Chapter 1

"Atlantis, this is Sheppard."

"We read you, Colonel. How are things on M1X-823?"

"Things are fine. In fact, they couldn't be better, which has me worried."

"I'm sorry?"

"I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. So far, the sun is shining, temperatures are mild, the people are incredibly friendly. Teyla has almost finished negotiations for some of the best food we've found yet. Rodney is buried in an Ancient lab, happily sifting through its database with full permission from the locals. The Wraith haven't shown up, and nobody has tried to kill us yet. It's too perfect."

He could hear Weir's soft laugh even as she tried to muffle it.

"Don't you think it's about time we caught a break, John?"

"I suppose so. Just seems too good to be true. Anyway, Rodney would like to stay for a little while longer. So if that's OK with you…."

"How much longer?"

"You know McKay. He wants to stay until he's finished which would probably be sometime next year. I was thinking by the end of the day. Maybe another four hours?"

"That's fine. I'll expect your return in four hours unless I hear from you."

"Thanks. Sheppard out."

As John disengaged the wormhole, the village could be clearly seen through the stargate. Strangely, the town was behind the stargate on this world. The pilot wondered if the people hadn't wanted to clear the forest that grew in front of the gate or if something else had been there long ago and the trees had simply overgrown it. Regardless, the jumper couldn't get through the gate because of the woods.

Needing to give McKay the new deadline, he started toward the lab but paused for a moment to study the trees. They reminded him of the redwoods of Northern California, straight as arrows and reaching to the sky. He could see stumps scattered throughout indicating some conservative logging had been done in the distant past. The tree line extended for miles in both directions, and the forest appeared as deep as it was wide.

He drew in a deep breath and looked around. It was as perfect as he had described to Elizabeth. The breeze blew gently, ruffling his hair while the sun warmed his face. He could hear children laughing in the distance and birds chirping in the forest. He rarely felt a sense of peace off-world, or on Atlantis for that matter. He closed his eyes for a second, absorbing the serenity. Releasing the breath, he turned toward the lab McKay had found.

The building that housed the lab stood several hundred yards to the left of the stargate. The years had not been kind, leaving it with a crumbling façade and a cracked foundation. He had ordered Ronon to stay with Rodney since the scientist could get so enamored with his work that he wouldn't notice if the walls collapsed around him. Dex was there to drag McKay to safety if necessary.

The village stood separate from the lab. It looked a bit like early 1900s Americana with its electric lights and horse-drawn carriages, or rather, what passed here for horses: large, durable creatures that looked like a buffalo had gotten too friendly with a deer. The buildings were sturdy, made of the same type of wood that grew around the stargate. Some structures were several stories high, but the majority were simple constructs made for families living above their shops. Planter boxes and street lamps completed the picture of a simple, peaceful town.

He found Ronon outside the Ancient edifice. Ever alert, the runner marked Sheppard's approach while continuing to swing a giggling child on each arm. Children had one of two reactions to the big Satedan; they either ran from or worshipped him. These two were obviously of the latter sort. Funnily enough, the feeling seemed to be reciprocated judging by the huge smile Ronon was sporting. Sheppard pondered momentarily what Dex had been like before becoming a runner. He caught the man's eye and grinned at him. Ronon rolled his eyes and gently set the kids down. They immediately attached themselves to his legs.

"So?"

"Weir's giving us another four hours. What exactly are you doing?"

"Making friends with the locals."

"Really?"

"It's either this or let them keep bugging McKay."

"Ah. Good choice. Think your arms will last another four hours?"

"Yeah, and I'd still have enough strength to kick your scrawny butt."

"My 'scrawny butt'? Where did you hear that phrase?"

Ronon folded his arms across his chest and gazed evenly at Sheppard. "Not telling."

"You realize that all of these Earth people are a bad influence on you, right?"

"You realize you're one of those Earth people, right?"

"Oh, yeah, well, um, hey Teyla, Ren Mikros."

Teyla Emmagan smiled her greeting at the two men as she approached with Mikros, leader of the Gralans. The Ancient database had listed M1X-823 as the location of a research lab. Upon their arrival, Teyla had recognized it as Grala, one of her father's favorite trading partners.

The world was the home of several thousand who lived in small villages on the main continent. Each village was governed by a Ren. The council of Ren met occasionally, but each was allowed to make decisions for the group as a whole in the meantime. A strange way of governing to Sheppard's mind, but it seemed to work for them. Since this village was nearest to the stargate, the Ren of it, Mikros currently, had the most influence regarding trade and was typically considered the leader of the council.

Ren Mikros was an average man, approximately as tall as John but much more round. He had a fringe of grey hair and deep laugh lines matched by twinkling green eyes. As Teyla and Mikros came near, John and Ronon moved to join them, the two children along for the ride.

"Ralnor, Vistry, let go at once. Stop bothering our guests," Mikros scolded.

The children released their grip and ran toward town, stopping to wave at Ronon before disappearing into one of the stores.

"My apologies, Specialist Dex."

"No need. They're just kids."

"Are you enjoying your visit to Grala thus far?

John smiled genuinely. "Indeed we are, Ren Mikros. Your world is beautiful. How are the negotiations coming?"

"We are finished, Colonel," Teyla answered, "and Ren Mikros has invited us to tour one of their leading farming communities. Has Dr. Weir given permission for a longer stay?"

"Yes, she gave us another four hours. We'd love to see your farming community, Ren Mikros, but I don't know if Rodney-"

"I have already radioed Dr. McKay," said Teyla, an amused glint in her eyes. "He insists that he cannot leave his research. Since I am already familiar with the Gralan farming techniques, I have volunteered to stay behind to assist him."

Oh, she was good. Ronon wasn't the only one being influenced apparently. A quick glance at the Satedan told John that revenge would be sweet.

"Really? Well, let me check on him, and then we'll go. I need to let him know that Dr. Weir has allowed us to extend our stay."

The Air Force colonel ducked into the building, followed by the others much to his chagrin. He had hoped to have a word with the physicist without an audience. He wound through the hallways, past dusty rooms and dead plants, until he located the lab.

"McKay?"

Rodney startled at the sound. "Ow! Is it really necessary to sneak up on me like that?"

John bit back a laugh as the scientist emerged from under a console. His upper body was covered in dust and dirt with streaks of sweat carving tiny muddy rivers down his face.

"What?" McKay demanded.

"Having fun?"

Rodney grinned. "Actually, I am. They've got some amazing information in here about ZPM and drone design and development. What did Weir say?"

"You've got another four hours."

"Four? That's the best you could do? That will barely scratch the surface. I need days if not weeks to study all of this."

"I'm sure if everything goes well, you can return another day. Maybe even bring a science team with you. Listen, I know Teyla mentioned the tour of the farming community. I wanted to see if you needed me here for anything. You know, activating systems, stuff like that."

John put on his most hopeful expression and willed McKay to take the hint. Rodney regarded him for a moment with raised eyebrows and a barely concealed smirk.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm good. Teyla's assistance is all I need."

Sheppard caught the gleeful look McKay exchanged with the Athosian. That sneaky little bastard had conspired with her. John hoped they both remembered that paybacks were hell. If they didn't, they were going to find out.

He pasted on a smile and faced Mikros. "Well, that's taken care of. Lead the way, sir."

Sheppard and Ronon trailed after the Gralan leader. Small talk was not exactly at the top of John's skill set, but he did what he could. Mikros was an affable fellow, a bit older and much more mellow than either of the Lanteans, but he had a big laugh and a great love for his people and his world. The Gralans seemed to have a deep respect and admiration for him, calling to him as he led John and Ronon through town.

"Teyla mentioned that her father used to trade here."

"Indeed, Colonel Sheppard. Turghan of Athos was a valued trading partner and a good friend. I see much of him in Teyla."

"What was he like?"

"Turghan was a good man. He believed in fair trade and strong alliances. His word was stronger than any contract could ever be, and he was unswervingly loyal. We were devastated to learn of the culling that took him several years ago and again when news of the decimation of Athos reached us. We feared they had all been lost."

Ronon gave the man a casual glance. "Why didn't you keep trading with the Athosians after Turghan died?"

Mikros grimaced. "We suffered our own culling. It took many years to rebuild and replant our crops. I'm sure Athos was in a similar state."

Ronon nodded. "Many worlds have suffered such a fate at the hands of the Wraith."

"Indeed, Specialist Dex. Teyla tells me you are Satedan."

"That's right."

"Sateda was another highly valued trading partner of ours. Much of our technology was developed with the help of your scientists and engineers."

"Sateda traded with many worlds. I'm not familiar with yours."

Mikros laughed. "Oh, I'm not surprised. I doubt Sateda viewed us the same way. With the advances your people helped bring about many years ago, we became a major food producer, but I'm sure a soldier such as you would have little to do with that. We were greatly grieved when we heard of Sateda's destruction. It pleases me to hear that some of your people survived."

As they reached the northern edge of town, buildings became sporadic until only a meadow covered in wildflowers remained. The three men continued at a leisurely pace as Mikros regaled them with stories of trade negotiations gone bad. John laughed along with him, sharing some of the Lanteans' failed agreements.

After about a half hour walk, a large fence brought an abrupt end to the large meadow they had been crossing. Through the fence, John could see neat rows of vegetation growing. Some plants were large and bushy while others had stalks or shoots. Mikros angled to the right, toward the corner of the fence.

"As you will see, Colonel, we take great pride in our farming abilities. We grow the best produce and grain of any world that I have ever experienced. If you'll excuse me for a moment, I will find Nolar, the head of this community."

As the Gralan leader hurried off, John turned an eye back to the farmland. The fields were a verdant green and laden with fruits and vegetables. He had to admit that the food here was the best of any world they had visited. The lunch they had been served earlier was exquisite. John wasn't normally a big eater, allowing that honor to go to Ronon and Rodney, but he had eaten heartily today.

The Gralans weren't high tech, certainly by Atlantis standards, not even by Earth standards. What they did have seemed to be for farming. The tractor-like vehicles thundered like jet engines as they left the fields. Each had a tall cab with several harvesting mechanisms attached in front. Behind the cab was a large bin, similar to a dump truck, to hold the freshly picked crops. At the very back was a flat bed that carried workers and various farming implements.

Small black piping ran the length of each garden row. Every few feet the pipes had a small spout that vaguely resembled sprinkler heads. The fence was at least ten feet high and impossible to climb on or through, surrounding the plants on all sides. Two gates allowed entrance, the one in front of them and another wider gate for the machines. The gate nearest them stood open. John glanced at Ronon who looked bored out of his skull. Mikros was no where to be seen.

"What do you think all that black pipe is for? Irrigation?"

"How would I know? Do I look like a farmer?"

"Ooooo… channeling Rodney McKay today, are you?"

He chuckled as Ronon growl at him. "Mikros said most of their technology was developed with Satedan help. I thought maybe some of this might look familiar."

"I didn't spend much time in the fields."

The sound of child-like laughter reached John's ears. A closer look through the gate showed three small children playing underneath one of the large, bushy plants. They giggled again and waved at him.

He stepped through the opening onto black soil. As he breathed in the rich scent, he realized how long he'd been living in a city that floated on water. He wandered over to the hiding children and knelt down. Two boys and a girl, all around age five, peered up at him.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Shhhh. Don't tell anyone we're here. We'll get in trouble. We aren't supposed to be near the plants on Melrodin Day," the girl whispered.

"I see. What is Melrodin Day?"

"I don't know exactly. My father told me to never play in the planting fields on Melrodin Day, and that's today."

"Then maybe you should come out from under there."

"But I don't want to. We were having fun."

At the clomping sound behind him, he turned to find Ronon approaching. He knew how silently Dex could move, but the man could definitely make noise when he wanted. Sheppard glimpsed the wide eyes of the children as they stared at the big Satedan.

"I'm John, and this is Ronon. Now, if you'll just-"

"Colonel Sheppard!"

John leapt up, P-90 at ready, at the sound of panic in Mikros' voice.

"You must not be in the planting field! It is Melrodin Day. Hurry!"

Sheppard glanced at Ronon who shrugged as they started forward. The kids darted out from under the plant and raced from the garden.

"I'm sorry, Ren Mikros; we didn't mean any harm. We-"

Before the pilot could utter another word, liquid began to spray from the black spouts, hitting him full in the face. Sputtering, he and Ronon ran out the gate. A bitter taste saturated John's mouth, and he grabbed his canteen with one hand while wiping his burning eyes with the other.

"Sheppard-"

Ronon gasped for breath and staggered, then dropped to his knees, clutching at his throat before sinking limply to the ground. Red splotches covered his face, and John could see his lips swelling and turning blue.

"Ronon!"

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tbc