Disclamer: Still don't own them.
A/N: Thank you to everyone that has been reading this story. I really appreciate all that have reviewed it. I'm working on my grammar and spelling issues so please bare with me. Just like the story...it's a work in progress. Anywho..enjoy the story because there is more to come. Take care!
Colonel Carter was standing inside the control room with Radek trying to re-establish communications with the Brinii leadership. Finally after twenty minutes they were able to receive a weak transmission.
"Colonel, I have been able to boost the feed so we can get signal." Radek said.
"Thank you Radek. Put it through." As Colonel Carter and the others waited for the transmission to come through Colonel Sheppard ,Major Lorne, and Captain Campbell's teams entered the gate room and were ready to depart.
"We're ready to go Colonel. Any idea what we are heading into?" John asked.
"Colonel, the transmission we received was a very weak one. Radek has been trying to clean up the signal but, from what he can tell the wraith are blocking all communications. The last we could make out is that the Brinii would have someone waiting for you at the gate and they have heavy casualties coming in. Not only that, they have shelters that still have people inside of them. So when you arrive move the wounded first and then send your teams to retrieve the people in the shelters. We will have Dr. Beckett standing by with medical teams to handle the incoming wounded." Carter said.
"Understood. Dial the gate." John said.
"You don't really need me to go do you?" Rodney asked while he watched the gate dialing.
"You ask that all the time and the answer Rodney is always yes. The wraith for some reason aren't going with standard protocol. They are not blocking the gate so no one can dial in or out. I find that pretty weird. So if the shit hits the fan I want you there to figure how to get our asses off the planet." John said.
"So you want me there to save your ass yet again with my brilliant intellect? Is that what you are saying?" Rodney said with a smirk.
"Whatever floats your boat Rodney." John said rolling his eyes.
John looked over and saw Captain Campbell standing with her team. She was doing her usually ritual with her team handing each one of them a cigar and telling them when this mission was over they were to go to the usual spot. Which was the east pier were they would smoke and wind down.
"All right guys the goodies have been passed out. You guys know the drill. We all come home. Nobody gets left behind. That's an order. Is that understood?" " Danielle asked her men.
"YES MA'AM!" they all yelled in unison.
The last chevron engaged and the Stargate came to life.
"Captain, you and your team take point with Ronon and I. Lorne, have your team cover our ass. Teyla and Rodney, when we arrive I want you two to help with the relief effort. Everyone understand their assignments?" John watched as everyone nodded their heads.
"Good lets move." John said.
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Planet Brinar
Nicca waited in the bushes for any signs of life from the Stargate. She hoped that her message had gotten through to the people of Atlantis and that they would bring the help her people so desperately needed now.
"Mother, do you think your message got through in time?"
Nicca looked at her young son who was covered head to toe in mud. What should have been a short journey to the gate had been an long and strenuous one with all the wounded they were having to carry. The constant watch for the wraith also didn't help matters. Now they were all huddled in the brush near the gate hoping that the Atlantis team found them before the wraith did.
Just as Nicca was about to answer her son she saw the gate come to life. She looked down at her son who was now giving her a hug.
"Yes,Bintin. I think they got the message in time. Thank the ancestors. But we will wait and see if it is them before I give the word to come out." Nicca said.
As the Atlantis team came out the gate they took up their positions quietly. John, Ronan, and Captain Campbell issued command through hand signals for everyone to keep watch and spread out checking the area. Suddenly they heard what sounded like a bird call. Everyone turned their attention in the direction the sound was coming from. The sound came again. Teyla recognizing the sound stepped forward and put up a closed fist for all to see meaning for them to hold their fire. She answered the call back with her own bird call.
Then a women came out the brush and walked towards Teyla with a young boy by her side. She walked towards Teyla and gave her hug and then touched her forehead in the Athosian greeting.
"Teyla. I 'm so glad you and your people received our message. The wraith have come and they have come in force. I have never seen them come with such numbers. Many of my people were lost today." Nicca said with tears coming down her face.
As leader of her people Teyla felt the same pain that Nicca was feeling. Teyla felt lost when her people were taken by the wraith and Micheal. She knew the feeling of loss well enough to see it on Nicca's face. Teyla watched as Nicca turned around and gave another signal that it was alright for the rest of her people to come out. Teyla watched as they came out of the brush. There were so little of Nicca's people left. Teyla's heart broke at the sight of them but she quickly put that feeling away knowing that she still had a job to do.
"Nicca, this is Colonel John Sheppard from Atlantis. He and his team will be helping your people relocate to Atlantis." Teyla said pointing at John who was now moving in her direction.
"Nicca, from your message you said there were still some people in shelters? How far away are these shelters?" John asked.
"Both are short distances away but, they are not in the same direction of each other. One is East of here and the other West of here. I have maps for you. We never put the shelters on the same maps just in case one is found the other shelter will be safe. Each shelter holds about 40 people, though I don't think that you will find that many. As I said to Teyla, the wraith took many this day. Now Colonel, I must warn you that my people are not trusting of strangers. It took a lot of convincing to get them to let me contact you. They only relented because I mentioned Teyla was with you and that we have met you in the past and our encounters have been pleasant. There are still those among us who distrust any outsiders. So if I may make a suggestion, that only two of you go and retrieve the others I think that will help keep things calmer for now." Nicca said.
John muddled over what Nicca had just told him. He inwardly rolled his eyes and caught Teyla looking at him. John knew Teyla caught the look he just gave Nicca. Teyla knew John well enough to know that he was throughly pissed off at her suggestion. How many times did they have to prove to these people that they were the good guys? John didn't like splitting his teams up and putting them in even more danger just to appease some of these backwards ass people. John felt Teyla place a hand on his arm and it quickly brought him out of his inner rant and back to the problem at hand.
"Alright. We'll play it your way. Ronon, Lorne, Campbell I need you over here." John said in his ear piece. John watched as all three ran over to his position. John gave Lorne one map and gave Ronan the other.
"Here's the situation. There are two shelters. One is east, the other is west. From what Nicca has old me they are a short distance from here. Each shelter possible has about 40 people inside but Nicca is not really sure since they wraith took so many this time..."
"What's the catch Sheppard?" Ronan said cutting John off.
"The catch is that these people don't trust outsiders. Not even ones who proven themselves in the past" John said saying that last part quietly to them. "So in order for these people not to freak out I can only send two to retrieve the ones from the shelter. Which means Ronan and I will go to shelter one to the east. Lorne and Campbell, you have got shelter two to the west. Any questions?" John watched as they as they all shook their heads no. "Great. Lorne,Campbell, I want you two to radio in every twenty minutes to let us know your both ok and the progress your making. Also, let your men know that they will be assisting Teyla and Rodney with getting these people through the gate. Any signs of trouble tell them to defend the gate, get as many people as they can thorough, and then shut the gate down. Once you have relayed those orders start heading out towards that shelter. I don't want to remain here any longer than I have to." John said.
Ronon watched as Campbell and Lorne both went towards their men and relayed the orders John just gave them. Ronon stepped closer to John.
"You did that on purpose." Ronon said looking at John.
"Did what? I have no idea what you are talking about."John said with a smirk knowing exactly what Ronan was talking about.
"You put Campbell and Lorne together knowing he can't stand her." Ronon said.
John put a hurt look on his face and placed a hand on his heart. "It hurts that you would think so little of me."
"Uh-huh." Ronan said
"Look. Better him than me. C'mon big guy. Let's go meet with Teyla and Rodney. Give them a heads up on what we planned then head out to that shelter." John said.
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Major Lorne and Captain Campbell were well into trying to find their way to the second shelter. They had already discovered that the shelter was not the short distance Nicca had originally said. It was coming up to the first twenty mark of checking in.
"Lorne to Sheppard."
"Go ahead."
"Just checking in sir. I don't know who makes their maps but the shelter is not a short distance away. According to my calculations and Captain Campbell agrees with me we still have another six clicks before we reach the site."
Lorne could hear the Colonel's low groan over his ear piece and turned to see Captain Campbell giggling at his groan.
"Yeah, we pretty much just found out that their distances greatly vary from ours. Alright Major, you and Captain Campbell keep checking in every twenty. Sheppard out."
Lorne took out the map from his vest again and opened it to review the directions. He was glad that they were making this trek during the day. Trying to follow this map at night would have been disastrous. Lorne noticed that Captain Campbell came to his side to look at the map also.
"Well I for one am glad this is being done during the day. We would have never gotten this far at night." Captain Campbell pointed to the map and saw something on it that looked familiar. "Look here. You see that tree? We just passed it so I think that means we are on the right track." she said.
"I didn't notice that. Good eye Captain. We better move on while we still have daylight." Lorne and Campbell both put their sun glasses on and keep heading on their westerly direction.
"Captain, may I ask you a question?" Lorne said.
"Yes Major." Campbell said still looking straight ahead.
"When are you going to get promoted so I can start telling everyone that I'm dating the most beautiful woman on Atlantis?" Lorne asked continuing his pace.
Danielle felt her face go red.
"Evan, that was the sweetest thing I ever heard. Your ear piece is off right?" Danielle asked. Suddenly concerned that someone might hear them.
Evan laughed. "Yes Dani it's off. Now answer the question. Every time promotion comes around you somehow and don't get mad at me. You screw it up. Why do you do that?"
"Now hold on. I will admit that in the past I have screwed up my chance for promotion but the last time was not my fault." Danielle said.
"Dani, you punched the leader of the Karnatari in the face and never gave any explanation in your report for what happened. I hear the guy was so pissed he threatened to have a bounty put out on your head if you ever return to that planet." Evan said.
"That mission." Danielle said shaking her head. "That mission sucked from the start. You wanna know what happened Evan. I'll tell you what happened short and sweet. The reason why I punched him in the face is because he tried to force himself on me when we met in his private chambers. I had to fight him off of me. I let it go and told him I will not mention what just had happened in my report. He thanked me and said that on his world he had to show dominance over a woman or his men would think he was weak if he didn't have his way with me. When we left his chambers and he slapped my ass and told his men that I was the best woman he had ever had I punched him. Knocked him out cold. My men and I hauled ass back to the gate before he woke up. As soon as we got back to Atlantis, I gave my report to Colonel Carter who was very understanding. Woolsey on the other hand, who happened to be in the room when I delivered my report was not. When the message came in from the Karnatari about what happened, their version was very different. In their story, I was the aggressor and had attacked their leader when he turned me down. He told Colonel Carter that if I ever set foot on the planet again that my life would be taken and that all trade with Atlantis was off. Well, Woolsey forever being the diplomat, he assured the Karnatari that I would be dealt with quickly, and that I would never set again set foot on that world. Woolsey ordered Colonel Cater to take away my promotion and for me to delete the portion of my report away that detailed the incident so that the Karnatari leader didn't loose face. Then, and this is the best part. Woolsey said I was not to repeat the incident to anyone and that I had to had to apologize to that bastard for the misuderstanding. So you see, I didn't screw up my last promotion. I was screwed out of it." Danielle said.
Danielle looked at Evan's face. Usually it was always calm. Evan always wore his military mask. Even on the rare occasion when they did have an argument he always wore that calm military mask. Now the mask was gone and she now saw what a pissed off Evan Lorne looked like.
Evan couldn't believe what he just heard. Evan remembered how withdrawn Danielle was after that mission. He would ask her what happened and she always told him it was nothing and to just drop it. Now he knew it wasn't her fault. It was Woolsey and that damned IOA who cost her promotion and her self respect.
"Does Sheppard know this? Why didn't you say something to me before? " Evan asked.
"No. Sheppard doesn't know. I was ordered not to say anything about it to anyone. I'm only telling you now because we are here alone. Well not alone considering that we are a planet with an unknown amount of wraith on it. Listen Evan, the only reason why I'm telling you now is because I just didn't want you to think anymore that I screwed up my promotion or my chance to get close to you on purpose. I didn't lie when I said that I don't like waking up at 0500 to leave your quarters. I hate it! I can't wait for the day when I don't have to leave and I can just stay and roll over and kiss the neck of the most handsome man on Atlantis." Danielle said.
Evan stopped and took Danielle hand in his. "Thank you for telling me. I'm glad that you trusted me enough to finally tell me what happened. I know this is not the best place to put it all on the line like that but, I really do appreciate it."
"Your welcome." Danielle was about to remove her hand from Evan's when she noticed he tightened his grip. "You can let go now Evan." she giggled.
"I know but, like you said, we are not with in ear shot or within anyone's line of sight so, just for the next twenty minutes, let me hold your hand." Evan looked at Danielle who smiled and nodded yes. They continued on their way holding hands and keeping the same pace as they were before.
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John had just radioed into Teyla and Lorne that they were ok and just about to make contact with the occupants of the shelter. John and Ronan had reached the shelter quicker than Lorne and Campbell had reached theirs. Nicca had forgot to mention that this had been the planet's rainy season and the area Lorne and Campbell were in is now raining heavily. The mud was slowing them down significantly.
John and Ronan approached the shelter slowly not sure what to expect. Both men were hoping that there were still people inside and no wraith. John signaled to Ronan that he would head in first and for Ronon to watch the rear. The shelter looked more like a cave from the outside and the further they went inside they saw that it was actually a cave. John and Ronan heard muffled voices inside trying to quiet down some children. John turned on his flashlight on his P90 to get a better look around. His light shown on all the faces of all the scared and huddled villagers hiding in the cave. John and Ronan approached them very slowly and lowered their weapons.
"My name is Colonel John Sheppard. We were sent her by Nicca to bring you all safely back to Atlantis. I need you all to quickly gather your belongings and follow us to the gate." John said/
"Where is Nicca? Is she not with you?" asked a older male who looked suspiciously at John.
"Like I said before sir, she is waiting at the gate. My friend Ronan and I are only here to help. We need to move quickly before the wraith find us. Now, if it will help you trust me more. I will let you talk to her so we could move out." John touched his ear piece and called to Teyla.
"Sheppard to Teyla."
"Go ahead Colonel."
"Teyla, I'm getting a little resistance here. I know it was to be expected but we need to move out now. Is Nicca there with you?"
Teyla quickly understood where John was going and called Nicca over to her. She explained what John needed and hand her ear piece to Nicca.
"I'm here Colonel. Teyla has told me that some of my people are not willing to leave to leave. Is one of them a tall older male?" Nicca asked.
"That would be him." John said hold his P90 a little tighter as he looked at the man.
The older male had his arms crossed and kept looking at John's weapon as if were trying to think of the best way to disarm him. Every time John looked at the man he kept thinking that old stone face reminded him of an angry Mike Ditka. John had to fight back the urge to say "Da Bears" when stone faced looked at him.
"Colonel, I realize that time is of the essence so if you will allow me, I will speak to him." Nicca said
"Sir, I have Nicca here so you can talk to her. All you have to do is attach this to your ear and you will be able to hear and speak to her." John said.
John handed the big man his ear piece. He watched the man speak to Nicca and he finally saw the man look a little more relaxed, he even smiled.
The man walked back over to John and gave him back his ear piece. He put his hand on John's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
"Colonel, forgive my being mistrusting of you. My name is Astin. Nicca has told you we are not very trusting of strangers. She has told me that you are friends with Teyla Emmagan leader of the Athosian people. That alone tells me you are trustworthy. I will tell our people to follow your lead." Astin said.
John watched as Astin gathered his people towards the entrance. Astin then let John know they were ready to leave. John watched as the group gathered what little they had. John remembered that Nicca told him that the shelter could hold at least forty people. From what John could see there was less than half that here.
"Is this everyone?" John asked looking at the group of people in front of him.
"Yes." Astin said with some hesitation. John looked at Astin as he once again crossed his arms and put back on what John now called his stone face back on. "We lost most of our people on the journey here. The wraith came and took many from the village. If you are ready Colonel, we can leave to meet Nicca."
John suddenly felt a knot in his stomach. Something inside of him was telling him that this man was not telling him the whole truth. It was like he was trying to rush them out and not just because the wraith could be here at any moment.
"Gather your people outside the shelter. We leave in two minutes." Astin nodded and did as he was told.
Ronan saw the look on John's face and walked towards him.
"What's wrong Sheppard?" Ronon asked as John started walking towards the entrance with him.
"Stone face..I mean Astin..." John said pointing to the big man who was moving everyone outside. "Something he said is bothering me. Well, it's what he said, it's how he said it."
"What'd he say?" Ronon asked.
"When I asked him if this was everyone, he said this was all but, he hesitated. Why would he do that? I just got the feeling he was hiding something. Do me favor big guy? As soon as we start heading towards the gate I want you to double back and make sure that nothing was left behind." John said
"Think this guys hiding something?" Ronon asked.
"I'd bet my Johnny Cash poster on it. C'mon lets get out of here. I want off this world as soon as possible." John said
As soon as John and Ronan saw that everyone was outside and ready to leave he tapped his ear piece and called to Teyla letting her know that they were heading back towards the gate with everyone. Teyla let him know that would be waiting and that they should hurry. She could feel more wraith now than she did when they first arrived.
"Teyla, have you heard from Lorne and Campbell? Were they able to reach the shelter through the monsoon?" John asked worried for his other team.
"Yes,Colonel. They just reached at the shelter and they advised they should be heading out shortly. They have about thirty people with them but half of them are injured. Colonel, the rain has not stopped but Major Lorne advised the mud is starting to get pretty thick. Thus slowing their journey even more. Not to mention that there was almost a confrontation with some of them and Captain Campbell." Teyla said
"What happened?!" Shit! John thought. If it's not one thing it's another. The longer John stayed on this world the worse he liked it. It seemed like everything was against them from the moment they stepped on this backwards ass world.
"It was not her fault Colonel. Some of the men did not like being told what to do by a stranger. They tried to challenge her authority. Major Lorne advise that she quickly let them know who was in charge. One subject has a broken nose from the altercation. I am told he will survive. That quited down any further action from the rest of the group. Major Lorne said he will radio in once they are ready to to head out." Teyla said
"Keep me posted Teyla. Sheppard out." John turned to Astin who was standing with his all looked more than ready to leave. John thought he would give the Astin one last chance to come clean. "Are you sure this is everyone?" John asked.
Astin still was wearing that stone face of his. It looked harder than it did a minute ago. It was like he was trying this best to hide something behind it. "Yes Colonel. This is everyone from our village. We are ready to heads towards the gate now." Astin said. This time with out hesitation.
So much for coming clean John thought. "Alright everyone. Let's head out. I'll take lead. Ronan watch our backs. Let's move out."
Once they were well into their walk back to the gate Ronan made sure no one noticed him double back towards the shelter.
Ronon took out his gun and set it to stun before he entered the shelter. Ronan turned on his flashlight to get a better look around. As he went farther in he heard a groan. On the ground he found a man who face was covered in blood. Ronan bent down to him and could see the man had been beaten up pretty good. The man's eyes had been swollen shut. When Ronan bent down towards him the man jumped and curled himself up into a tight ball like he was protecting himself from another beating.
"It's ok. I'm a friend. I'm here to help you. My name is Ronan. I'm gonna get you out of here. Can you walk?" Ronon asked the man.
"No. They hurt me. Kicked me. Hit me." the man said then started to get agitated and started flailing around.
"Calm down. You could injure yourself even more. I'm going to get you out of here." Ronon said.
"I must get to the city. I must get to the city of..." the man passed out before he could say another word.
Ronan tapped his ear piece.
"Sheppard, come in." Ronan said with a bit of anger in his voice.
John heard Ronan call his name and slowly stepped out of the way from the rest of the group. John told Astin to lead the others because he needed to stop and check out a noise he heard. The cover story John gave was good enough for Astin not to question and led the rest of the people on. Once Astin was out of ear shot John called Ronan.
"I take from your tone of voice you found something." John said.
"Yeah..."Ronan said looking down at the man he was with. "but it's more like a someone than a something.
"A someone? I knew it. I knew that guy was lying." John said.
" Yeah. They beat the hell out of this guy and left him for dead it looks lie. We need to get him back to Atlantis so the doc can take a look at him. He's got some pretty serious injuries from what I can see. The last thing he said before he passed out was that they kicked and hit him." Ronon said.
"I hate this guy already. Shit! Grab him and start head towards the gate. I'm not going to question them about what happened to this guy until we get back. The last thing we need is to get into it with these people with the wraith hot on our trail. Move out as soon as you can. Sheppard out." John said.
"Lorne, Campbell, did you copy Ronan's traffic?"
"Yes sir, we both copy. We were just about to let you know that we are finally starting to head out. Captain Campbell is now making one last sweep of the shelter to make sure nothing was left behind." Lorne said.
"Good. You two keep an eye on your people. I understand that you already had some trouble so don't under estimate anyone. Sheppard out."
John started to head back towards the group when he saw Astin walking towards him. "Did you find anything Colonel? Astin asked/
John looked at the man and smiled. "Nope. Must have been the wind."
"Where is your friend?" Astin asked with his eyebrow raised.
"He's going his job and watching our backs. If any wraith are following us he will make sure they don't reach us." John said.
"He is a Satedan?"Astin asked.
"Yes. Does that bother you?" John asked just waiting for a reason to knock the crap out of this guy if he said anything bad about his friend.
"No. They are the best trackers that I know of. If he is watching our backs I feel better about our chances." Astin said with a smile.
"Good." John said as he started walking back towards he group with a Astin beside him.
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As Lorne and the others started to head towards the gate through the thick mud he was stopped by an older women. He noticed she had a kind face and long white hair.
"Yes ma'am. Can I help you?" he asked.
She looked at him and gave him a smile that reminded him of his grandmother.
"It is I who can help you young man. Take these." In her hand she was hold something that looked like snow shoes. "We are used to rainy seasons here. You and your friend are not. Take these susaroo's and attach them to your boots. They will make walking through this mud easier." she said handing him the susaroo's to Lorne.
Lorne took the shows from the woman and thanked her. He attached them to his boots and tested them out. What the ever the material was on the bottom of the susaroo's helped keep him from sicking in the mud. It would make walking a whole lot easier. He wished he and Dani had these when they had to walk through the mud to reach the shelter. Just then he heard Dani calling him.
"Major, I finished my sweep. All clear. I'm coming out." Danielle said.
Lorne turned back to the old women and just as he was about to ask if she had another pain for Dani she gave him another pair.
"I knew you would be asking for a pair for your friend so I made sure to bring one for her." the woman said.
Thank you ma'am. I'm sure Captain Campbell will appreciate this. I know I do" Lorne said
"No. It is I who should thank you. My name is Noreese. You are taking us to safety and risking your lives in the process. If giving you two these susaroo's help guarantee our safety then my job is done." Noreese said
Captain Campbell came out the shelter and head towards Major Lorne who standing near a older woman. Lorne handed Danielle the susaroo's and Danielle took them with a questioning look.
"Snowshoes?" Danielle asked.
"No, Captain. They are are susaroo's. I have been told by this lovely women here that will help us walk through the mud better." Lorne said pointing to Noreese.
"Well thank you ma'am. I wish we would have had these at the beginning of our trip." Danielle said.
Danielle watched as the older women raised an eye brow up. "Let me guess. Nicca did not tell you that this was our rainy season. Nor did she she tell you how truly far away this place was from the gate." Noreese said.
Both Lorne and Campbell looked at the woman and smiled not really wanting to answer these questions and possibly embarrass the leader of these people.
The older woman held up her hand. "Neither of you need to say a word. The look on your faces says it all. Nicca is lovely women but she follows more than she leads. Her thoughts are always scattered across the winds. Now let me see the map she gave you." Noresse asked holding her hand out.
Lorne took the map out of his vest while Danielle attached the susaroo's to her shoes. Lorne gave the map to Noreese. Noreese shook her head and let out what sounded like a curse.
"Just as I feared. She gave you a map that we have not used in years. No wonder it took you so long to find us. These maps have not been used in five years." Noreese turned and called to a young man who quickly ran over to her. "Major, Captain, this is my grandson Korin. He knows these woods like the back of his hand." Noreese gave the map to her grandson who laughed when he looked at it.
"Nicca. I told her I had new maps of the area for her to pick up two weeks ago. As my grandmother most likely told you this map is very old. I can show you a much quicker route than this map shows. We will reach the gate in half the time it took to get here." Korin said.
"I would appreciate any help you can give us. It's getting late in the day so we better head out now while we still have the daylight. Captain, I'll take the lead with Korin. You watch our six." Lorne said.
"Yes,sir." Danielle said.
"Lorne to Sheppard. We are heading out now. Gotta a lucky break and found someone who knows this area and knows a quicker route to the gate. We'll radio in when we are about 10 min out. Lorne out."
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Teyla and Rodney had just finished getting all the other villagers through the gate. Teyla was now starting to get worried. She could feel the presence of the wraith all around her like they were getting closer. Teyla wished John and the other's would hurry back. Teyla watched as Rodney paced back and forth talking to himself. She knew he only did that when he was nervous. Teyla walked over to Rodney and tried placing a calming hand on his shoulder. It didn't work because Rodney nearly jumped out of his skin.
"I am sorry Rodney. I did not mean to scare you." Teyla said smiling at him.
"Well you did. What is taking them so long? I knew I should have stayed home. My genius is being wasted just standing here ya know. I have got plenty of projects that need my attention. God only knows what those idiots have blown up while I was gone." Rodney muttered to himself.
Teyla continued to smile at Rodney for she knew this was the only way Rodney knew how to cope with being nervous and scared for his friends. "I'm sure they will be back any minute now." Teyla said. She knew she was saying that more for her benefit than his. Teyla didn't like the fact that she was left behind and not with John. She trusted Ronan but now since she and John had become more intimate she wanted to be by his side more watching out for him. Just then a noise brought Teyla out her thoughts. It was coming from the direction of the woods. She raised her P90 and saw the other soldiers raise theirs as well when as soon as they saw her do it. Teyla moved towards the woods with three marines right behind her. Just as they were about to move in she heard a familiar voice in her ear.
"Hold your fire. It's us." Teyla lowered her weapon when she saw John walk through the brush towards her. Teyla badly wanted to run to John and hold him but she knew she had to restrain herself.
"Good to have you back Colonel." Teyla said with a small smile.
"It's good to be back." John said. He too wished that he could just hold her right now but this was not the time or the place.
"Where is Ronan?" Teyla asked while the other were talking to Nicca.
"Yeah about that? He had to go back for something that was left behind." John said.
"I do not understand." Teyla said.
"I'll explain it to you once we get back." John said.
Just then Ronon came out of the brush carrying something over his shoulder.
Teyla walked over to Ronon and saw that the something he was carrying was actually a man. A man who looked like he had been beaten very badly.
"Who is that?" Teyla asked.
"No clue. Who every he they didn't want to bring him along." Ronon said pointing to Astin and his group.
"We must bring him to Doctor Becket now." Teyla said. Her heart went to this person. She could not believe that one of these people whom she had come to know could be this cruel to another being.
Just as Ronan was walking closer to the group John saw Astin rushing towards them.
"Uh oh. Here comes Mike Ditka." John saw Teyla was about to ask who that was but quickly told her it was football thing and that he would explain later.
"So this is what you went back for? I should have known. He can not come with us. He has received judgment." Astin said pointing at the man who Ronon was holding.
"What are his crimes?" Teyla asked.
"He brought the wraith here. That is is crime." Astin said.
John looked at the Astin like he had two heads. "What do you mean he brought the wraith here?"
Astin's stone face once again went hard and he crossed his arms and gave John a look that could kill.
"I do not have to explain myself to you little man. You are not one of our people. I said he brought the wraith here and that should be good enough for you. Now, drop him." Astin said.
"No, we will not drop him. He is coming with us whether you like it or not. Now stand down." John said.
John watched as some of the Brinii men walked behind Astin. They looked like they were about to attack when John quickly pulled his side arm out and aimed it right at Astin's head.
"Now, I don't want to kill you and you don't wanna be dead. That's way to much paperwork for me and your brains will mess up my nice clean uniform. So I suggest you and your men BACK OFF and stand down. We'll decide on Atlantis what to do with this man." John said still hold the gun to Astin's head.
Astin didn't move and neither did his men. John cocked his side arm and watched his men took up positions around Astin's men.
Nicca made her way though to Astin. She pulled on Astin's arm and turned him towards her. "Please stop this. Has there not been enough loss today? You and your men will stop this. Please Astin. I don't want to loose anymore of our people."
Astin look into Nicca eyes that were now welling up with tears. John saw that his face once again softened at the sound of her voice. Astin told his men to stand down to John's delight.
"We will finish this on Atlantis." Astin said with hardness in his tone.
"I'm looking forward to it." John said to Astin with a grin.
Ronon had given the man over to one of the marines and told him to go through the gate and get him straight to Doctor Beckett.
"That was fun. How much longer do we have to wait for the others?" Rodney asked now even more ready to leave.
Just as John was about to answer his ear piece came to life.
"Lorne to Sheppard. We are about 10 minutes out. That's the good news. The bad news is that we have some wraith on our trail...." then John could hear the sound of gunfire.
"Lorne if you can hear me we are heading your way. Teyla get these people through the gate now. Rodney I want you back in Atlantis too just in case we need to shut down the gate. Ronon, you are with me." John said.
Before Teyla could argue John and Ronan were gone in the direction of the gun fire.
TBC