The Arena-12
Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, and Vala Mal Doran worked diligently on the stargate numbers they'd collected. So far they'd managed to narrow it down to four planets, but that still wasn't enough. The four planets could be just jumping off points for other, more distant places, but there was something about two of the planets that caught their attention. They needed to speak with General Landry before any plans could be finalized and set in stone. The trio walked toward Landry's office, worry evident in their purposeful stride.
Landry looked up from the papers strewn across his desk as a knock came on the door. "Enter." He wasn't surprised to see the three members of SG1 step into his office. "Tell me you've got something?"
"We've been able to narrow it down to four planets, but there are two that seem to be the best bet," Carter said.
Landry pushed the papers to one side. "Show me what you have."
"S33-27L and J9J-44, the problem is we'll need to use a ship to get to both planets because there is no gate access anymore," Carter told him.
"What makes you think those two planets are the ones we should concentrate on?" Landry asked.
"The gates to those planets were accessed recently, but something happened to the gates since they were last dialed. We can't get a connection," Jackson told him
"So what makes you think Mitchell and Teal'c are on one of those planets?" the general asked.
"All the other planets have gates that work and we were able to send teams through. They brought back the information they gathered and we ran it through the system and came up with 2+25 scenario. Although the Viridians have visited those worlds, there's no way they could have gated elsewhere without leaving an address…there is none. Daniel and I are pretty sure they have a ship that's capable of space travel, but it appears they can only travel short distances. S33-27L, J9J-44 are the most likely planets and close enough to worlds with working gates that it's in all likelihood the Viridians are using one or both planets," Carter explained.
"It's a place to start, Sir," Mal Doran said hopefully. The longer Mitchell and Teal'c remained in the hands of the Viridians, the more likely it was one or both would come back with injuries. She'd heard more stories about the warrior females and the activities that took place in The Arena, and it scared the hell out of her. She listened to Jackson and Carter explaining their reasons for taking a ship and investigating both planets and was relieved when Landry gave the go-ahead.
"Just be careful…and bring them back," Landry told the trio.
"Yes, Sir," Carter said.
"Thank you, General," Mal Doran said and exited the office with Carter and Jackson. She knew it would be several hours before they had firm plans, but at least they were doing something to find the missing men. 'Just hang on, Cam, we're coming for both of you,' she thought.
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Mitchell looked at the man next to him as they were marched through a new gate into the main area of The Arena. Rianna had woken them both before the two suns had risen and made sure they'd eaten before handing both men 'the uniform of the day'. It was simply a pair of black shorts that clung to his body and seemed to fit like a glove, although a rather tight glove that was a size too small.
"Now I know what a straight jacket must be like," Mitchell said, trying unsuccessfully to adjust the clinging material.
"Indeed," Teal'c readily agreed.
Mitchell couldn't help but smile at Teal'c simple acknowledgement of the discomfort and stared around, amazed at the stadium like atmosphere. There were several rings set up, similar to the ones used by the WWF, but there was one major difference. Above each of the rings was a dome that would be lowered when the combatants entered the ring. The dome made it impossible to escape, but it also gave the spectators a magnified view of what was happening inside.
Mitchell spotted Chandra and Nadeena conferring with two darker skinned females with shimmering silver hair that had been pulled into a tight crown. Each of the females held tightly to the chains that were attached to two humanoid figures with the blackest eyes he'd ever seen. One was just a little taller and broader than he was, while the other would have dwarfed Teal'c had they been standing next to each other. Mitchell swallowed several times as Chandra and Nadeena walked toward them and spoke to Rianna.
"Traella is in agreement with the council and would be honored to have her trainees battle yours in the first round. She seems to think the challenge is totally in her favor, but she should learn pretty fast that Mitchell and Teal'c are stronger than they appear," Chandra told her.
"Especially where this 'little one' is concerned," Nadeena agreed and ran her finger along Mitchell's jaw. "You and Teal'c should defeat these two easily."
"What weapon did they choose?" Rianna asked.
"Traella chose the Gi'at," Chandra answered with a hint of a smile. "It should be an easy win…"
"Then why don't you get into the ring while Teal'c and I cheer you on?" Mitchell spat.
"That is not how it works, 'Little One'. Looks like we're about to find out just how tough you and Teal'c are," Nadeena said as the gates to the ring were opened and several bright lights shone down from high overhead. The Arena utilized the natural light cast by the two suns and used reflective devices to narrow the rays so that each of the rings was bathed in bright light.
"Teal'c, Mitchell, remember what you were taught and keep your opponents at arms length whenever possible. The Gi'at is a weapon that can be your friend or your enemy. I have taught you the proper way to use it, but it will be up to both of you to watch each other and make sure Traella's trainees do not get close enough for a killing blow," Rianna explained.
"Killing?" Mitchell voiced the word with distaste.
"This is no longer a game, Mitchell, from here on only the victors will escape from the domes and live to fight another round," Chandra told him.
"What if we refuse to fight?" Teal'c asked, angered at the 'games' these people played with other lives.
"There is no refusal, Teal'c. Once the dome is readied and you enter the ring there is no turning back…"
"Then I refuse to enter the ring!" Mitchell snarled.
"If that is the case then Teal'c will be forced to enter the ring and fight by himself. I promise he will not make it to the next round," Rianna told him.
"I will not enter the ring!" Teal'c told her.
"There is no choice, Teal'c," Rianna stated. "You and Teal'c are my property and must prove that you are worthy to be my mates…"
"I already told you I'm not property…and I choose my own mate!" Mitchell told her.
"You may think that way now, but after you warm my bed you will understand the reason for the ritual fights in The Arena…"
"Not a chance in hell, Lady," Mitchell swore.
"Don't be so sure, Mitchell, Nadeena has ways to make you more cooperative," Chandra assured him.
"Rianna, are we to see the trainees in battle or have you decided to concede defeat?" Traella asked, her voice syrupy sweet.
"They are ready," Rianna said and turned to the two men. "You have a choice to fight together or I will send Teal'c in first and you will be forced to watch him die, Mitchell. If you are in there together you will have a fighting chance, but alone Teal'c will fall to Traella's trainees."
"You do not have a choice, Little One'," Nadeena warned and saw Mitchell's shoulders slump.
Rianna led the two men toward the opening into the ring where Traella's trainees were waiting for the signal to begin. She released them and watched them enter the area beneath the dome and knew the effect the strengthened rays would have on the four males. No matter where they were from the dome's atmosphere, coupled with the sun's rays heightened the fierce nature of the beast. That's exactly what they became once the dome was lowered and the world beyond the dome ceased to exist.
Nadeena and the other scientist of Viridian had tried to find out why the battle grew so fierce, but had come up with very little that could explain the animal like behavior that took over. That was one of the main reasons they had for sending in two trainees each time, because single males simply killed each other for sport and what was left of the victor was not worth the time and effort it took to train the males. They'd found that by choosing two males from the same species, or who had forged a bond, they could be assured that at least one of the males would be able to walk away from The Arena at the end of the challenge.
"Rianna, we need to get to our seats," Chandra told her and watched her daughter closely. There was no doubt in her mind that Rianna had fallen in love with the man from earth, but there was nothing she could do about those feelings until the challenges ended. She knew the four men in the cage were already being influenced by the animalistic urges brought on by the dome and wanted to see the bloody battle about to take place. She hurried toward the reserved front row and touched the dome, smiling as she stared down at the four would be combatants.
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Mitchell could feel the charged atmosphere as the dome was lowered over the ring and he stood beside Teal'c. There was something akin to primeval rage coursing through his veins and he could not come to grips with why he suddenly felt as if he could tear his foes apart with his bare hands. He glanced sideways at the Jaffa and saw the same changes come over Teal'c and knew it had something to do with the dome itself.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, glistening on his chest and taut stomach as biceps and triceps ripples in anticipation of the battle about to take place. He felt Teal'c reach for something and was surprised to find the Gi'at placed in his hand. He smiled, an animalistic grin that spoke of an age old art of war and growled deep in his chest as he and Teal'c moved toward the other combatants.
Teal'c reared up and let out the pent up rage that was building inside him. He no longer wanted to escape; every ounce of strength was going into the basic need to come out the victor and took the stance of dominant male. He felt Mitchell beside him and gave in to the need to protect the smaller man. He dodged a blow from the larger male and countered by swinging his weapon in a wide arc that would have decapitated his foe had he connected.
Mitchell and Teal'c fought side by side; the clang of the metal edge of the Gi'at striking with such force that sparks flew in all direction. The fight became intense as both 'teams' fought for supremacy and the right to live and fight another day, unaware of the jeers and cheers of the females beyond the dome.
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Rianna stood beside her mother, her face pressed up tight against the dome as the fight continued beneath them. She knew all eyes were on the combatants and could almost feel the electric atmosphere from within. She saw Traella's large warrior strike out at Mitchell only to have Teal'c parry the attack and drive the big male backward until he came up against the lower half of the dome. The smaller male moved in on Teal'c and Rianna smiled as Mitchell moved in to protect his companion and trade blows with Traella's warrior.
"They fight well off each other, Rianna," Chandra told her.
"Yes, they do, but it will take a lot more than this if they are to succeed in each of their challenges," Rianna told her, smiling inwardly as Mitchell surprised his bigger foe and brought him crashing to the ground. The male did not stay down long, but was slow getting up as Mitchell jabbed his side with the sharpened end of the Gi'at. Her gaze followed the second attacker as Teal'c moved in and deftly landed three successive blows before the second male sent a jolt of electricity through his arm. Teal'c ducked away and came up, deflecting the attack with his own cylinder as Mitchell parried blows with the larger male.
Rianna could see that all four males were bleeding from various wounds, but neither one seemed ready to give up the fight. She could almost smell the sweat and blood that mingled to run down the virile male bodies as they continued to skirt one another, while attempting to get in a killing blow. Rianna's breath caught in her throat as Mitchell was caught unawares by the larger male and a gash opened up across his left side. Her fists clenched tightly as Traella cheered her champion on, smiling inwardly as Teal'c pretended to sweet the Gi'at beneath his opponent's feet, but changed his momentum as the big man leaned slightly forward. The bigger man seemed to be suspended as Teal'c held him in place until the Gi'at lost all its power.
Rianna knew Teal'c's Gi'at had landed fully and the electric jolt was sent through his temple and into his brain. She heard Traella curse and slam her fists against the dome as Mitchell managed to climb to his feet and launch an attack at the second trainee. Mitchell seemed to have found his second wind and began moving liked a coiled snake ready to strike its victim. Rianna's pride grew as Mitchell spun the Gi'at in a mesmerizing circle and drove forward, catching his opponent several times in the abdomen before the man dropped to his knees and lost his grip on his own weapon.
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Mitchell fought the primal rage building inside him as he held the Gi'at above the man's head, but did not bring it down. His chest heaved as he turned to face Rianna and the others. "I won't kill him for your sport!"
Teal'c turned at the sound of Mitchell's voice and admired the man's aggressive stance, but there was no way out of the dome unless their opponents were dead. He stood, moving slowly toward his companion, eyeing the other man as he reached for his weapon and moved to attack the unsuspecting colonel. Teal'c had no choice and drove his own weapon through the man's chest as Mitchell turned toward him.
"What the hell!" Mitchell cried and realized Teal'c had no choice as the Gi'at slipped once more, this time from the lifeless hands of its user.
"He would have killed you," Teal'c explained softly as a sound reached their ears. The dome began to rise above them as the cheers and jeers of the spectators invaded what had once been deathly silence. Teal reached for Mitchell as the smaller man stumbled forward, holding him up as they slowly made their way toward the gate.
Mitchell lifted his head as Rianna and Chandra stepped in front of them and wished he had the strength to strike both females.
"You have both done well," Rianna told them.
"No, we have killed two men who did not deserve to die," Mitchell said and tried to move past the two women.
"Nadeena will see to your wounds…"
"Don't do me any favors!" the colonel spat.
"You have no choice," Rianna told him and attached the chains to their collars. "You will rest now and face new opponents on the next cycle."
"Rianna, congratulations on your victory…you have chosen your trainees well," Traella said, nodding in acknowledgment of the other woman's victory.
"Don't you people get it?" Mitchell snapped. "Two men just died in there and all you can say is congratulations. Did they have a choice in this? Were they given any other options? No! You people are barbaric and lower than a snake's belly! I can't believe what just happened and all you people can do is celebrate…I won't be a part of it…I will mourn the loss of life."
"As shall I," Teal'c agreed.
"You have no choice," Chandra told them simply.
"They are feisty, Rianna, perhaps if they go all the way I could indulge you in a game for their ownership."
"Sorry, Traella, but they are not and never will be part of a game such as you propose," Rianna told her and led the two men away fro the cage even as the second match began. This time they were placed in the same cage and sank down on the beds as Nadeena entered with her med kit.
"I don't want it," Mitchell said and knew his protest went unheard as Nadeena injected something into shoulder. It wasn't long before the pain eased and his eyes began to close.
"Sleep, Mitchell, you and Teal'c have earned it," Rianna told him, smiling as the lines of pain and anguish eased from the handsome face. It wasn't long before Nadeena did the same for Teal'c and both males slept through the female treating their injuries. "How are they?"
"Some bruises, but they are not deep. Teal'c needed three sutures to close a wound in his right thigh. Mitchell needed seven for the wound in his left side, but all in all they were very lucky and should have no problem facing their second set of challengers tomorrow. The medication I gave them will help with the healing and they should sleep for several hours," Nadeena explained.
"Very well," Chandra said and looked at her daughter. "We have several other challengers today, but I'm guessing you would prefer to remain here."
"Yes," was Rianna's simple answer. She stepped out of the cage and locked the door, listening to the noise from the inner Arena, and praying that both Teal'c and Mitchell had what it took to go the distance and come out on top.
TBC
