiny?" Woolsey asked.
"Technically it is not mutiny. He is being relieved of his duties because he is insane." Sheppard said, but it did not make Woolsey feel any better. "Look I know this goes against lot's of IOA rules and you may get into a lot of-"
"Actually Colonel there are plenty of IOA rules supporting our action, it is just that I have never done anything like this." Woolsey said.
"You'll get used to it."
"That Colonel is what I am afraid of." Woolsey replied ruefully. After a pause he asked. "How long before your plan comes into effect?"
"Probably half an hour. If you want to do what you want to do now is the time." Sheppard said. "But Woolsey you would be safer staying down here and waiting. There is no telling what he will do to you."
"Thank you for your concern Colonel, but I owe it to him to give him a chance to surrender. Besides at the very least it will buy you more time. Good luck." He said
as he nodded to Young who escorted him back to the control room.
As Woolsey climbed the stairs to his former office Dyson caught sight of him and asked.
"Have you corrected the situation yet?"
"To be honest, the staff are unhappy returning to duty whilst you are in charge."
"This is not a democracy."
"True, but Dr Keller is a popular member of staff. Assaulting her did you no favours."
"Assault? Is that what she told you? I barely touched her."
"Regardless of what happened, it is a serious complaint. Perhaps it would be better to step aside and hand control of the city over to Colonel Sheppard." Woolsey suggested.
"God damn it Woolsey. I will not be dictated to by a bunch of bra burning hussies." Dyson said causing Woolsey to loose his chain of thought. "Richard, it don't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep. How long did you reckon you could hide it?"
"Hide what?"
"You're colluding with the enemy."
"The enemy?"
"Those damn aliens. I'd hoped it wasn't true, but I have seen the truth now."
"The truth?" Woolsey asked, convinced he was missing something.
"Confess and we'll go easy on you."
"Confess?" Woolsey said.
"Damn it Richard don't play games." Dyson said as he slammed his fist into the desk as he was once again filled with rage. "I need to know what damage you have done. I will find out one way or the other."
"What do you mean?" Woolsey asked, now feeling in imminent danger.
"Don't think I don't know what toys you have here." Dyson said menacingly. Woolsey was sure the accent was becoming less. "My men are not afraid to use them." Dyson then shook his head and seemingly calmed slightly. "I know this ain't your fault Richard. They got to you and you had no choice. But I have to know what has happened. I will give you an hour to come to your senses." Dyson finished leaving Woolsey even more confused. Before Woolsey could ask for clarification Dyson barked at Young.
"Lieutenant, I want this traitor confined. In one hour bring him to the interrogation room."
"Yes Sir." Young replied from the back of the room.
Resigned to his fate and praying that Young really was on his side Woolsey turned and allowed himself to be escorted out of the control room. When they entered the transporter Young said.
"If you want to go for the backup plan we can Sir."
"Colonel Sheppard's plan is still the safest option and I still have an hour." Woolsey said. "No need to look quite so surprised Lieutenant."
"Sorry Sir, I just assumed being on the receiving end of an interrogation was not your scene."
"Trust me it is not, but an hour should be ample time for the Colonel to resolve the situation."
"And if not?"
"Well we have an hour to come up with another plan that won't endanger our people."
"Yes Sir." Young replied as they walked down the corridor.
In Jennifer's quarters the occupants sat waiting, beginning to grow restless. When the doors hissed open they stared optimistically at Woolsey. As he dejectedly entered the room, the doors hissing shut behind him, the group lost faith in a quick resolution.
"I take it the situation is still the same?" Lorne asked from where he stood on the other side of the room. Woolsey nodded, before looking at the bed where Jennifer was now sitting, her back against the headboard, Ronon next to her.
"Dr Keller I am glad to see you," he paused not to sure what to say, finally he added, "off the floor." Ignoring Lorne's snort he asked. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes thank you."
"Good." Woolsey replied as he awkwardly stood in the corner. "And Major, how are you feeling?"
"Like shooting Dyson." Lorne replied.
"I meant are you feeling dizzy? Headaches?"
"No I'm good."
"Have you had any luck making Mr Dyson see sense?" Teyla asked.
"No. I believe he has gone quite mad." Woolsey confessed.
"So we are definitely going with the Colonel's plan?" Lorne asked.
"It seems to be the safest option." Woolsey said still hanging back in a corner.
"You can sit down if you would like." Jennifer said noticing his air of discomfort. Still looking uncomfortable Woolsey briefly nodded and sat in the empty chair net to Carson.
"What will happen to Dyson afterwards?" Ronon asked.
"He will go back to Earth and face disciplinary procedures." Woolsey replied.
"I meant after Sheppard's plan, before he goes back to Earth." Ronon said.
"Oh. Well…" Woolsey started before Jennifer and Carson said in almost unison.
"Full medical scan."
Woolsey raised an eyebrow so Carson explained. "If his behaviour is out of character there could be a medical reason. One that could prove deadly if left untreated not to mention pose a risk to everyone else."
"Very well." Woolsey conceded. "He will undergo a medical followed by confinement."
"Shouldn't we question him?" Ronon asked. Before Woolsey could answer Jennifer said forcibly.
"No." Ignoring the confused faces of the others she looked at Ronon and said. "The only reason you want to question him is so you can hit him."
"He deserves it." Ronon argued.
"No hitting. It will only cause problems." Jennifer replied firmly. Ronon opened his mouth but decided better of it, causing smirks from everyone else in the room.
"So earlier when you said you would like to suspend Dyson upside down from the East tower and see how he liked it, that wasn't an order?" Lorne asked, Jennifer just glared back at him.
"So how much longer before the situation is under control?" Carson asked.
"I believe the Apollo should arrive in the next few minutes." Woolsey said after examining his watch. "As soon as the problem has been removed and the city is safe Colonel Sheppard said he would come and find us. Obviously it will be several hours before everything is running normally again."
"Not to mention the hours of paperwork this will involve." Lorne added.
"Although not for us." Woolsey said.
"Why?" Lorne questioned.
"My orders from the IOA were to relinquish command for seventy-two hours. Technically I won't be in charge of the city again for another fifty-four hours."
"But Dyson will no longer be in charge." Lorne said.
"True, but when Dyson is removed from office Sheppard will assume full control and will be the only leader of Atlantis until the seventy-two hours have finished. Therefore, all paperwork involving this incident will be the responsibility of Colonel Sheppard." Woolsey said, causing both Teyla and Lorne to grin.
"Of course Major, ignoring the possible concussion you have, you have also been removed from post. I believe a full investigation, which will of course find you innocent of all charges, will take a few days. During which time I am afraid you can contribute no formal reports. Again that responsibility will have to fall to Colonel Sheppard as he is the only one senior enough to do it." Woolsey said.
"Who exactly will tell the Colonel and ensures that he does the work?" Lorne asked.
"I will inform him and Ronon and Teyla will ensure he fulfils his responsibility." Woolsey answered.
"I will?" Ronon asked, whilst Teyla just quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes. You see the time Sheppard spends on the paperwork will probably take a week. During which time SGA1 is grounded. This will offer the perfect opportunity for Teyla to spend time with her son, perhaps taking a holiday to see the Athosians and Ronon you will be able to spend your time ensuring Dr Keller does not return to work too soon."
"Remind me never to cross you." Lorne said quietly before he started pacing.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I am afraid that I am going away for a few days and won't be able to update again until next Saturday.
