Épisode Seules contre tous S04E07 - Stargate : Atlantis Saison 4

Teyla retrouve le docteur Keller à l'infirmerie, et lui demande si elle est prête à partir pour le nouveau camp athosien. Keller est plutôt nerveuse, et emmène deux énormes sacs pour une seule nuit (elle emporte également des sucettes pour les enfants). Elle explique à Teyla sa peur de faire mauvaise impression, surtout vue l'affection que les athosiens avaient pour Carson. Teyla la rassure, et les deux femmes se rendent dans la salle d'embarquement. Là, le colonel Sheppard donne à Keller quelques conseils et leur dit au revoir (après avoir remarqué la tenue de Teyla et l'avoir interrogée sur un possible rendez-vous).
Une fois la porte passée, les deux jeunes femmes se retrouvent en pleine forêt. Teyla propose de prendre les bagages de Keller, mais celle-ci refuse poliment (après tout, elle a choisi de prendre tout ça). On a droit à une petite question à propos du rendez-vous de Teyla de la part de Keller et un sourire en guise de réponse. Une fois arrivées au village (on remarque que Teyla a repris les bagages de Keller), les filles sont surprise du calme inhabituel. Teyla sent que quelque chose cloche. Un rapide tour du village montre qu'il n'y a plus personne. Alors que Keller demande à Teyla s'ils auraient pu être attaqué, celle-ci imagine le pire : une collecte des Wraiths.

Générique

Alors que les deux femmes s'interrogent sur la possible implication des Wraiths dans cette disparition étrange, un bruit se fait entendre. Les deux jeunes femmes se cachent, et voient deux hommes habillés à la mode néolithique fouiller les bagages du docteur, laissés sans surveillance. Teyla dit à celle-ci qu'il faut partir rapidement.
Les deux femmes font une pause dans leur fuite, pour que Teyla décide de la marche à suivre. La jeune athosienne juge que la cache d'armes est trop loin, qu'il faut donc retourner à la porte des Etoiles. Elle demande à Keller si elle a amené des armes (elle fouille même dans son médi-kit). Bien sûr, Jennifer n'en a pas, et Teyla n'a que son couteau. Puis Keller l'interroge sur les hommes qu'elles viennent de voir. Teyla explique que ce sont de Bola Kai, des guerriers tribaux très dangereux.
En chemin vers la porte, Jennifer glisse et chute. Elle se foule la cheville. Teyla l'oblige à laisser le médi-kit, dissimulé sous des buissons, car il est trop lourd.
Elles arrivent enfin à la porte, qui est bien entendue gardée par les Bola Kai. Teyla regrette que la cache d'armes soit si loin. Keller lui demande de quelle cache elle parle, donc Teyla lui explique que cette cache a été laissée aux athosiens en cas d'attaque. Keller s'inquiète, les Bola Kai pourraient l'avoir trouvée. Mais Teyla lui répond que si ça avait été le cas, ceux-ci utiliseraient les armes. Teyla est prête à foncer sur les gardes (au grand dam de Keller), mais l'arrivée d'autres Bola Kai la contraint à changer de plan. De plus, ces derniers finissent par les apercevoir et se lancent à leur poursuite.

Teyla et Jennifer se cachent, évitant ainsi leurs poursuivants. On sent l'inquiétude et la frayeur de Jennifer. Teyla, lui explique ce à quoi elles vont devoir faire face : les guerriers tribaux vont les chasser. Leur seule solution pour survivre, est de ne pas se faire attraper, jusqu'à ce qu'Atlantis se rende compte de leur retard et envoie une équipe de secours. Elles décident de reprendre le médi-kit, pour bander le pied endolori de Jennifer, avant d'aller vers la cache d'armes. A ce moment là, des tambours se font entendre. C'est le signal qui marque le début de la chasse.

Teyla et Keller retrouvent le médi-kit. Pendant que Keller prend de l'ibuprofène et se bande la cheville, les deux femmes parlent de McKay et de son affection pour l'ibuprofène, et échangent quelques expériences de leur enfance. Teyla parle d'un rite de passage athosien, où les enfants de dix ans sont envoyés pendant dix jours dans la forêt sans nourriture. Keller elle, parle de ses vacances dans un camp en été, où elle n'est restée que trois jours avant de tomber malade. Le regard de Teyla en dit long sur ce qu'elle pense de cette histoire.
Elles arrivent finalement à la cache d'armes, mais la trouve vide. Vu que ce ne sont pas les guerriers Bola Kai qui les possèdent, la seule explication est que les athosiens en ont eu besoin pendant l'attaque. Mais, ils n'en sont pas sortis victorieux comme le remarque Teyla. La jeune athosienne ne comprend pas : les Bola Kai n'auraient pas pu gagner face aux armes terriennes, alors que s'est il passé ?

Près d'une rivière, Teyla explique qu'il va falloir traverser plus haut pour gagner un refuge pour la nuit. Pour atteindre ce refuge, elles doivent traverser un pont suspendu. Très récalcitrante à cause de sa cheville et de son vertige, Keller finit par commencer la traversée (quand Teyla décide de ne pas l'attendre). A mi-parcours, Keller glisse, et manque de tomber dans la rivière en contrebas. Elle s'accroche jusqu'à ce que Teyla la rattrape, et elles finissent la traversée sans encombre.

Une fois sur l'autre rive, et après avoir remercié Teyla, Keller essaye de lui remonter le moral en espérant que les athosiens aient réussi à s'enfuir. Après tout, elles n'ont trouvé aucun corps, ce qui est forcément un bon signe, non ? Ce à quoi Teyla répond qu'après être passés entre les mains de Bola Kai, il ne reste pas grand-chose des corps.
Keller comprend alors que ces derniers sont cannibales.

Et c'est à ce moment qu'un chakram vient se ficher dans un arbre près de sa tête. Les Bola Kai les attaquent. Teyla se bat contre trois ennemis, en blesse deux, et se met à la poursuite du troisième qui s'enfuit. Elle finit par le rattraper et par l'étrangler. Quand elle revient près de Keller, celle-ci explique qu'un des deux Bola Kai est encore vivant, et le met en joue avec un de leur glaive. Teyla prend l'arme, et achève le blessé sous les yeux horrifiés de Keller. Elle lui explique que c'est un trop grand risque que de faire des prisonniers (plus il y a de Bola Kai morts, moins il en reste pour les pourchasser).

C'est à ce moment qu'un gémissement se fait entendre. La cause est un homme gravement blessé. Teyla veut le laisser (il n'est pas athosien) mais Keller insiste pour le soigner, jurant que ça ne sera pas long.
Comme il va bientôt faire nuit, Teyla se met en cherche du refuge. Elle le trouve rapidement, ainsi qu'une cache contenant divers objets de chasse (cordes, pièges à loup...). Lorsqu'elle retrouve Keller et l'homme inconscient, il fait déjà nuit. A elles deux, elles transportent le blessé jusque dans le refuge.

Dans le refuge, Teyla explique qu'elle a placé des pièges pour prévenir de l'arrivée des Bola Kai. Pendant qu'elles parlent, la terre se déforme près du refuge. Une bête creusant des tunnels se déplace. Teyla l'embroche, et la présente à Keller comme étant leur dîner. Ce qui n'est pas très au goût du médecin, elle trouve la créature (ressemblant beaucoup à une petite pieuvre) peu ragoûtante.

L'homme blessé reprend conscience à cet instant. Il se présente comme Nabel Golan, un genii chargé d'infiltrer la communauté athosienne. Il apprend à Teyla que tous les athosiens sont morts, enlevés par les Wraiths. Wraiths appelés selon Nabel par les Bola Kai. Nabel se montre néanmoins très curieux envers ses sauveuses, si bien que Teyla, méfiante, abrège rapidement la conversation.

Le jour se lève sur New Athos. Keller n'a pas dormi de la nuit et est affamée, alors Teyla lui propose un morceau du " dîner " de la veille. Keller finit laborieusement par avaler une bouchée, visiblement écoeurée. C'est là que Teyla lui parle de Kannan, l'homme qu'elle venait voir pour son rendez-vous. L'émotion dans sa voix est palpable.

Un Bola Kai (avec une sucette dans la bouche) se prend dans un des pièges tendus par Teyla. Nos héroïnes ainsi que Nabel doivent partir.

Sur Atlantis, Ronon s'inquiète de ne pas avoir de nouvelles de Teyla. Il en parle à Sheppard et McKay, et ils décident de la contacter.

Sur New Athos, le groupe fait une pause, Nabel est encore trop faible. Teyla prend Jennifer à part, Nabel les ralenti trop, elles doivent le laisser. Jennifer refuse, car elle sait que Teyla ne propose cette solution que pour la protéger elle. Teyla admet qu'elle se sent responsable de Jennifer. Cette dernière lui réplique qu'elle a choisi elle-même de venir sur Atlantis, qu'il ne faut pas la traiter différemment des autres.
Et c'est là qu'un groupe de Bola Kai les attaque. Elles sont capturées après une lutte acharnée (de Teyla), mais Nabel parvient à s'enfuir.

Sur Atlantis, Sheppard essaye d'établir un contact radio avec Teyla. Sans succès.

Teyla et Jennifer sont enfermées dans une cage dans le camp des Bola Kai. Jennifer s'interroge sur ce qui va se passer pour elles, Teyla lui explique qu'ils vont chercher à obtenir des informations, mais qu'il ne faut rien dire surtout. Keller craque, et se met à pleurer silencieusement. Teyla lui demande d'où elle vient. Alors Keller lui parle de sa région (dans le Wisconsin), de son père. Teyla lui dit qu'elle doit tout faire pour survivre, pour retourner voir son père. Des Bola Kai viennent les chercher donc Teyla dit à Jennifer qu'elle va survivre, qu'elle va retourner chez elle.

Les deux jeunes femmes sont présentées au chef du campement. Il les interroge et veut notamment savoir qui elles sont. Comme Teyla les accuse d'être des adorateurs des Wraiths, le chef la frappe et ordonne à ses hommes de la faire sortir. Il se concentre sur Jennifer. Quand celle-ci est ramenée dans la cage, Teyla la questionne sur ce qu'elle a dit. Jennifer la rassure, elle a donné l'adresse d'une planète inhabitée, pour gagner du temps. Elle en profite pour faire part à Teyla de ses doutes : elle ne pense pas que les Bola Kai soient des adorateurs des Wraiths. Teyla trouve que le timing entre la collecte et leur arrivée est trop juste pour être une coïncidence. Mais elles n'ont pas le temps de finir cette conversation, car un Bola Kai arrive pour prévenir le chef qu'un vaisseau vient de franchir la porte. Les Bola Kai se lancent à sa poursuite, laissant quelques hommes pour garder les prisonnières.

Dans le Jumper, Ronon explique à Sheppard et McKay qui sont les Bola Kai qui gardaient la porte. Il les considère comme primitifs, mais McKay s'inquiète : les flèches peuvent blesser ! " Seulement, répond Ronon, si on s'en prend une dans les fesses ! "
Comme la plupart des signes de vie sont dans les bois, ils vont continuer à pieds.

Dans le camp Bola Kai, Nabel attaque et tue les deux Bola Kai qui étaient restés (et qui ont définitivement adopté la sucette !), grâce à son arme qu'il avait laissé dans une cachette. Il libère nos deux héroïnes, et les trois s'enfuient (les bruits d'armes à feu peuvent avoir été entendus des Bola Kai). Ils se reposent plus loin (vu qu'apparemment aucun Bola Kai ne les pourchasse). Nabel frappe Teyla, et menace Jennifer avec son arme, il veut l'adresse d'Atlantis.

Sheppard, Ronon et Rodney sortent du Jumper et choisissent une direction au hasard (il y a des signes vitaux de tous les côtés !).

Toujours tenue en joue par Nabel, Jennifer comprend que c'est lui l'adorateur des Wraiths. Qu'il est responsable de la disparition, si ce n'est de la mort, des athosiens. Il réplique en disant qu'il a aussi menti sur cette partie. Jennifer est abasourdie, mais Nabel ne propose ses informations que contre l'adresse d'Atlantis. Teyla profite de son inattention pour le faire tomber. Puis Jennifer saute sur lui et reprend son arme. Elle le met en joue, le menaçant de tirer. Lui reste incrédule, disant qu'elle soigne les gens, qu'elle ne les tue pas. Elle accepte cette vérité, mais réplique froidement qu'il lui faut quelque chose à soigner et, joignant le geste à la parole, elle lui tire dans la jambe. Puis, elle détache Teyla (qui avait toujours les mains liées depuis la fuite du camp). Teyla menace Nabel avec l'arme qu'elle a récupérée, elle veut des réponses. Mais les Bola Kai arrivent (en visant encore un arbre !). Ils se retrouvent sont encerclés !

Heureusement, Sheppard, Ronon et McKay arrivent à ce moment précis. Ils tirent sur les Bola Kai, qui s'enfuient. Teyla leur explique que les athosiens ont disparu. Et Nabel aussi ! Avant de pouvoir le chercher, les Bola Kai arrosent nos héros d'une pluie de flèches, au grand désespoir de McKay. Nos héros se replient vers le Jumper.

On retrouve Teyla à l'infirmerie, et John à son chevet. Il lui donne des nouvelles de New Athos : les Bola Kai sont partis. Les atlantes cherchent des indices sur le sort des athosiens. Et Nabel est introuvable. Teyla pense qu'il s'est échappé par la porte, John qu'il est mort. Teyla montre sa détermination à retrouver son peuple. Keller arrive avec une attelle au pied, et John décide de les laisser seules. Keller remercie Teyla ; grâce à elle, elle va pouvoir retourner chez elle sur Terre quelques jours. Teyla lui demande quand elle pourra sortir, elle se sait en bonne santé. Keller est d'accord, mais après avoir fait des tests, elle a quelque chose d'important à lui dire...

ATLANTIS. Teyla Emmagan walks into the Infirmary where Jennifer Keller is packing a medical kit.

TEYLA: Are you ready? They're preparing to dial the Gate.

KELLER: Uh, yeah. Almost finished.

(She zips the kit closed, then she and Teyla look across to the next bed on which is a large bag which look like it's stuffed full.)

KELLER: I know. I'm terrible at packing. I never know how much to bring.

TEYLA: We are only going overnight. I'm sure you have enough.

KELLER (fetching even more stuff from a cabinet): Well, you'd think so, but ...

TEYLA: You seem nervous.

KELLER: Oh, no. I'm fine. ... Well, maybe a little. Going offworld is still kinda new to me. Whole other galaxy and meeting new civilisations ...

TEYLA: My people are *very* welcoming and they're eager to meet you.

KELLER: Well, I'm eager to meet them too; learn about their culture and their history.

TEYLA: A gesture for which they will be most grateful.

KELLER: It's just, I know they were very fond of Carson. I only hope to make half the impression he did.

(She picks up a large plastic container and puts it into a third bag. Teyla points to the contents of the container.)

TEYLA: What are those?

KELLER: Oh, lollipops – for the kids. Makes the check-ups go easier.

TEYLA: You will make a *wonderful* impression.

(Jennifer smiles, reassured.)

GATEROOM. Teyla and Jennifer walk in, Teyla wearing her long leather coat, while Jennifer is carrying the two large bags and is wearing the medical kit as a backpack. John looks down at them from the Control Room balcony.

SHEPPARD (to Teyla): Ooh! Look at you! Got a date?

TEYLA (rolling her eyes): Please! You will contact us if you need us?

SHEPPARD: Oh, we'll be fine. You kids have fun. (To Jennifer)

You're gonna love the Athosians.

KELLER: I'm gonna experience my first Tendol Feast.

SHEPPARD: Oh, those are good, but watch out for the, um ... what do you call it?

TEYLA: Ruus wine.

SHEPPARD: Ruus wine. Tasty stuff, but hell of a kick.

TEYLA (smiling): We really should be going.

SHEPPARD: Have fun, kids!

(Teyla and Jennifer enter the Gate.)

NEW ATHOS. The girls exit the Gate, Jennifer looking around at the forest they have arrived in. Teyla turns to her.

TEYLA: The settlement is through the woods.

KELLER: Lead the way.

(Teyla looks at the load that Jennifer's carrying and reaches for one of the bags.)

TEYLA: It is some distance. Let me help you with those.

KELLER: Oh, no, no. It's OK. I'm the idiot who over-packed; I should be the idiot carrying them.

(Teyla smiles and leads her away from the Gate.)

KELLER: So Sheppard was right, huh? About that hot date tonight?!

(Teyla grins, but doesn't reply.)

LATER. The girls reach the outskirts of the Athosian settlement.

Somewhere on their walk Jennifer has given up and has allowed Teyla to take both of the large bags.

KELLER: I didn't think it would be this far.

(They walk on a little, Teyla looking around a little anxiously.)

KELLER: Is it always this quiet?

TEYLA: Something is wrong.

(She drops the bags and walks towards the village.)

TEYLA (calling out): Hello?

(When there's no reply, she breaks into a run as she enters the village.)

TEYLA (calling out): Hello? Is anybody here?

(She looks into a tent but there's no-one there and nobody replies to her calls.)

KELLER: Where is everyone?

TEYLA: I do not know, but they did not leave of their own accord.

KELLER: Are you saying they were attacked?

(Teyla looks around in dread.)

TEYLA: Or culled.

OPENING TITLES. RESUME.

KELLER: I thought the Wraith didn't know about this planet.

TEYLA: That was my understanding as well.

KELLER: Then how could they just ...

(Teyla holds up her hand to silence her as she hears rustling nearby.)

KELLER (quietly): What is it?

(Teyla beckons to her and they hurry to take cover behind a small stand of trees. A couple of men come into view on the other side of the village as they make their way out of the forest.)

KELLER: Do you know them?

(The men get closer. Teyla looks at them as they stop to examine the bags lying on the ground. The men have long unkempt hair and are wearing leather and furs.)

TEYLA: We must leave.

KELLER (nervously): OK.

(They hurry away and make their way into the forest. Teyla beckons the way.)

TEYLA: Over here.

(They take cover behind a large tree trunk and Teyla looks around.)

TEYLA: The weapons cache is too far.

KELLER: What?

TEYLA: We'd better make a run for the Gate.

(She turns to Jennifer and starts pulling her backpack off.)

KELLER: What are you ... what are you looking for?

TEYLA (unzipping the backpack): Did you bring a weapon?

KELLER: No. That's just medical supplies. Don't *you* have a weapon?

(Teyla pulls a knife out of her boot.)

TEYLA: Just a knife. I was coming to visit my people – I did not believe I would need a gun.

KELLER: Who *are* those men?

TEYLA: Bola Kai.

KELLER: You know them?

TEYLA (still rummaging through the backpack): I know *of* them. The markings on their faces are distinctive to their tribe but I have never crossed paths with them – until now.

KELLER: Are they dangerous?

(Teyla finds a large scalpel and holds it up.)

TEYLA: Beyond dangerous. Let's go.

(Jennifer puts the backpack on again and they hurry away. They reach a steep incline. Teyla scrambles up it with little difficulty but Jennifer, less fit and weighed down by her backpack, struggles as she attempts to climb it. Partway up, she loses her footing and falls backwards, rolling over as she tumbles back down to the bottom. She clutches at her right ankle in pain. Teyla scrambles back down again.)

TEYLA: Are you all right?

KELLER: I twisted my ankle.

TEYLA: We have to keep moving.

KELLER: Just hang on a sec.

(She feels her ankle carefully.)

TEYLA: Is it broken?

KELLER: No, I don't think so. It's probably just sprained.

(Teyla helps her to her feet.)

TEYLA: Leave the bag. It's too heavy.

(As Jennifer hobbles towards the incline, Teyla takes the backpack to the foot of a tree and covers it with foliage before following Jennifer.)

LATER. Teyla is helping Jennifer to hobble through the forest. They see the Stargate a short distance away but stop when they see it is guarded by a couple of Bola Kai. Teyla urges Jennifer behind some cover.

KELLER: Oh, God. What do we do?

TEYLA: It is too risky to return to the weapons cache.

KELLER: What weapons cache?

TEYLA: We gave my people guns to protect themselves in the event they were raided.

KELLER: Well, what makes you think the guns would still be there?

Wouldn't that be the first thing those guys would steal?

(Teyla looks out at the men guarding the Gate. One of them is holding a crossbow.)

TEYLA: If the Bola Kai stole them, they would be using them. But the weapons cache is too far, especially in your condition, and we have no idea how many more Bola Kai are out there.

(She bends down and takes her knife out of her boot again. She had also tucked the scalpel in there and now hands it to Jennifer.)

TEYLA: Our best option is to take out these guards by ourselves.

KELLER: Take them out?! What are you talking about?! How're we gonna do that?!

TEYLA: I don't know yet.

KELLER: Hey, listen. I am not like you. I don't know anything about fighting.

(Teyla looks around and finds a stout short stick.)

TEYLA: Just do what I say.

KELLER: I want to, believe me, but I – I don't think I can.

(She looks at the scalpel, almost sobbing in fear.)

TEYLA: You must think otherwise. What we first need to do is to create ...

(She stops as she sees that the Bola Kai are moving away from the Gate towards them. The men look around, apparently aware that someone is out there. Teyla grabs Jennifer's arm and they hurry away. One of the men sees movement, beckons to his colleague and they give chase. The men run for a while and then reach an outcropping over a river. They stand at the edge and look around, seeing no-one. As they turn away, we see that the girls have someone managed to scramble down the rock and are squatting in a small opening several feet below the men. Teyla has her hand over Jennifer's mouth to keep her quiet. The men walk away.)

TEYLA: They are gone.

(She takes her hand from Jennifer's mouth. Jennifer's eyes are wide.)

TEYLA: Are you all right?

(Jennifer fights back tears.)

KELLER: I'm sorry.

TEYLA: I know this is something for which you are unprepared.

KELLER: I *should* be prepared, I know.

TEYLA: Unfortunately, I am afraid things may get worse before they get better. Those guards will alert the others to our situation.

They will hunt us. The longer we avoid capture, the better our chances. They will continue to guard the Gate, yes, but in time Atlantis will realise we are late and they will send a rescue team.

KELLER: But we're not due back `til tomorrow.

TEYLA: It is therefore critical that we elude capture until then.

What do you need to help your injury?

KELLER: Well, I should probably wrap it but the bandages are in the medical kit.

TEYLA: The kit is on the way to the weapons cache. Hopefully it'll still be where we ...

(She stops as a slow single drumbeat begins to sound.)

KELLER: What is that?

TEYLA: They are summoning the others, gathering them. The hunt is beginning.

(She picks up her stick and lays it across her lap as the drumbeat continues.)

LATER. The girls have made their way back down the incline. Teyla pulls the foliage off the medical backpack and takes it over to Jennifer.

KELLER: Oh, thank God.

TEYLA: We must move quickly.

KELLER: I will.

(Teyla checks the area while Jennifer unzips the bag and takes out a bottle of pills. Teyla looks round as the bottle rattles.)

KELLER: Ibuprofen. Helps with the pain and swelling.

TEYLA: Yes. Doctor McKay uses them frequently, along with antihistamines, antacids, motion sickness pills ...

KELLER: You forgot the prescription I just wrote him for restless leg syndrome.

(She unlaces her boot and takes it off.)

KELLER: I've always been a wimp. Got a low threshold for pain.

(She eases her sock off and starts to wrap a bandage around her foot.)

TEYLA: People often underestimate the level of discomfort they are capable of enduring. When I was a child, several of us were sent into the woods for ten days, alone.

KELLER: Ten days alone?!

TEYLA: It was a rite of passage among my people. No food, no water, forced to survive on our own. None of us believed we could endure it but all of us did.

KELLER: I went to summer camp. There were other kids; we had cabins – with beds ... and electricity ... and food.

TEYLA: I see.

KELLER: I didn't even make it three days. Got homesick; called my parents to come and get me.

(Teyla nods and walks away from her a little, her face filled with dread at what's she's going to have to cope with while travelling with a companion who's going to be useless.)

LATER. Teyla, now wearing the backpack and carrying her stout stick, runs to a partially covered hole in the ground. She stops and turns away in frustration when she sees that the covering has been removed and the hole is empty. Jennifer hobbles over.

KELLER: The weapons cache?

(Teyla nods.)

KELLER: Well, where are the weapons? I mean, obviously the Bola Kai don't have them.

TEYLA: My people must have needed them to fight off the attack. But then why were they not successful? The Bola Kai's weapons would have been no match against these.

LATER. The girls have travelled to the edge of the river. Teyla points to the other side.

TEYLA: Over there.

KELLER: What?

TEYLA: There is a blind across the river.

KELLER: A blind?

TEYLA: For hunting. It is well hidden. It will provide shelter for the night.

(She leads Jennifer a little way along the river until they reach a rope bridge. Jennifer stares at it in horror.)

KELLER: We're gonna cross *that*?!

TEYLA: It is the quickest way across.

KELLER: Oh, you've gotta be kidding me.

(She hobbles closer and looks at it. It's a simple bridge with a single large strand to walk on, and two more large strands coming up in a V-shape either side for handholds.)

TEYLA: My people built it. It is quite safe.

KELLER: Oh, I'm – I'm sure it is. It's just ... well, my ankle ...

and I've also got this inner ear thing – we call it vertigo – and ...

(She stares across the bridge in dread.)

KELLER: Oh, God, *look* at it!

(Teyla turns to Jennifer, looking at her sternly.)

TEYLA: There comes a point in adversity when fear disappears, leaving only the will to survive.

KELLER: I know. It's just, I don't think I'm even *remotely* close to that point.

(She smiles at Teyla nervously. Teyla looks back at her, her face impassive.)

TEYLA: Fine. Stay here then.

(She walks onto the bridge.)

KELLER: Oh, wh... well, wait! I mean, I ... I'm sure I could ...

(she looks around) ... I could climb down and find a ... shallow spot in the river to cross. I mean, it might take me a little longer but ...

(She turns and looks at the bridge again. Her eyes widen as she sees that Teyla is already almost halfway across.)

KELLER: Teyla?! Teyla!

(Terrified, she realises she has no choice but to cross the bridge.)

KELLER: Oh God.

(Whimpering, she puts her foot onto the bridge.)

KELLER: Here we go.

(She blows out a breath and hesitantly starts to walk forward.)

KELLER (to herself): It's perfectly safe. Perfectly safe.

(As she progresses a few paces forward, the bridge begins to sway with each step she takes.)

KELLER: Wobbly. Too wobbly.

(She glances up to see that Teyla has almost reached the other side, then looks down and concentrates on putting her feet carefully onto the rope as she continues forward. After a while, she reaches the three-quarters distance.)

KELLER: Almost there.

(As she smiles with growing confidence, her foot promptly slips and she loses her footing. She grabs onto the handrail, screaming.

Losing her grip on that, she clings to a rope attaching the handrail to the bottom rope, then grabs onto the bottom rope. She continues to scream and wail as she tries to hang on – then Teyla is there, grabs her hand firmly and hauls her up. Jennifer gets her feet back onto the bottom rope and they make their way to the other side.

Jennifer stops to catch her breath, and looks at Teyla gratefully as she turns to look at her.)

KELLER: Thank you.

TEYLA (nodding to her): Come on.

(They continue onwards, Teyla leading the way.)

KELLER: Maybe your people managed to make it to the Gate and escape.

TEYLA: All of them?

KELLER: Well, I don't know. Maybe. I mean, we haven't found any bodies, right? From what you said, I doubt the Bola Kai would take the time to bury their victims.

TEYLA: No. They do not. Because when they are done with their victims, usually very little remains.

KELLER: What are you telling me – they're cannibals?!

(Teyla turns to look at her silently. Jennifer looks back, then her eyes widen and she gasps as a round serrated metal weapon thunks into the tree trunk just in front of her. She turns and looks in the direction the weapon came from. A Bola Kai runs into view on the ridge above them, aiming another weapon at her. As she stands there uselessly, Teyla throws herself at her and knocks her out of the way. As the man jumps down from the ridge, Teyla wrestles her backpack off, then jumps up and, holding her stick in one hand and her knife in the other, walks forward. Two other Bola Kai move in and the three of them circle her, at least one of them wielding a large two-headed axe while the others have large knives and a club.

Jennifer, still kneeling on the ground, scrambles around until she finds her scalpel, then holds it up, trembling. The men charge at Teyla and they fight. Teyla's superior skills come into their own and after several seconds she has knocked two of them down and one of them has dropped the axe. She snatches it up and slams it viciously into the stomach of the third man, killing him. As Jennifer stares in horror, Teyla grabs her stick from the ground again and stands up. One of the other two is running away while the other one is still on the ground, unconscious or winded. Teyla turns to Jennifer.)

TEYLA: Are you all right?

KELLER: Yeah.

TEYLA: Stay here.

(She races off in pursuit of the man who ran away.)

KELLER: What? Teyla? Teyla!

(Teyla charges after the man as he runs through the forest. Seeing the route that he is taking, she swerves off to the right. As he continues to run, she manages to get ahead of him and, as he passes a tree, she is already behind it and jabs her stick out from it at knee level, tripping him over. As he groans and tries to rise, she walks over, kneels onto his back and pulls her stick across his throat, gripping it with both hands as she tugs backwards on it. The man struggles to crawl away, gagging, but Teyla hangs on grimly until the man slumps dead, his throat crushed. She stands up, glares down at him for a moment, then walks away.)

(Back at the riverside, Jennifer limps forward nervously as the not- dead Bola Kai starts to revive. She scrambles forward and picks up his long knife, then hops back, holding it before her with both hands as he starts to drag himself up. She looks at the knife in terror, completely unconvinced that she can use it if the man comes at her, but then Teyla arrives. Jennifer points with the knife to the other man on the ground.)

KELLER: That one's dead, but *he's* still alive.

(Teyla takes the knife from her as the man continues to groan as he tries to straighten up. She walks towards him and slashes the knife across his throat. As he cries out and crumples to the ground, Jennifer cringes away, then turns back and looks in horror at Teyla as she drops the knife to the ground and turns back to her.)

TEYLA: We cannot afford to take prisoners.

KELLER: Well, we could ... we could have tied him up and left him in the woods.

TEYLA: Then the others would have found him and released him to rejoin the hunt. I know it is difficult to accept but the fewer of them, the better our chances of survival.

(Jennifer nods, understanding Teyla's reasons but unhappy about the killings. Just then, the girls hear groaning coming from a short distance away. Teyla bends and picks up the long knife again, then runs in the direction of the sound. Jennifer follows her and they find a man lying on the ground. His hair is short, his clothing is different from the other men and he has no markings on his face, so he doesn't appear to be a Bola Kai. His hands are bound in front of him and he is alternately groaning and whimpering in pain.)

KELLER: His hands are tied. He must have been a prisoner.

(She bends down to take a closer look, while Teyla checks the surrounding area. The man has a bloody wound across his stomach.)

KELLER: He's got a stab wound to his abdomen. Will you get me my medical kit?

TEYLA: We have to leave him.

KELLER: What are you talking about? He's one of your people.

TEYLA: He is *not* Athosian.

KELLER: But, his clothes.

TEYLA: I have never seen him before.

KELLER (gesturing back towards the dead Bola Kai): Well, he's obviously not one of them, and if I don't suture his wound, he's gonna bleed to death.

TEYLA: More Bola Kai will be here very soon.

KELLER (nodding determinedly): I know, but this won't take long, OK?

Please?

(Teyla looks down at the young man as he groans, his eyes glazed with pain. Unhappily, but knowing that Jennifer won't leave him, she goes to fetch the medical kit.)

LATER. Jennifer has sutured the man's wound and has dressed it. He appears to have lapsed into unconsciousness.

KELLER: Well, I got the bleeding under control. If the wound doesn't get infected, he should be OK.

TEYLA: It will be dark soon. Stay here with him: I will find the blind.

KELLER (nervously): Uh, is it far?

TEYLA: No.

(She walks away. Jennifer glances at her patient, whose eyes are still closed, then looks around the forest anxiously.)

(Teyla trots along the pathway, checking bushes which line the path for any sign of recent disturbance. She reaches the blind – a small hut covered with foliage – and pulls away the branches covering its entrance. She looks inside for a moment, then turns to a covered hole nearby. Pulling away the branches covering it, she lifts the lid. Apparently the Athosians use this as a storage space for things they'll need while hunting but there's not much in there now apart from rope and some traps. She drops the lid down, then heads back towards Jennifer.)

KELLER: Did you find it?

TEYLA: Yes. (She looks down at the man.) How is he?

KELLER: Unconscious, but stable.

TEYLA: Can he be moved?

KELLER: Oh, I don't know. He *shouldn't* be. His condition's precarious – I would hate ...

(She trails off when she sees Teyla's expression.)

KELLER: Yes, he can be moved.

(Teyla nods at her, and they walk towards the man.)

LATER. Night has now fallen, and Teyla and Jennifer have managed to carry the man to the blind. Jennifer has lit a small lamp and hung it up. Teyla comes in with a leather bag and hands it to her.

TEYLA: Water from the river.

KELLER: Thank you.

(She tilts the bag down to the man's mouth.)

TEYLA: I have laid traps around the perimeter. If any Bola Kai come near, hopefully we will hear them before they discover us.

KELLER: Good.

(The man's eyes flutter as he swallows the water.)

TEYLA (to Jennifer): How's your ankle?

KELLER: The swelling's not too bad and the pain's eased up, thanks to the painkillers.

TEYLA: If you wish to sleep, I can ...

(She stops as she hears movement nearby. She frowns and peers out into the darkness.)

KELLER: What?

(Teyla points into the darkness. There's movement out there, as if something is moving very close to the ground. Teyla creeps out, picking up a spear which either she collected from one of the dead Bola Kai or which she has made since then. She walks towards the movement and looks down. Something is burrowing its way towards the blind just underneath the ground. She waits until it is almost at her feet, then stabs her spear down into the ground. Jennifer cringes as something squelches unpleasantly. Teyla pulls her spear out of the ground and impaled on the end of it is a nasty looking beastie resembling a squid.)

KELLER: What is that?!

(Teyla brings it back into the blind, smiling.)

TEYLA: Dinner. They are attracted to the warmth of our bodies.

(She lies the beastie on the ground and cuts along its length and then, using the tip of her knife, lifts out some of its innards. She offers the knife to Jennifer.)

TEYLA: The taste leaves much to be desired but it will sustain you.

KELLER (cringing): Oh, uh, no, thanks. I'm not hungry.

TEYLA: You should eat.

KELLER (grimacing): This was my least favourite part of "Survivor." (Looking at her in annoyance, Teyla picks the meat off the knife and drops it into her own mouth. Just then, the man groans.)

KELLER: He's regaining consciousness.

(The girls go over to him.)

KELLER: It's OK. You're safe now.

TEYLA: Who are you?

NABEL (weakly): Nabel Golan – of the Genii.

TEYLA: The Genii?! What are you doing here?

NABEL: I was planted to work inside the Athosian community, to gather intel.

TEYLA: What happened to them?

NABEL: Dead – all of them.

TEYLA: Who killed my people?

NABEL: Wraith. A culling – the entire settlement.

KELLER: Not the Bola Kai?

NABEL: Bola Kai were the ones who told the Wraith about them.

TEYLA: The Bola Kai are Wraith worshippers?

NABEL (nodding): I was able to escape during the attack but I was cut off from the Gate. Bola Kai were guarding it. They captured me.

TEYLA: I have never seen you before. How long have you lived among my people?

NABEL: I only arrived a few days ago.

(Grimacing, he lifts his head and looks around the blind. He sees a small Ancient device lying nearby, its screen switched on – perhaps to illuminate the blind a little. He squints up at Jennifer.)

NABEL: Where are you from?

TEYLA: She's a friend of mine from another world.

NABEL: Your equipment – it looks Ancestral.

TEYLA: We discovered it on our travels. We've been away for some time, trading.

NABEL: Trading? With who?

(Teyla smiles down at him unpleasantly.)

TEYLA: If you are still seeking "intel," then you are wasting what few breaths you have remaining, so say, "thank you for saving me," and be done with this discussion.

(Nabel realises from her expression that he had better do what she says.)

NABEL: Thank you for saving me.

(Teyla stands up abruptly and storms out of the blind.)

MORNING. Nabel is asleep. Teyla and Jennifer sit nearby, Jennifer gazing out of the doorway and Teyla watching Nabel, but now she turns to Jennifer.

TEYLA: You have not slept all night.

KELLER: With people trying to kill us, and creatures crawling around under the ground? (She looks away.) Not to mention I'm starving.

(Teyla digs another lump of meat out of the beastie with her knife and offers it to her.)

KELLER: Not *that* starving.

TEYLA: It will give you strength.

KELLER: It will make me puke.

TEYLA: You do not believe you are capable of eating it, and so you do not.

KELLER: No – I think it's disgusting and so I do not.

TEYLA: I have a friend like you – afraid to challenge himself.

KELLER: I'm not afraid of challenges.

(Teyla looks at her, her eyebrows raised.)

KELLER: I signed up to be Chief of Medicine on an expedition in a whole other galaxy. That's about as challenging as it gets. But eating gross food: sorry, but that's where I draw the line.

TEYLA: Fair enough.

(She looks away. Jennifer looks at the knife which she is still holding out. She grimaces, then hesitantly lifts her hand a little.

Teyla sees the movement and lifts the knife towards her, offering the meat. Cringing, Jennifer picks up the meat and holds it up, her face full of dread. Eventually she closes her eyes and puts the meat in her mouth, chewing it with a face full of disgust.)

TEYLA: See? No puking.

KELLER: Yet.

(Teyla leans down to cut some more meat.)

KELLER: So, this friend of yours – one of your team members? A certain uptight astro-physicist, maybe?

TEYLA: No. Athosian. His name is Kannan. A natural leader, but he isn't aware of it. Burdened by an overly-cautious nature. (She looks down sadly.)

KELLER: He's more than a friend, isn't he? He's the one you were coming to see – on a hot date.

(Teyla looks away, sighing.)

KELLER: Sorry – it's none of my business. I should just learn to shut up.

TEYLA: We have known each other since childhood, but only recently condoled more than a friendship. (She looks at Jennifer.) I have not told anyone yet.

KELLER (sympathetically): I'm so sorry.

TEYLA: We need more water.

(Sniffling, she gets up and leaves the blind. Nearby, a Bola Kai is creeping around. He must have gone through the bags that the girls left outside the Athosian settlement, as he has a lollipop stuck in his mouth and is sucking on it as he prowls around. He sees Teyla as she stands up. He aims his crossbow at her but loses a clear shot as she moves away. He goes to follow her but puts his foot into a mantrap which viciously snaps closed over his leg. He screams.

Teyla turns and runs back into the blind as the man continues to scream.)

TEYLA: We have to leave.

(She shakes Nabel awake as Jennifer gathers the medical kit together.)

NABEL: What happened?

TEYLA: Can you walk?

KELLER: I don't even think he can stand.

TEYLA: Very soon many more Bola Kai will be here.

NABEL: It's all right. I can walk.

(Clutching his stomach, he drags himself to his feet and the three of them leave the blind.)

ATLANTIS. John is walking along a corridor with Rodney McKay.

SHEPPARD: Mr Freeze. No! King Tut.

McKAY: Wrong on both. Otto Preminger was Mr Freeze; Victor Buono was King Tut; Vincent Price was Egghead.

SHEPPARD: Egghead! Right!

McKAY: OK, so: Cliff Robertson.

SHEPPARD: Oh, I know this one. Played the cowboy, right?

McKAY: Mmm.

(Ronon Dex joins them.)

DEX: Hey. Did Teyla and Keller get back?

SHEPPARD: Haven't heard from them yet.

DEX: They're late.

SHEPPARD: Doesn't sound like Teyla.

DEX: No, it doesn't.

McKAY: Well, she had that big feast last night. Maybe she did too much celebrating and needs to sleep it off.

(He smiles. Ronon looks at him.)

DEX: Yeah, that sounds like Teyla(!)

(Rodney's smile fades.)

SHEPPARD: Let's give her a call.

(The three of them start to walk towards the Gateroom. John clicks his fingers.)

SHEPPARD: Shane.

DEX: What is?

SHEPPARD: Cliff Robertson. The villain he played – Shane.

McKAY: Very good. Shelley Winters.

DEX: What the hell are you talking about?

NEW ATHOS. Teyla and Jennifer have Nabel's arms slung over their shoulders as they help him along. Teyla is wearing the medical backpack and is carrying her trusty stick with her free hand. Nabel grunts in pain.

NABEL: I need to rest.

(He pulls his arms down and, clutching his wound, stumbles to the side of the path and drops to the ground, grimacing in agony. Teyla walks a few paces away. Jennifer hobbles after her.)

TEYLA (quietly): He is slowing us down and he is making your ankle injury worse.

KELLER: Well, if we leave him behind, the Bola Kai are gonna capture him.

TEYLA: If we continue this way, we will *all* be captured.

KELLER: Look, I'm the first to admit I'm not very good at certain things. I'm not athletic, can't cook, and you don't even wanna hear me try to play the piano, but I do think I'm a pretty good judge of character and I know that you would never sacrifice an innocent man – not even if he was a complete stranger – to save yourself. Which means the only reason you would even suggest it would be because of *me*.

TEYLA: I brought you here. This is *my* responsibility. If anything should happen to you ...

KELLER: I signed up for this, all right? All of it. I may not have had any idea what I was getting into, but that makes me no different from anybody else on Atlantis.

(Teyla turns as she hears movement nearby.)

TEYLA: I'm glad you feel that way.

KELLER: Oh yeah, I know, I know. Before this is all over, I'm gonna have to find all the courage I can muster.

(Teyla sees several Bola Kai running through the trees nearby, heading in their direction.)

TEYLA: Actually, you're gonna need to find it right now.

(Taking the backpack off and tossing it to the side, she bends and pulls her knife out of her boot, holding her stick with the other as the men surround them.)

KELLER: Oh, God.

(This time there are more than just three men for Teyla to deal with – there are at least half a dozen if not more. She squats down as the first couple of men come at her, slashing at their legs with her knife and her stick. More rush in and she gives of her best, hacking and slashing at them while avoiding injury herself. Nearby, Nabel watches in terror, then turns and crawls away. Teyla manages to take down a couple of the men but one gets in a lucky punch across her face. As the impetus spins her around, another man swipes her legs from under her with a club. As she drops to the ground, a couple of men grab Jennifer's arms and start to drag her away. She whimpers in terror.)

KELLER: Teyla!

(One of Teyla's attackers grabs her arm to pull her up. She swings her legs around and kicks his feet from under him. As he falls, another man rushes towards her. Lying on her back, she lifts her legs, wraps her ankles around his neck and uses them to hurl him over her head. She scrambles to her feet and goes at the men again but one of them clubs her across the face and she drops, unconscious.

The men pick her up and drag her away.)

ATLANTIS. John, Rodney and Ronon are on the balcony of the Control Room. The Stargate is open.

SHEPPARD: Teyla? This is Atlantis, do you read?

(He exchanges a concerned look with Rodney when there's no reply.)

SHEPPARD: Teyla, this is Sheppard, come in.

McKAY: She wouldn't turn off her radio.

DEX: No, she wouldn't.

SHEPPARD: Calling anyone in the Athosian settlement. This is Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard. Do you copy?

(On New Athos, John's voice comes over Teyla's radio. It and the contents of the medical kit have been strewn across the forest floor in a clearing where the Bola Kai have set up camp. Nobody is near enough to hear the transmission.)

SHEPPARD's VOICE: Teyla, this is Sheppard. Please respond.

(Some distance away, Teyla and Jennifer are sitting inside a low wooden cage with their hands tied to the roof. The Bola Kai are going about their business all around them.)

KELLER: What are they gonna do to us?

TEYLA: They will try to extricate information. We must tell them nothing.

(Jennifer stares at her in dread.)

TEYLA (sternly): Doctor Keller, the lives of everyone in Atlantis are at stake.

KELLER (tremulously): I know. (A tear trickles down her cheek.) I'm sorry.

(Teyla looks at her more sympathetically.)

TEYLA: Where are you from?

KELLER: What?

TEYLA: Your home.

KELLER: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Little town.

TEYLA: Do you have any family?

KELLER: Just my dad. My mom died a few years back TEYLA: I'm sorry. You must miss him.

KELLER (tearfully): I'm all he's got left.

TEYLA: Then you must do everything you can to survive – to return home. You must ...

(She stops as two men approach the cage. Jennifer looks at them in dread. Teyla looks at her sternly again.)

TEYLA: You *will* survive. You *will* return home. Do you understand?

(Jennifer cringes as the men release the bindings tying the girls to the roof of the cage. They slide the door open, take them out and march them to a nearby tent. The girls' hands are still bound in front of them. The men push the girls down onto their knees in front of the leader of the Bola Kai. He holds up an Ancient scanner which was obviously found in the medical kit.)

OMAL: Who are you?

TEYLA: I am Athosian.

(Omal stands and walks closer to the girls. He looks at the scanner again.)

OMAL: I don't believe you.

TEYLA: I do not care *what* you believe.

(Omal backhands her across the face, then looks down at Jennifer, who cringes under his gaze.)

OMAL: The longer you are silent, the worse it will be for you.

TEYLA: I told you – we are Athosian, and you will suffer for what you have done to our people.

OMAL: What *we've* done?

TEYLA: You murdered them – an entire village.

OMAL: That village was deserted when we arrived.

TEYLA: Deserted because it was culled by the Wraith; Wraith who were brought here by you.

OMAL: Do you know who we are?

TEYLA: You are Bola Kai.

OMAL: Then you know we are hunted by the Wraith like everyone else.

TEYLA: Unless you are Wraith worshippers.

(Omal hisses angrily and punches her hard in the face, knocking her almost unconscious.)

OMAL (to his men): Get her out of here!

(The men come in and drag her away. He bends down to Jennifer threateningly.)

OMAL: I'm willing to spare her life if you tell me who you are.

(Jennifer stares at him in dread, her eyes full of tears.)

LATER. Teyla is back in the cage and looks as two men march Jennifer towards her. They lift the door of the cage and shove her inside before lowering the door and chaining it shut. Jennifer has a nasty cut on her lower lip.

TEYLA: Did you tell them anything?

KELLER: They said they would kill you.

TEYLA: You told them about Atlantis?!

KELLER: No! I gave them a Gate address – an uninhabited planet – just to throw them off, buy us more time, like you said.

(Teyla nods her approval.)

KELLER: I don't think they're Wraith worshippers.

(Teyla frowns, puzzled.)

KELLER: That guy in there – he seemed genuinely surprised when you accused him of working with the Wraith. Why would he deny it if it was true? I would think that would provide an even more effective threat to get us to talk.

TEYLA (sarcastically): So they just happened to arrive here moments after the settlement was culled? I find that a coincidence ...

(She trails off as a man runs into the camp and heads for Omal's tent, who comes out to meet him.)

MAN: Something just came through the Portal. A flying ship of some kind, but it disappeared before we could do anything.

OMAL (pointing to two other men): You two: watch them.

(One of his men tosses a weapon to him.)

OMAL: The rest of you: get your weapons and come with me.

(The men hurry out of the camp, leaving just the two guards.)

TEYLA: Not much longer.

PUDDLE JUMPER. John, Rodney and Ronon are flying over the forest.

SHEPPARD: Those guys guarding the Gate certainly don't look Athosian.

DEX: They're Bola Kai.

McKAY: What?

DEX: It's a warrior tribe. Ruthless. They like picking fights, especially with travellers who are peaceful.

McKAY: Great(!) Just what we need: another bad guy.

DEX: Don't worry. They're primitive. We can handle them.

McKAY: Define "primitive." DEX: Clubs and arrows.

McKAY: Hey, arrows can hurt!

DEX: Only if you're stupid enough to get hit in the ass with one.

(John smiles smugly, then looks at Rodney.)

SHEPPARD: Life signs.

McKAY: All over the place, mostly in the woods. It's hard to get a visual from up here.

SHEPPARD: OK, we'll have to go on foot, then. Gear up, boys. If these guys want a fight, happy to give it to `em.

BOLA KAI CAMP. One of the guards has found Jennifer's lollipop stash and is sucking on one as he wanders around the cage, kicking it occasionally and leering into the top threateningly. Suddenly a single gunshot hits him in the stomach. As he drops to the ground, the other guard turns for his weapons but an arrow hits him in the chest and he too falls.

TEYLA: John?

(But it's not John who comes out of hiding.)

KELLER: Nabel!

(Nabel walks over to the cage.)

NABEL: Move back.

(The girls cringe away from the doorway as Nabel fires a couple of shots into the lock holding the door closed. He bends down to unwrap the chains. Teyla looks at him suspiciously.)

TEYLA: Where did you get the gun?

NABEL: The Athosians were not the only ones with a hidden cache of weapons. The Bola Kai captured me before I could get to mine.

(He raises the doorway and the girls crawl out.)

TEYLA: We need to get moving. They no doubt heard the gunfire.

(The three of them head off into the forest, Nabel untying Jennifer's hands as they go.)

KELLER: Are they coming?

TEYLA: It does not appear so. I believe it is safe to rest.

(She turns to Nabel.)

TEYLA: Thank you for coming for us.

NABEL: Well, you saved my life. I figured I'd return the favour.

KELLER: I thought you were dead.

NABEL: Well, I can't die yet. I have far too many questions I need answers to first.

(Without warning, he clubs Teyla across the face with his pistol, knocking her unconscious, then turns to Jennifer and aims his pistol at her.)

NABEL: We can start with you giving me the Gate address to Atlantis.

Elsewhere in the forest, the Puddle Jumper has landed and the boys appear as they come out the range of its cloak. Rodney is looking at a life signs detector.

McKAY (pointing in various directions as he speaks): I got life signs there, there, *there* (pointing back over his shoulder), and there.

SHEPPARD: Well, *that* really narrows it down.

DEX (looking forward and slightly to the left): That way.

McKAY: Really? Why?

DEX: No reason.

SHEPPARD: Good enough for me. Let's go.

Back with Jennifer and Nabel, she stares at him as he aims his pistol at her.

KELLER: Why are you doing this?

NABEL: Just give me the address and I'll let you go, I promise.

KELLER: I see you're not as badly wounded as I thought.

NABEL: Oh, it's bad. I just have a high tolerance for pain. The address, and I'll let you go – both of you.

KELLER: You're lying. You're not Genii, are you? We have an understanding with them. They wouldn't need to resort to these tactics in order to contact us.

NABEL (shrugging): All right, so that part wasn't true. But I *was* captured by the Bola Kai.

KELLER: *You're* the Wraith worshipper. You're the one responsible for the death of the Athosians.

(Nabel lowers his pistol, then smiles.)

NABEL: Unless I lied about that as well.

KELLER: What do you mean? They're not dead?

NABEL: Give me the Gate address and I'll gladly tell you everything.

(On the ground behind him, Teyla kicks his legs out from under him.

He tries to stand but she kneels up and clubs him across the face with her bound hands. However, she is still feeling the effects of the blow she received earlier and she sags to the ground, breathless. Nabel stands up and, holding his injured stomach with one hand, aims his pistol down at her. But finally Jennifer finds her courage and hurls herself at him, sending both of them flying to the ground. They struggle for the pistol but then Jennifer realises that she has to fight dirty and punches him in the stomach. As he rolls off her, groaning, she grabs the pistol and scrambles up, aiming it at him as he hauls himself to his feet.)

KELLER: Don't move.

TEYLA: Untie me.

(Still aiming the pistol at Nabel, Jennifer goes to move towards Teyla but Nabel steps into her path, holding his hands up.)

KELLER: Get out of the way.

NABEL: Give me the gun.

KELLER: I'll shoot you.

(Her wide eyes and shaking hand betray her terror. Nabel smirks.)

NABEL: Huh. No you won't. You don't have it in you. You're a doctor, a healer, not a killer.

KELLER: You're right. I *am* a healer. But first I need something to heal.

(Nabel frowns. Jennifer aims the pistol down and shoots him in the right thigh. He cries out and falls down. As he wails in pain, clutching his leg, Jennifer runs to Teyla and unties her. Teyla, her face bleeding where Nabel hit her, grabs the pistol and stands over him, aiming the pistol at him with a murderous look on her face.)

TEYLA: What happened to my people?

(Nabel whines at the pain in his leg.)

TEYLA: *What happened to them?* (Nabel looks up at her, his face twisted in agony. Just then an axe comes flying out of the trees and embeds itself in a tree nearby.

From all around them, Bola Kai are approaching. Jennifer steps closer to Teyla as she aims the pistol into the woods but there are far too many of them for her to hold them off for long. However, just in the nick of time the cavalry arrives with a hail of automatic gunfire which takes down several of the men. As the gunfire continues, the rest of the Bola Kai duck down out of sight. John, Rodney and Ronon charge into view, Ronon gunning down another nearby Bola Kai with his blaster. Jennifer sags in relief at the sight of them. Ronon aims his blaster out into the forest but the warriors are running away.)

SHEPPARD (to the girls): You OK?

KELLER: Yeah.

DEX: What happened?

TEYLA: My people – they are gone.

SHEPPARD: What are you talking about? All of them? What happened?

(Teyla turns, only to find that Nabel has gone. She calls out into the forest.)

TEYLA: Nabel!

(Ronon and Rodney frown in confusion. Teyla turns to Jennifer.)

TEYLA: Where did he go?

KELLER: I didn't see.

SHEPPARD: What are you talking about?

(Just then, a flurry of arrows fly out of the woods and smash into trees and the ground all around them. Everyone ducks.)

McKAY: Oh, not arrows!

DEX: We need to move! Come on!

(He ushers the girls into the woods.)

SHEPPARD: Go!

(He and Rodney fire repeatedly into the woods. Again the Bola Kai turn and run. John and Rodney continue laying down covering fire to keep them running, then turn and chase off after Ronon and the girls.)

ATLANTIS. INFIRMARY. Teyla is lying in bed. John walks in.

SHEPPARD: Well? How're you feeling?

TEYLA: I am fine. Doctor Keller insists I remain in bed. She fears I have a concussion.

SHEPPARD: Well, you should listen to her. Just got back from New Athos. Bola Kai are all gone. Must have scared `em off. Rodney's got teams going out there to collect clues about what happened to your people.

TEYLA: Did you find Nabel?

SHEPPARD (shaking his head): Searched the entire planet. No life signs.

TEYLA: He must have escaped through the Gate.

SHEPPARD: More likely he's lying dead somewhere.

TEYLA: He knows what happened to my people. I *will* find them.

SHEPPARD: I know you will, and we're gonna help you, but you've gotta rest and get your strength back.

(Teyla gazes off into the distance, her eyes steely.)

TEYLA: Whoever did this will pay. I will make certain of it.

(John frowns at her ferocity. Just then, Jennifer comes in, her leg heavily wrapped.)

SHEPPARD: Hey, Doc. How are *you* feelin'?

KELLER: Oh, it's just a sprain. I'll be fine.

TEYLA: Why is it that you are allowed to resume working and I am not?

KELLER: Because I didn't take half the beating you did.

TEYLA: I've suffered worse.

KELLER: Yeah, well, I believe you but you're on my turf now, so you have to listen to me.

SHEPPARD: I'll check in on you later.

(He smiles down at Teyla and then leaves. Jennifer walks closer to her bed.)

KELLER: So I got permission to go home for a few days of R&R. God bless that Intergalactic Gate Bridge, huh?

(Teyla is still gazing into the distance, lost in thoughts of her people.)

KELLER: Anyway, I get to see my dad ...

(Teyla finally turns her head to look at her.)

KELLER: ... and I have you to thank for that.

(Teyla nods in acknowledgement, then looks exasperated.)

TEYLA: How long must I stay here?

KELLER: About another day or so.

TEYLA: I told you: I feel fine. I do not have a concussion.

KELLER: You're right. You don't.

(Teyla frowns at her, puzzled.)

KELLER: Teyla, I've looked over your test results. There's something we need to talk about.

END OF EPISODE