Scene II
The First Steps
The sandy, mountain side slid away catching the backend of the Puddle Jumper. Sand and gravel carried the backend around until it faced down and then it dislodged the now upward facing front end from the boulders. The entire Puddle Jumper cascaded down the slope to the base of the mountain with a muffled plunk. By the time the sand avalanche subsided, the entire Jumper was buried under tons of debris, sand, and gravel. The inside would probably be filled and there would be no time for excavation.
Rodney had brought Teyla over to another outcropping of boulders where Ronon had stacked all of their supplies and the baby. Rewapeh was in an armory crate with foam packing. She cooed and ate her hands as the three limped from the Jumper just ahead of the landslide.
Pain gripped each man to varying degrees as it did herself. No one could hide the fact that if Carson suddenly appeared with pain medication in a syringe the size of a gourd they would take it in a heartbeat. With the image of a needle the size of a squash in her head, she eased down onto the ground as Rodney and Ronon helped John do the same. He immediately retched and painted the sand red sending Rodney into a panic.
"I knew it! He's not going to make it to the Gate and neither are you, Teyla! We've also got Roo-a-poo and…"
"Roo-wa-pay," corrected Teyla. "Hand me those paper towels and some water," she directed pointing at the roll of blue.
Ronon retrieved the water and Rodney handed her the towels. "I'm just saying, the Gate's a good day, day and a half walk…with your knee and back and his…that," he pointed at the smelly, pink sand, "and the Jumper is under the side of a mountain and…"
"We'll figure it out, McKay," grunted Ronon breaking his silence while leaning against a rock.
"Figure what out? How we're gonna die? Because let's not forget, we have one or two other very big and deadly problems."
"We know, doctor," conceded Teyla as she wiped the blood from John's mouth and let a trickle of water pass his lips. "Flip him on his back and let's see the rest of his injuries. I also think it is time to feed our bonded daughter." Teyla kept her mind on the necessities as well as Dr. McKay's very real concerns.
"Oh come on, bonded daughter…she's just…"
"Promise to a dying woman, McKay," warned Ronon taking a swig of water, himself.
"Yes, yes, take my daughter…she is yours now, I proclaim you her four patrons. She is bonded to you, please save her…"
"It is an honor, Dr. McKay…"
"I know…it's just…but we're…I'm just not good…"
"With kids, we know." Ronon answered with a knowing grin on his face. "But, Sheppard did his part in getting us this far…now it's our turn."
If Rodney could have flopped down without jarring his arm, Teyla believed he would have. Instead, he sat down gingerly at the Colonel's head. He kicked sand on the remnants of Sheppard's insides revolting and sighed.
"We can't stay here. We're exposed."
"Agreed," Teyla and Ronon replied in unison.
Rodney raised an eyebrow. "Well, now we have to survive; you owe each other a Coke."
Rolling her eyes, Teyla looked out at the harsh landscape. It was white sand with some darker tan mixed in. In the distance, she could see more mountains, sand dunes and plains of rock before them. A desert like landscape with little or no water available stretched before them.
One thing left to do and only she could do it. She reached out and felt them immediately. She looked disappointedly at the others. "They survived."
"Of course they did," snapped Rodney. "They love to do that."
"Can you tell how many?" Ronon asked.
"Not distinct enough, two, maybe. Very far away, seems the Colonel's last shots downed both of their ships." She was sorry she could not tell more; they were just too far away.
"Okay, let's make a list," Rodney grounded out. "Four injured adults, one baby, no Jumper, Gate a good day and a half away, and pissed-off Wraith. Sound about right?"
"Sand," said Ronon. "Lot's of rocks and sand."
"Sand, sorry, forgot about the uncomfortable stuff in my drawers and stockings," sneered Rodney.
"Think you've hit all the high points, McKay," whispered John from the ground.
"Oh hey, look who's with us!" McKay retorted in mock-cheerfulness. "Just in time to join in the round table discussion."
Sheppard's eyes rolled in his head and Teyla could see where some of the blood vessels had broken in the whites giving him a sinister look. His head was on one of their packs and his legs bent upwards. Red still stained his teeth and his forehead was a deep purple almost black that spread down his face.
"We need to find a better spot, because he's right. I'm not going to make the Gate," Sheppard breathlessly whispered.
"I will not either." In response to the pensive looks of Rodney and Ronon, she merely held up her hand.
Teyla already knew how dire her situation was, for the Colonel and she shared more than one injury: her back, her head, her knee, and, like the colonel, her abdomen as well. She remembered, as the craft went down, sliding forward only to be pushed forcefully back by the front of the ship collapsing around her. After that, things became hazy until Ronon woke her up.
"We will go as far as we can. Then it will be up to the two of you to bring help," she declared as if it was not the death knell for Sheppard and her, but a ray of hope.
McKay looked stricken and Ronon looked resigned. But, they both knew the truth in her words.
"We gave a solemn oath to the baby's mother that we would get her to safety, and that is what we will do. Ronon is right, John has done his part. The next is mine and then it will be yours." Her will unbreakable and her determination set, she held her head up and dared each of them in the face. She looked at John for agreement, but he was already unconscious again. With such obstacles, it would not be an easy promise to fulfill.
McKay slumped his shoulders, but straightened them, right away. "Alright, let's prioritize what we need. Water, baby supplies, a few rations, water…"
Rodney and Ronon unpacked and repacked their gear. She fed the baby with the thinned out milk and checked the diaper. It took about an hour in the hot sun, but finally they were ready to go.
Ronon had found a broom in the Jumper and had grabbed it before the ship's demise. He fashioned a padded top to put over where the bristles used to be. He had cut them off and had put a small nylon bag filled with some of the packing foam from different delicate gear Dr. McKay insisted on bringing to cushion under her arm.
Rodney squeaked and blanched when he pulled the backpack over his arm and onto his shoulder. Ronon did the same trying to figure out how to keep the strap from hitting his shoulder. He finally slung it diagonally with most of the weight on his good shoulder. He placed Rewapeh in the crook of her arm and finally, roused Sheppard, who stood up in a daze and nodded his readiness on wobbly knees.
"Sheppard, it's time to walk. Put your hand on McKay's shoulder or grab the backpack here," Ronon directed him and placed John's hand on a strap looped around to become a handle.
After a few feeble attempts Rodney lost patience, "Here Ricky Raccoon, just let me grab you because the incline is going to knock off all of our equilibriums." Rodney snaked his arm around Sheppard's waist and grabbed at his belt.
"Well, let's fall, with style, down this mountain…" Rodney breathed out.
Teyla, dismayed, realized Rodney was right. They skidded and slipped and slid down the sand ending up on their bottoms more than once. They rested when rocks appeared and continued with the gradual descent. At some point, John went boneless pulling Rodney with him. They completed their journey down the oversized dune quicker than anticipated.
"McKay! McKay! Can you hear me?" Ronon yelled.
Rodney and John disappeared over a ledge only to reappear at the base sliding to a stop and not moving. Ronon yelled for both of them as Teyla and he continued to pick their way down the incline. Finally, McKay's arm moved to push himself up, only to collapse when he tried it with the wrong one. His shriek reached them and both winced in sympathy. He tried again with the uninjured arm and rolled over onto his side awkwardly. His backpack thwarted any more of a roll and pushed himself up from his side.
"I'm fine…we're fine…I think…" he said over the radio.
"We'll be there soon, Dr. McKay," Teyla assured him over the headset.
"Oh…OK…Hear that Sheppard? They'll be here soon…" There was a disassociated despair in his voice.
Teyla did not hear an answer from the Colonel as they drew nearer and nearer. What she did hear was the baby asleep on her arm softly snoring. A tuft of curly, wiry, black hair poked out through the top of the blanket. The child slept blissfully unaware of the trauma and ruin around her.
This was a very good baby. She cried when hungry or dirty. She cooed when content. And, she slept like one of the stones on the desert floor. A very good baby indeed.
When they reached their two teammates, Rodney already had Sheppard set up in the shade of small outcropping of stone.
"My initial estimate of a day to day and a half might have been too generous," Rodney said upon their approach. He stared out into the expanse with a blank face. "I think it will be more like two or two and a half."
"Milk might not last that long…we definitely can't wait for Atlantis," observed Ronon.
"You both will travel faster when we find a place for the Colonel and me to wait." She could see the protests forming on lips, but she shook her head. "We will also need to fashion a carrying device for the two of you because you only have one hand apiece."
"Which way to the Ring, McKay?" Ronon asked after a few moments of silence.
"According to the HUD, before it went all psychedelic, it was due that-a-way." He pointed to a ridge across the flat white plain. "We are too far away for the LSD to pick it up yet…but according to the database and the readings when we first exited the Gate, this planet has no life signs, none whatsoever, even larger mammalian or reptilian. No other energy readings either. We got that working in our favor because it will stick out like a sore thumb." He tried to sound upbeat with the last little bit.
Teyla appreciated the effort. She looked down and moved the blanket from the baby's face. Dark brown, almost black eyes watched her. Dark, chocolate skin glowed against the purple blanket. A blanket her mother had given her. It was one of her only possessions.
"Her name is Rewapeh; I pronounce you her four Patrons and bond her to you. She is now yours to care for until parents can be found or you take up the mantel. Please, save her from this place. Tell her of her mother and father who loved her. Teach her to enjoy her life. Teach her of her people…"
The woman had given them a book that told of Rewapeh's people. It told of their daily lives, their religion, and their history. It was her only other possession.
They had come upon the emaciated woman as she pulled her way inch by inch to a well. She begged them to help her. They listened to the cries echoing. With trepidation, John had looked into the well and smiled.
"She's only a few feet down. Teyla, you might be able to get her."
Teyla dropped down onto the wooden slats and retrieved the child. The others helped her back out and John held the child first, uncomfortably. He looked afraid of breaking her. He brought her over to her mother and that was when the mother asked them to take her child to safety. She kissed her baby as tears fell from shrunken eyes knowing this was the best she could do for her daughter. The mother passed soon there after.
Teyla could not tell who the child looked like because of the desiccation, but she would tell this little girl of her mother's courage and love. The Wraith had left that woman to suffer. They left her as if it was a game to torture a person like that, to listen as their baby cried for help. Teyla hugged the child closer to her. Her little life a struggle so far, Teyla would fulfill her part of the promise.
"I believe that the Colonel and I shall travel together and you two will scout ahead to find the best path and place of safety for us."
"But, Teyla…what if…?" McKay started.
"No Rodney, he will walk for as long as he can and I shall carry the child in one hand and use the crutch with the other. When you find a spot, come and get us."
"We'll rest for thirty minutes and then start the next step," Ronon proclaimed, settling the issue. She could tell he did not like the separation either, but John and she were not going to see the Ring with them.
After the rest, Ronon woke Sheppard, who was even more sluggish and disoriented than before. When his faculties caught up, he looked around in dismay.
"Damn, still on West World." His voice rattled like his breath.
"Come on Sheppard, you'll walk with Teyla and the baby. McKay and I are going to scout ahead." Ronon pulled him to standing and guided him to Teyla.
"John, hold on to my backpack," she instructed. "John?"
"I got it," he replied, annoyed. "I got it…"
They started off across the flat expanse and away from the Jumper and its distinctive metals that could bring more Wraith or rescue. They walked away from a good ship that had served them well.
The plain was rocky and sandy. It was inhospitable for man or beast and, especially, injured man. They trudged, and Sheppard remained silent as he sleepwalked his way towards whatever Ronon and Rodney would find.
Teyla too found herself wandering in her mind. Darts had strafed the ground with their culling beams. Darts had fired at the Jumper as they entered it. The dart's weapons had hit it and damaged circuits and crystals. John had kept it flying as Rodney had kept the power routed to systems.
The Colonel outmaneuvered the darts, but only for so long. He destroyed two with delicate rolls and daring stops. The other two had chased them back to the planet of origin and had delivered a volley that he could not escape. Their hours of evasion were for naught. Once they exited the upper atmosphere and entered the lower, a shot disabled all controls just before he let loose his parting shots at the darts. That was when crashing became an immediate threat. That was when they found out how a Jumper crumples like an aluminum can when it strikes a rocky mountain side face first.
Coming back to herself, Teyla followed the footprints in the sand and periodically checked on her two charges. Rewapeh slept in her arms and John slept on his feet. He stumbled once or twice and they had to stop once when he could not get back up.
She pulled milk for the baby out of her backpack figuring this was as good a time as any. Ronon and Rodney had the rest of the supplies. She carried enough for the three of them. She ate a small portion of a PowerBar and offered John the other half.
Since he had retched when he fell, he declined the offer and curled up in the sand. She could slowly feel her stomach growing more rigid and she placed a hand of John's to feel the same. Teyla hoped that they found a place to shelter soon.
After the short respite, she prodded John with her crutch, gathered the baby, and started shuffling again. When they reached the ridge of sand, she would stop because they could not make it over it without help. She tried to contact Ronon and Rodney to tell them of her intentions, but the signal was blocked by the enormous mound of sand. So she walked and crunched in the sand thinking of times past and songs her father would sing when she was scared. She sang them softly and out loud to sooth herself or anyone listening.
Just shy of reaching the dune, John's hand lost grip one more time and with such force, it knocked her off balance. Resigned that this was where they would wait it out for her other two teammates, she regained her footing and slowly turned to help him. This time, however, she caught out of the corner of her eye, John skidding across the ground as if flung.
Damning herself for ignoring the cold sensation in the pit of her stomach as just injury and the constant far off presences, she turned to face one of the Wraith crashed on this forsaken planet.
He held a stunner and fired without as much as a sneer. She dropped to the ground and covered the baby. His shot missed, but not by much since he was only a few paces away. She looked up just in time to see the Colonel charge the enemy and throw his entire body at the creature. The Wraith caught him and threw him like a child's toy behind him. The Colonel slid in the sand and completely disappeared from sight, swallowed by the shifting, arid world. She could not lay on the ground and wonder at John's fate. She had her own to worry about as well as Rewapeh's.
She rolled off the child only to curl back up as a stunner blast hit her pack. Her back numbed, she felt for her sidearm. Teyla pulled it, rolled, and fired. She hit the Wraith with four consecutive shots in the upper body. She, unfortunately, was aiming for its head, but exhaustion and pain skewed her shots. Teyla continued to fire until the weapon clicked.
With a snarl affixed to its face, it approached without saying a word. The bullet wounds meant nothing to it as it stalked towards them. With her coordination impeded by the effects of the stun, she tried to push back in the sand with her feet and her one available arm. Her knee, back and abdomen protested and she grunted with the overwhelming pain and panic. She scrabbled harder as it stood next to her head. It was a losing battle.
He looked over his shoulder to make sure John was still down and turned back to glare hungrily at her. Confident nothing could interrupt his dinner, he knelt down next to her as her feet tried to push off the porous surface.
"I even have an appetizer," he said looking at the squirming baby in her arms and reached for her.
Teyla felt the revulsion and then the disappointment in her failure to deliver on her promise. That is, until the Wraith's skull cap was lifted off its head by a blast from Ronon's beloved. Another blast put a gaping hole in its ribcage.
Teyla clutched the baby close and buried her face into the royal purple blanket until plodding footsteps reached her a few seconds later.
"Are you all right?" Ronon asked, breathless, and placed a hand on her shoulder. More footsteps approached as she looked at him with gratitude and nodded with her answer.
"Where's Sheppard?" Rodney asked, also out of breath.
She looked back over the dead Wraith and pointed to a place in the endless sand.
Ronon and Rodney slowly walked over and dropped to their knees.
"No," Rodney despondently murmured. "No," he said over and over.
They began their one-handed digging at a frenetic pace. A shallow sand pit had swallowed Sheppard and had partially buried him. Using their hands, they shoveled sand and small rocks until they could each get a hold of an arm or a sleeve to pull on.
This is as far as I shall go, Teyla thought. They would set up at the sand dune on the most protected side and wait for whatever may come. As she watched them dig, she thought she might even be waiting alone.
Teyla lay on the hot sand with the baby on her pained belly and sang another song her father used to sing to her about heroes of old. The infant cried and wailed along with her.
It was her turn to say good-bye to Rewapeh.