DISCLAIMERS: The characters, Atlantis, etc, all belong to MGM, Gecko, Showtime, the Sci-Fi Channel.
SPOILERS: Definite spoilers for �Brotherhood� as well as �The Storm� and �Eye� Possibly some for �Underground� and some other early first season episodes.
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�You okay back there, Dr. McKay?� Humor tinged Major Sheppard�s voice as the Atlantian team walked with their Smyrnian escorts through the tall grass of planet MXH-348.
�Ha ha ha, very funny.� Rodney scowled, wiping a thin line of sweat from his brow. �He thinks he�s funny,� he told Radu. The Smyrnian smiled graciously. �We�re fine back here, Major,� Rodney responded to John. �I�m just sharing with Radu the latest test I�ve been running on the life signs detector. He�s quite fascinated.� Rodney stopped himself from telling Sheppard that Radu walked entirely too slowly.
Sheppard rolled his eyes, noting Teyla�s amused expression. �I�m sure he is. Don�t bore the man; we need him for the negotiations.�
�Again�ha ha ha,� Rodney answered, obviously not finding the major at all funny.
�Put the scanner away; you can play later.� Sheppard�s eyes searched the grasses around them, slightly unnerved by the shoulder high stalks. It reminded him of the eerie ambush scene in movie Jurassic Park 3.
Vicily, the Smyrnian leader, nodded reassuringly. �We are almost there, Major Sheppard. The pavilion has been set up for our meeting today.� The tall, thin man moved with a grace that made him appear to glide through the field.
With one more check back on Teyla, Ford and Rodney, who was falling further behind, still pointing to his scanner and rattling off facts to his guide, Sheppard continued after the fair-haired leader. It had been three days since his team had first encountered the Smyrnians as they�d scouted out MXH-348 as a possible ZPM location. After an initially tense introduction, the primitive farmers and gatherers had quickly agreed to meet again to trade. Weir had declared it an excellent opportunity to establish a new ally. So, Sheppard and his team had returned today, hoping to set up a formal agreement for trading. When they�d come through the gate, as scheduled, Vicily and three of his men were waiting for them, ready to lead them into the village.
�I�m hoping, in time,� Rodney explained to Radu. �To program our scanners to be able to distinguish between various life forms, particularly the Wraith of course.� He shuddered unconsciously.
Radu�s eyes, wide with wonder, were fixed on the handheld device. �Never have I seen such a machine,� he said softly.
�No, I imagine not.� McKay turned the scanner on. �See here. This cluster, these eight dots represent the group of us.� He frowned suddenly. Besides the eight dots, more than a half a dozen other dots scattered behind the party. �That�s�� he paused, and stopped walking, looking around them, but the grass was too high and thick to see anything.
�What is it?� Radu asked curiously, glancing around as well.
�Oh, Um�there appears to be at least six, no eight more life signs then our group here.� Rodney pointed to the dots on the screen, double checking the read out.
�I would not worry about it, � Radu said calmly. �I�m sure it is nothing save my people coming into the village for the meeting, or possibly it is deer. There are many here, they plague our fields.�
�Right.� McKay started walking again, realizing that the rest of the group was quite far ahead of them on the narrow path that cut through the field. �I thought all your people lived in the village,� he commented remembering the intel they�d gathered on their earlier trip.
�Yes, however, they might have been working in the North Field,� Radu explained. �Our harvest is nearing. Come.� He motioned forward. �We�re almost to the village.�
John sighed with obvious relief as the group emerged from the tall grass into an open area set up as a small village. Vicily motioned towards the largest building, which actually looked more like a large animal pen than a pavilion. The roof set high on weight-baring wooden beams, but the walls of the structure were nothing more than roughly weaved wire. Surrounding the pavilion, irregularly spaced, were various sized grass huts. A dozen or so men of Smyrna were already seated on rough-hewn benches that lined the �walls� of the pavilion. Dressed in plain brown pants and colorful flowing shirts, the word Gypsy crossed Sheppard�s mind as he observed the small group. Stepping aside, the Major allowed Vicily, Teyla, Lt. Ford and their two escorts, Vidor and Yakov, to precede him.
�Where are McKay and Radu?� Sheppard asked peering into the grassy field again.
�They are coming.� Vicily pointed as the two men came into view. They were just exiting the field and Sheppard wondered what the delay was before he turned and entered the building.
�Welcome,� Vicily entered, leading the way, escorting them further into the makeshift pavilion, toward the center of the room.
Three Smyrnians stood as if cued and blocked the entrance like guards.
�Major?� Lt. Ford questioned.
Suddenly, it was as if Ford�s voice had signaled the rest of the Smyrnians into action. Instinctively, the three Atlantians raised their P90s but it was too late. They were surrounded and the men, who three days earlier had been toting nothing but knives and bows and arrows, now held them captive with much more modern weapons.
�What the hell is going on here?� Sheppard asked, his voice dangerously low.
�It would be in your best interest to hand over your weapons now,� Vicily explained simply.
�Oh really?� Sheppard backed down.
�Yes, and in the best interest of your friend, Dr. McKay.�
Rodney continued talking to Radu about scanner technology, trying to sum up decades worth of technology in a way he could understand, as they stepped into the village�s clearing. �See, if I can just find a way to interface the Atlantean technology with the limited Wraith technology we�ve obtained, I�m hopeful that�� he stopped, startled by a sudden commotion in the Pavilion. He stared, stunned as the rest of his team were surrounded by the Smyrnians.
�Major?� He started forward, reaching for his firearm but a strong grip on his upper arm stopped him. He stared in shock at Radu and the weapon pointed at him.
�Please cooperate, Doctor. It will go better for everyone that way,� Radu pleaded.
�Cooperate? What the hell is going on here?� Rodney echoed Sheppard�s exact words. He searched for the major again, seeing him in a tense stand off with the group inside the building. Radu pushed him several feet closer to the pavilion. He was close enough to hear the others now. �I don�t understand,� he protested.
�Maybe I can help clear up the situation.�
McKay froze, fear spiking through his mind. He couldn�t turn around to look. It couldn�t be.
John saw him, his anger flaring. �Kolya!�
�Now, Major Sheppard. Once again I seem to have the tactical advantage.� The Genii commander smiled knowingly as he stepped further out of the grass and waved his hand, signaling his men.
Eight stepped out of the field behind Rodney and Radu, while eight more spilled out of the two closest huts to the pavilion; all of them were heavily armed.
Rodney tipped his head back, closing his eyes momentarily. �The extra life signs.� He looked at Radu accusingly, but the Smyrnian looked away.
�What do you want, Kolya?� Sheppard demanded harshly. He knew Kolya was right about having the advantage�again. �There is no ZPM here.�
Kolya smiled again, and walked slowly toward the building. �It�s not what I want, Major. It�s who I want.� The commander turned and looked at Rodney. �We meet again, Dr. McKay.�
Rodney�s eyes grew wide. �No.� He tried to back away, but a Genii soldier was there, pressing his weapon into McKay�s back and pushing him forward again.
John shook his head, Kolya�s intention dawning on him. �Not going to happen, Kolya.�
�Hand your weapons over to the Smyrnians, now.�
�I will not let this happen,� Sheppard repeated, refusing to lower his weapon.
Kolya stared at John a moment, then without looking behind him, raised his hand and signaled to his men. The soldier behind McKay moved quickly, raising his weapon and smashing it viciously into the Doctor�s back, aiming for the kidneys.
Rodney stumbled, tripping forward before landing on his knees from the blow. Pain seared through him and his vision blurred. He put his hands out, catching himself before landing face first in the dirt. On hands and knees, he fought the dizziness and struggled against the nausea.
�No!� John moved, but the Smyrnians stepped closer, raising their weapons higher. He calculated how effective they would be with the unfamiliar guns.
Teyla shifted beside him. �Major,� she spoke softly, assessing the danger.
�I know,� Sheppard conceded, but still held onto his P90.
�The choice is yours, Sheppard,� Kolya reminded.
�You won�t kill him,� John argued, staring hatefully at Kolya. His mind reeled. How the hell could was he going to be able to stop this from happening? Was Rodney okay? �Not if he�s the reason you�re here.�
Kolya�s grin was slow and frightening. �I want his mind, Major. I don�t need him physically whole.� The same soldier who�d hit McKay now aimed his gun down at Rodney�s legs. �One knee at a time.� Kolya shrugged. �Your choice.�
John watched Rodney. The doctor was obviously still dazed by the blow, but had pushed himself up so that he was kneeling now instead of on all fours. His face was a pale mix of fear and pain. Reluctantly, Sheppard lowered his weapon. Unsnapping it from his vest, he handed it to Vicily. He focused on Kolya who was looking smug. �I will kill you,� John promised as Teyla and Ford followed his lead and surrendered their weapons.
�Yes, so you said the last time we met.�
�I mean it.�
�I�m sure you do.� Kolya looked down at Rodney. �Let�s go, Dr. McKay.�
Rodney shook his head, ignoring the throbbing pain. �I�m not going anywhere with you,� he snarled stubbornly.
�Vicily.� Kolya�s voice was sharp.
Immediately, the Smyrnian leader stepped forward and grabbed Teyla by the arm, placing the barrel of his weapon to her temple. Two other guards grabbed Lt. Ford and Major Sheppard to keep them from interfering.
A new fear rushed through Rodney.
�Choose, Doctor. Now.�
McKay�s eyes met Teyla�s and he caught the slight shake of her head clearly, her eyes filling with anger rather than fear, but he couldn�t make that choice. �I�ll go,� he managed.
�Very good.� Kolya nodded and McKay was dragged to his feet. His weapon and radio removed and tossed into the dirt. Kolya turned back toward Sheppard as Rodney was hauled into the deep grass. �Vicily will escort you to the gate in an hour.� His dark eyes narrowed. �Same courtesy you granted me as I recall.� Then he turned and melted into the field himself.
�Damn it,� Sheppard swore as Vicily looked again at the hourglass he�d been using to track the time. �Just let us go now,� the Major demanded. He paced back and forth, two steps one way; two steps back, daring the Smyrnians to stop him. His rage boiled inside. He was furious at everyone. At Kolya for taking Rodney, at the Smyrnian�s for their part in the set up and at himself for letting it all happen.
The Smyrnians watched tensely, already having forced the team to remove their packs and radios. Though some of the men had left the pavilion, the majority had stayed, retaining tight grips on the weapons they kept aimed at the three visitors.
�Soon, we will lead you back to the gate,� Vicily responded smoothly.
�Why have you done this?� Teyla asked, her low voice was laced with anger, but her face remained impassive.
Vicily gave a small shrug. �Commander Kolya came to us days before you. Our loyalty is to him foremost.�
�Why?� Ford shook his head disgustedly.
�He promises protection,� The leader explained without apology.
�Protection from what? The Wraith? He can�t protect you,� Sheppard argued
Vicily nodded, accepting Sheppard�s anger. �We shall see,� he murmured, confidently.
�How will he protect you?� Sheppard pushed. �By taking McKay?� He advanced on Vicily but Vidor stepped in front of him, using his rifle to hold John back. John ignored the cold steel pressing into his chest. �How could you let this happen? McKay never did anything to hurt you or your people�we�ve done nothing to harm you!�
Vicily met his angry stare but didn�t answer.
�What does Kolya want with McKay?� John demanded.
�Its not my place to reveal the Commander�s plans.� Vicily answered.
�Not your place��Sheppard shook his head. �Right, but you felt fine about setting us up. Damn it!� He turned away before he struck out at the Smyrnian, realizing it would be a futile attempt that could only get them killed. A tense silence settled in the makeshift building as the Major returned to his pacing.
At last, Yakov stepped forward and pointed to the glass of sand. Vicily whispered to him and turned, smiling to Sheppard, Teyla and Lt. Ford. �Your time has come.�
Sheppard shrugged off any attempts to guide him, glaring vengefully at the men around him and bitterly enjoying the fear he could read in their eyes.
The trip back through the field of grass seemed to take three times longer than it had coming in. John tried not to think about what was happening to McKay, but his mind could wrap around nothing else. Where had Kolya taken Rodney? What did he want him for? How badly was the doctor hurt, and would Kolya hurt him any worse? John knew that McKay�s history with the commander was scattered with physical violence, but he also knew that Kolya tended to leave Rodney alone when he wanted the scientist to complete a task. Sheppard hoped that would be enough to keep McKay safe this time.
Finally, they reached the tiny clearing and the stargate. �You are free to return to your world.� Vicily gestured, stepping back toward the field and allowing Ford privacy as he stepped forward to dial the gate.
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Rodney stumbled along, tripping over the rough terrain as he was shoved from behind. �Hey!� he protested once, but that only earned him another blow to his kidneys. He hit all fours again, gasping and trying to breath through his pain.
�Get up,� Kolya ordered.
�It�d be a whole lot easier to stay on my feet if your goons would keep their hands and weapons to themselves,� McKay snapped, glaring angrily up at the commander. �I�m of no use to you dead,� he reminded dramatically.
Kolya rolled his eyes and grabbed McKay�s arm, wrenching him up to his feet. �You�re not even close to dead�yet.� The Genii smiled.
Rodney opened his mouth, then closed it, deciding it was time to keep quiet. Another shove and he was in motion again. Behind him he heard Kolya speak sternly.
�Touch him again without my order and you�ll be the one dead.�
Was Kolya actually protecting him now? God, what did the man want from him? He knew where they were, he�d recognized the world the Genii inhabited as soon as they�d stepped through the gate. What surprised him though was that instead of being hustled into their city below ground, he�d been quietly led on this undeveloped path through the woods.
�Where are you taking me?� He forgot his earlier decision to keep quiet.
Kolya sighed almost wearily. �Shut up and keep walking.�
�You at least can tell me why I�m here. Cowen has got to know I won�t make a nuclear weapon for him now.� McKay glanced over his shoulder at the commander, trying to gauge the man�s reaction.
�Cowen has nothing to do with this,� Kolya growled.
Rodney stopped walking. �What? Did Cowen decide he was done with you after you failed to take over Atlantis and then lost the ZPM as well?� he taunted.
Kolya reacted instantly, backhanding McKay hard enough to make the doctor stumble backwards. �Shut up and walk,� Kolya hissed before stalking past.
Rodney bent over, hands on his knees as blood oozed from his split lip, and his back cramped painfully. He watched the commander carefully. �That was stupid,� he mumbled to himself. �You have got to quit spending so much time with the Major.�
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�What do you mean it was an ambush?� Elizabeth Weir�s eyes were wide with shock as Sheppard stormed up the gate room steps with Teyla and Aiden. �Are you okay?�
�No. I�m not okay. That bastard has McKay!� John fumed.
�What? Who? The Smyrnians?� Elizabeth looked from John to Lt. Ford.
�Commander Kolya, ma�am,� Ford filled in.
�Kolya?� the name physically rocked Elizabeth and she reached out to steady herself against the control room�s glass wall. �Kolya?� she repeated. �Please, someone explain this.� The control room was silent as those manning Atlantis� computers listened intently.
Sheppard waved at Ford, gesturing for him to fill Weir in.
�When we arrived on planet, everything was going as originally planned until we reached their village. We were led into a building where more men were waiting and as soon as we arrived, they surrounded us. They were heavily armed. That�s when Commander Kolya arrived. The Smyrnians disarmed us and Kolya took Dr. McKay and left. Evidently he�d made contacted with the group days before we did. They had three days to set all this up with him.�
Elizabeth shook her head. �I don�t understand. Why does Kolya want Rodney? What reason did he give?�
�I believe his intention is to use the doctor for his knowledge,� Teyla spoke calmly. �He said he wanted Dr. McKay for his mind.�
�And McKay went with him?� Weir rubbed her forehead.
�He didn�t have much of a choice,� John snapped. He sensed Teyla flinch beside him and caught the anger flash across her face at the reminder that she�d been used against Rodney.
�Did he hurt him?� Elizabeth shuddered as memories of Kolya�s attempt to take Atlantis flooded her thoughts. She could see Kolya angrily trying to push Rodney over the rail at the grounding station, and could feel his arm tightly locked around her waist as he dragged her toward the event horizon.
�I�m going to get him back,� Sheppard avoided answering.
Weir shook her head, her professionalism returning as she took a deep breath. �Do you even know where they took him?� she asked.
�I�m going back to MXH-384 and find out.� He looked at Ford. �Get started, I want all available men,� he ordered.
�Major, you can�t leave Atlantis undefended,� Elizabeth argued.
�Elizabeth, it�s Rodney.�
She nodded, �I know that, but we have no idea where he is or what Kolya wants him for. What if Kolya has a plan to use him to attempt to take Atlantis again? If you�re off world with our entire military force, how are we going to protect ourselves?�
�I�ll leave half,� Sheppard compromised.
�That�s not enough. Rodney knows this city and its functions almost better than any of us. How can we defend ourselves against that kind of inside knowledge?�
John looked at Elizabeth, then at Teyla who gave him the briefest nod as if reading his thoughts. He looked back to Weir, confidently. �Then we trust that Rodney would never let his knowledge be used against us.�
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Darkness had fallen and still McKay walked, following along the path where Kolya�s men led him. He�d rummaged into his pack at one point, causing everyone around him to overreact. Weapons were cocked and aimed; his arms pulled roughly away from the offending threat�all over an energy bar. Kolya had sworn and barked out an order to keep moving. At least the Commander had let him eat the stupid snack, McKay thought as he plunged further into the thick forest. He was starving, and he was thirsty.
Kolya pushed past him, taking the lead and conferring with his men. Rodney stopped walking. �Are we anywhere near wherever it is you�re taking me?� he questioned, exhaustion swamping him.
�Shut up,� someone commanded behind him. Everyone else ignored him.
�Just saying.� Rodney shrugged innocently. �I can only go so far with no real food or water you know.�
The soldier who�d spoken stepped closer, threateningly. �Shut. Up.� He thrust his fist harmlessly at McKay and the doctor flinched back only to have the man laugh at his reaction.
�McKay.�
Rodney spun around to face Kolya.
�This way.� Kolya took him by the arm and directed him, almost as if giving a tour. �Duck your head,� he instructed.
McKay obeyed and when Kolya motioned for him to straighten up again he was surprised to find they had entered a large cave. The walls of the cave had been shored up against any possible collapse and a crude string of dim electric lights lit the entire area. Somewhere in the depths of the cave, Rodney recognized the hum of a generator. �Nice.� He swallowed back a wave of claustrophobia. �Nice set up.� There were over a dozen men and a few women, all dressed in military garb scattered around the huge cavern.
�It�s a start,� Kolya acknowledged. �When Cowen decided I was no longer an�asset to his operation, I needed a place to run to ground.�
�And you had to be literal about it?� Rodney raised an eyebrow, skeptically.
Kolya�s grunt could have been interpreted as a laugh. �Some of my men,� the commander motioned around the �room�, �Decided to join me. We found this place and though we still have a long way to go�we�re making progress.�
McKay bit back a sarcastic comment and simply nodded.
�Rogers will show you to your quarters.� Kolya gestured and a young blond haired soldier barely old enough to shave, stepped forward.
�I have quarters?� McKay asked, genuinely surprised.
Kolya grinned and a chill swept through Rodney. �Of a sort.� He walked away, leaving Rodney with little choice but to follow Rogers deeper into the damp unwelcoming darkness.
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John double checked his life signs detector and signaled for the troops to wait for his lead. They�d arrived on the Smyrnian�s world just after dark and so far no lights had appeared on screen other than those indicating their own lives. The wind stirred the tall grassy field giving it the eerie illusion of being in motion. As unsettling as the field was in broad daylight, it was absolutely terrifying at night.
�Too many horror movies,� Sheppard muttered to himself, as he signaled again for his men to move out in groups of two. He�d wanted to bring the puddle jumpers this time but Weir had been adamant. It was still too dangerous to leave Atlantis defenseless, she�d argued, pointing out that they were already without their best pilot. Sheppard had taken the unspoken but obviously implied guilt and filed it under �ignore,� before walking away from her. Part of him understood her position but the other was too focused on Rodney. Without McKay, he wasn�t actually sure they could ever properly defend Atlantis, and beyond that need�McKay was part of his team, a part that he�d let be dragged away in captivity.
�Major,� Teyla�s voice sounded in his ear piece as the quick moving troops spilled out of the field and into the village�or what was left of it. �There are no signs that any of the Smyrnians remain.�
�I see it,� Sheppard answered. He knew he was grasping at straws, coming back to the Smyrnians, but he had to try.
�There�s no sign of anyone, Major.� Lt. Ford was coming toward him, the light on his P90 bouncing like it was floating in mid air as he jogged. �The place is deserted.� The young man�s voice was filled with disappointment and anger. �What do we do now?�
Sheppard�s eyes scanned the village, watching as his men searched everywhere, just in case, but knowing they�d find nothing. Vicily had insinuated as much when he�d let them go. It was time to pay another visit to the Genii.
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Rodney gaped in horror as Rogers pointed to his �room.� He looked at the young soldier grinning at him and shook his head. �No way. You can�t expect me to go in there.� He gestured to the two foot wide opening that was barely as tall as he was. Inside he could see some kind of dim light. It illuminated enough of the room�s features for him to fear the small space.
Soldier boy shrugged and nudged him forward, pushing him through the hole.
McKay spun around, attempting to push his way back out but the weapon leveled at his head stopped him. Taking a slow shaky breath, he held up his hands in surrender. �Okay. Okay. I stay here.�
Rogers nodded, then turned around, taking up a guard stance just outside the open doorway.
�You�re talkative,� Rodney muttered. �Great.� He shook his head. �Wonderful.�
He looked around, examining his accommodations carefully and fighting his claustrophobia. The room was about eight feet long and four feet deep. A bedroll sat in one corner and a bare light bulb dangled against the wall from a wire. The light played on the dirt walls creating a haunting array of shadows. Glancing at the opposite corner, he wrinkled his nose in disgust to find an empty bucket. �Unbelievable,� he said, sinking to his knees resignedly and unrolling his �bed�. He slipped the pack off his back, groaning as a wave of pain raced through him. He could only imagine what kind of bruise he was sporting. Sitting cross-legged on the bedroll he checked to see how much attention Rogers was paying and unzipped his pack.
Pulling out his scanner, the first thing he checked was the surrounding life signs. Disappointment washed over him as the small screen lit up with over two-dozen little lights. He sighed heavily, looking up again at his guard. Even if he could take out the young soldier, there was no way he could feasibly sneak out of the disorienting cave without someone noticing. Fiddling with the scanner, he wondered if there was any way he could program it to send some kind of signal to Atlantis. His head ached and he found it difficult to concentrate on the problem. If only he still had his radio. True, the gate had to be dialed in order to make any contact, but he knew it wouldn�t be long before Sheppard would be on this planet looking for him and with the radio�he could send a signal through the Major�s frequency. That is if the Smyrnian�s had let his team go.
A new fear overwhelmed him, stopping him cold as he remembered watching Vicily hold a weapon against Teyla�s head. What if�. He choked on the sudden lump in dry throat. No, he wouldn�t believe that, he couldn�t�. But even as he tried to convince himself that Sheppard and the others were fine, an indescribable loneliness settled in the pit of his stomach.
Movement outside his tiny prison jerked him to awareness and he quickly shoved his scanner into his pack and pushed the pack itself behind him.
It was Kolya who ducked into the room. He carried a tin plate of food and a canteen of what Rodney prayed was water. �I see you�re making yourself comfortable.� Kolya�s smirk looked evil in the flickering light. He squatted in front of McKay and held out the food like an offering. �My apologies for the delay.�
Rodney took the plate and canteen. �You�re just fortunate I haven�t passed out from hunger,� he snorted. He took a hesitant sip from the canteen, wincing as the cool metal scraped his split lip, and then drank greedily. He ignored Kolya�s amused smile. �What happened to the rest of my team?� Rodney asked, lowering the canteen and recapping it. He picked up a piece of meat from the plate, noting the lack of utensils. He examined the greasy morsel and sniffed it before deciding he didn�t want to know what it was. He met Kolya�s eyes as he took a bite and waited for the Commander to answer.
Kolya�s face lost its smile. �The Smyrnian�s were given orders to escort your team back to the stargate after an hour.�
�But did they?� McKay swallowed the flavorless meat. �I don�t know what you want from me, or why you have me here�but I don�t intend to do anything for you until I�m positive that Major Sheppard, Teyla Emmagan and Lt. Ford were returned to Atlantis safely.�
Kolya shifted and looked down. �You�ll just have to accept my word. They were released unharmed,� he said sincerely, meeting McKay�s challenging gaze again. �Now hand over your pack,� he ordered.
Rodney didn�t move. He lifted his chin slightly, trying to hold his ground.
�Don�t make me take it from you, Doctor.� Kolya�s stare intensified and he stood up, towering over McKay.
Reluctantly, Rodney reached behind him and pulled out his pack. He handed it to Kolya. �I�ll need that,� he said as Kolya turned to go.
�You�ll get it back in the morning.�
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�I�m taking the jumpers,� Sheppard stood his ground this time. �We need to catch the Genii with as much power as possible,� he pointed out.
Elizabeth stood behind her desk, her arms crossed defensively. �They�ll be expecting you.�
�All the more reason to take as much power as we can. It worked last time.�
�And don�t you think they�ll be prepared for it now?� Her eyes flashed between anger and fear. She wanted to help Rodney but to leave Atlantis defenseless�.
�Prepared or not, we still have more fire power.� John ran his hand through his hair, his frustration growing. Why couldn�t she understand? �And you won�t be defenseless.�
�Who�s going to fly the other jumper?� Elizabeth challenged stubbornly.
�I will.� The new voice startled both of them as Dr. Beckett stepped into the office, determinedly.
�Carson.� Elizabeth shook her head as Beckett wrung his hands nervously. Then it was like he flipped an inner switch. He stood taller and looked defiant.
�I�m the first one to tell ya I�m not a pilot, I know that.� He looked at John then back to Weir. �But I came up here to tell you both I am going on this mission.�
�We need you here.� Weir glanced at John, expecting him to back her up but he merely shrugged as if there was nothing he could�or would do to persuade Beckett differently.
�No you don�t, lass. There�s plenty o�doctors who can take care of what�s needed �til I return, but I�ll not be leaving Rodney out there with no one. We don�t know what�s been done to him,� he reminded in a softer, frightened tone. �I�m going.�
Elizabeth looked at him then at Sheppard again and sighed wearily, sinking into her chair. �Who will you leave in charge here?�
�Bates, and I�ll leave Evans as well.�
She picked up a pen and absently twirled it across the back of her fingers, dropping it. Her hands were shaking. �When are you leaving?� she asked finally.
�Just before daybreak,� Sheppard answered.
The office was quiet for a few moments before Elizabeth spoke again. �You�ll find him,� she said softly, as if she were trying to simply reassure herself.
John watched her closely. He took in the sag of her shoulders and the weary way she slumped in her chair. He didn�t envy her the burden of being in charge. Hell, it was hard enough handling the military side of things and he knew he added to at least half of her burden himself. As angry as he could get with some of her decisions, he understood that she had the entire city to consider. What happened to Rodney was tearing her up more than she would ever let on.
�I will find him,� Sheppard found his voice and tried to sound confident.
It took a moment, but finally Weir nodded in agreement. �Just bring everyone home in one piece,� she requested. �Please.�
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It was just before dawn when the jumpers went through the gate. Weir watched from the control room as a determined Sheppard and a visibly nervous Beckett took off. She hoped and prayed she had made the right decision. Atlantis needed them all and she couldn�t bear the thought of losing anyone else. They�d lost too many lives to this galaxy already. Maybe, in the end, that was why she had let them go. She wasn�t willing to lose Rodney either. Her hatred for Kolya burned as she heard both Sheppard and Beckett confirm they�d made it through the event horizon without any problems. She reached for the radio. �Stay in regular contact,� she reminded, feeling no guilt that she hoped Sheppard really did get the chance to kill the Commander this time.
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Rodney grunted and shifted uncomfortably on the lumpy bedroll. With bleary eyes, he squinted at his watch checking the time�again, and wondered what was in store now that morning was finally arriving. Time had seemed to crawl as the night passed in the dank hole. He had finished his food, used the dreaded bucket and done his best to sleep, but the ground felt more like rock than dirt and the aches and pains in his back made real sleep impossible, not to mention the constant fear and apprehension. He wondered where Major Sheppard was.
�Dr. McKay.� Kolya�s voice startled him and he scrambled clumsily to sit up. A small groan escaped despite his efforts to keep it in. His lip felt like it was four times larger than it should have been.
�What?� he snapped, rubbing his eyes.
Kolya smiled. �Time to earn your keep.�
McKay huffed and shook his head. �Do I at least get fresh water to wash my face or breakfast even?� He struggled to stand but a spasm in his back knocked him onto his butt with an undignified yelp.
Without a word, Kolya held out a hand, offering help. Rodney hesitated, not wanting to accept anything from his captor, but eventually his common sense won the battle over his pride. He grasped Kolya�s hand and allowed the commander to haul him to his feet.
Kolya waited until McKay was steady before releasing him. �Follow me.�
Rodney obeyed, following Kolya deeper into the cave�s depths. He noticed then that a new boy soldier had replaced his guard Rogers.
�You can wash up here.� Kolya gestured to a bench along the dirt packed wall. On it sat a basin filled with water and a pile of neatly folded towels. �Be quick about it.�
Rodney tried not to think of how many others might have already �washed up� with the same icy cold water as he quickly splashed his face and rinsed his hands. At least the towels looked clean, he thought, using one to dry off.
�Better?� Kolya motioned for him to leave his towel there.
�Some,� McKay admitted reluctantly, as they continued down the tunnel.
They had gone no more than twenty feet from the water basin when the tunnel opened up into another wide cavernous room, shored up with wooden supports. There were two other tunnels branching off, one on the right, the other to the left. In the center of the cavern sat an unusual looking device that immediately reminded Rodney of the organ his grandmother used to play every time he visited. Even from where he stood McKay could recognized the language of the ancients carved along the dark paneled sides.
�Is this why I�m here?� He walked past Kolya approaching the device and ignoring the tense reaction as his new guard raised his weapon. �What is it?� He circled the device slowly.
Kolya waved the guard to relax. �That�s what I want you to tell me.� He approached, handing McKay his pack. �I believe it�s possibly a weapon, left behind by the ancients when they fled the Wraith.�
�You found it here?� McKay asked skeptically, taking his pack and immediately checking that everything was still there. Why would the ancients leave a weapon here? He wondered to himself.
�No.� Kolya�s tone made it clear he wasn�t going to tell McKay where he�d found it.
�Why would the ancients leave a weapon behind if it was effective?� The device was mesmerizing; the top panel slanted from the front up to the back, and was covered with rectangular shaped, colored crystals.
�Maybe it�s programmable and the ancients used it to hold off the Wraith while they escaped. I don�t know, that�s why I�ve got you,� Kolya explained.
Rodney looked up from the machine. �So you expect me to just make this work so you can use it against whomever you feel like?�
Kolya nodded. �That�s my plan.�
�What if I refuse?"
�You won�t.�
�There�s no one here to hold at gun point in order to coerce me this time,� Rodney reminded.
Kolya was silent, his congenial expression turning to stone. �No�only you.�
The implication was clear. Rodney swallowed nervously, his throat suddenly very dry. �Shooting me defeats your entire purpose.�
�Who said anything about shooting anyone?� Kolya snapped his fingers and two more guards emerged from the side tunnels. They moved quickly, grabbing McKay�s arms.
�Hey!� Rodney struggled but they held him immobile as Kolya advanced. �You need me,� McKay insisted, his eyes darting around the room frantically searching for any escape.
Kolya stopped in front of him, nodding. �I do need you, Dr. McKay. Don�t abuse that.� The blow came quickly, solidly, pounding into Rodney�s gut and knocking the air out of him. His knees gave out as he focused on breathing, but the Genii soldiers held him upright. Kolya leaned in close, his mouth almost brushing McKay�s ear. �You will get this machine to work,� he hissed. �And don�t try to tell me you can�t. I�ve seen your work, doctor. I know your capabilities.� He pulled back and nodded to the guards to release McKay.
Rodney swayed but managed to stay on his feet, glaring at the Commander.
�Get to work,� Kolya ordered. �I�ll be back in an hour.�
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The raid on the Genii had worked exactly like Sheppard had planned�almost. The jumpers had flown through the gate just before dawn and the teams had caught Cowen and those closest to him completely unprepared. Most of the underground city was oblivious still to the invasion as Sheppard, Ford, Teyla and Beckett led the others in their group in a stealthy attack. Now, though Sheppard�s confusion and anger was about more than he could handle as Lt. Ford held Cowen under guard and John realized the Genii leader was just as confused and angry as he was.
�What the hell do you mean?� Sheppard demanded. �Where�s McKay?�
Cowen scowled but shook his head as two of his men tried to struggle out of Teyla and Stackhouse�s grasps. The Genii stilled at Cowen�s unspoken command. �I have no idea where Dr. McKay is. What is the meaning of this, this invasion?�
�This is how we tend to respond when we�re ambushed and our people are taken against their will.� Sheppard�s voice got louder.
�I told you I have no idea�� Cowen started to repeat himself.
�No, of course not. Commander Kolya just took Dr. McKay under his own volition, no orders from you? Are you going to try and tell me that you didn�t order him to take Atlantis either?�
Cowen stilled instantly, a new look of outrage coming over him. �Kolya?� The animosity was clear to everyone.
John lowered his weapon. �What?�
Sighing wearily, Cowen shook his head. �I removed Kolya of his command after his failures and his obsessions became evident. His attempt on Dagan against the Quindosim was unauthorized. He has become a liability.�
�You removed him, did you?" John rolled his eyes.
Cowen continued. �Kolya and a small contingent of our military have split off and formed a resistance. We believe he is planning an attempt to overthrow our current governing leadership.�
�And replace you,� Teyla filled in. �What would he want with Dr. McKay?�
�I have no idea.�
Sheppard tapped his trigger finger against the side of his P90 as he tried to figure out his next plan of action. �We�ll do a search.� He looked at Cowen. �Kolya�s still on this world?�
After a moment�s hesitation, Cowen nodded. �We believe so, but we haven�t found his headquarters yet. We think they�ve taken up deep in the far side of the forest.�
�With our sensors, it shouldn�t take us long to find them,� Lt. Ford spoke up.
Cowen�s eyes narrowed at the lieutenant, then he nodded. �I�ll give my permission for you to search on the condition you share all your information with me.�
Sheppard grinned, shaking his head. �See, here�s where I don�t think you understood me.� His smile slipped into a fierce scowl. �I�m not asking your permission and as for sharing information�Kolya is mine.�
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Rodney waited until Kolya was gone and the guards had backed off before he tried to regroup and think about the task at hand. He took a deep breath, rubbing his aching stomach tenderly, then knelt beside the ancient device. The lighting in the open cavern was slightly brighter than in the tunnel, but the shadows still unnerved McKay. He couldn�t tell how many other guards were lurking in the darkness. Shaking off the uneasy �watched� feeling, he focused on the machine. It was truly amazing. He was tempted to run his hands across the top crystals, just to see what would happen, but knew better. First, he needed to translate the carvings and try to ascertain the machine�s functions. If it was a weapon�he knew that no matter what threats Kolya threw at him or what ways the commander concocted to push him, he could not allow the man to use the device against anyone.
Rodney reached for his pack, swallowing his fear as he dug for his scanner and diagnostic equipment. He heard the guards shift but ignored them as he pulled it out and turned the scanner on. Even though there were no energy signatures coming from the device, he ran his fingertips tentatively over the carvings at first. When nothing happened, he relaxed a little more and brushed the dirt away from the lettering, clearing it off so he could translate it. His fingers lingered over the carvings as translations ran through his mind. He isolated symbols and sounds until they came together smoothly and he was certain. �I will sing,� he whispered, following the lettering. �Even with my soul. I will awaken the dawn.� He smiled, then flinched when his lip split open again. He dabbed the oozing wound distractedly, his thoughts swirling. Relief warred with renewed fear. He was fairly certain he knew the machine�s purpose, but what would he tell Kolya?
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Cowen watched as Sheppard ordered half of his men to remain with the Genii, keeping them under a general guard, then split the remaining group into two smaller teams that would take the ships to search. Cowen knew that the Major really didn�t fear any kind of uprising or revolt. It wasn�t that Sheppard was arrogant, or that the Atlantian team outnumbered the Genii; in fact, they numbered less than a third of the Genii forces, but Sheppard knew as Cowen did. The Atlantians held the power�for now.
Cowen smiled inwardly as the two small ships took off, and motioned discretely for his new commander, Ballard, to come closer. �Organize a small contingent,� he whispered his orders. �Send scouts to follow the ships. I want to know exactly where and when they find Kolya,� he instructed.
Ballard knew better then to ask questions, and simply slipped away without attracting anyone�s attention. Cowen sighed contentedly once he saw his commander was gone. Now, there was nothing to do but wait and plan. If Kolya was so anxious to get his hands on Dr. McKay that he�d risk the wrath of Atlantis--then there must be a use for the scientist other than his ability to build them an atom bomb. Maybe it was time to check the good doctor out further and hopefully-- he smiled for real this time--hopefully, he could take Kolya and the annoying Major Sheppard in the process.
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Sheppard tried to pay attention to both his flying and the life sign readouts from the jumper�s scanners, but eventually gave up and let Ford handle the readouts. Flying low and in stealth mode was complicated enough.
�Anything?� he questioned, seeing Lt. Ford lean closer to the monitor.
�Nothing. A few scattered life signs to our right but I�m guessing it�s field workers,� Ford answered.
�We should check, regardless.� Teyla leaned against the back of Ford�s seat. �We do not want to rule out any possibility.�
Sheppard nodded, answering by directing the jumper toward the coordinates. In the back section of the ship, he could hear Private Wells shoot down the flirtatious joking of Corporal Wilmington with mastered ease. Chuckling to himself, he radioed Dr. Beckett in the second jumper.
�Find anything, Carson?�
�Nothing but fields and trees, Major.� The Doctor�s brogue sounded warped over the static. �You?�
Sheppard followed Teyla�s gesture to the small group of men farming a field. �Nothing so far. We�re heading toward the forest now. There�s some hilly terrain coming up. Maybe we�ll find something there.�
�I�ll be letting Dr. Weir know what�s going on then.�
�Thanks.� John keyed the radio back to standby, thankful that Beckett was willing to answer Weir�s questions. All he wanted to do now was concentrate on finding McKay.
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�What do you mean you lost the ships?� Cowen hissed at his second in command.
Ballard shrugged helplessly. �My men had them in sight, heading for one of the east fields and suddenly they were gone. Into thin air, Mayes said.�
�You should have remembered they�re capable of going invisible and planned for that contingency.� Cowen watched a tight-lipped, serious guard look their way and tried to be casual about eating the breakfast before him. �Keep heading in the same general direction. Get some of your men here to stick close to the guards and see what they can overhear. They�re out there and we gave them a place to start looking. Just find them.�
�Yes sir.�
It took a few minutes for Ballard to slip away, but he left Cowen frustrated. How could his men have neglected such an important fact about the Atlantian ships? �Damn it,� Cowen whispered under his breath. He was not going to lose this opportunity. He stabbed his fork at his meal. He would not fail against the Major again.
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Scooching around to the front of the device, Rodney easily located an access panel and pried it open, relieved to find the circuitry was similar to what he�d worked with before on Atlantis. The setup looked like that in the puddle jumpers, though these crystals were dark and currently powerless. Pulling himself up, Rodney examined the top panel crystals again. Gently, he touched one cool green tinted crystal. He tested it, trying to remove it from its slot. It rose in the slot but didn�t come free.
�Hmm,� McKay huffed, pushing the crystal back into its original position and trying again with a blue one. Same result. The whole thing reminded him of a toy his sister had when they were young, what was it called again? Oh yes, Simon. His sister loved it and had guarded it from him vehemently until one day when she was off at dance lessons and he�d managed to sneak into her room. At first it�d been fun, following the lights and keeping up with the machine�s patterns, but he�d bored quickly, his curiosity drawn instead to how the toy worked. His sister had gotten home before he�d managed to put the entire thing back together again. He could still hear her indignant screams�bringing his father into the mix.
Rodney shuddered and pushed the memory out of his mind as he knelt back down in front of the access panel again. If he moved some of these crystals around, then possibly�.He stopped. His mind suddenly changed directions. He recognized another small panel inside the machine, similar to the one he�d seen often in the puddle jumper�s control panel. Quickly, after a peak at his guards, he went to work. It shouldn�t take long or be too complicated, his mind raced as his fingers trembled, connecting his scanner to the machine. First, he had to get the power going, then, if he could�. He had pulled out one crystal, trading it with another from a different slot when he saw the lone crystal laying at the base of the inner panel. He picked it up, his eyes searching for the right slot. �There,� he said out loud, forgetting where he was for a moment. The crystal slipped easily into place and suddenly the control panel lit up. He checked quickly, the top crystals were still dark and none of the guards seemed to be paying close attention to what he was actually doing, just staring blankly in his general direction. Something to be thankful for, he thought. McKay�s fingers moved rapidly, hooking up his scanner to the device�s inner panel. If he could interface the technology�. He keyed commands into the scanner and waited, holding his breath.
There. The statistics on his screen blinked. Slowly three times, fast three times, then slowly again three more times. Three long, three short, three long. Rudimentary but he prayed it would work. If Sheppard was anywhere on the same world�the signal should be getting through.
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�Uh, Major?� Lt. Ford sounded concerned.
�What?� John glanced at the younger man. Ford�s eyes were focused on the screen before him.
�There�s something going on here, I�m��
Sheppard frowned. �You find them?� He called Ford�s screen up so they could all see it. Instead of the large cluster of life signs he�d expected to find, the screen itself seemed to be malfunctioning. The radio beeped.
�Major?� Carson�s voice filled the jumper. �Is your scanner acting�?� Beckett was obviously searching for a word to describe the problem.
�Like there�s something wrong? Yes. Yours too?� Sheppard watched the readouts blink almost steadily.
�They are,� Carson confirmed. �What do I do?�
�Keep flying. We�ll see what we can figure out.� He turned to Ford and Teyla. �Any ideas?�
Ford shook his head. �It just started�blinking. I didn�t touch a thing.�
�Maybe it is a systems problem?� Teyla suggested.
John thought carefully, trying to get the jumper to respond to his questions and run a systems check. The stats he requested scrolled up the screen�blinking. �Damn.� This was not the time for a malfunction, he thought with frustration. None of them knew the jumper�s systems like Rodney. Why hadn�t he thought of bringing Zelenka with them? Because Elizabeth needed him on Atlantis, he argued inwardly. What in the world could be causing this?
�Maybe we should set down until we know what�d going on,� Ford suggested.
�There is nowhere to land,� Teyla pointed out. �The forest is too dense. We will have to go back to the settlement.�
�I�m not going back yet.� Sheppard shook his head, �We have to be getting closer.�
�If Dr. McKay is even on this world,� Aiden reminded softly.
Sheppard ignored him.
�Could it be a kind of�interference designed by the Commander in order to keep from being found?� Teyla asked. Her eyes scanned the statistics scrolling up the screen as she spoke.
John raised his eyebrows, glancing over his shoulder at the Athosian. �Possibly. Does he have that kind of technology? If he does, where the hell did he get it?�
�We don�t know where he�s been or what he�d been doing since we left him with the Kwendoza.� Ford pressed another button and frowned when it did nothing to stop the blinking. Sheppard noticed the man had said �we� instead of �you�. He had been the one to decide to leave Kolya alive. �Besides,� Aiden went on. �It�s not really interfering,� he shook his head. �It�s just�annoying.�
�Annoying?� Sheppard and Teyla spoke together.
�It�s a pattern, Sir,� a voice stated from the rear compartment.
�What?� Sheppard spun in his seat, looking at the tall, mustached Corporal.
�A pattern?� Ford stared. �Okay, I see it, three long, three short��
�Morse code.� Private Wells stepped up beside Wilmington.
�Morse Code?� Sheppard looked back at the blinking screen, seeing the pattern finally. �SOS, it�s a damned SOS signal!� Why hadn�t he seen that sooner?
�It�s got to be McKay.� Ford grinned.
�You said it was annoying,� Sheppard laughed. �Leave it to Rodney to let us know he�s here by driving us nuts. See if you can zero in on the signal�s origin. I�ll let Beckett know what�s going on.�
Neither of the men noticed Teyla�s confused expression as she tried to figure out what an SOS or a Morse was and how it suddenly related to Dr. McKay.
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Sheppard exited the lead jumper ahead of the others, searching the surrounding area for any visible sign of Kolya�s men. Ford had tracked Rodney�s signal and followed the SOS to its point of origin. The grouping of small hills looked to be as deserted and unpopulated as the rest of the forest, but the life signs detector had lit up like a Christmas tree as soon as they�d flown over. Sheppard managed to find a clearing just large enough for both puddle jumpers and directed Carson to follow him.
�What do you think?� Ford asked, glancing over the barrel of his P90.
�I think we�re looking for a cave entrance.� John lowered his weapon and studied the handheld device again. �I�ve got at least thirty life signs other than ours here.� He pointed. �We�re right on top of them�literally.�
�How are we gonna take on thirty Genii?� Ford looked around at their small group. Other than Teyla, Wilmington and Wells, Carson was exiting the second jumper with only six others.
�Hopefully, we have the element of surprise.� John checked his vest, making sure he had extra clips, grenades and flash bangs. �Plus, a hell of a lot of fire power. Load up.�
Beckett joined him, looking uncomfortable with his weapon, but determined.He held up his own life signs detector. �Where do we start?� the doctor asked.
�Wells and Daniels, stay with the jumpers. Be ready for anything and keep radio contact open on channel two.� Sheppard pressed his GDO remote and the jumper closest to him vanished, then continued as Carson did the same. �Maintain radio silence unless absolutely necessary. We�ll go in pairs and keep this as simple as possible. We�re here for McKay. Beckett, you�re with Ford.�
John and Teyla led the way as the group slipped into the dense forest. The others spread out but, still in sight, followed stealthily behind them. The trees were thick, making the going slow and complicated.
�Is it true, what you said back there?� Teyla�s question caught Sheppard off guard.
�What do you mean?� he whispered, casting a glance at the Athosian as he climbed over a thick root.
�You said we were keeping this mission simple.� Teyla whispered. �Looking for Dr. McKay.� She grasped Sheppard�s offered hand and allowed herself to be hauled over the menacing root, not taking offense to his help, though they both knew she could outpace him.
�Yeah, that�s the plan.� Sheppard�s eyes darted around the area, keeping steady watch for any signs of Genii soldiers or a cave entrance. The hillside began to slope slightly and he put out his hand to warn Teyla to slow down.
�What about Kolya?�
Sheppard stopped.
�I thought you wanted to get Kolya,� Teyla explained.
�I do.� Sheppard almost spit the words, his hatred for the Commander obvious. He looked around them, checking on the teams before starting down the hill again. �That�s MY plan.�
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Rodney could hear the approaching footsteps as he worked and knew his hour was long gone. He tried to ignore the nerves wreaking havoc in his stomach as he experimented with another arrangement of the programming crystals. He�d gotten half of the upper lights to come on but was actually stalling with the rest trying to figure out what he was going to tell Kolya.
�How�s it coming, Dr. McKay?� Kolya�s gravely voice shattered the silence in the cavern and made Rodney jump despite the fact he�d been expecting the Commander.
�Fine. It�s coming along just fine,� he answered testily.
Kolya grinned, amused by Rodney�s grumpiness. �What is it then?�
�I don�t know yet.� McKay focused on his work, trying to ignore Kolya�s hovering presence behind him. He plugged another crystal into place and the rest of the top panel lit up.
�What do you mean, you don�t know?� Kolya lost his casual tone.
�I mean exactly what I said.� Rodney pushed himself to his feet, moving stiffly, his back and stomach aching. He was so tired and hungry and thirsty. Damn he wished he�d remembered the canteen. Wearily he gestured to the device. �I don�t know. It could be anything really. I only just got the thing fully powered up and you know it can take time to run tests and check its programs for glitches in order to make sure I�m not going to cause some kind of�.�
His rant was cut off in a sharp yelp as Kolya grabbed him by the collar and jerked him closer. McKay flailed, trying to scramble away but Kolya�s grip only tightened.
�Hey!� Rodney tried again to pull away as the Commander held him uncomfortably close.
Kolya�s eyes seemed to bore into him as if searching for the truth. Rodney tried to look away but Kolya jerked him roughly. �What. Does. It. Do?� he growled.
�I don�t know,� McKay answered too quickly. �Really, I don�t�� He didn�t see the knife until Kolya pressed the sharp tip of it against the side of his face, tracing it teasingly up to the edge of McKay�s eye. Rodney shivered, fear surging through him. His heart began to race uncontrollably. He opened his mouth trying to protest but his voice failed him.
�How effective will you be if I take your eye?� Kolya whispered with terrifying calmness.
Rodney trembled in spite of himself, feeling only the stinging prick as Kolya slowly began to apply pressure. Reason told him it was an empty threat, but his mind betrayed him, flashing back to Atlantis and the feel of cold steel slicing into his arm. Kolya twisted the knife slightly, digging it into the skin at the edge of Rodney�s eyebrow and dragging it sadistically toward the scientist�s ear. A thin line of blood appeared behind the tip, tracing his temple. Rodney gasped. �Please.� His hands fluttered around Kolya�s arms suddenly, pulling at them, trying to make him stop. Kolya merely twisted the knife again, digging it deeper. Rodney inhaled frantically as he felt the blood began to drip down the side of his face, tickling his ear. �Okay, okay, okay,� his voice rose. �It�s a musical instrument of some kind, I swear, that�s all.�
Surprised, Kolya pulled back, lowering the knife and letting go of McKay. �What?�
�The device.� Rodney touched his own face, feeling the shallow cut and the blood, touching the corner of his eye, and reassuring himself that everything was still where it should be. He took a deep breath, trying to gather himself together again and ignore the feeling of self-loathing that crept up, reminding him that once again he�d given into the Commander without so much as a fight. �It�s some kind of musical instrument. I believe it was used like what we would call a piano, possibly in the mornings to awaken the community.�
Kolya stared at McKay then at the machine, then back to Rodney again. �Do you think I�m stupid?� he demanded angrily, shoving McKay further away from him.
Rodney stumbled, shaking his head, sprinkling droplets of blood. Oh God, how could he explain it? �I�m serious. It�s similar to a piano or an organ possibly. You press the top crystals like keys and musical tones should come out of it.� He moved his hands, mimicking playing a piano.
�Show me,� Kolya ordered.
�It�s not fully functioning yet,� Rodney protested, taking an instinctive step backwards, trying to put as much space between him and the Commander as possible.
�What�s all this then?� Kolya waved at the lit crystals and open access panel. �What have you been doing?�
McKay�s own anger flared back. �It�s barely been an hour. Contrary to what you seem to believe, that�s not enough time,� he shouted. �It�s a lengthy process to go through the circuits and test their viability. If I skip one or go out of order�.�
�But you�re certain it�s just an instrument,� Kolya cut him off.
�Well, yeah. No. I�m not positive, no. I won�t know for certain until you let me finish my testing.�
Kolya�s eyes narrowed. �So it still could be a weapon of some kind?�
Rodney swallowed the lump in his throat, knowing Kolya wouldn�t like his answer but doubting he could pull off a believable lie at this point. �That possibility is highly unlikely. No. It is not a weapon.�
�Damn it.� Kolya stared at he machine as if it had betrayed him. �What does that do?� he asked suddenly, pointing to the inner panel and attached scanner.
�It�s my diagnostics and programming interface.� Rodney waved at it. �Don�t touch it or it�ll shut the whole machine down and I�ll have to start over.� He was frantic as Kolya squatted and looked closer at the blinking screen.
�You brought this from Atlantis.� Kolya looked up suspiciously.
McKay nodded, unconsciously twisting his hands in front of him, praying that the Genii had never developed any similar coding system. He couldn�t let Kolya figure it out or interfere with the signal�it had to stay working in order for Sheppard to find him. It was his only hope. �Yes. Of course I did. It was in my pack. You took everything else, my vest, the radio. You gave me that earlier, I need it to keep the device functioning until I can get its power source working again.�
Kolya reached out and tapped the screen. �Why is it blinking this way?�
�Don�t. Don�t touch it.� Rodney panicked, lunging toward Kolya, instinctively trying to protect the signal and, so focused, he forgot about the surrounding guards.
There was no real warning. No one yelled �halt� or �stay back.� There was just a sharp shout and the deafening explosion. Rodney saw Kolya look at him in shock. Abruptly, a fiery pain tore through him, spinning him violently. Confused, he stumbled, trying to maintain his footing, but his body betrayed him. He fell, landing hard in the dirt, his arms failing to catch or support him. He heard Koyla�s shout, a rage-filled �no�, but his senses were suddenly overwhelmed by noise and pain and darkness�and the clinging thick scent of the damp earth beneath him.
