A/N: corkieshome brought up a good point: If everyone is so unhappy, why do they continue to work [at Atlantis? So, I thought I'd take a moment to 'splain my madness. :) There are over 500 people on Atlantis, and if you're a researcher there you probably have a core group of individuals you deal with on a day to day basis and that's pretty much it. Those in admin would probably be the only ones who deal with the majority of those at Atlantis, and they would notice something was off. By the time the weirdness filters through the entire population, however ... well, it would probably be too late to really do anything, and it's hard to rally the forces when everyone else has their heads buried in their own projects. So you don't want to stir any pots (unless you're Kavanagh) or jeopardize your own work, so you grin and bear it (and hope you don't get dragged into the mess). For about 9 months things have been odd, but the last 3 have been particularly odd, and those in admin are obviously under a lot of strain. Then, to top it off, a charismatic psycho WITH GUNS is suddenly in charge. Things are stretched to a breaking point and people are afraid to act ...
Then along comes John. He's the catalyst to really get things moving - the Mentos in the bottle of Diet Coke, the M&M in your buddy's bottle of beer (bartender joke - the beer will foam the color of the shell once it dissolves). He wakes people up, gets them thinking, makes the shit hit the fan... :) That's how my brain is working.
So, without further delay, the next hit. Er, chapter.
Chapter 11
Unnoticed by John, Zelenka sat at a table with a group of other engineers on the opposite side of the cafeteria. He saw the colonel enter, and felt the mood of the room instantly shift. He was actually quite sensitive to things like that – he inherited a bit of the sight from his Nana Božena and it had come in handy on numerous occasions. It was one of the reasons why he could openly mock Rodney when he was in one of his moods; he knew when it was safe to push back, and when it was wise to just bow his head and do his work like a good little underling. And it was also why he knew he didn't need to be afraid of the žadatel that was now roaming around somewhat freely in their midst. He recognized John for what he was immediately. The man was good, without a doubt, and he was sick inside that he was eventually slated for that, that crazy otrava Chaya's lab. And he liked Battlestar Galactica and the great and beautiful goddess that was Lucy. That was a very good sign, in his opinion.
So that was why he was reveling in the assignment Carson had given him. The current group he was with he knew he could trust, and he mentally added their names to his steadily growing list. Major Lorne was compiling a list of his own of the soldiers here that were for security – though lately some were treating their posts as if this was a police state as opposed to a research facility. And he was extremely overjoyed that Ronon was on their side. The big man had a list of martial arts black belts as long as the degrees after Rodney's name, and he would have been a very formidable enemy. Yes, it was for the best – and considerably less painful – for him to be on their side.
Now, the young Marine that just sat down next to John – he could not be trusted. He was blinded by Kolya's charisma, could not see the man for the monster he truly was. He watched the young man clap the žadatel on the shoulder, and from here he could see the pain register on John's features. He waited for him to turn on the lieutenant and rip him to shreds – that was the usual reaction a vargyr would have – but nothing happened. Either he was incredibly disciplined, or very old, Zelenka decided. He hoped it was the former; the latter tended to have a lot of leverage in its clan, and if something happened to him there would be many more descending upon this place to avenge his death.
And that would be, be špatně. Very, very bad indeed.
Then John stood abruptly, and the others with him turned to see what had Zelenka's attention. They could tell he was angry and barely holding it in, and as he walked roughly in their direction Zelenka could see the colonel watching John with amused interest. John passed their table, but didn't notice him. However, the two guards following nodded at them. Ah, Ferguson and Stackhouse – there were two Lorne told him were very much on their side.
"So, what's the story on that one?" one of Zelenka's lunch companions whispered. It was Katsuo Nakamura, their robotics expert. He didn't look old enough to be here, but it was only because he had such a round, boyish face. He was actually well into his thirties.
"He is a žadatel, a Pretender, here at Dr. Dominatrix's behest," Zelenka hissed. His fellow engineers all looked at him with expressions ranging anywhere between horror and curiosity.
"I'm surprised they're letting him run around with just two guards," Peter Grodin said quietly. "Poor bastard – why do you suppose he's doing this?" He indicated Kolya with a slight jerk of his chin. "Trying to teach everyone a lesson in control and manipulation?" He couldn't hide a sneer with his words.
Zelenka shook his head and shrugged. "It is just added torture, if you ask me."
Then Kolya's voice interrupted their, and nearly everyone else's, conversation with his false invitation. The silence that followed was practically a physical presence in the room, then when John refused the offer Zelenka was certain he wasn't the only one who sat there with his mouth gaping open like a carp in the tank of a Chinese restaurant.
And the man just walked away from Kolya.
It stayed silent in the cafeteria until the doors shut, then a low buzz filled the room. Kolya didn't glance around; he returned his attention to his lunch, an amused little half smile on his face. But Zelenka could feel the volcanic rage coming off the colonel, and it was making it hard for him to breathe.
"Holy shit!" Grodin whispered. "He, he – he stood up to the colonel." His voice was full of awe, and just a tiny bit of horror.
"Oh, that was not wise," Zelenka muttered. "Very brave, yes, but very foolish." But nonetheless, he couldn't stop the tiny shiver of exhilaration that ran through him right then. Finally, someone showed it could be done, and lived.
-oOo-
John didn't really remember the walk to the infirmary – hell, he was barely aware of his two constant shadows. He was caught somewhere between riding a high from standing up to the asshole, and a full blown panic attack because he stood up to the asshole in front of witnesses. He actually defied Kolya's authority in front of everyone. Oh, crap. That kind of man will take it very, very personally, and John had no idea what to expect as a retaliation. Maybe if he was really lucky, it would be bullet in the back before he got left alone with psycho Barbie.
Then he found himself in the infirmary – wow, he could find his way here in a daze now. Not a good sign. When one of the nurses approached he offered an apologetic smile and said, "Just stopped by for a couple ice packs. Doc Keller told me to ice my shoulder." She smiled at him and disappeared back into the depths of the place.
"Here, now, what are yae doing here?"
John turned and saw Carson standing there with a coffee cup in one hand and looking very worried. And he caught a faint whiff of chlorine coming off of him.
"My shoulder is bothering me from yesterday," John said sheepishly. "Came by to get a couple ice packs."
Carson let out a relieved sigh, then saw the nurse returning with them. "All right. Minor things are very welcome right now."
"I'll bet." John took the packs and gave her quick smile in thanks. He was glad to see the doctor was actually somewhat relaxed at the moment. "I'll, uh, talk to ya later. Maybe at dinner?"
"Aye," Carson replied and headed for his office.
John didn't stop anywhere else – he just headed straight for his room. He figured that just might possibly be the safest place at the moment.
-oOo-
Carson was caught off guard again when someone came storming into his office maybe twenty minutes later. This time it was Chaya, and what he had on his computer screen at the moment was, thankfully, just his regular work. But he still jumped and damn near spilled the remainder of his coffee all over the chart he currently had open on his desk.
"Where is my report?" she asked as she stopped right next to him, her arms crossed.
Carson could feel his pulse hammering in temples from the adrenaline rush, but he offered her a pleasant little grin, or as much of one as he could muster. "Ah, sorry – completely slipped my mind."
"I'm sure it did," she replied icily. "Did you have plenty of time to review it?"
Now Carson's face went hard. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did." Her eyes narrowed dangerously, but he met her gaze without flinching. Then he called up the intranet, and only taking his eyes off her long enough to find the file and attach it, e-mailed the results to her. "There. Now get out of my office." His words were measured, precise.
There was something in his tone that made Chaya actually take a step back. "The colonel will hear about this," she said.
"I'm sure he will," Carson replied rather calmly. Then he slapped his palms down on his desk and partially stood. "Now – leave!"
Chaya backed up one more step, her previous sneer disappearing. But then she made a short, strangled noise, then stomped out of the office.
Carson sat back down and ran a hand down his face. He was shaking as he dropped his hand down on the arm of his chair. Oh, Christ, what did I just do? A few minutes later Keller was curiously peeking her head into his office, no doubt coming to check out what the yell was about a moment ago. She took one look and him came rushing in.
"Carson, are you all right?" she asked in alarm.
He stared numbly up at her. "Oh, crap. I'm getting too cheeky for my own damn good," he said and let out an airy laugh.
"You're scaring me, Carson," Keller said and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, love – I'm scaring myself." He laughed again and wondered if he was going insane. He picked up his coffee and downed the last cold dregs. "I do hope that doesn't come back to bite me in the arse," he muttered as he stood up from his chain.
"What did you do?" Keller asked as she backed up out of the way.
"Oh, followed Rodney's lead, for one," he said. "And essentially threw her out of here, for another." He picked up his empty mug and headed for the door. He glanced at her, and saw her grinning at him.
"About God damn time," she said as she walked out of his office with him.
Then Carson chuckled in earnest. When he was refilling his mug a few minutes later he heard a commotion in the front part of the infirmary. A moment later Rodney and Zelenka came charging in, and both men were practically vibrating from excitement.
"What happened?" Keller asked curiously as she glanced between them. She was putting the finishing touches on her own cup of mint tea.
"It, it was ohromující!" Zelenka said as he practically bounced in place. "The žadatel stood up to Kolya in the cafeteria. In front of everyone." He pushed his glasses up. "It was inspiring, even."
"I even heard about it before Radek came and found me," Rodney said and rocked back and forth on his heels a few times. "And I wouldn't be surprised if everyone on Atlantis knows before the hour is done." He glanced at his watch. "Oh, hey – five minutes. Yup, that's enough time." His eyes were glittering.
"Oh," Carson said. He didn't feel nearly as ecstatic as the two of them were. "Oh," he said again softly. "Kolya is not going to like that."
"Of course he isn't," Rodney snapped. "Someone openly defied him in front of everyone – he's probably pissed as hell."
"He is," Zelenka said with a nod. Oh, he knew. He could practically taste the anger afterwards.
"I think this is exactly what was needed to wake people up." Then Rodney's face fell as things really began to sink in. "Oh." He looked at Zelenka, and the Czech sobered immediately. "Oh boy. Um, Sheppard is toast. Not that he wasn't already. Oh, crap."
"The major will do something once he hears," Zelenka said. "And Ronon. He has grown attached to Sheppard. It was the punching."
"Oh, I hope so," Keller said. And just like that, everyone's mood went from triumphant to terrified.
-oOo-
John's shoulder was feeling pretty good by the time six o'clock rolled around. He'd found an 'Outer Limits' marathon and that kept his mind off of things until dinner. He got up and when he ran his hand down the controls for the door, nothing happened. He did it again, and when the doors stayed shut he banged on the copper panels a few times. Nothing. "Hey!" he yelled and banged some more. "Crap," he muttered when the doors remained shut. He ran his hands through his hair and refrained from kicking them. Good thing he stuck a Powerbar in his pocket at lunch. He fished that out and flopped back down on the end of the bed.
Just after seven the doors opened. John rolled his head that way and the major was there. He did not look happy at all. "Hey," he said. "Didn't expect that to open again tonight." He kept his voice pretty light, but inside he wanted nothing more than to jump up and punch someone.
"I gave my boys orders to keep you here if Kolya was in the mess." Lorne stayed in the hall. "You caused enough of a stir today. Do you have a death wish?" he yelled.
John chuffed and sat up. "And how is that any better than what they have planned for me? Huh? Please tell me, because I really don't see much of a fucking difference." His voice rose as well as glared at the group in the hall.
Lorne reacted as if slapped. Then he frowned. "Are you hungry or not?" He made a crisp turn and started down the hall.
John got up and ambled out into the hall. His shadows immediately took up their normal positions. He caught up with the major at the elevators and they waited in silence for the doors to open. Only after they stepped in did Lorne say something. "Did I not warn you about doing something stupid?" he hissed, his lips barely moving.
"Sorry," John hissed back. "But I've been feeling a little trapped lately."
Lorne grunted. "You and a whole hell of a lot of others," he said as the doors opened. "Welcome to the fucking club." The small group waiting for the elevator parted for him as he stomped through.
John was frozen in place, his eyebrows raised. Well, he felt like a total ass now for his little temper tantrum. He followed Lorne out into the atrium, and the four people waiting for the elevator all gave him and the two armed guards a wide berth. He gave them a quick, lopsided smile, and they all smiled hesitantly back at him.
It wasn't until they were sitting at their usual table – Rodney, Ronon, and Zelenka were already there and just finishing their desserts – before John spoke again to Lorne. "Yeah, sorry about that earlier." He unrolled his silverware and kept his eyes on his plate. "Kinda had tunnel vision."
Lorne grunted again and just started eating. After a few bites he pointed his fork at him and finally said, "No more stupid shit. Got that?"
"I'll try," John replied and dug into his salmon.
Ronon bumped his shoulder and smirked as John nearly lost the bite on his fork. "You're a legend now," he said.
"Great," John drawled and popped the bite in his mouth before it fell off completely.
"Yes, the women are talking more about you than they are Ronon-san," Zelenka said. "That has not happened for, oh, couple years now."
Ronon flipped a carrot slice at him like it was a tiny orange shiruken and scowled. It just made the little Czech laugh to himself. "Well, it is true."
Rodney was grimacing, but it was with amusement. "Yeah, that may have been incredibly stupid, but you made quite a few people's day. Including mine." He hid his smirk behind his coffee for a second. "Between that and puking on Chaya, I think you're my new hero.
Zelenka looked at Rodney in surprise. "He's surpassed Batman? Neuvěřitelný."
"You're, ah, welcome," John said. He got a warning scowl and a raised fork from Lorne. "I think." Then he just concentrated on his meal.
End Note: And the caca starts to gum up the rotary cooling device...
