Genetic Drift2
The wormhole disengaged behind the team as they stepped out of the Stargate. Ronon Dex and Teyla Emmagan immediately stepped round into flanking positions, even though the hill was empty. John moved to the DHD, making certain it was functional. He turned back as Rodney McKay was still standing near the 'Gate, a quizzical look on his face.
"Did anyone else feel that?" Rodney asked, running his hands over his body.
"Feel what?" John asked, glancing round at the rolling green fields. The blue sky.
"I don't know. A...a ripple, just as we exited the 'Gate..." Rodney struggled to describe the strange feeling that had encompassed his body. Finding no lingering pain or injury he dropped his hands to his sides.
"I felt nothing," Teyla remarked, eying the physicist with patient skepticism.
"Nothing here," Ronon confirmed. He hefted his big gun, but there was no one in sight.
"Not a thing," John agreed.
"All right. Maybe it was just me," Rodney realized. He hefted his pack to his other shoulder, pulled out his scanner.
"What's in there anyway?" John asked, staring at the bulging pack as Rodney stepped down to join him.
"Supplies." To the colonel's continued stare he elaborated, "Food. Extra food and water. You said we were not to eat or drink anything, right?"
John smirked. "We're only going to be here for an hour at the most," he chided. Teyla and Ronon smiled.
"Well, you can't be absolutely certain, can you? Besides, you know I have hypoglycemia and need to have meals at certain times, and extra food just in case."
John shook his head. "Let's head out. Teyla, take point. Ronon, the six. Rodney, any readings or are you too busy calculating your next meal?"
"Ha ha," Rodney snarled. Checked his scanner. "No. Nothing. Looks like Kavanaugh was right about this being another backwater, agricultural planet."
"The village should be three klicks. That way. Let's move out. Stay sharp. We don't want the same thing happening to us that happened to Lorne's team."
"Whatever that was," Ronon muttered.
It was a pleasant walk. Rolling hills of green grasses and flowering weeds. A gentle breeze blew. The sun shone brightly in the blue sky, but was not too hot. Birds sang in the distant trees. Sounds of a bubbling stream promised water, coolness.
"I see the village. It is not far," Teyla stated, doubling back to lead the rest. "Stone houses, like Major Lorne described. Very attractive. Clean."
"Why didn't you say how far it was?" asked Rodney, frowning as he followed John. "Why couldn't you fly a Jumper just to the village? Why did we have to trudge all this way to–"
"Enough, Rodney. It's a lovely day for a stroll. Ah...here we go." John moved ahead, led them into the center of the town. A stone fountain sprayed water in a arc, splashing back down into the circular structure. Pink flowers floated on the serene surface. "See anyone?"
"Maybe they're out harvesting," suggested Ronon.
"Or planning their next attack," Rodney wondered. He swept his scanner in the air. "Still nothing. Not a thing."
"Greetings, friends!" The team whirled as one, as a man appeared where there had been only emptiness. He was clad in modest clothes, arms outstretched in welcome, bearded face bearing a smile. More people converged behind him, all smiles. "You are dressed as our first friends were. Do you come from the same village?"
"Indeed we do," John agreed, only lowering his gun slightly. "They told us how nice you people were so we just had to see for ourselves."
"Your friends suggested a trading agreement. Our crops and corn for better land tillers and medical supplies. Are you here to ratify the accord?"
"In time. First we would like to sample some of your welcome feast. Then take the tour," John evaded smoothly. Eying the man, the rest. Their simple attire, their friendly smiles.
"Of course!" He clapped his hands. "Bring our new friends a welcoming feast! Come, come with us!" He gestured towards a table that was being set near the fountain.
"We would be honored by your hospitality," Teyla agreed, led them towards it. "Your world seems very peaceful."
"Too peaceful," commented Ronon. He exchanged a look with John, who nodded slightly.
"We have been fortunate this last cycle," the man agreed. "The Wraith have not struck us as often, but I fear they will soon enough. It is their way."
"So you know of the Wraith?" Teyla tested.
"Of course! What village does not? We only hope to gather our crops and survive the next...oh, here we are!"
Platters of food, cups of mead were distributed by two beautiful blonde women. Rodney smiled, watching them, selected a choice slice of bread.
"Rodney," John warned, reminded.
"What? Oh...right." He set it back down with an audible sigh.
"What are you doing?" the man asked as the team began to bag selected pieces of the food. "I can assure you our food is fresh and not spoiled."
"We like to share with those we left back home," John explained.
"It is our custom," Teyla elaborated at the man's puzzled mien, "to only partake when all of our people can equally share in the bounty. It is our way."
"It was not the way of your friends," the man noted.
"They're new," John asserted. "New friends." He stood. "The tour?"
The man stood, still watching as the samples disappeared into various packs. "If you wish. It is this way."
Teyla sidled up to John as they followed. "You might wish to employ a little more politeness, colonel. Your abrupt manner may cause suspicion."
"We don't have time to waste on niceties, Teyla," John countered. "But I can be civil."
"I can't," Ronon said. "These people are too happy."
"Too happy? Since when is that a crime?" asked Rodney, munching on a candy bar purloined from his bulging pack.
"No, Ronon's right. Something's off," John agreed, grip steady on his P90.
"What? Is the Force telling you that, John?" Rodney snapped, shaking his head.
"I do not feel anything off, colonel. Perhaps this is a truly peaceful world," Teyla suggested.
"This way, please," the man indicated with a raised arm, stopping as the team had fallen behind while engrossed in their discussion. "These are our fields. We grow many crops. To trade with other villages, and to sustain us. We are blessed with a steady warm season and only the mildest of cold ones."
Stalks of growing wheat gave way to rows and rows of vegetables. Abundant plant growth. Fruits sprouting from growing vines. John paused by the cornfield. "Wow. This is real corn."
Rodney stared too. "I can't remember ever seeing corn in this galaxy."
"It is an uncommon plant," Teyla remarked, tilting her head to examine the bobbing heads as the wind blew against the stalks. "Is it common on your world?"
"Very...especially my country," John remarked, still staring.
"Our fields are tilled every year, except the third when they are left fallow. We have sheep and our pride is our cattle herd. The finest in the land, or so we have been told."
The team moved on, but halted again. "Mutated cows?" Rodney asked, staring at the larger bovines. They had brown and white fur. Massive, curved horns.
"Not according to Doctor O'Meara," John said. "Just a remnant population of a subspecies of..." He paused, could imagine her amusement. "Whatever. Some kind of genetic drift of a...oh crap, I can't remember all of that. They look peaceful enough." John headed for the man who was standing apart, on the crest of a hill before he began to walk down the other side. "Didn't one of our friends kill one of your cows? Hello?"
John froze, lifted his gun, reaching the crest of the hill. The man had vanished. Quickly John scanned the rolling hills, saw nothing. No one. He gestured silently. Teyla and Ronon joined him, guns at the ready. But there was nothing to shoot. "Where the hell did he go?"
"I do not see anyone," Teyla said, frowning.
"Look! We've got company!" Ronon pointed as a group of villagers headed for them, rising up as they climbed out of a shallow embankment hidden by the hills. They carried a huge basket among them.
"What's that?" John asked. "Rodney!" He glanced over as the scientist finally joined them, breathing heavily after the climb. He shrugged the bulging pack to his other shoulder.
The man appeared, gestured as the rest set down the load. He advanced, unconcerned at the three guns pointing at him. "Your cut."
"Our cut? Our cut of what?" Rodney exclaimed, staring.
"Of the kill. When your friends killed our bull it was decided to butcher it for meat and its hide. This is your share. We understand you thought the herd was attacking you, but it was not." The man gestured. The large basket was hefted and then dumped at their feet. Opened. John lifted his gun, stared at the wrapped meat. Wrapped to reveal slices of beef ready to cook. The folded spotted hide.
Rodney stared. "Steak?" he muttered, mouth watering at the sight.
Teyla and Ronon abruptly lifted their weapons just as John was lowering his. "What is that?"
Teyla demanded harshly.
"Teyla?" John glanced at them, their aggressive postures. "What do you see?"
"Can you not see it, Sheppard?" Ronon asked in disgust. "It's raw meat. Entrails."
"Rodney, does that look like USDA prime to you?" John asked, puzzled.
Rodney nodded. "Yes. It's just cuts of beef ready for the grill."
"I sense the Wraith!" Teyla warned. She looked round, wide-eyed.
"Where?" John spun on his heels, lifting his weapon. Saw nothing.
"I...I do not know..."
"Not in ships. I'm not detecting any kind of energy readings," Rodney said, remembering to check his scanner. He eyed the cuts of beef again. "Entrails? Really?"
"Through the 'Gate, then?" Ronon asked, glaring the villagers.
John aimed his weapon at the head man. "All right. What the hell is going on here? What did you do to my people? The ones who visited you earlier?"
The man spread his arms wide. Smiled. "We did nothing, friend."
"No more Mr. Nice Guy," John snapped. Prodded the man in the chest with his P90. "What did you do to my people?" he demanded.
"We did nothing," the man repeated. "Come, have some mead, join our feast."
"Then the Wraith did. Crap," John muttered.
"They are close...indistinct...yet they come..." Teyla shook her head. "It is difficult to discern their numbers or their location."
"Let's go, Sheppard! Leave them!" Ronon was turning, turning to search for an enemy he as of yet could not see.
"Are you in league with the Wraith?" John asked, scowling in disgust. "What did you do to–"
"I told you, friend, we did nothing. Come, share our repast, join our hall."
"Let's go! Now!" John ordered. The team began to back away, weapons raised. The man did not move. Just stood, arms outstretched in a frozen greeting. A frozen embrace. Just smiled. As did the other villagers. Just stood. Smiled.
"Look at them!" Ronon shouted, stopping to stare. "They're just doing...nothing. Smiling."
Rodney glanced back. "Creepy."
"Come on! Let's leave this village of the damned, double-time!" John ordered. "Get ready to dial the 'Gate!"
"I can feel them!" Teyla insisted, running with the rest. "Where are they?" She stared round, but did not see anything. Anyone. Shaking her head to clear it she caught up with the men as they ran quickly past the fields, through the village. It was empty, deserted again. The fountain spraying water. Pink flowers twirling on the still surface.
"Why don't they pursue us?" asked Ronon, slowing as the rest slowed reaching the hills. He turned back but only empty fields met his gaze.
"Are you sure you sense the Wraith?" Rodney asked, catching his breath as he climbed the hill.
"Yes! No...now...it is very odd. Indistinct..." Teyla shook her head again. "I have not encountered this before."
"This is getting weirder by the minute," John noted. "Rodney! Dial!"
"I am!" Rodney leaned over the DHD, pressing the symbols with each deep breath. "Sending IDC now!" He looked up as Ronon towered over him. "Are you sure they were entrails?"
Ronon smiled. "Big, bloody, raw entrails."
"Makes you wonder if that corn was real too," John commented as the wormhole erupted. "In. Go." He stared round. There was no pursuit. No attack. Silence. The place appeared as peaceful as it had when they had first arrived. Frustrated and annoyed John waited as his team entered the 'Gate, then backed into the wormhole himself.
John turned as he stepped into the 'Gateroom. "Get those samples to Beckett." He shrugged as Elizabeth eyed him expectantly. "Nothing. I mean...it was like the village of the damned...all happy smiles and friendliness...then the weirdness began."
"Weirdness?"
"Yeah...we saw the corn. The cows. But then Rodney and I saw prime cuts of steak whereas Teyla and Ronon saw bloody entrails. And Teyla could sense the Wraith, but we encountered none. We hightailed it out of there but the villagers just stood and smiled. Didn't pursue. Not even a shout to stop us. It was...weird."
"Sounds it," Elizabeth stated, arching a brow. "Maybe those samples you collected will help."
"Has there been any change?" he asked, walking with her as she exited the 'Gate room.
"None so far. And Carson can't find a single thing wrong them with. Physically."
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Moira limped quickly down a hallway, clutching a data pad under her arm. She passed several closed doors, ignored an opening one and kept on her way.
"Hey, gimpy! Got your report done yet?" Evan taunted, stepping out of his room. He headed for her, expression full of dislike, annoyance.
Moira whirled. "Yes, ma'am!" She threw at him. It nearly hit his head as he ducked. It clattered on the floor, sliding several feet up the hallway. "Good reflexes, asshole!"
"I'll just make you do it again, bitch," Evan glowered.
"Really? You can't make me do anything!" she snapped, voice full of contempt.
He reached her. "I can make you do anything I want! Now go pick up that damn report! No, better yet, write out a whole new one!"
"I'm not doing your stupid bureaucratic waste of time report twice! Do it yourself." She shoved him. "Now get the hell out of my way!"
He shoved her back. "Do it now!"
"Get out of my way, asshole!" She shoved. "Move, you dullard! Can't you understand simple English?"
"Can't you? Do the fucking report again!"
"Make me, dickhead!"she taunted.
He shoved her violently into the wall. "You fucking bitch! I will make you do it! Just shut up for once!"
"Piss off, Lorne! You're a stupid piece of–"
"Bitch!" He shook her, threw her to the floor. Landed on top of her. Covered her mouth with his hand as the other encircled her throat. Tighter. "I'm going to fuck you to silence!"
She shoved his hand off her mouth, bit it. "You can't even get it up let alone–" She began to choke as his grip tightened. As his other hand joined the first on her throat.
John nearly tripped over the data pad sprawled on the floor. He stared at it, stepped round it. Looked up to see Evan on top of Moira. Both hands entwined around her throat. "Lorne!" John broke into a run, racing down the hallway, pulling his gun as shock and anger collided. "Get off her, now! Major Lorne! Get off her now or I will shoot you!" He aimed, skidding to halt not far from them.
"I'm doing you a favor, colonel! Shutting her up once and for all!"
John clicked the safety off, aimed the 9mm. "Damn it, Lorne! I will shoot you! To kill! Let her go now!"
Evan released her throat. Moira gagged, coughed, catching her breath.
"Get off her!" John growled, trying to reign in his own temper, his fury. Trying to remember that Evan wasn't himself, not in his right mind. Evan moved to his feet, glaring down at her. Moira moved to her knees, coughing. She shakily stood, hand at her throat.
"Shoot him, John!"she rasped, voice raw. "Did you see what he was going to do?"
"Only what you deserve, bitch," Evan explained.
John stepped to Moira, moved in front of her as she leaned against the wall, still coughing. "That's enough, major. Report to the infirmary, now! That's a direct order!"
"Yes, sir." He turned, headed down the hallway. "Stupid whore."
Moira grabbed the gun out of John's hands, fired. The bullet grazed Evan's arm, spinning him round. Blood spurted onto the wall.
"Moira!" John shouted, too stunned to move for a second. He snatched the gun before she could fire it a second time.
"You fucking bitch!" Evan raced towards her, murderous gleam in his eyes.
John intercepted him, shoved him against the far wall. "Lorne! Stop this!" John tapped his earpiece awkwardly. "I need security to level 2, now!" he bellowed. "Lorne, stand down!"
"Give me the gun, John! I'll finish him!" Moira offered coldly, moving as if to grab it from his other hand.
"Damn it, Moira, no!" John had his hands full, trying to keep the gun away from Moira's grasp at the same time restraining Evan against the wall.
"She shot me, sir! Punish her! Put her slovenly ass in the brig!"
"He tried to rape me, John! To kill me! Shoot him!"she cried. "He's not worthy of being in the Air Force anymore!"
"Here! Take him to his quarters and have Beckett tend him there!" John roughly shoved Evan into the two security marines who had arrived. He holstered his gun, grabbed Moira before she could do anything, but she scrambled free of him. "I want two guards posted on his door! Lorne, you are restricted to your quarters! Got it?"
"Yes, sir. You miserable cu–" Evan directed his insult towards Moira.
"Go!" John shouted, his hands clenching into fists, nearly knocking Lorne senseless. Turned and pulled Moira to her room. "Damn it! Moira, what the hell is going on?"
"That's it? You're just going to let him get away with this? He could have killed me, John! You see what an animal he is!"
John ignored her, guided her into her room, closed the door. "Moira..." He touched her arms, her cheek. "Focus, Moira. On me. I need to ask you something."
She met his gaze, breath easing, seemingly calmer. More like herself. "John? Are you going to do nothing?" Tears filled her brown eyes.
"I'll deal with him, believe me. Don't you worry. I need you to remember, Moira! I need you to remember anything unusual. When you exited the 'Gate on P1348X. Any weird feelings?"
She considered, caught by his serious expression, intent green gaze. "Yes."
"Tell me."
"The minute we got there that prick of a major took charge and ordered–"
"No, no! Focus! On the 'Gate! Did you feel anything? A feeling, a ripple...a vibration...think, Moira! Please. It would have only lasted a second or two."
She stared at him. "John...I..." she shrugged. "I did feel a ripple...it was very quick. Kavanaugh said it was just an anomaly...no one else said they felt it."
"Are you sure? Not even Lorne?" John regretted his words as her expression soured.
"He couldn't feel a rock if it landed on his ego."
"Never mind," John sighed. "Moira. The Wraith. Do you remember any Wraith?"
She resumed her stare at him. "What?" She shook her head. Ignored low whispers in her head. "No! I certainly would have remembered any Wraith, John, please!"
"All right. Do you need to see Carson?" he asked, gently touched the fading marks on her neck.
"No. I'm fine. What are you going to do to him, John?" she asked, her voice, her mood changing again. "Are you going to court-martial that animal? Send him back to Earth? Are you going to shoot him?"
John sighed. "Stay here. I'll leave a guard at your door, but stay right here."
"Where are you going? Are you going to leave me, John?" she asked, grabbing his arm.
"You'll be safe here. I have to see if Carson found anything. Stay right here, Moira, please." He kissed her gently, left her staring after him.
****************************************************************************
Carson swore. Elizabeth stared, shocked, never having heard any profanity from the doctor. "There! What the bloody hell were you thinking, son? I'd have shot you myself for even laying a hand on our Moira!"
"Ow!" Evan complained at the tight bandage on his arm. "She had it coming, doc. She goaded me with that mouth of...ow!"
"If I ever hear those words from you again I will shoot you myself! I don't care if you're infected or not! Your behavior is inexcusable! There!" Carson stood, left Evan's room, his face revealing his disgust, his anger.
"Carson, calm down," Elizabeth urged, a hand on his arm as they walked down the hallway. "It was not entirely his fault."
"Even so you think that excuses what he did? Ah, colonel! How is Moira?" he asked, as John met them halfway in the hallway.
John glanced past them to see two guards stationed at Evan's door. Met the doctor's gaze. "Fine. A few fading marks on her neck, but otherwise she's fine."
"Is she upset? Sick? Crying?"
"No. I mean, she's upset. Pissed. Wants to shoot Lorne, or have me do it."
"That's understandable," Carson agreed.
"Carson! That is not! That is just like Lorne. They are exhibiting the same symptoms," Elizabeth remonstrated. "The hatred is increasing between them."
"Did you find anything in the stuff we brought back?" asked John.
"No."
"No?" John echoed, frustrated. Dismayed.
"There was nothing in the food or the drink. To be honest with you, I have no idea what is wrong with them. But it is not chemical."
"Got it!" Rodney joined them, snapping his fingers. "The ripple! Remember? John, you felt it but you just didn't notice it. Did Moira feel it too?
"The...yes," John sorted his thoughts. "Only for a second. Lorne didn't–"
"He did. Just didn't realize it like you. I only noticed it because of my heightened sensitivity. And because I am a trained scientist. Moira too. We are trained to recognize any kind of–"
"So what was the ripple?" Elizabeth asked, heading him off before Rodney could expostulate on the superiority of scientists yet again.
"A scan. More specifically an ATA gene scan. Detecting the genome. That's why only Moira, Lorne, John, and myself felt it."
"So it targeted us. Those who carry the gene," John surmised. "Why?"
"That's not as important as what," Carson opined. "What do the Wraith want with those possessing the ATA gene? What did they do to Moira and Evan? And that's not the worst of it."
"What do you mean?" Rodney asked. "What could be worse than being preyed upon by the Wraith?" He shuddered.
"That's not just it, Rodney. They weren't preyed upon. Weren't fed upon. No marks. No loss of vitality. No traces of enzyme in their systems. I fear they may have been experimented upon. Or worse."
"What could be worse than being experimented on by the Wraith?" Elizabeth asked, wincing.
"I don't know. I fear something terrible happened to them. So terrible they chose not to remember it."