When Sumner refuses to relinquish more information the Keeper begins to feed on him -- placing the feeding tubule of her hand onto his chest -- draining his life force. Sheppard, who has concealed himself a floor above, shoots at her and her minions, but soon it is too late. Sumner is little more than a corpse. He nods at Sheppard, giving approval to end his torment. Sheppard fires his P-90 at the colonel, killing him. But Sheppard himself has now become a captured by the Wraith. The Keeper questions him as to where he obtained the Ancient technology he possesses, but to no avail. Before she can now feed on the major, Lieutenant Ford comes to the rescue. Sheppard orders the C-4 they planted to detonate, making several big holes in the compound. Sheppard takes the long, thin end of the Wraith rifle and drives it through the Keeper. She falls to the floor. "You don't know what you have done," she tells him, assuring him that she, the safeguard for her entire race, will ensure that all Wraith in the galaxy will now awaken. Sheppard and his party hurry with the captives back to the Jumper. The ships enters orbit of the planet, only to find their way blocked by a squadron of 13 darts. Sheppard is forced to de-cloak the Jumper to drive them away, releasing powerful drone weapons he had no idea the ship possessed into the Darts of the enemy. As the Stargate opens to Atlantis Ford inputs his I.D.C., but on final approach several Dart blasts penetrate the Atlantis gate room. Sheppard retracts the drive pods just in time before the ship goes through, activating the shield behind them when they emerge on the other side. A celebration for the rescue has commenced on a lower terrace of Atlantis's central spire, where Weir congratulates Sheppard and Ford with cups of General O'Neill's wine -- and a push to Sheppard that he must now compose a team. It is Weir's opinion that the new occupants of Atlantis must do their part. With the Wraith stirred, missions must commence to get help to the rest of the Pegasus Galaxy. And do what they came to do. |