Chapter Five

"Is everybody ready?" Elizabeth had been stood at the foot of the stairs in the gate room for the last ten minutes waiting for Major Lorne's team to gear up and was eager to be away. All she had needed to take was the jacket that hung over the back of her chair, so the time Lorne was taking seemed like an eternity.

"Yes Ma'am," replied Lorne as he came down the stairs to meet her.

"Very well. Dr. Zelenka, please dial the gate." She called up to the control gallery.

The doctor nodded and began the dialling sequence. He had been watching Dr. Weir as she had waited for the rest of the team to get ready and had seen her pace back and forth, the need to get out there and do something to bring their colleges back safe was a driving force within her. It occurred to him, in all the time he'd been at Atlantis, he had never seen her behave like this. In the past, even in their darkest hours, she had always managed to find a constructive outlet for her worries, putting her energy into work, but now it was like she needed to physically do something.

Standing back from the gate as the coordinates locked and the address was established, Elizabeth forced her feet to remain still. Pacing like this made her look unprofessional.

At the back of the control gallery Radek was looking at the visual relay sent back from the MALP once again, checking the area for trouble. He'd already panned the camera around 360 degrees and was half way through the second lap just to make sure, but he was right the first time. The stargate definitely wasn't where it had been the last time. Considering that it had been lying flat on the ground, this wasn't entirely a bad thing, it was just the fact that it wasn't anywhere in the surrounding area either that had him concerned. Using the remote he rolled the MALP towards the top of the incline to get a view of the town below. He'd had to zoom in but he had found it, set up and supported by some make shift scaffolding, the gate was now in a field on the outskirts of the town.

He got up and went over to the railing so he could call down, "Dr. Weir, the gate has been moved. When you go through you'll be just outside the town. Also, there were four men waiting near by, most likely your guides"

Elizabeth thought they were most probably guards but didn't say anything. Major Lorne would be prepared for this. "We'll take that under advisement. Thank you Radek."

Taking a second to look at the men who would be accompanying her, she gave them a small smile of thanks for what was to come. They had travelled off world with her before and she knew she was in very capable hands if there was any trouble.

Major Lorne sided over to Weir as she stood and spoke softly to her, "Don't worry Dr. Weir, Sheppard's team have been in many, much more dangerous situations than this."

"Many huh? Major, you instill me with confidence."

"I uh... I didn't mean to imply that Colonel Sheppard is irresponsible in the field." How is it that she always manages to take my best intentions the wrong way? Thought Lorne.

"I know Major," she gave him the briefest of smiles to let him know she was just teasing, "It's just that Colonel Sheppard is unfortunate enough to find these dangerous situations with alarming frequency."

Lorne thought it was wise to stick with a safe "Yes ma'am."

"Well we should probably go get him out of this new problem. What do you say Major?"

"Sounds like a plan." And with that Lorne led his men out through the stargate.

When they had arrived, they were met with the same petulance Elizabeth had heard in the voices speaking to her over John's radio. They were unwelcome guests and she didn't feel inclined to stay here a moment longer than necessary. Four men had met them when they came through, managing only to relate to them that they were guards to Councilman Goran and they would be escorting them to the Government Chambers where the council were waiting.

That's where they were now. They had been in conference for near three hours with Goran, two other Councillors named Maten and Phelo and the foreman Athen. Several guards were also in attendance and as before were armed with the batons they kept on their belts, but their nervous eyes were all over the automatic weapons Lorne and his men held fast to their chests. From this Weir surmised that someone had been over keen to see what exactly the newcomers had brought with them and had found out the hard way what they were capable of.

At present however, they had been given a brief respite from the endless circle of accusations and explanations they were engaged in. These people would not back down from their moral high ground. Yes it was true that through the actions of herself, John and his team, it could be said that they were indirectly responsible for the death of the men at the gate, but a public hanging was not going to bring these men back. She had patiently tried to get the councillors to see that it was a terrible accident and the result deeply regrettable, but extending her sympathies and understanding to their feelings was taken so far out of context they were thought she was incriminating herself.

One of the things they had learned from their hosts, was that their society was well known on countless planets as traders. Generations of hard work and the way they were always fair with their prices, had earned them the respect of many worlds. But theywouldn't be taken for fools. If a customer would not agree to a reasonable transaction, they would rather walk away and find someone else willing to meet their standards, than be under cut. At first, their policies were thought of as reckless, but soon theother peoples came to understand the way they conducted business. The things they sold were high in quality and deserved a better price. Besides that, they were well connected. Their needs were few, they lived off their own land, harvested their crops and reared their own livestock, but they knew where things were to be found if they couldn't provide it for themselves. These people were the Yellow Pages to the Pegasus galaxy. That could be a very valuable thing when you were new to these parts.

While the councillors had been assembled Lorne and his team remained for the most part in the role of the 'silent but deadly protectors' letting Weir do her job without unneeded interruption, but now that they had the room to themselves they were free to voice their opinions.

"Wow, these guys are a tough crowd. At this rate we're gonna be here months before they'll even consider our point of view. How long can you keep at them like this?" Lorne asked as he took a seat, dug out the canteen from his pack and offered it to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth gratefully accepted it and took a long swig of the water then handed it back. "Thank you. You wouldn't have a power bar in there too would you? I'm starving."

At her request, Lorne rummaged about again, procuring the snack and passed it over, but didn't miss the raised eyebrows of his men standing behind the doctor and the quick glance that shot between them. He knew what they were thinking; that it was more like something McKay would say just a couple of hours into a mission. He wouldn't comment though, the woman was small enough as it was and so he let it pass.

Once Elizabeth had taken a couple of bites she answered his question. "Not much longer. They don't want to hear our explanations or apologies. This was just a staging ground of sorts for them, they want something from us or we wouldn't still be here."

"And after the way they'd been ogling our ordnances, I reckon we could pretty much bet they've got their hearts set on acquiring some new weaponry." Sergent Mathews piped up from beside the doors.

"You noticed that too?"

"Yes ma'am. When they confiscated the Colonel's things, I'm thinking they've had a go and if the way those guards were twitching is anything to go by, I'd say somebody went and got themselves shot."

"I agree," said Lorne, "the question is, are we willing to hand over our technology to these people?"

All eyes were on her as Elizabeth gave her answer. "I was going to suggest our assistance in their relocation project first, but as they've beaten us to it we'll try to offer our usual education and medicine packages. I will not however hand over any more weapons to these people. That mistake had been made before and its not one I'll be repeating. They don't have to know this though."

There were nods of agreement from the others in the room. This was the right choice.

Across the hall in the office opposite from Goran's, Phelo took a seat at his desk, his old bones creaking and protesting at being kept in the same position for so long. As he flexed his knee, a young man in service to the council who had prepared refreshments for he and his fellows, set down a platter of varied fruits from the market place and four goblets filled to the rim with a local brew. Letting out a sigh he dismissed the young man with a wave of his hand and picked out a piece of fruit.

Goran had remained on his feet and was walking about the room as he spoke. "It went well, do you not think?"

"Well enough, but there is much to do yet." replied Athen.

Phelo had been watching Maten, a man in his mid-twenties, throughout the talks. He had said little but he could read people exceptionally well, he could head trade agreements off world with the confidence and capabilities of a man with many more years experience, always coming out with the best deal for his people. So when an earlier Wraith attack had taken the life of his predecessor, that was what had afforded him a place on the council at such a young age. In a few years, once Goran and himself had become to old, Maten had the potential to lead their people in a new direction, away from the influence of Athen's family. Something he had been trying to achieve during his administration, but knew that the greed of those who were in charge, was not something that was breed out of a man so quickly.

"What are your thoughts on this Maten?"

"They are suspicious of us," said the young man. "The woman knows we mean to ask for a supply of their weapons in return for the lives of this man Sheppard and his team."

Clever boy, thought Phelo he had seen this too. "And do you think they will comply with our demands?"

Maten thought for a second before replying. "I believe, they will do this only as a last resort. They hold a high price on these weapons and rightly so, I have seen what happened to the man who fell victim to its power. However, higher still is the value they place on the lives of their companions."

"Then we must show them that we will not give up their friends for anything less," growled Athen.

For a second, Phelo and Maten shared a discrete glance. Both knew that their people had no need for such violent weaponry. Neither could remember the last time the batons the guards carried were used. Peace was something the majority could argee on, with the exception of Athen, his family and the few they had managed to corrupt, but their numbers were dwindling. They were too busy tending to their crops, their stalls and looking after their families to be interested in fighting. The Wraith brought with them enough fear and loss for any man. This was just another outlandish way for Athen's father to regain some of the control he had lost over the years.

"Might I make a suggestion?" Maten directed his question at Athen.

Athen grunted.

"Would it not be in the best interest of all our people, if we were to hand over the prisoners in exchange for an alternative price?"

"And what is it that you would ask for?"

"Forcing these people to surrender superior weaponry could prove to be very dangerous. I do not doubt that what we've seen is not the most powerful thing they possess. They have been patient up to this point, due to the fact that they are willing to take some responsibility for the death of the three men."

"The count is up to four now, including the man killed inspecting the weapons." Goran interrupted.

"My point is," continued Maten, ignoring Goran's stupid comment, that man would still be alive if Athen hadn't insisted on placing them in custody, "if we press this too much we may find ourselves making an enemy of these people, who hold a significant advantage over us. I believe it would be best if we accepted a lesser offer, perhaps something to improve our quality of life, like medicines. We could work out a lasting trade with them - there are many gains to be had here."

Maten's proposal had angered Athen and he jumped to his feet. "These terms are unacceptable! Athos is dead, my sister is without a husband and her unborn child without a father!"

Athen's outburst had not fazed Maten in the slightest, he replied calmly, "Your sister is not the only one to grieve for a loved one, those other men had people who cared for them as well."

"You would be wise to think of who it is that you speak to," retorted Athen.

"I am quite aware."

Athen's rage was uncontrollable, he charged forward grabbing the front of Maten's shirt, his voice came out a menacing whisper, "You will go back in there and tell those people my demands. I will settle for nothing less. If they are as unreasonable as you think, tell them the ones who came before them will die."

He released Maten from his grasp and turned to storm out the office, "You can find me when this is done. I will be at my father's house."

Once he had left, Phelo got to his feet and hobbled over to Maten who hadn't even flinched when Athen had grabbed him. "Maten you should not challenge Athen so openly. You speak of the danger for our people if we do not give up the prisoners, but you do not realise the danger to yourself if Athen thinks you are testing him like that."

"Someone must tell him Phelo."

Phelo patted him on the back, unwilling to say any more while Goran was with them. "I have no need to ask where your thoughts lie with this Goran."

Goran had jumped out the way when he saw how angry Athen had become and had tried to fade into the background, almost making himself one with the furniture. "I stand by my decision. Athen is quite right to want something of great value. He has lost a part of his family."

"I do not hear the widows Jedis and Freson making demands such as this," said Maten. "When I spoke with them, they only asked for assistance with the keep of their children. Athen's sister has no need to worry about that, their family is the wealthiest of all. It is for the same reason we are made to pursue this foolish cause!"

"Maten, that will be enough! You will speak no more of this." Phelo had to step in now and head off this in fighting, even though his beliefs lay with Maten. If they were make it through this, they did not need to cause doubts about where their loyalties were.

Goran stepped up, now that he had remembered he was the lead councillor. His decision was final and more, he had the backing of the Brontae family. "Yes Maten, that is enough. If you feel that you can not abide by the decisions of your superiors, you presence in this matter, will be removed."

Phelo gave Maten a slight nod.

"I will do as you say, of course." Maten submitted.

"Good. Now, we should return to our guests, lest they think we have forgotten them." Goran eyed Maten, a subtle warning to the young man, then led the way back to his office where the visitors waited.

Author's notes:Okay people, how am I doing? Tell me! I know there's a couple of you out there reviewing each chapter, (You know who you are - thanks again!)but come on, give a girl a break! This is my first big story. Are you getting enough from each chapter? Are you interested? What is it that makes you want to come back for another update! I know some people like to wait until the end of the story to write a review, but could you just let me know if you like it? I'm gonna stop whining now...