The group blinked in the light as they exited the Stargate. Weir lead with confidence, walking in front of the group towards the small group of soldiers surrounding Johns. John, Teyla, and the rest of the group moved forward a bit more slowly.
They had decided to bring along Lorne and two other marines, just in case. Riddick was chained between Lorne and John, with Ronon and his gun behind. Teyla and Rodney took up the rear.
Rodney glanced around, watching everything with a critical eye. Despite rarely being around after their escape from the Wraith ship, he had been brought into the loop. He couldn't help but agree, in his expert opinion (emphasis on expert), that something was wrong. He readjusted the grip on his P90, looking at the Mercenary's small group of soldiers. Ten in total. He knew they should have brought more men.
"Well, Elizabeth, how good to see you," Johns called out, stepping forward with a case in hand. Rodney rolled his eyes at the obviously fake tone, earning a smirk from Teyla.
"And you as well, Johns. Here is the prisoner, as promised. I suppose you have the ZPM's in that case?"
"Sure do. Now, if you'll hand Riddick over, we'll be on our way…"
"Hang on, uh, Johns, was it?" Rodney said, stepping forward. He pointedly ignored the glare he was receiving from Weir; Shepard knew that something was wrong, and the scientist knew the rest of them had his back. "I'd like to look at them first."
Johns smiled. "I don't think you have the final call here, buddy."
"Look, do you have any knowledge of the technology you are handing over? Two of the most expensive pieces of equipment in the universe, and we damn well have earned it. Now, I'm sure that it's difficult for you to wrap your mind around, but I, as an expert, need to be sure that we are getting what we were promised," Rodney finished. His tirade had been completely for show; inside he was quaking in his boots. But he managed to keep a straight face long enough for Johns to crack.
"Fine; open it up. You'll see that you've received what you were promised," the man answered coolly.
Rodney grabbed the case with an indignant huff and opened it. Looking smug, he held up the obviously useless ZPM. "Ah ha! And I suppose you thought the rust and corrosion on it was just decorative?"
Johns only smiled. "You were promised one good ZPM. You got one good ZPM. The other one was just to make sure you got the job done fast enough."
"You should tell them how you got that one good ZPM, Johns," Riddick's voice broke through the group. "Tell them about the village you massacred looking for it; the ones who thought it was some kind of holy shrine."
Weir looked at Johns expectantly, receiving only a shrug. "How I go about my business is none of your concern. What matters is, you have your equipment. Now give me my prisoner."
"Not on your life," growled John. "The deal is off. You can take that ZPM and shove it up your…"
"Colonel Sheppard, that's enough." Weir snapped. "We accept your offer; you did deliver what you promised."
"Elizabeth, you can't be serious!" shouted John, turning towards her. Weir turned, holding her hand for silence.
"Enough. I don't want to hear another word out of you for the rest of this expedition."
John stared at her for a moment. "Unbelievable," he muttered.
"What did you say?"
John took a step closer until he was in Weir's face. "Un. Fucking. Believable." He ground out each syllable. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and walked back towards the Stargate. Rodney followed soon after.
Weir turned back to Johns, who had an amused look on his face. "Mister Johns, have a good day; and I hope to never hear from you again."
"Likewise," he replied, smiling. Weir picked up the case and turned back to the Stargate, leaving only Ronon and Teyla.
"Looks like it's time," commented Riddick, wearing a grim smile. Ronon put his hand on his shoulder and leaned in towards his ear.
"Good luck. Kill the bastard," the Satedan said softly. Teyla nodded, then both stepped back as Riddick strode forward.
"Let's go, we don't have all day. I've got you a first-class ticket on the Hunter-Gratzner," Johns said as the convict reached him.
"Can't wait," responded Riddick dryly. As he walked off, he turned his head enough to see the two team members still watching him.
Humanity… been a long time since I've had that. She'll do that to a person; bring out their humanity. Did it to him. And he stayed strong. Riddick smiled.
Good luck.
Ronon watched as the company disappeared. Turning to Teyla, he nodded towards the Stargate. "Let's go."
Teyla nodded, eyes distant, as she continued to look at the spot Riddick had vanished from. Ronon knew what she was thinking; the mission was over. John and Elizabeth would soon make up, and be back to their pseudo-relationship. Riddick would be forgotten, mentioned only in passing just as all other missions were.
But not for Teyla, and not for him. For them, who had closer encounters with him than any of the others, who somehow understood him, he would never be forgotten. For Ronon, it was the knowledge of the fight, and the strength of the animal. Things he learned from the strange man. For Teyla, well, Ronon was sure not even she understood how she felt about the man. And he was quite sure he didn't want to be privy to certain memories his name might stir.
But he would be remembered. Of that, there was no doubt.