Thanks again for the comments – it is good to know that people are enjoying this.

"They did what?" Dr Elizabeth Weir whirled round and looked at the three people standing in front of her. "And you did nothing to stop them?"

Rodney looked like a school boy who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Teyla stood calmly and Sandro had an anxious, worried look, that had been his permanent expression since he arrived on Atlantis.

"There was nothing I could do, Elizabeth," Rodney said, trying to convince himself as much as Elizabeth. "Our resident hot-head just jumped in as usual, without thinking, and then Sheppard decided he had to be hero, again." He turned to Teyla for support.

"I believe Rodney is right, Dr Weir," Teyla said. "There was nothing we could do. Ronon was protecting a young child who was being terrorised by the Renegades."

"But why did Colonel Sheppard decide he had to get involved?" Elizabeth asked, letting her exasperation show.

"I believe," Teyla replied calmly, "he was hoping to distract the Renegades to allow Ronon to escape with the child."

"And had his usual success rate when faced with 10 angry natives," Rodney added.

"Thank you, Rodney, I did realise that," Elizabeth said.

"We did manage to track them to their cave system," Teyla added. "We now know where Colonel Sheppard and Ronon are being held. There is every likelihood that Dr Beckett and the children are there as well."

"We can at least be thankful for small mercies," Elizabeth said, half to herself.

"How many Renegades are we likely to face?" she asked.

It was Sandro who answered. "As far as we know, there are only about 40 of them," he said, nervously. Coming through the Stargate seemed to affect him in much the same way as it did Carson. "We haven't got accurate numbers, as we've not had anything to do with them in a long time."

Elizabeth nodded. "Do you know the layout of the caves?"

Sandro shook his head. "It is not part of the cave system that we know very well. However, as we speak, some of my people are investigating the area and will report back once we return to my home."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows questioningly. Up until now, Sandro and his people had been passive. They did not seem to want to take any action that would bring them to the attention of the Renegades. They had been willing to act as guides, but not take an active role in any offensive.

"We now wish to help as much as we can, Dr Weir," Sandro said, starting to sound more confident now. "When I saw how the villagers were living, I felt ashamed. We have ignored their plight for so many years. In many ways, it makes us as bad as the Renegades. By doing nothing, we're condemning them to slavery. I've spoken to my people, explained what I saw. We're not going to let the Renegades continue this way of life. Even if you aren't willing to help, we will make sure that they can't continue their way of life."

"Very noble," Rodney said. "But you can't just go in there all guns blazing, or they'll probably just kill all their prisoners and probably some of you too."

"Really, Dr McKay," Sandro said, a note of sarcasm coming into his voice. "I would never have thought of that."

Elizabeth hid a smile. She was beginning to see why Sandro was a leader of his people. When he first arrived, he seemed so timid and anxious; she found it difficult to envisage him as a leader. But now, as he recovered from the shock of travelling through the Stargate, she saw another side of him.

"Your assistance is much appreciated, Sandro," Elizabeth added. Touching here ear-piece she started to put the plan into action. "Major Lorne, put together a team to mount a rescue mission, as discussed. We will be getting help from the people on the planet."

"Yes, ma'am," came the reply in her ear.

"Sandro," she said, turning to the leader. "May I ask what your plans are for the Renegade?"

She was apprehensive about his answer. She would feel uneasy to order her people to take part in an attack that could precipitate a civil war, or lead to the deaths of a group of people.

"We are not a violent people, Dr Weir," Sandro said, recognising her apprehension. "But what the Renegades are doing breaks the law of our land. We have facilities where law breakers are retained. The Renegades will be house there. If they choose to denounce their former lifestyle, they will be allowed freedom, of sorts, until they prove their worth to our people. If they don't, they will be retained in our facility indefinitely."

"Yet in the past you've just let them break the law, without punishment," Rodney pointed out. "Isn't it abit late to start developing a social conscience?"

"Is it ever too late to do this, Dr McKay?" Sandro responded. "We can't ignore the past, but we can change things in the future."

"Well, I wish you luck. You're going to need it. Now if you'll excuse me, I've a rescue mission to mount."

With this remark, he left. Teyla and Elizabeth exchanged amused glances. "Has anyone told Major Lorne that Rodney believes he is in charge?" Teyla asked Elizabeth, an amused smile playing round her lips.

"I think Major Lorne will soon find out," Elizabeth said, with an echoing smile. "I also think, from past experience, he will allow Rodney to think he's in charge.