PRESENT:
As their attention was drawn to the scarred man, they heard the crowd roar out of anger. It was Vala being brought in with her arms tied to a crossbeam.
Cam finally could see her image as they brought her closer.
"Oh God."
When Vala came into full view, her teammates and friends could see that Vala was stripped of her gear as they had been, but she was fully clothed, except for her shirt missing and just the black t-shirt was visible.
Cam could see that Vala must of struggled from the bruises on her arms. Otherwise she looked unharmed. When she was finally closer, Vala saw the scarred faced man. She physically cringed backwards a few steps, and then was pushed forward again by several men. The mysterious man never made any move towards her or her team. He just stared straight at Vala. He knew she knew who he was.
Arman motioned two men to the two set poles in front of SG1 and pulled Vala forward. Vala gave Cam a look, as if to say everything is going to be alright. Vala's crossbeam she was tied to was place in two notches of the poles to hold her upright with her arms stretched out. Cam was about to protest, not knowing what was going to happen to Vala. Arman immediately motioned SG1 to be gagged. Knowing SG1 would protest what was inevitable.
Vala tried not to show she was frightened. She could see the crowd jeering at her while she was marched in to the courtyard. What she didn't expect was to see Cam and her friends restrained, hoping that there was no injury to either of them. Vala was trying to remember this planet and it's people, but Quetesh was over so many people. But the scared man she knew, but not from this planet. She knew how he came to have that scar. Quetesh had given it to him for his blatant disobedience. It was to remind him, she remembered who was in control and who was his God. He had spoken out against Quetesh and when Quetesh found out, his entire family was wiped out, but he was left alive to remember who had power over him. Vala remembered Quetesh and her cruelty and sometimes she made sure Vala could see it and not hide.
Arman hushed the crowd and addressed SG1 and Vala. "Today we are reminded why we are a free and peaceful people. Quetesh the false God was our master and slaver. When she left our hearts rejoiced and over time we forgot her cruelty and became fruitful and prospered. Now she dares return and our so called friends have shown they are not to be trusted or return to our peaceful nation ever again."
A roar went up with the crowd as Arman relished in his testimony. "Let this be a lesson to those who have persecuted innocent people. Our dear friend has graciously come forward as one amongst us, who has lost so much, who has come to punish the demon that would threaten our peaceful existence."
Cam looked at his teammates and they had the same worried look on their faces also. Something terrible was about to happen to Vala and there was nothing any one of them could do to stop it.
Arman continued. "Our punishment will be merciful, but the SG1 that brought her here will suffer the same punishment as this evil creature."
As soon as Vala heard that her friends will suffer she could not let that happen; ever.
"NO." Vala shouted.
Arman was surprised Vala had spoken up. "You have no authority here anymore false God. You cannot escape your punishment from those that felt your wrath."
Vala could barely turn her head, but she wanted to be heard. "No, they were deceived by me. They knew nothing of my past. They are innocent of my treachery. They have helped you in the past. They do not share my taste for blood. Let them go and keep me instead. I will take what ever punishment you deemed rightful, but do not harm them. I deserve your disdain and I know who your silent friend is and what he was. I beg of you to remember the pain Quetesh caused you and not leave their families filled with the same pain."
The scarred man looked at Vala hard and then back at SG1. Cam and the rest were struggling to speak, especially Cam. He knew Vala was sacrificing herself to save them. He couldn't let her do that, but he was also the leader of SG1. He had a hard choice on saving his team or saving Vala.
The scarred man leaned over to Arman to speak and Arman nodded his head.
"My people, our friend is a fair man. Not unlike this false creature who enslaved our families and hearts. He will administer sole punishment and allow SG1 to return to their planet. We are a fair and peaceful people and will not allow any intrusion into our lives, our people our children. But we will let them understand that we are swift in administering justice and will allow them to take this creature back to where she came from."
Cam thought they were going to release them, then and there. But no one moved to cut them loose. All three of his teammates watched as the scarred man moved towards Vala.
The scarred man moved silently towards Vala. He stopped a few feet behind her and pulled something from his undercoat.
Cam tried to see what he had in his hand, but he was too far away, and his back was turned towards them. The mystery man pulled his hand back and SG1 heard a resounding crack, along with Vala's scream.
The crowd was silent as they heard Vala scream again. Cam obviously thought they had no stomach for torture, but they stayed to watch Vala's punishment. Once Cam saw Vala arch in pain, he finally could see what was causing it. It's what they called in Gou'ald a electronic whip. Teal'c recognized the weapon immediately. It was given to Jaffas of power or Primes to show their power without their false Gods relinquishing power that may have overcome them. It was not a pain stick, which only Goual'd could wield because of the Naquadah in their bloodstream. But it was whip that caused immense pain to those at the end of it laser lash. Immense pain and tearing of flesh also.
The man continued to exact his torture on Vala, causing her to struggle to breath with each painful lash.
Vala felt searing pain as her mind tried to control the amount of pain she could handle. She felt some relief after hearing that Arman was convinced to release her friends. Vala could not stand for anyone to be harmed because of her and Quetesh's violent past.
She could see white stars starting to form in front of her eyes and a ear piercing tone in her ears start to hum. Vala believed she was about to pass out, but kept fighting for some reason to stay conscious. She wanted to make sure in her clouded mind that Cam was safe as well as her friends. She had to know they were safe; She had to.
Cam felt like he was taking every lash, or wished he was. He couldn't stand to see anyone of his friends hurt. But he and Vala had become closer than friends and the pain of seeing her harmed burned thru his soul everytime he saw her scream. Then suddenly the torture stopped. He could see that Vala was unconscious and as suddenly as the punishment began, it was over.
They finally untied her from the cross beam and laid her limp body at the base of the polls. The silent scarred man walked over to Vala's body and dropped the laser whip beside her, then turned and walked away. Arman motioned the crowd out of the courtyard and motioned one man to cut SG1 free. The knife was left sticking from the back of the pole so that one member could cut themselves free and undue the others. Luckily it was Cam first. The courtyard now was emptied and there was no one to complain to. Their weapons were nowhere in sight, but their packs and equipment were left by the Stargate.
Cam couldn't run fast enough to see to Vala. As Sam dialed the gate, Cam could see that Vala was unconscious and bleeding badly. He gently picked her up and ran towards the gate, not stopping, as Sam dialed up the gate. She had already sent an emergency message that they would need medical attention as soon as they came thru the gate. Sam and the rest could see how weak Vala was and as they came thru the gate, Dr. Lam was already waiting with a gurney. Vala was rushed to surgery, while her friends followed suit. Landry had requested that SG1 been seen at the infirmary first and then report in one hour. Cam only nodded his head in slight acknowledgement, while his team was checked out.
Cam waited until Dr. Lam could give him any news of Vala's condition. Sam had followed shortly behind him, while Teal'c and Daniel were bringing up the rear.
Dr. Lam informed them that Vala had lost quite a bit of blood and the lashes on her back were deep; but she would eventually heal. She stated that Vala would need lots of rest and would keep her in the infirmary until she was able to move around. They all sighed a sign of relief and Cam insisted he be there when she woke up. His team felt like Cam felt guilty that one of his team members was injured. But the real reason was still kept a secret from his friends. He wanted so badly to say something about him and Vala. But this was not the time, even if Sam was the only one that suspected Cam's actions might be more.
Teal'c, Sam and Daniel had returned to their private rooms on base to sleep, while Cam watched Vala and the humming of the monitors. He moved closer to Vala's bed, careful not to jostle the bed for fear of hurting her, even though she was sedated.
Why must you always pay for your past Vala? Can't they see the person behind the hurt and pain? I just want you to get better and forget about those hurtful times. You were willing to sacrifice yourself to save us and now your safe; we're safe. Please come back to me, please Princess; please.
Vala was on her stomach and winced as she began to stir. She moved her arms first and blurrily could see she was on a soft bed, face down. She tried to move slightly and the pain lanced thru her body like she was on fire.
"Ahh……..uhm….
Cam heard a noise. "Vala? Don't move, let me get Dr. Lam." Cam immediately was concerned about Vala back and the pain she was obviously in.
"Ca….Cam?" Vala's voice was obviously weak.
"I'm here Princess. I'm here. You scared me and everyone to death. I'm so glad your back. I…..I was scared for you sweetheart. I was so scared."
Vala could hear the nervousness in Cam's voice. He was truly frightened for her. It was that moment that Vala decided that she could no longer put Cam or her friends in danger ever again. As soon as she was able, Vala decided she could no longer stay with her friends or SGC. She had to leave or next time her friends may not come out of this alive. Being host Quetesh was to dangerous and her past would always catch up to her. She realized she was lucky this time. But her luck may run out one day.
TBC
