Thanks for the reviews, and I hope you enjoyed the whump! - Thanks to all who are still following the story and of course shepsgirl72, my speedy beta. Of course, all mistakes are mine.
COLLABORATIONS
CHAPTER 11
Nessan suppressed a cringe at the sight of Sheppard's raw, mutilated flesh, but not out of sympathy for the wounded man. It was for himself, for his plan had come to nothing, burned in the flames that also tore across the skin of the man carried from the pole. He enjoyed watching the Lantian being placed in shackles, and had looked forward to the naïve fool being whipped, a fitting punishment for being so stupid as to turn against him, and their best chance of escape. But panic seized his throat when he saw the whip set alight, realising the burning cords would cauterise each laceration cut into Sheppard's skin, leaving no blood trail behind, and therefore no means for him to activate the dormant relics that would buy his freedom.
Malen stopped the two monks who were carrying the unconscious John back into the monastery. "Take him to the infirmary and see to his wounds…but not his pain." Smiling at Nessan as the small party went inside. "This was a punishment after all. Well, Mr Sheppard, I believe we have relics to inspect?"
"May I check on my prisoner first? All Nessan needed was just a little blood...
The monk turned to look at Nessan, suspicion in his gaze. "Why? The man has succumbed to his punishment. Even you would not be so lacking in compassion as to awake him to his pain this soon."
"No, of course not. It's just the punishment was more brutal than I expected…will he survive?"
Malen shrugged. "I don't see why not. He is young and strong, the flames prevent weakening blood loss and the brothers will keep him free from infection." Malen turned to whisper to Nessan "and despite my instructions, they will most likely give him some small relief for the pain. Now, I have been more than patient, so let us not delay any further. I have carried out my part of the arrangement and delivered the punishment you requested, so it is time for you to carry out your part of the bargain."
"Are you not staying to welcome me, Father?" a voice boomed from behind them.
Kolya stepped back, terrified…as three large Wraith came walking towards them
The monks face broke into a smile, as he recognised the tall, fierce creature with the wild, white hair blowing in the breeze.
"Father Confessor! How good it is to see you… but I wasn't expecting you for another two days."
"Yes, you are correct, Father Malen. I was due to come then, however unfortunately, we must bring forward the selection ceremony to tomorrow…I trust that will not be a problem?" Malen shook his head. "Excellent, I will leave you to inform the faithful and make the arrangements."
"Of course, Father, whatever you wish. But what of the feast? Your flock have been looking forward to it…a reward for their hard work and devoted service."
The Wraith gave a sinister smile. "Of course…but I'm sure you will be able to arrange it for this evening…won't you?"He turned toward Nessan. "Aren't you going to introduce me to this…gentleman?"
"Please forgive my manners, Father." Malen placed a firm grip on Kolyas shoulder. "Let me introduce you to Mr John Sheppard. He and another man were rescued from a crashed ship of Ancient design by one of our trading parties a few weeks ago. In fact, he was just about to reawaken some Ancient relics for me." The monk smiled at the Wraith. "I wanted to surprise you. For many years, I have collected relics, in the hope that one day I would meet someone with this ability, so I could finally give them to you as a gift."
Nessan felt himself start to sweat, and his eyes grew wide, as it was becoming clearer every minute just how much trouble he was in.
"Really…That is very generous of you, Father, and you too Mr Sheppard for offering your services. I would very much like to watch while you do that, but in the meantime, where is the other man? I would like to meet him."
"He is in the infirmary, Father. It was necessary to have him punished…to purify his soul…before he could join with the rest of your flock. I apologise for not waiting for your approval, but with the Festival so close, I didn't think you would mind."
Todd turned to glare at Malen. "I really do not understand your need for mindless violence, Father Malen. You are aware I need those faithful to the Wraith strong and healthy for selection. Still, it is done now, and as a new addition of my flock I wish to see him…to find out if there is any way he will still be able to serve."
ooooOoooo
Waves of searing heat raged through him, leaving him breathless, feeling sick…in agony. Each small movement sending fresh spikes of pain coursing through his body.
The monk who cleaned his wounds chose not to ease his suffering. Without pain relief, he lay in torment, prostrate on the bed, and wondered not for the first time, what so called religious order would devise such cruel, sadistic punishments. John desperately wanted to sleep, escape the intense searing pain for even a short time, but blessed oblivion wouldn't come, as each small shallow breath reawakened his agony, preventing even that temporary relief. He wanted to kill Kolya for having engineered his whipping, and if he ever managed to get out of bed...he would do just that. There would be no more chances…no mercy for him now.
"My, my, Sheppard…you do have a talent for getting into trouble…don't you?"
John groaned as he turned and saw Todd standing in the doorway. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing, Sheppard. However, as you are obviously in pain I will not torment you further. Let's just say, I am the Father Confessor of this Monastery, and the faithful who you have just joined…are my flock."
"Wraith worshippers…Well, that explains a lot. But for the record, joining your flock wasn't exactly my idea."
Todd laughed. "Now there is a surprise. The good Father Malen told me you were rescued from your craft, but who is the imposter who has taken your name?
Beads of sweat ran down his face as John tried not to scream in pain... especially not in front of the Wraith. "Nessan Kolya, half brother of the nice man whose hospitality we both enjoyed."
"Ah…I thought he looked familiar. He looks very like him. Same eyes, and do I take it the same unfortunate disposition?"
"Gah... How did you guess?" John groaned.
He gripped the bed sheet tightly in his fists, struggling to maintain control, as the burning pain rippling across his back sent him into convulsions,
"The bastard wants me dead for killing his brother, but he also wants my identity…stole my dog tags while I was unconscious." Sheppard saw Todd look confused. "Thinks being me will give him a better life…just like the great time I'm having right now…Aghh…mmph."
Todd saw Sheppard trying to fight the pain "I will instruct one of the brothers to give you something to ease your suffering, so you can rest. However, you must be ready to leave by tonight. Do you think you'll be able to manage that?"
"Why tonight?" John looked up, curious
"Because tomorrow our queen arrives, and the culling begins…Am I correct in assuming you don't want to be present for that?"
"The…selection….of the…chosen? These men…know…their going to…die?"
"Indeed they do, Sheppard. Their forefathers made a pact with the Wraith many years ago. An agreement was reached that if each village sent volunteers, strong, able-bodied men willingly to be culled, then the rest of the planet would be spared. The monks, who are loyal to us, put these men to work in the fields to provide their own food, and with the surplus crops, they trade for whatever else they require. It is considered an honour for a follower to become of the chosen, and they in turn become a hero to their village. This arrangement has satisfied our needs, and theirs, for many years…until now. Since so many of us have awakened, there is, as you are aware, no longer enough food to go around. Also, for some unknown reason, many of the planets we have recently culled have had surprisingly fewer inhabitants than we expected, so my brothers are hungry. Would you happen to know anything about that?" Todd looked at John with suspicion.
Even though he was in misery, John felt his spirits lift for an instant…the early warning system had worked! Quickly concealing his feelings, he met the Wraith's doubtful eyes. "How…would…I…know anything? Maybe…Gahhnn...there's been…an epidemic?"
Todd looked at John, shrugged and continued. "Perhaps...As for this order, and our followers, it was not our queen's first choice to cull all who reside here, since having a ready, willing supply of food was convenient. Nevertheless, if our Hive doesn't cull this planet, another will, so as they are arriving tomorrow, you must be ready to leave…tonight."
Guilt overwhelmed John, as the responsibility of awakening the Wraith weighed heavily upon him. Finding out the people who lived here worshipped the Wraith made no difference, as in his book, no one deserved to die like that. It was his fault their lives would be lost, because he had killed the caretaker, causing the Wraith to awaken early. The road to hell was paved in good intensions, and that was certainly true. He remembered the day well, killing Sumner…then killing the monster who tortured the soldier, stealing his youth, until all that was left was a shadow of a man. John didn't know then the enormity of what he'd done, but being a newbie to the galaxy didn't cut it, or take away the burden he'd carried every since. Even fighting the sons of bitches ever since couldn't absolve him of his guilt…because what was done couldn't be undone, and he lived every day wondering how many lives, his action had cost…
Murphy's Law it seemed applied even to the best laid plans. Even to his foggy brain, unfocused by the raging torment rippling across his back, he realised the early warning system would in fact, cost the people of this planet their lives. The fact thousands of people had probably been saved by their plan wasn't lost on him, but he still felt conflicted. John wanted desperately to stop the massacre that was to come here, but what could he do? He was alone, hurt, and didn't know if he would be able to save his own life…let alone others. John felt he didn't deserve to escape the horror to come, but dying a pointless death wouldn't save the people on the planet. As it was, he didn't know how far he could get in his condition anyway, but if he did survive… he vowed to continue his fight to rid the galaxy of the Wraith menace, and spend the rest of his life making amends for his mistakes..
"Well…Sheppard. Will you be able to leave?" Todd asked, looking doubtful.
"Don't…worry…about…me. I'll…be…fine. What…about…Kolya?"
John saw Todd look at him, concerned, before he turned to answer. "As a matter of fact, I am on my way to watch him activate some relics, which should be amusing…since we both know how that will turn out. You have my word, Sheppard. If Father Malen doesn't deal with him when his deception comes to light…then I will."
ooooOoooo
Kolya watched as Malen took the large, engraved keys in his hand, and walked over to the ornate wooden cabinet sitting at the side of the room. The monk smiled at him as he opened the door, and starting to show him all of his treasures, gathered over a lifetime. To Nessan, they just looked like oddly shaped pieces of old rusted metal, only fit for scrap. But according to the odious monk, they were relics, treasures from the Ancients, and he saw Malen becoming excited in expectation that he could bring them back to life.
"Are you not thrilled to have this opportunity, Mr Sheppard? To be the one who unlocks the secrets these pieces contain?"
"Certainly, Father. I am indeed honoured, and anxious to begin. Now, let me see…which piece will I choose first?"
All the while Malen had been talking, he had been looking around and listening for signs of anyone coming….but there was none. Nessan knew, with most of the monks busy with the harvest, this was his best opportunity to escape. So, keeping his back to the monk, effectively blocking his view, he saw the green dagger used to flay open his back, and couldn't believe his luck. As he made a move, as if to grasp a relic, he grabbed the dagger instead, then turned, thrusting the sharp blade deep into Malen's chest. Kolya saw the surprised look on the monk's face as he struggled to breathe, then withdrew the blade and slit his throat… ending his life. Quickly removing the dead monk's habit, Nessan threw it over his head, regretting the dark red stains marking the front, just hoping they wouldn't be noticed by a passerby. His heart racing, the blooding pounding in his ears, Kolya made his went to the door, then, satisfied the corridor was clear, walked briskly away.
ooooOoooo
TBC
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