Right of Claim - Chapter 2

By Steph7085

Elizabeth sighed warily and covered her face with her hands. After a few deep breaths she peeked through her fingers at Teyla who sat in the chair across from her desk, calmly, as usual. She had returned through the Stargate - alone - about thirty minutes before and had practically dragged Elizabeth to her office when the expedition leader came down the stairs to greet her. Not even giving Elizabeth a chance to question her lack of company and the fact that she was carrying more weaponry than Ronon did on a bad day.

The Athosian had explained the situation thoroughly and Elizabeth was seriously considering banning John Sheppard from future missions altogether, Ronon and Rodney were on thin ice as well as far as she was concerned.

"Let me get this straight," Elizabeth stated. "John, Ronon and Rodney have been imprisoned and are likely to be executed just because they are 'unclaimed' men."

"That is correct," Teyla confirmed with a nod. Elizabeth laced her fingers together, placed her elbows on her desk and rested her chin on her hands, looking thoughtful.

"And all I have to do is go to this planet and…state my claim on them?" Elizabeth asked, eyebrow raised. Teyla nodded.

"I'm afraid so."

"Ok then…do you have any idea how I'm supposed to do that, or what proof I'll need of this…ownership?" The expedition leader questioned.

"I believe in this case it is simple authority over them," Teyla voiced. "These people seem to respond and follow those who expect their orders to be followed and who are absolute in their leadership."

"I'm assuming you mean Nyla."

"Yes," Teyla agreed. "She will not treat you with disrespect or harm you in any way. She respects fellow women, but sees men, and our belief that they are equal, inferior. I do not believe she will question your authority if you enforce it."

"So basically I have to act like a complete bitch and boss my three most troublesome people about," Elizabeth joked as she sat back in her chair, trying to lighten the situation and keep her worry at bay. Teyla's lips twitched.

"It is not the way I would have put it, but yes," she agreed, even as the humour faded from Elizabeth's face.

"And if I'm not convincing enough they will die," she stated pointlessly, her eyebrows creasing in worry. Teyla leant forward and met her friends eyes.

"Everything will be fine Elizabeth, there will be no one there to dispute your claim and I will be able to confirm it."

"Thank you Teyla, you're right I know," Elizabeth replied with a small grateful smile as she rubbed her forehead, trying to forestall the headache she could feel threatening. "Well, I don't want to wait too long. We'll go back in the morning, and I think we should bring someone else. A female obviously."

Teyla nodded in agreement, then stood up and suggested, "I am sure Laura would love to keep us company. I believe she would love the opportunity to have 'one over' on Rodney. I believe that is how she put it the last time we spoke"

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at that. "Perfect choice, and I know she'd more than love it. She won't have much time to gloat though."

Teyla looked puzzled, but waited for Elizabeth to explain.

"When we get them back I'm banning them from all missions and maybe killing them. How do you feel about a promotion?"

Teyla smiled. "I have a feeling it would be less work."

"For both of us Teyla," Elizabeth agreed.

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When they arrived on the planet they were greeted by a large muscular woman who was almost as tall as Ronon. Her presence alone was intimidating; wearing the same green jumpsuit Teyla remembered from last time and carrying an assortment of weapons ranging from knifes to things that looked like guns. The advanced 'bow and arrow' that Teyla had described hung from her back.

"Queen Nyla is expecting you," she rumbled, her voice surprisingly sweet, even though it carried a demand. "I am to escort you to the main village." She immediately began walking and Elizabeth followed, Teyla and Laura walking at her sides. After an hour long trek through the woods they arrived, their escort told them to wait and set off towards a large building in the centre that had a small stage-like balcony on it.

Elizabeth eyed the stage immediately noticing the throne-like seat with an attractive, but hard looking, woman lounging grandly on it - Nyla she suspected. Taking a deep breath she squared her shoulders.

"You can do it Dr. Weir," Laura whispered from her left, P-90 in hand. "If anyone can be a bitch, it's you."

"Thanks…I think," Elizabeth muttered before she marched towards the central building, towards Nyla. When Nyla saw her approaching she stood and walked down the steps confidently, meeting Elizabeth's eyes as she stopped in front of her, Teyla and Laura just behind her. Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at the Queen, keeping her hands by her sides and her posture relaxed.

The other villagers had stopped what they were doing and stared openly at the scene.

"Queen Nyla I assume," Elizabeth guessed, sounding uninterested. The queen tried to respond but Elizabeth balled her over, turning her back on the woman. "I've been informed you have my men held captive. I want them back," she told her, her voice hard and confident. When no one jumped to carry out her order she glanced over her shoulder and said in a deceptively calm voice, "Now!"

Teyla shared a look with Laura, both of them impressed with Elizabeth's performance. Laura spotted a doorway to another building that had two guards standing on either side of the door and determined that that was where their people were being held, before she could inform Elizabeth though Nyla spoke.

"They were unclaimed therefore free game, as I explained to Teyla Emmagan. It was my right by law to imprison them." Her hands were on her hips and she was clearly bristling at Elizabeth's demanding tone.

"Yes, but now I 'm here. They belong to me, they are claimed . That means you have to free them."

"I was led to believe your 'kind' didn't believe in ownership," she spat, her eyes glaring daggers. Elizabeth's eyes narrowed further.

"Erm…excuse me ma'am," Laura interrupted, coming to Elizabeth's side and informing her of the discovery she made in a whisper. Atlantis' leader didn't move her eyes from Nyla's as she nodded to Laura. She smiled slightly at the alien leaders suspicious look, spun and headed towards the building with the guards.

Nyla looked outraged and stalked after Elizabeth finally catching up as Elizabeth reached the doorway. The female guards stepped forward threateningly causing Elizabeth to glare.

"Move, now," she demanded, "or I will let my people fire at will." They glanced at Nyla.

"Let her through," she told them. They did as instructed and the two leaders stepped through the doorway, Teyla and Laura following quickly, trying to hide their surprise at Elizabeth's actions. Their leader was usual the nicest person, to see her playing hardball was an experience they'd never forget.

The doorway led to a large room, each side wall made up of cells, all containing men. In the centre of the room and main walkway was a large circular cell, the metal bars preventing any escape for those inside. Three distinctively familiar figures were sat on the floor and the distinctive whining voice of McKay could be heard along with the aggravated 'shut ups' from Ronon and John.

"Release them immediately," Elizabeth ordered as she marched further into the room, Nyla and her guards closely following. Teyla and Laura stayed back.

"Elizabeth?" John questioned, standing up and moving towards the bars, his hands gripping two. Ronon stood as well, towering behind John as Rodney practically ran at the bars.

"Oh thank God, I…" he started.

"Shut up, all of you," she snapped angrily, shocking them. Rodney stepped back from the bars in shock and John's wide eyes met hers questioningly. They shared a silent communication and he kept quiet, glaring at McKay when he tried to speak again. Ronon just looked amused.

Nyla watched the entire exchange and actually looked impressed, though the expression was hidden quite quickly.

"You know how to handle your men," she complimented, gesturing to the guard to release them. "I believe your claim. However there has been a change in circumstances." Her expression turned smugly demanding as she dared Elizabeth to question her.

Elizabeth had never backed down from a dare. "And that would be?"

The guards lined the men up, John standing in the middle and Ronon and Rodney to either side. They watched the stand off with interest, John's eyes pleading with Elizabeth to get him…them out of here. She glanced at Nyla impatiently.

The queen pointed towards John, "He has been claimed as a mate."

"Now hang on…" John exploded,

"John," Elizabeth hissed, making a chipping motion with her hand before turning back to Nyla. "That is unacceptable. He has already been claimed."

"A mating claim is more binding than ownership, especially when it comes from a queen." Elizabeth raised her eyebrow and smiled sweetly, her arms folding across her chest. So this was her game.

"As I said before he has already been claimed," Elizabeth informed her.

"By who?" She questioned in disbelief.

"Me," Elizabeth told her simply before spinning around and gesturing for her people to leave. Atlantis' men tried to follow but John was held back by Nyla and the guards.

"Hey," John protested catching Elizabeth's attention.

Nyla spoke up, "You may take the others, but this one is mine. Your claim is false."

Elizabeth turned slowly and gazed at the woman coldly. "I don't think so," she said before she donned her diplomat mask. "There must be a way to settle this manner, without bloodshed," Elizabeth tried, sighing in boredom as she glanced at Teyla and Laura who stepped forward holding there weapons up clearly. The guards behind Nyla stiffened, but the Queen forestalled them.

"In case you haven't noticed, you are outnumbered," Nyla stated smugly. Elizabeth laughed quietly, shaking her head much to the shock of everyone.

"No…I'm not," she bluffed, her tone so convincing that the Queens eyes widened.

"Then we must hold a trail," Nyla explained angrily, "and prove to the Council who's claim is true."