A/N: When watching Tracker I always wondered what became of Kiryk, and what would he have done with his life once free. Ronon had Atlantis, what would Kiryk have? Still would love for readers to review and let me know how the story is doing. Any type of criticism is helpful. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or it's wonderful characters.
Spoilers: Through Season 5 up to Brainstorm.
7 – The Hunted Becomes the Hunter
Kiryk was pacing the backyard where Dr. Keller and Major Lorne's team retreated to. During lunch Kiryk said there was something he wanted to discuss with them before they left, but his continual pacing was making Jennifer a bit worried about the subject matter of the discussion.
"Kiryk, you have our undivided attention, why don't you get on with it," Major Lorne ground out growing impatient.
"OK, but please try to hear me out on this one," he said anxiously. He gave everyone one last look before beginning.
"While I owe my life to Dr. Keller being able to disable the device the Wraith implanted in me, I've found I don't have a lot to do with my time." As he continued to pace he hoped he explained this properly. He needed them to understand.
"I want to make a difference. I was good at evading the Wraith trackers; I succeeded in taking many of them out and always stayed a bit ahead of them." He stopped pacing for a moment looking away, "My only regret was mistakenly leading them to Celise's village, but that is something I'll carry with me forever."
He looked back at Keller and Lorne, "As you know I have a tracking device I took from one of the Wraith trackers I killed…" he began pacing in earnest again, "I've thought this over… and… I want to track down other runners. I want to help them get free of the Wraith, just as I have. That is no life to live, any mistakes you make cause you death, or many other innocents their lives…, if you live long enough. No one should live that way."
Major Lorne spoke up, "There are all kinds of flaws with that idea, but let me start with the most daunting. Ronon told us there were very few runners. It was thought to be a fluke that we…" Lorne trailed off trying to think of the right word, "stumbled across you."
"That may have been true for Ronon while he was a runner. It's my understanding Ronon first became a runner over 10 years ago. During that time many of the Wraith were… sleeping. As you know they were awoken about four years ago. They needed many more runners for their young warriors to train with." Kiryk sat down at the picnic type table Lorne and Keller were sitting at. The rest of Lorne's team was standing about leaning on trees and things.
"OK, well let me suggest another flaw," Jennifer hesitantly started. "The implant you have is much more advanced then the one Ronon had. Dr. Carson was able to surgically remove Ronon's device. Yours on the other hand couldn't be removed in that fashion. I had to basically… kill you to kill it." She glanced at Lorne and then back to Kiryk, "That is a huge risk to take; you could've just as easily died that day."
Kiryk leaned toward Jennifer and tried to alleviate her worry with a calm voice. "And it's a risk I would take again." He continued with an earnest voice, "I'd prefer to die by your hand trying to be free, then by the Wraith's hand…and it was just a matter of time. Your runner was a legend because he lasted seven years, most don't make it past a year."
Lorne cleared his throat, "So, I'll point out another flaw. You'll put this planet in danger bringing a runner here. It'll take time for you to get a message to us and for us to get a team here with the Doc. During that time, even if it is short, this village will be in danger. I can't think the village would be ok with that. I can guarantee Colonel Sheppard won't stand for it either. With the time the trackers have already spent here when they were tracking you, this planet would become a target, and the villagers would never be safe."
In a very angry voice Kiryk replied, "I would never put this village or Celise in jeopardy again."
Lorne's team moved a step closer at Kiryk's tone, but the Major held up a hand and they obeyed his silent command. "I didn't mean to question your honor, just point out the obvious. I'm sure you've thought this out. How did you plan to get the runner to us?"
Kiryk took a deep breath; this was going to be the tricky part. Kiryk was up and pacing again, "I've thought long and hard about it. I think the best way to ensure everyone remains safe is to first make contact, which I'd do by myself. Then I'd make sure the runner knew the risks involved. If they still wanted a chance at freedom I'd give them three gate addresses to uninhabited planets and tell him to be sure to be at one of them the next day." He looked at the Major to see his reaction so far, but was unable to tell what he was thinking. "I'd then contact Atlantis and the next day we'd check each of the addresses and attempt to free the runner."
Lorne stood, "It sounds like this is not only something you really want to do, but you've put a lot of thought into it." Evan looked at Jenn and could tell she'd love to help if possible. "Colonel Sheppard is the man you'll need to convince, not only that it is a good plan, but that none of his people will be hurt… or at the very least, that the risk is worth it."
Lorne turned to Keller, "And you know Sheppard and Ronon won't let you come, it'll have to be one of the other doctors."
Jennifer turned steely eyes on Lorne, while Kiryk and the others looked on like spectators at a football game. "I'll just have to remind the Colonel about the big needles and the good drugs and I'm sure he'll see it my way." She could see the humorous light in Major Lorne's eyes and so she played along, "And Ronon's not the boss of me," she said as she stuck her tongue out at him. Lorne laughed outright, while his team tried to hide their laughter behind cough's and mumbles to each other.
"Lt. Jacobs, Captain Sanchez" Lorne called over his shoulder.
"Yes, sir," came the simultaneous replies.
"Sanchez, you're with me, Lt. Jacobs, you and the rest of the team are with the Doc." Lorne saw Jennifer and Kiryk both start to open their mouths in protest but he continued cutting them both off. "I'll go call Atlantis and see if Sheppard's team can come meet with Kiryk."
Ronon was walking towards the transport near crew quarters when he saw Lt. Cadman coming towards him. Although he respected what the woman could do with explosives, her forward nature unnerved him. Knowing she was Jennifer's best friend made him all the more anxious when around her. He typically didn't care what anyone thought of him, but nothing that had to do with Jennifer could be considered typical and Cadman herself was anything but typical.
"Ronon," she called as they neared each other.
"Cadman…, I take it the Daedalus is here."
"Yep, we set down about an hour ago," she looked him up and down and crossed her arms.
He wondered what she was thinking, "Doc asked me to tell you that you better have movies and popcorn for when she got back from her mission."
"Got that covered," she confirmed. "Why didn't you go with?" she asked bluntly.
"Lorne's team is with her… at her request." He hated that he felt the need to justify his actions, or in this case inactions to her.
Cadman smirked at him, "Of course she did."
Ronon would swear there was something wrong with this woman. He tried just glaring at her; it worked with most of the other marines.
Of course with this woman it wasn't working, she laughed out loud.
Ronon rolled his eyes and shook his head in annoyance.
"Calm down big guy. Just trying to find out if you're both still avoiding each other," she declared.
Ronon fixed her with a frown, but before he could say anything the city's paging system came to life, "Colonel Sheppard's team please report to the control room right away."
Laura nodded at Ronon, "Go, odds are she needs you."
"I actually like the plan." Sheppard agreed about an hour later sitting across the picnic table from Kiryk.
"I'm in," Ronon said, he felt like it was not a choice for him. It was something he had to do for any runner Kiryk could find.
Sheppard looked at Ronon before looking across the table at Keller. "Doc, how long will it take you to show us how to use your equipment?"
Jennifer's mouth fell open for a second before she stood up, placing her hands on her hips, anger evident in her eyes as she walked over to John. "Not a chance Colonel. You are not doing this without me." She whirled on Ronon before he could say anything, "get over it, I'm going." She turned back to Sheppard and glared at him with all the anger she could muster, "You're not killing someone and bringing them back to life without me."
When she finished she was met with silence. "I assume we're about done here, I'm going to go say goodbye to Celise."
"Colonel?" Lorne inquired once Jennifer was in the house.
Sheppard turned to find Lorne's team standing at attention behind the Major. "Yes, Major," came the weary reply of the Colonel.
"With respect, sir, if the Doc is going on the mission with you, we'd like to be present also." At Sheppard's continued stare the Major continued, "We've grown attached to the Doc and don't like to sit at home waiting, pacing even, while she is offworld."
Ronon shifted, not too happy with the thought of them being attached to Jennifer.
Lorne smirked at Ronon's reaction, "It's kind of similar to the reaction of finding out your sister is going on a date with the school jock," Lorne held Sheppard's gaze, "sir."
"I understand, Major," John looked toward the house and then back at Lorne, "I'd welcome the help."