ACT II

The pack on his back irritated the wound made by the Wraith, but John knew he needed everything he carried. The weapons, including the one he cradled in his arms, were the only defense he had against those who tracked him. There was no doubt in his mind that they would eventually find him, and he silently prayed he’d find a place he could defend.

He staggered over the rough terrain, hoping he’d find water somewhere, otherwise it wouldn’t matter if the Wraith found him or not. The Satedan sun beat down fiercely, sapping the moisture from his body with each step he took, but John was not a quitter and somehow found the strength to keep moving in spite of the twisting agony in his back.

He topped a low rise and was shocked when he looked down into a deep valley covered with dense forests as far as the eye could see. The trees were as tall as any he’d seen on Earth and seemed to reach up to touch the sky, but he knew that was simply a natural illusion.  He glanced left and right, searching for the best route down to the bottom and finally settled on a rugged path strewn with rocks and fallen trees.

He cursed as he shifted his weight and nearly lost his footing in the loose soil, but managed to stay on his feet by grabbing a small sapling and hanging on long enough to regain his equilibrium. He started down, slipping and sliding on several occasions, but considered himself lucky when the floor of the valley appeared below him.

Carefully, he picked his way along the ledge he was standing on until he found a place that offered at least a little hope of getting to the bottom unscathed. It was nearly a sheer drop of at least 25 to 30 feet and John sat down before lowering his legs over the edge. He twisted his body and slowly eased down until he found something to rest his feet on. He tested it several times until he was sure it could take his weight and took a deep breath before searching for handholds below the ledge he’d just left.

He shook his head as some kind of insect landed on his cheek, tickling his skin and irritating the hell out of him. He found two handholds to his left and levered his body so that his left foot could search for another spot below the right. He continued his trek downward and glanced overhead several times as the sun continued its heated journey across the sky. He judged that he’d covered around ten feet, leaving him with a lot of treacherous ground to cover. His right foot found a spot while his left hand latched onto a root that protruded from the ground.

John’s relief at making progress was short lived as his foot slipped from the foothold and the root was torn free. He didn’t have time to react as his body became airborne and he dropped the final 15 feet to the ground. The air left his lungs in a strangled huff of pain as the sound of the impact echoed around the valley. 

He had no idea how long he lay there, but the burning in his back made it impossible to lie still. He curled onto his left side and felt something wet on his back. John reached behind him and touched the area, his hand coming away soaked with blood.

“Way to go, John,” he spat and removed his pack as he tried to sit up. The burning sensation continued beneath his skin and he felt the Wraith object moving as if it had a life of its own. He prayed he could stop the bleeding or it really wouldn’t matter whether he survived to fight the Wraith because he’d be too damned weak to mount any kind of opposition.

He frowned as he heard a gurgling sound and turned toward the familiar sound of running water. He stood up, swaying dangerously, but managed to grab his pack and move toward what he hoped was salvation. He pushed aside the heavy branches and felt them tear at his skin, but the sight that met his eyes brought a hint of a smile to his pale face.

He stepped out into a clearing that could not be seen from above. He ignored the beauty provided by nature and staggered toward the small stream that ran directly through the center. He dropped down to his knees and used his hands to cup the water and sighed as the cold liquid hit his heated flesh.

Sheppard drank his fill before turning his attention to the wound in his back. He knew he needed to stop the bleeding, but had no way of seeing what he was doing. With a small groan, he eased the clothing from his body and walked into the stream in hopes that the water would clean the wound and help stop the bleeding. It felt great and he dove under, wincing as the water flushed the ravaged flesh then his head broke the surface and he stayed where he was, enjoying the freedom while he had it.

Reluctantly, he finally left the water and donned his clothing once more, relieved when he didn’t feel any more bleeding. He lifted the pack and began walking south, following the stream in hopes of finding a place to hole up for a while and maybe grab some shuteye before the Wraith discovered his whereabouts.

~o0o~

They’d been flying north for several hours with Rodney in the pilot’s seat and Ronon in the one beside him while Beckett and Teyla were seated in the back. McKay knew all he had to do was think about the controls and they’d work for him, but it didn’t come as naturally to him as it did for John Sheppard. Hell, Sheppard seemed to be a natural at everything where Ancient technology was concerned.

“We follow the shoreline north,” Ronon had told him as the Jumper lifted off.

“I know,” McKay snapped. “Keep an eye out for Sheppard’s Puddle Jumper!”

“I am,” Dex said simply and continued to watch for anything that might indicate where Sheppard had gone down. There was no doubt in his mind that his instincts were correct as time went by with still no word from the missing man. They’d spotted a pod of what McKay described as whales, but he had no interest in them as the Puddle Jumper continued its northward journey. 

The heavily forested area they now flew over could easily hide a jumper, but McKay had yet to spot anything that might be an indicator of something gone wrong. He flew higher as the trees seemed to reach out for him, and easily manipulated the craft so that he followed the path they’d laid out during their talk with Crase.

“There’s something up ahead,” Ronon said as the monitors indicated a change in telemetry.

“I see it,” McKay said and maneuvered the craft closer to the treetops until they spotted a clearing and huts that indicated they were about to enter one of the mountain villages. “I just hope they’re not Wraith worshippers.”

“Didn’t Crase say the Wraith worshippers were deeper in the mountains?” Ronon asked.

“Yes, he did, but he could be wrong about these people.”

“Do you always look at things-”

“Look, I’m a confirmed pessimist and that means I always see things in the worst possible way. It’s a trait I come by honestly so just leave it alone!”

Ronon could only smile at the man in the pilot’s seat. He loved pushing McKay’s buttons, but right now was not the time or the place. They needed to find Sheppard before it was too late and he studied the village below as if he could sense the Wraith, but it was Teyla who could do that and he glanced toward her.

“I don’t sense any Wraith nearby.” Teyla answered his unspoken question as McKay landed the craft at the edge of the village.

~o0o~

The Wraith commander looked at the device and growled deep in his throat when he noted there seemed to be only a dull signal from the tracker embedded in Sheppard’s body. He knew it had not malfunctioned, but something was suppressing the signal and making it hard to get any kind of clear indication of where his prey was.

Oh, he knew Sheppard was somewhere in the vicinity of the city, but they could not pinpoint his exact location. He knew now he should have tested the device, but he’d been eager to have the game begin. Now it looked like they would be hunting the human without the aid of a tracker.

The others waited for his orders as he stood staring out over the darkening landscape. He knew to hunt Sheppard would be extremely dangerous in unknown terrain. He turned back to the dart, deciding that returning to the ship was the only choice they had. The hunt for John Sheppard would begin as soon as the sun rose above the horizon.

~o0o~

John glanced over his shoulder as an ominously familiar sound echoed through the area. He glanced skyward as a Wraith Dart flew past and managed to duck beneath a heavy overhang of branches from the trees. He watched until it disappeared and began to move once more, searching for anything that would offer him sanctuary during the darkest hours.

He kept the stream to his right as he walked, listening for any sound of pursuit, but there was nothing except the soft breeze that whispered through the trees. It would be too dark for him to move soon, yet he knew he could not stay out in the open with the Wraith tracking him.

His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten anything since being captured by the villagers. He thought about Ronon and what the Satedan had told him about his world. There were several berries he could eat, and if he was lucky enough to find them, there were several plants that grew an edible nut, but so far he’d been unable to find anything. He glanced at the stream and wondered if there were any fish in it, but with the oncoming darkness, he knew he wouldn’t have time to find out.

He glanced to his right and spotted an opening in the trees that might offer some refuge, but it meant he’d have to cross the stream to reach it. He secured his pack and took a deep breath before stepping into the water. It was colder than he remembered, but he ignored the deep chill as he waded deeper into the stream. He slipped several times, but managed to stay on his feet as he neared the opposite shore. 

He stared at the opening for several minutes before realizing what he saw was a shallow pool reflecting what little was left of the daylight. He blinked several times until he was able to bring everything into focus and hoped his eyes were not deceiving him. At the back of the pool there seemed to be a natural indentation where the stream had eroded the soil. John slowly made his way toward it and took a deep breath before diving beneath the surface. He knew he was taking a chance, but if he was right he’d found a place he could hole up for the night and be able to defend, if and when the Wraith came for him.

John swam, using long strokes as he sank deeper below the ground and knew he’d have to turn back if he didn’t find something soon. He was ready to give up, but one last effort pushed him forward and he surfaced inside an underground cave. There seemed to be some kind of natural luminescence that reminded him of phosphorous and he sighed heavily in relief as he walked onto solid ground.

He knew he had to search the area and make sure there were no more entrances the Wraith could use to surprise him. Ignoring the aches and pains in his abused limbs, John checked the area and found no other entrances. If he was lucky, he would be able to stay here until he could figure out a way to contact Atlantis and let them know where he was and what kind of trouble he was in.

First things, first, John… food, he thought and realized whatever was causing the light was also giving off a natural heat that took the chill from his body. He removed his pack and placed it near the wall and hoped the water did not get any higher or he could be in serious trouble.

“You have a Wraith tracking device in your back, how much more serious can it get!” Sheppard spat and glanced toward the water. He knew it was safe to drink, but food would be an issue soon and he sighed before removing his clothing and ducking beneath the surface once more. He swam toward the entrance and broke the surface just before he’d be forced to take a deep breath and fill his lungs with water.

He shivered as a cool breeze blew across his naked flesh and felt goosebumps form on his body. He knew it would be fully dark soon and wasn’t sure whether the stars would give him enough light to search by so he moved quickly along the shore. He checked the underbrush for anything that resembled the berries Ronon had told him about.

Pushing back the brush, he smiled when he caught the smell that reminded him of ripe strawberries. Ronon had described the berries and had told him they had the same scent and texture as those brought from Earth. John smiled as he remembered Ronon saying the berries of his world grew as large as the apples of John’s planet.

Sheppard reached inside and picked two berries, washing them in the water before taking a tentative bite. He smiled appreciatively as he chewed the sweet ‘fruit’ and hoped it was the one Ronon had told him about. He ate the two berries and picked a couple to take with him before glancing around once more. It was hard to see now that the darkness had overtaken the land, but his sense of direction was good and he quickly made his way back toward his sanctuary.

Once inside, John stepped out of the water and let the natural heat warm his body before checking his clothing and finding they were nearly dry. He used the backpack as a pillow and lay back as weariness washed over him. It wasn’t long before he drifted toward sleep, a soft moan escaping as the device in his back drew energy from him and shifted against his spine.

~o0o~

Rodney allowed Ronon to take the lead while Teyla and Beckett walked behind him as they made their way toward the village. It was similar to Crase’s home, but with fewer huts. There were several children playing at the center of the village, but when they spotted the newcomers, they disappeared inside the huts. 

“They seem a wee bit skittish,” Beckett observed as several adult males gestured toward them, but remained a safe distance away.

“Yes, they do,” Teyla agreed and smiled as she moved away from the others. “Crase sends greetings and said you would help us.”

“Crase sent you?” the older male asked.

“Yes, we are searching for a friend…”

“He is not here.”

“How do you know it’s a man we’re looking for?” McKay asked.

“We do not,” the man said and tried to move back inside, but Ronon had reacted on instinct and moved to block his escape route. “Please, we know nothing of your friend,” the man protested

“Then why are you afraid?” Dex asked softly.

“I…we are close to those who worship the creatures of the darkness,” the man answered and seemed to be searching the shadows outside the village.

“The Wraith?” Beckett asked.

“I do not know what they are called, but there are some who worship these creatures and they have taken several of our people. They are used as prey to the creatures of darkness,” the man told them.

“Do you know where these worshippers are?” McKay asked.

“They have a village further north… deeper in the mountains. If you keep the tallest mountain directly in front of you then you will find them, but it is dangerous and those who go there have not returned,” the man answered nervously.

“Thank you, but we must find our friend,” Teyla told him.

“Wait…” a woman interrupted

“Gianna, no…”

“We must tell them, Skyleer,” the pretty woman said, her voice laden with certainty and fear. “We found a strange ship not far to the north.”

“Sheppard’s Jumper,” McKay said.

“I do not know what a Sheppard’s Jumper is, but the craft is still there,” Gianna told them.

“Where?” Dex asked.

“Our hunting party discovered it and they were half day’s walk from here,” Skyleer answered.

“We’ll start there,” Ronon told them.

“There is more,” Gianna said and moved away from Skyleer when he tried to stop her.

“Gianna, we must not speak of them!”

“They need to know…”

“Need to know what?” Beckett asked.

“It may already be too late for your friend. We saw a Wraith ship two cycles ago. They do not come unless summoned by the worshippers,” Gianna explained.

“If the Wraith have John, we must find out where they have taken him,” Teyla said.

“We need to find that village!” Dex said. He knew why they hadn’t heard from Sheppard, and something told him the missing man was in a lot more trouble than they realized. Wraith either fed on you right away, or turned you into their own version of a ‘worshipper’, or worse yet, they made you a runner. Ronon had first hand knowledge of what that meant.

“Follow the trail north toward the tallest mountain and you will find the ship,” Gianna told them.

“Thank you for your help, lass,” Beckett said and followed the others back to the Jumper. Once inside McKay took control and they flew north, watching for any sign of the downed Jumper.

Ronon spotted the sheered off treetops and pointed them out to the others as Rodney kept on a direct course that led to the missing craft. Once they saw it, they quickly realized they’d have to find a place to land and then work their way through the dense forest in order to reach it.

~o0o~

John moaned as he shifted on the floor of the cave and silently cursed as he fought to control the nausea churning through his gut. His back felt as if it was on fire and he knew there was something definitely wrong with the Wraith tracking device. He remembered Ronon saying there was pain, but nothing he couldn’t handle, and Sheppard knew he was no stranger to pain as he struggled to sit up.

He leaned against the wall of the cave and drew his legs up while wrapping his arms around his knees. He rocked back and forth and tried to ride out the pain, but each time he moved, the Wraith device moved with him. John had no idea how the device was attached, but it felt like the damn thing was chewing through his spine.

“God!” he screamed as the agony intensified. He slid sideways until he was lying on his left side and drew his legs up as he tried to curl into a ball. He tasted blood and managed to spit it on the floor of the underground cave, shivering uncontrollably in spite of the natural heat emanating from the walls of the cavern.

Breathing through tightly clenched teeth, he finally lay still as the Wraith device seemed to stop moving. He felt the sweat trickling down the back of his neck, yet he was chilled to the bone. He shifted slightly, hoping and praying the pain would not return as he finally managed to lean back against the wall once more.

He knew he’d have to make the trip outside again in order to find something to eat, but he had no idea what time of day or night it was. How long had he been asleep before the pain woke him? Were the Wraith waiting outside for him even now? Did they have a fix on his location? It didn’t matter one way or the other because he knew he could not stay here forever. Sooner or later he’d have to return to the city and try to find some way of contacting Atlantis.

~o0o~

The rough trail was hard to follow, but they cut through the thickest brush until they finally reached the downed Puddle Jumper. Ronon and Teyla entered the craft through the open rear hatch and motioned for the other two to enter. There was no sign of John Sheppard, but there were signs that animals had tried to nest inside it.

“John is not here,” Teyla said and watched as Ronon stepped outside and began searching the area.

“This looks like blood,” McKay said of the stain on the console.

“It is, but that doesn’t mean—”

“Carson, who else would it belong to?” McKay interrupted him.

“Could be an animal’s,” Beckett answered.

“Looks like whoever took him traveled north,” Ronon told them from the open hatch.

“It could be the hunters from the last village,” McKay said.

“No, their tracks go south, away from the mountains,” Dex answered.

“How can you tell that just by looking at a few footprints?” McKay asked impatiently.

“Different markings,” Ronon answered simply. “There’s also evidence that whoever took Sheppard was carrying something when they left here.”

“Then I guess we head north,” McKay said.

“We should contact Atlantis and have them send someone to repair the Jumper,” Teyla suggested.

“We’ll do that from the ship,” McKay said as the group hurried back the way they’d come.

~o0o~

John eased his trembling body into the water and dove beneath the surface. He followed the small tunnel away from his sanctuary and resurfaced in the small pool with the sun beating down on him and warming his body. Exiting the water, he listened for any sign of the Wraith, but heard nothing that alarmed him.

He reached the area where he’d found food the day before and reached for a couple of the sweet berries. He hoped he was right in what he remembered Ronon telling him about them being good for him, then again, he figured it was too late anyway. He bit into the ripe fruit and relished the taste as he sank to his knees. He listened for any sounds of danger as he enjoyed the meal, but doubled over as agonizing pain encompassed his back. It felt as if the Wraith tracking device was grinding against his spine.

He rolled on the ground, curling into a ball as his body shook with tremors and he clenched his fists as his eyes closed. John had no idea how long the attack lasted, but when the agony slowly died, he found the strength to breathe. He lay on his back and fought the urge to laugh when he realized he was totally naked and unarmed should the Wraith show up.

John managed to climb to his knees, but remained still as he tried to work out what kind of damage the tracking device was causing. He thought about Ronon and remembered how he’d described how it felt, but he couldn’t remember the Satedan saying anything about this kind of pain.

“All right, John, get moving before you’re caught with your pants down,” he whispered and tried to get to his feet as a sound reached his ears. A sound like nothing he’d ever heard before and he quickly turned in all directions in an effort to find out where it was coming from. Ronon had told him of the large creatures that lived in the forests outside the city, and John had a feeling he was hearing one of them now.

Sheppard quickly grabbed more of the berries as the sound grew closer, sending a chill down his spine. He raced back to the water and hoped whatever it was didn’t know how to swim. John dove beneath the surface, but not before catching sight of something covered in long golden fur, with talons raised, as if to strike at something. Sheppard quickly realized the something was probably him and he cursed the thought of becoming a meal for the creature or prey for the Wraith. Either way he was between a rock and a hard place.

He soon found himself back inside the small cavern and placed the berries on the ground beside his clothing. He took a deep breath as he watched the water for any sign that the creature had followed him inside. There were no ripples in the water, and after a few minutes, he relaxed and moved away from the pool. The pack was near the back of the cavern and John moved toward it with a grimace as the movement sent shockwaves through his back.

Leaning back against the warm wall, he closed his eyes as sleep beckoned him once more.

~o0o~

The Wraith Commander looked around the deserted city, silently berating the defective device they’d implanted in John Sheppard’s back. There was no way to track him now, but the drones would have to search for signs of where the human had disappeared. His anger had grown during the darkest hours and he’d fed upon one of his own kind before leading the others back to Sateda.

The Wraith knew the drones had not found anything so far and he found himself drawn toward a structure on his right and stepped inside. The place looked like the others he’d seen, but there was a little difference here… There was evidence of a recent explosion of some kind. He moved closer, relieved when he saw no sign of human remains because he wanted the pleasure of feeding on John Sheppard.

The Wraith Commander knew Sheppard was dangerous, far more dangerous than he’d thought, but he was only human and humans were merely food for his kind. Like any of the inhabitants of the Pegasus Galaxy, humans were meant to be culled and forced into serving the Wraith.

He growled deep in his throat before turning and leaving the empty building, sniffing the air and listening for any sound that his prey was close by. There was nothing more he could do now except wait to see whether the drones were able to find out in what direction Sheppard had gone.

~o0o~

Rodney flew the Jumper low over the treetops as they searched for evidence of the people who’d taken Sheppard. So far they’d seen nothing except for a couple of bear-like animals that disappeared beneath the canopy of trees as soon as they’d spotted the craft.

“McKay, go left,” Dex ordered.

“Did you see something?” McKay asked.

“Thought I saw a flash of color in the treetops.”

“It was probably some kind of bird.”

“I don’t think so… too big,” Ronon told him.

“What else could it be? Those trees are too tall for it to have been a Wraith Worshipper… unless they live in tree houses,” McKay corrected. He studied the area Ronon had pointed out and frowned when he spotted the same flash of color. “I see it…”

“Be careful, Rodney,” Teyla said as McKay flew closer to the object. It wasn’t very big, but there were several of the creatures with bright orange and red fur swinging from one tree to another.

Carson smiled when he recognized the docile creatures known to the people of Cablaos. He’d seen them on several occasions inside the village where the people treated them with kid gloves. They were sacred to Crase’s people and were supposed to be harbingers of good rather than evil.

“They’re called Shinshrong and are quite friendly creatures,” Beckett told them.

“They look like colorful chimpanzees,” McKay said.

“They do, but those have bigger teeth,” Carson explained as they left the creatures behind them.

“Rodney, perhaps it would be a good idea to cloak the Jumper,” Teyla suggested and watched as he did as she suggested before continuing along their flight path.

“There’s a clearing up ahead,” McKay told them before making a wide sweep of the area. He spotted the village as they moved past the clearing and realized the huts were much like the ones in Crase’s village, but the inhabitants had tried to make them blend into the background. They’d done a good job of it too, but McKay and the other members of the team knew what to look for at any given time.

“Rodney, there seems to be a small clearing to the left,” Teyla said and relaxed as McKay flew toward the area.

“One of us should stay with the Jumper,” McKay suggested.

“You volunteering, McKay?” Dex asked.

“Well… someone has to,” McKay told them.

“Carson could stay,” Teyla suggested.

“No, if Colonel Sheppard is in the village, he could be injured. I’m going,” Beckett insisted.

“Then it looks like Rodney will be staying with the Jumper,” Teyla said with a sa\mall smile.

“Are you sure? I mean you could stay and I’ll—”

“You and Dr. Beckett are the only ones who can fly the Jumper. Since Dr. Beckett might be needed in the village, it is best that you stay here,” Teyla replied.

“Just be careful of the relatives of the chimpanzees, McKay… I hear they got big teeth and razor sharp claws,” Ronon teased before exiting through the rear hatch.

“Wait a minute! Razor sharp claws… Ronon, you’re kidding right? Ronon!” McKay turned and quickly closed the rear hatch. He made his way to the front of the Jumper where he could watch the instruments and make sure no creature got too curious about the craft.

~o0o~

John sighed heavily and realized it was time to leave his sanctuary, but he wanted to make sure he remembered where it was and leave a few provisions should he be forced to make a hasty retreat. He chose a couple of smaller weapons and placed them at the back of the cavern, away from the water.

He looked at the weapon that resembled Ronon’s and knew he needed to test it once he was outside. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and shivered as he looked at the water. John grabbed the pack and stuffed his clothes inside, hoping it would keep them from getting soaked again.

During the last few hours, John had begun to realize there was something wrong with the Wraith tracking device and that it was affecting his body and mind. He felt hot and sluggish and silently prayed the thing would not screw him up too badly. Taking a deep breath, he dove into the water, and with long strokes, had soon exited the tunnel into the clear pool. He stayed where he was and listened for the creature he’d heard earlier, but the sound was not repeated and he stepped onto the shore.

Reaching into the pack, he pulled out his clothing, relieved to find that the pack had kept it fairly dry. He pulled on his clothes, shivering as a soft breeze blew across his body and ruffled his hair. John quickly glanced around, eyeing the berries before realizing his stomach was churning and right now nothing would stay put if he tried to eat. He craved water and returned to the stream to drink his fill before shouldering his pack and looking around.

There were two choices, follow the stream and chance running into whatever creatures lived in the dense forest, or return to the city. Neither choice appealed to him, but at least the city might provide him with a means of contacting Atlantis. That was his best chance of getting help, but it also meant he could be walking right into a Wraith trap.

He frowned when he realized the Wraith should have found him by now, but there’d been no sign of them… not even the whine of a dart flying overhead. Was it possible that tracking device really had malfunctioned, and did that mean the Wraith would give him up as lost? That was possible, but John didn’t hold out much hope that it was the case. Nothing was ever that easy, not in his life anyway.

He began the long trek back toward the city, his mind and body tuned to everything around him, but he hadn’t gone far when the paralyzing pain crawled through his nervous system again and sent him to the ground. He struggled for each breath, yet there still seemed like no air entered his lungs and he rolled onto his hands and knees.

“God!” he screamed. It felt like sharp needles were embedded in his spine. Sheppard had no idea how long the attack went on, but suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. John gasped as he latched onto it and fought with everything he had, but whoever had touched him easily got the upper hand.

“Be still… let me help you!”

The voice and the touch got through to him and he fought to look at whoever it was. God, he couldn’t allow them to help him, not when the consequences would be death to his benefactor and anyone else who tried to help him. “No… can’t… won’t let you be hurt because… of me…”

“Shh, they will not hurt me. You will be safe.”

“You won’t… the Wraith… put some… device in my… my back,” Sheppard told her and felt strong hands sliding under his shirt.

“I know… I have seen it before.”

“Who are you?” Sheppard managed as her fingers touched the raw wound in his back.

“My name is Jordanaeh and I can help you.”

“No, they’ll come… hurt you… can’t let th-that happen,” Sheppard tried, sighing as the pain eased and his eyes closed.

“Sleep… it is best for you right now.”

~o0o~

Jordanaeh looked around. She had lived in the higher mountains all her life, but came down to the city in search of supplies when needed. There were times when she wished she could leave the mountains, but her life was there, her world was there in the caves that ran beneath the mountains and streams. She knew when the Wraith came, had felt the city die as the people were culled and had mourned the loss of countless lives that would never be avenged.

Jordanaeh knew this man was not from Sateda, but she sensed the goodness in him and would help him if she could. There had been several other ‘runners’ she’d found through the years and she’d been able to remove the tracking devices, but this man was different. The device had attached itself to him, not just his body, but other systems in his body had been affected. She could feel the heat rising from him and sensed the unbearable pain that shocked his system.

Jordanaeh whistled softly and smiled when a large beast pushed through the heavy thicket. By nature the animal was a vicious beast, but she’d found him as a small cub and quickly bonded with him. There were those who would say the creature had imprinted on her and thought of her as its mother, but she did not believe in those things. She saw in it a silent brother, one bonded by necessity and held together by a shared need of a strange, yet familiar love.

Jordanaeh had become familiar with some of its guttural connotation over the years and had learned how to communicate with it. She used a series of hand signals and growls to get it to understand what she expected of it. She smiled when the creature reached for the unconscious male and cradled him protectively in his strong arms.

Jordanaeh reached for the discarded pack and saw blood on the ground. There wasn’t a lot, but if the stranger continued to bleed, he would grow weaker. There were ways she could stop the bleeding, but could she do that while the Wraith device was still inside him? Would he be able to live with that or would they need to find a way to remove it? For now all she could do was get him back to her home and hope he lived long enough for her to find a way to help him.

She followed the swiftly moving animal deeper into the forest and knew it would take several hours to reach the base of the mountains where she’d made her home. There were others there, not many, and most were elderly who didn’t venture out of the system of caves.

The creature, whom she chose to call Risha, was covered in long golden fur, with close set green eyes, and long arms. It followed the path along the ground, but could just as easily take to the trees and disappear in seconds. If it sensed danger nearby, it would scoop her up and carry them all to the safety of the tall trees.

Jordanaeh studied the man cradled in Risha’s arms and wondered where he’d come from and why he been chosen by the Wraith as a runner. From what she’d seen, he was well muscled and exceptionally built, but the Wraith didn’t need their prey to have those characteristics. She knew there would be pain ahead for him, but she hoped she could rid him of the device before the Wraith discovered his whereabouts.

~o0o~

The Wraith Commander’s anger intensified as they journeyed away from the city in search of the missing runner. The drones had found evidence that Sheppard was moving in this direction, but the signs were many hours old, and without the use of the tracking device, he might just escape altogether. That was something he would not allow to happen because it would undermine his authority with his Hive’s new queen. She’d taken control soon after Sheppard had killed the Hive’s first queen.

He’d been the one to tell her of his plans for the human and she’d given her approval, but if he returned without the colonel’s body, then it was likely he would become her next meal. He growled deep in his throat as the drones stopped and turned in his direction and he knew they were waiting for his orders.

“Keep following him! He cannot have gotten that far!”

The Wraith Commander continued to follow the others, glancing all around for the creatures that lived in the remnants of the city. He knew there were more of them in the forests, but he was safe because he could easily sacrifice a few drones to appease the creatures.

“Where are you, Colonel Sheppard?” the Wraith Commander whispered as he followed the others past the last building and entered the forest where the shadows lengthened and the sounds of the night reached them.

~o0o~

Ronon led the way through the dense thicket until they reached the outer part of the village. He held up his hand and signaled for Teyla and Beckett to be quiet while he checked the area for any signs of danger. He’d seen villages like this before and recognized the signs of Wraith worshippers. His instincts kicked into high gear when he realized there was no movement from the people who lived there.

“It looks deserted,” Beckett whispered.

“I believe the Wraith have been here,” Teyla offered and saw a slight nod from Ronon.

“Bloody hell,” Beckett spat softly. “Do you think the buggers are still here?”

“No, they’re long gone,” Ronon said, standing and making his way into the village. The central fires were cold to the touch and he knew whatever had happened, they’d missed it by more than a day. He looked around, shaking his head when he spotted several bodies huddled together near the edge of the village.

“Carson, over here,” Teyla called, having seen the same thing as Ronon.

Beckett hurriedly joined them, shaking his head at the devastating effects the Wraith feeding had on human bodies. There was no way to tell how young or old these people were before they’d been fed on, but they deserved to be buried no matter how wrong they’d been in choosing to worship the Wraith.

“They are beyond my help,” Beckett said.

“They died as they lived,” Dex said and looked around. He spotted something near the edge of the village and hurried toward it, smiling at a child whose eyes were filled with horror. “Hey… it’s okay…”

“No… please don’t… don’t let them feed on me.”

“We won’t, kid,” Dex assured the child. “Teyla, could you…”

“Hello, my name is Teyla. What is yours?”

“I am Chadish… my papa is dead… they fed on him.”

“Are there any others?” Teyla asked.

“No… I was playing outside the village when I heard the Wraith and I stayed hidden… I am a coward… we worshipped them and they fed on us,” the boy said.

“We need to get him back to the Jumper,” Beckett said.

“Where do we take him after that?” Ronon asked.

“Back to Crase’s village. They’ll take care of him,” Beckett answered.

“Chadish, was there a stranger here a few days ago?” Dex asked.

“Not now, Ronon,” Beckett warned as the boy wrapped his arms around Teyla and began to cry softly.

“We need to know, Doc,” Ronon said.

“I know, but he’s been traumatized…”

“He’s a Wraith worshipper…”

“No, he’s a kid… his papa may have been a Wraith worshipper, but he’s hardly old enough to know what the Wraith are,” Beckett snapped.

“There was… was a man here. Kiosion cared for him be-before he signaled the Wraith,” Chadish told them.

“Did the Wraith take him?” Teyla asked.

“I think so. I stayed hidden until after they left… after they killed everyone…why? Why did they kill Kiosion and the others… my family… we worshipped… we did as they wanted.”

“The Wraith do what they do, Chadish. They do not answer to anyone but themselves and there are plenty of others to take the place of those they kill,” Teyla explained.

“Teyla, why don’t you take him back to the Jumper. Ronon and I can check the rest of the villagers and meet you there,” Beckett suggested and waited for her to leave. “Ronon, do you think they are—”

“They’ll make him a runner, Doc,” Dex answered simply.

“They’ll put a tracking device in him.”

“That’s how they operate. What’s wrong, Doc?”

“Colonel Sheppard has the Ancient gene… probably one of the strongest in Atlantis…”

“And you’re worried about what the device will do to him?”

“We both know the Ancients built in safeguards where the Wraith are concerned. If the Wraith have developed their own technology, they could very well have done the same thing. Colonel Sheppard is in danger… and not just from the Wraith,” Beckett explained.

“We need to get moving,” Ronon told him and began searching the village for survivors.

~o0o~

Jordanaeh kept watch as Risha cradled the injured man in one arm. They’d been forced to take to the trees when Risha had sensed danger lurking nearby. She had no idea whether it was animal or Wraith that had spooked the creature, but she had learned long ago to trust its instincts. They were still an hour away from their destination and the ‘runner’ still hadn’t regained consciousness.

Jordanaeh knew the dangers of helping the ‘runner’, but the caves would help protect them from discovery if they were able to reach them. They traveled quickly through the treetops, but she knew Risha was tiring because of the extra burden he was forced to carry. She heard soft cry from the injured man and signaled for Risha to stop. She heard a guttural growl in his throat, but he did as she requested and eased both her and the ‘runner’ to a thick branch that could easily hold their weight.

~o0o~

John wanted more than anything to stay where he was, but the pain had intensified to the point where he had no choice but to acknowledge it. He reached behind him and tried to touch the source of the agony, but soft hands touched his and held them until he opened his eyes and looked at the woman kneeling beside him.

The moonlight reflected off shimmering silver hair that framed a face graced with such beauty that it took his breath away. Her eyes were green, a soft hew that hypnotized him, but he shook off the effects and concentrated on sitting up. “I need to go—”

“We will keep moving, but first I must check your back. The Wraith device is causing you pain.”

“I’m fine…”

“Is that so?” Jordanaeh asked, silver eyebrows rising in amusement as she watched his face.

“Look, I can’t… let you be hurt because of me. If they catch you helping me, they’ll kill you.”

“Then it is up to me to keep them from finding us. We will get to the caves and there you will be safe until I can figure out how to safely remove the tracking device.”

“You seem to know a lot about Wraith technology.”

“I have had the displeasure of meeting several Wraith and their victims.”

“How did you escape?”

“They did not know I was there,” Jordanaeh explained. “What is your name?”

“John Sheppard.”

 “Do you think you can move or should Risha carry you, John?”

“I can… I can move,” Sheppard told her and struggled to stand. He swayed on his feet and would have fallen had she not reached out to steady him. He looked down over the edge of the branch and turned to smile weakly at her. “Careful, that first step is a big one.”

“Yes, it is,” Jordanaeh said with a soft laugh as she took his arm and linked it through hers. “Follow Risha, he knows where he is going and will not let anything happen.”

John looked at the animal standing to his right and wondered why he felt like the damn thing would eat him alive if given the chance.

“Risha is not like others of his kind. He has been with me since he was a small cub and has saved my life many times. I trust him with my life,” Jordanaeh explained.

“He looks like he’s hungry,” John observed.

“It is past his meal time, but do not worry he is not hungry… yet,” Jordanaeh replied with a teasing smile as they began moving through the treetops. She knew the man beside her was unfamiliar with traveling so high off the ground, but he seemed to have been born to it. He mis-stepped a couple of times, but was quickly able to compensate and she caught herself trying to keep up with him until he cried out and dropped to his knees. “Risha, wait!”

John fought to breathe, but each time he tried to draw air into his lungs, it felt like razor sharp fangs were biting into his spine. He felt hands touching him, easing him onto his side before soft fingers touched his back and gently began to ease the misery as if they held some kind of localizing pain medication. He sank toward sleep as he felt the hands leave his body and was soon lifted in strong arms as darkness finally won out.

~o0o~

Teyla held the young boy as they reached the Puddle Jumper and quickly brushed past a startled McKay.

“Teyla, who’s that?” he asked as Ronon and Carson joined them.

“His name is Chadish and he is the only survivor of a Wraith culling,” Teyla said as the boy trembled against her. She would never get used to the utter barbarity of a Wraith attack and she knew that was the difference between them. The Wraith did not care who they culled or how many they killed as long as they got what they wanted - a ready food supply.

“Did you find Sheppard?” McKay asked, looking worried. “He wasn’t—“ He gestured lamely.

“No,” Ronon answered simply as he hurried toward the front of the Puddle Jumper and sat down.

“Rodney, take us back to Crase’s village,” Beckett said.

“What? I thought we were going after Sheppard?” McKay said, looking confused.

“We are, but we can’t take Chadish with us and we can’t leave him alone out here,” Beckett answered.

“Oh… right.” McKay nodded and hurried to sit down next to a quiet Ronon.

“You know I’ve been thinking about the Wraith,” McKay said.

“What about them?” Dex asked as the puddle Jumper lifted off.

“If they have Sheppard…”

“They have him!” Ronon snapped.

“Okay, they have him and I have a feeling I know where they’ve taken him,” McKay said.

“Where?” Teyla asked from the rear.

“Sateda,” McKay answered simply.

“Why would they take him there? That’s Ronon’s home, not Sheppard’s,” Beckett said.

“If the Wraith knows who Sheppard is, he could easily decide to take him there because—”

“The Wraith don’t need a reason,” Teyla interrupted. “Rodney, do you think you can check it the way you did when the Wraith took Ronon?”

“I tried while you were gone. There is a signal, but it doesn’t read the same way Ronon’s did,” McKay explained.

“What do you mean?” Teyla asked and moved to stand behind McKay and Ronon.

“It’s like something’s been changed, but I’m not sure what,” McKay told her.

“Then how can you be sure it’s Wraith technology you’re tracking?” Teyla asked.

“It reads like a Wraith tracking device, but—”

“What is it, Rodney?” Teyla asked as they flew south toward Crase’s village.

“If I’m right then it’s possible Sheppard’s Ancient gene is affecting it,” McKay answered. He’d been studying the readouts while Carson, Teyla, and Ronon were at the village and everything he’d seen pointed to trouble for John Sheppard.

“We knew that might happen, but it remains to be seen how badly the gene affects the Wraith device or vice versa,” Beckett offered as he covered Chadish with a blanket. 

“There’s no telling how the device will react to the Ancient gene, but the signal has changed,” McKay offered.

“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Teyla said.

“How?” Ronon asked.

“Perhaps the changes to the device leave the Wraith unable to track Colonel Sheppard,” Teyla explained.

“She could be right,” McKay offered, feeling a hint of hope forming as he flew the Puddle Jumper low over the trees. “So, we drop the kid off and head for Sateda.”

“What if you’re totally wrong, Rodney? Does Colonel Sheppard have that kind of time?” Beckett asked.

“He’s not wrong,” Dex said simply, his shoulders slumped.

“Sateda is a long way from here,” Teyla observed.

“I know, but we can get there by using the gates,” McKay said simply as the group grew quiet and silently prayed they reached the missing man before the Wraith did.

~o0o~

The Wraith commander grew angrier as the drones searched for anything that would lead them to Colonel John Sheppard. So far the tracking device was not working and there’d been no signal since they’d begun the search. Something had happened to the device, something that rendered it inoperable. 

He turned toward the mountains north of the city and wondered if the human had found refuge in the system of caves. There were stories of people who lived there, hiding from the Wraith and only coming out when they needed something. There was supposed to be a woman who could heal people there, but as far as he was concerned it was just a story told by Wraith when they wanted an excuse for their failure.

If John Sheppard was hiding in the caves, he would find him and feed until there was nothing left but a dry husk that would disintegrate in a strong wind. He motioned for the others to follow him, and knew it would be so much easier to take the dart, but that would mean warning the inhabitants of the caves that they were there.

The Wraith commander would not allow anything to interfere with his plans for the human, and would show the new Hive queen that he could do what needed to be done. There were others of his kind who would benefit should he fail, but he held his head high, as he led the drones deeper into the forest.

~o0o~

Jordanaeh knew she was being watched, but for now she only had eyes for the man Risha had placed on the soft bed made of brushes and blankets. She knew his fever had risen since she’d found him and silently worked to strip him of his clothing. Heavy bruising had already formed on the well-honed chest and taut muscles of his upper body. A long gash on his lower leg had bled and showed signs of infection that would need to be cleansed properly in order to heal. She knew these injuries would need to be taken care of, but her priority had to be the wound in his back and the foreign object embedded there.

“Jordanaeh, can I assist you?”

“Come forward, Caleashi,” Jordanaeh said and turned to watch the young man limping toward her. He had been injured during the Wraith culling of Sateda and had barely escaped with his life. Risha had found him at the bottom of a ravine, near death, covered in dirt and debris.

“What do you need?” Caleashi asked softly.

“Bring me water and Shinasta oil,” Jordanaeh told him.

“Will he survive the removal of the device?”

“I do not know, Caleashi,” Jordanaeh answered honestly as she gently probed the ravaged flesh. She looked at the instruments on the table beside her and wondered if it was wise to try and remove the Wraith device. She heard Caleashi moving around and gathering the items she would need and hoped they could save this man. She eased him onto his stomach and winced at the damage done by the Wraith responsible for his injuries.

“Is there anything else I can do?”

“I am going to try to remove the device. Have Risha come in,” Jordanaeh explained as she used a cloth and the Shinasta oil to clean the area around the wound. Through it all there was no sound from the injured man, but that would change once she started digging inside him for the foreign object. She heard the creature enter the chamber and motioned with her hands as she explained what she wanted him to do.

“Should I stay?” Caleashi asked.

“I will need your help with him once I have removed the device,” Jordanaeh explained.

“Can you remove it? The wound does not look the same as the others,” Caleashi observed.

“No, it does not, and I am afraid I may not have the proper tools or knowledge to remove it,” Jordanaeh explained as she gently eased the wound open, eliciting a sharp cry from the injured man.

“If anyone can, it is you, Jordanaeh,” Caleashi told her.

~o0o~

John felt someone touching his body, and it felt as if they were pushing shards of glass deep into his back. He tried to escape, but something held him in place and his eyes opened wide as terror shot through him. “God!” he cried and struggled to break free.

“You need to be still!”

“Jordanaeh,” Sheppard managed through tightly clenched teeth.

“I am here, John, and I am going to help you, but the device—”

“Is screwed up… It’s not like it was with Ronon,” Sheppard told her.

“Who is Ronon?” Jordanaeh asked, wishing she could give him something to help with the pain, but for now all she had was her touch and that didn’t seem to be helping much.

“A friend. A Satedan like you, but he was a runner and the Wraith hunted him. He killed the bastard, or should I say Beckett kill-killed… God!” he cried as he felt the thick tendrils wrap themselves around his spine. He thought he heard a new voice, but his mind and body were no longer his own as she continued to try and separate him from the Wraith device. “Stop… I can’t… too much!”

“I cannot remove it, John,” Jordanaeh told him, worried about the amount of blood that stained her hands and the blankets he lay on. She reached for the container of Shinasta oil and poured some over the wound. It would help ease the discomfort and maybe help with the fever that raged through his body, but she knew the device had to be removed or it would eventually kill him. 

“Figured as m-much. Look, Jordanaeh, I appre-appreciate everything you’ve d-done for me, but I can’t stay h-here… danger to y-you,” Sheppard said, but quickly he was losing the fight to stay conscious as she cleaned the raw wound.

“Just rest, John, we are all safe here,” he heard her reassure him as she covered the wound.

~o0o~

Rodney knew the people of the village were sincere in their wishes that they’d be successful in finding John Sheppard, but he was in a hurry to leave. Teyla had explained to Crase where they had found the boy and that his village had been destroyed by the Wraith. Ronon stood at the edge of the village, and McKay knew he was thinking about the missing man.

Ronon had been a runner twice and survived, and there was no doubt in Rodney’s mind that Sheppard would also survive, but they needed to find him as soon as possible. McKay walked over to the Satedan and stood beside him. “We’ll find him before the Wraith do, Ronon.”

“Will we?” Ronon asked without looking at the other man.

“As soon as Teyla is finished, we’ll leave. It won’t take long to get to Sateda,” McKay said, but he could tell Ronon was not listening to him.

“Rodney, Crase has agreed to take care of Chadish. The boy will not be blamed for what his village did,” Teyla explained and waited for the two men to follow her to the Puddle Jumper. She knew they were both worried about Sheppard and the truth was, she was too, but right now they needed to get moving and find him.

~o0o~

John opened his eyes and waited for them to adjust to the dim light of the cave. He could see several dark shadows opposite the mound of furs he lay on and frowned when one seemed to walk toward him.

“Hello, John, how do you feel?”

“I’m okay… I think.”

“You are far from okay, but you will be if you rest.”

“I can’t rest, not here. The Wraith—”

“The Wraith will not find you here, John,” Jordanaeh assured him, but she could tell he did not believe her. “The caves of our ancestors were once used to hide from the Wraith and other creatures that preyed on our kind. There is something in the stones that make it hard for the Wraith to enter and their tracking devices do not work in here.”

“Maybe… but I can’t… take that chance with your life.”

“That is my choice, John,” Jordanaeh said, a smile blossoming on her face as she looked at him.

“What of your people? Can you stand there and tell me they are in no danger?”

“There is always danger in life, John, but we choose not to bow down to it. We chose to stand and fight for what we have and that includes our belief that in helping others, we help ourselves. You should rest.”

“Not while the Wraith are out there. Help me up, Jordanaeh,” John ordered.

“No, John, Risha is keeping watch with the others and will let us know if they see anything. You are not strong enough to leave.”

“I have to… don’t you understand what…what the Wraith will do to you.”

“Yes, I do, but I will not turn away someone in need, and right now you are in need of my help. I have tried to remove the tracking device, but it is unlike anything I have ever seen before. It has become twisted in your spine and attached itself to your nerves. That is why you feel such pain.”

John struggled to sit up and felt her hand on his arm, supporting him even as she scolded him for being so stubborn. He smiled weakly when he finally made it to an upright position and grabbed for a fur when he realized he was totally naked. “Where are my clothes?”

“They were of no use, but if you insist on being up, I will give you some of Jakar’s clothing. It should fit… although the pants may be a little short for you,” Jordanaeh explained and moved to a small cabinet near the bed of furs. “These should do you.”

“Thank you,” Sheppard told her.

“You are welcome,” the woman said and sat beside him. “Is something wrong with the clothing?”

“Not really, but would you mind?” John motioned toward the opening.

“Are you shy, John?”

“No… yes… maybe a little.”

“There is nothing for you to be ashamed of, John, from what I have seen, you have no reason to be embarrassed. You have the body of a strong warrior.”

“Thanks… but…”

“I will leave you to get dressed,” Jordanaeh said with a smile. Moving to the open fire, she began ladling stew into bowls. While she set the stone table, she listened for any sign of trouble from the other room, and turned when she heard footsteps.

“Smells good,” Sheppard told her, smiling when she motioned for him to take a seat.

“It is very good, and hot, so be careful,” Jordanaeh warned as she placed the bowl in front of him. She could tell he was still feverish, but there was not much she could do for him until the device was removed from his back.

“I’m okay, Jordanaeh,” Sheppard said as he fought to eat the savory stew she’d prepared. He knew he could not do it justice, but managed to eat several spoonfuls before his churning stomach cramped and he doubled over in pain. He felt a hand on his shoulder and heard her soft voice, but nothing could ease the nauseating discomfort he felt.

“John, you need to lie down,” Jordanaeh said and helped the injured man to his feet. She stumbled under his weight as his legs threatened to give out, but she maneuvered him toward the room where he could rest.

John held tightly to the woman as she directed him toward the mound of furs and allowed her to ease him down onto them. He breathed through tightly clenched teeth until he was settled on his side and drew his legs up in an attempt to ease the debilitating pain. He felt a cool cloth placed on his forehead and sighed heavily before opening his eyes. “Sorry…”

“You have nothing to apologize for, John, just lie still and it will ease,” Jordanaeh explained.

“The Wraith are coming… they can’t find me here,” John tried, but he didn’t have the strength to fight as she lifted the blanket over him.

Jordanaeh turned away from the injured man and made her way outside. The sun had risen long ago and the heat of the day was already making things uncomfortable. She saw Risha moving through the nearby treetops and knew the animal would warn her should there be any sign of the Wraith.

“Is the man alive?”

Jordanaeh turned to see a crippled elder walking toward her. The man was wise beyond his years and had survived a Wraith culling before finding the safety of the caves. Now he spent most of his time inside, teaching the young ones who had found their way to the sanctuary after the city had been destroyed.

“He is in pain,” she replied.

“You could not remove the device?”

“No, Bilar, I believe it is not reacting to his body the way it did with our people,” Jordanaeh explained sadly.

“I have seen that on one other occasion. It would be dangerous for you to remove it, yet it will eventually bring the Wraith to us,” Bilar explained.

“I know, but I cannot turn my back on him.”

“No one is asking you to, but there are those amongst us who will want to turn him over to the Wraith before they find our sanctuary.”

“That will only get us all killed. We both know the Wraith do not reward us for our loyalty.”

“We have no loyalty to the Wraith, but you are correct in what you say. We must convince the others that it is not safe to turn him over to the Wraith and hope they agree with us,” Bilar told her.

“You will stand by me?”

“I have always stood by you, Jordanaeh,” the elder said softly. “You must rest.”

“I will, but I wish there was something more we could do for him.”

“Perhaps when he is awake, you could find out where he is from and if we could find a way to reach his people.”

“The gate was destroyed,” she reminded him.

“I know, but there are other ways to send a message.”

“If we did, we would be exposing our presence to the Wraith.”

“Yes, we would, but a man’s life is important and we could move the communication device to another section of the caves. An area far enough away that we could close it off if the Wraith found us.”

“Thank you for understanding, Bilar.”

“What is to understand? We help those who need it or we are no better than the Wraith,” the elder told her before returning to the cave.

Jordanaeh stayed where she was for several minutes, watching as Risha continued to guard over the trails leading to the caves. They were overgrown, but if a person knew what to look for, they would find them. The Wraith; she could sense them coming, but they were far enough away that she felt safe for now.

~o0o~

The Wraith Commander led the way through the thick brush until they stepped out into a clearing beside a stream that flowed south toward the ruined city. He knew John Sheppard had been here, but he was no longer present. He looked toward the mountains and knew that was where he would find the human and he vowed that when he did he would finish this once and for all.

“He was here,” the Wraith Commander said and waited for the others to search the area. The drones could not speak, but they understood what he wanted and they would protect him with their lives if the need arose. His prey was somewhere high in the mountains and he would find him.

He looked around and motioned for the drones to clear a path through the heavy shrubs then followed them along a steep path that would eventually lead him to Sheppard.

To Act III