They didn't speak much as they walked. Not because either of them were anti-social – although corporals don't usually strike up conversations with colonels just to keep occupied on a walk; especially a colonel with the reputation Mitchell had – but because they were both listening for any sound that might indicate they were getting close to the Mok, or something else that might be even more sinister. It's hard to hear anything over chatter.

Breaking the silence a little while later, though, Mitchell looked at her watch to gauge how long they'd been walking.

"Somewhere around here was where we first found the Mok," she said.

Sanders nodded, and she saw his grip tighten on his P-90, although he still looked fairly calm in the light of her flashlight.

Almost right on cue, they came to the pile of dung that she and Sheppard had found the night before, sitting in the middle of the tunnel. They came to a stop beside it, and Mitchell shined her flashlight on it, and then looked around for more, which might indicate the presence of more than one of the creatures. But she didn't see any more, and in the silence of the tunnel, she didn't hear the telltale rustling that had heralded the arrival of the Mok the night before.

It could be outside…

True. Which was the next order of business then; to see if they could find an exit.

"Let's go," she murmured, moving into a lead position, her P-90 not exactly raised, but in a position that it could come up in an instant if she needed it.

OOOOOOOOO

Several people noted the arrival of the four members of the security team that had gone with Colonel Mitchell. Sheppard had been watching McKay do whatever it was he was doing, trying to stay out of the way, but at the same time trying to figure out what on Earth Mitchell was going to need a little metal box that looked almost like a toaster – without any slots for bread – for. He didn't want to ask – mainly because it annoyed him when McKay answered any question, since he always sounded smug and condescending – so he was trying to decide what it did without help. And just didn't have a clue.

Then he saw the four emerging from the tunnel, and looked at his watch. Mitchell had been gone about an hour and forty-five minutes – which meant that she and Duck should be somewhere around the place where they'd found the Mok the night before. He got up, and walked over to meet them.

"Colonel Mitchell and Corporal Sanders were last seen heading down the lava tube, Sir."

Sheppard nodded, and looked over his shoulder when Carson came up to stand beside him, listening in. Sheppard could see the worry in his expression even though he was trying to hide it, and he felt a little sorry for the guy, since he knew what he felt for Mitchell, and knew that what she was planning to do scared him. Not the Mok thing, but the Wraith hunting. It made Sheppard worried, too, and he wasn't sleeping with her, even.

"Did she give you any orders?"

"Just to tell you to go looking for her whenever you're ready."

He was ready. Sheppard nodded, and turned to Beckett.

"Want to come?"

It would be safe enough in the Jumper that he was pretty sure Mitchell wouldn't care – although they hadn't discussed who'd be going with him.

"Aye. Thank you."

He nodded, and turned to the men once more.

"You left the ropes where she and Sanders can swim back if they absolutely have to?"

"Yes, Sir. With crampons pounded into the floor attached to belaying pins."

"Good. Go get something to eat and then you guys take over for the guys guarding the ravine entrance."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

Sheppard turned to Carson once more.

"Let's get a lunch packed."

"I'm not hungry."

"Colonel Mitchell and Corporal Sanders might be by the time we find them."

"Oh."

Carson nodded; abashed that he hadn't thought of that, but Sheppard only smiled.

"Let's go."

It would take them at least half an hour to get provisioned and then get to the Jumper, and who knew how long to find them – although if Mitchell managed to make it outside, she'd put up a beacon that they could find in the Jumper. As long as the lava flow wasn't blocking the signal, like it blocked every other signal and sensor.

OOOOOOOO

"I love being right…"

Sanders couldn't help but grin, even though he was just a little nervous.

The two of them had walked only another ten minutes or so before they'd found that the tunnel was steadily getting brighter – or at least, less dark. Then they'd turned a winding curve and had found – literally – a light at the end of the tunnel. At the entrance of the tube were several fresh piles of dung that looked like the pile back in the tunnel – which made them assume there was a Mok around. Or maybe more than one. Moks?

Mok, Talon supplied. There is no plural

Like Yak?

Yup

Which was a creature he'd never heard of until he'd blended with Melony – along with several other Earth-only creatures.

They looked out the entrance (or exit, depending on how you looked at it) and both of them shook their heads in amazement.

They were in a valley of some sort, overgrown with trees and brush and so much green it almost made their eyes water after being inside in the dark for so long. There were several trees right beside the entrance to the tube, which suited Mitchell just fine, since that would make it that much easier to hide the entrance. To their left was an opening in the trees, the only place that was big enough and cleared of brush so they could move through easily and that was the direction Mitchell walked, her P-90 up, now, and Sanders right behind her looking around in every direction, including up.

There was a grunting noise ahead of them, which warned Mitchell, and when she went between the two trees, she found herself in a small clearing, and standing in front of a pair of Moks.

Mok

Whatever.

"Holy shit…"

She looked over her shoulder at Pascal, who had come up beside her, his eyes glued on the creatures in front of him, and the two creatures turned to look at them as well. In the daylight and out of the cavern, they were even more impressive, and Mitchell felt a slight thrill as the closest one moved towards her at a slow, ambling gait – once more reminding her of a cow.

"Colonel…"

"Easy, Corporal," she told him, lowering her gun and stretching her hand out. She wasn't sure it was the same one as the night before, but the grunts were hardly intimidating, and the creature didn't seem to be threatening her in any way.

"It's going to bite you…"

"I hope not…"

The Mok came up and rumbled to her, the sound deep and rolling, and Mitchell felt it vibrate through the ground – even through her boots. Then it stretched its nose out to her, and she rested her hand on the side of its neck, just in front of the water balloon like things that were hanging down from either side. Its fur was just as soft and velvety as it had been the night before, and the rumble changed immediately to a pleased sound – although it wasn't the same as the purr from last night.

"Can I touch it?"

Despite his misgivings, there was just something about the creature that made you want to see what it felt like, and Sanders wasn't immune to it.

"Go ahead." She said. "But if it bites your hand off, don't blame me."

He gave her a sidelong glance, wondering if she was teasing him or not, and then reached his hand out and touched the other side of the creature's neck, his hand sliding along the water balloon thing. It was incredibly soft, and malleable.

"What are these things?" He asked, listening as the rumbling changed tones once more, now slightly odd sounding.

"Beats me."

Sperm sacks

What?

You heard me, hot shot. Talon's 'voice was filled with mirth, and she knew he'd be giggling if he had control of her just then. Tell him he's playing with its testicles

Mitchell snorted, and Duck looked over at her.

"What?"

"Apparently, your hand is on its sperm sack…"

He jerked his hand back, frowning.

"What?"

"You were fondling him."