How To Save a Life
By The Watch Stander
AN: Almost done! Thanks to all who left reviews and added this story to their lists!
Chapter 15 - Scottish Wrath
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Jerin turned on the man, who had just entered the room and given him the news, that McKay was now missing from the caves.
"What do you mean he's gone? How is that possible?" Jerin shouted angrily.
The henchman looked chagrined,"I don't know, but Ailee took one of the doctors to see to an injured man in the fields earlier. Maybe our own people helped him to escape."
"You fool, no one has been injured, I would have been told!" Jerin was livid.
" We'll get to the bottom of this, we need that man as leverage to get what we need. Without him as a hostage we have nothing to force them to help us! Let's go and find out from this Carson where he's been taken."
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Carson had just finished with administering medicine to most of the patients in the room and he had a good idea of how many would need further treatment that included surgery.
He turned to Turi beside him and started to explain what would be needed.
"Turi, some of these people including your brother are in need of surgery. I have to remove what is known as a tumor from several of these people including your brother. Many of the Genii had the same tumors and we were able to cure them."
Seeing the confused look on the younger man's face he continued to explain, "It's a growth inside that is caused by exposure to the radiation from the mine. Some have small tumors, while others have larger ones, but I need the facilities of my infirmary. We can't do the surgery here."
Turi thought about what moving people off world would entail and frowned, "My father will never agree to this."
Carson sighed, "Aye, but what choice does he have if he wants your brother to recover and the rest of the villagers as well. I'm sure if you explain it to him and the other patient's families we can get him to agree."
"I'll talk to Cerwin and see if he can sway my father, he always listens to my brother and it is his life we're talking about."
Carson was wearing his radio and a sudden voice in his ear startled him, "Carson?"
"Colonel?"
"Listen, we have Rodney, but he's in a bad way, we need you. Come outside and we'll land the jumper and pick you up."
Turi stared at Carson, puzzled as to who he was talking to. The doctor was about to explain as well as answer the Colonel when a man shouted at him from across the room, "Where have you taken him!"
It was Turi's father.
Carson, quickly spoke into the mike, "You'd best hurry then, Colonel, as we're about to have a brawl here and I can't promise who will win."
"On our way, Carson", was Shepard's reply, his radio had picked up the shout from Jerin.
Turi stepped forward trying to cut off his father before he could reach Carson, but was pushed aside by him as Jerin made his way toward the helpless doctor.
"You tell us now where he is and we'll let you live!" Jerin threatened as he stood before Carson. Two of his henchmen backed him up and Turi came to stand beside Carson, who was now getting angry.
"Will ya now, how big of you. First you beat Rodney and then you dump him somewhere where I can't help him and you think I'll let you have him again?"
Jerin was furious, his breath reeked of liquor, but Carson was not about to say anything about Rodney's rescue, he only needed to stall for time and Colonel Sheppard and Major Lorne would soon be here.
"Who do you think you are, treating people this way that have been trying to help you! Easy to beat on an injured man, but how about someone who can fight back?" Carson spat at him, now furious.
Jerin smiled nastily, the liquor giving him false courage, "All right, try it and we'll see who wins!"
Jerin signaled his men to back away, then turned back to face Carson.
"This will be between you and me!"
Turi started to say something, but Carson pushed him aside, "No, this has to be done."
Carson waited while Jerin seemed to ready himself, then suddenly the bigger man came at him. Beckett was ready and used his right fist to catch Jerin on the jaw sending him sprawling to the ground. Some of the doctor's anger was released by seeing this man humbled before him.
Jerin slowly got up and this time came low as he charged at Carson, who quickly stepped aside and tripped Jerin with an outstretched foot. The alcohol had made the big man clumsy and uncoordinated.
Once more the larger man was on the ground and looking up angrily at Carson, who was obviously smaller, but far more agile.
"I'll kill both you and your friend for this!" Jerin sneered as he tried to stagger to his feet, but couldn't seem to get up.
Carson looked down at Jerin with contempt on his face, "Will ya now?... I seriously doubt that! Ya nothing but a wee little man that has fallen into a bottle. That's where ya courage comes from, so I suggest ya go hide there."
Jerin looked up at the faces of his men and son, who were looking down at him with pity. He looked away, ashamed now that the reality of his position had sunken in. He wiped his face with his hand.
People had wandered over to see what was going on and Jerin was now surrounded by his some of his villagers, who seeing him on the floor also had pity on their faces.
Turi spoke up, "Father, it's time to let someone else take over for you till you feel better."
Jerin slowly nodded and looked down at the floor, defeated.
Sheppard, Lorne and Ronon came through the door at that moment and overhearing the conversations, made their way towards the group.
Ronon seeing the larger man on the floor and Carson standing over him smiled, "Good one, Carson."
Carson smiled slightly embarrassed, but pleased that it had ended with no bloodshed.
The villagers looked fearfully at Lorne and his men, not knowing who the armed men were with Sheppard. Jerin's henchmen were also on guard as well.
Beckett tried to calm the situation and addressed everyone, "I need to go see to my friend, but I will be back. Turi will explain to you what is needed and I'll return to explain to each of you the treatment needed for your family members. "
He turned away and quickly left with Sheppard and the others following, not wanting to waste anymore time that he could be helping Rodney.
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Teyla was sitting with Rodney inside the jumper, wiping his face with a cool cloth when Beckett and the others arrived. The doctor immediately took her place and went to work checking on his friend's vital signs as Lorne prepared the jumper for takeoff.
The Marine medic had Rodney hooked up to oxygen and an IV, but he was still unconscious and very pale. His breathing labored. Carson was worried, Rodney was not responding.
Sheppard kneeled beside them, "Carson?", he asked, his voice showing concern as he looked down at Rodney's pale face. McKay hadn't so much as twitched while being carried here by Ronon. It always amazed Sheppard how gentle Ronon could be when it came to injured team mates, especially Rodney who he often argued with.
The doctor shook his head, "Not good, we need to go now!"
Carson took a deep breath trying to calm his heart down from the adrenalin that had spiked during the fight with Jerin. He needed all his wits about him if he were to save his patient and friend. It all came down to him now.
Teyla smiled at Carson as she gently picked up one of McKay's hands and held onto it, hoping Rodney would feel her holding it and stay strong till they got him home to Atlantis.
Lorne didn't need to be told twice and the jumper lifted up heading for the stargate and home.
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