Stargate: The Masquerade – Fallen
This is a crossover between Stargate and Vampire the Masquerade (VTM). For VTM fans this story takes bits from the shows, video games, books and board game. So if you are big fan just go with it. Stargate lovers this is a Sam focused story and has to deal with how far our beloved Carter can fall from grace.
Prologue:
"Have a good evening, Walter,"
"Have a good weekend, Colonel," the short balding man said over his shoulder.
Col. Samantha Carter, XO of Stargate Command quietly left the control room overlooking the Stargate. The large circular ring that had changed Sam's life and guided it for years was still and inactive. The Col. felt she could take a little time off. She would be contacted if anything were to happen. And she was hungry. She hadn't eaten anything all day.
In years gone by Sam would have gone home, or gone to her lab to work on a new project or some new piece of alien technology brought through the gate. However Sam's lab wasn't her lab anymore. It hadn't been her lab for over a year.
Sam briefly recalled when she was a Captain. Not for the first time Sam felt a pain in her chest. She put her hand over her heart just to feel it beat – realizing what she was doing the hand dropped to her side and she kept walking.
Sam exited an elevator on one of the lowest levels of the SGC. It was dark. This level wasn't often used since it was so far down. The original concept was that should the base ever need to be occupied this level would be converted into living space hence the many small rooms that lined the hall. Sam hit one light switch that turned on scattered lights. Maintenance hadn't switched out any the broken bulbs in some time. Probably didn't even know about them. Same walked further down the sparsely illuminated halls.
She stopped at the end of the hall and looked down another joining corridor. There were no lights in this one. Sam took a slow breath through her nose. Something was there. Closing her eyes she focused on her senses.
Smell- it was musty, dirty.
Sound – 'squeak'
A rat. Sam figured it out. She held a small smile. That was easy. At the same time she became painfully aware of the gnawing in her abdomen.
Sam turned to go back into the better lit area – she jumped back before bumping into the chest of a young man. Sam was in a ready stance, years of working as part of SG-1 and being level-4 combatives vet she had honed her natural response to danger. She was ready to fight. She held her pose for an instant.
Sheepishly she then stood down her guard. "Hi, Liam," she said. The young man silently stared at her. She couldn't see his eyes because he was wearing wrap-around sunglasses, even in this dark place but she knew he was staring at her. There was a slight decline of the head in acknowledgment.
Sam sighed. It was going to be one of those evenings. She knew it. She stood matching Liam's seemingly stern glare and squared off with him. That lasted only a few moments before her hunger pains started to get much worse. She had to lean forward a bit trying to conceal it – like that would ever work.
"You don't look to good, Fledgling," the young man commented. There was no smile or hint that he was joking. It was just a statement.
"Well I don't feel that good either," Sam commented back. Now she was feeling lightheaded. Slowly she sunk to her knees.
"Why do you do this to yourself, Samantha?" he asked. There was no movement to help her. He was as still as if he were a statue. "You are Kindred now. This behavior is foolish."
"I just…had a long…day." Sam said through gritted teeth. Oh god, she felt them. "There…wasn't enough time…and I, I – " Sam couldn't hold her head up and crumpled inward. She felt like she was starving now. What was a hunger pain was now starvation and it was like her stomach was trying to devour itself.
"Help…me…" she barely said.
"Why should I help you when you clearly want to die?"
Sam's head was pounding. She could smell it, she felt it…anger, range, it was so strong, and she was so close… 'ah' Sam gritted her teeth. She couldn't handle it.
"This is the third time, Samantha. Make up your mind."
Sam couldn't answer. It hurt too much. But she was about to jump up and rip a bloody gash into his chest. She knew it, she felt it. His damn voice. That smug bastard was enjoying this. It was a clear picture in her mind. She was going to bight into that soft neck and…
There was a feel of wind then a "SQUEAK" suddenly silence. Sam heard it but her brain was on fire and it made no difference to her situation – suddenly Sam was grabbed by one arm and pulled up. Chest to chest he pressed in on her. She looked up just in time for him to press his mouth to hers.
Very few men had kissed Samantha Carter. She had always been pretty when she was young but her interest in science had always kept her in mixed worlds between nerds and popularity. And as she got older she found she was picky with the people she got close to. But the few she had had relationships with never would have done this. Sam's head exploded when it hit the back of the concrete wall and her nose hurt when he all but head-butted her. His tongue forced her lips apart. There was nothing romantic about it. This was violence but Sam didn't care.
The warm copper taste filled her mouth. It filled her mouth, warm, copper but it wasn't nasty like when you taste a penny, it was wonderful. In a single gulp it was gone. He broke the connection and was immediately two steps away. Sam slumped against the wall, using it for support.
Her stomach settled but she was still very, very hungry. The back of her head still hurt. But Sam could stand, and her head wasn't on fire like it had been. She remembered just how she imagined biting into him, less than a second ago. It had been that fast, the feelings the desire, the need to hurt him and take his blood…Not for the first time Sam felt shame. Not for her thoughts but because yet again she had failed. She wasn't able to control it.
Sam slowly looked up. He stood in the same place. Only thing different now was that he was holding the limp body of a rat. His thumb idly caressed it soft furry head. She stared at it for a second realizing what had just happened. Sam could taste it in her mouth and in her stomach…it was sour, not the rich taste she thought, she almost hurled but there wasn't enough to hawk up…
"Don't vomit it back up, Samantha. They do clean down here sometimes."
Sam stopped and took control of herself. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve. "Thank you,"
"Thank me by taking care of yourself." This time there was a bit of a change in his tone, reproach.
Sam nodded. She understood. This wasn't the first time she had let herself go. She kept ignoring it not wanting to give in but it would only get stronger. She looked back at him trying to meet his concealed eyes. "Thank you, Liam."
"Are you able to go back up?"
Sam steadied herself and stood up straight. "Yah, I can go back. I just came down here to check in before I go home. That's okay, right?"
Liam stared at her for a moment. She wasn't sure but it looked like he weighing what he was going to say. "Sure, remember to eat something when you get home," was all he said suddenly. That was it.
Sam nodded her head. "I figured I wait in my office a big. Hang around and wait till it gets dark first. I don't feel up to dealing with the sun."
Liam nodded. He was still staring.
"What?" Sam finally said.
"I heard that the Tok'Ra are having a memorial service for Selmack and your father. Were you planning on attending?"
Sam remembered. She wanted to go. "I was going to call and tell them I cannot till I'm cleared to go through the gate. How did you find out about that?"
"Anything else I should know about?" Liam said ignoring her.
Sam shifted. "No, nothing."
"Dr. Jackson is coming back to work at the SGC for a while. A special project." Liam stated.
Sam should have been embarrassed or angry to be caught in a lie but she wasn't. Liam was just a jerk. This control he was trying to have on her was irritating but it wasn't dangerous. Not anymore anyway.
"Are we done?"
Liam nodded, "For now, Fledgling."
Sam nodded and started heading back the way she had come. She was just passing Liam when he spoke again "Samantha." Sam turned sideways to look at him. "Your eyes." Sam saw her reflection in his dark lenses. Glowing green dots peered back at her. Suddenly she was aware that her eyes weren't the only things that didn't look human. Her tongue traced over the sharp protruding canine teeth.
Sam stepped away from him and concentrated. She felt the slight pain in her top gums as her teeth became normal. Opening her eyes she blinked and saw Liam nod just a little. She turned and kept going. When she got to the elevator and was about to turn off the light she stopped and turned around. Liam was still standing there watching her, as still as if he wasn't alive. Sam placed her hand over her chest. There wasn't a feeling of anything beating. She turned off the light putting everything back into darkness and entered the elevator.
CH1: The Embrace – "Accept that a part of you is gone. And be happy there is a part of you that is still here."
"AHHHHH!"
Sam could hear the screams. She and two marines were crouching behind the corner. She braced her nine millimeter firmly in a too handed grip. It had happened in minutes. She had been in her quarters when the alarm was set off. First she had tried her communications terminal but there was only static. From the moment she had left her room everything had been out of control and no one could tell her what was going on.
Power was going on and off on all decks from what she could tell. All around her crew were either lying in puddles of their own blood or trying to take up secure positions. No one knew what was going on and no one had any idea where the enemy was. All anyone could see was that something was on board.
Sam had spent enough time on space ships to know that if the ship wasn't rocking there probably wasn't another ship attacking. And from the carnage that was evident all around her there was something on board that was attacking the crew directly. But it didn't make any sense. They were just a few hours from reaching earth. They had been in hyperspace. Nothing could have boarded.
"AAHAHAHAHAHHA!" More screams came, this time from the other end of the hall on Sam's exposed side. A marine dropped on his side and rolled to face the danger. But nothing was coming.
Sam only had two options. Stay or keep trying to get to the bridge. But with the power going on and off it would be a climb to get to the command deck. If she stayed she could confront whatever it was killing her people. It was one of those decisions that no amount of training can prepare you for. Stay with her men on the front line or run and try to get a better idea of what is going on, risking that there was nothing you could do anyway and you left your men for nothing.
Sam's choice was made for her when two black – things – there wasn't another word for them came around the corner and grabbed the marine that had rolled over to guard that side. The Colonel swung her weapon around and took aim – then froze.
They were black but not wearing black. They flouted and they were spindly and fluctuated between solid matt black and transparent…holograms. They had to be holograms, but holograms couldn't touch.
Sam watched stunned unable to help as the marine was ripped and gashed till his body was literally shredded. At the same time Sam and the other marine snapped from their awed trances and started firing their weapons.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Sam got of three point blank shots at the closest entity but the thing didn't stop ripping into the young man. Then just as suddenly as they had attacked the two things shoot straight up and disappeared into the ceiling. Just through the ceiling.
"What the hell are they?" the young marine screamed. "What the hell?"
"Quiet," Sam ordered. The young soldier shut his mouth but stared at her shaking. His rifle rattled on the ground.
"I shot it, I know I shot it…" he said now hugging the wall.
"I know," Sam said but the marine wasn't listening. Sam looked around, there was another crewman across the hall. He didn't have a weapon but it was clear on his stricken face that he had seen what they had. She gestured for him to come to her. Then grabbing the Marine and shoved his rifle back into his hands. The three of them started running down the corridor away from the body of the poor young man that had just been brutally killed.
Sam's mind raced. What were they? Nothing made any sense. At the same time she tried to think if they were still in hyperspace. No, they had to have dropped out. With the power going on and off the safety back-ups would have automatically dropped the "George Hammond" into normal space.
They turned a corner and Sam stopped dead in her tracks. Again she was faced with something she had never seen, never would have imagined in her worst nightmares.
A small petite blond woman was holding a huge marine and burying her face in his neck. She could have been kissing him; but Sam saw blood spilling down to puddle on the floor. As if sensing them the woman's face turned from the man dropping him to the ground like a sack.
She was just a girl. She had a leather warrior outfit much like what Sam had seen on other worlds. The woman's bloody mouth separated into a smile, her eyes flashed a luminescent green. "Ah, Col. Carter, we've been looking for you." Her dark tripping lips parted and Sam saw two elongated teeth, like fangs.
There was another behind her. What at first looked like a tall man turned and Sam saw the most alien face she had ever seen to date. Red eyes glowed beneath an overdeveloped forehead and spikes poked out of all over its skull. But that wasn't the worst part. A man, one of her crew was impaled on a massive spike jutting out of the things abdomen. The man was shivering still alive with the foreign appendage gutting him.
Sam and the Marine put their weapons up to shoot but not a single shot went off. The woman dived forward. She was swinging a long metal object. Sam fell back not seeing the blow that hit her right across the jaw. Recovering from the ground Sam was blinded. The marine screamed trying to grasp a stump where his arm had been. Blood was spitting out and hit Sam's face getting into her eyes. The woman then buried her sword into the other crewman. She twisted it getting one more howl of pain. Blood spewed out like a fountain as the man died.
Sam was dazed. It couldn't end like this. So many times she had been able to get away. With Daniel, or Teal'c or Jack; they had always been able to get away. And this…she was going to die like this…
A shadow fell over Sam. Looking up the Colonel's blue eyes went wide. The thing stood over her. The horn in his trunk was huge and was so unnatural. It smiled down at her in an all too human gesture. "Good, we have finally found you," a thick accent that sounded like a bad Dracula attempt. What? They were looking for me?
The thing bent down reaching a spiky arm for her. Sam couldn't help but flinch away. "No, Darius."
The thing stopped turning to the warrior woman. "I don't see why not –"
"We were instructed to capture the vessel and its commander. Not eat her for lunch." – The woman
"I have as much right as –"
"Do you really want to piss me off, Darius?" Sam blinked away more blood and saw the warrior woman pulling her sword free and licking down the length of the blade. She closed her eyes while her tongue went up the mettle "um".
"After all, Tzimisce," She finished licking the blade and holding it level with the monster, "with a Lasombra I don't need a flesh-worker now do I?"
The creature backed away. "You are Black-Hand, I submit to the authority." His voice still had the accent but it also was tinged with clear anger and resentment.
Sam rolled trying to get away. "Smart, Tzimisce." Sam couldn't understand 'Tzimisce', 'Black Hand', what were those? Suddenly she was grabbed from behind and pulled up. Sam now faced the blond warrior woman. She tried to wiggle free but the woman's strength was unbelievable. Sam didn't have a weapon to fight back with. Suddenly she was lifted up. The warrior woman stared into Sam's eyes. "Take me to the bridge."
Carter woke up to screams. No, more like yelling. Looking around dazed her head swam. She had walked – but to where? Looking she saw the helm controls right under hand hands. What had just happened? Her train of thought was stopped when a man flew right over the console hitting the transparent view port to the front of the chamber. Sam looked up startled but got another shock when she saw a blue and green orb just ahead and getting bigger. Oh my god, Earth. Carter then looked just down and saw who it was that had hit the wall. Black? A mechanic. He had been from engineering. How had he gotten here? Sam spun around in her seat to see what was behind her.
The giant monster, for the briefest of seconds Sam forgotten about, was pressing up against another monster. The smaller more spindly deformed creature was grey in texture and was trying to hold off from being impaled by the bigger monster's abdomen horn. Sam didn't have time to think. She reached for something anything to defend herself with. It didn't dawn on her till later that they were fighting each other.
The fight ended when the bigger alien got its longer spike armored arms around the smaller gray creature and hugged it. The gray thing let out a choked scream. Sam saw its eyes. Bright yellow orbs stared at her. Its moth moved, Sam had seen others do that too, RUN, the creature mouthed as it hit the deck plates.
Sam did just that. She ran for the door that lead to the ready room. There was no way out from there but it was better than here. Sam didn't make it two steps before the blond was there again from nowhere slamming Sam up against the bulkhead. The woman didn't look so confident like she did before. There was a jagged cut down the side of her face, and another going down her left eye. She gritted her teeth showing the fangs. "Did you set the auto pilot?"
"What?" Sam understood the question but when would she have? It didn't make sense. The warrior hissed and Sam was shocked again to see the left eye fill in and the skin around it pucker up and seal till it looked like she had never been hurt.
"Mistress."
Sam looked up at the voice as did the warrior. Black was back on his feet. There was nasty gash along his face but he didn't seem to notice it. "The Camarilla, they took back –"
"I KNOW, FOOL…" the Warrior screamed and Black flinched away.
A traitor Sam thought, a traitor on her ship. How, why, who else… Her brain grasped what was just said, 'Camarilla', whatever that was it was something these things didn't want. The grey creature, Sam turned her head to look where she had seen it last. All that was there was blood and a smear of something…
Sam didn't have time to think when she was jerked from the wall. "Fine," the warrior said turning Sam around. Carter didn't have the strength to fight. The woman had her arm around Carter's shoulder and with her hand shoved her head to one side. "But I will not lose everything." Sam felt the burning as her neck was bitten into. There was something different about being bitten than being punched or shot…it was more like the shot but with more tugging…Pain shot all through Carter and she screamed till her lungs depleted all their air and she couldn't draw in more.
Sam's life flashed before her eyes; all her friends, her life, the academy, joining SG-1. The pain was momentary. Everything was getting quiet and Sam knew she wasn't sorry she had to go. Go, funny that thought. She knew she was going somewhere but it wasn't something she could put her finger too. She wasn't aware of the bleeding wrist being shoved into her mouth. The world faded away, and Sam could swear she heard her father's voice. Or was that her mom's.
There were alarms, and voices…a man's voice and a woman's.
"Oh shit me" – woman
"Where did they go?" – Man
"I don't know. Is this…of fuck they killed him. I thought Nosies were supposed to be tough." – Woman
"Shut up!" – Man
There was sounds of shuffling. Sam couldn't move. She just laied there, wherever she was.
"Hey this one's eyes are open. She's alive." – Woman
Am I? Are they talking about me?
"No, I don't think so. Listen, do you hear that?" – Man
"Oh, Fuck…" - Woman
She felt hands on her and the sensation of being lifted up. She was carried and then things faded away again. There was no sense of time for what followed. There was a lot of darkness. Sometimes her eyes were open but she couldn't see anything. Sometimes there were sounds but they were muffled like they were coming through something else like a wall. She was so tired.
Sam's eyes opened wide. Fully alert, she instantly shut them again shielding herself from the blinding bright light. Slowly she opened her eyes again. She was in what looked like a conference room. Slowly she tried to get up wincing as she did so.
Sam realized she had been lying on a couch set to the side of the room. Feeling something in her arm and she reached for it…a line of tubing…Sam looked up and saw a bag of blood suspended with a line leading from it all the way into her arm.
Blinking away the sleep Sam focused more on her surroundings. Where the hell am I? Sam looked down at herself. Her uniform was still there but it was covered in blood and her pants leg was torn – Sam instantly reached for her neck. She felt for a bandage or anything. Nothing, she wasn't cut or bruised anywhere. This hadn't been a dream; she was sure it wasn't. It was real. Was she safe, did the "George Hammond" Somehow land? Were they rescued. No she would be in a hospital if that were the case.
Her eyes scanned the room. It was plane but functionally normal. The kind of room you find in any number of hotels, or businesses. A big table was the centerpiece with chairs on wheels all around it. The bright lights really weren't so bright at all. They were simple cheep lights set in regular intervals along a cheap sound resistant ceiling panel. It was all so – normal. So earth normal.
Sam stiffly stood up and started pulling the IV out. At the same time the door to the conference room opened. Sam looked up. Two big men in black slacks and polo shirts came in and took up parade rest positions on either side of the door. There was a military barring about them that Sam felt at once.
A blond man somewhere in his late 30s early 40s came in. He was wearing a grey business suit with a bright red power tie and had a trench coat over one arm also holding a briefcase. He stopped when he saw Sam. For a brief moment Sam thought she saw some kind of recognition in his eyes but he turned away and with a wave of his hand the guards closed the doors but stayed inside.
The man in the suit took a seat by the conference table. Opening his case he took out some folders and then put them in some kind of order. The silence was defining. "Where am I?" Sam said but she didn't scream it. Yet.
The man looked up finishing with what he was doing. Then in a calm conversational voice he spoke, "Colonel Samantha Carter, United States Air Force, Commander of the "George Hammond", former head of Atlantis, and former member of the famous SG-1 the flag team for Stargate Command." She paused, "Did I leave anything out?"
Sam was stunned, again. Slowly she shook her head. "You can take that out of your arm," the man pointed indicating the IV. Sam did so at once then rolled down her dirty sleeve. She walked over to the conference table. "Who are you? What is this place?" She had the feeling this was government but it wasn't military, at least not her military.
The man appraised her again. He looked like he was thinking…thinking of a lie to tell me. Sam stayed calm. If she broke out in violence any chance of finding out what was going on would go out the window. But she was really angry now. "Hey, I ask you a question!" Sam's fist hit the table hard. The papers and briefcase bounced.
The man was still calm, almost like he had expected that. "Colonel, my name is, Alexander Hadrian." He paused again as if that name should mean something to her. It didn't. He continued, "I am the Prince of Denver, and because of the recent assassination of my counterpart in Colorado Springs, I have been charged with its protection and the Kindred within its borders."
That made no sense. "Protection…protection from what?" Sam ignored the 'prince' thing, a title didn't matter at least not at this point.
Without missing a beat Hadrian answered, "From the people that attacked the "George Hammond" and were responsible for the deaths of 38 of your crew and serious injury to the rest."
Suddenly Sam felt ill. She slid into a seat but it felt more like falling. 38 of her crew…she had known those people, chosen most of them.
"They are called the Sabbat, a sect of Kindred that have forsaken their humanity and most of the traditions we have upheld for millennia."
'Sabbat', Sam filed that away, so it was a group. But what were Kindred? Forsaken humanity was a vague concept. Suddenly it dawned on her, "You're the Camarilla."
Instead of looking surprised Hadrian smiled at the corner of his mouth. "Very good," he leaned back in his chair the smile becoming a bit more prominent. He was pleased with something. So she guessed what he was part of. It wasn't rocket science. Carter knew rocket science and it only made sense, two groups, two sects were at war…she had seen it on countless worlds, the SGC and NID were still rounding up members of the Trust, and The Lucian Alliance was also a problem.
It didn't make sense to Sam why this Alexander Hadrian would be so pleased. She was missing something.
"Colonel," Hadrian resumed leaning forward again. "What do you think those people were that attacked your ship?"
Carter became more guarded. Suddenly she remembered that this guy was talking about classified information. She had no idea who he was or even if he was this Camarilla. What if he was with the people that attacked the "George Hammond"? But if she didn't answer than how would she get more information out of him? Sam decided it was clear he knew something. If he was authorized or not it didn't really make any difference. "I thought one was human but the other was an alien that I had never seen before." She saw the smile twitch again at the mention of alien. But he didn't interrupt.
"They were alien's right?" Carter asked.
"Colonel, the Sabbat are Kindred," Hadrian started to explain. "and as far as I know no Kindred however alien they may have become or appear is actually from another planet. Your attackers were all from here, earth."
That word Kindred, what was that? "What are the kindred?" Sam asked slowly. He had used that word again and that made it important. "That thing wasn't human. None of them where."
Alexander Hadrian leaned his head to one side. He was staring into her eyes. He was a good looking man but Sam didn't think he was trying to seduce her. "Colonel, you would know Kindred by another word. Vampire." Suddenly Hadrian's brown eyes lightened changing color to a kind of green, the same color the warrior woman's had been. "And as you can see, so am I." He said and Sam saw the tips of the fangs in his open mouth.
Sam jumped out of her seat, clearing it and the table. It was instinctive. She was on the other side of the room in that one leap. Her lips pealed back and she hissed. That was when she stopped realizing what she was doing. Sam never hissed. In all her combat training she had been taught to keep her mouth closed, her breathing controlled. Hissing was counterproductive, amusing to an enemy so why did she… her tongue felt the inside of her mouth, along the top of her jaw. She felt them, they pressed against her lips. She raised a hand to feel if they were really there but stopped just short of her mouth afraid to confirm it. Looking back across the room she saw Hadrian his mouth closed but his eyes still bright staring at her. There wasn't a smile this time. He saw staring at her seriously, watching what she would do, how she would react. Something in her look must have been questioning because he inclined his head up then down. "Yes, Samantha, and you are Kindred as well."
Col. Samantha Carter woke up shooting to her feet and hitting against her desk. It was hard enough to knock the lamp off and should have hurt but didn't. She was panting which was more a habit than a biological need. Looking around her office she saw the clock. 8:15. She had gotten changed and went to her office to take a nap so she could leave at sundown. Which was about 10 minutes ago. Sam sighed.
Carter grabbed her jacket and headed out. Fortunately by Eight most of the base personnel were gone. There weren't that many people to pass by. Sam wasn't worried about losing control. She spent all day with people and was able to hold back. However she rather not have to worry, not feel that extra urge to…she forced the image from her mind and got into the elevator.
She had been assigned back to the SGC as the XO. It wasn't a demotion or anything but since the "George Hammond" wasn't going to fly again at least not for another year she had to do something. She should have been assigned to R&D but somehow this had become available. Carter could never be sure at least not without asking but she kept wondering if the Prince had done something to make sure she had stayed in Colorado Springs. If she had left to Area 51 she wouldn't be in his city. Cities, she kept forgetting, Prince Hadrian was the prince of Denver and Colorado Springs. Something she was getting the impression wasn't that normal.
Sam got into her car and left NORAD. The guard at the gate had to stop the car to remind her to turn her headlights on. Sam smiled and thanked him. After clearing the gate Sam noticed not for the first time how well she could see. She had always been blessed with good eyesight. You had to be when you flew but now so much was so much clearer and sharper than before. After several weeks she forgot to even notice the difference. That actually put her into a worse mood. She was adapting to this…being a vampire. She resisted drinking blood. Liam was dropping off blood too her home and she would only drink just what she needed to get her through the day but…
Sam turned on the radio but it did nothing to assuage her mood as she drove home.
By the time Sam got to her house it was closing on 1014. She pulled up to the driveway and noticed the used BMW on the curb in front of her house. Getting out Sam stared at the car for a few moments then turned to the house. The lights inside were on. Sam grabbed her cell. Hitting the speed dial she brought the phone to her ear.
"Yes," came the calm monotone voice of Liam Sage.
"There is someone in my house." Sam blurted out.
Liam had an odd way of dealing with surprises Sam thought. Instead of asking for an explanation or going through any possibilities to calm her down he instantly asked specific details. "Are the lights on or off?"
"On, but what does that –"
"Is there a car parked anywhere nearby that doesn't belong to the neighborhood?"
"Yes, an old BMW, color, red a faded red."
"Is the door forced in anyway, windows broken?"
"I don't know I haven't looked." Sam kept low while she crossed the lawn and came up to the door. The knob looked fine and when she checked it the door opened. "It's open." Sam said.
"Then go inside and see who it is." Liam said satisfied.
"What? It could be Sabbat? –"
"Unlikely," Liam hung up. That bastard Sam thought. She had no choice. She couldn't call the police. If it was a vampire than they couldn't do anything. Sam took a breath wished she carried a weapon. Liam had told her too but she had never gotten around to it spending so much time at home or at the Mountain she didn't need one or so she thought.
Sam braced herself and stood up. She walked through the door to her own house and shut it behind her. She was ready for just about anything. Her muscles were ready to spring. There were sounds coming from the kitchen, Sam saw the shadow cast by the kitchen light. She stopped breathing. Her fangs weren't out yet. Whatever it was it was coming out.
Sam was counting down. One, two, three, whoever it was Sam saw it looked female. "Oh, hey, Sam."
Carter blinked, "Cassandra?"
"Yeah I tried to call but your phone number was disconnected or something. Sorry I'm late but exams ran an extra day."
Carter was confused, what exams…Cassandra was in school, she shouldn't be here – suddenly she remembered just before she left earth Cassandra had asked if she could come and stay over Summer Break. Sam had completely forgotten. "Uh, yeah my serves provider changed," was all Sam could say.
"Yah, cool. Well I was just making a late night snack do you want any?" Cassie said. She headed back to the kitchen.
"Uh…" Sam didn't know what to do. She followed Cassie into the kitchen. Cassandra was checking the cupboards. "Hey, where is your cereal or bread or anything?"
"Uh," Sam tried to think. When she had been taken home all her food had gone bad so she threw it all out. She never bought more. The last time she tried to eat was… "Uh, I have been eating out a lot."
"Oh," Cassie headed over to the fridge.
Sam nearly jumped slipping past Cassie and blocking the fridge. "Uh, why don't I order a pizza?"
Cassie looked confused. Then she smiled, "Okay," she said slowly. The young woman was about to leave the kitchen but then turned back to face Carter. "Sam are you feeling alright? You look pale."
Sam tried to fane confused, "What, why do you ask?"
Cassie frowned. "Sam, what is wrong?" Her voice was serious.
Samantha tried to think. Cassie wasn't an idiot…could she lie? No, Cassie would see through it.
"Sam!" Cassie got right up into Carter's face breaking any concentration the woman had. "What is wrong? Tell me." Cassie's voice had gone a level higher.
Sam wanted to tell her. She wanted to lay the truth out all of it. Then she got that sent. It was warm and fresh, citrusy. Sam breathed taking more of it. Warm hands held her cold ones. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP…Sam pulled her hands free. Stepping back from Cassie she ran her fingers through her hair. "Uh, I'm alright, I've just been really busy and – "
"You're lying." Cassie accused. Now she was totally freaked.
Carter didn't know what to do. Cassandra was close and Sam could feel the tension, the worry. The emotion of it all merged with her own desires. She saw Cassie so young and clean and…Sam felt her fangs behind her lips. She stared at Cassie and felt something, oh no. At that exact second Cassie's eyes rolled up into the back of her head and her head lulled forward. Somehow she remained standing. Sam was frozen. She stared at the young woman standing completely still accept for the gentle swaying. What just happened?
Fearing she had done something Sam rushed to grab the girl before she fell over. Holding Cassandra in her arms, Sam felt the woman's wait and lifted her up with ease. Carter carried Cassie to the couch in the living room and laid her out on it. Sam felt for a pulse but then stopped…she looked over Cassandra. The young woman was right there. Sam could hear it now. The beating…the beating of Cassie's hart. The smell it was so strong.
Sam closed her eyes and got up moving away from the couch. She ran for the kitchen and pulled the fridge door open. The whole machine banged with the sudden jolt. Inside the bright light eliminated three packs of blood and one water bottle. Sam grabbed the bottle twisting the cap off and chugged it. Her head went back and the thick cold liquid fell down her open throat. Gulp after gulp till it was empty.
Slowly Sam pulled the empty bottle away. She took a deep breath. Her tongue licked away the sticky residue on her bottom lip. For that awful, wonderful second Sam felt relaxed and fine. "wha'" Sam's acute hearing picked up Cassie's voice. She ran out of the kitchen still holding the bottle. She stopped just short of the living room. Inside Cassie was still on the couch but she was awake. "Wow," she turned to see Sam. "Hey, what were we just talking about?"
Sam closed her eyes. Get a grip, normal, look normal…Sam slowly came into the room. "Uh, we were talking about ordering a Pizza." Sam said tentatively.
"Oh yeah right." Cassie agreed. "You know I'm feeling really tired, I think I'll skip. Mind if I use the bathroom?"
"No, no problem at all. It's your home too." Sam said. Cassie got up sleepily and headed out of the room and up the stairs. Sam stared at the empty couch. What had happened? She had done something, it had to have been her but what? Liam had said that all the clans had some kind of mental powers but he had warned that the Ventrue were stronger than most. So what had she done? She should call Liam. No, if he found out then he would make Sam kick Cassie out. She didn't want that.
Sam looked back at where Cassie had headed off too. She loved Cassandra almost as if she were he own child. The two of them had been close, very close. After Janet's death, Cassie's adoptive mother, they had leaned on one another for support. She didn't want her to leave. She could handle this. She had to and that meant getting some food first thing in the morning.
Carter headed back to her garage. She came back with a cooler and filled it with ice from the freezer. She had to hide the blood.
Sam was sprawled in the back seat of a car. She had listened to Alexander Hadrian but everything had been a mute point. She felt violated. She couldn't accept all that he had said. He had showed her pictures and news proving they were on earth. She kept trying to think of how this could all be proven a deception but she couldn't. The Trust, the Lucian Alliance but it didn't work. Some other group but then how had she come here? He said she had been in something called Torpor for nearly 3 days.
Hadrian had explained saying that the Camarilla had had prior knowledge of an attack but they didn't know where so they had had several agents stowed away on all of Earth's ships. When the attack broke out they had tried to defend the crew but could only manage to keep the "George Hammond" from being taken. They found Sam's body just after her embrace. Embrace, meaning she had been turned into a vampire. Sam couldn't remember it. It was foggy at best. So many questions but Hadrian had cut her off saying he had to attend to something.
He explained that she would be put back into her old life. She would be allowed to stay in the Air Force because she would be in a unique position to help the Camarilla's efforts to protect Colorado Springs which the Sabbat was moving in on. But other than that her master would take care of. After that he just said he was sorry she had to be brought into their world like this but that in truth it was probably the best way things could have turned out.
Sam now leaning against the tinted window looking out into the day. She remembered vampires weren't supposed to go out during the day but what did she know. The two men sat up front. Both wore the same black outfits that the other security had worn. Sam didn't pay it much mind but she kept hearing thumping sounds, like they were nearby.
She wasn't sure where they were, somewhere near a park, it had to be a park because of all the trees. Or maybe they were around the city limits. Where ever they were it was wooded. Like the drive up to where Jack used to live.
The car pulled in under shade and the two men cut the engine and got out. One moved to her door side and opened it. Sam's eyes hurt instantly when the dark glass was removed and light poured in.
"Don't worry, Miss, it's shady enough for Kindred." The man said. He offered his hand but when she didn't take it he as gently as he could took her arm and guided her out. "Look I know being newly embraced can be mind boggling. I've seen it enough but the change goes by quickly if you don't fight it."
Sam walked forward as guided. The other man carried a bag and a shotgun. He trotted ahead. Sam lifted her head and eyes to follow him. She saw a man sitting on a fallen tree waiting. He was also in black but it was a long black coat and dark blue jeans. He had dark sunglasses and his skin shown white in the shaded light. The guard reached him and there was a discussion. The man took the bag but waived off the shotgun. The guard nodded and came back.
"He's ready for her. Said to leave her here." The man said as he came back.
"Really," The man holding Sam said a bit uncomfortable. "Kind of bright to just leave here out here."
"Hey, Man, it isn't a ghoul's job to ask why vampires do anything alright. Leave that to the bosses. Just as long as I get my monthly blood who cares about a fledgling."
"That's cold, Mark, that's really cold."
"So are they, now let's go. That Sage guy freaks me out."
Sam felt herself be lowered to the ground and the men walked off. And like that she was alone. She had no idea how long. The man up the small hill just sat watching her. Eventually he came down to her.
He didn't say anything right away. Reaching into the bag he found some sunglasses and handed them to her. "Put these on."
Sam didn't reach to do anything. He put them on for her. Sam was now able to see more clearly. "Who are you?" She was able to ask though it had no strength behind it.
"My name is Liam Sage. Prince Hadrian has made me your guardian and master. I will help you acclimate to your new life and make sure you don't break the masquerade while you do so." He spoke quietly but there was no feeling behind his words. He might as well have been reading lines off a page.
"My car is a little ways back. There isn't much cover so we can wait here till it gets dark. Have they given you blood already?"
Sam didn't know. She didn't want to know. Blood, no she hadn't drank any blood, never, she could never do that. Then she remembered the blood in the IV. Slowly she nodded her head.
"Alright," holding the bag he was given. "The Prince was kind enough to give us some bottles just in case." He stood up and walked back up the hill where the shade was thicker. He was content to leave her there. While he was walking away Sam all of a sudden thought of what she should be doing. She ran.
Sam bolted. She didn't give it any thought. Whoever this was had is back to her and there was no one else guarding her. Whoever these people were, whatever the situation really was she was given a chance to get back to her people and she was obligated to take it. Carter ran. She could get a phone, call Jack, the General, anyone for help. But she had to get away.
She just ran. She didn't go straight into the light but ran under the tree cover. She went up hill. "Where do you plan to go?"
Sam skidded to a stop. The man was standing ahead of her. "I'm a lot faster than you."
Sam got ready to fight. "I don't believe any of this crap. Whoever you are this won't work."
The man moved toward her…but he was incredibly fast. Sam could only see a blur but BAM she was smacked in the chest and sent flying back. OH, Sam hit the dirt and went rolling down the hill. She came to a stop but then the man was standing over her again. "You don't believe you are a vampire. I think I can prove it to you."
Sam was grabbed by the back of her jumpsuit and then hurled back. Suddenly she went rolling again but she was blinded by light. "AHHHH!" Samantha screamed. Her skin was burning, "AHHAAAHHH-hhh".
Sam was in too much pain to realize she was being picked up again. But this time she was carried back into the shade. Her skin stopped burning and Sam was dropped down on the ground.
"Believe you're a vampire yet?" Sage was speaking again. He didn't sound angry or amused or anything at all. He was simply asking a question as if he hadn't just inflicted god only knew what on her.
Sam blinked, her eyes watering. She rubbed her face. "ah." Everything hurt.
"Fledgling, consider that a lesson. Now drink this." Sam felt a bottle being brought to her lips but she still couldn't see. She realized how thirsty she was. It could have been drugged but she didn't stop to think about that. She gulped down mouthfuls of the thick liquid. It tasted coppery but at the same time really good. It wasn't till she finished with the bottle that she could open her eyes again and see.
Sam looked at her charred black skin and the bottle with the red residue still inside it. "Aw" She scrambled to her feet. What was happening. Still not understanding she felt something tingle all over her body. Then looking at her exposed burn damaged hands she watched as the burns shrank and fresh pale skin filled in. It was like seeing a wound heal but with an accelerated time factor. "Oh my god," she whispered.
"It's not all bad." Sage was saying behind her. "You get used to it. Feel your heart, there isn't a heartbeat."
Sam didn't want to feel it but she believed him. After that she wasn't resisting any more. "I didn't ask for this." She wasn't really talking to him. She lowered herself till she was sitting in the dirt again and staring at her now perfect pale hands.
"I know. The Prince told me." He squatted down behind her but didn't reach out to touch or provide any sort of comfort. "You didn't get a choice and that is wrong. But it happened. Now it is up to you to make what you can out of it."
"How can I go home like this?" Sam said not looking at him. "I'm…not human…" she wasn't able to say it yet but the word she was thinking was monster.
"You will be able to. The Camarilla covered up most of the details. When you are able we will let the Air Force find you. Right now the lack of anything conclusive will be enough. Kine have a way of drawing reasonable conclusions without our help."
Sam wanted to say something but she couldn't. The SGC, her friends, her crew. So many people knew what was out there. They would look for her and if they saw her like this…She wanted to argue to make this person understand.
"Samantha," Now there was a softer touch to his voice and a hand held her shoulder firmly. "You are right. You now have to do something. Accept that a part of you is gone. And be happy there is a part of you that is still here."
He went on reaching another hand out to help lift her up. "Come on. The sooner we start the sooner you can go home."
Note: Okay, a lot of stuff going on. For those that don't know this, VTM is very complex. I like it because there are so many characters and not many main ones that I have to have to make the story work. Because it's a role playing game I can make up my own. It also has I think good bad guys which work for a Stargate show that has kind of used up its aliens and otherworldly foes. Because of the varied nature of the game I can also change things to make it fit more with what we know about stargate. For example the history of vampires and how it relates to stargate will be explored and I think you will find I did a good job merging the two…some of my best ideas if I do say so myself.
Let me help explain a few things and if you have questions please ask or look up Vampire the Masquerade.
The story is set after the end of SG-1. Sam as you can see was the CO of the "George Hammond" named after Hammond who died recently of a heart attack (he will be missed). The Kindred (vampire is a human word) come in many clans and bloodlines which have evolved over the hundreds of years they've been around. Different clans have different types of characters and different powers with some crossover as the character goes on.
Sam is a member of the Ventrue Clan. I chose this clan for her because they are known for leadership and not being uber in any one particular area. Different sources say different things but in my opinion they are one of the more stable clans and relatable. One of their key powers is Dominate – which is mental control over people. More clans will be introduced in more chapters. After a while it should be somewhat clearer to understand the language and the differences.
The main plot is very simple – Sam has to deal with being a vampire any way she can. At the same time she has to hide her nature from her human friends, Daniel, Valla, Cassie, and others. The Sabbat – a sect of vampires that are evil are trying to get the stargate – reasons to be reviled in the story. The Sabbat is also targeting Carter for reasons not yet explained. The Camarilla, the good vampires (not really but better than the Sabbat) are trying to keep it from the Sabbat but are losing ground. Sam is going to have to choose how useful she is going to be in the fight to protect the galaxy from this evil and her human friends who are unaware of this war that has been going on for centuries. Problem is Sam can't fight an inhuman battle while holding so firmly to her own humanity. In the World of Darkness, it takes a monster to destroy monsters.
More break downs will come as needed. Again ask and I will try to answer all questions either in the story or with a PM to you.