Chapter 12- a little problem
Island Planet
"Oh the pain, the pain", Dr Smith moaned as the oars slipped through his hands. "I cannot go any further". Judy did not argue because she could see the broken blisters on his hands from gripping the oars, she bore those same blisters and they were bleeding.
The little boat drifted in what seemed like endless water. They would get caught and both of them would have to deal with the concequences. It was was getting lighter now so they probably did not have a lot of time left. She thought briefly about just jumping overboard and swimming. But had no idea how far she would get. Perhaps if they both just rested they may have the strength to keep going just a little bit longer. She let her eyes droop and lost herself in the sensation of floating in the soft breeze . When the boat bumped gently into something 5 minutes later Judy felt her hopes rise. It looked like they had actually made landfall.
She held the dying lantern high and noted that there was indeed solid ground in front of them.
Stepping cautiously out of the boat Judy almost sagged with relief. They were not safe yet though as the light showed a lot of empty ground ahead of them. "Come on Smith", Judy stated. Dr Smith lugged his tired, aching body out of the craft and fell to his knees on the ground. "I am finished", he announced. "Then stay there", Judy said bluntly, "I am going to keep going until I am ready to drop. Think of something important Dr Smith and place it in your heart, let it give you the fire to do anything. If I think of Don, then I believe I could climb to the top of the highest mountain right now", Judy felt a tear fall as she thought of her dead love. Dr Smith looked up at her seeing the light of hope that still shone despite everything that was happening. He felt it wrench at his being because he knew he was not like that. All he wanted was to go home to Earth and the impossible was simply not achievable. He did not want to fight for something that would never happen.
"You go on then dear", he said, "keep on fighting for Don's sake." He loved you so much, it hurt", Smith had whispered the last line, not intending to say that. Judy heard it though, "is that why you wanted to get rid of him then Smith", she remarked, "because I had Don, Mum and Dad have each other, Will and Penny have a whole family and you have nobody". Smith could see tears shining in her eyes. She thought he was lonely. But he was not. The facade of friendliness toward Penny and Will he had created in the beginning had become real. He had cared for them. "No ,that was not why", he growled. "Can we just let it rest Judy". "No, she replied, "I am going to keep on asking and wondering what drove you to listen to Don . You did cause his death Dr Smith, even if it was not at your own hands", she stated firmly. "I deserve to know why". Dr Smith dragged himself upright, "let's keep on going", he stated as he moved past her rapidly. How fast can you run away from the truth, he wondered. He was running from himself, the shocking glimpse of who he was. Judy followed, she would for the moment accept that perhaps guilt drove him onward.
It was getting progressively lighter as they moved across the flat ground . In the distance now they could see the tops of trees. Yet around these trees was this strange silver glow. As they got closer Judy realized the trees were growing out of water. Smith stopped and crouched down, "there are people up ahead", he stated. He was right, Judy could just make out the movement, near the trees.
They inched closer. "What are they doing", Smith asked. Judy watched as one by one the people climbed into the branches of the trees, then climbed upward. They disappeared admist the branches of the trees.
After watching for about 10 minutes they had only observed upward movement, nobody was coming down. The number of people on the ground was rapidly thinning out. "We should follow them, Judy remarked," perhaps they are going somewhere we can get help". "No we should avoid contact and stay on land. If they catch us they will turn us over to Kal", Smith countered. Judy thought about that, 'it is a risk Dr Smith, but what are we going to do otherwise, just wander around aimlessly. We need to get back to the Jupiter 2 and for that we need to go back through that ring. Someone in that group of people may know how to operate the thing and send us back to treetopia".
"If we capture someone, you can get that knowledge out of them." "Me", Smith protested. "Well they are hardly going to be frightened by looking at me", Judy told him. "You are the better choice for threatening people", she told him. "Maybe we won't need to threaten them", Smith hedged, he did not like Judy's idea at all. "If they were going to give you to the wraith and made them some promise, then they have broken faith. So what will happen to them now. I don't think I would mess with beings that do the things the wraith do". Maybe they are trying to hide. So they won't let us just get off this world without a fight, Smith. You will have to persuade one of them to cooperate", Judy told him firmly.
Smith said nothing, he felt that unpleasant sensation deep within. He knew he could not do as Judy asked. So he tried to run, away from her, away from himself and the truth. Yet all he did was fall to the ground in a heap. Judy looked at him and saw the truth, "so that's what it is, Smith", she declared, "you are a coward". "All that attitude that you gave Don was just to hide they fact that inside you are always afraid. He saw the truth and you hated that. Now I see the truth as well." She looked at him, "do you like feeling afraid Smith", she asked pointedly. Feeling exhausted, Smith answered truthfully, "of course not ,but I cannot help it, no matter what I do the fear is always there"."You have to reach for some bravery Smith, because we need that more than your fear if we are going to get away from here. ",Judy told him. "I am going to follow those people and if I can I am going to get them to operate that gate. Yes, Smith I am also afraid. But I think I can find it within myself to do it alone, if I have to." So, you either stay here or come with me". It is up to you", she stated.
Dr Smith sat on the ground and did not move as she walked past him and toward the trees. He watched her go. She did not turn around and look back carrying herself with a tall eract posture. She was young he reflected and facing things that she would not have faced back on Earth. Yet she kept going even though she was afraid. Fear made him make unwise choices and others always seemed to suffer the consequences. This time though it was only him that would suffer. It seemed amazing to him that his body suddenly stood up and moved forward, toward Judy. His mind was still going no, no but his feet were moving because he did not want to be here alone.
Xxxxxx
Atlantis Jumper
John Sheppard always felt the most alive when he was flying. He felt the thrill of adrenaline thumping through him now as he piloted the cloaked jumper toward the Island Planet. He was of course oblivious to the trouble the other team were experiencing. All he knew was that they had made landfall and were proceeding toward the caves. After that they maintained radio silence so the wraith would not be aware of their location.
He could not afford to worry about them too much as they had their own issues. He was running through their plan with McKay , Ronon and two marines they had borrowed from Caldwell. "We need to check on the Stargate and make sure it is functioning properly. If we do have a problem it is the faster method of escape. We will also need to locate this prisoner and free them before he or she is turned over to the wraith". That did not sound difficult to him.
"We should have kept West, as he could have kept us updated on any changes to the wraith plan"", Mc Kay pointed out. "West needed to go on the mission to find the Robinson's", Sheppard stated. "There is the fact that everytime either Teyla or West initiate contact with the wraith they risk exposing our presence. Then we will have a battle on our hands. We do not want them to know that Atlantis still exists and too much contact might just give our facade away." But you know all that ,I think you just wanted to study Major West some more". He's not a lab rat Rodney and we do not want to risk him running off on us because he's worried about what you might do to him", John said firmly. Rodney gave him a rather sour face, he had wanted to watch the Major and see if he could determine how he could use a gift that had so far only surfaced within local inhabitants whose ancestors had been part of wraith experiments. "He's going to have to submit to some tests sometime Sheppard", Rodney stated. "Yeah, perhaps but not right now Rodney. Get your mind off West and back with us", John rebuked.
Rodney sighed , then grumbled for a few minutes before a glare from Ronon finally silenced him.
They landed just a few miles from the gate. "Alright let's move out". "We will go and check out the gate", John instructed.
"I doubt it is a serious problem, maybe the locals have just sabotaged the ring. They would not have the expertise to do much else', Rodney declared.
They made it to the Stargate without incident and Rodney opened the panel at the bottom of the DHD to look inside. He straightened up a few seconds later. "Have you fixed it already", John asked, that was the fastest Rodney repair on record. "Ah no, because there is nothing wrong with the gate", Rodney stated. John punched an address of a planet into the DHD , nothing happened. "Yeah ,well it is not working", he stated. Rodney looked over the DHD again. "It should work", he insisted. "Well it doesn't", Ronon stated. "Are you sure there is nothing wrong with the gate". Rodney gave him a glare, "of course", he muttered. "Well then we have yet another mystery", Sheppard stated. "Perhaps we can find someone to explain why the gate does not work", he added.
Rodney kept muttering to himself as they moved away from the gate. He was thinking up all the explanations he could think of about why a stargate that was not damaged would not work. Some of those reasons were kind of crazy.
They quickly moved across the flat terrain toward the main settlement. As the got closer they could see that there was no sign of any lights, hence nobody was stirring. That was odd because he knew village life started early. By now someone should be up starting the breakfast. When dwellings were in view they noted the lack of sound as well, an almost eerie quietness hung over the place and it made Sheppard nervous. There was a small hut on the edge of the settlement and he ducked inside briefly then back out. "There is nobody there. It looks like someone just grabbed a few things then left'. As the moved into the settlement they found the same thing in other huts. "Where is everyone", Rodney asked curiously.
"There are no signs of any bodies, and the wraith are not shy about leaving those. With the gate not functioning, they cannot just fly their darts in here and scoop everyone up", Ronan pointed out.
They kept looking into huts, hoping that there maybe someone who could not leave. It was Ronon who found a very interesting hut. "Come and look at this", he called . Sheppard and Rodney entered the hut leaving the two marines outside on guard. They were not just complacent that because everyone appeared to have gone they were not in any danger.
Sheppard saw tangled ropes with stains of blood upon them and a crude wooden cross that looked like someone had been tied upon. "So this is where their prisoner was", he declared. "Yes and from what I can see, someone came to that person's rescue'." Ronan looked closely at the wooden cross, pulling hair from beneath what was left of the ropes, "a blonde someone", he added. "Is is possible they had two captives then", Rodney surmised and "one rescued the other'. "Yet Teyla and West only learnt from the wraith of one captive" ,John stated. "So perhaps for some reason they were going to keep the other one", Ronon observed. He found more blonde hair. "This hair must be long, perhaps their was one male and one female. A female captive is often valuable as potential breeding stock for people who are decimated by the wraith", he told the others.
"Well it looks like they may have underestimated that captive", Sheppard remarked. He wondered how far two people on foot could get. "So the entire village has gone looking for them", Rodney remarked. "I doubt it, the entire village is probably scared that the wraith will feed on them all because they have lost the prisoner they promised them. "
"Yes, that may be so, but the most effective means of escape is through the gate. Yet for some reason it is not working. If these people were responsible for that then they are idiots", Rodney stated. "You are right, it does not make sense", John agreed. "There must be a reason and we still have not found anyone who can explain. Chewy, can you track our escapees", he asked Ronon. "Of course", Ronon grunted. "Then we will find them", Sheppard stated. He was about to exit the hut when Sgt .Haskell, one of the marines came just inside the doorway. In the dim lighting Sheppard could not see his face clearly. "What is the problem, he asked. The man stood and looked at them before keeling slowly over in the doorway. It was only then that John saw the large spear protruding from the soldiers back. He aimed his weapon at the door intending upon firing when an arrow came flying through the doorway to land on top of the dead marine. John barely had time to register his surprise when he saw flames begin to consume the sergeant .The smoke smelt terrible, making his eyes water and obscuring his vision, which was of course the whole point. John saw more smoke coming from behind him. "The hut is on fire", came a voice, "I have only just started that fire and can put it out quickly, drop your weapons and come out with your hands up".
John swallowed, already he was beginning to choke. This hut while crude was well constructed, they could just fire their weapons until they blasted their way out but it was going to take time. The flames had already finished burning off the marines clothing and were licking up to catch the doorway. They would probably die of smoke inhalation before they could get out. He knew that was not a nice way to die. Yet steely military discipline would not let him give way. "Maybe we don't care if we die", he threw back with determination. "I only killed one of your men, the other one is out here with me". He is going to watch you burn then I will give him to the wraith in place of our prisoner", came the reply. "I have nothing to lose ", mentioned the voice.
It was pure desperation and John could hear the fear. He knew that they would die and that the wraith would ultimately be the winners. There was no way to know how many people were outside that hut, but he doubted they could hold his team for long. He sighed, "throw out your weapons", he told Ronon. The ex runner gave him a glare but obeyed. John and McKay threw out their own weapons. "Alright we have done what you wanted", Rodney choked out. His voice dripped terror, he really loathed fire.
They heard the sound of splashing then the sizzle of fire being extinguished. "Come out the back of the hut", came the instruction. John tore his eyes away from the sight of the burning marine and complied keeping his hands above his head. He was coughing and his eyes streamed tears.
There were only 4 men outside the hut but one of those had Sgt. Montuesse in a choke hold. The marine's face was already red and John could see blue tinges appearing as the life was slowly strangled out of the marine.
"I have killed many animals this way", the man holding the sergeant told him. "Yeah, I don't doubt that", John could see the power in his arms, "you can let him go now". He noted the other men had their weapons and held them confidently, this was bad. These men were most likely hunters, therefore they were trained killers who were comfortable with weapons. The man holding the marine relaxed his arm slightly, gave him a grin then locked it tight again, closing it like a vice until the crunch of bone was heard. When he took a step forward a shot was fired act his feet. He froze.
"Just to let you know we are serious. We do not need all of you. I believe you", Kal pointed to John Sheppard, "are the one the wraith are looking for. It looks like we got lucky". Behave or else I will kill these other two", he threatened.
After what he had done John believed him. He did not resist as the men stepped closer and tied him up tightly. The ropes dug in painfully. "Right now we will take you to the wraith", Kal announced.
He smiled, his terrible day had gotten a lot better. It was only chance that had made them double back to check on the settlement again, in case the prisoners thought that someone their might be persuaded to help them leave the planet. The escapees would not know that all of the villagers had left. One of the villagers had discovered the prisoners had gone and had informed the others. Everyone had just turned their back upon him, leaving him to clean up his own mistake. His anger had driven this moment. What he had done to secure this Lantean team was brutal but it was the only way he could think of to control the heavily armed group.
There was no turning back now. He had a deal to keep.
Rodney felt puzzled as they were led, stumbling away from the gate. "Are the wraith already on this world", he dared to ask. He got a slap across the face. "No they are not". We are not a stupid people Lantean", Kal told him with a growl.
So how were they going to get to this meeting Rodney wondered. John was thinking the same thing and wondering if there was more to these people than he had first thought. He guessed they were going to find out.
Hopefully at some time there might be the opportunity to escape.
xxxxxxxxxx
Caves of Treetopia
John Robinson held his weapon tighter as Will burrowed closer to him. Ahead of them a giant pile of rubble blocked further access to the tunnel ahead. "We need to turn right, then left", Will told him. He was confident he knew where to go. This place often featured in his games of hide and seek with Penny and the robot. He could stay down here for hours and ultimately win the game.
They turned down a side tunnel and moved along until rumbling once more made the ground shake beneath their feet. John and Maureen held their children tightly and waited until the shakes had stopped. "That one felt closer to our location", Maureen warned. She knew the rumbling was not caused by a natural phenomena ,though she did not want to say that out loud. It was obvious that there was something searching for them and they were trying to trap them. The only advantage they had was local knowledge.
Coming to another intersection where 5 other tunnels snaked off in different directions John chose the nearest tunnel, quickly paced a short distance then declared, "I think we should stop here". Will looked up at his father, "we have a while to go to reach the tunnel to the underground river", he stated. "I know ,but we will then be moving toward that rumbling Will . We could find ourselves unable to proceed further", John told him. He pointed to a fissure that split the wall, "that is wide enough for you and Penny to slip through, nobody will be able to follow you. You can find a way to get out of here and go to the robot. He will protect you".
Will and Penny immediately felt tears come into their eyes, they knew their parents were basically offering up themselves in exchange for their freedom. "No, we will not leave you", Penny told them. "Leaving you alone is not our first choice dearest", Maureen tearfully told her, "but if it comes to a point when it looks like we are going to get captured, then you have to go, end of discussion". Penny swallowed, she knew it would then we up to her to care for her younger brother. That was growing up, way too quickly. Please don't let it happen, she begged.
Further away in the tunnels the dust created by the rockfall was finally stilling. The air around them smelt sour and made them all cough. Beckett was still leaning over Evan and Don restlessly shifted from foot to foot as he awaited the doctors assessment. "So far I am only finding a head injury, broken ribs and a broken arm", the Doctor told him a few minutes later. Don let out an audible whooshing breath of relief that the injuries were not life threatening.
Beckett shone his torch over the other three, Teyla looked pale but had that fiery determination in her gaze that meant she would keep going no matter what. Lt. Drake was also pale and trembling, he had a fair dose of shock ,but his military discipline would soon settle his nerves. He was not seriously injured. Carson shone the torch upward over Don West's face. He noted the major was trying hard to ignore the blood snaking down the side of his face. "Come here for a moment Major", he instructed. Don complied and winced when the doctor shone the light in his eyes. "I will be able to keep functioning Doctor Beckett", Don told him pointedly. He knew that hitting his head into the ground had not helped his head injury. Surprisingly Doctor Beckett smiled at him, "you and Sheppard make a great pair", he muttered. 'So Major West, what is our plan", he continued. He had a feeling that Don was going to act like Sheppard when it came to their next step.
He was not wrong. Don knew what he was going to do and it was not the safe option. "Myself and Teyla will continue the search for the Robinsons. This may be our only chance to rescue them. Lieutenant Drake will stay here to provide you and Major Lorne with some protection". The wraith have all moved closer to the centre of the tunnel complex, so you should be safe enough until we return", Don told them. "If you return", Drake pointed out, "how will we know if you get captured or killed". It was a good point. The life signs detectors did not work down here and neither did the communications.
Beckett cast a glance at his medical scanner and almost smiled. "You know that sensor I placed in your back, it has a tracking ability and that is functioning. It is not long range but it will enable us to know whether you are still alive and in the tunnels".I thought we might need the tracking ability because... ", Beckett was going to continue when Don interrupted with, "I know why Doctor ". You needn't say any more". Let's just make use of this advantage".
Beckett nodded. He turned his attention back to his patient.
"Alright Teyla lets go", Don told her. They moved down the tunnels rapidly.
xxxxxx
John Robinson, could feel himself trembling and was not ashamed to say that he was afraid. This is why you do not bring children on a space voyage he told himself. It's my fault, also circled through his mind. As if she knew what he was thinking Maureen took hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly. Will was clinging to his other hand and Penny clung to Will.
It seemed like time dragged on as they stood there, in the darkness. The air was stale and John knew they only had a limited amount of oxygen left.
He did not move, just clutching the gun harder and keeping his gaze upon the tunnel entrance. The caves were slightly luminous because of the moss that clung to the walls. So he saw the white almost glowing figure coming. It reached the junction and had four choices of direction. John kept still and willed everyone else not to move. The white being gazed down the tunnels. Maureen was holding her breath and her hand was almost was breaking the bones in his own as it clenched tightly.
The being gazed down their tunnel, hesitated, then with determined steps came their way. John simply grabbed Will in one fierce grip and Penny in the other and shoved them through the fissure in the wall. Then he waited with the weapon in his hand to make a head shot. He thought that should be enough to kill this being.
What he faced though would not be stopped that easily.
