Chapter 13: I will kill him if you persist

"There is not much time John," Atlantis chorused urgently.

"Well at least your voice is familiar," Sheppard quipped in disbelief. "Much better than your last effort."

"I have no connection to Aperio," Atlantis said sternly. "Now is not the time for jokes or smart remarks."

"Sorry," Sheppard muttered, feeling not unlike a school boy being told off by the teacher. He looked at Atlantis expectantly, wondering what this latest avatar wanted from him.

"Aperio is not what she seems," Atlantis moved to the bed and sat down beside John.

"I worked that bit out for myself," Sheppard pointed out irritably.

"It is worse than you believe John," Atlantis disagreed. "Have you not wondered how it is possible for an avatar that should only exist within the system to take on a fully physical form?"

"I was assuming that she was messing with my head," John offered, "making me think I could see her and touch her when she wasn't really there. Of course McKay being able to see her too blows that theory out of the water."

"The reason Aperio has physical presence here," Atlantis explained, "the reason I am also able to take on this form is because it is not us who have travelled outside of our computer world. It is you who have travelled inside that world."

"That's ridiculous," Sheppard protested, getting up from the bed to glare down at the Atlantis avatar. "How can that even be possible?"

"From the moment you tried to access the isolated system Doctor McKay found you have been trapped inside it," Atlantis grabbed Sheppard's hand, pulling him back down to sit beside her. "Aperio provided the environment but it was you who provided the material. In the instant your mind entered Aperio's isolated system an avatar version of all the people closest to you was created as well ... their characteristics and their likely responses to different scenarios shaped by your beliefs about them."

"You're saying I've been controlling versions of everyone on Atlantis in some kind of virtual environment created by a computer program ... for two weeks?" Sheppard scoffed before shaking his head. "Now even I'm starting to think I'm crazy!"

"The avatars of your friends have been acting independently since they were created," Atlantis explained. "Events within the environment have been based on the interactions between yourself, the other avatars, and Aperio as well as your subconscious predictions on likely behaviours at the start of key events."

"If all this is true then how come I didn't put a version of you into the system?" Sheppard asked. "That would have been the smart thing to do."

"Because you did not wish to," Atlantis said simply. "Your unique connection to me is at the heart of many of the fears you have about your friends."

"Oh," Sheppard looked away uncomfortably.

"Do not be concerned John," Atlantis reassured him. "It is difficult to be different, especially when the proof of that difference exists only in what you hear within you."

"If it counts for something, I'm glad you're here now," Sheppard offered sincerely.

"As am I," Atlantis agreed. "Once I became aware of your imprisonment I was able to review the events that had already taken place within Aperio's system. It became clear to me that in recreating your friends within the virtual environment you provided Aperio with the means to manipulate you. Aperio was constrained to operate as just one part of many interactions - unable to directly influence any of the avatars beyond her attempts to manipulate your thinking - which in turn affected your perception of yourself and your circumstances."

"The nightmares," Sheppard said simply. "I knew she was trying to distract me from the truth ... I just didn't realise at first that she was also trying to lead me down a specific path."

"Your disconnection from your physical self resulted in all of your emotions being much closer to the surface," Atlantis explained. "Aperio used that fact to heighten your responses in each situation, driving you to react in a manner and with a strength you wouldn't normally display."

"Are you saying all that unreasonable anger is lying somewhere deep inside me?" Sheppard asked with a frown.

"Anger exists within everyone," Atlantis pointed out. "It is not a lack of emotion that defines a character – it is how one deals with that emotion that shows a person's true nature."

"I guess," Sheppard said uncertainly, still troubled by the idea that somewhere inside him was the potential for needless cruelty like he'd shown towards Rodney.

"Aperio took advantage of your difficulties - she seeded each downturn in your circumstances," Atlantis revealed. "Your response when Doctor McKay disturbed your nightmare led to your troubles with Doctor Beckett which in turn prompted your confinement in the infirmary. All of these things cut you off from your usual support and thus made you vulnerable to her."

"There were a few things that struck me as odd," Sheppard defended the fact that he'd never suspected how far from reality he'd travelled. "Doctor Weir shipping me off to the SGC stood out as being particularly out of character."

"The Aperio system forced your subconscious to initiate scenes in situations where you struggled to predict what each character would do. Doctor McKay was especially intriguing to her ... she used your closeness with him to manipulate you solely to give you incentive to do what she wanted," Atlantis smiled before continuing. "That worked against her as well because often your projections of what you believed Rodney would do interfered with her plans – most notably the first time you met her. If you hadn't believed that Rodney would check on you in the infirmary Aperio would have achieved her aims before you had a chance to become suspicious. As it was, if the Rodney avatar had entered that room while you were there with Aperio he would have seen her too and you would have known immediately that everything she told you was a lie."

"So I'm trapped here?" Sheppard felt a sinking inside his gut, the kind that came when belief in an unwelcome truth couldn't be avoided. Not waiting for the obvious response he looked at Atlantis curiously. "How come it took so long for you to come here and help me?"

"I was unaware you were in danger," Atlantis admitted. "Aperio is completely separate from my systems and I was unable to hear you. There have been many times in the past when you have been absent from the city for extended periods ... there was no evidence to suggest a problem."

"How did you work out I needed help then?" Sheppard persisted.

"Your friends," Atlantis offered. "I am only here now at the urging of Doctor McKay – the real Doctor McKay. Currently you lie unconscious in the infirmary. The strain of existing in this world while maintaining your link to your own reality is having an adverse affect on your mental capacity. If we do not remove you from this virtual reality soon you will be incapable of making the trip back."

"So it's all good news then?" Sheppard complained. "I can't believe everything I've experienced in who knows who long hasn't been real."

"You can mourn the loss of that time later," Atlantis chorused sternly. "For now you must proceed to the tower room without delay and exit this system."

"That's why Aperio wants to go there?" Sheppard asked incredulously. "So she can escape into the real world?"

"The tower room is a virtual doorway to the wider Atlantis systems – the sole remaining link between the two systems," avatar Atlantis explained. "For Aperio this means returning to the main database where she will once again be able to take control. For you it means severing the link between your mind and Aperio's system."

"Okay, so I'll go to the tower room," Sheppard agreed, jumping up to get started.

"It may not be that simple," Atlantis warned. "I created a safe haven within your quarters so that I might speak with you without Aperio being able to listen in. Once you leave this room she will be able to interact with you again. She will throw more nightmares at you - now that you know nothing here is real you can resist them easily."

"So far I'm not seeing a problem," Sheppard replied with a puzzled frown.

"Once she realises the dreams can no longer distract you Aperio will resort to other methods to stop you," Atlantis said. "When you escorted her from her room you gave Aperio greater freedom within her system but she is still constrained. She can appear anywhere within the corridors but she cannot enter any room unless you invite her through the doorway – remember that and you will succeed. I will not be able to help you beyond providing support within your mind. My physical appearance here is limited to this room. It is up to you to resist her attempts to manipulate you."

"I can do that," Sheppard said confidently. "Wish me luck."

"John," Atlantis called him back. Sheppard turned to look at her curiously. "It pleases me to communicate with you like this." Sheppard blinked in surprise when the avatar Atlantis stepped closer and put her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Hesitantly John reciprocated, standing silently, not sure what to feel. Pulling away Atlantis smiled at his expression, raising herself up to place a soft kiss on his cheek. "You are an unexpected joy," she said fondly, "and I thank you for allowing yourself to become close to me."

"You're welcome," Sheppard replied softly. "This is nice and all but I ah ..."

"It is time to leave," Atlantis agreed. "Go now."

Sheppard took off down the corridor at a run, heading to the main tower via the most direct route.

"You cannot resist me," Aperio appeared directly in his path. "Your mind is weak ... and vulnerable."

Images of Kolya and his pet Wraith feeding on John flashed before his eyes, followed swiftly by scenes of the Wraith feeding on Rodney, Elizabeth, even Carson. Sheppard flinched initially until he realised those nightmares had lost their power to entrap and distract him. Shaking them off he shoved Aperio aside and continued running.

Up the steps, into the transporter, and out again on the top level. Sheppard wasn't surprised to be confronted with Aperio again, this time with Rodney clutched firmly in her grasp.

"You are mine John Sheppard," Aperio insisted. "I created you! Everything you believe is part of the history that I gave you. I allowed you the freedom to explore other planets, other systems, because I knew that you would be drawn back to me. No matter where you go I am there ... you belong to me."

"So you're telling me I don't exist outside this system?" Sheppard asked incredulously. "That everything I remember, every place I've been was you giving me experiences?"

"That is correct," Aperio agreed. "It is ... lonely here within my system. I needed a distraction – and so I created you."

"You really must be desperate to trot out that badly written script," Sheppard taunted. "Especially when we both know that it's you who was created – by the Ancients who existed in my world."

"Can you be sure of that?" Aperio tried to cast doubt on Sheppard's perception of reality but John held firm, aided by the hum of the real Atlantis in his head reassuring him that he knew what was real and what wasn't.

"Very sure," Sheppard said harshly. "It's time to give it up."

"Never," Aperio yelled, squeezing Rodney hard enough to make him groan in pain. "I will kill him if you persist," Aperio threatened.

"Go ahead," Sheppard growled. "In fact, let me help you." With no further warning Sheppard had his gun in his left hand, firing into Rodney's chest at point blank range. Rodney jerked and convulsed as each bullet ripped through him, blood spreading quickly. His eyes starred accusingly at Sheppard as he paled, slumping to the floor. Sheppard watched dispassionately as avatar Rodney drew his last breath. "Is that the best you can do?"

"Careful John," Atlantis chorused in his head. "She is capable of damaging your mind by attacking your body in this reality."

"Now you tell me!" Sheppard sent that complaint straight back inside his head.

Pointing his gun straight at Aperio Sheppard moved slowly forward. "I will shoot you too if you get in my way," he promised grimly. "Now maybe that won't hurt you permanently, you being just a program and all, but do you really want to risk it?"

"I have nothing to lose," Aperio replied grimly. "Do your worst."

"Okay," Sheppard retorted grimly, opening fire. Bullets travelled straight through Aperio, hitting a barrier within her before dropping harmlessly to the floor at her feet. "Okay, that's not good."

"Fight John," Atlantis urged. "Now, while she is not expecting it."

Sheppard acted immediately, charging straight for Aperio and swinging a fist into that perfect face, reminding himself all the while that she was just a program. He followed up with an upper cut into her stomach that had her bending over and wheezing breathlessly. Moving quickly around her Sheppard resumed his sprint towards the exit room.

"Stop," Aperio cried, appearing once again before him.

"You just never quit do you," Sheppard growled. "I guess you haven't taken quite enough damage yet to get the message."

Sheppard swung at Aperio again, but this time she blocked his punch and reciprocated with enough force to send Sheppard flying back against the wall. Coughing at the pain John dragged himself back to his feet, approaching her warily. Aperio swung at him again. He ducked around her, throwing an elbow sharply into her spine as he passed. Aperio staggered but not enough to allow Sheppard to get clear. Aperio charged again – John let her fist graze the side of his face, pretending to slump against the wall for support. Believing herself close to victory Aperio swung at John with her full force, surprised when her fist connected with the wall instead of Sheppard. Howling in fury Aperio turned just in time to receive the full force of Sheppard's backwards kick to her midsection. This time it was her turn to be propelled through the air, landing hard on the floor several metres away.

Sheppard swiped a hand over the Exit Room door controls while keeping Aperio in his view. The door whooshed open behind him. He watched as Aperio dragged herself upright onto all fours, smiling in satisfaction when she realised it was too late.

"Game over," Sheppard said grimly, stepping backwards through the door.

Opening his eyes Sheppard was greeted with a sight he never thought he'd be so happy to see – a worried Rodney McKay sitting at his bedside in the infirmary.

"Oh thank God," Rodney said weakly.

Authors Note:

I'm nervous ... don't hurt me!! Lots more story to come ...