Although Elizabeth was expecting Telen to appear, she still got a fright when he suddenly materialised in front of her. He was a small man, but had an air of authority about him.
"Welcome," Elizabeth said, with a smile on her face. "Please, take a seat." She indicated the table which had been set up for the meeting.
Telen sat down, and smiled at her.
"It's always good to meet new friends," he said. "And I trust that our friendship can be beneficial to both of us."
"My feelings exactly," she replied. "You asked if one of my team was an expert in genetics. I'm interested to know why you asked that question."
"You're very direct, Dr Weir," Telen said. "I like that. It can save a lot of time."
"In the interests of saving time," Elizabeth said with a smile. "Are you going to tell me the reason?"
"There is a group amongst my people." Telen explained. "Who believe that the only way we can survive is to become stronger in the gifts we possess. This is not a view shared by the majority of our people, or by the leadership. However, that has not stopped this group from trying to persuade our own geneticists to help them in their quest. In fact, the truth is that none of our geneticists would be able to help them. Do you think your doctor would be capable of this?"
"I believe he would," Elizabeth confirmed. "While Ria was with us, he started doing tests and was very close to discovering the gene involved with your gifts."
As soon as Elizabeth had mentioned Ria's name, Telen's eyebrows shot up. "Marianna," he said softly. "What have you got yourself into this time, child?"
"You know Ria?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes," he confirmed. "She is one of the strongest amongst my people. Yet she has always been restless, wanting to explore. But I didn't believe she was involved with this faction. Her younger brother was, but I thought that Ria had too much sense for that."
He shook his head, sadly. Elizabeth decided it might be politic to change the subject.
"Have you any idea where my people might be?" Elizabeth asked.
"We've been keeping the faction under surveillance for many months," Telen confirmed. "From what our sources tell us, they have taken over a facility, in the mountains. It is very likely that you people are there."
"Will you help us release them?" Elizabeth asked.
"We are at the point of exposing their leadership." Telen said. "I don't believe your people are in any immediate danger, and I asked you to grant us a little more time in order to put our plan into place. It will only be a matter of a day or so, and then we will be ready to bring this faction down. We will ensure that your people are released unharmed."
Elizabeth was not completely happy with this. But there was little she could do to force the issue. The Kelta held all the cards. She didn't even know where her people were. After a moment's consideration she agreed to Telen's plan, but she did added a proviso.
"I want Colonel Caldwell and myself to be involved in this plan of yours, so we can be sure that our people are safe."
"Of course," Telen agreed immediately. "We will keep you fully informed. Now, I must say goodbye, and apologise for my haste, but I have another meeting that I must attend."
Before Elizabeth could reply, the man disappeared.
OoOoO
The gap in the wall opened again, and Carson's unconscious body was thrown in. This time, however, he did not groan as he landed. He lay utterly still. John jumped to his feet, but Teyla reached Carson before him. She put her fingers to his neck, checking for a pulse. Sitting back, she sighed with relief.
"He is still alive," she said. Her eyes, and gentle hands, checked the rest of his body. "There does not appear to be any physical injury."
"You don't think they've turned his brain to mush?" Rodney asked, his face reflecting the horror that they all felt at this possibility.
"Let's make him as comfortable as we can," John said, trying to send decisive. "There's not much more we can do, unless someone has a medical scanner hidden away somewhere."
"Oh let me see," Rodney responded ironically. "I must have forgotten to pack that this time."
"D'you think Dr Weir will have found out what happened to us yet?" Ronon asked.
"Slight problem!" Rodney responded. "Even if she has found out, she can't exactly just waltz in here and free us, and I can't she?"
"I'm sure she has a plan," John said.
"But she has none of us to help put that plan to practice," Rodney pointed out. "The combination of Caldwell and Zelenka doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence."
Just as he spoke, Carson let out a groan. All eyes turn to him, wondering if his first words would be words of comforting intelligence, or mindless gibberish.
"What's the matter?" Carson asked, slightly groggily. "Have I grown two heads or something?"
"It is just nice to have you back with us," Teyla said, putting a hand on his arm.
"They didn't touch you with any of their mind-sucking machines?" Rodney asked.
"Not as far as I know," Carson confirmed, struggling to sit up.
"How's the research going?" John asked. "And please," he continued. "Use words of one syllable, so Ronon can understand of course."
This earned him a threatening stare from the big man.
"I've identified the gene, and I've developed a possible way of enhancing their capabilities. But I want to try running some computer simulations before it's ready to be tested on humans."
"Did you manage to understand all about?" Ronon asked John sarcastically. He got a grunt in response.
"Very mature!" Rodney said.
"Coming from you, Rodney," John retorted. "That's almost a compliment."
Before Rodney could reply, the door to the prison appeared and Patra stood before them.
"Dr Beckett," he said. "You are needed in the laboratory, immediately. We decided we couldn't wait for you to test your theory any further. And unfortunately, the test hasn't gone very well. Before I left, the test subject seemed to be screaming in agony."
Carson jumped to his feet, very evidently extremely angry. "You idiots!" he shouted. "Can you no' listen. I said I wasn't ready yet. And who's the poor bugger you tested it on?"
"Ria, of course," Patra said, a look of triumph on his face.