Post by planettv on Dec 29, 2018 8:14:29 GMT -5
Technology X
The Gate Room:
Sheppard’s team returned to Atlantis through the Stargate. After the Gate shut down Teyla fell to the floor as well as a few people in the Control Room. Someone in the Control Room ran over to check in on the few there while Sheppard checked on Teyla and called a medical team to the Gate and Control Rooms.
“What happened here?” Beckett asked as he entered the Gate Room and a med team ran up the stairs to take care of the other people.
“We just came through the Gate and she fell to the ground,” Sheppard replied.
A medical officer ran to Dr. Beckett and told him reports were coming in from everywhere. He told the officer to inform Dr. Weir and after the officer left Teyla opened her eyes.
“What happened?” Teyla asked, “Why am I on the floor?”
“You fainted after we come through the Gate,” McKay replied.
“I felt fine before we entered the Gate?” Teyla said.
“Get her to the Infirmary,” Dr. Beckett said, “just to be sure.”
The Infirmary:
Dr. Weir walked in and asked Dr. Beckett if he found out anything.
“I don’t know how so many people can just faint and then be fine,” Dr. Beckett replied, “I thought maybe it was only happening to people without the Ancient Gene but it seems more randomized.”
McKay, along with Ronan and Sheppard, where talking to Teyla when he fell down.
“Dr. Beckett,” Teyla shouted.
Dr. Beckett walked over real fast and saw McKay lying on the floor. Soon McKay opened eyes and asked what happened.
“You fainted,” Sheppard replied.
“Rodney how do you feel?” Dr. Beckett asked.
McKay told him fine as got up and through an annoyed glance at Sheppard.
“No one reported any fainting until you came back,” Dr. Beckett said.
“Are you trying to say that my team is at fault?” Sheppard asked a little mad.
“No we’re not,” Dr. Weir replied.
“The device,” McKay said, “The one we found on the planet it could have something to do with this.”
“See what you can come up with,” Dr. Weir said.
“I would like to check and see if you’re fine before you leave Rodney,” Dr. Beckett said, “Standard procedure right now.”
In a Hallway:
Teyla almost fainted again but Sheppard caught her in time.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Sheppard asked.
“I am fine,” Teyla replied, “Ronan asked me the same thing not to long ago.”
“Just checking,” Sheppard said concerned for his teammate and friend.
“If anything happens,” Teyla said, “I will see Dr. Beckett.”
They said their goodnights as Teyla entered her quarters and Sheppard walked away.
McKay’s Lab:
The next morning Sheppard, Teyla and Ronan entered McKay’s lab wondering if he found anything out. Just as McKay was about to acknowledge his teammates he knocked the device off the table and got angry. Luckily Ronan caught it before it fell to the floor.
“Rodney are you alright?” Sheppard asked.
“Does it look like it?” McKay yelled.
“Did you hear something crash?” Teyla asked.
Sheppard and Ronan nodded no.
Teyla covered her ears as she heard another sound this one different from the first and deafening to the ears.
Sheppard didn’t understand why Teyla had her ears covered so he radioed Dr. Beckett immediately.
“Beckett here,” Beckett replied over the radio.
“McKay doesn’t seem to be acting like himself. He almost knocked the device on the floor and yelled at me when I asked him how he was,” Sheppard said, “and Teyla says she’s hearing sounds and has her ears covered right now.”
“Bring them both to the Infirmary,” Beckett replied, “This isn’t the first case today.”
Sheppard told him he understood and got Teyla and McKay to the Infirmary.
In the Infirmary:
“What’s going on here?” Dr. Weir asked Dr. Beckett as she was confused by what’s happened.
“How this relates to the fainting I haven’t a clue,” Dr. Beckett replied as he took care of a patient and Sheppard’s team walked in. He walked over to Sheppard’s team. “We may need Dr. Heightmeyer in here.”
Dr. Weir radioed her and told Beckett she was on the way.
“Dr. Beckett,” a nurse said, “Cadman and Lorne are hallucinating.”
Dr. Beckett told the nurse what to do until he could get there.
“What I did find out,” McKay said calmly wanting say what he had found out before he went through another breakdown, “is it looks, from what I could see, that there is no way to turn it off.
Zelenka came over the radio. “Dr. Weir I think I have found something that wasn’t on until Colonel Sheppard’s team came through the Gate. It was a technology that my team found a week ago.”
“Is there anyway you can turn it off,” McKay said.
“What are you getting at?” Zelenka asked over the radio.
“The device could have activated the technology and turned it on,” McKay replied.
“How does this relate to what’s going on?” Dr. Weir asked.
“It must have. That’s the only thing I can think of,” McKay replied, “Other then that I wish I knew.”
“Dr. Zelenka see what you can do about that technology,” Weir said, “and keep me updated.”
Just as Weir ended the conversion with Zelenka and Dr. Heightmeyer walked in, McKay began showing signs of another breakdown.
“The reason I called you,” Dr. Beckett said to Heightmeyer as he tended to McKay and Teyla before going to Cadman and Lorne and telling her his reason.
She told Beckett she would do what she could do.
Weir radioed Sheppard and told him that she wanted to see him and Ronan in her office. She turned to Beckett. “When you are done with Rodney and Teyla I’d like to see them in my office.”
Beckett told McKay and Teyla to return to the Infirmary when they were through.
In Weir’s Office:
Just as Weir sat down Zelenka came over the radio, “I thought you should know that I have not found an off switch as of yet.”
“You’re trying to tell me we might not be able to turn it off,” Weir said.
“It would seem so,” Zelenka replied, “If there indeed is a way to turn it off it’s not on this machine but if by some miracle I find one I will let you know.”
Weir said thank you then ended the radio conversation.
Sheppard and Ronan walked into her office moments later followed by Teyla and McKay.
“What did you want to see us about?” Sheppard asked.
“I want you to tell me exactly what happened on that mission,” Weir replied.
“After we went through the Gate,” Sheppard said.
Flashback, the Planet:
Sheppard’s team exited the Gate and began looking around for any signs of life.
“There doesn’t appear to be any signs of life,” Ronan said.
Teyla agreed as did Sheppard and McKay. There could be signs of some further away from the Gate.
“There does, however, appear to be water,” Teyla said.
“Water with no signs of any kind of life around,” Sheppard said, “I find that a bit odd.”
“I’m picking up some strange readings from that water fall,” McKay said pointing to the waterfall.
“The lets head in that direction,” Sheppard told his team.
“It seems the strange readings I was getting are gone,” McKay said before he tripped over something near the waterfall. He got up and brushed off his uniform while Ronan asked him if he was alright. McKay said fine then he looked at the ground to see what he had tripped over.
Back on Atlantis in Weir’s Office:
“Well the only life around was a bunch of trees,” Ronan said.
“Once we determined the device was safe we brought it back for further study,” McKay said.
“We had no way of knowing this was going happen or I wouldn’t have allowed the device to be brought back here,” Sheppard said.
“I suggest we go back to the planet and see if there are any answers,” Ronan said.
“I recommend we take a jumper and get an aerial survey of the planet,” Sheppard said, “There may be some clues there.”
Weir gave her permission and said, “Make sure Rodney and Teyla make it back to the Infirmary.”
Sheppard nodded yes and left Weir’s office with the rest of his team.
McKay and Teyla made back to the infirmary while Ronan and Sheppard headed to the jumper bay. Once they were ready they informed the Control Room and made their way back to the planet hoping to find something that would help.
Just as Weir was about to leave her office for lunch Dr. Zelenka came over the radio.
“I hope you have some good news,” Weir told Zelenka over the radio.
“I’m afraid not,” Zelenka said, “I checked the database for any information on the technology and what little I found is of no help. There was not even a name. I recommend calling it X for now.”
“Let me know if you come up with anything else on X,” Weir said.
“Well do,” Zelenka said, “Zelenka out.”
Weir sat in her chair hoping Sheppard and Ronan would have better luck.
The Planet:
“This is odd,” Sheppard told Ronan, “Rocky desert around a grassy area where the Gate is.”
Ronan asked what now and Sheppard replied, “I’m going to land near the waterfall. I think that holds the key because that’s where we found the device and where McKay picked up the strange readings.”
After they landed, Ronan walked off to the waterfall and knelt down. He touched his hand to the water and his hand never got wet. It was like something was blocking the water so you could just walk on it. He called Sheppard over.
“What is it?” Sheppard asked.
Ronan started to walk on the water and Sheppard tried to stop him but Ronan didn’t listen. “This is not normal. You shouldn’t be able to walk on water.”
“I’m going to radio Atlantis and see if they have any information on this planet,” Sheppard said before heading back to the jumper.
Back on Atlantis (a few hours later):
“I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before,” Zelenka said, “This information is interesting. That waterfall you and your team saw Colonel is some kind of doorway but it’s a good bet that the device came from there.”
“Who could have put it there?” Sheppard asked, “My team and I didn’t see any signs of life and it didn’t look like there was any reason for the Wraith to stop there.”
“The doorway is likely place for someone to hide. We know the Wraith won’t go near salt water or possibly water itself,” Zelenka replied.
“So the Wraith won’t think there was a doorway there,” Sheppard said.
“Exactly,” Zelenka said.
“I’ll get the rest of my team they may want to hear this,’ Sheppard said as he walked out of the Control Room while Zelenka went to Weir’s office figuring she would want to know as well.
In the Infirmary:
Sheppard walked into the Infirmary wondering where Teyla and McKay were. He saw Beckett look up from his desk and notice him so Sheppard walked over but before Sheppard could say anything Beckett, assuming he was looking for Teyla and McKay, said, “If you are looking for McKay and Teyla I sent them to their quarters with something to help them sleep.”
“Zelenka and I found something out about the planet that they would want to know,” Sheppard said, “but I guess it will have to wait.”
“What did you find out?” Beckett asked.
“A very likely source for the device,” Sheppard replied, “to have come from.”
Sheppard heard Weir on his radio. And let Beckett get back to work. When he found out what she wanted he headed to her office.
Weir’s Office:
"What did you want to see me about?” Sheppard asked as he walked in.
“Zelenka told me what you and Ronan found out on the planet and what he found in the information on the planet,” Weir said, “What I want you do to is get a team together, go back to planet and get a closer look at this doorway.”
The Planet:
“Miller and Stackhouse stay with the jumper,” Sheppard said, “Ronan and Zelenka you’re with me.”
Ronan, Zelenka and Sheppard walked towards the waterfall and then started looking for a doorway when they got there. Zelenka guessed all they had to do was walk through the waterfall. When they got to the other side, there was no way out except the way they came in and a wooden door. They chose the wooden door hoping the answers they were looking for would be there.
“There doesn’t appear to be anyone here,” Ronan said.
“Colonel I think I see something up ahead,” Zelenka said.
They followed the path to the object Zelenka saw. What they saw at the end of the path was like X, the technology Zelenka’s team found back on Atlantis.
“Hopefully this one has off switch that will turn off the other one and the device,” Zelenka said.
“If not?” Sheppard asked.
“Then I have no idea what to do next,” Zelenka said.
Zelenka studied the X2 as he was calling it before trying everything he could think of to turn it off. No matter what he tried he was unsuccessful but what he did find was a spot for the device which meant it must be needed to turn it off. It was only logical since everything else didn’t work.
Just as Zelenka was about to say something Ronan asked holding something, “What’s this?”
Zelenka walked over to see what Ronan had found. He took it from Ronan and studied it further. It appeared to some kind of notebook but it was written in ancient so he had no idea if it had anything to do with the X2. “I suggest we take this notebook back to Atlantis for translating before we try anything else. It may have something to do with the device, X and X2.”
Weir’s Office:
“We thought it best or rather Zelenka did that we get this notebook translated before going any further. It could be of some help seeing as we found it next to the X2,” Sheppard said.
Dr. Beckett came over the radio. and said, “Dr. Weir. Teyla, Rodney, Lorne, and Cadman are missing. They aren’t in their quarters and I can’t reach them on the radio. either.”
“I’ll set up some teams and go look for them,” Sheppard said, “I’ll send them Dr. Beckett’s way when they’re found.”
“Sheppard will send them your way as soon as they’ve been found. Weir Out,” Weir said.
Sheppard left and Weir, took it upon herself to translate the notebook.
In a Hallway:
“Ronan you’re with Stackhouse, Miller your will Lt. Toriel and Edison your with me,” Sheppard said, “Remember as soon as you find any one of them let me know and get them to Dr. Beckett.”
After about a half hour of searching, Miller radioed Sheppard to say that Lorne had been found and was on his way to the Infirmary. Some time after Lorne had been found Ronan came over the radio to report that McKay had been found and was taken to the Infirmary. They would still have more searching to do if they were going to find Teyla and Cadman.
It was now going on 3 hours since they found Lorne and McKay and yet there was still no sign of Teyla and Cadman, which worried Sheppard. Sheppard radioed Ronan to see if he had found anything but he hadn’t. Just as Sheppard ended the conversation with Ronan he heard someone screaming and it was Teyla. He let Ronan know that Teyla had been found and he got her to the infirmary. Now only Cadman was missing.
In the Infirmary:
Sheppard told Ronan to keep searching for Cadman because he wanted to find out the condition of the other 3.
“Doc have you found anything yet?” Sheppard asked.
“Teyla sprained her left arm some how,” Beckett replied, “and McKay has a severe headache.”
“Have any more been reported missing?” Sheppard asked.
“Thankfully no,” Beckett replied.
“Zelenka found a notebook back on the planet that might help fix this mess. Dr. Weir’s translating it now,” Sheppard said, “Oh, I’ll let you know when we find Cadman.”
Beckett went back to his patients and Sheppard rejoined the search for Cadman when notified that Ronan was still having no luck but before he was out of the infirmary Ronan radioed to say he had found Cadman. Sheppard told Beckett about Cadman and then went to Weir’s office.
Weir’s Office:
Weir was looking over the notebook translating as much as she could when there was a knock. She looked up to see that it was Sheppard and she told him to come in.
“I thought you should know that the missing have been found and are in the infirmary,” Sheppard said, “Any luck on the translating.”
“Actually yes. Zelenka is on his way here now to hear what I’ve been able to translate so far,” Weir said.
“Anything useful?” Sheppard asked as Zelenka walked in.
Weir saw Zelenka walk in and began telling him and Sheppard what she found in the translation so far.
“So you’re saying all we need to do is get someone who is infected to turn it off,” Sheppard said.
“Not quite,” Weir said, “For full effectiveness it says there has to be another infected person touching the machine.”
“Does it say anything about device?” Zelenka asked.
“Yeah it looked like there was a spot on the X2 for the device,” Sheppard said.
“Not in what I’ve translated thus far,” Weir replied, “but I’ll keep translating and see what I can find.”
“I’ll inform Dr. Beckett about what you have found out,” Sheppard said, “He’ll want to know.”
In the Infirmary:
“How long would it take to get Teyla and McKay ready for Gate travel?” Sheppard asked.
Beckett asked why and Sheppard told him.
“So you think this is the only way to fix what’s been happening?” Beckett asked.
“Well everything else we tried was getting us nowhere,” Sheppard replied, “I think as soon as Dr. Weir’s done translating the notebook she’ll want us to leave and get this whole mess fixed.
Sheppard’s Quarter’s:
Just as Sheppard was about to get some much needed rest Dr. Weir radioed him and told him to meet her in her office where she would explain everything. He told her he was on his way.
“So much for sleep,” he said to himself.
Weir’s Office:
When Sheppard entered Weir’s office Zelenka and Beckett were there.
“Ok, what’s this about?” Sheppard asked.
“I’ve been able to translate more of the notebook and found something interesting,” Weir said, “Information pertaining to the device.”
She told them everything she found out then asked Sheppard to get a team together.
“Give me about one hour,” Sheppard said, “Doc how long will it take for you to get Teyla and McKay ready for gate travel?”
“They will be ready within the hour,” Beckett said.
“I’ll get the device and meet you in jumper bay,” Zelenka said.
The Planet (about 1 hour later):
Sheppard landed the jumper and opened the back door. “Edison and Lt. Stackhouse stay with the jumper. Everyone else this way.”
They made their way to the area behind the waterfall where the X2 was without McKay having breakdown or Teyla hearing things but Sheppard excepted it wouldn’t be long before that would change. When they got there Zelenka explained to McKay and Teyla what they would have to do.
“You put device here,” Zelenka said pointing to the spot for the device, “Then flip this switch.”
There was one switch so Zelenka naturally assumed it was the on/off switch since he didn’t have enough time to study the X2. He also saw some buttons but didn’t think they were needed in any way. He told Teyla to place her right hand on the X2 and keep it there until the device X2 and X were shut off. Zelenka made sure, before he left Atlantis, that there were a couple of scientists standing by X to report on the on/off status.
McKay did exactly what Zelenka had said but nothing happened. “Now What?”
“Try buttons and then flip the switch,” Zelenka replied.
McKay looked at the buttons and saw that there were too many combinations. He complained that it would take forever and Zelenka told him to randomly pick them because it might be quicker. McKay took his suggestion and went with it. He hoped he found the right one before his next breakdown and before Teyla started hearing things. Sheppard saw Teyla take her hand off the X2 and cover her ear and McKay stopped pressing buttons when he noticed it too.
“Teyla you have to fight the noises you hear and keep your hand on the X2. It’s the only way to make the noises go away,” Sheppard said to Teyla, “and if you don’t McKay can’t go back to pressing the buttons on the machine.”
When talking didn’t do any good he did the one think he could think of and that was to grab her hand and put it back on the X2. McKay took that as a sign that he could go back to shutting off the device, X and X2. The minute he found the right button combination and flipped the switch he and Teyla fell to the ground. Sheppard looked for a pulse in both of them and they had one.
“Let’s get them back to Atlantis,” Sheppard said, “so Beckett can look them over. I’ll set a charge on the X2 and destroy it once we’re far enough away. Ronan and Zelenka you get McKay and I’ll get Teyla.”
Once the charge was set, they headed back to the waterfall. Once at the waterfall, Sheppard destroyed the X2.
“I will recommend to Dr. Weir that X be destroyed as well,” Zelenka said.
On the way to the puddle jumper, Sheppard felt Teyla stir a little but he didn’t think much of it until he got back to the jumper where he said, “I’m no medical expert but what if the machine put them to sleep.”
Ronan tried to wake McKay, but when he couldn’t he asked, “Then why can’t we wake them?”
“Hopefully Dr. Beckett knows,” Sheppard replied.
The Infirmary:
“You’re assumption was correct Colonel Sheppard,” Dr. Beckett said, “Everything I’ve found points to sleeping. I’m going to inform Dr. Weir we should wait 24 hours before doing anything else.”
“So all that’s left now is to wait,” Sheppard said as he looked from Teyla to McKay and back to Teyla.
Beckett told him aye.
Sheppard debated staying with the two members of his team or going back to his quarters and finding something else to keep him busy. Sheppard chose to remain for a while so he pulled up a chair but he had left before either of them had woken up. When they did wake Beckett radioed Sheppard, Weir and Ronan.
“I see Rodney and Teyla are awake,” Sheppard said as he entered the Infirmary.
“Aye,” Dr. Beckett said as Weir walked into the room, “as well as everyone else who was effected and no one seems to having any more breakdowns, hallucinations and their not hearing anything either which is good but all of them seem to find the past few days a bit hazy. They can only remember certain things but not having the hallucinations and such.”
“So how does the sleeping come into play?” Weir asked.
“My guess would be to help them recover from what happened,” Beckett replied.
“Should we tell them what happened?” Ronan asked.
“I’ve already spoken with Dr. Heightmeyer and set up something but I thought it best that you and Sheppard tell Teyla and Rodney what happened,” Beckett replied.
The Mess Hall:
After Teyla and McKay were released, Ronan and Sheppard told McKay what went on the past few days. Sheppard said he would tell Teyla.
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Sheppard asked.
“Entering Dr. McKay’s lab,” Teyla replied.
Sheppard began to tell her what happened, “At one point you went missing along with Cadman, McKay and Lorne. When Edison and I found you, you were screaming. I’m assuming Dr. Beckett told you abut your arm?”
Teyla nodded yes.
“We managed to found a way to fix it,” Sheppard said, “We just didn’t know it involved all the infected falling asleep. I had the X2 destroyed and Zelenka made sure the X was as well. We couldn’t chance this happening again or to anyone else.”
“A wise decision,” Teyla said.
“So how long did Dr. Beckett say your arm had to stay in the sling?” Sheppard asked before he took a sip of his coffee.
“He told me to return to the Infirmary in a couple of days,” Teyla replied.
“Good,” Sheppard said, “because Rodney found another planet we should look at.”
The End
The Gate Room:
Sheppard’s team returned to Atlantis through the Stargate. After the Gate shut down Teyla fell to the floor as well as a few people in the Control Room. Someone in the Control Room ran over to check in on the few there while Sheppard checked on Teyla and called a medical team to the Gate and Control Rooms.
“What happened here?” Beckett asked as he entered the Gate Room and a med team ran up the stairs to take care of the other people.
“We just came through the Gate and she fell to the ground,” Sheppard replied.
A medical officer ran to Dr. Beckett and told him reports were coming in from everywhere. He told the officer to inform Dr. Weir and after the officer left Teyla opened her eyes.
“What happened?” Teyla asked, “Why am I on the floor?”
“You fainted after we come through the Gate,” McKay replied.
“I felt fine before we entered the Gate?” Teyla said.
“Get her to the Infirmary,” Dr. Beckett said, “just to be sure.”
The Infirmary:
Dr. Weir walked in and asked Dr. Beckett if he found out anything.
“I don’t know how so many people can just faint and then be fine,” Dr. Beckett replied, “I thought maybe it was only happening to people without the Ancient Gene but it seems more randomized.”
McKay, along with Ronan and Sheppard, where talking to Teyla when he fell down.
“Dr. Beckett,” Teyla shouted.
Dr. Beckett walked over real fast and saw McKay lying on the floor. Soon McKay opened eyes and asked what happened.
“You fainted,” Sheppard replied.
“Rodney how do you feel?” Dr. Beckett asked.
McKay told him fine as got up and through an annoyed glance at Sheppard.
“No one reported any fainting until you came back,” Dr. Beckett said.
“Are you trying to say that my team is at fault?” Sheppard asked a little mad.
“No we’re not,” Dr. Weir replied.
“The device,” McKay said, “The one we found on the planet it could have something to do with this.”
“See what you can come up with,” Dr. Weir said.
“I would like to check and see if you’re fine before you leave Rodney,” Dr. Beckett said, “Standard procedure right now.”
In a Hallway:
Teyla almost fainted again but Sheppard caught her in time.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Sheppard asked.
“I am fine,” Teyla replied, “Ronan asked me the same thing not to long ago.”
“Just checking,” Sheppard said concerned for his teammate and friend.
“If anything happens,” Teyla said, “I will see Dr. Beckett.”
They said their goodnights as Teyla entered her quarters and Sheppard walked away.
McKay’s Lab:
The next morning Sheppard, Teyla and Ronan entered McKay’s lab wondering if he found anything out. Just as McKay was about to acknowledge his teammates he knocked the device off the table and got angry. Luckily Ronan caught it before it fell to the floor.
“Rodney are you alright?” Sheppard asked.
“Does it look like it?” McKay yelled.
“Did you hear something crash?” Teyla asked.
Sheppard and Ronan nodded no.
Teyla covered her ears as she heard another sound this one different from the first and deafening to the ears.
Sheppard didn’t understand why Teyla had her ears covered so he radioed Dr. Beckett immediately.
“Beckett here,” Beckett replied over the radio.
“McKay doesn’t seem to be acting like himself. He almost knocked the device on the floor and yelled at me when I asked him how he was,” Sheppard said, “and Teyla says she’s hearing sounds and has her ears covered right now.”
“Bring them both to the Infirmary,” Beckett replied, “This isn’t the first case today.”
Sheppard told him he understood and got Teyla and McKay to the Infirmary.
In the Infirmary:
“What’s going on here?” Dr. Weir asked Dr. Beckett as she was confused by what’s happened.
“How this relates to the fainting I haven’t a clue,” Dr. Beckett replied as he took care of a patient and Sheppard’s team walked in. He walked over to Sheppard’s team. “We may need Dr. Heightmeyer in here.”
Dr. Weir radioed her and told Beckett she was on the way.
“Dr. Beckett,” a nurse said, “Cadman and Lorne are hallucinating.”
Dr. Beckett told the nurse what to do until he could get there.
“What I did find out,” McKay said calmly wanting say what he had found out before he went through another breakdown, “is it looks, from what I could see, that there is no way to turn it off.
Zelenka came over the radio. “Dr. Weir I think I have found something that wasn’t on until Colonel Sheppard’s team came through the Gate. It was a technology that my team found a week ago.”
“Is there anyway you can turn it off,” McKay said.
“What are you getting at?” Zelenka asked over the radio.
“The device could have activated the technology and turned it on,” McKay replied.
“How does this relate to what’s going on?” Dr. Weir asked.
“It must have. That’s the only thing I can think of,” McKay replied, “Other then that I wish I knew.”
“Dr. Zelenka see what you can do about that technology,” Weir said, “and keep me updated.”
Just as Weir ended the conversion with Zelenka and Dr. Heightmeyer walked in, McKay began showing signs of another breakdown.
“The reason I called you,” Dr. Beckett said to Heightmeyer as he tended to McKay and Teyla before going to Cadman and Lorne and telling her his reason.
She told Beckett she would do what she could do.
Weir radioed Sheppard and told him that she wanted to see him and Ronan in her office. She turned to Beckett. “When you are done with Rodney and Teyla I’d like to see them in my office.”
Beckett told McKay and Teyla to return to the Infirmary when they were through.
In Weir’s Office:
Just as Weir sat down Zelenka came over the radio, “I thought you should know that I have not found an off switch as of yet.”
“You’re trying to tell me we might not be able to turn it off,” Weir said.
“It would seem so,” Zelenka replied, “If there indeed is a way to turn it off it’s not on this machine but if by some miracle I find one I will let you know.”
Weir said thank you then ended the radio conversation.
Sheppard and Ronan walked into her office moments later followed by Teyla and McKay.
“What did you want to see us about?” Sheppard asked.
“I want you to tell me exactly what happened on that mission,” Weir replied.
“After we went through the Gate,” Sheppard said.
Flashback, the Planet:
Sheppard’s team exited the Gate and began looking around for any signs of life.
“There doesn’t appear to be any signs of life,” Ronan said.
Teyla agreed as did Sheppard and McKay. There could be signs of some further away from the Gate.
“There does, however, appear to be water,” Teyla said.
“Water with no signs of any kind of life around,” Sheppard said, “I find that a bit odd.”
“I’m picking up some strange readings from that water fall,” McKay said pointing to the waterfall.
“The lets head in that direction,” Sheppard told his team.
“It seems the strange readings I was getting are gone,” McKay said before he tripped over something near the waterfall. He got up and brushed off his uniform while Ronan asked him if he was alright. McKay said fine then he looked at the ground to see what he had tripped over.
Back on Atlantis in Weir’s Office:
“Well the only life around was a bunch of trees,” Ronan said.
“Once we determined the device was safe we brought it back for further study,” McKay said.
“We had no way of knowing this was going happen or I wouldn’t have allowed the device to be brought back here,” Sheppard said.
“I suggest we go back to the planet and see if there are any answers,” Ronan said.
“I recommend we take a jumper and get an aerial survey of the planet,” Sheppard said, “There may be some clues there.”
Weir gave her permission and said, “Make sure Rodney and Teyla make it back to the Infirmary.”
Sheppard nodded yes and left Weir’s office with the rest of his team.
McKay and Teyla made back to the infirmary while Ronan and Sheppard headed to the jumper bay. Once they were ready they informed the Control Room and made their way back to the planet hoping to find something that would help.
Just as Weir was about to leave her office for lunch Dr. Zelenka came over the radio.
“I hope you have some good news,” Weir told Zelenka over the radio.
“I’m afraid not,” Zelenka said, “I checked the database for any information on the technology and what little I found is of no help. There was not even a name. I recommend calling it X for now.”
“Let me know if you come up with anything else on X,” Weir said.
“Well do,” Zelenka said, “Zelenka out.”
Weir sat in her chair hoping Sheppard and Ronan would have better luck.
The Planet:
“This is odd,” Sheppard told Ronan, “Rocky desert around a grassy area where the Gate is.”
Ronan asked what now and Sheppard replied, “I’m going to land near the waterfall. I think that holds the key because that’s where we found the device and where McKay picked up the strange readings.”
After they landed, Ronan walked off to the waterfall and knelt down. He touched his hand to the water and his hand never got wet. It was like something was blocking the water so you could just walk on it. He called Sheppard over.
“What is it?” Sheppard asked.
Ronan started to walk on the water and Sheppard tried to stop him but Ronan didn’t listen. “This is not normal. You shouldn’t be able to walk on water.”
“I’m going to radio Atlantis and see if they have any information on this planet,” Sheppard said before heading back to the jumper.
Back on Atlantis (a few hours later):
“I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before,” Zelenka said, “This information is interesting. That waterfall you and your team saw Colonel is some kind of doorway but it’s a good bet that the device came from there.”
“Who could have put it there?” Sheppard asked, “My team and I didn’t see any signs of life and it didn’t look like there was any reason for the Wraith to stop there.”
“The doorway is likely place for someone to hide. We know the Wraith won’t go near salt water or possibly water itself,” Zelenka replied.
“So the Wraith won’t think there was a doorway there,” Sheppard said.
“Exactly,” Zelenka said.
“I’ll get the rest of my team they may want to hear this,’ Sheppard said as he walked out of the Control Room while Zelenka went to Weir’s office figuring she would want to know as well.
In the Infirmary:
Sheppard walked into the Infirmary wondering where Teyla and McKay were. He saw Beckett look up from his desk and notice him so Sheppard walked over but before Sheppard could say anything Beckett, assuming he was looking for Teyla and McKay, said, “If you are looking for McKay and Teyla I sent them to their quarters with something to help them sleep.”
“Zelenka and I found something out about the planet that they would want to know,” Sheppard said, “but I guess it will have to wait.”
“What did you find out?” Beckett asked.
“A very likely source for the device,” Sheppard replied, “to have come from.”
Sheppard heard Weir on his radio. And let Beckett get back to work. When he found out what she wanted he headed to her office.
Weir’s Office:
"What did you want to see me about?” Sheppard asked as he walked in.
“Zelenka told me what you and Ronan found out on the planet and what he found in the information on the planet,” Weir said, “What I want you do to is get a team together, go back to planet and get a closer look at this doorway.”
The Planet:
“Miller and Stackhouse stay with the jumper,” Sheppard said, “Ronan and Zelenka you’re with me.”
Ronan, Zelenka and Sheppard walked towards the waterfall and then started looking for a doorway when they got there. Zelenka guessed all they had to do was walk through the waterfall. When they got to the other side, there was no way out except the way they came in and a wooden door. They chose the wooden door hoping the answers they were looking for would be there.
“There doesn’t appear to be anyone here,” Ronan said.
“Colonel I think I see something up ahead,” Zelenka said.
They followed the path to the object Zelenka saw. What they saw at the end of the path was like X, the technology Zelenka’s team found back on Atlantis.
“Hopefully this one has off switch that will turn off the other one and the device,” Zelenka said.
“If not?” Sheppard asked.
“Then I have no idea what to do next,” Zelenka said.
Zelenka studied the X2 as he was calling it before trying everything he could think of to turn it off. No matter what he tried he was unsuccessful but what he did find was a spot for the device which meant it must be needed to turn it off. It was only logical since everything else didn’t work.
Just as Zelenka was about to say something Ronan asked holding something, “What’s this?”
Zelenka walked over to see what Ronan had found. He took it from Ronan and studied it further. It appeared to some kind of notebook but it was written in ancient so he had no idea if it had anything to do with the X2. “I suggest we take this notebook back to Atlantis for translating before we try anything else. It may have something to do with the device, X and X2.”
Weir’s Office:
“We thought it best or rather Zelenka did that we get this notebook translated before going any further. It could be of some help seeing as we found it next to the X2,” Sheppard said.
Dr. Beckett came over the radio. and said, “Dr. Weir. Teyla, Rodney, Lorne, and Cadman are missing. They aren’t in their quarters and I can’t reach them on the radio. either.”
“I’ll set up some teams and go look for them,” Sheppard said, “I’ll send them Dr. Beckett’s way when they’re found.”
“Sheppard will send them your way as soon as they’ve been found. Weir Out,” Weir said.
Sheppard left and Weir, took it upon herself to translate the notebook.
In a Hallway:
“Ronan you’re with Stackhouse, Miller your will Lt. Toriel and Edison your with me,” Sheppard said, “Remember as soon as you find any one of them let me know and get them to Dr. Beckett.”
After about a half hour of searching, Miller radioed Sheppard to say that Lorne had been found and was on his way to the Infirmary. Some time after Lorne had been found Ronan came over the radio to report that McKay had been found and was taken to the Infirmary. They would still have more searching to do if they were going to find Teyla and Cadman.
It was now going on 3 hours since they found Lorne and McKay and yet there was still no sign of Teyla and Cadman, which worried Sheppard. Sheppard radioed Ronan to see if he had found anything but he hadn’t. Just as Sheppard ended the conversation with Ronan he heard someone screaming and it was Teyla. He let Ronan know that Teyla had been found and he got her to the infirmary. Now only Cadman was missing.
In the Infirmary:
Sheppard told Ronan to keep searching for Cadman because he wanted to find out the condition of the other 3.
“Doc have you found anything yet?” Sheppard asked.
“Teyla sprained her left arm some how,” Beckett replied, “and McKay has a severe headache.”
“Have any more been reported missing?” Sheppard asked.
“Thankfully no,” Beckett replied.
“Zelenka found a notebook back on the planet that might help fix this mess. Dr. Weir’s translating it now,” Sheppard said, “Oh, I’ll let you know when we find Cadman.”
Beckett went back to his patients and Sheppard rejoined the search for Cadman when notified that Ronan was still having no luck but before he was out of the infirmary Ronan radioed to say he had found Cadman. Sheppard told Beckett about Cadman and then went to Weir’s office.
Weir’s Office:
Weir was looking over the notebook translating as much as she could when there was a knock. She looked up to see that it was Sheppard and she told him to come in.
“I thought you should know that the missing have been found and are in the infirmary,” Sheppard said, “Any luck on the translating.”
“Actually yes. Zelenka is on his way here now to hear what I’ve been able to translate so far,” Weir said.
“Anything useful?” Sheppard asked as Zelenka walked in.
Weir saw Zelenka walk in and began telling him and Sheppard what she found in the translation so far.
“So you’re saying all we need to do is get someone who is infected to turn it off,” Sheppard said.
“Not quite,” Weir said, “For full effectiveness it says there has to be another infected person touching the machine.”
“Does it say anything about device?” Zelenka asked.
“Yeah it looked like there was a spot on the X2 for the device,” Sheppard said.
“Not in what I’ve translated thus far,” Weir replied, “but I’ll keep translating and see what I can find.”
“I’ll inform Dr. Beckett about what you have found out,” Sheppard said, “He’ll want to know.”
In the Infirmary:
“How long would it take to get Teyla and McKay ready for Gate travel?” Sheppard asked.
Beckett asked why and Sheppard told him.
“So you think this is the only way to fix what’s been happening?” Beckett asked.
“Well everything else we tried was getting us nowhere,” Sheppard replied, “I think as soon as Dr. Weir’s done translating the notebook she’ll want us to leave and get this whole mess fixed.
Sheppard’s Quarter’s:
Just as Sheppard was about to get some much needed rest Dr. Weir radioed him and told him to meet her in her office where she would explain everything. He told her he was on his way.
“So much for sleep,” he said to himself.
Weir’s Office:
When Sheppard entered Weir’s office Zelenka and Beckett were there.
“Ok, what’s this about?” Sheppard asked.
“I’ve been able to translate more of the notebook and found something interesting,” Weir said, “Information pertaining to the device.”
She told them everything she found out then asked Sheppard to get a team together.
“Give me about one hour,” Sheppard said, “Doc how long will it take for you to get Teyla and McKay ready for gate travel?”
“They will be ready within the hour,” Beckett said.
“I’ll get the device and meet you in jumper bay,” Zelenka said.
The Planet (about 1 hour later):
Sheppard landed the jumper and opened the back door. “Edison and Lt. Stackhouse stay with the jumper. Everyone else this way.”
They made their way to the area behind the waterfall where the X2 was without McKay having breakdown or Teyla hearing things but Sheppard excepted it wouldn’t be long before that would change. When they got there Zelenka explained to McKay and Teyla what they would have to do.
“You put device here,” Zelenka said pointing to the spot for the device, “Then flip this switch.”
There was one switch so Zelenka naturally assumed it was the on/off switch since he didn’t have enough time to study the X2. He also saw some buttons but didn’t think they were needed in any way. He told Teyla to place her right hand on the X2 and keep it there until the device X2 and X were shut off. Zelenka made sure, before he left Atlantis, that there were a couple of scientists standing by X to report on the on/off status.
McKay did exactly what Zelenka had said but nothing happened. “Now What?”
“Try buttons and then flip the switch,” Zelenka replied.
McKay looked at the buttons and saw that there were too many combinations. He complained that it would take forever and Zelenka told him to randomly pick them because it might be quicker. McKay took his suggestion and went with it. He hoped he found the right one before his next breakdown and before Teyla started hearing things. Sheppard saw Teyla take her hand off the X2 and cover her ear and McKay stopped pressing buttons when he noticed it too.
“Teyla you have to fight the noises you hear and keep your hand on the X2. It’s the only way to make the noises go away,” Sheppard said to Teyla, “and if you don’t McKay can’t go back to pressing the buttons on the machine.”
When talking didn’t do any good he did the one think he could think of and that was to grab her hand and put it back on the X2. McKay took that as a sign that he could go back to shutting off the device, X and X2. The minute he found the right button combination and flipped the switch he and Teyla fell to the ground. Sheppard looked for a pulse in both of them and they had one.
“Let’s get them back to Atlantis,” Sheppard said, “so Beckett can look them over. I’ll set a charge on the X2 and destroy it once we’re far enough away. Ronan and Zelenka you get McKay and I’ll get Teyla.”
Once the charge was set, they headed back to the waterfall. Once at the waterfall, Sheppard destroyed the X2.
“I will recommend to Dr. Weir that X be destroyed as well,” Zelenka said.
On the way to the puddle jumper, Sheppard felt Teyla stir a little but he didn’t think much of it until he got back to the jumper where he said, “I’m no medical expert but what if the machine put them to sleep.”
Ronan tried to wake McKay, but when he couldn’t he asked, “Then why can’t we wake them?”
“Hopefully Dr. Beckett knows,” Sheppard replied.
The Infirmary:
“You’re assumption was correct Colonel Sheppard,” Dr. Beckett said, “Everything I’ve found points to sleeping. I’m going to inform Dr. Weir we should wait 24 hours before doing anything else.”
“So all that’s left now is to wait,” Sheppard said as he looked from Teyla to McKay and back to Teyla.
Beckett told him aye.
Sheppard debated staying with the two members of his team or going back to his quarters and finding something else to keep him busy. Sheppard chose to remain for a while so he pulled up a chair but he had left before either of them had woken up. When they did wake Beckett radioed Sheppard, Weir and Ronan.
“I see Rodney and Teyla are awake,” Sheppard said as he entered the Infirmary.
“Aye,” Dr. Beckett said as Weir walked into the room, “as well as everyone else who was effected and no one seems to having any more breakdowns, hallucinations and their not hearing anything either which is good but all of them seem to find the past few days a bit hazy. They can only remember certain things but not having the hallucinations and such.”
“So how does the sleeping come into play?” Weir asked.
“My guess would be to help them recover from what happened,” Beckett replied.
“Should we tell them what happened?” Ronan asked.
“I’ve already spoken with Dr. Heightmeyer and set up something but I thought it best that you and Sheppard tell Teyla and Rodney what happened,” Beckett replied.
The Mess Hall:
After Teyla and McKay were released, Ronan and Sheppard told McKay what went on the past few days. Sheppard said he would tell Teyla.
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Sheppard asked.
“Entering Dr. McKay’s lab,” Teyla replied.
Sheppard began to tell her what happened, “At one point you went missing along with Cadman, McKay and Lorne. When Edison and I found you, you were screaming. I’m assuming Dr. Beckett told you abut your arm?”
Teyla nodded yes.
“We managed to found a way to fix it,” Sheppard said, “We just didn’t know it involved all the infected falling asleep. I had the X2 destroyed and Zelenka made sure the X was as well. We couldn’t chance this happening again or to anyone else.”
“A wise decision,” Teyla said.
“So how long did Dr. Beckett say your arm had to stay in the sling?” Sheppard asked before he took a sip of his coffee.
“He told me to return to the Infirmary in a couple of days,” Teyla replied.
“Good,” Sheppard said, “because Rodney found another planet we should look at.”
The End