Chapter 4

Dem Bones, Dem Bones Gonna Walk Aroun'

Over two hours had passed and communication with Stackhouse was intermittent at best. From what he had managed to report, the Wraith had changed their tactics. For the first time since she could remember, they did not leave the Stargate active during the culling. Secondly, the culling itself was smaller than she would have normally expected. Darts did not block out the sun while swarming the sky and the ground troops were only focusing on one small area, her team's small area.

Atlantis would be checking in soon because the colonel had left strict instructions. She had been angry at first. She had thought that he did not trust her. It soon became apparent that he did not trust any unknown situation anymore. It was probably a good thing too, seeing as how they were under attack.

They observed radio silence as the net drew around them because the Wraith might be able to hone in on their transmissions and that would be a very, bad thing. Stackhouse would have to handle all communication if he was able. They had made it as far as they were going to and it was up to him to get help.

Finally, the call came across much to Teyla's relieved ears. Even Ronon relaxed a miniscule amount at the repeated calls of Atlantis. Waiting, watching and listening were not Ronon's forte and from the limited communication between Stackhouse's team and Atlantis, Teyla had to admit that that was all they probably would be doing for the immediate future.

It seemed too likely that the Wraith were directly involved in whatever was happening to her teammates and she was going to hold off speculating on any lasting damage to them. Both men appeared to be resting peacefully although their eyes never ceased moving back and forth under their lids. She did not know if that was good or bad for their health and she had no way to make that determination anyway. For the immediate future, all that matter was keeping them safe.

She stooped to look out the window and shook her head in distaste. Morai did not know the full implications of what he had done. He was only thinking of the welfare of his people which was understandable. However, it was not for all of his people and that was reprehensible. He had squandered an alliance and, on a personal level, had proven that the Athosians were the exception and not the rule. He had led the Wraith right to them and had paid a high price. He had failed his people as their leader for the slim chance of a possible positive outcome. Chieftain Morai Nei of the Chell was a foolish man, in her opinion.

Were the people of her galaxy always going to prove to be so narrow sighted? Here she was trying to barter for a symbol of new beginnings and hope for her people and Morai had led his down the path of destruction. The irony was not lost on her.

The Atlantians cynicism and mistrust rubbed off on her with each new betrayal. It seemed they possessed this kind of outlook for a very good reason. She had learned that even on their world that trust was hard earned and not always given. They lied to one another not just to other planetary civilizations. She had been naïve to think that her own galaxy's residents could be any different. Were they all just out for their own preservation? Had they all given up?

At least with the Wraith, she knew what to expect. And yet, this was not quite it.

She was glad she could not hear the screams of the Chell during the culling. Even with such betrayal, she did not wish this on anyone. No matter what anyone else thought, they were all in this together.

The cold burble in her stomach was intensifying and a familiar whisperer actively sought her out. A strong solitary whisperer beckoned to her and she realized what or who might possibly be after them. She would not let that happen again. In a way, the Atlantians had brought this on themselves like the Chell had. She did not want to believe that but the truth was inescapable-- their betrayal of others may very well be the direct cause of this situation.

Now the team was being actively targeted and hunted by a presence she prayed was just coincidental. Her own turmoil had to be shoved aside and her mind cleared to spar with this opponent. She would not be used again.

Unfortunately, she felt him long before footsteps pounded on the hard path outside of their hideout. He wanted her to know who was stalking them. He wanted her to know the joy that was deep in his black-blooded heart. He wanted her to know he was coming for her and for her team.

She would not take the bait no matter how much she wanted to. Ignore him Teyla, ignore him, she told herself.

Teyla took a long, deep breath. She cleared her mind and caught Ronon's eye. He returned her steadfast and pensive look with one of his own. It would not be long before they were found. She would play it out for as long as possible before surrendering. Whatever he wanted, she was not going to give to him. They were safe for the moment because, as she soon discovered, this was not just a refuge from a culling but also a hunter's blind. The Chell were accomplished hunters and the blind they found themselves inhabiting was well camouflaged. She knew though that it would not last. It fell to her to give orders and to lead her team through this situation. And that was just what she was going to do.

Teyla, accomplished negotiator and leader, moved to another window that let her have a clear view of the path. The rain had let up enough to see a few meters clearly. She did not have to hear them to know that the Wraith were very close.

"At the ready Ronon, it is nearly time."

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Carson Beckett was Elizabeth's first sight upon awakening. What she would give to remember the last sight before awakening because it was important. She was very sure of that. Very, very sure.

"Glad you're back with us, Doctor. Gave us quite a scare." He used his patented- I'm here so don't be too alarmed that you passed out for no good reason- voice. "Do you hurt anywhere?"

She took a moment to do an inventory of any unusual pains or aches and came up empty. "No." She still was not quite sure what had happened. Wormhole, knife in the eye, Carson-- those three things pretty much summed up her recognition of the events. And that is what she told him.

"You were unconscious and unresponsive for about thirty minutes. Yet, your brainwaves said you were in complete and restful slumber dreamin' away the afternoon."

She raised her eyebrow and felt less unsure of her condition than before.

"We'd no idea what'd happened to ya, so we're monitorin' ya the best we can." He fidgeted for a moment before continuing. "It also seems that Rodney and Col. Sheppard are in a similar state of rest as well. Unfortunately, they're in radio silence due to the Wraith's close proximity so I have no more information than that."

That struck a familiar chord within her-- the Wraith being way too close. Vulnerable. Trapped. Exposed. She shook off the shiver while noticing all the leads to her body. It occurred to her that the only three affected had been tagged by the Wraith queen those many months ago.

"Carson, do you think it has anything to do with the tracking devices?"

"Yes, no, maybe? I just don't have a clue how, if or why yet." He looked over her bed at someone else, nodded to them as if giving permission, and then stepped out of view. The Ancient scanner was pulled over her and Carson returned to her side with a monitor. "But, let's find out, shall we?"

A nurse appeared next to her IV and injected something. She gave a wary glance at Beckett. He returned the glance with a warm and calm smile.

"No need to fret. Just a little something to relax you, not knock you out." He was in comforting doctor mode and she appreciated every soothing word.

She relaxed a little and then quite a bit. However, the nagging feeling that she needed to tell them something important would not leave and she furrowed her brow. No, it did have to do with the Wraith and those damnable tracking devices. They were different from the one Ronon had in his back. She clearly remembered that being mentioned. The harsh, bright green light slowly worked its way down her body as she attempted to grasp at the elusive thoughts and information.

"Dr. Beckett, nothing's showing up," a voice somewhere to her left reported.

Beckett stepped away to another monitor and studied the real time read-outs. "Maybe there's a cloak or shield…something to hide its presence in the body. Start to vary the wavelengths and do it again." He squinted at the monitor and put his hand over his mouth striking a very thoughtful pose.

"Carson, is everyone else all right? Nothing besides narcolepsy?" She asked hoping no one had been taken in a culling.

"With what little information we have, everyone is fine. Of course, the entire explanation is going to have to wait until they return. With Col. Caldwell out of reach on Earth, Major Lorne has assembled a team to discuss options since the situation is unknown. Everything is under control, Dr. Weir." He studied the screen and started thinking out loud. "There must be a signal because when the wormhole shut down, you woke up. We kept it open as long as possible before we broke contact…" He was so preoccupied with the image before him that he did not notice not finishing his sentence.

The scanner made another pass, paused for recalibration, and then started again. The sequence was repeated for a few more turns until it paused in the middle of the scan.

"I think I saw something, Doctor," the technician at the scanner's controls announced with a little uncertainty.

"Aye, back it up along her CNS up to the base of her…" Beckett stopped talking and his mouth hung slightly agape.

She really did not like the look on Carson's face. It was as bad as hearing Rodney say his quiet, "Oh no." He looked at her and then back at the computer screen. Bewilderment and dismay shifted through every facial muscle until major concern ultimately settled to be followed by a cold determination.

With jaw muscles working, he keyed his earpiece and said, "Dr. Zelenka, I need you in the infirmary right away."

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A/N: Thanks to everyone reviewing and reading. I didn't think that anyone would get the reply so I haven't even tried. Time line in continuities and plot holes are shored up and the story progresses along nicely. Thanks for all the support! Chapter 5 should be following tomorrow morning due to the shortness of the two chapters.