Retribution
Chapter 4: What's on the Menu?
"So let me get this straight...you are trying to turn us into arms dealers AGAIN?"
Elizabeth Weir did not look happy as she digested the major's report on this recent away mission. The team had just returned from Logara and were seated around the briefing room table going over the events that had occurred on the planet.
Sheppard squirmed slightly in his seat as he tried to explain. "Not exactly. We didn't promise them any weapons...yet. We just implied we might be able to help them defend themselves."
"Oh, forgive me for missing that one small detail, Major. I thought we agreed we'd only offer medical help or some simple technology to the Logarans in exchange for food." Weir never failed to be amazed how this particular team could so often complicate a mission.
McKay cut in. "Elizabeth, we did offer those things, but the Logarans weren't too interested it seems. They did, however, specifically ask for a weapon to use on the Wraith."
"Well if they asked, it must be okay then. Let's just give them some guns, explosives, and a map showing the way to the closest Wraith hive ship!" Weir replied in exasperation.
"Dr. Weir, I believe what the Major and Dr. McKay are trying to explain is that we were attempting to form an alliance with the Logarans against the Wraith. The more the peoples of different worlds band together in friendship, the better hope we all have of someday finding a way to defeat them." Teyla remarked to the group.
"I do recall saying something to Golathe about forming an alliance...." offered Sheppard as he shrugged.
"I am all for friendly alliances, John. God knows we need all the allies we can get in this galaxy, but we should draw the line at arming every planet we visit."
"I know this. I felt it was the best way to keep the lines of negotiation open." The major pointed out as he slouched back in his chair.
Weir sighed before speaking. "One of the primary rules of negotiation is to not promise to give your opponent exactly what he wants from the get go. Especially if it is something you cannot or should not deliver."
"Point taken, Elizabeth. Okay, you're the arbitration guru. So now what do you suggest we offer them?" Sheppard asked.
"They did say they did not need medicine or medical assistance." Ford reminded the group.
"Okay, there must be something else they would want in trade. Teyla, you know these people best. Is there anything besides weaponry that the Logarans need or could use?" Weir asked the Athosian woman.
Teyla tipped her head in thought before replying. "The Logarans are a self-sufficient people. Most of what they want or need, they make themselves. I cannot tell you for certain what would be appropriate to offer. I would guess that like all worlds in this galaxy, stopping the Wraith would be of utmost importance to them. I would say Golathe speaks the truth in that a weapon to use against them would be what the Logarans value and desire most."
"I can understand that. We essentially want the same thing, an effective way to protect ourselves. But I still don't like the idea of offering them armament and military ordnance. John, do you think they would go for an offer of help improving existing or developing better defense methods?"
Sheppard looked up at Elizabeth. "It won't hurt to try. Why don't I mention it over dinner tonight?"
"Fine, just as long as you keep in mind we only are talking about defensive weapons or measures here. I don't want to help them build up an offensive attack position. Especially not when we ourselves don't have a guaranteed way to stop the Wraith.
"What about the energy readings Dr. McKay was picking up on his scanner?" Ford asked. "Shouldn't we also try to find the source?"
"What would you suggest you have us do, Lieutenant? Go door to door and ask anyone who answers if they know anything about random energy readings? McKay questioned.
"But you said yourself that it could be important. Do we want to ignore the possibility of finding a ZPM? Ford countered.
"Oh, I can see us now..sneaking around and accosting any Logaran loitering in the hallway. Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to know where we can find a ZPM, do you? McKay retorted.
"What I am saying is....
Weir cut in before the conversation escalated into a battle of sarcastic rejoinders.
"Rodney, do you think the energy readings could be coming from a piece of Ancient equipment?
"Like I told the Major, I can only tell energy is coming somewhere from that building we were in. Unfortunately I left my crystal ball back on Earth, so I can't tell you what it is until we find its source." The physicist impatiently muttered.
Weir looked over at Sheppard. "Major, do you think you can try to investigate possible sources without the Logarans getting suspicious?
Sheppard looked around at his team. "We're a creative bunch. I think we can improvise something."
"Okay then. Make sure you report back within four hours to update me on your progress." Weir dismissed the group with a nod.
As the team filed out of the briefing room, Weir called back to Sheppard. "Major, a word please."
Sheppard paused at the doorway and looked back at her. "Yeah?"
"Be careful out there, John."
"I always am." The major gave her a boyish grin as he departed to catch up with the rest of his team.
(TBC)