“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 worshiper, 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.
If course, Todd said. He looked about as skeptical as Ronon felt.
Chapter Fourteen: Blood Secrets
Oh, 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. I'll 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 trading out crystals and moving stuff around. Until she 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're gone back for Radek we're 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 integrity, 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.”