Chapter Ten – Fortunes Favourite
Sabaratha, Ha'tak, moving north of Richmond, Virginia, Earth,
Lord Zarin stalked down the flame lit corridor of her vast vessel, shadows flung hard against the gilt walls in her wake. In contrast, Masocan walked quietly behind her, awaiting the response to the latest conundrum that had been set before the Tok'ra infiltrator.
At last she paused before the large armoured door that guarded the latest revelation, it's heavily inscribed surface glittering in the firelight and flanked by two Jaffa guards, their eyes respectfully cast down as the god approached.
She turned towards the shorter man. "It seems this world brings forth nothing but trouble,"
In response he nodded respectfully, having noted the unnatural tone of voice that indicated the symbiote was presently ascendant.
"Truth, my lord but…..perhaps equally a treasure trove of unrealised opportunity?"
A discouraging scowl marred her sculptured features as she turned back to the door.
"Open!" She commanded and stepped forward as the vast weight began to slide open, the hidden mechanism groaning and reverberating as it did so.
A naked man was curled up in one corner of the large and brightly lit room, heavy chains running from the walls to hefty manacles on his limbs. His flesh was dark, even more so than the Gods confidante and his hair an unruly cloak that fell well past his shoulders.
Without haste he unravelled, lean muscles flexing, chains clattering as he rose and turned to face the two who had entered his cell. His body was not tall but strong and well formed, its nearly ebony surface marked with several impressive tattoos on his forearms.
As he moved, his eyes moved slowly across Zaran and then her companion, but showed little emotion, only calculation as he took the measure of them.
His thick eyebrows raised questioningly as she addressed him and then his gaze flickered meaningfully to the man that now stood beside her.
"Sadly he does not speak the tongue of the gods, My lord."
She sighed but switched to English, learning new languages was not difficult and technology at her disposal provided several useful shortcuts and of course Ba'al had insisted that his followers be fluent.
"I am told that you are more than you appear?"
He smiled, many large white teeth flashing briefly as he glanced down his own naked body.
"What could I could I conceal?" His voice was deep and powerful, slow and considered and as he spoke he spread his arms wide, the heavy chains clattering on the floor.
Zaren stepped closer and they locked eyes, tension rippling through both of them, her eyes flashed white and he broke the stare.
"I am informed that you are more beast than man."
In response he actually growled, then switched to a dangerous toothy smile as his eyes became suddenly a wolf like yellow then back again.
"Is that what you want?"
She laughed. "Perhaps… I have seen the Sekhmet that serve Bastet, but I understand you are a different breed – more wolf than cat?"
He cocked his head slightly to one side, a puzzled frown drawing together his heavy eyebrows.
"I don't know anything about these "Sehkmet", but I do want to know what you want with me."
"Information….for now."
"About what?" He folded his arms across his chest as he waited for her response.
"Well, what can you tell me about what you call…..Vampires."
"Well now, what do you want to know…and how does it help me get out of this cage?"
Xx
Northern Virginia, Earth
"You know about…who…what we are?"
Elena turned to look at the older man, whose own cool eyes were now assessing her, the muzzle of the gun trained firmly at her body.
"Well I do now….."
"Problem?" Damon appeared behind the female soldier, a disarming smile not matching the darkness of his eyes.
"Damon…." Elena's voice tone was full of a warning and a plea for restraint.
"Depends on why exactly you are here?" The muzzle of the gun did not waver.
Damon sighed theatrically, "I thought we covered that earlier Colonel, just passing through, looking for somewhere safe….."
"Really?…. You bloodsuckers not popular with the snakes then?"
"Why would we be?" Damon smiled again, more crooked, even less friendly now.
"Figured they might be looking for evil minions."
Elena spoke up as her lover was about to reply, "Really Colonel – we were just trying to help."
Damon noted the animation in her tone and with a mental effort bit back his own reply, which she might have considered frankly…provocative.
"You have a mighty funny way of going about it." Carter had not ceased aiming at the back of the girl's head, studiously ignoring the madness of the conversation, but still filing away the information in the cavernous interior of her formidable mind.
"How are you feeling Airman?"
The soldier so addressed quickly replied, straightening up as the officer spoke, "Much better Sir!"
He certainly looked it, a healthy colour returning to his face and O'Neil nodded, "Good to hear it, but still, check him out Carter."
"Sir?" Carter's eyes flickered meaningfully over to the still kneeling girl in front of her.
"Keep up the good work Miss Gilbert" he said loudly, conscious that they were starting to draw attention from the rest of the survivors. He then fixed her still grinning boyfriend with a cool stare.
"Let's talk….outside."
"Sure….whatever you say Colonel." Damon brushed Elena's forehead with a light kiss and began walking for the door.
Xx
"Do you think he speaks the truth?" Zarin had returned to her lavish quarters and immediately dismissed her body servants and guards.
"He does not seem the type to disseminate."
"Hmm, no…"
"It does give potential leverage over our new "Allies"."
She smiled, "I like leverage…"
Xx
Approaching Sabaratha, Ha'tak, Virginia, Earth,
The flight back to the great ship had been swift and comfortable but Katherine continued to fidget in her seat drawing once again an irritated glance and deep sigh by the pilot of the Tel'tak.
She paused and met his eyes, "Well, get us there quicker then."
He did not reply but almost immediately threw the craft into a vicious bank as it swept in towards one of the auxiliary hanger bays. Two raptor like fighters were launching as he moved in and he smiled as he flung the craft into a rapid dive beneath them.
Almost immediately he adjusted the controls and it surged up again, another movement and the craft was spinning easily onto the nearby landing platform with a deft series of precise but small movements on the controls. He ignored the curses of the other pilots and the air controller that had rang out in response to his maneuverers.
Katherine pursed her lips in a mixture of annoyance and admiration of his skill.
"Thank you." She said, "Hopefully next time I will get to travel First rather than Club class."
The pilot made no response and began to power down the vessel, noting the maintenance crew was approaching – he made a sign through the cockpit window at their leader - he was still not completely happy about the manoeuvring of the small craft.
Realising that she was being ignored, the dark haired woman eased her slim frame out of the seat and began, cat like, to stretch her muscles. She had not reached her full height when a familiar sharp pain shoot through her body and she staggered a little.
The pilot had either not noticed or did not care and so she continued back through the cargo area and out of the now open hatch and lowered ramp. Several unsmiling Jaffa stood watchfully nearby, their cold eyes tracking her movements with disdain.
She grimaced as she saw that Masocan awaited her, his smiling demeanour a striking contrast to that of the guards and she could almost hear the warning bells sounding in her head.
"Greetings Katherine Pearce, I trust your mission was successful?"
She waited till she had nearly reached him before replying, feeling her stomach churning unpleasantly and briefly tasted bile in her mouth, another thing she had to become used to over recent months.
A practised smile hid the pain and an expert toss of her hair distracted attention from a slight flinch of pain.
"Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll see just how successful it was." She produced a familiar smirk as his eyes briefly widened in surprise. "I think very soon."
Taking advantage of the moment she began to move past him, but he caught her arm, firmly enough to stop her in her tracks.
"Katherine, I have someone new to talk too."
"Lucky me I guess." She shrugged and pulled slightly on her arm, enough to confirm he was not letting go.
"You did not mention, ah, yes…. "werewolves" in our …discussions Katherine, why is that?"
"Werewolves mainly exist now in books and really bad movies, actually it's a bit like your usual choice of dialogue."
He ignored the jibe and continued "Still, I'd like to discuss this development and its implications."
"I'd like a bath, something to eat and a new wardrobe – maybe we can help each other."
He smiled and nodded, "and perhaps something else….."
She rolled her eyes and allowed herself a small snort of derision.
"Well of course that, neither of us want me to die – do we?"
He released his grip and stepped back, "Then I shall see you shortly and we will examine the new information that I have received."
Katherine did not reply but stalked away towards the gilt doorway, ignoring the pair of Jaffa guards falling in behind her.
Xx
"How do you want to do this Colonel?"
The older appearing man looked at the vampire suspiciously, "Let's try the truth – can you handle that?"
Damon shrugged, "Sure, well let's see – I am a vampire, Elena is a vampire, she and "uncle" Alaric – not a vampire by the way, want to help you walking blood bags however they can."
"Not my idea but my Elena is a do-gooder. It's in her nature. She just can't resist" He paused and smiled at Alaric who was now watching the two men with increasing concern.
"As for little old me; well I just want keep my girlfriend happy – you know how that goes huh?"
O'Neil took a deep breath, "Yeah – I was married….luckily I can be as diplomatic and open-minded as anyone – ask anyone –well except maybe my ex-wife."
A flicker of amusement tweaked the edges of Damon's mouth.
"Thing is, Damon, I got stuck working with vampires before – it was not a fun experience. There were trust issues – you know with that pesky mind control trick you guys go in for?"
In response to the last, Damon tried for an innocent look which even Elena would have doubted.
"….However the world is going to hell and I figure we need all the help we can get…if I asked you to give your word would that actually mean anything?"
"Damon shrugged again, "Honestly?"
"Yeah, Honestly."
"It would mean something, but not everything – for what it's worth I agree, the world is screwed and I'd rather not be screwed along with it. If Elena wants to help, play at being a hero – then I am here to help."
He smiled broadly, then the expression twisted slightly
"However….Let me be clear about something. If it comes down to a choice between you, any of you and Elena, I will gladly let you all die. Thought you should know how I stand. You know, all that honesty crap"
O'Neil considered the man's words.
"….Or if you like I could just mind whammy you all?" Damon raised his hands at the reactive glare,
"Hey, I'm just laying out your options which are: fight, flee, forget or friends?" He ticked off each one by lowering a finger on his left hand.
"Soooo what do you want to do Colonel?"
Xx
Zarin dismissed the messenger and read the report one more time, still a little shocked by its contents
"Can you imagine what Apophis's reaction is going to be to losing an entire Ha'tak to a bunch of primitives?" A cat like smile tracking across her features as she sprawled invitingly across the couch.
"Lord Ba'al may also be very angry?" Masocan ventured, eyeing her partially clad form.
"Or ecstatic?" Zaren countered, enjoying watching him watching her.
"Or perhaps both?" Her companion considered, taking a deep draught of the excellent wine from a goblet atop the glittering silver platter, its surface a multitude of intricate almost abstract designs.
"It is certain the other Systems Lords will see it as a sign of weakness." She reached for a drink herself and brushed her arm across his.
"The other question is what the primitives will do with such a vessel."
"Something hugely destructive and short term I should think….." she was obviously losing interest in the subject and leaned closer to him.
"I grow tired of these matters Mascoan, can you not find some way to distract me from these concerns…."
"Of course" he murmured, "I live to serve…"
Xx
Katherine moved her hand languidly through the hot, soothing water, relaxing her lithe form as she once again enjoyed the lack of pain and discomfort now that the Sarcophagus had worked its magic on her body. Eyes closed in satisfaction, her dark mane of hair drifting behind her on the surface of the water as she gestured towards the servants for more heat.
Lovely, relaxing, comforting hot water – she vaguely remembered her original, mortal life and the hardships of that time, over five centuries ago. To bathe as she did now was something unheard off even in the holds of the greatest lords and ladies – although many would have disdained it as unnatural even if they could.
She half opened her eyes to gaze upon the naked servers that attended upon those who were privileged enough to use the baths and smiled as her gaze caressed one the men who knelt nearby, his eyes downcast. He was well formed and had powerful arms and hands that she recalled served him well as a masseuse.
It was good to be alive….
Xx