STARGATE ATLANTIS: Dead End by Chris Wraight Read Free Book Online Page B

approval.
    “I’d like that,” he said. “I can see already you’ll be a valuable addition to our hunting party. When the time comes, we’ll be sorry to see you go, Ronon.”
    The Runner inclined his head at the compliment, but he couldn’t entirely share the sentiment. If McKay couldn’t fix the Jumper soon, then they’d be staying a lot longer than any of them wanted.
     
    “I think we’ve made some progress.”
    Zelenka’s head poked around the door to Weir’s office, and she turned away from the window and her silent contemplation of the Stargate. “Let me hear it,” she said, giving him her full attention.
    Radek stepped into the room. He looked exhausted. “We’ve done some calculations,” he said. “There’s a power drain for every object moving through the gate network. The larger the object, the greater the drain. If we establish a wormhole but send
nothing
through, we’ll at least be able to start measuring the tolerances involved. It may be that the Jumper itself was the cause.”
    “OK. What are the risks?”
    Zelenka took a deep breath. “That we fry the Stargate on Dead End entirely,” he said. “I think it’s already been damaged. But we have to try.”
    Weir let some of her frustration enter her voice. “Do we have a Plan B?”
    “At this stage, no.”
    “Do it,” she said, at last. “But if you start to lose control again, abort at once. We’ll take this one step at a time. I’m not losing my team on a frozen pile of rock in the middle of nowhere.”
     
    McKay, Sheppard and Aralen walked down the long, snaking corridors. After a few minutes walking in the opposite direction to that taken by the others, the true scale of the settlement began to become apparent. Looking up at the careful engineering of the roofs and doorways, Rodney found himself more and more appreciative of their skills.
    “You’ve got quite a place here, Aralen,” he said, and there wasn’t a trace of sarcasm in his voice.
    Aralen looked pleased. Despite being told that the team weren’t Ancients, or even their servants, the Foremost seemed keen to impress them. McKay guessed he didn’t get to show visitors around very often.
    “You haven’t seen the best of it yet,” Aralen said, gesturing for McKay and Sheppard to walk ahead.
    The corridor continued for a few meters, after which it opened up into a vast chamber. They stepped through.
    “Whoa!” Sheppard gasped. “Now
that’s
worth seeing!”
    It was as huge as a cathedral, the roof disappearing into darkness despite the many torches set into the stone walls. Mighty pillars of living rock descended from the distant heights. Massive tapestries and decorative banners hung from the walls, each of them showing the ubiquitous hunting scenes, and all around was the sound of murmuring, which rose in volume as the two men walked in.
    “My people are eager to greet you,” said Aralen.
    The place was packed and when the people caught sight of the newcomers, a spontaneous cheer erupted. McKay shot a concerned glance to Sheppard.
    “Did I mention I don’t like crowds?” he whispered. “What
is
this? Do they still think we’re Ancients or something?”
    “Just nod and smile, Rodney,” Sheppard said, through clenched teeth. “When in Rome…”
    Rodney rolled his eyes and gave an awkward wave to the masses, who responded with eager applause.
    Aralen beamed. “This is our Hall of Meeting,” he said. “The center of our city. It was once a natural cavern, but we have fashioned it into the spiritual home of our people. The finest examples of our skill may be found here.”
    Rodney looked up towards the distant ceiling, lost in shadows, noticing the tips of jagged stalactites lancing downwards from the gloom.
    “Is it safe?” he asked, only half-meaning to speak aloud.
    Aralen laughed. “Perfectly. We have held our gatherings here for a hundred years. This rock is as hard as iron. It is difficult to carve, but never fails us.”
    Sheppard