"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 48

(PK3-510, Amazon Planet)

Stacey and Teyla sat down by the fire the Amazons had prepared for the two. They would eat and sleep and maybe discuss their plan. The next morning they would start the negotiations. The two women nibbled at their food. The food didn't seem eatable to them.

Stacey took a piece of bread, the only normal looking food on the table, tore a piece off and then ate it.

"What do you think the negotiations are going to be like?" Stacey asked Teyla.

Teyla sipped at her goblet.

"I do not know. I'm afraid I have not traded with this race of Woman," Teyla said. "But, it would seem that you have some idea."

"The Ancient Greeks on Earth had a similar tribe of woman. They eventually faded back into society. But, when men would enter the camp, the Amazon Queen demanded that the men's leader of the village to fight her in a fight to the death," Stacey explained calmly.

"Then you expect that these Amazons would demand the same," Teyla said.

"Yup," she answered, finishing her wine, "But, that's not what concerns me."

"The fact that the Wraith have not ventured here?" Teyla asked.

"That, and the Queen looks very familiar," Stacey paused as she tore off another piece of bread. "I think Nemesia knew her back before she got banished by the 'others'"

"Inara maybe an Ancient?" Teyla asked.

"I wouldn't bet on it though. It might be Deja-Vu," Stacey told her.

Stacey took off her boots and placed her Sai's in them. Teyla looked at them.

"You knew that you would have to fight to free our men, didn't you?" she asked.

"Yeah, but I'm hoping it won't come to it. Maybe they're different then Earth's Amazons," Stacey told her. "We'd better get to bed. Tomorrow's a big day."

About half way through the night Stacey woke up in a cold sweat. She glanced around the hut. Teyla was sleeping soundly on her side. The fire in the middle of the hut was almost out, but heat was still being emitted from the burnt wood.

Stacey got her boots on and went outside. Amazingly there were no guards guarding the hut.

Once she went outside she looked up at the stars. They were beautiful. But, she wasn't used to these particular constellations. Sure she had looked up at the stars during the salty aired nights on Atlantis. But, they weren't named. When Allison was little she and Stacey would stay up late and tried to name the constellations in the Milky-Way Galaxy.

After a minute or so of reminiscing, Stacey finally realized that she wasn't alone. Inara stood beside her.

"Is your bed not comfortable?" Inara asked.

"No, it is quite comfortable," Stacey told her. "I just had a nightmare, is all."

"I have something for that. Come," Inara ordered.

Inara walked to her hut with Stacey in toe. The Amazon Queen sat down beside her fire and indicated for Stacey to do the same. Stacey obeyed and sat beside the Queen. Inara poured two cups of whet looked like tea from a kettle that was hanging over the roaring fire.

"It's a hot drink made from a plant that grows everywhere. It's for nightmare less nights," Inara explained as she caught sight of Stacey watching her.

"Thank you," Stacey said as she was given a cup.

The tea like drink smelt of mint. The two woman drank in silence until Queen Inara noticed the six-pointed white star pendant around Stacey's neck.

"So, tell me, Inara, how long have you been posing as a queen on this planet? Since the war against the Wraith went for the worst, or before?" Stacey was tired of beating around the bush. She needed answers.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Stacey," Inara said drinking her tea.

"Oh, you do. You can't fool me," she told her.

"The pendant is a key,"

"To Nemesia's Secret Lab," Stacey finished. "I know. I was the only one that could reopen it."

"The capsule that held Nemesia?"

"I touched it. She was in me for awhile. Until she lost control over my body. Nemesia left her memories in me and is now inside my newborn son, Adam," Stacey explained. "Who was Nemesia to you?"

"She was my older sister," she told her softly.

Stacey returned her attention back to her tea. After she was finished she went to bed, saying good night to the Ancient before leaving. By the time she got back to her tent she fell to sleep immediately.

To be continued . . .