CHAPTER ONE

C8M-N7 was otherwise known as Astadal, and Teyla's people had traded with them centuries ago. Athosian oral tradition spoke of a welcoming world of lush abundance.

The Satedans had also traded with Astadal, a mere handful of decades ago. Ronon's father had been one of the Specialists sent on the final expedition, and Ronon, himself, had been scheduled to go on a mission there – but then the Wraith had decimated Sateda.

Ronon told of a world encased in ice, victimised by the Wraith, with few resources and not very welcoming to outsiders.

Ronon and Teyla's stories agreed in one important point: Astadal's water held a very special element: A very small small, nonsentient creature lived there. No matter what form the water habitat took, this creature purified it just by its presence.

The Athosians did have some Astadalian water – frozen from long ago – and consented to allow Rodney to examine a tiny sample. Rodney found that the creature's respiratory system cleansed the water of impurities, including its own waste.

The sample did not hold enough of the creatures to build a viable breeding population. Such a population would be vital for long-term purification.

With Atlantis no longer able to depend upon Earth's assistance, due to her personnel mutinying when the IOA double crossed them, the new hydroponic gardens – just to name one department among many – would benefit greatly from such a resource.

~*~ COLONY ATLANTIS ~*~

AR-1 had just entered the Gate room, when John stopped in his tracks, snapping his fingers. "Be right back," he said, spinning on his heel and jogging back out of the room, turning left.

Rodney blinked as Ronon dashed after John. "Of course," he gasped. "A winter world – we'll need the extra protection a Jumper affords!" He turned to face Teyla. "Now, why didn't I think of that?"

"Because that is in John's job description," Teyla teased. "Not yours." At his incredulous look, she chuckled, "Yes, Rodney. I do listen to every word you say."

Rodney shook his head. Before he could react further, something attached itself firmly to his left leg. "What the-!" He managed to bite back the rest of the curse as he saw what it was. "Maddy! What – you – you're not supposed to be in here!"

"I'm bored, Uncle Mer-Rod," she sighed dramatically, using the name only she called him. "Can we go do something?"

"What?" he gasped. "Madison Renee Miller, I am about to go on a business trip! No, I can't go do something with you!"

"But I'm bored!" Her lower lip jutted out as her eyes flashed with anger. "I want to -" She gasped as she was bodily lifted off of Rodney's leg.

"Settle down, Miss Miller," Richard Woolsey said as he sat her on her feet and curled his fingers gently but unbreakably around her wrist. "As soon as your uncle goes on his... trip... we will find something to capture your interest." He nodded at Rodney and Teyla as he led the six year old from the Gate room.

Rodney shook his head again. "I don't think I will ever understand that child," he breathed as Jumper One rose smoothly to hover before the Gate.

As Rodney and Teyla boarded and buckled in, the dialing sequence began. The Gate engaged with a powerful WHOOSH! and John glided Jumper One gracefully through.

The Gate had barely shut down behind the Jumper than a powerful explosion went off directly underneath the Gate. The blast wave caught the rear of the Jumper and shot it upwards, sending the Lantean craft unexpectedly tumbling through the air, end over end.

(Part two coming soon)