I don't own Stargate: Atlantis or its characters…unfortunately…

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Chapter 1: Same as Usual

"Just like old times," Sheppard said as he and his team stepped through the event horizon. Atlantis had arrived back in Pegasus 3 days ago, and this was their first off-world mission since their return. Just another scouting of a planet.

"Why does Woolsey insist on making friends with every primitive colony out here? And why do I have to go?" McKay grumbled to himself. He'd rather be spending his time going through research and having lunch with a certain CMO.

Teyla smiled. "Yes, just like old times."

The team walked in silence for a half hour. The Atlantis database showed the planet as being inhabited, but hadn't said much else. They weren't sure what kind of people they would run into. The planet seemed the same as any other: trees, rocks, hills. Nothing too spectacular. McKay glanced down at his LSD. "The village should be just over that ridge." When they reached the top of the ridge, McKay grumbled at the sight before them. The village was a ramshackle mish-mash of randomly put-together buildings. "Ya, there'll be a lot worth trading there," McKay muttered as he followed the others down the hill.

They made their way into the village, and were greeted by curious stares by the townspeople. Ronon tensed. "What's up?" Sheppard asked immediately, reaching toward his P-90.

"Everybody's armed…" Ronon said, and glanced towards the knives and pistols he saw at everyone's waste. Seemed a little high-tech for the type of village they just entered. Sheppard hesitated for a moment, then signaled his team forward. They hadn't seen any threatening behavior, and it's not like they didn't go everywhere armed themselves. Who was he to judge? Once they'd reached the center of the village, a well-dressed man stepped out in front of them. "What can I do you for, strangers?" he asked pleasantly.

Sheppard looked him over and replied, "We're just lookin to make some new friends. See if you've got anything to trade."

"I see, please follow me. I'll take you somewhere more private to talk." The team followed the man into a large house, and were shown to a large table. "Please, sit. My name is Kole, I am the leader of this village."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Colonel John Sheppard, this is Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, and Dr. Rodney McKay."

"I see, so what exactly do you have to trade?"

"Mostly medical supplies…you?"

Kole laughed. "Medical supplies. We trade in only one thing, as it has a large profit margin." Sheppard raised an eyebrow. Kole walked over to stand directly in front of Ronon. "How much for this one?" Ronon pulled out his stunner and growled.

Sheppard shot out of his chair, "Sorry, buddy, he's not for sale. I think we'd best be on our way." At that the rest of his team stood up with their hands on their weapons. "We don't want any trouble, so we'll just head back the way we came."

"Of course," Kole said as he walked towards the door. "I'll escort you," he said with a smile.

They made their way cautiously out of the village and headed back towards the gate. McKay grumbled. "Another useless waste of my time." Sheppard didn't like this. From what Teyla and Ronon had told him, slave traders weren't very well-received in most planets on Pegasus. Letting them go didn't seem like a very smart move on Kole's part. He glanced at Ronon and Teyla, who each nodded and scanned the surrounding woods for any sign of life.

When they were about 50 feet from the DHD, Kole stopped. "Down!" Ronon yelled as two dozen men poured out of the surrounding trees. Ronon took down two of the men with his blaster, but before anyone else could raise their weapons, the team was completely surrounded. They backed up until they were in a tight circle, weapons aimed out at the men surrounding them.

"Please, Colonel Sheppard, lower your weapons. There is no need for anyone else to get hurt."

"Ya, well, you might as well let us go right now, because none of us are going to take kindly to being told what to do." Sheppard replied, and aimed his weapon directly at Kole. The man smiled, and now Sheppard could see the malice behind his smile. He knew he had the advantage, and that chances were he'd get what he wanted.

"We have no need for you, the woman, or the short one. All we need is the giant. Now, I'm willing to let you all live, but there really isn't too much keeping you alive right now. If you cause too many problems, we'll kill the three of you and just take him. If you'd like to live, please, lower your weapons."

"I don't make it a point to hand over my people to slave traders. What exactly do you want just him for anyway?" Sheppard asked, wondering why exactly they didn't seem to want him, McKay, or Teyla.

Kole sighed. "We're not your average slave traders. We only look for a certain type, and the giant is that type. Ronon, correct? You other three aren't what our client wants, and I can make more than enough from him to cover the cost of three bullets. As I said, if you want to stay alive, put down your weapons."

"Okay, man makes a good point…" Sheppard frowned and signaled to everyone to toss their weapons out in front of them. At least if they were alive, they'd be able to escape. Can't exactly do that if you're dead. One of the men walked over and picked up Ronon's blaster. He looked it over for a few seconds, then raised it and stunned each member of Sheppard's team.

"You've made a good choice," Kole said to Sheppard's unconscious body lying in front of him.

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