After an uneventful night, they had a hasty breakfast of cold MREs and headed back to Talonopolis. All of them were ready for a shower and some hot food – both of which would probably have to wait until they got back to Atlantis, and they were anxious to hear what – if anything – the others had found out.

In order to keep from startling anyone, Sheppard did a flyby of the ravine, giving those on the ground – and there damn well better have been someone guarding the entrance to the ravine entrance of the Lava Base – a chance to get word that they were coming in. Then he landed the Jumper in what had pretty much become its usual spot, settling the craft easily and giving a sigh of relief.

"Tell me you weren't worried about crashing…" O'Neill said, hearing the sound.

"Of course not. I'm just glad to be back to civilization."

"Amen to that," Mitchell said, standing up and slapping the hatch open. "I can't wait to get a hot meal."

"And a bath," Teyla agreed. A week was far too long to be without bathing – and getting rained on didn't count.

"Let's see what Carter and McKay found out," Jack said, heading out the hatch and looking around. A young Marine corporal came trotting over and saluted Jack, who returned it. "Report."

"All's quiet, Sir," the Corporal reported. "Lieutenant Ford is inside with the others – except one corporal who went back to Atlantis with a stomach flu or something."

"Stomach flu?"

The corporal gave a slightly nervous smile – he didn't know O'Neill and generals didn't normally enjoy enlisted man humor.

"He tried eating a fish he caught and it didn't agree with him. Doctor Beckett took him back to Atlantis to treat him. But he's going to be fine, he said."

Jack nodded. He'd get a report on that later, once they'd returned to Atlantis.

"Colonel Carter's inside?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Return to your post, corporal."

The corporal saluted again, and returned to where he'd been standing by the entrance to the lava tube, and Jack and the others headed inside, glad for the relative cool of the interior of the lava flow after the last few days of sweltering heat.

Ford was coming down the tube as they headed in, obviously alerted to their arrival, and the young Lieutenant gave them a cheerful grin.

"Welcome back, sirs."

"Thanks," Jack said, handing the Lieutenant his pack. No sense carrying it when there was someone younger and fresher to do it for you, after all.

"How did things go?" Sheppard asked. "Anything interesting?"

"Duck ate a fish he probably should have left alone," Ford replied, falling into step beside them as they started walking again. "Doctor Beckett said he'll be fine – it's just food poisoning or something."

"So we heard. Anything else?"

Ford shook his head.

"Doctor McKay and Colonel Carter have been mumbling a lot to themselves and each other – but I honestly couldn't tell you what they were talking about, so I'll let them report that – everything on Atlantis seems to be fine, or so we've been told."

"Good."

Jack wasn't surprised that Ford didn't know what Carter was talking about. He'd been around her a lot longer than the Lieutenant, and he didn't know what she was talking about half the time, either.

OOOOOOOOOO

They came to the main cavern about twenty minutes later, and stopped at the entrance, getting a look around before actually going in. The part of the cavern that had been put aside for the darts to be parked was littered with pieces of metal and scattered tools and diagnostic materials, while the tables that held equipment was littered with papers that had all sorts of equations, notes and who knew what else scribbled all over them. Some of these papers were in the hangar area as well, scattered on the floor in what might have been some semblance of order to those who had done the scattering but simply looked like a huge mess to those who had just arrived.

"They won't let us near anything," Ford murmured as they all took in the mess.

"Probably afraid no one would be able to find you…" Melony said, frowning. She'd left the place neat and tidy, and now it was a disaster area.

Ford smiled, but before he could say anything, McKay appeared from the rear opening of the dart and saw them. Smiling, he jumped out of the craft and headed over to them, while at the same time a movement from the other side of the cavern drew their attention, and Sam Carter came in from the lava tube that led off to the thermal room. Her smile was just as welcoming as McKay's and Mitchell just happened to be looking at Jack when he saw her – and smiled at the way his brown eyes lit up.

"How was the trip?" McKay asked, bringing their attention back to him.

"Eventful." Jack said. "What have you guys found out?"

"Tons."

"Welcome back, Sir," Carter said, coming over as well. "Any luck?"

"All of it good," Jack answered. "We have several more darts – and a lot of gadgets and gizmos for you guys."

"No one was hurt?"

She looked to make sure there were no signs of injuries, but everyone seemed in good health – if not a bit grubby looking.

"Nope. Not even a scratch. What did you guys find out?"

Sam smiled, glad that there hadn't been any injuries.

"We've managed to learn a lot. Almost as much as Daniel and Doctor Weir have. But-"

"You've kept in touch with them?"

"Yes, sir. They translated the language fairly quickly – which was a big help to us, since then we could more or less understand any instructions that the ships and other devices might have – although that was precious little."

"And?"

Sam hesitated.

"I think we need to all get together and give the reports at the same time."

"Meaning there's bad news coming…"

She nodded.

"It's not good, general."

Jack sighed, but he really hadn't expected to find out that the Wraith had really been trying to invite them to a tea party all this time, so he wasn't all that surprised.

"Fine. Let's head back to Atlantis and meet up with Daniel and Weir. I want some answers."