Chapter------10
Shreelok could see the Tarleans and the humans gathered in front of the Skar'Tark and knew Shreelak had been right to keep Mitchell and Carter with them. He did not agree with taking them to their world, but Shreelak was in charge and he had always obeyed his commander.
Shreelok found the person he needed to speak with and called to her. "Shinara, your people will not be harmed if you allow us to leave now."
"You are free to leave…"
"What about Mitchell and Carter?" Jackson interrupted angrily.
"Once you have released Colonel Carter and Colonel Mitchell," Shinara offered.
"That is not possible. They will be accompanying us back to our world," Shreelok shouted.
"Shinara, you can't let them take…"
"Silence, Dr. Jackson," Binares warned as Shinara spoke to the Jarganian.
"Release them and we will allow you to leave," the Tarlean woman said.
"If you try to stop us we will not only kill them, but destroy much of your planet. It will be uninhabitable for many years and your people will perish," Shreelok warned.
"You do not have the means to destroy…"
"Do you think we came here unprepared for failure? We thrive on violence and carnage and if we do not get what we came for then we take what we can and destroy what is left behind.
"Shinara, you can't trust them," Jackson snapped.
"I do not, Dr. Jackson, but I will not allow them to destroy my world for the sake of two lives," Shinara told him.
"If you let them leave they'll dest5roy your world…"
"Shinara, we grow impatient. We will not wait much longer," Shreelok told her. "We ask for two lives in exchange for free passage from your world."
"Shinara, it is…"
"Silence, Jolace," Binares warned the male standing behind him.
"But we have no loyalty to them…they used subterfuge and…"
"Jolace, you and I will speak of this later…for now let Shinara handle this situation. She knows what she is doing and what these Jarganians are capable of doing. Dr. Jackson has spoken with her…"
"Dr. Jackson is not a Tarlean…"
"Neither are the Jarganians, now be silent or leave," Binares warned and returned his attention to the problems now facing them.
"We will not allow you to dictate…"
"Then your people will perish with your world and we shall take the humans with us anyway. What purpose does it serve to do things your way?" Shreelok asked.
"I need time to speak with the council," Shinara answered.
"You have one of the human's hours," Shreelok told her and retreated to the back of the Skar'Tark.
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Carter knew Mitchell needed medical attention, but right now she was all he had and she prayed she could keep him alive until they returned through the Stargate. She held him as his body shivered uncontrollably and spoke softly to him as he gripped her arm tightly.
"Sam…God…Sam."
"I'm here, Cam," Carter said, fighting back the raw emotions flooding her senses. She loved this man, there was no doubt of that now and it hurt her to see him in such pain.
"Sam…promise…promise me you'll get a…away if…if you get the ch…chance…"
"We'll both escape, Cam, I'm not leaving you. I won't leave you."
"I can't be respon…responsible for your death…please…"
"Sh, Cam, save your strength…"
"You should listen to her, Mitchell," Prionne spat. "You will both need to be strong when we reach our home. I promise you what the Tarleans call the Skar'bri'osh is nothing compared to the punishment you will both endure when we leave here. It is because of you that our mission has failed and we return home in disgrace. Bringing you back with us will allow us to save face and our leader will extract the information we want before you suffer the ten deaths of Caltraze."
"What is it with you and Shinara and ten deaths?" Mitchell spat.
"It is a strange parallel, but perhaps it means the Tarleans have a future similar to ours," Prionne told him.
"Shinara and her people will not allow you to leave," Carter tried.
"She will if she thinks it is the only option available to her," Prionne offered and turned as Shreelok returned.
"Shinara is meeting with the council. I told her she has one of the human's hours before we take matters into our own hands," Shreelok answered.
Carter watched as the third Jarganian joined Prionne and Shreelok before returning her attention to the man she held. She listened as they talked of their plans for the Tarleans and silently cursed them for their obvious brutality. "Cam, just lie still."
"Sam, Shreelok didn't lock the door. I'm going to distract him and I want you to…"
"Cam…"
"Listen to me, Sam, out there you can come up with a plan…I'm counting on you, Jackson, and Teal'c to figure out a way out of this. You need to warn Shinara and the others that the Jarganians plan to destroy their world even if they let them leave…"
"We go together," Carter tried, yet deep down she knew Mitchell was right. There was no way they could escape together, not when his body trembled violently with each shuddering breath he took.
"I'd just get us both killed right now, Sam," Mitchell said as another tremor raced through his body, leaving him weak and nauseated. "You know I'm ri…right, Sam…"
"I know…I just…Cam, promise me you won't give up. Promise me you'll fight to stay alive until we get to you."
"I promise to do my best, Sam," Mitchell vowed and kissed her.
"I love you, Cameron Mitchell."
"Ditto," Mitchell said with a weak smile.. He pushed his aching body away from her warmth and managed to stand on his own two feet. "Be ready, Sam."
"I will," Carter said as he staggered toward the trio of Jarganians.
"Going somewhere, Mitchell?" Shreelok asked as the human stumbled toward them.
Cam didn't speak as he lunged at the nearest Jarganian. He made sure the trio's attention was on him as he heard Carter move behind him. Mitchell kicked out with his right foot, catching Prionne at the back of the knee and heard the telltale snap of bone. Something struck him in the lower back, but he continued to fight, making sure he gave Carter time to escape.
Carter tore her eyes away from the fight and hurried to the door. She heard the fight behind her and allowed the tears to escape as Mitchell fought the creatures with a ferocity she seldom saw. She slammed the door open and exited into the outer chamber before racing past the ruined Sarcophagus until she reached the main door. She pushed it open and raced toward the people standing across the clearing.
"Daniel…"
"Sam!" Jackson said when the woman stumbled the last few feet. There were bruises on her face and the thin trail of tears down her cheeks warned him things were not good. "How did you escape?"
"Cam created a diversion. We have to get him away from Prionne," Carter snapped.
"Shinara and Binares are talking to the council." Jackson explained.
"I need to speak with them!" Carter said. "The Jarganians plan to destroy their world whether the Tarleans allow them to leave or not."
"How do you know?"
"I overheard them," Carter explained and hurried toward the building where the Tarlean council held their meetings.
"Coming, Teal'c?"
"I will stay here, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said as he watched the structure for any sign of Mitchell or the Jarganians.
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Mitchell fought with every ounce of strength he had, but it wasn't enough as the Jarganians overpowered him and forced him to his knees.
"You have just sealed your fate, Colonel," Prionne snarled.
"I thought that was a giv…given," Mitchell spat, forcing a smile to his face as the Jarganian wrapped its fingers around his neck and squeezed. Cameron tried to draw air into his lungs, but Prionne simply applied more pressure until the darkness began to close in on him.
"You have no idea what we are capable of, but rest assured you will find out when we reach our world."
Mitchell drew in a pained breath before speaking. "Don't matter…Sam's safe."
"Yes, she is, but for how long?"
"Long enough," the colonel said and managed to lift his head and smile sarcastically at his nemesis.
"Is your life worth so little that you would give it up for a female?"
"You don't know much about humans, Prionne," Mitchell spat. "We value life and fight like hell to keep it."
"Yet she ran out on you," Shreelok observed.
"Wrong," the colonel aid with a grin.
"Then why did she leave?" Prionne asked.
"You'll find out when she's ready," Mitchell told them and staggered toward the small cot. He sat down and leaned against the wall, silently praying Carter, Jackson, and Teal'c could find a way to get him out of this before it was too late.
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Teal'c watched the doorway for any sign that the Jarganian was returning, but so far there was nothing. He knew the layout of the structure from a previous visit and from Carter's description and knew what he was thinking could end badly. Mitchell was at Prionne's mercy and he knew there were three of the creatures inside. If he could get into the outer chamber he could very well take out the Jarganians before they realized he was there.
The clearing was free of people, most having gone home or into the council meeting, leaving Teal'c standing alone. He took a deep breath and held his weapon in his right hand before hurrying toward the closed doorway. He reached it without incidence and leaned against the out wall before reaching for the handle with his left hand.
Teal'c pushed it open slightly and listened for any sound from inside, but there was none. He pushed the door open far enough for him to scoot inside and close it behind him. He stayed low and cocked his head to the side, but heard nothing from the inner room. Teal'c crept across the room and again heard nothing as he reached for the handle.
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Mitchell kept his eyes closed as the Jarganians huddled together and spoke in hushed tones that sounded more like clicks and beeps than real language. He shifted slightly and opened his eyes when he heard a faint sound from the opposite side of the room. He looked back at the creatures, but they seemed to be enthralled in whatever they were talking about and Cam knew something was happening outside the room.
Mitchell sat forward, but Prionne and the other two did not glance in his direction as he slid his aching body to the edge of the bed and prepared to help whoever came through the door.
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Teal'c eased the door open and spotted the trio huddled together to the right of the open doorway. They still hadn't noticed his presence, and he held the staff weapon in his hands before shoving open the door and diving through. He didn't wait for a reaction from the Jarganians and simply fired into their midst, taking down the nearest creature before the other two sought refuge.
Teal'c spotted Mitchell moving slowly, and fired at the Jarganian moving in his direction. The shot missed and Teal'c knew he could not fire on the creature without hitting the colonel. He quickly spotted the third Jarganian and fired, and watched as it flew backward against the wall.
Teal'c turned to see the final Jarganian, the one he knew as Prionne, wrap an arm around Mitchell's throat and twist his left arm behind his back until Teal heard an audible snap. "Release him!" Teal'c snarled.
"You will go out and tell Shinara I am leaving and taking Mitchell with me. Make no mistake, Jaffa, I will kill him before you have a chance to use your weapon!"
"D…don't!" Mitchell managed, gasping for air as his lungs felt ready to collapse.
Teal'c cocked his head to the side as he watched Mitchell. He could tell his friend was up to something, and had learned long ago to be ready. Mitchell went limp in the Jarganian's arms and Teal'c thought he'd made a mistake.
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Cam relaxed every muscle in his body and felt the Jarganian try to regain his hold as he slipped toward the floor. Before Prionne had a chance to renew his grip, Mitchell drove his head back and heard a resounding crack that brought a smile to his face. He heard Teal'c shout, but could not understand what he was saying as he sank to his knees. His left arm hung uselessly at his side and pain registered at the same time Teal'c tackled Prionne to the floor.
Mitchell had no idea where he found the energy, but he managed to turn and watch the fighting men who were hell bent on killing each other. He tried to stand, but there just wasn't anything left to call on. He watched as Teal'c drove his fist into Prionne face, and briefly saw the features change as if the Jarganian was losing the ability to hold the Torean form.
Mitchell knew Teal'c was strong, but the Jarganians were also strong and from everything he'd seen they could easily tear a man apart. Cam looked around for anything he could use as Teal'c was thrown across the room He spotted the staff weapon and leapt toward it, ignoring the fiery sparks of pain that spread along his damaged arm.
Prionne seemed to be injured, but he was slowly climbing to his feet as Teal'c did the same. Mitchell grabbed at the Jaffa's weapon and tossed it toward the Jaffa. His aim was true and Teal'c moved with as much dexterity as possible given the ongoing fight. Mitchell heard the Jarganian scream and watched as he was thrown backward with the force of the shot.
Mitchell closed his eyes and soon felt someone at his side. He opened his eyes and turned to see Teal'c's concerned face as he helped him stand. Without a word they limped toward the door just as Jackson and Carter entered the outer chamber.
"Teal'c, what happened?" Jackson asked.
"The Jarganians are dead. Colonel Mitchell needs Dr. Lam's assistance," the Jaffa answered simply as Carter looked at Mitchell worriedly.
"Let's get him to the gate," Carter said.
"I am sorry, but Colonel Mitchell still has to atone for the Jaffa's transgressions," a Torean told them.
"You've got to be kidding! Haven't you people put him through enough? We've proved that we were not the ones involved in any kind of subterfuge and that Prionne was Jarganian. Shinara, you had better keep your people back or I will not be responsible for what I do to them!" Carter snapped.
"Go, Sam," Jackson said and moved to stand at her side. "Colonel Mitchell needs medical attention and since you are responsible for his injuries I would advise you to stand aside and allow us to leave."
"Dr. Jackson, please accept our apologies, but we were unaware of what Prionne was," Shinara told him. "There is no way we can atone for what was done to Colonel Mitchell, but we will no longer stand in your way. You are free to return to your world and perhaps when Colonel Mitchell is healed you will return and allow us to speak freely as allies…and friends."
"Thank you, Shinara," Mitchell managed just before consciousness left him.
"Cam!" Carter cried and touched his neck, eyes wide with fear as she searched for a sign that he was still with them.
TBC