4/?
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Voices?" Teyla question staring at John with a weary expression.
John nodded turning to face Teyla. "I'm sure of it. I swear I heard him talking, but… his lips didn't move. Maybe that cloud did do something to us. Maybe it gave me some kind of telepathic ability."
Teyla took some time to register what John was telling her and then nodded. "If what you say is true, John, then why are we not suffering the same side effects as you?"
John shrugged. "I don't know, maybe it affects people differently, or maybe it is something to do with my gene or…" John stopped when Teyla interrupted.
"Or maybe its all in your head. You have to admit, John, you have been under a lot of pressure lately." she said, trying to sound reasonable.
John shook his head in disbelief. "Ok, erm…think of a number," he said suddenly.
Teyla frowned. "What?" she asked.
John put his hands up, stopping her from saying anything further. "Think of a number, any number, but don't tell me. Just keep saying that number in your head."
Teyla sighed but did as he said. The colonel's gaze unnerved her slightly as he stood still, watching her. John grunted, throwing his hands in the air.
"I can't hear over this damn hum!" he shouted. Teyla causally stood, putting her hand on John's arm.
"Colonel, maybe you should rest," she said. "We can talk some more in the morning."
John turned to look at her, a look of hurt on his face. "You don't believe me do you!"
Teyla sighed and started towards the door. Turning her hand over the control crystals she looked over her shoulder before she left. "Colonel, please, get some sleep." With that, she left. The door of John's quarters shut quickly, leaving the room silent. John sat on the end of his bed, staring at the spot Teyla had been only seconds before. If Teyla didn't believe him, then who would?
Xxx
Atlantis was silent in the early hours of the morning. The sun was just starting to rise above the sea; the fiery ball illuminated the waters with a reddish glow as the wind blew at the sea's surface. Rodney McKay stared out the window of his dimly lit lab, a cup of coffee cooling next to him. Feeling as though he would fall asleep at any moment, he sluggishly stood and started for the door, having worked all night on a project he wasn't really sure needed finishing. He dragged his feet down the halls to the mess hall. There was no point in going to sleep now, he thought to himself as the doors in front of him opened. The mess hall was too silent, none but a few seats were occupied. The occupant of one caught Rodney's attention. Smiling he shuffled over to the table where John sat. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, gazing out at the frost covered windows.
"Up early aren't we?" he asked, his cheery tone betraying nothing of the fatigue he felt.
With little enthusiasm, John shrugged and nodded his head. "I could say the same for you."
His voice was harsh and tired, his flat tone making Rodney worried. Shaking his head, Rodney continued. "I was in my lab; I could sleep so I needed something to keep me busy."
"Great," John said uninterested.
The doctor frowned, the little patience he had in him wearing thin. "So, how you feeling?" Out of the corner of his eye, Rodney could see John's hands clench into tight fists.
"I'm fine," John said shortly. For a few moments the two were silent, basking in the warmth of the sun's rays. John looked nervously at Rodney and sighed. "Are you feeling any different – you know since the last mission?"
Rodney shook his head. John looked sadly down at his hands, and Rodney decided to change the subject. "Hey , listen, Teyla is going to see her people and catch up on her leader duties and all that. We thought we would go with her. Keller's going too, you know, to do the check ups on the Athosians. you want to go… it will get you out of Atlantis at least"
People had started to fill the mess hall. The smell of bacon wafted through the air and the hum of silent conversation rang through John's ears.
"Well, better go gear up"
Xxx
The busy streets of New Athos were alive with excitement as the jumper landed softy on the ground, blowing small bits of rock and clouds of dust into the air. As the door opened, Teyla made a quick exit. Almost instantly surrounded by her people, she smiled brightly at them, greeting them with the traditional greeting. Keller was next to show herself, followed by Ronon. McKay was just after him. John gradually dragged himself from the jumper, turning his head to watch the door slowly close behind him. Hearing the many childish screams and giggles, he turned to find Teyla had already been dragged away by some small children. Ronon and Keller were talking a slow walk behind Halling and some other Athosians, and Rodney waited patiently beside John. He glanced at the scientist and, for the fist time, John smiled. He was looking forward to the night events; the Athosians always held great celebrations. The two friends made their way to the encampment, taking pleasure as the aroma of food met their nostrils.
"So I wonder what the celebration is for this time?" John mused.
"Oh, Halling told me it's to celebrate Teyla's tenth year as leader."
John eyebrows shot up. "Ten years as leader, wow."
Rodney nodded. "I wonder what we got for dinner," he mumbled under his breath. John chuckled at the comment as the two disappeared through the door of a tent.
Xxx
As the day grew to an end, the night seemed to have gotten colder. The sun sank behind the hills and the beating of the drums started as the first star could be seen in the sky. Outside lanterns burned with fiery life, illuminating the pathways. The stars shone brightly in the sky and the moon cast it light on the grassy lands below. It was a truly beautiful sight, John though to himself as he gazed out at the land with tired eyes. Behind him he could hear the clash of plates , the jingle of cutlery and the hum of conversation. Turning round he pulled back the flap of the dinner tent and he strode in. His eyes scanned the candlelit room spotting the others. They sat at a table which vanished under the pile of food that had been prepared for the night. Slowly making his way over, he took a seat in-between Ronon and Rodney. Teyla sat opposite him with Jenifer on one side and a small girl at her other. Her blond hair and pale skin were perfect in comparison to her large green eyes . She gazed up at Teyla in admiration with a wide smile on her face. Teyla smiled back and handed the girl a fork from the middle of the table. Gripping the fork tightly she plunged it down in to the contents of the bowl in front of her as her attention now focused entirely on eating her food. Smiling Teyla did the same. John tried to listen to the music, but it had little effect against the constant hum in his head. Looking down at his bowl, he pushed the contents of it around with his folk.
"Something wrong, Colonel Sheppard?" came an elderly voice from behind him. He jumped up and glanced round.
"No, not at all," he said guilty. The expression on his face was like a child who had just been caught stealing from the cookie jar. The woman smiled at him and then her eyes travelled to Teyla.
"Teyla, my child, would you mind going to get the firewood from outside? We are running out." Teyla glanced at the small pile of firewood in the corner. Smiling she rose from her seat.
"Of course, Alexia," she said and then started for the door. The old woman watched her go and then looked at John again. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she bent down to whisper in her ear.
"Try the meat. It is much more appetizing then the soup." Alexia rose and started for her seat, walking with a grace John was sure a woman of her age should not have.
"Mmm, I will tell you one thing, these Athosians really know how to cook," Rodney's slightly muffled voice sounded beside him. John glanced at the scientist, watching as he tore at the leg of meat with his teeth.
"Do you even know what that is, McKay?" John asked glancing at the pinkish coloured meat; the scientist shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
Nope, but it tastes like chicken," he smiled, chuckling slightly at the cliché of his words. An instant later a man came running through the entrance of the tent, a look of terror on his face.
"The ring has just opened!" he screamed, his panicked tone ringing through the tent.
"Wraith?" one of the Athosians asked. The man shook his head.
"Soldiers…from another world"
John, Ronon and Rodney glanced at each other as they got to their feet.
"Get all your best fighters and prepare for battle!" Ronon shouted as he made his way out of the tent. John and Rodney did the same, stopping to look at the sight before them.
Solders marched in by the hundreds, the sound of their heavy clad feet pounding on the ground like a stick pounds at a drum. Fiery torches burned bright behind them, the large balls of light growing larger as they approached.
"What the hell!" John shouted. "Who are these guys?" he turned to Halling, wanting a quick explanation. The man turned to him and spoke.
They are Luminati soldiers" John stared at the man for further explanation, but got none as the Athosian pulled out his weapon and ran towards his son.
John looked at Ronon. "I hope you can tell me more about these Luminati soldiers?" he asked.
Ronon nodded. "They are like the Bola Kai, but much more advanced. They come from a planet called Luminatis and they are vicious. Watch yourself," he said and then pulled his sword from his back and ran into battle.
"Ronon" Sheppard called, but the Satedan did not seem to hear him as he battled with one of the soldiers. Raising the gun he had picked up before he had come outside, John fired a hail of shots into the soldier's chest, seeing him fall to the ground. Ronon looked over at Sheppard and nodded, starting off once again.
"Looks like we're not getting out of this with out a fight," he said as he turned to Rodney only to find the space he occupied moments ago empty.
"Rodney?" John shouted worriedly. Jumping as stunner blast howled passed his head, his finger quickly found its way to the trigger. He straightened up, swallowed hard and proceeded into battle.
Xxx
His feet seemed to have a mind of their own, Rodney thought, as he made his way across the length of the camp to take cover in the bushes, dodging stunner blasts and bits of flying debris as he did so. Finally reaching his destination, he jumped for cover. Breathing heavily he scanned the area. Fires spread throughout the village, tearing down the tents, eating away at the crops and making the sky black with smoke. A shrill scream brought back his attention to the danger he faced. Looking out over the camp he saw a young woman being held down by a soldier, one hand at her throat the other holding a knife high in the air.
His eyes widened. Picking up some rocks that lay beneath his feet, he threw them in the soldier's direction. Each one bounced off his helmet, making him look up. Letting go of the young woman, he started in Rodney's direction.
"Oh, crap!" Rodney stood rooted to the spot as the soldier got nearer. His armoured hand struck him hard as the scientist fell to the floor.
"You're gonna pay for that, hero," he said, the came down again. Rodney rolled out the way and punched him in the face, causing the soldier's already loose helmet to fly backwards.
"Owww!" Rodney shouted, grabbing his throbbing fist. Looking up he glanced at the man's dirty face. He was bald and pale and his skin was red and scarred. The man roared and pushed Rodney to the ground, pulling his sword from its sheath and raising it above his head#
sorry its a bit late guys i have been really busy with school and everything. hope you enjoyed it.