FanFiction.Net - unleash your imagination
ForkOfDoom
Author of 4 Stories |
Later, Elizabeth would remember the events of the ‘Gateroom with a startling clarity. The blood. The mud. The mess. And the absence of Rodney and Teyla.
It’s Colonel Sheppard’s IDC, ma’am.
She was in the control room when the alarm sounded, three hours early. David Parrish had come through first, pale and bleeding, supporting Lieutenant Stevens on his shoulder. Elizabeth had felt an invisible hand clutch her heart as she made her way down the stairs.
What happened?
Then Ronon and Nick had come through, fighting to keep hold of John Sheppard. His eyes had scared her, almost feral and animalistic. The ‘gate shut down and she’d barely been able to register that Teyla and Rodney still hadn’t come through.
Where’s Doctor McKay and Teyla?
No one had answered her. They had seemed almost reluctant to even look at her.
Medical emergency in the Gateroom!
Then everything was chaos as the medical team struggled to get Sheppard and Lieutenant Stevens to the infirmary. Sheppard had growled, kicked and bit his way through the corridors and it was only when he was gone that the keening sound Elizabeth hadn’t even been aware of, was gone. Ronon was following the med team, leaving Lorne and Parrish alone with her in the Gateroom.
Get him to the infirmary. We’ll debrief later.
Now she was stood in the infirmary, waiting for any news on any of them. She’d watched them struggle with Sheppard, unable to determine what he was going through. Carson approached her, in his office, apprehensively. He looked tired and Elizabeth made a mental note to order him to sleep when there was time. “How are you doing?”
Carson took a seat and ran a hand over his eyes. “Doctor Parrish and Lieutenant Stevens are doing fine.” He paused and looked up at her. “Colonel Sheppard was drugged.”
Elizabeth frowned and crossed her arms. “Major Lorne described the situation in the debrief. He said the Camorrans had John and Rodney for over four hours.”
Beckett seemed to take this in and nodded sagely. “I don’t know what they did to them, but this drug has reduced Colonel Sheppard to an almost feral state. He and Rodney were trapped together in the room. I can speculate, from what we know, that Sheppard was drugged and formed a bond to Rodney – hence his desperation to get away.” Carson shook his head and leaned back in the chair, still visibly tired. “We had to restrain him, even though we administered a sedative.”
“Do you think Rodney is affected in the same way?”
“It’s hard to be sure, but from what we’ve managed to ascertain from Doctor Parrish and Lieutenant Stevens, the last time they saw Rodney he’d been normal – or as normal as Rodney gets.”
Managing a small smile at that, Elizabeth leaned back against the pillar. “So this means we need to find Rodney and Teyla as soon as possible. Are they in any danger?”
“If they sustained injuries, and the same drugs were administered then yes, quite possibly.” He sighed slowly, his expression searching hers. Elizabeth, love, do you have any idea where to start?”
She was reluctant to answer, staring at the wall above Carson’s head. “No. No I don’t.”
Now, though, now it was worse. It was like liquid fire and he was finding it hard to stop the need. He was aware of a face through the haze of his need and the drugs fighting through his system, and he focused on the bright blue eyes, at least he thought they were blue.
“Colonel? Colonel, can you hear me?”
John wanted to answer, but his tongue was heavy in his mouth and he couldn’t get his mind to stay on track long enough to form a word. He settled for nodding. He was still fighting the restraints and willed his hands to stop moving, cursing the Camorrans for drugging him and for taking Rodney from him and –
Rodney.
His eyes must have been wide and open, almost wide, because the blue eyes softened. “Easy, Colonel. The drug has almost been flushed completely from your system. Not long now, and you’ll be up and about.”
There was some amount of restraint in the words, as though something was being kept from him; he was trained enough to know, but for now he was willing to wait. He nodded imperceptibly, and then looked back at the ceiling as he was forced to wait for the drug to completely leave his system.
The last thing he remembered from Camora was being held in the same room as Sheppard, before being wrestled from the room and into the back of some sort of air carrier, something more advanced than anything they’d discovered in the Pegasus Galaxy so far, and that included the Genii. The carrier had almost been full to the brim with other people; and Rodney had known then that he was no longer in the hands of the Cammoran’s and he was given cause to wander what exactly had happened back on the planet.
He closed his eyes slowly, trying to calm himself down before panicking – he was good at that; he knew, but right now it could only make things worse, and he didn’t need to panic before he knew the situation. The carrier was jerking again, and Rodney was thrown sideways. This was, quite possibly, the worst ride he had ever had; and would have traded his right hand to be in ‘Jumper one and have Sheppard fly it.
To just have Sheppard – and Ronon and Teyla – here right now. At least then he wouldn’t be alone. There was a harsher jerk, and Rodney knew they had landed. He winced at the harsh light as the ramp was lowered, and it gave him a chance to see his fellow captives. Most of them looked sick and injured; Rodney was ashamed of the thought that he hoped they didn’t give him anything.
He caught a flash of red hair and recognised the face. Teyla.
“Teyla!” He tried to inch his way throughout the other captives and it was definitely Teyla. She turned back and the open relief on her face was both a surprise and a comfort and he managed to reach her before they were pulled from the Carrier. “Are you okay?”
“No.” Her eyes held something he’d never seen before, and he looked down to her stomach, red blotching her BDU’s and he was gripped by panic. “Rodney, I do not believe I am capable of walking unaided. When they took me from Ronon, I would not leave so they used force.”
He winced, and knew what kind of force would be necessary to move Teyla and he nodded solemnly, she need him now, to not panic. “Okay. Okay.” He held no illusions about himself, he wasn’t a people person and reassuring everyone was a job for someone – anyone – else. But it was him Teyla needed right now; all she had. “Just – Just stick with me.”
She looked at him and he could almost hear the scornful tone of Sheppard, of all people, in his head. What else is she going to do, doofus?
I resent that.
Rodney scowled inwardly at the Sheppard voice and gave Teyla what he hoped was a reassuring smile, and tried not to show his surprise when she leant against him, bodily shifting to her left leg which was currently pressed tightly to his right thigh. He swallowed as the first of the prisoners was pulled from the carrier none-too-gently, and mentally counted how many prisoners were being offloaded; not that he knew what good it would do him. He’d already seen the outline of the Stargate framed in the hatch which filled him with a little hope. If there was a Stargate, then there was a way off of the planet.
Not necessarily. I mean, the DHD could be blown up, or they could have a lock on it – or a shield. We have-
Rodney cut off the John-Voice with a sharp internal slap and wandered if the Cammoran’s had given him anything that could explain his sudden mental breakdown. If they’d hurt his brain in any way, they were going to be so sorry. Maybe he could convince Ronon the lack of intelligence was the biggest threat posed to the scientist and could get him, guns blazing, back to Camorra to kick ass. Although Sheppard would see right through it and stop it. Or maybe he could get Sheppard to go to –
Dammit McKay!
Rodney jerked as a hand gripped his arm tightly and started to pull at him. He protested, as they tried to split him and Teyla. She was grunting in pain as she was forcibly pulled to her feet and Rodney summoned enough strength to break free and kneel by her side. “Dammit! Can’t you see you’re hurting her?”
As soon as his mouth was open he could see the imminent threat the guards posed but he couldn’t stop the words from coming; wouldn’t have stopped them anyway. He glared pointedly, but they didn’t seem inclined to listen to him. He was wrestled to his feet again, but he thrust his elbow into the guard’s stomach.
“Rodney! Please, don’t make the situation worse.”
“Silence!” The guard at Teyla’s side roared into the harsh silence of the carrier, and Rodney froze. On principle. Not because he was scared. The guard silently looked between Teyla and Rodney and then nodded slowly. “We will take these two to the matriarch. They are not of Camorran breeding.”
“Of course we’re not of the same – breeding – as those primitive morons! They’re so backwards they’re almost straight again!” Rodney took that as the biggest insult; worse then be called a Genii for Atlantis’ sake!
“Silence.” The command was more sharp then loud, but Rodney still shut his mouth. “In front of the Matriarch you will be respectful and not talk, or I will not hesitate to kill your companion.”
Rodney’s eyes met Teyla’s and kept his mouth shut. He half wished the guard had threatened to kill him. Now, a casual slip of the tongue; he couldn’t help himself; would mean death for someone else, and Rodney would not be responsible for that.
He couldn’t. Didn’t want to have to explain to Sheppard – they would be rescued; he knew that – that because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, he’d gotten Teyla killed.
“Do you understand?”
Rodney nodded slowly, eyes not moving from Teyla’s. “Yes. I understand.”
He wasn’t stupid; he knew it had something to do with Teyla and Rodney, and why they hadn’t come through the gate with them. It still ached, when he took the time to think about it, that Rodney was absent. Even if Carson had given him a clean bill of health, he didn’t think he’d ever truly forget what it had felt like to have Rodney so close; to be a part of him and to know his every thought, move life. To know when Rodney was there and when he wasn’t and John had been surprised that he could learn so much; that the drug could work; in just four hours.
“John - Rodney and Teyla, they aren’t on Camorra.” Elizabeth seemed reluctant to meet his eyes.
“Where are they?” His voice sounded harsh even to his own ears, but neither Elizabeth not Carson flinched.
“We sent Lorne and Ronon back to the planet with some marines and they weren’t able to get any information. The Camorrans aren’t talking.”
“Why would they?” He raised an eyebrow at their questioning answers. “Ronon and Lorne would have tried to intimidate them – well, Ronon would have – and the Camorrans have already shown they’re immune to that sort of threat – they held me and Rodney in a room for four hours, and it took Lorne and the others that long to reach us.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “When they separated us at the lunch, we thought it was merely to get to know us better but they were smart. They’re a primitive bunch, but they have brains not even the Genii had.”
Elizabeth regarded this news in surprise. “Lorne mentioned they were intelligent.”
“Not just intelligent. They developed a drug that had me practically salivating at being allowed in Rodney’s presence. They obviously had enough force to take Teyla from Ronon. That speaks of an intelligence that rivals the Genii.” He didn’t really want to think of what Genii intelligence had cost Atlantis in the past. “My point is that the Camorrans would have no reason to tell us anything.”
“Are you saying we have to go about this in a different way?” Carson seemed genuinely curious and John shrugged.
“All I know is that if we want Rodney and Teyla back;” His voice and eyes held retribution for them both if they didn’t, “That we have to convince them it’s worth their while. They’re more dangerous than you think, and that you’re giving them credit for.”
John had seen and experienced more in those four hours than he was comfortable with admitting. Elizabeth, however, seemed reluctant to consider the information he had provided. “Surely there’s a more reasonable solution? I know what type of convincing you have in mind, and I don’t like the possibility of creating ourselves another potential enemy.”
John frowned. “They took Rodney and Teyla; we don’t have a choice. ”
“I am coping.” Which didn’t really tell him anything but he knew from the harshness of her eyes that he better not ask her again in the next five minutes. Which was ridiculous because he hadn’t asked her in exactly
three and a half minutes.
Rodney scowled. Another thing that was annoying. John’s voice wouldn’t go away and if this was God’s way of mocking him by making his conscience – or whatever the fuck it was – in John’s likeness, then fuck him.
Because that was just the worst case of Karma ever.
They were back in the carrier now, waiting for the last captives to debark, before finally being herded towards the crew part of the small craft. When Rodney was close enough, he could see to of the front viewport and what he saw made his stomach feel empty and cold. Oh no.
It was a valley. A very deep and long and wide and deep valley. The cliff sides were so hard and jagged that there was no hope of climbing them, which probably sited the planets population fine because filling the valley were so many people – all dirty and disgusting, and probably smelly, people. Hundreds of them. Possibly thousands. Even without having experiencing an hour outside, Rodney knew what they were. Prisoners.
And he and Teyla were part of them. They were Prisoners.
“Rodney?” Teyla was at his elbow, resting against his side.
He swallowed, but didn’t turn to face her. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the sight through the viewport. “We’re prisoners, Teyla.” He didn’t need to explain it; he could see she could already see it. The guards at the front of the carrier saw the looks on their faces.
“This planet is known as Carcera. Criminals from all the planets in the circle are sent here to serve out their sentences, which vary with crimes.” That the guard was taking time to actually talk to them surprised Rodney. Surely they would have been more concerned with making sure there were no attempts to escape? As if sensing the silent question, the guard nodded in the direction of the ‘Gate they had just left. “They come through the Asscecta on a Carrier. There is no chance of escape from the valley, due to the sheer drop of the cliffs. Journeying back through the Asscecta is impossible from the inside of the valley.”
They’d managed to lock their ‘gate. Rodney received a mental I told you so from Sheppard-Voice and he rolled his eyes. The guard mistook it for nonchalance on Rodney’s part and his brow furrowed. “You do not seem to be bothered by your predicament, Fusho.” Rodney didn’t even want to know what that translated to in either English or Ancient, and held up his bound hands in a gesture of surrender.
“No, no. Consider me sufficiently chastised. I’m afraid. Really.” It wasn’t hard to inject fear or apprehension into his voice and face and he turned to look at Teyla. ”What do you think.”
She didn’t look at him; whether out of fear or the need to not look at him, Rodney didn’t know. “I don’t believe that we can get out of this alone, Rodney.”
No. He hadn’t thought so either, but it never hurt to ask. The Guard smiled triumphantly and turned back to the flight path of the Carrier. There were still questions Rodney had but he suspected that the Guard was done being helpful. He just hoped that this – Matriarch – would understand that there had been a mistake – They weren’t supposed to be here, dammit – and let them go.
But he didn’t have much faith in that happening, either.
“They drugged me, Major, and I’m well aware of what happened.” He snapped the reply more than he meant to and sighed slowly. “Sorry, Nick. I just - I need to find Rodney and Teyla. We’re the only hope they have of getting back to Atlantis.” He had faith in the both of them; he did; but he also knew that under the threat of kidnap it can also seem hopeless, and everyone reacted to hopelessness differently.
“It’s okay sir, I understand.” Nick seemed more alert than he did the last time, watching the teams every move as they made their way towards their destination. Sheppard felt a burst of pride, even if he was sure it was only because he felt guilty for the capture of Rodney and Sheppard the last time. “We didn’t get anything out of this the last time, and I just can’t shake the feeling that coming back was a mistake.”
Sheppard inclined his head, acknowledging Nick’s apprehension and not totally disregarding it straight away. He was worried about this too, despite everything he had told Elizabeth. He knew they had no choice but to do this; they had to get Rodney and Teyla back, but he also knew that Elizabeth was concerned about the lack of information they had on the kidnap, and that the Cammoran’s weren’t talking. If they knew where Rodney and Teyla were, John had no doubt at all that they weren’t ever going to divulge it. “Any lead is helpful right now.”
Nick nodded. “I understand sir, but Doctor Weir has reservations about this, doesn’t she?” He’d never heard Lorne question any of Weir’s decisions, but Nick was Rodney’s friend too, and believed in never leave a man behind almost as much as John did.
“Major, you know if I answer that I’m not so sure this won’t get back to her.” Instead of the guilt he suspected, there was a flash of hurt there.
“Sir, no disrespect, but if I had to choose between your orders and hers, I know where my loyalties truly lie.” John stopped and frowned, Lorne half a step behind him. “Sir?”
“Nick, where is this going?”
Lorne shrugged lightly, still not looking guilty. “We both know that if the Camorrans don’t comply with our questions that Doctor Weir isn’t going to sanction a rescue operation. Since the depletion of the ZPM we have limited resources that the Daedalus is barely able to replenish. The loss of Rodney and Teyla, in her eyes, is bad, yes, but not totally crippling to the continued operation of Atlantis.”
Sheppard swallowed. He believed everything Lorne was saying, and didn’t trust himself to disagree without sounding false. ”Lorne-“
He was saved the chance of having to reply by a shout from Ronon’s direction. “Sheppard! Look! ”
In a second both Sheppard and Lorne were at Ronon’s location, the rest of the marine’s a minute behind. They stared at the PDA in abject fascination, and the compressed grass where a ship of some kind had obviously been resting – another surprise considering John wasn’t even aware anyone else in Pegasus had space-worthy craft.
“Rodney’s?” Sheppard took the PDA from Ronon and nodded, he’d recognise it anywhere.
“Rodney’s. They were here; and now they aren’t.” He growled under his breath. “The Cammoran’s are going to answer our questions, whether they want to or not.”
TBC
:
:
:
:
