"So when would you like to go?" Kale asked. "We are in no hurry, but it sounds as if the people living on this world are in more danger the longer we wait…"

Weir looked over at McKay.

"What time is it on the R'hurian world?"

He looked at his watch and did some quick mental calculations.

"Late evening. Their sun should be coming up in a few hours."

"We don't want to come through the gate in the middle of the night."

Mitchell nodded her agreement.

"Since the Wraith tended toward night raids, we definitely don't need to frighten them." She looked over at Kale. "I think it might be a good idea if you and the others changed form before going through the gate and stayed in that form while there… these people aren't really ready for abilities like yours, I think…"

Kale nodded.

"We were going to suggest the same thing. That will same much time in explanations, I think – and we don't want to frighten anyone if we can avoid it."

Melony smiled, feeling a rush of affection for Kale and his people. Considering the vicious nature of their other forms, they were about as considerate and warm a people as she'd ever met.

Pheromone alert… Talon told her with an amused snort.

She would have poked him if she could have.

Not at all… there's nothing sexual about thinking they're a good group of people…

Uh huh…

He didn't sound convinced, and she had a feeling that he was right. No worries, though, because he could control her own reaction to the pheromones that Kale and his people exuded – and it wasn't like she wasn't aware of the effect the Light Ones had on people. Everyone on Atlantis had been warned and knew about them.

Except our newest visitor, Talon reminded her.

Melony looked over at Dex, who had a slightly glazed expression on his face – of course, he was still probably sore as hell from the last battle with the cats, but there was also the chance that it was some kind of reaction to Kale and his people.

I'll have a talk with him. Or maybe have Sheppard or Carson do it.

Do it before we go. You know that it can turn someone aggressive, and he's already aggressive enough

Will do.

Aware that she'd been silent during her exchange with Talon, Melony nodded.

"Sounds good. We'll do it that way then, and see how things play out. We'll leave in three hours." She looked at Teal'c. "I'd like you to take a team of Jaffa and find a suitable planet for an ambush site – as soon as we're done with the cats I want to get started on trying to lure whatever Wraith might be listening in on that device Carson pulled out of Ronon here. Doctor McKay has a list of planets that might be suitable."

Teal'c nodded. While he wanted to go and help with the felines, he also knew that his task was just as important – and that Mitchell would have plenty of backup with the Light Ones, the Atlanteans and a hand-picked team of Jaffa that he'd make sure were well aware that guarding her was their responsibility.

"McKay?" Sheppard said, looking at Rodney. "Why don't you join them?"

McKay wasn't the only one who frowned at that. Teal'c looked up, surprised at the suggestion – and visibly displeased at it. Sheppard, completely unaware of the fact that Teal'c wasn't all that fond of McKay in the first place, gave him an apologetic look and shrugged, thinking that Teal'c didn't want to be saddled with McKay's sarcasm and arrogance.

"He knows more about what we need to use that tracking device than anyone."

"True," Melony agreed – just as unaware of any animosity. "Besides, he won't be much use against the cats."

McKay was a terrible shot, after all – even if he had risked his life to save hers.

"I'm going with you," Dex said, before she could suggest that he accompany Teal'c and McKay.

Melony nodded, wondering why he didn't want to help with the Wraith part – especially after he hadn't shown any interest in returning to the planet to help the R'hurians before.

He might be interested in Kale and company…

True.

Or he might just want to be away from McKay

She was hard-pressed to hide her smile at that, but managed to look at Weir.

"Anything else?"

Weir looked at Kale, who shook his head.

"We will be ready whenever the rest of you are."

"We'll meet again in three hours, then," Weir said, standing up. "Colonel Sheppard? Pick your team and make sure they're armed and armored."

John nodded.

"I will choose the Jaffa that will accompany you," Teal'c told Melony. "Unless you prefer to do it yourself?"

"I trust your judgment," she assured him, unnecessarily. "Have them ready, and remind them that Colonel Sheppard is to be obeyed as well."

"I will."

Of course, they both knew the Jaffa wouldn't listen to Sheppard if he told them to do one thing and Mitchell told them to do something else. She was the one in charge as far as the Jaffa were – and ever would be – concerned.

Teal'c headed for the door and after a moment's hesitation and a pained look, Rodney got up and followed him.

Dex had been watching the Light Ones, obviously intrigued by them.

"I don't really understand what everyone means by your other forms…" he said, finally.

Mitchell had said they switched forms, and so had the others – but he just couldn't imagine what they were talking about, really, and couldn't see how another form would be any help against the cats that had so easily overpowered them before.

Kale smiled.

"Perhaps a demonstration is in order?"

Melony nodded.

"Definitely."

And she needed to have a talk with Dex about the Light Ones, as well.