John Sheppard paced up and down like a restless tiger. The others sat round the table, follow his progress.
"We don't leave any of our own behind," he said emphatically.
"No one is disagreeing with you, John," Elizabeth said in a gentle voice.
"We know how Carson hates going off world, yet we keep forcing him to do it."
"Dr Beckett volunteered to go," Teyla reminded him. "He was anxious to help the people."
"That only makes it worse!" John said.
"And that's why we're going to ensure we get him back," Elizabeth said in a reasonable tone. She was determined to make sure that John's feeling of guilt didn't hinder their rescue plans – once they had put together a rescue plan that is.
"Why don't we just attack the Renegades, and free Dr Beckett and the children?" Ronon said favouring his usual direct approach. "We've enough men to overpower them easily, from what Sandro told us."
"Just two small problems," Rodney pointed out. "We don't know where the Renegades are, and they might just kill Carson or the children if we attack. Force isn't always the answer. Sometimes using your brain first is really, really helpful." Ronon just glared at him.
Rodney was feeling the strain too. Carson was his friend, and Atlantis seemed empty without his comforting presence. And for once, Rodney's expertise seemed useless in helping his friend.
"We have any idea where the Renegades are?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, Sandro said they have some idea of the area in which they operate. They seem to use a variety of cave systems, and tend to move around a great deal."
"Sandro did say they need to move around to find new people to fight for them," Teyla said.
"Yes, strangely enough, they don't get many volunteers," Rodney said, his sarcasm firmly in place.
"So," Elizabeth said. "If he could find what villages they are currently raiding, we might find the Renegades. But how will that be easier than finding the Renegades themselves?"
"Sandro says that there are about three or four isolated villages that were used by previous generations to take people to use as fighters before the system was banned. The people who lived there were considered inferior. From what they know, the Renegades still use the same villages."
"That is why the Renegades need Dr Beckett," Teyla said. "They only have a limited supply of fighters, and Sandro believes that they need Dr Beckett's medical skills to ensure the fighters can continue to fight."
"So if we find the villages," Elizabeth said. "We can follow the trail back to the Renegades."
"Can I point something out?" Rodney asked. All eyes turned to him. "I don't want to be a party pooper here, but if they need Carson, it may well be that there's no one left in the villages to fight."
"Yes," John said, drawing out the word to give himself time to think of a reply. "But then they might be able to tell us where the Renegades are."
"They might also help us," Ronon added. "They must hate the people who force them to fight to the death, simply to settle their arguments."
"It's worth a try," John said. "It's better than doing nothing."
All eyes turned Elizabeth, awaiting her decision. She looked at them, weighing up the options. One thing she hated about her job, one of the few things, was the heavy responsibility of deciding what to do when one of her people was a danger. If she made the wrong decision, then someone could die. The thought of losing Carson was more than she could bear. He was her friend, her confidante, her shoulder to cry on. Without him Atlantis would be a much lonelier place.
Her eyes met John's, and lingered for a moment. Then she nodded. "Go ahead," she said. "And bring Carson home."
