"What do you think?" Janen folded his arms and looked across the table at Dukon.
The innkeeper sat down. "They seem to be just as they say, men looking for their womenfolk. You saw them. I have no doubt these men could be very dangerous, but they cannot be from the military that accompanied Dr. Weir."
"Balen agrees?"
"He has one or two reservations. He is certain both of these men have the ability to take care of themselves and is a little concerned about the timing of their arrival, but no commander would tolerate their appearance." Dukon shook his head. "They are near exhaustion and desperate. We agree that we need to keep an eye on them, but that's all."
Janen thought for a moment then sighed. "Very well."
Dukon started to get up, but sat down again. "Do you think the landowners and council will relent?"
"I honestly do not know." Janen shook his head slowly. "There will be widespread violence if they do not. Nesor and his group are not willing to wait any longer. Either they gives us what we want or there will be bloodshed."
Dukon was obviously worried. "What will we do with the Dr. Weir and Teyla Emmagan, and the Ministers?"
"The Ministers were warned of the consequences of allowing the situation to continue. I do not wish to harm the women, but we must see this through." Janen looked at the innkeeper, resignation of the seemingly inevitable etched on his face. "The upper class has enslaved people from other worlds that came here for refuge and impoverished their own people for too long. They must let us go."
"And, Nesor?"
Janen sighed. "His hatred is so deep I fear it has turned his mind. I pray to the ancestors he will not make any trouble."
----------
They stepped out of the tavern to a cloudy day. The breeze was cold and hints of it penetrated their coats.
This market was similar to the markets Sheppard and Ronon had seen on other planets. Booths and carts were arranged in neat rows around the main square. As would be expected, the wares included fruit, vegetables, baked goods and handmade clothing. The quality of the produce and other offerings was decent, but the people were more subdued than the day before. Adults and older children talked quietly amongst themselves. Only the youngest children showed signs of unconcerned life, running here and there until called back by their respective parents.
Sheppard and Ronon wandered around. They occasionally stopped to politely inspect the offerings and ask about their missing wife and sister.
"This is good." Ronon took a large bite of a pastry that was filled with yellow and red berries. It was gone in three bites. He then started to work on a piece of green fruit Sheppard did not recognize. The Colonel rolled his eyes and stopped at another cart to ask about his wife.
As they turned from the cart, Sheppard spotted Dukon and Belan at a nearby booth. The later was dressed as a civilian. Sheppard nudged Ronon and walked over to them.
"Good morning." Sheppard smiled, hoping his fatigue wasn't too obvious. The last few days were taking their toll on both him and Ronon.
"Good day to you, Han." Dukon nodded and turned to Belan. "This is…"
"We've met." Belan half smiled. He eyed Ronon, who was just finishing the green fruit. "You found your way back to the tavern, I take it."
"Yes, thank you." Sheppard smiled back. "We appreciate your help yesterday."
"Help?" Dukon looked from Sheppard to Belan.
"They took a wrong turn over in the storehouse area." The constable looked around. "Any luck?"
"No." Ronon shook his head.
Sheppard elaborated. "We've asked a few people, but no one has heard of them. We're waiting for the Town Hall to open so that we can ask in there."
"What will you do if there is no knowledge of them?" Belan asked.
"We'll go home at first light tomorrow. Our settlement has moved far from the Ring of the Ancestors. It will take us hours to make the journey home and the sun has just set there now." Sheppard responded.
"That's not a problem, is it?" Ronon asked.
"No, I don't think so. I hope you find them soon. Good luck." Belan nodded then turned with Dukon and walked away.
Ronon looked at Sheppard and spoke quietly. "They're watching us."
The Colonel nodded as they started toward the Town Hall steps. "I know. You don't think they saw us the last two nights, do you?"
Ronon glanced sideways at him.
Sheppard glanced up. "Of course, you…would…have seen them. How silly of me."
----------
Elizabeth lay on the bed, bundled as best she could in the rough blankets. She stared at the candle that barely lit the small room. The temperature dipped during the night. Her keepers brought in hot food and tea at regular intervals during the day, but checked on her only once at night. They treated her well, but did not speak to her. She had seen or heard nothing of Teyla, but she could not risk possible injury to her young friend.
Something woke her, but by the time she was fully awake, all was quiet again. She turned just enough to see a watery daylight through the minute gap in the wood covering the window. She wondered what time it was. Seeing that it was daytime again, she knew that there was less than 24 hours left.
----------
"Atlantis, this is Daedalus." The disembodied voice of Col. Caldwell caused McKay to jump.
"This is Atlantis, go ahead." McKay responded as Lorne bounded up the stairs to the Ops level.
"We'll be in orbit around Caldea in 24 hours. Any news from Col. Sheppard?"
McKay stared down at the Stargate. "No, nothing. The note from the dissidents gives them only 20 hours."
There was a moment's pause before Caldwell spoke again. "Understood. Caldwell out."
"Are you sure we can't go…?" McKay turned to look at Lorne.
The Major shook his head slowly. "Not a chance. I am under direct orders from Col. Sheppard."
"But, you can…"
"And, I'm not going to ask Col. Caldwell to change those orders." Lorne hurriedly interrupted. He continued when he saw the astrophysicist's consternation. "Rodney, Col. Caldwell would have countermanded the orders if he wanted to, but he obviously thinks that Col. Sheppard is doing the right thing. Without knowing exactly what's happening on Caldea, it's too dangerous to send anyone else in."
McKay stared at him for a moment then nodded, accepting the reasoning. He flopped into the chair again, unwilling to leave the vicinity of the Gate.
"At least they can lock onto the transmitters." Lorne reminded him.
"If it isn't too late."
----------
They came out of the Town Hall as the booths were being packed up for the day. Many were makeshift tables made of wooden planks laid across collapsible sawhorses. Some sold produce out of the back of their carts. Almost everyone had traded with neighbors and all were taking away baskets or carts containing goods of some description. There seemed to be little profit making, just trading enough goods to stay alive.
Thinking they might get a few minutes sleep, Sheppard and Ronon began to walk back to the tavern. As they walked through the square they felt a rising feeling of fear and excitement. Urgent whispering stopped as they passed by. The people around them were packing up and leaving more quickly.
"Something's up." Ronon said under his breath. Then they saw Verna's face. The girl was obviously distressed. A young couple talking with her scurried away as they approached the inn.
Sheppard frowned and spoke quietly to her. "What's wrong?"
"It's Nesor. They're saying he has taken control of the hostages. They don't know if Janen is dead or alive." Verna bit her lower lip almost to the point of bleeding. She was pale with anxiety.
"Where's your father?" Sheppard asked as he and Ronon scanned the people in the square. The cloud cover was high but causing the afternoon to darken quickly. As the news made its way through the square, the remaining traders were leaving as fast as they could.
She looked around, too. "He will be here soon. Ah, there he is."
They followed her gaze to see Dukon say something to Belan then hurry toward them.
"Go inside, Verna." The innkeeper said quietly, ushering her through the door. He glanced at his guests. "You should be indoors, too."
"What happened?" Sheppard asked after they went in and the door was closed.
Dukon was not used to this kind of thing. He was a strong and sensible man, but kidnapping and death threats were rare on Caldea. He turned to Sheppard.
"Verna told me she talked to you of things she should not have. Nesor has taken over the hostages. That is all we know, and we're not even sure of that." He stopped, unsure of what he should say to these men.
"What?" Ronon demanded in a low voice.
"Father, tell them." Verna urged, hoping these men could somehow help.
Dukon looked at her for a moment then back at Sheppard. "I do not think Janen would have hurt the women hostages. He would have found some way not to. Nesor will not hesitate."
"How do you know Janen wasn't going to follow through on his threat?"
"It is not his way. I believe Nesor forced Janen's hand. We had talked about a bloodless rebellion before this happened. Some of us have friends and relatives among the traders on other worlds that are willing to help. We will find another planet for ourselves."
"You?" Sheppard asked.
"The landowners will need to replace the laborers that want to leave. It will not be safe to stay here and I want my daughter to have a better life, even if it means starting over. At least she would be free." He smiled sadly at the girl. She squeezed his arm in return.
"We may be able to help." Sheppard glanced at Ronon. "But, first, you have to help us."
"What…" Dukon looked at him suspiciously. "We don't know where your family is."
Sheppard knew he was risking their lives by telling him, but also knew the situation was much more dangerous now and they probably didn't have time to search further.
"We're here for the hostages, Dukon. My name is Sheppard." He jerked his thumb at his friend. "This is Ronon. Do you know where they are?"
Verna watched her father as he stepped back then turned away. He was thinking as fast as he could. These men had been under his roof for two days and he had vouched that they were not a danger to them. Their very presence created a threat.
"Father." Verna's voice was uncertain. She looked from him to the strangers.
"We don't mean you any harm. We just want our people back." Sheppard said as he threw Ronon a warning glance. The Satedan had taken a step forward, unable to stay still any longer.
Dukon turned back to them. He looked at his daughter for a long moment before nodding his head. "I cannot take you to where they are being held. I will get Balen. He will know what to do."
"Sheppard?" Ronon was suspicious. He took another step toward the innkeeper.
"I trust you enough to leave you with my daughter." Dukon stopped in the middle of the room. "Please. If I am to go, I must go quickly. The landowners will be summoned. We will not be able to go out soon."
"It's okay. Let him go." Sheppard put his hand out to wave Ronon back. "We'll wait here."
Dukon cast a worried look at the girl as he closed the door. She stared at it for several seconds then drew a deep breath and turned to the two men, now complete strangers again with the revelations of just moments ago. She hesitated, not knowing what to do.
Sheppard smiled gently at her. "I'll light the fire. Why don't you make us all something hot to drink?"
Verna nodded, grateful for the small task and chance to escape for a few minutes. She disappeared into the kitchen.
Ronon had again taken up a position next to the window. Sheppard scratched the stubble on his cheek as he went to the fireplace. He glanced at Ronon. Even in the dimming light in the room, it was easy to see he was not happy. There might be some relief at finally being able to do something, but that was the only positive.
Sheppard squatted down and removed the pistol from the ankle holster and slipped it into the right hand pocket of his coat. After lighting the fire, he joined his friend at the window. "See anything?"
"No. Everyone has left the square. It's quiet." Ronon checked the door to the kitchen before speaking again. "What makes you think he won't give us up?"
"Too much to lose." He replied. When he realized Ronon was waiting for an explanation, Sheppard went on. "Dukon's more afraid of losing his daughter than he is of losing anything else. I think he wants off this rock, and knows we can help."
He frowned and walked over to peek through the kitchen door. When he was satisfied the girl was there, he returned to the window. They waited in silence, each imagining the too many directions this could go in, almost all of them not good.
It was some time before Verna brought in a tray with a covered pitcher of steaming liquid, several mugs and slices of a dense, sweet bread slathered with fruit preserves. She set it on the table closest to them and filled two mugs with the hot beverage. She quickly curtsied then went to the fire and began to pile more wood on it. It soon threatened to spill out onto the wide stone hearth. The last half hour had left her cold with shock.
Ronon barely glanced away from the window as he filled one of the mugs and picked up a piece of the bread. He resumed his impatient watch while he ate and drank. Sheppard took the opportunity to talk to the girl. He filled another mug and walked over to where she was standing at one corner of the fireplace and pressed one into her hands. She smiled wanly then stared into the fire.
"Are you alright?" He stood at the other side.
Verna sighed and looked up at him. "I've heard them talking at night, when they think I am asleep. Nesor is not right in the head. He lost his whole family in a Wraith attack on another world when he was a boy. We thought he would kill himself when he lost Merol. He hates the landowners to his core and wants revenge. He will kill the hostages. I know my father and Balen are afraid of what will happen."
"We'll do everything we can to prevent it. There are eleven landowners, right?" He sipped the strong brew that was the Caldean equivalent of coffee. She nodded. "Do you know where the Security Minister is?"
"He and his deputies have been trying to convince the landowners that they must agree to Janen's demands." Her voice was filled with sadness and resignation. "Their greed blinds them to everything that is going on, to the misery and unrest."
"What's taking him so long?" Ronon asked without turning from the window.
"I don't know. Father would not take longer than necessary."
This time, he turned to glare at her. "This could be a trap."
"No, no!" Verna was horrified. She looked from him to Sheppard. "He would not betray you. I swear. He left me here with you, did he not? I am sure he is looking for Balen."
"It's alright. I'm sure he is." Sheppard tried to reassure her. He set his mug down and guided her to a chair. "Just sit here and relax."
He looked at Ronon and nodded toward the window. The Satedan picked up another piece of the bread and resumed his watch, his expression clearly indicating his not being completely convinced. Nothing was said after that. The light outside dwindled quickly as the sun set. Soon, the fire was the only illumination in the room.
It seemed like hours before the door opened again. Dukon entered followed closely by Balen and another man. They recognized the young man as a constable. All three were nervous, but had a determined set to their faces. Verna jumped out of the chair, relieved that her father was back.
"This is my nephew, Soben." Balen put his hand on the young man's shoulder. "Dukon says that you are here for the hostages, Elizabeth Weir and Teyla Emmagan."
"Yeah." Ronon scowled at them. "Where are they?"
"What do you intend to do?" Balen was intimidated by the much larger man, but held his ground.
"We just want to get them out safely. Do you know where they are?" Sheppard spoke, forestalling any threat from his friend. He knew Ronon's patience was at an end. His own was close behind, but he guided them to the fireplace.
Ronon turned to the window again. Soben went to the window on the other side of the door. They silently watched the street outside, occasionally glancing at each other and the three men talking quietly in front of the fire.
"Yes, we know where they are. We also know that Nesor has eight to ten men in the building and three or four more outside, watching for anyone wanting to get in." Balen paused. He took a deep breath before continuing. "There's something else."
Sheppard felt a chill grip his stomach. "What?"
"Nesor sent a finger to Nathal's office two hours ago. It was the small finger from Dessan's right hand."
"How do you know it was his?" Sheppard fought to stay calm.
"We know because Dessan had a scar from an accident on the outside of the finger. That is probably why he chose it." Belan looked from Sheppard to Ronon and back again. "What do you plan to do, Sheppard? Nesor and his men will kill the hostages, including your friends if we try to rescue them."
"Will he wait for the deadline?"
Dukon and Balen looked at each other. They both nodded, but it was Dukon who answered. "Yes, I believe so, but not a moment longer."
"Some of these men are friends and family. We do not want to see anyone hurt, despite what they have done."
"Look, we don't want to hurt anyone. We just want our people back." Sheppard was ready to scream at them. He bit back the urge to take out the Wraith stunner and shoot someone. "You just show us where they are and…"
"How? How will you free them?" Verna asked. She looked at him anxiously. She had disappeared into the kitchen when her father arrived, but soon returned and stood quietly to one side. "Nesor has too many men for just two of you."
"We know what we're doing." His voice hardened as he looked at her and the other Caldeans. "Just get us there and let us do what we came to do. We won't hurt anyone unless have to, but we will get our people out."
Balen exhaled heavily and nodded. "Soben will take you, but we must wait a little. There are too many people still awake and watching. Nesor's men will also be alert. We must wait a little, until the men on watch outside are cold and tired. It will be easier and safer."
"Where will you be?" Sheppard asked.
"I will be on duty with a few…friends. We can keep the patrols away from the area."
"No, no. We don't want to make them suspicious. Let the patrols take their normal routes. Besides, if the lookouts are watching you, they won't see us." Sheppard smiled grimly. "Where is the Security Minister?"
Balen spoke with bitter scorn. "He was to go to a gathering of the landowners at the Folstin farm tonight. They have been talking about what to do for two days, bickering about who would be most damaged by letting the people leave. One of the lieutenants went to fetch him. It will be the middle of the night before he can return."
"I'm surprised they didn't come into town. Isn't Dessan a landowner?"
Dukon exhaled loudly. "Yes, but he is a fool and his family prefer him in town. They would not be quick to inconvenience themselves too much on his account. Besides, they are just unsure enough about the danger that they do not wish to leave the safety of their farms."
"It is likely that they are weighing the probability of losing their cheap labor against the loss of a lesser member of the family." Balen added. He shook his head slowly. "Their grandfathers remembered their grandfathers' stories of the Wraith. They were honorable men, but this generation has known only easiness and plenty. It has made them fat and greedy."
"And, what about the diplomats?" Sheppard was incredulous. He glanced at Ronon just in time to see his black expression before he turned back to the window.
The Caldeans looked at each other. Dukon finally responded. "They have never believed that Nesor or Janen or anyone was serious or a threat of any kind. They rarely come to town and do not understand, do not see, the desperation and resentment growing here."
Verna spoke for the first time. "They don't care."
He father reached out and squeezed her hand. He turned back to Sheppard. "No, they don't. They forget that the Wraith does not see the difference between the rich and the poor. They only see that they are comfortable and well fed. As long as Nathal keeps the peace, they do not care. I just hope he can convince them of the possible danger from your people."
"What's he like?" Sheppard asked, wanting to find out everything about everyone that might try to intervene. He and Ronon needed to know what they were up against if Nathal came back into town.
"He's a hard man, but mostly fair. There are 120 constables in all. We have 23 on our side. Some of the others are not so even-handed in their duties." Balen shook his head in disgust. He was following Sheppard's line of questioning. "The landowners have their own men to keep order on the farms. They are much less disciplined and are more likely to cause injury before asking questions. If any of them come into town before you get through the Ancestral Ring, be wary of them."
"How many are there?" Ronon asked from his post.
"Each farm has 25 to 30 guards, except Remen. He has the biggest farm and 37 men to keep the people in line. They have a uniform similar to ours, but each farm has its own color here." Balen indicated the collar and cuff of his own tunic. "They are bullies and well armed."
Sheppard downed the last of his drink and set the mug on a nearby table. "Okay, now tell us everything you can about where they are being held."