Rodney typed fast on his laptop. This was the last alga rhythm for the drone code. If he could finish it, he could download it to as many as needed. Numbers flew across the screen as the computer tried to keep up with him. He was concentrating so hard, he barely heard Abbie come in. He realized she was standing in the doorway when she spoke, "Rodney," Rodney jumped and almost fell off his stool, "Are you almost done with the modification? We need to eliminate the hive." Rodney smiled, snapped his fingers, and pointed at the laptop. "I'm almost done. You see, I think I have figured out the weakness of the ship. From what I've gathered, Wraith are running the show, not Ori followers; I assume the Wraith fed on all of them. So, I just had to come up with a chemical the drones could release on impact that would destroy the hive ship's organic parts and inhabitants. Where's Shaun, by the way? My own son can keep up with my mind and I enjoy impressing someone as smart as me."
Abbie hadn't realized he hadn't been told. She jutted out her chin, just like Carter used to do, and said, "Well, Rodney, he … I mean…" She sighed and took a deep breath, "Shaun is still on the hive. He and Dacey were captured when they went to sent a bomb in the core. They were stunned and the soldiers took them. There wasn't a thing Zola or Wen could have done."
Rodney looked shocked, then softened and his face appeared to age years. The gray hair he had stood out; the wrinkles seemed to deepen. Abbie noticed how much affect it had on him. He cared so much about Shaun. After all, he was his oldest son. Sure he had another but, he was in college and not as much like Rodney. Rodney spoke quietly, "Oh, I see. Well… in that case I can't release the drones. You have to send someone to get them."
"Rodney, they might not even be alive. We have to use the drones while we can. I-"
"No!" Rodney stood abrubtly, knocking over his chair. "Send someone to get him. I won't let you fire the drones. If you do, they will destroy every living thing on that ship, including my son. Now, be a good little girlie and get my son back. Get him and I will fire the drones myself."
Abbie raised her hands to calm him. "Rodney, I will. Ronon and Wen have already volunteered. We will get them if they are still alive. What makes you think he isn't dead yet?"
"He's my son, I can't afford to think like that." With that, he turned back to his laptop and began typing again, ignoring the stool on the floor.
Dacey pulled her knees to her chest and thought. What could they do? Shaun was eying the wires. He debated whether to stick his hand in. He would die for Dacey any day. She was the gravity of his world. He wasn't scared to die. After all, everybody died one day; at least he would get to choose his day. Besides, death wasn't bad, it made life worth living. He certainly had no regrets. Well, one but, he could change that before he died. Besides that, he was ready.
Shaun was about to do it when Dacey caught him staring at the wires. She reached over and grabbed his hands gently and pulled him to her. He stopped when he was crossed legged right next to her. She leaned against him and closed her eyes. He closed his as he took a deep breath. She smelled like metal and vanilla, like always. It was a rather odd combo but, to him it was perfect. He didn't know why she smelled like that all the time and didn't care. She shifted and laid her head on his shoulder. Shaun, in turn, rested his head on the top of hers.
Ronon and Wen were inside the shooting range in Atlantis. Targets were set up as far away as possible. They showed a human figure with various target circles that were red. Ronon stood next to his daughter while both shot at their own targets. Wen had her matching Satedan pistol to match his and they were blowing large holes in the targets. After a few more shots, both daughter and father lowered their weapons and left the room.
They both didn't move for a long time. He knew she needed to get her moment of being scared and not have to fight or protect anyone, to keep her sanity. He needed his own moment to steel himself to do what he needed to.
Finally Dacey whispered as her eyes fluttered open, "We have to think of something. I refuse to be fed on, especially that stuck up Queen." Her mouth set into a firm line as she muttered the statement. Shaun agreed, he would rather be electrified.
He raised his head so he could see her face. She looked up to his, wondering what he would say. "I won't be fed on either… Promise me you'll get out of here. "
"We will. I promise. Have you thought of any way to get the door open?"
Shaun frowned. Dacey instantly knew he hadn't.
Dacey said, "I refuse to die at the hands of the Wraith, like my dad."
Shaun nodded and told her, "I know. I won't let you."
She sighed and put her head back where it had been before.
