Word Count: 385
Prompt: Listening to the Blues Brother 2000 Soundtrack more than I should...
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Rodney McKay's knees were ready to give out as he ran headlong through the gate. The muscles in his thighs were sore from close to a mile of running and his breath was coming in short pants. His shirt was covered with sweat and clung to him uncomfortably as he ran. Sheppard, Teyla and Ronon were already captured, and it was up to him to get to the base where he could get help.
Thunder rumbled across the low hills, adding to the chills that spilled down his spine as he sprinted through the mud, fear that bordered on sheer terror fueling him.
After what seemed like an eternity of pumping his legs, he saw the dial home device and slid towards it. Breathing heavy, he urgently started hitting the symbols. He glanced behind himself every few seconds as he did so, making sure there was still enough distance between himself and his prusuers.
The Stargate rippled and then the huge wave of the establishing wormhole sprang forward with a WOOSH noise.
Rodney looked back once more and saw that those he was running from were getting far too close for comfort. He took several deep breaths to steady himself and then ran towards the gate until he hit the event horizon and emerged on the other side, safe on Atlantis once more. The gate travel stole his breath away and he collapsed on his knees. "RAISE THE SHIELD!" He screamed, still trying to catch his breath.
The shield was raised and Rodney relaxed marginally.
"What happened?" Someone called with concern as a medical team rushed to Rodney's side and grabbed him by the arms, hauling him up off the floor.
He was shaking violently as he gestured with his hands.
"Faces...gaunt..." Rodney was hyperventilating, but he continued, valiantly trying to convey what he had seen, "Eyes were blurred...shirts all soaked with sweat. On horses! On horses snorting fire!"
There were curious looks all around, most of them saying something along the lines of 'He's flipped his wig'.
"Their brands were still on fire...black shiny horns, burning red eyes, big steel..." Rodney gasped, "big steel covered hooves!"
"What're you talking about?" Carson asked, still holding onto the seemingly delusional man's arm.
"Ghost riders! Ghost riders herding-" Rodney took a huge gulp of air, "DEMON CATTLE!"