Although he said nothing further, Teyla recognized the gate shield to be a very large obstacle. If they couldn't dial at all, there was no way to get even a message back to Atlantis. They would have to figure this one out on their own.
"Can you disable the force field?" she asked.
From her place near the computer terminals, she saw Radek direct a look at Rodney that was undeniably accusatory.
"Oh, so you automatically assume that me opening the door had something to do with triggering a force field on another continent," Rodney snapped. "There's nothing to indicate the two events were in any way connected"
Radek's expression remained unchanged. Ignoring it, Rodney addressed Teyla. "Just give me a few minutes to get into the systems here and I'll have it sorted out in no time."
"I hope so," Radek said. "Travel time to the nearest planet with another usable Stargate is in excess of one hundred and fifty light years."
"It has to be a safety protocol, that's all," Rodney told him shortly. "No reason to panic."
"When have some of us ever needed a reason'?"
With a glare at his colleague, Rodney continued to speak as he paced the room. "I concede that the force field around the gate might have been triggered when we disabled the shield here, in order to prevent any accidental wildlife incursions of the type we experienced on Atlantis."
"Might?" Radek regarded him with mild disbelief. "For what other purpose would the shield have suddenly appeared?"
Rolling his eyes, Rodney said, "Can't you think outside the box just once? I'm not in any way disagreeing with the purpose of a force field blocking access to the gate. I'm simply exploring the manner in which it activated. For all we know a clumsy Marine triggered it by stepping on some hidden switch."
Major Lorne's raised eyebrow suggested otherwise, but he wisely refrained from comment.
"Most likely the gate shield will deactivate as soon as we reactivate the lab force field," Rodney added. "Which we'll need to do anyway once I've established that it does in fact repel water."
"Water?" Only now did one of the Marines appear to consider that factor. Looking worried, he added, "You mean, like high tide?"
Rodney flicked his hand, dismissive. "The sea isn't going to reach anywhere near this far, as evidenced by this growth." His face twisted in annoyance as he batted aside several fronds laced with delicate orchids. "But as was pointed out earlier, if you'd been paying attention, it's obvious that fresh water flows through here on a regular basis. Additionally, I'd like to ensure those lizards can't stage an invasion."
It did not escape Teyla's notice that he'd used `we' when identifying problems-real or perceived-and `I' when outlining the solution. She made no remark about the disparity; she valued Rodney for the whole of his character, self-importance included… though he often tested her resolve on that point.
"While you work on that and investigate whatever data is stored in this place, I'd like to explore the area outside," Dr. Geisler said, peering out through the doorway. "These caves are absolutely fascinating, and-"
"Fine, go." Rodney had already turned back to the row of consoles, once again oblivious to anything outside his immediate frame of reference.
Major Lome held up a cautioning hand. "Only if somebody goes along for backup. Last thing we need is for anyone to get caught out by themselves when one of those T. rexes is walking by."
"I will accompany you," Teyla told Dr. Geisler.
Leaning on a counter affixed to the wall, Ronon glanced up with a spark of renewed interest. "Me too."
"Check in on a half-hour schedule," advised Lome, walking outside with them. "And don't hang out too long. Meanwhile, we'll set up ladders and park the jumpers up there-" he turned his gaze to the hole in the ceiling of the cave- "so access to the lab won't be dependent on the tides."
It was not necessary to exit the cave system by the archway through which the jumpers had traveled, for large cracks in the rocks allowed them passage down to the steep, shingled beach just outside. The pounding of the ocean vibrated beneath Teyla's feet as they made their way with care along the sharp outcrops, which added to her fascination with the unusual landscape. Lantea's mainland, which provided the bulk of her experience with coastal areas, had no such formations that she had seen.
When they had descended to the black sands of the beach, a visibly thrilled Dr. Geisler darted back and forth across the narrow shore, taking photographs of animals that scurried past and gathering samples of tissue or bones from the various carcasses littering the damp ground. More than a few creatures, it seemed, had been caught unawares by the recent tide. Or at least that's what Teyla had presumed until Dr. Geisler explained that such animals lived in the ocean and, upon dying, were carried ashore by the waves. The scientist showed more interest in these than in the living specimens he described as crustaceans and mollusks living in the many rock pools.
Unsurprisingly, it wasn't long before Ronon's initial curiosity dimmed. "I don't see what's useful about looking at dead things," he said, carving an arc in a patch of broken seashells with the toe of his boot. "Especially things that have been dead on your world for millions of years."
Dr. Geisler didn't appear to take offense at the implied criticism. "The Ancients brought the prehistoric animals of Earth here for a reason. What we find on this world may shed light on the nature of Lilith's DNA manipulations on Earth. Back on Atlantis, the biology division is analyzing the remains of the juvenile T. rex from the gate room. I do wish we'd gotten a better sample from the microceratops when they, ah, dropped in to visit. I'm very curious as to why they were in the gate valley, since they preferred a diet of ferns and cycads to the flowering plants that we saw there."
Stooping to examine a three-foot long carcass he had previously identified as a marine iguana, Dr. Geisler shooed away several hard-shelled creatures with long eyestalks and thin legs. The animals-crabs, Teyla was certain they were called-scuttled off with a peculiar sideways gate and clattering of bright orange claws.
"Dr. Brown's team is working on the vegetation specimens," Dr. Geisler added, scooping the remains of the iguana into a sample bag. "She sounded quite overwhelmed by the possibilities."
"Probably wondering if McKay's allergic to any of it," Ronon said, bending to pick through the remains of the opened, palm-sized shells.
"They are an unusual pair, aren't they? You have to wonder if she ever gets a word in edgewise on their dates." Eyes twinkling in the bright sunlight, Dr. Geisler stepped up to the mouth of a cave, the rock edges worn smooth by countless tides, but with many more of the butterfly-shaped shells lying just inside.
"These look like they would be good to eat," Ronon said, collecting one. Black and covered with soft growth on the outside, it was pale inside and, when held in a certain way, reflected multihued light.
"Mussels," Dr. Geisler informed them. "And yes, they are. In fact…" His voice trailed off as he examined the pile that Ronon had been sorting through.
"What is it, Doctor?" Teyla asked.
With a puzzled smile, he shook his head. "Something has certainly been feasting on them. Possibly a large octopus, except…" He turned his attention to the interior of the small sea cave. "There appears to be a blowhole or two in the ceiling. Think we could go in for a bit without getting turned around?"
From where Teyla stood, it appeared to extend inshore a considerable distance, curving in the direction of the Ancient facility. Based on their first visit in the jumper, it was not inconceivable that the caves were linked. She exchanged a glance with Ronon, only to confirm what she knew his answer would be. His sense of direction surpassed hers, and that was not an easy task. The Satedan slipped his weapon out of its holster and held it loosely at his side. "Why not?"