A/N: Apologies in advance for anyone wanting more depth to Todd's return to Atlantis.
I toyed with the idea but decided to keep it brief as I've got an "episode" dedicated to Todd later on in my planned series and didn't want to detract from that.
Chapter Six: Decisions
The short journey between Earth and the Moon had become all too familiar to Colonel Caldwell and the crew of the Daedalus in recent weeks but they all understood the importance of ensuring Atlantis was ready to return to the Pegasus galaxy. And after ferrying all manner of supplies as well as personnel to the stationary city-ship, a simple prison transfer would be a rather straightforward final run. As Atlantis came into sight, so did the end of their transport missions.
"Open a channel to Atlantis" ordered Caldwell.
"Channel open sir" came the reply from the Lieutenant Stuart
"Atlantis, this is the Daedalus. As requested, we have the prisoner ready for transport."
"Daedalus, this is Atlantis. Preparations are complete. We are ready when you are" replied Mr Woolsey, his voice carrying a note of trepidation.
"Confirmed, Daedalus out" said Caldwell as he nodded to his transport officer. The Asgard beam was enabled and the Daedalus' role was complete. For now anywaythought Caldwell. His ship was still on its shakedown cruise following the damage it suffered in the battle with the ZPM-powered Hive vessel but maybe now they could extend their missions beyond the confines of the solar system.
- - SGA - -
Sheppard and his team stood ready to receive their prisoner, Ronon clutching particularly tightly to his pistol. Though he trusted Sheppard implicitly, he often wondered why this wraith called "Todd" was still breathing. If he had been in charge, he would have shot him when they first came across him. But Sheppard stopped him and he had to respect that, even if he still felt the urge to just pull the trigger now and get it over with.
In an instant, the Wraith stood before them, his hands bound and escorted by a couple of marines who even Ronon would have found intimidating. A chill reverberated around the gate room as people stopped and stared at the prisoner, his very appearance enough to elicit concern. Sheppard stepped forward from the crowd, his rifle still trained on the wraith. Could he still be trusted? After all, he had provided almost no information to the folks at Area 51, though this didn't surprise Sheppard as everyone hates those guys.
"Dismissed. We'll take it from here" Sheppard told the marines, who nodded in acknowledgement before signalling to be beamed back to the Daedalus.
As Sheppard gestured for Todd to walk ahead of them, the rest of the team closed ranks behind their team leader, watchful for the first sign of trouble from this wretched being. All of them, to varying degrees, possessed mixed feelings about this wraith but all of them trusted in Sheppard's judgement. If he thought that Todd could be a valuable asset back in Pegasus, then they would go along with that. Though the instant he looked to betray them would be his end.
After an awkwardly silent ten minutes, the team reached the brig and placed Todd within the cell. He snarled at the four of them as they turned and left, clearly unhappy that his efforts to save Earth had been rewarded with confinement. Twice. But what had he expected from humans? They were afraid him and rightly so, they were only "cattle" after all. Except Sheppard, he seemed...different.
- - SGA - -
Rodney had been suffering from a headache all day, putting it down the efforts of getting Atlantis ready for its trip back to Pegasus. But it was growing more difficult to focus as the pain intensified.
"Rodney, you don't look so good" said Sheppard concerned.
"I'm fine, its just a headache" replied McKay dismissively.
"Well then, it shouldn't be too much trouble to get it checked out. That's an order." said Sheppard with a slight smile on his face. He had noticed how McKay had been finding any excuse to avoid visiting the infirmary and it didn't take genius to figure out why. So Sheppard figured that maybe he needed to be pushed into the deep end in order to learn how to swim. Metaphorically of course.
Rodney opened his mouth to protest but he knew how useless that would be, given how stubborn Sheppard was. So with great reluctance, he trudged off down the corridor and towards the infirmary, hoping that Doctor Keller wouldn't be on duty. He didn't want to avoid her particularly, he just didn't know what he was supposed to say. He might be a genius physicist but his inter-personal skills needed work.
There was no such luck for Rodney as he entered the medical centre to find Doctor Keller finishing up with what appeared to be her final patient. She looked up at Rodney, her face devoid of any real emotion. He approached her carefully, his mind racing through all manner of scenarios and most of them not ending pleasantly for him.
"Whats up Rod...Doctor McKay?" asked Keller
"Not much, just a headache. But Sheppard ordered me down here" replied Rodney as Keller began checking his head, her fingers gently caressing his temples.
"It appears to be just a tension headache, we have some painkillers that should help" said Keller as she jotted down some notes into his patient file.
"Look Jen, I'm sorry" said Rodney, chancing his luck.
"For what?"
"I should have called."
"You couldn't Rodney. I understand that. Its just...it was tough being alone after being so close to someone"
"I know, but I'm still sorry." he offered to which she laughed. "Are we going to be okay?" he asked genuinely.
"Lets see how things go. We've got a lot of important things to focus on first" she said and he nodded in acceptance.
Awkwardness filled the infirmary as Rodney sat in silence, waiting for Doctor Keller to find the right medication for him. After searching through the cabinet, she found the painkillers and passed them to Rodney, who offered a timid "thanks" before racing out of the door, clearly unhappy and uncomfortable with what just happened. Did he say something wrong? Was he too apologetic? McKay's mind began to wander as he made his way towards the chair room having received a message from Zelenka. At least he thought it was Zelenka, he wasn't really paying close attention.
- - SGA - -
After ordering McKay to the infirmary, Sheppard dismissed Ronon and Teyla, preferring to attend the meeting with Woolsey alone. He knew he owed the man an explanation about why he had brought Todd on-board. Plus he needed final confirmation that everything was a go. He climbed the steps to Woolsey office and after knocking politely, entered to find him filling out yet more paperwork. Bureaucracy was hard work, Sheppard thought inwardly.
"Colonel Sheppard, please have a seat" offered Woolsey.
"Thanks. Look before we start, I think I need to clear something up" said Sheppard with authority.
"Oh?" asked Woolsey
"About Todd. I'm grateful that you convinced the IOA to allow me to bring him on board. I know I didn't really offer a convincing reason why I did so." said Sheppard as Woolsey nodded for him to continue "Well sir, Todd and I have an unofficial agreement in that neither of us wants to be in debt to the other. And when Todd helped save Earth, I was in debt to him once again"
"So this is your way of repaying the debt?" asked Woolsey.
"Kinda. I honestly believe we will find a use for him once we get back to Pegasus. Until then, I'm okay with him being locked up here. Plus we'll get more out of him than the guys at Area 51"
"I believe you are right Colonel, which is why I authorised his transfer here. "said Woolsey warmly.
Sheppard was pleased at the trust Woolsey had show in his judgement, not to mention how their working relationship had become a rather effective one. With the potentially difficult topic out of the way, Sheppard turn his attention to the more pressing concern.
"All stations report ready. With your permission, I'd like to get down to the chair and get this party started" said Sheppard warmly.
"Actually Colonel, I've instructed Doctor Beckett to pilot Atlantis" explained Woolsey.
Sheppard looked dismayed at the news. He was not only the ranking officer but also the strongest ATA gene carrier, why was he not being able to fly the ship again? Carson had done a sterling job getting Atlantis to Earth, but put bluntly, he wasn't as proficient at using the chair as Sheppard was. No one was in fact.
"May I ask why?" Sheppard said, straining to maintain his composure.
"Well for one, Doctor Beckett has more recent experience of the piloting procedure" offered Woolsey "And as the ranking military officer on board Atlantis, I think your schedule is looking a little busy already without adding to it. I'm sorry Colonel, but I need you around to help me keep this place in working order".
"Aye sir" replied Sheppard. He did understand Woolsey's reasoning even if the pilot within him was more than a little disappointed. He had hoped to connect with Atlantis again but his primary duty was the success of the mission, not his personal gratification.
"Well then Colonel, shall we get this mission under way?" asked Woolsey.
"With pleasure."