AN: It saddens me that fewer people are reading my story now. I work hard on this. Still, I know some people are reading it, so I will continue. Once again, please reveiw! Reviews make me happy and happiness helps me write better and faster!

Spoilers: Forgot to mention that this story has small spoliers for Sanctuary.

Chapter Five: Surprise Visit

"Ow! Careful will ya?" McKay cried. Lt. Ford was using his shirt to try and make a sling for the scientist's busted arm.

"Shut it, McKay," Sheppard ordered. "He's only trying to help." He winced as he wrapped his own shirt tightly around his messy leg.

"Maybe if you didn't move so much," Ford suggested. "It's hard enough in the dark." He did some final adjustments. "There. That should be good until we get back."

"If we get back," McKay snapped. "May I remind you that we have a time limit?"

"Teyla got through," Sheppard pointed out. "She'll get help."

"Teyla can't fly the jumper. It'll take her a long time to reach the gate. And just for the record, that was the stupidest escape plan ever!"

"It was a good try," said a calm, almost playful voice.

All three jumped in shock and turned towards the stairs. In the dim moonlight from the repaired door, they could see a middle aged man sitting on the steps as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"Who the hell are you!" Sheppard blurted out. "How did you get in here?"

The man's eyes twinkled. "That is a very interesting question."

"Yeah," Ford said. "I hope you have an interesting answer."

"Or what? You can't do anything to me. Technically, I'm not even here."

"What's that supposed to mean?" McKay asked. He had the strangest feeling that the man reminded him of someone, but he couldn't quite remember who.

"It means...what ever you want it to mean."

"Alright. Enough games," Sheppard said. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"My name is Alaqi. And the question is: what do you want."

Sheppard narrowed his eyes is suspicion. "Getting out of her would be nice," he said tentatively.

"Already in hand."

"What do you mean?"

"Your friend is on her way to Atlantis. She'll be there soon."

"Why are you helping us?"

"I'm not. You're helping yourselves. I am merely a guide along the path."

"What's in it for you?" Ford asked.

"I have my reasons."

"Ree'an, " McKay said suddenly. He had finally worked out why the man was so familiar.

Alaqi looked at him. "Yes."

Sheppard stared. "Than you're her..."

"Yes. I am her father."

Sheppard would have laughed at the cliché Star Wars line, but the situation was too dire. Suddenly, he felt anger rising at the audacity of the man. "Some father. Do you have any idea what that girl has been through! Why didn't you do something then?"

He didn't answer, but there was a hint of sadness is his eyes. "You can't do anything can you?" Sheppard asked.

"If I could, believe me, I would have."

"It's your punishment," McKay realized. "Like Cheya. You're not allowed to help your own daughter." He stared in horror. He could only imagine how terrible it must have been to watch helplessly as his own child was orphaned. Orphaned...God! That meant that Ree'an's mother... He didn't finish the thought; it was too cruel.

Sheppard softened a bit. "What can we do?"

He reached into his shirt and pulled out something that glinted silver in the moonlight. Sheppard took it; it felt cool in his hand, like some form of metal. It was a carved circular pendant, about an inch in diameter and hanging on a long chain. "For her," Alaqi said. He stood and seemed about to leave.

"Wait!" McKay cried. "What about us?"

"I will do what I can. Be patient." He pointed to the necklace. "Do not forget." Then he was gone. No flash of light, no woosh of air; he was just gone.

"Now what?" Ford asked.

"Now...we wait," Sheppard put the necklace in his pocket and leaned back. He put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. Tomorrow would be a busy day. He just hoped it wouldn't be his last.

X X X

It took Teyla nearly the whole night to reach the Stargate. The ride was long and uncomfortable. The creature's rolling lope made her feel nauseous and its rough skin chaffed her legs. She was forced to cling to its neck to stay on, which put her body in a cramped position. By the time the journey was over, she was sore, tired and thirsty. Thankfully, the DHD was at the gate. It was covered with dust and sand from disuse, but it looked fully functional. Teyla wasted no time in dialing Atlantis.

Dr. Weir and Ree'an were waiting when she came through. They were shocked and dismayed when no one else came after her. "Where's you team, Teyla?" Elizabeth asked.

"We were taken prisoner. The others are still there. We have to go back for them."

"Are they in any immediate danger?"

"I do not know, but I do not believe we should delay long."

"First, I want you to check in with Dr. Beckett. Then meet us in the briefing room and we'll get a rescue operation going."

Teyla was too tired to protest and walked off to the infirmary. Ree'an turned to Dr. Weir: "Is it wise to wait even a little? They could be in big trouble."

"It's better to have a plan than to rush in blindly." She smiled. "Not that that doesn't work sometimes, but this way we're better prepared for what could happen."

Ree'an nodded. "I hope we can rescue them."

"So do I."

Half an hour later, Dr. Weir met with Teyla, Sgt. Bates, Dr. Beckett and Ree'an in the briefing room of the control tower. Teyla gave a short description of events and the present situation. No one liked what they heard.

"Alright people," Weir said. "Options?"

"I say we take a couple of jumpers and blast our way in," Sgt. Bates said.

"I'd rather not resort to violence if we don't have to." She turned to Teyla. "Any chance we could talk to these people? Would they listen to reason?"

"It is unlikely. Major Sheppard already tried. They are fanatical and their leader would not listen to us."

"If only we could make them listen," Beckett said with frustration.

Weir nodded. "I hate to say it, but a show of force might be our only option." She glanced at everyone for agreement, but Ree'an was looking elsewhere, lost in thought. "Ree'an?"

She turned and smiled. An idea was forming in her devious little mind. "These people seem superstitious," she commented. The people on Kor'ania had been too, but her father had taught her to look past it. "Perhaps we could trick them into letting Sheppard and the others go."

Everyone stared at her now. "What kind of trick?" Bates asked.

"You have a lot of very powerful things here. Things they have never seen before. Like the puddle jumpers. If we flew one over the city, they might mistake us for the Ancestors."

"And then we could ask them to release our people," Weir finished, thoughtful. "That's a good idea." Teyla nodded her own agreement, though Bates was not so enthusiastic.

"Bates, take two jumpers and a full rescue team," Weir ordered. "We may have to resort to force if something goes wrong. I want three pilots and a medical team, just in case." She glanced and Beckett.

He looked uncomfortable, but nodded. "I'll go, but I'd rather avoid flying if I can help it."

"You may have to. Without Sheppard, we're short on pilots."

"Ree'an could fly," he pointed out.

"She doesn't have any training!" Bates growled. "And don't you think she's a little young?"

"She flew a dart!" Carson was looking for any excuse not to have to fly. "It's not much different."

Weir considered them both, but had to agree with Bates for once. "I'd rather not chance it; Carson, you'll have to fly one."

Both Beckett and Ree'an looked disappointed, but they didn't argue further. "Alright," Weir concluded. "Let's go people!"

No one hesitated and quickly prepared to set out. They had friends to save.

TBC