"I thought I'd find you here." Ronon said.
Teyla almost jumped when she heard Ronon's voice from behind her. She was taking a much needed break inside the transport from not only the evacuation efforts but, from all the looks she had been receiving ever since they landed.
"Ronon, you scared me." Teyla said.
"Sorry."
"It is alright. I guess I am just a bit more out of sorts since..."
"This whole things started." Ronon joked.
"I was going to say since we landed." Teyla said smiling at Ronon.
"How are you dealing with all the looks and bowing?" Ronon said taking a seat next to her.
"I will not lie Ronon, it is very unnerving. I do not like all the attention. I thought I could deal with it and just shut it all out by concentrating on the evacuation... it is proving very difficult. The look on these people's faces, Ronon..."
"What about them?"
"They look at me as if.."
"As if what?"
"As if I am their savior. That I will some how make this all go away. I know Tollara said this would happen. I just did not think to this degree. John was right when he told Miccar that it was not right to put this type of burden on mine and Danielle shoulders. I did not see what he was trying to say until now. All I saw was the chance to help these people."
"Annoying huh?"
Teyla gave Ronon a puzzled look. "What is annoying?"
"When Sheppard's right."
Teyla laughed. "It can be, yes."
"Well, what are you going to do?"
Teyla sighed. "I shall play the part I have been given for now. While trying not lose who I am."
Ronon leaned in closer to Teyla "You won't lose who you are. None of us will let that happen. To either of you."
Teyla smiled. "Thank you, Ronon.
Ronon nodded then turned when he heard footsteps approaching.
"I thought I would find you two in here." Colar said as he stepped inside the transport.
"Just taking a break." Ronon said.
"Understandable. I am sure it has taken a toll on you in more ways than one." Colar said.
Teyla was about to reply when her watch started beeping.
"What is that?" Ronon asked.
"I set my watch to go off when it was time to check on John and Danielle. I hope they had had a safe journey." Teyla said.
"You're just hoping she wasn't thrown out the transport." Ronon said with smirk.
"Ronon! You are not helping."
"We can try to contact them now if you like?" Colar asked.
"Yes, please. Thank you Colar."
Colar smiled then nodded. He made his way past Ronon and Teyla to the cockpit and sat down in the pilot's seat and started entering some commands into his console. When he was done a map appeared in front of them.
He pointed to the map and showed them their position. He then touched the map with his finger and the map began to move towards Joruda.
When the map reached Joruda, a blue small blip appeared on the screen. Colar advised that it was John and Danielle's transport and that it looked like it was just about to land.
Colar waited until the blip turned that the ship stopped moving before he tried to contact Colonel Sheppard.
"Colar to Colonal Sheppard. Are you receiving me?"
"Sheppard here. I gotcha ya loud and clear, Colar."
"Good. Did you have a good flight Colonel?"
"Anytime I get to fly is a good flight. Is my team there with you?"
"We are here John. Are you both well?" Teyla asked glad to hear John's voice.
There was silence on the other end.
"John? Are you still there?" Teyla asked a little worried.
"Yes, I'm still here."
"Where is Danielle?" Teyla asked.
"Well, do you remember that promise that I said I would have trouble keeping?"
"John! You did not!"
"Told ya." Ronon said laughing.
"Sorry." John said.
"John, if this is a joke it is not funny."
"Colonel, stop teasing her. Teyla, I'm fine. He told me that you made him promise not to throw me off the transport." Danielle said giggling.
Teyla breathed a sigh of relief while Ronon laughed harder.
"I take it then you two have worked things out?" Teyla asked while elbowing Ronon on his side.
"Yeah, we're good." John said.
"'Bout time you two started acting like a married couple." Ronon said.
"Ronon!" John and Danielle both yelled.
"The Colonel and Major Campbell are married?" Colar asked clearly missing something.
"No!" John and Danielle both yelled again.
"Ronon, you are not helping and no Colar they are not. It is a long story that is best left in the past." Teyla said.
"Exactly." John said.
"Anyway, how's the evac going? Are you guys taking a break?" Danielle asked trying to change the subject.
"It is going well and yes we are taking a break. We are more than half way done."
"Are you getting any.. ya know..looks?" Danielle asked.
"Yes. Expect them on your end. It has been both a help and a hindrance to the evacuation. There were some people that would not cooperate because they were busy trying to bow at my feet. Ronon was kind enough to step in and move them along." Teyla said looking at Ronon who gave her a small smile."I hope you do not have the same troubles where you are."
"Me too." Danielle said.
"No worries. I got her back." John paused when he heard someone coming into the transport. "Well, it looks like our welcoming committee has arrived. We gotta go." John said with a touch of sadness in his voice.
"Alright, be safe you two." Teyla said.
"We will. Contact us when you're finished. I want us all to rendezvous as soon as this operation is done. Take care, guys. Sheppard out."
Teyla sighed when contact with John ended. She missed him. She was atleast comforted by the fact that Danielle was with him and that they were able to put their past troubles behind them.
"We should probably head back now." Colar said.
"Only if your ready." Ronon added.
Teyla nodded at Ronon and patted his arm. Ever the protector she thought.
"Thank you, Ronon. I am fine. The quicker we return to our duties the sooner we can return to John and Danielle. So, let us begin again."
Ronon grunted then followed Teyla out of the transport with Colar right behind them.
It didn't take long for their duties to resume. As soon as they stepped out of the transport the leader of the evacuation was heading towards them.
"Uh oh. Here comes trouble. What's his name again?"Ronon said.
"Lt. Derayas." Teyla said.
Ronon watched as Lt. Derayas approached the group with what looked like a plastered smile on his face. There was something about this man Ronon didn't like.
At first, Ronon didn't think much of Derayas. He seemed friendly enough when he first introduced himself to them. Derayas was all smiles and full of kind words towards he and Teyla. The words seemed genuine enough but Ronon was always a good listener. He could tell that the words coming out of Derayas' mouth were forced and fake. Not a good sign he thought.
While Deyaras continued his introductions, Ronon quietly started sizing the man up. He could easily tell from the way Derayas carried himself that if in fight or flight situation, Derayas could handle himself just fine.
He was the same height as Ronon and had a very muscular build. Deyaras reminded Ronon of some the marines back on Atlantis. The ones that loved to be in the gym all day lifting weights. He had to stifle a chuckle when he remembered Sheppard saying that guys like that worked out like because they were compensating for a "smaller package".
Deyaras had short blond hair cut in a military style like Major Lorne and weird blue eyes. It was the eyes that first caught Ronon's attention. It wasn't just the fact that his eyes looked more mechanical than real. No, it was more. It was that Derayas never really made eye contact with him. He was always focused on Teyla.
Normally that wouldn't bother him. After all, Teyla was a beautiful woman. You'd have to blind not to see how stunning she was. Ronon was more than aware that Teyla didn't need his help telling an unwanted suitor that she belonged to another. It only took one time for her to beat him senseless for being over a protective "little brother" that he learned she could handle herself. For the moment, he kept his mouth shut, and just observed.
The few times Ronon did catch Derayas' eye is what made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. As well as set off warning bells in his head. Something in those looks said to be on his guard and to keep a close watch on their new friend.
Derayas looked at the three people in front of him and inwardly cringed. He was very upset that Teyla and the others were there. He felt that this operation...(his operation) was running smoothly enough and did not need any outside assistance to keep things going.
The General had told him to make sure he extended every courtesy to them and he would, as long as they stayed out of his way.
Derayas hadn't been happy since the outsiders arrived. It was only when one of his men brought an issue to him did he start to perk up. When his men explained the issue fully he couldn't be more ecstatic about it. He quickly formulated a plan that would get the comers out of his hair for a while. Just the idea of it brought a smile to his face.
When one of the soldiers asked if he wanted him to deliver the message to the new comers Derayas declined the offer. He was more then a willing to deliver the news in person and without the fake sentiment he had earlier.
"Hello, everyone. I was looking all over for you." Derayas said.
"We were just taking a small break." Colar said.
"I see." he said with a smirk.
They just got here and they already need a rest? Some help they are. Dereyas said to himself. "If you are all rested up I have need of your assistance." Dereyas said.
"How can we help you?" Teyla asked.
"Well, it seems that there is a resident of a village that refuses to leave the area. Says that he was told by the sisters to remain where he is and will stay until they say otherwise." Derayas said with an annoyance in his voice.
"So, what do you want us to do?" Ronon asked.
"I need you, as in Teyla," he said looking at Ronon then back to Teyla "to tell him that you are a descendant of the sisters and that you are here to take him away from this area as a thank you for his loyal service."
"And what if he doesn't want to leave?" Ronon asked.
"He has no choice. The area is being evacuated." Derayas said.
"Everyone has a choice."Teyla said.
"Not in this instance." Derayas snapped.
"In all instances." Teyla said evenly.
"Not here he doesn't." Derayas said.
Derayas sighed deeply. He was loosing his composure and control of his emotions which was something he never did. The sooner he made these people leave, the better.
"Look, I am not trying to difficult here.."Derayas started.
"Coulda fooled me." Ronon said.
"Ronon, please." Teyla said trying to defuse an already tense situation. "Go on Lieutenant."
"Look at this from my point of view. If we allow this man to stay, then another will want to stay, and another, and another. Soon all of them will want to stay and all the work we have done so far will be for nothing. We need to get everyone out of the area for their own good." Derayas said.
"Yeah, but you want her to lie to get this man to leave." Ronon said.
"And what is she lying about exactly? She is a descendant is she not? She was sent here to take him away from this area correct? Nothing I said or wish her to say is a lie and honestly, if a lie saves a life then I am fine with having you tell one." Derayas said.
"Well, I'm glad that you're good with that but, you're not the one delivering the news. Teyla is the one that has to be face to face with this man. So, the real question is, what do you want to do Teyla?" Ronon asked turning towards her.
Teyla was quiet a moment before she spoke.
"Lieutenant, I will do what you ask and speak to this villager for you..." Teyla said then stepped closer to Derayas so he could look right into her eyes and know that her next words were not to be misunderstood."but make no mistake, I will not lie to him. I will not use this so called title of mine to influence him in anyway. If this man chooses to stay after I have spoken to him then that is his right and I will respect that and so will you. Are we clear on this?" Teyla asked.
"Very." Derayas said with some bitterness in his voice.
"Good. Do you have the coordinates?" Teyla asked.
"They have already been sent to your transport."
"Then we will leave immediately." Teyla said.
Without another word to Derayas, Teyla turned and started walking back towards the transport with Ronon and Colar behind her.
As soon as they were aboard the transport Colar began making preparations to take off. Once he was given clearance to leave, Colar set a course towards there new destination.
Several quiet minutes passed during the flight. Colar was the first to speak hoping to break their self imposed silenced. It was quite clear to him that the encounter with Lt. Derayas had upset Teyla greatly and he felt badly for her. For in the short time he had known Teyla he had come to admire her. The fact that after all she had been put through so far that she was still willing to to help, was a testament to her spirit within.
"We will be arriving shortly. From the coordinates given it looks like this person lives on the outskirts of the village. Right near Lake Minaka."
Ronon only grunted to acknowledge Colar while Teyla only nodded.
Ten minutes later the outskirts of Lake Minaka came into view. Teyla marveled at the sight before.
Lake Minaka was one of the most beautiful bodies of waters she had ever seen on any world. It stretched out as far as the eye could see.
As they came closer, Teyla noticed a strange blue glow coming off the lake. Before she could ask Colar what it was she noticed that he was starting to make a pass over the lake.
"Is it not beautiful?" Colar asked.
"Yes. What is making the lake glow?" Teyla asked.
"It is the algae in the water. During the day it glows. It is at night when it is the most luminous. When the moon light hits the algae it looks like millions of blue jewels floating on the surface. I have also heard of people coming to swim in the lake at night and when the algae touches their skin it too glows. They also claim that the algae has healing properties."
"Have you ever swam in the water?" Ronon asked.
"No. My studies never allow me to come this far in the region. I had always planned to come here. I just never dreamed it would be under these circumstances."
Colar scanned his map and found a suitable place to land that was near their destination. It was right off one of the shore lines of the lake.
Once the transport landed, Colar opened the ramp and began to power the ship down while Teyla and Ronon made their way outside.
To both Teyla and Ronon's surprise they were met by a kindly looking old man at the end of the ramp.
The old man, who dressed in a light blue robe with black trim, bowed his head slightly to Teyla and Ronon.
Teyla was about to speak when the old man held up his hand to stop her.
"I know why you are here." he said.
"Then you know why it is important for you to leave with us. It is not safe here for you." Teyla said taking a small step forward.
The old man smiled at Teyla then looked up to the sky. "Do you hear that? She says it is not safe for me here."
The old man nodded as if the sky were talking him and giving him instructions.
"Yes, I will tell her. They say I am to stay."
"Who says you have to have?" Ronon asked.
"The sisters of course." the old man said as if were the most obvious thing in the world.
"The sisters? They told you to stay?" Teyla asked.
"Yes."
"Why?" Teyla asked.
"To give you a message." the old man said.
"And what message do they have for me?" Teyla asked taking another step closer.
"They say to embrace this." the old man said opening his arms and looking all around.
"I have heard them tell me this before yet, I am still no closer to understanding what they mean for us to do." Teyla said.
The old man smiled a sad smile at Teyla. He walked over to her and took her hand in his and patted it gently.
"I can not give you the answers you need because you need to come up with them on your own. What I can give you is a clue." the old man said.
"I would accept any advice you can give me." Teyla said.
"Open your heart and trust your feelings. Once that is done your path will be clearer. If you choose to close your heart and deny what is your true path, you will remain clouded and you will loose all that you are." the old man said.
Ronon stood there and watched as Teyla and the old man continued to talk. Silently he studied Teyla's face while she talked to the man. It went from a look of frustration, to a look of puzzlement, to an unfamiliar look... nervousness. No, not nervous he thought. Scared. Scared is how she looked.
Ronon was about to step in and find out what was going on between the two when his radios went off.
"I am sorry to bother you my friend. Lt. Derayas is asking for update. He wishes us to depart from here as quickly as possible. What shall I inform him?" Colar asked.
Ronon walked over to where Teyla and the old man were standing.
"Sorry. Colar said Derayas is asking for an update. Are we all going?"
Teyla looked at the old man and sighed. She knew his answer. She just needed to hear it out loud.
"You are not coming are you?"
"No. I am not."
"But why? You have delivered your message. Surely you can leave now." Teyla said.
"Delivering the message was only one part of the reason why I must stay here."
"What is the other reason?" Teyla asked.
"On the day after the ceremony, come see me, and I will tell all you need to know. Until then, I will stay here and await your return."
Teyla knew there was nothing more she could say to convince him that leaving was the right. All she could do was respect his choice.
"Please stay safe until then." Teyla said.
"The sisters will watch over me. Do not worry. Now, go. There are others who are in need of your help." the old man said.
Teyla and Ronon both said there goodbyes and started walking back over to the transport. When they reached the hatch Teyla took one last look at the old man who looked kindly at her while waving good bye.
"He will not be joining us will he?" Colar asked as Teyla and Ronon walked in the transport.
"No. He will not. He has his reasons for staying and I will not forcibly remove someone from their home."
"Lt. Derayas will not be happy." Color said as he closed the hatch behind them.
"Of that I have no doubt." Teyla said taking her seat.
"I pray the sisters let him see reason." Colar said while powering up the transport.
"That's a wasted prayer." Ronon said under his breath which earned him a small smile from Teyla.
"Did you say something Ronon?" Colar asked.
"No, he did no not." Teyla quickly said. "We are ready to depart when you are."
"Very well. I have already sent a message that we are returning. I just neglected to mention that we are short one person."
"Did you just lie?" Ronon asked with a smirk.
"I did not lie. It was a simple miscommunication." Colar said with a shrug.
"Thank you Colar." Teyla said.
When the transport arrived back the at camp, Derayas was already waiting.
The ramp to the transport came down and Derayas felt his anger rise when he only saw three people and not four as he expected.
Ronon was the first out with Teyla right behind him. They immediately saw Derayas coming towards them looking very upset.
"He looks like he is going to explode. I got this." Ronon said.
Teyla placed a hand on Ronon's shoulder and smiled.
"No, my friend. I will handle this."
Both parties met half way and that's when Teyla got a very good look at Derayas. When they first met, she noticed that his eyes had a very cold, dark, look to them. Now they looked like two hardened blue orbs. His face, a tanned gold brown, now had a slight tinge of red to it. His hands, which looked like they hadn't seen a day of work in their life, were balled into shaking fist. Ronon was indeed right she thought. He did look like he was going to exploded.
Teyla was about to offer her apologies and explain what happened when Derayas cut her off.
"You had one order. Just one. Extraction. You were to acquire the subject and have him leave by any means necessary. I didn't think it would be that hard for you to follow a simple set of instructions. It seems I was very wrong."
Derayas could see that Teyla was about to speak and possible try to defend her actions. H stopped her. He was not ready to hear any pitiful excuses she had. Normally he would have been more discreet about his feelings and held back. Today was not going to be that day. No, today he was going to show this fraud what he thought of her.
He started to circle around her while he spoke. Like a predator stalking it prey. He wasted no time in going for the kill. Wanting nothing more than put to her down. "You know, when I heard about the decedents being found, I, like everyone else praised the ancestors for hearing our prayers. The sisters again had found a way to save their beloved people. The glory and honor of Naharra would continue to live on for generations to come. Then when I heard of your arrival I was honored to find that you would be assisting in our efforts. When your transport arrived I was expecting to see some regal and royal. Someone whose very presence would command respect. Imagine my surprise when out walked you. I did not expect to see is what stands before me now. A lowly commoner. They say you are a leader of your people back on your world. From what I seen today there is no way you could be a leader. Let alone a descendant of one. There can be no truth in the fact that you are descendent of Maihari. Yes, you have the look, but not the stature. Even with my doubts I still decided to go against my instincts and give you a chance. I should have listen to them."
Colar had finished the transport shut down when he felt a shiver go down his spine. Something was wrong. He was about to see if anything was amiss when Sheppard called him on the radio.
"Colar, are you there?"
"Yes, Colonel. You caught me just in time. I was just about to exit the ship. Is everything alright there?"
"Yeah, we're fine. Campbell thinks something is wrong. She can't explain it. She thinks it has to do with Teyla. Is she there with you?"
"She is out side with Ronon talking with Lt. Derayas." Colar could hear the concern in the Colonel's voice. He didn't want to alarm him by saying that he also felt there was something wrong as well. So, he decided to alleviate the Colonel's and his fears. "I will check on her and report back to you."
"Thanks, Colar."
Colar stepped off the transport and already knew there was something was not right. He could hear Derayas' voice and it was filled with anger and venom. All of it directed at Teyla. To her credit, she looked unfazed. Ronon on the other hand, looked like he was ready to use his stun gun on the man.
Colar quickened his pace towards the three in hopes that maybe he could defuse the situation.
Teyla always had what John called a good poker face. Whenever they played the game, John would always become frustrated because he could never get a good read on her. She could hide her emotions so well that you couldn't tell a losing hand from a winning one.
She had told him that she has been doing it all of her life. As leader of her people she would have to set her emotions aside when making a decision that would best serve them. Today she was putting all those lesson she had learned over the years to good use. Or at least she was trying to.
All throughout Derayas' tirade she could feel that there was something trying to make itself known. At first Teyla didn't know what it was. Then slowly, she heard it. It was a sound. A small tapping sound.
At first she tried to ignore it so she could concentrate on Derayas but, the more angry Derayas got, the louder the sound became. Soon, the tapping changed into a loud ringing. She tried again to block it out but it just wouldn't stop.
Just then Derayas' shouted at her. "You are no savior!"
The ringing increased to the point of pain. It only took a moment to realize that the pain and Derayas were somehow connected. She needed to get away from him now.
Ronon was not a man who easily stood by while his friend was being berated by someone who clearly needed his face kicked in. The only reason he hadn't started the beating on Derayas was because Teyla said she could handle him. Normally he wouldn't question her but, watching her stand there, and the look on her face, told him he needed to step in and put a stop to Derayas and his ranting.
When he stepped closer to her he could see that Teyla was clearly not alright. It didn't take a genius to see she was in pain. A fact Derayas missed.
"Teyla, you ok?" he asked.
When he got no answer from her he became worried. He tried calling out to her again and still got nothing.
Teyla could hear Ronon and wanted to answer him but couldn't. She need to concentrate hard on making her legs move so she could get away from Derayas and make the ringing stop.
From the corner of her eye she saw Ronon approaching her with his hand out stretched to touch her. Before she could tell him no she felt his hand on her shoulder. The concentration she has been trying so hard to main slipped for just a second. That's when then ringing stopped and everything went white.
"Is everything alright?" Colar said when he finally made it over the group.
"No. Something is wrong with Teyla. I've been calling her and she's not answering me."
"Shame, often quiets the guilty." Derayas said with a sneer.
"Shut your mouth, before I use my stun gun to shut it or you." Ronon said through gritted teeth.
Derayas saw the look in Ronon's eyes and knew the man was serious. He was fine with staying quiet. He said all he needed to say to the fake savior before him.
Seeing that Derayas was no longer going to be a problem, Ronon turned his attention back to Teyla who now had her back turned to him.
Slowly he turned her towards him and Colar. Once she was face to face with him it was even more apparent that something was wrong.
Teyla stood there looking pale. Her shoulders were slightly slumped over and her eyes closed. She looked like she might fall over at any moment.
"She looks like she needs medical attention." Colar said.
Ronon nodded his head and was about to a make move to pick Teyla up when she spoke.
"There is no need for medical attention. Your friend is fine."
My friend? Oh no, he thought. If this what he thought was happening, then this couldn't be good.
"This is bad." Ronon said.
"Teyla?" Colar asked not understanding Ronon's concern.
Colar watched as Teyla open her eyes and was shocked that they were milky white. No longer the bright vibrant brown they were only a few minutes ago. Her next words could not prepare him for the shock of his life.
"No, not Teyla. My name is... Maihari."