Skewed

Disclaimer: I borrowed the Stargate Atlantis characters for entertainment purposes only...

Note: I started writing this some time ago but wasnt happy with it as it was, I am trying to rework it but decided to start posting it since I have had a dry spell for way too long! Of course, reviews are much appreciated, good and bad...but do be kind?! : )

Chapter one

"Hurry up, McKay! They're coming!" John pushed his friend towards the cliff.

"I'm not going first! You can be the guinea pig, Mr. Evil Knievel Reincarnate! I swear Sheppard...you have a death wish!

Rodney dug his heels in against the insistent shoving.

John looked over his shoulder and could see several of their pursuers weaving closer along the winding trail below them.

"Uh, Rodney...we've gotta go together! They're getting too close! Come on! Hook your harness relay behind mine...on the count of three...Jump!

"Wait! Wait! I think your trajectory vs inertia ratio is skewed and the added weight will have an adverse reaction on the line, expotentially causing gravity to shift on a downward slope of more than .509 which will have the most probable outcome of our total demise or at the least...too many broken bones to calculate!"

"No time, McKay! Do or die! Lets go! John reached over and hurriedly hooked his friend's harness relay right behind his own, grabbed Rodney by the arm and swung them both off the cliff.

"Woooooohoooooooo! John whooped as gravity took over. The extra weight from both of them made the zipline dip further down than what John had figured, but it was all good as they flew through the air.

At the same time John whooped for joy, Rodney was screaming in terror. He kept his eyes closed, while his mouth was about as wide open as was humanly possible. The screech emitting from him would have deafened them both if they had been standing still and not been reeling out and downward at an incredible speed.

The pair sped away from the cliff and were almost halfway across the forest expanse before their pursuers reached the cliff precipice.

"Damn! We almost had them!"

OooOooSGAooOooO

Four weeks earlier...

"Lonar, go...disarm the Ring of the Ancients! We cannot allow the travelers to leave...go with speed!

Ankatal turned back, his sight fixating on the object above the door that had glowed for the first time in his lifetime, in fact it had not done so for many generations. He did not know what this meant but they would need time to find out. For now, the strangers were busy talking with Talbot, the village elder. But soon, he knew they would want to leave...and he could not let that happen.

The travelers had come through the ring only a short while ago. They seemed friendly enough, though the weapons they carried looked anything but friendly. The leader who called himself Colonel John Sheppard had assured them that their weapons were for defensive purposes only, stating that they were peaceful explorers looking for possible trade and an alliance against the Wraith. Considering that he would be detaining the group, Ankatal summoned for reinforcements.

Everyone had been so intent on getting a view of the newcomers, no one else but Ankatal noticed that the Ancient artifact that hung over the meeting hall lit briefly as the travelers passed below it. After he sent Lonar to take care of the Ring and calling for armed security, Ankatal headed for the meeting hall to inform Talbot of the situation.

He did not want to alert the newcomers to anything untoward, so he entered the meeting hall, a friendly smile on his face. A slight hand signal alerted the elder that something was amiss.

Talbot knew himself to be a good judge of character and despite the short amount of time they had been talking he was genuinely impressed with his guests. He felt no sense of aggression, so when Ankatal signalled, he could not help but look disappointed.

John noticed the hand signal and then the fleeting look of disdain on the elder's face. Not sure what to make of it, but pretty sure it had something to do with them, he stiffened, ready to act. His spidey sense warned him that things were about to go south.

"Please, do not be alarmed. I must step away to address a matter of importance. Please stay here and enjoy a few moments of rest. I will return shortly."

Talbot left, not waiting for the group to object. John turned to his teammates. "Ok, things were going too smooth. Damn! I don't know what's happened, but I think we need to go."

They were just nearing the exit when Talbot reentered the hall. Behind him were several villagers, all of whom were large men carrying what looked like miniature crossbows attached to their wrists, loaded and aimed at their chests.

"Please, do not resist. We mean you no harm, but I must insist you surrender your weapons immediately."

"What's the meaning of this, Talbot?" John and his team held their guns ready to defend themselves. "We will defend ourselves...I don't know what's happened, but let us go peacefully and we will never come back."

Talbot realized their defensive posturing and admonished himself for escalating the situation into a standoff.

"I'm sorry, Colonel John. We really mean you know harm, but...we cannot allow you to leave. Surrender your weapons now. There are only four of you and many more of my men have gathered outside besides the ten you see here.

Sheppard couldn't imagine what had happened to make these people suddenly turn. Taking action would surely end badly, so he signalled to his team to surrender. A low growl from Ronon made him look over his shoulder at his giant friend. If things weren't so tense, John would be laughing at the sight. One of the villagers was either very brave or very stupid and was now engaged in a tug of war with Ronon over his beloved blaster.

"Chewie, best you give it up for now." Sheppard wasn't happy either but what choice did they really have.

"Perhaps if you told us what we did to offend you, we could resolve the issue...peacefully." Teyla addressed the elder Talbot, a wary smile and a slight nod of her head suggesting their willingness to concede.

Talbot was disappointed that Ankatal had taken such an aggressive stand by calling for security. Perhaps it would have been easier to explain calmly what was needed, but Talbot had seen Colonel John stiffen with wariness when he excused himself and knew immediately the man sensed danger. Any chance of a peaceful exchange was unlikely when the armed villagers barrelled in behind him. Now, instead of dealing with willing guests, he would now be dealing with unwilling prisoners.

As Ronon reluctantly let go of his weapon, Talbot signalled for his men to take hold of each of them and bind their hands behind their backs.

After much scuffling, all four were subdued, having been forced to the floor on their fronts and restrained. Once secure, they were hauled up on their feet.

John was not a happy camper. "Talbot, you're making a big mistake. When we don't return home, my people will come looking for us. Soldiers with more weapons like the ones we carry. Just let us go...no harm, no foul."

"We have disabled the Ring of the Ancestors so that you cannot leave and no one may come...so your people coming with more weapons is of no concern."

John bit his lip at that tidbit of information. If Atlantis couldn't dial in and they couldn't dial out due to whatever the Luvenians had done, then rescue would need to rely on the Daedulus which had just returned to Earth, so they would be stuck here for at least three weeks minimum.

A shove to his back brought John out of his pondering. They were being led out of the meeting hall, one at a time. Teyla was marched through first. Sounds of disappointment from the villagers outside made his stomach clench. He struggled against the men holding him, fear for Teyla overwhelming him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ronon also struggling.

A hard jab to his ribs made him gasp for breathe, his captors holding him with an even tighter viselike grip. John barely registered Rodney being led out next.

Shouts of glee met his ears and he prayed that meant Rodney was safe, though he still wasn't sure about what they had done with Teyla. Ronon was then forced towards the door. John saw his giant friend bowed over with a pain-lined face.

John's protective streak was in overdrive and his frustration at being bound and helpless made him seeth with anger. More sounds of disappointment added to his fury.

By the time his captors were signalled to march him through the doorway, John was so enraged, he fought them with everything he had. After several blows to subdue him failed, his feet were swept out from under him and his ankles bound together. He was carried out, feet first, flailing and twisting in defiance.

He was struggling so hard, he missed the shouts of jubilation. The villagers swarmed him. Panic filled him. He was sure they were going to tear him to pieces and he fought harder when images of his team already having succumbed to such torture clouded every thought.

The men holding him had given up trying to hold him and let go after several attempts to hang on to their frenzied prisoner. They watched attentively as their captive slowly gave in to the inevitable exhaustion his fury sapped from him.

Sheppard lay sweat-covered, gasping for air and physically spent, and though quieted, his anger had not dissipated at all. It took several minute more for him to realize it was quiet. John raised his head to find his team held before him, safe and whole. Even Ronon seemed recovered. All three had been gagged. He could feel their anger though and he felt the concern in their eyes.

Relief flooded his system at seeing them unharmed. It seemed the entire village population was present, but John didnt care, his angry glare found and settled on their leader.

He found Talbot standing to the right of his team, watching him patiently.

"Colonel John, your friends are unharmed. If you would just be reasonable, all will be well." He smiled. "This situation may be as easy or as hard as you choose it to be."

Looking up at his captor from the ground put John at quite a disadvantage. He hated feeling and looking weak, but he knew his display of anger made them nervous despite the restraints. "Oh, easy was precarious at best when you aimed those crossbow thingies at us and its definitely off the table since you tied us up. What do you want Talbot?"

Talbot rocked on his heels, the smile never leaving his face.

"We already have what we want...and need...you and Dr Rodney here. We have no need for Teyla and Ronon. They will be escorted to the gate and will be allowed to leave."

John's eyes narrowed at the perceived lie. "I thought you said you disabled the Ring?"

"Yes, Colonel John, I did say that...but we can fix it...temporarily, so that they may return to your home. They will carry the message that your people cannot return for you. After they are through the Ring, it will again be disabled...permanently."

"Wouldn't that be a disadvantage for you, should the Wraith come culling? You would be trapped here, besides your trading for goods would end."

"With you here, we need not fear the Wraith and we are, for the most part, self sufficient...but time grows short. It will be nightfall soon and we don't want to risk your people coming for you. My men will take Ronon and Teyla to the gate now."

John tried to gauge whether Talbot was lying, whether he would truly let Ronon and Teyla go or if he would have them killed once out of sight. That thought spiked his anger once again.

"Let's say I don't trust you Talbot. I want to see them dial and go through the gate."

"You are hardly in a position to demand anything Colonel John. But if it makes you less volatile, I will allow it. And since I...don't trust you...Dr Rodney will remain here. If you try anything, you will forfeit his life, immediately."

With that, John's ankles were freed and he was hauled to his feet. Rodney was dragged off, his protests loud and whiny, growing fainter as he was taken away. It was obvious that The both of them were being kept for their ATA gene, though he hadnt had time to figure out how the Luvenians knew.

At the gate, John exchanged concerned gazes with Ronon and Teyla. He knew they would return on the Daedulus but that was weeks away now. He would not let on to the Luvenians that rescue would return.

"Take care guys...say goodbye to everyone for me." John said with genuine sadness. The weeks would be long and he would miss them. His job in the meantime would be to keep Rodney safe. He prayed he would be able to do so...these people were not what he had thought them to be.

Teyla's eyes were full of regret while Ronon's were still filled with fire. The gags prevented words but Ronon's growl said it all. Teyla's bindings were cut loose so she could dial the gate address. Once she had the gate dialed and it engaged, her hands were tied together again. They both were prodded to leave, still bound and gagged.

As the gate closed after his friends, John was manhandled away, guards on each side continued to hold his bound arms tightly as he was escorted back to the village. Talbot was waiting for him when they arrived back.

"Colonel John, I am happy all went well. Dr Rodney is waiting for you in the holding cells. More suitable accomodations for you will be readied for your permanent residence. Follow me."

John was escorted toward a building to the left of the meeting hall. It was a sturdy looking building made of wood and a cement-looking substance. Inside were several cells, one held Rodney and he was placed in the next one. His hands were cut loose and as he turned around he found his own P90 aimed at his chest.

"As I said before, Colonel John, you can make your situation as easy or as hard as you wish. We do not want to harm you, but be warned, we will not spare Dr Rodney if you become difficult. Now, I will send my healer in to look after your wrists." With that, Talbot turned and left. The cell locked shut behind him.

Mention of his wrists brought his attention to them and as John acknowledged that his wrists were bloody and raw, the pain he had ignored ignited. In fact, he felt totally spent. The waning adrenaline rush and heat of emotion had drained all reserve.

"Geez, Sheppard, sit down before you drop!" Rodney peered through the cell bars separating them. "Are you alright? What about Teyla and Ronon?"

John sank down heavily on the cot, stretching his aching limbs.

"Peachy, Rodney...just peachy. Ronon and Teyla are safe back in Atl...home by now. I saw Teyla dial the alpha site, just in case."

The door to the jailroom opened and John could see four guards, three carrying P90s and one with Ronon's blaster, enter with a man presumably the healer.

The healer was efficient, medicating and bandaging John's wrists with confident ease born from experience.

"Get many prisoners needing treatment?" John inquired sarcastically.

"I am one of two healers in this village. We number over three hundred. Unfortunately, everyday life provides us enough patients to be ready with any number of ailment treatments on any given day. And...no...these cells remain virtually uninhabited except for the minor scrimmages you might expect. Be wise, gentlemen and accept your fate. If you do so, your lives will be full and rich."

He patted John sympathetically on the shoulder as he left. The cell door locking firmly behind him. The healer left but the guards remained until a young man was done handing each of them a tray of food and water through a narrow opening in the cell door.

Left alone, Rodney enthusiastically surveyed the food on the tray, sniffing the drink for freshness. Noticing that John seemed uninterested in his tray, he prodded.

"Sheppard, you need to eat. Starving is counterproductive to us getting out of here. We both need to stay strong and healthy."

John was bone-tired. "Too tired, Rodney. You take first watch. Wake me in a few hours, I'll eat then." With that he rolled over. Rodney knew better than to argue. He knew John had to be exhausted from fighting them off earlier.

Over his shoulder, John asked. "Rodney? I assume they want us for the ATA gene, am I right?"

"Yeah, though they know you have a stronger gene than I do, which makes you more valuable...so I am the one at risk here, so don't do anything stupid...I mean...heroic!"

"How'd they find out?" John was nearly asleep as he listened for Rodney's response.

"They have an Ancient device tacked above the meeting hall doorway. Evidently Ankatal saw it activate when you or I stepped through but he wasnt sure which one of us caused it to light up or if all of us did. Thats why they took us back through one by one. Needless to say, it lit up like a Christmas tree when you passed beneath it."

"Oh." Figuring they were both safe, for now, due to the damned ATA gene, John gave in to his exhaustion.

TBC