Warning : see chapter 1
November 18, 2006
John and Kendra walked the city streets. The village, once radiant, has become dull and gloomy. Sadness overwhelmed the villagers at the absence of their hero. John saw Willa, one of Lucius' wives. She looked up, dressed in medieval clothing. Kendra noticed the desperation in the young woman's eyes.
"Willa ?" called John.
"Shepherd !" declares the young woman.
She approached them as another of Lucius' wives joined her.
"Are you doing well ?" He asked.
"Where is Lucius ?" replies the young woman, questioning him.
"We are worried about him," the other wife said.
"Don't be mad because you took it," Willa emphasizes.
"He left on his own," Sheppard said.
"We suffer from being far from him," explains the second woman.
"Have you always had these kinds of feelings ?" asked Kendra.
"No, they told us a heartwarming story about his courage," Willa said.
"He has become our benefactor since that day" adds the other wife.
"We have fallen ill, we are suffering! Willa screams.
"Wait, do you know where he puts his transparent vial ?" asks the colonel.
"It's his daily treatment," Willa replies.
"I can bring him some, if he needs it," adds the other woman.
"Don't worry, we'll give it to him," Kendra assures with a smile.
Feeling reassured, Willa ran to Lucius to report the treatment. Kendra and John then headed towards the Stargate.
"So, do you have your conclusion ?" asks Jean.
Kendra raised her head and looked at the colonel. Anger was visible in his eyes.
"It is an emotional addiction, linked to a poison which affects the health of the people who find themselves confronted with it. Nirrti did the same thing to me. She tortured me by poisoning me with all kinds of drugs. I I became immune over time," says Kendra.
"But your... I mean Lyra, isn't her role to take care of you? I noticed that you still had scars" declares the colonel.
"Its function was to give me back emotions. Treating illnesses is easier for her, but physical injuries are more complicated. My wounds do not disappear completely, Lyra just heals them" indicates the assistant.
"I guess it makes you immune to the drug," he adds.
"You got it," Kendra admits.
They arrived in front of the DHD and he dialed the Altantis code. They crossed to return to the ancestral city. Lucius' voice pierced John's ears. The assistant frowned when he saw Lucius in Weir's office, talking with Rodney. John and Kendra talked.
"It's a bad sign," she whispers.
"Keep the bottle with you, no one must know we have it," John said.
Kendra nodded before leaving with the bottle. She went down to the locker room while John went up to Weir's office.
A few minutes later, the stargate lit up. The shield lowered as shots landed on the stairs. Ronon fired one last time as the vortex died down. The soldiers gathered near the gate. Kendra dressed like last time. She noticed Lucius' look. He seemed proud. He let out a hysterical laugh.
"Are you doing well ?" John asked.
"It was hot but we got through it !" says Ronon.
"I must admit that I have an adrenaline rush" confides Carson, smiling.
"Now we can see that the wraiths are on this planet," adds Sheppard.
"There are a lot of them," says Teyla.
"Come on, John, relax," Elizabeth advises.
John looked at her as if she had gone crazy.
"Are you kidding ? You're sending a team led by Beckett to a planet full of wraiths. You don't think I'll be happy" the colonel replies.
"They were willing," admits Weir.
"Plus, we have the herbs !" Carson reveals, holding up the plastic bags.
Lucius raised his hands in the air.
"Carson, I promise to mention your exploits in my stories" Lucius promised.
"Really ?" the doctor asked, dropping his bags.
He hugged Lucius in thanks.
"You sent a team for herbs..." Sheppard repeats.
"Yes, but we were volunteers !" recalls Teyla.
"Ah yes" adds the colonel, smiling.
He sighed.
"I think I'm tired of it," he complains, leaning over.
"Hey !" Ronon shouts, pointing his weapon at him. "Don't touch anything," the warrior adds.
Doctor Weir positioned himself in front of the Satedian as he lowered his weapon.
"Can we find out what's happening to you ?" asks the boss. "We simply came to the aid of a friend" relates Weir.
"There's something strange about him," Lucius murmurs.
Kendra narrowed her eyes at him. Rodney nodded at his words. John realized he was in a difficult position.
"I think I'm tired because of my cold" he lied.
He turned to Lucius.
"Please excuse me," the colonel said.
Lucius simply smiled at her apology.
"You should rest," advises Elizabeth.
"You're right," John agrees.
He walked away slowly, heading towards a hallway. Kendra moved aside as she joined him. Ronon frowned when he saw him. John walked to Kate's office. The young woman stole Mckay's computer.
"Let's not waste any more time," Kendra says.
"We are on this point. I will look and you will prepare a jumper" he reveals.
Kendra nods following his orders. John went to the infirmary while Kendra went to the spacecraft hangars.
Kendra placed the computer in the back of the spaceship. She saw the colonel take the chief doctor away. Carson was tied up like a prisoner. John settled in as he started the device. Kendra held on as the device blacked out, disappearing from the city's radars.
A wave of panic broke out among individuals. Other spaceships were sent to find the colonel. Rodney noticed that his computer had been stolen. Carson finally woke up. He frowned when he saw Kendra and John.
"Ah, you're finally awake" said John.
"But…what…" the doctor stammers.
"Relax," Kendra reassures, plunging him into a dreamy sleep.
"What did you do to him ?" John asked.
"He's only going to dream, don't worry" Kendra replied.
The ship has landed on the continent.
Doctor Beckett woke up, becoming morose.
"I have to leave," says the doctor.
"Impossible" John refutes.
"We need you to develop a cure for this drug," Kendra admits.
"Lucius needs me," he mutters.
Kendra grimaced as she exchanged a look with Sheppard. Kendra sighed, looking the doctor straight in the eye.
"Look, Carson, I'm sure Lucius will be very happy with your work if we bring the cure" the assistant lied.
"Do you think so ? I wouldn't like to disappoint him" adds the doctor.
"Reassure, I will tell him that your work was effective in helping him in his research" says the young woman.
"In that case, let's not waste time !" Carson adds, smiling.
John untied it while looking at Kendra.
"Impressive" he murmurs.
"Thank you" declares the young woman.
She has the doctor in developing the drug treatment. She continued to manipulate Carson to make him more docile. He swallowed her words with conviction. Night had fallen on the planet. A campfire was established. John touched the fire with a stick while Carson looked at his tablet. He looks surprised.
"That's not true…" the doctor whispers.
"What ?" John questions him.
Ronon's gun threatened John. The colonel turned to the warrior. Kendra exited the ship, surprised by the Saterian's presence. He frowns when he sees her.
"What are you doing here ?" He asked.
Carson was freed by Teyla. The Athosian woman noticed her friend.
"Kendra, why are you participating in this kidnapping? asked Teyla.
"I was taken prisoner, the colonel kidnapped me while I was on the way," the young woman lied.
Carson supported his version.
"It's the truth, the poor young lady ended up in the wrong place," the doctor said.
John was paralyzed as Teyla approached her friend.
"Are you doing well ?" she asked.
"Yes, no harm was done to me" clarifies Kendra.
"So much the better," murmurs the Athosian, reassured.
Teyla carried the colonel with Rodney and Carson. The warrior put out the fire while the young woman zipped up her vest, shivering from the cold of the night. Ronon moved around the ship pulling out a blanket to wrap around the young woman. Kendra shows a surprised face at this gesture. Could the drug have made the warrior more tender ? He leaned towards her and she opened her eyes wide. He addressed her with a certain menace in his voice.
"We'll have to talk, you and I, about this…" he whispers, pointing his index finger at her stomach.
Kendra frowned at his threat. She looks at him. Eventually, they all return to Atlantis.