Chapter 7: Traitor in their midst

Ronon was proving himself to the other Fatals. He was doing a good job holding them off as they steadily attacked him in the combat ring. The audience that had gathered whooped and cheered their support.

"You're good," said Genik approvingly, "I'm tempted to give you a squad of your own."

"Don't bother," Ronon grunted as he grabbed the shirt of one of his new attackers and threw him into another.

"If you say so," replied Genik, shrugging off Ronon's hostility. Pulling off his coat, Genik prepared to join the fray.

"Genik!" Both men turned as two children ran up to the battle ring. Ronon stiffened when he saw one was wraith. Genik knelt down so that he could talk to the small children more easily.

"Astra, Deimos, what is the matter?"

"Guards! They got the new people!" the young girl exclaimed. The wraith boy behind her nodded vigorously. Genik looked stony faced. Standing up, he took a delicate golden ear clip from a pouch on his belt and put it on.

"Siric," he said out loud, "what's this I'm hearing about an attack? Why didn't you warn us?" Ronon saw Genik's sudden confusion and concern. "Siric? Siric, what's happening?" Genik listened in silence. Everyone was watching to see what would happen next.

"Fan the building!" Genik ordered, "No one in, no one out. You three," he pointed to Chiss, Ronon and another, "with me."

Spectators and combatants alike grabbed weapons and scattered. Ronon followed Genik as he raced through doorways and down corridors. There were sounds of fighting up ahead. Attempted to ram the door in front of him, but it wouldn't budge.

"Dex, give me a hand," he grunted. Ronon simply turned and shot the lock with his gun. Without waiting for an order, Chiss and the other man took position either side of the entrance. Genik was about to enter when the door was flung open, catching him on the side of the head and sending him crashing into the man behind him. Ronon reacted on pure instinct, raising his gun and firing at the blood-soaked young woman that charged out of the room. She spasmed as the bolt hit her, her mouth and eyes wide, before she fell to the ground.

"Quick thinking," said a strained voice from the shattered doorway. Chiss was quick to support the shaking and wounded Jasieen. She was carrying a wicked-looking knife that was slick with blood.

"What happened?" asked Chiss, gently taking the blade from Jasieen's hand.

Jasieen nodded to the unconscious woman on the ground. "Right wrist," she said, "take a look."

Ronon, as the closest, kneeled down beside the prostrate figure and carefully examined her right wrist. There was a brand there in the shape of a spiked wheel.

"The Government like us to know when they've managed to plant a traitor within our ranks," explained Jasieen. "Dr McKay noticed the traitor's mark when she was giving the Whisper-Master some reports. He didn't know what it meant, of course, but that doesn't alleviate the problem that there was a spy hidden inside the Whisper Network."

"We'll take it from here," Genik informed her. Without prompting, the man behind Genik hoisted the stunned woman onto his shoulders and he and Chiss walked back along the corridors.

"Where's McKay?" Ronon asked the blood-soaked spy.

"He fainted," replied Jasieen coolly, "after the traitor attempted to stab Siric to try and prevent he from informing you of what was happening."

Genik walked past Jasieen into the low light room. Ronon followed after the girl. He immediately noticed Rodney sitting up unsteadily on the floor.

"You okay?" he asked, helping the scientist to his feet.

"Did someone hit me?" asked Rodney blearily. "I could have sworn-"

"You merely fainted," growled Siric. He was silhouetted against the glow of a large screen. What was on the screen seemed to be making the wraith tetchy. Genik was standing next to him squinting at the screen.

"Is that-"

"It appears that our little traitor has managed to spread her influence further than we realised. I only just restore these files," replied the wraith. "Our most pressing concern now is for those in the Government's care." From the way it snarled that last sentence, it was not good news.

"Why, exactly?" asked Mckay, looking completely confused.

The wraith shot him a scornful glare. Ronon glared back at it, and it snarled.

"The reason it is of such great concern," answered Genik, "is because of the Arrangement."

"Err, yes, would you kindly explain what this "Arrangement" thing is to the new people so we can be worried too?" Mckay retorted.

"The Arrangement is the reason there are so many wraith on this world." They turned to look at Jasieen. "The Government and Slavers made a pact with a Hive Queen," continued Jasieen," for the exchange of wraith slaves for human ones. They tend to trade prisoners, mostly those of the Guilds that they can catch." She shook her head gravely. "I am afraid that is the fate that will await your friends."

Ronon's grip on his gun tightened, and Rodney went into a panic.

"Okay, this is very bad. I mean extremely bad. How long before a hive comes along to swap prisoners with you people?"

"That is what the traitor had attempted to conceal," Siric replied, turning back to the screen. "We had not believed the next exchange to be for at least another six days, but it appears that we do not have that luxury anymore."

"We have to get them back," demanded Ronon.

"You are not the only one who has lost friends to the Government," snarled Genik, "but we now simply do not have the time to plan and stage a rescue attempt."

"You're giving up without a fight," Ronon said. "If you truly had friends in there, you'd have tried to get them out before now."

It was only because Siric put himself between the two warring males that further bloodshed was avoided. Genik had drawn a concealed blade and had been about to go for Ronon.

"This is not a solution," growled the wraith, "and it will not aid your friends." He waited until Genik had sheathed the blade before continuing. "I have an idea, but you're not going to approve."

"Right now," sighed Genik, "I'm willing to accept any offers."

***

"I refuse to here this!"

"I am the most logical choice," Rodney heard Siric's voice reply calmly. "You would be able to follow the signal from the subspace tracking device –"

"You were just stabbed!"

"The traitor attempted to, but was unsuccessful in injuring me."

"Siric, I know you, and I know what you're like! You may be able to hoodwink the others into thinking you're fine, but Nish and me know you better than that. I'm not considering letting you take the risk. You are not up to it."

There was a stony silence behind the closed door before the wraith spoke again.

"Are you referring to the fact I was stabbed or my crippling injures?"

"Does it matter? Until Nish returns, I am in charge of the Guild and I'm not letting you go!"

Rodney struggled to hear the wraith's reply, the words seemed guttural and incomprehensible. There was a sudden crashing sound, as if someone had fallen to the ground. McKay back-pedalled as he heard footsteps approaching the door. Siric left the room and walked straight past Rodney. McKay took the opportunity to take a quick look inside. Genik was sprawled on the floor where he had fallen and Rodney felt himself start to panic again. That wraith was seriously starting to creep him out! He looked back around in time to see the wraith slide a dagger into a sheath under the sleeve of his cloak. Siric looked up and offered McKay a crooked smile.

"Just tell Nerisha that Genik needs the secondary trigger, when she gets back," it said. Rodney nodded nervously, not really understanding what the wraith was on about.

"Sure, fine, whatever you say," he garbled. "Err… where are you going?" he asked bluntly, just as Siric opened the door to leave.

"To get annoy the Government and help your friends," he replied.

And with that, he was gone, leaving Rodney alone and confused in the Whisper-Master's lair.


My apologies for the slight hiatus. Life's been a bit busy and the other stories were more demanding...

Please R&R, I like to know what others think