Chapter 14- the mighty leader

Funeral planet (forest planet 1)

The wraith had waited for the man to return through the stargate with his Lantean prisoner, it had not happened immediately as he had thought, then one hour passed, then more. Thinking about the time delay the wraith found himself feeling puzzled, he did not think that this villager would be unwise enough to lie to him. Trying to protect his planet by making up a story was afterall only going to achieve the opposite. So what had happened. The wraith thought about all their entanglements with the Lanteans and decided that prehaps they were causing the villagers some problems. He should report back to his queen, and they would then search for the villagers planet. But his queen would be angry over the loss, seeing it as yet another barrier to the feeding ground of Earth, she would need an outlet for that anger and may decide that he was a good candidate.

So he had kept waiting until finally the man contacted him, "Why the delay man, I was just planning how to wipe out your people", The wraith lied. Kal stuttered at that, he was standing far enough away from his 3 captives that they would not observe him using the communication device.

"I umm had a problem, but it has been resolved, now instead of one captive I can offer you three and one of those is the one you are searching for, the man called Sheppard". Kal actually did not have any proof that the dark haired one who had been in command of the small group was Sheppard, but he did fit the description. The wraith paused, he could hardly believe that a mere villager had managed to capture that particular Lantean. "If you are lying man, there will be no where you will be able to hide", he threatened. Kal swallowed, he knew that would not just be an empty threat . "I am not lying. Give me 20 minutes and you will see for yourself", Kal told him. "I will have to send for more wraith if what you say is true, the Lanteans are capable of all sorts of tricks, the wraith mentioned. "You can have two more wraith, 3 wraith for three prisoners, no more. Any deception wraith and I will kill the prisoners myself. Don't think I won't either", Kal added. "You can wait away from the Stargate. I will transmit the information you need to know. The prisoners will be left securely bound for you to collect. You will not move until we have departed through the gate. If you make any move to do anything different, I will kill the prisoners". Cal thought all those conditions protected himself and his friends well.

The wraith could hear his determination. It seemed strange to be bartering with a meal. His queen did await the prisoners and any wrong move would be blamed upon him. "Very well, I accept your terms" the wraith replied. He contacted two members of his hive and asked that they were sent down to him. Once they had arrived , via another gate on another planet, then to this one, the three of them set about choosing the best place to await the arrival of the villager and his prisoners. The wraith looked at the size of the trees and reflected upon how easy it would be to hide a whole platoon of wraith on this planet. The made a quick check of the surrounding area just in case there were any surprises awaiting them.

xxxxx

Island planet

Kal slower the speedboat as he approached the trees, he had to steer carefully here to avoid collison. On the floor of his boat his captives were lying relatively still. His collegues ensured that by digging the muzzles of the stolen weapons into their backs. Ahead of them Kal could see the place where the water cascaded down from the giant crack in the rock above. The trees hid what had been the lake that had nestled above this valley until the earth tremor had moved everything. Now it was a crater with the small amount of remaining water, trickling out in a mini waterfall. This next bit was going to be harder with captives. He stopped the boat, "get them up", he requested.

John Sheppard slowly raised himself up and looked around him. "We have to go up there", Kal pointed above the treeline to the top of the crater rim. Once again he had a faster method of ascent than the villagers. "Get them equipped in the harnesses", he told his colleagues.

Sheppard found his binding were still tight enough to prevent him from moving as one of their captors secured him within a mass of strong vines. He wondered why they were moving upward.

Kal made sure each of them was secured, then reached under the seats for a very thick rope with a grappling hook on the end. This he swung upward. John expected him to have many goes at securing the end of the hook to the crater edge, but he got it on the first try. Obviously he had done this many times before. "You two climb up first, myself and Gref will pull the captives up to you", Kal told his men. Sheppard kept watching as their captors numbers thinned out. He could see that Ronon was desparately trying to free himself. From the expression on his face he was not having much luck. "You will go up first", Kal said to Ronon, digging him in the ribs with his gun. "If you manage to free yourself on the way up, I will release the rope and drop you straight down. You would not survive the fall",Kal gave Ronon a little grin. He had known all the time that this captive was trying to free himself. This one going to be difficult to control and that made him tempted to shoot him. But he knew that the wraith at their rendezvous many be hungry and feed upon this man. That would at least stop any deception from occurring. So he simply slapped him hard across the face. Sheppard knew the man would have gotten punched for that had Ronon been free.

He noted that Ronon stopped trying to free himself, he had no desire to be dropped. As he watched Ronon's vine harness was attached to the main rope. The other men had rapidly scaled the wall of the crater by using their own grappling hook ropes. John expected a slow ascent, but this men were nimble, making good time up the face of the crater. They looked like small little dots way above their heads. "Up you go now", Kal instructed. He waved his hand and the men above pulled on the rope hauling Ronon up the side of the crater. The men pulled him up surprisingly fast and soon it was time for him to make the same journey. "I am leaving your friend to last as I know he won't cause trouble, just remember he's with me if you get any urges to try anything", Kal told John. Tied hand and foot then secured to the pulley that would take him to the top John could do very little. As he was hauled to the top he looked out at the spectacular view below him.

Once at the top John could see down into the crater . He wondered why they were up here, so far there was nothing remarkable about this planet. Rodney joined him a few minutes later, he looked rather pained. "Hey, at least we did not have to haul each other up", John told him lightly. He was trying to break the tension that seemed to crackle around them. These men were watchful and alert, and kept firm control over their weapons. They knew the cost of failure and it gave them that extra edge. John knew the cost of failure as well and knew that soon he might decide to take a desparate risk.

Kal moved toward a large rock and bent over to touch it, he seemed to be doing something that took a few minutes. When a familiar glow lit up the water of the crater below Rodney knew why the stargate in the valley had not functioned. 'You have another stargate", he stated in awe. " It would originally nestled at the bottom of the lake", Sheppard observed. Kal smiled, "Yes and it is a very special gate as it is a one way type, you can only leave by this gate. The device within this rock allows us to lock out the other gate and just use this one. That prevents any wraith ships being able to arrive that way".

"They can still bring a hive to the planet and then use their ships for a ground attack", Rodney pointed out. 'Yes, but that will take time and the wraith do not know about this gate. We can all be gone through to the other side before they realize. An empty planet is worthless to them. Unfortunately we only discovered the existance of this gate after the earth tremor. If we had known earlier we could have prevented our people being culled", Kal said it with deep hatred of the wraith. "Of course even with this gate there is still a risk, they will eventually find us". So I am giving you to them in exchange for a deal that they will never again cull our world", Kal told them.

"You know that they will not keep any deal you make with them", John pointed out calmly.

"They will be too busy with other feeding grounds to bother with us", Kal stated. John felt himself go pale, he knew which feeding ground this man was referring too. "They will feed upon the people pf my world instead, he told Kal. "Billions of people", he added. "After that they will be unstoppable". Eventually they will come back and in larger numbers than before, then the culling will start over again. It will never stop", John said it bluntly. Kal went red and back handed him harshly across the face. John fell to the ground. He grunted as the other three men all gave him a kick in the gut. The blows were painful but he stared defiantly up at them, their reaction told him his words had an effect." 'Leave him, it is up to the wraith to deal with him", Kal told his men. He admitted to himself that he was scared of what the wraith might do to him and his people. They were not trustworthy and could just take these men and then kill them as well.

But he had gone this far and knew that he would take the slim chance that the wraith would keep their end of the bargain. "I want to live Sheppard, all my people do. We will do anything, sacrifice anybody just to live that little bit longer. If your world has billions of people then it will be a long time before the wraith come back", Kal told him. He was partly trying to convince himself he knew.

"If you people love your plan, why did they all leave, Rodney asked carefully. "They are being cautious, they have gone to another world, but will be back when they know it is safe", Kal stated.

"How will they get back",Rodney asked. "I have other men that will stay hidden upon this world, and when they are contacted they will reactivate the other gate", Kal replied.

John shivered, a sudden chill had come over him. This man was telling them all his secrets and he would only do that if he was sure they were all going to die. "We could give up your secret of the other gate to the wraith", he pointed out. Kal shrugged, "sooner or later they will find out, but it does them no good, they cannot come through that gate".

"Now you have delayed long enough, it is time to go to your fate", Kal told him.

John was pulled to his feet, he tried to struggle. All that got him was a swift and hard hit around the face. He tasted his own blood as it ran down his from his nose and into his mouth. "Prepare them", Kal instructed. The other men moved forward and tied heavy rocks to the ropes at their feet. "This will make you sink down to the gate."

John knew that escape was not possible at this time . He would have wait until they were at the rendezvous, then he would make his move. He knew they could die at that point, but he also knew that Rodney ,Ronon and himself would prefer to die while trying to escape then be fed upon and die slowly at the hands of the wraith.

He was shoved into the water and felt himself dragged down by the weight of the rocks. "Hold your breath now", Kal instructed him. John took a breath as the water closed in around him.

xxxxxxx

Earlier...

Judy had closed her eyes and jumped downward, she felt the wind blowing through her hair, then sudden coldness as she hit the water. Downward she went under that water. She desperately held her breath and decided she had been crazy to do this. Maybe the 'safety' the boy had referred to was actually death.

The cold sensation only lasted a few seconds though before it was replaced by something different. It was as if she had been suddenly sucked out of the water and was now sliding down a pathway. It was not wet here, or anything really, just strange. Then she found herself falling onto grass. Looking behind her she could see the glow of the gate. There must have been another gate in the lake she realised and now she was on another world. Ahead of her the young boy waited, 'see I told you, safety", he stated. She looked behind her and saw Smith come flying out onto the grass. He actually had jumped, or perhaps he had just fallen from the trees. He had his eyes closed as if expecting death. She just stood waiting for him to realise that he was safe.

Smith opened his eyes as he felt the grass beneath his fingertips. He saw Judy grin at him and could not help his answering grin. He had jumped and it had actually felt good. Now though they were on another planet and he did not know what awaited them.

Ahead of them the boy seemed content skipping through the grass. Then he stopped as he saw another villager running toward them, "there is a monster ahead", that villager screamed.

It was the sound of pure terror and Smith found his heart constricting. Soon that fleeing villager was joined by others, running back toward the gate, all looked terrified.

Judy had not turned yet, just watching as they ran past. "The monster will get you", one villager told her. "It's right behind me" , the next one yelled. Still Judy did not move. She was just awaiting what came out of the grass ahead of them. Smith wanted to run, but he was fascinated by Judy's actions. The villagers were clearly terrified but she was not. When the monster came lumbering toward her, Smith finally realised his observational skills were not really very good. "Greetings Judy Robinson",stated the robot.

Judy smiled then rushed to wrap the robot in a hug. She had thought the landscape around her had looked familiar. They had come through the gate back to Treetopia.

"Robot, where are the rest of the family", Judy asked. "The ghostly beings invaded this world forcing the Robinsons to flee. I was laying a deceptive trail for the beings to follow. However it failed and now I cannot find the family. I believe they are hiding in one of the areas sensors cannot penetrate".

Judy swallowed and found sudden tears coming into her eyes. "Then these beings are still here, we have walked straight into their arms". She turned intending to warn the villagers. "No, Judy", the robot stated, "I have observed the most of the beings leaving this world. They did leave a small fighting force which I believe intended to kill your family, however something has happened to that force", the robot concluded.

"What happened to them", Judy asked seriously. "I think you should come and look", the robot stated. Judy stared back at the villagers who were all gazing at her in awe. "Its all right its a friendly monster", she explained. "Come robot, show me", she asked. Smith fell in behind them as they moved away from the still frightened villagers.

Judy noted that they were moving in the general direction of the underground tunnels. "Hiding down in the tunnels would not have been mother or fathers first choice", she noted to Smith. He shuddered ,thinking about all that rock .

The robot kept rolling forward until it came to an open area, "there" it pointed one of its floppy arms.

Judy looked at the area the robot was indicating and found herself feeling puzzled. She could see what the robot meant about something happening to the ghostly beings.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

John spluttered as he found himself lying on the mossy ground of a very familiar planet. "Its the funeral world", he told Rodney. 'Yes", his friend agreed. "Our captors have chosen well, the wraith could not get ships through the gate, so they cannot surprise them that way".

"Yes but they could hide an army in those trees", Sheppard pointed out. "Yes I am aware of that", Kal stated, but the wraith know that if they try to deceive me I will kill you". Rodney scowled, "so you kill that easily then", he remarked. "It is what we do, we are the peacekeepers of our village as well as the hunters. We have killed people before", Kal remarked. "Really, then why did you not kill the man you left on this world a few days ago", John asked. Kal head snapped around to stare at him, "that man who visited our world and received the burial pot was one of yours then". I gave him that pot hoping that you would come and ask me why". Only that woman came while I was away and my men decided it was too risky to try and capture her. Then you would came at us on the offensive. We needed to have the advantage". I am glad that man actually did help us achieve our aims". We did not kill him because Smith claimed he was already dying, our methods would have caused him more pain. Here he would just drift away peacefully, so we are not heartless monsters. We are just desperate", Kal told Sheppard.

Sheppard did not bother to tell him that Don West was not dead. It did not seem to matter now. He knew this gate address was known to Atlantis and the Daedulus but neither of them knew he was here now and in deadly danger.

"Enough delays now Sheppard. I know it is unpleasant, but let's just get it over with .The wraith are here, so come and meet your fate", Kal stated. He had already noted the fact that the wraith had not come within visual range when he'd activated the gate. Perhaps they were exploring, he let out a piercing whistle, hoping that would alert them. Nothing happened.

"They seem to be taking their time", Rodney observed. Kal swallowed, he had thought many times of not going through with this plan. But he had never expected the wraith to back out. He brought out his small communication device and tried that, all he got was static."They must be here, where else would they be",he stated. He was feeling a little twitchy like something was not right. Yet around him there was no evidence of anything happening, just the quiet stillness of the giant trees.

Kal made sure their captives were lying flat out on the ground then and ordered his men to go and look further into the trees. His men hesitated. 'Perhaps the wraith plan to ambush us", one stated. It was possible Kal reflected.

"Fan out and keep hold of the weapons, move around this giant tree together. Our prisoners can't go anywhere". He had not removed the rocks from their feet so they could not even stand let alone try to move. Kal and his group took a couple steps away from them.

John immediately started to struggle, the ropes though were wet from the lake had constricted around his arms and legs . It was painful to even move within those bindings. Once more his captors had been cautious.

He wondered if they were actually going to be able to escape or whether this delay was just because the wraith had planned something.

When a blast of wraith stunners seemingly came from nowhere and hit into their 4 captors John knew his thoughts had been correct. Now the wraith would simply take them and owe the people of the Island planet nothing. It was the classic betrayal.

"I guess we will have to try and escape from the hive", John told his friends. He did not fancy their chances but he had to try and sound positive. 'They waited for the wraith to come from around the large tree in front of them and for another blast to stun them. Nothing happened.

"Over here", suggested a very familiar voice.

John shuffled his body forward enough to glimpse behind the trunk of the large tree near them and stared upward at Teyla who seemed to be suspended in mid air. While they were still staring Teyla slid herself down from the air on a rope and hurried to cut them loose . Rodney was looking directly at the spot where she had been seemingly flying when a jumper uncloaked right in front of them. John stared at the fact that it was flying vertical with its hatch pointing downward toward them. "Holy crap ,how did you manage that", he remarked.

"I will tell you soon. For now I think we better get out of here before the wraith realise that their contacts", she pointed to the fallen men, "have failed". I hear you", Sheppard affirmed. He let Teyla attach another rope and soon he, Rodney, Ronon and then the four villagers, were hoisted up into the back of the jumper. "There are some questions we need answering out of these men", Teyla stated

John had to hold onto the netting at the back of the jumper once he was inside. With the addition of their team and the villagers it was going to be cramped. He found that they were not the only newcomers. Flicking his eyes past the Robinsons he sought the pilot seat looking for Lorne. He stared at the man who looked back at him, "Major West how the hell are you able to fly the jumper", he asked. A moment of panic hit him and he hurriedly scanned the mass of clinging to the webbing again. Finally he found Lorne and Beckett both cradled gently in what looked like netting beds. "All the people who could fly the jumper were either injured and unconscious . I knew from contact with the wraith that you were in trouble but thought I had no way of rescuing you. So I just swore at it and surprisingly it listened", Don told him with awe.

John found his eyes opening wide. It seemed the jumper may respond to voice command which had never happened before. He could see Rodney staring at West . Don too felt his gaze and wiggled uncomfortably ,"I think further questions need to wait, lets get out of here", he stated.

Going out to be as difficult as getting through the trees had been. He carefully manoeuvred the jumper, still in its vertical position around the large tree. The others all stared at the proximity of the trunk. The jumper was shaking slightly protesting being flown in this unusual manner. "There is actually just enough room between the trunk of the tree and the gate for a jumper. It is a tight fit though. I hope you don't mind that I scratched the jumper a bit sir", Don stated to John. John found grin forming on his face as he answered, "well this one is not my favourite jumper so thats alright".

Don suddenly found himself grinning as well. That changed though to grunting as he felt an enormous pressure upon his mind. He was finding it harder to concentrate on what he was doing. Now came the even more difficult part, returning to a horizontal level and departing through the gate. There were mere inches of manoeuvring space. If he did not do this exactly right the jumper could suffer more than just a few scratches. He began the slow movements, clenching his teeth as the pressure within his mind increased. "Dial the Island planet gate", he instructed Teyla. She looked at him and felt anxiety return, he looked like he might just pass out. "Whats the matter", she asked. "I can feel a different mind, it's searching, trying to find out what is happening. I am not sure I can keep it out ."Shit', he swore as he felt pain hit him.

Teyla felt cold as she guessed that Don West had finally encountered the wraith Queen. She hurriedly began to dial . Don was pale but he was still conscious. "Veto dialling the Island Planet", Sheppard told her with a look at Don. "We need to go back to Atlantis now". "But what about Judy", John Robinson and Don's voices mingled into one. "All the villagers from the Island Planet evacuated through the gate and we have no idea where they have gone. Only our prisoners can help with that". Sheppard looked closer at West noting the sweat trickling down his face. "Are you going to pass out", he asked Don seriously. Don was biting his lip hard while he evened out the jumper, he felt awful again.

Teyla hurriedly dialled Atlantis. Don West and the Robinsons would have to wait for their reunion with Judy.