The Jumpers landed in a small area near the river, away from most of the Shasari – who had now almost all reverted back to their human forms. The eagles landed as well, switching into human form and joining Sheppard and the others as they followed Carson over to where Mitchell and the others were.
"Are you alright?" Beckett asked as soon as he was close enough to be heard.
She wasn't, but she nodded, and moved out of his way.
"Check Teal'c, Carson. He's hurt."
Which meant he was hurt seriously.
Beckett knelt down beside Teal'c, and Sheppard moved up to Melony, who was leaning a little sideways now.
"More cats, huh?"
She nodded.
"You should sit down, Colonel Mitchell," the voice from the light said, causing McKay to jump.
"That's okay, thanks…"
Since Hu had managed to catch one of his claws in her thigh right below her left buttock, the last thing she wanted to do was sit down just then. Talon was holding the pain back fairly well and Duck had already run back to the Jumper he'd been flying to grab a first aid kit.
"How is he?" Sheppard asked Carson.
"We need to get him back to Atlantis."
"I am fine," Teal'c said, annoyed.
Since there was a considerable pool of blood around him, and the bandages that Carson had already pressed against his side were soaked, Mitchell doubted that was a hundred percent true. And since she was the only one who could actually order him around with any degree of authority, she was the one to speak up.
"You need to go with Doctor Beckett, Teal'c."
He scowled, but nodded, and a couple of the Jaffa moved forward to help him to his feet. Carson looked at Melony.
"You, too."
She nodded.
"I'll be right behind you guys, Carson."
There was no way she was going to leave until everyone else did, though. Not after all that had happened.
"Report to Doctor Weir," Sheppard told Duck, who had returned with the first aid kit. "Tell her what you know, and tell her we'll either be back or check in as soon as possible."
"Aye, aye, sir."
He handed Sheppard the first aid kit and trotted back to the Jumper after the Jaffa who were helping Teal'c. Carson looked at Melony, obviously wanting to say something, but holding it back. Instead, he just sighed.
"Don't be too long, okay?"
"I won't. Take care of Teal'c. Don't let him give you any flak."
He nodded, and turned and went to the Jumper, which took off only a moment after the rear hatch closed behind him.
The light had dimmed considerably during this time, and now while it was still brilliant, it wasn't blinding.
"Hu…"The Shasari godling moved closer, while the rest of the Shasari stood a little further apart, watching the Light Ones with interest, but also a lot of suspicion. Which was fine, since the Light Ones were just as suspicious of these others. They all knew that the Shasari had tried to hold Mitchell captive, after all, and that wasn't something the Light Ones could easily forgive. She was a favorite with them, after all.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"You handled this poorly. Many of the people you were sworn to protect in my stead were killed."
Hu dropped to his knees.
"Forgive me, my Lord."
"You will do better next time."
"Yes."
"Colonel Mitchell? What punishment would you have him receive?"
Melony scowled. It was bad enough the Jaffa thought she was their god, she certainly wasn't going to start handing out punishments to people she'd only just met – no matter that he'd tried to bite her head off only a short while before.
"That's for you to decide," she said. "I'm not his god."
There was a pause, and a sense of agreement – which was a relief, since Melony definitely didn't want the issue pressed any further.
"And your allies? What of them?"
Kale stepped forward.
"What of us?"
"You are of the same people as the Shasari. You belong here. With them."
Kale shook his head.
"We are not Shasari. We call ourselves Light Ones, and have other commitments to our own gods. And to our allies."
His gentle hand came to rest on Melony's shoulder, pointedly.
Another pause as the being of light considered this. And then another feeling of agreement.
"Very well. Perhaps in time your people and mine will come to know each other again."
"Perhaps," Kale agreed. "But for now, though, we must return Colonel Mitchell to her people."
"Colonel Mitchell…" Hu said. "The planet above us is yours to do with as you please. I just ask that you keep us informed if the Wraith approach in any great number – and ask that you accept my apology for the way I treated you."
It sounded sincere. And really, even if it wasn't, it didn't matter. Unless a Wraith fleet showed up (which wasn't going to happen) Mitchell had no intention of setting foot on this planet again.
"Your apology is accepted, Hu."
"Are you certain you won't stay?"
He tendered the offer, but she could tell he really didn't want the fierce Jaffa and their human and Light Ones allies anywhere near him for any longer than necessary. Melony shook her head.
"I need to get back."
And she needed to get off her feet before she fell.
"As do we," Kale said.
"Allow me."
They were all surrounded by the brilliant light once more, and when it cleared, Mitchell and the others – including the Light Ones, her Jaffa and the humans – were all standing beside remaining Jumper in front of the Stargate.
"Now that is impressive," McKay said, looking around.
"Yeah." Sheppard slipped a shoulder under Melony's arm to support her, and Ronon took the other side. "Let's get you back, huh?"
She nodded, gratefully, as her battered legs were relieved of the effort of keeping her upright.
"Thanks, guys."