John cracked open his right eye enough to get his bearings, careful to keep the rest of features relaxed. John was lying on his side against the cold floor. There were tan boots a few feet away, John assumed they were Argrose's. He closed his eye then took inventory of his bodily situation. Both hands and feet bound more tightly than before and his thigh was numb. There was also a gag, which had been thrust into his mouth and tasted terrible. Terrific. John thought.
Not so.
Relief mixed with joy flooded John immediately. Atlantis!
Yes, it appears Argrose's drug has worn off. Atlantis said.
How long's it been? John asked quickly.
It has been 19 hours since you were captured. Your people continue to search but they are taking much time. They may have you on the sensors by now but Argrose will no doubt give you the drug, Av'b, again. You must escape or Argrose will use you against your people. Quickly. Atlantis' tone was urgent.
Okay, where is the closest place I can get a weapon. He has a stunner. John was really hoping Atlantis had an answer to that.
Even if Atlantis had an answer she would not have been able to give it. Argrose took the moment to dig his boot into John's thigh wound. It successfully pulled John out of his conversation with a gasp. John writhed through the injection, which did nothing to help him except earn him a few harsh kicks.
John wished he could offer a snarky comment but the gag would not permit it no matter how hard John wished it. He decided he would settle for a steady glare. Leaving John in the company of walls, locked doors, and bindings, Argrose Bolue set of to discover more weapons and a way off the planet.
His mistake.
John slowly loosened his bindings. After years of being tied with ropes he'd gotten pretty good at getting free. Five minutes later, John squeezed a hand through the loosened rope. Once free he undid the rest of his bonds as quickly as he could, John stood. Argrose had taken with him the stunner, John's knife, and even the syringe. Nothing sharp whatsoever. Nothing heavy either. Hand-to-hand combat wasn't the best thing as John's leg was still in pain. However, it was the only available option at the moment. Ignoring the pain John stood by the door and waited patiently for Argrose's return.
Major Lorne have you found anything yet? Dr. Weir's voice came through the radio. Breaking the silence that had held onto Lorne and his team as they searched the halls of Atlantis, hoping and praying for some sign of their missing CO.
"None yet Dr. Weir, there are no indications as to where the Colonel has gone." Lorne replied.
"Sir! Over here!" Lieutenant Fields called.
"What is it Lieutenant?" Lorne jogged over.
Lieutenant Fields waved his hand through the wall.
"How'd you find that?" Lorne questioned, bewildered but pleased.
Looking a bit embarrassed, Lieutenant Fields answered. "I was... leaning against the wall... for a rest and I... I fell through..."
Imagining the lieutenant falling through a wall brought a smile to Lorne's face. Suppressing a chuckle Lorne noticed for the first time that Fields was soaked through and a small bump was forming on his left temple. The smallest chortle escaped his lips.
"Report to the infirmary Fields, send Tylor in your place. Get some sleep you can rejoin the search later." Lorne said, still smiling slightly. Turning to his remaining two men, "Let's check it out."
"Famous last words." Joked Sergeant Morrison and Sergeant Hong in perfect synchronization.
"That may actually be true." Lorne chuckled.
Fields left and the rest of them stepped into the hidden room. Lorne stumbled as the steps came as a surprise, but he managed to stay on his feet. There was no sign of anyone in the room. There was, however, a foot and a half of water. Great, not only is Colonel Sheppard not here, we are going to have to continue with soaking wet boots. Continue they did though.
"Sir, there's some blood over here." Morrison said. "Couldn't be Fields', he wasn't bleeding."
"Okay Lets get Beckett down here, he can find out whose blood it is." Lorne tapped his radio. "Dr. Weir, we've located a hidden lab. There's blood here that could be Colonel Sheppard's I suggest you send Beckett down to see whose it is."
Done, do you need anything else? Weir asked.
"Send Dr. McKay too, he can take a look at the lab." Lorne answered.
Very good, keep looking. Weir out. The connection closed.
We're getting close. Lorne allowed himself to hope.
John heard footsteps at last. He held his breath, not realizing it. The doors parted slowly. As soon as Argrose's head appeared John swung a fist into it. Argrose was certainly surprised, he stumbled. John took the opportunity, and he punched Argrose's stomach. He snatched the stunner and shot at Argrose without a moments delay. To John's utter astonishment Argrose had already moved, but, moved to where? The word of the day rang through John's mind, crap. John whirled around just in time to see Argrose fist hit his forehead. His legs gave way beneath him and he hit the floor almost gracefully. If you could call getting hit in the head graceful.
Argrose growled in frustration.