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***
None of this was how Colonel Emerson, the commanding officer aboard the Odyssey, had expected his first trip to the Pegasus Galaxy to go. When they had arrived in Atlantis, they were unable to communicate with anyone in the city. Eventually, Carter picked up a radio signal; it was Colonel Sheppard’s informing them of a drug that had caused everyone on Atlantis to behave like crazy fangirls of some man called Lucius. Sheppard had been concerned about his safety, saying Lucius wanted him gone. Apparently, he had good reason to be.
Carter had been able to hack into the systems. She said it was only possible because Atlantis uses Earth tech also. She had found evidence that a Space gate had been dialled five hours after Sheppard had started his radio transmission. “Fuck, you don’t think…” had been Mitchell's response, while everyone else had looked horrified.
It was a three-and-a-half-hour journey to the dialled planet using the hyperdrive. They had argued for fifteen minutes about whether to go or not; if they had pushed him through that gate, there was no chance he was alive. There was a chance they had flown him down to the planet instead. In the end, one surprisingly carefully worded comment decided for them.
“It’s only 7 hours. I think a life is worth more than that.” Vala had commented very casually like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Carter had also found that two teams were off-world when Sheppard had sent the message; they were unsure if they had returned. One, PX3-349, only added 20 minutes to their journey to M98-931, where Sheppard might be. They found Major Lorne's team on the planet.
“We tried to go back, but no one would respond, and our ICDs said the shield wasn’t down,” Lorne had informed them. The Major was quite disturbed to hear what was happening in Atlantis and concerned for the safety of his CO also.
***
“Sir, we will be at M98-931 in five minutes.”
“Understood. Contact SG1 and the Major to get them to the bridge.” The three Air Force officers were there in moments.
“We nearly there, Sir?” asked an anxious Lorne.
“Yes, Major.” Emerson was entirely surprised by just how worried the Major seemed to be. From what he had heard of Sheppard, the man was quite unorthodox; Emerson, who had worked with Lorne before, knew him to be a good officer. So, though he didn’t expect him to wish Sheppard dead, he also hadn’t expected him to be extra concerned.
Lorne stood close to the viewing window, leaning against it and looking out. Mitchell wandered closer to the Odyssey commander, murmuring, “For his sake, I hope we don’t pop out in front of a dead Sheppard.”
“They’re that close?” He replied just as quietly. Daniel and Vala entered the bridge, followed by the rest of Lorne's team; Emerson was mildly annoyed by the presence. He hadn’t asked for them.
“The way he and his team spoke of Sheppard, they have a hell of a lot of respect for the man. Like real respect.”
“Have you ever worked with Sheppard?”
“No,” Mitchell replied as they dropped out of hyperdrive. “But we met when he came back that first time. Seemed like a good man. I’ve read his reports for all his quirks; he’s a good soldier.”
“Sir, we’re picking up Sheppard's transponder.” The bridge grew silent like everyone was holding their breaths, waiting to find out the fate of Atlantis’s Commanding Officer. “He’s down on the planet.”
“Thank fuck.” Lorne blurted out before quickly turning bright red and formally stating his apologies. “Sorry, Colonels.”
“It’s fine, Major.”
Emerson spoke through the radio, “Colonel Sheppard, this is Colonel Emerson aboard the Odyssey. Could you report your situation?”
“Do you honestly think they left him with a radio?” Vala asked, head tilted, disbelief on her face.
She received a scowl for her trouble, and then he barked, “Beam him aboard.”
“Are we going to beam him here or the infirmary?” Carter asked politely.
“Beam him here.” Buttons were pressed, and then a flash of light brightened the room. Sheppard was filthy, covered in mud, a tear spread from the neck of his top to his belly button. A trickle of blood followed the line. There were two giant bruises on his face, one around his left eye and the other covering most of his chin. It instantly became clear that he had been leaning against something before they beamed him up, and he started to fall immediately. Lorne and Lieutenant Reed leapt forward, holding him up. When he first arrived, his face screamed of confusion and surprise; it morphed into gratefulness as Lorne and Reed caught him and finally settled into a blanker, military commander expression.
“I don’t know whether this is the most relieved I've ever been to be beamed or if it’s that time I got beam away from a nuke.” Sheppard stood on his own again, having gripped Lorne's shoulder in thanks. He looked pale and like he could do with a good meal, shower and finally a nap, but he was standing comfortably.
“If you want to come off as sane, Sir, you should probably go with the nuke.” Sergeant Greyson, the third member of Lorne's team, said amusement, colouring his words.
“Thanks for the advice, Sergeant.” The Atlantis CO replied dryly.
“It was the more dangerous situation, Sir,” Lorne said straight-faced; Sheppard knew him well enough to register the laughter in his tone.
“I can always count on you to ensure I don’t miss the obvious Major.” Lorne’s lips quirked as he was obviously pushing down a smile.
“As entertaining as this is, Sheppard, don’t you think it time we discuss what happened?” Mitchell drawled.
“Hey Mitchell, enjoying your visit to the Pegasus Galaxy?”
“Well, you know how it is. You come to another galaxy to visit a pretty city and instead end up saving some messy-haired nuisance.”
“Your level of care is touching Shaft.”
“Colonel Sheppard, I think it time you give us a report,” Emerson demanded.
Sheppard straightened up; he put on his ‘dealing with superior I am not sure I respect’ face. “Of course, sir. A guy called Lucius Lavin has some kind of drug thing that makes people want to please, well, him. He told them that he wanted me gone, so they removed me. Guess I should be grateful it wasn’t in a more final way.”
“What did they do?” Carter probed.
“Knocked me out. Threw me in a jumper. Dropped me off without landing.”
“Sir, you should stop taking How to give a Report 101 from Ronon,” Lorne commented.
“I quite like it.”
“Yes, Vala, I can imagine you would.” Daniel raised an eyebrow at her.
“It gives all the most important points,” Sheppard smirked.
“Any idea how to fix it?” Emerson did not look impressed as he spoke.
“I know which planet the plant he uses is from. We get some; we can make a cure, and then we just have to find a way to get it to them. Slight problem: the planet is currently a Wraith outpost.”
“That’s only a slight problem?” said Mitchell, arms crossing his chest.
Sheppard shrugged.
***
It had taken six days to successfully collect the weed from the planet and create a treatment. Finally, with the help of an F302 and the fact that the other expedition members were currently completely useless, they were able to sneak in. They had put the place into lockdown and started treating people one at a time. It was a long process, but hey, these things often were.
There were many apologies—even Rodney said sorry. Though John wanted to be mad, he got the impression that Lucius had taken advantage of the situation with some people (Notably Elizabeth), so it was hard to stay angry about being thrown out of a moving jumper when others may have had worse. No one had agreed yet on what to do with Lucius, but it was clear he had too much knowledge to just be able to leave.
Emerson still did not really know what to make of Sheppard, but he was sure of one thing; the Colonel had the respect of every Marine and Airforce officer that was stationed on Atlantis.