Part 3 – How Can I Get You Out of This?

Nervously, McKay went back to his laptop as Sheppard left the room. Outside Ronon was still glaring at the monks as John joined him.

Gesturing to the head priest, Sheppard asked. "Is there someplace we could talk privately?"

"Of course, I will show you to my room, Colonel….Shethart."

"Sheppard." John corrected.

"I am so sorry, peoples names are not my best aptitude, especially those of outsiders."

"Understandable but you haven't even told me your name yet?" John requested.

Looking at Sheppard as to whether he was worthy of such knowledge, the priest replied. "You must understand we don't normally get any visitors here. Even the town's people do not bother us much, unless it is to bring us produce that we cannot grow ourselves. We are a closed sect devoted to the safeguard of our Goddess and most of our time is spend in meditation. However, you may simply call me, Vatu," the old man declared as he moved off.

Sheppard quickly followed him down a long corridor after ordering Ronon to remain guarding McKay's door.

Eventually, Vatu showed Sheppard into his rather frugal room simply furnished with a small wooden table, a chair and a hard looking bed. Vatu placed himself soundly on the chair, so that left John the choice of either standing or sitting on the bed. Deciding to take the bed, he hoped he wasn't insulting the old man or anything. The priest didn't seem to mind.

Relaxing somewhat, John moved his P90 into a more comfortable position. Actually, he'd been remotely surprised that he'd been allowed to keep his weapons. Maybe, they didn't realize what they were, although he very much doubted that. Clearing his throat, Sheppard came right to the point. "Okay, let's get down to business. Exactly what will Dr. McKay's punishment be?"

Vatu sat back, his fingers steeped as if in prayer. "You have to comprehend things from our point of view, Colonel Sheppart, as this matter is extremely grave to us. It would normally mean death to the offender but…as…err…Mc...McKay isn't of our world; we will be a little more merciful."

John had gone cold at the mention of a death penalty and sincerely hoped that being a little more – merciful - didn't include losing a limb or anything like that. With dread, he asked. "Meaning what?"

The priest didn't respond for a minute or two, giving himself time to think. Eventually, he replied. "He will receive twenty lashes of the bant and then he'll be free to go home as long as he does not return to disturb our Goddess, ever again. Furthermore, if you should resort to violence to free your friend, then Tyleen will be displeased and you do not want to incur her wrath."

For a moment, John didn't say anything wondering what the heck a statue could do to incur wrath against him. Resorting to violence hadn't be an option anyway, unless Rodney's life had been in danger. They needed to make allies out of these people not foes. They already had enough of those throughout the galaxy, so they really didn't need anymore. However, he could picture Rodney in his mind, the man who made a fuss over the slightest injury, the smallest cut. A total hypochondriac, so how could he spare his friend the pain of this punishment?

Thinking fast, Sheppard tried to find a solution. "Look, you have to understand that the object in your shrine is one that we know very well. We call it a ZPM, it's a type of energy source left by the Ancients. McKay is a scientist and has great interest in these things and he got a little over excited when he saw one and didn't think to ask before touching it. Now, I'm sure he'll apologize if you let him."

"We worshipped the Ancient ones before the true Goddess appeared. She took what you call the ZPM and turned it into our key of life. The holy book states that to touch it can cause it to die. Only those blessed by Tyleen may touch it through her hands. I am sorry but an apology is not good enough, Colonel Sheppart, if we let him go without punishment then we will lose our credibility as guardians and the people will lose their faith."

John was beginning to understand a little of how one ZPM had turned into a religion over the millennia and maybe the - don't touch clause - had been a way to protect it against damage or even theft. He could also see that the stubborn old man was determined to go ahead with the punishment no matter what he said or did. Resorting to violence still wasn't an option, so what he did next came out of a desperation to save Rodney from any harm.

"My name is Sheppard, Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard," he said, emphasizing his surname and as leader of my team, I take full responsibility of Dr. McKay's actions. Therefore, the punishment must be passed onto me."

Tbc

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