When they entered the main settlement they were approached by a small group and greeted by the leader. "Major Lorne. Welcome back."
"Chief Eisberg." Lorne replied. "This is Dr Keller, she will help your people."
"Dr Keller, it is a pleasure to meet you. I thank you for all the help you will give." Eisberg responded with a warm expression. "We have the injured in a building over there. My son Annett will show you the way." He turned to a younger man and nodded.
The younger man stepped forward and said, "Dr Keller this way please." Before heading off to the temporary infirmary.
As soon as Jennifer entered the building she opened up her bag, removed some gloves and started to examine the masses of patients, whilst Lorne's team stood in the background and responded to any instructions she threw their way. Annett moved to the side of the room, where a local man was standing. Following a whispered conversation Annett returned to Lorne. "I hope you will excuse me, but I have other matters to attend to. My man Sartori over there." He motioned to the man he had just talked to. "Will provide any assistance that you need." With that he left the building.
Two hours later Jennifer had finished the triage and was now treating the injured as quickly as she could. Although none of the injuries were life-threatening most of the men were in pain and at risk of infection. Lorne and his men offered any assistance that they could, but were generally ordered to the other side of the room.
As Jennifer removed the dressing on the latest patient and probed the wound her facial expression changed to one of surprise. She ran her scanner over the wound and her expression changed to one of worry. This was noticed by both Lorne and the ever-watching Sartori. They both moved towards her.
"Is there a problem Dr Keller?" Sartori asked as he quickly approached them.
"It is just that the wound is infected and he appears to still have some shrapnel in his abdomen. He requires a lot of work. Could you get me some fresh water and clean cloths please?"
Not looking entirely convinced he replied, "Of course," and left the room.
"So what is really wrong?" Lorne asked quietly hoping not to draw the attention of other patients.
"This didn't happen from a mining accident." Jennifer said in hushed tones pointing at the wound. "It is a gunshot."
"You sure?" Lorne asked. Jennifer turned to face him wearing a look, Lorne could best describe as distain. "Ok stupid question. Of course you are sure. Any of the others have injuries not caused by a mining accident."
"Although not what we might expect on Earth, it is possible the other injuries I have seen so far have been caused by a mining accident. But they could have been caused by something else."
"How long till you finish up here?"
"At least another four hours." Jennifer replied.
"Ok, let me know if you find anything else. And Doc do not go anywhere unless accompanied."
Jennifer nodded just as Sartori returned with the items Jennifer had asked for. When she received them she went to work on the patient trying to subtly remove the bullet. "May I ask what you are doing Dr Keller?" Sartori asked.
"I am trying to remove the shrapnel from the wound. Would you mind standing back, you are blocking the light." Jennifer replied.
"Of course." Sartori turned and headed back to the entrance, stopping on route to speak to one of the patients. After a brief exchange he stood close enough to Lorne and Keller that he could hear any conversation they might have.
As soon as Jennifer had removed the bullet Sartori returned to her side. "Would you like me to dispose of the shrapnel doctor?"
Jennifer smiled and answered, "Thank you." She then handed him a plastic dish containing a small piece of metal. Sartori almost looked relieved when he saw the contents of the dish, which he silently accepted. He then hurried out of the room again.
"Don't mean to question you doc but that could have been useful to examine."
"That is why I kept what I pulled out." Jennifer opened her palm and revealed the bullet. Lorne quickly relieved her of the bullet and asked.
"How did you manage that?"
"I will tell you later." She replied as she redressed the wound and went onto the next patient.
Eventually Annett returned to the building and went straight to Sartori. Following another hushed exchange he walked towards Lorne and said, "Perhaps I could interest you and your men, not to mention your doctor, with some refreshments."
"That sounds nice. Thank you." Lorne replied, much to the relief of his men. He then walked over to Jennifer. "Doc. Time to take a break."
"Not a good time. I still need to.."
"Doc any of these patients going to die if you take a ten minute break?"
"No. But-" Jennifer started.
"No buts. Time to stop and rest." Leaning closer to Jennifer he whispered. "Remember it is me Ronon will beat up if you don't look after yourself on this mission. So I would consider it a personal favour if you agreed."
"Fine. But only ten minutes."
"Good. Let's go." As Lorne and Jennifer reached Annett he smiled and led them to a small tavern where refreshments were waiting. He let them take their seats then wandered over to another group of men.
"Young, I need you to take what I am about to pass you and when you are not being watched examine it. See if it's like anything we've seen before."
Before Young could ask any questions, the settlement's chief, Eisberg approached the table.
"May I?" He questioned as he motioned towards an empty seat.
"Of course." Lorne replied.
"I wish to thank you doctor." Eisberg began after he had sat down. "I hear that you are working wonders."
"I have done nothing really, just cleaned a few wounds and administered pain killers." Jennifer smiled. "Did you loose many men in the accident?"
"Twenty I have been told. It is a great shame to lose so many lives." He confessed.
"It must put a great strain on your mining efforts losing so many. We thank you for being able to spare so much naquadah." Lorne said.
"It would be logical to conclude that it had reduced productivity, but Annett runs a tight ship and everyone has doubled their efforts. In fact since the accident we are extracting more naquadah per day than ever before. I do not know how he does it."
"You must be very proud of your son." Jennifer said.
"Indeed I am. And I am sure he will one day be a worthy successor." The chieftain smiled.
"Out of interest, if you don't mind me asking, who do you usually sell the naquadah to?" Lorne asked.
"To a very private race. They come once a year and collect the naquadah then disappear. We know virtually nothing about them." Eisberg confessed. "Annett deals with them now, he may be able to shed some more light on them for you." He looked round the room. "I am sorry he appears to have gone. Let me find him for you."
When the group was alone at the table once more Lorne said, "Something funny is going on here. I don't know what, but I am not buying into the mining accident story so keep your guard up at all time."
All of his men replied, "Yes Sir."
"I am going outside to try to check in with the marines. Do not let the doc out of you sight." He warned.
Outside the tavern Lorne moved to a secluded spot to try his radio. He stopped, however, when he heard Annett's voice laced with anger. "I told you to stop anything like that happening. You were to ensure that those patients were kept away from the others. Are you sure you are not mistaken."
"Wald had a prime view from his bed. He saw the whole exchange." Sartori answered.
The conversation went silent for several moments. Then Annett spoke. "Let's not worry about it now. Their doctor is nearly finished. We will encourage them to load up their reward now, rather than when the doctor is finished and they will be out of the way tonight."
"Annett are you in here?" Another voice entered the discussion. Lorne placed it as the Chieftain Eisberg. "You are being most rude to our guests."
"Sorry father, but I need to manage the mine. I will be out shortly."
"See that you are …" Eisberg started, but Lorne was already making his way back to the tavern. He immediately noticed Young was not at the table. Before he could question his whereabouts, the young British member of his team, Kenyon said. "He is tying his shoe lace. When Young finally emerged from under the table he said. "Not like anything I have seen before, but appears to be from a hand gun." Lorne nodded.
"Ok. I get the impression they want us gone as much as we want to leave. So lets finish up here ASAP. You ready doc?"
Jennifer nodded and the group headed back to the temporary infirmary.