Disclaimer: I do not own SGA in whole or in part...unfortunately! I simply just love this series and write my meager stories just for fun! Any and all mistakes are mine and I apologize in advance for any mistakes. I'm not a professional and though I do reread my chapters, I most likely still have grammatical and spelling errors...hey..what can I say...I try! I hope you like!
Summary: The team go on an important trading mission, but one important find gives way to another and John finds himself the object of one trader's interest.
Let's Make A Deal. Chapter one
Colonel John Sheppard pulled the tails of his tunic down and adjusted the leather belt as he readied himself as the stargate chevrons activated. He smirked good-naturedly as he tolerated Rodney's whining complaints.
"Come on! Will you look at this! " Rodney whined, as he pulled on his own tunic front. "Maybe Sheppard can pull off this look, but really, I like to be more decently covered!"
John smiled at his friend's "compliment" while Ronon stood, thumbing his energy weapon to stun, as he wondered just how long Sheppard expected him to put up with the incessant whining.
Teyla stood silently, observing her fellow teammates, one more critically than the others. She admiringly agreed with Rodney. John was certainly "pulling off the look". The white linen tunic fit his lean, muscular form quite well. She noted the dark chest hairs and firm tanned chest that showed between the open-collar. She also noted the sturdy material of his pants and she admired how they fit his form more snugly than his regular BDUs, she tried to be discreet as she admired the view. She would need to thank her friend, Saja for supplying the Athosian clothing.
Noting the expeditions growing needs, Teyla had informed Elizabeth and John about the large trading outpost where they may be able to broker a deal for a large quantity of farm goods. They were eager to restock their dwindling food supplies, so Elizabeth had sanctioned the mission straight away.
Teyla had informed them that it would be better to fit in, rather than to stand out when they went, hence John and Rodney needed to "go native" in their clothing. They would all carry weapons hidden beneath their clothing, leaving the intimidating P90s behind.
The outpost called Pas Ruahan, was a bit different than most villages they had visited. Trading papers were required of all visitors. New visitors who needed papers, needed an established person with papers, to vouch for them before new papers were issued. Teyla explained this was done to keep out raiders and troublemakers.
Gate travel was semi-restricted during the day, from dawn to dusk, but once night fell...all gate travel was suspended. Heavily armed guards, regulated the gate, checking and issuing trading papers and generally keeping order. Night travel through the gate was forbidden, the control crystals were removed and stored under lock and key. Off-world traders were required to leave at day's end or seek permission to stay overnight should the need arise.
Trying to portray an ordinary villager was difficult for the military man and being met by heavily armed guards didn't sit well with Sheppard, but he trusted Teyla and would follow her lead.
Since she had been to Pas Ruahan many times before, she had her own trading papers and she would vouch for her teammates so they would be issued their own.
It didn't take long, despite the long line, and John figured that since Teyla had known the head guard...that had helped speed things along. John noted the frequent stargate activation...this certainly was a busy place. The guards kept things moving along smoothly. It seemed most people had been here before and knew what to do and what was expected of them.
The team joined the throng of people on their way to the outpost which Teyla had said was about a twenty minute walk. It was a pleasant enough walk and they made idle chatter with various people as they walked.
When they arrived at the outskirts of the post, they found merchants had already set up various tents and shaded booths aligned in rows. John thought the place reminded him of the huge flea market Nancy, his ex-wife had dragged him to, one too many times.
John just wanted to make their deal and get back to Atlantis, he really wasn't in the mood to shop, but apparently...he was the only one. As he walked alongside Teyla, he saw her looking around at the various tables. Ronon was herding Rodney along, while looking around himself. John smiled when he saw Ronon give a browsing Rodney a shove to keep him moving along.
"The trading tent at the end of this row is where the larger trades are made. That is were we shall need to go.". Teyla said as she steered John in the right direction. The path between the rows of product-laden tables was crowded with people. John needed his team to stick together, it would be too easy to lose one another. He turned around to seek out his lagging teammates.
It wasn't surprising to see Rodney rummaging around at a table, but what was surprising was the serious, interested look visible on Ronon' s face. His own interest piqued, John grabbed Teyla's hand to stop her and motioned for her to follow him back to the guys.
"Come on guys, you can look at all the goodies, AFTER we make the deal. Teyla says we have to get their early, if we want to make the best deal!" John said impatiently.
Rodney turned around then and both John and Teyla gasped at what he held in his hands. A ZPM! Not wanting to draw attention to themselves, John quickly advised his teammates to cool it. All of a sudden, he was bumped from behind and went sprawling over the table. His hands stopped him from face-planting on the various items on the table.
As he recovered, John noticed that his hand was covering an item he recognized as an Ancient device, and of course, it was lit up like a Christmas tree beneath his hand. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, he quickly removed his hand and they all looked around to see if anyone had noticed. No one seemed to have notice and they figured he had been bumped accidentally due to the overcrowded pathway. None of them had seen the man who was standing behind them, who had noticed, and was now moving hastily away.
"Okay, let's play this cool...Don't let on that we have any knowledge of anything Ancienty, especially the ZPM. We're simple farmers, okay?" John warned.
The owner of the kiosk made his way over to them. "Ah, I see you have found an item of interest to you! My name is Taslo, I am the owner. Perhaps we can make a fair trade?!"
John took the lead. "I don't think so...it looks like a piece of junk to me. Does it have a purpose?". His feigning disinterest was very convincing and had Rodney looking at him like he was crazy.
Taslo looked disappointed, but recovered quickly. "Well, it is a collectible Ancient artifact and it's function is unknown..."
John interrupted "In other words...it's broken". I have no need for useless, broken toys.". He gestured to his friends and they started to walk away, though he had to shove Rodney a bit.
"Uh, perhaps your lady would like it as a decorative lantern! You look like a handy man, you could fashion a well inside to fit a candle...the colors would be very...enhancing...as a bedroom light!". Taslo waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"What makes you think we need...enhancement?! John challenged, although his thoughts immediately strayed with thoughts of Teyla lying on a bed, bathed in the orange-red glow. His libido stirred, which was not what he wanted, or needed at the moment. Abruptly, he said. " Come on, we need to go see about trading for the tava bean plant seedlings before the best ones are gone."
Teyla stepped into his path and placed her hand on his chest. " I think Taslo has a wonderful suggestion for this piece!". She looked at him seductively. "Perhaps our bedroom could benefit from its ambience."
John couldn't help his body's responses to Teyla's closeness or the images that continued to flood his imagination. She was playing her part well...very well! Ahem! Clearing his throat, he tried to keep his voice steady.
"Seems my lady sees some value in this worthless piece." He smiled wanly as he opened his satchel, rummaging for an item to trade. He pulled out an old harmonica someone had donated for their bag of viable trade wares.
"This is a musical piece we call a harmonica. Luckily John had played one as a kid, so his demonstration was actually quite good. Taslo was intrigued, the item offered for trade was in working order and would sell quickly. "I have never seen such a thing! Is it easy to learn how to play?"
Their bartering was interrupted when a man rudely insisted on speaking to Taslo. They were deep in conversation, once looking over at John. Soon their conversation ended and Taslo returned.
"Do we have a deal or not, Taslo? We need to be on our way." John asked.
"We do indeed! I hope you enjoy your lantern!". Taslo smiled greedily.
John handed the ZPM to Rodney, who stuffed it into his own satchel. As they walked away, his excitement started to rise again.
"Geez, Sheppard! I thought you were going to blow the whole deal! Can you believe it?! We traded a stupid old harmonica for a ZedPM! Hey...We need to get back right away...I need to check this to see if there's any power left!"
"Hold on Rodney! We came here to restock our seriously depleting food stores...Once we do that, we will high-tail it back to...home." John was reluctant to use Atlantis' name in such a crowded place.
Though he said it decisively, he wondered if he was pressing their luck...maybe they should leave now...before their luck fizzled out... Triggering the Ancient device on the table had added to his usual wariness being off-world. No, they had not seen anyone who looked even remotely in their direction when the device activated for that brief moment...no, they would go make the trade for food, then go directly home.
"Okay, kids...let's go make a deal! "
TBC