Remember, Never to Forget--2

Remember, Never to Forget--11

Suduko carefully loaded the body into the cargo hold and wished there was some way to lighten the blow to his passengers. He didn't know them very well, but he knew and understood that they cared for their missing friend. There was also a great deal of loyalty amongst them, and that was something he respected. Loyalty wasn't something you gave freely, it had to be earned.

"What will you tell his friends?" Drakar asked.

"I will tell them to make sure of the identity," Suduko answered and closed the door.

"But we know…"

"We know nothing about this John Sheppard and there fore should not jump to conclusions about this body. There is no face and it appears the animals have fed on the poor soul making it hard to see any distinguishing factors. Only his people will be able to make the identification," Suduko told him and moved toward the pilot's seat and began closing the outer hatch. "I will let you know what their answer is."

"Wait a minute…what about me?"

"What about you?"

"How will I get back to the retreat?"

"Walk…run…crawl, but I really don't give a damn how you do it," Suduko said and finished closing the hatch and piloting the ship away from the cursing man. He'd never liked Drakar and felt the man was greedy and lower than the creatures that crawled on their bellies, setting off a stench in their wake.

SGASGASGASGASGA

Rodney sat on the porch swing outside the main entrance to Suduko's home, nursing a cup of Kierra's special brew that tasted distinctly like a cross between coffee and hot chocolate. It had taken him several hours of tossing and turning before he'd fallen asleep. His dreams had been filled with the horrifying final seconds of John Sheppard's life and he'd relived the creature's attack right up until he'd pressed the button. He'd woken soon after Suduko's departure, but no one seemed to know where the big man had gone. He turned as the door opened and Ronan stepped out to join him.

"I didn't expect to see you up this early," Ronan said. He'd seen the exhaustion on McKay's face the night before and hoped the Canadian would get some much needed rest, but it was not to be. Rodney hadn't slept very well or for very long since John Sheppard's 'death'. Now, with the possibility that Sheppard was alive, McKay seemed to be sleeping even less, and eating was also something that seemed forced.

"Never could sleep very well in a strange place," McKay told him.

"How did you manage in Atlantis?"

"I've never been able to figure that out," the Scientist answered. "It just seemed like home from the minute we stepped through the gate."

"Atlantis has that affect on a lot of people," Ronan said and sat on the top step.

"What made you decide to stay, Ronan?"

"Atlantis was part of it, but I think it was Sheppard and you…Teyla and Elizabeth and just about every one I met except Cavanaugh," the Setedan answered.

"Cavanaugh does seem to…"

"Be a pain in the rear," Ronan finished as Lorne and Teyla joined them.

"Is Suduko back?" Teyla asked.

"Not yet," Rodney answered and watched Teyla suspiciously. "Teyla, where did he go?"

"I don't know, Rodney…"

"You know something, Teyla," McKay stated, but stopped when he spotted Suduko's vehicle returning. He stood up and placed the cup on the rail and watched until the ship came to a stop in the clearing. He watched as the big man exited through the partially open door and could tell something was wrong. He stepped off the porch and made his way toward the craft with the others following close behind. "Suduko, where were you?" Rodney asked, not the least bit intimidated by the larger man.

"Drakar was here and he…"

"Is there news of Sheppard?" McKay asked hopefully, but the look on Suduko's face sent a tremor of fear down his spine.

"Drakar said a body was found at the Black Cliffs," Suduko answered.

"Oh, God," McKay said, relieved when Ronan gripped his arm and steadied him. "Is it…"

"I do not know, but he is wearing the clothing High Priestess Shazzia's slaves."

"That doesn't mean anything," Ronan said.

"No, it doesn't, but from what you told me and the pictures he is the same build and coloring," Suduko answered.

"I want to see him," McKay said, moving toward the vessel.

"He's in the cargo hold, but I should warn you there is nothing left of his face and it looks like the animals got to his body before I did," Suduko warned, watching the horror on their faces as he disclosed the shape the body was in.

"Then it might not be Sheppard," Ronan stated, again using his hands to steady the Canadian.

"To be honest I don't think it is," Suduko told them once they reached the rear hatch. "Drakar is not an honest merchant and if he smells a chance to make some extra Shoclaws he'll grab it. It would not surprise me if he's made a deal with Shazzia."

"What kind of deal?" Teyla asked.

"Shazzia is known to sell her slave to the highest bidder. If Drakar told her that John Sheppard is military you can bet she's going to put out the word that she has him and set up a private bidding."

"We need to make sure this is not John before we go any further," Emmagan said angrily.

"I just wanted you all to be prepared," Suduko said sympathetically before opening the hatch and showing his guests the body encase in a synthetic material designed to preserve the final remains.

Rodney moved in close and eyed the body, forcing his mind to work on the scientific evidence and not the emotions warring for dominance. He knew John Sheppard better than the others and prayed there would be some way to get an answer without taking the body back to Atlantis.

"Rodney…"

"I don't know, Teyla," McKay snapped, apologizing immediately before moving closer and shifting the remains of the slave clothing away from the upper chest while keeping his eyes diverted from the grizzly remains of the destroyed face. He touched the skin and felt the cold lifeless body beneath his fingertips before frowning.

"Rodney, what is it?" Teyla asked and saw the shoulders slump and a half hearted gasp escaped from McKay's face.

"McKay?" Ronan snapped.

"It's not him," McKay said and turned to face the others as hope flared in his heart.

"How can you be sure without a thorough examination?" Suduko asked.

"Easy, John Sheppard was fed upon by a wraith and there was a scar here, but there's no evidence of the feeding," McKay said.

"Your friend was fed upon by a wraith and survived?" Kierra asked as she and her husband joined the group.

"Yes, he was. A Genii commander named Kolya took John prisoner and allowed a wraith prisoner to feed on him," Emmagan explained.

"I have seen the mark left by the wraith and you are right there is nothing here," Kierra told them.

"Is there any way of finding out who he is?" Lorne asked.

"Probably not if he was one of Shazzia's slaves," Suduko answered.

"Somewhere someone mourns his loss," Teyla said softly.

"I will see that he gets a proper burial," Bendor told them.

"Perhaps he can help us," Suduko said and saw the others frowning at his words. "Drakar is greedy and not to be trusted. If he is involved in trying to dupe you then I would suggest turning the tables on him. Make him believe that his ruse worked and that you are grieving for your friend. Maybe he'll lead us to John Sheppard if he is still alive."

"He's alive," McKay said softly before walking away from the others. John Sheppard was alive, of that he was sure now, but he was hurting and alone and Rodney vowed somehow he'd make up for blowing up the ship and leaving his friend alone.

SGASGASGASGASGA

The fights were over, but somehow John knew the reason the others stayed where they were. Syngy had been speaking to those nearby and John had heard him tell them of Hawk's plans to punish his slave in public. John hid the fear inside, watching as Tyrel was taken from the cage and brought to stand in front of them.

"You did well, Tyrel, and will be rewarded," Hawk said.

"Tyrel, are you okay?" John asked.

"You are not permitted to speak to him, John," Hawk warned and returned his attention to the Goliaden. "Tyrel of Glione you have proven yourself to be a fine warrior and will wear the mark of Hawk proudly on your chest."

"Mark?" Tyrel asked, his voice edged with fear.

"A collar that marks you as a champion," Hawk said and pulled it from the satchel at his waist. He attached it to the Goliaden's neck and stood back. "Wear it with honor and pride each time you face an opponent."

"Yes, Master Hawk," Tyrel said and basked in the glow of Hawk's attention.

"Very good, now you will be taken to the special quarters I have arranged for my champions. You will be given a healthy meal and allowed to rest until you are due in the cage. A doctor will come see you and make sure there are no dangerous injuries," Hawk explained and signaled for two guards to take Tyrel to the slave quarters before he turned to his recalcitrant prisoner. "Now, John, you have disobeyed and dishonored me in front of my associates and I believe I promised public punishment for you."

John lifted his head and stared at his 'owner' without showing any sign of his distaste or anger. He had no real idea what to expect, but his gaze swept toward the cage as two men entered with a length of chain that was soon looped over a beam at the center. There were silver bracelets attached to each end and John couldn't help the tremor that ran the length of his body when he felt Hawk latch onto his arm.

"It is time, John," Hawk said and dragged the un-protesting man into the cage. "Remove your shirt, John."

John refused to lower his eyes and stared at his 'owner' angrily. He slowly pulled the shirt over his head, revealing a heaving chest that was already marred with scars he could not explain. He dropped the shirt to the floor and soon felt the silver bracelets wrapped around his wrists. The length of chain was shortened until his arms were stretched above his head, but he was able to keep his feet flat on the ground.

John again stared at Hawk as he came to stand in front of him. He could see a two inch wide leather strap in his hands and knew what was about to happen. He knew Hawk expected him to lower his eyes and act contrite, but somehow he knew that would go against everything he believed in…everything that made him who he was even if he couldn't remember exactly who that was.

"John, if you apologize for your behavior I will wave public punishment and we will return to my quarters."

"Go to hell!" John managed and held his breath as Hawk moved behind him. He could hear voices and knew there was money exchanged as bets were placed and called. He heard one of Hawk's associates wager a hundred Shoclaws that Hawk would make him scream by the time the third blow landed. John swore that would not happen…not if he could help it. John felt Hawk's bare hand on his back and held his breath once it was removed.

The sound of the strap being pulled back warned him of the impending impact, but the burning pain as the weapon hit is bare skin made him tremble. He knew what to expect as the second blow landed just below the first, leaving a fiery trail that nearly sent him into convulsions, but he gritted his teeth and bit back the cries that threatened to escape. The third blow landed and he barely held the scream inside as the forth, fifth, and sixth landed in quick succession.

John could no longer stand on his own two feet and hung from the chains as Hawk continued to mete out the punishment. By the time the tenth blow landed, John no longer cared who heard him scream as his back felt like it was a mass of rippling fire shooting tendrils along his nerves endings. He knew the darkness wavering at the edge of his vision offered salvation, but it felt as if he'd be lost if he gave into it.

"We're done, John," Hawk whispered close to his left ear.

"God," John gagged as bile rose up in his throat when Hawk reached up and released his arms. He waited for the impact with the floor of the cage, but it never came. Strong arms reached to grab him and he felt himself lifted and carried from the cage as cheers went up from the spectators. His fingers curled around Hawk's shirt as the big man carried him away from prying eyes and he didn't give a damn when he cried out once they reached Hawk's chambers.

"You need to learn to curb your tongue, John," Hawk warned as he laid the injured man on the bed. His admiration for this man had grown in the cage and several of his associates had offered money to buy John, but Hawk was not going to let him go. He turned the smaller male on his side and knew the welts would heal, but several had been powerful enough to draw blood. "Stay where you are while I get my supplies."

John had no choice, there was no way in hell he could move if he wanted to. His injured knee had taken some new damage while he hung from the chains, but it was nothing compared to the fire raging through his back. He heard Hawk return and felt him spread something over the damaged skin. John gripped the pillow, his knuckled white from the pressure as Hawk treated the wounds.

"I am using another one of my special salves and it will help minimize scarring and help stop infections, but I refuse to give you anything for the pain because you brought it on yourself, John. I am a man who values his property and that is exactly what you are. Until you realize this you and I are going to be at odds and I'm afraid you need to learn to be quiet when we are at the games," Hawk warned.

John kept his eyes closed, listening to the man who proclaimed ownership, but the words didn't get through the raging pain. When darkness reached for him, John gave into it and sank into the dreams and nightmares that waited for him.

TBC