Author's Note: Thanks everyone; for reading this story, for leaving a review or adding it to your favourites. Thanks also to Nika Dixon whose past guidance has been invaluable. Any mistakes were always my own but since I'm flying solo these days I hope that not too many make it through. Of course if they do I'll blame the computer for not knowing to capture what I meant, not what I typed.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own the rights to Stargate Atlantis or the characters. If I did I'd be more motivated to go to work each day. I do own my original characters and the plot line. Oh well can't have everything I guess. Pity.

Chapter 21

The sun sat low on the horizon casting long shadows of the men guarding the gate. It had been several hours since the attack on the Enforcer compound and it would be a few more before the relief squad were due. Several hours of doing nothing but watch and wait whilst others at least had the opportunity to hunt for trespassing Ree-Tan.

Several of the men were gathered in a huddle gambling away their earnings to pass the time, confident that the sounds of the portal would alert them to intruders in enough time. A few Dalerians stood guard on the perimeter aware that the Ree-Tan could be nearby waiting for an opportunity to strike. It was well known among the squads that the Ree-Tan wanted nothing better than to kill all of the Dalerian men and to take all of the Dalerian women as their own.

The sound of the portal initiating brought the men out of their huddle and into defensive positions surrounding the gate. They waited with their weapons at the ready as the chevrons locked into place one by one until all were locked and the portal open with its usual splash. They waited for someone to step through. They knew the portal would shut down soon automatically if no-one came through.

ooOoo

"Is the video set to roll, Dr McKay?" asked Lt Paxton.

"Already rolling, Lieutenant," replied Rodney from the co-pilot's seat.

"Okay, let's go do this." A slight shimmer crossed the viewport as Paxton cloaked the jumper before entering the event horizon. Moments later he was dodging weapons fire from the ground as he quickly flew the jumper on a steep incline and out of the reach of the Dalerians. "Shit! How did they know we came through?"

"They probably saw the ripple we made," replied Rodney as he checked the instruments before him. They didn't need any serious damage to the jumper before they'd even begun. "Looks like we sustained minor damage only."

"Good,"replied Ronon.

"Leaving could be interesting," added Paxton. "If they know something came through the gate then they'll expect us again when we dial the gate to leave."

"What about the drones?" asked Ronon.

"Sheppard did authorise any force necessary," replied Rodney.

"He did," added Paxton. "But if they are too close to the gate then we risk damaging the gate as well or sending shrapnel through to Atlantis."

"Wouldn't stop Sheppard," stated Ronon.

"Well I doubt he'd appreciate it if we blew up the only chance of rescuing Weir and the others," added Rodney.

"There's the Ancient site," interrupted Paxton.

Rodney focused his attention on the sight through the viewport instantly recognising the style of architecture that was singularly Ancient. From the air he could see that the site was quite small when compared to Atlantis but then if it was a weapon it didn't really need to be very big. Many Earth weapons he knew were small compared to the devastation they could cause. Heck the nuclear bomb he'd built as a kid was pretty damn small but it could wipe out a substantial area and its population along with it. He wondered how powerful the Ancient weapon truly was. If it could wipe out an entire race such as the Ree-Tan then it could prove very useful in fighting the Wraith.

He turned his attention to his data pad and called up the energy readings.

"Anything?" asked Ronon.

"What? Oh. No there's only a residual reading. Whatever is down there it is either switched off or very low on power."

"Any life signs?"

Rodney called up the HUD display. "Doesn't look like it but the building could be shielded."

"No guard," stated Ronon.

"Didn't I just say that," snarked Rodney tired of people always stating the obvious.

"No, if someone was inside there would be a guard outside," explained Ronon.

"Oh." Rodney turned his attention back to his data pad checking that the video capture was working fine as Paxton flew the jumper towards the east. With any luck they would soon pick up the Great Wall that Maran had spoken of to Sheppard.

ooOoo

Lorne had spent the last half hour re-checking their cell looking for anything he had missed in his previous checks. He had known it was unlikely but the thought of what Jaymar planned to put his boss through this morning, if she didn't agree to the Ree-Tan's demands, was more than enough encouragement to find another way out. He had already let her down once; he had no intentions of doing so again. Thirty minutes of searching and he still failed to find any weakness. He kicked the door hard in frustration earning himself a worried look from Weir and a sore foot.

It wouldn't be long now before Jaymar's men returned for her again and this time they were likely to follow through on their threat to start killing prisoners unless she agreed to help them with their plans. He knew she would never agree no matter what the threat. She was no trained soldier but she had more strength and resilience than many he had served with over the years. She would never agree to help one race destroy another.

The bruises on her face had worsened overnight and she still cradled her injured wrist carefully against her body. The sight angered him but there was nothing he could do about it for now. He pulled his eyes away from her and looked around the cell again. He needed a plan. His eyes fell on the historians. They had fallen quiet after Maris had told them their history. He didn't know whether it was shame or despair that kept them quiet and he didn't really care. As far as he was concerned they had brought this upon themselves. They had known the truth and the danger and had remained silent on both. So he had no intentions of going out of his way to help them now.

Maris was the only one willing to return his attention. Maybe the man truly regretted what had happened and his part in it. Lorne watched as the Maris stood and walked over to stand by his side.

"I am truly sorry that my people's actions have placed your people in such dire circumstances and I am willing to do whatever is needed to help rectify it, Major," said Maris. "It is the least that I can do."

Lorne could see that Maris was sincere and he would need all the help he could get if they were to succeed in escaping. "I agree. It is the least that you can do," replied Lorne glancing at the other Dalerians before facing Maris again, "and we will need all the help we can get."

"I will speak with them, Major. I am sure that I can convince them to help, especially once I remind them that it is the only chance at survival that they have. The Ree-Tan may let you go once you have given them what they want but they will not be so generous with myself or my colleagues."

Maris moved back to join his fellow historians and began his task. Lorne couldn't hear what he was saying but he did see some of the others glance his way before nodding. Maybe they would have a real chance if an opportunity arose.

"Any ideas, sir?" asked Lieutenant Jenkins.

Lorne turned to find the young soldier by his side. "Only one Lieutenant and it depends on whether Maris can convince the others to help."

ooOoo

Brille stood at the head of the table and studied the men before him. Learning last night of Maran's betrayal had shaken him to his core but these men sat before him were his best Overmasters. Each one had proven himself worthy of the rank and was intensely loyal to him, their Chief Master. And not one would hesitate at being ordered into Ree-Tan territory despite the danger. And he was sure that not one of these men would betray him the way Maran had. Maran would answer for his betrayal with his life. He would make an example of him and string him up in the town centre for all to see. He would make sure that anyone else thinking of doing the same thing learned what fate awaited them.

He pulled his thoughts back to the attack on the Ree-Tan. "Good sirs, tonight we attack the Ree-Tan village and take the Lanteans back."

"Has the breach in the wall been located, sire?" asked the large man sat to his left.

"No, Horan. It has not but no matter, we will make one of our own using black powder."

"Will they not hear us coming, sire?" asked another man.

"The winds have been blowing from the wastelands these last few nights. If it does so again tonight then the Ree-Tan should not hear us," replied Horan.

"We will need to send a scout in to locate the Lanteans and report back before the attack wave moves in. It will be a most dangerous task but an important one."

"I will do it," volunteered Horan.

"Thank you, Horan. You honour your family with your bravery. May good fortune be with you tonight."

Horan acknowledged his master's words with a nod.

"And what would you have us do with Maran when we find him, sire?" asked an older man.

Brille sighed before he replied. "You will not find Maran amongst the Ree-Tan. It was the Lanteans who attacked the garrison. They have most likely returned to their world with him. If they try to return they will be struck down by the portal guards."

"And if they have not returned to their world?" asked the older man.

"Then they are to be destroyed and Maran is to be brought to me alive so that I may have the pleasure of watching the traitor die."

"Yes, sire," replied the Overmasters in unison.

ooOoo

"I hope your idea works, Major," stated Weir.

"So do I ma'am, so do I," replied Lorne.

"Someone's coming," announced Jenkins as he moved to one side of the doorway.

Lorne signalled for Maris to move into position on the other side before placing himself in between Weir and the door. The other historians moved into place just as he had instructed leaving only a few huddled against the wall behind him. They had been deemed too old to be of much assistance other than to provide a decoy for the guards.

The footsteps grew louder as they moved closer. He couldn't tell how many there were but it was more than one or two. "Stay behind me, ma'am." He was determined to keep her safe this time.

The footsteps stopped. Moments later the door swung outwards bathing the interior of the cell with early morning sunlight only to be cut off as four of Jaymar's men entered. As they approached him Jenkins, Maris and the others launched their attack taking the Ree-Tan by surprise.

Lorne noticed that Jenkins was doing well against his target. He had succeeded in knocking the Ree-Tan to the ground then pressed his advantage home quickly knocking the man out with a swift blow to the head. Maris wasn't doing so well and Lorne could see the others were busy with their own battles. He closed the gap and aimed a blow at the Ree-Tan's back hitting him where his kidney should be. The man roared as he flung Maris across the cell and turned to face his new attacker straightening to his full height.

"Oh shit!" Lorne knew he had no choice but to continue the fight he had started but boy was it going to hurt. He put all of his weight behind his next punch and aimed for the guy's jaw hoping to knock him out. His fist connected with a resounding crack and pain flared along his arm making him think he'd broken his own hand on the guy's jaw. But that thought was soon overtaken when a solid fist collided with his unprotected abdomen knocking all the air from his lungs. He found himself sprawled on the ground gasping for breath.

"Look out, Major!" shouted Weir.

Lorne looked up in time to see the looming figure of the Ree-Tan swinging his leg in his direction. He scrambled to get out of the way but wasn't fast enough. Lorne's vision greyed out as the man's heavy boot connected with his rib cage breaking several ribs with an audible crack. The sounds of fighting faded around him as he battled to stay conscious.

"Take the woman to Jaymar."

"I will come willingly if you give them medical treatment," offered Weir.

The Ree-Tan laughed. "You will come anyway and be grateful that my men did not kill them."

Lorne heard a brief scuffle of feet as she was dragged away then the sound of the cell door closing. He hoped her plans to negotiate with Jaymar were more successful than his escape plan. He felt hands moving over his body and tried to defend himself.

"Easy, sir. It's me, Jenkins. I need to check your injuries."

TBC

A/N: Oh dear, things don't look good for Elizabeth. Who's going to protect her now from Jaymar with Lorne out injured? And can Rodney and Paxton manage to stay out of trouble while they make a recon of the Ree-Tan village? And I don't like the sound of Brille's plans, there could be more trouble coming Weir's way before too long. Who will win in this three horse race? The answers are coming and so is more whump. So stay tuned for the next instalment and don't be afraid to drop by and say hi.