Author Notes: Thank you Katie for beta reading and your continued support of my story. Sorry to my reader for not getting it up sooner. I got distracted with gardening and lawn work, my bad. Anyways I really hope you enjoy this next chapter. Thank you for your reviews.
Chapter Four
"Should we cloak the city?" Chuck asked as Sam entered the command center, filled with commotion.
"If their the ones who received the subspace transmission, it's like they already know the location," Sam said looking at a screen. In truth the whole way to the command center she'd been thinking about her choices. Raise the shield and if they didn't know the location of Atlantis, they would. Cloak the city and if they did know the city would be left open to an attack. Either way it left them in a predicament. Sam didn't have a lot of time to make up her mind.
"What can you tell me about the crafts?" she asked, still studying the screen that was being fed data.
"Smaller than a dart, no life signs," Chuck answered, his hand dancing over the console. "Scanners aren't picking up any weapons. They're accelerating and on course for Atlantis, impact in five minutes."
"Raise the shield." Sam ordered. It seemed a slim chance that these craft hadn't been sent by the people who put the subspace transmitter in Teyla and McKay. Sam's eyes watch the scanner as the blips got closer to the planet at an alarming speed. She glanced out the near by window in the direction the crafts were coming from. For a moment she saw a dark object before there was a single brilliant flash on the shield.
"It appears one craft has been completely destroyed. The other turned just before impact. The one that hit sent out a short data burst to the other craft.
"What's it doing?"
"Circling the edge of the shield, it's scanning us," Chuck informed.
"Dr. Kusanagi, do you copy," Sam said into her ear pieces.
"I do," the Japanese woman answered.
"I want you to shoot the remaining craft down."
Sam had already ordered the Doctor to the Control Chair on her way to the command center. Like Sheppard and Beckett she possessed a natural form of the ATA gene, allowing her to use the control chair with greater easy then those with the therapy. Still Kusanagi had never flown a jumper before, let alone used a drone, but Sam was keeping her fingers crossed that the good doctor would be able to control the drone with enough accuracy to take out the fast nimble craft.
"I will try my best." Sam barely caught a glimpse as one of the yellow drones darted between two buildings.
"The craft has broken off and is climbing." Sam watched the screen showing the drone and unknown craft, which quickly began counter measure, but Dr. Kusanagi managed to keep the drone on its tail.
"Closing in," Kusanagi voice echoed in Sam's ear. Without warning the drone vanished from the screen just as it was almost on top of the craft.
"What happened?" Sam asked.
"I don't know ma'am. The drone just exploded."
"Wonderful." Sam leaned against the control. It seemed the unknown enemy had figure a way to neutralize the drones.
"Should I send out another?" Dr. Kusanagi asked.
"No. Nice job." Sam could already tell by the speed and distance that a drone would never catch up to the craft. "I want you to double check all our logs, find out what happened. Send me a copy." The craft had vanished, no doubt returning with data to it owners.
"Will do."
Sam fought the urge to let out a groan. She was tired and felt like she had one too many problems on her plate. Who here in Pegasus would have the kind of skill or knowledge to disable an ancient drone?
Sam headed to her office, her mind racing with theories and reasons why the drone might have failed or been caused to explode earlier. Possible an energy burst or some kind of shield? A few hours slipped by and Sam found herself back in the medical lab. Keller seemed to be having no more luck then Sam had. She hadn't figured out a way to kill the bio agent with out killing McKay and Teyla at the same time.
"Zelenka still has no idea why the scanners aren't identifying the bio agent and it's a pain to do all this the old fashion way and it's a lot less accurate and slower. I mean, in all sense we are less equipped then a lot of labs back on Earth. We've become so reliant on the ancient technologies."
"Which seem to be less reliable. I'm sorry I had to put Zelenka on to figuring out why the drone failed on us." Sam answered.
"I understand it's just frustrating." Keller shook her head. "It's still going to be several more hours before everyone's blood works are checked, but so far there's no sign of it."
That been the only shred of good news Sam had all day.
She turned to watch Teyla and McKay. Both were in medical beds, hooked up to an assortment of machines in the next room, restrained, and with guards standing nearby. Having been place far enough apart any conversation the two had would be heard by the doctor and nurse moving about the room.
"No offense to Zelenka but I bet McKay would have figure it out. I mean he's just so good at this kind of stuff." Keller said. "If only we could get him to help us." Even Sam would have given anything to have McKay to bounce an idea off or at least divide the job of solving all the problems that were coming up.
Sam turned back to her datapad, scanning over the latest data on the Atlantis Scanner. The biggest thing that confused her was why they couldn't even get an image of the dam thing. Why could a normal microscope and person's naked eye outdo the most sophisticated scanner in the galaxy?
The only logical reason was that somehow the bio agent was directly affecting or influencing the scanner. It must have been designed to fool the ancient technology, which was both bad and good. The person who'd made it had to be smart and understand the ancient technology in a way even they didn't, but it also ruled out the normal suspects and gave them one small edge. They hadn't been expecting them to find the agent, if only they could discover what it did. Keller was right. Earth's inferior technology might be the only advantage they had. It wouldn't be the first time inferior bested superior, Sam's mind flash back to the Replicator problem.
They hadn't encountered any one advance enough to fit the bill, but then again they might have been using some familiar tricks. Maybe they too used cloaking and other such technologies to stay hidden. Still that did her little good.
"Not that it needs to be said, but we're lucky he's normally on our side." Keller muttered not looking up form her work.
"That's true," Sam mumbled aloud, as an idea jump into her head. "You know if we're the enemy it's about time we start acting like it." Keller looked up at her with a curious look.
"Sorry, I don't follow."
"We become the enemy they think we are." Sam's mind raced with ideas. It was risk but still, what other choice did they have? Clearly convicting them wasn't going to work unless they figured out how to kill or affect the bio agent.
"You want us to act like we are the enemy. Isn't that risky, wouldn't that just confirm their delusions."
"As much as you can tell they've been programmed to think a certain way. There's no evidence we could ever show or anything we could say that would prove otherwise. That's what this bio agent does, keeps them blinded, or at least part of it, but if we become the enemy they already think we are, maybe we can learn something new. I know it's risky but at this point we're running out of time."
"I suppose it's worth a try."
"Ok, here's what I'm thinking..."
"Wake up!" McKay jumped and stared at Sam who stood at the end of his bed.
"What do you want?" he questioned.
"Answers. Who are you working for? What are your plans? What do you know of our operations?"
"I told you. I'm…" Sam didn't let McKay get a chance to finish. "I'm sick of playing these games and to be frank I don't have time. We are going to do this the old fashion way." Sam put on an evil smile, at least she hope it looked evil.
"What?" McKay asked. She saw his jaw muscles tighten.
"Doctor Keller," she snapped, glancing at the doctor who entered from another room carrying a small case. Keller removed a syringe from the case, tapping it twice before she moved to stand over Teyla.
"What's in that?" McKay questioned as Teyla's face became etched with fear.
"Poison," Keller answered, taking on the sternest face Sam had ever seen her wear. She lowered the needle and Teyla attempted to free herself from her restraints, but in vain.
"If you want her to live you will tell me everything, now!" Cater locked eyes with McKay, but his eyes tore away, going to Teyla. Sam gave a sharp nod and Keller moved to inject her.
"Wait! Just wait a second." McKay cried. They'd picked McKay, believing him to be the easiest to break.
"Why, you have something to say?" Sam put a sneer on her face, hopeful the bio agent would be put to good work for a change. If they believed they were truly a dangerous enemy then Sam's actions would be right on the mark. There would be no question she'd follow through with the threat. Still she hoped McKay would believe it, and more importantly, not lie.
"Tell them nothing!" Teyla met McKay with a steady gaze.
"I don't have all day!" Sam yelled. McKay opened his mouth but stopped.
"Rodney! Do not say a thing. You know what is at stake."
"Do it." Keller push the needle into Teyla's arm, only waiting a second before injecting the clear liquid.
"Don't." McKay didn't attempt to hide the fear that raced through his voice.
"You can end this, simply give me the information I want and we'll give her the antidote." Sam crossed her arms over her chest.
"Do not!" Teyla as always had remained calm, only the tightness in her muscles gave away just how scared she was.
"I don't think I have to tell you that the faster the antidote is applied the better her chance of living," Keller coldly stated, her face devoid of emotions or care. It creeped Sam out.
"Our friends will come for us." Teyla gave McKay a reassuring smile. "Do not fear Rodney."
"You think they can over come our defenses! Our weapons!" Sam studied each of their reactions; they knew their friends would come for them. Sam wouldn't expect anything less of Sheppard or Ronon. Still the enemy was not at the front door; instead they had sent drone to do a scan. They had disabled the weapon but just maybe they couldn't over come the shield.
"Your days are numbered," McKay boldly answered, putting on a confident look.
"Maybe but she won't make it past two." Sam coldly declared, seeing raw hate fill McKay's eyes. Sam was sure he'd bought it, and he'd kill her gladly to save Teyla. Teyla keep a solemn look on her face, McKay glanced at her once again. His face became conflicted.
She knew how strong their bond as team member was, Sam couldn't imagine if the role was reversed. If Sam her self had been injected she'd want her teammate to hold out, but sitting in McKay's position all she'd want to do was save her friend. The problem was McKay would more likely break when he saw Teyla suffering but that wasn't possible. Sam wouldn't actual torture either of them, which meant she was relying on the illusion to win them over.
"I'll give you sometime to think." Sam answered walking away briskly.
"Do you think this will work?" Keller asked once they were out of hearing range.
"I'm not sure."
"Once the sedative kicks in, Teyla should become sluggish and less responsive."
"Let hope."
"I didn't put enough in to knock her out, just enough to get a reaction. Hopefully McKay's over active brain will assume the drug is attacking her nervous system. At least that what I was going for," Keller sounded as torn as her.
"We can hope." They could see the two talking from Dr. Keller's office. Sam didn't need to hear what was being said. McKay wanted to say something to save her, but Teyla was willing to give up her life for the cause. It wasn't hard to tell when the drug kicked in as Teyla seemed to have trouble keeping her head up and was less responsive. The fear etched on McKay's face was awful but it was the reaction she had hoped for. Teyla was suffering no physical damage, but McKay believed she was. Deciding she'd left him to stew long enough, Sam finally walked back into the room.
"So?" Sam asked, as Teyla muttered something that couldn't be made out.
"Teyla?" McKay cringed at the sight of his friend.
"Your time is clicking down." Keller threatened.
"Fine, we're working for the Kirall. Just give her the antidote and I'll tell you everything." Sam fixed McKay with a steady gaze, which McKay didn't turn away from. She had no idea who the Kirall were, but she didn't say anything.
"Well, I told you," he snapped. "Now!"
"Not that I wouldn't have a lot more questions to ask but your lying." Sam scowled at him. "Not smart."
"I am not." "Yes you are." Keller barked. "When you lose or are defeated you don't lock eyes with people. You look at them but don't meet their eyes completely. The only reason you lock eyes is to try and convey that you are telling the truth, which your not."
"Couldn't have said it better myself. Want to try again?" Sam asked and McKay gave a sad pleading glance at Teyla. It was then Sam knew there was little chance he'd ever tell them the truth. Whatever it was, or who ever they were guarding, both thought it meant more then their lives. Maybe it was just the bio agent at work, either way it did her little good.
"Move them to separate cells and make sure McKay can't get out," Sam ordered a near by Marine. Carter didn't want any slip ups. She wouldn't underestimate McKay's ability to escape.
"What about Teyla?" McKay questioned as they hauled him to his feet.
"I would say she's dead, but it's your choice. You can inform the guards if you have anything you'd like to share with me. That's not a lie," Sam added coldly and saw the pain, and worse, helplessness in McKay's eyes.
"Get him out of here!" Sam snapped. Keller didn't speak up till both were removed.
"I don't think he's going to say anything. He's stronger than people like to give him credit."
"I know. Keep me updated." Sam only got at few steps before Keller called.
"You know we can hold the fort down if you want to catch a warm meal and some sleep."
"I'm alright."
"Sam." Keller gave her a worried look.
'How long before you get any sleep Doctor?" Sam rebuttal the question knowing full well Keller was right.
"I already did, at my desk." The near by staff member refuse to make eye contact with Keller who let a small smile slip on to her lips. "But I needed the rest. We don't know when were going to make any headway. What if an attack does come, we can't all be driven into the ground. Just get a meal, take a shower, and get a few hours of sleep. Take my word, it's better then sleeping at your desk."
"I respect your opinion but…"
"Don't make me order you." Keller crossed her arms over her chest and Sam could tell the good doctor wasn't about to budge.
"Alright, after I…"
"Ma'am." Sam turned to find the commander of SGA-3 entering the room, his team scattered behind him. Not far behind was SGA-5.
"I was just about to contact you. Did you run into any trouble?"
"No."
"Did you find anything?" Keller moved to a female solider who handed her a box filled with shattered dark blue glass.
"There's writing on some of the pieces," the solider added as Keller slipped a glove on and examined a piece.
"It looks ancient." Sam stated studying the pieces over Keller's shoulder. Sadly the glass was broken severely so putting it back together wasn't going to be easy.
"I'll run some test to see if I can get a better sample of the toxin," Keller informed moving away.
"I want a full check up on you," Sam ordered the men, not about to take any risks that they been compromised while away.
"We also found a facility to the north; the bottle may have come from there. Wasn't much left to find, some sort of accelerant was used and the facility was completely sealed, off allowing the fire to burn hot and hard," Lt. Rander informed. Sam took the time to do a short debriefing while the teams were being checked over and then ordered them to get some rest.
After Keller fixed her with another glare she informed the staff she'd be retiring shortly, but reminded them to contact her if anything came up. She caught a quick meal in the café and took a warm shower that did little to ease her nerves as she crawled into her bed.
Keller was right, she needed sleep but sleeping didn't come easy to her. Not when there were multiple problems and a threat looming over her head. Still it was nice to know Keller wasn't afraid to order her to get some rest. God knows how many times, Doctor Frasier had to order her or other members of SG-1 to hit the sack. Sam lay in her bed, staring at her ceiling, trying to quiet her mind that continued to run through the facts.
I would love feed back, I really didn't have an easy time with this chapter. Not sure why. Still I'd like to know what my reader are thinking, is it interesting? Is the pace good? How am I doing with the character interaction? Thank Dream Guardian.