In the back of the line, Cpl. Hutchins walked in amazement. When they were back in Atlantis the woman had been silent and subdued. Now that they were on the planet she was talking animatedly with both Dr. McKay and Dr. Zelenka, discussing power modulators and transformers and several other things he couldn't even begin to understand. She had even asked him and Sgt. Ballard a few questions about weapons and tactics. It was as if she were a whole other person.
McKay was thinking the same thing, among the several other things going on in his mind. He didn't understand why Kreola was so relaxed in his presence and not Sheppard's … usually it was the opposite affect. It felt… weird. Nice, but definitely weird. She was keeping up with both him and Zelenka in their technical discussion, and he couldn't help but hope she'd return to work with them in Atlantis.
When they arrived at the ship she paused a moment to take stock of the situation, amazed she had survived such a crash. The trees had provided a slight cushion, but had the ship not responded to her last desperate plea to slow down, she would not have survived. Shaking that thought from her head she hurried inside, rummaging through the crates before moving back outside with one of the smaller boxes.
"It survived the crash, I am so relieved!"
"What is it?" McKay asked, watching as she placed the box on the ground before taking out one of the strange tools from her belt. It resembled a screwdriver but had two square looking heads bent at a thirty degree angle from each other. She expertly inserted them in matching holes on the box and twisted, causing the lid to gently pop up.
"They are called Ulata Sitara. I remembered reading about them in a journal my grandparents gave me a long time ago, but I did not believe they still existed." Taking the lid she carefully moved it aside. McKay peered inside.
"Grass?" Kreola laughed, thinking he had been joking. She missed the annoyed glare he gave her before she started picking the grass-like packing material aside.
"I find that humorous, Doctor McKay. The grass, as you call it, actually serves a dual purpose besides simply protecting the cargo. Doctor Beckett will be interested in the healing properties that are created when it is heated in water." She paused, a large smile on her face. "No, this is what we call an Ulata Sitara." In her hand was a large ostrich-sized egg that was colored silver with black streaks.
"An egg?"
"At the moment, yes. I found two of them when I was collecting the kaleeta, the grass. It was obvious they had been abandoned. I couldn't just leave them, so I carefully packed them along with the kaleeta and carried them back here."
"They are reptilian?" Zelenka inquired, peering through his glasses. "Or avian?"
"I am not sure what those are," Kreola hesitated, "but I do not believe they are a creature that normally emerges from an egg. The journal did not go into much detail of the adult in terms of visuals, I am afraid. It was a very old piece. The part I remember most is that after an Ulata Sitara is born, it will attach itself to a creature."
"Attach? Physically?" Zelenka asked.
"I think she means in terms of mentally imprinting itself," McKay stated. Seeing her confused look at the word he continued. "On our planet, there are some creatures who believe the first creature they see after being born is their mother. It doesn't matter what species the two are, the bond becomes unbreakable."
"Ah. Well, I guess an Ulata Sitara is similar to that, but the bond does not happen immediately. It will only attach itself to something it believes deserves the honor and wishes to protect. The Ulata Sitara were prized ages ago as the ultimate companion and friend, fiercely loyal." She looked at the egg in her hand. "That is something I would give anything for," she added quietly. Then, as if embarrassed by her words, she quickly added, "Well, I am just glad they are safe." She placed the egg back into the crate next to its companion. "Now shall we see to the ship?"
The next few hours were spent inside the ship as Kreola, McKay and Zelenka shifted wires, sorted crystals, and rerouted power via various subroutines. The end result was a nearly fully repaired jumper. Kreola could barely contain her excitement at having her ship up and running, while McKay could barely wait to dive into the systems of the ship. Yet before he could begin there was a commotion outside.
"What business do you have here?" The three moved to the rear of the ship, Kreola gasping with recognition. A group of hunters from the villages were talking to the two soldiers, disgust obvious in their expressions. Sgt. Ballard was doing her best explain they were merely helping to repair the ship, while Cpl. Hutchins watched the hunters carefully. He didn't understand why these men were so hostile toward them. He didn't doubt the power of their own weapons, but he wasn't too keen on starting a war with a group of people they had just formed an alliance with.
"Tell your friends to not look directly at them," Kreola quietly said to McKay.
"What? What for?"
"Please believe me, they will calm down. Just do not look directly at them." Giving her an odd look, and another to Zelenka who merely shrugged, McKay sighed. Tapping into his radio he stated, "Kreola says not to look directly at them when speaking." He saw the two soldiers turn to look at him with puzzlement. "Just do it," he ordered.
Not understanding the purpose of the strange order but willing to follow it nonetheless, the two awkwardly lowered their gazes. Amazingly, the hunters seemed to visibly regain some of their composure, their voices becoming softer. After a few more comments about the upcoming trade and an order to leave before nightfall, the hunters departed and the two soldiers moved to the scientists.
"Okay, what was that about?" Sgt. Ballard asked. "One moment they're ready to start a war and the next they're speaking about how eager they are about the upcoming trade."
"I am sorry. I thought that you were familiar with the laws of this planet."
"What laws?" Zelenka asked. Kreola looked at the four with her, still finding the odds of this grouping highly unlikely, yet grateful. She hadn't been this comfortable with other people since she came to this planet.
"Those of us who are cursed must not look directly upon those who are not."
"What curse?" McKay asked. She blinked in surprise for a moment before pointing to her eyes. "What, eyes? What do eyes have to do with…" He stopped, looking at her then the others with her. He remembered what Beckett had told him and how she had reacted to the other members of Atlantis. "You're kidding. You think blue eyes are a curse?"
"Blue eyes?" Zelenka asked. The two soldiers looked at each other then back to McKay, quiet but curious.
"Yes. I guess it never even occurred to me before, but how often have we encountered people in this galaxy with blue eyes?"
"Rarely, sir," Cpl. Hutchins answered.
"I don't think I ever have," Sgt. Ballard added. "So what you're saying is that the people of this planet believe that blue eyes are a curse?"
Kreola nodded. "Yes. They believe a cursed one's gaze will bring misfortune. That is why we cannot look non-cursed in the eyes."
"What idiot thought of that idea?" McKay asked. She looked at him as if he were insane.
"On our planet, it is not uncommon for one to have eyes of blue," Zelenka explained.
"Really? How many are there?" she asked. "A hundred?"
"More along the lines of a hundred million," McKay gruffly stated. Her mouth dropped, unable to imagine that many people, let alone that many with the curse. "Look, if these people want to think having blue eyes is some sort of curse, I really don't care. I'm more interested in what data is held in this jumper's memory."
Shaken from her stupor Kreola gave a slight jump. "What? Oh yes, I am sorry. I forgot that was part of our agreement. However, may I suggest we continue at my home? The accommodations are much more preferable to here, and we will not encounter any further interruptions."
After a brief discussion they agreed. Retrieving the small box from earlier, Kreola moved inside and settled comfortably into the pilot's chair, McKay taking the co-pilot's seat. Sgt. Ballard and Zelenka took the two other seats while Cpl. Hutchins sat in the back. The console lit up beneath her fingers so easily and smoothly she couldn't help but giggle with happiness. Doctors McKay and Zelenka were amazing! In seconds the ship rose into the air, the cloak activating before clearing the trees. She maneuvered the ship and headed off toward the village, calmly explaining what had happened.
"I came to this planet nearly twenty cycles ago. When I first traveled to the village I was taught rather quickly that because of the color of my eyes, I was considered cursed. I was not to look at anyone directly, and to speak only when spoken to. I was allowed to remain only because I had no place to go, but was not permitted to live with the rest of the villagers. I learned how to repair most of the equipment and tools from the village, so I at least receive visitors once in awhile. They have never questioned my ability in this, nor how I have acquired the technology to do what I do. They do not know I arrived in this ship through the gateway, nor has any ever seen it."
"How do they not see it when they go to you for repairs?" Zelenka asked.
"It is easy, when your home can stretch for many leagues. Look there." She indicated a small mountain range beyond the village. "There are many, many caverns that run beneath that range. I simply hide this ship in one of them. When the Wraith come and the villagers come to hide in the tunnels, I simply activate the cloaking protocol and wait nearby. They do not wish to wait by me, so the ship has remained secure."
"And I'm guessing they assume you mine the materials you use from the mountains?" She grinned at McKay.
"Yes, exactly. They have no idea that the best minerals are found on the moon that orbits this planet. However, using the ship for all those trips has taken its toll, as you have seen."
"How come you never returned through the stargate to where you came from?"
"Because there is nothing to return to. I was so young when the Wraith first came to my world. Despite my people's technology and abilities, we were unprepared for their strength and power. My family and I fled into the canyons, and it was there we came across this ship. We survived by hiding inside. Over the next several cycles we learned how to manipulate the functions of the ship, although only I had the ability to get the systems to respond. The next time the Wraith came we once again fled to the ship, but that time only I managed to escape." She paused, the memory stirring up feelings pushed so far back she hoped they would never resurface.
"The next time I viewed my home it was in shambles, and I found no survivors. I knew I couldn't stay. I loaded supplies onto the ship and was preparing to leave when the Wrath returned. I managed to connect to another world before their weapons severally damaged the control mechanism. I escaped that day, but I have not been able to use the connection system within the ship since. Over time other systems began to fail. I did the best I could with the limited tools and resources available. The last trip would have been the end had you not arrived when you did. I am in your debt. Ah, we have arrived."
The ship approached the mountain range and Kreola expertly maneuvered it through a small opening in one of the sides. Once inside the mountain opened up to an expansive cavern. After setting the ship down she turned to McKay, excitement obvious in her eyes though she tried to contain it in her voice.
"My workshop is nearby. As I have promised, you may have full access to the ship's systems. I will prepare a meal if you are hungry."
"Really? That'd be great," McKay quickly answered, never one to turn down free food.
"That is wonderful!" She turned to face the two marines. "I know you are wary at the moment. If you would rather me stay here while you examine the area I will do so as you request."
"No, you don't need to stay," Sgt. Ballard said, "but I'd like a tour of the area if you don't mind." Kreola nodded. Picking up the box with the eggs she headed out, Sgt. Ballard following. Cpl. Hutchins made a quick sweep of the immediate area, confirming there were no threats. When he returned the two scientists were already hooking up their laptops to the ship's systems. When they began to speak their technobabble he gave up and settled outside the ship to wait.