Retribution
Chapter 5: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
For the second time that day, the team from Atlantis exited the stargate and landed on Logara. This time, however, Senara was already on hand waiting patiently for their arrival. Golathe had dispatched his assistant to escort the group back to his chambers and the dinner party that awaited them. As the four finished disembarking from the stargate, Senara greeted their return to the planet.
"Teyla, Major Sheppard, Dr. McKay, Lieutenant Ford! Welcome back to Logara. I trust all went well in your discussions with your leader?" The young man eagerly inquired.
"Hello again, Senara. Yes, I think it went well." The major looked around at each member of his team, asking them. "Don't you guys think so?"
"I think Golathe will find what we have agreed to offer in trade quite acceptable." Teyla answered for the group.
"That is good. Come then, let us make our way to the township. Golathe has had a sumptuous feast prepared in honor of our new friendship. Let us go and partake of the celebration that awaits you." Senara held his arm out, inviting the four teammates to follow him.
Dusk was approaching and the sun was just beginning to cast a warm orange glow across sky when they entered the courtyard of the town square. The vendor stalls and shops previously bustling with activity that morning had now been closed for the evening, and the shopkeepers along with their clientele had gone home to their families for the day. As they crossed the now quiet plaza, the only sound came from the burbling of the fountain, its water reflecting the day's waning light.
The portico outside the entrance of the stone edifice that housed Golathe's council chamber was now awash with the incandescent glow from the ornate lanterns that hung on each side of the doorway. In the growing darkness, the expansive building looked a bit foreboding as if it were guarding secrets from all those who entered into its vast domain. As Senara led them up the steps and in through the front door, Sheppard felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck, the instinctive response of a trained soldier alert to danger. Looking around, he saw nothing, however, that warranted this reaction. Still, he pulled the sling of his P-90 closer against his side as he walked with his colleagues, trying to ignore the feeling of misgiving that crept up like a shadow, he entered the building.
Unlike this morning, Senara did not take them to Golathe's council chambers. Instead, he led them further down the corridor until they came to a set of wide doors. As he pulled open the doors, melodic music and the sounds of lively conversation spilled out into the hallway. Over the young Logaran's shoulder, the major could see the party already in progress in what looked to be a large banquet hall. Senara turned aside in the doorway and beckoned the group from Atlantis into the room.
Golathe glanced up from his discussion with a young woman as the team filed into the dining area. Handing his half empty drink over to a steward who hovered nearby with trays of hors d'oeuvres, he walked up to greet his guests.
"Major Sheppard! It's good to have you back. Come in and make yourselves at home. The festivities have just started." The magistrate declared as he gestured to the small groups of Logarans mingling amongst themselves as they sampled food and drink from several buffet tables set up along the room's perimeter.
"Good evening, Magistrate. Sorry, we're a little late. The time difference between our worlds made me lose track of the hour." Sheppard explained.
"Have no concerns, your entrance is timely. Please, call me Golathe. We are all friends here, Major. Let me introduce you to my daughter Kenra." Golathe indicated the attractive, brown-haired young woman at his side.
Sheppard flashed the smile that he used to charm the majority of females he met. "Pleased to meet you, Kenra. You can call me John. This is Dr. Rodney McKay, Lieutenant Aiden Ford, and I believe you already know Teyla Emmagan."
Kenra smiled and welcomed Ford and McKay before turning to Teyla and giving her a hug. "Teyla! Far too many days have separated me from the one I consider my sister. How have you fared in the world since we last met?"
Teyla warmly returned Kenra's embrace. "Far too many days, indeed. I see the time has agreed with you. I, myself, have made a new life on another world with my friends here. They took my people in and offered us a new home after the Wraith attacked Athos and destroyed our village. It is why I brought them here to help them make new friends in return."
"We welcome them as such. Come, let us enjoy the delectable meal my father's chef has prepared for us tonight. I wish to catch up on gossip from other homeworlds before my father steals you away to discuss trade alliances." Kenra showed them a table where they could store their gear before she brought them over to the buffet tables. "Please, help yourselves to refreshments. I trust our cuisine will be to your liking."
"Everything looks delicious, Ma'am." Ford replied as he began to fill a plate, handing it to McKay.
The scientist picked up a skewer of grilled meat, and sniffed at it. "Do you detect the scent of lemons? Does this have any citrus on it?" He asked nervously.
"I don't think so McKay. Just try it, you'll probably like it. You like anything edible." Ford urged as he shook his head in amusement at the physicist's antics.
Rodney squinted back at the lieutenant as he tentatively took a bite, chewing slowly to savor the taste. "Hmmm, this is fabulous! My compliments to the chef." Once convinced that the food was not poisonous, he began to satisfy his hunger with gusto, continuing to sample a variety of offerings from the buffet.
As the team availed themselves to the abundant food and drink, Golathe took them around the room, introducing them to his fellow Logarans, and making small talk about business ventures and the Logaran culture in general. The evening progressed quite pleasantly with the team relaxing and enjoying the company and stimulating conversation. Close to two hours passed before Golathe took Major Sheppard aside and expressed the desire for the group to withdraw to his office to discuss the trade agreement.
"Come with me, Major. We will retire to my council chamber where we can better discuss business matters. We can finish with dessert there after our agreement has been reached and our alliance finalized."
Sheppard gathered his teammates and together they followed Golathe to his chambers. As soon as they entered the office, they were surprised by a group of armed soldiers who surrounded them, cutting off the exit and their only escape route.
"What is this about, Golathe? Is this how you conduct business?" Sheppard asked as he held up his hands.
"Yes, Golathe, is this how you would treat those you call your friends? By lulling them with food and drink, before greeting them with betrayal?" Teyla asked angrily as she looked about the room at the weapons trained on them.
"Forgive me, Teyla. But I owe someone a great debt, and the fortuitous arrival of Major Sheppard allowed me to finally repay it." Golathe simply stated with a look of regret on his face. As he finished speaking, the chamber's door opened and revealed two people the team from Atlantis remembered all too well. Two people they never expected to see this night or on this world.
Watching these two last arrivals enter the room, Sheppard felt his jaw clench and his stomach tighten. Looking at his teammates, he could only say one thing.
"Oh crap!"
(TBC)