Natural Selection2
John broke the kiss, slowly drawing his tongue from her mouth, his lips from hers. He stared into her brown eyes, saw the passion, the desire quickly replaced by puzzlement, concern. His fingers slid from under her shirt. In one fluid motion he sat up and reached for his P90 but froze as a Wraith stunner was pointed directly at him. He stared in disbelief at the man holding it. "Ford?" he asked.
Moira sat up clumsily, flustered, yanking her shirt back over her bra. "Ford?" she echoed, staring at the man. He had one solid black eye. Scars on one side of his face. His tattered clothes still bore an Atlantis patch on one shoulder.
"Ford," John repeated, "let's not do anything hasty."
"The same goes for you, colonel," Ford replied evenly.
"Aiden Ford?" Moira stood. The gun swung towards her.
"Do I know you?"
"No. But I know of you. Lieutenant Aiden Ford. Somehow you survived and metabolized the Wraith feeding enzyme into your own bloodstream. Creating a synthesis of your blood cells and the enzyme to manufacture a wholly new genetic structure on a molecular level."
"Uh...yes...I guess..." His gaze darted to John. "A scientist?"
John shrugged. "A scientist," he agreed.
Moira began to talk again, pulling Aiden's attention from John. Ever so slowly John's fingers inched towards the P90 lying in the ferns. "This enzyme fused with the protein in your bloodstream but it is only a temporary state. The result of a maximum exposure. But the Wraith can still feed on you, can't they?"
"Uh...I guess...if they ever caught me." Bewildered by the loquacious woman Aiden could only stare. John silently thanked her for her rambling exposition as he kept his own gaze fixed on his former comrade. Fingers inching closer, closer to the his own weapon as Aiden lowered the stunner slightly.
"The feedback of enzyme would be tremendous. Almost overwhelming for the Wraith. That's why they probably refrain from feeding on you all at once. So there could be another synthesis of the two life forms, the genetic DNA codes of human and Wraith," she stepped slightly in front of John, in front of the gun he was so desperate to reach, still talking, "or at least certain combinations that we haven't yet encountered. Their specific attributes could be altered by the amount of enzyme and protein. You synthesize the enzyme, correct?"
"Yes..."
"So it must be a purer form, an artificial form. A form that negates some of the more harmful Wraith DNA. I read the mission report and from what we have been collating now we–"
John's fingers curled over the weapon. He was on his feet, pointing it at Aiden and sidestepping by Moira in a swift motion. "Ford, I don't want to shoot you."
Moira stumbled back, trying to get out of the way.
"Neither do I, sir," Aiden stated. Sounding sincere. Suddenly he swung the stunner like a club. Impossibly fast the weapon hit hard, slamming John's P90 from his grasp and spinning him. Moira stumbled but a back-handed slap from Aiden sent her reeling to the ground.
Aiden rushed John, tackling him off his feet. John rolled free, jumped upright after slamming his fist into Aiden's side. "Is this how you want it?" he asked, glancing at the sprawled form of Moira. She was slowly moving, groggy.
"Yes, sir." Aiden grinned, rushing him again.
Moira scrambled to her knees, as the two men fought. Fists flew. Kicks landed hard. They brutally engaged in hand to hand combat, both trained, both ruthless. Blood spurted, flew in crimson arcs. Groans and grunts announced successful hits. Aiden sent John flying into a tree.
"Stop it! Stop it!" she cried, looking for a weapon, any weapon. Hefting the Wraith stunner she shot Aiden. A burst of blue energy enveloped him, then faded harmlessly. He turned to her slowly, appearing more amused than angered.
"You think that thing can hurt me? Do you?" he taunted. Smiled.
"No, but this can," John snarled. As Aiden whirled John lunged with his knife. It sunk into Aiden's side. Deep. Blood spurted as John ripped it up the wound, cutting into skin, muscle.
Aiden growled in outrage, surprise. He swung a fist as John's head, knocked him sideways and down into the ferns. He extricated the knife from his side.
"No!" Moira fired the stunner again, but Aiden whirled, ripped it out of her hands. He flung it to the ground. She nearly feel but caught herself, ran to John's prone form and knelt over him. She turned as Aiden approached, blood dripping heavily from his side. "No! Please! Don't kill him! Don't kill him!" she cried.
Aiden smiled. "I don't want to kill him." He shoved her aside. "But if you go for any of the weapons again I'll break an arm, or a leg." He dropped the knife to the bloody ferns. Grunting he hoisted John's unconscious form across his shoulders. "Follow me. Leave the packs."
Moira shakily stood, glanced at the packs, the guns, the bloody knife, but followed Aiden as he entered the tangled forest.
After what seemed like hours of walking they reached a faint trail, began to climb higher, higher. The ground sloped sharply. The sounds of the waterfalls were nearly deafening now, rushing waters as loud as crashing drums. Aiden, even carrying John had no trouble, marching in smooth footsteps. Moira slipped and tripped, but pressed on, grabbing onto the vegetation to haul her up the slope. Her foot began to throb with the constant battering, the clumsy steps, the precarious footholds tangled in vines and ferns.
Finally they reached a narrow ledge. A waterfall poured noisily in front of a dark cave. Aiden ducked under the streaming water, entered. Moira nearly fell, the slick rocks giving her no purchase, but she caught herself, followed. Froze. Skeletal creatures were standing in the shadows. Emaciated, pale flesh clung to tall, deformed bodies, narrow faces.
"Back!" Aiden shouted. The creatures fled into the dark recesses of the cave. He unceremoniously dumped John onto the rocky ground.
Moira limped, fell, suppressed a moan as pain flared. She crawled to John, touched his throat.
A low but steady pulse reassured her. She looked at Aiden. "What do you want? What were those things in the dark?"
Aiden smiled. "Look after him. I'll be back. And don't worry. They won't hurt you, unless you try to escape." He glanced at John, then exited the cave.
**********************************************************************
Rodney smiled, sitting near the bed as the woman opened her eyes. "You're safe," he stated calmly. "I'm Rodney. Doctor Rodney McKay. What was your name again?"
The woman sat up, brushed her blond curls from her face. She smiled. Dimples twinkled. "I am called Allara. What is this place? It is a place of the Ancients?" She stared round in wonder, then looked at Rodney.
"It once was, yes," Rodney confirmed. "You are safe here. You don't have to worry."
"And you rule here?"
"Well, I wouldn't call it ruling, but–" Rodney glared as Ronon snickered, trying not to laugh. "As I was saying," he turned back to the woman, gave his most pleasing smile, "I don't rule but I am a very important scientist. The most important scientist, in fact, and I–"
"We know what you are," Ronon interrupted. He folded his arms across his chest, studying her with a suspicious gaze.
The woman's blue gaze flashed to him, widening in alarm. She looked back at Rodney. "What I am?" she asked slowly. Hands clutching the blankets. Her ample chest heaved with worry, with a deep breath.
"Yes. We know you are a runner. Were a runner. How long have you been one? A runner, I mean, not a woman, I mean, obviously you are a woman, anyone can see that, but how long have you been one? A runner, I mean, not a woman, I–" Rodney stammered, trying not to stare.
Allara smiled at his babbling. "Three years now. A runner, I mean. I've been a woman since I came into this world. I became a runner after the culling on my home world. What did you mean by were?" She shifted her shoulders, feeling discomfort. Tightening of skin and the bandage on her.
"We removed the tracking device. You don't have to run anymore. In fact," Rodney leaned closer to her, smiling, "you could stay here, if you wish. I would like to know about that tracking device. It's actually quite a sophisticated piece of–"
Rodney's words were choked off literally as Allara lunged at him. Her hands encircled his throat, squeezed. Squeezed. "What have you done? What have you done to me?" she screamed in hot fury. She toppled Rodney and herself to the floor. IV tubes popped and pulled out of her arms. Liquid sprayed.
"McKay!" Ronon rushed to grab Allara's arms, but her vise-like grip on Rodney's throat would not budge. Rodney's gurgled breathing turned his face blue.
"What have you done?" she screamed, spitting into his face. "What have you done to me? You will pay for this desecration!"
Ronon pried her fingers off Rodney's throat, resorting to breaking one to free his friend. He hauled her off him, onto the floor and pinned her as Carson and a marine ran to help. "Mckay! I've got her!" Ronon directed their attention as he sat on the struggling attacker.
"Good God! Rodney!" Carson helped the sputtering physicist to his knees. Rodney gasped for breath, color returning to his face.
A stun blast hit Allara. She went limp at last and Ronon shifted his weight off her, but still pinned her securely to the floor. The marine held his weapon on her, staring in disbelief at the petite woman seemingly a match for the much larger Satedan. "Security detail to medical!" he shouted into his radio.
"Rodney, are you all right?" Carson asked.
"What do you think?" Rodney squeaked, coughed. Rubbed his throat as he wheezed. "What the hell was–"
"Heretics! You will all die for this heresy!" the woman screamed, abruptly conscious. She lunged herself from Ronon's grasp with almost unbelievable agility, shoved a bed towards Carson and Rodney to block them. She spun, leapt towards the marine. Before he has time to pull the trigger on his weapon she had neatly slashed her arm across his throat. He fell without a sound. Ronon growled, impressed despite his surprise. He leapt to his feet, whipped out his big gun. Before he could shoot three shots sizzled on the air. A spray of laser fire hit the woman, bright blue bursts. She fell, sprawled hard on the floor. Evan stood, Wraith stunner in both hands, marines flanking him.
"Did you kill her?" asked Carson, helping Rodney to his feet as he shoved the bed away from them. He stared at the prone form.
"No. Not yet." Evan gestured. "Take her to the cells. Double guards."
"What the hell was that?" Rodney repeated, eyes wide as he watched the marines haul the woman to her feet, drag her to the holding cells.
"From her reaction she sounded like she wanted to be a runner," Carson stated, shocked.
"She sounded like a Wraith worshiper," Ronon spat, disgusted.
*********************************************************************
John was having the strangest dream. He was with Moira on an idyllic planet. He was kissing her. Her mouth tasted like fresh strawberries, lips all rosy, soft, and yielding. Her skin smelt like vanilla. Her hair spilled around him in chestnut waves. His hands were sliding along her body, exploring every curve when something crashed into him. Ford was yelling something about enzymes and botany.
He stirred, groaned as pain gouged his body. His head. He opened his eyes, squinting against expected sunlight. But a dimness met his wary gaze. As did Moira's face, watching him worriedly. Tears sparkled in her brown eyes. Her fingers stroked his hair as his head was cushioned on her lap. Her right cheekbone was purpling with a bruise.
John lifted his hand, touched her wound. A light, tender brush of his fingers. "That son of a..."
he rasped, hand dropping like a stone. "Did he...what did he..."
"No. It's nothing," she soothed, shook her head. "It's my foot. The climb up here was..." She winced, bent down to him. Her loose hair swirled around him, like a chestnut curtain as her lips brushed his. "John...how do you feel?"
He grimaced, trying to move. Failing. "Like a bulldozer ran over me. Twice. Climb?"
She nodded. "We're in a cave. Several feet up from that clearing. Don't move." She stopped him, a gentle hand on his chest. Enough to ease him back down.
"Why are you whispering?" he asked, trying to clear his mind. His memories.
"Because we are not alone," she replied. She sat back, flung her hair over her shoulders. Carefully John turned his head. Across the dim expanse a creature sat. At first he thought it was a Wraith, and tried to sit up, a quick reaction that only caused his head to swim. He groaned.
"No, John." She eased him back down again, her hands gentle but firm on his chest. "Don't move. You'll antagonize it."
"It?" he asked quietly, trying to see but he had to close his eyes as dizziness overwhelmed.
She stroked his arm, his bruised knuckles. "Yes. Now be still. We are not in any immediate danger."
He opened his eyes to meet hers. The bruise was a plum mark against her pale skin. Her red lips. Strawberries. He tried to clear his thoughts again. "Ford?"
"I don't know. He's been gone awhile."
"You gave me a good shot taking him down. By distracting him with all of your scientific and biological rambling."
"Glad I could help with my rambling, colonel," she said acerbically. "Actually I was starting to run out of words to distract him. What took you so long?"
"Will you stop asking me that?" he retorted. "I had to move cautiously. Ford's unstable. And different," he realized, frowning.
"I noticed. The enzyme has metabolized into a–"
"No. I mean he's stronger. A lot stronger. And faster."
She gently touched his jaw where a bruise was forming. "Try to rest, John. You've been out for at least an hour."
"An hour? I–" He tried to sit up again, groaned. Cursed.
"Keep still!" she ordered. "Please."
"Our stuff?"
"He made me leave the packs behind. And the weapons. I know," she said to his grimace, "we have no medical supplies, not even basic–"
"No, it's not that. He took our lunch," he moaned.
She smiled at his distress, then softly laughed. He smiled, laughed but groaned, touched his head. "Rest. You're going to need all of your strength."
"Really? Promise?" He raised an eyebrow, then glanced at the shadows. "What is that thing, Moira?"
"I don't know." Her face took on a thoughtful expression as she stared across at it. "I can't see it too clearly, but it seems to perceive you as a threat. No, just relax," she instructed, running her hand over his chest, waist, sides. "Anything broken?"
"Oh, is that what you were doing?" He smiled as she met his gaze. "No. I don't think so." He settled back against her, head on her lap, shifting slightly on the rocky ground.
She stroked his hair again, fascinated by its waywardness. "That's something." She leaned down, brushed her lips across his. Unable to resist the temptation of those full, kissable lips.
"Rest." She regarded the cave entrance. A shower of water lined it like prison bars. "You know what's strange, John?" she began, realizing how to lull him to relaxation. "We haven't encountered any significant life. I mean mammalian or even avian, for that matter. Only the odd toad and the fish. This planet is ideal for life to exceed, to excel. The oxygen content is rich, but not as rich as Miocene Park. I'm no botanist but this plant life doesn't appear to be prehistoric. I mean the plants and trees are recognizable and would thrive on Earth. Thought not as abundantly here, of course. Except in Ireland...when they say forty shades of green they are not kidding, let me tell you, the rich variety of..." She paused, eyed him. "What took you so long?" she murmured. A slight smile framed his lips, as if he had heard her, then a slight snore as he fell into a peaceful doze.
Moira smiled, shaking her head. She waited awhile, almost lulled herself by the sound of the waterfall, the warmth of his body next to hers. Even the creature was quiescent. Carefully she scooted free of John, gently set his head on the cavern floor. She stood, stretched her arms, legs, flexed her foot. The intense pain had receded to a dull ache.
She made her way to the cave entrance. She peered out, captured some of the falling water in her hands and sipped it. Wiping her hands dry on her legs she leaned closer, about to stick her head through the water when the creature grunted.
Startled she stumbled backwards, raised her hands as Aiden crossed the threshold, holding a gun on her.
John stirred, hearing noises. Voices. He woke abruptly, not feeling Moira. He barely opened his eyes, feigning sleep. Moira was backing up into the cave, Aiden following, gun steadily on her. Her stumbling steps brought her close. Closer.
"I said I was only getting a drink of water," Moira argued.
"Nice try. Here."
John opened his eyes a little wider. Moira was standing about a foot away from him. Aiden was holding out a mass of green plants, studded with tiny blue flowers. John stared, for a moment finding the scene more reminiscent of a courtship ritual than any kind of danger. He blinked again to clear the odd idea from his head.
"What is it?" Moira asked, staring at the plant
"Take it!" Aiden snarled, shoving it at her. Moira took the plant, stumbled back a step. It felt spongy in her hands, moist. "It's a painkiller. Give it to Sheppard. Only a little. If I had wanted him dead I would have killed him already."
"How do you know about this plant?"
"I've been here awhile. Was injured. The plant's edible. It has recuperative properties. But only a little," he reiterated. He tilted his head suddenly. "I'll be back. Don't go anywhere."
He smiled, whirled. Was gone.
Moira sighed, turned and moved to John as he struggled to sit. She sat next to him. "How do you feel?"
Instead of answering he eyed the plant. Touched it. "What do you think?"
"I...I don't know. I'm no botanist."
"So I recall," he teased.
"But this plant could be medicinal." She frowned, rubbing the leaves between her fingers. She sniffed the oily residue. "I don't think you should eat it," she cautioned. "Maybe I can somehow bargain for our packs."
"I doubt it." He took a handful from her, sniffed. "I don't see why not." He lifted it to his mouth, about to devour it.
"No!" She pushed his hand down. "We can't be sure, John! And you said Ford was different!"
"So?"
"He didn't sound right. About coming here. Injured? I mean, you couldn't put a single scratch on him."
"Thanks," he ruefully commented.
"And what he said about this plant. The plants!" Her eyes widened. "There are no Wraith here! And he could only have a limited supply of artificial..."
"He's stronger and faster because the plants produce the enzyme. Is that what you are saying?" he guessed, following her argument.
"Maybe...I don't know. It could explain Ford. It could explain...a lot, actually. You can't eat this, John! The side-effects are too severe!"
"I have to do this, Moira," he argued, pulling his hand from hers. "We need an edge. Any edge. If we are going to get out of here I need to beat Ford. And frankly, there's no way I can do it now. Not like this."
"No! You can't–" she disagreed, trying to take the plant from him, but he dropped it into his lap, caught her hands firmly in his.
"Moira, I have to do this! It's the only way."
"We can wait it out! A rescue team–"
"There's no time for that. You've seen Ford. He's even more unbalanced. No. This is the only way."
"John–"
But he freed her hands, stuffed a clump of the moss into his mouth. Chewed. "It's not too bad...sort of like pasta...stringy, vegetable pasta..." he spoke round the mouthful.
Moira stared, unbidden tears in her eyes. "John..." she faltered, fearing the worst.
"I won't turn into the Swamp Thing, will I?" he asked, trying to divert her despair.
"That's a biological impossibility."
"Maybe not in this galaxy." He paused. "It's not easy being green," he sang in a surprisingly on-key tenor voice.
She laughed despite herself. But her mirth faded into despair as he ate another clump. He chewed methodically, looking away from her evident distress. Blocking his own doubts.
"I'll be fine, Moira," he said after swallowing. "A little detox and I'll be just dandy."
"Unless this form of the enzyme is more potent, or chemically different, or more–"
"Could you get me some water, please?" he asked, grimacing at the taste.
She rose, moved to the waterfall. She cupped her hands, filled them with cold, clear water. She hastened back to him, knelt. He took her hands into his, drank the liquid. He ran his lips up her wrist, met her startled gaze. "I'll be fine, Moira. Let's hope this works fast. Ugh." He touched his stomach, groaned, laid on his back.
Moira looked away, unable to watch. The creature grunted. She stood, stepped away from John. But quickly returned as he curled onto his side, holding his stomach. "John? John?" She knelt, touched his arm.
"I'm fine," he stated through gritted teeth.
"Hold on...maybe there's a natural antidote, or a corresponding plant to counteract the–"
"Moira." He tensed, then suddenly relaxed. "It's over."
"It's only just beginning," she realized. She stroked his arm, felt the strength, the stress, the tautness of the muscles. She turned. "Ford," she warned softly. Stood.
John lay inert, feigning sleep. He rolled onto his other side. Moira blocked his way as she shifted her stance. Aiden entered, brandishing his gun.
"What do you want?" she snapped.
John smiled at the blunt question. He had been wondering the same thing. His fingers closed on the loose dirt, tiny rocks. Nothing of any use was in reach. He weighed his options.
"What brought you here anyway? Besides your little romantic encounter?"
"We have reason to believe this planet may hold something unusual," she breezed past his contempt. "Have you noticed anything odd about this planet? Any unusual life forms?"
"You know there have been other women."
"What?" The comment threw her.
Aiden smiled. "Lots."
"It wouldn't surprise me," she replied evenly.
Aiden cocked his head, studying her. "Really? None of them even meant anything, of course. Just meaningless, random encounters. Physical necessities."
"Don't listen to him," John said, irritated. He awkwardly moved to a seated position, scooting to have a clear view of Aiden. "Ford, what the hell do you want?"
Aiden trained his gun on John, then on Moira. "Don't try anything, Sheppard. I have leverage now. Try anything and I will kill her." He gestured at Moira.
"No, you don't," John countered calmly. He moved to his knees, shifting slightly to Moira's left.
"Really? Then she doesn't mean anything? Just another notch on the bedpost? Just another–"
"Touch her again and I will kill you," John said earnestly. He felt hot, but confident. A surge of adrenaline coursed along his muscles, sharpened his focus. All the pain was gone.
"You can't even stand," Aiden mocked, but there was a tiny tremor of uncertainty in his voice.
John kept talking as if Aiden had never spoken. "With my bare hands if I have to but I will kill you." He swayed as if weakened.
Aiden laughed, shaking his head. Lowering the gun. "I'd like to see you try to–"
No sooner were the words out of his mouth then John sprang to his feet, past Moira and into Aiden. The gun flew as the powerful momentum swept both men to the front of the cave. To the waterfall. Through the waterfall.
"John! John!" Moira cried, rushing after them. She crossed the barrier of water, caught herself on the thin piece of land. Below was a precipice, a far drop into a turquoise lake. Both men, still grappling, crashed into the water.
"John! John!" she cried, foot cramping, nearly falling in after them but a hand caught her arm. Or rather a taloned paw as she whirled to look. She gasped as the creature emerged, pulling her back from the brink. She yanked free of the skeletal creature. "I have to help him! I have to find him!" She lurched towards the narrow pathway, half ran, half slid down it.