CHAPTER 5: Risha

Fear was emanating off these new visitors to their planet in waves. So much that there was a foul scent in the air…two distinctive scents, for that matter. The third, presently unconscious visitor emitted a raw scent of fatigue and pain but nothing more.

These people did not trust easily nor did they readily offer sympathy. It was as if they were familiar in more ways than one. The Ancients had been fabled to be emotionally hardened beings. Maybe these people were one and the same.

One more emotion washed over them stronger than fear. And it wasn't hatred. For that, they could be thankful. No, this was something different, something they couldn't fathom.

Hope.

It was a foreign word that sent fear crawling up one's spine. There was no such thing as hope. How could there be when there was no future left to live for?

--o--

Rodney and Teyla had learned by now not to exchange silent messages via facial expression. Every little twitch of their muscles seemed to set the crazies off into muttering fits of curling and uncurling already tense fingers. The small group leading them through the jungle stared at them nonetheless, shoulders hunched, eyes piercing into them like lasers only to dart away just before crossing the eye line of either of their newfound travelers.

Gurgling of a very empty stomach broke their nearly silent trek. A few birds squawked in seeming protest, but otherwise, all carried on. Rodney was hungry. He rubbed his stomach, as if the notion would cease the gurgling. Scowling, he realized he had recently eaten the very last power bar of the trip. None left in his jacket pocket. None left back on the jumper…if they ever made it back. And now he wanted to kick himself especially hard: there weren't any left in the Pegasus Galaxy either. He'd eaten the last of the stock and thinking back with brief fondness, he remembered Sheppard ranting about how they needed to ration their supplies just that morning. About how the Daedalus was a luxury line cruiser that only arrived every once in a great while, pending any intergalactic emergency that might call upon her for duty.

He missed Sheppard. Well, actually, he missed their bantering as much as it pained them both. He knew deep down, no matter how much the colonel complained, that they were the best of friends. It was a rare kind of relationship, but one that was more genuine than most.

Teyla paused in the path before him causing him to run straight into her. Her small frame was no match for his and they nearly fell off balance before righting themselves again. Teyla sent McKay another one of her quirked eyebrow expressions but this time, there was a faint trace of a smile on her lips. Her eyes, however, were wary, staring intently at McKay as if to communicate some message.

The scenery was changing…meaning they were reaching the shore now. Glancing to the group of crazies carrying a still unconscious Ronon before them, Rodney observed that they were climbing down a root-infested slope. The trees were beginning to thin here and the dirt beneath their feet was growing lighter, the black rock mingling with sprinkles of white sand blown inland. It wouldn't be long before they would discover their fate in the hands of these unusual natives.

Glancing back to Teyla, Rodney observed her tense muscles and her calculating gaze. He knew she was ready to take these people on no matter the outcome…she would fight to the death. Just like the other two of his team. Rodney was seriously beginning to wonder who was more sane…their apparent captors or his teammates.

Roshan was clear ahead of them by now, leading those carrying Ronon over a small crest and into a brighter portion of the jungle. As sunlight began to filter through the thinning overhead of foliage, Rodney dreaded the suffocating heat of the jungle that was causing the sweat to drip down his back would only become worse. That is, until an amazing breeze wafted their way, brushing upon the beads of perspiration, relieving the heat if only momentarily.

They had finally reached the shoreline. The newfound breeze coming off the ocean was like a good old-fashioned air conditioner. Relishing in the relief it brought, Rodney closed his eyes briefly, feeling Teyla standing beside him, mimicking his actions. They could hear the soft pit pat of the crazies as they herded onto the white sands of the shore. Bits of wind-swept sand swept up into their faces but they didn't mind…anything to escape the mugginess of the darkened jungle now thankfully behind them.

Opening his eyes, Rodney took in the sight before him. An impressively expansive blue sea of sparkles upon gentle ripple upon ripple stretched to the horizon, blending into an equally blue sky. Two moons hovered at the eleven-o-clock position above them.

Snaking from left to right a thin strip of wind-shaped ripples of sand glared in the bright sunlight. Feathery pale green grass wavered on the crest of the shore that bordered a contrasting bed of black bedrock along the edge of the jungle behind them. It would have been nearly impossible to land a puddle jumper here without the backend dragging into the water.

The place was serene, were it not for the group of crazy natives now laying their friend down in a small cove of shaded grass to their right. Some of them were scattering down the shoreline, running on the very lip of water bordering the sand. Others were hovering around Roshan, who was now staring down at Ronon as if in deep thought.

Rodney figured now would be an opportune moment to discuss their options with Teyla. However, she beat him to it.

"I think it would be safe to assume that by now Colonel Sheppard would be asking you how we would be getting out of this one, Dr. McKay. Because it would seem that these people aren't exactly in their right mind. I do not think negotiating with them will help. Our best course of action would be to retrieve Ronon and get back to the Jumper. Do you not agree?" Her inquisitive eyes found Rodney's. Sweat trailed down her face, beaded on her shoulders and arms much as it did upon the scientist.

Rodney gave her a weak smile in return. He opened his mouth ready to fire a retort then closed it. He didn't have that kind of rapport with Teyla. Only Sheppard. Where the hell was he?

"Dr. McKay?"

Teyla was looking at him with an inquiring gaze, her brow furrowed. Rodney cleared his head and took stock of their situation. Sheppard: missing in action. Ronon: injured and unconscious. Teyla: eager to kick ass and high tail it out of there. Rodney: starved, tired, and really getting sick of this botched mission routine. Crazy natives: now lined up staring at the two as if they were the main course for dinner that evening.

So not good.

"Ah, um…." Rodney began. He paused momentarily. He began to snap his fingers like he always did when a brilliant idea bestowed him. A rather comical thing happened then…though only in afterthought of the situation. At the time, it was much more alarming.

The natives began to scream and scurry. Some ran for the path the others had taken along the edge of the water and others into the jungle. It wasn't long before only Roshan was standing before them, visibly shaken, but strong enough to hold his own. Ronon lay at his feet, stirring in his restless sleep now, but never waking.

"I take it you had an idea, Rodney?" Teyla stated. Her voice was muffled though, as she had clenched her teeth in frustration. Her intention from the beginning had been to keep the crazies as calm as possible.

McKay allowed a small squeak but nothing more. His face was scrunched up, his features emanating the guilt he was experiencing.

No matter, for Roshan was still standing before them, as if patiently awaiting the scientist to speak. His hands were clasped behind his back and for once he was not twitching like the others. His focus was completely on them steady as if it were always how he held his demeanor.

Change of tactic. Rodney decided it was time to play up his nonexistent negotiating skills. Luckily, he had Teyla to jump in and take over as soon as she realized what he was attempting to do.

"Roshan, is it? Yeah, so, here's the thing. We're in a bit of trouble and we'd appreciate it if you'd let us take our friend there, find our leader and leave as soon as humanly possible. I'll have you know that we're all very well trained in hand-to-hand combat, so I wouldn't try anything." Rodney paused briefly, studying Roshan's unwavering expression and timidly added. "How does that sound?"

Teyla gave him a look that told him to simply shut up and focused her attention on Roshan, daring a step forward. The man did not move but the fallen Runner at his feet shifted slightly.

"Please. Our friend needs our help. And our leader is missing. Surely you do not believe we would harm you. We do not intend to do so. We only wish to return to our home." She smiled then, genuine and pure.

Roshan reflected the smile but his words were less comforting.

"You cannot leave."

"What?! Why?" Rodney began but before he could go into a tirade, Teyla stopped him with a warning glance.

"I will take you to Risha, my twin. She sees what we do not. You will not be harmed. My word. My word." Roshan assured them. His gaze was honest and he looked down to Ronon. "We will fix him. Fix and free. Fly away he will. Once again."

And with that, like the sudden clouding of a bright sky before a storm, Roshan reverted back to the off-centered man they had met earlier that day. His shoulders began to hunch, his gaze began to falter, and his fists curled and uncurled in an agitated fashion. He began to mutter as well, turning sideways as if to leave but pausing when he must have realized he didn't know where exactly he was headed. He glanced back to Ronon, a startled expression briefly flitting his features before settling back to impasse. Then, he looked up to Teyla and Rodney before him. This time he visibly started at their presence, as if noticing them for the very first time. But just as with Ronon, the moment passed, as he seemed to accept the situation presented to him. Eerily enough, it reminded Rodney of someone experiencing hallucinations to the point of accepting them as an everyday occurrence.

Roshan blinked owlishly at them, as if waiting for them to do something, anything.

Rodney and Teyla looked at each other in brief bewilderment before turning their attention back to Roshan.

"Yes?" The man asked expectantly.

"You were going to take us to Risha." Teyla prodded.

A warm smile spread across the man's rather haggard features. Years of craziness would do that to you.

"Risha. Twins. Her and me. Me and her. You know her?"

Rodney rolled his eyes in impatience and knew Teyla was probably mentally doing so as well.

"Let's get past the confusion bit shall we, and move on to the part where you take us to your dear sister." Rodney asserted. He turned to Teyla and spoke quietly. "It's about damn time we get some answers and I'm hoping this Risha doesn't share the same crazy gene with Roshan here."

"What about Ronon? We can only carry him so far. He still does not look well." Teyla's worried gaze fell upon their prone teammate, still lying at the bare feet of the still smiling Roshan.

The abrupt shifts in the man's demeanor was creeping Rodney out.

"Fine. Roshan, how far is it to this sister of yours?"

Roshan only blinked at him, as if awaiting the right command, like a computer. Rodney released an exasperated sigh, his impatience winning over. He was beginning to feel the effects of their extended stay as he felt the emptiness in his stomach consume him.

"Risha. Your twin? Assumingly identical looks save for being female? The one with all the answers? You were taking us to her?" Rodney's voice began to rise as his tirade continued. His finger jabbed pointedly at Roshan as he advanced on the increasingly cowering figure. "I don't know if you've noticed, but we're in a bit of a bad situation here and we could really not waste any more time here splitting hairs over who we are and why we are and all that other cosmic bullshit and I'm really goddamned sick of this heat! I hate jungles and I hate sand. I'm hungry, tired, and I could really go for some good old fashioned Ancient technology, even if it's covered in the worst crud this universe has to offer!"

By now the scientist was face to face with a rather stunned Roshan. Fear danced within his eyes and if Rodney hadn't been so enraged, he would have noticed one was blue, the other green. Rodney glared at the man as sweat trickled down his reddened face.

"You will take us to Risha and you will help us carry our sick friend over there. Now move!" Rodney's voice cracked as he shouted the command. He wavered momentarily, and Teyla was quick to offer a hand at his elbow. She recognized it enough by now to know when the scientist needed to boost his blood sugar levels or suffer the consequences.

Roshan's face was crumpled up as if he were about to cry. His lower lip trembled and his eyes shone bright. Rodney would have felt bad if it weren't for the light-headed feeling he was experiencing. He barely noticed as Teyla forced him down to sit beside a semi-conscious Ronon. She stood at his side and faced Roshan, the epitome of calm.

"Your sister must miss you, Roshan. Let's go to her before she worries." It was like she was talking to a child. But at this point, Rodney figured Roshan had reverted to just that.

Rodney could almost hear the colonel now: the people of this planet were FUBAR. A smile flitted across his pale features. The sweat upon his brow had stopped beading now, not because of the ocean breeze, but because his body was no longer able to produce it. Dehydration. He should be worried. Add to that growing list of concerns was his Hypoglycemia. He was weak, shaky, and felt light as air. He was fading fast.

Soon it would only be Teyla left to fend them. As much as he was sure she was capable, it scared him to the core. Teyla was one strong woman but there were way too many unknown variables harboring their visit to this planet. Some things were revealing themselves at an agonizingly slow rate while others were quickly raveling into larger mysteries. Rodney hated mysteries. That's why he was a scientist…he reveled in untwisting them and turning them into the blaring obvious.

So much for their mission to the holy grail of ZedPMs, chocolate, and coffee! With that last thought, Rodney gave in to his symptoms and succumbed to unconsciousness.

-------o-------

Blearing flashes of light seared his vision. Followed by more darkness. Where was he? Dizziness assailed him. His feet snagged on something hard and the motion ceased as he was unceremoniously lifted from the ground. Sets of rough hands held a firm grasp on his wrists and ankles. He was being carried.

The darkness parading his vision swallowed him whole.

--o--

"I will take care of him."

Teyla's voice, sudden, strong, and close above his head. He felt what had to be her gentle hands upon his arm, holding onto him as if the connection would keep them both safe. Whispers came from every direction.

The air was cooler here. He felt more at ease because of it. His skin was clammy and a deep scent wafted towards his nostrils reminding him that he needed a shower sooner than later. The first vestiges of hunger pangs began to make themselves known as consciousness began to take its hold. And he was no longer moving. It was time for Rodney to wake up.

The first thing he saw in the dim light was Teyla, but her attention was diverted away from him. The second thing he noted was that there was a crowd of crazies standing just beyond them, staring in the same direction as Teyla. Something had them captivated enough that none of them had realized that he had awoken.

A soft groan to his right had Rodney shifting his head to take in the sight of the bruised and cut runner lying shoulder to shoulder with him. It was a little too close for comfort. Pain-filled eyes met his and he grimaced with a small smile. He would have waved, but he was still feeling a bit out of the loop at the moment. Ronon questioned with his eyes, already sensing the tenseness of those hovering beside them.

"Eyes open." A small hushed voice blurted. Teyla immediately directed her alerted eyes to her fallen teammates and smiled in relief. Her eyes, however, emitted warning. Something was happening.

It was then that Rodney noticed that the crazies and Teyla were crouched to the ground, hiding in a cove of heavy underbrush. His skin crawled. Lots of creepy crawly things lurked in dark places.

"You must remain quiet. We are not safe." Teyla explained as she turned her attention back to something just outside Rodney's line of sight.

"What is it?" Ronon's voice was gravelly, as if he was talking through clenched teeth. He was hurting and there wasn't a damn thing any of them could do about it at the moment.

"Fighters."

The three had already learned what that meant. Ronon personally. They remained quiet for another five minutes, time passing slowly enough for Rodney to begin feeling phantom crawling upon his skin exposed to the black soil beneath him.

A rustling of soil on the other side of the heavy undergrowth they hid behind caused them all to tense up, holding their breath. A few tendrils of tall green blades parted at the farthest point of underbrush before them. Something or someone was trying to peer in.

More soil shifted under traveling feet, this time behind them. Heads turned, but there was nothing to be done but wait for the inevitable.

And then Rodney's stomach growled. He couldn't have prevented it if he tried. Everyone stiffened.

Funny thing about timing: sometimes it worked for you and sometimes it worked against you. For at that very moment, a strangled cry, deep into the jungle around them averted the attention of their would-be captors. Hustled feet marched around their position and quickly faded away.

Another agonizingly slow moment of uncertainty, they let out a collective sigh. A few of the crazies stood and weaved through the underbrush that had been veiling them from plain sight. Teyla turned her attention to Rodney and Ronon, her relief clear upon her face.

"There is something you must know. A scout met us on the path with news from the plantations they maintain here. The governors, the men we met in the dome, have taken the caretakers of those plantations hostage…women and children. They've begun to set fire to the trees…and anything else that stands in their way." Sadness filled her eyes.

Rodney must have blacked out once again at that point because the next thing he knew, he was staring up at a jagged overhang of black rock. The air was intensely cooler here than earlier and a light spray of wetness tickled his face. Bubbling, foaming water trickled nearby. He licked his parched lips and turned his head.

A set of eyes was watching him. One green. One blue. The green eye was clouded over: a cataract. Strands of blonde hair fell over that eye as the owner shifted her head. Her face came into view then, pale and delicate. Her gaze piercing, her soft lips permanently set in a thin line. She was observing him as if he were the most fascinating thing she had ever seen.

Rodney would have been flattered if he weren't so spooked. Pressing his head into the soft ground beneath him, he turned his head slightly to see if he could catch a glimpse of the others. He kept the woman in his line of sight, but in his quick search, he found himself quite frighteningly alone with her.

"What's going on?" He asked in a small voice, his eyes darting now to the small waterfall trailing over a cascade of smooth black stones.

"Do not fear me Doctor Rodney McKay." The woman's voice was strong, deep, and in a very strange way, comforting. Even in his limited perception of her, he sensed an air of confidence in her. She was quite unlike the others they had thus met on this planet.

And then he saw the rest of her body. She wore nothing more than a ragged neutral material that hung loosely upon her bony shoulders. Her pale skin was soft, almost angelic in quality against the contrasting black rock formation behind her. Close to her flat chest, she held her deformed hands; all ten fingers were agonizingly curled tight. Her feet were bare; her toes curled in much the same manner as her hands. As she turned to lift her ear to the breeze, listening, Rodney caught a view of her crooked spine. The deformity sent her neck jutting forward and the arch of her bony spine protruding through pale skin. When she turned back to him, her gaze was focused inward.

Rodney came to the realization that there was something tucked into his right hand. He uncurled his grasp on the object, lifting his head slightly to view it. Similar to a slice of green bamboo, it was nearly three inches long, half an inch in diameter and soft to the touch. He rolled it in his shaky fingers. The action caused a milky white substance to bleed out from the ends.

He looked back to those unsettling eyes and found them zooming back and forth from his face to his opened palm, inviting him to taste.

Rodney wasn't a fool, however. If drinking the water was bad, who knew what eating the local delicacy might do? He was about to chuck it into the nearby stream of water when a hand shot out and grasped his wrist with alarming firmness. His gaze shot back to the woman's, finding her lowering her chin, staring deep into his eyes as if to send him a message through mental capacity.

Rodney looked back down at the substance in his palm. He looked back to the woman. She nodded once, a curl to the right side of her lip the only indication of a friendly smile.

A wave of light-headedness assaulted him, clouding out his vision momentarily. Blinking harshly to keep alert, he brought the substance up to his lip, stuck out the tip of his tongue and tasted. An immediate buzz tantalized his taste buds…it was pure sugar…like sugar cane, only ten times stronger. Rodney was in love. He sucked on the end of the shoot as if it were the last drops of water left in the entire universe. There was nothing more than a spoonful of the sweet sugary liquid extracted before he had sucked it dry.

Opening his eyes from such bliss, he found the woman still staring down at him. There was the faintest hint of a smile in her haggard features.

"Risha?" Rodney hazarded a guess.

It took a moment, but she blinked slowly in confirmation. She bowed her head and shrank away from him then, into the shadows of the rock sheltering them.

-------tbc-------