Black and White.
By Alpha Pegasi
AN: Wow! I wasn't expecting any reviews for 400+ words where nothing happens. What a nice fandom you are! It kicks off here.
Chapter Two.
As they neared the village, more children came running to meet them. They had already met a couple in the company of their elders waiting by the Stargate – their enthusiasm infectious. The main village lay several hours journey from the 'gate, down a narrow track bordered by lush jungle vegetation, but the excitement of their new companions had made the journey seem shorter.
The Gulathais were a small people, narrow faces lit by sparkling brown eyes in coffee coloured skin. They seemed most taken with Petersen – the mahogany skin of the tall security officer something new to them. The children kept darting forward to shyly stroke his arm.
Carson wiped the sweat of a walk in tropical forest from his brow and adjusted one of the garlands of flowers, which had been formally placed around his neck as he came through the Stargate, in an attempt to remove a slight itch. He was amused to see that the biologist Alice Carstairs already had her hands full of leaves, grabbed from the bushes that they had been passing. She was asking the names of each plant from Tygosi, the leader of these people who had welcomed them at the gate.
The fourth member of their little team walked at the back of the party. Heinrik was happy to explain details of his weapons to the elders walking alongside him, while keeping a guarded look out.
But, Carson thought happily, there really was no need. Everything was as Elizabeth had described – the Gulathais seemingly delighted to welcome Beckett to their home to receive their greatest treasure.
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There were children all around him now, they were laughing and chattering as they entered the village made of beautifully crafted huts.
They were taken to what Carson assumed must be the centre of the settlement and which Tygosi called The Place of Greeting. It had been decorated with garlands of flowers and vegetation, hung from poles, and the front of the huts themselves. People were gathering to meet them. Petersen scanned the crowd and noticed something a little off. He beckoned to Carson.
"Dr Beckett, I've noticed that the crowd is mostly children and old people. There's a lack of young adults, both male and female – that's pretty typical of a wraith predated culture."
Tygosi stood near enough to have overheard this and he quickly approached the Atlantis party and bowed his head slightly.
"Please forgive us – we meant no disrespect but it is the time of the Elevos migration – their meat and hides are vital to us. Our best hunters and food preservers are away deep in the forest to capture this bounty. It is a pity that your visit could not be made in a couple of week's time for the meat is a tender delicacy. Perhaps we might trade?
"But for now welcome to our village. You are invited to use my home to rest and prepare yourself for the ceremony. Your guards are most welcome to stand with mine – it is respectful."
"Thank you, Tygosi. It is a great pleasure and honour to be made so welcome." Carson smiled at the old chief and followed Alice into the main hut, where they found sleeping pallets, flasks of cool water and bowls of fruit laid out for them.
In his curtained alcove he took a moment to have a refreshing wash from a beautifully carved wooden basin, and pulled a fresh shirt from his pack. He stepped out into the main part of the hut where Alice Carstairs poured a drink for him.
"Have you noticed," she said, biting her lip slightly, "that it has gone quiet?"
He had not but the bustle of noise that had been heard clearly within the hut from outside had died away.
"Well they obviously take this as a serious ceremony, lass," murmured Beckett.
They looked expectantly towards the door of the hut, as it swung open. Tygosi stepped into the room. He was wearing a heavy ceremonial robe; his attention was focused on Beckett. He held a short dark coloured staff between his two hands as he approached him.
"Please, place your hand upon the staff." The elderly leader spoke in a whisper.
Carson reached out and touched the "stick". It lit up immediately, blue flickering lights moving up and down the length of the device. Carson gazed in wonder – it must be an Ancient artefact brought to life by being touched by someone who possessed the Ancient gene. He looked up from the glowing staff to smile at Tygosi.
But to his shock the leader of the Gulathais had a look of utmost sorrow on his face. "I am sorry, so very sorry," he murmured.
At that moment, there was a clear shout from Petersen outside the hut, followed by the sound of a weapon discharging. Beckett leapt for his pack where it lay in the alcove and turned back to the door, a 9-mm pistol gripped tightly in his hand. Silhouetted in the doorway of the hut stood a Wraith cradling a stunner. Carson fired again and again but the Wraith seemed unaffected. It fired its weapon – he felt the charge of the stunner hit him full in the chest and then there was only darkness.