Chapter 10: What now?
Lorne stepped out of the jumper into the early morning light. The air was crisp and cold, a thin layer of ice covered the ground, and the sky was a dark, gloomy canvas that mirrored his desolate mood. The landscape was a mix of barren trees and rocky outcrops, with the occasional patch of snow adding to the desolation.
He'd stayed awake most of the night, his worry for Teyla keeping him on edge. She was alone in a hostile environment, and he knew she was resourceful, but the thought of her facing such dangers when pregnant was unsettling. As the morning drew closer, he knew she wouldn't show up. He hoped she'd found somewhere else to spend the night, and as soon as Jennifer awoke, they'd have a power bar for breakfast and then do one more sweep of the mainland, determined to pick up some sign of Teyla.
If they couldn't find her today, Lorne would be forced to call off the search, a decision that felt like a crushing burden on his heart. The thought of giving up on her was painful, a decision he didn't want to make.
His thoughts turned to the prisoners back on Atlantis. He knew he'd have to speak with them eventually. After speaking with Teldy that morning, he realised she wouldn't get much information from them. He knew Teldy could be pretty persistent if she needed to be, but these guys still insisted on speaking with him, so when he returned to Atlantis, that would be the first thing on his agenda.
"I take it there's still no sign of her?" Jennifer asked, interrupting his thoughts as she exited the jumper and scanned the area.
"No, she didn't return during the night," Lorne replied, feeling down-hearted.
"So what happens now?" Jennifer asked, her eyes wide and filled with concern.
"I'll do one more pass over the mainland if we can't find any sign of her. I'll have to call off the search, at least for now. I might be able to send some troops over to the mainland later. Sgt Stackhouse can fly them over."
Jennifer nodded and handed him a power bar, her eyes reflecting her support for him in the current situation, "I hope we find her today."
"You and me both," Lorne answered with unwavering determination, his resolve shining through the gloom.
They sat in the back of the jumper, silently eating their power bars. Lorne knew Jennifer was worried because Teyla was her best friend, and the fact that she was heavily pregnant weighed heavily on Jennifer's mind. Their concern for Teyla's well-being was palpable, a shared worry.
After five minutes of silence, Lorne went to the front of the jumper and sat in the pilot's seat. Jennifer followed and sat beside him.
Lorne took a deep breath before speaking to his companion, "I can only give it another hour, and then we must return to Atlantis."
"I understand Colonel, Lorne," Jennifer stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
The jumper lifted off the icy ground, and Lorne flew towards the frigid lake and the crashed puddle jumper they'd flown over the night before.
From a distance, the violence of the crash was still evident. Lorne's determination to find Teyla was unwavering despite the odds. He still wondered how anyone could have survived the crash, let alone walked away. But maybe Teyla was severely injured, and she was lying unconscious somewhere, and that's why they couldn't find her.
An exclamation from Jennifer brought him out of his gloomy thoughts, "What is that over there?!"
He followed Jennifer's gaze and saw a tall, crumbling structure. Could it be the remnants of an ancient city? Sheppard and McKay had theorised about the possibility of an ancient city on the mainland, but they hadn't had the chance to investigate. The sight filled Lorne with wonder and anticipation.
"Let's go and look, "he suggested, feeling a glimmer of hope in unsettling circumstances.
If it was one, an Ancient ruin could be a promising shelter. Plus, it was closer to the river than the cave where Teyla had spent her first night on the mainland. Lorne's military mind saw this as a potential advantage.
He landed the jumper on a flat piece of land outside the tall structure they'd seen from a distance. The planet was challenging to explore in the winter due to its harsh climate and unpredictable weather. He suspected that most of the city was underground, a survival strategy he'd never encountered. But given the unforgiving nature of this planet at certain times of the year, it wasn't surprising.
He pulled out his weapon and exited the jumper. Jennifer pulled out her flashlight and followed.
There was a large hole in the crumbling wall that he assumed used to be a door. When he entered, he expected the lights to respond to his ATA gene, but nothing happened. That was something he'd never experienced before, either.
The building looked like most other ancient cities, although it was damp and mouldy. Things were indeed strange.
The smell of burnt metal filled his nose, an intense reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows. "Do you smell that?" he asked Jennifer, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the eerie silence that enveloped them.
"Yeah, it smells like a recent explosion. "
He nodded and continued down a dark corridor where the walls looked charred, and the smell of stale smoke intensified.
They continued in silence until they reached an area where the roof had collapsed. Lorne studied the cave-in and decided there was no way around or through it. He knew it was time to return to Atlantis and send the experts in.
"I think we're going to have to get a team of combat engineers to dig through this," Lorne said, not even waiting to tell Jennnifer his worst fear that Teyla was underneath the rubble.
Jennifer looked terrified, "do you think she's under there? If she is, she could need immediate medical attention. That's if she's still alive.." Jennifer was close to tears, and Lorne knew he needed to say something quick.
"I don't know," Lorne reassured, "but I suggest we return to Atlantis quickly to get help."
"Teyla, are you there," Jennifer called into the darkness, her voice loud but shaky.
She called out three more times, her voice growing stronger with each call, a testament to her determination.
Lorne knew by this time they wouldn't get an answer, so he gently put his hands on Jennifer's shoulders, a silent reassurance of his solid and compassionate leadership. Come on, we need to return to Atlantis.
When Jennifer nodded, Lorne turned and walked towards the exit.
It was with a heavy heart that he entered the jumper and took off. He still didn't know where Teyla was or if she was alive, but he also knew there was nothing more he could do for the moment. So, finding nothing after one last pass over the mainland, he set a course for Atlantis.
oOo
Teyla doubled over as another contraction ripped through her abdomen. She'd been having them on and off since the explosion twelve hours ago. However, Carson didn't seem to notice, as his primary concern was for John.
John had come off worst in the explosion, as his barely healing back was now covered with more cuts, burns and bruises. The fact that the original cuts were inflamed and infected added to the severity of the situation. His arm wasn't damaged further, but his lungs were, and his breathing seemed even more difficult. Logo had found the breather - the miraculous silver disc that helped him breathe - before the explosion. Logo found it lying in the original room they'd stayed in.
The breather was now in the centre of John's chest, helping him breathe, although it didn't seem to be helping him much, and she was afraid that his breathing might stop altogether.
John was still unconscious and had been since the explosion, leading Carson to conclude he was concussed.
She'd sat a lonely vigil throughout the last twelve hours as the others argued about ways to get off the planet they were stranded on. Despite the odds, Teyla was determined to overcome this challenge.
Rodney was torn between trying to restore the portal and fixing the long-range communication device he'd seen; Minister Toth seemed determined to stay at Rodney's side. Ronon and Carson were looking for a control chair to see if they could communicate with the ancient city. However, Carson didn't hold out much hope because nothing responded to his or John's ATA Gene.
With his watchful eyes, Logo was a constant presence near Teyla and John, providing silent but reassuring support in their shared predicament. His unwavering presence was a source of comfort amid their situation.
The day was hot and dry, starkly contrasting to the weather she'd experienced on the mainland of New Lantia three. She wondered how long it would be before the three suns went down, providing some relief from the oppressive heat.
The room they were in was similar in design to the ruins she'd found on the mainland, leading her to conclude that the ancients who inhabited the mainland knew about galaxy KK203.
She looked down at John lying on his side and didn't miss the sweat pouring off his overheated body. His scrub pants were dirty and torn, and his top was long gone, so Logo and Carson could keep an eye on his back.
"How are you?" Logo asked Teyla, interpreting her thoughts. She had only just met Logo, but she could already see his concern for John. She liked him and, given the chance, would like to know him better.
"I am doing well despite this unbearable heat," she commented. It wasn't a lie, but she kept her condition from Logo, a testament to her resilience in the face of adversity.
"I know you're having contractions, Teyla, and so does Carson. How far are they apart?"
She could sense empathy and compassion in the man, and she knew he was as good a doctor as Carson, so perhaps she should tell him the truth.
"They seem to be about two hours apart, but I cannot say for sure."
Logo nodded and was silent momentarily before sitting beside her, "I need to retake John's temperature, and we may need to start sponging him down again."
She held her breath while Logo took John's temperature. Hopefully, it dropped, but it could rise again, given the day's heat.
"How is he?" Teyla asked with apprehension.
"His temperature is holding steady at 103 degrees, so I suggest we start sponging him down to try and bring it down," Logo said, his voice carrying the weight of the situation. The moment's urgency was palpable, and Teyla could feel the tension in the air.
Logo handed her a container with water and a couple of cloths so she could start trying to cool her husband down. She knew it would be a long afternoon, and she hoped they could get John's temperature down as soon as possible because the birth of their son was imminent. When he was born, she wanted nothing more than John to be conscious and to be there beside her, giving her encouragement and support.
oOo
Lorne stared at the men before him, wondering if he would get any information from them. From what Teldy, his trusted ally and third in command of Atlantis, told him, the men had laughed at every question she asked and would not give her answers. All four men in the cell were over eight feet tall and had an arrogant air, leading Lorne to wonder if he would get any information from them.
He nodded to the guard, signalling that he should open the cell door. When the door opened, he checked that his stunner was in place and walked over to the man sitting in the corner alone.
"Who are you, and what do you want with Atlantis?"
The man stood to his full height and glared at Lorne with beady brown eyes. " My name is Sillian, and it's simple: We need to possess Atlantis and control this galaxy. We already control the ancestral ring and a warship on the new Hilarian home world and are on the way to overtaking that galaxy."
"Well, as you can see, your attempt to possess Atlantis has failed, and I have friends in your galaxy who will never let that happen," Lorne declared with determination, his commitment to protecting Atlantis shining through.
Sillian started to laugh, which annoyed Lorne. Although he wanted to hit the man, he kept his cool. He wished Ronon was here because the big man could be intimidating when he needed to be.
"What's so funny."
"I know of John Sheppard and his friends, and believe me, we have taken every precaution to ensure they will not get anywhere near the ancestral ring and ancient city on the new Hilarian home world. Besides, Jannar and Bannar are still out there; they will think of something to overpower you and your guards."
Now it was Lorne's turn to laugh, "Unfortunately, they won't be coming to your rescue, as they are deceased." The impact of this revelation was evident in the disbelief that washed over Sillian's face.
That thought made him think of Teyla and what may happen on the mainland. His concern for her safety and the weight of his responsibilities as a leader were evident in his furrowed brow. When he'd arrived on Atlantis, he'd sent Stackhouse and a team of combat engineers to dig through the rubble in the ancient ruins. They were due to check in in about an hour.
Sallian looked at Lorne with complete bewilderment: " What will happen to us?" The man was not so arrogant now.
"For now, you stay here. I will need to talk to you later because I need to plan a trip to the New Hilarian home world, and I will need your help."
With that, Lorne left the cell and told the guard to lock the cell and put up the forcefield again. It was times like this when he wished General Sheppard were here because he was positive the man would devise a plan to retake New Hillaring. He hoped Sheppard was doing just that in Galaxy KK203.
oOo
John was burning up from the inside out, and a Jackhammer was wreaking havoc with his skull. His right arm felt as if it had a knife in it, and he wished that someone would put him out of his misery. As awareness returned to him, John realised someone was rubbing a damp cloth over his face and chest but had no idea who it was. Come to think of it, he didn't know where he was either.
He let out a loud moan, hoping to attract some attention, and a garbled voice answered him. He had no idea what the person was saying to him. The only thing he could think of was he hoped it was Teyla rubbing his chest. Because if it were someone else, it would be embarrassing.
The gentle voice spoke again, and his garbled mind heard what was said.
"John, you have a fever from an infection from the wounds on your back, so I'm trying to cool you down."
That was Teyla, but the only question was how she got here.
"What happened to me?"
"You were in a jumper crash and two explosions?"
He couldn't recall anything, the pounding in his head erasing all memories. Was it a concussion, adding to his already dire situation?
He took a deep breath, but the pain was a relentless beast, clawing at his insides, making his lungs feel as if they were on fire.
John was in excruciating agony, his consciousness slipping away. He longed for the bliss of unconsciousness, and when the darkness beckoned, he welcomed it with open arms.
oOo
Carson looked around the chair room in ruins like the rest of the outpost. The room was covered in course red sand, hinting at significant dust storms raging through the city over the eons since the ancients died out or abandoned it. The once magnificent walls were beginning to crumble, leaving him to wonder how long these ruins would last. The control chair looked lost and lonely in the middle of the room, a testament to the state of the rest of the room. He wasn't confident the control chair would work, considering none of the other systems were reacting to his or Sheppard's ATA gene.
Carson was exhausted, his body drenched in sweat, and his skin caked with the red dust that seemed everywhere. The last thing he wanted to do was sit in the control chair and try to connect with a strange city—not that it would work anyway.
The team was exhausted, their bodies caked in red dust, their nerves frayed. The relentless conditions of the outpost had taken a toll on everyone, leaving them all on edge.
Carson was acutely aware of the urgency of their situation. Sheppard and Teyla were in dire need of medical care, and they had to find a way off this planet as soon as possible.
Ronon's gruff voice interrupted his contemplations. "Okay, Doc, sit in the chair and see what you can find out."
Carson's frustration was palpable as he voiced his doubts. "What makes you think it will work? Nothing else has responded to mine or General Sheppard's ATA gene in this shabby place. Besides, if it does work, what am I supposed to do? I need Rodney here to monitor the non-functioning computer systems." His voice dripped with sarcasm by the end of his speech.
"Just do it, doc. If you can connect with the city, I'll go and find McKay," Ronon said, his voice tinged with frustration.
Carson sighed, sat in the control chair, and put his arms on the armrests. Before leaning back, he remembered the first time he'd sat in a control chair like this one. It was ten years ago in Antarctica, and he'd almost shot down General O'Neill's and Sheppard's helicopter with a rogue drone. That was a long time ago, and although he was better at controlling ancient technology, he still wasn't as good as Sheppard.
Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes and concentrated on the city, and as he suspected, nothing happened. That was probably because the city was long dead.
Rather than sit up and deal with Ronon's gruff voice, he decided to try for a while longer. Taking a deep breath, he tried to connect with the city again, but nothing happened. After three attempts, he decided to give up, and he sat up and opened his eyes, only to find Ronon staring at him.
"Sorry, Ronon, but this city is dead, and we're going to get no help from it."
Carson braced himself for Ronon to lash out, but thankfully, he nodded, "Come on, then, Doc. Let's return to the others."
"Yeah, I need to see how John and Teyla are."
Ronon's face was concerned, "why, what's wrong with Teyla? Other than being pregnant.
Carson smiled. Ronon could be as oblivious as Rodney at times. " She's had contractions intermittently since she's been here."
"Oh…"Ronon replied," Let's go because Sheppard and Teyla need us."
Ronon rushed off ahead of him, and Carson quickly followed. Luckily, Rodney had restored power to much of the city so they could easily see where they were going. Carson was worried about Teyla and John. This desolate planet wasn't a good place for Teyla to have her baby, and it certainly wasn't a good place for John to be with his extensive injuries.
oOo
John let out a loud moan as he slowly became aware. John wasn't as hot as the last time he'd awoken. He felt groggy as if there was morphine running through his veins, and if that were true, there was only one explanation for it - Carson or Logo had come across some medical supplies.
After three attempts, he managed to open his eyes and was happy to see Carson sitting beside him. He seemed to be lying on his side on a low wooden table. He wondered where they'd found it, but it had to be better than lying on the dusty floor.
The air seemed cooler than when he'd last awoken, so he wondered if the three suns had gone down.
As he became more aware, he realised he was still in the same dusty room as when they'd first arrived on the desolate, barren planet. But they were still here, still fighting, still surviving.
"How long have I been out, Doc?"
"You've been unconscious for the last twenty hours, and I was beginning to get worried."
"Where are the others?" John asked, looking around the room.
"Toth and Rodney are trying to fix the communications device Rodney found, and Ronon has gone looking for them."
Suddenly, he felt afraid. He remembered that Teyla was on the planet as well. "Teyla?"
That would explain where they got the morphine from Teyla's Tac vest.
"I am here, John," She said as she brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead.
He looked at trying to ascertain if she had any injuries because one of the last things he remembered was throwing himself on her to protect her and their unborn child from the blast.
"Are you okay? Is the baby Okay?"
"Yes, John, we are both fine."
Once he was sure Teyla would be alright, he turned to Carson and said, "What's the damage this time, Doc?"
"Your back is severely cut and bruised, and Logo and I believe your lungs are damaged further. You had a concussion, and your temperature rose to 103 before we were able to bring it down." Carson explained, and John didn't miss the worry and compassion in his eyes.
John bristled at the thought of receiving pity. He had a mission to accomplish, and he was resolute in his determination to find a way off this desolate rock they were stranded on.
Give me a radio doc so I can contact McKay?" He told Carson with grim determination.
"I don't know what you mean, General," Carson answered indifferently.
John glared at the doctor, "I'm not an idiot, Doc; I know they came in the survival packs the hostiles who stranded us here gave us."
Carson sighed and handed him a radio.
"Sheppard to McKay, come in, please?"
McKay seemed agitated as he replied, "What?"
"How are you going with fixing that communications device?"
"It'd go a lot quicker if I wasn't being annoyed by smarter-than-average fly-boys."
"Hurry up; Teyla wants to get off this rock. Sheppard out."
He turned to Teyla, expecting an eyeroll, and she winced, and he knew something was wrong with her. He'd seen it before when she went into labour with Charin.
"What's wrong, Sweetie?" John asked, his concern for Teyla evident in his voice.
"My water has broken; our son is ready to be born," Teyla announced with a strength that belied her situation.
TBC…
