Quarantine by Emmuzka (Food Challenge)

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Title: Quarantine
Author: emmuzka
Rating: PG
Characters: Sheppard/McKay (kinda), Weir
Spoilers: No.
Summary: There is no honor between the hungry.



Quarantine

"Do you know who died first in the concentration camps during the Second World War?" Rodney was lying on his bed, seemingly indifferent with his newest subject matter.

"Who?" Sheppard didn't want to know. He had been visiting Rodney in the evenings for weeks now and usually humored him. With the participation on Rodney's inane and nowadays morbid conversations he bought the access to him. Fair deal, he thought, for seeing that McKay was still here.

"The fat ones." That earned him a sharp look. "They were the ones with the poor metabolism. They couldn't use the nutrients the best possible way. That's why they were fat in the first place."

Suddenly Sheppard hates biology.

***

Sheppard consciously shed the tiredness from his walk when he got nearer Weir's office. The once welcoming feeling of the city, the thing that had made him feel special, was now gone. He hated it now. He hated the Atlantis.

What a major fuck up it had been. It was supposed to be the first annual vaccination of the people of Atlantis. A certain live virus in the vaccine, a regular, every day vaccine -on Earth-, resulted a total quarantine. A fail-safe system raised the shield all over the city and took the hold of the gate and that was it. The end of story.

Nothing went in, nothing went out. The scientist’s efforts were wasted trying to raise the shield and get them out. After that, the whole city slowed down to a crawl. It was a big game of waiting; either the ZPM to run out, to someone inventing a solution or the supplies to run out, which ever came first. They had come almost fully equipped. From medical supplies to shoe shine, ammo, radio parts and laundry detergent, they had the reserves for years. To all but food. Food they had had maybe for six months, if rationed.

It had been almost four months now. To no ones surprise, the fresh food had run out the first. Then, the luxury items like coffee, sugar, candy and cup noodles. When the rationing started fully, these items disappeared so quickly that Weir had to announce all private stocking up illegal. Sheppard knew what to expect: the canned meat, powdered eggs and other protein sources were running thin now and within a couple of weeks, they would be down to rice and broth cubes.

Weir looked as neat and as sharp as always. She sure took the leader showing example thing seriously.

"John."

"Ma'am" When had all the briefings with Weir become heart-to-heart?

"John, you can see where this is going." Not so neat anymore. There were new lines under her eyes. Weir kept walking around the office while Sheppard sat, outwardly relaxed.

"People are becoming lethargic, some irritable. Could mean fighting in the near future."

"Yes. And what else?" Damn, why couldn't that woman ever cut him some slack?

"There is a black market going on. I have already placed men in the kitchen and in the storage rooms to prevent stealing."

Weir stopped in front of Sheppard. "I need you and you men to raid the whole city. All personal food items will be confiscated."

"People aren't going to like that." An understatement. Sheppard had very little faith left in people's good will and communal efforts. Practically a zero faith left.

"I know. That’s why you will move quickly and efficiently before the word spreads and you will bring armed men with you."

"Yes, ma'am."

***

Before going back to Rodney, John detoured back to his own quarters. He went straight to a wall panel decorated with elaborate Ancient swirls. He just had to be sure. John gave a little mental nudge and the panel slipped aside. He might hate the city now, but it still loved him enough to grant him little favors.

Tomorrow, every room would be searched and all food confiscated. All except these. John mentally catalogued the power bars, MRE's and canned foods piled neatly in the space behind the panel. He didn't feel remorse. He didn't feel even slightly bad. After all, they weren't for him.

Comments

[ladyvyola.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow.

I'm going to be thinking about this one for quite a while.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was my goal, to have someone to think it through again at night :)

[jic]

ohhh. *hugs John*

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

*hugs* me, too!

[mercurys-winter.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was powerful :D great job :D I would really like to see a sequel some day but if not, this was fantastic on its own :D

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Actually this was my first SGA fic, so I have to think over that sequel.

[jade-dragoness.livejournal.com]

*whimper* This fic is one strong punch to the gut. *stares off blankly into space*

Poor John. Crazy Atlantis.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

thanks! I thought that after all those Atlantis-loves-John-fics, people would like one John-hates-Atlantis-fic.

[amalthia]

wow I hope they figure out a solution eventually. Great story. I felt a chill while reading it.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Wow, I got to give people chills! ;)

That's my writing style, I let the reader decide how thrilling/angsty she/he want's to see the story.

[dragonbetween.livejournal.com]

After all, they weren't for him.

Oh my goodness. It's a sad thought that that could happen. But I love that John loves Rodney. *cuddles them both* Very well done.

~ Morgaine

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm sure that John is a man who would feed his love food gained dishonestly if their lives were at risk without.

[dragonbetween.livejournal.com]

I think he would too. He's definitely the type to put other's needs before his own, especially someone that he loves.

~ Morgaine

[bibliokat.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. I'm with jade_dragoness on this one. Short but definitely packs an emotional punch!

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thanks you! I love to think that the fic managed to reach the emotional load it was intended to.

[nova-bright.livejournal.com]

I think I need to go and lay down for a while...the thought of them slowly starving to death terrifies me!

But I love how Shep, even in the face of a horrible, slow death would still think of Rodney.

Very well done.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, starving to death is the most probable outcome in this and everyone can think about themselves how horrible it could be (hence the concentration camp reference) but on the other hand, they could be rescued, too.

[toniabarone.livejournal.com]

*blinks* Damn. So...what? Atlantis didn't like th' vacine so she shut down the entire city? But can't puddle jumpers get through the shield? Or are those down too? *winces and shakes her head* Good piece, but really scary/creepy.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Atlantis mistook the live virus in the vaccine as a decease outbreak and put the whole city in a quarantine. It's not canon but I'd like to think that Atlantis could be able to seize the whole city to protect the rest of the planets in a case of some ebola-type decease.

[toniabarone.livejournal.com]

Well, it makes sense and we KNOW that she can lock down the city.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bettina_/]

Good, but... damn!

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

:) No fluff from me!

[charlidos.livejournal.com]

What an intriguing premise! I like it all very much. Rodney really needs his food, poor thing. :)

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm the master of premise, but after that, not so much.

[charlidos.livejournal.com]

Dude, the execution was lovely too! That's what I meant. I love that John saves food for Rodney. :D

And I used completely the wrong icon before. David K doesn't belong here! *g*

[akimi-hime.livejournal.com]

I really, really enjoyed this fic. Except...I think something's wrong. It seems like there should be more. More, I say. Pyschological stuff should not just end. Especially the really good psychological stuff.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

I know it kinda leaves things hanging. The mention of the concentration camps just might give a hint of where the story would be going if it was going. Which it doesn't ;)

[dlasta.livejournal.com]

Well done.:)
I'll be most miffed if you won't write more.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

thanks! but there is no more! Go home, there is nothing to see! Actually, I'm afraid that if I would continue this, it would come out as a wraith bait ready soap opera ;)

[dlasta.livejournal.com]

And what's wrong with a little soap now and then? :)

[libitina]

Ooo... gut-twisting. And then there's the first time Rodney realises what John has done. And the first time someone dies from starvation while Rodney is fine... and, oh - there's so much doom ahead. Excellent.

I think this story is wonderful and complete, but you should absolutely keep writing in this fandom.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Starting out in a new fandom is always scary. Luckily I had the chance to get this one-idea fic off my chest before I chickened out.

[libitina]

Oh, man - this has been the roughest Yom Kippur ever.

[ceares.livejournal.com]

Okay, this is seriously, painfully creepy. I mean I read it last night, and was like *shudder*, but then went on to happy happy joy joy fic-which I admit is my preference-for reasons like...I woke up this morning and in a sleep daze, this popped into my head, and I started coming up with multiple scenarios to get them all out of this intact, because it can't be this way.

It's like waking up in the middle of a nightmare and I really have to go back to sleep more aware and make it go the way I want, to fix it to keep it from scaring the hell out of me and bothering me for days.

Uh, in case you can't tell, this is actually a compliment, because this was extremely effecting-which means it was wonderfully done. (Even though in my mental epilogue, they all live long wonderfully hunger free lives *g*)

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

wow, thank you! It's great to know that the fic managed to cause the powerful impact that it was meant to. The nightmare comparison is great, since I intentionally left the end hanging. The stories without the closure are the creepiest!

wowwww

[(Anonymous)]

I've read the story...and the reviews and must add another wow to the amazed masses. wow...wow... It's a new and different premise and wonderfully done. I can so see Sheppard doing what needs to be done for his loved ones to survive. It would tear him apart but he could do it. I don't know if Rodney could... it's a very thought provoking piece. thanks for sharing your work. Rayne

Re: wowwww

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it! Thought provoking, I made a thought provoking piece! yay! :)

[slashfictionfan.livejournal.com]

No no no... but yes yes yes... aah I'm conflicted. They love each other so much, but OMG slow painful death angst. What have you done to me!
Even though the whole premise has stayed nibbling away at the corners since I read this, it's one line that just kicks me every time :
"Suddenly Sheppard hates biology." There is so much in that one line, the knowledge of the future for them all, the helplessness... wow.
I have to say, I'm hating biology my own self now.... but totally loved the story - cos I'm off to sleep soon, and I will cheer myself up with some nice McShep PWP *g*

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

:) After this, some cheering up should be in order before going to bed ;)

Another WoW

[therentgirls.livejournal.com]

On the whole, I truly dislike drabbly short stories because so few people can write an entire story in so few words. Well, you did it. An entire concept, an entire story in a miniature version. Fabulous! And thank you, I loved it.
And if you get the urge , feel free to continue the saga, there is tons more angst left in the situation. lol.

Thanks,
Mellison, The other Rentgirl

Re: Another WoW

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Me, too, dislike short stories if they feel like somebody cut them off from a larger story. It's like the writer was too lazy to write out the premise. On the other hand, I'm sure that there are people disliking this fic because I left the closure off.

[darkhavens.livejournal.com]

Wow. (Another one to add to your collection. *g*)

That's very chilling, and, given the way the city reacted in Hot Zone, it's also a believable scenario. *shivers*

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *counts the wow's* I wanted to write something where the city makes a major mistake, and this came out of it.

[taverymate.livejournal.com]

Very nicely done. Spotted a typo, though, in the following sentence.

That's why they were fat at the first place.

At should be in.

[emmuzka.livejournal.com]

Thanks for noticing. There is no shame on correcting typos ;)