"Thank you, Chief Radim," Woolsey said, peering near-sightedly up at the Genii leader projected on the transmission screen. "I truly appreciate the information you have given us."

"I am glad to be of assistance," Ladon Radim replied. "I am only sorry Sora's actions have come to this. If there is anything further I may do to help, please let me know."

Despite Ladon's professionally pleasant demeanor, Woolsey could see deep sorrow etched in his face. He held himself stiffly, and underneath the polite civilities, Woolsey detected a brittle edge to his calm façade. The chief's eyes, he also noted, were red.

"I understand Sora was a colleague of yours," Woolsey said carefully. "I can make no promises, but if we are able to capture her, would you like us to send her to you?"

Ladon closed his eyes and fell silent for a long minute. "No," he finally said. He looked past the camera, into the distance, and for a moment Woolsey could see the weight of command crushing down on him. "Sora is no longer a concern of the Genii. Do with her what you will."

"Transmission ended," Chuck announced. Woolsey drummed his fingers against the edge of the empty console beside Chuck, thinking hard. A wealth of information at his fingertips, but should he trust it? The Genii lied as easily as they breathed, so long as the lie could be justified as in the Genii people's best interest, and Ladon Radim always had ulterior motives. Yet this was their best lead to finding Jennifer and Amelia.

"Did Ladon seem a little... off to you?" he asked, turning to Teyla. Teyla inclined her head.

"He seemed most distressed," she replied. "It is to be expected. He and Sora shared a deep intimacy when they were younger, though Tyrus had arranged a betrothal for her with a young man from a prosperous family. Sora spoke to me of it many years ago. She was unsure of which man to choose. I imagine expelling Sora from her people was very painful for him."

"Can we trust the information he gave us?" Woosley asked. "If he cared for her so much..."

"Ladon Radim is leader of the Genii first and foremost," Teyla said quietly. "I do not think he would allow sentimentality to jeopardize an alliance that benefits his people. I think you may trust him in this."

Woolsey sighed, running a hand across his bald pate. "It's settled then. Gather your team and meet me in the conference room."

oooOOOooo

Ronon stood silently as he listened to Shepard and Woolsey argue over maps and spy reports. He leaned casually against the wall, outwardly calm, but inside he paced and raged. They had been over everything Ladon had sent, and over it again. And while they talked and talked and talked Jennifer and Amelia were caged up and mistreated. His mind kept flashing back to the dark bruise on Amelia's face. The bastards had hurt her. He would kill them all for that. A wave of guilt hit him, and though his face remained impassive, inwardly he winced. I'm sorry, Amelia, he thought. I should have gone with you to New Athos. You asked me to, and I was too much of a coward to say yes.

He pulled the leather bracelet from his pocket and caressed it covertly. He had seen the slick leather strips at a specialty shop on Earth, and thought the dark reddish-brown would look striking against the pale gold of Amelia's skin. He had etched and burned various Satedan courting symbols in the thin strips and braided them carefully, thinking of her the entire time. She loved it, wore it every day. It was only after they returned to Pegasus that Ronon began to have doubts. There had been a sense of safety on Earth; there were no Wraith cullings, no Bola Kai attacks. The people of Earth lived long lives and took for it for granted that their children would as well. For the first time in his life, Ronon was faced with the probability, not just possibility, that he might just die in bed after a long, full life. He began picturing a future- a wife, a home, children, and Amelia was central to those dreams.

The return to Pegasus changed that. Though he was happier than he could ever hope to articulate to be home, being thrust right back into constant danger made him realize the future he had dreamed of was unlikely. He had found himself drawing away from Amelia, avoiding places he knew she'd be, being too busy after sparring to spend much time with her, and after a while, she stopped wearing the bracelet. He knew he was being unfair to her, and that he should probably explain, but words had never been his strong point. Besides, it was better to drift apart without her knowing how much she meant to him. He had no illusions about his probable life expectancy. Losing Melena nearly killed him; he wouldn't put Amelia through that.

It shouldn't be her out there, he thought, tucking the bracelet back into his pocket. She's not a soldier. She's supposed to be here, safe!

"I think that's it then," Woolsey said, tapping the files on his desk, and catching Ronon's wandering attention. "Colonel Sheppard will lead three teams to the planet where Sora is planning her ambush. Major Lorne will lead another three to her base planet." He raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I need to remind anyone to be careful. You are dealing with idealists, not mercenaries or regular soldiers. They will take you down with them if they can."

"Don't worry," Sheppard grinned. "It'll be a walk in the park, just me and a few dozen of my closest heavily armed buddies. We'll be back before dinner." His smile widened as Woolsey glared at him and reached for the bottle of chalky pink liquid he had begun carrying with him since returning to Pegasus. He stood and motioned for Ronon to follow him out.

"Finally," Ronon grumbled. Sheppard patted his shoulder.

"You'll have plenty to shoot at, big guy," he said. "Jen and Amelia will be fine."

oooOOOooo

Sora paced in front of the large covered cage, sand crunching beneath her feet. The desert planet was uncomfortably warm, and sweat soaked her heavy uniform. She had left her message nearly a full day ago- what could be taking Sheppard so long?

The bottom of the ravine where she waited was cooler than scorched earth above; even so, sweat soaked her uniform and she allowed herself to think longingly of the light blouses and skirts she once wore on her father's farm. That was long ago, though, and there was no going back now. Perhaps, when this was done, she could see about raiding Belkan or Hallonan for different textiles. Maybe even establish trade relations. There were so many things she and her loyal followers had gone without in the years since fleeing their home world...

Keep your mind on the task at hand, she rebuked herself. There will be time enough after Teyla and her team are brought to justice.

A shadow fell across the ground at her feet, and she looked up at the top of the ravine. She could just make out a head peering down at her. Frowning, she brought her radio to her lips.

"I want everyone away from the edge," she snapped. "If I can see you, they will, too, and I will have the testicles of any man who botches this mission!"

THe soldier disappeared, and Sora let out a sigh of irritation. Where are they?

Her head snapped around as the ring began to activate, and her heart began to beat wildly in her chest.

Now, she gloated, teeth bared in a feral grin. Now, it begins!