x_erikah_x | FIC: Devil Inside

DEVIL INSIDE By ErikaHK

Title: Devil Inside - Ch. 7/14

Word count: 1.300
Rating: PG
Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Elizabeth Weir, Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, Carson Beckett
Genre: Drama, Angst, H/C, Suspense, Gen
Disclaimer: Stargate and all related characters are the property of MGM Television Entertainment. Not done for profit, just for fun.

Summary: A mysterious entity takes over the bodies of the members of the Atlantis Expedition. Season 3 pre-Sunday. No spoilers.

Special thanks to my beta lauriel01 !

Chapter 7

John and Teyla walked swiftly through the corridors, following the directions given by the marine. He requested backup of four more marines to the lab where the scientist was found and all six joined up near the transporter. As he got closer he wondered what to do with the man. He obviously couldn’t kill him, so talking to the entity would be the remaining alternative. He would have to be taken to the brig, a place where he was sure the creature would be out of reach from any possible hosts.

He came into the lab narrowing his eyes to see past the darkness of the entrance. The grip on his stunner got tighter. He lifted it shooting uncomfortable glances around the place. There was something wrong. As his eyes slowly adjusted he peered at Teyla beside him. That little alarm inside him beeped loud on a regular interval now.

The remainder of the group entered the quiet lab in a single line that spread out in different directions as soon as they reached the faintly illuminated part of the room. John continued on in a straight line with the Athosian warrior by his side, studying the room. Every step he took made the alarm beep louder and louder, until it exploded in a blare when he saw the soldier’s body beside the body of the astronomer. His muscles stiffened and his eyes went wide as he looked around with even more attention than before.

His heart jumped when he saw the shadowy figure coming down on top of the woman next to him. She was quickly taken down on her back struggling with the big man that had attacked her. Suddenly, she pushed him away using both of her feet and got up, taking John’s nine mil from its holster with a smirk, pointing it right to him.

He eyed her in surprise and promptly fired his stunner. She rolled on her side escaping the shot, straightened her body on one knee and fired the weapon several times back at him, all in one swift movement. He gasped as one bullet grazed his right shoulder. He ignored the burning pain climbing down his limb and straightened it back to the aiming position he’d had previously, but she was already gone. He followed the trail of blue lights that illuminated the lab all the way to the door as Teyla vanished through it.

He placed his left hand on the injury and felt the blood covering the lesion. He grimaced slightly with the stabbing pain as he moved his arm back to a relaxed position. His radio came to life with a report that said they had lost her track. He closed his eyes and sighed in frustration.

“I… I am sorry, Sir. Er, I… don’t know why …” Black started.

“It’s okay.” He looked at the disconcerted man. “Tell me what happened.”

“We found Chan unconscious on the floor and stayed away like you said, but…” A line appeared between his eyes and his voice faltered. “I don’t know what happened next.”

John frowned. The creature was obviously very smart taking everyone off guard even though it wasn’t supposed to know about the search. His left hand went for his vest and took out the field dressing. He placed it on the bullet wound and wrapped it around his shoulder.

He tapped his earpiece. “Dr. Weir, this is Sheppard. The entity knows we’re after it. It’s gone to Teyla’s body and it’s armed. I’m putting the city on alert. All military personnel are to begin searching the city.”

“I understand. I’ll put Rodney on the city sensors to help with the search.” Her response came in.

He tapped the radio again and switched channel. “Lieutenant Brown.”

“Yes, Sir”

“The city is now on alert. Debrief the remaining military personnel on the situation and begin searching the city according to plan.”

“Aye, Sir.”

Elizabeth’s voice came in city wide. “Dr. Weir to all personnel. There is an alien entity loose on the city that can take over human as hosts at will. The city is now on alert status. All personnel to stay on their alert positions until further notice.”

…

The city was now alert to his presence. He looked up at the ceiling of the room. There were some structure beams that would fit nicely into his plan. Teyla’s body was athletic and agile, so it wouldn’t be difficult to climb up and stay put.

…

All teams were spread throughout the city and all civilians were in their quarters except for the medical personnel on duty. John didn’t know how much of their intel was compromised, but he worked assuming it was all. If the entity had access to the information in the host’s brain, and it seemed likely, it would be hard to track it down and neutralize it.

Rodney’s information indicated that Teyla appeared to be somewhere close by and John followed his instructions, sweeping the corridors going to the south spire along with three more soldiers.

“It’s just around the corner.” Rodney instructed through the radio.

John looked at his own life signs detector and spotted it inside the room on the left side. He lifted his arm and gestured stop with his fist. He looked at the marines nodding and signaling his plan. They would make the turn ready to fire on sight. Three, two, one, go.

They turned around the corner abruptly and for a split second he was confused. There was no one there. On the next one he heard two gun shots and the two men next to him fell dead. He came into action instantly. He rolled on his side to take cover and tried to spot the person above them at the same time. He saw her red hair with the corner of his eye and aimed the stunner as soon as the fluid motion of his body came to a stop in a defensive position. He fired the stunner but missed. She had already jumped to their level and was disabling the only remaining soldier with a powerful swing that threw the man against a wall. As she did that she turned her head and aimed the nine mil at him and fired. He felt the bullet’s impact on the left side of his vest and he stepped back with the impact, losing his balance momentarily. She rolled on her side and fired numerous times at him. He rolled too, imitating her movement. He shot one single blast at her as soon as the motion was complete and felt a missile hitting him on the edge of his vest and both collapsed.

The bullet pierced right through the middle of his chest causing a sudden, sharp pain. He fell to the ground short of breath, fighting for consciousness as his vision blurred and came back. Shaking he moved his hand to the location of the pain and felt thick blood oozing from it at a steady pace. The pain only increased and each intake of air was agony. At the moment all his mind concentrated was in keeping the air flowing through the short, hard breaths.

He suddenly remembered Rodney as the scientist screamed in his ear through the radio.

“Colonel Sheppard, please respond!”

He slowly reached for the button on his earpiece. “Rodney…”

“What happened?” Rodney’s loud voice helped him keep focused.

“I… had to stun her.” He paused to breathe and his vision blurred again. “I was shot.” He coughed blood and felt his chest burning. His hand pressed again the wound on his chest, though his strength wasn’t nearly enough to stop the bleeding.

“Sheppard?” Rodney asked. “Sheppard?” His voice grew with concern. “Sheppard please respond!” He insisted, but still got no response.

...

TBC...