Chapter XVII: Ancient Escape
A/N: Apologies on the long wait, a lot happens in this chapter. Thanks to IzzieStar and AangBeckett for their help! Enjoy the chapter. She-Demon
With the twins safely sleeping in bed, John gently closed the door behind and paused to listen to the soft laughter from the kitchen. Laura's arrival has been a massive boost to the group, and it went beyond the hope that she symbolized. Although they had allowed themselves to maintain their facades and fake smiles around the children, in the moments when they children were absent they were all gradually succumbing to their mutual worries, and failing into silent despairs. Laura's warmth and playful manner had allowed them to relax, to smile naturally, and to simply be friends again. For this, John was more grateful to Carson than Carson would ever allow himself to take credit for.
What was less clear cut though, was the future. The moment Woolsey had mentioned Laura, John has immediately latched onto the chance that she could help, but he had forgotten to ask himself how. It wasn't enough to have somebody on the inside, when he had absolutely no idea what their future could be if they did secure her escape.
Below him, he heard footsteps climbing the stairs and looked up to see Rodney approaching him.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Sure." John reassured.
"You, err, ready to talk?" Rodney said.
John nodded and waited for Rodney to pass him on the way to the bathroom before making his descent down the stairs. After this insistence that Carson speak to Laura, he knew they would be looking to him for a plan of sorts. The truth was that he simply didn't have one. Not yet, anyway.
When he entered the kitchen, every adult member of the household (Rodney aside), was sat around waiting for him expectantly. It reminded him of briefings and the inherently serious nature of them, and the matter at hand. He sat down beside the empty seat that he assumed was Rodney's and poured himself a glass of wine from one of the various bottles on the table. Normally, he wouldn't have been so laid back about drinking at a time like this, but he had a feeling that Dutch courage may kick his mind into action. Once Rodney had reclaimed his seat and they were finally sat together, there was no avoiding what needed to be done for any longer.
"So what's the plan, Colonel?" Laura asked, looking to John.
"Less of the Colonel, we're all friends here." John said with a smile, "and, as to a plan, there isn't one yet."
From the corner of his eye, he saw Rodney open his mouth slightly, but Sam tactfully interrupted him, "Well, now is as good a time as any to come up with one."
"What kind of security are we looking at?" Jack asked, looking at Laura.
"Every kind of security protocol you can imagine and I don't even have top level clearance currently - it works on a rotation system. To get in and out of the facility requires a retina scan –"
"So there's no chance of any of us getting in." Jack said, more to himself than anybody else.
"Or Elizabeth out." Rodney sighed.
"Once you get past the retina scan?" John persisted.
"Well, from there it's a little easier, but it's still tough. Each door requires a security pass, and on the level where Elizabeth is being held, the entrance is covered by two armed personnel and only certain IOA operatives, and one member of security have access. Like I said though, the rotation is every couple of days, and my couple of days have passed."
"Great." Rodney muttered.
"You have access to the security systems, does that give us an in?" Carson asked.
"Not really, my current role gives me control over the security of the office levels, but Elizabeth's level is not with my team." Laura said apologetically.
"Is there any way you can get Elizabeth's retina scan into the database as a means of escape?" Sam asked.
"I'd have to get access to her first." Laura said.
"Of all the buildings." Rodney sighed.
"We could take her by force." Jack suggested.
"We don't have enough men, and we'd only end up fugitives. They'd track us down eventually." John said.
"I'm thinking we take our chances." Jack shrugged.
Beside him, John could practically hear Rodney rolling his eyes at this suggestion and couldn't help but smile slightly.
"I could maybe, and I stress the maybe, secure some security passes for you, not top level mind, but you still wouldn't be able to get past the retina scans."
"It wouldn't work; we'd be caught before we got through the front door. They'll be expecting something like this." Rodney said.
"As much as it pains me to say it, I agree with Rodney." Laura said, with a grin at him.
With the possibility of taking Elizabeth by force seemingly dead, they all fell into silence, their eyes focusing on anything other than each other. They had always known that the chances of rescuing Elizabeth were slim, as much as they had hoped and persuaded themselves that all would be well, but now it all felt so hopeless. Interrupting this mutual despair was Sam, who looked over to John as she formed an idea in her mind.
"Before her disappearance, Elizabeth was highly thought of some pretty powerful circles; perhaps we could tell them the truth and use their power to lobby for her release." Sam suggested.
"We can't be sure that they don't already support the IOA." Jack pointed out.
"Come on." Sam said.
'Politicians will do anything to cover their asses." Jack stated.
"This is ridiculous. Are you seriously saying that aside from...walking through walls, there is no way we can get her out?" John asked Laura.
Frowning in consideration, Laura looked to John and was about to reply when she was interrupted by Rodney clicking his fingers and banging on the table frantically in unison.
"We can do that." He said, excitedly.
"Walk through walls?" John asked, cynically.
"Not figuratively of course. Beaming technology. We beam her out." Rodney said smugly.
"Why don't I just fetch down our beaming technology from the loft?" Jack said, sarcastically.
"No, wait, he's onto something here." Sam said, watching Rodney with interest.
"While I haven't, err, actually been given access to the files on Atlantis, I, err, have been keeping an eye of them –"
"You hacked into them?" John asked with amusement.
"Hacked is a strong word." Rodney argued.
"You hacked into them. Anyway, continue." John said warmly.
"Well one of the upgrades that has been made to the city is beaming technology."
"So all we need to do is find a cloaked, floating city and the rest is history?" Jack asked cynically.
"Look, I didn't say it would be easy, but it's the best we've got at the moment."
"And saying this plan works, what do we do when we've got Elizabeth back?" Carson asked.
"We take Atlantis and run." John said, vocalizing what they were all thinking.
"Pretty much." Rodney confirmed.
"Wait a minute, how are we going to take Atlantis? We don't have enough men to overcome the personnel on the base." Jack said.
"Actually, from what I could ascertain, they're only running minimal operations in the control room at the moment; security shouldn't be too much of an issue. We can stun them and beam them down before we beam Elizabeth up." Rodney suggested.
"What is more of an issue is that we surely don't have enough people to run the city?" Sam said.
"Who here, would be prepared to go?" Jack said.
Each person in the room nodded their agreement, and Jack smiled slightly, "Two Physicists, a Doctor and three military personnel and that's just in this room. I'm sure if it came down to it, we could call on some old friends. Daniel for a start; he wouldn't miss out on the chance of having access to the archives of Atlantis for the rest of his life. I'm sure we can rally some more troops."
"First things first though, how are we going to get into Atlantis. Like Jack said, the city is cloaked." John pointed out.
"We're going to need a jumper." Rodney admitted.
"And where the heck are we going to find a jumper?" Carson asked.
"Work." Sam said, looking at Rodney.
"Exactly. We both have access to the jumper that's being worked on."
"It would take at least five of us to take the city though." John pointed out.
"Every person at this table still has clearance. You could claim that you're meeting us for lunch and fancy taking a look around." Sam shrugged with a smile.
"So that's you, McKay, Sheppard, Beckett and me. This is starting to vaguely resemble a plan. Nice work McKay." Jack said with a smile.
Although his determination and optimism over the plan hadn't subsided through the night, it occurred to Rodney as he woke up just how much effort this plan would entail if they were going to stand a chance of pulling it off. Unable to sleep, knowing that so much needed to be done, Rodney found himself in the kitchen before six am balancing his laptop, mug of coffee and a plate of toast. Once again he allowed himself into the confidential files on the Atlantis program to reassure him over several matters which had been troubling him since the initial adrenaline over his plan had subsided. To his left, covered in toast crumbs and greasy fingerprints was a notepad, which Sam lifted as she walked into the kitchen just after six.
Briefly Rodney looked up at her, "You don't look so hot."
Irritated, Sam threw the pad back down onto the table and reached for the coffee and started to pour a mug before pausing and tipping the contents into the sink with a sigh. Instead, she poured herself a glass of orange juice and sat beside McKay who immediately stood up to make some more toast, as Sam read over his notepad.
"Have you started working on a locator beacon for Elizabeth yet?" Rodney asked.
"I've done the preliminary calculations. I'll get started on it after breakfast."
"I don't need to remind you that we're up against the clock here."
Rather than reply, Sam continued to flick through Rodney's notes while Rodney resumed his work on the laptop looking through the Atlantis files. After several moments, he sat back and sighed.
"What is it?" Sam asked, continuing to read the pad.
"Hey early birds." Jack said, walking into the kitchen and bending to kiss Sam's head, before taking a seat.
"Morning," Rodney said, "I think we're going to need another scientist to run the city. There's too much for just the two of us to handle."
"It's not just scientists either. We need medical personnel, equipment –"
"Actually, we're covered on the equipment from. Over the last couple of years, from what I can tell, they've been developing Atlantis as some sort of escape shuttle in the event of anything happening to Earth. The city is prepared to sustain the lives of up to two-hundred people for ten years." Rodney said.
"Well that'll certainly make life easier." Jack commented.
"That doesn't solve the issue of personnel though." Sam said.
"That should be easy enough. People will be queuing up to join us." Jack said confidently.
"You can't just take that for granted! I mean, have you even spoken to Daniel yet?" Sam asked in a raised tone.
"I will do that." Jack reassured.
"That isn't good enough, Jack. This isn't just any old mission." Sam snapped.
"When have I ever let you down? Anybody in this house down?" Jack replied, sitting up slightly.
"Err; I was maybe thinking of calling on Radek Zelenka. I think he'd be up for it." Rodney suggested.
"Good thinking." Sam said, continuing to stare at Jack.
Awkwardly, Rodney cleared his throat and returned to his work, subconsciously sliding away from the domestic argument that was taking place on the other side of the table. This wasn't the first time he'd been stuck in between Sam and Jack arguing over the past couple of days and, he had to admit, it didn't get any less uncomfortable. Slyly looking at Sam, he wondered if she was approaching menopause, but was distracted by a bleary eyed Carson entering the kitchen, still in his tartan pyjamas.
"I was going to suggest calling Cassie. She's out of med school now; she'd be an asset to us." Jack said.
"That sounds –"Carson began.
"And by that do you mean suggest it and then put it off?" Sam asked.
"Seriously, this is all because I haven't called Daniel when he is very probably still asleep and won't be able to think straight?"
"You had time last night." Sam snarled, with more venom that she had ever intended.
"Why don't I check you over Sam? You're still looking a bit peaky." Carson said with an edge to his tone.
To Rodney's surprise, Sam immediately agreed to this and left the kitchen with a final glare in Jack's direction. As Carson followed Sam out of the kitchen, Rodney could hear his hurried, concerned whispering, although he couldn't quite hear what he was saying. Across from him, Jack was shaking his head in amazement and Rodney was considering saying something which he hoped would sound sincere, when they were interrupted by the twins running into the kitchen. Rodney rolled his eyes, thinking how grateful he would be for some peace and quiet after all this, before realizing that, from now on, this is what his life would be like on a daily basis. Although, at least he had his lab in Atlantis to shut himself away in. Stopped in his tracks, John Junior sidled up to Rodney and stared at the screen in confusion.
"What's that? French? My Mommy talks French." He asked.
"No, it's Math. Very complex Math."
"But there are letters." JJ commented.
Rodney laughed slightly causing the young boy to narrow his eyes.
"You're laughing at me." JJ said.
"No, I'm not. I remember saying the same thing to my Dad when I was a kid. In some forms, very complex forms, of Math you have you use letters."
"You must be very smart." JJ commented.
"Well, actually, now you mention it –"
A roll of the eyes from John stopped Rodney in his tracks, and he packed his work up knowing that it would not doubt be covered in fruit loops within five minutes with the twins around. It would give him the time to dig out Zelenka's details anyway.
Over the last couple of days, Sam had almost allowed herself to forget. They'd been so wrapped up in the twins, so determined to make them happy, that for just a few days, her...issues hadn't been relevant. As she strolled into the kitchen though, much later than usual as she found herself succumbing to tiredness already, it all came flooding back as Jack turned and waved to her with a spatula covered in the bacon fat. Her eyes immediately fell on the frying pan, and the stench hit her. Gritting her teeth, she smiled at Jack, but she couldn't stay. There was no way she could stay. So, she turned and, as nonchalantly as she could manage, walked back up the stairs, her pace ultimately becoming a run as she felt the overwhelming urge hit her.
Desperately, she pushed through the bathroom door and clutched the toilet bowl as she found herself being sick. With tears streaming down her face from both the action itself and the exhaustion she felt concealing this secret, she collapsed against the wall of the bathroom and was surprised to find two sets of eyes on her, as the twins clutched their toothbrushes in shock.
"What's wrong Auntie Sam?" Olivia asked, earnestly.
"This...err...tummy bug." Sam blustered.
"I thought you were better." JJ said suspiciously.
"This is a strange sort of tummy bug." Sam sighed.
Smiling at the confusion on the twins' faces, she pushed herself onto her knees and shuffled over to them, kneeling before them.
"Now I really need you to keep this tummy bug to yourself, just for now." Sam said.
"Why?" JJ asked.
"Because...Uncle Jack worries about me when I get sick, but this is your vacation and I want everybody to have fun." Sam said, gently.
Taking their eyes away from hers, John Junior and Olivia turned to each and both nodded, before turning back to Sam.
"It's okay. We won't tell anybody." Olivia grinned.
With that, they both returned to their toothbrushes to the cup and ran out of the bathroom. It was wrong to make children lie and keep secrets, but, for now at least, she knew Jack simply couldn't cope with any more stress. There was too much at stake.
Rodney arrived on the campus of Georgetown University that afternoon, and immediately headed to the Department of Physics where he had once given a guest lecture. It had been he who had acted as Zelenka's referee when he had applied for a position at the University, and Rodney had taken it for granted that Zelenka would still be here, although they hadn't spoken for over a year. When they had returned from Atlantis, so many promises had been made to keep in touch with various people. The reality was different though and even his contact with John and Carson in recent years hadn't been frequent as it could have been. That was until recent events, which had determined they'd be seeing each other on a daily basis if all went to plan.
After learning from an undergraduate, who was rather starstruck when he had given his name, that Zelenka was lecturing, Rodney grabbed himself a coffee and silently slipped into the lecture theatre where he took a seat. Despite himself, the familiarity of Zelenka's Czech tone did bring a small smile to his face which he quickly covered with a mouthful of coffee. Zelenka hadn't noticed his arrival, which was probably for the best, so Rodney simply sat and listened to the lecture on extracellular multi-electrode array recordings. Just in front of him was a girl, no older than twenty-five, who was watching Zelenka with a mingled look of admiration and...fondness. Rodney looked to the front of the theatre to stare at Zelenka is shock. He was still the same as ever - the slightly untidy hair, down to the long-sleeved sweatshirt and cream cargo trousers, and a young girl was looking at him like that. Rodney really should have gone into lecturing.
As the clock approached two, Zelenka dismissed the class with a smile, advising them on appropriate journal articles, one of which was Rodney's. With the lecture theatre empty, and Zelenka's attention taken up by the packing up of his notes, Rodney quietly made his way down to the front of the theatre.
"You missed a decimal point Radek." Rodney said.
Immediately, Zelenka spun to look at the blackboard, before the recognizability of Rodney's tone hit him and he turned to face a sheepish-looking Rodney.
"Just kidding." Rodney said.
"What are you doing here?" Radek asked, in confusion.
"Oh you know me. I'm just fascinated by extracellular multi-electrode array recordings."
"Rodney."
"Do you have some time? I need to talk to you. In private."
The suspicion in Radek's eyes was replaced with concern, and he said, "Of course. We could take a walk. Or my office...whichever suits you."
"Let's walk."
At first, they didn't talk about why Rodney was here. Instead they passed small talk about how they had filled their life for the last year or so. Both were still single, and Rodney reflected that that may work in his favor to persuade Radek to join them in what was increasingly sounding like a dangerous plan in his head. As they reached the outskirts of the campus, they came to a solitary bench on a lawn and both sat down.
"So why are you here, Rodney?" Radek asked, as he took his glasses off to clean them.
"I don't even know where to start...it's so complicated...I need your help."
"You need my help?" Zelenka asked in shock.
"Well, not me really," Rodney said defensively, "like I said - it's complicated."
"You know you can tell me anything."
"I know it's just where to start...Basically the IOA rescued Elizabeth, hid her away, and now they've decided they're shutting down her nanites because some stray replicators turned up. They're gone now - ascended, but..."
"Rodney! Slow down! Elizabeth - Doctor Weir - is alive?"
"Yes, and that's not even the best bit. She has two children, twins and they're Sheppard's."
"So Colonel Sheppard knew she had been saved all along?"
"No, turns out they were...you know when Elizabeth was still the leader of Atlantis. Sheppard has only just found out that's he's a Dad. Like I said, it's complicated." Rodney explained, earnestly.
"You were right. I don't understand though, what do you want from me?"
Rodney looked at Radek uneasily, "We have a plan to rescue Elizabeth before they can deactivate her nanites. We're going to take control of Atlantis and beam her out of the facility where she's being held."
"Still –"
"We're leaving Milky Way, and we're going to need men." Rodney said reluctantly.
"You're stealing Atlantis."
"I don't really think of it as stealing. I mean, we found it and without us, there'd be no Atlantis."
"This is very risky Rodney." Radek admitted.
"I know, but there is no other option if we're going to save Elizabeth."
At this, Radek nodded slightly and looked away from Rodney to stare at the grass in consideration. After a moment of so, he began chuckling and Rodney turned to him in shock.
"You need my help." Radek said.
"Look, I'm sure we could manage without you. In fact, it would probably run a lot smoother without you slowing me down –"
"Then you're saying you want me to come?" Radek asked, still chuckling.
"Are you coming or not?" Rodney asked, ignoring him.
"I have a job here, students to think of –"
"I'm sure your presence won't be missed too greatly; I've seen you lecture."
"- but I think this is more important." Radek finished.
"You'll come?" Rodney said, with a tone conveying more delight than he would have cared for Radek to have seen.
Quickly, Rodney began rummaging in his coat for a pen to write down his details on, muttering as he did so, but was saved by Radek holding out a pen to him with a look of exasperation. Without thanks, Rodney grabbed the pen and scribbled down his cell number and Sam and Jack's address in near illegible handwriting as he barked instructions about what he could and couldn't bring, and when he needed to be at the house. When he had pushed the piece of paper into Radek's hand, they both shook hands before they carried on their stroll through campus as if nothing had happened.
When Rodney returned home, he was greeted by John who, despite himself congratulated Rodney on his powers of persuasion. As much as Rodney had an undeniable ability to drive him mad at times, he had always been there when he needed him, and had single-handedly found a way to save Elizabeth, working tirelessly since. At some point, John owed Rodney a very real and sincere 'thank you', but he had a feeling Rodney's ego could do without that until they had successfully escaped.
It was all coming together, John reflected, as he sat down on his own in the garden sipping from a bottle of beer. Earlier, in the afternoon, he'd made a call to Cameron Mitchell who'd agreed to join them before John could even make a start on his mental list of reasons why he should. John had sneaking feeling that Cameron was somewhat bored with life, and almost welcomed this opportunity for some excitement and break from the mundane, as much as he wanted to save Elizabeth. With Daniel, Vala and Cassie all on board, as well as Daniel and Vala's son, they had the very vague resemblance of a crew. It wasn't ideal, but then again, when it came to Atlantis, it never had been.
He...they...were going home, and it had only just hit him. He was returning to the first place he'd really considered home, with Elizabeth at his side, and two children, and an extended family to boot. There were still obstacles to overcome first, sure, but it symbolized hope and he wasn't going to let anything get in the way of that. He couldn't; the alternative was too much to even allow himself to consider it. Not now anyway.
From behind, he felt a gentle tap on the shoulder and turned to face Jack who held out an envelope to him, before turning back and returning to the house. John looked down to the envelope, simply addressed to "John" and peeled it open, pulling out the contents. "From a former colleague", read the post-it note. Underneath the post-it note, was a card, a security pass. A top level security pass for the IOA facility where Elizabeth was being held. Slowly, John turned the card over in his hands and smiled to himself.
A/N 2: So… How many of you saw this coming?