Stargate: The Avalon conundrum

Chapter fourteen

2012 August 11

Sosohr

Forest

It had been nearly two hours since the team had escaped the city after Colonel Giles his crime. Running through the forest, Teyla started recognizing the trees they were running through. Her suspicion on their location was confirmed as they ran out of the forest onto a grassy field.

Glancing back, she confirmed everyone was still with her, even Rodney though it was obvious to her he was over his limit and needed a rest sooner rather than later. Seeing that they were still being followed by hunters, Teyla thought about how they should escape.

Dialing the Stargate to Earth would not be a good idea, she did not wish to be responsible for the hunters their deaths as they ran into the shield. Having made a decision Teyla shouted, "We are five minutes from the Stargate. Ronon, prepare to stun as many of the hunters you can as they approach us. Rodney! You will dial M4C-862. And don't ask questions!"

As the fifth minute passed the round ring that formed the Stargate came into view. Seeing several groups of hunters approaching from other directions, likely warned by a messenger, Teyla ran ahead while shouting, "Ronon, run ahead and stun as many you can!"

Standing at the DHD, Teyla dialled the Stargate, knowing Rodney would not reach the DHD for another minute. Hearing the tell-tale sound of stun blasts being fired by Ronon finished dialling, pressing the large red crystal in the centre of the DHD. Turning around, her sight fell upon the large group of hunters. They must have numbered in the hundreds. An impressive amount of people to mobilise in such a short time. Seeing Rodney, Giles, Lesya and Ry'tac nearing she yelled at them to turn east as soon they went through the Stargate.

"Ronon, don't stick around. You will follow us right away," Teyla shouted to Ronon, making sure they would stay together as a group on the other side.

With the four others approaching Teyla ran through the event horizon, exiting the Stargate into an open spot in a forest. Moving forward she glanced upwards, impressed with the other moon and planet that filled the night sky. Noticing a shiver in the event horizon Teyla looked back at the Stargate as Rodney and Colonel Giles came through, followed by several arrows. Shouting at them to come to her position, she kept watching the Stargate. A minute passed before Lesya, Ry'tac and Ronon walked onto the moon, their backs to Teyla. Turning to face Teyla, they ran over to her as she turned around herself and told Rodney and Giles to follow her as she ran into the forest.

Running through the thick underbrush which was not supposed to be there, Teyla looked back to see dozens of hunters coming through the event horizon. Looking forward, she knew they had some time before they would orientate themselves to this new location. They ran through the forest for several minutes before Ronon spotted a cave nearly fully hidden behind some large shrubs. Teyla walked through the shrubs covering the entrance. Finally through she walked into the cave itself, deciding that the cave was large enough to hold them all.

Waving them over, Rodney, Giles, Lesya and Ry'tac entered the cave. Walking back to Ronon, Teyla softly whispered, "We will need to get some extra shrub to hide the entrance."

Grabbing one of her hidden knives as Ronon unsheathed his sword, the two warriors went to work. They hacked through the branches at their feet, disconnecting the shrub from the forest floor. Ronon and Teyla worked quickly, gathering five of the large shrubs each. Placing the shrubs in front of the cave entrance, they both agreed it was hidden well. Gathering some leaves to place over their tracks, they went inside the cave.

As minutes passed they sat inside, in silence. After a short while, they started hearing the shouts and footsteps of the hunters who were chasing them. Holding their breath they waited, feeling at ease as several of the hunters stopped nearby and moved on after shortly talking.

Knowing they were safe Teyla said, "Ry'tac, please check if Colonel Giles his bindings are still in order. We will rest while Ronon has the first watch, I the second with Rodney while Lesya will take the third watch."

Wiping his hand over his forehead, removing the sweat that had accumulated while running, Rodney turned to Teyla. No longer out of breath he asked her, "So why did we come here Teyla? Why not directly dial Earth so we could be home in Atlantis."

Teyla stayed silent for a moment before answering. "I didn't want to be responsible for the hunters from Sosohr dying as they ran into the shield guarding the Stargate in Atlantis Rodney. Now go to sleep. We have the next watch after Ronon and need to be rested."

***

2012 August 14

M4C-862

Random cave

Looking out of the cave through the shrubs that hid them, Teyla felt some boredom creeping up. It has been three days since they had hidden inside the cave. Having hidden in the cave, they had survived on the supplies they had with them.

Enough food to last the six of them four days. However, on the second day they had to escape the hunters, the team had not heard them searching. On the third day, Ronon had gone out to take a look, returning in the evening with the news he could not find them. Teyla made the decision that they would spend one last night in the cave, just to be certain there was no one left.

The six of them ate a good breakfast to ensure they were full of energy in case it was needed. Having finished eating, Rodney put away all the packaging of the food bars that Giles had thrown on the ground in his bag, intent on not leaving behind trash on this untouched moon.

"So what is the plan Teyla," Rodney asked of her, knowing she would have already thought of what to do.

"Ronon didn't spot any of them out there Rodney, so we will simply walk back to the Stargate and go home," Teyla told him. Slightly irritated and feeling stiff from sleeping in a hard stone cave for the last three nights.

Walking out of the cave, through the shrubs, Teyla met Ronon in the forest. Glancing at her, he said, "I have been seeing some strange lights floating around this morning. Remind me of those Wraith cameras."

"Those are likely the native lifeforms that attacked General O'Neill, his team, and the science team that was here several years ago. We should quickly move to the Stargate in case they attack us," Teyla finished, moving back to the cave and urging everyone out before joining Ronon in a jog to the gate.

Moving through the forest, Teyla started spotting some of the alien lifeforms. Knowing the risks, she sped up after telling the team to run. After a couple of minutes, they reached the Stargate and quickly dialled Earth. With the Stargate now protecting them, Teyla waited for Rodney to put in the IDC on his GDO.

Receiving the all clear signal, Lesya and Ry'tac walked through the event horizon first, followed by Rodney and Giles who had Ronon on their heels. With one glance back to the beautiful sight of a moon and planet in the sky Teyla turned to the Stargate and walked into the event horizon, back home to Atlantis.