The small hallway outside the room she'd been held in was unguarded – another sign that the Light Ones weren't used to holding prisoners – so Melony didn't have any trouble heading for the next room in the corridor, which she cracked open slightly to get a look inside. It was another bedroom, but completely empty.

They could be holding Teyla and Ronan in another building

Nah. They're not that smart.

It was something she would have done, but they'd already proven they didn't do things like she would. She went to the last door in the hallway and opened it, only to find it was empty as well.

There were stairs leading up at this end of the hall, and stairs going down at the other. A quick conference decided the two that they'd go up and continue their search for the others before going down and looking on the lower floors. Better to be methodical, after all, and check everywhere.

They build fairly well… Talon noted as she trotted up the stairs, her feet making little noise – although the weapons slung on various parts of her did rattle a bit. We didn't see any real technology, did we?

No.

Kind of makes you wonder who built this, then…

It did, yes, but she had other things to worry about – mainly finding the others so they could get back to Atlantis.

OOOOOOOOO

They hadn't gone far in their return to their search pattern when Teal'c heard a familiar voice over his radio.

"Teal'c, this is Sheppard, come in…"

The Jaffa stopped, motioning for those who were with him to stop as well and take a defensive stance. Then he keyed his mike.

"This is Teal'c."

"Where are you?"

"Approximately two kilometers south of the Stargate."

"Any luck finding Mitchell?"

"I have not located her as yet."

"We've got Jumpers and Light Ones coming in to assist. Stay put for a moment and we'll come to you so we can coordinate."

Teal'c couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. Whatever this light thing was, it was going to find that it was outclassed, now. Jumpers would help, but the Light Ones would be even more effective, because their wolf forms would help him track Mitchell easier than anything else. Provided they'd brought one of those that knew her and knew her scent.

"We will wait at our present location."

He called the other search groups, bringing them all in so they could reorganize, and only moments later felt the rush of air and the change in the air pressure around him that signified the arrival of a cloaked Jumper. Two, from the different feel of things. Teal'c motioned for the teams to make a clearing for them to land, and sure enough, a moment later two Jumpers appeared on the ground, the rear hatches already opening.

There were seven Light Ones along with Sheppard's group – and Ronon Dex, who looked naked without the weapons he normally carried. Instead, he was armed with a P90 and a zat. Teal'c nodded a greeting to them all, and told them briefly of his meeting with the brilliant light – and his subsequent rearrival at the Stargate.

"How did it do that?" Kale asked, curiously. "Did it lift you?"

Teal'c frowned. Not at the question, but because he was embarrassed and angry that he'd been so close to the one who probably held Mitchell only to be thwarted as easily as a child.

"It did not pick us up physically."

"Which means it must have transported you…" Rodney said. "Did you feel yourself dissolving?"

"No."

"That must be how Teyla and I ended up at the Stargate…" Ronon said.

"But why not Colonel Mitchell…?" Sheppard asked. "Why would they keep her?"

"They were interested in her," Ronon answered. "Undoubtedly because of the extra life force she carries with her. The leader kept asking her what she was."

"Which means they might have kept her to try and figure out what makes her tick…" Rodney said.

"Let's not draw any conclusions, though," Sheppard said, quickly, not liking the thought of someone dissecting Melony just to see why she was different. "They didn't do it to Teal'c, and he feels the same way to you guys, right?"

Kale nodded, as did the other Light Ones and Ronon.

"Then maybe they just kept her to try and get to know more about her and where she came from – and figured that one would be easier to handle than three…"

"It does not matter why they kept her," Teal'c said. "We must retrieve her."

"I agree."

"We'll help," Kale said. "With your flying machines and us in the air as well, we can cover far more distance."

"I know where to start looking," Ronon said, telling them about how they'd simply been walking with Cane one minute and the next minute they were already overlooking the village.

"That's the place to start," Sheppard agreed. "Can you find that spot?"

"Of course."

"We'll follow you from the air – and watch out for that bright light guy that Teal'c was talking about. Until we know more about his motives, let's assume he's a bad guy."

They nodded their agreement, and the Light Ones transformed; three (including Kale) into wolves, and four into eagles. Kale moved to stand between Ronon and Teal'c, and the other wolves mingled themselves among the search teams while the eagles launched themselves into the air.

Sheppard looked at Kale.

"We'll keep in touch with Teal'c over the radios, but you can keep in contact with yours mentally, right?"

The wolf nodded.

"Good. Let's try to keep everyone out of trouble – and watch out for those cats…"

The wolf pulled his lips back to show formidable fangs, leaving Sheppard no doubt that he was hoping to run into some of the cats.

OOOOOOOOOO

"Has she told you what she is, yet?"

Hu scowled, looking at his new second in command – who had only the day before been Cane's deputy.

"Not yet. But she will."

"I could help."

The youngster was eager to prove himself capable of taking Cane's place, and would do whatever his leader ordered to prove it.

"I can handle this, Jase. Go and make sure the watchers are in their positions."

"Yes, sir."

The watchers weren't something that they normally needed, but with word that there were strangers coming through the Stargate, it was better to make sure the village was guarded by sentries. At least until things calmed down again.

Hu waited until the young man left, and then walked up the staircase that led to his quarters. Only a few minutes later, there was a loud crash and an angry curse.

His prisoner had escaped!