… .LV. …
Bound to Happen – Chapter 11
Elizabeth sipped her coffee, as she watched Radek and several scientists with laptops working on the gate and it's connecting console.
Leaning on the railing, nearby, she stifled the yawn threatening to engulf her. After Atlantis' last encounter with the Wraith and their trickery, she had all the stress she could count bearing down on her. Stress which made coping difficult and sleeping nearly impossible.
Strolling over to stand near her, Cadwell, leaned his arms on the railing. "You look tired."
"Yes well," said Elizabeth, lifting her coffee mug up, "nothing a bit of coffee won't cure." Elizabeth put on a smile that didn't match what she felt. No word from Sheppard's team and now this delay, the coffee sure had its work cut out for it.
"From what I've heard the gate has locked out all incoming wormholes to that address. If I not mistaken."
"Yes. I had two other teams test the theory on other planets and the same thing happened," said Dr. Weir, her solemn eyes on Zelenka's gesturing hands.
"I remember hearing about a similar report back at the SGC."
"Yes, I have the reports on my desk. Our problem for lack of a better word is we need McKay."
"Well let's just hope Dr. Zelenka can figure this out without Dr. McKay."
"Let's hope so."
"I know so. I heard Dr. Zelenka helped get Dr. McKay out of that puddle jumper, this should be no problem."
"I'm not doubting his abilities…I just wish there was some way to avoid having Atlantis's flagship team from always being kidnapped, drugged or stuck in a deadly situation."
"Yes but they knew the risks when they stepped through that gate. As do you, I might add," said Cadwell, crossing his arms and leaning against the railing while turning to stare at her.
"Yeah well…If in another 24 hours this still hasn't been resolved, I plan to send the Orion to check on things over there. In fact she's being prepped as we speak."
"Well Doctor the Daedulus isn't scheduled to depart for Earth for at least a couple more days."
"Oh no, I couldn't ask that of you…"
"It's the least I can do. Besides the Orion is nowhere near being up and running and that means it is nowhere near ready to take on the Wraith."
"Well, thank you Colonel but I don't think…"
In the background a computer chirp emitted followed by Dr. Zelenka's voice.
"WE GOT IT…DR. WEIR?" he yelled Dr. Weir, racing up to her. "We got it. I know what the problem is…uh…was…I fixed it…calibrations were not set right…something is off on the planets end but I compensated for that…and…"
"Dr. Zelenka?" said Dr. Weir, putting up her hand, "Can we dial out?"
"Sorry. Yes. Should be begin dialing gate?"
"Yes please," said Elizabeth, motioning to the gate console.
As the chevrons began to light up, Dr. Zelenka held his hands clasped in front of his chest, his eyes fixed on it, with Dr. Weir and Colonel Cadwell watching anxiously beside him. When the last chevron lit and the wormhole connected Dr. Weir, smiled. This time it was a genuine smile.
"Well Doctor, looks like you won't be needing my help after all," said Cadwell, putting his hands in his pockets.
Dr. Weir smirked slightly, "Well we could still use the Daedulus if this situation gets..."
"Volatile?"
"Yes," said Dr. Weir, as she reached for her headset.
"I'd be happy to help," said Cadwell, watching Radek tapping some keys on his laptop.
The Match
For about an hour Ora had shown the Colonel around and introduced him to many different Tarrens. By the time they had made it back to the small hut set aside for his short stay, Sheppard's feet were aching. It was certainly worth the tour of the small Tarren camp, which he had learned was called Ish' mok after Urok.
Among the many things he had seen on the tour was the generators responsible for the shield/cloak device, though he did not see Topa, who normally worked in that area. Some small part of him was greatful for that, as he was in no manner presentable.
Finally entering through a small flap to the hut, he dropped down onto a small carved wooden chair and felt his eyes immediately drooping. He was tired in truth but he didn't want to sleep.
"Sheppard, I've already rolled out a bedroll for you so you can sleep. You look tired you should get some rest. I will be back in a few hours."
When Sheppard only stared Ora added, "Don't worry, you are safe," a mask of maturity returning to her mannerism.
He nodded as he got up and then sat down on the bedroll, his body needed it and he could do nothing at the moment about his team. The bedroll was surprisingly soft but he could still feel the hardness of the rock floor beneath him. So much for his back.
The next thing Sheppard knew, he was hearing the sound of someone pushing aside the cotton flap to his hut and humming softly. Sitting up, he stared blurry eyed at Ora as she sat down a cup, using her tail, on a small table nearby. He could see that the content of the cup was of something bluish-white and milky. It smelled sweet like a blend of honey and coconut. His throat parched and his back aching from sleeping on the thin bedroll, he slowly reached over and picked up the cup. Taking a few reluctant sniffs he took a sip.
The flavor, at first, was delicious but soon a burning sensation began to build in his throat and mouth as the taste of alcohol overpowered him. It was so strong; he had to clutch his head to stop it from spinning. Once that had ceased, something bitter and metallic remained as the after taste of the drink. Spitting out what little still remained in his mouth, Sheppard glared at the cup then up at Ora.
"Ugh…What is that?" said Sheppard, trying hard not to gag. As the room stopped spinning, he sat the cup back down. The after taste had sent his stomach rolling and made his head foggy.
"Oh sorry. The warriors drink the Stregath. I thought you too would drink it. Sorry," said Ora, resisting the tears welling up.
Sheppard could see this situation was going to get a lot worse if he didn't say something to comfort her wounded feelings. "It's not that I don't appreciate it, Ora, it's just I don't think…" God he wished Teyla were here, she could always smooth over situations like this.
"Your stomach can handle it?" said Ora, smirking.
"Exactly," said Sheppard hesitantly, giving her a pointing gesture, while smiling. That was apparently a mistake because before he knew it, Ora had jumped him and was rubbing her head on his chest and shoulders. It was an awkward position, to say the least, to be in. He tried to gently coax her off of him.
"Say Ora?"
"Mmm Yesh…Sheppard?" said Ora, looking up at him from her position on his chest. Her eyes dilated as her hands grabbed around his upper torso, making him very uncomfortable.
"Would you like to show me around that other section of camp before I leave?" asked Sheppard, being careful not to move.
"Certainly! Oh you haven't seen the ring have you? I can't wait to show it to you," shouted Ora, jumping off of him, her giggly smile reassuring him; she was over whatever had possessed her to rub her head on him.
Among the many things he'd had a woman do to him, he had never had one rub her head on him. It was the weirdest thing. Kind of kinky or rather cat like? Thought Sheppard. The Tarren certainly had a cat quality to them and some bull like qualities too, considering the horns.
Grabbing his hand, Ora led him out into the camp, her tail swaying back and forth like a cat's. Why hadn't he noticed the whole tail thing before in the tunnels? He supposed she had hid it out of shyness.
"Urok says Monin will lead you back out of the tunnels to daylight soon. The Wraith attacks are fewer but it may take another day for the attacks to cease. The tunnels are not safe to travel by during the attacks. I hope you will not be angry for the delay. I know how you wish to find your friends."
Sheppard noted how she switched to Urok when not in her father's presence. It was interesting to witness Ora's attitude changes. When in her father's presence she seemed child like but snotty and when she was not in his presence she took on a maturer attitude despite the playfulness.
"No I'm not angry. I just wish I could go now," said Sheppard, trying to discreetly ignore Ora's tail brushing against his butt. "Not that I want to go because I don't like it here…it's just that…"
"I know. You want to get to them now but you are irritated that you cannot, I understand completely. I just wish that when you go I could…go…with…you…" said Ora, trying hard not to look Sheppard in the eyes.
Sheppard was at a loss of words, he knew he should say something along the lines of sure but only if your father allows it but at the same time, he was reluctant to answer. The noise unfolding in one of the nearby dens, saved him from answering.
A female and a male Tarren were entwining tails and yowling at the tops of their lungs. Ora shook her head. "Those two are always drinking Stregath and then they sing like that for hours. It's dreadful to the ears don't you think, John?" said Ora, snorting in disgust at the two, as she hurried Sheppard past.
"Oh yes…dreadful," said John, wiggling his finger in his ear.
Definitely cat-like. Thought Sheppard.
As Ora lead him up a small incline further into the camp, from the distance he could make out several corridors leading down into dens. Many had older Tarren females sleeping or tending to food. In one area off to the side of the small dens, sat a huge ring of green irregular rocks. Surrounding the rocks was a small trench not more than 10 feet deep and 7 feet wide, filled with glowing white, iridescent liquid. Within the circle he saw two Tarren rubbing horns and grunting.
"This," said Ora, spreading open her hands at the area, "Is the Ring I told you about. See those two over there, they are preparing for a sparring match," said Ora, leading Sheppard over to watch from the small benches set up.
Sitting down, he noted the small dip indent at the back of the bench, allowing room for a tail. How interesting. He thought, as he scouted forward to avoid having the dip make an impression in his butt.
As he looked up he saw that both men had removed most of their adornments except for two cloths in white and brown material, wrapped around their lower regions. When both Tarren had backed to either side of the circle, equal distance from each other, they clapped hands and tossed their heads, much like a bull, at one another.
Many of the Tarren began to fill in the benches to watch the match, in the corner Sheppard saw two female Tarren staring at him intensely. He shuffled his body so that he wouldn't be directly in their line of sight.
Looking back at the two competitors one of them had a gigantic spider shade tattoo on his chest, which eerily reminded Sheppard of the Uriatus bug. The other male had two of the spider shades dueling on his chest.
"That one there," said Ora pointing, "with the bigger horns is Miiot and the other one is Eus. They will be sparring for the first time since Eus injured his leg."
He was about to ask how a winner is decided but stopped as Ora explained it. "The loser is the one whose body meets the ground. The winner is the one who remains standing."
Sheppard nodded as he watched both opponents shuffle down into a similar stance, reminding Sheppard of a sumo match. Miiot charged Eus, his horns down, the spider shade rippling on his chest. Eus in turn stomped his foot and charged at Miiot, his two spider shades taking on a battle of their own.
Crash.
The two horns met. Sheppard winced; it was bone against bone. Hard steel meeting steel. Both players determined to win.
He had to admit it was no football but it certainly did have a entertaining, adrenaline appeal. He watched as Miiot shoved his muscle bound body against Eus. The two struggled trying to force the other take a tumble to the ground. Eus grunted as his weight began to give out.
Ora kept her hand over her mouth, her other hand squeezed the bench tightly, her nails digging into the wood.
Again Miiot shoved, and this time Eus was ready, pushing back with his own momentum to push Miiot to the edge of the circle away from him. Miiot was angry, his face scrunched with determination. He pawed the ground like a bull, slammed his fists against one another and charged Eus. Eus leveled his horns to Miiot and stalked his opponent, who had skidded to a stop in the middle of the circle.
When Miiot charged again, Eus, did a side step, just as his opponent reared near him, and he gave a swift kick to Miiot's butt, sending him to the ground on his face. A wind instrument piped a victory tune somewhere behind Sheppard and Ora, as Eus, held his proud head high, his face beaming, fists held high in the air.
Ora clapped her hands and smiled as Eus gave her a curt bow, and smirk. Sheppard turned to see her blushing suddenly, her tail wagging behind the bench in the dip.
"That John is our camp's champion right there!" squealed Ora, as she shyly rolled her eyes downwards, when Eus passed her.
A/N: More to follow on Ronon, Teyla and Rodney.