PARADISE
By NotTasha

PART 5: BEGGARS

Sheppard and Teyla left the beach, scouting out the verdant landscape for anything that might give the clues to what had killed the humans. Teyla's quick eyes found a splattering of feathers, and not far from that a pile of scat. Sheppard would have called it 'shit', but Teyla's term would be better for their upcoming reports.

Whatever had killed that bird – was big – and apparently sick.

"So," Sheppard said, setting his jaw. "Looks like it's still around… whatever it is."

"So it would seem," Teyla responded. "I believe that we'd best be wary."

"Good thought," the major replied.

And they continued on. As they approached the caves again, they found a recess in the rocks that created a pool – the only water they'd found. The water might have been 'fresh' but it was hardly sparkling clean. A metal pot lay near the pool, and a dipper. Apparently, this was the water source used by the previous tenants.

"I guess beggars can't be choosers," Sheppard said, gaining a curious look from the Athosian. "It means that they probably had no choice," Sheppard tried to explain. "They had to drink that water or die of thirst."

"It seems an unpleasant alternative, but I believe you are right." She nodded thoughtfully. "It also means that whoever proceeded us spent some time here, and chose to be beggars instead of returning to their home."

"Yeah," Sheppard responded. "I wonder why."

The search of the caves turned up little. The hunters had been rather primitive, by the looks of their tools. Teyla, examining their ovens and fire pits, decided that they had spent several months in those bleak cliffs – and had disappeared only a few years ago.

They found empty metal pots and jars, fruit pits, feathers, fishing nets, hooks, plenty of shells, and the carved artwork showing that the people had time on their hands.

Sheppard picked up one spiral shell and held it. "Snails," he muttered.

Teyla gathered blankets and metal pots, glancing to Sheppard as she collected. "If we are to be here for some time, it would be wise to collect supplies." She held out one blanket. "We should be comfortable as we wait for Doctor McKay to complete his work."

"Guess it wouldn't hurt," Sheppard commented, snagging a skillet-like pan that was upended near the fire-pit.

"I believe they may have been trapped on this planet," Teyla finally pronounced, folding a blanket over her arm. "There's little sign of good food or water, yet they remained for several months. It is possible that the DHD has been inoperable for some time."

Sheppard sighed… so Rodney wasn't the first one flummoxed by the dialer. "We're on an island. They had no place to go," he said quietly, then with a thoughtful expression, he tried, "They could have fished? That's what I would do. They have the stuff here they need."

Teyla picked up a fishing-spear and shook her head. "It seems little used," she commented, and then gestured to the balled up, nets. "The nets appear to have been in the water, but they show no sign of strain. It's possible that there are few fish for in the area. They caught birds and ate the fruit, ate snails, but it doesn't seem that they were very successful in their hunting. I believe they were hungry."

"Snails." Sheppard curled a lip at this thought. Yes, he realized that the French were gah-gah over them, but the thought of eating those slimy mollusks turned his stomach. "And their hunting animals," Sheppard continued, "Were hungry, too."

Teyla pursed her lips. "An animal, if hungry enough, might turn on its master."

Sheppard considered this, remembering a mutt he'd had when he was growing up – Charlie. Part-Fox-Terrier/part-unknown-spaniel, Charlie would have done anything for him. "Depends on the animal, I guess," he responded, unable to imagine that silly, loyal, determined fuzz-brain turning so savage.

A low growl caught his attention, and he held out a hand, to gain Teyla's attention, but her eyes were already seeking out the source. "There," she hissed, pointing to the greenery beyond the cave.

Sheppard's gaze tracked where Teyla indicated, catching sight of something flitting through the trees. One moment, it was there, and the next it was gone. He received little more than an impression of it – a, triangular-shaped head, vicious yellow teeth, narrowed eyes. It stood hunched and ready -- a powerful mix of dog and big cat. Large as a Great Dane, it was covered short, fur that made it appear pink and almost-naked. The creature snarled, and then made the most disserting giggle, before it turned and disappeared.

Okay, Sheppard thought, that was no Charlie.

"Major," Teyla called quietly.

"We go back to the others now," Sheppard said in a low voice, his eyes still scanning the lush spot where the creature had appeared. "We go, now."

TBC --
A/N: Nice doggie... nice doggie...