Elizabeth walked out of her office, aware that Major Sheppard's team should be about to check-in from their mission. She checked her watch as she walked into the Control room.
Chuck nodded to her as he too awaited the scheduled activation of the stargate that would signal the check-in.
Minutes passed by as they patiently waited. Ten minutes later and Elizabeth was visibly concerned, her arms crossed with her hands strumming her upper arms.
"Its not the first time Major Sheppard has dialed in late, ma'am." Chuck consoled her, though his spidey sense was rising.
"I know, Chuck-but, well-its Major Sheppard's team...we know trouble follows them." She also knew how adamant John had become about keeping scheduled check-ins for all off-world teams. She drew in a deep breathe and keyed her ear com.
"Lt Lorne? Please respond." An almost immediate response brought her out of her worried preoccupation.
"Dr. Weir-Lt Lorne here. What can I do for you, ma'am?"
"Lieutenant, Major Sheppard's team is late for check-in. Let's wait another 10 minutes , but if they havent made contact by then, I want to send another jumper out."
"Yes, ma'am...I'll ready my team. We'll be ready to go, if need be. Just say the word." Lt. Lorne also knew that Major Sheppard was strict about all teams keeping to scheduled check-ins as a priority while off-world. He felt it was imperative to keep anxiety levels low for those at home. He would never miss a schedule check in-unless he was unable to-
Ten anxious minutes later and Elizabeth gave the order for Lorne and his team to proceed. They had already manned the jumper and done their preflight checks, also anxious to check on their CO and his team. She said a silent prayer that the order wasnt necessary and that all would return safe and sound.
ooOOooOOooOO
Approaching the Ancient facility for a landing, Lorne didnt see the Major's jumper, but he did see the flattened landscape where the jumper had been parked. His spidey sense put him on guard and he cautioned his team to proceed with stealth.
They exited their jumper with P90's at the ready. Lorne in the lead, he swiped the doorway open and carefully entered.
Radek heard the door swish open, but was still surprised when he saw Lorne and his men enter with weapons drawn.
"Lt Lorne-I am so happy to see you! What took you so long?" His gaze looked passed Lorne. "Where is Dr. Petersen?"
Lorne looked at Radek in confusion. "Dr Petersen?"
"Yes, yes...oh-I knew Major Sheppard would forget! He wasnt thinking clearly-understandably, but Teyla should have remembered!" Radek queried, a look of concerned annoyance on his face.
"Wait a minute, Doc! What are you talking about? Where is everyone else?"
Lorne wanted some answers-fast!
"Please-Do not tell me Major Sheppard and Teyla did not arrive back to Atlantis!" Radek asked apprehensively... "Major Sheppard and Teyla took the jumper to return to Atlantis. Major Sheppard was hurt, Teyla went along to help him should he need it. They were to send you back here with Dr Petersen."
"Dr Zelenka- Its past check-in and Dr Weir had us come to find out what the hold up was...Now you tell me that Major Sheppard and Teyla left here to return to Atlantis and Major Sheppard was hurt? Where's Dr McKay and Ronon?" Lorne needed to get the facts and timeline straight.
Radek looked frazzled and confused, muttering in his native tongue.
" Doc-start at the beginning. But first off, how long has it been since the Major took the jumper out?" Lorne was really worried where they were, if either were able-they would have contacted Zelenka. The fact that they hadnt, was not a good sign.
Radek answered all Lorne's questions and was visibly upset. Over three hours had passed, with no word from Major Sheppard. Where were they?
Lorne keyed his ear com to hail Rodney and Ronon. Making sure they were okay and filling them in on what was going on done, he told them to sit tight.
Lorne knew they had to get moving and instructed his team. "Okay, Major Sheppard and Teyla are missing, presumably they must be on the planet somewhere. Let's contact Atlantis and get them to send another jumper to bring Dr Petersen here to help with the getting Rodney and Ronon free. Better get them to send a medical team along too. We know at least Major Sheppard is already hurt and in need of medical attention." Lorne instructed his team to withdraw back to the jumper and turned to Radek.
"Doc, keep trying to get them out of that locked room. We'll send for another jumper with help-My team and I will head out to search for Major Sheppard and Teyla. When the other jumper gets here, we'll need them to help with the search-have them contact me ASAP."
Having done all he could here, he headed toward the jumper. He silently prayed his CO and Teyla were alright. He had a job to do and was anxious to get it done.
Lorne dialed the gate to Atlantis so he could radio for help and brief Dr Weir on what was happening.
"Lieutenant, why didnt Major Sheppard just contact us before trying to pilot the jumper in his condition." Elizabeth was confused about this point.
"I dont know, Ma'am...Radek said Major Sheppard tried, but couldnt get through." Lorne was curious of that too, since he had not had a problem.
More pressing business was of concern right now though, finding the Major and Teyla was paramount.
"Ma'am, I'll take my team and head out to search for the Major and Teyla. Please send another jumper. I think Dr Beckett and his medical team may be needed and Dr Zelenka has requested Dr Petersen come and help him with the encrypted password."
"They are readying as we speak. ETA to your position-fifteen minutes."
Elizabeth had alerted Carson and his team to be on standby when Lorne had left and Chuck had contacted Dr Petersen right away when he heard the request from Lt Lorne.
"Great, Lorne out." Ending his transmission to Dr Weir, Lorne turned to Zelenka "Doc, you okay here for awhile? We need to recon to hopefully locate the Major and Teyla."
"Yes, yes-I will be fine. Please -find Major Sheppard and Teyla. I am afraid for them." Radek wished he could do more.
Lorne took the jumper up and mentally summoned the HUD.
As they flew along, his teammates scanned the data for any sign of the missing jumper. It wasnt long before they found it. Thankfully, two life signs were also visible. Lorne was relieved but still really concerned.
Taking the jumper down, the missing jumper came into view. What they saw was sobering. The missing jumper lay on its side, the left rear engine pod was missing, the other was damaged beyond repair and had a dead "something" hanging from its struts. Blood and gore was visible all along the hull as they got closer.
Finding a clearing close by the crash site, the jumper hatch released and Lorne and his team again, exited with weapons ready. They would need to hike a short distance to reach the downed jumper and they did not have the advantage of the personal oxygen tanks that Sheppard's team had.
It was a good thing it wasnt too far. By the time the soldiers reached the crash site, each one of them were dizzy and gasping for breath. Lorne tapped on the hatch, noting that there was no way the hatch was going to release without brute force, as it was damaged way too much.
TBC Rescue has arrived, but there are still obstacles in their way!