Trials of Faith - Chapter Two

"We're blue, therefore we rule."

John watched Teyla scanning the room, desperately trying to find her friend, desperately trying to find why so many of her people had died.

There would never be a good excuse for it, but he hoped that it was at least mediocre. Teyla would never put this behind her no matter what the reason was, 109 of her people were dead. People she had grown up with and protected, then they had gone their separate ways. It had been difficult enough for her, he knew, joining his team and watching as her people split. She had tried to visit the main land and Tolas as often as possible, keeping all the Athosians as close to her and to the rest of their people as she could. It had not been easy. Teyla felt as though she had let them down, that by joining him in going off world she had been responsible for them breaking apart. And now, that so many were dead, she would blame herself for not being there and for not keeping them all together, safe from the Wraith.

John had tried repeatedly to tell her the Wraith were responsible for all of it - for the Athosians separating, for every world that was demolished and every life that was extinguished. He would tell her now that she was not to blame for the deaths of 109 Athosians. The murderers responsible were floating around in their ships maintaining their dominance over the galaxy with their usual 'we're blue therefore we rule' arrogance. Man, he hated that. Sure, they were a different colour with superhuman abilities and the handy skill of sucking the life force from people with their hands, not mention the vastly superior technology they had at their disposal, but there was such a thing as being 'overly cocky' for these guys too.

Teyla had stopped toward the end of the room having spotted Carus. He was propped up by a few pillows, his wife stroking his older face, crying silently. He appeared to be sleeping. His children sat at the foot of his bed, the boy stared at his own fingers as he fidgeted with them, his head as low as he could manage. The girl was kneeling, watching all the people moving around, confused as to why they were there and what was going on. She was too young to understand, and he hoped, too young to remember.

'Marine.' Teyla laid a hand on her shoulder. The woman turned and gave a brave smile before hugging her friend.

'Teyla, how can I thank you? If you had not come, we would all be at the mercy of the Wraith.' She sobbed, her hand gripping that of her sleeping Husband.

Marine appeared to be in her late thirties with dirty blonde hair and large brown eyes. Her face was puffy and red from crying, but John could see underneath, her tiredness. The kind that developed over many years from worry for her loved ones.

'Think no more of it; you are safe here in Atlantis.' Teyla smiled reassuringly. 'Marine, I know it is much to ask, but I must speak with Carus.'

Marine cast a sad look at her Husband. 'He is older, Teyla.' She kissed his forehead, and he stirred. 'But at least he is not dead. I do not know what I would have done without him, knowing that he would never see his children grow.'

'He will see Keylas and Lunat grow into beautiful people, both will make him proud.' Teyla stroked the girl's hair. She smiled shyly before ducking behind her brother as he looked up at the mention of his name.

John knew that she was close to her people, but still, it surprised him knowing just how close she was to all of them. To have 109 people she knew so well lost to her in an instant must be pure torture. He walked to her side.

'He's awake.' John grinned at the man staring up at him with weary eyes, hoping that seeing a group of happy faces would make his day improve slightly.

'Colonel Sheppard, Teyla.' He nodded slightly, but movement was restricted by the pain in his chest. 'Thankyou.' He glanced around at his family, grateful for their safety.

Teyla nodded. 'Carus, can you tell me why the Wraith were behaving so strangely?'

'I have never before seen a culling where Wraith were on the ground and in their ships. I do not know why they did this. Even their actions on the ground were not right.' He stopped for a moment to breathe slowly, the pain was obviously great.

'I shall find a Nurse to give you something for the pain.' Teyla turned.

'No. Their medication will make me sleep.' Carus licked his lips and continued. 'When the Wraith were set on the ground by their small ships, it was said that they were all on the outskirts of the city. They were in lines marching forward. They would feed only on a few, I watched as the Wraith let many pass them by, only lunging at them and not taking them for food. They could have killed many more and they didn't. None were placed in the centre of the city where most of our people resided. There were not many in number, but it was enough to cause panic.'

'So they were pushing your people to the middle to be collected by the two darts?' John clarified.

'I believe so.' Carus nodded. 'Only two of their ships? In a culling there are many to find as much food as possible, to cover large distances, no matter who escaped.'

John gently tapped Teyla's arm and pulled her to the side. She winced.

'Sorry.' He said noting that he had just touched a large deep cut on her arm. 'You'll need stitches for that. As soon as Carson is done-'

'I will ask him to see to me. What is it you wanted?' She asked wearily, fatigue playing over her face.

John wanted nothing more than to see her lying in crisp white sheets with an IV drip in her arm and bandages over her body, beginning the healing process. She would not even consider it until she knew more.

'From what your buddy's saying, it sound like the Wraith wanted to get everybody, and I mean everybody. They had no intention of leaving anyone on that planet behind.'

Teyla squinted at him. 'Do you not mean that they had no intention of leaving anyone alive?'

'Think about it, it's not a typical food fest for the Wraith, they went to special lengths to try and get all the people on that planet into two of their little iddy biddy darts. I suppose it'd be easier to just dump 'em on the ship in two lots. It could be their new and improved way of getting as much food as possible for the Hive, but I doubt it.' John paused. 'They're up to something, and I'll bet my favourite football shirt that it's something big.'

Teyla thought over the possibilities. 'Information? An object of value?'

'Sure, why not? I think we need to ask someone who's a little higher up in Tolasian society than Carus.'

'If such a person is still alive and on Atlantis.' Teyla turned back to the family before John could say another word. 'Carus, if I bring you the names of all Tolosians on Atlantis, will you tell me if there are any council members who have joined the survivors?'

Carus frowned deeply and nodded. Marine glanced at her Husband in concern.

'I'll tell Rodney to start listing names, get them to Carus as soon as possible.' John said to her, careful not to touch her arm.

'Yes, I will aid him in-'

'Uh-uh. You see that Nurse?' He pointed to a few beds over. 'That's Nurse Brody, she's not busy right now and I'm sure she'd just love to check you over, clean you up and put a few stitches into the nastier injuries.'

Teyla raised her eyebrow in defiance and was about to speak when John called her over. She was here, in the infirmary and she was badly injured. She would sit and be healed. She could save the day later.

'Carol!' He smiled. The petit brunette smiled back and wandered over.

'Carol?' Teyla raised her eyebrow in interest, the defiance slipping away into humour. 'You are on a first name basis with Nurse Brody?'

'I've been to see her a few times.' He caught Teyla's expression. 'In a purely professional, "I was badly injured way".

Teyla nodded with a smirk on her face, she turned to smile at the Nurse who led her to an empty chair, all the beds had occupants.

John sighed quietly. He felt better knowing that she was being seen to, she didn't look well, and he admired her for sticking it out as long as she had. He noticed the expression on her face when the Nurse gave her something for the pain; it wasn't relief, not really, it was almost sadness. Like the pain was a welcomed distraction being taken from her. Maybe that's why she fought so hard against him wanting to help her.

'I swear to whatever Gods you pray to that if don't stop doing that –ow!- then there will be - ow! – consequences! Ronan, a little help here?'

John turned already knowing whose voice was whining. Rodney Mckay, scientist extraordinaire, was surrounded by six small children who were running around him, pinching at various body parts and giggling heartily. Ronan was leaning against a wall looking highly amused. John joined him.

'Ah, kids – you gotta love 'em.' He folded his arms and grinned as Mckay was taking a sort of ninja stance in an attempt to intimidate the children. They saw it as a challenge and continued to pinch harder.

'It's hard to distinguish between them. The only thing that sets them apart is his height.' Ronan cocked his head. 'Find anything?'

'Yeah. I'll fill you in later, right now, I need you and Mckay to go around and get the names of all the survivors who came through the gate.'

The two warriors stood against the wall, watching, enjoying this single moment of peace. Finally, when Mckay's whining turned to pleas of help, John stood upright.

'Alright. Come on kids the big bad Scientist has to go to work. You can all visit him later, in his lab, when he's alone.' John smiled his trademark smile, the boyish grin that melted women's hearts. And annoyed the hell out of Mckay.

'Thank you so much for all your help, Colonel.' He paused. 'Oh wait, feel free to stop by my lab!' He called after the recently departed children. 'We can play 'who wants to mess with the coloured liquids in the test tubes and explode'! Rotten kids.'

'You have quite the talent with kids, Mckay.' John commented sarcastically, gently shaking his head.

'You try being pinched all over! I have very fragile skin, tomorrow; I'll be a walking bruise! And these are very small people, at the exact height of very sensitive body parts! I'm not gonna be able to sit for days!'

'Rodney, I don't want to know. Talk to Ronan, we got some things we need you to do.' He began to walk away.

'What about talking to the Farmers about the strange Wraith activity?' Rodney asked.

'Well, we thought that since you were such a great people person, not to mention a Care Bear with kids, you'd prefer another more intimate assignment.' John smiled and walked away.

'He wants me to look after all the children, doesn't he?' He squeaked, his hands inching toward his backside protectively.

Ronan shook his head, raising the judgemental eyebrow.

Teyla watched Colonel Sheppard walk away; her eyes straying to parts she wasn't suppose to be looking at. She looked away.

Teyla felt better when he was near, she would draw on his strength and protectiveness. It felt as though he could keep the galaxy at bay. Which is a feeling she desperately needed right now.

The medicine was starting to take effect; she could feel the pain lessening. It felt good having her wounds cleansed, it stung, but she wanted to feel it. The pain was better than the hole she felt where 109 people once were.

She should never have let them go; she should have stayed with all of them on the mainland and continued to lead her people as she had always done. It was this place. The hope it inspired in her. These people, John. They all knew a greater freedom and she longed to have it for her people, to stop fighting and to live for once. Her desperation for such a thing had gotten half of her people killed. She had made a mistake.

Teyla winced as the Nurse began the stitches along her arm.

'Okay Teyla, after stitching your arm I want to look at your hip, there's a nasty gash there which may need stitches, and also your head's a bit of a mess. We'll cleanse some more of those wounds, and then I'll get you into x-ray – you said that there was a lot of pain when you breathed which would suggest broken ribs.' She smiled merrily, sewing another stitch.

Teyla nodded.

'I heard from a few of the survivors that you took out a dozen Wraith, you must be pleased.' She prodded, looking for a positive response.

Teyla smiled weakly. She would not get one.

'It was not enough.'

'Major, I need to get these people into rooms as soon as possible. Let's get them comfortable. They've been through a lot; a good night's sleep is in order for those who can.' Elizabeth smiled at Major Lorne who nodded.

'Yes Ma'am. Ma'am, about Captain Baker and Captain Lee…'

Elizabeth leant back in her chair, taking a moment to consider their dead.

'We'll send them through the gate to Earth for a military burial later on today. I plan to hold a memorial service for them tomorrow.' Elizabeth nodded her reassurance and Major Lorne was satisfied.

'Thank you Ma'am.' He turned to leave her office. 'Colonel.' He nodded to John as he wandered in.

'Busy?' He asked.

'No, please sit.' She offered him a chair as she studied his body language. He wasn't happy. She couldn't blame him. After the day's events, she wasn't happy either. So much death for what appeared a non-existent reason. Maybe this visit was to shed more light onto the situation. 'Do you have anything?'

'The Wraith are up to something, it looks like they've been collecting the people for interrogation. We don't know why yet, but Mckay and Ronan are getting names, Carus is going to see if any of these people are higher up in Tolosian society. Maybe they've been hiding something from their people. Carus sure doesn't know why they were there, at the moment he's more worried about other things.'

'Understandable. Can you get me a copy of those names?' Elizabeth asked, her green eyes burning with purpose. John raised an eyebrow. 'I wanted to interview the Talosians, get to know them a little better, and also find out if they have any place to go.'

'Sure.' He turned to leave.

'John, do you think Teyla would be willing to ask the Athosians on the mainland? If the Talosians have no where to go?'

John nodded. 'The Athosians are good people, they'd take 'em in.'

'How is she?'

John paused. 'She got hurt pretty bad, took out a load of Wraith though.'

'That's not what I meant.' And from the expression on his face, he knew that's not what she meant.

'I don't think she's had much time to face the fact that she lost so many, and I don't think that she's going to slow down either.' John put his hands on the chair and leant forward.

'Should I take her off active duty?'

'No.' He said immediately. 'She'll rest after. Right now, I think she needs to be in the middle of it, helping those she can.' He walked to the door. 'Besides, ordering her not to do anything wouldn't stop her from doing it, not when so many of her people are involved.'

'Okay. I'd like you to help Major Lorne in relocation, rooms in Atlantis for the time being. We'll talk permanent relocation at a later date, when things have cooled down.' Elizabeth smiled slightly, hoping to see him smile back. John in an unhappy mood affected everyone.

'Yeah.' He nodded and walked away, returning the half smile.

'Teyla?'

Teyla opened her eyes to see Marine standing over her, her brow furrowed.

'Marine? Is Carus…?'

'He is fine. We were talking when you and Colonel Sheppard left. There was something strange which happened before the Wraith came, about three days before they came actually.'

Teyla stood gingerly, holding her side, the Nurse having gone to collect the results of her x-ray.

'The Council convened, alone. Very few people were told; it was supposed to be a secret meeting. Those meetings are never private, they are made as public as possible. Even the topics that are discussed are well known, dates are set in advance for their meetings.' She cast a nervous glance at the crowded infirmary. 'Carus heard that the Council were deeply concerned, he believes it possible that they knew the Wraith were coming.'

Teyla's heart skipped a beat. 'And they did nothing?' She growled low.

'If what he has said is true, it could all be rumour. But still, if they did meet in secret, it is a very serious matter.' Marine looked into the eyes of her former leader, she saw the fire burning inside, the need for revenge. 'The Talosians are a good people Teyla, they would not put others at risk.'

'Thank you, Marine.' Teyla touched her arm. 'Please, when Nurse Brody returns, tell her that I have gone to find Colonel Sheppard and that I will return later.'

Teyla headed toward the doorway, smiling at Carus on the way out.

She walked with purpose and a burning determination. If this council had met in secret, had known that the Wraith would be coming to their planet, had kept that fact a secret and allowed thousands of people to die – including 109 Athosians – then they would have to deal with someone much worse than the Wraith.