Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or any of its characters. I do love to write about them though.
Set in the second half of season five. This is a sequel to my story, "Just another day in Pegasus." It didn't start out this way, but as the story was written it became clear to me that it should be a sequel.
Chapter 1: A friendly visit.
John Sheppard was running for his life, wildly through trees and scrub, barley having time to breathe. He had no idea where he was; all he knew was that he was being chased by the Genii. He thought the Genii were supposed to be their allies, but here he was running from them again. Bullets whizzed by his head and hit the trees beside him, spraying pieces of bark back at him. He'd lost his team back at the gate. He had no idea whether they had made it back to Atlantis or not. Right at this moment all he could do was keep on running and hope that he could find a place to hide soon, as he couldn't keep on running forever.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Eight hours earlier.
John Sheppard stepped through the gate onto FM 333 -123 on a beautifully warm and sunny day. He was followed by Ronan Dex, Teyla Emmagan and then Rodney McKay came through last. They were here to begin trade negotiations with the Loluu people. Teyla had organised the talks, as the Athosion people had traded with them for many years.
These people were simple farmers who grew vegetables, some of which looked like green carrots and blue turnips; they also grew a type of grain similar to wheat. They had trees that grew fruit, which looked and tasted like apples; only they were orange. They also had birds, which looked like chickens.
As they walked down the path leading to the village, McKay started to complain loudly.
"Why am I here? It's just a simple meet and greet, you don't need me here. I have so much work to do back on Atlantis and who knows what Zelenka is doing to ruin my research."
"Because you're a member of my team McKay. Besides they will be having a big feast after the talks and I know how much you love to eat." John replied and smirked.
"I hope they don't serve anything with citrus in it. You know how my throat starts to puff up when I eat citrus." McKay was looking worried as he spoke.
"Do not worry Dr McKay; I am sure they will have a large selection of food for you to choose from," Teyla said soothingly.
"If not you can just go hungry," Ronan snickered and John joined in.
"Oh Har, Har," Rodney shot back, sarcastically.
"Come on let's keep moving," Sheppard said, when he'd finally managed to stop laughing.
They walked along admiring the view. It was like many of the planets they had visited in the Pegasus galaxy. The area they were walking through was a grassy plain and in the distance they could see buffalo like animals grazing in the tall, dry grass. To their right there were woodlands filled with many different species of birds, to their left, there were rolling hills, overflowing with wild flowers in many different colours and in the distance they could see a river winding down from the mountains.
They approached the village five minutes later. Chief Cooploo came out to greet them followed by Elder Somma.
Chief Cooploo was an older man whose muscles had sagged a long time ago; he was shorter than McKay and was quite large around the middle. He had long brown dreadlocks that were turning grey at the ends and his eyes were a brilliant blue that sparkled every time he spoke.
Elder Somma was much taller; he was almost as tall a Ronan. He was much leaner and had short blonde hair. His eyes were deep hazel.
"Greetings people of Atlantis and friends of Athos. I am pleased that you have come to discuss trade with us." Chief Cooploo said, as he bowed his head towards them.
Teyla stepped forward and bowed her head before introducing her team. "This is Lt Col John Sheppard, Specialist Ronan Dex and Dr Rodney McKay."
"Are you a healer?" Elder Somma asked McKay.
"No I'm a scientist," was McKay's indignant reply.
The two Loluuians looked at him strangely, as they had no idea what a scientist was.
John stepped forward and bowed his head before speaking, "I look forward to positive talks this afternoon. We're always looking to meet new friends."
"Let us go and have some refreshments," Chief Cooploo suggested.
They were led to a large tent, when they stepped inside they looked around in awe. They saw a large square table in the middle of the room, the table was low and there were colourful cushions made of exquisite silk scattered around it. There was a beautiful colourful rug on the floor that had obviously been crafted over many years. A young woman was placing some kind of fruit on the table, along with a large clay jug of water.
The young woman looked at them and spoke. "We trade with many worlds; some of them make many beautiful things that they are quite willing to trade."
"This is my daughter Kin." Chief Cooploo said, as he introduced the young woman. She was very beautiful, a little taller than her father with long brown hair; she was much slimmer than her father and had the same brilliant blue eyes. She would have been about twenty years old in earth years.
"I am pleased to meet you," she said as she poured water into clay cups. "Please sit down and enjoy the food."
They all sat on the cushions and began to eat the fruit; it was the orange fruit that looked like apples.
McKay whispered to Teyla, "This isn't citrus is it?"
"No, Dr McKay I believe it is perfectly safe for you to eat," she replied quietly.
"Can you leave us now please?" Chief Cooploo asked his daughter.
Once the fruit was eaten the trade talks began. Atlantis was offering medical supplies and help with planting and harvesting in exchange for a portion of the Loluuians crops.
An hour later the negotiations were complete.
"I'm very happy with what we have achieved today," Chief Cooploo said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I will need to discuss it with our leader Mr Woolsey, but I don't see any problems with us proceeding with our agreement," Sheppard told him.
"Then let us eat and celebrate," Chief Cooploo said, as he led them out of the meeting tent.
When they walked outside they saw rows of tables set up and food was already on them. There was a variety of fruits and vegetables, in all different shapes, sizes and colours. The meat looked like it had come from the small chicken like birds and the buffalo like animals they had seen grazing earlier that day.
John sat down with Teyla next to him, Ronan sat next to Teyla and McKay sat next to Ronan. On the other side of John sat the chief's daughter.
Many of the villagers had obviously been drinking some kind of wine, including the chief's daughter. She was very bold, as she offered Sheppard a cup and put her hand on his knee.
Sheppard's reply was almost strangled, "No thank you."
"I am at the age when I can choose a mate, a leader from another village. I choose you," Kin whispered in his ear.
Sheppard almost choked on the water he was drinking. He desperately tried to think of an adequate reply, he looked at Teyla and put his arm around her shoulder, "I'm sorry, but Teyla is my wife," he spluttered out.
How he wished that Teyla really was his wife. Then he thought of Kanaan and became a little angry, I would never treat her the way he does, he mused. I would worship and protect her every day.
The moment he'd met Teyla he'd fallen head over heels in love with her, but them Colonel Sumner had been killed and he'd had to assume command of the base, then Teyla had become a member of his team, so things never went any farther. The day he found out that she was pregnant with Kanaan's baby, he kicked himself. He'd taken it out on Teyla by being angry with her, but he was really angry with himself. He'd dealt with those feelings and they'd become best friends again, but he truly loved her. He seemed to remember her telling him that she loved him too, after that crazy mission to MX 745-217, when he'd been invisible. By the time he'd recovered from his injuries, Teyla had worked things out with Kanaan and things went back to the way they'd always been.
Teyla looked up and when she realised what was going on asked him, "Are you alright honey?"
"I'm perfectly fine sweetie," John said kissing Teyla's cheek.
"That doesn't matter. The males among our tribe are allowed many mates." Kin told them as she started to move her hand up his leg to his thigh.
John's eyes almost bulged out of his head.
"Our people only take one mate and we mate for life, so I'm sorry you'll have to back off!" Teyla said, smacking Kin's hand away from John's thigh.
"Don't think this is over," Kin glared at Teyla as she spoke. "I always get what I want and I want John Sheppard."
With that she gave John a flirtatious smile; she then got up to talk to Elder Somma. A few minutes later, Kin and Somma disappeared together.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
The feast continued until dusk.
When people started to clean up the mess and head to their tents, John got to his feet and announced, "It's been a wonderful afternoon, but we should be going." He bowed his head towards Chief Cooploo.
"It has been an honour," Chief Cooploo said as he bowed his head in return.
The rest of the team bowed their heads and turned towards the gate.
They walked in silence thinking about what a wonderful day they'd had. The trade negotiations had gone well and their stomachs were full.
John took Teyla's soft silky hand and asked her jokingly "How did you enjoy the feast sweetie?"
"Oh it was wonderful honey." There was laughter in her voice as she spoke.
Ronan just laughed at the friendly banter, while Rodney looked at them with a quizzical look on his face.
Sheppard told them about Kin's proposition.
McKay's replied in a high pitched voice. "Are you serious, why did you pretend to be married? Did you see how hot she was? And for whatever reason she was obviously in to you Kirk!"
"McKay leave it alone," he told him firmly, as he looked ahead at the path, not wanting to continue the conversation.
McKay just rolled his eyes. Just as he was about to speak. Ronan shushed him; Ronan was on high alert as always.
"What's going on?" John whispered. His Spidey sense was tingling by this time.
"Someone's at the gate." Ronan told him.
They all picked up their weapons and were on high alert.
As they approached to gate Sheppard felt a pin prick in his neck, he touched his neck and pulled out a tiny dart and fell to the ground. Just before he blacked out he saw the others hit the ground.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
John just lay with his eyes closed, as awareness came to him. When he finally managed to open his eyes, he found his hands were tied behind his back and his feet were also tied. He looked up to see a Genii soldier pointing a gun at him.
"Don't try anything; we've already taken your weapons." Another soldier told him, coming into his view.
Sheppard looked at this guy and named him Larry.
"Hey guys don't you know we're allies now?" He slurred.
"Koyla was our leader, so I'm not your ally." The soldier told him, with a look of disgust in his eyes.
"Where's my team?" Sheppard asked, looking around for his friends.
"My quarrel is not with them. I left them at the gate" The soldier replied.
"What do you want?" Sheppard asked much clearer this time.
"I want to have a chance to torture and kill you, but I'm going to give you a chance to run first." The soldier said.
"Why not just torture me and kill me right now?" Sheppard asked with confusion in his eyes.
"I've been waiting a long time for revenge Sheppard. You killed my commander and best friend when you killed Koyla. You also killed my father and brother, when you raised the shield on Atlantis during our attempted takeover." I want the thrill of torturing you before I kill you.
"Oh great another psychopath," Sheppard mumbled to himself.
"Okay Keith, can I call you Keith? What will this achieve?" Sheppard asked.
"I'll feel better. Plus I'm not the only one who wants you dead." Keith told him.
"Great, what happens now?" Sheppard mumbled, more to himself than Keith.
"I'll untie you and take your shirt and your boots. Then I'll give you an hour's head start before my men start to hunt you." Keith told him with a gleam in his eye.
"I would have thought you would have wanted the honour of capturing me yourself." Sheppard replied sarcastically.
"No I just want to torture you and kill you," Keith said to him. "I'm going to untie you now, if you try anything my men won't hesitate to kill you."
Keith leant down to untie him, he thought about fighting him, but he knew that there was a gun pointed at his head, so he didn't stand a chance. Keith took his shirt and boots and told him to run.
So now he was running for his life, wildly through trees and scrub, barley having time to breathe. He had no idea where he was; all he knew was that he being chased by the Genii. It had been almost dark when they had left the Loluuians and headed for the gate. He was obviously on a different planet, because it looked like it was early morning. He thought the Genii were supposed to be their allies, but here he was running from them again. Bullets whizzed by his head and hit the trees beside him, spraying pieces of bark back at him. He'd lost his team back at the gate. He had no idea whether they had made it back to Atlantis or not. Right at this moment all he could do was keep on running and hope that he could find a place to hide soon, as he couldn't keep on running forever.
TBC…