[7]
Once clear of the gate Lt. Ford activated the jumper's cloak and brought the ship to a steady hover above the nearby forest. Although the flying lessons had been excellent he wasn't nearly as adept as the Major at handling several functions at once. Sitting in the co-pilot's chair Dr. Beckett didn't look any more confident. Bringing up the life signs monitor Ford studied the screen for a bit.
"Looks like that merchant was right," he commented, indicating a large cluster of dots about two miles from the gate. "I'm guessing that's their hideout."
"What about those?" Teyla asked, pointing to four dots that were moving away from the camp. As they watched several other dots began to move away from the main cluster as well.
"Your trader warned them," Sgt. Bates accused.
"No, went I left him he was asleep, and Jacek assured me he would stay so for many hours."
"You trust him?"
"With my life." The intensity of her gaze left no room for doubt.
"The sensors are detecting another signal," Beckett said, looking at a new screen that had appeared. "Two, actually."
"What is it?" Ford asked, regarding the screen. There were two transmissions, both with the same pattern. Recognizing the sequence a grin lit his face. "Way to go Doc!"
"What is it?" Teyla asked.
"It's an SOS," Bates answered, also recognizing the simple distress code. Of course no one in this galaxy would know what it meant and it was unlikely to be detected by anything besides the jumper. Seeing her puzzled expression he clarified, "An Earth distress signal."
"And with two of them that means both the Major and McKay are here. Now we just need to find out where they're coming from." Responding to Ford's thoughts the jumper automatically adjusted the screens, changing two of the dot colors from white to dark blue. One remained stationary in the camp while the other was in the group of four heading toward the gate.
"Why would they separate them?" Beckett asked. "Why leave one behind?"
"I don't know," Ford answered as he piloted the jumper in the direction of the moving dots. "Unfortunately, we don't know the situation of either of them. I don't like how one isn't moving. Sgt. Bates, you will head to the main base with the others."
"What about you?" Bates asked.
Finding a small clearing Ford set the jumper down and lowered the rear hatch. As he reached for one of the portable life sign detectors he answered, "I'm going to handle the four moving targets. Once I've rescued our man we'll meet up with you at the camp. Any questions? Well then, good luck." With that he headed out of the jumper, quickly moving in the direction of the targets.
"Okay, you heard him," Bates said, closing the hatch before moving to the front of the jumper. "Doctor, bring us to the camp."
"Aye," Beckett answered nervously. Trying to still his shaky hands – he hated flying! - Beckett gripped the controls and the jumper rose into the air.
* * *
"Commander, we may have a situation," an unknown voice announced through the communicator. "I heard the Ancestral ring activate and went to investigate but nothing came through."
Kolya growled out his frustration as he stopped his group. Ryal led followed by Cano and McKay, whose hands were bound before him. The scientist had been walking in a slouch, eyes downcast, but had visibly perked up upon hearing the news. Kolya knew of only one people who had the power to render themselves invisible, but how had the Lanteans discovered their base? He turned his gaze to McKay.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing," McKay stammered nervously.
"What did you do?" Kolya demanded again, causing McKay to cower under the intense hate-filled stare. "Search him."
Cano searched the pockets of the scientist, eventually pulling out a small circular device no larger than a button. The Genii scientist handed the unknown device to Kolya, who crushed it before tossing it aside. If the man was anger before, he was now enraged. He moved fast and struck hard. Staggering to the side McKay raised his bound hands to his face, feeling blood from the cut
"Enough games, McKay. Your efforts are in vain. By the time your friends find the camp Major Sheppard will be dead and we will be gone."
"Yeah, well keep whacking me in the head and your efforts will be wasted too," McKay retorted. "Ever hear of a concussion?"
Kolya grabbed him by his collar, lifting him to the tips of his feet. "Make no mistake it is only the knowledge you carry that I need. If you insist on these treacherous acts you will experience more than a simple concussion. You do not need legs in order to assist us." McKay's face drained of all color. Pushing the scientist away in disgust Kolya activated his communicator. "All non-combatants are to abandon base and return to the gate. Everyone else prepare for an attack from the Lanteans. Take no prisoners."