Eventually the hubbub died down. The babies had long since fallen asleep and had been carried off with their mothers – and several other females (and a few males) – to someplace quieter where they could sleep, and the rest of the Light Ones and their guests turned their thoughts to breakfast. Over a huge meal, Carson continued to ask questions about the projected growth of Light One youngsters, while McKay couldn't stop talking about how perfect the infants had been – and his in particular.

"I mean, did you see those fingers?" he asked, excitedly – for the tenth time. "They even had fingernails!"

Ford grinned and gave Sheppard an amused look, but John wasn't much better than Rodney at the moment. He had a bit more experience with babies – none of his own, though – but now that the initial shock and then wariness about the babies had passed, he couldn't help but be proud of the little beings that he'd helped create. Even though he hadn't had any such intentions originally.

"Yeah, doc," Ford said, taking a drink of the juice in his cup and just going along with McKay. There was no reason to burst his happy bubble – and the babies were cute. Especially since they all four looked just like their mothers. "He was perfect."

"I'm talking about the girl, Ford," McKay told him. "She was perfect. The boy was amazing, though, just like-"

"Colonel Sheppard, this is Jumper 7, come in, please…"

They all stopped short when they heard the transmission over their earpieces. Earpieces and radios that they were only wearing out of habit, since none of them had expected to hear from Atlantis while they were gone. Which immediately made them all concerned.

Sheppard broke off his conversation with Kale and tapped the side of his temple, activating his mike.

"This is Sheppard."

"Sir, this is Sergeant Sanchez. I'm parked in the Jumper right outside the gate."

"What's going on Sergeant?"

There was no way he was there just to come visit the babies, after all.

"There's been an incident with Colonel Mitchell's away team, sir…"

John looked over at Carson, who had paled.

"What kind of incident, Sergeant?"

"They ran into some problems, sir. And according to Ronon Dex, they also ran into a whole new group of Light Ones."

"What?"

"We're outside the gate," Sanchez repeated. "Doctor Weir sent me to tell you what was going on and see if your Light Ones knew these others…"

"You're sure that's what they are?" Sheppard asked.

"I'm sure, Sheppard."

This was Ronon Dex's voice, and John nodded.

"Yeah. Is everyone okay?"

"We can't find Colonel Mitchell, sir," Duck told him. "Teal'c and a rescue party have been searching but they haven't had any luck, yet. I'm going to take another group with Jumpers over to assist, but Doctor Weir wanted me to apprise you of the situation."

"Stand by, Sergeant," John told him, reaching up and turning off his radio.

He turned to Kale, who had been listening to his end of the conversation – although he didn't know what was going on because it was definitely one-sided.

"Colonel Mitchell ran into some troubles with a reconnaissance team. We're going to have to leave…"

"There is more to it than that, though…" Kale guessed. Or maybe he could hear the other side of the conversation. Sheppard didn't know just how acute the Light Ones hearing was, after all.

John nodded.

"There's mention of other Light Ones…"

"Others?"

Now Kale wasn't the only one watching them. Many of the others had stopped eating and were looking their way.

"That's all I know so far," Sheppard said, standing up. "We'll let you know more once we-"

"I will come with you," Kale said, standing as well.

"I can't-"

"If Colonel Mitchell needs my assistance then it is my choice to provide it," Kale told him, interrupting. "She is an ally – and I consider her my friend. Would you do less?"

Since it was the whole reason Sheppard was leaving even though Atlantis had access to hundred of Jaffa and others that could carry on the search, he had to acknowledge that.

"We don't know what we're facing, though…" he warned.

Kale nodded.

"All the more reason you might need our help."

Several of the others stood as well, clearly offering their services, too. John just nodded. He could use all the help he could get, really. He activated his radio again.

"Sergeant? Any way you can trace our radio signature and find us?"

"Yes, sir."

It wasn't like there were any other radios in use on the planet, after all.

"Then we'll find you a landing spot. Bring the Jumper in and come get us." He looked at Kale. "It'll be faster than having you fly us in – and we can get a briefing from Ronon while we're moving."

Kale nodded his agreement.

"We will set a signal fire on one of the plateaus to guide your Jumper in. How many will there be room for?"

"No more than ten."

"We will be ready when you are, Colonel."

OOOOOOOOOOO

"Atlantis, this is Jumper Seven…"

"Receiving you, Jumper Seven, this is Atlantis control. Did you make contact with Colonel Sheppard's team?"

"Roger. We'll pick his team up and head back to Atlantis. ETA is fifteen minutes."

"Received. Atlantis out."

Duck turned off his radio and the Stargate closed down in front of him. He turned to make sure Dex was still seated, and then powered up the Jumper and headed towards the mountain range in the distance.