Present time:

"Extra?" Sheppard asked.

"Dr. Fraser, Janet, she calls me a mini-Jaffa. I have about 3/4 of a Jaffa's strength, as well as heightened hearing, sight, night vision, stamina and healing."

"Impressive. I've never met a Jaffa, but I've heard about how strong they are. How do you think it'll help us, though?"

"I may be able to break these cords or whatever they are, blocking the entrance. It's worth a try anyway."

"Yeah, it is. Go ahead, try."

Xander stepped up to the cords and gripped one of them a few inches apart, adjusted his grip and pulled. The outer layers began to come apart. Xander steadied himself, readjusted his grip and pulled again. The cord tore apart. He gripped another and did the same thing until there was a hole big enough to crawl thru. Everyone took turns scrambling thru. His muscles were screaming at him that he'd strained them, but he ignored them. His accelerated healing was already at work and he'd be fine soon.

"That was impressive, Captain." Sheppard congradulated him. "Now we need to find the Colonel and get out of here. We just need to find a way out."

"Well, I can let you know if I hear anyone coming and personally, I say we get the civilians to an exit and then look for the Colonel. He would want us to put them first."

"I agree, with one change. You lead them out and I go look for the Colonel."

Xander didn't like the idea of anyone going off alone, but he knew Sheppard could take of himself, you don't rise to the rank of Major if you can't.

"A plan that doesn't exactly make me happy, since splitting up is usually a bad idea, but I'll get them out, sir."

"I agree about splitting up usually being a bad idea, but I have to at least try."

"Understood. Good luck."

"You too."

And they went in different directions, Xander leading Teyla and her people thru the ship, using his hearing to detect Wraith and avoid them. They reached an outside door and he sent them thru.

"Find the Stargate. Leave a trail, don't worry, both Major Sheppard and I know how to read a trail. Stay safe." He instructed Teyla.

"We will. Be careful yourself, Captain and thank you for helping us."

"I would never be able to live with myself if I didn't, ma'am."

Xander made his way back to the cell and from there followed the corridor looking for the Colonel and Sheppard. He found them. The Colonel was clearly dead, if the withered husk with a bloody chest was any indication. Sheppard was on his knees in front of a female, the first one he'd seen. She was asking him questions and the answers seemed be dragged out him. Xander wondered if she had some sort of mental ability. He worked his way around behind her. Another withered husk sat in a chair at the end of the table. Yep, space vampires. Cordy was not going to be happy. The female raised her hand and Xander saw the 'mouth' the villager had mentioned. She struck out toward Sheppard fast, but Xander's hand was there and intercepting it.

"We have an expression on our planet." Xander told her. "No means no, not maybe or asked harder. I'm very sure Major Sheppard does not want you to do that."

"Yes, most definitely not!" Sheppard said.

Xander twisted her arm around behind her back and shoved up.

"We know now of Earth." She hissed. "A new feeding ground. We are the keepers. The others are waking now. We will feast!"

Lights above them were coming on and they could see movement.

"Crap." Xander said and wrapped an arm around her head and twisted, snapping her neck. "First time I've ever had to do that." He said. "Are you alright, Major?"

"I will be. The others?"

"Made it to an exit and on their way to the Stargate. I told them to leave us a trail."

"Good, let's get going."

Sheppard followed Xander as he led him straight toward the exit they had found earlier and once out they looked for the trail Teyla had left and the signs and followed them. They were moving much faster then the large group of civilians and arrived only minutes after they did. They could hear the screaming sound of the ships the Wraith used and Sheppard didn't hesitate, he entered Atlantis' address and motioned everyone thru.

"Major? What is going on?" Dr. Weir demanded to know as they came thru.

"Turns out that enemy of the Ancients is still around, they eat people. The Colonel's dead, one of them fed on him, left him looking like a withered husk, he was in agony. Unfortunately, they're also telepathic. They know about Earth. We've got a big problem. And these people would have been fed on if we hadn't gotten them out."

Just as Dr. Weir started to say something else a rumbling noise could be heard and suddenly Atlantis was moving, heaving itself toward the surface of the ocean and settling once it reached it. Sunlight began to stream thru the window and one of the scientist called out that the shield had been lowered.

For the first time in 10,000 years Atlantis was on top of the ocean instead underneath it. It was an awe inspiring thought.

Cordelia ran over to Xander and dope slapped him. "I told you to stay out of trouble!"

"And I told you, I never go looking for it, it just keeps finding me. Who the Hell would guess space vampires could possibly be a real thing?!"

Cordelia stared at him, hoping he was joking, but knew he wasn't.

"Space Vampires? Murphy is a fucking dick head!"