Retribution
Chapter 8: A Friend in Need
"Ah Dr. Weir, how good of you to remember me. I was afraid you would have forgotten the Genii after all these months. Unfortunately, we have not forgotten you or Atlantis." Koyla's voice filtered into the control room.
Elizabeth Weir and Peter Grodin exchanged worried looks. Neither had expected this turn of events. Although they wondered how the Genii ever could have ended up on Logara at the same time as the team from Atlantis, their first concern was to the status of their friends and colleagues.
"Where are my people? What have you done to Major Sheppard and his team?" Weir demanded of the Genii commander.
Koyla chuckled slightly under his breath as he answered. "They are currently guests of the Genii during our stay on Logara. They will remain under our...protection...until we have what is rightly ours."
"What is rightly yours? I don't understand." Weir asked in a slightly puzzled tone of voice.
Koyla replied caustically. "Oh come now, Dr. Weir. Don't try to take me for a fool. Do you really think I would forget how you cheated the Genii out of the C4, the medicines, and the ship? Plus, Major Sheppard stole that Wraith data device from us, a device we need to complete our objective of destroying the Wraith."
"Funny, I seem to recall we promised you the C4 and medicines in exchange for tava beans. Instead of supplying beans, the Genii tried to ambush my team and steal our jumper. You can hardly claim to have fulfilled your side of the bargain, Koyla." Elizabeth shot back to the commander. "On the contrary, you not only failed to deliver the goods, you then had the audacity to storm the city, kill two of my men, and take myself and Dr. McKay hostage."
"Just taking advantage of an opportunity too good to pass up. As I am doing again here on Logara. If you want to see your team again, I suggest you hand over what belongs to us." The Genii commander warned.
"How do I know you haven't already killed them? I refuse to agreed to any of your demands until I have proof they are still alive."
Koyla stood a moment in thought before looking up at McKay who was still standing next to the DHD console. Removing the earpiece, he passed the radio back to the scientist. "It would appear Dr. Weir needs reassurance that you are still alive. I strongly suggest you convince her it is in all your best interests that she comply with my wishes."
Rodney took the transmitter/receiver and fitted it back into his ear before he spoke. "Elizabeth, it's Rodney. Teyla, Ford, and I are alive and still in one piece at the moment."
"Rodney! What has happened? Where is Major Sheppard?" Elizabeth was relieved to hear McKay's voice over the speaker.
"I don't know. Koyla and his guns for hire took him and have him in a separate location from the rest of us. We haven't seen or heard from him in over an hour. I don't know his present condition, but since he's not one of Koyla's favorite people, I would have to assume he's not a happy camper right now. Cowen also decided to crash the party."
"How did they know you were there on Logara?" Weir asked.
"Oh, a little birdie named Golathe spilled the beans. I recommend you take him off your list of friends and loved ones immediately."
"Rodney, hang on. We will find a way to negotiate for your release."
Before McKay could say anything further, Koyla took the radio back and resumed the discussion with Elizabeth. "Now you have proof that your people are well. If you want them to remain that way, you will have all your medical supplies, your entire stock of C4, the data device, and three ships delivered through the stargate in one hour. I will have my forces stationed at the gate, so don't try any heroic attempts at rescue. If you do not comply, your people will die one by one. Major Sheppard will be the first."
"Commander Koyla, I will need more time to ready the ships. How will I know you will release my people once you have your supplies?" Weir attempted to stall in order to buy more time. She needed more time to come up with a viable alternative. Anything to free her people without giving in to the Genii commander's unreasonable demands.
"You will have to take my word for it, Dr. Weir. You have one hour until I return to the stargate. If my supplies are not waiting for me at that time, the major will suffer the consequences." Koyla cut the transmission and motioned to his men to escort McKay back to the township.
On Atlantis, Weir took a deep breath after ending the conversation with Koyla. She turned to Grodin and said. "Peter, contact Sergeant Stackhouse and Sergeant Bates. Have them meet me in the debriefing room in five minutes. Tell them we have a rescue mission to plan."
(TBC)