Repercussion Notice
So it's been a while since I updated – how sad is that? Pretty sad I'd say.
Okay, so here's the deal my wonderful readers! In order to complete this story I'm skipping ahead. I'm giving you what I wrote a while back…like a really long time ago…so that this story can get wrapped up.
Basically the chunk I'm skipping is build up for the part I'm giving you. Carson's mind is deteriorating faster then Nortan or our favorite Scottish doctor predicted leaving our heroes scrambling to find Ronon's friend to save his life.
This is that: Chapter Seven
"According to the locator, she should be somewhere around here." Rodney announced eyes still following the blinking dot on the transmitter's screen.
Ronon scanned the ground carefully, looking for any signs left behind by the younger Runner. Shyna however was smart, a fast learner, it kept her alive in the beginning – and now.
Sheppard was looking around as well, probably searching for more Wraith rather then the stranger. "Rodney? Where is she?" John asked voice tone giving away his impatience.
"We're standing on top of the dot, I swear!" Rodney shot back, glancing over at Ronon. "Where would she be likely to hide?"
"Here." A faint voice said from above them.
The group looked up into the thick branches high above them. Ronon wanted to hit himself. "Shyna, it's been a while." He greeted, though he still couldn't see her.
Rodney and Sheppard glanced at one another before scouring the trees tops above them. There was no real sign of the girl despite the faint voice. "You see anything?" Rodney asked Sheppard.
"Not a thing." John replied.
Both were thinking the same thing. Well, Rodney assumed they were. The scientist had already conjured up a solid picture in his mind of what he expected the female Runner to look like. After all, Ronon had agreed that she was a female version of himself. So automatically Rodney had pictured a tall masculine woman with budging muscles, dreadlocks and a moody personality. If he were honest with himself, the soft chime of a voice floating from the trees didn't really fit the picture he had created for himself.
"Ro," A light thud from behind the group signaled the girl had joined them on the ground. The group turned and Rodney's jaw dropped. Shyna was anything but a burly bear of a woman. She was small and at first glance didn't look older then a sixteen year old girl. One of those preppy cheerleaders than never really talked to him – at least not for socialization. A few were smart enough to ask Rodney to do their homework.
Ronon took a step closer, "Shy." He greeted, his tone a bit lighter then he typical spoke. Almost excited – well as excited as Ronon could manage to sound. Perhaps, Rodney smirked to himself, he hadn't been to far off when he assumed that Ronon and Shyna were a couple at some point. Or maybe the big man was happy they had finally found the one person – that they knew of – who could save Carson from losing his mind.
Rodney took a moment to get a good look at the girl. She was young, her age probably closer to early twenties rather then late teens – despite the scientists initial guess. Her skin was tan, but in a pale way – some sort of milky mix between the two. Shyna's hair was the color of fire, orange and long hanging in a messy braid on her back. Her eyes were deep purple, but besides that the rest of her looked normal – nearly human.
Pale raised scars flecked the girl's skin, some more noticeable than others. Like the lines on her face were mostly faint enough to be covered with modern makeup, but it wasn't as if the girl had access to that. Or cared – Rodney winced – she had more important things to worry about then cosmetics. Still Rodney couldn't help but grimace at the scars – the most eye catching was the line that trailed from the girl's hairline down over her right eye down to her chin. Rodney swallowed thickly as he examined the scar and couldn't help but notice how the cruel mark looked like it had been inflicted by some sort of knife, probably by some means of torture.
The scars on her arms looked less methodical and more vicious no doubt left behind from all sorts of near death experiences.
Shyna's attention had been pulled from being reunited with her long lost friend to the eyes she had drawn – the eyes of strangers. Deep purple met with Rodney's blue gaze for a moment. "Uh, sorry." He dropped his eyes shamefully, feeling bad for making the girl into a spectacle.
"Ronon," Shyna spoke again before hugging the larger man, "I'm so happy you're alive!" She smiled, but a wince quickly followed. "Although I am a little pissed off you stopped dropping by." With surprising speed Shyna smacked Ronon hard on the arm and openly glared up at him. "I thought you were dead! I mean I hoped you weren't, so I kept leaving messages but – "
Ronon shook his head, placing a heavy hand on her small shoulder. She looked too breakable to Rodney to be a Runner who have survived alone for so long being hunted down by Wraith. "Shy, there isn't much time. Can you read me? It will save us time. Then we must hurry to the gate."
"It will be guarded by now, you should have stayed away. We already agreed it was to dangerous to stay together." She glared up at Ronon again – though the glare was somehow both playful and biting at the same time. "Well, you decided really."
With a sigh Ronon shook his head in frustration. "Shyna. Read me."
"Fine." Shyna sighed, reaching out and placing both of her hands on either side of his face. Her pointer and middle finger placed on the outer side of his eyes, which closed at her soft touch. "Relax, Ronon."
Rodney glanced at Sheppard who had been watching the exchange with as much, if not more, curiosity and surprise as the scientist had. "Do you think they're about to kiss?" John asked slowly, lips pursed together as his eyes narrowed carefully. His voice was hushed so as not to disturb whatever the hell was happening.
"Doubtful." Rodney muttered in return, his eyes scanning the greenery around them. "I'm half expecting her to say the Vulcan Mind Meld thing."
A whispery gasp drew his eyes back to the two as Shyna released Ronon and nearly fell over
"Shy, are you injured? Why didn't you say anything?" Ronon hissed, catching the girl.
Shyna smiled back at Ronon in a disarming way. "Old injury, no need to worry." She winced, gasping again when Ronon's arm snaked around her back to support her better. "Not like that, please Ro." Shyna pulled away and immediately Ronon's arm fell away and his hands wrapped firmly around her upper arms to guild her towards a fallen tree.
"You could have told me." Ronon growled trying to lift up the girl's leathery vest and the cotton shirt underneath to get a good look at the wound. Or something else, who really knew with the caveman? Rodney shook his head.
The girl smiled weakly back at her old friend while batting his hands away. "Where would be the fun in that? Besides, it's not like we have time for this now. The sooner we make it to the gate the sooner we can meet up with Dr. Reed. He can take a look at it when he removes the tracker." Her voice got a tad bit emotional at the end, but the girl quickly cleared it away. Hope was dangerous after all. "Then I can go back with you and help your friend, Carson." In all honesty her speech was for the strangers accompanying Ronon. They were unfamiliar with her ways, Ronon knew them well enough to know that she had all the information needed. No explanation necessary. The others were less open minded, it was clear by the blank looks on their faces. She smiled.
"How do you – ?" John started to question only to stop and shake his head, "Mind reader, right. This is a whole new kind of crazy for me to wrap my head around." He sighed, "Alright, we need to move before more Wraith crash your reunion."
The group made it to the gate with expert timing. Two darts screamed as they flew out of the open Iris.
"Damn," John sighed, of course things weren't going to be easy for them.
Ronon appeared next to him, leaving Shyna to kneel next to Rodney behind them. Sheppard couldn't help but notice the way the scientist was staring at the girl. It was hard for him to believe that Ronon had been running around with a girl like that for seven years. Well, less then that, they had separated. How the girl had lived was a mystery, she didn't look like much of a fighter.
"Let's just blow past them, the longer we wait the more will come and it will be even harder to get out." Ronon spoke with confidence and John trusted his judgment.
With a nod a plan formulated in his mind. "Okay, McKay you stay back here with Shyna. Ronon and I will go take out the guards around the Stargate. Once things look clear you two dial the gate and we'll get the hell out of dodge."
"I can fight." Shyna spoke up, moving forward to kneel next to John.
Sheppard saw no trace of fear in her eyes and was impressed, but it didn't change that she was a stranger and one he didn't fully trust. "No offense, of course. But this is a rescue mission and we wouldn't be very good Knights in Shinning Armor if we let you fight in your condition."
"Knights in Shinning Armor?" Shyna repeated, clearly confused as she turned to Ronon, "What are they talking about? What does night time have to do with armor?"
Ronon shrugged. "You get used to them."
With a look of acceptance Shyna turned back to John, "I'm not one to sit around while other people are in battle. Ronon taught me that. I want to help."
"You're no good to us dead." Sheppard snapped, but relented since they didn't have time to argue. "Fine, Rodney, make sure she's covered."
The girl looked offended but reframed from arguing further. Rodney's jaw dropped and decided to react the complete opposite. "I for one liked the original plan! You know, the one where I stay here where it's safe and you two go and get yourselves killed!"
Sheppard rolled his eyes, "Rodney, there aren't even that many Wraith." He sighed, "Fine, stay here, by yourself. Let's go." The last bit was directed towards the two Runners who nodded and started forward.
"Ugh, fine, I'll go!" Rodney whined, gripping his gun with both hands before scrambling after the trio.
They went in guns blazing. Sheppard and Ronon firing as they walked down the hill. Shyna drew her swords from the double sheath on her back, using the strange blue tinted blades to actually absorb the stunner blasts.
Ronon glanced over at her with an impressed look. "Nice upgrade."
"Thanks," Shyna shot back, getting close enough to a Wraith to take a slice at him.
John glared back at Rodney as the scientist emptied a round into a Wraith a little too close for comfort to him. "Rodney, dial the gate!"
"On it," McKay responded, pushing his gun out of the way as he moved to the DHD. Shyna moved to defend him, her blade absorbing a blast aimed at the scientists back. Rodney glanced over at the Kyrean and gave a short nod of thanks before quickly punching in the sequence for one of three planets they planned to go to before meeting up with Teyla and Dr. Reed.
The group jumped through the Stargate just as the Darts screamed above them. On the other side Rodney quickly rushed to the DHD on the new planet and cut the connection to start a new sequence.
And they were on their way.
"We did it." Rodney cheered once they reached their final destination. Soon they'd be back in Atlantis and Carson's brain would be fixed. For once everything seemed to be working out.
And that's when Shyna collapsed.
"Shy!" Ronon barked, to far away to catch the small girl in time.
"Was she hit by a stunner?" John asked, rushing to the opposite side of the fallen girl. She was pale, eyes closed with beads of sweat dripping from her forehead.
"No, it's her wound. It's infected." Ronon answered him, gathering the small girl gently in his arms before heading for the clearing. His silent intentions were clear, he was taking her to the meeting place. Only Dr. Reed could help her now.
Ronon was stressed. He had finally gotten Shyna back – she was finally going to be free like he was and then this happened. Growling the ex Runner picked up his already hurried pace. If only he had gone after her sooner, there had been moments when he could have asked his new allies the favor. Carson would have agreed without flinching. However Shyna had told him stories of her people's history, how they had been enslaved for their unusual gifts – how that was why the Wraith destroyed her village. She wasn't one who was quick to show her abilities and she was even slower to trust.
The only reason why she was here now was because of Ronon and how he owed Carson. Shyna knew it was important for the ex Runner to repay the debt and would risk her freedom for it. Now, more than ever, Ronon trusted those from Atlantis. Once Shyna healed Dr. Beckett she wouldn't be taken advantage of. They wouldn't experiment on her, at least not without her permission. Ronon winced – at least he hoped. The ex Runner was rather sure Shyna would be safe – and he intended on keeping it that way at least.
But first she had to live long enough to save the good doctor's mind and in turn his life.
Dr. Reed demanded Ronon's little friend be laid down immediately. Little, she was a small girl yes but 'little' didn't seem like the right description anymore. John had seen the girl fight and she was just as sure of herself as he or Ronon was in battle. This girl was small, but strong and Sheppard could respect that.
"How does she look doc?" Sheppard hovered near Ronon's shoulder as the doctor removed the girl's leather vest and lifted up the back of her shirt. Shyna was on her stomach at least, giving her a bit of privacy from the men – and Teyla – who looked on with acute attention.
When the wound was revealed the group winced and gasped with sympathy. It looked like it had been done with some sort of blaster weapon, the raw torn flesh had been burned and oozing all sorts of lovely liquids that were no doubt unhealthy. Angry red lines spread from the skin's torn edges. Infection, a blood infection if John was right.
"Not good," Rodney moaned. "Crap, now she's going to die and this whole search has been a waste of time. Carson's mental state is going to deteriorate and it's all my fault! I saved my life only to drive my best friend insane!" The scientist swung his hands around as he ranted before running his fingers through his hair, which was already in complete disarray.
It was typical for Rodney to turn the attention when something like this happened to himself. Sheppard rolled his eyes. "Rodney, would you please shut the hell up? Let the doc decide if the girl's going to die or not."
Shyna's voice drew eyes back to her small form. "Thank you, Coronal Sheppard." She smiled lightly, "I'm glad at least one of you is an optimist." Her eyes opened as a hiss was drawn up from her lungs. "Ouch."
"I wasn't expecting you to be damaged." Dr. Eli Reed commented in his typical uncaring manor. Unlike Carson the older man was a medical robot, his fingers prodded and poked at the wound to judge the course of action he'd take.
Ronon growled at the Doctor when Shyna's eyes closed and her bottom lip secured between her teeth to help distract with the pain in her back. "Is really that necessary?" He hissed out finally drawing the attention from Shyna to him.
Dr. Reed's hands seemed to hesitate after looking at the anger in Ronon's eyes, but his arrogance didn't seem to be hindered. "I don't know, do you wish me to miss something vital and her to die later from septic shock or some other terrible and slow death?"
"I would prefer," Shyna interrupted her angry protector, "if I didn't die at all." She smiled lightly. "Let the man do his job, Ro." She winked at Ronon before her eyes slid closed and the tension in her body went slack.
John tensed at the sight. "Doc? You got a plan?"
Dr. Reed glanced up at the military man and nodded. "Of course, I will extract the device so we can return to Atlantis where she can be further treated for her more serious wounds."
"Is that wise? That looks pretty bad."
Eli's stony eyes locked with the pilot. "Sir, with all do respect, I don't want to be here when the Wraith arrive."
"Get to it," Sheppard growled. John realized that Carson was a special case when it came to situations like this. Nortan was a good woman, but even she probably wouldn't want to stick around to face the Wraith. Carson – even though he wasn't a fan of going through the gate – constantly faced his fear and put himself in danger to selflessly save other people's lives. He was a true doctor.
Dr. Reed nodded and started setting up for the small surgery. Thirty minutes later and Shyna was hooked up to an IV and pumped full of painkillers, antibiotics and anesthetic. Taking one last glance at the scan he took, Eli nodded. "I'm confident that I can remove it without harming the spin." He informed the others, "I will begin the surgery now."
John wrinkled his nose, remembering watching Carson extract the device from Ronon's neck when they had first met. It wasn't something he wanted to see again. At least Shyna was under for the painful extraction – Ronon had refused any drugs.
As they stood and watched Teyla moved to stand by John and gave him a pointed look before shifting her gaze towards Ronon pacing off to the side. The message was clear and Sheppard sighed as he moved to console his friend. His best friend if he'd be honest with himself. Out of everyone on the team Ronon was the one John got along with the most, well, besides Teyla. They were running partners, sparing partners, they ate lunch together and when shit went down they had one another's back without hesitation.
This was a whole knew kind of shit that John was never really good at. Emotional crises had always been something Sheppard avoided, which was probably why his marriage failed.
"Ronon," He approached the bear of a man carefully, everything about John's posture screamed 'awkward.' "How you holding up, buddy?"
Ronon's brown eyes glanced coldly at the smaller man – just the look was enough to answer John's question. "Not good, I get that." John held up his hands in a defensive 'I'm just trying to help' way and sighed. "She's going to be fine – just so you know."
"You don't know that." Ronon growled finally, eyes focusing anywhere but where Shyna's prone figure was being cut into.
"I'm finished." The android like doctor announced finally.
John, Ronon, Rodney and Teyla approached the surgery area carefully.
"How is the girl?" Teyla asked, voice soft with concern as she looked at the fresh black stitches in the strangers neck.
"Stable, for now. We need to get her back to Atlantis so we can fully assess and repair her damages." Dr. Reed told them, packing up his equipment.
Working together the group loaded Shyna and the medical equipment into the jumper and headed back to Atlantis.
I can't say when I'll finish this story up, but I'm going to try and do it within one final chapter.
I hope you like the little detour into Ronon's past ^^
Oh, and this is all thanks to H4ZEL who reviewed the story today. It inspired me to get this up. ^^ Reviewes do that to an author!
The next chapter will have Carson in it...I promise.