Chapter 14: So how do we get to him?

Rodney jogged the entire distance from the Chair up to the control room, running dialogue in his head to explain why it had to be them who went to rescue John.

"We've got something," he announced as he took the stairs two at a time.

Teyla and Ronon moved towards him, Ronon looking ready to shoot something just as soon as Rodney told him where to point his blaster.

"Major Lorne was able to locate John?" Teyla asked hopefully.

"Yeah," Rodney nodded, turning his attention to Richard Woolsey. "You're not gonna believe this. He's in Antarctica. Lorne couldn't get an exact position – just that it's somewhere near the Ancient Outpost."

"General Landry, did you catch that?" Woolsey asked.

"We did," Landry replied. "The Apollo is scanning the area for Colonel Sheppard's subcutaneous transmitter now."

They all waited anxiously to hear the result.

"No joy on the transmitter," Landry reported a few seconds later. "We'll beam a team to the outpost and begin a search of the facility and surrounds."

"Ah ... General Landry?" Rodney spoke up quickly.

"Yes Doctor McKay?" Landry's voice was patient.

"We - Teyla, Ronon and I - need to be a part of that search," Rodney said rapidly, launching into an explanation before the General could question him. "I know the Outpost better than any of the people you could send," he reminded everyone listening that he'd served there for months before the Atlantis expedition had gotten off the ground. "I've got the ATA gene and I can bring one of our scanning units – tie it in with the systems at the outpost as we go to narrow the search. And ah ... I know the amplifier system we used to locate Sheppard as well. Major Lorne can keep the system operational for as long as the wormhole remains active. When we get a little closer there's a chance he can give me more specific coordinates. When we find Sheppard, if he's ah ... not in good shape ... well, I know he'd prefer it to be his team who brings him back." Rodney paused, not sure if his words were having an impact. "The wormhole is already open ... sending us through isn't gonna drain any more power from the ZPM than we've already used."

General Landry was silent for a moment. "Very well Doctor. Bring your team."

"Thank you," Rodney was grateful the other man hadn't made him argue further because he wasn't sure what more he could have said. He nodded to Teyla and Ronon, the three turning as one and heading for the stairs. Rodney paused only to take the Ancient scanner Chuck had somehow managed to procure.

"Did you get an indicator of John's current condition," Teyla asked in a low voice as they strode towards the Stargate.

"Injured but not in immediate danger," Rodney muttered, taking the vest and weapons one of the Gateroom marines handed him. Teyla did the same, quickly gearing up, her own weapon held ready.

"The Apollo will beam you directly to the Outpost as soon as you arrive," Woolsey stood at the control room balcony looking down at the team. "Good luck."

Nodding, Rodney walked through the wormhole back to Earth, Teyla and Ronon flanking him.

oOo

"Can we do anything to help McKay locate Colonel Sheppard?" Lorne asked Atlantis.

"We will be able to tell Doctor McKay if John hears their approach," the city suggested.

"I was thinking more like the Ancient gene equivalent of a homing beacon," Evan clarified. "Colonel Sheppard knows when operational Ancient Tech is nearby, right? Could Rodney maybe alter his scanner to emit some kind of signal so John knows when they're getting closer?"

"That is very clever Evan," Atlantis complimented, raising a faint smile from the Major. "If you will relay your suggestion to Doctor McKay when they arrive at the Outpost I will inform John to listen for the signal."

"Mister Woolsey," Evan accessed the comm. "As soon as you get confirmation McKay's team has arrived in Antarctica, can you have them patch his radio directly to me?"

"Of course Major," Woolsey for once didn't question further, probably assuming Lorne needed the connection to relay information about the amplifier scan. A few moments later Woolsey got back on the line. "Doctor McKay is at the Outpost Major. Chuck is patching you through now."

"Thank you Sir," Lorne replied.

"Major," Rodney's voice sounded choppy as though he were walking fast, which he probably was.

"Got an idea McKay," Evan spoke quickly, letting the scientist know they had a closed line for the duration and then outlining his plan.

"That's ...," Rodney trailed off, impressed but not wanting to admit it. He'd come to appreciate the Major over the past few days but there was no way he'd reveal that. Their shared snippiness and general air of disregard had almost become a communication style between the two men, something Rodney was comfortable with. There was no pressure to even pretend to make an effort with Lorne – the man really did accept McKay exactly as he was and wasn't backward in making that pretty obvious.

"I know ... you're impressed but don't want to admit it," Lorne smirked. "Atlantis has Sheppard on side. Can you do it?"

"Well of course I can do it," Rodney shot back. "The scanning units emit something similar to our own Earth based EM field – it's how we can relay information to and from the city's systems without a direct connection. If I dial that up a bit, Sheppard should be able to pick it up. He might not be able to tell if we're ten paces away or fifty but it'll be enough to get us pretty close."

"Okay - let me know when you're ready," Lorne tried to relax, tried to ignore everything except the immediate task at hand, grateful for the host of military training and experience he'd had over the years that really did help in coping with difficult situations.

"Done," Rodney came back a minute or so later. "I'm emitting as strong a signal as this thing is capable of generating." He paused. "We've got eight minutes left Major."

"I know ... I wish I could give you a direction but Colonel Sheppard can't give Atlantis more than what he's already told us. Visibility was poor and he didn't really know where he was to begin with."

"Right," Rodney looked at Teyla and Ronon worriedly.

"Come on," Ronon motioned for them to proceed. The Apollo had beamed them from the Gateroom at the SGC to Antarctica before they could even acknowledge anyone. Their arrival at the outpost had caused momentary surprise but the leader of the team of marines Landry had also sent along quickly explained the situation and gained the cooperation of the small team of scientists and military permanently assigned there. Teams had been dispatched to search on the orders of the marines but Rodney had made it clear they'd go about it in their own way ... after accepting the thick jackets pressed upon them of course.

Ronon picked a direction at random, leading Teyla and Rodney away from the centre of the facility. "Lorne said Sheppard was near the outpost but not in it, right?" Rodney nodded. "So we head for the nearest external wall. If he can't pick that we're approaching we switch to the next one until he can."

"You are sure the signal will be strong enough?" Teyla asked.

"It's strong enough," Rodney shot back irritably. "Sheppard's picked up Ancient tech weaker than this in the past ... that Replicator enhanced unit is a case in point. If we're close he'll know about it."

"Very well," Teyla nodded. "What of his captors?"

"Lorne didn't mention anything," Rodney frowned, getting back on the radio. "Major Lorne ... did Sheppard say what happened to the people who brought him here?"

There was a pause before Lorne replied. "He escaped. Says he needs to deal with that once you guys rescue him but there's no immediate threat. Oh, and he said Hurry it up McKay."

"Har har," Rodney smiled, ridiculously pleased to be hearing a classic Sheppardism after too many days of worry for his friend.

Ronon had chosen the eastern wall ... they hurried along corridors, getting more than halfway there before Lorne relayed that Sheppard was pretty confident it was the wrong direction.

"South then," Rodney muttered, eyes on his scanner as he turned right. More precious time was used before John called that direction as wrong too.

"This way," Teyla suggested, pointing west.

"This one better be right," Rodney tried not to let his nervousness show. "We're running out of time here."

Nodding, Teyla picked up the pace, forcing Rodney to almost jog to keep up.

"Wait!" Lorne's voice came over the radio abruptly. They stopped. "Colonel Sheppard said he feels the signal Rodney but you're slightly off. You need to head to your right at the first opportunity, but keep it as westerly as you can."

"He does realise these corridors are all pretty much squares right?" Rodney complained. "It's a little hard to go right but still be heading west."

"We will do as you suggest Major," Teyla broke in, looking at Rodney pointedly.

"Right," Rodney agreed weakly. "Right but west ... got it."

oOo

"Who's doing the work at your end?" John roused himself to ask while waiting for his team to arrive at the Outpost. He spoke aloud, his voice echoing in the empty tunnel.

"Major Lorne," Atlantis revealed. "It is ... difficult for him but he was the only one with the strength to do what we required."

"You're giving him one hell of a headache, aren't you?" Sheppard glossed over the fact that yet another person now knew about the existence of Atlantis as a self aware entity – and of John's ability to communicate with her.

"He was most insistent that we continue," the chorus seemed somewhat apologetic.

"That sounds like Lorne," John grinned suddenly. "The guy could out stubborn Rodney without saying a word."

"They will have much to tell you when you return," Atlantis offered. Before he could respond she spoke again. "Doctor McKay, Teyla and Ronon have arrived. Major Lorne suggested they alter a scanning unit to send out a signal for you to hone in on. As they approach your location you should be able to sense them."

"Okay, I'm listening," Sheppard agreed.

"Major Lorne wishes to know about the status of your captors?" the question was asked without inflection but John could hear notes of discontent – it amused him in a way that the city would be angry on his behalf.

"I escaped ... with a little help," he explained. "Got unfinished business though, so the sooner they can find me the sooner I can deal with it."

"Yes," Atlantis said simply.

A few minutes passed without communication until Sheppard began to feel impatient. "Whatever direction they're heading in is wrong," he told the city. "Tell them to try again."

More waiting and then more communicating that they were still on the wrong track until finally John began to sense something other than the constant presence of the outpost itself. As they got closer he found that he was able to fine tune their direction, much to Rodney's frustration. John was giving him straight line instructions but Rodney had to contend with corridors and corners that weren't making it as easy as that.

Eventually though Sheppard knew they were getting very close.

"Not much further," he told Atlantis. "The signal's pretty strong now – I'm not sure I'll be able to give them much more. Tell Rodney to look for a wall that isn't a wall ... there's gotta be some kind of hidden mechanism for opening it."

"We have relayed the information," Atlantis replied. "Rodney wishes to remind you of the thirty eight minute window."

"How long have we got exactly?" John asked, almost used to their strange, four way conversation now. A question from him to Atlantis relayed through Lorne to Rodney. It was complicated but there was no doubt it was getting the job done.

"Doctor McKay's reaction was ... unexpected," Atlantis reported back. "Major Lorne said he scoffed and then said always with you it is the meaningless numbers. It will close when it closes – he cannot give you more than that."

Sheppard laughed, forgetting that was never a good idea for someone with injured ribs. Groaning, he clutched his side, still smiling slightly. "Good to know some things never change."

And then abruptly she was gone. John could still feel the Outpost on the other side of the wall ... still sense the Ancient signal Rodney was pumping out. He just couldn't tell anyone about it anymore. The wormhole had shut down and he was back to being on his own.

oOo

Lorne continued to act as messenger relay, the extra requirement to converse with the city and with Rodney at the same time taxing him even further. He'd begun to feel worryingly disconnected from his physical self when abruptly everything changed.

It was a different kind of pain to be in the middle of connections only to have them ripped away suddenly. The Major was glad there was no one there to hear him yell at the agony of it. "Damn it," he cursed, even as he grimly held on to the only link he had left - Atlantis.

"Evan," the city called to him in urgent concern.

"I'm here," he spoke aloud, slurring his words slightly, unable to gather his mental resources enough for think the words.

"You require assistance," the chorus stated.

"Did we do enough?" Lorne ignored her statement for the moment, keeping his eyes closed and his entire body as still as possible in the chair.

"Doctor McKay was very close ... John believed as close as he could guide them," she reassured him. "Your part is complete. My communication is now causing you needless discomfort. Please ... shut down the chair and call for medical assistance."

"Right," Evan hesitated for a moment, wondering if his brief sojourn of friendship with the city was at an end. He felt as exhausted as he could ever remember being and his head was pounding so hard every heart beat had him twitching painfully but ... he didn't want to let go.

"We will speak again," Atlantis said gently. "Thank you for what you have done today Evan. We could not have gone so far to find John without you."

"All part of the service," Lorne got out. Taking his hands from the chair controls, he sat up, the chair deactivated. Tapping his radio he put a call through to the control room.

"Medi ... cal assist ... ance ... Chair ... room," he ground out, pushing up from his seat.

He didn't know why he expected to just get up and walk away ... even as his legs went out from under him and he slumped against the base of the Chair Evan realised the folly of that. Letting himself slide sideways to the floor, head resting on the cold surface, Lorne was thinking it would be a relief to just let the waiting blackness take him away, if only the pounding would let up enough to make that possible.

"Rest Evan," a disembodied voice floated out of the ether. He felt the brief caress of something larger and more complex than he could comprehend against his mind. The pain wasn't gone but it did shift to hover over him rather than continue to weigh him down. He sighed. Between one heart beat and the next, the Major finally slept.

oOo

"Major?" Rodney tapped the radio but got nothing back. "Great!" he glared at the corridor around him as though the walls themselves were at fault. "Now what?"

"Major Lorne indicated that we were very close," Teyla said calmly. "Can you not use the scanner to locate an open area on the other side of these walls?"

"Yes - of course!" Rodney smacked his own forehead before looking at Teyla apologetically. "Sorry," he said uncharacteristically.

"It is all right Rodney," Teyla put a hand to his arm reassuringly. "It has been days since you slept properly ... you are tired."

Ronon had remained silent for most of their search. Now he nudged Rodney, nodding to the scanning unit that was almost an extension of the other man's own hand. "What does that thing say?"

"Ah ...," Rodney glanced down. "That there's nothing but rock and ice behind this wall." He walked forward slowly, eyes on the screen. Ronon and Teyla followed, keeping quiet. "Still nothing," Rodney reported, frowning. "Wait ...," he stopped. "Here," he announced, pointing at the wall in front of them.

"John is behind that wall?" Teyla asked uncertainly.

"There's a large open space behind that wall," Rodney corrected. "Whether Sheppard's there or not is another matter. Something about the wall itself isn't allowing me to pick up life signs – either that or the extreme cold is hampering its operation. I don't think the Ancients designed these things to work in subzero temperatures."

"So how do we get to him?" Ronon asked, taking out his blaster with a suggestive expression.

"That won't work Conan," Rodney said sarcastically. "Not unless you want to bring the wall down on top of Sheppard. Look for some kind of control panel – something hidden. Hopefully we'll be able to open a doorway ... doesn't make sense having a tunnel here otherwise."

Teyla began her search on the lower part of the wall, Ronon looking from the roof line down. Rodney stepped up to the middle of the wall, running his hands over its smooth surface slowly. He almost missed it, that faint ridge that suggested a join of some sort.

"I've got something," he announced. Holding out a hand to Ronon he continued. "Knife."

Wordlessly Ronon pulled a small blade from his sleeve and handed it to Rodney. Carefully Rodney inserted the knife into the ridge, working it slowly until he'd made a gap. Widening the gap enough to ease the blade edge under the covering panel he was rewarded with the panel coming away from the wall abruptly, dropping to the floor with a noisy clatter.

The crystal arrangement revealed was very familiar. Rodney smiled. "Now we're close," he announced smugly, quickly moving to swap the positions of some of the crystals.

oOo

John tried to be patient but it was difficult when you were freezing your arse off (despite being rugged up like the Michelin man), in pain, and uncomfortably aware of the sudden, all encompassing silence.

"Come on guys," he muttered, pushing up off the floor with a pained groan and moving closer to the obstructing wall.

The sound of something hitting the ground on the other side pre-empted what was about to happen. There was as sudden swish as the entire wall rose upward, disappearing into the ceiling above them as it revealed a most welcome sight. Rodney, Teyla and Ronon standing in a corridor on the other side.

"Well, it's about time!" Sheppard said irritably.