The end is in sight my friends. One, perhaps two more chapters of Split Parrallels are to be posted. But not for two weeks at least because I'm going away this week and will have no way of posting.
Chapter 13
"I'm hungry." said Jack, pressing his fingers into his stomach.
"We haven't eaten since yesterday." shrugged Jonas.
"Yeah, what is with that? Normally something's happened. We escape, we fight, we win, we go home."
"Or Ba'al comes along and tortures us one by one." offered Daniel. Jack gave him a narrow look. Daniel shrugged, "Just saying."
"Well don't!"
"Ok!"
"Knock it off the both of you." scolded Jacob, sounding exasperated. "It is unusual for Ba'al to leave prisoners untouched for so long."
"Well, I'd like to remain un… touched." Jack grimaced a little at the word. Just then there was a klaxon and their Jaffa guards looked around in alarm. "What's up?"
"Sounds like something's not right."
"An alarm usually would indicate something like that."
"Ok, if you two don't keep quiet I'll see to it that you are forced to remain behind on any and all dig-sites on other planets." warned Jack, glaring at Jonas and Daniel. Daniel rolled his eyes, while Jonas got a wounded puppy look on his face. Jack wasn't sure which irked him more. Just then the forcefield began to spark, then two jolts of electricity hit the Jaffa, acting as a very deadly zat. The two Jaffa fell to the ground. The forcefield sparked and rippled and then vanished.
Jack got to his feet slowly and held his hand out, tapping for the forcefield. All he got was air.
"Nice!" he whispered as he turned to his teammates. "Ok campers, lets get out of here." He took a zat off one of the Jaffa and gave it to Jonas, taking a staff for himself. Teal'c took the other one, while Carter took the other zat.
With experience the team moved through the ship, making for the launch bay. On the way, Jonas decided it would be a good time to start a moral debate.
"We should try to get Shran."
"Jonas, no! We don't have time. We don't even now what's going on. Besides, Shran set us up. I don't buy that that chemical was the only thing to make him talk."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, isn't it a little coincidental that he showed up just when we were on that planet, or that he knew humans, or that he so quickly gave himself up to the Jaffa? It's too clean cut."
"It does seem to contain many coincidences. However, perhaps that is all they were." said Teal'c.
"How likely is that T?" Jack shook his head.
"It is not, however there is a possibility, and therefore we should not discount Shran so readily."
"Is this an alien thing?" sighed Jack.
"Sir!" Carter motioned down a corridor.
Shran was fighting with a human, or possibly a goa'uld, judging by the way he was holding his own against the stronger Andorian.
Shran elbowed the goa'uld in the face and then kicked him hard in the stomach. The goa'uld slammed into the wall and growled, before lunging for Shran. Shran dodged easily and struck the goa'uld between the shoulder blades, knocking him to the ground. The goa'uld's face was smashed into the ground and he screamed in agony, clutching his bleeding nose. Shran smirked and kicked the goa'uld over onto his back, kneeling down and grabbing the goa'uld's shirt, lifting his shoulders off the ground. The goa'uld's head fell back and he gagged on the blood going down his throat from his nose. Shran's smirk was maniacal as he compressed the goa'uld's chest, making it hard for him to breath. The Andorian was forcing the man to drown in his own blood!
"Shran stop!" yelled Jonas, darting forward. Shran's head snapped up and he glared at Jonas. Jonas froze.
"Ah crap." hissed Jack, hurrying over to Jonas and grabbing his shoulder. He held out his zat and shot Shran. The Andorian groaned and fell on top of the goa'uld. "Can we go now?"
"But-"
"Jonas! NO!" Jack grabbed him by the arm and dragged him away. Jonas looked back, then sighed and jogged with Jack.
They made their way to the launch bay and found Jacob's ship.
"Fire 'er up Jacob!" said Jack as they reached the ship.
"On it!" said Jacob, making to open the door.
"Cree!" shouted Anuksu, a large group of Jaffa appearing from hiding places and aiming at them with staff weapons.
The team crouched in defensive positions, with their weapons ready but it was clear they were outnumbered. Anuksu smirked, "Come now Colonel, surely you aren't that foolish."
"Right now, not sure about that." growled Jack, feeling frustrated. Things were not going his way right now. "How'd you catch us so quick."
"It's not hard to find escaped prisoners when someone follows them." said Shran as he emerged from behind some Jaffa, a huge smirk on his face. "And lets the guards know where they're going. Surely you knew that Colonel."
"Shran I swear to God, that mind controlling chemicals or not I am gonna kick your ass when I get my hands on you!"
Shran's smirk widened, if that was possible. "You amuse me Colonel. The only opportunity you'll have to get your hands on me, they will be bound while I torture you to death on behalf of my master."
Jack said nothing.
Shran continued, "But that will be later. For now, my Master wishes to see you." That strange blankness was still audible under his excited, smug tone.
"Yeah, well, we don't wanna see him."
"On Andoria, you'd have been executed for such disrespect, however Lord Ba'al wishes to have you remain alive until his plans come to fruition. I believe he wants to… rub your asses in it." Shran smirked.
"That's noses you moron." said Jack, rolling his eyes, "Although I'll gladly show Ba'al my ass, so he can kiss it."
"My master has better things to do than to kiss your ass Colonel, such as conquering my universe."
"What about your Imperial Guard? Won't they fight back."
"They would be fools to challenge Ba'al. If they die opposing him they do not deserve to live."
Jonas stepped forward, looking firm.
"Shran you have to fight this. That chemical is clouding your mind. If you do this, you'll be endangering your own people."
Shran stared at Jonas, "You're wrong Jonas. My mind is clearer than it's ever been. Soon my master will have a whole population of Andorians at his disposal and he shall rule over this universe and mine."
Jack wanted nothing more than to reach out and smack Shran upside the head.
"You seriously believe this crap? And here I was actually starting to like you."
Shran's antennas twitched, but he merely nodded to the Jaffa to move closer and remove the weapons from the humans. "If you attempt some pathetic escape plan again, you will suffer the punishment at Ba'al's hands. I would offer to do it myself, but my methods are about quick information extraction and execution, whereas my master prefers to extend the agony as long as possible."
"Yeah. We're aware of that." said Jack, glaring.
"I'm sure you are Colonel."
Jack nearly tackled the Andorian for the way he said that. How much had Ba'al told him? Shran's antennas twitched and his smirk widened, clearly knowing how much he was annoying the taller man.
"Come along now." he said in a cheery voice, mocking them. Jonas looked aggravated, Shran's behaviour clearly annoying him now, chemical or not. Daniel's lips were thinned in frustration.
They were led through the ship, and arrived at the bridge of the ship. Ba'al was perched in his throne. Shran went to his side and bowed to him.
"My Lord. The prisoners, as you requested. The culprit for the ships damage is also being brought on the way… he required some attention to prevent him from sneezing his foul blood all over you."
Ba'al chuckled and held a hand out to Shran who joined his side.
"You amuse me so my pet. And well done in catching SG1."
"It was not hard sir. Although I would like to ask your permission to punch Colonel O'Neill as punishment for shooting me."
Ba'al's smirk faded at once and he straightened up, staring hard at Shran, who looked bewildered. "My Lord?"
"He shot you with a zat'nikatel?"
"Yes my Lord." Shran nodded his head.
Jack glanced at Jacob, who was also staring at Shran with confusion. Jack wondered why. Then he remembered, vaguely, about that goa'uld that had formed a cult on Earth. He'd used a chemical to control the people, and an electric shock had disabled the chemical. Had Ba'al used something similar? If so… why was Shran still acting like he was?
Ba'al reached out and grabbed Shran's antennas in one hand, yanking them back. Shran yelled in pain and fell to his knees. His eyes were wide in alarm.
"My Lord what have I done to displease you?"
"Am I your God?" demanded Ba'al.
"Of course you are!" Shran's hands were twitching, like he was fighting the impulse to pull Ba'al's hands off him.
"You would kill for me?"
"Yes!"
"You would die for me?"
"Yes! Whatever you wish. Please my Lord, you're hurting me, I don't see what I could have done to deserve such treatment."
Ba'al jerked Shran's head so they were staring each other in the eyes. Ba'al seemed to be searching very carefully, while Shran just looked frightened. At last Ba'al chuckled and relaxed his hand, letting Shran's antennas go, and stroking them with one finger. Shran shivered.
"I am pleased my pet. For a moment… well, no matter. You may stand again."
Shran got to his feet and bowed to Ba'al, shaking a little. Ba'al looked away from Shran and Shran rubbed the base of his antennas, wincing in pain.
"Anuksu, bring in the Tok'ra." said Ba'al.
"Of course my lord."
The man Shran had beaten up was dragged in, screaming his head off.
"Be Silent!" snapped Ba'al, standing. "So… you thought to disable my ship? Stop me from achieving my army?"
"Never my lord! It was him!" the man pointed a shaking finger at Shran who snarled,
"You filthy lying Tok'ra! How dare you even suggest such a thing to my master? My Lord, I was walking through the ship, to bring you this." Shran held out a goa'uld device for storing information. Ba'al took it. "When the ship began to shake, and then I came across this traitor pulling out the circuitry of the ship."
"It was you! My Lord I came across him doing so!" The goa'uld's eyes were wide and frightened. If it was a test to see who was lying, to Jack, it looked like the Goa'uld was. Ba'al seemed to think the same thing, because he said,
"Enough! You will suffer greatly for your treachery. Take him to a cell. I will deal with him personally, with the assistance of my pet."
Shran grinned wickedly with anticipation.
Ba'al continued, "For now, I have more important things to do. Such as bring my army to another universe."
Jack glanced at Daniel, "Oh that just has a nice ring to it."
Shran's eyes snapped to Jack, "Shut your mouth!"
"Make me!"
In less than two seconds Jack was cradling a bruising jaw on the ground. Shran had just punched him square in the mouth. Ba'al laughed like he was at a show.
"Well done my pet. Now, come stand beside me and witness my moment of glory."
"It will be my honour." said Shran, scurrying to Ba'al's side. Anuksu narrowed his eyes in what appeared to be jealousy.
"You couldn't possibly have figured out how that device worked, never mind how to use it to send an army of ships through." said Carter.
"You underestimate a god." sneered Ba'al. "Just because your primitive, female mind could not conceive such a thing, doesn't mean I can't."
Jacob's jaw clenched in anger at the barb at his daughter and squeezed her hand. Jack got back to his feet.
Ba'al continued, "It was not difficult when you understand how such a device works. My pet was able to provide valuable information on how the device worked."
Jonas and Daniel shared a look of doubt. Shran had made it clear he knew very little of science, and he had spent no time with Sam, so how he could have known anything was beyond them. Shran threw them a superior look, as if mocking them. Daniel sighed and lowered his head in resignation. Jonas shook his head.
"Soon, I shall have an army of Andorians who will do my bidding and I will finally succeed in eliminating the Tau'ri. And after that… the Asguard and all the universe will be at my feet."
"My people will bring about your glory my lord." said Shran, smiling. Jack felt nauseous. The fiery, takes no crap from no one, always has a sarcastic jab ready Andorian was now a snivelling lackey. It was sick.
"Begin the sequence." said Ba'al to Anuksu. Anuksu smirked,
"With pleasure my Lord." The Jaffa threw Shran a smug look. They were like two puppies fending for treats from their owner.
"You can't be serious." said Jack. "You think that you'll be able to take over a whole species as stubborn and bloody-minded as him?" He gestured at Shran who threw him a look demanding silence. "His people are aggressive and-"
"Shut up Jack." said Jacob quietly, urgently. Jack fell quiet out of surprise.
Ba'al chuckled, "Their strengths shall become mine. Anuksu, begin the process."
Anuksu began to key in commands to the consol at the head of the bridge. The viewscreen simmered and came to life, displaying what looked like a hundred or more motherships. Jack's whole body went cold as he stared at the mass. These ships, if they got through, would be making straight for a planet that would have no warning, no inkling of what was coming their way. Even if they could defend themselves, Shran's knowledge of his people's defences would be used to overcome all obstacles. The Andorians wouldn't have a prayer.
If one could view space, one would have seen a huge army of mother-ships, all amassed around a single planet, almost jostling with one another for space in an attempt to be closer.
If one could watch, one would see a strange blue light begin to flicker on the surface of the planet, very faint at first, and then becoming more pronounced. The light would emerge from the atmosphere and wrap like tendrils around the closest ship, and then extending to the ones farther away. The light would become brighter, more active, like it was overloading, until it was crackling all over the mass of ships, drawing them all closer until they were pressing against each other, drawing closer and closer until, with an enormous, silent boom –for there is no sound in space- they would all vanish.
This is exactly what happened to Ba'al's fleet.
Bit of an ominous note there folks! Reviews are always greatly appreciated. Incidentally, you guys seem to be the best for reviewing on all of