Trials of Faith – Chapter 8
Astra
Teyla exited the tunnels; she turned and saw that it was nothing more than a hole in a hill. Grass all around, a few trees and flowers. Beautiful clean air. She tried desperately to breathe it in, but found it hard. She could feel pain searing in her side. The jogging had done her no good, the pain had only worsened.
The sun had begun to rise casting an orange glow over the land. Teyla heard the thunder in the distance and turned. She watched as the city afar was destroyed by purple energy shots which were undoubtedly fired from a Wraith Hive ship. She gritted her teeth, trying to stop the world from spinning.
Teyla turned her back on the scene and looked for the caves, they were close, she could see them.
Find the girl, get to the gate, and go home…
It was a good plan; she repeated it to herself, focused on the words as she moved. Anything as long as she ignored the pain.
She leant heavily on her staff, coughing on blood, spitting it to the ground. Teyla felt her tongue, and then used it to search her teeth and cheeks. Her mouth was undamaged. The blood was coming from somewhere inside of her. She hurried on, not knowing what had happened. She was coughing up blood and breathing was almost impossible.
She stumbled over rocks to reach the cave, an abyss of darkness. She wished that she had held onto the torch, but it had been another thing to carry. Teyla did not linger outside, the sooner that she found the girl the better. She did not know how much time she had.
Teyla squinted into the darkness, dizzy and cold. A sweat had broken out on her forehead, streaking her dirty face.
'Astra!' She called. It hurt to talk. 'Please! I am a friend! Borus has sent me!' She fell to her knees. So weak… 'No.' she whispered. 'The Wraith have come! I must take you from here!'
She paused, scanning the darkness. What if she had run? When Borus did not come quickly when the Wraith arrived, she may have assumed the worst and left for the Gate. But if she hadn't, then she was still hiding.
'You are afraid, I understand. I am sorry, but Borus is not coming.' She said to the darkness. 'We were travelling the tunnels when the Wraith attacked; he saved my life and sacrificed his own.' Still silence reigned. 'I am Teyla of the Athosian people, my friends are those of Atlantis. I have come to take you there!'
Frustrated, Teyla grabbed the staff and pushed herself to her knees. She swayed. 'I am gravely wounded, Astra. I do not have much time. You must come with me before the Wraith detect that you are hiding here – they will find you!'
Silence. Teyla almost fell to the ground from weakness and despair. She took a few more steps when she heard a voice.
'Why do you call me that?' The darkness asked.
Relief swept over Teyla, the voice was female, a woman. 'Borus said that you did not have a name, he called you 'Astra' because your people were from another group of stars.' Teyla was patient for a moment.
From her left, she emerged. Teyla watched her. Small…blonde…with bright blue eyes shining through her filthy face…late twenties. Hardly what Teyla would have thought a warrior to defeat the Wraith, but then that's what people would say about her height. The woman watched her with interest, she moved with a grace even though her feet were bare. She wore a dress that was also filthy and torn. She looked as though she had been running for years. She did not look alien.
'Borus is dead?' She asked, her voice broke.
Teyla nodded, and the girl wept.
'I am sorry.' Teyla shuffled forward, the girl jumped back. 'I will not harm you.'
'How do I know that you have not killed him?' She cried quietly.
'You do not.' Teyla swayed again, the staff the only thing keeping her on her feet. 'My name is Teyla Emmagan, I am the leader of the Athosians. You have my word that I am not in any way here to harm you, and that I did not harm your Guardian.'
'I cannot trust someone that I have just met.'
'Then what will you do? Sit and wait for the Wraith?' Teyla growled. 'I will not allow for the millions of deaths to have been for nothing!'
Astra studied her. 'How can you protect me when you can barely stand?'
Teyla smiled weakly. 'I am stubborn. Death has always been on my door step and I have willed it away.' She paused, the smile fading. 'All I must do is get you to the gate.'
Astra looked around the cave, fear plaguing her eyes. She did not know what to do. Anything was better than staying here, but would this woman truly lead her to safety? And Borus…was gone. If he had been alive, he would be here taking her to safety. Her only trusted friend. Astra turned to Teyla, looked her up and down. She was badly injured, this she could see. But the woman had a strength about her that she knew she could trust. Her eyes were warm and understanding, pleading with her to do the right thing.
'I will come with you.' She whispered, edging toward the woman.
Teyla smiled, and then winced.
'We cannot return to the city through the tunnels, it is being destroyed as we speak –'
'I can hear.' She informed bitterly.
'- we must go through the forest, around the open space, and wait. I have no doubt that the Wraith have engaged the Stargate to keep people from escaping.' Teyla winced again and began coughing, blood trickled from the side of her mouth.
Astra came to her side and put Teyla's arm around her neck. She led them out of the caves and through the Forest.
Sheppard, Ronan and Mckay ran through the tunnels, led by the woman who had told them where Teyla must have gone. She did not know why Teyla had come, why this man had taken her, or even if she was in danger. Although with the Wraith in orbit, everyone was in a spot of trouble.
'How much further!' Rodney gasped. They had already taken the left at the last fork and their pace had not slowed the entire way.
'Not much further!' The woman called. 'Dedoras said that the man came from the hills, at the next fork we must go-' She stopped suddenly. '-straight.'
'Ah crap, the tunnels caved in!' John exclaimed, surveying the rocks in front of them.
'Oh thank God!' Mckay breathed, falling onto his back and massaging his legs.
'Ronan, gimme a hand.' John and Ronan clambered up the stone and began to pull some of the smaller rocks away, the opening at the top becoming bigger for them to squeeze through.
'You got a name by the way?' John asked, the woman startled by being asked.
'Karin.' She squeaked.
John moved a large bolder and let it roll down the rubble. 'We can take you to safety, but you need to keep up.' John paused. 'Mind you, with Mckay tagging along, I'm sure the pace should be fine for you.'
Mckay raised a hand from his position on the floor. 'I would make a comeback, but I'm concentrating on getting the feeling back into my legs.'
John rolled his eyes.
'Thank you, but I cannot leave. Medda is my home; my sister lives in the third city.' She insisted.
'The Wraith will destroy all of the cities on this planet.' Ronan commented.
She eyed him with dislike. 'That may be so, but I will not leave until I know that she is dead. I will then travel to Ealed, and make myself a new life there. My brother is a Farmer, he will take me in.'
'Okay.' John said, shoving the last stone out of the way. He handed Ronan his P90 and slid through. 'Be careful coming through here guys, the ceiling is still pretty crappy.' John took the candle from Ronan and slipped on a loose rock, tumbling to the ground. He opened his eyes to see a hand sticking out from under the rubble. He jumped up. 'And we have a hand under here!' Ronan landed next to him with far more grace, handing him the weapon back.
'Male.' He stated, as though excluding the possibility that it was Teyla.
John hated that he thought like that. He willed Mckay and Karin to hurry up. As Karin clambered through, something caught his eye. 'Guys…'
They turned to see him walk to an object. He held the candle near to it.
'Teyla's bag, she was definitely here.' He slung it over his shoulder and noticed a red stain on the ground. Not good. 'Mckay you through yet?'
The sound of falling rocks and a whiny grunt answered that question. Mckay had landed on his back in the same graceless manner as John had.
'You should be more careful, Rodney.' John grinned.
Mckay glared at him from the ground.
'Alright, let's go.' John commanded.
Mckay moaned.
The Forest had wide open spaces filled with flowers, and the new morning Sun shone down and encouraged birds to sing. Such beauty was lost on Teyla who was concentrating solely on breathing. She allowed Astra to guide her through the Forest.
'How were you injured?' Astra asked, guiding her quickly to the gate.
'Wraith.' Teyla answered quickly.
'And Borus? How was he killed?'
'Wraith.' She grunted in the same manner.
'They are responsible for so much.' Astra growled, a hot tear slid down her cheek in memory of her friend. 'Borus was a good man, a good friend. He believed in me. Kept me safe.'
'I do not wish to sound harsh.' Teyla struggled to speak, 'But you must mourn later. There is much at stake.' Teyla whimpered in pain as Astra picked up the pace.
'We will not arrive at the gate for another fifteen minutes. Can you make it?'
Teyla gave her a look that said it all, but she said it anyway.
'I will.'
Karin had taken a right at the final fork, taking the candle and making her way to another city. The others had used torches and continued on.
John emerged into the daylight, squinting. Mckay slowed to a stop, resting his hands on his knees; the daylight hadn't even registered with him.
'Oh great, where now? It's a whole damn forest! And of course, Teyla has to be all nice and charitable and give her radio to the Talosians!' John breathed hard, glancing at Ronan as he jogged forward.
He stopped in front of a large cave and kneeled, his hands stroking the ground. He signalled for them to come forward. John practically ran while Rodney stumbled.
'One set of prints going in, two sets coming out.' Ronan paused. 'They went that way.' He pointed to their left.
'Nice work, Ronan. Can you do this all the way?' John asked, the Satedan looked up at him.
'Don't know. Looks like we're gonna find out.' He stood and began jogging, following the trail.
John raised his eyebrows and started to follow. Mckay watched, hands on his hips.
'Water, sandwich, sleep… water, sandwich, sleep...' He jogged behind them.
They had only been going for a few minutes when the radio crackled.
'Colonel Sheppard, this is Major Lorne, do you read?'
John halted. 'Ronan!' The Satedan stopped and turned. 'Major Lorne?' John held his radio.
'Yes sir, we've arrived on Medda in a Jumper and we're cloaked. Tell me you're not in the city sir?' The Major's voice sounded strained.
'We're not in the city.' John repeated.
'Good, 'coz it is a mess. What's your location?'
'North West of the city, in the Forest. The Jumper's sensors should be able to see us.' John waited a few moments.
'Yes sir, we're on our way.'
'How in the hell did you know where to come?' John asked, curiosity taking over from the joy and surprise.
'Talosians sir, a group of 'em contacted Atlantis with a radio. Elizabeth managed to get them to tell us where you were. They didn't seem too happy about it.'
'Yeah I'll bet they weren't.' John looked at Ronan with a slight grin.
'ETA, three minutes sir.'
Teyla fell to the ground, Astra stumbling to her knees in the effort to stop her from falling.
'We are close; it is just a few minutes!' She pleaded, trying desperately to make Teyla stand.
'You must go to Talos,' Teyla whispered. 'They have a radio to contact Atlantis…'
'No! You must come with me!' Astra yelled. 'On your feet! I will not leave you behind and you will condemn us both to death!'
Her words screamed into Teyla's head, echoing like the tunnels. She couldn't breathe, could hardly see. She was so tired and the pain was so great. She coughed again and more blood trickled down the side of her mouth. The girl was stubborn. She liked it.
Teyla reached up, trying with everything she had to stand. Astra pulled, and dragged her to her feet.
'It is not much further.' She whispered.
'Thanks for the pick up, Major.' John grinned at the young man in the driving seat as the Puddle Jumper rose from the ground.
'Not a problem Colonel.' He smiled in return.
Three men sat in the back, all geared up and ready to go. Mckay had slumped into a seat at the back whilst Ronan towered over John as he sat in the passenger seat.
John heard Rodney mumble loudly about 'sandwiches' and 'sleep.' He was proud of the Scientist for sticking it out so long.
Suddenly the screen appeared in front of them.
'What? Trouble?' Mckay sat up.
'There's a Wraith dart approaching Teyla's position.' Lorne informed.
'What?' John growled.
'Can we pick them up in time?' Rodney asked, concern plaguing his voice.
John scanned the screen, different coloured dots telling him that the Wraith would reach Teyla before they could. He turned to Lorne.
'Step on it.'
Teyla stopped a moment, Astra glancing at her with worry.
'What is it? The Gate is just over this hill!' Astra pleaded.
Teyla shook her head pushing the girl away and leaning on her staff.
'To the trees.' She whispered. Astra hesitated. 'Go!'
Teyla watched the girl run to a large tree with a thick base and scramble behind it, watching her closely. Teyla had felt the coldness. She was sure of it, this agony could be affecting her senses but she doubted it. It was a specific feeling. One that would haunt her till the end of her days.
She would feel it first before hearing it, the sound like a fast moving bee. Approaching. They had found them.
The dart came into view quickly, speeding toward her over the trees. The Hive must have detected the two random life signs in the Forest and assumed it had been the girl. Its path was strange, slightly off. It had seen her, she knew, but it had not changed course to come and pick her up. It came closer and a beam of light emerged for a split second, hitting the ground and then disappearing, the dart flew away.
A single Wraith had been placed on the ground. It slowly walked toward her, growling. They had not intended to take Astra, but to kill her, to end this quickly.
Anger fired in her heart. Teyla felt a sudden life rushing through her veins. Adrenaline pumped. Although she was as cold as death, her balance as skilled as Mckay's – she readied her self for a fight, spreading her feet and taking her staff in both hands, focusing her pain and anger on the enemy.
The Wraith laughed low in its throat.
'You are weak.' It spat. 'You cannot hope to defeat me!' It roared. 'Where is the girl?! Tell me and I will spare you!'
Teyla said nothing. The Wraith growled and advanced swiftly.
Teyla took a few steps back before bringing her staff up to hit its head – it blocked. She used the other end to sweep its feet – it jumped, and punched her. She stumbled.
Teyla growled, advancing quickly. She ducked and dodged its attacks, placing a few of her own but with little success. She spun and brought the staff down from above, thwacking its head. She used the tip to jab it back and then hit both side of its head before swatting at its shins. It fell forward and she kicked it in the face. Her mistake. Pain screamed in her side and she fell back, the staff out of reach. She gripped her side and could not breathe, blood gurgled in her throat and she coughed it up onto the ground, taking a large gulp of air.
The Wraith stood, smiling.
'And now you die, and I will kill the girl anyway!' He sat on her, raising his hand to feed.
The familiar sound of bullets filled the air and the Wraith went ridged. It fell onto its side and stared at her with glassy eyes.
Teyla tried to see, to lean forward and see who it was. The weapon was human, they had come for her. But she couldn't see – god, she needed to see - couldn't move, couldn't breathe…
She tilted her head and saw a Jumper hovering. Ronan, Rodney and John standing by its side, both Ronan and John lowering their weapons.
John did not smile at her.
He dropped his gun to the floor and sprinted to her side, falling to his knees and grasping her hand. She grasped it just as tight, feeling his other hand support her head. He grinned nervously.
'It seems to be a recurring thing with us, me saving you from the Wraith.' His eyes showed extreme worry; he looked back at Ronan and Rodney, yelling something about a stretcher.
She was so cold, she couldn't breathe, could barely see his face – and she wanted to see his face so badly. She coughed again, blood trickling from the side of her mouth.
He lowered his face to her, his mouth brushing her forehead, and his body shielding her protectively.
'You're safe…we'll take you home.'
Teyla squeezed his hand. 'Trees.' She gasped.
He shushed her, stroking her hair again. She heard feet approaching fast.
'It's okay, Teyla…Teyla?'
The world went black.