Melissa Scott - Allegiance

Lets take stock, Dick Woolsey said, looking across the conference table at the weary team. No one looked very happy, but then they didnt have much reason to. He wasnt expecting much good news.

Everyone at the table had believed that the raid to recapture Dr. McKay from the Wraith would succeed. Instead, not only had the mission failed, with the Hammond sustaining serious damage in the process, but Colonel Sheppards team had come face to face with McKay, and made the grim discovery that he had somehow been transformed beyond recognition.

Whats our present situation? he prompted when no one seemed eager to speak up.

Dr. Zelenka, Colonel Sheppard, and Colonel Carter exchanged glances. He didnt think any of them were dying for the chance to report first.

Not great, Sheppard said finally. He looked like hed recovered fully from the series of stun blasts that had left him confined to the infirmary the day before, although he hadnt apparently managed to shave. Rodneys still in the hands of the enemy. Were not sure what they did to him, but he looks like a Wraith, and he wasnt acting like he remembered he was on our side.

We have some theories, Dr. Keller said, glancing at Dr. Beckett beside her. If so, theyd been up early developing them. Dick had called the meeting as early in the morning as hed thought was reasonable, given that people did need to eat and sleep.

He wasnt sure Dr. Beckett had taken the opportunity to do either. Aye, he said without enthusiasm. Go on and tell them all about it.

Weve been working for some time on a retrovirus we originally hoped could physically transform Wraith into humans, Dr. Keller said. That didnt exactly work out as well as we hoped. Weve since moved on to trying to find a way to give the Wraith a more human-like metabolism that would allow adult Wraith to survive on normal food rather than feeding on humans.

We know that, Teyla said, with a smile that was encouraging but not particularly patient.

Sorry, Dr. Keller said. Just trying to get everyone up to speed, here.

Which those of us who havent been here for a while appreciate, Carter said.

Jennifer nodded and went on quickly. It seems pretty likely that the Wraith have found a way to reverse engineer one of the versions of the retrovirus that we tested on live subjects. Theyve created a way to transform humans into Wraith.

As Michael did with his hybrids, Teyla said.

Something like that, Jennifer said. But he was trying to create an intermediate form between humans and Wraith. Here She looked across the table at Sheppard and his team. From everything everyones said, Rodney didnt look much like any of the hybrids.

He was Wraith, Teyla said. If I had not known his face, I would not have believed he was anything else.

He had a Wraith feeding hand, Ronon said.

That would be necessary for a complete transformation, Dr. Keller said. Of course, it could be cosmetic. Weve faked that ourselves. It would be nice if it is.

Dick frowned. And if its not?

Then he probably has the ability to feed on humans. And he may not remember why that would be bad.

Sheppard broke the silence that settled around the table. But thats not going to happen, because were going to get him back. Right?

Thats the idea, Dick said. He was on his third cup of coffee, but it wasnt making up for not having had much sleep. The problem is, he doesnt remember that were trying to rescue him.

That could be a side effect of whatever process they used on him, Dr. Keller said. Our first version of the retrovirus produced complete amnesia as long as the dose was kept at a high enough level. Which, when you think about it, may actually be a good thing for us.

Ronon gave her a look. How is that good?

Dr. Keller shrugged. If he was afraid of you when you tried to rescue him because he didnt remember who you were, then he might not remember his access codes for the computer.

Or where this planet is located, Sheppard said. Or the location of Earth. Or how ships using Ancient technology can penetrate our shields. Or

I get the picture, Dick said.

We are already working on securing the computer system, Zelenka said. There are many ways Rodney could access the system officially, and we have already found numerous back doors. We will keep working.

Id be happy to help if you could use another pair of eyes, Carter said. We dealt with a lot of security problems when I was at the SGC.

Yes, please, Zelenka said before Dick could say that they were grateful for the offer and would take it under consideration. It probably didnt matter at this point. Any tension between himself and Carter over her help being needed in Atlantis would be beside the point if McKay effectively handed Atlantis over to the Wraith.

Sure, Carter said. After the meeting, why dont you show me what youve been doing?

Zelenka nodded. It would help if you could also read Rodneys mind.

I dont know about that, Carter said. But Ill see what I can do.

As we are speaking of reading Rodneys mind, Teyla said, a little reluctantly. Things happened very quickly, but I believe I was able to sense Rodneys presence as if he were a Wraith. I might be able to make contact with him if I were close enough.

Something to keep in mind when were at a point where another rescue attempt is practical, Dick said. At the moment, though, we have no idea where Deaths hive ship went after the Hammond entered hyperspace.

We have no clue, Carter said. I dont expect theyre still sitting around at the repair facility waiting for us to come back, though.

I think thats a little much to hope for, Sheppard said. We can check back with the Genii, see if theyve come up with anything.

Ill get in contact with Radim, Dick said. In the meantime, I want our first priority to be securing the computer system. If the Wraith can lower our shields, or lower the iris, theres nothing to keep them from dropping a nuclear bomb on us at any time.

Carter and Sheppard exchanged glances.

They probably wont do that, Carter said.

Weve got a ZPM, Sheppard said, in answer to Dicks questioning look. And lots of tasty people for them to snack on. Blowing us up is probably plan B.

I dont think I like plan A any better, he said. Assuming its invading Atlantis and taking us all prisoner to feed on later.

Radek shifted restlessly in his seat. You know, the longer we are sitting here talking, the longer we are not working on computer security.

Go, Dick said. Colonel Carter, any assistance you can provide would be appreciated.

Its my pleasure, she said. Ive got time right now while were repairing the damage to the Hammonds shield emitters. By the time thats done and I can take the Hammond back out, Jeannie Miller will be here to assist Dr. Zelenka.

She is coming out aboard Daedalus, Zelenka said. I wish she could have come through the Stargate, but apparently that was not possible to arrange.

As Dick was the one who hadnt been able to arrange it, he felt it was worth pointing out why. Since the Wraith destroyed the ZPM installed in the weapons chair at Area 51, Earths only ZPM is aboard Odyssey, Dick said. The Odyssey is on a deep-space mission, and even if it had been possible to recall it, it would take nearly as long to reach Earth as Daedalus will to reach Atlantis.

You cant ever get a cab when you need one, Sheppard said.

Well, let us hope that the delay is not critical to preventing Atlantis from being invaded, Zelenka said. That would be nice to think.

Dick let the door close behind Zelenka and Carter before he raised his eyebrows. He doesnt seem optimistic.