So, here's chapter 2. This has a fair bit of exposition, so bear with me here. I felt it was important to understand why Inari had captivated Sheppard so much. I promise the serious whump will start next chapter, and hope you all don't find this too boring! Thanks to Kodiak for her beta skills.
Chapter 2.
McKay's pov.
We'd headed through the 'gate and felt pretty upbeat about exploring P4D-798. The Pegasus Galaxy did owe us one, and it was about damn time it paid up. After walking for a mile or so we hadn't found anything, though I'd got some intermittent faint energy readings from a few miles south of our position. We walked towards that area, and after an hour traipsing around, still had found absolutely zilch.
"Anything, Rodney?" Sheppard asked.
"Yes. Something very exciting, and I haven't bothered to tell you about it, because that's so like me, isn't it?" I grouched. Really, as if I wouldn't tell him if anything interesting had shown up. "Well, I suppose it is mildly interesting that I'm still picking up – something. Though it's very faint."
Sheppard's eyebrows shot up his forehead.
"And by something you mean…?" His arms gestured wildly around him, ending in a palms up shrug.
"Well, if I knew what it was I'd've told you Colonel, wouldn't I? Are you purposely being obtuse today?" I demanded irritably. Sheppard could try the patience of a saint some days.
As usual he didn't rise to my bait. He simply shrugged and gave me a lazy smile.
"Me? Deliberately obtuse. Nah," he joked, as he took out his sunglasses and eased them on his face.
I was just about to make an unusually clever and witty retort, when my LSD registered a massive energy spike right ahead.
"Colonel?" I began, only to be interrupted by a dozen men who appeared out of nowhere, brandishing guns that looked like something from Star Wars.
"Hi there," Sheppard begun, as he took of his glasses. His P90 was cocked, as was Teyla's, and Ronon's snappy little number was ready and raring to obliterate on cue. "We're peaceful explorers. We came through the Stargate. We're not going to cause any trouble. So let's all lower our weapons. What do you say?" he concluded, giving one of his Sheppard supergrins.
The natives didn't answer immediately, then a tall man approached us, gun pointed directly at Sheppard.
"Do not move. Lower your weapons and you will be unharmed. Move and we will have no choice but to shoot," he warned.
"Okay, okay. No need to get upset," Sheppard soothed, as the natives pointed their nice sparkly guns at us with far too much relish for my liking. "We're not here to cause trouble, just to seek allies against the Wraith, and to find trading partners. So, we, er, come in peace?" he joked.
Typical Sheppard. You find yourself at the mercy of dangerous aliens, who probably want to torture you for information, and he makes a joke. How did he become leader of the military on Atlantis again? Oh yes, he killed his superior. That's as good a reason as any, I suppose.
Seriously though, I've never doubted Sheppard's ability as a military man. His men followed him without question and were incredibly loyal. He was uncharacteristically smart for a flyboy, a great tactician, and was a one man killing machine if need be – the Genii's invasion of Atlantis had taught me that. He was also a good and fair man, who I trusted my life with. Yet, he could so easily be flippant and irreverent. John Sheppard was a true dichotomy.
We stood there at a loss at what to do next. The people pointing guns at us said nothing, and we just stood there stumped.
"Look. If you want us to leave, we will. We'll head straight back the Stargate and we won't come back – I promise," Sheppard said sincerely.
The guards who held us at gunpoint still stood motionless around us, their faces impassive.
"You may not leave. You all look very interesting. Guards? Lower your weapons, and I will talk with these strangers."
I turned to see where the voice was coming from, and was astounded to see a small child standing behind the guards. Long, blond hair flowed down her shoulders, and bright blue eyes glowed, and I was momentarily mesmerised. A small upturned nose, and full-lipped smiling mouth completed one of the most beautiful faces I've ever seen. She wore a full-length white flowing dress, and a blue pendant hung around her neck, matching the azure of her eyes. Strangely, she looked like the personification of an oil painting of an angel. Immediately I was suspicious.
"Mistress. You should not be here. Your father will be furious. Please go back to the inner sanctum while we deal with these – people," one of the guards politely ordered.
The small girl smiled serenely.
"Guard, I am sure I do not need to remind you to whom you are talking. I will take full responsibility for this. These travellers fascinate me. Remove their weapons and bring them to the sanctum. I will to talk with them."
The guard's face betrayed his dilemma, but he did as he'd been requested. The small girl had asked so politely, yet her high pitched voice carried an unusual authority and self-assurance that rather reminded me of myself at a similar age. She looked as if she was around the equivalent of ten Earth years old, but she carried herself like a woman in her thirties.
The guards took our guns after Sheppard nodded his head in agreement, and gave Ronon a rather pointed look as he refused to easily give up his trusty weapon.
"I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, this is Dr. Rodney McKay, Teyla Emmagen and Ronon Dex. We're peaceful explorers and traders, and we're pleased to meet you," Sheppard said in his usual easy-going voice, and I swear he was using the patented Sheppard charm on the young girl.
The child's eye's sparkled in delight as she watched him with carefully trained eyes.
"I am pleased to meet you. My name is Inari, leader elect of the Linarian Alliance. I apologise for the…zeal of my father's guards. It was not their intention to be hostile, I assure you. We are – cautious towards strangers. It has been many millenia since the last visitors came to Linaria, and you are most welcome."
Sheppard smiled lopsidedly at the pretty child.
"Thanks, Inari? Is it okay to call you that?" he asked, and I saw the amusement and delight that this child brought to his features. He was smitten, I could see. Unlike me, Sheppard, for some bizarre and unexplained reason, actually liked kids, and I could see he'd fallen under this one's spell instantaneously. Anything in a skirt. Honestly, what was he thinking, trusting a small child with a pleading face? Sometimes I wanted to smack him round the head.
"Colonel?" I interrupted. "Do you think it was wise to give up our weapons so readily? I mean she might look cute and innocent, but she could easily be an old hag waiting to pounce on us, wolf in sheep's clothing and whatnot."
Sheppard's face darkened and I knew he wasn't happy with my little speech.
"Rodney. Don't insult our host," he hissed impatiently. "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all," he concluded, shooting me a sideways glare. "Inari. I apologise if Dr. McKay unwittingly insulted you. He often speaks before his brain has engaged. I hope we haven't offended you?" he almost begged. Instantly I felt a dread in my gut. I'd heard at the SGC about Hathor and her pheromones, and had a horrible suspicion this tiny Jezebel just cast her voodoo spell on Colonel Captivated.
Inari walked up, and circled me.
"Oh, no you don't young lady. Keep your love potion away from me," I warned.
If Sheppard had seemed peeved before, he was positively fuming after I'd let the brat know that I wasn't as stupid as I looked, not that I actually looked stupid, quite the opposite, actually. The look on Sheppard,'s face, however, wasn't a good one for him. Hair sticking up at odd angles, eyes open in anger, lips pursed. He sort of reminded me of a constipated hedgehog.
"Rodney! What the hell's wrong with you?" he demanded in a berating tone.
"Unlike some peopleColonel, I can see a potential problem here. You seem to trust this – child, without question. How can you be sure she's not intoxicating you with some sort of drug that makes you trust her? You could easily be under her spell, and you being you, wouldn't have a clue. I mean let's look at your track record with women, shall we? Hello? Chaya." Hah, what do you say to that? I inwardly thought.
"Rodney? I do not sense any deception on Inari's part, and we had little choice but to comply with her request." Teyla's calm voice interrupted the proceedings.
Inari stopped pacing and came to rest in front of me.
"I can assure you, Dr. McKay. I have no knowledge of potions or medicines that could render a person 'under my spell', though I am sure that is within my knowledge to be able to discover how to do so. The use of pheromones would be the logical place to start any research into such things, I believe," the girl mused.
I stood there dumbfounded. How could a small child have such an advanced understanding of science?
"Er, well, yes. That would obviously be the logical starting point. I didn't mean to insult you," I found myself apologising. Crap, was I intoxicated by the child too?
Inari smiled serenely at me, and I felt a warmth spread in my chest.
"I can assure you, I am in no way insulted. Your scepticism is quite understandable, and logical. I will enjoy discussing scientific matters with you," she imparted with a small laugh. She really was an unusual creature. Beautiful, articulate, intelligent, yet so – calm and almost ethereal.
"All right, Professor Pheromone," Sheppard chuckled, "let's follow our generous hosts. Inari. Where is it we're going again?" he asked in a curious, yet concerned voice.
The child left me, and took Sheppard's hand.
"We will go to the inner sanctum, where we will be safe. It is not wise to stay out here for any length of time. The Wraith cannot harm us beneath the shield. What should I call you?" she asked as she looked into his dancing hazel eyes.
Sheppard's face broke into a smile, and again I saw the amusement on his face.
"Whatever you like. Colonel…John?" he offered.
Inari led Sheppard forward, the guards keeping a respectful distance.
"I shall call you John. That is a noble name. Are you a warrior?" she asked, as our surroundings suddenly changed from blue sky to a yellow hued one. "I sense you are, yet I can also see a great intelligence in you, and I am confused. Among my people warriors are not usually as – complicated."
"Whoa! Where are we?" Sheppard exclaimed, startled by our new environs, and quite pleased to change the subject, judging from the relieved look on his face, which had replaced the momentarily startled one.
The little girl gestured above us with her free hand.
"We are under a shield which also hides us from our enemies. It is powered by a device unique in its conception and design. It was a gift from the Ancestors."
I witnessed Sheppard's eyes light up just as mine surely did.
"Really? Ancestors?" I enthused. "I don't suppose you'll let me see this 'device'?" I asked without thinking, knowing she would decline my request.
"Of course, Dr. McKay. I would be delighted to show it to you, and to discuss it with such a brilliant scientific mind as yours would be an honour," she replied matter-of-factly, as she held tightly onto Sheppard's hand
I was stunned. How did she know I was a brilliant scientist? Though I'd quickly acquired a reputation in the Pegasus Galaxy as the most valuable scientist for light years around, a closed society such as the Linarians surely couldn't have heard of me? Though my reputation proceeded me wherever I went, surely even mine wasn't that impressive.
Sheppard turned around to flash a 'told you she was nice' smile at me, as we approached a large door, which quickly opened into an impressive room.
A man who looked in his fifties approached us, concern and irritation evident in his features.
"Inari? What is this I hear about you inviting strangers here? I know how curious you are my sweet, but it is not for you to make such decisions alone. You are not ruler yet, and nor will you be if you are as careless as this."
The child let go of Sheppard's hand and reached forward to touch the man's arm.
"Father. These are good people, who seek allies in their fight against the Wraith. They also ask permission to trade. They come from the city of the Ancestors."
I watched the shock register on Sheppard's face as he comprehended Inari's words.
"I didn't tell you that. What makes you think we came from the city of the Ancestors?" Sheppard asked in a casual tone.
Inari looked into Sheppard's eyes, and gently took his hand again.
"I am sorry. I should have asked permission. That was impolite of me. I read your mind, John," she answered gently.
Oh wasn't that just typical. Put Sheppard and a female together and what do you get? Trouble, of course.
"Nice little girl, my…" I began, just to be rudely interrupted by Sheppard.
"Rodney! Remember whose company we're in!"
"Oh for goodness sake. She might look like a charming little girl, but she's hardly that, is she? Yet again you've trusted the fairer species without question, and now she knows about Atlantis. I think I'm going to call you Lieutenant Colonel Liability from now on." My words might have been a little harsh, but really, did I not warn Sheppard?
Inari approached me, letting go of her new best playmate's hand.
"Dr. McKay? I read your mind also. I cannot read the minds of those who are closed to me, so I presumed you would not mind? Your secret is safe with my people."
Secret? Which secret was she talking about. I had loads of them locked up in my complicated and brilliant mind.
"I am referring to the deception you maintain that Atlantis has been destroyed, not your secret stash of …" A look of bewilderment crossed Inari's delicate features
"Okay! I think that's enough of my secrets revealed thank you very much, young lady," I admonished, hoping that a young girl from another culture would have no idea what porn was. Why did my brain have to think about my treasured stash when I knew my mind could be read at any time?
Inari's father approached us.
"I apologise for my daughter's imposition. Though she is a unique and gifted child, sometimes she does not realise the consequences of her actions. She should not have invited you here. Linaria does not welcome strangers, for very good reason."
Sheppard grimaced and stepped forward slightly.
"Look…Sir. We don't mean to cause you any trouble. We're looking for friends and trading partners, nothing more. If we're not welcome…well, we'll just be on our way," he said softly, though I recognised the steel in Sheppard's voice.
Inari held tightly onto the colonel's hand, and as he looked down at her, I saw his eyes soften as he gazed at the small child.
"It is all right John. You have nothing to fear from us. You will be able to return to Atlantis and…Dr. Weir?" she asked.
"Inari. Do not make promises you know we cannot keep," her father warned solemnly.
Sheppard studied the small girl.
"You really can read minds?" he asked quietly, not bothering to ask what Inari's father had meant by her not being able to keep promises. I suddenly had a terrible sense of foreboding.
Inari nodded, and gestured at the pendant around her neck.
"I am able to do it because of the talisman I wear. It is a gift from the Ancestors, but only a female from the ruler line is able to use it."
Inari's father sighed, and shook his head in reprimand.
"Inari? What am I to do with you?" Somehow the man just couldn't bring himself to chastise his errant daughter. "Colonel, you have to understand. Inari is a precious and rare gift to my people. She is the first daughter born in the ruling line of Linaria in three hundred cycles who has the power of the Ancestors."
What? Not more voodoo rubbish about special powers and Ancient spells. What was it with the denizens of the Pegasus Galaxy? I really had had enough of the Ancient's insistence that their progeny held them in such reverence.
"Power of the Ancestors?" Teyla asked gently.
Inari cocked her head, and studied Teyla closely.
"I have the power to activate the Ancestors devices. A female from my family line has been unable to achieve such a feat for many, many cycles."
I looked across at Sheppard, who despite his film star looks, was surprisingly pretty smart – on the odd occasion.
"She has the Ancient gene?" he asked incredulously.
Inari nodded enthusiastically.
"As do you John. I sense Dr. McKay does as well…yet there is something not quite right about him," she mused.
I heard a deep chuckle from Ronon.
"You're not kidding," he muttered gruffly.
Sheppard looked earnestly at the man in front of him.
"Look. We just want to find allies and trade. If you don't want that, well - we'll just leave. We won't tell anybody about you. You have my word. But, you have to let us go. Our people will only come looking for us when we don't return," he said evenly.
The grey-haired man stepped forward again.
"Forgive me. I am Meldos. Ruler of Linaria, and father to Inari. I am sorry, but Inari is quite incorrect. You will not be allowed to leave our world."
Oh wasn't that just typical. Yet again Sheppard's love of all things female had landed us in the proverbial crapper.
Sheppard frowned and looked into Meldos' face.
"Look, Meldos. I don't know what's going on, but we really do have to leave soon. I'm sorry you're not interested in trading or getting to know us better, but you can't keep us here against our will."
Meldos considered Sheppard's words.
"You do not understand my position. We cannot risk any contact with strangers, we are a self-sustaining society. Our history is quite violent, and all because of strangers entering our midst. Our laws are quite specific. You may not leave and it will be necessary for you to be imprisoned."
Inari stepped forward and smiled sadly at her father.
"Which is why the laws must change, father. What happened long ago should not determine how we rule now. Lessons have been learned. John and his people are who they say. They do not deceive us. We could benefit from such an alliance."
Meldos sighed and lovingly kissed his daughter's forehead.
"I will consider your request, Colonel. You may have the freedom of the sanctum, but do not try to leave. Guards? Do not leave the newcomers unguarded at anytime."
Inari led us away, taking Sheppard by the hand, as we walked around the beautiful city that nobody knew was there.
-oOo-
The next five days were spent with us discovering the delights of the sanctum. Inari had persuaded Meldos to let us contact Elizabeth and to tell her we were safe and well, but would not be home until we'd worked out some sort of deal. Meldos had reluctantly agreed that we posed no danger, and that he would indeed let us go, albeit reluctantly. Possibly he'd even consider us becoming allies and future trading partners. Inari could be very persuasive when she chose to be, and I marvelled at her manipulation of her father. Besides, the Wraith already knew of their existence, they just couldn't get to the Linarians, so how could we pose a realistic threat to them? I'd put forward that point, and obviously they couldn't dispute my astute observation.
I'd soon discovered that Linaria's history had been bloody. Coup after coup had taken place after strangers from another world had been welcomed and integrated into Linarian society thousands of years before. Over the centuries, there was unrest, and deep resentment, culminating in corrupt members of the royal line murdering outsiders, as they were called, in a struggle for power. Anarchy was rife, and the whole society had nearly collapsed from within, when greed and power battled for supremacy. It all sounded horribly familiar. Doesn't matter where you go in the Universe, humans are the same everywhere. In the end the corrupt were disposed of, but the cost was huge. After centuries of civil war and corruption, the ruling family had been all but murdered, and Meldos' ancestors were the last of the royal line. A ruler had married a woman from an outsider's family, and peace was finally achieved. Somewhere along the line, probably because of the introduction of a different gene pool, the ancient gene had waned, with females rarely being born with it, especially so in the royal line. Inari was an exception, and thus a great 'portent'. She'd been educated from a tiny age, and was near genius and horrendously precocious. There was also something horribly appealing about the child, and in the days we'd spent on Linaria, Sheppard had fallen for the minx hook line and sinker.
It was when the two of them had goneexploring that the trouble began. I'd been talking to a scientist, Manora, discussing the shield and cloaking technology, when I got the feeling something was up. I noticed a guard whispering to an important looking guy who was scrutinising me. Yes, something was definitely wrong. I'm not an instinctual sort of man, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I looked around and noticed unease in the room, and had a feeling I knew who the blatantly obvious bad news concerned.
"Hello? Yes, you, guard. What going on?" I asked in a forthright manner. When was I ever one to beat around the bush?
The guard looked uncomfortable and looked over at the important looking bigwig, asking for permission to tell me what was going on.
"Our leader elect has been taken."
I took in his words, and it suddenly dawned on me that the leader elect was Inari. Of course, who had been with Inari ? Sheppard, of course, wasn't that a given?
Teyla and Ronon ran into the room, heading towards me, anger and concern evident in their features.
"McKay. Sheppard's been taken. His guards murdered," Ronon's gruff voice explained.
Teyla exhaled, and shook her head.
"Inari has been taken also. We do not know if they have been harmed. Come. We must speak to Meldos."
I followed my team members as they strolled determinedly away, my own guards trailing behind me. Somebody had murdered Sheppard's guards? Not for the first time I was worried for Sheppard. Why did this always happen to us? By the end of the day I was to ask why did this always happen to Sheppard.
Tbc.