SGA: 10 Yrs Ch3
CHAPTER THREE: ORDERS
“Are you ready, Rodney?” John asked, watching as his nervous lover typed madly on the keyboard of one of the Atlantean consoles. John wasn’t sure what exactly he was doing - his grip on the language was still fairly basic and despite his almost-Mensa membership he didn’t understand the science behind more than half of what Rodney or his team did.
“No,” Rodney admitted. “I have a really bad feeling about this. Like Michael-bad.”
John didn’t like seeing Rodney like this, which was strange as he was often in one kind of panic or other whether fearing for his life due to alien threats or possible citrus-ingestion. This was different. And John couldn’t help but think that Rodney’s ‘Michael-bad’ was exactly how John was feeling. “It’ll be okay. We’ll stick together.” John assured him, rubbing his back. “Now come on, it’s almost time.”
They made their way up to the gate room by using several of the teleporters. Rodney wasn’t keen on stairs and there wasn’t much time to lose. By the time they arrived Elizabeth had already dialled Earth and there were three familiar faces staring at them from the computer screen.
“Hi, Sam. Daniel. General Landry.” Rodney greeted them.
“Rodney,” Sam sounded surprised. “It’s… good to see you again.” Rodney slightly resented the pause before ‘good’ thinking she had meant ‘surprising’. Hadn’t she expected him to survive ten years in an alien galaxy?
“I’m surprised to see you too, Carter. Haven’t you retired yet?” He asked slightly sarcastically. Sam winced realising she had offended the scientist.
“No. I’m in charge of the Daedelus. General O’Neil semi-retired though, and Teal’c returned to the new Jafar home world. Daniel and Vala are still at the SGC - although in a much more advisory position. SG1 is made of entirely new members, headed by Colonel Mitchell now.” Sam told them.
“Who’s Vala?” Rodney thought out loud.
“My wife.” Daniel admitted.
“Oh. Congratulations.” Rodney said.
“Moving on to other matters,” Elizabeth said, trying to focus them all. “You were about to tell me of the IOA’s decision regarding the Atlantis expedition.”
“Right,” Landry agreed. “The IOA have decided that Atlantis will stay as an Earth base in the Pegasus galaxy, there is still much that we can learn from the Ancients and what they have left behind. Using Dr McKay’s program we can establish a two way gate between our galaxies and exchange information, mission reports, politics, and personnel much easier than any other method that has been considered.” They all breathed a sigh of relief, but more was yet to come. “However they wish to review all key personnel’s performances as well as replacing some of the staff. Any personnel who wish to return to Earth can do so immediately and will be debriefed extensively before heading out into the real world.”
“No offense, General, but I think our defeat of the Wraith threat and our continued existence here speaks for itself as to our performance.” Elizabeth said, tightly controlling her anger.
“Maybe so, Doctor, but the fact remains that the IOA have issued these orders and expect to have them followed. Now, yourself, Major Jonathan Sheppard, and Dr Rodney McKay need to be among the first group back to Earth.” Landry continued. Sam looked slightly sorry about this but Daniel seemed distracted, possibly by the chance to get his hands on Atlantis finally.
“Of course. We will be arriving shortly. Is that all?” Elizabeth asked, her nails digging into the palms of her hands. Never hand anything upset her so much as the possibility of losing her home. But she knew that to refuse now could be spectacularly disastrous.
“Um, no. I’m going to be coming back. First I’d like to speak to Dr Weir and then I’ll be coming through the gate as soon as the programme is written and I’ll need someone to show me around and explain things to me.” Daniel said, excitement barely contained.
“Of course. I’ll have Dr Zelenka and Teyla free to help you.” Elizabeth said.
“Okay, that’s all. See you at 1800 Dr Weir.” Landry nodded before the transmission was terminated.
The silence in the gate room was defining. “Well,” Elizabeth said sharply after a long pause. “Better get packing then.” She said before storming off, probably to find her husband who had opted out of being here this time.
“Yeah. Us too, I guess.” John said, feeling slightly dazed. He left, not looking to see if Rodney was trailing behind or not.
“Rodney?” Teyla approached the still figure of her teammate, she was now baby-less thanks to Kanaan returning from his trip to the mainland and looking after their son. She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Rodney, are you well?” She asked, concern filling her melodious voice.
Rodney jumped slightly having been in a world of his own. That world was filled with misery and the pain of losing John to his military obligations. “No. I mean yes. I’ll be fine. But what about Chitara? And Liron?” He said. Chi and Liron were his and John’s ‘adopted’ children. Liron’s village had been culled by the Wraith, and on a mission John had come across the child holed up in one of the Wraith ships waiting to be fed upon. Chitara was a different case, her parents had been Wraith-worshipers who had only born a child in order that she could grow and become a food source for the Wraith. When they had found her upon an infected Wraith ship she had had no language skills and Rodney had basically taught her everything. The children were very attached to their ‘foster father’s’ but spent much of their time on the mainland learning farming and culture from the Athosians.
“I will check in on them and tell them of what is going on. But there is no need to worry yet, surely. It is entirely possible you will be able to return after they have spoken to you, is it not?” Teyla asked.
“Um… possible yes, likely no.” Rodney said.
“They will always have people to take care of them, Rodney. You just do your best to come back. Goodbye and good luck.” Teyla told him as Rodney finally moved towards the door.
“Goodbye,” he whispered almost to himself.
Continued Here: Chapter Four