Remember, Never to Forget---7

Hawk flew the craft expertly, staying low to the ground in effort to stay below the winds that blew across the higher ridges. They buffeted the ship, making it a rougher ride than normal, but he knew he could handle the ship no matter how rough it got. He glanced at the man in the seat beside him and felt his excitement mount at the prospect of reaching the underground chambers. The other slave owners would be there, but he would still have his privacy and that was something he would need in order to show John the true meaning of Alpha male.

Hawk turned back to the controls and skimmed the craft across the tops of several trees before dipping into a deep valley and riding the winds along the outer edge. He loved the freedom of flying and wondered if John had ever flown anything before his memory loss. Was he a pilot? Could he use ancient technology with ease because of the gene? Would this give Hawk the edge he needed to take over the nearby fortresses? Those were questions he expected answers to, but for now he wanted to prove to John that he owned him, body and soul.

"Have you ever flown a ship, John?"

"Used to fly Puddle jumpers," John answered, frowning as he tried to grasp the meaning of those two words.

"A Puddle Jumper? What is that?"

"I don't know…something I…" John shook his head as he tried to focus on the fleeting memory, but it remained as illusive as the name Rodney.

"John, why do I feel as if you're lying to me?"

"I'm not lying…I just…sometimes it feels like I should know things, but when I try to remember them they're gone."

"We shall see, John," Hawk told him, descending lower in the valley.

John looked out the window, amazed at the scenery spread out below and to the sides of the narrow gorge. There were animals, so large they defied description, scattered throughout the lower, more fertile parts of the valley. Some looked familiar, but he could not put the name to it. The trees, the valley, the animals, everything about this place made him long for something he couldn't quite remember and he felt lost and alone…more alone than he'd ever been in his life.

"Would you like to take the controls, John?"

"Me?"

"Why not? I think you could handle it easily," Hawk told him. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"We could slam into the face of the cliff," John answered.

"Not with the inertial dampeners on auto," Hawk said. He pressed a button and stood up, motioning for John to take his place, smiling when the man reluctantly took the pilot's seat.

"How do I know where to go?"

"Our destination is programmed in so if you venture off course by more than twenty degrees it will kick in and automatically bring us back on track," Hawk explained. He watched John closely as he placed his hands on the controls and a frown formed on the pale features.

Hawk wondered why this man had stood out at the slave auction and why he'd been drawn to spend such an exorbitant amount to purchase him. It was clear that he was underweight, yet there seemed to be a hidden strength in the way he carried himself. He watched as the finger flew over the controls, making sure the ship avoided colliding with the walls of the gorge. The ship did have inertial dampeners, but what he'd neglected to say was he didn't have them turned on. That was something else he couldn't explain…why trust a slave with his life? The answer was simple…John reminded him of himself.

John could feel the other man watching him, but kept his eyes on the rough terrain ahead as he skimmed his hands over the controls. It felt so natural to him and he drew on his instincts as he maneuvered between two down trees that had fallen eons ago. Since sitting in the pilot's seat he'd felt as if a part of him had come home, but there were still so many missing pieces. Pieces that felt like a kaleidoscope of images jumbled together into an impossibly complex puzzle.

"You seem to know your way around the controls, John, and that makes me believe you are a pilot and holding back," Hawk observed.

"It just feels right…I'm not doing it from memory…at least I don't think so," John answered honestly, banking the ship to the left as he manipulated the craft through a narrow, debris strewn opening. It felt so damn good, but it came to an abrupt halt when Hawk hit a button on the control panel and the ship seemed to hover in place.

"It's time for you to come clean with me, John," Hawk warned, his voice soft, but laced with anger. He reached out and gripped John's arms and pulled him from his seat. "Tell me who you are, John!"

"I don't know, Hawk!" John spat and knew the vice like grip would leave bruises on his arms. He tried to pull away, but Hawk shoved him into the second chair and quickly fastened the straps across his body, making it impossible for him to move.

"You and I need to set some ground rules when we reach the underground chambers," Hawk snarled and took the controls once more.

John could feel the anger boiling inside and silently screamed in frustration as he fought against the restraints. He'd never liked being tied down, of that he was certain even with his memory loss, but he did not want to let Hawk see his emotions. He closed his eyes and a face appeared for a fraction of a second. A face filled with fear and horror and something told him this was the illusive Rodney whose name seemed to be part of the only memory he retained.

SGASGASGASGASGA

Drakar hurried toward Domitar's dwelling and entered to find the elderly man seated in his usual position. He was anxious to find out whether the high priestess would be visiting the retreat in the near future. Domitar ignored him for several seconds, intent only on lighting the foul smelling cigar and puffing intently on it before blowing rings over his head. "Have you heard anything from her?"

"Shazzia has asked me to speak for her…"

"Then we have nothing to talk about, Domitar," Drakar said and turned to walk away, but movement to his left made him smile.

"What ever you have to say to me had better be worth my time, Drakar," Shazzia warned.

"High Priestess, you honor me by allowing me this time," Drakar said, bowing several times before looking into the woman's eyes. "I have information about your slave."

"I have many slaves, Drakar, get on with it."

"I want to be…"

"Yes, yes…I know you want to be paid, but the amount depends on the value of your information," Shazzia said. Although Drakar was taller than she was, the man wilted under her fiery gaze and she stood looking down at him as he dropped to his knees.

"Thank you, High Priestess," Drakar, trembled as he stared up at her. "The information is about your slave called John. The one you saved from the explosion on P63-2K9…"

"What about him?"

"He is military, High Priestess…his friend's called him Colonel and they are from Atlantis…"

"Atlantis was destroyed by the wraith," Shazzia told him, but she had known for some time that there were military and Athosian personnel living there. For now she would keep this information from Drakar, and find out exactly who the people searching for John were.

"No it wasn't," Drakar told her. "They gave me a way to contact them…see it's right here and I was to contact them once I found out about Colonel John Sheppard."

"Colonel John Sheppard?" Shazzia repeated the name, enjoying the way it seemed to flow off her tongue.

"Did his friends say anything about a reward?"

"No, but they seemed real interested in finding out about him and since they are from Atlantis I know they'll pay for his return."

"Who said anything about returning him?" Shazzia said, wondering who had bought the handsome slave. "If he is military the Genii and the Dregorians would be interested in his secrets."

"The Dregorians are always looking to gain an upper hand with the Genii," Domitar observed.

"Exactly," Shazzia said and paced across the cluttered structure before turning back to Drakar. "What did you tell John's friends?"

"I told them I would let them know if I find out anything about their friend," Drakar answered.

"You will tell them nothing," Shazzia told him. "Tell them you were wrong and that there is no one amongst my slaves named John. You will be well rewarded as long as you convince them they are wrong."

"Yes, High Priestess, I will do as you ask," Drakar told her.

"Very well…you are dismissed," Shazzia said and waited for the merchant to leave before turning to Domitar. "What do you think, Old Friend?"

"If John is this Colonel then you sold a man who could have invaluable secrets about Atlantis," Domitar answered.

"Oh, I believe he is Colonel John Sheppard and I will find out who bought him and make him or her an offer they can't refuse," Shazzia told him.

"You could be putting yourself in danger, Shazzia."

"Don't I always. Why do you think I saved him from my own slavers?" Shazzia asked.

"I had wondered…but I have known you long enough to know that you will do whatever you wish," Domitar answered. "Just watch your back or one of your enemies might just take you down."

"Thanks for the warning…I will get back to you once I find John…"

"Why did you sell him in the first place? I mean you went through all that trouble to snatch him from death and then you put him on the auction block."

"I knew he was from Atlantis, but I had no idea he was military…although I should have, considering he was firing on my slavers."

"That's not like you, Shazzia," Domitar observed. "You're usually a lot more careful when it comes to taking slaves. What if this man is the one I warned you about?"

"I have always believed in your visions, Old Friend, but you are not always right," she said. "I have to get back to my ship and find out who bought John if I plan to get him back."

"Just be careful, Shazzia, I'd hate to attend your funeral," Domitar warned, smiling when she kissed him and left his home. He inhaled deeply of the cigar and thought about the vision he had. In it a dark haired stranger with ties to the Ancients had cost Shazzia everything she owned including her life. Was Colonel John Sheppard the man from his vision? If so was it already written in the star that Shazzia would die in his arms?

SGASGASGASGASGA

Suduko had listened to the stories about Star Trek while piloting the sip and realized his own world had similar legends. Perhaps his home had been seeded by this James T Kirk and his people. They did have the same physique and the same yearning to reach the stars. He looked down at his hand and tried to make the Vulcan sign, but it was impossible and he returned his hand to the controls.

"How long before we reach the retreat?" Teyla asked.

"We should be seeing the lights as soon as we fly over the next mountain," Suduko answered.

"So we're over the danger zone?" Lorne asked.

"Pretty much, but it still takes skill to land this craft with the strong updraft from the valley," Suduko told him.

"How long have you been piloting this ship?" Teyla asked.

"More years than I care to remember, but at least it's bought and paid for with hard work and many Shoclaws," Suduko told her and pointed toward the lights in the distance as they crested the mountain. "That's the retreat…"

"It is beautiful," Teyla whispered.

"Yes, it is. The people who live here took advantage of the trees and surrounding caves and the natural lighting. There are stones that draw heat from the sun during the day and at night they shine as if with a power all their own," Suduko explained.

"Now that is something isn't it…"

"Welcome back, Rodney, did you sleep well?" Teyla asked as the scientist sat forward and stared at the twinkling lights in the distance.

"Yes…thank you," McKay answered. "Did you say those lights are caused by stones that harness the sun's power?"

"They sure do," Suduko assured him.

"What about heat? Do these stone produce any heat?" the Canadian asked.

"Enough to keep the retreat and the surrounding area warm in spite of the snow on the mountains," Suduko explained.

"Has anyone ever tested them?" McKay asked.

"No…they just enjoy the gift they were given although several merchants requested the stones be brought to them in order to sell them, but it seems the stones lose their ability to harness the sun's power once they are removed from this area. This is the only place that has them and the people would kill anyone who tried to take the precious stones away."

"I'd like to take a look at the stones," McKay said.

"That can be arranged, but I warn you not to touch them because they do leave a bad burn," Suduko told him.

"Gives a whole new meaning to the words 'hot rocks'," Lorne quipped.

"Settle back and enjoy the ride…this is where it gets touchy," Suduko warned and began the slow process of descending toward the retreat.

TBC