A/N: Hey everyone! I'm sorry that it took me a little long to update. I'm still trying to work some of the kinks out of this story. Anyway, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!
Disclamer: Still don't own any of the characters because if I did I would make all our John and Teyla wishes come true. :)
John, Lorne,and Ronon, waited until night fall before they returned to Brinar. Thanks to information that Noreese and her grandson Korin provided they knew that the villagers should be inside for the night leaving no chance that they would be discovered.
Once through the gate John and others put on their night vision goggles. John loved night time missions. Any chance he got to wear the goggles he loved it. It made him feel like a little kid again when he wore them. He remembered when he was a child playing in the backyard with his brother. They would pretend that they were soldiers and their mission was to protect the back yard from the unseen foes of the night. It was one of the very few good memories he had as a child. Now as man John thought, no foes will remain unseen with my trusty night vision goggles.
As all three men approached the brush they heard a noise coming closer to them. John and Lorne pointed their P90's in the direction of the sound while Ronon pulled out his stun gun and was already ahead of them going towards the noise. As they got closer to the brush they heard a bird call. Lorne immediately recognized the sound and answered it back the way Noreese and Korin had showed him before they left Atlantis. They were all relieved to see it was Korin and not an ambush.
Korin stepped out of the brush and was very glad when he saw the men lower their weapons when they heard it was him. He approached John, Lorne, and Ronon and didn't look happy to see them but they all knew why. His grandmother Noreese, pretty much strong armed him into helping them. Korin at first protested and said he didn't want to get involved but Noreese had told Korin he would help or there would be hell to pay when they got back to Brinar. Noreese reminded Korin that if it were not for Major Lorne and Captain Campbell's help he would not be standing there. That quited down Korin's protest and he then was very cooperative.
"Korin, thank you so much for helping us." Lorne said.
"Don't. We all know my grandmother is making me do this. All I want to do is get you to where you are going so I can get back to her before they know I'm missing." Korin said.
"What do you mean before they know you are missing?" John asked.
"After we got back Astin and his men took over with no fight from Nicca. Astin made an example of all of us who helped you on Atlantis by taking away our hunting and trading privileges until we have proved we are all loyal to him. Since my grandmother stood up for you she and my family have been hardest hit." Korin said.
John was not happy with what he just heard. He didn't like the fact that Astin was now in charge of the Brinii but there was nothing he could do about it. Those damn IOA rules prevented him from helping.
"I'm sorry to hear that. If there was something we could do about this we would." John said.
"Well there is. There are those of us who no longer want to stay among Astin and Nicca. She is a fool and he is no better. We have friends among the Athosians who would take us in. If you want me to help you get back to the shelter then you need to get those of us who want to leave out off of this planet. Do we have an agreement?" Korin said.
John cursed underneath his breath. Can nothing ever be easy he thought. He hated when things didn't go as planned. Ok, Plan B he said to himself.
"Well of course we agree. You left us no choice but to say yes. All right guys, new plan. We are on Plan B now. We first go and retrieve the bag from the shelter then we go and get the others from the village. How many people are we retrieving?" John said.
"There are only twenty of us. The rest are more then happy with Astin and his new rule." Korin said.
"Alright, we better get going while we have the cover of night." John reached in his bag and pulled out another set of night vision goggles and gave them to Korin. He watched as Korin put the goggles on and was amazed by what he saw.
"Cool, huh?" John said.
"Yes it is....cool. I am not familiar with the term but I think I know what you are trying to say. These have turned night into day. I will be able to lead you much better. I know my way pretty well around here in the dark but this will help make the trip much faster to the shelter now that I can see in the dark. Let's head out." Korin said.
All four men headed into the brush and towards the shelter.
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Korin had lead them in a different direction to the shelter than John and Ronon had remembered. Even though it was dark, John and Ronon knew the way was different. Korin had assured Ronon many times that this was the way. Korin told Ronon that he had been coming to these wood since he was a child. Korin's father was the village map maker and had taught him how to make maps. Korin's father instilled in him that there was always more than one way to get somewhere. He made Korin learn the area so that if he ever got lost and did not have a map that he would always know his way home even in the dark. Korin wished his father were still alive so he could see the night turn to day like he was right now.
Ronon was surprised at how fast Korin was going in the dark. He was having no trouble keeping up with Korin but he noticed that John and Lorne were starting to lag behind. Ronon was about to tell Korin to slow his pace when Ronon heard John's voice.
"Don't worry about us big guy. Lorne and I are fine. Just keep going." John said.
Ronon only grunted and kept his pace with Korin.
"Think we are getting to old for this Colonel?" Lorne asked.
"Speak for yourself. I'm still in my prime." John said laughing.
"Colonel, what exactly are retrieving? Lorne asked.
"I don't quite understand myself. Mr Un...I mean Colar, said that these items are important. I guess artifacts would be a good word for them to his people. They can identify some descendants that he has been looking for. These so called descendants are supposed to be on Atlantis now and the artifacts will help him find out who they are. Colar says he will know the descendants when he sees them. When he finds out who they are then he will present them with the artifacts and they will be the only ones who can activate them or something like that. It started to get all technical after that about a shield and some other stuff and I stopped listening." John said.
"So these...descendants.... are on Atlantis right now?" Lorne asked.
"That's what Colar says. I guess when we get back we'll find out who the mystery guest are." John said.
"Colonel, I think we are here. Korin and Ronon have stopped." Lorne said pointing ahead.
"Holy crap. He got us here in half the time it took Ronon and I the first time we came here." John said.
"Noreese said he knew his way around." Lorne said.
"She sure did. I'm glad she's on our side." John said.
All four men approached the shelter entrance.
"Now although I doubt that anyone is still inside I'm not taking any chances. So Ronon, you've got point, Lorne behind Ronon, and Korin your with me in the rear. Let's do this." John said.
Ronon,Lorne, and John walked in with their weapons raised and ready for anything. Not wanting to feel left out Korin took out his hunting knife to defend himself. If anyone was in here and discovered that he helped them he and his families lives would be forfeit.
Once they cleared the shelter they looked around for the bag that Colar had left.
"Anyone find it?" John asked.
"Nothing over here." Lorne said.
"I don't think it's here." Ronon said.
"Where where the hell can it be? Oh shit!" John said. He just realized that if it the bag wasn't here, it could only be one other place.
"What is it?" Ronon asked.
"It's in the village." Lorne said saying John's thought out loud.
"Ok, then new plan. Plan C. Korin where would they keep something they didn't want anyone to get their hands on?" John said hating that again they had to alter their mission. He was really getting sick of this world.
"You're not going to like it." Korin said looking at John.
"I'm not liking anything about this mission so just tell me. It can't get much worse." John said.
"Yes, it can. It would be kept with Astin at his home. The only good thing is that Astin lives alone and he will most likely keep it close to him. Maybe in his bedroom which is to the back of the house. I know because I helped build his house." Korin said.
"Ok, so I spoke to soon. It can get worse. Alright this is what we are going to do. Korin, I want you to draw a map of the village for us with..."John grabbed a stick and gave it to Korin. "this stick. I want you to show us the village. I want to know the best way in and out of there. We also need to know where your family and the people who want to leave are. Then I need know where Astin's house is." John said.
Korin quickly drew a map on the ground for John and pointed out everything he wanted to know. John, Lorne, and Ronon listened to Korin and started putting Plan C together.
"Ok, so Plan C is this, Lorne, you and Korin will go and retrieve the people who want to leave and head towards the rendezvous point that's just beyond the village. While Ronon and I will pay my friend Astin a visit. Once we retrieve the bag we'll meet you at the rendezvous point. Then we get to the gate, dial out, and head home and never come back to this backwards ass planet again. Everyone good with that?" John looked around and everyone nodded.
"Good. Let's move." John said and all four men moved out towards the village.
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The village was very quiet when John and his team approached. Korin had told John that this was not normal. That before Astin took over there used to be people talking and laughing all hours of the night. For Korin to hear no sounds of joy coming from his home was truly a blow to his heart. He knew that he needed to get his family away from here before things got worse under Astin's rule.
All four men came to a halt just before entering the village. They noticed a small group of men passing who had in their hands what appeared to be some sort of weapons. John looked over to Lorne who silently signaled to him there were four men. John taped his ear piece to call Lorne and Ronon.
"Lorne, you and Korin stay here while Ronon and I get a closer look at these guys and find out what kind of weapons they have. I'll signal you when it's clear then you two go and retrieve Korin's family and who ever else is leaving here. Then Ronon and I will go to Astin's house." John said in a low voice.
"Copy that, Colonel." Lorne said quietly.
John and Ronon moved quickly and quietly towards the east east side of the village where they last saw the men walking the perimeter. As they entered the village they saw a group of men sitting in a circle by a fire. John and Ronon were crouched down behind one of the huts and peaked out to get a look at what they were going to be up against. The men were sitting there talking very low and looking nervous. Each time one of them heard a sound they would jump to their feet looking in every direction gripping their weapons nervously. This is perfect John thought. They were amateurs. This would be easier than he thought. John and Ronon saw that the weapons the men were walking around with were actually more for hunting and farming than defending. John and Ronon watched as the four men sitting around the fire were being relieved by the men who were just walking the perimeter. John knew this would be the best time for them to move while they were relieving each other.
"Sheppard to Lorne. Move in. We'll you meet you at the rendezvous point. Radio silence until then. Sheppard out." John said quietly.
Lorne looked at Korin and motioned for him to show the way. Korin nodded at Lorne and they both started towards Korin's home. Lorne followed close behind Korin and held on tight to his P90. Like Sheppard, he was eager to get off this planet. Nothing was going according to plan and that was a bad sign to him. He remembered the last time he was on this planet with Danielle. He saw her face in his mind and how pale she looked when they were running towards the gate. Lorne had to fight back the hate that he was feeling towards these people for what had happened to her. He tried to remember that not everyone in the village was to blame for what was going on and what happened to Danielle. It was the idiots who were in charge of this village and the Wraith who were to blame.
Korin's home was at the far end of the village. His home was not as small as the other ones in the village. Lorne thought that Korin's home reminded him of log cabins he'd seen on earth. The house looked nothing like the huts he saw when he and Korin were entering the village. Lorne wasn't much of an outdoors type person. Growing up in the malls of California didn't provide him with a love for the outdoors. Not to mention all the movies he would see with his friends that showed all scary things lived in the woods and they were all out to kill kids from the city who dared to have some fun in them. When he joined the SGC he found out the movies were absofrigginlutely right. Scary things do live in the woods and they are out to kill people who are from other galaxies who they feel are trespassing in their territory.
Korin and Lorne came to the side of the cabin and looked thorough one of the windows. They saw that everyone was asleep by the fire. Once Korin and Lorne made sure no one was inside waiting to ambush them they opened the door quietly and went inside. Korin went to his wife who was lying on the floor next to a small child. Lorne stood by the window and kept watch to make sure no one was coming there way.
Lorne watched as Korin hugged his wife and child. They were all so happy to see each other. Korin pulled away from the hug and told his wife to quickly gather only what she could carry because they would be leaving here for good. Lorne looked down and saw that the child was a little girl. She was holding what looked liked a teddy bear. The little girl walked over to Korin and started crying.
"Father why do we have to leave? All my friends are here." she sobbed.
Korin looked down at his daughter and bent down to her. He wiped the tears from her face and kissed her forehead.
"Mirica, we have to leave here because things have changed here. People are not the way they used to be. Friends who we thought were good are not. They are very angry at those of us who tried to do right by someone. I wish we didn't have to leave. This has been our home for many generations. I hope one day when you are older that you and your family can one day come back to our people and be welcomed with open arms but, until that day we have to leave. Now, go and help your mother." Korin said.
Korin looked into his daughter's eyes and saw that she understood some of what he said. She hugged her father and went to go help her mother.
Lorne moved from the window over to Korin.
"Where is Noreese and the others?" Lorne asked excepting to see more here than just Korin's wife and child.
"I don't know. She and the other's should have been here. I will ask my wife Anya where she is." Korin said.
Korin called to his wife who was in the back bedroom gathering some clothes for the journey. Anya came out with two small bags that were filled with clothes and small mementos.
"Yes, Korin. What is wrong?" Anya asked walking towards her husband.
"Anya, where is my grandmother? I thought she would be here with the others who wanted to leave." Korin said.
"Your grandmother is at her home. She thought it would raise suspicion if many people were over at our home. She said since many of the villagers often come to her home when they are sick or need her council that it would not look as bad if they were at her home." Anya said.
Lorne cursed under his breath. Another change in plans. This was Plan C part a now. Nothing could be done about it now.
"Ok, Korin show me where your grandmother's house is so we can retrieve everyone and get the hell out of here. How far away is her home?" Lorne said.
"Not far. Anya, you and Mirica stay here while.."
Lorne cut Korin off before he finished his sentence. Lorne didn't want to have to double back to get Korin's family. That would only increase their chances of getting discovered.
"No, they should come with us. If we have to double back for them we risk the chance of Astin's men finding us." Lorne said.
Korin nodded his head in agreement.
"Anya, you and Mirica grab your cloaks. We are leaving now." Korin said.
Lorne checked the window again making sure that no was coming. He then told everyone to wait inside while he made sure the outside was clear. Lorne checked the perimeter of the cabin and found it was clear. He then went back inside.
"It's clear let's go. Korin you lead the way with your family and I'll watch our backs. Let's go nice and quiet." Lorne said.
Lorne watched as Korin and his family took one last look at their home before they left. Korin nodded to Lorne that they were ready. They all headed out the door towards Noreese's home.
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Across the camp John and Ronon were two huts away from Astin's home. It was no surprise to John that Astin had the biggest home in the village. John figured Astin needed all that room for his ego.
Astin's home had two guards in front of his home. The guards would both do periodic checks of the residence and the huts around it. John and Ronon had to move their positions several times because the two guards would come close to where they were staying hidden. John saw that these two weren't going to be so easy to get by like the others were. These men look they had experience which was going to make John and Ronon's job a little bit harder. What they needed John thought was a distraction. John looked at Ronon who saw the look in John's eye. He saw John was thinking of plan to get them inside.
John looked around hoping that he could find something to use as a means of distraction. John moved from his position to the back of another hut. He moved along the side of the hut making sure to still keep out sight of Astin's men. There at the front of the hut he by was a rocking chair. Sitting on the rocking chair was just the distraction John was looking for. It was in the form of a dark cloak. John grabbed the cloak off the rocking chair and headed back over to Ronon.
Ronon looked over his shoulder to see John coming back to him with a cloak in his hand.
"Looks a little small for me." Ronon said looking down at the cloak.
"Sorry big guy but your a better runner than I am and since you have all that expierience this should be easy for. Now just put this on and start running." John said handing the cloak to Ronon.
Ronon put the cloak on and it barely fit him. It only came to his waist leaving much of him exposed. Ronon gave John a "are you serious look" as he looked at himself.
John was having a hard time keeping a straight face while he looked at Ronon. He looked ridiculous but it would give the effect he needed. He looked suspicious enough for hopeful both men to leave their post and give chase.
Ronon rolled his eyes and headed out towards the front of Astin's home muttering some about payback. John watched as Ronon ran past the front of Astin's home like a blur. The two guards called out to the figure that ran by and when the figure didn't answer them they took after it. John watched as the two guards ran after Ronon. John saw that Ronon was taking them farther into the woods outside the village. It wasn't long before John saw Ronon running back out of the woods towards him...alone.
Ronon walked over to John and threw the cloak at him.
"Those two are down. Let's get this over with." Ronon said.
John nodded and both approached Astin's door. John open the door slowly as Ronon covered his back. They looked inside and saw no one was in the front of the house. They moved inside quietly and cleared the room. Korin had advised John that Astin's room was towards the back of the house and would be the largest room at the end of the hall. Korin's knowledge of the layout of the house was a big help. John and Ronon cleared the rest of the house making sure that no one else was inside. While clearing the house they did not find the items they were looking for. John knew that the mostly like place the artifacts would be is in Astin's room. John walked towards Astin's room and heard a loud noise coming from inside. It was the sound of Astin snoring.
John pushed open the door to Astin bedroom and there was a slight squeak from the door that John hoped would not wake Astin. When John saw Astin did not move he and Ronon moved closer to the bed. John looked at Astin while he was sleeping and thought the man looked like a beached whale sleeping in his white pajamas. John did know what bothered him more. The fact that Astin was sleeping so soundly after all the shit he just pulled with his people of that the man was wearing pajamas. I mean, what grown man is going to wear pajamas. John slung his P90 over his shoulder and sat down on the bed next to Astin while Ronon approached from the other side. John bent down to Astin's ear and called his name.
"Assstin. Oh Assstin. It's time to wake up." John said with a smile.
John and Ronon both watched as Astin continued to sleep. The only response to John's voice was a very loud snore. John knew they didn't have time to waste and needed Astin awake now. John smiled a playful smile at Ronon. John then placed his hand over Astin's nose and then pinched it shut. He knew it wouldn't be long until the big man woke up. John counted down in his head as he waited. 5,4,3,2,1.
"There he is." John heard Astin gasping for air and then felt him trying to sit up. John and Ronon pushed Astin back down on the bed and each man held one shoulder down as Astin was waking up more to try and find out why he couldn't move.
Astin opened his eyes and found that he must be having some sort of nightmare because standing in front of him was Colonel John Sheppard. Sheppard had a huge smile on his face while looking at Astin. Astin didn't understand how Sheppard could be on Brinar and how he and the Satedan could have gotten past his guards. Astin was about to scream out for help but soon found John's hand over his mouth telling him to be quiet.
"Well hello Astin. Not so nice seeing you again. Now I'm going to take my hand off your mouth. If you try to scream and alert anyone, my friend here will shoot you with his stun gun and trust me you don't want to be on the receiving end of that." John watched as Astin's eyes went towards Ronon and saw that the Satedan already had his gun out and pointing it at him with his free hand. "If you understand what I just told you nod your head." Astin knew that he had no choice but to comply so he nodded his head yes.
"Good boy." John said.
"What do you want Colonel and where are my men?" Astin snapped.
"One,your men are sleeping off Ronon's stun gun in the forest. Two, I'm here because you took something from someone and I want it back." John said.
John could see Astin's body shift when he mentioned that Astin had something they were looking for. Astin didn't look at John when he answered.
"I don't know what you mean." Astin said still not looking a John directly.
John shook his head at Astin. "Now c'mon Astin. You and I both know you took something from the man you and your thugs assaulted. So let's not play games. Where is it?" John asked.
"I don't know what you mean Colonel. We never took anything from him but, if we did he will never see them again. Since you denied us our punishment the first time, we will destroy what is obviously very precious to him." Astin said smugly.
John was getting upset. He was tired of the games.
"Alright Astin. You don't want to tell me that's fine. I'll let my friend here ask you. Ronon, he's all yours." John said looking at his friend.
Ronon looked down at Astin and smiled a feral smile at the man. Ronon put his gun away and started cracking his knuckles. John looked at Astin who's face was now as white as the pajamas he was wearing. Astin looked back at Sheppard who was getting up off the bed and moving towards the door.
John was almost to the door when he heard Astin call his name.
"Sheppard. You would leave me to beaten by this man?" Astin asked.
John turned around to Astin. "In a heartbeat for what you have done. Ronon, make sure he doesn't scream and make it quick, will ya. The last time you did something like this it took you hours and there was blood everywhere." John said heading back towards the door.
"Right. Lets get started." Ronon said looking down at Astin.
"Wait! I'll tell you what you want to know. Just please don't let him hurt me." Astin said looking towards Sheppard.
John walked back towards the bed and sat back down on the bed.
"Why should I believe you? Tell me something that let's me know you have what I'm looking for." John said.
Astin sighed and hated having to give Sheppard the satisfaction of knowing that he had the upper hand.
"Very well. You are looking for the bag that that little Wraith worshiper was carrying when he arrived. Inside it were three items. I can not tell you what these three items are because what ever they are in would not open no matter how hard we tried to open them." Astin said.
"Go on. You're missing something. Like, where it is now? " John asked.
Astin didn't answer.
"Ok, you don't want to answer, Ronon he's all yours buddy." John said patting Ronon on the shoulder who looked all to eager to pummel Astin.
"Alright. It's over there." Astin said pointing to the wall in front of them.
John and Ronon looked over to the wall where Astin was pointing and all they saw was a large chest that was up against the wall on the floor.
"So it's in the chest?" John asked walking towards it.
John bent down and opened the chest and saw it was empty inside. He was just about to let Ronon whale on Astin but then John decided to take one more look inside the chest. John remembered when he was a boy that he loved to play treasure hunting with is grandpa. When John and his grandpa played together they used a chest and filled it with all kinds of stuff and pretended that it was black beard's treasure they were after.
John remembered looking into the chest of treasure and found nothing in there. He asked his grandpa where all the treasure they put in was? His grandpa told him it was right in front of him he just had to look. John watched in awe as his grandpa closed the chest and waved his hands over the chest and said some magic pirate words. His grandpa tapped the sides of the chest and opened it back up. John was amazed to find that the treasure was inside just like his grandpa had said. It just need some magic. It wasn't until years after his grandpa died that his father ruined the magic for him about the chest and let him know that the chest had a false bottom and that when you tapped the box on the sides the false bottom opened up. John hoped that maybe this chest had the same thing. John tapped on the bottom of the chest and it sounded hollow.
Ronon watched Astin's face and saw that the man was starting to sweat which told him that John must be close to finding out where the bag was. John closed the chest and tapped on the sides of the chest just like his grandpa did. John even said some magic words in his head. John opened up the chest again and this time instead of finding nothing he found the bag he was looking for. John pulled the bag out and looked at Astin who had the look of defeat on his face.
John slung the bag over his shoulder and walked back towards Astin's bed with smirk on his face.
"Nice try by not telling me the chest had a false bottom. You're a sneaky bastard till the end." John said.
"What are you going to do with me now that you have what you came for?" Astin asked afraid of what John might do or worse what Ronon would do to him.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to kill you. Even though I should for all the pain you have caused. I'm going to let you live which goes against my better judgment. And since I can't have you yelling for help while we are trying to leave I'm just going to have my friend here tie you up and throw in the closet over there." John said looking at Ronon.
Ronon again smiled at John as he started to pull apart the sheets on the bed to use to as something to tie up Astin.
"Feel free to make the knots as tight at you want." John said to Ronon.
Astin knew he had to try and get free before Ronon tied him up. Once Astin felt Ronon lift his hand off his shoulder he used that split second and bolted off the bed pushing past Ronon. Ronon fell back onto the bed and Astin was now running for the door which John was now blocking. Just before Astin could make it to John and the door Ronon took out his stun gun and shot it at Astin. John watched as Astin went down like a ton of bricks when Ronon's stun gun blast hit his back. Astin fell to the floor hitting his face hard on the floor.
John watched as Astin hit the floor and heard Astin body make a loud thud on the floor. When Astin's face hit the floor John winced.
"Now that's going to leave a mark. Well, so much for tieing him up and stuffing him in the closet. This works out so much better. He'll be out for hours." John said.
John walked over to Astin and went towards Ronon to help him off the bed. Astin's bed was so soft and fluffy that Ronon was starting to sink into it. John chuckled a little while he watched Ronon struggle to get up from the bed. John put his hand out and Ronon gladly excepted the help. John pulled Ronon off the bed and Ronon was very thankful that his friend saved him the fluffy bed.
Ronon looked down at Astin on the floor.
"We just gonna leave him there?" Ronon asked John.
"Yup. You good with that?" John asked.
"Fine with me. Let's get out of here. I never want to see this man, this village, or this planet again. " Ronon said stepping over Astin's body.
"My feeling exactly." John said stepping over Astin's body.
John and Ronon made sure that the outside was clear before they left Astin's house. Once they saw that there were no other guards out front or walking around they both left and headed towards Lorne and the rendezvous point.