A/N: Many thanks to all reading. I think it's appropriate for Atlantis to be taking off today. Can't wait to step outside and watch!

Chapter 3

Miorga kept glancing at her Sponsored Son. She had been so proud to sponsor Ronon into the ranks of Sateda's finest for Desdire'. Ronon had been an excellent soldier and still seemed to proudly represent the Satedan army. While Kell had been his task master, Miorga had been his mentor within the cohort. She had watched out from above. Now, she looked to the road ahead of them-- the physical and the intangible.

They had a long way to go to reach the Colony, which meant they had time to catch up. The sand crunched under her boots and a small wind swirled the dust behind them. Buur was an oasis created by the Ancestors in this arid part of the world. Nothing grew around it and nothing could live outside of it, except in the Colony.

The caravan had out distanced their pursuers too easily, even with the help of the Atlanteans weapons, which included explosive devices and Ronon's strange gun. However, Buur knew where to find them. There was no need for their pursuers to hurry. They would gather supplies and men for the chase and that would take some time. Of course, she would be ready.

John Sheppard and Teyla Emmagan slept in the back of Jenil's wagon. Others in the caravan had taken extra provisions displaced by the pair. No one commented on her bringing the strays with them because strays were normal. She was lucky no one else was hurt.

The Primary's assistant kept a close eye on John Sheppard and Teyla Emmagan. He had wanted to go back to town to help, but Miorga convinced him to stay because of their two guests. He agreed but would tell the Primary of the need in Buur.

While the assistant stayed close, so did Ronon and Doctor Rodney McKay. Doctor Rodney McKay had stressed that he was a doctor but not that kind of doctor. Miorga had shook his hand and just moved on.

"So, where are we headed?" Doctor McKay asked once the pace slowed to a more manageable level. He wiped the sweat from his face with the sleeve of his robe.

Miorga had supplied them with covering to wear, which included cloth for their heads. The sun would be merciless until they reached the Colony. Another bead of sweat trickled, leaving a little stream of salt and water down his face and onto his neck.

"Their home," replied Ronon.

She was amazed that her Little Boy had not killed this man yet. She was doubly amazed when Ronon goaded the whiny man and would wait for the tirade with an affectionate smile on his face. The scowls returned by Doctor McKay were met with bigger smiles. She wondered what this sniveling little man had done to deserve such respect and patience.

John stirred under the canvas and Teyla softly called to her teammates. Rodney ran right behind the cart, unsuccessfully dodging the orsk's piles of dung.

"Son of a bitch!" Rodney hopped, while looking at the bottom his boot.

Ronon opened the flap a little wider, letting John see the show behind his ride. A wisp of a smile graced the leader's lips. "Watch your step, McKay."

"Oh, thank you very much, Colonel."

"Anytime." John's eyes shut again.

"Sheppard, Teyla, what do you need?" Ronon asked.

"Nothing," Teyla murmured, watching everyone following them. She had propped herself up against the crates.

Sheppard lifted his head to look at her and then at Ronon and Rodney, amused incredulity graced his face. "Shower and pain meds." He leaned back and placed his good arm over his eyes.

"Well, this day has gone down the drain spectacularly." Rodney walked more sure-footed since the orsk had stopped peppering the way.

One of her caravan offered to hide the evidence even though it would not really matter. Garris Vrenk would know who was helping them. He just did not know why-- yet. If she left the droppings where they lay, it might make him think twice-- a message saying, "Come and try to take them."

About four hours out, the flat desert gave way to hills and sparse vegetation. Tufts of low growing grasses dotted the landscape along with cacti. In the distance, she could see the higher hills of the Colony. It would still take them about three more hours to get there.

"So," Ronon began after a long silence. He had told his story and she had listened. His mother would have been proud and saddened by his experiences. "How'd you get here? The last time I saw you, you were on your way to the border between Shog and Carmunt."

That border skirmish had been a lifetime ago. "I was still there when the Wraith attacked. They cut us off, but we hid in the Shog mountains with only a handful of survivors from both sides. There was nothing we could do."

She remembered how the whine of the darts had lasted well into the night. When they had emerged from the caves, nothing had remained of either principality. With nothing left to fight over, they started the long march to the Capital and the Ancestors' Ring.

"That's when I found out about Kell. Stragglers from different Cohorts told me about his fleeing. We didn't have time to worry about it. People were coming from as far away as Zenfur. The Wraith left nothing, so we left. We moved around from world to world until we found this place." She kicked a small pebble and it skittered off the road into a tuft of grass.

"No one in your family made it that I'm aware of. Your mother stayed with the personal guard of the Chieftain until the very end. Your father stayed at his desk destroying documents. They died well."

Ronon nodded in response.

"Little Boy--"

He started laughing. "I haven't been a little boy in a long time."

"I suppose you haven't. I haven't had a title in a long time." She watched her small caravan. They were listening to the conversation. They had a right to know the story. "Ronon, the Chieftain is not going to be happy with me."

"Chieftain? I thought…"

"Not that Chieftain, he was killed. Half of us are Satedan. We carried on the name. I am bringing trouble to the Colony. This is not going to go over well."

"We may not stay long. Atlantis will know something is wrong and look for us."

Rodney, who had been grumbling for most of the walk, spoke up, "With an air conditioned Puddle Jumper. I'm already tired of the sweat, sand, and sun!" He glared at the sky.

"Amen," was heard from the cart and Teyla joined in with, "I agree."

Miorga smiled and realized Ronon had become part of another tight unit. She could hope for nothing better for her Little Boy. She would gladly do what was necessary to protect him and his family.

The distant hills slowly became closer hills dotted with black specks. The black specks became caves and, within the caves, faces peered out into the pitiless heat of the desert. Children squealed and ran out, greeting parents, friends, and everyone in general. They became especially interested in the strangers.

Ronon smiled wistfully at the sight.

"We do have something of interest for you after all," Miorga whispered in his ear.

"Maybe one day, Ati. But not yet."

Others joined the screaming kids and the wagons were unloaded. The healer's assistant directed some of the men to get help from the Primary.

Ronon jogged over to their cart. Sheppard looked a little worse for wear as did Teyla-- pale, a little green, and exhausted.

Teyla smiled at him as he peeked through the flap. "It will be nice to be on a motionless bed."

Ronon smiled back at her, but didn't say anything. He stepped out of the way as men, carrying litters, helped his friends, his family. Once they were situated, he followed a narrow path as they carried them through a large cave entrance about fifty feet from the desert floor.

Rodney was right behind him and Miorga in front.

Rodney stopped at the mouth of the cave. The entrance was wide, but it narrowed down to a single file tunnel quickly. "Oh my God, I don't think I can do this, Ronon."

"Well, McKay. You can stay out here in the sweltering heat, but the wild animals come out at night. Anyway, Miorga told me that it drops to just above freezing when the sun goes down. Your choice."

There was a war on McKay's face. "Wild animals and freezing?"

"There is a large room at the end of the tunnel." Again, Miorga was amazed that Ronon had not shot this man. "With a fireplace."

"It's over 100 degrees out here!" McKay closed his eyes and started a repetitive chant. "Wide open fields. Wide open fields." He stepped into the dark. "Wide open fields…"

The tunnel was bored out of the rock, but it was not very high. Ronon stooped following the medics. For that fact, McKay had to stoop.

"They are going to go left; we will go to the right," Miorga called out.

"What? It's dark, we're far away from the Gate, and Sheppard and Teyla have been blown up. This day already officially sucks. Now you want us to leave them alone and in your doctor's capable hands?"

"There is not much room in the ward. It would be easier for them and you if you wait until they are settled. Plus, the Primary is particular about her ward."

"At least it's getting cooler," grumbled McKay, apparently conceding.

When the litter bearers went left, Ronon went right. McKay followed, albeit reluctantly.

"Not much farther," said Miorga.

Within a minute, they passed through a large rounded doorway and into a cavern arranged like a dining hall. Ten or fifteen long tables were set up with benches. A fireplace, roughly gouged out of a pillar of stone, sat in the middle of the room.

"Welcome to the Colony," Miorga said as she pulled out a bench next to one of the wooden tables. "Have a seat. We have much to discuss."

"You're right, you have brought trouble to your home by helping us, Miorga," Ronon said slinging a leg over a bench.

"I know. That's why the Chieftain won't be happy. I'll talk to her, though. We also have an advisor's council. We survived Sateda and other's here have their stories. Something's changing in Buur and maybe elsewhere. It's not for the better."

She nodded to a young man, who poked his head in the room. "Some water and a nibble first though." Miorga folded her hands on top of the table. "Stories have circulated about dissenters of the Coalition on the Buur Council. They will follow to try and get your people back. I know there was a plot to harm and maybe kill one or all of you."

Rodney's eyes rounded. "What? Friends! Teyla said they were friends!"

"McKay--"

"How are we going to defend ourselves from an army if Atlantis doesn't send support soon?"

"McKay, get a--"

"Grip? Oh, I'll get a grip! We're two down!"

Miorga stood up, showing her stern Commandant of the Satedan Army face. "Doctor Rodney McKay, we are self-sufficient in many ways. We have measures in place to defend this home from invasion."

"Atlantis will send a team, McKay. It won't be long." Ronon tried for reassurance. It did not work.

"It doesn't have to be! We are trapped in Helm's Deep! It's a great fortress, but there's nowhere to go."

"We just have to stall." Ronon was starting to get irritated. He wished Sheppard was here to calm down the scientist. But ever since they had been trapped on the Hive ship together, he had learned how to direct his teammate's less than helpful and mostly knee-jerk outbursts.

Anyway, McKay always worked best under pressure and they were going to need McKay at his best.

"We'll figure it out." Ronon gestured for him to sit. "We need to wait."

McKay sat down, perturbed. A young man brought in food. McKay took bread and butter. "So, self-sufficient?"

Miorga nodded. "Salt. We trade salt from mines to our north."

"Everyone needs salt," commented Rodney.

To rub in wounds, thought Ronon as he looked between Rodney and Miorga.

Slowly, John started coming back to himself. He first noticed that he was not swaying to and fro in the back of the cart, in the sweltering heat, on hard clap board. He was tucked into a warm bed; a soft bed that was much easier on the back. He also noticed that while this was most probably an infirmary, it was not Atlantis' infirmary.

He cracked an eye open to confirm. Rough hewn walls reached to the curved ceiling in one continuous piece. It looked more like a cavern than a stand alone manmade structure, definitely not Atlantis.

"Did you finally decide to join us?" said a woman leaning over him and smiling. Her brown hair was pulled behind her head and she wore a mask covering everything but her brown eyes.

John did not know her and did not know if he was supposed to know her.

She removed the mask. "I'm the Primary, Resha Gorupshi. You're in my ward." She looked beyond him to the other side. "And so is Teyla."

So the answer was no.

"I'm here, John. Rodney and Ronon are with us as well. She is a doctor."

John could not see out of his left eye. He also had problems moving his head to look at Teyla.

"We've bandaged the left side of your face to protect it from infection. You will also notice that your left arm and leg are immobilized. We removed the shrapnel. Do not worry; we are not witch doctors like your friend Rodney has been saying." She smiled when she said it.

He hoped McKay and Ronon had been playing nice. She then gave him a drink of water.

"Thanks," he whispered. The hoarseness of his voice caught him off guard. He started looking around for Teyla. She came to him instead. Teyla wore a cloth bandage wound around her head. Various cuts and bruises adorned her face and arms.

"Where are…"

"A system of caves outside of Buur. Ronon knows one of the elders, Miorga." She took John's hand. "He said she is like family."

Oh, thought John. "Not to be that guy, but the last time we met family--"

Teyla's smile was understanding and sad. "She is an old family friend."

John could feel sleep pulling him back under its spell. He would have to get the whole story later. "Watch yourself."

"Always," she murmured as she touched her forehead to his.

When John awoke next, Ronon sat on a too small stool beside him. He stared intently at nothing.

"Hey, Buddy," John said, interrupting the moment.

Flickering light danced in Ronon's eyes and on the contorted walls. Demons all around in the fire, John thought.

"Hey," Ronon greeted in his low-key rumble.

"So…" John let it drift on the waves of light.

"They're not from my old unit if that's what you're worried about."

John chuckled softly. Ronon was always so direct. Direct to the point where John should have guessed that Teyla would have voiced John's concerns, and Ronon would have wanted to get to the bottom of any problem immediately.

"Okay. Who are they?"

"Remnants of Sateda. We couldn't get to the Gate. They brought us here so the people trying to kill us wouldn't."

It made sense.

"Who's Miorga?"

Ronon looked up at the ceiling. "Commandant Miorga Goh. She is… was my mother's best friend."

John nodded. That was family. John remembered his mother's best friend. Even in marriage, they remained thick as thieves, or so his dad used to say. She remained close by even after his mother was gone.

"I didn't mean…I understand. Tell them, thank you."

Ronon nodded. "How're you feeling?"

"Crispy," John replied. "Sore. The usual."

"Sleep. Let McKay and me take care of business."

John turned to find Teyla.

"She's asleep. So is McKay. He was here earlier. He's going to whine, a lot, when I tell him you woke up on my watch."

Yes, he will, John thought, smiling. His skin pulled painfully with the grin, but it felt good to be alive. When he was more coherent, he would get a full sit rep. So he went back to sleep until then.

Miorga watched John and Ronon from the shadows. She would be lying to herself if she didn't admit to a little jealousy. She used to command such devotion from more people than just Jenil.

Ronon walked over to the entryway of the ward.

"How're they doing, Little Boy?"

He laughed. "I'm still not a little boy any more, Ati. And they're doing good," he said while looking back at his teammates.

He grabbed her arm and moved them a little farther into the tunnel. "Let's talk."

Now it was her turn to give a small laugh. "You? Talk?"

"Kell."

The mere mention of that name sobered her up. The laugh soured in her throat. "I heard." She pulled him just a little farther from the entry. "As I already said, he betrayed us all."

Ronon stared intently at her, searching her face for any regrets.

She continued, "I don't regret his death at your hands. He left all of us to die."

"He was your husband," whispered Ronon. The lanterns hanging in the passageway shadowed his features just like the shadow encompassing her heart.

"He betrayed Sateda. He betrayed his family. He killed our son as surely as if he had placed a Wraith hand on his chest."

She remembered how handsome her son had been in his uniform. Kell had betrayed all of Sateda and taken her boy from her. It had been a kick to her heart. She had not known her husband at all, it seemed.

The shadows played all around the narrow space threatening to consume her. However, the flicker of light reflecting out of her Sponsored Son's eyes shined bright and she latched onto his presence in this cramped place.

"I've missed you, Ati."

She placed a hand on the side of his face. "And I you. Now go sit with them."

He turned to go back into the ward and she watched his retreating back until he sat down in between his teammate's beds.

Unfortunately, it was time to go explain herself more fully to the Chieftain. She needed to answer why she had brought so much disruption to their relative safety. She navigated her way the Chieftain's chambers.

Jenil unfolded himself from the seat in the main room as she walked through it. "Going to see, Esmera?"

"I owe her an explanation."

"No you don't."

She took his arm as they walked down a wider corridor leading directly to the Chieftain's quarters. "Yes, I do. I'm only on the defensive council. Not the head and not someone who should make such unilateral decisions."

"Sure you are. The whole Colony looks to you whenever we are under threat."

The Colony. It had been excavated long before they set up residence here. Whoever did it might have been hiding from the Wraith or other enemies long gone and forgotten. It was a boon for them. They could seal this place up tight and live here indefinitely. There was a spring that bubbled up and air shafts too numerous to count. They even had secret exits that were closer to the main mountain range that skirted the rear of the Colony.

They harbored about 150 to 200 hundred people here. Only half were from Sateda and the other half from other devastated worlds. Other's misfortunes had been their gain, such as the Primary. She had lost her world to a mysterious enemy. Few had survived. Some came to Buur, including her. When she discovered the Colony in the middle of nowhere, she saw a need. The Chieftain welcomed her and her people with open arms. Actually, they rarely turned anyone away unless they seemed like troublemakers.

That was exactly who Miorga had just let in to their sanctuary: the ultimate troublemakers.

She took one last look at Jenil. "Stay here." She knocked on the rounded door, cut specifically for the entrance.

"Enter." The suntanned face of Chieftain Esmera greeted Miorga upon entering the comfortable room. Rugs from local weavers lay on her rocky floor and two chairs crafted off-world sat in front of her hearth. A fire blazed within it. The Colony became quite cool at night.

"Clear evening, Miorga."

"Clear evening, Chieftain."

The Chieftain smirked with that knowing smile. She had been on the High Assembly on Sateda. She had seen much. "What have you brought us from the market?"

Miorga appreciated her starting with the mundane. "Canned fruits, rice, flour…oh, the balm for the sand fleas."

"Strays?" She motioned for Miorga to sit.

Miorga sat. "No, Esmera. I brought hope."

They might be the galaxy's biggest troublemakers, but there was no denying that they were the light in the darkness.