Dark Element - by Angel Ruse
My Best Excesses
A dark world leads to the discovery of an Ancient long imprisoned by his own people. The team is placed in grave danger when Beckett sets him free.
The mouth-watering scent was enough to drive a man crazy. Sheppard, Beckett and Zelenka waited in expectation at a table in the otherwise empty mess hall. The lights were set dim and the atmosphere was relaxed. Just perfect for tired Lanteans after a rough week. Sheppard kicked his feet up on one of the chairs nearby, leaned back lazily, and yelled, "Come on, Rodney! Get the lead out. I'm starved!" He shook his head. "For a physicist you'd think he could handle the physics of a chicken a little faster."
"I heard that!" called an annoyed voice from the kitchenette. There was a clamor of pans and plates. "You can't rush genius!"
Zelenka pushed his glasses up on his nose, then lifted a disagreeing finger. "I beg to differ, Rodney. I have both seen and endured genius being rushed. More times than I would care to count, as a matter of fact."
"Shut up, Radek!" McKay yelled back at him.
After a few more minutes of waiting, listening to the rustle of kitchen tools being tossed around, and a few curses coming from the other side of the room, Rodney McKay finally made his grand entrance. Carrying plates with utensils on them, a basket of chicken, and a bottle of barbecue sauce was delicate business, so it was a rather anticlimactic moment.
Until he nearly tripped. The trio at the table stood, but all three of them froze in horror until McKay got his footing back. He made it to the table without dropping anything, however, and everyone sighed in relief as he placed his bounty down.
They each took a plate and a piece of chicken from the basket Rodney had placed in the center of the table. McKay reclaimed the cup he had been drinking from that he had left beside Sheppard, then sat down and watched with an eager expression as the other three prepared to partake.
Sheppard exhaled as both Radek and Carson looked to him for a reaction first. "Guess I'm the guinea pig, huh?" he said a little smartly, then lifted the chicken to his mouth. He took a bite and immediately started coughing. Putting the breast down on his plate, John rushed his iced tea to his lips and gulped. Radek put his chicken wing down.
"Well?" Rodney pressed, hovering between taking a bite of his own portion and waiting for the verdict.
Through misty eyes Sheppard looked at the scientist and said in a strained voice, "D'you think it's a bit spicy?"
McKay shrugged. "Of course it's spicy. I told you it would be."
"Let me rephrase," John retorted, then took another drink. "D'you think it's a bit too spicy?"
The other man's eyes narrowed to slits. "Well, excuse me, Colonel Sanders, for getting it wrong. I'll make your little old grandma's wussy chicken next time."
Sheppard pointed him in the face with a warning expression. "Don't talk about my grandma. I didn't say I didn't like it. It's just a bit strong."
Rodney didn't stop glaring until he turned his head towards Carson. And then it was like magic, such was the pleasure that replaced his ire. Both Sheppard and Zelenka followed his gaze. The doctor was found quite merrily biting into his chicken thigh. "See?" McKay defended his meal. "Carson likes it, don't you?"
Beckett nodded with a full mouth. "Aye. S'good stuff." He took another rigorous bite.
"I guess it's really just a man's chicken," McKay summarized for Sheppard, motioning Radek to try it. The Czech scientist wore the expression of a trapped rabbit.
The Colonel pointed at Carson defensively. "Look, just because he'll eat anything doesn't mean I'm not a man. You know what Scottish people eat. Black Pudding. Need I say more?"
"I'm sittin' right here, lad," the doctor admonished sternly as he reached into the basket for another piece.
"Wimp." McKay rolled his eyes and said nothing more than that single taunt.
Sheppard glared, quipping back at him, "Geek."
"Monkey-with-a-gun."
"Celibate."
McKay lifted his fork as if he was going to toss it like a dagger at the Colonel, but Beckett took the utensil away from him. He sat back, rubbing his face tiredly. "Lord, I can see what tomorrow's trip is goin' ta be like. I'm not ready."
"I'd say you could stay home, but see you've already missed a few times this semester," Sheppard said with a smirk. "Seriously, Doc, if there are any medicines there or any tools we could use…"
The doctor waved his hand. "S'alright, lad. This place looks interestin', anyway. I'll be fine." The truth was Beckett hadn't been sleeping well. He had confessed as much to Sheppard earlier in the week, but maintained it was nothing, reasoning he just had to stretch his legs a bit. He had been cooped up in the infirmary as it was.
John took another bite—a tentative bite—of his chicken and seemed to make a point of not coughing as the spices seared his tongue. Radek was still a bit shy of his wing and tried to shift the attention away from that fact. He shook his head. "You guys get all the fun. So, what is this place you're going to tomorrow, anyway?"
"We're not entirely certain," McKay responded, sneaking his fork off Beckett's plate so he could tear back into his chicken. "The database lists this place, but details are sketchy. Said something about it being an outpost of science that was abandoned when the Wraith started becoming a real problem for the Ancients. My guess is we'll find some Ancient technology and more importantly, a Zed-PM."
Zelenka took a drink. "How did it come to your attention now and not months ago?"
Rodney snapped his fingers. "Darnedest thing. Just jumped out at Carson here when I was looking and he was looking over my shoulder." His voice betrayed irritation about that. "Lucky thing, too. I'm hopeful about this one."
"Assumin' someone else hasn't gotten there first," Carson added thoughtfully. "Or the Wraith haven't destroyed it."
Rodney shook a chiding finger at the doctor. "See, this is why you have trouble sleeping. Always looking at the dark side of things and worrying. Knock it off."
"I 'spose you're right, Rodney. Maybe you'll be kidnapped an' I won't have ta worry about your cheek anymore," Carson responded, yawning into his hand. He sighed, noticing Sheppard watching him. "I'm fine."
The Colonel nodded, arms lifted in deference. "All right. I'm just saying, Doc, if you need me to hit you over the head to get you to sleep at night, I'll be more than glad." He pushed his chair back, stood and grabbed a drumstick out of the basket. "Be right back." Chicken in mouth, he took his empty glass to go get more tea.
The four men polished off the basket before too long, and by the end of it Carson was the first to bend over with his arms cradling his midsection. "I think ya gave me an ulcer," he complained in a pained voice.
Licking his fingers, Rodney nodded with a grin. "That's how I know I got it right. Well, that and the fact that I'm never wrong."
"When did you become such a," Radek said, then hiccupped loudly, "distinguished cook?"
McKay shrugged. "It's nothing that being single and brilliant can't get you."
"Or, you know…" John trailed off and twirled his finger around his ear, then laughed as McKay threw a balled up napkin. He yawned as he pushed his chair back. "Good night. If I die, gentlemen, tell my loved ones who to sue."
Carson groaned and nodded fervently. Bed sounded good. "Aye. Likewise. Mother o'mercy."
"Yeah, you two think you're really funny, don't you?" Rodney asked, cleaning the table up. "Pick on the smart one. Never fails."
John snickered. "If it ain't broken…"
"Shut up and go to bed."
Carson followed him out of the mess hall, feeling very sick and very sorry. Sheppard didn't say much until they parted ways, and only then it was to stress the importance of sleep. In return Beckett stressed the importance of Mylanta and assured him he was preaching to the choir.
When he entered his dim quarters he didn't even turn the lights up. Rubbing his face, Carson stripped himself of his uniform on the way to his bed and snuggled beneath the covers wearing only his boxers. He had no intention of trying to do anything right now but sleep. The chicken in his stomach had other ideas, however. He sighed and hoped tomorrow's mission went quick and without incident.
The next day Dr. Beckett was curiously missing from the gate room when they were getting ready to depart. Sheppard lounged in a chair and watched as McKay checked his watch again. Teyla and Ronon stood with Dr. Weir near the DHD. The small party exchanged glances as the minutes crept by.
"This is ridiculous," Rodney huffed, pacing in front of the gate.
Sheppard shrugged. "I know. I keep saying to myself, 'When are they gonna stop foisting McKay off on me during these missions,' but then I think about what I'd do if I were working in your department."
The scientist glared. "Oh real mature." McKay tapped his earpiece in aggravation and growled, "Beckett, where the hell are you? We're all here, waiting on your grand entrance."
A muffled groan sounded over the comm, followed by rustling. "I'm comin'!" the doctor hissed in reply. Moments later he entered the gate room, walking slowly with his medical case cuddled near. "Well? I made my grand entrance. Are ya happy now?"
"Nobody told you to eat that much," McKay told him in a flat tone. He motioned impatiently for Teyla and Ronon to join them.
Weir followed the other two with a curious expression. "What's got you boys in such terrible moods, anyway?"
McKay lifted his chin, divulging not a clue. "Nothing."
Of course it wouldn't do to hide the real reason from their esteemed leader. Truth was truth. In the end Sheppard decided to rat out the physicist, saying, "McKay tried to murder us last night."
Weir blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Aye," Carson moaned, rubbing his stomach. "With chicken from Hell." Weir did not pursue it further, other than to give the scientist a very speculative look.
Sheppard gazed at the doctor. "How'd you sleep, Doc?" he asked, noting a yawn.
"Like a wee babe," Carson said smoothly.
The Colonel grunted as he stepped up to the gate. "You're lying. Tonight I'll be at your quarters at ten to knock you out, okay?" He made a fist.
Beckett pursed his lips. "Great."
Sheppard turned to Dr. Weir with a half-smile. "We'll be right back."
"I look forward to your report." She gave the party a quick look-over. "Be careful. And John?"
"Elizabeth?"
"Try to keep everyone in one piece."
He gave her a salute. "Always do."
The five Lanteans headed towards the gate as Weir returned to dial them out. Sheppard sidled up to Carson's right and elbowed him. "You could just load yourself down with some narcotics, you know. Me too."
"Aye, that's a great idea!" Beckett responded in mock enthusiasm. "Maybe I could start me own drug rehab center right here on Atlantis, too."
Sheppard sighed mournfully. "It was worth a shot, anyway."
When the Stargate activated the band of Lanteans passed through without tarry, headed by a very eager Dr. McKay. Ronon had his gun ready; Teyla, at his side, followed suit. They slid into the familiar pull of the wormhole and time was as nothing.
And then there was cold. Sheppard departed the event horizon and saw McKay scratching his head. The physicist turned around, threw his arms up in confusion and said, "Anyone care to take a crack at this?"
Sheppard looked around him. They were in a room with pillars all around. A colorless room walled in silvery, dull marble. Hanging from the ceiling were flame-dead, candle-decked chandeliers. There was also a source of unnatural light coming from the tops of each pillar. And nothing else. It was completely empty aside from the light sources and the Stargate. As Rodney jerked his scanner out, Sheppard paced around the room, looking through the shadows. And at the head of the room something caught his attention. "Hey, McKay?"
"What?" the scientist growled irritably as he walked over. He followed Sheppard's pointing upwards. "Is that…is that what I think it is?" He shared a look with the Colonel. "Transport platform. Transport rings here in Pegasus. This is…well…cool." He did a circle, looking up to examine the mechanism. "Now the activation panel should be…"
The Colonel took a few steps to a pillar on his right, lifted his hand and stopped short when McKay glared at him. "Don't you dare turn that thing on while I'm alone underneath it. Who knows what's on the other end of it?"
"I was just gonna point to it," Sheppard assured him, sharing an evil smirk with Beckett. "Well, pick up any life signs on the scanner we should be aware of before we end up wherever we end up?"
McKay shook his head as he positioned himself beneath the platform. He gazed carefully at the scanner. "Not a single one. Guess we've got the place to ourselves. Shall we?"
"Might as well."
The five positioned themselves beneath the platform under the direction of McKay as far as where to stand. As soon as they were all safely within the radius of the rings Sheppard hit the activation switch and five large gates rained down from the ceiling. White light engulfed them and they were drawn upwards.
On the other end of the transport rings was what looked like a silver library. The shelves were tall and littered with electronic storage databases, assorted devices and even paperbound books. There were steel benches with ornate designs etched into their surfaces, computer terminals that were dark, and large windows that showed gray-blue skies and brown cliffs outside. They departed the transport rings in wonder.
As soon as they crossed the barrier the fun started. Ronon had to move quickly to dodge a metal bulkhead as it fell down in front of the platform. Three others joined, forming a perfectly impenetrable square around the transporter. McKay rushed over and shoved at the metal, then banged his fist against it. "Look around for some sort of way to shut this shield down. We must have set off some sort of alarm or something."
Sheppard made a circle around the transporter, looking for any sort of panel or button, but the bulkheads encased the pillars on either side of the rings as well. He cursed and peered around the massive shield to where McKay was furiously examining an Ancient terminal.
"I'm not seein' anythin'," Beckett announced, joining Sheppard as they approached the scientist. "'Course that might have somethin' ta do with the fact I don't know what I'm bloody lookin' for." The Colonel nodded in agreement.
McKay smacked a button on the console in front of him, did it again and let out an exasperated breath. "It's not working. I'm doing what logically should be done, but it's not responding. Just great." He started punching different keys.
Nearby Teyla was examining a shelf of dusty books. She removed one from its seat and gently brushed dust off the cover. The edges of the leather cracked as she opened the volume. "It has been written in," she murmured. Sheppard wandered with Beckett over to her.
"What's it say?" the Colonel asked curiously. He bent over and saw the words glaring up at him. "Can you interpret?"
Her brow was knit as she studied. "I am not certain. I see an expression of frustration." She pointed at the black letters. "That word means 'test', I believe. And this," her voice lowered in pitch, "is the word for 'death'."
"Death?" Beckett repeated with his brows raised. "Rodney, you'd better get that shield down, son."
Sheppard shook his head. "I'm sure it's nothing we need to worry about, Doc. Whoever wrote this might have been writing about the Wraith. And they're long gone, anyway, whoever it was."
"Aye, but all the same…" Carson trailed off, patting his shoulder, and turned away to stroll to the other side of the room where Ronon was.
Crossing his arms, Sheppard followed Teyla along the shelf. There were numerous volumes in this section, as well as assorted papers and star charts. He picked up an old, crumbled looking paper with drawings and equations scribbled, crossed out and retooled. There was a black splotch in the middle that looked like the writer had blotted something out violently.
Teyla pursed her lips. "This is a strange place." She picked up a book from the floor and placed it on the shelf. "It makes me wonder who lived here and what drove them away."
John touched a globe of an unknown planet, sending it swirling on its anti-gravity pedestal. The Athosian cocked her head and watched it absently. There was definitely something about this place that made him wonder too. He wasn't the only one. Beckett was engaged in another book across the way and his expression was nothing less than rapt. Sheppard took a step towards his friend.
McKay's angry cursing nearby brought him out of his reverie. The Colonel turned towards where the scientist was still working. "What's the verdict?" he asked.
Rodney frowned over the console. "Well, we're screwed for starters. At least for now. This outpost or whatever you want to call it is divided into several separate complexes within the surrounding ten or so miles. Each one is reachable by separate transport rings, one of which is right down the hall there." He pointed off in the direction the Lanteans had yet to explore. "There may be another command center where we can turn the shield off, but problem is I can't guarantee that. Nor can I guarantee that once we use the other transport rings they won't behave the same way as this one."
"Hmm," Sheppard hummed. He shook his head. "This one blocks off the Stargate. It might be a defensive mechanism from the Wraith. If the Wraith can't come through the Stargate, they really aren't a threat to the other parts of the station."
The scientist shrugged. "Works in theory. Like I said, though, no guarantees."
"Are you absolutely certain there's no one else in those other buildings?"
"Reasonably so, yes." McKay stared at him. "Why?"
The others came to stand at the console with the two of them. Sheppard glanced back at them briefly. "I say we split up. Me and Carson. Teyla and Ronon. You stay here and work on our little Stargate problem."
"Nice. I'm the one that gets left behind."
Sheppard shrugged. "You're the smartest one here. You need to get us home."
McKay rolled his eyes and went back to his work. "Fine. Whatever. Have fun."
"Wanna come with us? Carson and I could take turns making fun of you."
"I'll find you if I need you." He motioned them to get out of his hair. "Go. The quicker you get this out of your system, the better off we'll all be. Just remember if you see a machine don't touch it. Call me."
Colonel Sheppard gave a mocking salute, then motioned the others to join him down the hallway. A row of floor-to-ceiling windows flanked their left side and he found himself gazing at the landscape as they walked. "Dismal," Carson commented, following the path of his eyes. The ground was mostly dirt with sparse patches of grass and the sky betrayed no cheer with its hue of somber gray. Even the cliffs seemed dark and brooding.
"Looks like it's gonna rain," Sheppard murmured, following the landscape to a small structure hugging the looming cliffside. A metal gate hung open, beckoning the way into a fenced in area roofed in dark shimmering glass and lattice. There had been plants there once upon a time. Bones of dead trees and dried out husks of flowers peeked through the bars of the fence. "This place is kinda creepy if you ask me."
"Aye."
"I think it is mysterious," Teyla interjected. She ran her hand along the dark smoked-colored, carved masonry to the right. Symbols dotted the walls, reminding Sheppard of hieroglyphs. He noticed for the first time that every few yards along this stretch of wall was a recess in which the denizens of this world had placed the largest candles he had ever seen. Teyla leaned over one with three wicks in the center of it and inhaled. A smile crossed her features.
"What is it?" he asked her.
She sniffed again and shook her head. "I do not know, but it is delicate and beautiful."
"Oh yeah?" He sniffed the candle. "Guess the previous owners can't have been all bad. Take a few home with you. I don't think anyone's around to mind."
Teyla smirked, but said nothing as they continued on their way.
At the end of the hall were several rooms. The central room was opened by a glass archway and within they could see the next transport platform. It was pentagonal in shape in contrast to the round rings that would carry them elsewhere; there were five dark walls including the one with the arch, the other four of which had long decorative mirrors down the center. In keeping with the décor of the other transport room two large pillars flanked the platform.
Upon one was the control panel which had several locations prominent on its interface. Sheppard studied it and came to the conclusion he just didn't know what the heck any of them indicated. He placed himself on the platform and Carson followed. "Just pick one that looks good and go," Sheppard told the other two. He pointed to a symbol. "We're going here. Radio in when you arrive on the other side just to let me know you made it all right."
"All right, Colonel," Teyla responded. "Be careful."
John grinned. "Always am." He pushed the button he had chosen and looked up as the rings descended around he and Beckett.
A/N: Dragged myself away from schoolwork to write another story full of whumping. :-) RE: Sunday - I have hope! Just had to say that. ;-)
Author: Angel Ruse
Email: angelruseATgmailDOTcom
Myspace: AngeloftheRuse
Distribution: Go for it.
Disclaimer: Don't own Stargate. Want to own Paul. Starting the bid at 2mill...wait, I don't have 2mill...