Disclaimer: I still don't own them...rats!

A/N I had a bit of trouble with this chapter, trying to portray what led up to the previous chapters is ok in itself, but the only one who knows the whole story is Sheppard, and as you all know, he's so far unable to tell anyone. Then I realised that TV shows have the habit of ignoring little details like this, and showing flashbacks in entirety, as if the narator had seen and heard everything, which isn't right when you realise the person wasn't actually in the particular scene! In light of this, I've written this chapter in the same way so you all know what happened. Please forgive this transgression into "TV boo boos".

Thanks also to my beta, nicol-leoraine for her helpful comments and ideas.

I dedicate this chapter to my Mum, who laughed hysterically when I confessed I'd started writing this story, and who nearly peed herself when I informed her of the stats...beware 'Mummy', revenge is sweet! evil smile here

Chapter 4

4 hours ago

PB3-245 was supposed to be a nice quiet world, cool forests, meandering streams, hidden grassy clearings interspersed with the odd mountain range, with vast open plains in the southern areas of the continents. The natives were friendly easy-going people who lived in large family groups and travelled like gypsies across the planet, mostly nomadic although there was the occasional farmstead and a few scattered villages. They used no technology to speak of, but they DID have one unique feature…they had a lot of animals on the planet that were very good to eat, almost a plague of some species, and they were wondering what to do about it, without wasting any of the meat.

Sheppard's team had come here initially on a simple meet and greet mission and had then gone on to discuss possible trading…the natives hunted a lot, and there were large numbers of animals as a result of several good seasons. There was a particular animal that was plentiful and found nearly everywhere that was becoming a real problem. It was similar to a deer with a trunk like an elephant. The Bonyx wandered in small herds usually, but recently had formed massive moving hordes, that literally destroyed the areas of grassland and forest they moved through. The natives were happy to seek a possible trade deal that would reduce their numbers in a useful way.

Yes, it appeared that this would be an easy mission…a nice hike to the closest village, a cheery but skilful trading session, followed by another lovely hike back to the stargate. The details of the trade had mostly been worked out on their previous visit, so in Sheppard's mind the fat lady was just about to open her mouth for the finale when suddenly things started to go south.

They were seated in front of the headman's hut, the rest of the village's inhabitants clustered around, when Ronon lifted his head and stared into the forest, his blaster suddenly appearing in his hands. Barely had Teyla and the Colonel started to grab their own weapons, when something came flying through the air to land just beyond them in the midst of the main group of natives. There was an explosion, and bodies flew in all directions, the sound of gunfire pierced the afternoon quickly followed by the dangerous sound of Ronon's blaster wreaking havoc.

Sheppard grabbed Rodney and shoved him behind him, while firing off a burst from his P90 at a barely glimpsed figure pointing a gun in their direction. Another man appeared beside the first, firing a gun in their direction and the native running just behind John at that time dropped like a stone, half his head missing. The Atlanteans found cover amongst the huts and the natives scrambled around gathering their own weapons while the ambushers continued to pick them off with both bullets and grenades.

Hearing Teyla firing her P90 on the other side of the hut he and McKay were crouched beside, Sheppard knew she was still ok, and he could see Ronon 2 huts away, firing a blaster he'd set on the 'kill' setting into the trees on the other side of the village. The surviving natives were sending arrows into the trees as well, but the chaos continued, and the number of defending natives was slowly being whittled down. Confusion reigned. Gunfire, explosions and the screams of the wounded made for a shocking scene that dramatically faded into the background when John spotted one of their attackers…Kolya!

Sheppard ducked, as a bullet flew past his face and hit the wall of the wooden hut, showering him with splinters. Behind him, McKay started swearing as another bullet zipped past him close enough to tug on his shirt-sleeve. The psyisist had his 9mm out, and was looking wildly around, obviously fairly close to panicking. A quick look around the camp revealed that most of the natives had disappeared into the forest, and that the attackers seemed to be trying to concentrate on the Atlanteans.

"Ronon! Teyla! Fall back to the gate, we have to get out of here!" John yelled into his radio, firing off bursts from his P90, and starting to shove Rodney in the direction of the gate. "Run for the gate McKay!"

They all took off for the gate, Sheppard giving them covering fire for a few seconds, then running after them using the trees as cover wherever possible. As they drew further ahead of their attackers, they converged on each other until the four of them were within metres of each other, close enough for mutual support, but not close enough to form a large target.

"I saw Kolya!" Sheppard hissed into his radio, hearing Teyla gasp in reply, while Ronon growled. "The damn Genii somehow must've known we were here. We need to get back to Atlantis ASAP! Teyla, you and Rodney take the point, get to the gate and dial it up…Ronon and I will cover you."

Teyla forged ahead of them, McKay trailing her, his 9mm clutched in his hand and an expression of fear combined with determination on his face. He would do his best, there was no way he wanted anything to do with the Genii ever again. He remembered the invasion of Atlantis and his heart started pounding in his chest. Sweat poured down his face but it wasn't totally from exertion…this was a cold sweat, the sweat of fear. Rodney saw Teyla fire her P90 at something off to his left and watched almost numbly as a Genii soldier spun out from behind a tree and dropped like a stone to the ground.

With a start, he snapped back to the here and now, realising that the lives of himself and his team now rested on his shoulders. For his own sake, and his team's, he would get to the gate but dear God, he was scared.

Ronon and Sheppard watched their back trail as they began following their team-mates, firing their weapons at the Genii who foolishly came within range. They leap frogged each other, steadily making their way after Teyla and McKay, until they came within sight of the stargate. As McKay feverishly dialled the gate, several Genii suddenly burst out of their hiding places, and began firing their weapons at them.

The opening wormhole whooshed into being, and Rodney hurriedly sent his IDC, then began yelling into his radio.

"Atlantis, drop the shield, we're coming in hot!"

"Go McKay!" Sheppard yelled as he sent a hail of bullets from his P90 at the Genii.

Sheppard managed to spare a quick glance at the gate and saw McKay run through, closely followed by Teyla. He motioned to Ronon to follow them, that he would give covering fire, and would be right behind him. Ronon nodded, and retreated steadily towards the gate, finally turning and charging into the shimmering puddle.

Sheppard sent a final burst at the Genii, then turned and ran towards the gate. He hastily reloaded with a fresh clip as he ran, ducking and zig-zagging his way towards the gate as rifle fire kicked up dirt and leaves all around him. An explosion to his left showed the Genii were closing in, and he hastily ducked again, the wind gust from the blast sending leaves and sticks flying all around him.

He turned to fire again when he felt a sharp pain stab at his throat, and looked up into the eyes of Kolya. The Genii was smiling evilly and was lowering a long tube from his mouth as he started to close in on Sheppard. Staggering from the impact at his throat, he scrambled madly in the direction of the gate, and was climbing the steps when he saw from the corner of his eye a grenade hurtling through the air in his direction. He increased his pace, but knew he wasn't quick enough.

He reached the platform and dived towards the gate as the grenade detonated half way up the steps. He felt the force of the explosion take control to hurtle him through, turning his controlled dive into a wild flight that ended as he flew through the gate and slammed into the steps of the control room, where blackness claimed him.

TBC

A/N Once again, I'd like to thank all the people who took the time to review, the support from you all is amazing, and believe me when I say, for a first time author, it's pretty heady stuff! Thank you to the repeat reviewers, glad you're still with me, and for the newchums who've just joined me on this wild ride, welcome and I hope you enjoy it.

As I'm working tomorrow, and going away for the weekend straight after that, I'll try to post a further chapter before I go. Will give all the lambs and kids a cuddle for those who requested it, who knows, my 'kids' may even have some ideas for me, lol.