Author's notes: Sorry it's been a while since an update. I'm going to try to be better about that! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it! And as always, reviews are totally appreciated!


John stared at Ronon with belief. "I thought we had agreed to not kill him until after we found out where Teyla was," he said angrily.

Ronon shrugged. "He told us she was in some kind of medical facility. We'll find it."

"And if it happens to be off-world?" Rodney asked, staring in disgust at the still form of Michael.

"It's not," Ronon said simply. "Or else he wouldn't have been here."

John looked at Carson. If anyone knew how Michael operated, it would be him. After a moment's consideration, Carson nodded. "I think Ronon's right. Michael wouldn't have let Teyla go far without him, even with his creatures watching over her."

As much as he understood Ronon's anger, John wished his friend would have exercised self-control. If Michael was alive, they could have at least held his hostage from his creatures. Maybe even held an exchange: Teyla for their creator. He pushed aside his disappointment; there was no reason to waste energy worrying about something that was no longer plausible.

Taking a deep breath, John said, "All right, let's go down there and check things out."

"Um, don't you think we should go back to Atlantis and, you know, get some backup? We already know what we're going up against when Michael's bugs find us," Rodney said, eying the abandoned town warily.

Sheppard thought for a moment. He knew that if he were to contact Carter, more than likely, she would want him to come back to Atlantis and come up with a more organized rescue. Inwardly, he knew there wasn't any time for that kind of planning. He couldn't, no, wouldn't risk losing the only chance to save Teyla.

Time was running out.

"We can't leave her here. We'll just be really careful," John said uncertainly.

"Spoken like a true hero," Rodney whined.

"Come on," Ronon said, leading the group down the steep slope.

The team followed Ronon, paying careful attention to their footing. Despite his cautiousness, Carson, weighted down by his equipment, began to slip down the hill. Fortunately, Ronon caught his arm before he could go too far.

Once they got to the bottom of the hill, Rodney took out the life detector. With a determined nod, Sheppard led his people to the buildings in the distance.

Minutes passed with no one saying a word. Even Rodney was silent, focusing on the device in front of him. When they got to the outskirts of the village, John looked at Rodney who shook his head. "I'm not picking anything up yet. However, you have to remember, this device is extremely limited. Its range is 100 yards. Max."

Sheppard looked around, noticing the village was much different from the ones they had encountered over the years. It reminded him more of Sateda rather than Athos. The buildings were sturdy, made with concrete and steel rather than cloth or sticks.

Slowly, they made their way down, what John assumed, was the main street of the city. He wondered what exactly the purpose of the buildings was. Most of them were in perfect condition; it just looked like the Wraith got up and left one day.

They walked across an intersection. On the corner, he saw several mummified skeletons hanging off the awning, like pieces of meat in a butcher shop.

"Is that what I think it is?" Rodney asked, disgust in his voice.

"A Wraith's version of a grocery store," John muttered, passing the bones.

As they approached the last intersection, Rodney spoke up. "I've got about three dozen life signs, down there," he said, pointing to the left.

John's grip on his gun tightened. Three dozen? They didn't stand a chance, he knew.

Rodney studied the screen, then looked down the street. "I think most of them are in the building. Only two of them are on the street as far as I can tell."

John turned to the men with him; each had a determined look in their eye. No one was prepared to allow Teyla suffer the horrible fate Michael had planned for her. "All right, be on your toes," he instructed.

"Because we weren't already?" commented Rodney sarcastically.

"Shut up, McKay," growled Ronon.

Sheppard looked at his friend with appreciation. He knew Rodney was only speaking that way to cover his fear, but it was still annoying. "The moment you pick up a human life sign, you tell us. Get Carson to her," he told Rodney.

"What if she is already a Wr-" Rodney started.

"I'm not going to think that way right now. Neither should you," gritted John.

Slowly, they made their way down the road. The steady footsteps of the men echoed down the empty street.

"Fifty yards," Rodney whispered.

"Are they moving towards us?" John asked quietly.

"Not yet."

Ronon glanced at Sheppard as they continued walking. There was no way the creatures were unaware of their presence. Something was going on. The grip on his gun tightened.

"Twenty-five yards."

"Look!" John hissed. Down the street, they could see one of the bugs, hiding behind the corner of one of the buildings. "Where is the other one, McKay?"

"Behind the one that you saw. The others are still in the buildings," answered Rodney.

They continued towards their target. John wondered why they weren't attacking. Surely, they knew that even outnumbered, the creatures still had a chance of surviving.

Each step caused more adrenaline to pump through Sheppard. His heart was pounding.

Fifteen yards.

Ten yards.

Five yards.

John and his team were practically standing in front of the two creatures. Yet, they didn't attack. They barely acknowledged them, only looking at the men.

Suddenly, the two of them began to chirp to each other. "Hold your fire," John said, waiting to see what the bugs were going to do. After they stopped speaking to each other, the creatures remained still.

"Where's Teyla?" John asked, knowing that it was unlikely they understood him.

To everyone's surprise, they began chirping again. This time faster and louder. After a few moments, they turned around and started walking away.

"I believe, Colonel, they are expecting us to follow them," Carson said, eying them warily.

Decision made, Sheppard led his team after the bugs. Hang on, Teyla, he thought, we're coming.