Dragonlots aka Dana Bell
Chapter 3
The market was crowded and Teyla had to make her way through slowly. Being pregnant did not stop her, but it did make getting around awkward at times. She was glad she'd chosen a colorful tunic with matching pants to wear so she was comfortable in the afternoon heat. Ronon trailed behind, glancing around like he expected a Wraith to jump out at them at any moment. He wore his normal tight clothes, with his sword slung over his back. She smiled at the vendors, pausing occasionally to examine their merchandise before moving on.
"Find anything yet?" Ronon didn't exactly grump, like Rodney would have, but she could tell he was getting tired of her shopping.
"It takes time to find just the right gift." She paused before a booth displaying handmade jewelry.
"Doesn't seem John's style."
"No." She picked up a necklace and lifted it to see the detail more clearly. "This is well crafted." Teyla had never seen anything like it. The odd gold triangular design on the end of the leather cord intrigued her.
The man running the booth stepped forward eagerly. "Made by," he stopped.
She lifted her eyebrows in question. "Is it rare?"
"Perhaps," he hedged.
Another man strolled up. "Don't let him fool you. I traded that," he pointed to the necklace she held, "for this." He pulled it out of his pocket and showed her the silver tree carved brooch. "It's for my wife."
"She is a fortunate woman." She offered the necklace back. "Perhaps another time."
The owner scowled at her and the man. She sensed he did not take the loss of a potential sale well. Ronon gave him an amused smile while watching the newcomer.
"Name's Starbuck," the man who had traded for the brooch offered. He wore loose tan clothing similar to the local villagers.
"Teyla," she returned. "My friend Ronon."
"Hello," Ronon greeted warily.
"You must forgive him. He does not trust easily."
"Sounds wise to me." Another man, one with dark hair joined them. His clothes were brown. "We need to get going, Starbuck."
"In a micron, Apollo." The blond haired man gave her a charming smile. "Not seen you here before. Traveling through?"
"I often trade here." It was a half-truth. Her people had come here perhaps three or four times during the non-growing seasons.
"We're only passing through ourselves," Apollo stated. "And now, we really need to get going. The Co…my father will worry if we're much later."
"He knows us," Starbuck bantered back.
"Yes. He does. That's why he'll worry."
She picked up on the close bond between two. There were few she'd known in her lifetime who were so fortunate.
"We should be going ourselves," Ronon reminded her.
"It was nice to meet you." She glanced at the black man and they moved on. Teyla still had a birthday gift to find for John. Stopping at another booth further down the street, she looked back. The two men were gone.
"Odd names," Ronon commented.
"Yes." She picked up a wooden toy. "I think John will this."
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"Off world activation," a tech reported just as McKay turned off the shield.
Colonel Carter held her breath. Nothing happened as Cain's fighter sailed into the city. The scientist quickly put it back up and Rodney released a very loud sigh. Sam breathed as well. Nothing happened.
"Teyla and Ronon's IDC." The tech looked at Carter for instruction, even though he didn't have to.
"Drop the iris," she ordered out of habit. The SGC had an iris whereas Atlantis had a shield in the center of the gate.
Teyla and Ronon walked through the blue shimmering gate. The marble floor beneath their feet mirrored the gate until it shut off. Hurriedly they climbed the lighted stairs.
"What's going on?" Ronon wanted to know as they joined the others.
Sheppard quickly filled them in. "Where's Commander Cain landing?"
"Look's like the east pier," McKay answered.
"If he knows where my people are," Teyla sounded hopeful for the first time in months.
"That what he says." Rodney spun around in the chair he sat in. "We don't even know if we can trust him."
"Colonel Sheppard," Sam began.
"Already on it." He moved away activating his ear mic. "Major Lorne, I want you and your team to meet me on the East Pier."
"Dr. Weir is in orbit?" Ronon's tone reflected his confusion. "We were told she was dead."
Sam grimaced. "Evidently not."
Teyla sank down in a chair. "Did we abandon the search for her too quickly?"
Carter shook her head. "You acted on the information you had. There was nothing else you could have done."
"I wonder if she's mad at us?" Rodney's round face filled with anguish.
"Stop it, McKay. Damn. I wish Midpoint hadn't been destroyed."
"What? You can't handle it?" He crossed his arms over his gray-green top.
She glared at him. "I want any and all information you can get from the city's sensors about those ships up there."
"Other than what I've already told you."
"McKay."
He took the hint and got back to work. Teyla and Ronon exchanged a look.
"You have something to say?" Carter demanded.
They both shook their heads.
"Good." She retreated to her office. Her office, she reminded herself. It had ceased to be Weir's months ago. Sam kept it neat and military with no personal belongings scattered around. "So why do I feel like the intruder?"
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"Wonder who those two were?" Starbuck asked as he and Apollo flew their vipers back to the Galactica.
"Probably just a couple of traders as they said."
"I don't know, Apollo. I got the feeling that meeting them was important."
His friend laughed. "Sure you weren't just admiring Teyla?"
"That's not fair. The only woman I think is pretty when she's pregnant is Cassie."
"I'll tell her that."
"Only if you want Sheba to be jealous."
"My wife knows what I think."
"You sure." There was a brief silence between them. Starbuck grinned. "That's what I thought."
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"He's down safely." The pony-tailed ranger informed Dr. Weir.
"That's a relief." She sat back in her chair.
Lyta sent her a sidelong glance. "You had doubts?"
"When Atlantis was civilian run, no. Now that the military is in control." She shook her head. "I have no way of knowing."
"I understand. Babylon 5 was similar, even when Sheridan temporarily ran the Interstellar Alliance there."
"I've heard the rangers talk about him. He sounds like a," she paused not sure what to say.
"He was in the right place at the right time." Lyta smiled. "Or rather, the wrong place at the wrong time, depending on how you viewed it."
Weir's eyes traveled around the bridge. "Where'd the Doctor go?"
"Back to his TARDIS. Said something about wanting to check the time stream." Lyta shrugged. "I have no idea what that meant."
"He does tend to talk in circles and expect you to keep up with him."
"Personally, I think he enjoys talking down to us. I think he needs to feel superior for some reason."
"Reminds me of the Asgard." Elizabeth got up. "They tended to treat us like children."
"So did the Vorlons."
"I'd like to hear about them someday."
"No you wouldn't." There was bitterness in Lyta's voice. "They made the telepaths. When they left,"
"When they left," the Doctor interrupted like he'd been part of the conversation all the time. "They left behind all the weapons they'd created, including the telepaths." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Not to worry, Lyta, your people did eventually get their own homeworld. Seems the Psi Corp fell apart, some sort of internal rebellion. Lucky for you it did."
"How's that?" the red head demanded.
He gave her a grin. "Allowed a certain telepath to enter the military and become part of Excalibur's crew. What an adventure they had!"
"You've left out the details," Elizabeth told him.
"Ahhh, you don't really need to know. All turns out fine in the end anyway."
The two women shared a look. Elizabeth sat back down. Lyta strolled to the front of the ship and gazed out the window. The Doctor came to stand beside the telepath.
"Maybe you ought to consider yourself lucky Draal sent you here."
"Away from my home and my mission?" She sent a skeptical look his way. "I doubt that."
"Told you, your people get their own planet."
She faced the Timelord. "And what happens to me?"
"Well," he drew out the word. "You get a chance to change your destiny."
"You're not going to tell me."
"Better you don't know."
"Why are you here?"
His smile spread on his thin face like sunshine. "I always liked a good mystery."
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"Welcome to Atlantis, Commander Cain." John gave their guest a smile. "If you'll follow me, Dr. Keller will check you out before I introduce you to Colonel Carter."
"Interesting protocol." The older man fell into step with him. They crossed the pier and entered the city. "I got a good look at Atlantis from the air. Impressive."
"Yeah, we like it."
"Explored all of it?"
"Not yet. We're working on it."
"From the legends I remember, you should be finding some interesting things."
John grimaced. "Found more than we bargained on."
"You referring to the Wraith?" He waved his hand in the air at John's questioning look. "Teyla's people talked about them."
"How long were they aboard?"
"Just a couple of sectons."
They'd reached the infirmary. John stepped inside. "Dr. Keller!"
"Just a moment." The perky doctor gave the men a huge smile. Her brown hair was a bit out of place and her dark green eyes sparkled. "Welcome to Atlantis. I'm Dr. Jennifer Keller."
The commander inclined his head. "Cain." He took her hand. "You're very lovely."
"Thank you." She pulled her hand away. "If you'll follow me, we need to do a quick scan and then you can be on your way."
"Certainly."
"I'll be right here," John volunteered.
She waved as the two went into another room. A few minutes later they emerged. "You're in great shape for someone your age," she said.
"We Colonials age well. Besides, I have a ship to look after."
"Of course." She turned to Sheppard. "He's clear."
"Glad to hear it. This way, Commander." He pointed to the door.
Cain graciously went out and the two proceeded to the gate room and Carter's office.
"Never seen one of those before." The Commander pointed at the gate.
"That's how we travel planet to planet."
"Interesting. There was a passage in the Book of Word about the Eye of the Lords. I thought it was just a metaphor."
"Nope. They're real." John tapped lightly on the door jam. "Colonel Carter, Commander Cain."
Carter put aside the report she'd been reading and rose from behind her desk. "Nice to meet you."
"And you. Not often I find a woman in a command position."
Sam bristled slightly at his comment.
"No offense meant."
"None taken." She'd traveled enough across the galaxy and had encountered similar situations. She'd even been sold as property on one planet.
"I'd like to speak to Teyla."
"She's resting at the moment." Her eyes caught Sheppard's. "I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"I'm sure you would." He strutted around her office as if he were the one in charge. He paused to study the stain glass like windows. "Absolutely amazing."
John lounged against the door. "Those are all over the city."
"There were ones like these in the capital city on Caprica." He pointed with his fingers. "We were told they were built by the Lords of Kobol."
"Just who are these Lords?" Sam asked.
"Some say they're legends, others say they founded the twelve worlds." He scratched the back of his head. "From what little I gathered from Adama's warriors, they actually found the planet."
"Adama?" John wondered if they'd have more unexpected guests to deal with.
"He commands the Galactica."
"I remember you asked us about them."
"And you told me you hadn't seen them."
Sam sat back behind her desk. "We haven't. If there was another ship like yours, with a large number of ships with it, we would have heard."
Sheppard added, "That's what allies are for."
Cain smiled. "Adama was always a sly one. He may be here and you might just not know it."
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"Wonder what they're talking about," Rodney mused.
"I should have been allowed to speak to him first," Teyla fumed. "He knows where my people are."
"Procedure," Ronon reminded her. "Colonel Carter needs to,"
"I am aware of what she is doing. I do not need to be reminded." The Ethosian woman glared at the Colonel's office.
"You should know soon enough," McKay put in. "Surely a few more minutes won't matter. Besides," he pushed a couple of controls. "We haven't even been allowed to see Dr. Weir yet."
"That is intolerable." Teyla marched away and passed Sheppard at the door. He smartly didn't try to stop her. "Where are my people," she asked Cain before directing her next remark to Carter, "and why have you not allowed Dr. Weir to come home?"
"First off," Carter stood up. "We aren't really sure it is Elizabeth Weir and secondly,"
"So you're Teyla." Cain smiled warmly and approached her. "I can tell you your people are fine."
"I want to know where they are." Her angry dark eyes caused him to pause.
"They're on a planet we passed."
"What planet and where?" She took a threatening step toward him.
"That's enough, Teyla!" Carter tried to get between the two. "Commander Cain is our guest."
"I have waited a long time to find them."
"And I will get him with Dr. McKay and a star map when I've finished talking with him."
"What about Dr. Weir?"
"We'll see." Something in Teyla's eyes told Carter there was a line that had just been crossed. "I promise, Teyla, we will find your people."
"Come on, Teyla," John lightly touched her arm. "Leave us to do our job. Surely you trust us to,"
"I trust you." She spun awkwardly around and didn't quite waddle out of the room.
"I'm sorry," Sam apologized.
"No need." Cain chuckled. "I remember what my wife was like when she was pregnant."
"You have children?" That surprised Carter.
"I have a daughter. One of the reasons I'd like to find the fleet. She's with them."
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Starbuck presented Cassie with the brooch when he got back to their quarters. She threw her arms around him. A difficult task considering she was very pregnant.
"Thank you!"
"Well," he kissed his wife. "We have been married for a yahren. I thought you should have a celebration gift."
"It's beautiful." She admired the silver tree shape. "Where did you get it?"
"Planet we just passed." He took in the candle lit table and the food she must have cooked herself for dinner. "Give me just a centon, and then I'll be back to eat."
"Starbuck," she put her hands on her hips.
"Just need to visit the head. Be right back." He ducked out and vowed to himself to be right back. He had an idea it was going to be a very sweet reunion.
"Hey, Starbuck!"
He groaned, pivoting to face Apollo. "Thought you'd be with your wife."
"Will be. How'd Cassie like her gift?"
"Loves it. Now, if you'll excuse me?"
Apollo nodded and went down the corridor to his quarters. Starbuck hurried and returned to his wife. Her eyes lit up at seeing him. He was right. It was going to be a sweet reunion.
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"Hi, dad," Boxey greeted.
"Hi, Boxey. Sheba here?"
"In here." Her voice came out of their bedroom. They had a second for Boxey.
"Come on, Muffet." The mechanical daggit followed the boy as he went to his room.
"He's almost too perceptive," she teased as she came out to greet him. She kissed her husband. "How'd it go?"
"No problems. The natives seem to be able to travel planet to planet and weren't suspicious of us."
"How do they do that without ships?"
"I don't know." He sat down on the couch. She snuggled up with him. "I'd like to find out. It could help us with our search for Earth."
"You do know, the Council of Twelve is pressuring your father to allow several of the ships to settle here?"
"I know. He keeps telling them it's too dangerous."
"Apollo, what would happen if these Wraith we keep hearing about find the fleet?" Her voice reflected her fear.
"I have no idea, Sheba. I pray to the Lords we never do."