SGA fic: Gaijin, part 33/40
Dec. 24th, 2008 04:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sam_gamgeeGaijin, Part 33/40
The complete header can be found in part 1.
Previous parts can be found here.
Rodney was forcefully pulled from sleep the next morning by a rough hand in his hair pulling him up and away from his pallet in the commons area and against a larger body. He blinked rapidly, trying to focus, as the sharp blade of a large knife was placed against his neck.
“We have your mutinous leader, people of Lapras. Where is your courage now?” the Korsan holding him bellowed.
“You know, this would have worked better if you had done this when more people were awake and out in the commons,” Rodney commented dryly as a few people poked their heads out of their quarters and stared at the pair in wide-eyed shock, then ducked back inside for a moment before slowly coming out into the commons.
“But think of the shock when they do come out and see you this way. It’ll stop things before anything gets started,” the Korsan rumbled in his ear.
“As much as I would love to avert as much fighting as possible, I don’t think you completely thought things through,” Rodney remarked.
He elbowed his captor hard in the stomach and stomped on his foot as he wrenched the hand holding the knife away from himself and twisted out of his surprised captor’s hold, taking the knife with him and pointing it at the Korsan, taking in the other Korsans standing in the entrance to the borough. After a quick mental calculation, Rodney knew that not all of the Korsans were present.
“Because I’ve never been afraid to start something,” he added, his tone slightly defiant.
“Those are big words, Lapran,” the Korsan told him.
“And I intend to back them up. Now, how are we going to proceed? We can stop things right now before they get started and you and your men can go back to Korsa. Or we can start something and I promise it won’t be pretty.”
“Oh, things have already been started,” the Korsan said.
By then, Rodney could hear the low buzz of the Laprans who were watching them as well as feel the quiet stares of the Atlanteans who had also been stationed in this borough.
“I guess that settles it, then,” he replied with a shrug, before elbowing the Korsan hard in the solar plexus and then hitting him hard in the temple with the butt of his own knife, sending the unconscious Korsan sprawling on the ground.
That action made all hell break loose in the borough. The rest of the Korsans rushed in, sending the startled Laprans scurrying into their quarters for weapons and protection. Chuck and Carson joined Rodney in holding off the Korsans as best they could until the Laprans started filtering back out with staffs and knives and forcing their way into the fray.
“I’ve never been good at hand-to-hand,” Carson complained to Rodney at one point when two Korsans had them back-to-back.
“Which surprises me, considering how large your family is,” Rodney remarked.
“We wrestled more – it’s completely different.”
“Then wrestle with the Korsans,” Rodney told him. “Maybe we can use that to our advantage.”
Rodney mentally chuckled as he silently counted off the seconds it took Carson to consider and agree before he felt Carson’s presence leave his back and he heard a dull thud behind him. He grinned at the sound – which confused the Korsan in front of him and Rodney used the distraction to his advantage and hit him hard in the head with the end of his staff.
Free, Rodney methodically went to all the quarters and roused those adults still inside. He felt a surge of pride at seeing the Laprans fighting back so well with a mix of staffs and knives, the red where the Korsans had been injured a satisfying sight. The Laprans had suffered a few hits as well, but they looked to be better off.
At lunchtime, the Korsans withdrew to the passage to tend to their injuries and eat something. With some coaxing, Rodney had the Laprans do the same thing – knowing that most of them hadn’t even had a chance to eat breakfast, either. He didn’t need any of them passing out – or worse – from low blood sugar. As they ate a simple meal, he moved among them and tended to injuries, thankful that none of them were serious.
The Laprans talked quietly among themselves, looking shell-shocked at their first taste of blood, and Rodney felt saddened that they needed to go through this in order to be free of the Korsans. But he could tell that this was strengthening their resolve to avert this sort of thing in the future.
Before the fighting could resume, Michael came bursting into the borough, wide-eyed and out of breath. “Rodney-san! We have some injured that need your help.”
Rodney nodded and said to Carson and Chuck, “Keep the Laprans fighting. It’s going to be hard, but I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Carson and Chuck nodded and he followed Michael out of the borough. He was surprised the Korsans let them pass, seeing as how the Laprans didn’t have any physical designation for their healers, but they barely gave them a second glance, though Rodney could have sworn that one of them deliberately tried to trip him. He glared back at them as he and Michael continued, but otherwise didn’t respond.
They were quiet as they headed to Michael’s borough. Rodney didn’t quite know what to say to the young man to make him feel better about what he was being called to do. Hell, *Rodney* didn’t like what he was being called to do, let alone what he was dragging all these innocent people into doing.
Rodney immediately set to work when he entered – caring for the injured Laprans and making sure that all of them were eating. They all looked as shell-shocked as the Laprans he had left behind and Rodney’s guilt increased.
“I don’t think we can do this, Rodney-san,” Michael’s mother told him when he stopped by to check on the family.
“Do what?” he asked as he bandaged a small cut on her hand.
“Fight. What will it solve? The Korsans will just fight back harder and we’ll be forced to bow to more pressure from them once they win.”
“That’s a possibility,” Rodney replied, keeping his tone neutral as he sat back on his heels. “But don’t you want to know what it’s like to not have to worry that they’ll take Michael-chan from you? Wouldn’t it be great if you knew you’d be able to enjoy your old-age, surrounded by your entire family?”
“That would be wonderful,” she replied with a small smile. “But I still don’t think that this is the way to go about doing it.”
“Then what would you suggest we do?” he asked her. “You do realize that we have to stop this once and for all because now we can’t go back to just letting them take things from us.”
“I don’t know,” she told him with a helpless shrug. “But I’m not the only one who feels this way – there are other individuals who feel the same.”
“How many of you are there?”
“I’d rather not say,” she told him, with a quick glance towards the passageway and the waiting Korsans.
Rodney got the message – she didn’t want to make anyone an easy target. “Your point has been duly noted,” he told her. “Unless you have a better idea, this is the way we need to continue with for now. But I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Rodney-san.”
Rodney finished making his rounds and met up with Evan and his team. “How are you guys doing?” he asked them.
“Not too bad,” Evan replied with a small smile. “The Laprans are doing well, even if we still can’t understand each other. How are you guys doing?”
“Fine,” Rodney replied with a shrug. “It’s tough with not having had enough time or resources to train the Laprans. And don’t get me started on the fact that there’s a group that wants an eye for an eye and there’s another group that doesn’t want us to be fighting at all.”
Evan and the rest of his team chuckled. “You’re going to get that wherever you go when there’s a conflict, Rodney,” Evan told him before tugging him down next to him. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes. Maybe?” He looked at Evan questioningly, not actually sure if he had or not. Either way, he felt fine. “I don’t know.”
Evan rolled his eyes. “So that would be a no.” He dug around in his pack and produced an MRE and handed it over to Rodney. “Here. I think it’s beef stew.”
“Thanks,” Rodney replied gratefully as he tucked into the meal.
The Korsans decided the lunch break was over before Rodney was done eating and he scrambled to finish as the fighting resumed. He tried to break away to get back to the borough he was helping, but each time he got away from his attacker, either another took his place or he needed to help someone else. As it neared dinner, he resigned himself to the fact that he was stuck where he was for the time being and hoped that Carson, Chuck, and the others were faring all right without him.
That evening, Rodney bedded down next to Evan. He hated not knowing what had happened that afternoon with Chuck.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Evan teasingly whispered to him.
“What do you mean?” Rodney asked quietly.
“As much as I would love to have you with me tonight, you are going back to your borough as soon as the Korsans are asleep, aren’t you?”
Rodney made a face. “Yeah, I should, shouldn’t I?” He glanced at the Korsans, who appeared to have mostly bedded down for the night, and got up.
“Say goodnight to Chuck for me?”
Rodney grinned. “I will. I’ll do my best to come over tomorrow to see how things are going.”
Evan nodded. “I’ll see you as soon as you can.”
Rodney headed out, carefully picking his way through the haphazardly sleeping Korsans before jogging back to the borough he was helping to defend. Things were quiet when he returned, the Korsans having already bedded down in the passageway, the Laprans having retreated to their quarters or their bedding in the common area for the night.
But Carson and Chuck were still up, quietly playing cards. They both looked up when he entered.
“You look exhausted,” Chuck said as Rodney dropped down next to him.
“Maybe a little,” Rodney replied. “Why aren’t you two asleep?”
“Too wired,” Carson replied. “And worried.”
Rodney smiled slightly. “Well, Evan and his team are doing just fine. And knowing John and the rest, they’re fine too, I’m sure.”
Carson nodded as he gathered up the cards. “I think I’m going to turn in for the night. Good night, both of you.”
Chuck and Rodney both murmured their goodnights. “I was worried this afternoon,” Chuck finally admitted quietly. “Even though I know both you and Evan can handle yourselves in a fight.” He played with a crease on his pants. “And I don’t want to feel this way, but I know it’s going to happen every time either of you go off-world. It’s already been happening with Evan.”
Rodney took Chuck’s hand in his. “That’s just a risk we’re going to have to take. Staying in Atlantis wouldn’t necessarily make things any safer. Hell, being on Earth wouldn’t necessarily make things any safer.”
“Rationally, I know. But I still worry.”
“If it helps any, sometimes I worry about you being in the Control Room. The Gate’s right there and if something came through before the shield went up, or got through the shield –”
Chuck squeezed Rodney’s hand. “Let’s stop this before we freak ourselves out too much.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rodney replied and let go of Chuck’s hand. “We should get some sleep.”
The next day found Rodney not only fighting the Korsans but moving between the boroughs to help tend injuries and boost morale. He was proud of the way the Laprans were fighting and using everything they had to keep the Korsans at bay.
But he knew that the Korsans had recovered from their shock that the Laprans were actually willing to fight back and he knew that from here on out, the Laprans would have a tougher time against the more experienced Korsans. He would have to talk to John and Evan about strategy to see what they could do to get the Korsans out once and for all.
“Hey,” John said, grabbing Rodney’s arm and both pulling him out of the fray and swinging him around so they faced each other. “When was the last time you ate?”
Rodney shrugged as he mentally calculated. “Last night, I think. Maybe this morning.” He waved a hand dismissively.
John pulled a Power Bar out of his vest and pushed it into Rodney’s hand. “Eat. You’re starting to look a little gray. I’d rather not die because either Chuck or Lorne came after me because I didn’t take care of you.”
Rodney quickly swallowed a bite. “If you haven’t noticed, there’s a fight going on between two peoples – I doubt me not eating would be the last of Chuck and Evan’s worries.” But he knew John was right – sort of. But in reality, they’d kill Rodney for not looking out for himself, both because of what he meant to them, and because of how much rested on his shoulders right now.
Rodney defiantly stuffed more of the Power Bar in his mouth as John simply glared at him. “We need to talk,” he said when he finished. “I don’t want this fracas going on indefinitely.”
“I don’t think any of us does, Rodney,” John replied. “But I agree – we should start talking strategy.”
“And we have a bit of a problem – some of the Laprans want to be pacifists.”
John’s expression soured. “Yeah, I noticed. Let’s deal with that when we work on our plan. Let Lorne and Teyla and whoever else you think should be in on it know and we’ll work on it after the fighting stops for the day.”
Rodney nodded. “Will do.”
John looked at Rodney, his expression unreadable. “And do me a favor?”
“Yeah?” Rodney asked, curious.
“Look after Carson for me?”
Rodney gave him a lopsided grin. “I always do.”
At dinner that night, Rodney looked around and quietly asked, “Is it just me, or were there fewer Korsans at the end of the day than when we started?”
“I think you’re right,” Carson replied. “I noticed that after lunch one or two were gone and now I think another two are gone as well.”
“I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth,” Chuck told them. “Hopefully they’ll stay away.”
“Knock on wood,” Rodney said, tapping his bowl before quickly finishing and standing up. “Okay, I’ve got to go.”
“What do you want us to do while you’re gone?” Chuck asked as he took Rodney’s bowl.
Rodney shrugged. “Whatever you want. I don’t think too many of us should move around, though, or the Korsans will get suspicious and I’d rather not add any more fuel to the fire. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and we can go from there.” He grinned. “Don’t get your hopes up too high, but maybe I’ll see about bringing some guests?”
Carson and Chuck both grinned. “We’ll be waiting with bated breath,” Carson told him.
Rodney laughed as he headed out. He got suspicious glares from the Korsans, but paid them no attention as he passed. When he arrived in his borough, John, Teyla, Ronon, Evan, Kelly, Kirby, and the rest of the Lapran elders were already settled in and waiting for him.
“Okay, let’s get started, shall we?” he asked, both in English and then in Lapran, and both groups nodded. He continued alternating between English and Lapran as he spoke, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think everything is going fantastically well, all things considered.” There were more nods of agreement and murmurs of assent from the Laprans.
“Now,” he continued, “we have a couple things we need to deal with. First off, if we’re not careful, this could go on indefinitely, and we can’t let that happen. Secondly, I don’t know if this has happened in every borough, but some of the Korsans from ours went missing today,” there was more agreement, “which, again, is why we need to figure out how we can end this quickly and decisively. We don’t know if the missing Korsans have left for good or if they’re simply going back to the Gate in order to get supplies and reinforcements. And, thirdly, we have some Laprans whose behavior worries me. We have some that want equal justice – we do to the Korsans what they’ve been doing to us for generations. And there are others who want us to continue what we’ve done for generations and let the Korsans do what they will with us. Obviously neither option is optimal, so we need to figure out how to make sure we keep an eye on the first group while bringing the second group up to speed with the rest of us.”
There was a moment of thoughtful silence, before Kelly said, “Well, we’re just going to have to wait and see about the Korsans, I think. I doubt they’ll tell us what they’re doing. It doesn’t seem wise for your enemy to know your plans.”
Rodney translated and the Atlanteans nodded in agreement.
“Why would they leave, though?” John asked. “They’re not gaining anything by leaving at this point.”
Rodney shrugged. “Conservation of manpower, maybe?” he asked before translating what John had said into Lapran. “They only have so many people they can spare and only for so long. Their population is much like the Laprans’.”
“We have to make sure that everyone knows we can’t become too zealous in our desire to rid ourselves of the Korsans,” Kirby commented. Looking at each of the other Laprans, Rodney included, in turn, he said, “We’ll have to make sure that everyone understands that the gods would want us to expel the Korsans because their ways are not our ways, but not to stoop to their level in doing so. We also need to make sure that the Laprans who wish to do nothing in response to the Korsans understand that that can no longer be our course of action with them.” He looked at Rodney, who was translating for the Atlanteans’ benefit, as he said, “It has become obvious that we are at a point where we need to take action against them in order to find what it is the gods want of us, because waiting for the Korsans to take their fill of us and release us on their own has long come and gone.”
John asked, “How can we plan to drive the rest of the Korsans out and make sure they stay away once and for all?”
Rodney translated John’s question and everyone looked at each other questioningly. It was as Rodney had suspected – not only did he have no answers, neither did anyone else.
“Has anyone ever tried going to Korsa and speaking with the Korsan leaders?” Teyla asked and Rodney inwardly sighed in relief – leave it up to her to ask the obvious question – as he translated.
The Lapran elders looked at Teyla as if she had grown another head.
“I think that would be a ‘no’, Teyla,” John commented sarcastically and the Atlanteans laughed, to the Laprans’ confusion, and Rodney shook his head with a smile.
They discussed the situation at hand for a while longer, the effort made harder by Rodney having to translate for both sides. In the end, no real headway had been made and they were still at a loss for how to stop things once and for all. They agreed to reconvene after the sandstorm in two days to see what developments had happened by then and move forward from there.
Evan and John stayed behind with Rodney as everyone else returned to the boroughs they had been assigned.
“How’s Carson holding up?” John asked Rodney, concern tingeing his voice.
“He’s holding up pretty well,” Rodney replied, “considering that I think he’s frustrated that he can’t help people here medically and that he’s not meant to be a fighter. He misses you.”
John processed that for a moment before saying, “Tell him I miss him too, okay?”
Rodney nodded. “I will.”
John took his leave from the two men and headed out and Evan and Rodney stared at each other for a moment.
“When we get back, barring a Wraith attack, we’re not leaving Chuck’s quarters for a week,” Evan told him frankly.
“I’ll agree to that,” Rodney replied with a laugh. “I’ve missed the two of you way too much – and I still see Chuck regularly.”
Evan smiled before turning serious and changing the subject. “Your bond friend, Kelly? I think he’s trying to figure me out.”
“What do you mean?” Rodney asked.
“He keeps staring at me as if I’m some sort of logic puzzle he’s trying to figure out in his head.”
Rodney chuckled. “He admitted as much to me the other day. Threesomes – both in a sexual sense and in a bond friendship are nonexistent among the Laprans. So, the fact that you, Chuck, and I are so close has him stumped as to who is what to whom because they can’t grasp that we can all be the same thing at the same time to each other.”
“Ah,” Evan replied in understanding. “So, do you think his head is going to spin around like in The Exorcist when you explain it to him?”
Rodney laughed. “Maybe? But I think it’s going to take a while to get it through his head. I have to introduce you and Chuck to him after we finish this thing with the Korsans. Then we’ll take it from there.”
“We better get going before we’re missed,” Evan said regretfully. “Tell Chuck I love him.”
Rodney nodded quietly. “I will and I’ll see you tomorrow as I’m making my rounds.” Quieter, he said, “I love you, Evan.”
“Love you too, Rodney,” Evan replied softly. He placed a chaste kiss on Rodney’s lips before heading out. Rodney watched him go for a moment before heading out himself.
As Rodney suspected, the Korsans kept slipping away throughout the next two days. The drop in numbers wasn’t discernable during the day because the Laprans still had their hands full, but Rodney definitely noticed it when both groups took a break from the fighting and he was moving between the boroughs.
The morning the day the sandstorms were supposed to break, the Laprans and Atlanteans woke to find the remaining Korsans were gone. The mood throughout the village was one of suppressed elation – as if the Laprans wanted to celebrate, but were being cautious lest it be premature.
And Rodney couldn’t help but feel happy for them. Regardless of what would happen in three days’ time when the storms stopped again, they had done an incredible thing in fighting off the Korsans and keeping them at bay without actually killing anyone.
Rodney made his rounds and checked on injuries. He also talked with the people who were still shell-shocked from what they had done and did his best to help them come to terms with it. He also did his best to spend some time with the rest of the Atlanteans – who seemed to be enjoying their sudden down time.
“How are you holding up, Rodney?” Carson asked him as Rodney sat down next to him.
“I’m doing okay,” Rodney replied, giving him a small smile. “Little tired, but nothing to worry about.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Yeah, Kelly made me eat something a little bit ago.”
John sat down with them. “Everyone seems to be doing really well,” he commented.
“Yeah, they are,” Rodney agreed. “I think they’re still a bit shocked, though. We’ll see how things go once they’ve had a chance to decompress a little. And we need to figure out what to do if the Korsans come back in a few days.”
“Ronon, Teyla, Lorne, his men, and I could go to the end of the tunnel and if they come back, we could just dispatch them there and then throw the bodies back through the Gate as a warning,” John replied seriously.
“That’s rather macabre,” Carson commented, slightly aghast.
“And as nice as that might be for the rest of us, I doubt it’ll honestly solve anything”, Rodney told him. “The Laprans won’t finish learning how to deal with this and that will probably start an all-out war – there’s no way we’d be able to handle that.” He sighed. “We’re just going to have to wait and see what happens and keep training and practicing in the meantime.”
“They’ve been doing a really good job – the Laprans, I mean,” John told Rodney. “I know it’s hard for a group that’s used to being pacifists to have to learn how to fight, let alone actually do it. But as a group, they’ve been handling it very well.” He smiled. “And it’s been fun seeing how pleased they are when they master something or manage to defeat one of the Korsans.”
“They do take a lot of pride in what they’re able to accomplish,” Rodney agreed. “I wish you both could see what they’re like when things are normal. They’re really an amazing group of people.” He was thoughtful for a moment before asking, “Any suggestions on how we can motivate the diehard pacifists?”
John shrugged. “Not really. Some people have to lose everything before they’ll start fighting. And other people never will – no matter what’s taken from them or what’s done to them. All I can say is keep talking to them and working on them. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll crack. Otherwise, we’ll just have to do with what we have.”
“And hope the crazy ones don’t get any ideas,” Rodney muttered.
“What was that?” John asked.
Rodney sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m just hoping that the Laprans who want complete vengeance don’t figure out a way to do it.”
“You said you hid their Gate dialers,” Carson told him.
“I did. But that wouldn’t stop them from doing things to the ones that come back.” He sighed. “I guess I’ll have to talk to them too.”
“Can’t someone else talk to them?” Evan asked as he and Chuck sat down on either side of Rodney.
“Probably, but I feel responsible for what they will or won’t do since I’m the one that dragged everyone into this in the first place,” Rodney replied. “Therefore, I should be the one to talk to them and try to explain to them why it’s not a good idea to do it.”
“I think you should have Kelly go with you,” Chuck told him.
“Why?” Rodney asked, perplexed.
Chuck shrugged. “I don’t know – it just seems like a good idea. What he said the other day seemed to carry a lot of weight, so maybe between the two of you you’ll be able to make them listen to you. Plus, that whole bond friend thing might help, wouldn’t it?”
“It might. The whole thing’s a long shot as it is, but it is worth a try. I’ll have to go find Kelly and talk to him and see what he thinks.” Rodney stood. “I’ll be back later.” Rodney greeted Teyla, Ronon and the rest of the Atlanteans as they entered the borough and made their way over to join the rest of their group.
Rodney found Kelly where he expected – spending time with Jillian and Kirby in their quarters. After greeting Jillian and Kirby and chatting with them for a few minutes – in which he convinced Kirby that his kinsmen hadn’t been neglected during their stay – he said to Kelly, “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure,” Kelly replied and excused himself and they went out into the common area. “What’s up?”
“I’m a little worried about some of the other Laprans,” Rodney told him as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m afraid that we’re going to have some issues with them when the Korsans come back.”
“Anyone in particular?” Kelly asked, putting his hands on his hips.
“Not anyone specifically, no. But the ones who want vengeance and the ones who want to stay out of it completely are who I’m worried about.”
“So, basically the ones who could get us all killed and the ones who might get killed regardless?” Kelly asked with an amused smile.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Rodney replied. “Any ideas?”
“Well, your tactic of bludgeoning people into submission has worked pretty well in the past with us. Maybe it’ll work again if you put the wrath of the gods into them?”
“I’ve already told the vengeance group that if they didn’t behave, I’d make sure they were exiled and so far they’ve behaved. I don’t want to unnecessarily scare them; I only want to make sure that they don’t do something stupid.”
“Maybe you should just give them a friendly reminder, then?” Rodney nodded in agreement and Kelly continued, “And as for the other group, maybe the fear of the gods will work. I have a feeling that, right now, they’re being unintentionally exiled a bit as it is, since everyone else is so wrapped up in fighting off the Korsans.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rodney agreed. “Want to come with me? It might help if you do – they’ll see that my bond friend agrees with me.”
Kelly shrugged. “Sure. When were you planning on going?”
“As soon as we can possibly get the groups together. I’d rather not wait, considering who knows what’s going to happen in the next few days. Let’s do the crazy vengeful group first. Maybe that’ll help me get riled up enough for the other group. Worse comes to worse, we could sic the two groups on each other.”
Kelly laughed and shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to completely figure you out, Rodney-chan.”
“That’s just part of my charm,” Rodney told him with a smile of his own before they poked their heads into Rodney’s quarters and officially took their leave of Kirby and Jillian.
It took them a little while to gather everyone involved, but soon Rodney and Kelly had them all, in total about twenty people, gathered and settled in the presently unoccupied borough.
When they were all looking at Rodney and Kelly expectantly, Rodney started. “I want to thank you all for how well you’ve done over the past few days. I know it’s been hard work – both in fighting off the Korsans and in just keeping them at bay and not exacting the justice you feel you deserve. But now comes the hard part. When they come back in a few days – and we all know they will – I need you to keep doing the same thing. It will ultimately hurt us more if we start killing them. They have a superior fighting force that, so far, has been surprisingly merciful to us. And a group that’s skilled in fighting knows not only how to fight in physical combat, but also how to use the environment against whatever group they’re fighting. Think about our environment for a moment. There’s a lot of sand out there,” he pointed to the side of the tent, “and this world is prone to sandstorms. Do we really want to risk that when we have to rely on portable Gate dialers – which can easily be taken from us – to get off this world?”
Rodney stopped to give them all a chance to think about that and digest it.
“And you said you were horrible as a diplomat,” Kelly quietly commented as the other Laprans began murmuring among themselves.
“I usually am,” Rodney replied. “I tend to verbally bludgeon people and insult their intelligence way too much, which makes them pissed at me instead of resolving anything and then I get angrier and it just spirals down from there.”
Charlie stood and said, “We are willing to accept your words and abide by your actions, Rodney-san. We admit that it will be hard for us to do so, but we realize that you have more experience in this area than we do.”
“It’s not necessarily that I have more experience,” Rodney replied as Charlie sat back down. “Well, not completely. It’s simple logic, really. If you have a recalcitrant child who enjoys yelling and making a scene, you’re not going to yell and make a scene in order to teach the child a lesson – it will only teach the child that what he’s doing is okay and it’ll make it harder for you to teach him later on. We’ve already done something amazing this time with the Laprans. Not only did they get away with nothing, but they didn’t kill or seriously injure anyone. I believe that one day we will see this as a turning point in our history. If you truly can abide by my words, you’re free to go. If you can’t, we need to discuss this further because I don’t want any blood on anyone’s hands. Think about it before you make a decision.”
The men and women were quiet for a while before they started quietly exiting until only Kelly and Rodney were left.
“Well, that went well,” Kelly finally commented.
“Yeah, I think so too,” Rodney agreed. “Okay, let’s go do this all over again for the other group.”
With a little bit of work, Rodney and Kelly rounded up the staunch pacifists and took them to the empty borough. He didn’t say so out loud, but Rodney figured the reason why it took so long was that no one wanted to actually admit that they didn’t want to fight after what everyone had been through over the past few days.
“Okay,” Rodney told them. “Look, I know that none of you like what’s been going on lately. And normally, I’d agree – fighting isn’t going to solve anything. But in this instance, neither is doing nothing. Look at what doing nothing has gotten our people for generations – heartache and loss. We need to be taking a hard look at what we’ve been doing and see how we can change that and fix it. Yes, I realize that we’re supposed to follow the example of harmony that was shown to us by the gods, but in many cases, that’s not going to happen on the first try. How many of you have argued with your bond friend or your spouse – or another family member or a friend and then worked things out? How many times was arguing the only way to get something resolved?”
Rodney waited a beat for that to sink in before he continued. “Granted, what we’re going through now is much different than arguing with your child if he can stay up a little later. But I believe the same basic principle is there – we need to step up and ‘argue’ with the Korsans to resolve this issue once and for all. And I think that we can win this argument. I’m not asking you to kill anyone – far from it. I simply want you to defend yourselves and your families when the Korsans come back in three days. I believe that they will soon get the picture and back off and we’ll be able to resolve this in a much more respectable manner. Are we all agreed?”
There were a few nods and Rodney had to admit that they looked a little closer to actually defending themselves if necessary. “Good, now get out of here.”
Rodney and Kelly followed the group out of the borough and split up when they hit the next borough with a promise for dinner together the next evening. Rodney headed back to the borough he had been staying in and found Chuck and Evan playing cards together.
“How’d things go?” Evan asked.
“Okay, I guess. We’ll have to see, though,” Rodney replied as he sat down.
“So, when do you think we’ll be able to get some undivided attention from the great Rodney McKay?” Chuck asked casually.
“I’m sorry, guys,” Rodney told them seriously. “I really am. Everything’s been so crazy lately.” He laughed self-deprecatingly. “At least you know that I’m not seeing someone else.”
“Do you want to?” Evan asked quietly.
“Oh hell, no,” Rodney replied. “That’s not what I meant. I just – sorry.” He stopped himself and said, “As soon as I know what happens with the Korsans, we’ll do something. I promise.”
The waiting practically killed Rodney. There were only so many bandages he could change and so long he could put on a brave face and pretend like he knew what was going to happen. He didn’t like not being able to predict the outcome of a scenario.
Exactly three days and eight and a half hours after the Korsans had left, a new, smaller group of four Korsans emerged from the caves to face a group of Laprans who were ready for them. What they weren’t ready for was the first thing the Korsans said.
“We would like to negotiate.”
Continue to Part 34
The complete header can be found in part 1.
Previous parts can be found here.
Rodney was forcefully pulled from sleep the next morning by a rough hand in his hair pulling him up and away from his pallet in the commons area and against a larger body. He blinked rapidly, trying to focus, as the sharp blade of a large knife was placed against his neck.
“We have your mutinous leader, people of Lapras. Where is your courage now?” the Korsan holding him bellowed.
“You know, this would have worked better if you had done this when more people were awake and out in the commons,” Rodney commented dryly as a few people poked their heads out of their quarters and stared at the pair in wide-eyed shock, then ducked back inside for a moment before slowly coming out into the commons.
“But think of the shock when they do come out and see you this way. It’ll stop things before anything gets started,” the Korsan rumbled in his ear.
“As much as I would love to avert as much fighting as possible, I don’t think you completely thought things through,” Rodney remarked.
He elbowed his captor hard in the stomach and stomped on his foot as he wrenched the hand holding the knife away from himself and twisted out of his surprised captor’s hold, taking the knife with him and pointing it at the Korsan, taking in the other Korsans standing in the entrance to the borough. After a quick mental calculation, Rodney knew that not all of the Korsans were present.
“Because I’ve never been afraid to start something,” he added, his tone slightly defiant.
“Those are big words, Lapran,” the Korsan told him.
“And I intend to back them up. Now, how are we going to proceed? We can stop things right now before they get started and you and your men can go back to Korsa. Or we can start something and I promise it won’t be pretty.”
“Oh, things have already been started,” the Korsan said.
By then, Rodney could hear the low buzz of the Laprans who were watching them as well as feel the quiet stares of the Atlanteans who had also been stationed in this borough.
“I guess that settles it, then,” he replied with a shrug, before elbowing the Korsan hard in the solar plexus and then hitting him hard in the temple with the butt of his own knife, sending the unconscious Korsan sprawling on the ground.
That action made all hell break loose in the borough. The rest of the Korsans rushed in, sending the startled Laprans scurrying into their quarters for weapons and protection. Chuck and Carson joined Rodney in holding off the Korsans as best they could until the Laprans started filtering back out with staffs and knives and forcing their way into the fray.
“I’ve never been good at hand-to-hand,” Carson complained to Rodney at one point when two Korsans had them back-to-back.
“Which surprises me, considering how large your family is,” Rodney remarked.
“We wrestled more – it’s completely different.”
“Then wrestle with the Korsans,” Rodney told him. “Maybe we can use that to our advantage.”
Rodney mentally chuckled as he silently counted off the seconds it took Carson to consider and agree before he felt Carson’s presence leave his back and he heard a dull thud behind him. He grinned at the sound – which confused the Korsan in front of him and Rodney used the distraction to his advantage and hit him hard in the head with the end of his staff.
Free, Rodney methodically went to all the quarters and roused those adults still inside. He felt a surge of pride at seeing the Laprans fighting back so well with a mix of staffs and knives, the red where the Korsans had been injured a satisfying sight. The Laprans had suffered a few hits as well, but they looked to be better off.
At lunchtime, the Korsans withdrew to the passage to tend to their injuries and eat something. With some coaxing, Rodney had the Laprans do the same thing – knowing that most of them hadn’t even had a chance to eat breakfast, either. He didn’t need any of them passing out – or worse – from low blood sugar. As they ate a simple meal, he moved among them and tended to injuries, thankful that none of them were serious.
The Laprans talked quietly among themselves, looking shell-shocked at their first taste of blood, and Rodney felt saddened that they needed to go through this in order to be free of the Korsans. But he could tell that this was strengthening their resolve to avert this sort of thing in the future.
Before the fighting could resume, Michael came bursting into the borough, wide-eyed and out of breath. “Rodney-san! We have some injured that need your help.”
Rodney nodded and said to Carson and Chuck, “Keep the Laprans fighting. It’s going to be hard, but I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Carson and Chuck nodded and he followed Michael out of the borough. He was surprised the Korsans let them pass, seeing as how the Laprans didn’t have any physical designation for their healers, but they barely gave them a second glance, though Rodney could have sworn that one of them deliberately tried to trip him. He glared back at them as he and Michael continued, but otherwise didn’t respond.
They were quiet as they headed to Michael’s borough. Rodney didn’t quite know what to say to the young man to make him feel better about what he was being called to do. Hell, *Rodney* didn’t like what he was being called to do, let alone what he was dragging all these innocent people into doing.
Rodney immediately set to work when he entered – caring for the injured Laprans and making sure that all of them were eating. They all looked as shell-shocked as the Laprans he had left behind and Rodney’s guilt increased.
“I don’t think we can do this, Rodney-san,” Michael’s mother told him when he stopped by to check on the family.
“Do what?” he asked as he bandaged a small cut on her hand.
“Fight. What will it solve? The Korsans will just fight back harder and we’ll be forced to bow to more pressure from them once they win.”
“That’s a possibility,” Rodney replied, keeping his tone neutral as he sat back on his heels. “But don’t you want to know what it’s like to not have to worry that they’ll take Michael-chan from you? Wouldn’t it be great if you knew you’d be able to enjoy your old-age, surrounded by your entire family?”
“That would be wonderful,” she replied with a small smile. “But I still don’t think that this is the way to go about doing it.”
“Then what would you suggest we do?” he asked her. “You do realize that we have to stop this once and for all because now we can’t go back to just letting them take things from us.”
“I don’t know,” she told him with a helpless shrug. “But I’m not the only one who feels this way – there are other individuals who feel the same.”
“How many of you are there?”
“I’d rather not say,” she told him, with a quick glance towards the passageway and the waiting Korsans.
Rodney got the message – she didn’t want to make anyone an easy target. “Your point has been duly noted,” he told her. “Unless you have a better idea, this is the way we need to continue with for now. But I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Rodney-san.”
Rodney finished making his rounds and met up with Evan and his team. “How are you guys doing?” he asked them.
“Not too bad,” Evan replied with a small smile. “The Laprans are doing well, even if we still can’t understand each other. How are you guys doing?”
“Fine,” Rodney replied with a shrug. “It’s tough with not having had enough time or resources to train the Laprans. And don’t get me started on the fact that there’s a group that wants an eye for an eye and there’s another group that doesn’t want us to be fighting at all.”
Evan and the rest of his team chuckled. “You’re going to get that wherever you go when there’s a conflict, Rodney,” Evan told him before tugging him down next to him. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes. Maybe?” He looked at Evan questioningly, not actually sure if he had or not. Either way, he felt fine. “I don’t know.”
Evan rolled his eyes. “So that would be a no.” He dug around in his pack and produced an MRE and handed it over to Rodney. “Here. I think it’s beef stew.”
“Thanks,” Rodney replied gratefully as he tucked into the meal.
The Korsans decided the lunch break was over before Rodney was done eating and he scrambled to finish as the fighting resumed. He tried to break away to get back to the borough he was helping, but each time he got away from his attacker, either another took his place or he needed to help someone else. As it neared dinner, he resigned himself to the fact that he was stuck where he was for the time being and hoped that Carson, Chuck, and the others were faring all right without him.
That evening, Rodney bedded down next to Evan. He hated not knowing what had happened that afternoon with Chuck.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Evan teasingly whispered to him.
“What do you mean?” Rodney asked quietly.
“As much as I would love to have you with me tonight, you are going back to your borough as soon as the Korsans are asleep, aren’t you?”
Rodney made a face. “Yeah, I should, shouldn’t I?” He glanced at the Korsans, who appeared to have mostly bedded down for the night, and got up.
“Say goodnight to Chuck for me?”
Rodney grinned. “I will. I’ll do my best to come over tomorrow to see how things are going.”
Evan nodded. “I’ll see you as soon as you can.”
Rodney headed out, carefully picking his way through the haphazardly sleeping Korsans before jogging back to the borough he was helping to defend. Things were quiet when he returned, the Korsans having already bedded down in the passageway, the Laprans having retreated to their quarters or their bedding in the common area for the night.
But Carson and Chuck were still up, quietly playing cards. They both looked up when he entered.
“You look exhausted,” Chuck said as Rodney dropped down next to him.
“Maybe a little,” Rodney replied. “Why aren’t you two asleep?”
“Too wired,” Carson replied. “And worried.”
Rodney smiled slightly. “Well, Evan and his team are doing just fine. And knowing John and the rest, they’re fine too, I’m sure.”
Carson nodded as he gathered up the cards. “I think I’m going to turn in for the night. Good night, both of you.”
Chuck and Rodney both murmured their goodnights. “I was worried this afternoon,” Chuck finally admitted quietly. “Even though I know both you and Evan can handle yourselves in a fight.” He played with a crease on his pants. “And I don’t want to feel this way, but I know it’s going to happen every time either of you go off-world. It’s already been happening with Evan.”
Rodney took Chuck’s hand in his. “That’s just a risk we’re going to have to take. Staying in Atlantis wouldn’t necessarily make things any safer. Hell, being on Earth wouldn’t necessarily make things any safer.”
“Rationally, I know. But I still worry.”
“If it helps any, sometimes I worry about you being in the Control Room. The Gate’s right there and if something came through before the shield went up, or got through the shield –”
Chuck squeezed Rodney’s hand. “Let’s stop this before we freak ourselves out too much.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rodney replied and let go of Chuck’s hand. “We should get some sleep.”
The next day found Rodney not only fighting the Korsans but moving between the boroughs to help tend injuries and boost morale. He was proud of the way the Laprans were fighting and using everything they had to keep the Korsans at bay.
But he knew that the Korsans had recovered from their shock that the Laprans were actually willing to fight back and he knew that from here on out, the Laprans would have a tougher time against the more experienced Korsans. He would have to talk to John and Evan about strategy to see what they could do to get the Korsans out once and for all.
“Hey,” John said, grabbing Rodney’s arm and both pulling him out of the fray and swinging him around so they faced each other. “When was the last time you ate?”
Rodney shrugged as he mentally calculated. “Last night, I think. Maybe this morning.” He waved a hand dismissively.
John pulled a Power Bar out of his vest and pushed it into Rodney’s hand. “Eat. You’re starting to look a little gray. I’d rather not die because either Chuck or Lorne came after me because I didn’t take care of you.”
Rodney quickly swallowed a bite. “If you haven’t noticed, there’s a fight going on between two peoples – I doubt me not eating would be the last of Chuck and Evan’s worries.” But he knew John was right – sort of. But in reality, they’d kill Rodney for not looking out for himself, both because of what he meant to them, and because of how much rested on his shoulders right now.
Rodney defiantly stuffed more of the Power Bar in his mouth as John simply glared at him. “We need to talk,” he said when he finished. “I don’t want this fracas going on indefinitely.”
“I don’t think any of us does, Rodney,” John replied. “But I agree – we should start talking strategy.”
“And we have a bit of a problem – some of the Laprans want to be pacifists.”
John’s expression soured. “Yeah, I noticed. Let’s deal with that when we work on our plan. Let Lorne and Teyla and whoever else you think should be in on it know and we’ll work on it after the fighting stops for the day.”
Rodney nodded. “Will do.”
John looked at Rodney, his expression unreadable. “And do me a favor?”
“Yeah?” Rodney asked, curious.
“Look after Carson for me?”
Rodney gave him a lopsided grin. “I always do.”
At dinner that night, Rodney looked around and quietly asked, “Is it just me, or were there fewer Korsans at the end of the day than when we started?”
“I think you’re right,” Carson replied. “I noticed that after lunch one or two were gone and now I think another two are gone as well.”
“I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth,” Chuck told them. “Hopefully they’ll stay away.”
“Knock on wood,” Rodney said, tapping his bowl before quickly finishing and standing up. “Okay, I’ve got to go.”
“What do you want us to do while you’re gone?” Chuck asked as he took Rodney’s bowl.
Rodney shrugged. “Whatever you want. I don’t think too many of us should move around, though, or the Korsans will get suspicious and I’d rather not add any more fuel to the fire. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and we can go from there.” He grinned. “Don’t get your hopes up too high, but maybe I’ll see about bringing some guests?”
Carson and Chuck both grinned. “We’ll be waiting with bated breath,” Carson told him.
Rodney laughed as he headed out. He got suspicious glares from the Korsans, but paid them no attention as he passed. When he arrived in his borough, John, Teyla, Ronon, Evan, Kelly, Kirby, and the rest of the Lapran elders were already settled in and waiting for him.
“Okay, let’s get started, shall we?” he asked, both in English and then in Lapran, and both groups nodded. He continued alternating between English and Lapran as he spoke, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think everything is going fantastically well, all things considered.” There were more nods of agreement and murmurs of assent from the Laprans.
“Now,” he continued, “we have a couple things we need to deal with. First off, if we’re not careful, this could go on indefinitely, and we can’t let that happen. Secondly, I don’t know if this has happened in every borough, but some of the Korsans from ours went missing today,” there was more agreement, “which, again, is why we need to figure out how we can end this quickly and decisively. We don’t know if the missing Korsans have left for good or if they’re simply going back to the Gate in order to get supplies and reinforcements. And, thirdly, we have some Laprans whose behavior worries me. We have some that want equal justice – we do to the Korsans what they’ve been doing to us for generations. And there are others who want us to continue what we’ve done for generations and let the Korsans do what they will with us. Obviously neither option is optimal, so we need to figure out how to make sure we keep an eye on the first group while bringing the second group up to speed with the rest of us.”
There was a moment of thoughtful silence, before Kelly said, “Well, we’re just going to have to wait and see about the Korsans, I think. I doubt they’ll tell us what they’re doing. It doesn’t seem wise for your enemy to know your plans.”
Rodney translated and the Atlanteans nodded in agreement.
“Why would they leave, though?” John asked. “They’re not gaining anything by leaving at this point.”
Rodney shrugged. “Conservation of manpower, maybe?” he asked before translating what John had said into Lapran. “They only have so many people they can spare and only for so long. Their population is much like the Laprans’.”
“We have to make sure that everyone knows we can’t become too zealous in our desire to rid ourselves of the Korsans,” Kirby commented. Looking at each of the other Laprans, Rodney included, in turn, he said, “We’ll have to make sure that everyone understands that the gods would want us to expel the Korsans because their ways are not our ways, but not to stoop to their level in doing so. We also need to make sure that the Laprans who wish to do nothing in response to the Korsans understand that that can no longer be our course of action with them.” He looked at Rodney, who was translating for the Atlanteans’ benefit, as he said, “It has become obvious that we are at a point where we need to take action against them in order to find what it is the gods want of us, because waiting for the Korsans to take their fill of us and release us on their own has long come and gone.”
John asked, “How can we plan to drive the rest of the Korsans out and make sure they stay away once and for all?”
Rodney translated John’s question and everyone looked at each other questioningly. It was as Rodney had suspected – not only did he have no answers, neither did anyone else.
“Has anyone ever tried going to Korsa and speaking with the Korsan leaders?” Teyla asked and Rodney inwardly sighed in relief – leave it up to her to ask the obvious question – as he translated.
The Lapran elders looked at Teyla as if she had grown another head.
“I think that would be a ‘no’, Teyla,” John commented sarcastically and the Atlanteans laughed, to the Laprans’ confusion, and Rodney shook his head with a smile.
They discussed the situation at hand for a while longer, the effort made harder by Rodney having to translate for both sides. In the end, no real headway had been made and they were still at a loss for how to stop things once and for all. They agreed to reconvene after the sandstorm in two days to see what developments had happened by then and move forward from there.
Evan and John stayed behind with Rodney as everyone else returned to the boroughs they had been assigned.
“How’s Carson holding up?” John asked Rodney, concern tingeing his voice.
“He’s holding up pretty well,” Rodney replied, “considering that I think he’s frustrated that he can’t help people here medically and that he’s not meant to be a fighter. He misses you.”
John processed that for a moment before saying, “Tell him I miss him too, okay?”
Rodney nodded. “I will.”
John took his leave from the two men and headed out and Evan and Rodney stared at each other for a moment.
“When we get back, barring a Wraith attack, we’re not leaving Chuck’s quarters for a week,” Evan told him frankly.
“I’ll agree to that,” Rodney replied with a laugh. “I’ve missed the two of you way too much – and I still see Chuck regularly.”
Evan smiled before turning serious and changing the subject. “Your bond friend, Kelly? I think he’s trying to figure me out.”
“What do you mean?” Rodney asked.
“He keeps staring at me as if I’m some sort of logic puzzle he’s trying to figure out in his head.”
Rodney chuckled. “He admitted as much to me the other day. Threesomes – both in a sexual sense and in a bond friendship are nonexistent among the Laprans. So, the fact that you, Chuck, and I are so close has him stumped as to who is what to whom because they can’t grasp that we can all be the same thing at the same time to each other.”
“Ah,” Evan replied in understanding. “So, do you think his head is going to spin around like in The Exorcist when you explain it to him?”
Rodney laughed. “Maybe? But I think it’s going to take a while to get it through his head. I have to introduce you and Chuck to him after we finish this thing with the Korsans. Then we’ll take it from there.”
“We better get going before we’re missed,” Evan said regretfully. “Tell Chuck I love him.”
Rodney nodded quietly. “I will and I’ll see you tomorrow as I’m making my rounds.” Quieter, he said, “I love you, Evan.”
“Love you too, Rodney,” Evan replied softly. He placed a chaste kiss on Rodney’s lips before heading out. Rodney watched him go for a moment before heading out himself.
As Rodney suspected, the Korsans kept slipping away throughout the next two days. The drop in numbers wasn’t discernable during the day because the Laprans still had their hands full, but Rodney definitely noticed it when both groups took a break from the fighting and he was moving between the boroughs.
The morning the day the sandstorms were supposed to break, the Laprans and Atlanteans woke to find the remaining Korsans were gone. The mood throughout the village was one of suppressed elation – as if the Laprans wanted to celebrate, but were being cautious lest it be premature.
And Rodney couldn’t help but feel happy for them. Regardless of what would happen in three days’ time when the storms stopped again, they had done an incredible thing in fighting off the Korsans and keeping them at bay without actually killing anyone.
Rodney made his rounds and checked on injuries. He also talked with the people who were still shell-shocked from what they had done and did his best to help them come to terms with it. He also did his best to spend some time with the rest of the Atlanteans – who seemed to be enjoying their sudden down time.
“How are you holding up, Rodney?” Carson asked him as Rodney sat down next to him.
“I’m doing okay,” Rodney replied, giving him a small smile. “Little tired, but nothing to worry about.”
“Have you eaten?”
“Yeah, Kelly made me eat something a little bit ago.”
John sat down with them. “Everyone seems to be doing really well,” he commented.
“Yeah, they are,” Rodney agreed. “I think they’re still a bit shocked, though. We’ll see how things go once they’ve had a chance to decompress a little. And we need to figure out what to do if the Korsans come back in a few days.”
“Ronon, Teyla, Lorne, his men, and I could go to the end of the tunnel and if they come back, we could just dispatch them there and then throw the bodies back through the Gate as a warning,” John replied seriously.
“That’s rather macabre,” Carson commented, slightly aghast.
“And as nice as that might be for the rest of us, I doubt it’ll honestly solve anything”, Rodney told him. “The Laprans won’t finish learning how to deal with this and that will probably start an all-out war – there’s no way we’d be able to handle that.” He sighed. “We’re just going to have to wait and see what happens and keep training and practicing in the meantime.”
“They’ve been doing a really good job – the Laprans, I mean,” John told Rodney. “I know it’s hard for a group that’s used to being pacifists to have to learn how to fight, let alone actually do it. But as a group, they’ve been handling it very well.” He smiled. “And it’s been fun seeing how pleased they are when they master something or manage to defeat one of the Korsans.”
“They do take a lot of pride in what they’re able to accomplish,” Rodney agreed. “I wish you both could see what they’re like when things are normal. They’re really an amazing group of people.” He was thoughtful for a moment before asking, “Any suggestions on how we can motivate the diehard pacifists?”
John shrugged. “Not really. Some people have to lose everything before they’ll start fighting. And other people never will – no matter what’s taken from them or what’s done to them. All I can say is keep talking to them and working on them. Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll crack. Otherwise, we’ll just have to do with what we have.”
“And hope the crazy ones don’t get any ideas,” Rodney muttered.
“What was that?” John asked.
Rodney sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m just hoping that the Laprans who want complete vengeance don’t figure out a way to do it.”
“You said you hid their Gate dialers,” Carson told him.
“I did. But that wouldn’t stop them from doing things to the ones that come back.” He sighed. “I guess I’ll have to talk to them too.”
“Can’t someone else talk to them?” Evan asked as he and Chuck sat down on either side of Rodney.
“Probably, but I feel responsible for what they will or won’t do since I’m the one that dragged everyone into this in the first place,” Rodney replied. “Therefore, I should be the one to talk to them and try to explain to them why it’s not a good idea to do it.”
“I think you should have Kelly go with you,” Chuck told him.
“Why?” Rodney asked, perplexed.
Chuck shrugged. “I don’t know – it just seems like a good idea. What he said the other day seemed to carry a lot of weight, so maybe between the two of you you’ll be able to make them listen to you. Plus, that whole bond friend thing might help, wouldn’t it?”
“It might. The whole thing’s a long shot as it is, but it is worth a try. I’ll have to go find Kelly and talk to him and see what he thinks.” Rodney stood. “I’ll be back later.” Rodney greeted Teyla, Ronon and the rest of the Atlanteans as they entered the borough and made their way over to join the rest of their group.
Rodney found Kelly where he expected – spending time with Jillian and Kirby in their quarters. After greeting Jillian and Kirby and chatting with them for a few minutes – in which he convinced Kirby that his kinsmen hadn’t been neglected during their stay – he said to Kelly, “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure,” Kelly replied and excused himself and they went out into the common area. “What’s up?”
“I’m a little worried about some of the other Laprans,” Rodney told him as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m afraid that we’re going to have some issues with them when the Korsans come back.”
“Anyone in particular?” Kelly asked, putting his hands on his hips.
“Not anyone specifically, no. But the ones who want vengeance and the ones who want to stay out of it completely are who I’m worried about.”
“So, basically the ones who could get us all killed and the ones who might get killed regardless?” Kelly asked with an amused smile.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Rodney replied. “Any ideas?”
“Well, your tactic of bludgeoning people into submission has worked pretty well in the past with us. Maybe it’ll work again if you put the wrath of the gods into them?”
“I’ve already told the vengeance group that if they didn’t behave, I’d make sure they were exiled and so far they’ve behaved. I don’t want to unnecessarily scare them; I only want to make sure that they don’t do something stupid.”
“Maybe you should just give them a friendly reminder, then?” Rodney nodded in agreement and Kelly continued, “And as for the other group, maybe the fear of the gods will work. I have a feeling that, right now, they’re being unintentionally exiled a bit as it is, since everyone else is so wrapped up in fighting off the Korsans.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rodney agreed. “Want to come with me? It might help if you do – they’ll see that my bond friend agrees with me.”
Kelly shrugged. “Sure. When were you planning on going?”
“As soon as we can possibly get the groups together. I’d rather not wait, considering who knows what’s going to happen in the next few days. Let’s do the crazy vengeful group first. Maybe that’ll help me get riled up enough for the other group. Worse comes to worse, we could sic the two groups on each other.”
Kelly laughed and shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to completely figure you out, Rodney-chan.”
“That’s just part of my charm,” Rodney told him with a smile of his own before they poked their heads into Rodney’s quarters and officially took their leave of Kirby and Jillian.
It took them a little while to gather everyone involved, but soon Rodney and Kelly had them all, in total about twenty people, gathered and settled in the presently unoccupied borough.
When they were all looking at Rodney and Kelly expectantly, Rodney started. “I want to thank you all for how well you’ve done over the past few days. I know it’s been hard work – both in fighting off the Korsans and in just keeping them at bay and not exacting the justice you feel you deserve. But now comes the hard part. When they come back in a few days – and we all know they will – I need you to keep doing the same thing. It will ultimately hurt us more if we start killing them. They have a superior fighting force that, so far, has been surprisingly merciful to us. And a group that’s skilled in fighting knows not only how to fight in physical combat, but also how to use the environment against whatever group they’re fighting. Think about our environment for a moment. There’s a lot of sand out there,” he pointed to the side of the tent, “and this world is prone to sandstorms. Do we really want to risk that when we have to rely on portable Gate dialers – which can easily be taken from us – to get off this world?”
Rodney stopped to give them all a chance to think about that and digest it.
“And you said you were horrible as a diplomat,” Kelly quietly commented as the other Laprans began murmuring among themselves.
“I usually am,” Rodney replied. “I tend to verbally bludgeon people and insult their intelligence way too much, which makes them pissed at me instead of resolving anything and then I get angrier and it just spirals down from there.”
Charlie stood and said, “We are willing to accept your words and abide by your actions, Rodney-san. We admit that it will be hard for us to do so, but we realize that you have more experience in this area than we do.”
“It’s not necessarily that I have more experience,” Rodney replied as Charlie sat back down. “Well, not completely. It’s simple logic, really. If you have a recalcitrant child who enjoys yelling and making a scene, you’re not going to yell and make a scene in order to teach the child a lesson – it will only teach the child that what he’s doing is okay and it’ll make it harder for you to teach him later on. We’ve already done something amazing this time with the Laprans. Not only did they get away with nothing, but they didn’t kill or seriously injure anyone. I believe that one day we will see this as a turning point in our history. If you truly can abide by my words, you’re free to go. If you can’t, we need to discuss this further because I don’t want any blood on anyone’s hands. Think about it before you make a decision.”
The men and women were quiet for a while before they started quietly exiting until only Kelly and Rodney were left.
“Well, that went well,” Kelly finally commented.
“Yeah, I think so too,” Rodney agreed. “Okay, let’s go do this all over again for the other group.”
With a little bit of work, Rodney and Kelly rounded up the staunch pacifists and took them to the empty borough. He didn’t say so out loud, but Rodney figured the reason why it took so long was that no one wanted to actually admit that they didn’t want to fight after what everyone had been through over the past few days.
“Okay,” Rodney told them. “Look, I know that none of you like what’s been going on lately. And normally, I’d agree – fighting isn’t going to solve anything. But in this instance, neither is doing nothing. Look at what doing nothing has gotten our people for generations – heartache and loss. We need to be taking a hard look at what we’ve been doing and see how we can change that and fix it. Yes, I realize that we’re supposed to follow the example of harmony that was shown to us by the gods, but in many cases, that’s not going to happen on the first try. How many of you have argued with your bond friend or your spouse – or another family member or a friend and then worked things out? How many times was arguing the only way to get something resolved?”
Rodney waited a beat for that to sink in before he continued. “Granted, what we’re going through now is much different than arguing with your child if he can stay up a little later. But I believe the same basic principle is there – we need to step up and ‘argue’ with the Korsans to resolve this issue once and for all. And I think that we can win this argument. I’m not asking you to kill anyone – far from it. I simply want you to defend yourselves and your families when the Korsans come back in three days. I believe that they will soon get the picture and back off and we’ll be able to resolve this in a much more respectable manner. Are we all agreed?”
There were a few nods and Rodney had to admit that they looked a little closer to actually defending themselves if necessary. “Good, now get out of here.”
Rodney and Kelly followed the group out of the borough and split up when they hit the next borough with a promise for dinner together the next evening. Rodney headed back to the borough he had been staying in and found Chuck and Evan playing cards together.
“How’d things go?” Evan asked.
“Okay, I guess. We’ll have to see, though,” Rodney replied as he sat down.
“So, when do you think we’ll be able to get some undivided attention from the great Rodney McKay?” Chuck asked casually.
“I’m sorry, guys,” Rodney told them seriously. “I really am. Everything’s been so crazy lately.” He laughed self-deprecatingly. “At least you know that I’m not seeing someone else.”
“Do you want to?” Evan asked quietly.
“Oh hell, no,” Rodney replied. “That’s not what I meant. I just – sorry.” He stopped himself and said, “As soon as I know what happens with the Korsans, we’ll do something. I promise.”
The waiting practically killed Rodney. There were only so many bandages he could change and so long he could put on a brave face and pretend like he knew what was going to happen. He didn’t like not being able to predict the outcome of a scenario.
Exactly three days and eight and a half hours after the Korsans had left, a new, smaller group of four Korsans emerged from the caves to face a group of Laprans who were ready for them. What they weren’t ready for was the first thing the Korsans said.
“We would like to negotiate.”
Continue to Part 34
