Firstly; The Disclaimer - I Do not own the characters or the shows in this story (unfortunately).
Secondly; Thanks to the reviewers - As always the reveiwing really helps
Thirdly; The previous chapter of this story was a prologue/introduction to the rest of the story - showing what triggered Jack to be isolated by the Atlantean Community
Two weeks later.
When Sheppard's team did not report in by their designated time for the second time inas many weeks, Major Lorne's team was again sent to rescue them from whatever trouble they had got themselves into. When Lorne's team also failed to report in, the expedition leader asked Jack to come out of retirement (for the second time, or third, if the incident on Tolana was to be counted).
After much coercing and pleading, Jack agreed to lead the team, although he was uneasy about it, as he knew the team would have to be extra vigilant on this mission in order prevent being compromised themselves. Jack remained concerned about the ability of the team he was leading to follow his orders, when they were so used to ignoring him.
His concern was so great that he actually asked the men if they were willing to follow his orders whilst they were out in the field, stressing that as soon as they go Sheppard or Lorne back, and they were in a condition to lead, he would relinquish command, as he was after all retired. The marine that seemed to speak for the rest of the team replied, "Yes sir. We want the Colonel, the major, and the others back almost just as much as anyone. We would do just about anything to have them returned." The "even put up with your command" was left unspoken, just hanging in the air.
As it turned out the 'natives' of that planet had moved to that planet to avoid the wraith. However the city and surrounding towns that they now resided in had technology too advanced for even their greatest scientists. So when they had seen McKay fixing and analysing the technology, they 'kidnapped' him and used his team as a bargaining tool to make him work for them. When Lorne and his team entered the city, they also put them in the holding cell with the other three members of Sheppard's team.
Jack explained to the 'natives' that they would have willingly helped them, and that there were many other brilliant scientist back on their planet that would teach the 'natives' with the technology. He also assured the native that they would 'lend' them the scientists to teach them, only if the members of the expedition were released, a negotiation feat that he felt was worthy of Daniel himself.
Even after bringing home three gate teams, the only response he received was a short and forced "Thanks" only from a select few members of the teams.
What amazed Jack was how the scientist's would use him. Alongside John Sheppard, it became well known that Jack possessed the strongest ATA gene amongst any of the personnel in Atlantis. This made him an ideal switch and tester for the scientists.
However that was how far as it went. "Would you turn this on" "Could you activate this" "Please use this". He would try again and again to make conversation. At first asking questions like "so how fast can the Jumpers go?" Typical questions of an Airforce pilot like himself.
When this did not yield any results, he became so desperate to make conversation, he would ask questions about science. Yes science. To scientists. Jack had never thought he would have fallen so far. He could count on his fingers the times he asked scientific questions to either Sam or Daniel, and those were people he had work alongside for about nine years. And yet here he was trying – and failing – to get these people to talk about something that they would usually spend the entire day talking about if you gave them half a chance.
