Dragon Wings and Puddle Jumpers pt1

Index

This is an SGA story set in the Pegasus Galaxy, although it is influenced by the Pern stories by Anne McCaffrey. There are no spoilers in this episode, which could fit anywhere after the start of season 2.

Warnings - some battle scenes against the wraith, some characters are hurt. Should be suitable for younger readers. Possible rating on fanfic K+.

The usual disclaimers apply:
My stories are not written for profit. The SGA characters are not mine, I just like to play with them.

 

Part 1. The Crash

They had been walking for about an hour now, across an open grassy plain. The sun was hot on the back of Rodney’s neck, and he was sure he was getting a blister.
“Remind me again, why we had to walk across this unforgiving wasteland, when we could have taken the jumper?”
“He’s got a point.” Rodney was surprised that Ronon had agreed with him. “Not much cover here if the Wraith come.”
“Hey, guys, we went over this in the briefing.” Sheppard sounded annoyed. “Something caused Jumper Three to crash, and I would rather it didn‘t do the same to us.”
“Well right now I‘d rather take my chances in the jumper.” Rodney complained.
“Do we have any idea what caused the Jumper to crash?” asked Teyla, in an attempt to distract him.
“Well not for certain, but it its possible it ran into an EM field, like the one we came across on that planet full of kids.” Rodney replied.
“So there is a chance that the crew will still be alive?” she asked, hopefully.
“I hope so.” Rodney replied a little wistfully.

Much later in the day, they finally came to the site where Jumper Three had crashed. The jumper was listing to one side, where the port side engine pod had been ripped off by some sort of energy weapon.
“Somehow, I don’t think that was caused by an EM pulse, McKay.” drawled Sheppard.
“Wraith.” Ronon spat out.
Rodney looked over his shoulder nervously, as if expecting a dart to appear any moment.
“Do not worry Rodney, I would be able to tell if the Wraith were nearby,” Teyla reassured him.

As the team approached the jumper, they could see that the hatch was open at the back. There was no sign of Major Lorne and his team; the jumper was empty apart from scattered supplies that might have fallen from storage compartments during the crash.
“Rodney, do you think that SG3 could have survived the crash?” asked Teyla, thoughtfully.
“Possibly, it depends on how long the inertial dampeners held out.”
Nobody said what they were all thinking, that even if Lorne and his team had escaped unharmed, they might have been culled by the Wraith.

“So, Rodney, do you think you can fix this?” Sheppard asked, one eyebrow raised.
“You’re kidding, right?” Rodney exclaimed. “This thing’s going to need a whole new engine pod, never mind all the hull damage.”
“Hey, I was just asking. Just salvage whatever you can carry that might be useful.”
“What about Major Lorne’s team?” asked Teyla.
“It’s going to be getting dark soon. We can set up camp for tonight, start looking for them tomorrow.”

There was a small stand of trees roughly 20 minutes away that looked like it would provide shelter for the night. It wouldn’t be as comfortable as sleeping in the jumper, but they would be hidden from any approaching darts. They were half way there when Teyla started to get the tingling feeling in her stomach that always indicated Wraith.
“John, I think we should move faster. The Wraith are coming.”
Just then, the team heard the distant scream of a wraith dart. John signaled the others to run. Ronon and Teyla made the cover of the trees without effort, and John arrived just behind them. Rodney followed at a speed that would have surprised many of the science team back on Atlantis, but he did not get very far before he tripped and fell flat on his face. As he struggled to his feet, he could see the approaching dart. The culling beam was closing on him and it looked unlikely now that he would make it to the safety of the woods. He put his left foot forward, and nearly doubled over in pain. Of all the stupid times for him to twist his ankle. Well that was it, he thought, I’m going to die. But something in Rodney refused to give in to the inevitable, and he started to hobble towards the shelter of the trees. By now John had realised something was wrong, and he looked like he was about to turn back for Rodney, when his face took on an expression of surprise. Rodney felt something reach out and grab him by the waist, and he was lifted up, out of the path of the culling beam.

Rodney’s initial reaction was simple relief that he was not about to die, but then his scientific curiosity took over, and he looked down at what had grabbed him. It looked like the largest snake he had ever seen had wrapped itself round his waist. He thought he could see wings off to either side of him. In a totally improbable maneuver the snake thing, which was actually a tail, placed him on the back of a large reptilian creature, with copper red scales, behind a woman in thick leather flying gear. Rodney could see wisps of blonde hair sticking out from under her flying helmet. Rodney noticed that the creature resembled a dragon from an earth fairy tale. It should have been shocking, but by Pegasus Galaxy standards it almost felt normal.
Please do not be afraid, you are safe now. Rodney heard the voice in his head.
I’m hearing voices in my head, why shouldn’t I be afraid?  Rodney replied sarcastically. To his surprise the girl laughed, and turned to face him.
“Grall likes you” she said with a smile. “You amuse her.”
“Grall?” for a second Rodney was confused, then he realized. “Oh, you mean the dragon? Did she just speak to me?”
“You’re quick, outlander” replied the dragon rider. “Hold on tight and don’t panic.”
Suddenly the Dragon was flying on a direct collision course with the dart. The girl lifted a heavy looking weapon and aimed. An energy beam burst from the weapon, and the dart crashed to the ground.
“Not bad.” Rodney tried to hide just how impressed he had been by that shot. After all, it wouldn’t do for the locals to think he was some peasant with no experience of technology.

He wondered if Sheppard and the others were ok, and looked down, but quickly regretted it. They were now a long way above the ground. Rodney felt a bit dizzy from vertigo.
“Not that I’m not grateful for the rescue or anything, but I don’t suppose you can put me down by my friends?”
“That would be foolish” the girl replied. “The Wraith might return. I should take you to the safety of the Citadel. Others will be sent for your friends.”
“OK, the Citadel it is then.” replied Rodney in a quiet voice.
“Where are my manners, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Kellis, rider of Grall” the girl smiled at him.
“Nice to meet you Kellis, and you Grall, I’m Dr Rodney McKay.”
The pleasure is ours, Dr McKay.