"As long as we're on the subject of bestowing enlightenment on the IOA, it would be nice if they would spring you loose to come back with us. I'm surprised Elizabeth agreed to let them borrow you." When Sheppard didn't respond right away, Rodney glanced over at him. "Did she have a choice?"
"Tough to say." The sudden tightness in the Colonel's features was a clear signal to drop the subject.
Deciding he might as well lead, Rodney started toward the door. He paused only briefly to grab one last item, a small package of cookies that had fallen behind a row of cans on a shelf. "Oh, jackpot." He ripped the foil open. "Ancients and Ori be damned. Divine light surely shone upon whoever invented Oreos."
"Preach it," Sheppard agreed, relaxing a little. "Save one for me."
After that crack about panicking? Not likely. Rather than reply, Rodney crammed a cookie into his mouth and stepped out into the corridor, the others trailing behind.
Stargate Command was an odd facility, in his view, and not merely by virtue of its mission. Its layout, with numerous levels and narrow tunnels leading every which way, might give an observer the impression that it was short staffed. Only in cases of emergency-granted, around here `emergency' was a common condition-were more than a few personnel ever seen in one place. In fact, the SGC boasted a sizable research staff, but it was dispersed among many separate labs and offices, each enclosed by concrete. Quite a test for a dedicated claustrophobic, though that wasn't Rodney's primary worry. As competent an organization as it was, there were times when he wasn't fully convinced that the program's right hand knew what its left was doing. Since his life frequently depended on the knowledge and proficiency of the people in this building, he found distractions like the IOA to be irritating at best, dangerous at worst.
"Dr. Lam has only just confirmed that the enzyme found in both of last night's victims is a variant of the Wraith enzyme." Radek seemed to be addressing Sheppard. "Additionally, evidence supports Carson's theory that a variant of the iratus gene exists in humans and may be triggered through as yet to be determined circumstances. If that is so, its presence could be subtler than Teyla's ability could detect. Tracking a pureblood Wraith on a sparsely populated planet is one thing. This…is something else."
"In which case I don't see why Jackson can't link up his investigation into Lilith's history on Earth with whatever leads the FBI agent has been tracking." Rodney swallowed the last of his cookie and picked up his pace. There was a rustling sound as the Colonel adjusted his grip on the box. "There's no need for you stay here and play Fox Mulder with them."
"Wasn't I Kirk just a second ago?"
"When MIM-316 was last discussed, I believe you made it clear that you would under no circumstances explore any world populated by, and I quote, `school bus sized carnivores."' Radek had adopted an overly patient tone that set Rodney's teeth on edge. "There may have been mention of a traumatic childhood experience in a museum."
That tore it. Rodney spun around, nearly knocking the box out of Sheppard's arms in the process, and jabbed a finger at Radek. "You know what? I've had it with you lording all your inside information over me. Atlantis has an organizational chain, and one person in that chain who should never be bypassed when dealing with issues of scientific merit and risk is the head of science! Why was I kept out of the loop on this virus?"
Radek glanced at the other member of their trio, no doubt expecting backup. Sheppard didn't oblige, however. "Sorry, Radek. Same question from the military side."
"No information was withheld. I assure you, Colonel." Before Rodney could protest the fact that Radek appeared less interested in convincing him than in convincing Sheppard, the conversation moved on. "This is the nature of research in a new galaxy. Every day we are making new discoveries. Some lead to results of obvious significance; others are more difficult to categorize. While Dr. Weir reads a summary of each report before forwarding it to the SGC, no one person could possibly keep abreast of all our fields of study."
"If you believe that, you've underestimated my commitment and certainly my capabilities." Rodney had always tried to give his subordinates space to work. Evidently he'd allowed too far much latitude if things like this were getting missed. "From now on, I want weekly updates on all ongoing projects, starting with yours."
"You'll be committed then, that's for sure," Sheppard mut tered.
So much for solidarity. Rodney ignored him, walking past him to the elevator and swiping his security card.
Shaking his head, Radek said, "If you wish to increase your tyranny and eliminate sleep from your schedule, be my guest. Micromanagement will not prevent situations such as the one we now face. None of us could have anticipated this-not even you."
And that was the crux of the problem, wasn't it? There was a reasonable chance that Radek was right, that Rodney learning of the virus earlier would have changed nothing. But they'd never know, and Rodney despised the unknown.
The elevator doors opened, and he did his best to shift his focus back to the here and now. Sheppard stepped inside first, and Radek reached in front of him to press the button for the jumper bay.
"For the time being, what matters is getting back to Atlantis." Rodney watched the lights for each floor blink sequentially, not fast enough for his liking. "Also, Dr. Lam will reduce my stress levels considerably when she examines the DNA records from all of our people-" chiefly, me, he chose not to say aloud-"and confirms that the expedition is free of the virus."
Radek offered a wholly unnecessary clarification. "Fragments of the virus, you mean."
"Of course I meant fragments. I hardly think any of us has been harboring the complete unadulterated virus…" A restrained cough from Radek triggered awareness. Wincing, Rodney turned toward his team leader. "Sorry. In retrospect, that shouldn't have been quite so flippant a response °"
"No sweat." Sheppard gave a taut smile but kept his gaze forward. "Glad someone could forget." Just before the doors slid open, he deposited their box of provisions in Rodney's hands. Great. Well, it wasn't as if they had to pass through any kind of security screening to take this flight.
Elizabeth was waiting in the jumper bay, talking with the lieutenant who'd chauffeured her to the SGC days earlier. Upon noticing the arrival of the rest of the group, the lieutenant quickly moved to Jumper Three's pilot seat and began working through the preflight checklist.
A brief, cool glance passed between Atlantis's leader and her military commander. Elizabeth quickly shifted her gaze to Rodney, studying his cargo with amused tolerance. "Critical supplies, gentlemen?"
"You'd better believe it." Rodney lugged the box over to Jumper Three and dumped it just inside the hatch. In his peripheral vision he noticed Landry approaching the group with long strides. "Although I can't say I'm entirely thrilled with the notion of being sent to M1M-316, a place where the average resident has teeth the size of my arm, without my team leader."
"Relax, Rodney. Lome knows better than to let anything snack on you." Sheppard's guardedly wry tone was less than convincing.
"Be that as it may…" Rodney lingered on the ramp of Jumper Three, wanting to push further but not sure what he was up against. He had the distinct impression that there was more behind the decision to keep Sheppard on Earth than the mere fact that he happened to be vaguely acquainted with the FBI agent. The closed expression now worn by both the Colonel and the General served to confirm it.