Chapter 5
The silence that greeted Corynn's dramatic statement lasted only for a few seconds. Then Rodney was on the radio, ordering Dr. Zelenka to perform an immediate scan of the area, and to get back to him as soon as possible. John was also on his headset, recalling Major Lorne and his team from a short training excursion in one of the puddle jumpers. Elizabeth had contacted the sergeant-at-arms, ordering him to stand-down any gate missions currently scheduled.
Corynn watched the three with relief. She had thought their initial reaction would be one of disbelief, or that she would be incarcerated until a certain measure of trust had been established. Instead, they had taken her at her word, and were now taking the proper precautions.
Elizabeth waited until Rodney had received confirmation from Radek that, according to the long-range scanner, all seemed quiet. Then, crossing her arms over her chest, she turned back to the woman reclining on the bed.
"All right, Miss Lorell. Now that you've gotten our attention, I think we would all appreciate an explanation." Elizabeth's words had taken on a hard edge, and Corynn merely nodded in response. She glanced at the door as two more strangers hurried into the infirmary.
"What is happening, Colonel?" Teyla asked. Ronon hovered next to her, his eyes alternating between the woman on the bed and his team-leader.
"We were just about to find out," John answered. His stance remained loose, but his eyes had taken on a predatory gleam. Corynn recognized the look at once; it was one her brother had often affected when one of his family had been threatened. Thinking about Ethan caused a lump to form in her throat, and she swallowed hard.
"It would help you to know a bit of my people's history," Corynn started. She pushed herself up in the bed, trying not to dislodge any of the tubing. She was silent for a long moment, collecting her thoughts, then, with a ghost of a smile, began to speak.
"Many hundreds of years ago, our world's sun started to die out. We knew it would be thousands of years before it would finally envelop Marani – my homeworld - but it was decided that we would abandon our planet, and search for a more permanent place in which to live." She paused, watching Dr. Beckett as he leaned against the next bed, his face thoughtful. Dr. McKay was merely staring at her, as were the others.
"My ancestors constructed vehicles capable of long-term space flight, and in groups of a hundred or so, we set off. Each ship took a separate heading, with the hopes that one would find a habitable planet. To our surprise, after we left our solar system – which took many decades – we found many worlds in which we could settle." Corynn paused again, her throat uncomfortably raw and hoarse. Carson quickly located a glass of water and offered it to her. She smiled gratefully as she took a long swallow.
"While this is very fascinating, I fail to see what it has to do with you and some murderer," Rodney snapped. He was rubbing at his right arm again, and Corynn could see the tell-tale signs of pain in his eyes. She sighed, then shook her head. This one was impatient, as well as stubborn.
"I'm getting to that," she retorted, unable to keep the bite out of her tone. She immediately regretted it, but was amazed to see Colonel Sheppard hide a small smile. Dr. McKay only scowled.
"Whenever a suitable planet was located, some of my people would abandon space travel, settle on it, and create new lives for themselves. But many others, such as my family, preferred to continue exploring. The galaxy and it's vastness lured us, and the idea of permanently settling on a world became almost distasteful." Corynn took another sip of water.
"As you can imagine, there are many dangers to exploring unknown space. As travelers, we rely on wholly on ourselves – specifically our family - until new allies are established. In our culture, family comes first. Everything else is second."
Elizabeth gave a gentle smile. "We are similar in that aspect, then, Miss Lorell. Where we come from, family is precious to us." She shared a look with Colonel Sheppard, who was nodding in agreement. Corynn's gaze swept the motley group, and she realized for the first time that although none of these people were related by blood, they still considered each other family.
Corynn dropped her eyes. "My father had been leader of our family for many years. He was very well respected, and, I believe, fair and just. When he and my mother were accidentally killed, my brother, Ethan, took his place." Corynn swallowed hard, fighting the tears forming in her eyes.
"My brother was on a short flight to an allied world, on his way to renegotiate a trade agreement, when he was also killed. At first it seemed like another accident." Corynn stopped, this time her hand shaking as she took another small sip of water. Raw pain spread through her, and she fought to maintain control.
Suddenly, she felt Carson's hand on her shoulder. "If you need to take a break, lass, we can go." His words were for her, but his gaze was directed at the people surrounding her bed. His tone left no doubt that, if she asked, he would order them from the room
"Thank you, Dr. Beckett, but I am fine." Corynn's gaze swept the faces before her, pausing at Dr. McKay's. His eyes were troubled, and he was kneading at his right arm. She could see the pain he was in, but she also knew that to draw attention to his plight would only anger the scientist.
"I grew suspicious of Tristan after I was made leader. He was very angry, demanding that he be put in charge. But, the council was not swayed. They had determined that I was most suited to lead my people, that I had their best interests at heart. This infuriated Tristan even more, and, in his rage, he let it slip that he had been responsible for Ethan's death."
Silence permeated the room. Voices in Atantis' hallways could be heard, but they seemed muffled and miles away. Corynn lifted her eyes, seeing the compassion and understanding on the faces before her. Even the tall one – Ronon – seemed affected by her words, his fists flexing at his sides.
Corynn took in an unsteady breath, then plunged ahead. "I confronted Tristan. I couldn't believe that he had been so treacherous. He is my cousin, my father's brother's son. But he just…laughed, said that neither my brother nor myself had any right to lead our family." She stopped, swallowing hard, then continued. "He tried to…assault me, but he was interrupted. While I was being aided, he escaped in one of our ships. Soon after, my two younger brothers and I pursued him."
Corynn heard someone – Dr. McKay – swear under his breath. Dr. Weir and Teyla looked horrified, while Colonel Sheppard had stilled. Every muscle in his body was coiled and tense. Dr. Beckett merely looked sad, his blue eyes far away.
"There were others on your ship?" This was from Ronon Dex. The runner was motionless, his eyes never leaving the woman on the bed.
"Yes. No." Corynn shook her head, waving one hand in front her body as if to clear the air. "My brothers and I followed Tristan's trail, but he attacked us. The weapon – an electromagnetic pulse – virtually destroyed the flying capabilities of my ship. Still, I had managed to inflict some damage on Tristan's ship, enough to give my brothers time to escape on the emergency shuttle." She toyed with the crystal at her throat, caressing the golden chain with her slim fingers.
"Wait a minute. You said you were hit by an EMP. Wasn't the shuttle affected?" Rodney had taken a step forward, his blue eyes accusing.
Corynn's eyes narrowed at the scientist. "Yes, of course it was affected. But, by transferring some of the components off the Nomad and on to the shuttle, we were able to get it flying again." Corynn's closed her eyes briefly, the memory of her brothers pleading with her to go with them falling on deaf ears. No. As leader, she was responsible for their safety. She would stay behind, make herself a target, and prevent Tristan from attacking the shuttle before it entered light speed and escaped.
"So, that's why the ship was torn apart," John murmured thoughtfully. He had relaxed against the side of the bed. Corynn answered with a brief nod.
"After my brothers escaped, Tristan tried to come after me. But I had managed to take all the remaining power and focus it into the jump engines. As he fired his EMP, I jumped into hyperspace." Corynn fell silent for a moment, then added, "I don't know what happened to Tristan."
Once more, silence greeted her words. Corynn could see that everyone was processing her words, and she prayed that they believed her. Because if Tristan found out that she still lived, he would stop at nothing to get to her. Even if it meant hurting these people.
"Tell me, lass, how is it you managed to survive on that freezing relic with just a little bit of oxygen?" Carson asked.
Corynn managed a smile at his question. "My people have…evolved over the years. Living in space, and then descending down to different worlds, some with strange atmospheres, others with various levels of gravity, required that we adapt to different situations. We have the ability to control our bodies, limiting the amount of oxygen we need, or descending into hibernation when necessary." Corynn paused, then, holding Dr. McKay's gaze, "Some of us also have the ability to communicate with each other just by touch. Others can also heal – both themselves, and others."
"Bloody fascinating," Carson breathed.
Corynn just smiled. Suddenly, exhaustion overwhelmed her. She sagged against the pillows, a long sigh on her lips. Alarmed, Carson began checking his monitors, clucking his tongue in dismay.
"Is that everything?" Elizabeth asked quietly. Corynn nodded in response to the expedition leader's question. Yes, she had revealed everything to them. At least, as much as they needed to know. Still, there was one more thing Corynn wanted to say.
"I am in your debt. I would not have survived much longer on the Nomad, and your actions have saved my life. It is a debt that I will not forget." She paused, her gaze settling on each face surrounding her bed. "Thank you."
"All right. Maybe we should let Miss Lorell rest for a bit," Carson advised.
The group slowly disbanded, making their way out of the infirmary. The last to leave was Dr. Weir, who remained staring at the now sleeping woman. John paused at the door, one eyebrow raised in question.
"Elizabeth? You coming?" he asked. He waited as she crossed the room, her face pensive.
"Keep an eye on her, John. And keep everyone on their toes." Her voice was tense, and he could tell that Corynn's words had disturbed the expedition leader. He knew Elizabeth considered everyone on Atlantis members of a strange, extended family. The idea of one of them turning into a murderer, like this Tristan guy did, was unsettling at the least.
"You don't believe her?" John asked. He had settled next to her, matching his long strides to hers as they made their way through the corridor.
Elizabeth remained silent, then exchanged a knowing look with her second-in-command. "Yes, I do believe her. Which means that this Tristan fellow may come looking for her. And that is something that we cannot allow to happen."
TBC