Part 11 – Lucky Number Thirteen

Nighttime in the infirmary was usually a quiet and peaceful place but tonight the occasional cries and whimpering of John Sheppard cut through the air making the staff feel helpless and inadequate in their losing battle to save him.

Rodney shifted uncomfortably in his chair near Sheppard's bed feeling mixed emotion drain through him as Carson explained that there was little more they could do to ease John's suffering. "He's on the maximum safe dosage of morphine right now. Anymore more could do more harm than good."

"I know that, Carson, but there has to be something we can do?"

John cried out again and turned restlessly as Beckett went to answer. "The toxin has spread throughout his body and it's triggering the pain receptors to fire repeatedly. I'm afraid if we don't do something soon, the pain alone will cause him to…" Carson didn't finish, as he couldn't say the word – die - to Rodney.

But Rodney said it anyway." You wanted to say – die - didn't you?"

Carson looked at his friend sadly. "Aye, Rodney. Every hour that goes by brings us closer to that conclusion. I hate to say this but if it gets so bad that the morphine no longer has any effect then believe me, it would be a blessing."

Rodney chewed his lip as Sheppard cried out again, slightly louder. "Then I can only hope that Teyla and Ronon come back soon with one of those awful creatures."

"Aye, I'll second that."

-SGA-

The swamps of Kayla proved to be a very unpleasant place indeed. Hot and humid, the ground oozed with foul smelling mud and rotting vegetation. Galen carefully led them around the pools of stench, onward towards an area of sparse spindly trees sticking out like an island in a sea of slime.

Once on drier land, Galen immediately crossed to the nearest tree and removed a small trap from behind the trunk. Inside two very large and round eyes peered back at him, terrified into silence as Galen inspected the creature and the cage for any other life.

As quick as could be, he opened the trap door and gestured for Ronon to bring a carrying cage. After a small struggle with the furry creature, he popped the rodent into the cage and closed it tightly. "Nice example is this one and he certainly hasn't been bitten."

They moved on in silence as Galen repeated the procedure until he'd collected five rodents. Straightening his chubby frame after finding trap number twelve empty, he said. "I am sorry but there is only one more to go. It would seem the Turaka is being its usual illusive self."

Teyla felt tears form in her eyes as Galen had explained that it could take days to trap one otherwise. Clutching the small cage that was meant to carry the insect, she prayed hard that the last trap, number thirteen, would prove fruitful. McKay had told her often enough about this being an unlucky number on Earth, hopefully this time that wasn't the case.

Galen carefully approached the hidden trap near a fallen log and held up his hand in caution. Staring closely at the cage and the frantic rodent it held, he noted that its movement was caused by pain and not fright. With great care, he lifted the trap with his gloved hand, which caused the rodent to become even more agitated. Looking closely, Galen finally spotted what he was looking for. There in the far corner sat the black and ugly figure of a Turaka, patiently waiting for its victim to die.

Galen turned and smiled at the Atlanteans. "It seems the gods are being generous today. Now we must be very careful and transfer the Turaka into the cage you are holding, lovely lady.

Nervously, Teyla handed over the cage as Galen extracted the agonized rodent. He killed it instantly and let the corpse fall to the leafy ground. The Turaka moved slightly, realizing that his victim was gone. Seizing the opportunity, the storekeeping quickly opened the cage and held the trap over it with a steady hand. Then with a hard tap, he knocked the insect into the cage.

Closing it quickly, he handed it back to Teyla. "One Turaka safe and sound," he proclaimed, "Although, I still don't know what your doctors hope to gain from it."

"At least we now have a chance and we thank you for helping us." Teyla said solemnly. "Now if we can get this back as quickly as possible, we would be very grateful."

"Okay, little lady, let's gather up the cages and…," But he didn't finish his sentence as he suddenly ordered, "Don't move!" Used to reacting quickly, Ronon and Teyla both stayed stock-still wondering what the problem was.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ronon watched as Galen produced another small cage from his jacket pocket and proceeded to open it. There was a rustling of leaves and few alien curses but eventually the little man stood up and faced him with a triumphant smile. "I hope you're willing to pay me more because now you've got two."

Teyla gapped at the other cage and the larger looking horror it held. "Yes by all means," she whispered. "That one looks healthier."

"It's a large female, so there's plenty of poison in that one for sure. Now let's go before a striker snake arrives to devour the dead rodent."

Both Ronon and Teyla swallowed hard wondering how many horrible creatures this planet held. Without delay, they quickly followed the stall keeper.

-SGA-

Elizabeth woke with a pounding headache. Looking bleary at her bedside clock, she realized it was still early but the idea of trying to sleep more seemed impossible. Her restless sleep had been nightmarish anyway, which was probably the reason for the headache.

Stretching, she stumbled towards the bathroom to take a shower and get dressed to face another day of uncertainly, a day when her second-in-command might die. How many times had she faced that possibility but in her wildest scenario, she would never have dreamt that it could be at the hands of one of their own people.

After the evidence Corporal Higgins had brought back from the mainland, there was no doubt in her mind that Dr. Kavanagh had planed it all with the help of one of Teyla's people. They hadn't arrested Kavanagh yet as they wanted to gather more evidence against him and they needed Teyla's help in identifying the Athosian.

Kavanagh, how that name conjured up her worst nightmares. Nightmares filled with what ifs. What if she had not allowed him to join the expedition? What if she had not let him come back after the siege? And what if she had not accused him of working for the trust or allowing Ronon to threaten him? Then maybe his depraved mind wouldn't have wanted to extract such a dreadful revenge.

She let the water flow gently over her agonized body, as a rush of tears fell freely to mingle with the droplets. It was all her fault, her mind screamed. Kavanagh wanted revenge on her there was no other answer. "Why didn't you take it out on me, you bastard! Why John! Why!" she yelled at the shower wall knowing that no one could hear her Because he knew without a doubt that you'd suffer more at seeing the man you love go through hell and eventually die, her own logic answered as she broke down and sobbed.

Ten minutes later, she stepped out of the shower cubicle and faced the mirror. The tears and sorrow had left her face red and blotchy. Her large eyes still reflected her inner pain but she needed to stay strong for her city and for John. Falling apart right now wasn't an opinion.

John was still alive and she would be there for him no matter what the outcome. If it meant being there and giving comfort while he died, then that's what she would do. Allowing one last tear to fall unhindered, she dried her face and prepared herself for work.

-SGA-

The marketplace was still a hub of actively when they arrived back into the community. Putting down the cages behind his stall, Galen immediately opened it up to display his wares.

It was now nearly lunchtime and the smell of mouth-watering food drifted through the air, but as hungry as Ronon was, he refused to allow time to eat. So reaching into his pocket, he produced a simple powerbar and began to eat it as Teyla spread out the payment in front of Galen.

The storekeeper looked the offered goods over with interest but eventually, he said. "I was expecting a little more for my effort?"

Teyla's voice rose slightly as she replied. "Some of this jewelry is made of semiprecious stones and metal. I'm sure you will get a handsome price for them."

"Maybe I will, young lady, but we're a simple folk and many haven't the money to pay such a high price."

Teyla opened a second smaller bag to produce some items from Earth mostly shampoo and soap. "These things come from the same place as the first buyer's payment. They are used for hygiene, for washing."

"Really," Galen muttered picking up a small bottle of Pantene Pro V shampoo. "What's this for?"

"To wash the hair," Teyla answered quickly as she went about separating the shampoo from the soap. "This pile is for general washing and this is for the hair. Now please accept this so that we may go."

Galen looked thoughtful for a minute. "All right, missy, but don't you want more…" He suddenly stopped mid-sentence as he spotted several official looking men enter the market and made a beeline for his stall. "Oh, trouble," he muttered causing Teyla and Ronon to turn as one to look at what he meant.

"Galen!" One of the men shouted. "I hear you have been out for a Turaka? If you have one, it must be destroyed immediately. You know the laws regarding that creature."

Galen glared at the neighboring storekeeper as Teyla felt her heart leap into her throat at his words. By her side, Ronon became alert, ready to fight. They could lie their way at of the situation by only giving them one of the creature but Teyla had a feeling that the second was found for a purpose, so she wanted to take them both back to Atlantis.

Maybe she was gambling with John's life but she had to make them see reason. "If Mr. Galen broke the law it was because of us," she started. "We came to this planet out of desperation to help an important and good man who has been bitten by the creature you call a Turaka. We need to take the creature back to our world so that our doctors may find a cure."

One of the officials moved forwards. Teyla expected to see defiance on his face but instead he showed a mask of regret. "I feel very sorry for this man but there is no cure, therefore, the Turaka must be destroyed."

Teyla went to argue further but Ronon stepped in and she braced thinking he would only make matters worse. "We seem to hear that tune a lot around here, so what makes you think that there's no cure?"

"That is simple, because our doctors have tried to find a cure for many generations."

Ronon nodded his head. "I respect your word, but are you willing to take the gamble for a possible cure by stopping us from taking the Turaka back to our doctors?"

"What makes you think that your doctors can do better?" The official asked with an air of annoyance.

Ronon held up a bottle of Pantene shampoo, "Because they made this and all the other items you see in these posh bottles and fancy packets."

The official took the bottle from the Satedan and sniff at it after opening the cap. "What is this that smells so good?"

Ronon pointed to his dreadlocks, "Shampoo, it washes my hair real good. Now do you believe our doctors can find a cure?"

The official looked closely at Ronon's hair. "Maybe?"

"If you take the gamble and let us take the Turaka back home, we promise that our doctors will advise your doctors on how to make a cure. How's that for a deal?"

"May I keep this…err…shampoo?"

"Indeed you may." Teyla answered with a smile. Galen went to protest but Ronon kicked him.

The official looked satisfied. "We will let you take the Turaka but be advised Galen, this is your last warning." Without another word, he and his men turned tail and marched away.

Galen turned to the Atlanteans. "You owe me for that."

"Mr. Galen, if you can find us a quick transport back to the Ancestral ring, then we will come back with more goods." Teyla promised.

"Okay, missy, it's a deal and I'll have Mol take you there in his Doley driven cart. That's really fast."

tbc