Stargate Atlantis: Path of the Storm

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Chapter Twenty-Five

Phena had offered her two guests a drink of some description but they had both graciously declined. She also gathered that they were very cautious when it came to that after what happened to Teyla Emmagan the last time they had accepted a drink from the Bre'tar. "So," she said settling down carefully into a very oversized chair. "What is it you would like to know?"

Where to start? Ford thought while exchanging a look with Bates, there were so many questions that needed to be asked. Why Kolya had taken some of their people? Did they know where he had taken Sheppard? It was probably best to prioritize them so Ford made sure that the first question he asked was the most important. "Do you know Teyla?" he asked.

"Do I know Teyla?" she replied as a small smile illuminated her features and he suspected that back in her youth, Phena was beautiful. Even know she had a lovely face. "Of course I know Teyla, I knew her father Tegan."

Those were just the words Bates had been long to hear, if she had any sort of personal connection to Teyla then she would surely give them information in order to help her. He decided to take over the questioning and leant forward in his seat. "Teyla's ill," Bates said bluntly.

Her smile faded instantly and her skin paled. "Ill?" Phena finally managed to say.

Ford shot Bates a look to tell him that he didn't appreciate the way he had just handled that question but in a way he was relieved. Instead of apologizing for Bates, he turned back to Phena and quickly explained everything that had happened on their last visit. How Silveas had their drinks poisoned and Teyla coming off the worst. It was obvious from her expression that Silveas had told her a different series of events happened. He also mentioned Doctor Beckett who had said without something to counteract it, Teyla would surely die.

Phena had taken a moment to compose herself, she had thought little of Silveas when he had told her he let a man be taken by Kolya willingly but he had never mentioned this to her. She thought herself naïve to even think Silveas would never be capable of carrying out such an act. "The symptoms sound familiar…"

"If it helps," Bates said losing the stern expression. "Doctor Beckett believes that the neuro toxin was created by a plant enzyme, from a carnivorous one."

If the news about Silveas poisoning Teyla was too much to handle, this new information dealt a shocking blow to her very soul. Phena struggled to keep from showing any emotion as the words betrayed her. "My granddaughter," she began softly. "She is a botanist. She is most likely the one who helped Silveas."

"Where can we find her?" Ford asked with a sense of urgency. "We need to speak with her."

"You can't," Phena said regretfully as she placed a hand over her eyes. "When Kolya returned, she was one of those taken."

"Jeana," Ford guessed remembering the redhead who had served them the Drila. She had known what was in when Sheppard accused Silveas.

"That is correct."

Bates looked between them completely clueless. Who was Jeana and why Kolya had chosen to take her? He waited for one of them to continue speaking but when no one did, Phena removed her hand to look back up to Aiden. The expression on his face was one of extreme disappointment; it was enough to break her heart.

"I do believe that I can be of some assistance to you though." Ford looked up to her. "My husband was a healer, he carried all sorts of antidotes for various toxins. His room has remained untouched since his passing." Phena drew in a deep breath, after Elderen's death she could not bring herself to remove anything. Fondly, she recalled the hours he had spent in that room experimenting with different medicines. Trying out new methods and techniques in order to become a better physician. "It was his laboratory, his sanctuary." She chuckled and shook her head slowly, her gaze growing distant.

Ford understood completely where she was going with this and leaned forward in his seat. He placed a hand on hers softly and when his spoke, his voice was as gentle as his touch: "Thank you." Phena looked back to him and placed her hand over his, giving it a light squeeze and a small smile.

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An unspecified period of time had gone by and eventually Sheppard's request came back to him in the form of a canteen, and his own one at that. He frowned as he recognized the small container but then again; Kolya had forcefully brought him here and shoved him in a cell so people searching through his personal things shouldn't have surprised him.

The guard passed it through the bars to him and John took no time in snatching it, muttering a not so heartfelt "Thanks" as he did so.

He had his suspicions of course as he slowly unscrewed the black cap and brought the canteen up to his lips. Sheppard paused and sniffed it carefully but he couldn't smell any odor at all so it was definitely water. Then again, if they had tampered with it and drugged it, it was probably something odorless.

Cautiously, he raised it to his lips without taking his eyes off the guard to see if he would give himself away. Any reaction that would indicate his suspicions were correct and he took a very small sip. Sheppard tasted it by smacking his lips together then took another sip, longer this time. He swirled the liquid around his mouth and waited for something, for anything to alert his senses. It didn't.

His guard was still staring at him so Sheppard took a longer sip of water and enjoyed every single drop. He had realized just how damn thirsty he was until he started drinking. Even if they had treated the water, would it really make any difference? Would it really make this situation any worse than it already was?

The door opened from the far side of the room where Kolya and Matriya appeared. John mentally kicked himself for thinking that and took another sip, his gaze never leaving the approaching two.

"Major Sheppard."

Sheppard lowered the canteen, screwed the lid back on tightly then threw it onto the bench. "Kolya," he replied in the same way the man had addressed him. The Genii glanced over his shoulder to the current guard and dismissed him with a nod of he head then looked back to Sheppard.

"I said to you that you were going to fix things," Kolya said.

"I recall something about that," Sheppard answered quickly. Although he couldn't see how he was supposed to fix anything, one man against thousands of Wraith meant instant death. That's providing he could even find that many in one place.

"Well now is a good as time as any," Kolya retorted. He had this calculating smile and a look in his eye, which told Sheppard that he had been up to something, and knowing Kolya. It wasn't good.

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