Remember, Never to Forget---35
Hank Wallace glanced at his watch and tried to contact Lorne's party, worried when there was no immediate response. He'd ordered his team back to the Jumpers and kept them on their toes while waiting for the others. He tried again to contact Lorne and was glad when the other man's voice came from somewhere down the corridor.
"Hank," Lorne called and led the group into the hangar.
"Thank God, I was just about to send out the troops," Wallace said, his smile slipping when he spotted the rest of the group. "How bad?"
"Bad…we need to get Sheppard out of here now, but he needs immediate medical attention," Lorne answered as Sheppard was carried into the jumper.
"We're leaving!" Trazdia asked angrily and moved to help Suduko. "What about Hawk?"
"Hawk's dead," Lorne offered.
"Are you sure?" Trazdia asked.
"Yes," the major answered.
"We should check…"
"Right now we have wounded who need medical help," Kudrone interrupted as he tried to save John's life. The man needed more help than he could offer and he turned to see Shariel watching him. "We need to get him out of here before Hawk's 'friends' return."
"Kudrone, there is nothing more you can do for John and we must also retreat," Shariel warned.
"I can keep him alive," Kudrone said while Teyla made Rodney and Ronon sit down.
"Can you?" Shariel asked.
"Shariel, I have changed since Hawk bought me and I have learned more than I ever knew before. I can help keep him alive until his friends get him home."
"I found the stargate at Grendaub 3," Lorne called from the front of the Puddle Jumper.
"How long before we reach it?" Teyla asked tiredly while changing the bandage on McKay's arm.
"An hour if we leave now!" Lorne answered. "Hank get your people on board and get moving."
"We'll keep the gate open for you," Wallace vowed, glancing at John Sheppard as if afraid the man would disappear once more.
"Kudrone…"
"Go, Shariel, I'm not leaving him until they reach the gate," Kudrone told her and continued to work on the 'slave'. He'd managed to get the man breathing, but there was so much damage and blood loss it would take a miracle for him to survive.
"I'm not leaving without you," Shariel told him.
"Then tell your men to go to Suduko's world and we'll make sure you get there," Lorne said.
"We need to go now!" Kudrone ordered.
"I'll go with Shariel's ship," Suduko offered and turned Trazdia and his men. "Come, Old Friend, let's go home."
Lorne waited until the others left and closed the rear hatch. The Puddle Jumper looked like it could be the flagship for the walking wounded, and he knew he needed to get to the stargate.
Kudrone looked at the unfamiliar equipment and was relieved when Teyla moved to help him.
"What do you need?" Emmagan asked.
"I want…is there anything that will help give him oxygen?" Kudrone asked.
Teyla nodded and reached for the oxygen mask and quickly placed it over Sheppard's mouth and nose. She watched as the colonel's chest rose and fell with each shallow breath and prayed they had enough time to reach the gate and get him back to Atlantis. It seemed like forever since they'd left to search for the missing man and now they were bringing him home, but would he be the same man? She turned to see Ronon and Rodney watching her and easily read the same worry in their eyes.
SGASGASGASGASGASGA
Elizabeth Weir hurried into the control room and watched as Chuck pressed several keys on the console.
"It's Major Wallace's team," Chuck told her.
"Open the gate!" Weir ordered and watched as the iris opened and the shimmering pool took effect just before a Puddle Jumper came through. She hurried down the stairs to the gateroom just as the rear hatch opened and Major Wallace stepped out. "Where are the others?"
"They're not far behind us. We found Colonel Sheppard and he'll need Dr. Beckett…"
Weir ordered a medical emergency to the gateroom and returned her attention to Wallace as the Puddle Jumper was moved away from the front of the gate.
"Colonel Sheppard is in bad shape, Dr. Weir," Wallace explained. "Dr. McKay, Ronon, and Teyla will also need Dr. Beckett's attention."
"John is alive?" Weir asked softly.
"Yes, Ma'am, he is," Wallace answered as Beckett joined them.
"What's happening, Elizabeth?" the CMO asked.
"They found John...he's hurt bad," Weir told him as the second Puddle Jumper came through the Stargate. She moved out of the way as Beckett and his people moved in and the rear hatch opened.
Beckett looked at the man hovering over a man who slightly resembled Colonel John Sheppard before moving to help. "Who are you?"
"My name is Kudrone…please tell me you're a doctor?"
"I am…looks like the lad's been put through the wringer," Beckett said.
"I don't know what that means, but he's taken more than his share of blows," Kudrone said and stood back as Beckett began to work. "He's got a knife wound…I fixed it, but Hawk opened it up just before we escaped. He's also been whipped and beaten…"
"Bloody Hell…I can see that," Beckett cursed. "We need to get him to the infirmary now! The rest of you wait until…"
"I can walk," Ronon said.
"I…I can…"
"Look, I don't have time to argue…Elizabeth, make them stay put until my staff checks them over," Beckett warned as they whisked Sheppard away on the stretcher.
"Elizabeth…" McKay started, surprised when Kudrone moved to check his shoulder. "It's fine…"
"No, it's not," Kudrone said, noting the fresh blood on the bandage.
"I am Shariel…"
"I am Dr. Elizabeth Weir," Elizabeth said and shook the woman's hand. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Shariel told a shortened version of the rescue, leaving out the fact that she was also a 'slaver' because something about these people told her it would not go over well with these people. She knew Kudrone hated slavery and she would listen to his arguments when they returned to their ship. Giving up slavery was something she was willing to do if it meant making Kudrone happy. She finished her story at the same time several medical personnel arrived and began caring for the injured.
"Shariel, I am grateful for your help in bringing my people home and would like to talk to you some more, but I need to check on my people. Security will take you to…"
"I understand, Dr. Weir, but I must ask you for transport back to my ship," Shariel said.
"If that is what you want I will have Major Wallace's team take you as soon as he is debriefed," Weir said.
"Thank you," Shariel told her as Kudrone came to stand beside her.
"It may take some time, but I will have a security officer escort you to the Mess Hall. You can get something to eat there if you're hungry and I'll send word as soon as Major Wallace is ready to take you back," Weir explained.
"Thank you," Kudrone offered and watched as Teyla, Ronon, and Rodney were escorted away from the Puddle Jumper.
SGASGASGASGASGASGA
Carson Beckett silently cursed as he looked at the damage done to Colonel John Sheppard. The man was a massive bruise from head to toe with a vicious wound in his chest that showed signs of infection. He knew Weir would be there soon for an update, but right now there was nothing he could tell her. He looked at the nurse who was trying to insert an IV line in Sheppard's arm with little success.
"Dr. Beckett, I can't seem to find a vein." Sharon Kempner explained worriedly.
"Let me take a look, Lass," Beckett said as Julie Parker took over for him and placed the leads on Sheppard's chest. Beckett carefully felt around for a vein and after several failed attempts found a suitable one and soon had the IV running into the Colonel's arm. He looked up as he heard others enter the infirmary, but didn't have a chance to acknowledge them as an alarm warned that his patient was no longer breathing.
SGASGASGASGASGASGA
Rodney McKay lifted his head as he was wheeled into the infirmary and caught sight of the flurry of activity around a bed he assumed held Colonel John Sheppard. He heard Beckett giving orders to clear just before he pressed the paddles to Sheppard's chest. The Canadian had never felt so alone in his life as guilt overwhelmed him and he closed his eyes.
"Dr. McKay, I'm going to start an IV and give you something for pain," Dr. Rita Murphy explained.
"I don't…need anything," McKay lied. The truth was his shoulder was killing him, but it was nothing compared to the pain he felt knowing Beckett was fighting to save Sheppard's life. The fact was they could still lose him in spite of the daring rescue they'd managed.
"Rodney," Emmagan placed a hand on his left shoulder and waited for the Canadian to look at her. "He's in good hands…"
"The best, but…God Teyla, he looks like a warmed over corpse," McKay said.
"John's strong and he's made it this far. He won't quit now that he's home," Teyla vowed.
"Teyla, I need you to move back so I can take care of Dr. McKay," Murphy told her and knew they were all interested in knowing what was happening behind the now closed doors.
SGASGASGASGASGASGA
Shazzia had seen the ship as it flew toward Suduko's home and recognized the markings as those belonging to a fellow slaver named Shariel. She wondered if the woman would help her get back what she'd lost, but it would not be wise to let anyone know she was on this world.
"Shazzia, I have heard from Corbone," Domitar explained, angered at finding her outside when discovery of her presence could get them both killed. "You should not be here."
"I saw a ship…it belongs to Shariel does it not?"
"Yes, it does, but you should know that she has aligned herself with Suduko…"
"I should have killed him long ago."
"It is too late to do anything about that now. Come inside before you are discovered," Domitar warned and waited for her to go inside before following her.
"What did Corbone have to say?"
"He said Shariel and Suduko along with the Atlantians were able to rescue John Sheppard and that Hawk has been killed," Domitar explained and saw the smile form on his daughter's face.
"With Hawk did then John is mine once more…"
"Shazzia, Corbone said that John was hurt badly and was taken back to his world."
"I will not allow my property to escape so easily…"
"Should I remind you that you do not have a ship?"
"Find me one, Domitar…use whatever means necessary. I will not be denied."
"I remind you that Corbone said John is hurt badly and my advice is to wait until he is stronger…"
"I will get him back…"
"Yes, you will, but give him time to heal and give yourself time to rebuild. Perhaps you will forget about him…"
"No, I will never forget, Domitar. John belongs to me and once he is back in my possession there are several people who will pay for what happened including several people I thought were allies."
"Shazzia, I will do everything I can to get you a ship, but you will need to find people who are willing to work for you. I am sure Corbone…"
"Corbone is a traitor to his people and that means he would be a liability I cannot afford. I want people who are loyal to me and there are several right here in this village. I will have what I want, Domitar, and I am not willing to wait to get it. Tell Corbone I want to know everything about John's people and where their world is located."
Domitar knew there was no point in arguing with her…the stubbornness came from her mother and she had never taken no for an answer either. He sighed heavily and exited the room and hoped she would not wind up dying as her mother had, yet he knew if she continued in this way she would die at a young age.
SGASGASGASGASGASGA
Elizabeth Weir entered the infirmary to find John Sheppard's team being cared for by Beckett's staff. McKay looked paler than the pillow his head rested on, and he turned to look at her when she stepped up to his bed. "How do you feel, Rodney?"
"Like my head is stuffed with cotton…there's been no word from Carson, Elizabeth," McKay said worriedly.
"I know…he'll come tell us when he's finished," Weir offered and looked at Teyla who sat on the next bed. "Are you all right, Teyla?"
"A few bruises, but nothing I can not deal with. I have been given the all clear," Emmagan answered as the curtain around the next bed was drawn back to reveal an irritated Ronon Dex. "Ronon, however, will be keeping Rodney company."
"Oh joy," McKay snapped as the nurse checked his IV.
"Dr. Murphy, how is he?" Weir asked the woman who joined them.
"Stubborn as usual," the physician answered. "He's got several cracked ribs, a broken wrist, and a concussion…other than that he's just fine."
"So I can go!" Dex snapped.
"Only if you want to flash the people of Atlantis," Murphy teased of the lack of clothing the Satedan wore. She smiled when he grumbled and pulled the blanket up over his bare chest. "They'll recover as long as they don't overdo things, Dr. Weir."
"Thank you, Rita," Weir said and pulled a chair closer to McKay's bed.
"Did Shariel and Kudrone leave?" McKay asked.
"Major Wallace is taking them back now," Weir explained.
"She's as bad as Hawk," Teyla said with distaste.
"I spoke to her about the practice of slavery and she has decided she does not find the same enjoyment in it she once had. It does not excuse her past actions, but at least she now sees it as distasteful," Weir explained. "Kudrone said to tell you all to listen to the doctors and maybe someday you'll all meet again."
"Kudrone saved Sheppard's life," McKay told them, his voice soft as he stared at the closed doors.
"Rodney," Weir started, but didn't finish her thoughts as Carson Beckett exited Sheppard's room. "Carson, how is he?"
"How that man is alive is beyond me," Beckett said, discarding the bloodied gloves as he looked at the people gathered in the infirmary. "He is bruised from the his head to his toes, has several broken ribs, a knife wound to the chest that will require surgery because of the internal damage the knife caused, but I can't do that until he's stable. There are also numerous marks on his back probably from a whip…"
"It was…Hawk did that to him," McKay told them.
"There are also some older marks and signs of broken bones. I believe those were caused when he first disappeared and there is one nasty break that should have been reset. When he's stronger I will re-break the femur and set it properly. There's also major blood loss, and I've placed him on a ventilator until he's strong enough to breath on his own. I have also given orders to keep him sedated for the next 48 hours," Beckett explained.
"Is that all?" Teyla asked hopefully.
"Physically the wounds will heal with time, but I have no idea what his mental state will be," Beckett told them sadly.
"Did he recognize any of you?" Weir asked.
"The only one he called by name was Rodney," Emmagan answered softly.
"At least that's something, but again I won't know anything until Colonel Sheppard is awake and able to talk," Beckett told them.
"How long?" Dex asked.
"That depends on Colonel Sheppard and…"
"Dr. Beckett, we need you in here!" Sharon called.
"What's wrong?" Weir asked.
"I don't know," Beckett said, but he knew by Sharon's tone that something had gone wrong as the alarms gained momentum and he rushed into the room.
TBC