"Brouk?" Sheppard asked, his voice low with tension. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Insurance," Brouk said. "It seems your people care after all. These men were discovered in the colony after you had already left."

"Lorne? You okay?" Sheppard asked.

Lorne glanced at Brouk, who nodded. "Just fine, sir. Treated pretty good, considering."

"I thought you were sending us to our death, putting us in here," Rodney insisted.

"Of course not!" Brouk walked forward, his hands held out in earnest, matching the expression on his face. "I said before, the people wanted retribution for what they considered conspiring with nature. I never doubted you, and saw sending you here to the cave as an appropriate exile."

"Then why capture my men?" Sheppard asked.

"They walked in on us with weapons. Again, self-preservation."

"Explains where the guns came from," Rodney muttered. "They really look okay to you?"

"Seem to be," Sheppard muttered back. He called down to Brouk. "So what happens now?"

"Now," the leader said, "we use the weaponry of your ship to release the waters from below."

Rodney laughed. "You've got to be kidding."

"It was your idea! You said it would work!"

"Okay, when I mentioned that, I was talking theoretically," Rodney cut in, speaking quickly. "You don't realize the full implications of this. That storm that nearly wiped out your village? That's nothing compared to the level of destruction we're talking about if you blow the caldera. We're talking a major, major Noah's Ark here. Massive floods that will wipe out the land for hundreds of miles. Even then it would take time to re-establish a proper water cycle that would nurture the planet. Blowing this thing isn't a quick fix."

"It is the only way."

"No, it isn't!" Rodney huffed and turned away, rubbing his forehead in frustration. A quick finger snap signaled the arrival of an idea. "Look, there has to be a way to tap it, to access the water in a more controlled environment. That way your people can get what they need, and the Riatu will survive as well. It's a win-win, provided we can access the water."

"And if you can't?" Brouk asked. Rodney said nothing, and Brouk shook his head. "I am sorry. I will not risk it."

The ground beneath them rumbled again as Sheppard leaned forward. Rodney caught him before he slipped down. "Now's probably not the time to discuss this, Brouk! I'm thinking we need to get out of here."

"We will stay and make certain this is the correct location."

The ground shook, and hissed. "Oh, I'm pretty sure this is it."

"We will stay!"

"Then release my men! You've got your water, at least give them a chance to get out of here!" Sheppard turned at the prod in his side. "What?"

"Any thoughts on how we get out of here?" Rodney asked him apprehensively.

"What, you haven't come up with a clever idea?"

"Would I be asking you if I had?"

Sheppard glanced down to where Lorne and his men were being untied . "If they hurry, Lorne and the others can join us up here." He looked up. "How's your climbing skills, McKay?"

McKay's expression was priceless.

"There's a way out right above us. Better than beating the water trying to find our way back through the caves!"

"How many rocks landed on your head during that cave-in?"

"Rodney . . ."

"No. No way."

"Okay, so in one reality you drowned trying to save Atlantis, and then not long ago you nearly drowned in a sinking jumper. Third time's a charm?"

"I hate you."

"Send up my men!" Sheppard yelled down.

"You will assist us?" Brouk demanded.

"Doomsday," Rodney muttered alongside Sheppard's "yes!"

Brouk nodded, and Lorne's team started their ascent.

Sheppard surveyed the area above them. "Hope you don't mind if we go higher for a better view," he yelled down. "This ledge isn't too stable."

"You may climb," Brouk said, "but you will not make it."

"I suggest you do the same, Brouk, then we can talk."

"I will remain."

"Oh come on!" Rodney shouted. "Don't be a fool! Look, from this point we can take several options and make any version work."

There was no answer.

Rodney turned a desperate look toward Sheppard. "He really doesn't deserve this."

"No, I agree. His methods may seem twisted at times, but his heart is in the right place." Sheppard considered as his men continued to climb. "Brouk, listen to me. What McKay says is true. Now that we know this place is here, we can come back to it. We'll figure out something, I promise. Just. . .come with us. Your people need a good leader, someone who cares for them, and you do. What good it is to stay here like this?"

Brouk didn't move. Neither did his men.

A grubby hand suddenly reached up from below, out for Sheppard, and Lorne was pulled onto the small shelf. He sat against the wall, panting as his other men were secured. "Good to see you, Colonel."

"What the hell took you guys so long?" Sheppard grumbled.

"Trouble with the gate, sir, long story. Couldn't activate it to send the jumper through."

"What sort of trouble?" Rodney asked.

Lorne gave Rodney a grin. "I'll let Dr. Kavanaugh tell you, I'm not up on all that sciencey stuff. Makes my stomach turn. But he figured it out, so I guess he's the one you need to talk to."

Sheppard actually smiled at Rodney's exaggerated eye-roll. "Oh, terrific. I'll look forward to that. After I stick bamboo shoots underneath my nails."

"You could just stay here."

"Shut up."

"Anyone one else here?" Sheppard's attention returned to Lorne.

"No sir." He nodded to the two men who now sat beside him. "Just Jake, Connor and me. We were nabbed the minute we entered the village, but to give them credit, they treated us well." He took in Sheppard and McKay's state of dress and injuries. "Better than you, from the looks of it. What the hell's going on?"

"Ever see the Poseidon Adventure?"

"Sure."

"Naturalize it."

The ground shook, and a fissure appeared. Steam forced its way through the crack in a current of white. "Um, sir?"

"Going now." He pulled them to their feet, while eyeing the area above. "Whatcha think, Rodney?"

"Insane."

"Going for scientific here."

"I just told you."

"Rodney . . ."

"Okay, look, there's no way we can make it to the top in time." He pointed. "But if we can all fit in there, we'll avoid the worst of it and come away with a fresh, healthy complexion."

Sheppard just nodded and shoved the new arrivals ahead of him. "Brouk? Last chance!" He looked around. "Brouk?"

Rodney frowned and gazed over the cliff's edge. "They're not there!"

"Big surprise," Sheppard muttered. Lorne and his men were already on their way. Once again, the ground shook, this time nearly knocking them off their feet.

Sheppard and Rodney steadied each other. Sheppard's gaze fell on Rodney's shoulder and arm injury, and traced the meager sling upwards until he met Rodney's eyes. "You ready?" he asked softly.

"No." Rodney's response was as soft.

"I'm right behind ya."

And for some reason, that sentence was all it took for Rodney to grit his teeth and start upwards.

Ten minutes later Lorne and his team had hiked and climbed to the small enclosure, tucking themselves in. Sheppard and Rodney were half way there.

And the ground below exploded.