CHAPTER 2

The gasp was unanimous, as the team stepped through the Stargate and on to the new planet. Even Rodney had to admit that the probe hadn't done the sky justice. Here and there flashes reverberated off a hidden force, as if it was a writhing mass of life, locked away.

"Teyla, are you okay?" John queried of the Athosian, his hand resting on her shoulder. Teyla just blinked, before turning to look at him, an imperceptible shake of her head head. Quietly, she replied so only he could hear. "I am not sure John. There is something about this world. The sky reminds me of a story my Father once told me."

John could tell by her expression, that it probably wasn't a child's normal fairy tale. Glancing around, he then turned back to her, squeezing her shoulder gently. "Look, tell me about it when McKay's got everything set up. We can go and explore." Teyla's smile was one of a person reassured, before she moved to help Rodney.

John watched her go with a frown on his features. He'd only ever seen Teyla worried before, and that had been when they were close to the Wraith. Almost on cue, another flash echoed in the multicoloured sky above, and he looked up. Somehow, he felt like they were all being watched. A shiver passed through him as he thought back to one of the old missions, when they'd all been duped into thinking that they'd gone home, not to mention that massive entity that had nearly consumed Atlantis, and namely McKay.

Now that was a weird thought. This time he looked to McKay, watching the scientist busily setting up equipment, almost skipping around in scientific glee. It was the first time he'd ever seen him be so brave, and certainly wasn't the last. No wonder Elizabeth cared for him so much. Shaking his head, he reasserted his grip on his gun, and strode over to the small group.

"Everything ready McKay?"

Rodney just beamed back to him, before gesturing wildly up to the sky. "You should see these readings! They're absolutely amazing! I mean the force is just… well, we just have to find out where it's coming from."

"Hey, wait a minute." Ford suddenly cut in, striding forward. "I thought Elizabeth told you not to go tampering?"

Rodney's face warred between excitement, and concern, before finally settling on a frown. "Well, the way I see it, Elizabeth hasn't been out here like us. Plus, she never said anything about looking so I don't see any harm in just going and getting some readings."

"Yeah, especially since Ford will be there to make sure you behave McKay." John cut in with a cheery grin, before deftly raising his hand to silence both McKay and Ford as they moved to protest. "And before you argue the point, the fact is I'm nervous about this place. Personally I don't think rainbow skies just happen by themselves, and McKay you'll need someone to watch your back, not to mention you should really start learning about Atlantian technology too Ford." As dumb as he knew that excuse sounded, John still didn't add anything else, simply giving a nod before gesturing for Teyla to follow him.

Teyla did so, with a slight smile on her face. Shifting her pack a little, she commented to him as they moved. "You do realise that they will both be wondering why you have split the group up as you have."

"And they can keep on wondering." John replied, as he glanced around the forest that they'd entered. "The fact is, you wanted to speak to me in private, plus McKay's incessant babbling doesn't always help private situations."

Teyla smiled despite herself, before she too glanced around the area. "This is very beautiful." Came her quiet comment, before a soft sigh passed her lips. "John, I can't help this feeling that I keep having."

John frowned, stopping next to a nearby tree and resting his gun beside him. "Is it the Wraith again?"

"No, it's… something else." Teyla murmured, before she too came to rest against the tree. "When the Wraith comes, I receive a chill, an icy feeling that seems to come from within me. But this is different. Instead I feel something… powerful."

"Is it friendly?" John ventured, unable to mask the hope in his voice. Right now any ally, even if it was just a ghostly presence, would be welcome.

Teyla seemed to frown even more at his question, softly closing her eyes as if to search deep within herself. "That does not seem to be the right word John. It is too simple to be 'friendly'; but then, also to be non-friendly. It just seems to be… strong." Then she bowed her head, her tone apologetic. "I'm sorry I cannot be of more help."

He just shook his head, hand resting gently upon her hair. "Teyla, it's okay. Hell, just the fact that you're getting these feelings is more then anyone could hope for. Believe me, you're more help then you realise."

Teyla nodded, before shifting her frame to smile up to him. "I am glad to hear it John. Sometimes I worry that I am not helping, being an Athosian as I am. But it is good to hear that there is some help I can give."

Nodding back to her, John then chuckled. "Anyway, we'd better keep going. McKay and Ford are probably on their way to McKay's idea of heaven by now." The both of them chuckling at that thought, John then gently helped her up, before they set off further into the woodland.

------

"Of course you know why they did that don't you?" Ford continued, as he and McKay strolled off through the other section of woodland.

"No, I'm afraid I have to admit that I don't." Rodney replied, with his best 'I don't really care' tone. Thankfully he had the scanner to keep him occupied as Ford prattled on.

"Come on McKay, you're supposed to be a genius aren't you? It's pretty damn obvious. I mean John's always talking to her, always eating with her, always telling her about Earth."

"Maybe they're just becoming good friends." Rodney murmured back, trying his best to drown out Ford's incessant babbling. Geeze, some people just didn't know when to stop talking.

"Yeah right." Ford snorted, before showing a grin that Rodney had seen on Shepherd's face many times before. Namely when he'd come into the briefing room earlier that day and found him and Elizabeth. "John's not as good at hiding his feelings as he thinks y'know. There's definitely something brewing between those two. Not that I blame him, she is kinda-"

"Lieutenant!" Rodney snapped back at him, brandishing the scanner like a deadly weapon. "In case you haven't noticed, I am trying to do some work here! This planet could hold the key to producing the greatest force fields known to man, force fields that could eventually not only protect Earth from the Goa'uld and numerous threats, but Atlantis from the Wraith! I do not need you chattering away in my ear like some high-school jock about what you think may be going on between Major Shepherd and Teyla!"

For a moment Ford blinked, surprised at Rodney's rather furious outburst. Then he simply shrugged, walking once more. "Hey, chill McKay. It's not like I started theorising about you and Elizabeth." With a slight grin at that, he picked up his pace, causing Rodney to falter, before catching up.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rodney muttered, before focusing obviously on the scanner in front of him.

Silence passed between them for a few moments, before Ford leaned over to inspect the equipment. "Hey, what does that big circle mean?"

Sighing, Rodney just rolled his eyes. "Your skills in perception are absolutely brilliant do you know that Lieutenant? Almost as good as Major Shepherd's. That 'big circle', shows that we're getting closer to the source. If I'm right, and there's no doubt that I am, it should be a few yards away to the north-west." Aiming the scanner in that direction, he then set off purposefully, Ford just chuckling behind him.

------

"So… you gonna tell me about this story or not?"John finally broke the comfortable silence with a grin sent Teyla's way.

Teyla smiled softly back to him, before slowing her pace a little. "It was a tale that my Father told me when I was eleven. It is not a common tale that my people know. From the age of seven, I knew that I was going to be the leader of the Athosians, and so my Father began to prepare me. There are many tales, passed on from the Ancestors, to guide us on our path. This was one of the most vital."

John simply nodded, shifting his gun, while he too slowed his pace. The rest of the woods seemed to be lost from his attention, focusing solely on Teyla now.

Pausing, Teyla took a breath, before recollecting. "The story is one of a planet with a glorious sky of colours, such as this one. However the world is full of sadness, and danger. It tells of the Ancestors, in their early days, when they were experimenters such as us, trying to attain their ultimate goal of peace. However not all were so focused, and indeed wished to rush their attempts. Unfortunately each of us has demons inside us, and in this Ancestor's forced attempt, he released the demon within him. However when they found him, they thought only that he had died naturally. His wife was distraught for a short time, but soon recovered, finding a new partner within the city."

"Quick workers these Ancients eh?" John quipped with a grin, before quickly growing silent at Teyla's sharp look.

"Soon she fell pregnant, and the day came for her to have her child. However, all too late, her new husband realised that her first partner's demon had found its place within her newborn child. She died that same day. Her husband swore that he had seen her go to the Peace, in a glorious show of colours, and forgot about the demon." Pausing then Teyla stopped, wincing softly.

John quickly rushed to her side, hands going to take hold of her. "Teyla, are you okay?"

Weakly, Teyla shook her head, a soft murmur passing her lips. "No. I can feel it, stronger this time. I can feel something John, something I cannot describe."

As he moved to reply, John's radio suddenly cut in, McKay's excited chatter piercing the air. "Major! You've gotta come and see this, it's absolutely amazing! The power, it's just… well, I can't explain it, just get over here. It's north-west, within the forest."

"We'll be right there." John replied, before turning to Teyla, concern still filling his face. "Will you be okay to run?"

Teyla nodded, straightening up a little more. "I think so. It was just the shock more then anything else. As long as it does not get any stronger, I should be fine."

Nodding to that, John took her hand, running with her.

------

"Finally!" Rodney exclaimed, as John and Teyla came running into the complex, only for them to stop and blink in awe at the size of the place.

"Doctor, this is amazing." Teyla commented, while Rodney just rolled his eyes. "Well, yes, I've already said that. Now what is really amazing, is the power supply. One ZPM? No. Two? Nu-uh, now three? You're getting a hell of a lot warmer."

John just blinked, moving forward to him. "Wait, this place has three ZPM's?"

Rodney beamed and bounced as he nodded. "I know! Isn't it amazing! I said this place must have a lot of power, and boy was I right."

"Yeah, but you haven't told them why." Ford reminded Rodney, as he headed back into the front area.

Frowning Rodney just shrugged. "Well I was getting to that. Basically all three are in some sort of weird synchronised operation; instead of one large shield, there are three overlapping ones, lengthening the time. Really, it's quite ingenious." At the looks from the others, he shrugged once more. "Okay, fine, I'll stop there."

Ford then glanced to Rodney once more, asking. "You're not going to tell them about the other thing we found?"

Rodney just sighed, shooting him a look. "Will you let me talk? I was getting to that okay."

"Woah there, wait a minute, what else did you find?" John frowned, glancing to Teyla. The Athosian looked even worse then before, barely able to keep her eyes open. "Ford, take Teyla outside." Unable to protest herself, Teyla allowed Ford to help her stumble outside. With both gone, John then turned to Rodney. "Okay then, what is it?"

For the first time he could remember, Rodney actually stayed quiet, seeming to be thinking about something. Then he sighed. "Look, I can't explain it, strange I know. You've just gotta see it yourself." Gesturing wildly, he scurried into the next room, John following behind.

------

Teyla stumbled against the tree, Ford watching her with a concerned gaze. "Are you okay?"

Teyla just shook her head, hand going to rest there. "I am afraid not. The presence here is much stronger then I had expected. I feel as I am surrounded, and yet I cannot see anything."

Ford just frowned. "Presence?" Rolling his eyes, he muttered. "Oh God, don't say we're talking about another gas alien thing again?"

------

John's gait slowed as he entered the room, his eyes fixating on the canister in front of him. It was so small, but so…

"Beautiful isn't it?" Rodney voiced John's own thoughts, his entire gaze focused on the canister. About the same size as an average cylinder, a portion of it had been made out of the same type of force field as the sky, showing the rainbow coloured gas that was within it.

"Yeah, I guess." John murmured, before suddenly glancing to Rodney. "Wait a minute; you're not actually thinking of taking this back to Atlantis are you?"

Obviously surprised that John had read his mind already, Rodney simply gave in. "Yes, alright, I was. Look, the force field is the strongest I have ever encountered, and believe me; we were working on some pretty good stuff back on Earth. I picked it up..."

"You WHAT?!" John exclaimed, striding forward. "What if you'd set something off?"

"Hey, you never know until you try." Rodney replied defensively, before glaring at him. "And if you'll let me finish, not that anybody ever actually does… the thing is powered on its own. It seems to have some sort of mini ZPM inside it."

"Kinda like a micro-chip?" John mused, approaching the canister.

"Well… yes." Rodney admitted reluctantly, before sighing. "Look Major, the fact is, we barely know anything about the ancients as it is. If not for what's in it, we at least should try and find out as much about this shielding as possible. And personally, I'd rather take the trial version home before we start working on the full product." He gestured outside then, before bracing his hands on the console. "Come on John, I know you want to find out about this too. It's not like I'm taking away one of the ZPM's or anything. This kind of technology could really help us with the Wraith, and you know it."

------

Teyla just shrugged to Ford, an effort in itself it seemed. "I am not sure. All I know is that the closer I came to this facility, the greater the feeling of a presence. It is a strange feeling, not of danger, not of friendliness… somehow just of desire, and power."

Ford frowned at her, deciphering all that before asking. "So basically that's a yes is it? Teyla, we found something in there. It looked like a specimen of the stuff in the sky. Granted it had a force field, but so far those things haven't always worked for us. Now if you tell me that that thing's dangerous, then I can tell the Major, and stop McKay from bringing it back. So is it?"

------

John just sighed, his gaze shifting to the canister. Damn it. He hated it, no, he loathed it, but he had to admit that McKay was right. "Sometimes you have to take risks." John mused to himself, causing a grin from McKay.

"That's a yes then?"

"Yes." John replied, before adding with a raised finger. "A reluctant yes though, as in if anything goes wrong; you'll have to fix it. Okay?"

Rodney just grinned as he grabbed the canister. "Don't I always?"

------

"I cannot say." Teyla replied to Ford, her head shaking. "As I said, it is powerful yes, and it has desire, but it is neither dangerous, nor friendly. It just is."

"Oh great." Ford muttered, before turning as he heard John and McKay's voices. "Oh great!" He repeated, eyes wide as he saw the canister in McKay's hand. "Major, you can't possibly have allowed this!"

John just shrugged to Ford. "For once, McKay's right. The shielding alone is valuable enough. Besides, we've dealt with beings before right?"

"Yeah, but we only have so many inhospitable planets left to dump an entity on to." Ford commented, as he helped Teyla towards them.

McKay just rolled his eyes at him, gesturing the canister. "There is absolutely nothing dangerous about this okay? As I told the Major, it has its own ZPM built in, so the force-field won't run out, and we certainly have no intention of letting it out."

"Personally, I don't care." John interjected, moving to help Teyla from Ford, as the lieutenant just shot a glare at Rodney. "Especially since I'm not the one who has to explain it to Elizabeth."

Rodney suddenly blinked at that, glancing between the canister, and the other three. "Uhh…" He stuttered for a moment, before giving a rather bad nonchalant shrug. "Well, she said no ZPM's, and technically this isn't. We're finding out about the history of the planet, and bringing back new technology that could ultimately defend us against the Wraith." Seeming confident with that reasoning, Rodney nodded. "Yup, there's no way she can find any sort of fault with this."

Ford just rolled his eyes, while John chuckled. "Well, like I said, you're telling her, not me."

"Yeah." Rodney murmured, suddenly wondering to himself if he actually wanted to go back to Atlantis.