If I Die
Chapter Nineteen - Waiting
Amin was true to his word. Their weapons and packs had been returned, along with their GDOs, Ford's own now making a comforting lump in his jacket pocket. Two Hallan had led them from the laboratory, up the mountain to their designated waiting spot, just in sight of the Stargate. One of the men carried McKay on his back, seemingly without effort, though he was only of a slight frame and a few inches shorter than Teyla. Tight sinews moved without sign of strain, lowering the scientist to the ground with care.
Aiden had to place his hand on McKay's chest before he could be certain he still breathed. Felt the man's ribs move in shallow, irregular waves.
To dark eyes met his, questioning. He answered softly: "The Doc's hangin' in there," and then smiled, as though he believed it.
Devla crouched beside Teyla in the shadow of a bush, looking towards the Stargate. Above him stood the second Hallan escort, shouldering his weapon.
"You will wait here," the guard instructed.
"Thanks," Aiden offered, receiving a nod in return, before the two men melted back into the undergrowth. It was clear the Hallan were better at adapting to the forest than their fellow Silani. They had the skill of the Athosians, moving like shadows through the trees, silent, aware of every change in their surrounds.
In contrast, the council guards surrounding the Stargate seemed nervous, jittery. A dozen men clustered together, some sat on rocks, others stood with their backs to each other, weapons drawn and darting about the forest at the rustle of each leaf.
Devla was watching them intently, his nerves having returned. "What if they shoot me?"
"You will come at them from one direction," Teyla explained, "And we will draw their attention elsewhere."
Devla hesitated, then nodded, biting his bottom lip. He glanced at Aiden. "Will you come back, do you think?"
Ford hesitated, unsure of his answer. "Maybe."
"You could explain to my father." One hand, pressed against the earth, curled inwards. "Tell him why I did this."
"He will be proud of you," said Teyla, softly.
Dark eyes closed, briefly. "I doubt it."
Aiden reached out to put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Give him a chance. He'll understand."
Devla flinched, and pulled away. "I don't think so," he said sadly, and then in one quick, fluid movement pushed himself to his feet and disappeared into the undergrowth, gangly youth forgotten. Aiden cursed inwardly.
"He will be fine," Teyla said quietly. "It may take some time, but Marikar will be proud of his son." She held out one hand and offered him a small, round pebble. "The distraction."
"Right." He took the stone from her, then pulled his arm back and let loose. The small rock flew high and fast into the air, before dropping twenty meters distant to the east of Devla's direction.
Up by the Stargate, the guards heard the noise and were on their feet, turning their weapons towards an empty bush. At the same time a "Hey!" was shouted through the air.
Ford strained to see Devla, with no success, but he could hear his voice.
"Don't fire. I don't have a weapon."
The guards turned and must have seen Devla, for one of them called out: "It is Antu Marikar's son."
And then Ford pulled back, aware of the risk of being seen. He sat back on his haunches, listening.
"What are you doing here, boy?"
"I followed the visitors as they made their escape, but I lost them in the forest."
Another voice, deeper than the last. "You followed and did not raise the alarm?"
"I was scared," came back the quick response. "I thought if I kept to their trail I could warn you, you could cut them off."
"You should not have left the city. What if the Hallan had found you? They would have sent you back to your father in a box."
Ford decided he didn't like the deep voice.
"He's only a boy," said another, adding, meaningfully, "and the Antu's son. Tell us, where did you last see these visitors?"
"They were walking towards the eastern ridge, moving slowly. I think one of them is injured."
Deep Voice again. "You should hope we find them, Devla. Their capture may distract your father from your punishment."
"Are you going to find them?" Devla asked, his voice insistent.
"Those are our orders." Deep Voice must have moved closer to the ridge, because now Ford could see him – a tall, skinny man with a dark beard and shaved head. "Absikera, Jaysirah, Bajula.."
Orders were issued. Six of the men broke off from the group to follow Deep Voice and Devla, trotting beside them.
"They had weapons with them. They could have set up camp somewhere. Maybe the river…"
"The river is a distance from here."
"Then a spring –"
"You will be quiet, or I will have you sent back to the city in a carrier."
The group disappeared into the undergrowth, heading down the opposite side of the mountain. Ford strained to see Devla as long as he could, but the boy had gone and he turned back to the remaining guards. Five men clustered around the gate, more nervous than before, their weapons held high.
Ford slipped his out his own P-90, resting gently on a tree stump. He felt a hand touch his arm and turned to see Teyla looking back at him.
"They act on orders alone."
"I know." He shifted impatiently, finger on the safety. "How's McKay doing?"
Teyla dropped her hand to the scientist's chest. Her silence caused Ford to look up, alarmed.
"Teyla –"
"He lives." And she ducked her eyes, taking McKay's hand in hers. "Major Sheppard will –"
Her words were interrupted by a loud explosion rocking the tree line.
