"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 13

(Gate Room)

Stacey stood at the base of the Atlantis Stargate and waited for John's team to come through. They had received a message that Major Sheppard had been injured in a fire fight with the local, hostile natives. The Stargate activated and the shield automatically turned on. Everyone waited silently. There were several objects that were slamming against the shield. At the same time Stacey and Weir turned to look at Peter.

"We're not receiving any IDC's yet," he said through the mic.

"Stacey looked back at the Gate.

"Come on, John," she whispered.

There was still nothing. But, then . . .

"Receiving McKay's IDC," Peter announced.

"Open it!" Weir ordered.

The shield disappeared and four figures came through the event horizon. Teyla, McKay, and Ford seemed unharmed, besides minor scraps, bruises and battle fatigue. Ford and Teyla were carrying an unconscious Sheppard.

Stacey ran to the team, followed by members of a medical team. Ford and Teyla gently placed John on the ground. Stacey dropped to her feet and began to look him over immediately.

There was an arrow in his shoulder. Stacey grabbed hold of the arrow and snapped the end off. She then pulled him up and rested his head on her knees. Stacey took hold of the arrow and pushed it all the way through to the front of his shoulder.

John fell back into consciousness and yelled.

"Shh, its okay, it's okay," Stacey cooed in his ear. "I think the worst is over."

"Welcome to the land of the conscious, Major," Weir said.

Stacey looked up at the Medical Team.

"Let's get them to the Infirmary," she ordered.

Two medical personnel came rushing in with a gurney. The two, muscley men lifted John onto the gurney. Stacey got up and grabbed the arrow. The group started walking to the infirmary while Teyla, Ford and McKay filled them in on what happened on the planet they had just visited. Stacey put the arrow up to her nose.

"What happened?" Weir asked as they walked.

"The natives weren't very friendly," McKay stated.

"We can see that, Rodney," Weir said.

"The natives on P2Z-732 are territorial. They saw us and attacked," Teyla said.

"We tried to tell them we were friendly. But, they didn't buy it," Ford said.

"Did you get a good look at their clothes?" Stacey asked.

"Yeah," McKay answered.

"Well, what did they look like?" she then asked.

"I don't know. I was too busy running for my life," he said irritably.

"Rodney," Stacey sighed.

"They were Roman to me," Ford said.

"I was afraid of that," she said.

"Doctor?" Weir asked.

"The Ancient Romans used poison on the tip if the arrows. I smell poison on this," Stacey lifted up the bloody arrow.

To be continued . . .