Black and White: Chapter Four.
Disclaimers as per previous chapters.
AN: Slight revision 181205. Happy to oblige.
The Stargate shimmered in beautiful aquamarine, and then suddenly parted to disgorge a Puddle Jumper, that settled quickly onto the meadow area by the 'gate. The rear hatch swung down and Sheppard's team moved swiftly out, assuming a fan formation, crouched, with guns pointing to cover every approach. A movement under the branches of a nearby tree brought every weapon to bear on that location. An elderly Gulathais moved away from the group that were squatting there and came towards them, his hands held out in supplication. Sheppard waved down his team's weapons, though Ronon and Teyla immediately moved away to check out the clearing and the other villagers under the trees.
"My sorrow is profound," began the elder as he reached Sheppard. The leader "Tygosi", John remembered from the briefing. "There was a Dart."
"What … a Dart, A Wraith Dart? How the hell – you told us the Wraith had not been here for generations!"
"That is so." Tygosi murmured, his eyes not meeting that of Sheppard. "But one came when we were gathered in the Place of Greeting for the ceremony. There was a beam and … your people were gone."
"Gone…? Taken by the Wraith?" Beckett, Petersen, Heinrik, Carstairs – gone?
His mind reeled – of course all sorts of scenarios had been thought of when the team had not reported back after the allotted time of the ceremony, but Sheppard had really been expecting to be amused by a slightly tipsy Beckett overstaying a generous welcome. In fact Rodney Mckay had flatly refused to go on a retrieval mission, stating that it was "just fine" for some members of Atlantis base to go off on a pleasure jaunt when "others" were working their backsides off and that the good Doctor would have to cure his own hangover.
None of them had imagined this – not the loss of their CMO to the Wraith.
"Show me." His voice grated harshly, burying the other emotions that were building within him. "I need to see everything!"
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
The Place of Greeting was a shambles; garlands of flowers lay strewn in the dust. Benches were overturned and shards of pottery crunched under foot. Sheppard followed Tygosi as he indicated where everyone had been standing when the Dart had come. He was the only villager standing with Sheppard's party in the open. Frightened faces peering around doorways revealed the whereabouts of the other Gulathais.
"Its approach was amazingly tight and accurate," Sheppard mused to Teyla. "Tygosi says that several of his people went as well but I'm surprised that none of the team managed to escape!"
Teyla had said nothing – she had been checking everything in the surrounding area in an extreme state of alertness. John would have almost said she was a bit "twitchy", not a word he would ever normally associate with her.
Ronon Dex was even more puzzling – he seemed to be concentrating on Tygosi and the other villagers rather than checking the area. There was a grunt as Ronon straightened up from where he had been examining a heap of smashed utensils on the floor. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Teyla, and Sheppard had had enough.
"Right – what is it? You two are skittering around like a pair of cats on hot ash."
"Not here," Ronon murmured. "We need to return to the 'jumper."
A few minutes walk brought them to where the Puddle Jumper had now been parked near to the village. As soon as the hatch door swung closed, Sheppard immediately spun to face Ronon.
"Ok, we can't be overheard. What is bugging you?"
"They are lying." "The Gulathais?"
"Yes. These people have no "distance" communication and so have learnt the art of dissembling in a face-to-face meeting when there is something that needs to be hidden. But I can read their body language – they are not telling the truth, they are in fear."
"Of course they are in fear, the Wraith have just come to the village for the first time in years!"
"It is not fear of the Wraith, It is fear of us."
"Teyla?" Sheppard turned to where the warrior was nodding her agreement at Ronon's words. "Do you feel the same?"
"Yes and more," she replied. "The Wraith are here. I can sense them."
"Well, yes, the Wraith may still be in this region of space," mused John.
"No! It is more than that – they are here, on this planet."
Teyla's voice carried complete conviction. Damn, thought Sheppard.