How To Save A Life
By The Watch Stander
Chapter Three - This Is The Forest Primeval
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John walked down the hall for the tenth time today, on his way to see Radek in his lab. This time he hoped that the scientist had something to tell him about where their missing Physicist and the Doctor had gone. Once they had the planet address they could head out in a jumper to retrieve or rescue them. He wanted it to be the latter.
Radek was sitting before his computer staring at it as if it was a piece of broken technology that refused to give up it's secrets.
The curses he uttered were in Czech, but you didn't have to know the language to get the general idea of what he was saying.
John arrived in time to see the scientist pound his fist on the desk.
"Computer getting the better of you, Doc?"
Radek sighed and once more pushed his glasses up his nose.
"No, I just didn't want the answer it was giving me." He looked up at Sheppard with regret showing on his face.
Sheppard knew that look, "Just say it, Doc."
Radek sighed, "There are over two hundred addresses in the buffer and I haven't a clue which one is theirs."
Sheppard shook his head, disappointed and frustrated. "Well, we'll just have to narrow them down and assign our teams. The sooner the better." He was not giving up on Rodney and Carson by any means.
"Yes, that would be good plan. I will put them into some order for your teams."
"Ok, let me know when you have them ready," Sheppard quickly left to organize the search.
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Carson slowly made his way through the forest trying more or less to stay in a straight line. The trees in this section were thinning out, but their overhead canopy blocked most of the light, making it difficult to see the obstacles ,such as branches and rocks that one could trip over. Rodney had already done just that, taking Carson with him and the fall hadn't helped the scientist's ribs. It took him a full ten minutes to recover. Beckett was worried that Rodney might have further injured himself as he seemed to be holding his side as well as taking shallower breaths. When he asked, McKay told him he was fine, just winded from the fall.
Once back on his feet, Rodney seemed very quiet, not a good sign for him, Carson knew.
They continued to walk for another hour in silence until it became unsettling.
"How're yah doing, Rodney?" He had the scientist's right arm over his shoulders and was gently holding onto the man's belt to support him.
"Not so good, Carson. Can we stop?" Rodney pleaded.
"All right, but just for a moment. I'll give you another couple of pills to ease the pain, but then we need to go. It'll be dark soon and I'd rather we were out of these woods."
Rodney nodded, just happy that they were stopping for a rest. His insides were on fire. When they'd fallen earlier he had felt something snap as he hit the ground. Not wanting to worry Carson, he'd said nothing, but maybe he'd better.
"I think I broke something when we fell..."
Carson's head snapped up, "What!... Why'd you not tell me? Are you bloody daft man?"
Rodney was sitting with his back resting against a tree. "Didn't think it was anything to mention since I already hurt everywhere. What's one more pain?"
"You probably snapped a rib. Let me see. He sat down beside McKay and started to unzip the man's tact vest.
A sudden noise in the undergrowth around them stopped Carson. Turning toward the area it had come from, he stood perfectly still, noting the lack of sounds that the forest previously had. The bushes shook and he could hear what sounded like muffled steps from some animal. Drawing his 9mm, he waited as sweat dripped down the side of his face. He knew what he would have to do in order to protect them, but that didn't mean he wasn't afraid. The fear though wasn't just for himself, but also for his friend. Rodney was in no shape to defend himself.
Carson waited - a good three minutes passed before he heard the sound of receding footfalls heading away from them - then nothing.
Thank god! What ever it was left...
He turned back to examine Rodney and just as expected found another cracked rib.
"Rodney, I'm going to give you the other pills that are stronger. They may make you somewhat light headed, but you need them to ease the pain. I'll hold off on the morphine until we camp for the night."
Rodney opened his weary eyes and looked at Carson, "Fine, whatever works."
He was much too tired to care at this point.
Carson gave him the tablets that had a low dose of codeine in them and then handed him a water bottle. Rodney drank a good quarter of the water, before finally handing it back.
The doctor smiled and squeezed his shoulder, "We'll wait a couple of minutes, then go."
McKay nodded and closed his eyes, grateful for the respite.
A short while later Carson helped him up and once more took his arm. They had only gone a short ways when once again Carson noticed the sound of muffled feet. This time there was more than one set. Bushes moved on both sides of the trail.
"Rodney, we have company." Carson steadied McKay, but drew his weapon at the same time.
Somehow Carson's tone of voice got through to Rodney and he realized they were in danger. Pulling himself together, he drew his weapon and tried to stand as steady as he could. He stood with his back against Carson's and together they watched the surrounding area for any threat.
The bushes shook suddenly and Rodney felt his heart start to race in fear. He hated this waiting it made him feel helpless. Two large animals leaped out of the bushes and came at them from both sides.
Carson was hit in the side by a large furry creature that reeked of musk and seemed to be all jaw and teeth. He went down with the heavy animal on top of him that grabbed hold of his arm as they fell. Behind him he heard Rodney cry out and then fall as well.
The animal was snarling in Carson's face, but he held it at bay with his arms, while trying to get a clean shot at it. His heart was racing, behind him he could hear McKay yelling at a creature that was attacking him.
Finally Beckett was able to put two shots into the beast that still held onto his arm. Yelping in pain, it released its hold , then quickly ran off into the bushes. The doctors arm throbbed in pain as blood ran down his sleeve. Still somewhat shocked Carson just lay there until he heard a cry of pain from Rodney. He quickly got up to help.
McKay was fending off the beast with both arms. The animal had him pinned beneath him and Rodney was unable to get a shot at the creature as he needed both of his hands to protect his face and neck.
The animal's head resembled a bear, but had the trim body of a wolf. It was snarling as it made several attempts to get to the scientist's neck. Finally it grabbed hold of the scientist's arm making Rodney cry out in pain as it's jaws bit down on his arm and into his flesh.
Carson went to his knees in a firing stance and took careful aim. Finding a clear shot, he pumped two rounds into the animal's body. Wounded, it yelped, then let go of Rodney's arm as it backed away. Beckett shot it twice more and it fell over onto it's side, legs still twitching in its death throes.
Rodney curled up into a ball, holding his left arm and whimpering in pain. His arm hurt as well as the rest of his body, he was sure he was dying.
Beckett kicked the animal's carcass to be sure it was dead then went over to McKay .
"Rodney, let me see, I need to help you," carefully he took hold of Rodney's good arm and pulled it away, exposing the bloody hand and forearm of his left arm.
The scientist was a mess, his jacket sleeve was shredded revealing a blood covered forearm beneath it. Both of his hands had been bitten and covered in blood as well and there was a large scratch on his neck that looked nasty. Fortunately, their tact vests had protected their torsos or they might have had even graver wounds. The animals had claws that would probably have gutted them if not for the vests.
Carson sighed, McKay looked terrible, but it might have been worse if they weren't prepared for the attack. His own left arm was bleeding as it continued to ache.
He needed to clean them up, but not here.
There might be other creatures and once blood is spilled there's always trouble to follow.
Beckett stood and helped a shaky Rodney to stand. The scientist cried out in pain, as Carson took the man's right arm and put it over his shoulders.
"Carson, what were those things?" Rodney asked in a weak voice laced with pain.
"Damned if I know. Bloody hounds of hell, if you ask me. We need to get out of here before they bring back their friends to finish the job."
McKay was dizzy and could hardly stand, but he knew Carson was right. He steeled himself knowing there was no other choice if he wanted to survive.
" I'm good... let's go. I don't intend to end my life as a dog biscuit."
Carson smiled at his friends remark, as they carefully headed down the trail away from the grizzly scene of their attack. Before the animals had rushed them he thought he heard running water in the distance. There was a good chance he would be able to wash and clean their wounds there.
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The shallow river had been a welcome sight to the two injured men. Carson had almost dropped Rodney though when he felt his legs start to slip on the embankment.
Rodney yelped when he felt his feet go out from under him. They ended up falling on their butts and sliding down the embankment together. Carson held onto him as they slid down the bank, ending up on a flat shore area and luckily not in the river itself.
"Carson, you are so not helping!" Rodney managed to whisper, bending over as he sat there trying to get his breath back and his heart rate to slow.
"What was that, Rodney?... A complaint? I've a good mind to leave you here and let those animals use you as a chewy toy!"
Rodney smirked slightly, "I may just take you up on that. At least it would be quicker than this torture..."
Carson looked at him as if he'd lost his mind, "Now there'll be none of that kind of talk. I'll not have it! I'll clean you up and we'll find a spot to camp for the night. Even give you that morphine... if you behave."
Rodney leaned back against the embankment. He held his arm, that was throbbing with sharp needle like pains, protectively against his chest.
Looking up at his friend with sadness in his eyes, he said softly, "I know you're doing your best, Carson, but I don't think we're going to make it."
Carson shook his head, " I said none of that talk, we'll make it!... You know I won't give up and neither will you, or so help me I'll kick your ass all the way to the gate!"
Rodney tried to smile, but he just didn't have the energy. Carson was a good friend and Rodney felt terrible that they would both probably die here all because of him not fixing the jumper in time.
"Sorry, Carson... for everything..." his voice faded as he closed his eyes too exhausted to say more.
Carson squeezed his friend's shoulder, then took his own pack off. He needed to clean Rodney's wounds as well as his before infection set in. The river water would need testing, so he did that first.
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An hour later he had cleaned Rodney's arm and coated it liberally with the antiseptic wash as well as the other bites, cuts and scrapes on the man's body. McKay had been lying there quietly all the time Beckett worked on him. Carson was just finishing cleaning his own wounded arm when Rodney started to stir.
Beckett was having a tough time wrapping his own bandage around his arm.
Rodney's blue eyes came open slowly then he turned his head to watch the struggling man trying to tie off the bandage using his teeth.
Using his elbows Rodney managed to sit up, "Wait, Carson, let me help you."
Beckett looked closely at his friend's pale face and noticed the sweat on the scientist's brow.
"Since when did you become a doctor?", he asked as Rodney slowly but efficiently re-wrapped the bandage.
The scientist smiled slightly, "Had a lot of practice with Sheppard and Ronon always getting hurt. Teyla and I could serve as medics if necessary, we've bandaged so many different limbs."
Rodney finished tying it off and Carson had to admit it was a good job.
"Aye, your team does seem to find trouble most of the time. Never know what to expect when you all come back from a mission."
Rodney nodded and sat there slumped over like a broken doll. He was totally wiped out and his hands had started shaking just after finishing off the bandage.
This was not lost on Carson. He used his hand to check Rodney's forehead and found it feverish.
"What I wouldn't give for some antibiotics right now ..."
Hearing what his friend said, Rodney looked up suddenly, then started to open a pocket on his vest. Carson watched him not knowing what he was doing and thinking he was after a powerbar.
McKay pulled out a bottle and smiled slightly as he handed it to a surprised Carson.
"Your wish is my command!", he said softly noting the shocked look on the doctors face.
Beckett quickly read the label and noted it was a ten day supply of antibiotics that covered a wide spectrum of infections.
He looked over at his friend, "Rodney...where did you get these?"
"I always carry a ten day supply with me. Like I told you, you never know when you'll need them. Someone is always getting hurt and most of the time it's me that gets a small cut that gets infected. Even a splinter will do it sometimes, so no more making fun of me!"
Carson smiled and gently squeezed his friends g good arm. "Aye, I'll not be doing that. Let's get some of these into you." He opened the bottle and took out one tablet and handed it to Rodney, then pulled out the water bottled and handed that to him as well.
McKay swallowed the tablet and finished off the bottle of water. Carson then refilled the bottle with the water from the river and threw in a purification tablet. They wouldn't drink it, but it would help in keeping their wounds clean.
Rodney looked at the Doctor as the man put back their meager supplies into the pack. He looked exhausted and just as beat up as Rodney felt.
"Carson, you need to take one as well."
Beckett looked up at him, realizing that what he said was true. He had been bitten by an animal as well and he knew it might become infected.
"I know that, Rodney, but there won't be enough left for the ten day's we need to take them."
Rodney stared at him as if he were an idiot," Carson, do really think we'll survive more than 5days? Seriously, I doubt it. If we don't get sick and die from these wounds, something will eventually catch us and eat us!"
Carson smiled, glad that at least Rodney was still able to think straight and remain in a somewhat good humor. Having him go into depressed mode would not be good for either of them.
"Aye...right you are, I'll take some as well."
After opening the pill bottle, he took out a tablet and swallowed it dry. Reaching into his pack he pulled out a bottle of water and took a long drink, just now realizing how dehydrated he was.
Rodney lay back against the embankment closing his eyes. His hands still shook with tremors every few minutes, but he hardly noticed through all the other pain that shot through his body.
Carson pulled out a powerbar from his vest and shook McKay's arm.
The scientist turned to face Carson and noticing the bar being offered, slowly reached for it.
"Thanks, Carson." He said softly, grateful for the man's care and friendship.
"You're welcome. I'll go look for some shelter and make us a fire. Then we'll eat a meal and give you that well deserved morphine I promised."
Rodney nodded as he took a small bite of the bar, not really hungry, but knowing he needed it to stave off his hypoglycemia.
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TBC