Chapter 1
Doctor Jennifer Keller sighed. She knew she had bad luck off world, but this was just plain irritating. The mission had started off simple, as they all normally did, only to get a hell of a lot more complex. But this? This was just weird.
She looked around at Major Lorne's team. She was off world with them because Colonel Carter felt she needed more off world experience and figured that because this was a simple 'meet and greet' recon mission it would be the perfect way to get that practice.
But as usual Jennifer's off world bad luck had struck again, and now she stood looking at the space where the gate once stood. It was now buried under rubble from a landslide.
The planet was beautiful, or so that had been her first thought as she stepped through the gate. Lush green hills and forests ahead of them with small lakes and streams spreading down into the valley below where the stargate was situated. Behind the stargate was a vast mountain range. The tops of which barely visible due to an eerie cloud covering and snow capped peaks. The sky was about the most brilliant blue imaginable and the two suns high in sky shone down perfect sunlight. The sounds of birds and other wildlife filled the air, and the scent of the fresh air filled Jens nose. It was so tranquil that even the large portentous mountains behind where forgotten.
The team had set off following a well-walked foot path down into the valley, hoping it led to the local town or village. After about ten minutes of walking it came into view. It was much like the settlement of Teyla's people, the Athosian's, mused Jennifer. The camp was made up of tents and simple wooden huts, people milled around, some chatting, others working. The camp was only large enough for about two hundred people or so, guessed Jennifer.
For the most part, the villagers took no notice of the newcomers. Still, some came and greeted them. Jennifer watched in interest as Lorne began talking with the leader of the camp. He politely introduced himself and the rest of the team to them and informed them of their wishes to trade.
Then the negotiations had begun, discussing who had what of value for who and whether trade was possible.
Eventually the doctor in Keller took over, and she found herself watching all the natives going about their business. She looked for signs of disease ill health or injuries, satisfied to find that they looked pretty much healthy.
It was just as they where leaving the camp, negotiations completed for some weird plant Teyla suggested, that the ground shook vigorously, and a thunderous noise filled the air. The entire village froze. Some screamed 'WRAITH!' others ran inside their tents. But within seconds the noise had gone and dust began to fill the air.
"What the hell was that?" yelled Lorne to nobody in particular.
Keller looked towards the direction of the gate, the same direction all the dust was coming from.
"Major," she yelled, coughing from the dust. Lorne turned to her. "Its coming form the direction of the gate." When she received a blank look, she waved her arms at the dust filled air and said "The dust!"
"We need to head back to the gate and find out what the hell happened" he said and started walking.
"Breath shallow and slow." Said Keller, "We don't know what's in this dust."
They walked slowly back down the path, no one speaking but casting worried glances at each other every so often. No one was saying it but everyone was thinking it: If something happened to the gate, how would they get home?
Jennifer's breath caught in her throat as she saw where the gate had stood only hours before. Now there was just rubble.
"Landslide" said one of Lorne's team needlessly.
It must have come off the side of the mountain, thought Jennifer.
Suddenly a slight movement caught her eye. Moving close to the rubble, she could clearly see a human hand sticking out.
"MAJOR!" she yelled, and he came running along with the rest of his team. "There's someone trapped. We need to get them out" she said as she was already pulling her medical kit off her back.
Ronon and Teyla fought furiously as they trained. Neither one seeming to have the upper hand, until Teyla slammed a bantos stick straight into Ronon chest knocking him to the floor.
John who sat watching laughed and said, "Hey there buddy she's seriously kicking your ass today. What's the matter? Why are you so off your game?"
"No reason," came Ronon's gruff reply.
He stood and nodded to Teyla and started again whirling round each other at lightning speed.
"I know why you are so…distracted," said Teyla. "You should stop worrying; she'll be fine."
She continued and with a swift, well-placed kick Ronon was on his back again.
"You're wrong," he said in his gruff voice again, this time sounding slightly out of breath.
"I do not think so," said Teyla, putting her sticks down and moving towards. They put there heads together in a gesture that ended their training session.
"What are you talking about?" asked John in confusion.
"Ronon is worried for Doctor Keller," Teyla said innocently.
Ronon snapped and said "and I should be. Her track record is not good, plus she was due back ten minutes ago." He didn't say that he had told the control room to let him know as soon as Major Lorne's team got back
"They might just be late," said Colonel Sheppard unconvincingly. Ronon just gave him a look and Sheppard stood up and said, "Let's head to the control room."
When they arrived Colonel Carter was already standing there with the gate technician. They talking quietly, exchanging worried glances.
"Is Major Lorne's team back, Colonel?" Sheppard asked.
She turned to face the newly arrived group. "No there not we were just about to dial them and see what the hold up is."
John nodded and the group turned to the stargate as it began dialling. As the seventh chevron locked in place Ronon felt uneasy. Something wasn't right, and he knew it. The gate, however, did not jump into life like normal. Instead it just froze on the seventh chevron.
"Crap," said John, as Ronon gave Teyla an 'I told you so' look.
TBC
A/N: So I wasn't planning another fic so soon but this idea just came to me and I had to get it down. Let me know what you think! And a huge Thank-you for the beta – Renisanz who is a very good beta!