Leaving their quarters, Ronon went looking for Teyla on his way to meet the rest of the team in the Jumper Bay. After being assured that she would make sure Jennifer got to her shift on time, he mentally prepared himself for the tormenting that he knew he was bound to receive from the three men. When he arrived only McKay was missing, and Lorne and Sheppard were arguing over the need to take a squad of Marines with them.
"Look Sir, I know it's only a recon but the way things have been going lately we've no idea what we're going to come up against. I just think it makes sense to have some extra back up, that's all".
Sheppard looked thoughtful and on spotting Ronon, asked him about the planet in question.
"Pretty sure I've never been there and Teyla didn't know anything about it either".
"Great. It's not listed in the Ancient database as being inhabited but we all know how out of date that thing is. I hate going into these situations totally blind, but we need to find more safe planets for refugees from Michael's 'experiments'. Okay Major, a compromise. Four Marines – at least one with the Gene to stay with the Jumper in case we become incapacitated".
"Fair enough". Lorne tapped his earpiece, rattled off four names and told them to get to the Bay ASAP.
Tapping his own earpiece Sheppard called for McKay. He waited for a few seconds and after not getting a response, he tried again.
"Rodney, where the hell are you?" His voice was significantly louder now.
"Stop shouting will you?" said the voice from behind him as McKay, followed by Lorne's men, appeared. "I'm here and" he glanced quickly at his watch "I'm not late, so there".
"Fine Rodney. So, what were you doing to make you nearly late?"
"Checking up on some reports from Larrin's people and making sure MX 401 wasn't mentioned".
"And...?"
"And it wasn't. So as far as we know, it should still be safe". Rodney rolled his eyes and sighed. "So can we go, because I've got about a hundred other more important things that I could be doing?"
Sheppard moved to the pilot's seat shaking his head, Rodney alongside him with Ronon and Lorne taking the seats behind. The Marines stowed their gear, chatting quietly to each other as Sheppard lowered the Jumper into position in front of the Stargate.
Col. Carter and Teyla watched from the Control Room as the Gate activated.
"Okay Jumper One, you're cleared to launch. Try not to take any risks out there and come back in one piece, please" were Sam's only instructions.
"You know us" quipped Sheppard.
"Exactly John. We do know you". Teyla's calm voice held the hint of a smile .
"Be back before supper". John laughed, as the Jumper shot through the Gate.
Exiting on MX 401 those in the front compartment took in the view before them – and it was certainly an impressive one.
"Reminds me of the Grand Canyon". Lorne stood between the 2 front seats as Sheppard brought the Jumper in to land. The Stargate was perched on a small rocky plateau with a steep path running alongside one wall, leading down to the floor of a massive canyon.
"Okay, let's take a quick look around outside... carefully. We don't know how stable this area is, so watch where you put your feet". Sheppard opened the rear hatch before adding "Rodney, you and Strauss stay put... just in case".
As the others stepped outside, Strauss moved to the pilot's seat and sat, looking slightly apprehensive.
"What's the matter with you?" Rodney glanced over at the young Marine.
"Nervous I guess. I haven't done much flying yet... for real, I mean".
Dismissing him from his mind easily, Rodney started to run scans on the immediate area, muttering to himself the whole time.
Outside the six men were checking out the plateau. The air was still and hot... and silent, giving it an eerie feeling. Ronon had only gone a little way down the path when he shouted to Sheppard.
"What ya got?" he asked, coming to stand by him.
Ronon looked up from his crouching position. "Somebody's been here fairly recently". He pointed to a dark patch on the canyon wall – it looked like dried blood to Sheppard.
"Coming or going do you think?"
"Can't tell yet. The ground here is too dry and stony. Maybe I'll get a better idea down there. Meet you at the bottom?"
"Alright but be careful. I doubt the Doc wants you back with a broken leg or worse and she might take it out on me if you get injured". Sheppard smirked.
Ronon grinned as he straightened and nimbly set off down the slope.
"Probably a mountain goat in a previous life" Lorne remarked from his position at the top of the path. "Oh oh" he added as Ronon stopped, turned and glared at him briefly.
"You'll learn Major, if you come out with us regularly. Whisper anything you don't want him to hear, but only if he's at least 100 metres away".
"Sir" called Corporal Knight. "Dr McKay says there's a problem and you'd better get back here quick".
"Now there's a surprise" Sheppard sighed. "One of these days..."
"Everything will go according to plan" Lorne finished for him as they walked back to the Jumper. "But obviously not today".
Strauss relinquished the front seat gratefully as soon as he saw the Colonel, rejoining his companions in the back.
"Okay Rodney, what's up this time?"
"I think we've got company".
"You THINK we've got company?"
"Yeah well... the life signs detector seems to be having a nervous breakdown. One minute I've got life signs, then they're gone again".
"So whoever or whatever they are must be moving into a shielded area... " began Sheppard.
"Obvious answer but wrong this time, because the dots are stationary. They haven't moved at all since I first detected them".
"How far away and how many?"
"15 kilometres, give or take a few metres" Rodney answered. "As to how many – I reckon about 30... maybe".
"'Kay, we'll pick up Ronon and then go take a look" Sheppard said, powering up the Jumper and flying down to the bottom of the canyon to wait for the Satedan.
They watched as Ronon made his way down, stopping every so often to check the ground or the canyon wall. The going appeared to get easier the nearer he got to them and by the time he reached the floor, he was almost jogging. Instead of joining his teammates immediately he carried on checking the area and it was only when Lorne yelled to him from the rear of the Jumper that he stopped and headed in their direction.
"How come you didn't radio me, if you were in such a hurry" he growled, taking his seat behind McKay as the Jumper lifted into the air.
"They're having a problem" Sheppard glanced at Rodney as he spoke "which McKay is sorting as we speak... aren't you?"
"I'm trying, okay. It's just like the life signs detector – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's got to be something to do with the planet itself".
"What about the Jumper?" Sheppard was starting to look a little worried.
"I guess we hope for the best, but it might be a good idea not to fly too high".
"That's just great". Sheppard shook his despairingly.
"I'll warn the guys". Lorne rose and moved to the rear compartment.
Sheppard looked briefly over his shoulder towards Ronon. "You find anything interesting on the way down?"
"Definitely been people using the path, going both ways. But I can't be sure how long ago".
"Yeah, well we think that at least some of them are still here, which is where we're going now. I just hope the cloak stays working until we know who we're dealing with".
They flew through the canyon with Sheppard keeping the Jumper only metres above the ground, emerging a few minutes later over a flat stony plain which stretched as far as the eye could see.
"McKay?" Sheppard's voice held a question.
"What do you want me to say? The readings show life signs less than a kilometre straight ahead".
"Underground caves". Ronon's growl was the only logical explanation as to the whereabouts of their quarry.
"No chance of sneaking up on them then. All we can do is land almost on top of where we think they are and wait for one of them to pop their heads out".
"Take too long. Let me out here and I'll just go in and see what happens". Ronon's approach was as direct as usual.
"Are you nuts?" argued Rodney. "Keller would kill all of us if we let you do that!"
Sheppard flew on a little further and brought the Jumper in to land. Moments later the argument became irrelevant as simultaneously the cloak failed and the Jumper was surrounded.