Chapter 5

Stopping at the entrance to McKay's lab, just out of the scientist's line of sight, Sam Carter took a few minutes to look around. To her scientific mind this is one of the more interesting places on Atlantis although she would be loathe admit such a thing to its owner. In the six years he had been here, McKay had managed to supplement the impressive collection of Ancient technology with some of the most sophisticated equipment from Stargate Command. He had done some outstanding work in collaboration with the expedition's other scientists, especially the often abused Zelenka, to develop an understanding of the Ancient technology.

To Sam's surprise, she actually felt a slight pang of envy. If she had not been given the unique opportunity to command the Atlantis expedition, she would have really enjoyed coming here as a scientist. She had filled many roles and had many adventures since joining the Stargate program all those years ago but deep down inside there still beat the heart of a pure scientist. Her face was transformed with a smile tinged with irony – life here would certainly be much easier, perhaps even more interesting, without the mantle of command.

She sighed and banished the thought of what might have been from her mind before taking the final couple of steps into the lab. McKay was perched on a high stool with his head bent over one of the original Atlantean system terminals, totally absorbed in his work. While she could not fault his professional skills and talents, Sam really wished he would step back once in awhile and show some humility. Still the job he was doing now, finding out information about the world he will be heading out to as part of Sheppard's team, was mundane enough to keep his ego at bay.

"Hey, Rodney, found anything interesting?" As soon as the words left her lips, she realised how silly this question was. For McKay everything he did, everything he discovered, was interesting irrespective of other people's views.

"Ah, yes, good timing, actually I have and I'm just about finished."

Carter moved round to stand at his shoulder and looked at the screen to read the last of the information he had accessed on the city's databanks.

The scientist pointed to some of the key facts as he continued talking. "You know, there's actually quite a lot of information here, far more than you'd expected for some god-forsaken world that can probably best be described as 'off the beaten track'." He looked round wearing the self-satisfied grin that always accompanied announcements of his discoveries, no matter how small they were. "Er...did you send Sheppard and Ronon off on their little adventure okay?"

"Yes, they're safely off-world."

And out of her hair at least for the next eighteen hours or so, hopefully longer. Sheppard had been like a bear with a sore head since they decided to wait before investigating the lead they hoped would take them to Kolya. She had known waiting would be difficult for him and, after only one day, rather than test his patience too much, she had decided he and Ronon were the idea people for a routine mission to collect some new product samples from one of their food suppliers. It would take at least seven hours to get there, a couple for the usual hospitality and general chin wag, then several more on the return journey. That would leave less than a day to cope with her second in command before he could be let off the leash and she felt sure she could handle that with the control and sensitivity a commanding officer should display, especially after this short break away from him.

"So, what've you found? Tell me the story."

"M3R-290. It's actually one of the worlds settled by the Ancients. I say settled rather than seeded because this settlement was part of a biggest experiment to see how well communities would develop in a range of different harsh environments. So each of the projects began with quite large populations that were monitored rather than just left to fend for themselves."

Carter narrows her eyes. "What do you mean by 'harsh' environment?"

"Ah, it can mean a range of things – in this particular case we're talking cold, sub-zero temperatures, ice, snow and only minor seasonal variations."

"Hmmm, obviously it succeeded?"

"Well, yes, they found out, as we already know, that humans can survive in cold conditions but they don't really like it, or rather anyone with any sense doesn't like it. Anyway, the important thing is the community grew and was still going strong when the Ancients left Pegasus."

"So that's all we know?"

"No, that's all the information that was stored in these particular databanks." He jumped up, forcing Sam to take a step backwards, and moved over to one of the expedition laptops. Carter followed. "We haven't visited this world yet but we've got an amazing amount of info about it from other communities."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

She rolled her eyes and a small sigh escaped before she can stop it. "Why have we got so much information from other people?"

"Well, that's what I'm trying to tell you. Because of the cold they are totally dependent on food, clothing, just about everything to be brought in from other worlds. So you're probably wondering why such a settlement has thrived when it has no natural resources of its own? Well, by all accounts this particular trading post has developed its own unique identity. To start with, like a few of the settlements we've visited on the outer reaches of the galaxy, the level of lawlessness draws comparisons to the old West."

Attuned to the drone of McKay's voice, Sam was involuntarily distracted by a disturbing picture of Sheppard and Ronon riding into a Wild West town with cowboy hats, gun belts and six shooters.

McKay's slightly piqued voice brought her back to reality. "Hello, are you listening to me?"

"Sorry Rodney." She looked suitably contrite.

"So, as I was explaining, this is where you go if you want to lie low for awhile. It's also the place to go if you want trade or buy anything that hasn't been obtained honestly – you know the "fell off the back of a truck" type stuff. As Lorne said, the traders aren't really too concerned what they trade or who they do business with, just as long as they make a profit. They live by their own rules which definitely aren't quite as exacting as those on the majority of other worlds."

"Hmmm ... sounds like a colourful community! It's potentially dangerous even without the added possibility of this being a trap set by Kolya?"

McKay nodded his head and looked down to inspect his fingernails. "Well, certainly not the sort of place I'd like to go on my own after dark."

x-X-00-X-x

When he had arrived on this cold, white world, Kolya had been confident his plan to deal with Sheppard would be executed quickly and cleanly. The bait had laid on that desolate Genii outpost and he knew exactly when it had been taken, not by Sheppard but by one of his subordinates, a Major Lorne. His agents had listened while the intelligence they had so carefully encouraged their fellow Genii to promote as truth was passed back to Atlantis. This Lorne and his team had stayed awhile longer after transmitting the information but gave no indication they doubted its veracity.

Of course, he had known there was a chance that Sheppard would suspect a trap so Kolya had set his ambush accordingly. He had been sure Sheppard would come with only his usual team, the scientist McKay, the Athosian woman and the big Satedan he had only seen on one occasion. But he had still brought the majority of his force here leaving only a small detachment to defend their home base. Men were dotted at strategic points throughout the settlement, all able to recognise their targets and able to steer their quarry to the tavern. That was where Kolya waited, in a small private room off the main bar, for three long and eventually unrewarding days.

-o-o-o-o-

The eyes opened with a start that indicated a mind dragged up to consciousness well before it was ready. Kolya stretched gently, adjusted his vision to the early morning light and scanned the small but well furnished room to see what might have roused him from the depths of sleep so early. Turning his head slightly he looked at the woman who still slept restlessly beside him, obviously the cause of his waking. She had caught his eye as he sat with his men in the bar on that first night in town and last night, when his physical needs finally got the better of him, he had taken her to his bed. But she was the last thing he wanted to deal with now so he woke her abruptly. Well used to such brusque dismissals from stranger's beds, she climbed over him drowsily, dressed quickly and left without a word or a backward glance.

Now he was fully awake Kolya decided there was little to be gained by remaining in the hard bed he had endured for the past three nights. The cold air in the room encouraged him to also dress quickly once he had kicked off the blankets. Buttoning his shirt he walked over the bare boards and threadbare rug to the small, grimy window that looked out onto the town square. More light snow has fallen during the night and delicate icicles hung off the building eaves and the twisted bare limbs of the trees that lined the square. A few early risers had already left solitary tracks as they went about their business. Kolya decided it was time to join them. He slid his feet into his boots and walked over to grab his coat off the battered old brass hook that clung tenaciously to the back of the door. It was even colder out in the corridor, some of the small windows had been left open overnight, but the air warmed up slightly as he headed down the stairs.

Smelling the aromas of cooking, he headed straight to the kitchen to see what was on the menu. The cook looked at him through bleary eyes, the smell of stale beer permeating the air. Well, the food might smell good but whatever was on offer looked far less appetising. Kolya took a plate of some of the less offensive looking morsels and moved into the bar to eat. It was a large room, the tables, benches and chairs were set around the walls and there was an open space in front of the bar for patrons not fortunate enough to secure a seat. A large fire was already well established and the tavern's owner stood behind the bar wiping tankards with a cloth that probably added more grime than it removed. None of his men were there, not that he would sit with them anyway, so he grabbed a knife and fork off the bar before heading over to a table near the fire.

Obviously he had misjudged Sheppard's determination to end this feud. In his mind, their confrontation would have been over and done within the day and he had fully expected be back on his own world by now. He briefly entertained the idea that Sheppard might be reluctant to face him but quickly dismissed it as totally out of character for a man whose military skills he had come to grudgingly respect. No, Sheppard would come, Kolya had never been more certain of anything in his life. The Atlantean had threatened to kill him more times that he could remember and he doubted that fire will be extinguished by anything less than his actual death. But after three full days waiting in this dismal trading post he clearly needed to re-think his strategy.

Was it worth his while sitting here just waiting? He sighed. The unrelenting cold had turned the lingering discomfort in his left shoulder into a gnawing ache that doggedly refused to respond to any medication. This bleak world had little to offer anyone foolish enough to stay longer than needed to finish their business and, in truth, he was also getting bored with the inactivity that went hand-in-hand with waiting. The world they currently called home was cold, damp and essentially uninviting but at least it held the few basic things that make life bearable such as his books and training facilities. His body was starting to miss the rigid and extreme program of physical exercise and training that dominated his everyday life and the mental stimulation to be found among this group of illicit traders left much to be desired.

Taking a final mouthful of the hash that passed as breakfast, he pushed his plate away and leaned back, his mind made up. He had the patience necessary to wait for Sheppard to come, just not the patience to wait on this god-forsaken world. He would take some of his men back to their base world leaving the rest, including his crack squadron of bodyguards, to monitor the situation and contact him when Sheppard turned up. Once the summons came, he could return quickly and he had complete confidence that his men would be more than capable of containing the Atlanteans until his arrival.

x-X-00-X-x

Sheppard was annoyed. The off-world mission Carter had sent him on with Ronon had taken longer than anticipated and then she had decided they needed to sleep before heading out to follow-up the Kolya lead. The upshot was it was almost four days since Lorne had sent though the intelligence and they were only just heading off. He understood the need for caution but they had survived walking into traps before so he was annoyed with himself that he had not put up more of a fight to go to this remote trading world straight away. He looked at his incomplete team and felt even more annoyed, one of them was always just a little bit late.

"So this place is cold?" The cold was something he was used to but he just wanted to make sure he was adequately prepared. The time spent in Antarctica have been a graphic lesson in the broad spectrum of temperatures encompassed by the term 'cold'.

"Yes, it's cold, but like you I've never been there so don't know exactly how cold it is right now."

Okay, so McKay was in one of those moods. Sheppard gave him a wilting look before turning to Teyla just as Carter and the straggler, Ronon this time, arrived in the gate room.

All of them, except Carter, were dressed appropriately for the cold climate while Sheppard and McKay carried nothing that might link them to Atlantis. In fact, they looked like a small party of traders who might have come from anywhere in the galaxy and might have something decidedly suspicious to trade. Only the well concealed weapons told a different story.

Carter looked at them approvingly. "Well, I'd certainly think twice before trusting you."

Sheppard smiled weakly. "Good ... thanks ... so we've achieved everything we want appearance wise then."

"Oh yes and so much more." Carter smiled back briefly before resuming the role of commanding officer. "Seriously, don't forget this is a reconnaissance mission. Don't take chances. You're looking for a solid lead on Kolya that's all. Obviously, if you find him sitting in the local tavern you'll have to reassess the situation."

Sheppard was aware that he was yet to speak to his team about the personal implications of taking on a problem that is his alone. He bit his lip, wondering exactly what to say when the responsibility was taken from him.

"John," Telya walked over and stood toe-to-toe with him. "We're not coming with you because we support this vendetta of yours. We're coming because ultimately Kolya will try to overthrow Ladon's regime."

Her words did not sound convincing but they seem to hit a chord with Rodney and Ronon so Sheppard saw no point trying to say more on the subject. But he looked down into her face with a frown. How the hell did she know he had been thinking about this very issue? He really needed to find out if she could read his mind, even just a little bit.

-o-o-o-o-

"Wow, this is really pretty, just like a postcard." McKay walked down from the gate eagerly scanning his new environment like a tourist.

Sheppard frowned and wished the event horizon was still open so he could just push the scientist back to Atlantis.

Instead he settled for a mild dressing down. "Yeah? And if anyone had been waiting for us, you wouldn't have had long to enjoy it. They'd have had you in the bag before you even knew what was happening."

Admonishment over, he also looked around and realised that Rodney was actually quite right in his aesthetic assessment.

The stargate was located in a valley between spectacular mountain peaks that reminded Sheppard of photos he had seen of the Dolomites back on earth. The steep lower slopes were covered with thick forestation, yet more varieties of tall straight conifers that seemed to thrive on every world in Pegasus, this time with foliage in a range of blue/silver hues. To the left of the gate a wide river flowed quickly over sharp rocks and boulders, pulling constantly on any low-hanging vegetation and whipping up furls of icy spray that would be an unpleasant surprise for an unsuspecting traveller who arrived during a time of strong wind. It appeared the track to the settlement followed the river as it disappeared down the valley although the town was not visible from here.

The sun was about a third of the way across the clear, bright blue sky indicating it was probably about mid morning. The muddy, churned surface of the road was covered with a light dusting of snow that had probably fallen overnight. A mass of new footprints leading to and from the gate indicated quite a number of people had passed this way already today. Ronon crouched down to look at the most recent tracks.

"Looks like they passed back through the gate not long ago – probably in the last hour or so." The Satedan stood and brushed the icy dirt off his hands.

"Kolya?"

Ronon shrugged his shoulders. "No idea, most tracks don't come imprinted with their owners' name."

Sheppard rolled his eyes and smiled weakly. "Okay, we're not going to learn anything standing here admiring the scenery. Let's just stick to the track and keep your eyes open folks – don't want anything or anyone jumping out of the trees and surprising us."

McKay looked nervous as they start down the track. "Whoa, you don't think there might be any wild animals here do you? Wolves perhaps or even bears." He slowed to peer closely into the nearby forest. "It looks like wolf country to me."

"You never know Rodney, that's why you need to focus on what you're doing, keep up with the rest of us and keep your eyes open." Sheppard knew from experience that this advice would have the double benefit of keeping McKay alert and so focused on the job that his usual idle chatter would dwindle to a trickle.

Teyla on the other hand had a well-honed ability to talk and watch at the same time. "John, have you had chance to think about what you'll do if Todd turns up?"

"What's to think about?" Ronon's point of view was telegraphed before he even opened his mouth. "We don't need his help for anything here. Seems like the perfect time to kill him. Get him out of our way for good."

"No to both your questions. I haven't had time to think but it's definitely not the right time to kill him. If he does turn up he won't be alone and to be quite honest I don't feel like dealing with a whole hive full of angry wraith pissed off because we've just killed their commander."

Ronan and Teyla exchanged a covert glance but the tone of finality in Sheppard's voice put paid to any further conversation.

The river continued its relentless cascading beside them and Sheppard thought of a couple of his buddies on earth who would see this spot as a white water rafting paradise. The air started to chill as the brilliant blue sky was gradually covered by some grey clouds that were mostly likely full of snow and the team unconsciously increased their pace in response. They passed a couple of traders on their way back to the gate, nodding a greeting but not stopping to exchange words.

A couple of small cottages finally marked the edge of the town. As soon as he spotted them, Sheppard signalled the team to move into the dense forest at the side of the track.

"Okay, Teyla and Ronon you head in first then Rodney and I'll follow a few minutes later. We're just looking for info so keep your eyes open for anything unusual. There's sure to be an inn or tavern so we'll meet there. Any questions?"

Teyla and Ronon exchanged looks and shook their heads in unison. They turned to walk back to the track and continue their journey to the town. McKay leaned back against a tree his eyes still alert for potential predators.

"Relax Rodney, I really don't think there're any wolves here."

Sheppard looked around taking in the soft forest floor that felt like sponge under their feet. The snow had not penetrated through the trees and the ground was sprinkled with some small red wildflowers hardy enough to grow in such hostile conditions. The eerie silence of the forest muted the sounds of the river's relentless journey towards its destination and he wondered what that destination entailed. Was it a scenic alpine lake or something larger. He was startled by a sudden cacophony of squawking coming from some large birds skirmishing around the lower branches of the conifers.

"Time to go."

Sheppard led the way as they followed Ronon and Teyla's footsteps down to the track.

x-X-00-X-x

About five minutes after the team moved away from the Stargate, it activated again and a tall young man with a nondescript face walked through. He did not waste time looking at the scenery, his needs were much simpler but far more strategic. Scanning the area, he quickly identified potential places where he could hide quickly and remain concealed from the most prying eyes.

He was also alert for the possibility he might be being watched himself. Putting his bag down on the ground, he made the pretence of rummaging around in it. In reality, like Ronan, he studied the most recent set of footprints, removing a rough leather glove to run his hand over the deep ridges of one particular set of imprints. He had seen this particular pattern before and knew it belonged to footwear far too sophisticated to have been produced in this galaxy. At least one of the humans his master was seeking had recently arrived on this forsaken world.

A spontaneous smile broke out across his face but before he notified the hive he needed to get visual confirmation. Putting his bag on his back, he set off down the track at a brisk trot instinctively keeping to the forest side that offered the most protection. He slowed and nodded at a couple of passing traders. They must have also seen his targets but they could not tell him anything he did not already know so he saw little point in stopping to ask questions.

Movement in the trees up ahead caught his attention. Taking a quick diversion up into the forest, he moved slowly and quietly over the pine needle carpet to a spot from where he could get a good view of the other visitors. The murmur of their voices filtered through the trees but he was reluctant to get close enough to actually hear their words. As an accomplished agent he knew that if he could hear his target's conversations, he was also close enough for them to hear his movements.

The tall Satedan and the Athosian woman moved away and the other two continued to wait in silence. A group of birds suddenly began fighting in the low branches above his head and he moved to stand, straight and silent, behind the tree he had chosen as his cover.

Cautiously he looked out to see the two visitors moving down to the track to continue their journey. As he watched them head off into the town, he took out his personal transceiver and filed his intelligence report before turning back towards the gate.

x-X-00-X-x

The stocky, well-built Genii captain stood warming his hands in front of the same large fire that had earlier warmed Kolya as he ate breakfast. Although a soldier by profession, nothing about his current appearance would lead a bystander towards this conclusion, except perhaps his straight back and the watchful glances he regularly cast around the room. His fortunes had always been inextricably linked with Acastus Kolya and, while he was half a generation younger, the lines of his profile indicated a shared bloodline. He had not been part of the strike force used in the ill-fated attack on Atlantis but he was now captain of Kolya's bodyguard. He had been loyal to his cousin since the older Genii began his rise to power under Chief Cowen and had seen no reason to desert his mentor after the betrayal by Ladon Radim. His schooling had been done with Ladon and the two would have been natural rivals except that where Ladon shone in scientific endeavours, this one was a soldier and a natural killer.

The tavern was starting to fill up and the captain needed to stake himself a table. Hands adequately warmed he moved over to the bar for a tankard of ale.

"Your commander got sick of waiting?" The barman was always on the lookout for a conversation, especially with strangers he thought might be useful to cultivate.

"Shame you don't see the filth on your tankards as clearly as you see things that are not your concern," the captain replied, making no effort to hide the contempt in his voice.

Taking his tankard, the soldier moved back to a table near the fire, settled down on the hard wooden seat and took a long draught of his ale. Well used to such brush-offs, the barman just shook his head and returned to his own thoughts.

The captain respected Kolya and followed his orders without question. But this morning he was finding it very difficult to hide his disappointment that his commander had chosen him and his squadron of fifteen men to remain on this trading post to wait for these Atlanteans who may or may not turn up. He had been part of the team that accompanied Kolya when he tried to use this Sheppard to get to Ladon so he understood why the Atlantean was looking for his commander. But to his mind they would have been better off staying on their home world, a place they knew well enough to defend against most forces, and waited for Sheppard to come to them. He lacked his kinsman's confidence that this mission would achieve its purpose and saw nothing but more snow-bound boredom in his future until Kolya finally returned to his senses and either adopted a different strategy or let this matter drop. Nevertheless he would continue to keep his men strategically placed throughout the town, including one set to watch the stargate. If they had to be here they must continue with the job they had been assigned.

The crackling voice of his sergeant on the communications device that sat under the lapel of his jacket roused him from his thoughts. "They've just come through the stargate."

The captain looked round but was confident no one else had heard the disembodied voice. "How many? Sure they're Atlanteans?"

"Four. I recognise the Satedan."

The captain laughed. He doubted anyone would forget this particular Satedan. "Tell the others."

"Any other activity?"

"Another man came through, probably a trader. Nothing suspicious."

It would take the Atlanteans a while to walk from the stargate into town so there was plenty of time to prepare. If they exercised caution and stuck to their plan this capture should be easy although he knew the big Satedan would pose the greatest danger to his men. Looking around he nodded slightly to the two men who sat together in a corner of the tavern to indicate their quarry had arrived. The experience of waiting around over the last few days told him that the Atlanteans would not be able to spend too long walking round the town before they would start looking for some warmth. Patience was the key. He just needed do wait in the only place they would find that warmth while his men moved into place to make retreat impossible.