Note: Thank you for the reviews, guys. I'm so glad people are still out there and can forgive me the long wait. As thanks, here are another two new chapters for this evening. X
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Chapter 4 – Waiting in Tjaru
It had rained all day on Tjaru. Thick grey clouds stretched as far as the eye could see, hanging like a thick heavy blanket smothering Athos.
It hadn't been a torrential fall, but a constant heavy drizzle of falling water, saturating everything and obscuring the view of the city and surrounding landscape. The air smelt fresh though, the trees in the orchard courtyard glistened as their fruity aromas drifted to Teyla through the rain. She drew it in; the smell of home, of Athosian rain on Athosian leaves and soil. It pulled at her earliest memories of living in the old village, when she had used to sit in the entrance of the family's tent, watching the water fall outside, drinking in the humid scent of the wet ground and bark filling her nostrils.
Today, she was not sat on thick canvas, but stood in an open doorway in the Governing complex, the orchard courtyard silent and private for the family to enjoy. Today however, because of the constant rain, she was the only one enjoying it; with the exception of Ketra, who was sat silently at her side, looking out at the trees and rain along with her.
Teyla lowered her gaze and her hand to Ketra, stroking her fingers over the dragon's warm smooth snout and head. She wondered what Ketra thought at having been sat here for some time with her, just looking out at the rain and drinking in the sense of home. Ketra sighed gently, appearing calm and relaxed at Teyla's touch, her orange eyes lifting briefly. Teyla smiled down at her pet and friend before looking back out to the courtyard, keeping her hand idly scratching Ketra's closest ear.
A distant tipper bird chirped across the courtyard, the sound pretty and familiar to Teyla. Ketra's head shifted in response under Teyla's hand, her ears moving with interest to track the creature's calls. Then further away, another bird responded, the sound bright and carrying easily through the air. Ketra's head shifted again as she listened to the new call.
On returning to Tjaru to assist with her own impending Political Marriage in two day's time, Teyla had been concerned that the time would be lost with discomforting worry and doubts, but instead she had found herself embraced into the busy and distracting comfort of family. Unlike the big noisy affair that had been Zabetha's wedding, Father had clearly understood that Teyla wished her own Political Marriage to be far quieter and contained. Whereas Zabetha's marriage had been very much a large public display, incorporating all local businesses in trade and celebration, Teyla's was to be quieter and more dignified. Celebration would take place, but in a more contained manner. It was befitting an Elite warrior, but Teyla knew, without having mentioned it to Father, that he understood that she wished it to be this way.
Zabetha's Political Marriage may have turned out to be one based on love and mutual understanding, but in that it was a rarity. Teyla felt nothing but gratitude for her sister's happy marriage to the strong, supportive man that was now Teyla's Brother by marriage. However, Zabetha had been lucky. Rhakshar was a kind and noble man, who was clearly deeply dedicated to Zabetha, and she to him. And as much as their wedding had echoed the joyful celebration of their union, Teyla was immensely grateful that her own marriage preparations were far quieter.
However, there were going to be far more guests than she had anticipated, but she trusted Father and Elkaska to have included only those most vital. She had noticed that Father had also imposed an almost military style directness to the planned marriage proceedings, keeping everything precise, concise, and not drawing out meals and negotiation rituals. Plenty of negotiations were no doubt occurring between her potential suitors, but here on Tjaru, all seemed calm and in control.
That fact had soothed her anxiety somewhat and eased the doubts that had kept turning in her mind in any quiet moment to herself.
This marriage would occur.
She was set on the course and there was no turning back now. This was for Athos, for the Alliance, and for the Elite. It would be a simple contract, and could be dealt with easily enough as such. It would not change who she was. This was for her people.
Yet, her mind kept traitorously returning to thoughts of John. At inopportune moments, brief sudden moments of being with him would linger into her thoughts. Watching Zabetha go through the planned menu for their guests had brought forth memories of eating with John in the bright, light Mess Hall in Atlantis. She found herself lingering on the recalled details of the alien foods he had shown her, how he had brought some of them to his quarters later and fed them to her with his fingers. The feel of his skin, of her cheek against his bare chest, and the taste of an Earth apple across her tongue.
Thoughts of him hovered everywhere, and no more so than in her own bedroom in the complex. There more than anywhere else did she have the strongest of memories of him, for not only had they made love so frequently there, but it had been where they had first kissed. The memories assaulted her daily life, so that even tiny details, such as brushing her hair, were filled with thoughts of him.
She knew it was normal, that she was not possessed. The memories and associations would fade in time. Yet, that realisation itself was as torturous as reliving his presence.
As was the knowledge, the fact, that John would visit Tjaru tomorrow and she would have to tell him about her impending marriage. She would have to put words together to break their affair and hurt him with her severance of their relationship in such a way.
She dreaded it, though she had convinced herself repeatedly that it was the correct decision.
There was no future for them. Their differing cultures, peoples, and lifestyles were so dramatically separated from each other that there could be no mutual future for them.
An Elite did not fall in love, or at least, did not stay in love.
Love was a distraction, an overwhelming, intense diversion from her path that it had caused great suffering already. The desire to be with John was so great that it had kept her from a vital battle, had drawn her away from responsibility and had cost a dear life. Elite needed to be focused, in love with only their mission, their life purpose to defeat the Wraith and protect all life.
She could not have both.
The decision had been made, and as much as the pain of it and the anxiety over the approaching confrontation with John filled her consciousness, it was the right one.
Besides, John needed to continue with his life focused on Atlantis and his own people. He would no doubt find another woman to love, who could provide him with a loving, dedicated family life.
She pulled her eyes down and away from the rain, the thought of him in love with another cutting deeply.
It was best for him though. It was best for her and the Elite.
She would tell him that he had brought a new light to her life, that he had touched her soul and offered her a respite from her military life that she would always value. Yet, it had to end. They had known as much when the affair had begun. They had openly admitted it, had known it would end, throughout all of their time together.
She just hadn't expected it to hurt so much.
Or that she would be so afraid of telling him it was at an end. She had faced all manner of evils, cruelties, and deadly situations, but waiting to speak to John, to end this love...
She had lain awake these past nights, practicing over and over the right words to say to him. She had tried to work out the best way to convey the importance and love she felt for him, but that more was at stake and that somehow he would be convinced by her words.
However, the truth was that she had no idea how he would react. She had tried to imagine each scenario, working out how she might handle each reaction, always remaining calm and steady in her resolve.
She suspected he would be cross that she had kept the marriage from him, but then she had not seen him since its conception in her mind. Yet, there were ways to reach him if she were truly motivated. She was not though. Putting off the moment of seeing him again, of being in his handsome, drawing presence and to then end it...
He had known that the affair would one day end, he had said as much. However, she suspected that he would try to convince her not to go through with the marriage, or perhaps to at least continue their affair. Lovers were accepted alongside a Political Marriage, as long as they were discreet, but she did not know how such a thing might fit with his own culture's ideals of marriage. They had never discussed Earth sexual politics.
It did not matter though, for she would end this affair now, even if he wished to continue it alongside the marriage.
She had to remove him from her life, to find emotional distance and emotional control once more.
She could not be the effective Elite warrior she needed to be with him distracting her heart and mind.
Kari had paid the price for that mistake and many more could follow if Teyla did not keep her focus. She could not let her fellow Elite down again.
Besides, love and comfort were not for Elite. She had always known they were to be sacrificed with her life's path, but it was only now that she truly understood why it was a sacrifice.
It wouldn't be a sacrifice if it wasn't giving up something she wanted so badly.
But, she also wanted her centre, her inner peace, and her control back. She wanted to be sure of herself again; to trust her decisions once more. She could not do that with her focus split.
And John was far too distracting.
She only hoped that in this decision she would not endanger the relationship between Athos an Atlantis. She could not imagine John being vindictive and trying to turn his leaders' minds against contact with Athos and the Alliance. He was not that way, yet her traitorous mind worried over it at night. She still believed, as hopefully he did, that it was only working together against the Wraith that would save them all.
That future was far more important than a love affair.
An Elite needed to focus on victory.
Besides, she had seen what could happen to a warrior in the grip of love.
Love had broken Massa's soul apart, it had turned Breack into a murderous traitor in order to please Iketani, and it had distracted herself during a vital mission that had cost Kari her life.
Love was not for Elite.
"Teyla," Father's voice called softly to her.
Turning, she looked away from the softly falling rain to see Father beckoning her back into the family dining area. Charin and Zabetha had been sat at the table for a couple of hours, planning, organising, and overseeing the minutia of the wedding day.
Father had been in and out of the room since the mid meal, attending meetings and taking link calls, though most had concerned her fast approaching marriage contract.
He stood now, dressed in the deep dark browns that complimented his complexion and made his dark eyes seemed deeper than usual. He lifted an electronic pad in silent explanation that the latest details had arrived in.
Teyla nodded before once more looking back out at the lovely rain. She stroked Ketra's head once more and then returned to her family's side.
In the time she had been looking out at the courtyard, Zabetha and Charin had finished the details of the seating arrangements. Much of the work had been done by Zabetha previously for her own wedding, however, political relationships, factions, and arguments shifted constantly and had to be considered. At least that had been Zabetha's explanation. Teyla was happy to let the two women organise such details. They understood and thought in ways that Teyla could not. They understood the nuances of such events in a way that Teyla gave little credit. However, she supposed that if the guests were military personnel, then she could think in such ways. Who supported who, which groups had been at odds over past events and recent battles. Those details she understood. Who had quietly snubbed someone's daughter at an official dinner seemed of far less importance than military strategy.
"I have placed him here, next to Ronon, that should keep him in line," Zabetha was telling Father.
"Is Ronon bringing his young son with him?" Charin asked.
"I am not sure," Zabetha replied, the upturn of her sentence rising in a question to Teyla as she approached.
"He was undecided last I spoke with him," Teyla replied. "It depends if the boy's cough subsides."
"If the babe is here or not," Father put it, "Ronon will still keep Keltree in line, I am sure."
"I will mention the matter to him," Teyla said with a smile as she settled back into her chair beside Charin and opposite Zabetha.
Zabetha handed over two pads. "See what you think, and this is the final meal plan from the chefs. They had to change a few ingredients due to availability and season."
"I am sure it is all fine," Teyla replied, but still took the pads. Both Zabetha and Charin had insisted in their gentle family way that she be involved in the entire process. She had told them that she would agree with whatever they selected, but they continued to include her in everything. She understood their reasons, the care and the odd enjoyment they seemed to gain from the planning. In truth it had been the first time she had worked with them both on a project and she was enjoying it as much as they were, despite her heart not being invested as deeply as theirs appeared to be.
She trailed through the menu, noticing immediately that, in keeping Elite ways, there was no meat in any of it. It was an unnecessarily requirement for the guests, but it was a thoughtful approach for Charin and Zabetha to take. There was nothing overly pretentious about their food selections either, for like the overall vibe of the wedding, the food was good, but simple and to the point.
She pressed her thumb to the seal of the menu and turned her eye to the long display of seating as she handed the food list back to her sister.
"The latest potential offering list has been drawn this evening," Father added as he sat at the head of the table, between Teyla and Zabetha's elbows.
Teyla had not realised that he had called her in for such news, she had assumed it was for the seating and food. Teyla pressed her thumb to the seating arrangement, trusting the two women before her, and reached out for the new pad from Father.
He handed it over. It was very warm to the touch as if he had been holding it tightly for some time. She imagined he had been working on it all day, updating it constantly with the latest links into the complex.
She triggered it on and saw only three names were left.
Three suitors.
One of which would be her husband.
As expected, General Maloo remained in the top place. "I assume the Genii will reduce the list further?" She asked Father.
"I suspect so," he replied as Zabetha laid a plate of food in front of him. "I do not think I have had so little meat in all my life," Father smiled as he picked up his fork. Zabetha had been utilising their meals as testing opportunities for the various meals the chefs had dreamt up as possibilities for the wedding banquet.
"The Inauguration Hall decorations are almost complete," Charin reported at a bleep from the pad closest to her.
"Is that Hakon reporting to you?" Father asked with amusement.
"Yes, Torren," Charin replied.
"He has other work to attend to," Father muttered.
"He is hardly one to shirk his duties is he," Charin replied with the familiarity of long friendship and extended family. "I simply asked him to send me regular reports on the progress of the drapery, banners, and the flowers. After all I am an elderly lady and cannot be constantly walking back and forth to the hall."
Torren frowned at her. "You hope he will take a fancy to the decorator you hired, you cannot fool me, Charin. Your hope is to breed familiarity between them in hopes that he will look up from his computer long enough to notice her."
Charin looked up from her pad, her elderly face slack with innocence. "I had not thought so far as breeding, Torren, that is your own imagination."
Teyla smiled and glanced across at her sister. Zabetha rolled her eyes.
"Charin, Hakon is a grown man, he can find his own wife. If he even wishes to have one," Zabetha added.
"Of course he does," Charin replied. "He is simply too busy to look."
"That is just what he told you to keep you off his back," Torren replied around a mouthful of roasted vegetable. "Mmm this one is good," he added to Zabetha. "Is this on the final menu?"
"Yes," Zabetha smiled at him.
"Good, good," Father replied as he cut up some more and began adding it to his mouth without having finished the first mouthful.
"You missed your mid meal again," Charin rebuked him.
"I was in several vital meetings," Father replied around his stuffed mouth. "After all you are distracting my assistant with watching drapery and decorators, so no one was available to bring me food."
"Because the complex has no other workers who could," Charin pointed out.
"I will ensure that the kitchen staff attend to you tomorrow," Zabetha put in with a tone that suggested no argument.
"If they serve this again, I will eat it all day," Father replied after swallowing another mouthful of food.
"Good, now these last three suitors," Charin swiftly changed the subject as she reached towards Teyla, asking for the pad.
Teyla handed it over.
"Mmm, I would be very surprised if these other two are not off this list by tomorrow morn," Charin uttered. "One is of Rosenthal and the Genii wish some mining contracts through their new links via their new Political Marriage with Sateda. Rosenthal will give in, but only once they have their highest price accepted. Maloo will remain."
Zabetha nodded. "More could step forward still, and I would not put it past Keltree to make a surprised offering in the ceremony, just to try to get the disputed moon territory back."
"Perhaps we should ask Ronon to stand with Keltree during the ceremonies as well," Father suggested with amusement, but some seriousness as well. "Or perhaps Honoured Elites Si and Halling could do so."
"I will mention it to Halling, he has links to Keltree's family through a second cousin I believe," Teyla considered.
"Do we keep Sitayi on the list, Charin?" Zabetha asked distractedly as she studied the seating plan again.
"I spoke with her sister only two hours ago," Charin replied. Teyla saw the concern on Charin's face, which they all shared following news of Sitayi' illness that had struck her while staying on her homeworld. "The fever has broken, so they have hope she will regain consciousness soon."
"Even if she does, will she be well enough to attend the ceremonies?" Zabetha asked with concern.
"If she is able, she will be here. She would not wish to miss Teyla's wedding," Charin replied with a soft smile. "Besides, you know of Pelydr's healers' fame."
"True," Zabetha considered.
Teyla heard a door open and close down the far end of the room and voices instantly rose. Teyla saw Zabetha react instantly to the sound of her husband's voice, looking up and round with a bright hopeful smile. It warmed Teyla's heart each time she saw her sister's reaction, as innocently open as it was. She glanced to Father to see him smile at her, perhaps having noticed the same.
Rhakshar's voice neared and with him Elkaska.
"I do not think that is the way to handle it," Teyla's uncle was stressing, but she recognised the enjoyment in his voice, despite the words – he loved trading debates and it appeared that Rhakshar did as well.
"The mining rights have to be dealt with delicately," Rhakshar replied. "Apologies for our delay," he said to the rest of the table. "I was speaking with my Mother and Father via link."
"They are both well?" Father asked around his latest mouthful of food as Rhakshar approached.
"Yes, they are," Rhakshar replied with a smile.
Elkaska broke away from his side to head straight for the food, but Rhakshar, as always, headed straight for Zabetha. She did not rise to greet him, but angled her head up towards him. Rhakshar stroked one strong hand over Zabetha's glittering hair as he leant down and pressed his forehead to hers.
"Hello, My Love," he whispered gently to her. "Have you had a successful afternoon?" He asked as their foreheads parted. It had not been the formal touch of foreheads as Athosians commonly used; their greetings were far softer and more loving. Teyla was not entirely sure what it was about the touch that made that fact clear, other than the obvious affection and the way their eyes remained shut with clear focus during the greeting.
It pleased Teyla to see such affection equal between them, and to see Rhakshar's ease now among his new Athosian family. However, today it recreated a sharp ache inside Teyla's chest to see it so plainly displayed. Yet, she could not take her eyes from her sister's happy face as she smiled up at her husband.
"It has been very successful so far," she replied up to him. "Have the latest caves been secured?" She asked, knowing all the details of his own family's mining company.
"Mostly," Rhakshar replied, stroking his hand over her hair one last time before he moved away towards the food. "Have you eaten?" he asked her. "Charin? Honoured Sister?" He added, including them in his offer to bring more food to the table.
"I would love some of the noodles in sweet wine if I may," Charin replied.
"I have eaten, thank you," Teyla answered him, though in truth she had been eating little lately.
"I will have some more," Zabetha replied as she rose up from her chair to accompany Rhakshar across all of the two metres to the food selection.
Teyla smiled with amusement as she looked to Father and then to Charin.
"Such a lovely man," Charin said quietly. "A shame that we cannot find you a better Genii General to sit at our table with you."
It had been a throw away comment, no harm meant by it on Charin's behalf, yet it cut deeply into Teyla this evening.
"He will not be required or expected to sit with us like this," Teyla reminded her. "It is only that Rhakshar is so welcome that he is." She knew her tone was a little sharp, but she could not hold it in.
"Genii food is not too bad," Elkaska put in as he sat down two seats from Torren, leaving the chair next to Zabetha's former seat empty ready for Rhakshar. "I worked with a Genii trader for many years, in fact there was this one time we were trapped on...what was the name of the planet?" He pondered out loud. "What do they call it now, Teyla? The one near the red giant with the fields of standing stones? The Genii ended up adding it to their Confederation."
"I believe they call it Kha," she considered. Behind Elkaska, his own pet, Umo, moved away from the food selection with obvious regret, which was when Teyla realised that Ketra was across the room, pressed in close between Rhakshar and Zabetha's legs, her snout snuffling at the food plates.
"Ketra," Teyla rebuked her quietly, knowing she would hear across the room.
Ketra looked round with a guilty expression and moved away from the tempting food. Teyla suspected that Zabetha had been giving Ketra a few titbits from time to time. Ketra slinked back around the table, her head low at being told off and at having missed a chance to eat something tasty. Rhakshar watched her move away with his usual caution. He was not entirely comfortable with the dragon, but he was growing more so. Ketra in return afforded him the same formal inattention as she did all those outside of Teyla's family or the Elite from the Sythus. And John. Although Ketra had hated John at first, it had quickly changed into something close to adoration for him. She treated him as family...
"Yes, Kha," Elkaska fortunately interrupted Teyla's drifting thoughts. "We used to call it Stone's Way," he chuckled. "There had been a small incident there with some other traders who had been after the new mineral ore we had found there."
Ketra was moving rather too slowly around behind Father and glanced up to see that Teyla was still watching her. Father had probably been supplying little extra pieces of food as well.
"Of course you found it first," Torren commented to Elkaska.
"Of course," Elkaska replied without missing beat. "They surrounded us-"
Beyond the archway out through to the lobby, Teyla heard the main door to the family area of the complex open. Ketra stopped and looked round the table with interest. The few steps across the lobby told Teyla that it was Hakon approaching.
"Ketra," Teyla warned.
Ketra had recently taken to following Hakon, seeming to find something curious about him. Hakon appeared to trust Teyla when she told him that Ketra would not harm him, but it had unnerved him to find the dragon stalking him around the hallways of the complex. Yesterday morning, he had had to make a wide loop through the complex back round to the family area to return to Teyla with Ketra in tow and to express his concerns. Ketra had tried again to follow him yesterday evening, but Teyla had stopped her. She suspected Ketra's curiosity was borne of the fact that Hakon was always in motion, always moving from one area to another. Even his mind appeared to always be in motion. Even if he was present during a meeting alongside Father, Hakon's mind was still working, making notes on his computer, probably doing admin work whilst simultaneously listening to conversation.
The man in question now entered the dining area, only to pause at seeing Ketra's orange eyes watching him around the corner of the table.
"Honoured Elite Emmagan," Hakon greeted warily.
"She will not harm you," Teyla assured him again. Hopefully it was true.
"I trust you in that Honoured Elite," Hakon replied with a smile, though his eyes kept moving back to Ketra. "There is a link call for you."
Teyla stood up from her chair. "Who is it from?"
"It is Honoured Elite Halling," Hakon replied, his eyes still on Ketra.
"Excuse me," she excused herself from her family, aware of their faint concern. She imagined they worried that she was about to be called away on urgent duty and that their wedding plans would be delayed. Teyla doubted that would happen – there were enough Elite to handle urgent matters without disturbing her work here. Halling had been contacting her twice daily with updates anyway on the new engine, so she suspected it was simply his evening call.
As she moved past Ketra, the dragon fell in at her side, but Teyla saw that Ketra keep her eyes on Hakon; who kept his eyes on her in turn.
"Have you upset her at all?" She overheard Father ask Hakon as she and Ketra left.
"No," Hakon replied quickly. "I have done nothing new."
"How go the decorations, Hakon?" Charin's voice interjected with obvious curiosity that extended far enough the actual factors of banners and flowers. "Do you not think Xiomara's work is beautiful?"
Teyla turned to head up to her own quarters to take the call from Halling. She could receive the link in one of the offices, but had found that she preferred to keep away from the offices if possible. Her Elite presence usually unnerved people who were not family and she preferred to be able to speak openly with Halling in privacy. As she and Ketra moved up the stairs, she faintly heard Hakon's reply to Charin's question.
"Yes, it is pleasant enough."
Teyla did not think Charin's plans were unfolding as she had hoped.
She made it to her quarters swiftly and triggered up the link to Halling even before her door shut behind her and Ketra. Ketra headed immediately to her favoured place on the rug, as the link established on the large screen in front of Teyla.
"Greetings, Halling," she said immediately as Halling stepped into view, having been working on something else as he waited for her to join the conversation.
"Greetings, Teyla," he replied with one of his soft familiar smiles. "How go the wedding preparations?" He had asked this each time, his former doubts on the event now either well hidden or accepted by him.
"It is all proceeding as expected. Zabetha and Charin appear to be rather enjoying it all still."
"I suspect they never predicted the day that they would plan such an event for you," he replied and his tone told her it was an honest point, not a subtle rebuking of her decision.
"Perhaps. Is the new engine operational?" She asked.
"Yes, we have completed three successful tests," he replied with a smile. "As you can see, I have all of my lights on now," he smiled faintly, referring to the limited power supply they had endured during the Sythus' engine refitting. "Ru has made some alterations after each test, but is now content with everything."
"That is good," Teyla replied honestly.
"We will be leaving for Athos tomorrow," he added.
She paused. "You are bringing the Sythus here?"
"Of course," he replied. "To honour your day and to ensure that Elite participation is clear to the rest of the Alliance."
Teyla had not expected such support. "Thank you, and thank the others for me."
"I will," Halling replied with a gentle incline of his head.
"You and Si will be at the ceremonies still?" She found herself checking.
"Of course."
"Only Father has a small job for you, if you are happy to assist."
"He wishes me to babysit Keltree perhaps?"
Teyla smiled. "How did you guess?"
"He asked me the same at Zabetha's wedding."
"He did?" Teyla asked. "He never told me."
"Perhaps he felt you would feel obliged to be the one to enforce the man's silence. Either way, I will be happy to assist once more."
"Is there any other news?" She asked. "I read the latest reports from the emergency meeting of the Military Council."
"Yes, Nalla briefly returned to the ship. She appears somewhat tired of the work and is looking forward to joining us on the mission to the Outer Lantana battle. The Military Council have decreed a full investigation into what they are, for now, referring to as "military equipment proliferation"."
"They are hoping not to antagonise the High Council," Teyla translated.
The Elite had recently discovered that the High Council were not only secretly building their own warships, but that they had been doing so with military equipment; some of which had been stolen directly from Elite stores.
"Hmm that may already happen," Halling added gravely.
"What else has happened?"
"Oneakka continues on his campaign. He took Seeal with him again early this morning to raid the home of a private banker named Hlrolfu. There is evidence that he worked with Esna Toshka, who you know Oneakka visited yesterday." Teyla recalled that Oneakka had 'visited' Esna Toshka's home after finding evidence that the man had possibly had past dealings with Iketani.
"What happened with Hlrolfu?" She asked.
"There was evidence a plenty in the man's computer system, but the telling part was a digital lock of some description that Seeal placed on Hlrolfu's personal currency account. In the hour after the raid, fifteen individuals attempted to hack into the account to claw back money from Hlrolfu."
"Very condemning," Teyla concluded.
"Indeed. Oneakka is out now with Si, Seifer, Madesh and Seeal rounding up those fifteen. Division is assisting and Hlrolfu's home has been officially sealed."
"Does he have any link to the High Council?" Teyla asked as she moved back a few steps to sit down as they talked.
"None that we can find so far. However, the new problem with the High Council is not with regard to the stolen ship parts. It is about Oneakka's visit to Esna Toshka. Toshka has officially complained to the High Council about Oneakka's invasion of his home. He is calling it a breach of his personal belongings, a breach of Elite powers, and is accusing Oneakka of theft."
"He complained to the High Council?"
"It is an official complaint and he is calling for restitution."
"From the Elite?" She asked in shock. "To officially complain about the Elite is shocking as it is, but to do so to the High Council and not the Military Council will cause trouble. Has the complaint been passed to the Military Council?"
"Not yet," Halling replied pointedly.
That was not good. Their delay in following clear procedure suggested either that the High Council were concerned about Esna Toshka being exposed in some way, or that some wished to use the complaint against the Military Council somehow. Tensions between the two Councils had been rising of late.
"Alliance law is clearly on our side," Teyla commented.
"Perhaps, but our evidence for breaking into his home is the unauthenticated copy of Dreamstation's illegal operations outside of Alliance space, given to us by a known criminal. I am not sure that would stand up to much legal scrutiny."
"Did Oneakka discover any evidence during his visit to Esna Toshka?" She asked.
"Toshka was not home at the time," Halling felt it important to point out. "Oneakka and Seeal met some 'resistance', as Oneakka referred to it. They were unable to access Toshka's computer. Even Seeal, with her superior hacking skills, was not able to access the data quickly enough. Toshka has some unique code and storage system with self destructive features."
"So they could not even copy it."
"No, but out of time, Oneakka instead decided to find a solution that only he could," Halling said with that smile he only used in relation to their friend, it was both tired and amused. "He stole Toshka's computer's central core and processors."
"All of it?"
"Tore the entire unit out of the wall, I would guess judging from the pieces of plaster and paint that were still attached to it."
"You have it on the Sythus?"
"Yes."
"Which explains Toshka's dramatic step in complaining to the High Council," she realised. "He wants it back before anything on it has been decoded, and is likely calling upon his powerful friends in the High Council to assist him."
"That is Oneakka's theory as well. Toshka, as we know, has many powerful contacts across the Alliance, if he brings all those to bear then there could be trouble."
"He would only do so if he had something to hide," Teyla suggested.
"Or he may be innocent of what Oneakka believes him to be, but guilty of something else. Perhaps the computer core holds evidence of other crimes, such as political fraud or even blackmail, which Seeal has suggested. That might explain how Toshka has so many friends in such powerful places, but also that would motivate some to protect Toshka against the Elite." Teyla imagined that if this were true, that there were some very nervous worried individuals in the Alliance right now. "Toshka is stating that we are not legally entitled to steal and access his personal computer system," Halling added.
"We are within our right if we believe the security of the Alliance to be in jeopardy," Teyla argued. "And we know Iketani worked not only with criminals outside of the Alliance, assisting in attempting to destabilise the Alliance border push, but also that she had dealings directly with a Wraith Queen."
"True, but perhaps it would be best for us, politically and legally, to wait and allow the Military Council, in conjunction with the Elite and Division, to decode Toshka's computer core together. That would ensure that we are not seen to be implicating Toshka in response to his complaint and to cover our possible "illegal" operation."
"I am surprised that Oneakka has allowed you to hold him back from decoding the computer core," Teyla mused.
"I think once the evidence, even if unproven, was in hand, he was more interested in moving on to his next target, not allowing Toshka time to warn others before Oneakka could get to them," Halling replied. "He is very driven on this once again, and Seeal's presence is not helping in that regard."
"She is driving him on?" Teyla asked with surprise – as if Oneakka ever needed encouragement on his one man war on those who had worked with Iketani.
"No, I mean that she is on the ship for only a limited time, so he is using her knowledge as much as possible. I have no doubt that there will be more raids in the next two days before we leave to Outer Lantana."
"Has Madesh moved into his quarters on the Sythus?" Teyla asked.
"Yes," Halling confirmed. "He is assisting in the raids."
"Has he confirmed that Seeal is to be trusted?" She asked, very interested, and perhaps a little nervous, about the answer. After all, she had been the one Seeal had approached with her new information. Teyla, with Oneakka and Halling's support, had supported her case with the other Elite.
Halling lifted his eyebrows. "Not only has he confirmed that she can be trusted in this hunt, but the two appear to have formed a friendship of sorts."
"Really?" Teyla asked, surprised. "Though, I suppose they do have much in common now."
"Indeed, though I have my concerns that she might lead him back down the path away from honour once more," Halling wondered.
"You believe they are not to be trusted together?"
Halling sighed. "No, in truth they both appear to be eager to please Oneakka in assisting him. Madesh to prove himself and regain honour, as he always has admired Oneakka from the start, and Seeal to prove herself to gain her clean record. Though, the near constant arguing between her and Oneakka is starting to grate a little."
Teyla tried not to smile at Halling's pained expression. "It should not be for much longer, Halling. It sounds as if between them they are stirring up exactly what Oneakka had hoped, and perhaps finally we will discover what hidden evils Iketani has perhaps left behind in Alliance territory."
"Perhaps. I will be happier when we begin our mission," Halling replied. "And of course to see your marriage contract completed, for Athos."
She nodded, knowing that he had added that point only for her benefit. He did not disagree with her motives, but he did not see all that much benefit for her and the Elite in this contract. Perhaps neither did she really, at least not yet. Perhaps in time the Elite would gain from Genii weaponry and ship design.
"Do you know yet who will make the final offerings?" Halling asked.
"There are currently three. However, it is most likely that it will be General Maloo who will make the single finally offering."
"The Genii will have gained a lot of trade and contracts out of the endeavour then," Halling considered.
"As will have those who traded themselves out of the list of offerings," she added. "The Genii at least appreciate military work and should have some goods to offer to us in the future, and for Athos it will secure good trade outside of agriculture for a change."
Halling nodded silently at that. Halling did not overly care for Genii, their tight, restrictive, concealing nature being considerably different to that of any Athosian, even Elite Athosians as they both were.
"We will have to be careful with a Genii on the Sythus," he said eventually.
Teyla nodded at that. "As we would any other man on the ship," she felt the need to point out. "But I take your point," she added.
"I will do some further research into Maloo. Perhaps talk to Saoka to see if he knows anything helpful."
"Thank you," she replied. "Has Si spoken with Saoka since he and Oneakka visited his station?" Since they had accused Saoka of trading in stolen Elite equipment. She wondered how that had affected Si' close friendship with the master trader.
Having known Saoka well herself, though far more intimately than many knew, she still found herself wondering if Saoka had known that some of the military equipment being moved through his stations had been Elite in origin. The man had eyes everywhere and she found it difficult to believe that he would have missed what was happening.
"No, they have not," Halling replied. "Si has not spoken of it, even when I asked directly."
Teyla nodded slightly sadly. "Perhaps when you speak with Saoka yourself, you could pass along my regards, perhaps it will help. Even extend to him an invitation to my wedding."
Halling shared her smile. "Is that intended to help the situation?"
"It might, he could enjoy some good trade among the powerful who will be attending, or at least show his own power by being there."
"I will suggest it, he might even take you up on the offer," Halling considered. "Either way, the offer might be a good balm on relations."
Teyla nodded, but seriously doubted that Saoka would attend.
"I will contact him now in fact," Halling considered. "Before I forget once Oneakka will no doubt return having stirred up more stinger nests."
"Let me know what happens with the High Council," she asked.
"I will. Nalla sends her regards. She says she has missed your discussions and wishes you well for your marriage day."
"Thank her for me. It will be good to have her back with us for the mission afterwards."
"Indeed," Halling replied. Teyla was almost certain that Halling was completely unaware of Nalla's affection for him. It was a relaxed admiration that appeared in no way to affect Nalla's friendship with him or alter her behaviour, but Teyla, Si, and Oneakka saw the affection in her. There certainly was no point in mentioning it, for not only had they had agreed not to, but because Nalla was more than aware of everyone's emotions around her. If she felt Halling would share her affection she would know. It was better that Halling not know and not feel discomfort around Nalla.
Such things naturally happened among their number, as they did among any group of men and women living together. They all knew that Oneakka liked Nalla, but the interest was not returned, and Teyla sometimes wondered if his interest was more a reaction to seeing her interest in Halling. The old romantic rivalry between Halling and Oneakka for the same Elite woman, who had passed to the Ancestors some time ago now, had been set aside by them both, but Teyla often wondered if it still showed a little in the men's friendships with Nalla.
"I will contact you tomorrow," Halling finalised.
"Good luck with Oneakka," she replied as she got up and moved across to the communications screen.
Halling nodded and smiled before he closed the link.
She reached out and closed her end of the link and watched as updates flowed across the screen. She had received a few standard communications from across Athos, mostly requests for sparring time. She did not have much time for that on this visit, but she would agree to a few. She sought out Vako's name, the supreme Bantos champion this year across the Athosian worlds. She always made time for him as his skills were advancing greatly and he presented an enjoyable challenging civilian opponent. She tapped a confirmation to spar with him early tomorrow morning, and sent standard regrets to the other requests, yet suggesting they contact again in the future.
To her right, Ketra stirred, her large yet quiet feet padding past Teyla. Teyla glanced round, curious as to the direction the dragon was moving. Ketra moved sleepily into the corner of the room closest to Teyla and reached up with her long silver neck towards the potted plant set on the lowest shelf.
The blossom plant that John had given to Ketra.
It had been flourishing since he had given it to them, its blossoms unfurling in greater numbers, particularly lately.
Mino was equally a pleased with the other gifted Earth blossom planet now placed with pride of place in the newly restoring Blossom Courtyard. Mino was excessively proud that Tjaru owned a plant from another galaxy, and gardeners from across the Athosian worlds had actually come to visit it, to touch it and study it. A few cuttings had even been carefully taken, after clear instructions had been discussed with botanists on Atlantis, and apparently the cuttings had taken good root in pots in Mino's growing hut.
Mino watched carefully over the cuttings, telling Torren that they would be considerably valuable gifts to other worlds if he wished to use them. Father said he had even received requests to purchase a cutting of the plant from traders and system leaders.
Yet, here Teyla had her own entire plant of her own in her quarters, which either the cleaners or Father made sure was watered correctly for her whilst she was away. Or perhaps Mino knew about it and had been caring for it properly, she was not sure. Either way, her own plant, or rather Ketra's, looked extremely healthy. It had grown in height and the blossoms were a creamy ivory with pink centres. Ketra had not devoured the plant as John had originally expected, and even if Teyla picked a blossom and gave it to Ketra, the dragon seemed unwilling to eat it, not that she didn't in the end. Teyla wondered if it was because of the huge dressing down Ketra had received after obliterating the Blossom Courtyard, or if was it that she did not like Earth blossoms as much.
Teyla watched Ketra snuffle her snout among the blossoms now, as if enjoying their scent, but she did not damage the pretty flowers.
Teyla focused on the flowers, so healthy and so seemingly normal, but the plant was not from this galaxy. It was alien, yet so pretty, so perfect in its place in her home.
She looked away from the representation, swiftly closing her thoughts away from John.
Part of her wished for tomorrow to arrive as quickly as possible now, to have this tense waiting resolved and to be able to finally put him behind her.
To be free.
Yet, knowing that moment would arrive in less than one turn of Athos, she also wished she could delay it a little longer. To dwell in the bitter sweetness she had found with a man she could never have, could never wholly give herself to. How ironic that of all the men in the galaxy, she had been drawn to one not of it and with whom she had no future.
Fate it seemed had a cruel twist to its nature.
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TBC