Trials of Faith – Chapter 4

Hidden Mission and Secret Goodbyes.

Marine watched her children sleeping at the foot of their Fathers bed, entangled in his legs. She smiled gently, tired, but grateful. Her Husband slept also, she ran her hand across his face, feeling the new lines of age. The Wraith had taken maybe ten years, if it had not been for Teyla, he would have taken them all. She kissed his forehead and sat back in her chair.

Marine looked around the room and saw that another nine beds were occupied. All of them had people gathered around, standing or sitting. All were families grieving. Thankful for those who were alive and mourning those who were not. Her eyes stopped at a bed in the far corner where a single man slept. She did not know of his injuries, but knew that he was one of the Atlanteans. Another man in uniform sat by his side, stroking his chin, obviously in deep thought. His face was scratched and he looked extremely tired. He glanced over at the man in the bed and said something to him, patting his hand and smiling slightly, sadly. She had a great deal of respect for these people, in many ways they were like the Athosians.

She trusted them, trusted their leaders and their doctors. Not only because they seemed honest and brave people with nothing but their best interests at heart, but because Teyla trusted them. She had known Teyla for years, she felt like a sister. To leave their people and go to Tolas had been a hard decision, one which Teyla had made easy. She had been so understanding and came to visit them often. Her people would be lost without such a great leader.

Her thoughts were cut short when the leader of the Athosian people stood before her. Marine frowned. Teyla was dressed differently; she no longer wore the garments of the Atlanteans. It was as she remembered her, in grey trousers and a purple top joined with lace at her bust, and of course, her favourite brown hide coat. Teyla placed a bag at her feet before walking forward.

Marine understood.

'Oh Teyla.' She stood. 'Do not leave. Our people need you to stay, now more than ever.'

Teyla smiled weakly. 'I must go, I have come to say goodbye.'

'Where will you go?'

'Tolas.'

'Tolas is no more Teyla, the Wraith have destroyed it.' Marine implored her with her eyes; she would walk into danger and never return.

'I am hopeful that there will be survivors who will reveal the true purpose of the Wraith culling.' Teyla watched the children sleep and her gaze fell. 'I must know what happened, Marine.'

Marine had seen that look before. The determination, the burning need, a desire which no man or Wraith could hinder. Her eyes welled with tears.

'Then you must go, and you must take this with you.' Marine unclipped a necklace from her neck and handed it to Teyla. 'Please, it has brought me luck.'

Teyla shook her head. 'Then you will need to keep it for your family.'

'My family are safe, they are not going into danger Teyla, please take it.'

Teyla reached out her hand and brought it close. They were jade beads leading to a centre where a jade falcon stared back, its wings spread.

'My Mother said that there are spirits on the wind who protect us in times of great despair.' Marine smiled bravely.

Teyla nodded. 'She was right.' She clipped the necklace around her own throat, feeling its weight for a second. 'Marine, do you know where the Council congregated for these meetings?'

Marine frowned. 'Yes. Along the high street, straight on from the road which leads to the ring of the ancestors. It is not too far, new comers were always brought there to form trade agreements. It is where your Father would have gone before you to begin trade between Athosia and Tolas.' She paused casting a nervous glance at her sleeping Husband. 'It is an impressive building. You cannot miss it.'

'Thank you, Marine.' Teyla looked at Carus. 'You could not have stopped me. Tell him that I will return one day to sample his herb tea once more.' She smiled. Marine nodded.

Teyla turned to leave and Marine sat back in her chair, taking Carus's hand in hers.

Teyla walked toward the door when a familiar voice stopped her.

'Goin' somewhere are we?' Carson walked over, frowning at her clothes and her bag.

'A mission. I will not be long. How is Major Feretti?' She inquired, knowing the brisk change of subject was risky.

'He'll be fine, sore for a few weeks, but he's a brave lad. What mission?' He wasn't thrown that easily. His blue eyes studied her with concern. 'Are you feelin' alright? When you came in you looked like a right mess. Carol's been at me about your x-ray results, I hope you understand, but there were a few people that had been seriously injured and I needed to know as soon as possible-'

'I do understand Doctor Beckett, and I feel fine.'

'Well enough to go on a mission?' He stepped forward. 'I could ask Elizabeth to stand you down, you could rest for a few days before – are you goin' right now? It's the dead of night Teyla.'

Teyla nodded. 'Colonel Sheppard is adamant that we do this as soon as possible, he is quite upset. As am I.' She hated lying to him but it was necessary. She hated involving the Colonel into her lie as well, after everything that she had already done to him.

'Aye, I know you would be. I'm sorry Teyla. For what it's worth.'

'Thank you Carson, for all of your help.' Teyla smiled and nodded, looking to Carus's bed once more.

Carson turned to look as well. 'That's alright, he'll be fine. He's lucky the Wraith didn't drain him completely-' He turned back and found Teyla had already gone. He raised a suspicious eyebrow before thinking himself paranoid and continuing with the bed checks.

Teyla wandered through the quiet city, night had fallen hours ago, she had appreciated its silence. After such an emotional day, peace would always be appreciated.

She crossed through the control room which had only two people seated at the controls; one was military and the other a civilian. She nodded her respect and continued on to Elizabeth's office.

She could see through the glass that Weir was typing on her laptop, deep in thought. Teyla knocked on the door. Elizabeth looked up and did a double take. She signalled for her to come in.

'Teyla?' Elizabeth studied her strange garments, and the most worrying, the bag swinging at her side.

'Doctor Weir.' She smiled half-heartedly.

'What can I do for you?' Elizabeth stood, already knowing what was coming.

'I must leave Doctor Weir.'

'Teyla, have you thought this through? I mean-'

'Yes, I have. It makes perfect sense to me. It is a difficult decision, but in another way, it is the easiest one I will ever make.' Teyla did not put the bag down, but stood in the doorway.

'It's a lot for one person to handle, so many deaths of loved ones, it must be horrible for you Teyla. You must understand that we are all here for you.' Elizabeth perched on her desk, folding her arms.

'I do. I know that you will always be here if I ever need you, if my people ever need you. I trust in you and your people completely.' She paused. 'But I must go.'

'Will you wait a few days, to see-'

'I cannot wait, I must leave now before-'

'-before they stop you?' She asked firmly, feeling hurt by this. Teyla would leave in the dead of night without saying goodbye to her friends and without making things right with John.

'Before they try to stop me.' Teyla said slowly. 'I have made up my mind Elizabeth. It is time.'

Elizabeth stood and paced in front of her desk. She knew Teyla was in pain, she also knew that she couldn't keep her here – she wasn't military, she wasn't from Earth. She wasn't under her command and if she wanted to go then there was nothing she could do.

'Where would you go?'

Teyla had thought about this. 'A planet with which we were once trading partners, I have dear friends there I have not seen in some time.'

Another awkward silence.

'Teyla, have you spoken to John about this…?'

Teyla looked to the floor before glaring at Weir with cold eyes. 'No, I have not.'

'He would want to be here, to speak with y-'

'He is not here, and even if he were he could not change my mind.' She said firmly, careful not to snap, Elizabeth was still her friend. She did not want to burn any more bridges today. 'One day I will return, and maybe then we will…' she paused '…right now, I need to leave.'

Elizabeth watched this brave woman before her, a friend. She realised that nothing she said would change her mind.

'Take a radio, so you can contact us.' It was an order. One which Teyla respected.

The women walked into the control room side by side.

'Sergeant, please give Teyla your radio, she's going through the gate.' The military man Teyla had nodded to before handed it over immediately, a puzzled look on his face. 'Teyla, would you like to dial the address?'

Teyla nodded, placing the bag on the floor and pushing in the symbols on the interface. The Stargate lit up.

She walked down the stairs as the shining puddle erupted from the Gate and turned to Weir one last time.

'Would you like me to say anything to them?' Elizabeth asked gently.

'Tell them…that the spirits will guide them in times of despair.' Teyla smiled weakly, squeezed Elizabeth's arm and stepped through the gate without looking back.

The Stargate disengaged leaving the room in shadow once more. Elizabeth rubbed her arms.

'John is going to have a fit.'

Teyla stepped onto the soft grass and watched the Stargate shimmer for a few seconds before it disengaged. Darkness consumed her, the only light was provided by the stars above. She had not lied when she had said that this planet housed dear friends that she had not seen in a long time. She had also forgotten to mention that she would not be stopping by for a visit.

Teyla marched to the DHD and plummed in the address to Tolas.

'She did what?' John yelled, anger surging through him like a poison.

'I know John, but she needed time.' Elizabeth explained to the group. Carson, Mckay and Ronan were silent; it was the Colonel who was truly furious.

'And you let her go?'

'There was little I could do to stop her.'

'When Teyla makes up her mind about something, that's it.' Ronan informed.

'No kidding.' Mckay bit his lip.

'Sneaky little bugger, I'll give her that.' Carson commented, folding his arms.

'Sneaky? Damn coward, maybe. She just left? No goodbyes? No gee thanks for all the good times but I gotta go?' John, searched the floor for an answer to Teyla's behaviour.

'No not that, well, yes, middle of the night, that's sneaky. But I saw her before she left.' They turned to the Doctor in surprise. 'She was in casual gear with a bag. Said that all of you were goin' on a mission that couldn't wait.'

'So not only did she sneak out, she lied? Nice going Teyla…' John growled.

'Can you really blame her?' Mckay said. 'I mean come on, a hundred plus of her people die for no logical reason? I'd be a little put out, wouldn't you?'

'More than a little.' Elizabeth leant back in her chair. 'She said she'd be back, she didn't specify when but I got the distinct feeling that it wouldn't be any time soon.'

'So what? We sit and wait?' John snapped.

'No.' Elizabeth replied calmly. 'We continue on as normal.'

They all looked at her as though she had grown a second nose. Teyla had become an integral part of the team; to go on without her was an awful option, and one which John didn't even consider.

'No.' He said, as though he'd just been asked for a urine sample. 'She just up and left without any word and we're suppose to accept that she's gone and move on?'

'Well, she did leave a message.' They looked at her with hope, John in particular. 'She said that spirits would guide you in time of great despair.'

There was a pause.

'What kind of a message is that?' John said slowly. Mckay nodded.

'No "sorry for the inconvenience, see you soon, don't get killed"? As far as messages go, that sucks!' He moved for the door.

John growled low his in throat. 'Forget this, Ronan get your gear, we'll head out and bring her back here-'

'John-'

'-she can mourn and be as pissy as she likes in Atlantis-'

'John-'

'-and if she doesn't want to listen then we can stick her in the Ancient cell-'

'Colonel Sheppard, that is not going to happen.' Elizabeth said firmly.

John glared.

'We need her back on our team!'

'She's not ready John, you're just going to have to cope without her for now.'

'Elizabeth –' He began.

'Dismissed.' She said harshly. Discussion over.

John glared at her for a few seconds more before marching from the room in full fury, everyone trailing out behind him in the same mood.

'Ronan.' She called. He looked back. 'Keep an eye on him.'

Ronan nodded.

Teyla marched through forest, eyes scanning the dark trees on either side, ready for any remaining Wraith. She doubted that there would be any who had stayed behind, the culling ended many hours ago. They would have no reason to stay. But still, her eyes scanned the shadows daring any to sneak up on her in the mood she was in.

She remembered the trip being longer in the day, when the pain had been much worse. It had felt like a quest just to return to the Gate, to get to safety. Now, even with the shadows of the branches being cast by the two moons on the path, she could see the shapes of the buildings ahead.

She continued on with a staff at her side, a nice long branch she had found on her way toward the forest, no doubt someone had left it behind when they had fled through the Gate. Their loss was another Wraith's problem. She could remember the battle of the previous day – the panic and desperation to save the screaming victims. At the moment, the silence of the forest made the memory echo. She slowed her pace as the pain in her side grew worse, it had been bothering her more and more as the day went on. She was lucky to be feeling anything at all, she decided. In fact, the only thing she was feeling at the moment was hatred. For the Wraith and for herself. She had left Atlantis, betrayed John's trust. It made her heart ache thinking of the way she had hurt him. But he had gotten too close. She had always been very guarded with her emotions, as a leader she had been forced to show nothing but strength. John had pried open wounds that she was desperate to heal. And now she was here, seeking revenge – without her friends.

They would be angry when they found out she had gone, they would no doubt go looking for her. But they would not find her. She did not want them to. Not until she had finished with the pain of loss and the blinding hatred. She did not want to expose them to it ever again. She would see them again, she would tell herself. She would make things right with John and they would go back to being a good team, a close unit of friends. Of family. If she survived. Right now, the only thing on her mind was finding the truth. And finding those responsible, even if it was an armada of Wraith Hive ships.

Teyla walked into the court of the city where she had fought the Wraith that day, their bodies still littering the ground. The moons shone in all their brilliance on their blue skin and silver hair, shadows lengthened and she watched them warily. Then she cast her eyes to the other bodies on the ground – those she could not save.

To her right was the house she had been thrown into, she paused dropping the bag to the floor and rubbing her side gently. It had collapsed and smoke was still rising from it, what had once been a home was nothing more than ash. She cursed under her breath before yanking the bag from the ground and quickening her pace down the main road. She followed it until it narrowed becoming nothing more than a path, little shops on either side. They were empty – no lights and no life. Just the banging of a shutter to break the night's silence.

The road opened out again into another courtyard, even larger than the one behind her. And just as Marine had described, a large and impressive building sat on the left. It had with stood the Wraith attack, one or two bodies resting against its white walls. It was two flights with many windows and letters carved into the stone over the entrance in the language of the Tolasians. Teyla smiled slightly. Now she just had to find the right room. She cautiously wandered inside, darkness enveloping her.

The hallway was large with stone stairs leading up to the right as well as doors to a room standing by them. Stairs would lead up – the hiding place was underground. On the left were two rooms. Straight ahead were double doors, large and made of oak. She approached them feeling that these were the doors likely to lead to the Council Meeting Chambers. They were central, it was an important room. It had to be the one she needed.

The silver light spilled onto the stone floor from a single window to the far left corner. Her boots made little noise as she crossed the great space, she took care in making very little noise, encase the Wraith, for any reason, had lingered.

Teyla dropped the bag and pushed the door with her left hand, holding the staff in her right. Ready for any surprises.

The door gave way easily which surprised her, it had looked so heavy, and being oak it should have been. But it opened at her lightest touch and she opened both doors wide, the light from the little window to the left cast enough light into the large room for her to see that there was no one in there. Another empty room in this empty city. There were many stone seats with pillows in a horse shoe from the centre to the back on the left and right sides of the room, a single stone podium in the middle. There were no windows. Only tall candlesticks at the end of every curved isle, but the candles were not lit.

Teyla frowned. This was the Councils Meeting Chambers, that was clear enough. But she did not see where there could be an entrance to a hidden room underneath these seats. She supposed it was a good thing that it was well concealed; other wise the Wraith would have located it easily.

She placed her bag on the closest seat before wandering around the room, the light so poor she wondered if she should wait till morning. She was too determined, so sure that she was close to finding answers. She needed them. A little bad light would not stand in her way.

She walked through the isles of stone chairs, stroking her hands across the walls. No pictures or candles were suspended there. She sat in one of the chairs, thinking. A wave of exhaustion fell over her, the pain in her side doing nothing to help. Her eyes scanning the room and falling on the podium in the centre. Fatigue forgotten, Teyla jumped to her feet and walked to the centre of the room.

She laid her hands on the cold stone, curiosity telling her that this would be the ideal place to hide a switch, or have the entrance to a hidden room. She ran her hands across the rim and down the sides, along the grooves of the slant which would face the speaker. It was all smooth stone. Her fingers caressed the underside of the slant and her index finger hit a sharp bump. Teyla kneeled down quickly to see a very small switch. She clicked it to the other side and stood.

Nothing happened. Her shoulders drooped, impatience making her growl low in her throat. Then the podium shuddered.

Teyla stepped back and watched as two of the chairs on her right sunk slowly into the floor. She grabbed her bag and threw it down onto the chairs along with her staff; she then hopped onto the chair on her left with the grace of a cat and stayed in a crouch.

It was an underground chamber. A small room with a wooden door on the other side. She slipped off the stone chair and took the staff, leaving the bag behind.

Teyla noted the single candle in the corner of the room and was grateful, without it she would have been able to see nothing. As soon as she had stepped through the Talosian Gate, she had wished that she had taken an Atlantean torch with her.

She approached the door and stopped suddenly when she heard a shuffle on the other side. In one quick, lethal motion she executed a side-kick at the wood and it splintered, the door flung wide open. She marched in, staff in the lead.

Teyla surveyed the room. Fifteen people stared at her in terror; some injured badly, others as pale as snow made to look more phantom-like by the flickering lights of four candles.

'Teyla?' a voice croaked.

A man stepped forward, a little girl holding his hand. 'Thank the ancestors.'

'Yeda?' Teyla whispered. He was Athosian. A tall man with brown hair and a kind face. He had scratches over his arm; the girl had a nasty cut on her head and looked ready to feint over the sight of her. 'I did not think any of you were still alive.'

'Yeda? You know this woman?' Another voice inquired.

'Yes, she is the leader of the Athosians. Teyla, what are you doing here? The Wraith-'

'Left many hours ago. I came searching-' She paused. Only Council men knew of this place. Yeda was no such thing. 'Who are these that are with you?'

'My daughter and Brother.' Yeda indicated to a tall man behind who shared the same features. 'This is Councilman Deener with his children and sister with her child.' A short chubby man with a jolly face nodded in respect. Teyla nodded back. 'Councilman Krasten with her sister and husband, their child, Leena.' A hard-face woman stepped forward, folded her arms and gave no smile. 'This is Councilman Jardus with his wife and son.' A stocky man who had spoken before nodded, putting a hand on his sons shoulder. He must have been no older than twelve.

'I was told that this chamber was known only to Councilmen?' Teyla stated firmly, eyeing Yeda with great interest.

He nodded. 'I took my place with the Council three weeks ago as the Athosian representative.'

'And you could not find more room for your people Yeda?' She snapped. He looked stunned, her icy stare tearing him to shreds.

'I barely had time to save my own son from the clutches of the Wraith. I stayed on the surface till the very last minute.' He replied, defensively.

Teyla glared.

'Yeda did the right thing, Teyla Emmagan.' The voice belonged to Jardus. 'As did we all.'

Teyla's anger flared. She stepped in so quickly her movements were a blur, her staff thwacked his shins so that he fell to the floor, and she hit his back again so his face hit cold stone. She stood over him and leaned down, thrusting the staff under his throat and pulling his head up toward her face.

'The right thing? Would this involve the murder of thousands of innocent people whose lives could have been saved!' She seethed. 'Why did you hide it from your people? From mine! How could you let them die?'

It was all she could get out before Yeda and his brother took her arms and pulled her off, she thrashed wildly. 'Teyla stop! This is not the time- please!'

'Do you deny it!'

'We do not!' He yelled in return. Teyla broke free and spun to face him.

Yeda looked at her with fear and guilt, but more than that, with defiance.

'We knew the Wraith were coming for us.'