Chapter Five
Zelenka opened his eyes. He immediately felt around him, his breath catching in his throat. He was immersed in a jelly solution, encased alone in a capsule that seemed to squeeze tighter the longer he searched for a way out. His hands met only resistance, until he closed his eyes again, trying to calm himself down.
He breathed in deeply, drawing in merciful oxygen and organising his racing thoughts. He had been cold before but now the solution wrapped him in warmth. He opened his eyes again, strangely feeling no panic at the situation.
Radek saw sudden movement beyond his capsule, but without his glasses and with the solution being opaque he could only make out shapes and dark shadows, nothing more. One of the dark shapes moved closer and rested something on his container.
Zelenka slipped back into unconsciousness, dreaming of Elizabeth and the first time he kissed her. Fleeting thoughts about other parts of Atlantis swam around his mind, though only for a moment, before images of her filled him with comfort.
Beyond the confines of his sleep and container; the light outside reflected off four more capsules, quietly concealing his comrades.
The second brain wave strengthened, ducking and weaving in perfect synchronisation with Weir's. The ghost of a smile tweaked her lips as her thoughts of Radek floated to the surface of her troubled dreams. Last night they had played chess – at least that's how the night started. The brain waves relaxed, then spiked.
Elizabeth screamed as a vision of Radek suspended in the capsule slammed into her mind, causing waves of intense sensation to course through her. The two brain waves tightened and began jumping erratically. Carson and his staff came running to her bed as she screamed again, convulsing violently.
Holding Elizabeth down firmly but not ungently, Dr. Beckett murmured, "OK luv, just what are you trying to tell us?"
The convulsions lessened as Carson touched her hand, softly speaking to her. Just as her body had stilled, a wide-eyed Weir sat up rigidly, grabbing his arm in a vice. She said frantically,
"Help him! You've got to help him!"
Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she collapsed, muscles quivering.