Chapter 11

The next morning Sara met Col. Sheppard and his team in the jumper bay.

"Ready to try again, doc?" the colonel asked.

Sara just nodded as she took a seat in the back and pulled out her computer, "I'm looking forward to actually making it into the caves themselves this time."

Col. Sheppard laughed and tapped his com as the jumper descended into the gate room, "Dial it up."

Sara was still amazed at how fast they arrived on the other end of the gate and when the jumper's rear door opened she stepped out into the sunlight and looked around. The coastline was jagged, but didn't really look alien to her. It reminded her of the eastern seaboard of the United States. She walked around the jumper and waited for the others to join her.

She walked with Rodney down to the entrance of the cave and stopped, "Is there only one entrance?"

Rodney nodded, "This is the only one we saw, but we didn't do a lot of exploring the first time we were here. Wasn't much of a reason."

"And the settlement you found? How far is it from where we are now?"

Rodney looked over his shoulder, "About a half of a mile from here."

Sara walked to the entrance of the cave, "Do we have lights we can set up?"

Rodney pointed to Ronon and Col. Sheppard as they approached, "We brought some equipment with us."

"Okay, well let's get them set up so I can start looking around."

****

Ronon set down the crate he was carrying and walked back out of the cave. As John came to stand next to him, he pointed toward a stand of trees, "We're being watched."

Sheppard nodded, "I noticed that as we walked in," he patted Ronon on the arm, "Keep an eye on them."

Ronon nodded and reached down to where his gun rested against his hip. He flipped the setting on it from to stun and set his eyes on the tree line.

****

Sara ran her hand along the inner wall of the cave, looking at the markings etched into the rocky surface. She spoke into the recorder she had brought along, "Markings indicate there was a settlement living in the cave system itself. Pictographs seem to be a depiction of a mixture of cultural markers. Hunting, marriages, births, harvests." She walked to a second wall and continued speaking, "The depictions become more detailed further along toward the second chamber...." A shout from outside the cave made her jump and run to the entrance. Ronon stood with his gun drawn, pointing it at a group of men approaching from the north. She watched as Teyla and Col. Sheppard also pointed weapons at the group of men. Shit. This is not going to end well.

Sara stepped out of the cave and ran to where Rodney stood. She noticed he held a gun as well. Nudging him to get his attention she said, "Are we going to have a shoot out now? Because I really think that would be a bad way to make a first impression on these people." When he didn't answer, she walked up behind Col. Sheppard, "I think you all should put the weapons down now."

Ronon looked over his shoulder at her, "Get back inside the cave."

Sara bristled, "Listen you big lug," she pointed, "Those men are most likely a simple patrol. Rodney says the settlement you all found is less than a mile from here. I'm guessing this is a daily patrol and you all pointing weapons at them isn't going to help make them trust us."

When no one moved to put their weapons down, Sara quickly ducked under Ronon's raised arms. She jumped away from him before he could drag her backwards and raised her arms in a submissive gesture. Just as she was about to attempt a greeting she felt herself being hauled backward and shoved toward Rodney.

Ronon pointed to McKay,"Take her and get in the jumper. Don't come out unless I tell you to, you got that?"

Sara stood in the jumper with Rodney and watched the scene in front of them as it played out. Several men dressed in what appeared to be uniforms approached Colonel Sheppard, Teyla and Ronon. With the translations from Dr. Moore, and help from Dr. Jackson back on Earth, the team she had been working with had managed to gather a working knowledge of the language most likely spoken by the people populating the planet, but from what she could hear, the men were speaking English. She saw Colonel Sheppard nod his head and indicate Teyla and Ronon. Teyla smiled briefly and then shook her head. Sara saw Ronon's stance change and felt a sense of dread build in her stomach. This was going all wrong.

"This is ridiculous," she said as she headed for the jumper door.

"Hey," Rodney grabbed her arm, "Hey. Ronon said to stay in here and I've learned that listening to him is usually a good way not to get killed."

Sara gave an exaggerated sigh, but didn't try to leave the jumper again. She could tell that the men from the settlement clearly viewed Colonel Sheppard, Teyla and Ronon as a distinct threat. Their body language was tense and rigid. For several moments the group carried on a heated discussion. She saw Colonel Sheppard point in their direction and then she heard him call to Rodney. Ronon began walking towards them and that seemed to be the cue Rodney had been waiting for. He emerged from the jumper and Sara followed.

"They're guards from the town up ahead," Ronon said, " They've agreed to take us to see someone called Drakin." As they walked to where the others were standing, Ronon stopped Sara, "Don't say anything unless Sheppard tells you to."

Sara remained quiet as they followed the group of men into town. She scanned the area as they walked through it, noting distinct architectural designs and signs of other types of development. They stopped in front of a large stone building and were told to wait outside.

Sheppard looked at Sara and asked in a hushed tone, "Well Doc, what are your first impressions?"

"There are obvious signs of rapid and unimpeded growth both here in the town and in the outlying countryside, but without actually talking to anyone, I can't say anything really. I know you have a protocol in place, or something, but I need to be able to move freely and talk with as many people as possible."

Sheppard indicated the closed door, "We're about to see if we can get you permission to do that. So don't get your panties in a twist."

They waited for a few more moments and then the doors to the building opened. One of the men from earlier emerged and came down the steps to them, "Drakin will speak with you."

Sheppard smiled, "Well that's great,"he started to move forward but was stopped by the man.

"No, Drakin will speak with only you," he repeated, but this time he pointed to Sara, "Drakin wishes to speak with the one of you that seems," he paused, choosing his words, "Misplaced."

Sara tried to move forward, but Ronon stepped in front of her, "She doesn't go anywhere alone."

The man nodded in understanding, "She may chose one among you as escort."

Sara looked at Ronon, then at Teyla and Col. Sheppard, her mind working quickly. Finally she pointed at Rodney, "Him. I want him to come with me."

She didn't miss the dark look on Ronon's face as she walked past him and whispered, "Sorry big man, this time it's brains over brawn."

Rodney rushed up to walk beside her, whispering to her, "Not that I don't appreciate your vote of confidence in my intellectual abilities, but do you really think this is a good idea?"

"It will be fine Rodney. If I took one of the others in with me this Drakin person would be watching them and not really speaking to me. This way, I don't appear to be a threat."

"Right, but don't we want to look like a threat? You know, to keep them from killing us?"

Sara shook her head, "No." She looked at him as they approached the door to the largest structure, "Are you sure you guys have done this kind of thing before? Because if this is how you approach every new civilization you encounter I'm really surprised you haven't gotten yourselves killed yet."

As they entered the building, Sara quickly scanned the interior. In the middle of the room was a long table. The room was dark and quiet.

Rodney leaned in and whispered, "I'm guessing that is Drakin."

Sara looked forward and tried not to let a smile split her face. The man sitting at the large table in the center of the room was clearly used to the deference of others, to say the least. He sat, relaxed, at the center of the table, facing outwards. He was flanked on either side by four men, all just as large as he was. They were all dressed in dark clothing and none of them held any expression on their faces.

Sara stopped walking although her escort continued. Rodney bumped into her back and had to grab her shoulders to keep from toppling them both to the carpeted floor, "What the hell are you doing?" he hissed into her ear.

Sara simply held up a finger and said, "Making him come to me. Now don't make a scene."

Drakin eyed to two strangers for a moment before rising. He made no move to come around the table, instead he held out one arm, "Please, I invite you to sit with me."

Sara inclined her head and crossed the remaining area to the table. She chose the seat directly across from Drakin and sat. As soon as Rodney was seated next to her, Drakin sat as well. Sara inclined her head again, but did not speak.

Drakin grinned despite himself, "I understand that you were discovered near the caves on the outside of town. I also understand that you came through the Ring at the outer edge of town."

"We did come through the ring and we were in the caves. We are educators, researchers, and we were investigating the caves. We also hope to be allowed to speak with you and your people."

"And you brought soldiers along for what purpose?"

"It's a standard practice among our people. We do not enter an unknown area alone or unguarded. To do so would be foolish."

"Is it also not risky to enter the city of a new people armed? Do you not think it might send the wrong message?"

"I can concede that point. The appearance of an armed group in a new area could speak to hostile intentions, however it could also simply mean that the group was unaware of how they would be received and prepared to defend itself."

Drakin smiled and looked at Rodney, "And what function do you serve?"

Rodney looked from Sara to Drakin, "I'm Dr. Rodney McKay and as Dr. Clayton said, we are here to find information. We have some questions we'd like to ask about some books we found."

Drakin raised one eyebrow, "Books? You wish to question me about books?" He looked to Sara, "You claim to be doctors, healers, yet you want to speak with me of books?"

"We are doctors, but not healers. Both Dr. McKay and I are doctors of knowledge. We have attained our societies highest level of achievement in our fields and so were given that title. In our cities, it is a mark of distinction. The books we would like to speak with you and your people about are nothing more than children's stories."

"If they are only children's stories, why would they be of interest to you?"

"I can let Dr. McKay explain that, "Sara turned, " Go ahead Rodney, tell him why the information is so important."

"Yes, well, we think that a long time a go a civilization we call The Ancients, left colonists here to live. We also believe that shortly after establishing a civilization of their own, that group encountered beings we call the Wraith. From what we've been able to put together, we believe that about two hundred years after the Wraith began coming here and taking people from this planet, they simply stopped. We hope to learn why. "

Drakin shoved his chair backwards and stood, "I see. You have come because you have read the legends of my people and hope to find that they are more than legend, correct?"

Both Sara and Rodney nodded.

Drakin shook his head, "I am afraid I can offer you no hospitality. We do not speak of those things, and we do not allow others to speak of them either. I can allow you to leave peacefully, but do not ever come here again."

****

Ronon paced outside the building, tension straining in him like a cord pulled taut. As the minutes passed, he cast more and more furtive looks at the stone doors that shut him off from Dr. Clayton and Dr. McKay. He cast a sideways glance at Sheppard, "You should have insisted she take one of us with her. McKay couldn't protect her from an ash fly."

"I agree that Rodney probably wasn't her best choice, but it's done now, so all we can do is wait."

Teyla spoke up, "I believe Sara had a reason for making the choice she did. I think perhaps she was trying to present the least threatening picture of our intentions that she could." She looked from Sheppard to Ronon, "The two of you look as if you are ready to fight a battle. Dr. McKay simply appears to be another of her own kind, a scientist."

"McKay has all the tact of a thorn in your foot. If they need to do any kind of actual talking..."

Sheppard's words were cut off as the stone doors were thrown open. Sara and McKay walked out into the sunlight accompanied by five men. They stopped in front of Sheppard.

"Colonel Sheppard, I would like to present High Archon Drakin of the Tolecyte. He has agreed to let us have four hours in which to search the caves. At the end of that four hours, we will be allowed to leave with the understanding that we will never return to this planet."

Sheppard stood and looked the man, Drakin, in the eyes. Then he grabbed Rodney's arm and gave what he hoped was a pleasant smile, "Can we have a few moments to speak with our associates?"

"By all means, take the time you need to discuss the agreement."

Rodney stumbled along as Sheppard pulled him to where Ronon and Teyla stood. Sara followed them and then stood, arms crossed over her chest, waiting to see what it was Colonel Sheppard wanted to "discuss".

"I take it that the outcome of Sara and Rodney's meeting was not what we had hoped for?" Teyla asked.

"You could put it that way. You could also say that they took it upon themselves to negotiate how long we'd stay without consulting me first," he looked pointedly at Rodney, "At least one of you should have known better."

Sara uncrossed her arms and stepped toward Colonel Sheppard, finally tired of playing the quiet professor, "Listen G.I. Joe, I'm guessing that the coy little smirk you have and that lovely gun you carry around usually get you where you want to go, but in this case, it would have landed you no where." She pointed to the spires of the nearest building, "Do you have any idea what those are?"

Sheppard glanced in the direction Dr. Clayton was pointing, "Decorative touches?" he quipped.

Sara made what could only be described as a rude noise, "Try again. For someone with military training, you're pretty slow." She turned and looked at Ronon, "How about you big boy? Any guesses?"

Ronon stepped closer to the tiny woman and grinned, "Defensive positions," he stated. "They probably have men with guns up there right now, keeping us covered." He spun and pointed in rapid succession to several other spires, "They'll be in those as well."

Sara stepped backwards and turned to Colonel Sheppard again, her adrenaline pumping, "Now, I may be just a lowly little academic, but I know my history. We walked into this town and I noticed it was laid out a lot like castles on Earth used to be. Heavily fortified on the outside and easy to defend, even once your enemy is through the gate. I'm guessing you hadn't really missed that, right? You're just used to people liking you and your easy going way. Let me guess, you can talk yourself out of almost anything, can't you?" When Teyla choked, Sara surmised she was at least partially correct, so she continued, " I know a little something about group dynamics, cultural norms and historical context." She pointed to the spires again, "These people don't want strangers in their cities. Add to that the fact that we were met by an armed military escort? It didn't take a genius to figure out a show of strength wasn't going to get us anywhere."

Sheppard held up on hand, "Whoa! Slow down. Now," he looked at Rodney, "I may have over reacted a bit, but four hours?"

"I got the distinct impression that the Big Bad Wolf over there would have gladly let Dr. Clayton stay, it's the rest of us he's objecting to."

Sara smiled, "And that's exactly what's going to happen. In four hours, you are all going to leave and I'm going to convince Drakin to let me stay as his guest. I can continue my research and return to Atlantis when I'm finished."

The other four people she was standing with started speaking at the same time and she held up her hand, "There's no danger here. It's not like he's Jabba the Hutt or anything. I seriously doubt I'm going to end up chained to a dais somewhere in a gold bikini."

"That's not the point, " Rodney said, "Well, I guess it is the point, but still," he looked helplessly at Ronon, "Help me out here."

Ronon stepped into her space again, grabbed her shoulder and looked directly into her eyes, "You have four hours. After that, we're leaving, all of us, even if I have to toss you over my shoulder and carry you out of here. I suggest you get started." He released his grip on her and turned away.

Sara felt a flush move over her face and it took a moment for her to find her words again. Damn that man. Barbaric. Neanderthal. Who the hell does he think... She shook her head hard and looked at Teyla, "He wouldn't really just sling me over his shoulder would he?"

"I do not believe I would push it if I were you. Ronon is very single minded. We will not leave you here while we return safely to Atlantis. I suggest you make the most of the time we have. Do you require help from any of us, other than Dr. McKay?"

Sara blew a puff of air out in exasperation, "Okay then. Ummm, no, I think I can get everything I wanted in the time we have. We just need to get back to the caves so I can pick up where I left off."

As a group they returned to where Drakin and his men stood, "I trust that Sara Clayton has made you aware that our agreement is not open for negotiation?"

Sheppard held out his hand, "We'll be out of your way in four hours."

Ronon watched as Dr. Clayton walked away with Rodney. A frown touched his lips and he turned to Teyla, "She's planning something. She took being told we wouldn't let her stay here alone way to easily."

Teyla's eyes followed Sara until she disappeared inside the large stone building across the square, "She believes she can handle herself, and we do not know that she can't. We must allow her to do what it is she is best at." Even to her own ears, the words did not sound true and Teyla frowned as well. She looked once more at the closed doors of Drakin's private home before she followed Rodney, Ronon and Sheppard down the road. She only hoped Sara would not do anything foolish.