A/N – Apologises the first half of chapter 9 was left out yesterday's post. Thank you to Silverthreads for querying the transistion from the chapter 8 to chapter 9….tsk tsk naughty me.
Chapter 9 – A reunion of sorts
Rodney was wearing a uniform, pacing in Weir's office, trying to reason with her. "Elizabeth, I don't know what the problem is. I said to Pathee that I would contact her in a few days with my decision. I've already told you I was going to stay but I need to go back to the Kano, say my goodbyes and collect a few things."
All of Atlantis had pooled together to help him remember. He hadn't realised so many people were eager to assist him. But it was going to take a long time and Rodney was sure the weapons training even longer. Ronon was going to push him into an early grave. He was sure about that. But Rodney knew he'd have plenty of time, when he came back, to continue the Atlantis all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-and-some-things-you-didn't crash course.
"Rodney, I have no objection to you returning, but not without back up."
"Back up?" Rodney huffed and crossed his arms, "I can take care of myself."
"I beg to differ." Sheppard snapped as he walked into the room.
"Not you too." Rodney was exasperated. "Look, I will only be a few hours. There are just some things I want to do. Personal things that I don't need an escort for."
Sheppard narrowed his eyes. "Ah, you want to say goodbye to someone special?" He waggled his eyebrows.
Rodney rolled his eyes. "Oh please, there is only one Kirk in this galaxy."
"And apparently one Spock too."
Rodney groaned. "You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope." Sheppard grinned back.
"Okay, how about I go through, alone-" he motioned for Sheppard to be quiet with his finger, using the same finesse as a school teacher, "for a couple of hours, and then you can come and pick me up."
Rodney pleaded. "The Kano have moved closer to the gate and will be leaving in a few hours."
"Then I don't know why we can't come." Sheppard argued.
Rodney looked back defeated, "I am trading one set of people for another. I just want to say goodbye without you being there. That's all."
"Oh." Sheppard realised that leaving the Kano was hard for Rodney, but he hadn't realised how hard. Sheppard was glad they'd taken good care of him but he was a little jealous. When he got back, Rodney was going to tell him all about his time with them. So far, he'd been a little reluctant.
"Please." Rodney begged.
"Let him go." Sheppard stated.
Weir sized up the two men before reluctantly agreeing.
Rodney smiled and patted Sheppard's shoulder as he left the room. "Thanks."
A short while later Rodney carried a few bags with him, more offerings from Atlantis, and walked through the blue, rippling circle. Sheppard watched as the gate disengaged with a sharp snap and counted the minutes until they would see Rodney again.
OoOoOoOoOo
Rodney dumped most of the heavy bags onto the ground. "Ooooh." He arched his spine and gripped his back. A few of the men nearby smirked and picked up fallen cargo and started off in the direction of the camp. Rodney spied Pathee talking to a few of the passing men and smiled when she saw Rodney.
She approached him and called, "Spock, it is good to see you."
Rodney started towards her carrying one bag. The grass around the gate swayed in the gentle breeze. "Thank you Pathee. And it's Rodney."
Pathee chuckled softly and stood before him. She touched her forehead to his before gazing into his blue eyes. Pathee saw a sparkle of defiance and mischief in the man's face. He walked tall, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "I am glad your memories have returned but, the name will take a little getting used to."
"That's okay. I'll know who you mean." He chuckled back and gave her a crooked smile.
They fell into step, traversing the short distance to the camp. The Kano camp was on the same location previously claimed by the Naeno. Most of the tents, equipment and animals were packed up awaiting departure. Just the fire and one large tent remained intact.
"How was the markets on Kalae?" Rodney asked pulling the bag's straps higher on his shoulder.
"Very profitable." Pathee proceeded to tell him gossip from the camp and markets.
Rodney nodded and laughed at a piece of information Pathee told him. It was like a soap opera sometimes. 'Day's of our lives' Pegasus style. Not that he's watched the soap. But one unfortunate summer he'd had to stay with a distant relative. Aunt Petunia watched it religiously and had forced Rodney to watch it too. He shuddered at the memory.
As they neared the fire he dumped his burden on the ground and sat on the log placed near the fire. Most of the Kano were gathered around the fire sharing a last meal. Laughter bubbled from a group of children playing nearby. The tribe was giving a final farewell to the planet… and him. He watched his adopted family is their full glory. He saw their smiles, generosity and patience. And he was humbled by the gift they had given him, and he'd never acknowledged. They had given him his life back.
Suddenly Rodney stood and the people turned to him. He was momentarily lost for words. He gulped, "Most of you will know I am not travelling with you to the next planet. I wanted to say thanks for putting up with me for the past year."
One of the women called out from the other side of the fire. "Spock, it was not a hardship. Well, not too much of one."
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
Flustered Rodney huffed, "Thank you for your kindness and friendship. I will miss you."
Pathee stood up. "We will miss you too." She raised her mug to the air and toasted their friendship.
oOoOoOoO
Twenty minutes later the camp was breaking up and a few of the tribe members went ahead with the supplies. As the last animal went through the remaining people gathered their gear, on their shoulders or in their arms, preparing to make their final trek to the gate. In another 30 minutes there would be no one left here Rodney thought. He had a few personal possessions in his pocket. His other trinkets, bedding and clothes were given to some other men. He had no need for them, but he kept two devices.
The wind breezed through the open space and played with their hair. Higher up the tree branches seemed to be swaying to a rhythm. Rodney supposed a storm was picking up judging by the darkening sky.
He was helping one of the children when he heard a shot and angered voices. He wound his way through the crowd to see furious tribesmen stripped of their weapons and hostage to gun toting men. Twelve grey-uniformed men surrounded the tribespeople with a deadly intent plastered on their faces. One man stood apart from the rest, surveying his accomplishment with a relaxed stance.
"You." Rodney broke through the front of the crowd and ground out furiously. "Spock. Don't." Pathee was dusting the dirt off her dress as she stood up. A few of the children hid beside their parents watching the drama unfold.
"Yes. Spock don't." The gun pointed at a tribesman, was shifted to Pathee and he gripped her arm. "I'm sorry my dear, but we have need of this man."
"You are not farmers." Pathee hissed.
"Not all of us." The man smiled. The wind whipped around moving the lapels on his jacket.
"Kolya, leave them alone." Rodney demanded.
"Ah, I see your memory has returned." Steely eyes focussed on Rodney and the man smiled. "Pity."
A single drop of water dropped to the ground unnoticed.
"What do you want?"
"For you to come with us." Seeing Rodney's hesitation Kolya continued, "I'm sure you remember what happened last time you didn't agree."
Rodney flinched, unconsciously gripping his arm. A drop of water wound its way down his cheek. "And them?"
"I have no need for them. They will be released once we go through the gate."
Rodney raised his hands to his head and murmured, "Let me think."
"Spock, you don't need to do this." Pathee insisted.
After a moment Rodney turned to Koyla. "Okay. Just let me say goodbye."
Koyla released Pathee's arm and she stumbled away from him. "Be quick." The commander sent one of his men to the gate to start dialling. Twelve men with guns faced twenty-five tribespeople and Rodney. Rodney turned away from their gaze and hunched his shoulders, hugging his chest. It looked like the man was defeated. His fate sealed.
"Pathee," he whispered. "Tell everyone to get closer. Then stand perfectly still."
Pathee looked at him quizzically but followed his command. They all surged forward in one massive group hug and held tight.
Koyla and his men surveyed the action for a few moments. "You have had your goodbye now it is time to go."
The group stood still and remained clasping onto their fellow person. Kolya became impatient and nodded for two of his men to grab the Doctor. They were a metre away when a blue haze encircled the cluster of people. One of the men turned to get instructions from his commander.
"Doctor, you are trying my patience." Koyla nodded at the man and then a few seconds later watched him sail past his shoulder as he bounced off the shield.
"Very clever." Kolya paused and circled around the circle of people. "Fire!" He yelled.
Bullets rebound off the blue barrier, back towards the shooters. Koyla watched a man spin around, catching a ricocheting bullet his shoulder. "Arrhhhh."
And then the shield rippled with a blue haze and extended by three metres. Kolya watched in curiosity as Rodney turned to face him. He stood defiant in front of his would be kidnapper before dropping to the ground on his hands and knees. The Doctor lifted his head and glared at Kolya giving him access to his chest. A small device was attached there, pulsating a bright blue.
Koyla's eyes narrowed and then all hell broke loose.
OoOoOoO
The sky was still dark but had not released its burden of water. Rodney was glad that the weather was on his side. He let his chin rest on his chest and he looked at the blue light. The device was similar to the personal shield except for one thing. The power source. This time there was definitely more than just a mental component to it. It was powered entirely by the mind. It hadn't worked before because it had been missing a few parts. Namely a couple of crystals, which he had conveniently acquired from one of the labs on Atlantis.
Rodney was tired from the strain of maintaining the shield and had a flashback to a year ago. Lying in the pod and using his infamous brain to resolve another problem. He didn't want to think of that now. He wanted to berate the Genii. Tell them what he thought of their kidnapping plan. He knew that the Genii were cunning but their attempt to acquire him was pointless if they were looking for Spock. He might have a few lingering gaps in his memory still but he certainly remembered enough. Taking a few of the people hostage was supposed to make him comply? Sadly there was no gun toting Sheppard about. He glanced at his watch. Well, not for another hour or so. Just him and the barrier he was sustaining.
"Amish farmers my ass," he muttered under his breath as he concentrated on the shield. He'd watched, with a sense of satisfaction, as Kolya and his crew had attempted to breach the shield. The more force they used the redder Kolya's face became. The man was livid. Rodney smirked at the man despite the dire circumstances.
Perfect. You're not going to get anyone on my watch. Your weapons are no match for me.
At a stalemate the Genii stared angrily at the tribe. The protected people glared back, defiant in their predicament. They remained that way for a short while until a familiar whine penetrated the silence.
Oh great. Who sent out the invitations? Rodney's back. Let's party and have fun, fun, fun.
They watched as the mighty Genii dropped their hostage taking act and high tailed it out of there, leaving him and the tribe to fend for themselves. Before Kolya left, he gave them a defiant stare.
As if I invited them. One lot of gatecrashers was more than enough.
Pathee clasped onto his shoulder and looked at him worriedly. "Wraith."
Rodney nodded and looked back at the scared people he was safeguarding. "I don't know how long this shield will hold."
Rodney looked at the distance between them and freedom and swallowed down the acrid taste in his mouth. Protecting the tribe from the Genii was one thing but the Wraith were something entirely different. He'd come back to say goodbye to his friends and now it looked like it would be one final farewell.
No! It wasn't going to end this way.
He stood tall and squared his shoulders, steeling himself for the task ahead.
OoOoOoOo
Rodney watched as the wraith beam attempt to penetrate the shield again. It was severed and the shield shimmered leaving a blue haze in its wake. Rodney knew that they were protected as long as they stayed inside the bubble but they were a little way off from the gate and there was no way they could get without the shield. What now genius? How are we going to get out of this? His thoughts swirled and suddenly it came to him. He clicked his fingers. "Listen up people. We're going to walk to the gate." He explained his plan in a hurried splurge of words. "No one move outside the shield and we'll be okay. Just follow me."
Rodney extended the bubble out another five meters so they had some moving room, and he led the tribe towards the Stargate. It was slow going as they made their way. The wraith weren't too impressed or bright as they tried to block their attempts at reaching the gate. It was funny how far a drone could bounce when it attempted to breach the shield. But for every action there was an equal and opposite reaction. For the Wraith and him. He winced as the pain in his head became known again.
Each attack on the shield sent spikes through his head and down his spine. He focussed all his energy on the shield and then braced himself against the pain as another drone slammed into the barrier. Rodney thought it a pity the drone's face was covered up as he would have liked to see the expression on its face as it slammed into the ground. He sobered and wondered about the outcome of this action.
He felt the strain from the shield and their approach to the gate slowed as he plodded along one foot in front of the other. Pathee and another tribesman walked next to him. Shoulder to shoulder. The rest of the Kano were left clinging to each other in support, ensuring no was left behind.
All too soon, but not quickly enough for Rodney, they reached the gate. The only problem was that there were a few wraith in the way and bouncing them off the shield one at a time was getting a little tedious as well as excruciating. If he was going to move them out of the way it would have to be all at once. He squinted and looked back at the people inside the barrier, the one's who were depending on him, and then at the wraith wall. He whispered and Pathee strained to hear his voice. "I am going to extend the shield to cover the stargate and the DHD. You must dial out quickly."
"Can you cover all of that area?" Pathee looked at him in disbelief. The shield already covered a fifteen meter radius and from their distance from the DHD and gate he would need to encompass another five. It seemed a little too much but by the determined set to Rodney's face she knew they had no choice. "How long?"
"Minutes? I don't know. Just be quick."
"And what of you?"
"I'll follow you."
Pathee nodded reluctantly at the lie, and Rodney focussed. Pathee left his side to tell the others what was happening.
As the Wraith were pushed back, and they gained access to the DHD, the gate started to light up.
No no no no. Atlantis wasn't due to contact them for another half hour. No one was supposed to dial in now.It wasn't in his plan.
Rodney didn't think he would be able to hold the barricade for another five minutes let alone thirty-eight. He panicked, and for the first time in his life he prayed the gate wouldn't stay open for long.
The wraith pounded on the shield and he heard whimpers. "Pathee," he hissed. She wound her way back through her people until she was by his side. "When the gate shuts down, dial out." He clenched his teeth. "Immediately." She nodded and made her way to the DHD.
Rodney shuddered as the gate erupted and he saw an invisible object ripple through the event horizon. Atlantis. He felt the energy of the gate and cried out when it was snapped off. He trained his thoughts on the task at hand, he knew whoever was in the jumper could look after themselves. Under his breath, kneeling on the ground, he chanted. "Dial Pathee. Dial Pathee. Dial Pathee."
An explosion of noise and light rain flared up behind them but was Rodney was too focussed on his present task to notice.
Once more Rodney recoiled from the gate's emerging event horizon and leant over, propping himself up on his hands and knees. He looked up at the concerned faces peering down at him. With a burst of energy he yelled, "What are you waiting for? Go!" He stood slowly and waved his arms about. "Go!"
Frozen people suddenly scrambled towards the preferred exit. As they ran past, hands brushed by him as a final farewell. Rodney watched them be enveloped by the blue surface until only he and Pathee remained. He shuffled walked forward, as the shield diminished behind him, and leant on the DHD. His task was almost complete.
Debris pelted the shield as the Wraith and Atlanteans fought in the background.
"Rodney, they are through."
Rodney slowly straightened himself up, the effort was almost too much, and smiled wistfully at Pathee. "You go too."
Pathee stare at him in disbelief.
"I'll be okay. I promise." He implored to her.
Pathee surveyed the damage behind Rodney and approached him, looking into his blue eyes. "We will meet again, Rodney." She touched her forehead to his. "Farewell friend."
Rodney waved her through the gate standing tall. Pathee turned and smiled at him one last time. As soon as she was out of sight he dropped to the ground and closed his eyes. The gate shut down and the bright light winked out of existence.
It was done. He was done.
He couldn't follow through with his instinct to run away. As his awareness of his surroundings dulled Rodney tried to stay upright with the support of the DHD. He hoped Sheppard and the others were not too far away he wasn't going to be able to remain awake for much longer. The device's blue light dimmed and pain spiked through his head. Rodney slumped onto the ground and his remaining thoughts were of trust. He knew, without a doubt, that the occupants of the jumper would save him. His head rested on the cold ground. It was all he had left. Trust and faith.
The blue shield slowly retreated from the gate, until it shimmered over the body of the unconscious man lying on the ground. As the blue haze of the shield faded, a few wraith approached until they were standing over their prey.
TBC
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