Authors' Note: Hi there, just so you know, this story was co-authored with my friend Nimeria. This story is as much hers as mine.
Disclaimer: We don't own anyone or anything you recognize. Except for ourselves. And that last bit's only a "maybe" on a good day.
Why to Always Have an Escape Route
Chapter 14
------------------------------------------
(The three men look like they're about to protest the rough treatment but think better of it at the glare they receive from Taylor.)
Taylor: What I was saying was that it could conceivably be anything at all but likely will be something we might recognize because the ancients were our ancestors.
Mary: Ah.
(The three of them walk back over to the pedestal, while the others share a confused look. Being highly perceptive, Sheppard pieces together some of the seemingly random things he has heard since the girls saw the pedestal.)
Sheppard: …So you think that this pedestal is a puzzle pedestal?
Taylor: (glances over her shoulder at him) Yes. But as to what the puzzle is... we have no idea.
Daniel: I think Taylor was probably right in saying that it will likely be something we recognize.
McKay: Here's a question. What would solving said puzzle do? We already know where the device is. (points at the thing on the pedestal)
Jessie: (without looking at him) It'll lift the shield so we can see the writing so we can know how to work it.
McKay: There's a shield now?
Jessie: (seriously) Of course.
McKay: Right. Need any help over there girls?
Taylor and Jessie: NO.
Mary: Yes. Please do. (turns to others) You might want to make yourselves comfortable. This could take a while.
(About an hour later…)
(Mary and Taylor hit their heads together for the third time.)
Taylor: Owww...
Mary: This isn't working. What do you think? Shifts work?
Taylor: Shifts. I'll take first with Jess.
Mary: Sweet. (pulls McKay away from the base of the pedestal) Come on Rodney, let's take a break.
McKay: But, we have to-
Mary: -take shifts. I know.
(They walk over to where the others have settled into a routine of their own.)
Mitchell: (looks at his watch) Well, it's been an hour. I'd better go relieve Sheppard.
Jack: Yes. Go. Relieve. Bring back pizza.
Sam: Sir, we have rations if you're hungry.
Jack: Hmm...Pizza. Pizza and beer.
Sam: (with a smirk) Yes sir. Pizzas and beer. Sounds good to me.
Daniel: (from the depths of his notebook) I'll take pepperoni, extra cheese.
(Sheppard returns in Mitchell's place and slides to the floor, leaning against the
wall.)
Sheppard: Daniel, what are you reading?
Daniel: It's some of the information we got out of the Atlantis mainframe. I'm cross-referencing to see if anything mentions or matches the device.
McKay: He puts that into little notebooks?
Jack: (shrugs) It keeps him happy.
Teal'c: Should we be talking so loudly? Are we not attempting stealth?
Mary: (slumping to the ground in exhaustion) No Teal'c, probably not, but I highly doubt its going to stop us. (glances over to where Taylor and Jessie are working their way up from the bottom, pointing things out to each other at random)
Sheppard: Are you guys absolutely sure about this whole puzzle thing Mary?
Mary: Yes. I know it's kind of far-fetched but when the twins agree on something as strongly as they do on this they're rarely ever wrong.
McKay: …About that. How are they twins? They look nothing alike.
Mary: They aren't related. They didn't even meet each other until high school. But they're best friends and are very very close to the point where they have developed an almost telepathic bond. What one thinks the other thinks. And it doesn't just happen rarely. It's a fairly common occurrence. But I think the most important part about it is that they don't care that they aren't related. As far as they're concerned they were separated at birth.
McKay: Oh (still looks a touch confused but mostly seems to get it)
(The group turns to watch the two girls. Taylor stands up, glares at the pedestal and attempts to phase through it. There is a blinding flash of light, followed closely by a
'thump'.)
Taylor: Ow! Ow! OW!
(The light clears. Taylor is against the wall where she was apparently thrown by the force field. She pushes herself to her feet and rubs at her right arm before stomping back over to the device.)
Daniel: (now standing by the pedestal and looking concerned, as is everyone else) You alright?
Taylor: Yeah. Fine. (shares a look with her twin and Jessie relaxes)
Jessie: I guess that's a 'no' to the phasing through the force field thing then.
Taylor: Yeah. (glares at it and backs up a step, obviously preparing to kick it)
Sam: Taylor I don't think that's (Taylor kicks it hard. A panel falls open on the side.) …a good idea. Huh.
(Sam walks over to the pedestal, and Taylor and Jessie slink away looking nervous.)
Mary: (unhappily) Taylor, Jessie, No Cookies for you!
Sam: No, wait, I think she found something here...
Mary: Never mind. Non-cookie-ing revoked.
(Taylor and Jessie giggle.)
Sheppard: (aside to Jack) Is it bad that I understood that?
Jack: Probably.
Sheppard: Ah.
Sam: Sir? There's a...a hidden panel here.
(Everyone stands expectantly.)
Jack: ...and?
Sam: Sir?
Jack: What does it do?
Sam: I don't know yet.
Jack: Ah. (he sits back down) Did anyone bring cards? Anyone?
(The others sit down as well.)
Jack: Anyone at all?
(Some time later…)
Jessie: Taylor?
Taylor: Yes Jessie?
Jessie: I'm bored.
Taylor: You're always bored, Jess.
Mary: (giggles) Ooh, that was nice.
Taylor: (giggles) Wasn't it? And we didn't plan it either!
Jessie: (giggles) What? I'm confused.
Mary: The quoting of the lines of Merry and Pippin from Lord of the Rings.
(Mary and Taylor giggle more.)
Jessie: Okaaaay. I'm going over there now.
(Over there happens to be by the pedestal.)
Taylor: Mary, I really am bored though.
(Jessie pokes the hidden panel. Sam slaps her hand away.)
Mary: I know. Hmmm...Tiddlywinks?
Taylor: Tiddlywinks!
(Jessie patiently waits for Sam to look away and pokes the now-not-so-hidden panel again. The lighted crystal grid that was hidden behind the panel now moves.)
Jessie: AAAAAAAAAH!
---------------------------------------