Stargate Atlantis: Primal Attractions
By Imorol
Disclaimer: This is a fictional story for adult entertainment purposes.
Now, to the story...
It was late afternoon in the Lantean city of Atlantis. The sun was drawing closer to the horizon, a stunning sunset filling the peaceful skies. In something of a routine, outpost personnel were out on the balconies and viewing platforms, enjoying the sight. Those who had cameras were capturing images, although they knew they would be classified and couldn't be shared with anyone lacking the appropriate security clearance. Since taking command of the expedition, Colonel Samantha Carter had marvelled at the setting skies a few times, breath taken away by the natural beauty. However, today she was forced to forgo the opportunity.
Exiting the transporter, she turned and headed down a hallway, her destination a newly opened Ancient laboratory. As the military commander of Atlantis, it was her responsibility to oversee all aspects of operations as well as the safety of those serving under her. Alongside these tremendous responsibilities came a tiring amount of bureaucracy. With each promotion she'd accepted, the paperwork only ever seemed to increase. It was bureaucracy that had caused the necessity of her current journey.
Dressed in the Atlantis expeditionary uniform, a charcoal grey outfit complete with red patches denoting her department, she walked casually down the corridor, her flaxen ponytail swinging side-to-side. At the sound of approaching feet, it whipped around as the Colonel turned to see who was coming up behind.
Ronon Dex
.
Readily identified by his untamed dreadlocks, rangy gate and impressive build, he was a valued member of AR-1, the expedition's Alpha Team led by John Shepard. While not a member of any Earth-based military, Ronon had long ago earned his position and the trust of those stationed on Atlantis. But having only recently taken up her role supervising the city and its crew, Colonel Carter remained unsure of the alien soldier.
It wasn't that Sam doubted the man's skills or his bravery. Far from it. They'd been demonstrated time and again under fire and Ronon had proven himself a valuable member of the team. No, it was his attitude towards her. Dr Elizabeth Weir had been the one to accept the Satedan soldier, the one to make the arguments to the SGC and IOA that Ronon be accepted to join the expedition. And she'd succeeded. However, Weir had been lost in the struggle to defeat the Asuran menace. While the military and even civilian contingents inhabiting the city had taken the change at the top in stride, Dex looked at Carter as if she were an interloper, that she didn't belong.
I guess it's going to take some time
, Carter thought as the man quickly caught up to her with long strides. For her part, she was unsure of Ronon's commitment to Atlantis long term. There was also the matter of his status as a non-Earth military individual serving with a front-line unit.
Still, Teal'c was an amazing team mate when he joined SG-1. Yes, it's just going to take some time for us to get used to one another.
'Ronon,' she greeted him as they began to walk the hallway together.
'Colonel Carter,' he grunted, mouth barely moving.
Glancing sideways, she took in his form. Tall and broad, his was an imposing presence, both physically and on a more base level. An aura of danger and intimidation surrounded the man, a by-product of his Satedan military training and an attitude he'd been forced to adopt as a Runner, constantly on the look-out for Wraith hunting him for sport. Beyond that, he was good looking, confident and charismatic. More than a few women amongst base personnel were rather smitten by him, but by all accounts he allowed none close.
'Are you headed to the new lab?' Carter asked. It was an obvious guess; there was nothing else of interest down here.
'Sure.'
Typical monosyllabic reply
, she thought. 'Any particular reason?'
'To annoy McKay.'
And that was another reason why the Colonel had trouble regarding the former Runner; his disregard for protocol. Not for the first time, she wondered what the armed forces of Sateda had been like. Did all their soldiers, their commanders, have a similar attitude? Was that why they failed in defending their people from the Wraith? As an individual, Ronon was beyond impressive, but he was more a warrior than a soldier. Another reason for Carter's unease.
'You going to see McKay as well?' Dex asked with a glance. As the new commander of Atlantis, he wasn't sure about her. He was used to Dr Weir who'd fought his corner, accepted and trusted him and in turn had earned his respect and loyalty. This new one? He didn't know her. She'd only been on-station for a few weeks and Ronon hadn't seen much of her.
'I am,' Carter answered. 'I'm 'gating back to Earth tomorrow. I've got a meeting with the IOA. They're reluctant to send someone here due to the various threats Pegasus has to offer. The science teams are required to submit regular reports, but Rodney can be a little...distracted at times. Can't say that I blame him; there's so much to learn here and in the Pegasus galaxy as a whole. Paperwork can just get in the way sometimes. There are more important things.'
At least she isn't a complete paper-pusher. And she's quite attractive
, he conceded. Although he'd not developed any romantic or sexual relationships on Atlantis it didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a good looking woman.
Very attractive
, he re-evaluated, subtly looking the Colonel over.
Entering the laboratory they spotted Rodney McKay. Hexagonal in shape, there was a computer station in front of each wall with the exception of the entrance. Displays were mounted above the stations, a variety of technological data displayed or scrolling on their surfaces. In the middle of the open space was a research table where McKay perched on a stool, tapping away at a laptop. In front of him was a device clearly of Ancient origin.
Although she'd not had direct experience of it, the object sitting on the examination table bared a passing resemblance to an Ancient Long Range Communications Device. It had been that device which had unwittingly led to conflict with the Ori. Smaller than the device SG-1 had discovered, this one's hemisphere-shaped base was less than a foot in diameter. Atop the dome were a caged orb of metal filaments and a crystal spire sprouting from the centre. Unlike the ALRCD, this device featured slots for only two communications stones, both of which sat beside it.
'Sam!' McKay cried looking up to see he had visitors. He ignored Ronon. Infrequent as they were, the Satedan's occasional visits only served as an annoying distraction from the proper work of Atlantis.
'Rodney,' the Colonel replied. 'Is that what I think it is?' she asked nodding towards the domed device.
'Well, if you think it's an ALRCD you'd be half right,' he said pronouncing it "Alcard". A smug look sat on his face. 'As you know the Alcards we've had experience with create a psychological and physiological link between the users. In essence it allows users to swap minds when two Alcards are in operation.' McKay walked behind the device so it sat between him and his audience. 'But, as you can see, there are only two slots, two stones,' he said, pointing to the obvious spaces, both currently empty. 'The original devices had spaces for eighteen communications stones.'