If I Die

Chapter Two - Canada again?

A clear, brilliant blue sky blasted color across the horizon, sunlight trickling through fluffy clouds and warming the back of Major Sheppard's neck as he stood beside the event horizon, viewing the land around him.

The Stargate stood atop a low mountain range, its flat top stretching to the horizon on either side. Thick greenery spilled down the slopes to a river below, offering glimpses of blue as it wove from east to west, carving deep into the bottom of the valley and frequently hiding behind the curves of the land. In the distance another mountain range rose before them, tall enough for its peaks to be graced by white snow.

Save for the sound of birds, and the wind stirring leaves, the land was silent.

A familiar muffled cursing signaled the arrival of McKay, the last of the team through the 'gate, struggling to remove the Ancient life signs detector from his jacket pocket. Caught up in his task, Rodney stumbled down the last of the steps, the jolt prompting him to finally lift his head and take in the landscape.

"Huh. Another forest." He looked across at Ford, a smug look on his face. "I believe you owe me your next choice at movie night, Lieutenant."

Sheppard broke off his gaze to round on the younger man, a look of mock horror on his face. "Ford, please tell me that you did not do what I think you did."

Ford grimaced, dug one foot into the mud awkwardly. "Sorry sir. I really did think we'd see something different this time."

"Like?" Sheppard challenged.

"A jungle. A desert." He shrugged. "Anything except more pine trees."

McKay surveyed the landscape, a hill that rolled away from them, its surface hidden beneath a dense weaving of dark foliage. "Some of us like pine trees, Lieutenant. Plays less havoc with my allergies. And it reminds me of Canada." He broke off to grin at the uncomfortable Ford. "Now, I wonder what film I should pick. Your next turn is in four days time, I think. Plenty of time to think of something."

Sheppard gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes. "Great. So it'll be 2001 for the fourth time running."

"Hey! It's a classic movie!"

"Classically dull."

"I do not understand it," Teyla admitted, her forehead wrinkling in a frown. "Why would those animals behave as they do to the reaction of the giant rock? If the beasts of my own planet saw something of that nature they would flee."

"Oh god," Sheppard groaned, slapping his hand to his forehead. "Don't get him started."

McKay, ready to launch into a lengthy explanation, closed his mouth and glared at Sheppard. "At least Teyla is willing to appreciate the depth of the story. Obviously subtlety is beyond some of the audience."

"I'm wounded." Turning away, Sheppard resumed his gaze across the land. A snatch of something gray caught his eye, an oddly angular shape half-hidden by the trees. He took several steps to his left, then stopped, and blinked. "Huh."

Ford was ready with his binoculars, following Sheppard's eye line down to the bottom of the valley. Nestled between the two mountain ranges, lying atop the river, was a large settlement. A good eight kilometers across at its widest points, a dark wall circled a gathering of smaller structures, small houses and larger, unidentifiable buildings. Following the course of the river, it too disappeared behind the mountain's rocky fingers, and only gave up itself in pieces, a jigsaw of stone and wood.

"Teyla?" Sheppard prompted.

The Athosian shrugged. "As I said in the briefing, Major, I have not been to this address before. The people here are unknown to me."

"Could be some good trading opportunities," Ford offered, turning his binoculars to the east of the city to where the trees parted, and fields of cultivated land took their place.

"Coffee?" McKay said, hopefully.

"Wrong environment." Sheppard considered the fields thoughtfully. "Could be wheat. Maybe barley," he added, thinking of the illicit still Stackhouse had failed to hide from Weir.

"The city lies some way from the Stargate." Teyla's frown had returned. "I would not imagine these people have traveled beyond their planet."

"Or beyond those walls," Ford added.

"Uh…" McKay hesitated, his gaze drawn to the west. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, Lieutenant." He pointed down the slope, to where a thin cloud of dust and smoke was winding its way through the trees. The distant sound of engine noise could be heard, and whatever was causing the noise was also stirring the trees, sending flocks of ruffled birds into the sky, weaving about each other and cawing angrily.

"Right." Sheppard pulled his side arm free, nodded at Ford. "Let's go take our first look at the locals, shall we?"