I don't own Stargate Atlantis or its characters, I just wish I did.
Sorry this took so long, I had a hard time writing it the way I wanted it.
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Ronon awoke to a loud voice outside. He looked up and saw Adal in the middle of the arena, addressing the crowd. "Today is the monthly Gauntlet! I am happy to announce that we have a Satedan to compete! He is brand new and a very accomplished warrior!" He continued in an obnoxious voice, and after a few minutes he had riled the crowd into a frenzy.
"Gauntlet?" Ronon looked over at Oren.
"Heard about it, haven't seen it. Every month they pick somebody they think can make it most of the way through. It lasts as long as you're alive. If you make it for five hours, they say they'll let you go." Ronon raised an eyebrow and sat up, pain shooting across his back as a few of the scabs stretched and tore. "Ya, well I've heard nobody makes it. Even if you did, I doubt they'd let somebody like you out. Probably just take you out back and shoot you."
Ronon sighed and stood up as a guard opened the door. Oren stood up and grabbed his arm. "Ronon, I…thank you. For this," and he pointed towards Ronon's back, "but if you want to live and get out of here, don't show any more mercy. It'll just get you killed, and you'll never avenge your family." Oren looked up at him, pleading in his eyes. He truly liked this man. He reminded him of his older brother who had been culled a few years ago, and he didn't want to watch him die.
Ronon took a deep breath and stepped out into the arena.
xxxxx
"Incoming worm hole, Colonel Sheppard's IDC," Amelia shouted towards Woolsey's office. Woolsey quickly ran down the steps towards the gate as Amelia lowered the shield. Colonel Sheppard and his team stepped through, quickly followed by Major Lorne and his team.
Woolsey looked them over quickly, and didn't see any injuries. "How did the mission go, Colonel? Any information?"
Sheppard nodded. "Found out where Ronon is. But we need to talk. Let's take this to the conference room." Woolsey turned and walked towards the conference room followed by Sheppard, Teyla, McKay, and Lorne. As soon as he had entered and they had all taken a seat, Sheppard continued. "It's going to be tough to get him out. We extracted Simon from the village, and after some convincing, he gave us the gate address. He was easier to break than Kole, thank God. Turns out Ronon was bought by some Gladiator type people. From what Simon said, we've got problems. The place is very well-protected, and it looks like we'd lose a lot of people just going in and taking him."
Woolsey nodded. "So what's the plan?"
Sheppard frowned. "Well, we were kinda hoping you'd have something." Teyla looked at him hopefully, and Woolsey shifted in his chair.
"I'm not very good with military strategy, Colonel. I believe that's your job."
"Well, ya. But all our military options involve me losing more people. We were kinda hoping you'd come up with some other way of doing it."
McKay looked up. "That's if he's even still alive." Everyone in the room shot him angry glances and he continued, "Come on! You've seen that movie! The general guy was never given a fair shot! You know it's probably rigged so Ronon'll die. I don't want to think it any more than you do, but somebody's got to say it." He stopped talking and grumbled quietly to himself.
"Ronon's not dead. I'm sure of it. He is the most accomplished fighter any of us know, and I'm sure he can survive anything they throw at him." To everyone's surprise, it was Woolsey who had spoken up. Teyla smiled and nodded, and Sheppard just gaped.
After he recovered, Sheppard nodded as well. "Right. Now we've just got to get him out of there."
Woolsey frowned, and they all sat and thought for a few minutes. "These people are in this business to make money, am I correct?" Sheppard nodded and Woolsey continued. "So why do we not simply buy him back?"
"With what?" McKay said condescendingly. "It's not like they take Visa! And we certainly can't hand over any Ancient technology!"
Woolsey looked at Teyla, "Teyla, is there anything you can suggest? What would be of value to these people? Gold?"
Teyla thought for a moment. "I am afraid no one here has gold sitting around, and we could not get any here in time. Jewels are greatly valued among Pegasus, perhaps someone has some type of jewelry they would be willing to give up? I'm afraid I have nothing of value."
McKay shot out of his seat. "I can ask Jennifer! She's got a few pieces of jewelry she brought with her from Earth."
Teyla looked concerned. "I'm assuming that these people have observed Ronon fighting, and thus hold him at a great value. Also, it is possible…" she trailed off and looked down.
"Teyla, what's up? What's possible?" Sheppard asked, and everyone looked towards Teyla.
"Ronon once told me of this type of entertainment. Before Sateda was destroyed, they had waged a war against these arenas. It is possible that if these people know he is a Satedan, he will be of even more value to them. Perhaps their desire to see him die will overcome their desire for 'making money' as Mr. Woolsey puts it." Teyla's eyes were filled with concern as she looked up at Rodney. "It would have to be of great value."
Rodney sighed, then looked up hopefully. "Is the Daedalus still here?"
Woolsey nodded. "Yes, they won't leave for another week."
"Good! That means Cadman's still here!" Sheppard raised an eyebrow. Since when did McKay stop being uncomfortable around the snappy Lieutenant? McKay noticed his look and went on, "Hey, I'm not happy to see her, but between her, Jennifer, and Amelia, I'm sure they've got enough jewelry to make a dent!"
Teyla nodded hopefully.
Sheppard frowned. "That's all fine and dandy, but what if Teyla's right, and they won't sell him?"
Lorne, who had been silent during the entire conversation, spoke up. "Sir, I might have a solution to that. We offer them the payment with a few puddle jumpers behind us. People tend to be more cooperative when we've got really big guns aimed at them. Chances are they'd take the money, and we wouldn't lose anybody."
Everyone in the room stood up, and Woolsey nodded. "Very well."
Sheppard nodded. "Lorne, get the jumpers ready. Four should do just fine. McKay, you've got Jennifer. Teyla, take Cadman. I'll go tell Amelia the good news. We leave in 30 minutes." After a few seconds, Woolsey was left standing in the room by himself.
"Yes, very well then. I'll just go back to my office."
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Sorry, I know it's a short chapter. Please read and review!! Next chapter should be up shortly, I'm feeling more writing coming on. :D
