Chapter 8: The aftermath.
Teyla walked up to the wooden door and pushed on it hoping that it would open, but of course, it wasn't that simple. When it didn't open, she started pounding on the door, but there was no response. The door appeared to be locked from the inside so whoever was inside ether didn't want to come out, or they didn't hear her knocking.
She tried again and Ronon started knocking as well, she only hoped that if John was in there, he wasn't too injured to open the door.
After a few minutes of knocking a voice came from the other side of the door, "who are you?"
Teyla was disappointed that it wasn't John's voice, but she knew that whoever was in there probably needed their help, "my name is Teyla Emmagan, we are from Atlantis and we are here to help you."
Another voice spoke from behind the locked door, "Teyla is it really you? It's councillor Loughton. If you just hold on a minute, I'll unlock the door, that's providing the Wraith have gone?"
"For now, the Wraith have gone. Is there anyone injured as we have brought a doctor along with us?" Teyla asked, longing for the door to open so that she could see if John was in there with them.
She stood back and a few seconds later the door opened, and councillor Loughton walked out with two young girls, a boy, and a young woman. There was no one else in sight and her heart fell when she realised that John was not with them. The Councillor was a tall thin man with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in grey pants and a matching tunic, his clothes would have been meticulous, if not for the mud covering them. The clothes were the same as minister Mithon always wore.
The girls looked to be between five and seven earth years, and they had long blonde hair and deep blue eyes. They were dressed in brightly coloured dresses and like their father, their clothes were covered in mud. The young woman had long blonde hair and the same deep blue eyes as her daughters, the dress was a similar design to what her girls wore.
The boy was a smaller version of his father with the same blue eyes and dark hair. He was dressed the same as his father and was covered in mud and dirt like the rest of his family. He looked to be around ten earth years.
"Teyla, this is my wife Jolie and my children, Zane, Lacy and Lia. We were picnicking in the hills when the Wraith attacked, so we hid in this cave. Is there any other survivors?" Loughton asked and she could tell that he was anxious because of the speed that the words were coming out of his mouth.
Teyla spoke to him soothingly, hoping that it would calm him and his family, "There are survivors back on Atlantis and you are welcome to join them there."
"And what about Minister Mithon and the rest of the council?"
"Minister Mithon is in the infirmary and there are two other councillors on Atlantis."
"I think we need to get back to the jumper and let Elizabeth know what's going on," Rodney suggested interrupting the conversation.
"I think we need to continue to look for Sheppard?" Ronon added and Teyla didn't miss the glare that he gave Rodney.
"Don't burst a blood vessel, Conan, as soon as we've let Elizabeth know what's going on, we'll continue our search for Sheppard!" Rodney ranted.
Before Ronon had a chance to reply, Jennifer spoke to the family of Hyspergans, "Is anyone injured?"
"Other than a few scratches and bruises, I think we're all okay," Jolie informed her.
"I think that we should all head back to the jumper," Teyla suggested before turning around and leading the way.
Five minutes later they when they were back in the jumper, Teyla looked at Loughton, "do you have any idea where Colonel Sheppard is?"
"He is in a cave East of here. It would probably take an hour by foot, but with your craft, we should be able to get there sooner."
"I believe that…." Teyla began and before she had a chance to finish Ronon interrupted.
"We should go and look for Sheppard, so please don't suggest that we do anything else."
"You do not need to worry Ronon, that is what I was going to suggest, but first we need to take councillor Loughton and his family back to Atlantis and let Elizabeth know what is going on," Teyla suggested while glaring at him.
Before Ronon had a chance to comment Loughton started to speak, "I would appreciate it if you let my family go to Atlantis, but I am coming with you. I know exactly where Colonel Sheppard is, so I would like to take you there. We need to pass by the ring of the ancestors to get to the cave anyway."
"I think we should hurry as I am worried about Colonel Sheppard," Jennifer suggested and Teyla sensed that there was more going on than her worry for John.
"I will sit up front with Dr McKay and I can show him where we should go," Loughton suggested.
Teyla looked around the jumper and noticed that the children and Jolie seemed a little afraid of the jumper, so she went and knelt in front of them, "do not be afraid this is how we travel. If you sit down and look out of the front window, very soon we will be flying in the air like a bird."
Lia nodded and her eyes opened wide as the jumper began to lift off the ground. She clung to her brother, and Teyla smiled when Zane put his arm around her. Her smile widened when Zane put his arm around Lacy as well.
She was happy that this family had survived the destruction of their world intact and she could only hope that they would find more survivors before the day was out. She was still eager to find John and she couldn't wait to keep searching, but the first thing they needed to do was take these people back to Atlantis and contact Elizabeth to let her know what was going on.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A whisper in the darkness shocked John out of his stupor, "John don't give up, your friends are near?"
He knew that he'd heard the same thing recently from Teer. But hadn't she disappeared? And if not, why was she still here, surely, she'd get into trouble for interfering in human affairs?
He was relieved that his entire body was numb, and his breathing seemed to have improved for the moment. He knew that it probably wasn't a good thing that he was numb, but right now he didn't care because at least he wasn't in pain.
"Teer," he whispered through the darkness.
"Yes, John I am here."
"Why are you here Teer, surely you'll get into trouble?"
"I'm already in trouble for interfering, don't you remember me visiting you in your dreams?"
John was shocked, he had no recollection of those dreams and he wondered why she had been visiting him and was completely bewildered by it, "why were you visiting me in my dreams?"
"No matter what you may think of me John, I love you and I will always will."
He always suspected that she'd loved him, but what he couldn't understand was why she would risk what she'd worked towards all her life for him, "What I don't understand is why you threw away everything for me. As much as I like you, surely you realise that we could never be together?"
"It doesn't matter now John what's done is done and I do not regret what I have done."
"What is going to happen to you, Teer?"
"I have been permitted to return to the sanctuary and watch over other races that come there, and I have decided that perhaps it could be used as a place for people to recover after Wraith attacks, but only in small numbers. Perhaps the Hyspergans would like to recover here for a time. I may even be allowed to ascend again in time, but for now, that is my fate."
"Are you allowed to make those decisions?"
"Yes, as long as I watch over them, I can choose. As long as it's not the wraith."
John still couldn't believe what had happened to her and he wondered whether she would ever get the opportunity to ascend again, "I'm sorry that things haven't worked out so well for you. What about Hedda and Avrid?"
"They wanted to come with me, but I have forbidden them from joining me. It is best for them if they stay where they are. Anyway, I must go now."
"Will, I ever see you again?"
"When you are feeling better come to the sanctuary and visit."
John thought about what she had suggested and realised that it was a great suggestion on her part, but it was easier said than done, "how will you know that I'm there so that you can lower the time dilation field?"
"Don't worry John, I will sense your presence and lower the shield at the appropriate time."
The pain in his leg was beginning to notch up again, his head was about to split in two and then he felt himself starting to shake. The last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was a weapon being discharged outside.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
It had been an hour since Lorne had returned from the Hyspergan homeworld and Elizabeth still hadn't heard anything from Ronon. The debrief with Lorne and his team had finished about five minutes ago and she wondered if it was time to contact Ronon herself. But then she knew that he would contact her at the first available opportunity so she should wait a bit longer.
Minster Mithon was still unconscious in the infirmary so she hadn't had a chance to discuss, what Lorne had discovered on the planet with him. Carson had told her that the Minister's condition was stable and the bleed on his brain was slowing down and he hoped that the Minister would be waking up soon. When he did finally wake up Elizabeth's first question to him would be where is Colonel Sheppard? That's if Ronon didn't bring him home first.
Dinner time had been and gone, and seeing as she wasn't hungry, she had remained in her office hoping to hear some good news. The day had been horrible so far and she could use a bit of good news. Perhaps she would head down to the mess hall and see if she could get a snack and a cup of coffee, which would keep her going until morning. Although she had no idea how she was going to sleep tonight, not when John hadn't been found.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the chevrons on the gate started to light up. She rushed out into the control room to find that Chuck was at his station again and she wondered if the man ever slept.
"Who is it, Chuck?"
"It's Teyla IDC."
"Put her through."
"Elizabeth, we have found councillor Loughton and his family hiding in a cave in the hills. Can you please lower the shield so that his wife and children can come through?"
"Have you found John?"
"Not as yet, but the councillor is going to take us to his location once his family are safely through the gate."
She nodded at Chuck, giving his permission to lower the shield, "the shield's down so send them through."
"I will send them through straight away, Teyla out."
When the connection was severed, Elizabeth watched as three children and a young woman came through the gate. She could tell that they were all related as the girls looked the splitting image of their mother.
"Welcome to Atlantis," Elizabeth said walking down the stairs to greet them.
"Thank you for your hospitality, I am Jolie," the woman greeted her in return.
"My name is Elizabeth Weir, and I am the leader of Atlantis," she turned to look at the marines who had come up alongside her, "if you follow these gentlemen, they will show you to some guest quarters and a place where you can get a meal."
The young woman bowed her head towards her, "thank you for your kindness Elizabeth."
Elizabeth watched as the young woman and her children turned and followed the marines. What an incredibly brave woman, to still be able to hold her head high after all she has been through. Perhaps she would ask Kate to keep an eye on the little family over the next few days.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Teyla watched as the councillor's family walked through the gate, once she was sure that they were safe, she turned her thoughts towards John. She wondered whether he was safe and well since she was positive that he really hadn't recovered from his time in the sanctuary. Although he wouldn't admit it she suspected that he'd felt abandoned by them and now, if he was injured and stuck in a cave he would feel even more deserted.
She slowly walked back into the Jumper and turned to the councillor, "now that your family is safe, can you please show us where John is?"
The councillor looked at Rodney and nodded, "if you head due east you will come to some foothills where there is another group of caves, he should be in one of those."
"And will he need a doctor because we have no idea what the test you put him through was!?" Rodney asked and the anger was evident in his voice.
Loughton glared at him, "you do not need to worry Dr McKay the vision quest is harmless so he should be in perfect health."
"He'd better be alright because if he's not, I'm going to hit you!" Ronon growled.
Teyla sighed, she was used to Rodney's sarcasm and Ronon's threats, but now wasn't really the time for them to be threatening the councillor, "Ronon, Rodney! Please can we go and find Colonel Sheppard?"
"Yes, can we please go and find Colonel Sheppard because if he is injured, the quicker we can get to him the better things will be," Jennifer added and Teyla could see the worry and frustration on her face.
"Sorry," Ronon mumbled.
"Alright, let's go?" Rodney agreed with a dark look on his face.
The jumper slowly lifted off the ground and Teyla was surprised at how smooth Rodney's takeoffs were becoming. He very quickly turned to jumper around and headed towards the east, following the directions of Councillor Loughton.
Within ten minutes they reached the caves and once the back hatch was opened, she was the first one out. Up ahead she saw a cave with a stout wooden door that was padlocked shut, "Councillor Loughton, do you have a key for this door?"
"No, the key is usually kept at Minister Mithon's house."
"Well, a fat look of good that is. For all we know the Minister's house, has been obliterated and if that's the case, how are we ever going to get Sheppard out of there?!" Rodney ranted.
"I have a gun you idiot, so get out of the way!?" Ronon thundered, and Teyla knew when he made that look if you didn't do what he suggested, you'd be in trouble.
Rodney glared at Ronon and stepped out of the way, while Ronon set his gun to kill and pointed it at the door. Within seconds he'd blasted the padlock to pieces and opened the door.
Teyla was the first to enter the cave as she rushed past Ronon and she was shocked by why she saw. John's lower body was covered by dust and rubble, he was shaking like a leaf and he was obviously unconscious.
Jennifer came alongside her and started to check John's vitals, "there's no way he should be shivering and shaking like this. His temperature is slightly elevated, which would indicate that there is no sign of infection. It is a little cold in here, but not enough to cause the shaking that I'm witnessing here.
"It may be an adverse reaction to the bite of the Callanta snake. The venom of the snake is supposed to induce a dream-like state that causes one to face their inner demons. On the rare occasion, it causes an allergic reaction and sometimes it may even result in death." Councillor Loughton told them and Teyla didn't miss the worry in his eyes.
"Is there an anti-venom?" Jennifer asked with urgency in her voice.
Teyla looked at the councillor and hoped that the Hyspergans had managed to develop one at some point and that it would be easy to find.
"There is, but we will need to get him to the medical centre to administer it," Loughton informed them.
At this point, Jennifer started giving orders, "Ronon, Rodney can you please start to get some of the rubble off the Colonel's legs, so that I can see if there are any injuries. Then I want you to get the portable stretcher out of the Jumper." She turned to the Councillor before continuing, "Then I want you to take us to the medical centre as soon as possible. You will then go and get the anti-venom because once Colonel Sheppard is in the jumper he will not be leaving it until we get to Atlantis."
Teyla was impressed at how the young Doctor got down to business and what surprised her the most was how everyone followed her instructions without question. Perhaps Carson was right in bringing her to Atlantis as she was clearly an excellent and caring doctor.
Jennifer sat down on one side of John and she sat down on the other, held his hand and began to speak words of encouragement to him, "John it is Teyla here, we are going to take you back to Atlantis as soon as possible."
"Teyla," he whispered.
"Yes, John I am here."
"Wraith."
"They are gone for the moment and very soon you will be home. Doctor Keller is here to look after you."
John let out a cry of pain and when Teyla looked down at his leg she saw why. Ronon had just removed a big rock off his leg and she was horrified at the way the bone had broken in two and pierced the skin. His leg was covered in blood and dirt and she would be surprised if he didn't develop an infection.
"Ronon, when you get the stretcher I want you to get the leg splint out as well?" Jennifer said while she set up an IV in John's arm.
John was unconscious again by this point and it worried her to see that he was continuing to shake. For the first time she looked down at the hand she was holding and realised that it was red and swollen as was his whole arm. "Jennifer, what's wrong with John's arm?"
"It's probably due to the snake bite, hopefully, once the anti-venom has been administered, the swelling should go down," Jennifer replied as she took a look at his left arm.
It wasn't long before Ronon arrived with the leg split and the stretcher. Jennifer carefully splinted John's let up and took one last look at John's injuries before Ronon and Rodney carefully lifted John onto the stretcher. What worried Teyla the most was that John didn't make a sound.
Five minutes later they were in the jumper and heading towards the medical centre. Teyla hoped that it was still standing because if it wasn't she had no idea what would happen to John.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Carson had been in the infirmary since Minister Mithon had been brought in and he knew that it was going to be a while before he actually made it to his bed. He had spent an hour sleeping on the cot in his office, but it was hardly refreshing or restorative sleep.
A noise in the other room go his attention so he turned to Marie and told he to keep an eye on the minister while he went and investigated.
Walking into the next room he was surprised to find a young woman with three children standing there.
"Can I help you?"
"I am Jolie Loughton and these are my three children Zane Lia and Lacy. I was wondering if you could tell us how Minister Mithon is please?"
"Are you friends or family of his?" Carson asked feeling a bit suspicious.
"My husband is a councillor on the Hyspergan council and he works closely with the minister."
Carson sighed, it was obvious that these people were worried about the Minister, "he is still unconscious and he has a head injury, but his condition is improving."
"Thank you, Doctor, we will return to our quarters now and wait for my husband to return."
"Where is your husband, Mrs Loughton?"
"He is still on the Hyspergan homeworld helping locate Colonel Sheppard."
Carson was relieved that one of the Council members was still on the planet trying to locate John and he was grateful that he had sent one of his best doctors along, "Thank you for allowing your husband to stay on your homeworld to try and locate Colonel Sheppard? And please call me Carson."
She nodded at him, "you're welcome Carson and please call me Jolie. I hope that my husband can help to find Colonel Sheppard soon. I do not know much about the vision quest, but what I do know is that it is usually harmless so he should be returned to you in one piece."
"Thank you, Jolie."
Carson watched as the young woman turned around and left the room and he wondered whether she was right about the vision quest because the last thing they needed now was for Colonel Sheppard to be injured.
He was about the head back to the ICU when Elizabeth walked into the room, "I see that Jolie and her children were here. I hope that nothing is wrong with them Carson?"
"No, they're all fine, they were just a bit worried about Minister Mithon."
"And, how is he?"
"He is still unconscious, but his condition is improving."
Carson took a deep breath before asking the question that he was longing to ask, "have you heard anything about John yet?"
"Not yet, the last thing I heard was that they knew where to find him and that they were heading in that direction."
"Well, Jolie just told me that the vision quest is usually harmless so John should be returned to us in one piece."
"I hope you're right Carson because I don't feel as if John had completely recovered emotionally from the abandonment he must have been feeling over the whole sanctuary incident."
"We can only hope that Kate was right when she returned him to active duty." Carson stated before letting out a sigh, "but now all we can do is wait."
"Well, I'd better get back to work, I'll see you later Carson."
"Goodbye Elizabeth."
Carson watched as Elizabeth left the room and decided that he felt exhausted again so he turned around and slowly walking to his office and thought, "it's about time I had another nap."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Twenty minutes after the jumper took off they approached the medical centre and Teyla was relieved that it appeared to be in one piece.
She had sat next to John during the entire trip and she was concerned that he was getting worse. He was constantly shaking and thrashing about and it was obvious that he was in pain, but when she'd asked Jennifer about it the doctor had told her that she couldn't give him anything for the pain as she had no idea how it would react with the snake venom or how much of it was left in his system.
When Rodney landed the jumper, it was decided that Rodney and Dr Keller would stay with the jumper and John and she and Ronon would go with the Councillor to the medical centre.
Before they had a chance to open the back hatch they heard a whirring overhead so she rushed to the front window just in time to see a wraith dart flying overhead.
"Why are the Wraith back?" The Councillor asked with fear in his eyes.
Teyla sat down in the co-pilot's chair and tried to work out the dart's destination. She was surprised to see that it had landed by the medical centre.
"I don't know why they are back, but I'm going to investigate," Ronon told them with a dark look on his face.
Teyla looked at her friend and knew that he was right, so she agreed with him, "I could not agree with you more. Rodney please stay here with Councillor Loughton, Dr Keller and Rodney and make sure you keep the jumper cloaked."
"I am coming with you," Loughton said with determination in his voice. "This is my home and if the wraith are back I want to know why."
Teyla nodded, "alright let us get going as we need to get to the medical centre and find the anti-venom as well before we head back to Atlantis."
Five minutes later they were approaching the spot where the dart had landed and she was surprised by what she saw, one of the Hyspergan people was talking to the wraith. She hid behind a tree with Ronon and the Councillor. Straining to listen she heard words like the gift of life and you have done us a great service coming out of the wraith's mouth. She had no idea what that meant, but she now knew how the wraith had found this planet after so many generations.
She crept up next to the councillor and whispered in his ear, "who is that talking to the Wraith?"
"That is Tohan and he came to live us a few months ago after his planet was culled." Loughton turned to look at her and she could see the confusion in his eyes, "but why would he be talking to the Wraith?"
"He's a wraith worshipper," Ronon growled, "now we know why your planet was culled."
The councillor looked at her with horror, "that man spent time with my wife and kids, he spent time with the council and now he's sold us out? I'm going to kill him."
Before Teyla had a chance to respond, he heard the whine of an energy weapon and she watched in horror as Tohan crumpled to the ground. The wraith turned and looked in her direction and she knew what she had to do.
"Run!" She shouted at the others before she took off towards the jumper.
TBC…