by Graham, Jo
“Wraith tradition,” Ronon said, in a tone that made it clear exactly how much weight he gave that.
“Our traditions are older than yours, Satedan.”
“We’re all here to talk,” Jennifer said. She suspected that if Todd started insulting Sateda, things were going to go downhill fast, and they couldn’t afford that. Not when this might be the only way to help Rodney. “We have a problem, and we’re hoping we can give you a reason to help us with it.”
“I will be pleased to hear about your problems,” Todd said. “But first, you will send the cloaked Lantean ship you have brought with you back through the gate.”
Jennifer very deliberately didn’t look up. She tried not to let her eyes move at all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said.
“There’s no jumper,” Ronon said.
“You are wasting my time,” Todd said. “I will not spare you much more of it. You do not trust me enough not to have taken precautions. You will order your ship to return to Atlantis, visibly, or we have nothing to discuss.”
Jennifer glanced at Ronon, a moment before it occurred to her that it was probably as much of a tell as if she’d looked up. With reluctance written in every line of his body, Ronon thumbed on his radio headset. “They know you’re here,” he said. “I want you to decloak and go back through the gate. Tell Woolsey we’re getting ready to talk.”
“If you’re sure you know what you’re doing,” Lorne said.
“We’ll be fine,” Jennifer said into her own radio. Todd laid one hand seemingly idly over the top of the probe, and the wormhole cut off behind him. The probe sank slowly to the ground.
The jumper shimmered into visibility, and the gate began to activate behind them — not the symbols for Atlantis’s new location, Jennifer realized, having spent enough time since they arrived memorizing those. Of course Lorne wouldn’t chance letting Todd see the gate address for their new home. If he didn’t already know it.
Ronon kept his eyes on Todd, still not putting his pistol away. “What if we really hadn’t brought the jumper?”
“Then you would be growing too careless to be worth negotiating with.”
“No chance of that,” Ronon said.
“So I see.”
The jumper sank lower as the wormhole opened, and it neatly threaded the eye of the Stargate above their heads. When it disappeared, standing in the middle of the open field suddenly felt pretty lonely.
“What if we have another jumper?” Ronon asked.
Todd gave Jennifer — not Ronon — that little nod of his head again. “I will take my chances.”
“Good,” Jennifer said. They were certainly taking enough of a chance themselves.
“Talk,” Ronon said. He kept his pistol out, ready to level it on Todd if he made a single wrong move. The other Wraith was watching them both, his long braided hair shifting with every slight movement. Ronon wondered if they made him nervous. He hoped so.
Todd met his eyes. If he was nervous at all himself, he wasn’t showing it. “You are the ones who wanted to ask for a favor.”
“We want to trade,” Jennifer said. “We might be able to do you a favor if you’ll share some information.”
“There was a raid on New Athos four days ago,” Ronon said. He was getting tired of pretending this was a friendly conversation. “Three darts came through the ring. One of them took McKay.”
“That is unfortunate,” Todd said. “What do you expect me to do about it?”
“Share some information,” Jennifer repeated.
Todd exchanged glances with the other Wraith. He thought they were communicating, in whatever way they did. The other Wraith bent over the probe and activated it again, his fingers moving across its surface like he was petting it. Ronon leveled his pistol on it, although it looked like the standard ones that only had cameras and transmitters, no weapons.
“It is essential that we move away from the Stargate,” Todd said. “You may follow us.” He turned his back on Ronon and began walking toward the treeline. The other Wraith followed him, but kept glancing behind.
It was awfully tempting to just shoot them both. If he killed the other one, he could probably take Todd down but leave him alive. There was just a little too much chance of Jennifer getting caught in the crossfire.
“We’re not going anywhere,” he said.
Todd turned. Ronon hated the way they always moved, like snakes trying to fascinate their prey into freezing. “We are not the only ones who use this meeting place,” he said. “I cannot afford to be seen treating humans as people to be negotiated with.”
“You mean treating humans as people,” Jennifer said. Todd didn’t bother to respond. “You could tell them we were your prisoners.”
“Will you allow me to restrain you, then?”
“No,” Ronon said flatly.
“Then that will be difficult to believe. If we are to negotiate, we will not do it standing next to the Stargate.”
“Fine,” Ronon said. He nodded to Jennifer. “Dial the gate. We’re leaving.”
“No, we’re not,” she said. “We’re not done here.”
“Yes, we are,” he said. He stepped backwards until he touched the DHD with his left hand, not taking his eyes off Todd. He found the first symbol by feel, the plate warm under his hand.
“No, we’re not,” she said, her voice low and hard the way he’d only heard from her a few times before. He hadn’t liked any of those times. She turned to Todd. “You don’t want to stay by the gate, fine,” she said. “We’ll come with you.”
“He said himself more Wraith could come through the gate,” Ronon said. He wasn’t sure why she wasn’t understanding how bad that would be. “We’d be cut off.”
“Then we’ll find a way to deal with them.”
“No,” he said. “End of discussion. We’re dialing out.” He pressed the first symbol in the address for New Athos.
“Fine,” Jennifer said. “Dial out if you want. But I’m not leaving until we know for sure they can’t help us find Rodney.”
“Follow or not,” Todd said, turning his back on them again. “But I would not remain at the gate if I were you.”
“I thought you said this was neutral ground,” Jennifer said.
“I am willing to treat you as if those rules applied to you,” Todd said. “Others will not be.”
Jennifer looked at Ronon. He could see her wavering. “It’s got to be a trap,” he said. “We aren’t doing this.”
She set her jaw. “I am,” she said.
There was a moment where he could have caught her arm to stop her. He probably would have if she’d been Teyla, but he hadn’t been raised to push women who weren’t soldiers around that way. That was probably going to get them both killed. Jennifer set off through the long grass, and Ronon swore under his breath and went after her.
They should be leaving enough of a trail for someone to follow. At least, he could have followed their trail. Lorne would at least be able to track them by their subcutaneous transmitters. That was something.
Todd and the other Wraith seemed unconcerned with whether they were following or not, keeping to a slow enough pace that they could follow without running, but not making any effort to drop back to join them. Ronon kept his eyes on them, but he could feel every step they were putting between themselves and the Stargate.
“We probably should have told someone that we were moving away from the gate,” Jennifer said under her breath. He wondered if that was supposed to be some kind of peace offering. It didn’t work, if it was.
“Can’t,” he said shortly. “Unless we shoot the probe first. It’ll record the gate address.”
“Right,” she said.
“You should listen to me,” he said. “This is a bad idea.”
“We can’t do this now,” she said, her voice a hiss barely above a whisper. They could probably hear her anyway. “We need to be together on this.”
You mean we need to do what you
want, he thought, but he was all too aware that the Wraith were listening. “Fine,” he said.
“Where are we going?” she called to Todd.
“Be patient,” he said without turning.
“We’re not,” Ronon said.
“I know,” Todd said. “Just beyond the trees.”
They walked for a while in silence. The flat plain was beginning to slope down toward the line of trees, and the grass was shorter, brushing against his ankles. That made him frown, but he didn’t want to take his eyes off the Wraith to look closer.
“What?” Jennifer asked.
“This field’s been grazed,” he said. “Maybe just some kind of herd animal that roams wild here. But maybe not.”
She glanced down underfoot. “I think you’re right,” she said. “You don’t think there are people here, do you?”
“No cooking smoke,” he said. “But not everybody keeps fires lit all day when it’s this warm.”
“We are here,” Todd said, and actually stopped and waited for them to catch up. “You will be better received if you stay close to us. Most humans are not welcome here.”
“I thought this planet was uninhabited,” Jennifer said.
“Then you have been badly informed,” Todd said. As he spoke, a man stepped out from behind the trees. He was wearing robes and high cloth boots that looked weirdly familiar. After a moment, Ronon realized they were imitations of Wraith clothing, or maybe even the real thing.
“Wraith worshipper,” he spat.
The man spread his hands. “You travel in the company of the gods yourself.” His left hand was painted in what Ronon realized to his disgust was an imitation of a Wraith’s feeding slit. His hair fell down his back, clearly once dark but beginning to gray.
“They aren’t gods,” Ronon said.
“Ronon,” Jennifer said. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks they are.”
“Yes, it does.”
“You may find this entertaining,” Todd said. “But my time here is limited. If your blade cannot keep a civil tongue, you would be wise to silence him.”
It took Ronon a moment to realize the Wraith was talking to Jennifer. His free hand clenched into a fist.
“I’m sure we can all be civil, here,” Jennifer said.
“Of course,” Todd said. He looked about as skeptical as Ronon felt.
Chapter Fourteen: Blood Secrets
“Ah, that’s better,” Carson said as the overhead lighting came on. He burrowed under a pile of Genii blankets. “Getting the ship up and running, I see.”
Teyla thought his face looked strained. “Are you in pain, Carson?” she asked.
He let out a deep breath. “More than a bit. But I didn’t dare take another Endocet this morning. I wouldn’t have been able to walk.”
“You do not need to walk now,” Teyla pointed out. “All you need do is lie there while Colonel Sheppard flies the ship. So you may as well take another and rest a bit.”
“And make a cake of myself again?” Carson looked embarrassed.
“We have all been injured,” Teyla said. “And we have all said things we wish we had not. But there is no reason for you to lie there in pain. If I were the patient that is what you would say.”
“There you’ve got me, love,” Carson said. “I’ve more in my kit.”
“I will get it,” Teyla said. Carson’s pack was across the room, clearly distinguishable from the others by the red cross on it. She crawled the few paces to it and snagged it with one arm.
Carson’s eyes were sharp. “How is your leg?”
“It is fine.” She held the pack out to him for him to find the medicine.
“It isn’t.” Carson frowned. “You hurt that much worse than you let on, or you would never have let Colonel Sheppard help you this morning. It could be a hairline fracture or a splinter that’s not impacting the hip socket.”
“And can you tell anything about it without an X ray, or do anything for it?” Teyla shook her head. “When we are back in Atlantis you may do with it as you like. But until then there is nothing to do about it.”
Carson frowned deeper. “You ought to stay off it.”
“I am staying off it.”
Carson opened a little plastic bottle and poured two white pills out on his hand. “You could have one of these yourself, you know.”
“Perhaps I will later,” she said, and took one from him while he swallowed the other. “When we are in the air.”
Carson nodded. “All right.” He followed his with a gulp of water from his water bottle, then carefully lay down on his good shoulder. “I’ll just stay out of the way.”
“Sleep,” Teyla said. “I will call you if anything happens.”
Carson pulled the blanket up to shade his eyes, turned away from her. Teyla let out a long breath, the white pill sticky in her palm. It would be good to take it, to relax, but she could not fully do that until they were back in Atlantis. Too many things could still go wrong. Just because the lights went on did not mean the ship was spaceworthy. They might still have to walk back to the Stargate.
I will just lean back against this bulkhead, Teyla thought, positioning the cushions around her more comfortably. I will lean back and rest a few minutes while I may. There were too many things that crowded her mind — Carson first, a few feet away. Rodney, who was in the hands of the Wraith, who might this moment be withering in a Queen’s hands. Torren, who might… Who knew what Torren might do? He could walk well, run faster than anyone expected on his cute little baby legs, wanted to get into everything. And many of the people who might be watching him had not the slightest idea how to take care of a child his age.
Torren was probably the least of her worries. He was in Atlantis, with no more danger than any child might face from inexperienced caregivers. They all meant him well, and they would all care for him as best they could. She was gone longer than expected, but no one would neglect him. They would pass him around, vying for the privilege of feeding him and playing with him. Torren was in more danger of being spoiled than neglected.
I will just rest a moment, Teyla thought. I will put these things from my mind and conserve my strength. I will rest a moment.
* * *
Teyla woke to the sound of careful footsteps. John had come in quietly and was getting his canteen from the packs. There was the sound of ventilation systems, but no deep purr of engines. Teyla pushed herself up on one elbow. “John?” she whispered.
With a glance at Carson he came over and dropped down beside her cross-legged. Three days growth of beard made him look different, like a man of her people. He took a long drink of water and nodded in Carson’s direction. “Has he been out long?”
“He has been sleeping the entire time,” she said. “He took another pain pill. I am afraid I went to sleep as well. How long has it been?”
“Three hours.” John closed the canteen carefully. “I’ve initialized everything. There are some power problems here and there, but Dahlia thinks she can fix them. So she’s trading out crystals and moving stuff around. Until she’s finished there’s not much for me to do.” He took a deep breath, not looking at her. “You were right and I was wrong. If we’d gone back for Radek we’d be sure of getting the ship in the air.”
“You may have to go back for him yet,” Teyla said. “If the ship will not fly, then Dahlia and Carson and I should wait here, where there is shelter, and you should go back to the Stargate and return with Radek and another jumper.” Sixty miles by himself across this rough terrain in daylight, in the searing heat, with hunting reptiles. But Teyla knew she could not do it. Not now.
John nodded, running his hand over his chin absently, as though already seeing the trail. “If it comes to that. Dahlia may be able to fix the power problems. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything actually wrong with the propulsion systems. It’s the hull breaches that forced them down, and it looks like the Genii have patched some of that, or that the bulkhead doors are sealed. Lousy structural int
egrity, and when we’re ready to take off we should all get in sealable compartments and vacuum suits. I’m not going to lay any bets on staying pressurized.”
Teyla’s eyebrows rose. “And how long are we to spend in Ancient vacuum suits? Do not they have a limited supply of air?”
John nodded. “Yep. But we’ll only be in hyperspace for a little less than six hours.”
“Surely the Genii homeworld is much further,” Teyla said, trying to picture it on the moving map in Atlantis. She was used to knowing worlds by their gate addresses — finding them by their physical location always seemed strange to her.
“Atlantis isn’t.”
“We are going straight back to Atlantis?”
“We need to get Carson to a doctor. And the Avenger needs a lot more than we can do here before she’s spaceworthy.” John put the canteen down on the other side.
Teyla shook her head, seeing a course through the politics as he did through space. “Ladon Radim will be very upset.”
“Ladon Radim would like to get his sister back breathing.” John glanced at her sideways. “It’s too far. And the ship is in crap shape. I don’t think a bunch of these bulkheads will hold when exposed to vacuum. We’re going to have decompressions. This stuff is just too old and too beat up. Dahlia’s done a good job, but she doesn’t have the right materials. And propulsion’s all she’s got. No shields, no weapons control, no long range communications. It’s stuff we can’t replace on the fly. We’ve got no transmitter dish for communications. Dahlia can’t pull one out of her back pocket.”
“Why do we simply not fly the ship to the Stargate?” Teyla asked. “Then Carson and I could go through and send a science team back.”
John shook his head. “The terrain around the Stargate is pretty broken up. Canyons and plateaus, nowhere near flat enough to land a ship this size. If I could even be sure I can land it in one piece. In Atlantis if the landing goes sour I can ditch it in the ocean and there will be a rescue jumper there in minutes. If I try to put it down on a bunch of rocks with no backup? It won’t be pretty.”
