Introductions
"Didn't have to look far," Jones reported sliding back into the room.
The Athosians and Marcin stepped into the outer room. Trece followed and squeezed in with Ronon's vessel. Instead of dispersing, the crowd kept getting bigger in the hall.
"Brother Daven, please start directing everyone out," ordered the High Abbot. He turned his attention to a teenager. "Novice please fetch the Venerable and bring him here."
The High Abbot walked into the Vestibule and knelt down next to Mede. "Please, Brother Mede let the novices take Ganede. They will take very good care of her."
Mede hesitated and reluctantly let go of his sister. Others were carrying the body of former First Mender Arna Gezble away.
"Don't let her anywhere near Ganede," Mede requested. His anguish and disgust readily evident as he followed them to the anti-chamber.
The novices agreed.
Major Lorne stood in the Vestibule looking at the console protruding from the wall. He waved his hand over it and the image changed. It was all Greek or Latin or Ancient to him. He could only guess that it was showing the power usage of the baker's rack contraption.
Waving his hand once more it narrowed in on the only cube on the rack. Lorne was no expert, but he could read a gauge. This one said that Col. Sheppard's cube was low on power, real low. On top of that, it was not powering up correctly. He could tell a warning signal when he saw one. Now he wished his neon pink scientist was here.
The High Abbot reentered the chamber.
"How did you do this?"
Major Lorne raised his eyebrows and answered, "Would you believe I'm a powerful wizard?"
The High Abbot raised his eyebrows in unmasked disbelief.
"I'll take that as a no. It's something I can do. The technology of the Ancestors reacts to my presence."
"Col. Sheppard can control the vessel," said Mede hollowly as he walked slowly into the room and over to Sheppard's cube. He knitted his eyebrows in concern. "It's not recharging correctly. She must have damaged it. It does not appear to be a problem with the recharging rack."
"I was just noticing that on the monitor here."
"Who are your people?" The Abbot asked.
"Explorers, I'm Major Lorne and this is my team: Williams, Dennison, and Jones. This is Halling; he and the others are part of Teyla's people. That's Feris, Janna and Meka."
"May we see her?" Halling interrupted the introductions.
Marcin nodded and released Teyla.
Halling took a deep breath and said with a big smile, "Thank the Ancestors."
"It has been too long Halling," Teyla greeted with obvious joy and relief. She walked over and placed a frigid, transparent hand on each of his shoulders and greeted him traditionally.
With the touch, she read his mind: his joy, fear, and a single pondering of- what was there to eat since he had missed the meal?
She pulled back quickly.
He looked dazed for a second but regained his senses quickly.
"I am sorry; I did not know that would happen." Her eyes flitted around not looking at him.
"No harm Teyla. Now you know I am hungry."
She gave a small unsure laugh.
"You are correct." She turned to Trece. "Can you release Ronon? He's probably going insane."
Ronon appeared moments later and began his swaying from side to side.
"Thank you, I can't stay like this for much longer. Taking out Wraith in an all powerful finale is sounding really good."
"Our people have found us," Teyla cheerfully reported.
Ronon looked around and smiled briefly. "Good to see you." His swaying continued and his eyes shifted from person to person.
"Back atcha Ronon!" Jones called out.
"Can we go now?" Ronon asked.
"Sorry no. We have no idea what to do about the Colonel here. His cube is malfunctioning. We don't have any idea about how to put you back into your bodies. Which we have by the way." Lorne walked around the recharging rack.
"Dr. McKay! Where is Dr. McKay?" Teyla asked, eyes gaining intensity.
"Back home. Beckett has him. He was thrown about a bit but the last I saw him, he was doing fine."
Teyla and Ronon exchanged looks of relief.
"Sheppard will be glad to hear it," said Ronon.
"We need to get as much information on this thing," said Lorne pointing to the recharger. "And find if there is a procedure to fix this," he said while waving his arm at them.
"I can help you there."
It was the Venerable's turn to enter the small rooms.
"We have much to discuss."
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An hour later into their trip, Caldwell tried the team one more time. They had to be close enough for communication soon.
"Daedalus to Major Lorne."
"Daedalus this is Major Lorne, good to hear your voice Sir. We've found them!"
Not quite what he was expecting. What did he mean they had "found" them? Caldwell figured that the bodies on Atlantis were them.
"Explain Major." Caldwell turned an inquisitive eye towards the Lieutenant at the comms console.
"We've found the Colonel, Teyla and Ronon. Who do you have with you?" The major sounded excited and nervous.
"Like who?"
"Dr. Zelenka."
"No one but my own people."
"Send them to my location. We need them to take a gander at contraption left by the Ancients."
"We're still about four hours away, Major Lorne." Caldwell really hated to have to say that.
"Real sorry to hear that Sir. We're going to need your help."
Caldwell heard the regret in the major's voice. A loud panicked voice in the background interrupted them.
"Hold on Sir."
Caldwell heard Lorne talking to someone else close by. As per usual, something was amiss. The universe like to remind them who was in charge with regularity.
"Sir make it here with best speed, we have a situation…"
And it was not them.
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A/N: Short transitional chapter, but we are now starting into the next leg of the race.