As another round of Rodney's scientific babble reached his ears John sighed causing Teyla to glance at him.
"Something wrong John" she asked concern creeping into her tone.
"I'm going to look around a bit" he responded rising from the chair he'd been sat.
"Would you like me to come" she asked her smile full of understanding.
"No! Someone needs to stay and make sure these two don't over stay our welcome" he replied before escaping the mountain community they'd stumbled upon.
The natives of PM2-779 were likely one of the most advanced (about 1999's Earth) and civilized races in the Pegasus galaxy. Yet had it not been for the high energy readings Jumper 1 had detected they'd probably never have met them.
FLASHBACK * When AR-1 stepped out the Jumper they'd been dubious about the signs of advanced technology Rodney had supposedly detected. The gate was surrounded by ruins of a settlement enclosed on 3 sides by large mountains and on the 4th by a large river.
Yet Rodney's personal scanner was detecting the same high signatures as the Jumper's and in his wisdom he set off in search of the source. Annoyed the others followed and it wasn't long before they reached an arch in the cliff face tall enough for Ronan to fit through.
Something about it got John's senses tingling so he picked up a nearby stone and threw it at the middle of the arch, instead of bouncing off the stone disappeared through a ripple.
"It's a cloak" Rodney announced confirming John's assumption.
Under mutual silent agreement they all passed through the so called 'cloak' arriving in a large vaulted atrium filled with colourful plants, numerous passage ways and transporters.
"From your uniform I to presume you are the legendary warriors who inhabit the ancestral city" a slender 5ft3 middle aged woman with short brown hair and grey eyes dressed in a long red dress asked approaching.
"Yes, I'm Colonel Sheppard, this is Doctor Mckay, Teyla and Ronan".
"Welcome to Avona. I'm Neeve one of the high priestesses, please feel free to explore our city. The only part that is out of bounds is our medical isolation lab at the end of that first corridor. Simply because a group of our explorers have returned with a strange rash we can't identify. However you can access the observation room via the parallel corridor if you wish"*.
John found himself walking amongst the ruins outside, stopping in front of a wall that seemed relatively intact and covered in the unmistakable symbols of the ancients.
"You recognize the markings but can't read Alteran, it's a long account of our legacy".
John froze in his tracing of the familiar symbols when the female appeared as if out of thin air. She was 5ft9 slender with long black hair and striking blue eyes. Unlike the other woman he'd encountered on Avona who were pale skinned and wore dresses, she was bronzed and dressed in black combat boots, dark brown leather pants and dark brown long coat.
"Why doesn't that surprise me what is with historians being unable to keep things simple. I'm Colonel John Sheppard by the way".
She smiled "hello John, I'm Talon Mist, I could give you a brief overview if you want".
"You read Ancient" he asked a little startled.
Talon let out a laugh "It's my native tongue. Avona is home to two advanced but different civilizations. You have the Astria who reside in the mountain and only emerge after dark and the the dwellers or settled alterans who live on the surface. We live in peace helping and defending each other other but us dwellers have never been large in number".
"If you live such harmonious lives then why don't you all live together in one settlement".
Another chuckle "you've settled in Atlantis have you not" Talon asked pushing off from the wall she'd been leaning against.
"Yes" he said keeping his voice guarded unsure where the conversation was going.
"Then you've probably noticed how much my people enjoy sunlight and fresh air, you really think we'd survive very long inside a mountain. The Astria have lived in the mountain to avoid the wraith so long they can't tolerate sunlight".
John couldn't argue he remembering how antsy he'd been during his brief reassignment to the SGC. Falling into easy conversation they walked through the ruins with Talon pointing out the remnants of interesting buildings.
"I have some documents and research at the new settlement that your people might find interesting, would you like me to get them".
"If it's scientific research I know someone who'd make my life hell if i said no".
"You may want it sit it may take me a while" she said before pivoting and heading off at a jog.
John shrugged perching on a raised platform in front of the wall they'd first meet in front of, never considering what might have reduced the old settlement to ruins.
John jumped up looking at his feet in alarm as he felt something suspiciously like a small earthquake. The rumbling continued and he took a cautious step backwards as it grew stronger, the wall in front of him collapsed suddenly crushing him.
It wasn't long before he heard hurried footsteps and he naturally tensed expecting an enemy attack. However it was Talon who appeared at his side where she dropped 2 large square leather satchels and metal containers she'd been carrying.
"I'm sorry I was on my way to check my readings when I saw you. Had I gone to check them I would've probably realized a tremor was due and this could've be avoided" she rambled sinking to her knee's.
"It's not your fault, I've a bad habit getting myself into mischief" he said through gritted teeth as pain ripped his chest apart.
"I need to get you out and to someone who knows more than basic medicine. It'd be impossible for me to raise the rock myself or turn to the Astria as the sun won't set for hours and no one is at the settlement".
Watching Talon pace beside him coming up and then discarding solutions made John think of Rodney.
"Your ship!" she suddenly yelled remembering the craft she'd spotted by the gate. "Of course it's an Alteran gate-ship which means it's got an internal dialling console, I can dial your people and use the communication array to make contact and request help".
"I guess that would work but how would you know the address" he replied thankful she'd stopped pacing as it was starting to make him dizzy and a little nauseous.
She laughed as her hands began to unbutton her coat which she slipped off revealing an evergreen tank. Her arms were muscular, the right of which was covered in markings that John realized were the gate symbols.
"You point to the symbols in the order you dial them" she said holding her arm out to him.
With a weak smile he showed her the address glad that he'd had enough time to throw his hands in front of his face.
"John I want you to take this" she said handing him a small pebble like object she'd pulled out her pocket.
"What is it" he asked taking the somewhat familiar device.
"A communication unit it'll mean we're be able to stay in contact while I'm gone" she said pulling out an identical one.
After ensuring he understood how to use it Talon set off in the direction of the jumper, she jogged over the rough terrain while constantly talking to him. He maintained that he was 'fine' but the sound of his hacking coughs, slurred words and labored breathing drove her on faster.
Relief like she'd never felt washed over her as the jumper came into view, kicking into a sprint she closed the distance in no time. Somehow she'd managed to mentally open the jumper's back door while she was still running meaning she was able to fly straight into the cockpit.
Laying a hand on the console she commanded it to turn on and was only jolted a little as the space around her light up. Feeling the thrumming power she rapidly punched in the address John had given her. Once again she reached out with her mind this time thinking about opening a channel to her ancestors city.
Chuck stared at his computer with wide eyes, no teams were due a check in so someone dialling in couldn't be good news.
"Unscheduled off world activation" he called over the PA system glancing at Woolsey's office, within seconds the irritating civilian responded crossing the short distance to the control room.
'Atlantis, Colonel John Sheppard's in need of urgent medical assistance' a female's voice filled the overhead speakers.
Woolsey shot Chuck a confused look.
"Jumper communication array" the gate technician replied.
"This is Mr Woolsey, to whom am I speaking".
'Talon of the Avona Dwellers'.
"Where's the Colonel's team".
'In the mountains with the Astria' came the terse reply.
"Ok! Talon what exactly is the nature of the Colonel's condition" a sense of dread was creeping up his spine.
'He's trapped underneath a chunk of debris that fell during a tremor. He's got a deep cut to his forehead and cuts on his arms, he says he's fine but his breathing sounds troubled and he keeps coughing and slurring his words'.
"Understood we're readying men as we speak" he turned tapping his radio "Doctor Beckett, Major Lorne".
'Aye I heard. I'll be with yer in a minute'.
'Received sir we're already en route to the jumper bay' came the military second's voice.
Not long after jumper 2 descended into the gate room hovering in front of the gate.
"Major I want you if at all possible to bring this Talon back, there are a lot of questions that need answering".
'Roger that sir' the pilot said as he headed through the event horizon.