I'm really sorry, but this chapter won't have a teaser on the end. I don't have the time today to write another chapter. I have to go to Brisbane tomorrow because I was recently accepted into the Queensland Academy of the Science, Mathematics and Technology, which is a really exclusive academy that's starting up in Brisbane, and there's a "community meeting" to try and build a "sense of community among our future foundation students, teachers and parent". Unfortunately that means I won't be able to update tomorrow, but I'll try and update as soon as possible after that. Once again, thanks to everyone who keeps reading and reviewing, you make my world keep turnin'!

SGASGASGA

Meanwhile…

Captain Pearce, Captain Webb and Dr Ingram had left the Dart Bay after successfully setting the transmitter. It was only a matter of time before the ship would drop out of hyperspace for a culling, then the Dart Bay would be crawling with Wraith, so they decided to go find a nice secluded spot on the ship to hide and wait. Not that there was exactly any 'nice' secluded spots onboard a Wraith hive ship, but they made do with what they could find.

While all of them were in one piece and didn't seem to be seriously injured, it still wasn't fun to be stuck aboard a Wraith ship, especially when they weren't even sure if their people would notice the transmitter, or even if they noticed it whether or not they would respond.

Taking inventory again they ended up with three knives, two stunner pistols, one radio, some field bandages, a life signs detector that Michelle had thought to stash in her vest, enough rations for two days if they were very generous, and about enough water to last a day if they were careful. It wasn't nearly enough for any prolonged length of time, but they didn't exactly plan to be staying long.

They hadn't exactly been stopping to check their watches every five minutes, but after what had felt like a fair few hours, the radio crackled into life.

"Lt Reese, do you copy? Repeat, Lt Reese do you copy? This is Col Sheppard, if you can hear this please respond."

The three survivors exchanged a glance. Michelle had a feeling that, had they not been under the immediate threat of Wraith attack if they made too much commotion, they would have shouted and danced for joy. She glanced at Pearce, who nodded pointedly at the radio, indicating she should answer. Taking a swig from her canteen to help clear her throat after what must have been at least an hour with making a sound, she picked up the radio and pressed the talk button.

"Colonel Sheppard, this is Captain Webb. All due respect sir, you took your damn time."

She could practically hear the sigh of relief she knew her commanding officer would be breathing at the moment. "Good to hear your voice, Captain Webb. What is your status?"

"Lt Reese didn't make it, sir. I'm here with Dr Ingram and Captain Pearce. We're currently taking refuge in what seems to be a supply room of sorts to avoid the Wraith. What are you planning?"

"We currently have two cloaked 'Jumpers inbound on your position. The hive you're on has stopped for a culling and we were able to get a lift from the Daedalus. Do you know whereabouts in the hive you are?"

"Negative. I can't even remember what level we're on, sorry."

"Doctor Zelenka would like you to describe the room to him to see if he can figure out where you are. Apparently you know what architectural things to look for to help the Doctor out?"

"You've got Zelenka there? All due respect, sir, how the hell did you manage that one? And can you tell him that the room we're in is at the end of a corridor, sort of like a cul-de-sac. About 100 meters out from our position the corridor forks left and right. We know if you follow the right-hand path eventually you come to an inter-level transporter, but we're not sure about the left-hand path. Inside the room itself there is a single air duct about two inches above the floor, midway down the wall opposite the door. Above that there's a view screen, which doesn't seem to be active. It's similar to the one in the secondary armoury that displays the schematics of the hive. There are a few box-type things scattered around the place, making it slightly defensible, but the room is otherwise bare. There are no major architectural anomalies. This room is pretty much the exact definition of plain and boring."

There was silence for a moment as either John must have taken time to relay the message, or Radek must have taken some time to mull it over. "Doctor Z says that you are in a storage room, which means you're on one of the levels below the ship's main facilities but above the prison levels. He's pretty sure you're two floors down from the Dart Bay, on the mid-left section of the ship." The good thing about hives were that, unlike some ships, every level was completely different, so as to confuse people if they were to somehow escape. Fortunately for the Atlantis personnel, this meant it was much easier to figure out what level you were on simply by the lay of the corridors. "Z wants to know if you can safely make it to the Dart Bay. If we remain cloaked, we should be able to get in and get you out, hopefully without too many problems."

"Somehow I think you believe that just as much as I do – which is to say, not much at all. Still, it's worth a shot. The Wraith on this ship don't seem to be particularly interested in us. They wanted to know the location of Earth, but it seems to me as though they want it more so for the diplomatic leverage it would give them, rather than just because they're greedy pigs who want to suck the life out of everyone on the planet…well, they are just greedy pigs, but I'm willing to bet there's a bit of the first reason in there too."

"Makes sense. You said the right corridor leads to the transport? Zelenka says to take that to the level of the Dart Bay, then try and stay out of site. Once you get there keep your radio active and we'll find you."

"Roger that, Colonel Sheppard. Request to stay on radio channel two, free to speak after three clicks."

"Agreed, Captain. Good luck! Sheppard out."

Sneaking through the corridors was now aided by the discovery of the life-signs detector, which made the trip a little safer, but even so as they drew closer to the Dart Bay the Hive was a swarm of activity.

SGASGASGA

Once again, sorry for the lack of teaser, but I just didn't have time to write another chapter and get all my stuff ready to go to Brisbane. Anyway, tell me what you think of the story so far. I think I'll get them all safe and sound back on Atlantis in the next chapter, simply because this plot has been dragged along for far too long now. Please review! If nothing else, your reviews will encourage me to write the next chapter quicker!