NB: Okay, I know, short chapter. Writer's block! And, um, I just bought the first four seasons of B5 on DVD and am reliving my Marcus-love. I promise that in a couple of chapters time we'll be back to the present to check on McKay! But until then you'll just have to put up with some filler plot. Sorry!

If I Die

Chapter4 - Silan

The council halls were housed in the great green roofed building that lay in the centre of the city. A straight, thin road headed from the gates and it was along this that Jawesh and his visitors now walked. Jawesh's men took up positions in front and behind them, seeming more relaxed than before, their weapons slung into their belts, their postures natural. Jawesh's friend from the courtyard ran ahead of them, sandals slapping against the dusty ground as he disappeared into the distance.

"Preparing for our arrival?" Ford guessed.

Teyla considered the departing figure. "Most likely," she answered, her gaze drawn away to their surroundings.

Sheppard was equally busy looking about him at the city of Silan. Now inside, the settlement revealed itself as less impressive than its formidable walls suggested. Ramshackle houses made of mud brick sat in small plots of land, roofed by metal sheeting and with windows comprised of the same grill that had formed the windscreen to the carriers. Some buildings were larger than others, some identifiable as a hospital, a warehouse, a factory. None were in a wonderful condition, walls crumbling and propped up by wooden scaffolding. Several lay abandoned entirely, roofs fallen in and doors rotting. In a space of land outside the hospital stood rows of washing lines, damp, coffee-colored sheets hung to dry in the wind, stained and faded. Shops spilled goods out onto the street, fruit and vegetables displayed in baskets, their colors dimmed and their number paltry. Their tenders lounged against walls, eyeing the visitors cautiously, or broke off their chatter with a customer to indulge in an open stare. The faces of the Silani were drawn and hollow, thin arms folded over scraps of clothing, but their skin was scrubbed clean and their heads held high with a strange, noble pride.

The team passed what appeared to be a school, twenty or thirty children chasing each other with the unrestrained energy of youth, squabbling over a playground game or play fighting with mock punches, oblivious to the strangers. Sheppard lingered by the school fence, unable to stop a grin from forming, until he caught one of the adult teachers studying him from across the space. He returned the gaze evenly and the teacher looked away, dipping their head and flushing.

"Sir?" Ford asked quietly, stepping up next to Sheppard.

"Anything about this place seem off to you?"

The younger man frowned, glancing at the schoolyard. "Seems like any normal village," he said, then hesitated. "But I know what you mean, sir. There's this, I dunno, wiggy feeling."

Sheppard raised an eyebrow. "Wiggy, Lieutenant?"

Aiden shrugged.

McKay was engrossed in the Ancient scanner he clutched in one hand, walking on autopilot and oblivious to either his surroundings or the curious stare from Jawesh. The soldier had dropped back to walk alongside the scientist, looking over McKay's shoulder to peer at the display screen.

"What is that?" he asked, in a conversational tone.

"Huh?" McKay looked up, surprised at the man's appearance. "Oh. It's a scanning device. Tells me if there are any power sources nearby."

Jawesh pursed his lips. "And are there?"

"Well…" McKay stopped, having seen Sheppard's face over Jawesh's shoulder. The Major had caught the conversation and was now giving McKay his best hand signals. "Look," he said, changing tactics, "Jawesh, those images in the courtyard, what were they? I mean, I know what they looked like to me, but –"

"We are here," Jawesh said sharply, coming to a stop so sudden that McKay had taken several more steps before realizing.

Ahead of them the road split, forking to the left and right. Two trees were planted either side of the junction, their branches stretching out to each other, leaves intertwining. Ahead rose the council halls, an old building, the brick work mottled with age and repeated repair. The first floor was almost one hundred meters in length, a wide veranda reaching down to the trees. The second storey was longer still, a narrow balcony overhanging the first, constructed of wood and coated in flaking red and green paint. Details were picked out in flecks of gold, gargoyles carved into the swooping arches of the balconies and the shadows of the green roof that topped the fourth storey, each level expanding on the last like an angular mushroom.

In the centre of the verandah stood six men dressed in faded robes of gold and red, their heads bowed respectfully. They were surrounded on either side by half a dozen armed solders, dressed in the same clothes as Jawesh, but with a green sash across their chests marking them as of a different group.

Bodyguards, Sheppard guessed, wondering what threatened the planet-bound Silani to the extent that their government needed constant protection.

Jawesh had stepped forward, bowing low, then pulling himself upright into a stiff-backed position. "These are visitors from beyond the stars," he began, formally. "Major John Sheppard, and his team." His hand swung around to point at each of the Atlanteans in turn. "Teyla Emmagan, Lieutenant Ford, and scientist McKay."

"Hi," said Sheppard, stepping up next to Jawesh. "Uh, we're pleased to meet you."

The central figure of the six returned Jawesh's bow. "As are we pleased to meet you, Major John Sheppard. What planet do you hail from?"

"A place called Atlantis." He hesitated, noting the lack of reaction from any of the six men. "You haven't heard of it?"

Six heads shook. "It has been many generations since we were visited by people from through the Great Circle," said a figure on the far left, an older man with wisps of a grey beard clinging to his chin. "Our records of that time do not mention the name Atlantis."

"I am Antu Marikar," the first figure said, stepping down off the verandah to stand before Sheppard. The top of his head barely reached the Major's nose. "I am spokesman for the Silani council. We are most pleased to meet travelers from a distant star." He smiled ingratiatingly, and waved back towards the council halls. "Perhaps you and your team are tired after your journey? We have chambers within where you can rest and eat."

"Uh, sure," Sheppard responded. It had been less than two hours since he'd left the mess hall after breakfast, but a good military leader knew to eat when ever time allowed. "Then perhaps we can get to know each other a little better?"

"We are explorers keen to know more about other cultures," Teyla explained.

"And trade?" Marikar said, giving another Cheshire Cat smile. "You may find the Silani have much to offer you."

Sheppard caught Ford's skeptical look, although if Marikar noticed there was no sign. "Then I guess we've got a lot to talk about," he said, looking down at Marikar, and suddenly feeling very unclean.

Marikar clapped his hands together, turning back to the other five council members. "Then come! You will be shown to your chamber." He paused, turned back out to the road, his gaze falling on Jawesh. His voice became harsher, clipped. "You may return to your patrols, soldier."

Jawesh's expression fell for a moment, though he recovered quickly. "Yes. Thank you, Antu." He gave another bow and then stepped back, giving Sheppard and his team a lingering look before turning to his men.

"This way," Marikar repeated firmly, ignoring Jawesh. He turned on his heel and started walking towards the hall's open doorway. Teyla and Ford followed, Sheppard on their heels, but Rodney was still stood staring up at the building.

"Hey. McKay."

A gentle elbow in the ribs dragged the scientist's gaze downwards to meet those of his friend. "What?"

"Food. Inside. Now." Sheppard glanced at the bodyguards, who were stood either side of the doorway waiting patiently for their guests to enter. "Before they impatient, okay?"