"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." Ronon said.
"It is alright. I guess I am just a bit more out of sorts since..."
"This whole things started." Ronon said cutting Teyla off.
"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 Teyla.
"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 *sigh* 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 but I 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's shoulders. I did not see what he was trying to say until now. All I saw was the chance to help."
"Annoying huh?"
Teyla gave Ronon a puzzled look. "What is annoying?"
"When Sheppard's right."
Teyla laughed. "It can be,yes."
"Well, what're 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 his head 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 a safe journey." Teyla said.
"You're just hoping she wasn't thrown out." 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.
Colar 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 red signaling that the ship stopped moving before he tried to contact Colonel Sheppard.
"Colar to Colonal Sheppard. Are you receiving me?"
"Sheppard here. I'm receiving you 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.
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.
"Sorry." John said sheepishly.
"John, if this is a joke it is not funny." Teyla said sternly.
"Colonel, stop teasing her. Teyla, I'm fine. He told me that you made him promise not to throw me off the transport."
Teyla breathed a sigh of relief while Ronon laughed.
"I take it then you two have worked things out?" Teyla asked.
"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." Teyla said.
"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 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.
"Alright, be safe you two." Teyla said.
"We will. Contact us when you're done. Sheppard out."
Teyla sighed when contact with John ended. She missed him but she was 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." Colar said.
"Only if your ready." Ronon added.
Teyla smiled 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.
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 asked.
"Commander Derayas." Teyla said.
Ronon watched as Commander 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 walked up to them. Derayas was all smiles and full and of kind words for 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 to talked, Ronon quietly started sizing up Deyaras. Ronon 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. Derayas reminded Ronon of some the marines back on Atlantis 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 because they were compensating for a "smaller package".
Deyaras had short blond hair cut in a military style like Major Lorne's. He also had these weird blue color eyes. It was the eyes that caught Ronon's attention. The fact that his eyes looked more mechanical than real weren't the problem. No, it was the way 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. Plus, there was also the fact that if he tried she would beat him senseless for being over a protective "little brother". So, he kept his mouth shut for the moment.
The few times he did catch Derayas' eye contact is what made the hairs on the back of Ronon's neck stand up as well as set of warning bells in his brain. Something told Ronon to be on his guard and to keep a close eye on him.
Derayas looked at the three people in front of him and inwardly cringed. He was not happy that Teyla and the others were there. He felt that his operation was running smoothly enough and did not need any outside assistance to keep things going as well as they were. 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 truly happy since the outsiders arrived. He wished they would leave and stop slowing the progress he was making.
When one of his men arrived and brought an issue to him that would get them out of his hair for a while he was more then a willing to deliver the news in person and without the fake sentiment.
"Hello, everyone. I was looking all over for you."
"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." Derayas said to himself.
"If you are all rested up, I have need of your assistance." Derayas said.
"How can we help you?" Teyla asked.
"Well, it seems that there is a resident of the 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." Dereyas said.
"Everyone has a choice."Teyla said.
"Not in this instance." Deyeras snapped
"In all instances." Teyla said evenly.
"Not here he doesn't." Dereyas said.
Commander Deyeras sighed deeply. He was loosing his composure and control of his emotions which was something he never did. The sooner he made theses people leave the better he thought.
"Look, I'm not trying to be difficult here.." Deraya started.
"Coulda fooled me." Ronon said.
"Ronon, please." Teyla said trying to defuse an already tense situation. "Please go on, Commander."
"Please 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 are 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 to Teyla.
Teyla was quiet a moment before she spoke.
"Commander, I will do what you ask and speak to this villager for you." Teyla said then stepped closer to Dereyas 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 Commander 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 her 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 lake. 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 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 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."
"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 to 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."
"And what message do they have for me?" Teyla asked taking another step closer.
"They say to embrace this." the old man says opening his arms and looking all around.
"I have heard them tell me this before but, 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 Teyla 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 true, the path 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. She looked nervous. 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. Commander Derayas is asking for an 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 who gave her hand a gentle squeeze. 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 thing to do. 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 good byes and started walking back over to the transport. When they reached the hatch Teyla took one last look at the old man who smiled at her and waved 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."
"Commander 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."
"Thank you Colar." Teyla said.
When the transport arrived back the camp Derayas was already waiting.
The ramp to the transport ramp came down Derayas felt his anger rise when he only saw three people step out and not four as he expected.
Ronon was the first out with Teyla right behind him. They immediately saw Commander Derayas coming towards them looking very upset.
"He looks like he is going to explode. I got this."
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. His eyes which already had a cold look to them now looked like two hardened blue orbs. His face had a slight tinge of red and his hands were balled into 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 my instructions but it seems that they were."
Derayas could see that Teyla was about to speak and possible try to defend her actions. He was not ready to hear any pitiful excuse she had. Normally he would haven been more discreet about his feelings and held back. Today was not going to be that day. Today, he was going to show this fraud what he thought of her.
"You know, when I heard about the decedents being found, I like everyone else praised the ancestors for hearing our prayers. When I heard of your arrival I was honored to find that you would be assisting in our efforts. When the transport arrived I was expecting to see someone regal and royal, not what stands before me. A lowly commoner. There was no way that you could be a descendent of Maihari. Yes, you have the look, but not the stature she exuded. Even with my doubts I still decided to go against my instincts and give you a chance. I should have listen to them. You are no savior."
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 wrong 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 cant explain it. She thinks it has to do with Teyla. Is she there with you?"
"She is out side with Ronon talking with Commander 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. 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 wrong. He could hear Derayas voice and it was filled with anger and venom. All of it directed at Teyla, to her credit was looked unfazed by it all. 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 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 very well. She had been doing it all her life. As leader of her people she would have to set her emotions aside when making a decision that would best serve her people. 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 distracting her. At first Teyla didn't know what it was. Then slowly it made itself known. 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' shouting at her made the ringing increase to the point there was pain. She then realized that the pain and Derayas were somehow connected. She needed to get away now.
Ronon noticed from Teyla's stance that something was wrong. He could see that she looked like she was in pain.
"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 she was trying to concentrate on moving and making the ringing stop.
Then she felt Ronon's hand on her shoulder and her concentration slipped for just a second. That's when then ringing stopped and everything went white.
"Is everything alright?" Colar 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 fist to shut it for you." Ronon said.
Derayas saw the look in Ronon's eyes and knew the man was serious so he decided this would be a good moment to not say another word.
Seeing that Derayas was no longer going to be a problem Ronon turned his attention back to Teyla who still had her back turned to him.
He slowly turned her to him and Colar. Once she faced him it was even more apparent that something was wrong.
Teyla stood there looking pale, shoulders 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 make move to pick Teyla up when she spoke.
"There is no need for medical attention. Your friend is fine."
Oh, no. Ronon thought. If this what he thought it 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 opened her eyes and was shocked that they were milky white.
"No, not Teyla...my name is...Maihari."
"Maihari?" Colar stated in awe.
Upon realizing who he was talking to Colar fell to his knees and bowed at her feet.
Maihairi shook her head and smiled. She never liked when people would bow down to her.
"Please, stand up. There is no need to bow."
"My lady, you have no idea how long we have waited for this. Your return is what we have prayed for."
Maihari was about to speak when she felt light head and started to fall forward. She was greatful when she was caught by two strong arms.
"Thank you, friend."
Ronon held on until she was able to steady herself. When he saw she was alright he moved away.
"Look, I don't mean to be rude but, why are you here? I mean the last time one of you showed up you almost blew half a city up." Ronon said.
Maihari was trying to clear the fog out of her head so she could process what he was saying."I do not understand myself. When one of us..." Then as if the fog had been blown from her mind she realized what he was saying.
"My sister?! You have seen Niya? Where is she? Is she alright? Has the ceremony been done yet?"
Colar stepped closer. He could see the worried look on her face and wanted to calm their leader before she became further upset.
"My lady, you're sisters descendant has been found. They are both fine. She is here assisting our people."
Maihari let a breath. She was so thankful that Niya was alright and that their descendants has been found. She was about to ask about the ceremony when she started to feel the fatigue in her body growing.
"This body is growing weak. That tells me the ceremony has not been done."
"No, my lady. Not yet."
Maihari shook her head. "I do not wish to do any further damage to this body. The ceremony needs to be completed soon. I fear her body could not survive my sudden awakening again."
"Why are you here now? Where you called too?" Ronon asked.
"Is that how you saw Niya? Did her descendant call her?
"Yes. Something triggered it and then she appeared." Ronon said."
"Your friend has done the same thing. Something triggered it. She tried very hard to hold me back from coming. Her mind is very strong. I could feel the anger and hate coming towards her. I immediately came to her to try and help but she would not let me come to her aid. It wasn't until she started to tire that I was able to come to her. Please tell me what was the source of this trouble?"
"Over there?" Ronon pointed towards Derayas who was now standing with some of his men.
"Him?" Maihari asked pointing towards Derayas.
"Yes, my lady."
"Then, I would suggest we leave this place. I do not want to risk your friend's health any further by making this situation any worse. Once we are away from here I will be able to leave her body and she will return."
"Then let us leave this place." Colar said.
"Yes. I think that would be best." Maihari said.
As the three started to walk towards the transport Deyaras became furious at the fact that the three of them were just leaving without so much as another word to him.
He was determined to show these fools that he was not one to be trifled with. He was going to give this imposter one final piece of his mind before she parted. With purpose in his step he quickly reached the others.
Before Ronon and Colar knew what happened Derayas had grabbed Teyla by the shoulder. He was about to try and turn her around to face him when a sudden force knocked him a few feet away.
Ronon and Collar couldn't even register what happened next because it literally was blur. They didn't even see Teyla's body move because it was so fast.
At first she was with them and then she wasn't. By the time they blinked she was standing in front of a dazed Derayas. They watched as Teyla stood there waiting for Derayas to acknowledge her presence.
Derayas didn't know what happened. One moment he was about to give his piece of mind to the imposter, the next he was thrown several feet back by some invisible force. He closed his eyes to try and stop making the world spin. When he opened them he wished he would have kept them closed.
Standing before him was Teyla. Except it wasn't her. There was something different about her. It was hard for him to focus when his head had barely stopped spinning. When it finally did that's when the differences became clear.
She stood taller and more confident. Her stance was that of woman who not only commanded power, but who knew how to wield it as well. She looked regal and dangerous as her hair flared from the unseen power radiating from her.
Even with this sudden change in her he still was ready to question her. The defiance he was about to display was quickly squelched when he saw her eyes. The lifeless milky color that had been trained on him let him know this was not the woman he had been dealing with a few minutes ago.
A shiver went down his spine as realization hit him.
"You are not Teyla?"
"No, I am not. And from the frightened look on your face I can assume you know who I am."
Derayas bowed his head and answered.
"Yes, my lady. I know who you are. Please let me apologize.."
Before Derayas could continue Maihari stopped him.
"Apologize? You're apology should not be to me. It should be to this young woman. Who I suspect did nothing to earn your wrath. I do not know what the words exchnaged between you were. What I do know is that the words that were spat at her were filled with hate and disdain. I could feel it rolling off of you. This is why I am here. To protect my descendant from an unknown harm. It breaks my heart to know that one of my people, a soldier from our proud army, could be so cruel to another being. There is no honor in what you have done."
At the weight of her words Derayas hung his head in shame.
"I am truly sorry, my lady."
Maihari took pity on the young man. She gently touched his shoulder and waited for him to look at her.
"You are a soldier of Naharra. A leader with in our ranks. I would expect more from you."
"Yes, my lady."
"When the times come and you and she cross paths again, make sure that you express the same words of sorrow to her. Do not say the words unless they are truly meant. Words without meaning have no place being said. Do you understand?"
"I do, my lady. And when the time comes, I will say the words that are from my heart. I swear it."
"Good. Now, please return to your duties. Glory and Honor to you."
"Glory and Honor to you, my lady."
Maihari helped Deyaras who was still trying to recover from his blow to his feet. Once he thanked her for her help, he bowed to her once more then made his back towards the camp.
Once Maihari saw Derayas was out of she sight she called to Ronon and Colar for assistance. They both quickly ran to her aid. Colar looked at her and saw that she looked paler than before.
"My lady, what is wrong?"
"You must not wait any longer. You must head back and perform the ceremony. Time is growing..short...please...save..
save...us.."
Maihari spoke those final words before she collapsed into Ronon.
Ronon picked up his friends and tried calling her name but received no answer. He then cradled her body to him and started heading for the transport with Colar hot on his heels.
As soon as they were aboard the transport Colar quickly noticed that the communications system was alerting them. He pulled up the screen and saw it was Colonel Sheppard.
"Colonel, we..." Colar started but was immediately cut off by John.
"What the hell is going on? I've been trying to reach you guys now for a while and no one could tell me anything."
Colar could tell from the aggiation in the Colonel's voice that something was wrong.
"Is something wrong, Colonel"
"Yeah, we're on our way back to the city. Campbell's down. She just passed out and no one can wake her."
"Colonel, we are also on our way back. Teyla is also in need of assistance."
"Does this have anything to do with what Campbell was feeling earlier?"
"Yes, it does. I will go into more detail when we meet. I must notify Tollara about our arrival."
"Tollara? Why does he have to know?"
"It's about the ceremony. It must be performed quickly. There is no time to waste."
"Alright. Is Teyla ok?" John asked trying not to show how worried he was.
"She is for now. Ronon is with her."
"Good. I'll be there as quick as I can."
"Safe journey, Colonel.
"You too."
As soon as the channel was closed, Colar alerted Commander Derayas that he needed to leave quickly. He did not provide an explanation and Derayas didn't ask for one. He just simply gave them permission to leave.
Once the transport was clear Colar opened another channel to Tollara. He rapidly explained what just occurred and the need to begin the ceremony as soon as possible.
"Do not worry, Colar. Everything will be ready as soon as you return. This is what we have been waiting for. Soon, the sisters will be returned to us and our world will be saved. You have done well. I'm proud of you." Tollara said then ended his transmission.
Colar wished he could feel the pride in his actions as Tollara said. He couldn't. There was no honor in what was about to happen. No glory. Two lives were about to sacrificed for what was considered the greater good. He wished there was another way. He prayed to the ancestors that another way could present itself before this terrible act was done.
A/N: I'm back! I'm sure it felt like 10,000 years since I updated this story. Sorry for the long wait. I will try to update more often. I promise you won't have to wait years for the next update. Please let me know what you think and thank you to all who have reviewed and read this story so far. Happy Reading :)