A/N: It's been awhile, I know. But here is a new story graciously beta'd by Stealth Dragon/ Kriadydragon. As always, they're not mine. Although, if they were auctioning them off, I'd bid.
Thicker Than Blood
Chapter 1
Miorga liked to go to market on the high days. She usually waited to make the long trip when merchants from several different worlds set up shop in Buur. It reminded her of a place and time, long ago, on a very different world.
When she had been young, the large market in Kukesh had been magical. The smells and sights emblazoned in her mind's eye for all time. She remembered wandering the stalls, sampling the different food, and bartering for wares.
It was all gone now. When she had seen it last, the market had lain in ruin. The timbers from the surrounding buildings had protruded from the earth like the ribcage of a giant. The magic had been wiped out in just a few hours. The relentlessness of the attack was scorched on her heart like the earth the market had occupied.
That was in her past. Presently, she stood in a cramped, little apothecary in Buur and realized the Wraith were not the only enemy out there. Her day of browsing and shopping was ruined because she was going to play hero for the first time in thirteen years.
The new Coalition made so many things possible. The safety of a big market on one world would have been unheard of while the Wraith culled at whim. Unfortunately, like any kind of government, the new group also invited corruption and opponents, as she was discovering. Like her charred world, some things never changed.
Deera handed over the canisters of balm. "This should take care of the sand flea problem, Miorga. And this is for the other problem." Deera picked up and nervously handed over a small package wrapped in paper and tied with twine.
Miorga accepted the small metal tins and the plain package. She placed them in her pack and fastened it securely. She nodded to the young woman behind the counter in thanks.
"The reason I tell you all of this is because Teyla Emmagan is my friend--" Deera paused and looked down at the apothecary counter, weighing her words. "--and I know you have an interest in one of the members of the Atlantis team."
Miorga's smile fell because she knew this day would come at some time. She just didn't think it would be now, when things were improving. It was her mistake not to have realized things were falling apart instead.
Deera continued in one breath, "I figured out who your people are." Miorga could see the courage building within the young woman, who was taking quite a gamble by saying anything at all.
Miorga felt every muscle tighten up. Her jaw flexed as she asked, "Is that a threat?" She would not have believed such behavior from the meek Deera. Also, she didn't want the Colony's day of shopping turned into a mission.
"Oh…" Deera said, with eyes wide. "Oh no, Miorga. No, I meant only that you have to know of the other member of the Atlanteans' team." The young woman looked very worried and apologetic. She also looked fearful of the older woman standing on the other side of the very small counter.
However, Miorga did know him and Deera had no need to fear her this day. The Colony kept to itself, but they traded with other worlds. Certain information had reached her ears about the occupiers of Atlantis some time ago.
So, with the Atlanteans visiting Buur, their arrival was all the news that was brought back on smaller trips into town. Miorga had picked this day hoping to catch a glimpse of him while they visited. She didn't know how he would react to her being alive.
Consequently, Deera's information created a need to seek him out and give the Little Boy two shocks in one day. She needed to actually confront and speak to him. She had already formulated the perfect approach.
Miorga gave a reassuring smile to the shopkeeper. "My apologies, Deera. It has been a long journey here. And thank you for the paste. I'll do my best to pass on your concerns," she said while patting her bag.
"Miorga, the men who bought the pits are dissenters on the council. They frighten me."
Miorga placed her hand on top of Deera's. "The source of the concerns shall not leave my lips."
The young woman gave a relieved smile and placed her other hand on top of Miorga's. "Thank you. May the Ancestors guide you."
She gave a last nod and left the store, stepping out onto the bustling street. The sunlight blinded her for just a moment. She shielded her eyes so they could adjust.
Jenil stood outside the door, chewing on a piece of jerky. "Get it?"
Immediately, they both started walking down the dusty alleyway. This part of the city sat on the edge closest to the desert, farther from the government buildings and the Ring than she would have liked. She had a long walk in store for her.
"Yes, and more. We need to go see the Little Boy." Miorga picked up the speed of her gait, and Jenil followed her like he always did -- right into danger.
John rolled the pen back and forth on the heavy table. Teyla sat beside him glaring at the group of people across from her. She shifted in the high back chair and repeated her last statement-- her frustration evident in the slow and deliberate enunciation of each and every word. The thick-headed numbskull sitting across from them was just not cooperating with Teyla's patient negotiation for wool. His boss sat to his left, letting the idiot dig his own hole.
The boss, Garris Vrenk, smiled at John as his subordinate went completely off topic. The fool was railing against Teyla about siding with Atlantis. John had completely lost track of this guy's many dislikes: he hated the Coalition; he hated the Atlanteans; he hated just about everything about this meeting.
Teyla was taken aback at first, but soon calmed him and tried to talk trade. He was just biding his time to yell some more. She had offered her peoples' services along with those of Atlantis' expertise in exchange for the raw wool. The last part was what had set the little nut-ball off yet again. He did not think they needed to have anything to do with Atlantis.
The mouthy little bastard ended his monologue by pointing at John and saying, "It hasn't been that long since your people used their influence to slink off into to the night and escape justice."
John stared blankly back, not understanding what he was talking about, at first. Then it slowly dawned on him. Teyla's smile had fled long ago and now her glare bristled with anger. She understood and interrupted the tirade hoping to bring his attention back to her.
"Zelee, the Coalition- with Atlantis' help- has come to the aid of many worlds devastated by Wraith, natural disasters, and others."
"It's the others we have a problem with," retorted Zelee. His eyes never left John.
Teyla turned her glare to Vrenk. "Do you let others speak for you, now? I came here to bargain for wool, not to be insulted. Athos and Buur have traded long before Atlantis and the Coalition. I see you do not stand up for your people anymore, but let tirades fester and ooze out of subordinates mouths."
Zelee scowled. John snickered under his breath. Garris Vrenk smiled and put his fingertips together. "I've been observing the proceedings, just like Colonel Sheppard."
John raised his eyebrows in question. While it was true he had been studying the room for security purposes and out of boredom, he was only there to verify Atlantis' inclusion in the trade. More importantly, he was there to verify Atlantis' return to Pegasus. He would not let them know that his role was to be seen and not really heard. If they thought he was more of a player, then let them.
"I let Zelee yap away like a zealous, little dog to gauge your reactions." His eyes settled on John and bent his head in John's direction. "While Colonel Sheppard has been doing the same thing. Well played."
John nodded his head at Vrenk as Teyla's scowl intensified. The scowl slid sideways at him as well. He couldn't blame her. This was supposed to be a cake walk and the group across the table was playing a different game.
When John did not say anything, Teyla made her rebuttal. "Colonel Sheppard regards my trading skills very highly." The scowl played Duck- Duck-Goose around the table. The Goose landed on Vrenk. "He observes, but so do I."
"Of course, Ms. Emmagan. My apologies if I offended you." Vrenk wore a sly smile with bright, expectant eyes. He did not look sorry at all. Vrenk snapped his fingers and motioned for a woman to come over to him. He whispered in her ear and she left with a smirk firmly attached to her face.
Teyla sat up straight. She abandoned her tries at negotiation and petition as she watched the woman leave. "Garris, you may have issue with Atlantis, but the Coalition is made up of our brother and sister planets. I am finished here. My people will find our wool elsewhere. I am severing ties." Teyla stood up. The thick, heavy chair scraped across the floor and echoed around the room. "No drink is necessary. No trade today or ever."
The party on the other side of the table started mumbling and looking from one to the other. They apparently had not expected for the proceedings to end like this. Garris Vrenk sat ignoring all except Teyla and John. Zelee looked proud of himself.
Sheppard pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows. He stood up also. The play was over.
"Garris, Zelee, there shall be no other day." Teyla turned to go. John started to follow. This negotiation had gone from boring to annoying and then to scary fast.
Some of the members of the negotiation team stood up to say something. Zelee abruptly stood up and knocked over his chair. Vrenk held up his hand to silence the room, but Zelee ignored him.
"Buur will not bow to you or the Coalition! There are others…"
"Zelee," warned Vrenk, smooth as a serpent's hiss. "Our business is done. Let them go."
John was already looking at Zelee, but turned to study Vrenk. His neck hairs stood at attention because of the smile slithering across the table. He pushed Teyla towards the door. He did not like the sound of "others". He did not like the cool confidence of the man across from him. He did not like the woman leaving before things had officially ended.
"I think it's time to go home, Teyla."
"I think you're right, Colonel," Teyla agreed, apparently interpreting the not-so-subtle clues swirling around the meeting room.
They exited the room and moved quickly down the hallway leading to the lobby of the Council Building. They could hear the argument continue from others sitting in on the negotiation. Vrenk's voice rumbled calmly against the heated words of others in the room.
"Colonel, I'm sorry. I thought…"
"Don't worry, Teyla. Things change when you leave a power vacuum." He looked over his shoulder. "Crap."
"What, John?" Her voice remained calm but stressed as she, too, looked back at the empty hallway.
"They're not following."
She walked faster.
John reached up to his ear. "Ronon, Rodney, come in."
"What?"
John almost laughed. Sometimes Rodney was just Rodney. He sounded annoyed that John would interrupt him on a seemingly benign shopping trip, even if mortal danger dared to interrupt.
"Head to the Gate and keep your eyes and ears open."
"Understood, Sheppard," Ronon answered before twenty questions could begin.
"Sheppard out." He would let Ronon explain things to Rodney. He hazarded another look over his shoulder. The hallway was still clear.
"They used to be friends of Athos," lamented Teyla. "I volunteered for this so you could see the market. I've known Garris for many years. He has never acted like this. Zelee is new here. I've not dealt with him before."
They stopped at the end of the corridor and John peaked around to look into the lobby. There were a few people, but not many milling around in the huge room. There was nothing out of the ordinary. No one waited to stop them from exiting through the wooden doors.
They confidently stepped into the main reception area and calmly walked towards the exit.
"It seems the Coalition may have competitors," Teyla observed.
"Yeah."
They exited into the bright sunlight of the Buur Square. Stalls and kiosks were set up with many vendors yelling to the shoppers mingling on the flagstones. Unfortunately, there was only one narrow street that led to the thoroughfare for the Gate. It was directly opposite of them. They crossed the square rapidly.
Teyla motioned at the packed stalls crowding the square. "I loved coming here when I was a little girl. They had everything. I can't believe that Garris would jeopardize all of this. What has happened?"
"The Wraith have withdrawn for the time being to recoup and others are trying to step in and take their place. It's a power vacuum. Plus, it didn't help that the IOA wasted a lot of time trying to keep Atlantis on Earth."
John kept his head on a swivel. The narrow street pulled at them like a funnel. The large buildings that formed a horseshoe blocked any other easy exit. Once they stepped onto the street, the permanent shops and residences that lined either side blocked the sunlight. Buildings were stacked one upon the other, rising three or four stories into the sky.
Humanity pressed in from everywhere, consuming, buying, selling and browsing every little thing laid out for purchase. People went about their daily lives and routines enjoying the market. They had to jostle a few shoppers to get by them, but no one paid the armed pair any mind.
Yet, John could almost taste something dark lurking in the recesses away from the sunshine. He looked again at every window and doorway searching for that something that would give away the plan. He kept pushing Teyla forward. They needed to get to the main thoroughfare. He still didn't think they were being followed. They needed…
In an instant, it stopped being a day at the market. The busy street exploded. People screamed and cried. Dirt funneled up his nose and clouded his eyes. Grit settled upon his tongue. His lungs were clogged with filth and smoke. Pieces of the building and shoppers landed next to him.
"Teyla," he croaked.
He realized he was on the ground on his stomach. He could barely see from debris caked in his eyes and the black smoke all around him. His left arm would not work. Luckily, the pain hadn't caught up with him, yet.
"Teyla," he tried again.
He pushed himself up with his right arm and got to his knees. Sitting on them, he wiped the grime from his eyes. The smoke began to lift and he saw her sitting woozily up. She returned his stare with a nod. A gash marred the side of her face and dropped blood onto her shirt. She rolled and started to crawl to him.
The lifting smoke let in weak shafts of sunlight. Unfortunately, the alley grew dimmer before his eyes. He could see Teyla's mouth moving, but he could not hear her. As she drew nearer, behind her, a figure obscured by the smoke raised his arm.
"Teyla," he mouthed and tried to point with his good arm. He lost his balance and collapsed. He fumbled for his sidearm. It was kicked out of his hand before he could aim.
The street went very still in the chaos, freezing terror and confusion into a chilling photograph. The sunlight did not penetrate far enough for him to get a good view of who stood above them. They were the enemy and that was all he needed to know.
"For the Coalition!" someone shouted.
Without hesitating, Teyla flipped over and fired into the gloom.