The Tatterdemalion

A/N (Head hung low!)….Firstly, for those who have been following this story, I apologise profusely for the wait to read its conclusion. It has been a horrid year (as many probably have had as well) with the death of my Dad and my Sister-in-Law to Covid 19, and am I now recovering from a recent operation and subsequent infection. Somehow I lost feeling with this story, and then I had a brain wave moment that brought it back and I love it again! So here it is, the last few chapters.

Secondly, a wee word of thanks goes to the Guest Reviewer Jane who reminded me that I also hate unfinished stories!

So ...on with the story …

Chaptr. 10 – Red Sun Rising

To escape, you required a building devoid of other life so you had no witnesses and attempted capture and realisation that this was the case became clear when Sheppard came across the many scattered bodies lying on the floor as if they had fallen where they stood. A puzzling look at Bartok and a nod over from him to his clone and Sheppard had his answer. If the other Wraith were dead by the clone's hands, by whatever means, then Sheppard was only too pleased to have some less of them in the world and especially the scientist kind. This also explained why Clone John was wearing his BDU's; they were making his 'escape' as realistic as they could, making it seem as if he had been the guilty executor.

Jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire could be on the agenda by putting his trust and life in his rescuers hands, but Sheppard could see no other option at this stage of the game so he blindly followed them out through the various laboratories and along a dark corridor until it came to an end with a heavy metal door suggesting freedom. Sheppard presumed it led to the outside world and he wet his lips in anticipation. Bartok continued to hold onto his elbow and for a moment Sheppard leaned on the wall and just breathed before the next big stage. Bartok waited on him to gather himself and looked at him, he grabbed his upper arms in reassurance.

"With your cloak on, you are disguised from the Wraith so you shouldn't be recognised, but from here on Sheppard you are on your own until I can get to you again. I cannot be seen walking alongside you, it would draw attention that we can ill afford. Walk straight, go neither to the riverbank and beyond nor head into the open space of the City square but there is a business centre straight ahead of you, I want you to walk into the tallest of the glass buildings, take the lift to the downstairs sector and then outside again at the far end and then walk into the forest and remain there until I appear a few minutes later. This is a route I know well Sheppard." And he looked him straight in the face. "Do you trust me enough to do this? If you run, I cannot help you any further. They will catch you and force me to operate on you and I will have no choice then."

Sheppard nodded, devoid of a voice it seemed but jerked his thumb in the clone's direction. "And him?" His voiced finally found itself.

Bartok looked sheepish and Sheppard spun round and then back at Bartok. "Where did he go?" his voice dark and menacing for the first time, he noticed the reflection of this in the way that Bartok actually stepped back from his question and sharply withdrew his hand from his elbow.

"He has made his way to his room Sheppard. I'm sorry, it is the only thing we could do, too much is at stake ... for everybody."

"Everybody!" Sheppard mumbled.

"Yes, everybody!" For the first time Bartok raised his voice, catching Sheppard's attention.

"Slavery of my people by own hands Sheppard. It weighs me down. I need time to research a cure further. And for you Sheppard; you have no idea the potency of the drugs that were invented, some of these drugs that are running through your veins now and into your organs. They want to take these organs from you and implant them into John."

"But why Bartok?"

"Sheppard, please go from here until I can find you. I will explain more when I catch up with you. I was wrong, I let things get too far and I won't, simply won't, allow my people, John and you suffer anymore because of my ego. Also, there is female that comes to watch over the proceedings and they have never told me who she is. I feel time is of the essence now."

This new piece of information caused Sheppard to raise his head and look at Bartok for more information.

"Yes. I am sorry I have lied to you again Sheppard. I did find out they knew about the clones, so you see, I have nothing else to do but concede my knowledge to them. Too many are aware now."

Sheppard took time to study the man whilst gathering these extra pieces of information and noticed the man's emotions were very raw and exposed and Sheppard felt for Bartok, understanding that he didn't intentionally mean him any harm, the whole thing had got away from him. How easy this could happen, he knew. Sheppard saw the plea to allow his smooth release and follow his plan sketched out in the wrinkles in the corner of his eyes.

"Bartok, you have done nothing but help me since I have got here, so yes, I will do as you suggest." And here he held up his forefinger, "But know this, I do not intend to stick around here for longer than necessary. If I can get back to Atlantis, I will come back with my people to help you and yours. You can work with my scientists on finding a cure for your people. I can do this, you have my guarantee on that. Ok!?"

Bartok sighed, decades weight was starting to fall off his shoulders.

"I...I...you have no idea..."

At this Sheppard put his hand on his shoulder. "Unfortunately, I do have Bartok, trust me on this."

And Bartok saw the same expression he shared when he looked in the mirror every day; one of deep sadness and responsibility and then he remembered that Michael had told him that one man had woke up the Wraith early, although he had held back his name, and it clicked into place. Here in front of him was that man, his eyes were full of the recognition that his actions had caused and yet his heart and mind were strong, and that came from trust and support.

Bartok lifted the latch and pushed the door open and Sheppard felt the first rush of cool air that he had felt in days, how many, he just didn't know.

Bartok pressed some more of the white sachets of powder and a flask of water into his hands along with a parcel wrapped up in paper that Sheppard suspected was the same bread and cheese he had been given the last few days.

"Here, take these in case I am held up. I'll be as quick as I can."

Sheppard became concerned. "Bartok, what will they do to you if they know you had a hand in this when they see these dead Wraith?"

Bartok smiled a strange smile and as he prodded Sheppard lightly out the door and started to close it behind him he said, "Kill me, and I will have failed."

Sheppard drew his lips into a thin line and then relaxed and looked him in the face and smiled, understanding.

"Well I'll see you soon then!"

Bartok smiled back at the young man he had come to respect, "Yes!" he said, "Now, go!"

And Sheppard stepped outside and the door was closed behind him.

SGA SGA SGA

Allowing a moment of reconciliation with the outside world, Sheppard pushed off against the door he had just exited and on slightly shaky legs, set off in the direction Bartok had set him on. It was an odd feeling indeed to be walking about in a crowd of people, all going about their day and totally oblivious to the trauma and trials that the man walking amongst them had been subjected to the last few days. The desire to just run in a totally different direction could not be ignored and Sheppard took a minute to just stand still and allow the noise and motion of the City to become the new normal and not act like a complete stranger that had just been thrown into their midst.

Someone bumped into him and for a moment his hood slipped from his face and he felt the breeze of the day embrace him and the winter sun dazzled his eyes. He quickly righted the hood and surged forward on towards the glass building before he was caught outside.

Unfortunately, he had not walked far when he had to hold onto a wall for support, as a surge of nausea overwhelmed him and he closed his eyes, hugging his stomach for comfort. He half opened his eyes again and noticed the light was tinged with a pink, red colour and he knew from experience that some Crimson had recently been mined and was slowly cloaking the atmosphere with its toxic powers over him and causing his sickness like before.

Gulping down the sick feeling, he had no choice but to continue on towards the tall building that was in his sight. The next few minutes Sheppard breathed in and out a little too fast and he worked on controlling that as much as he could as he did not want to stand out in the crowd. He wondered if he should take some more of Bartok's powder but decided to hold off as he was controlling his urge to be sick at the moment so with determination to follow his course, he entered the building and searched for the lift. Nobody singled him out as being unique and Sheppard breathed a sigh of relief as he strode into the lift and pressed the button to the lower levels. As he leaned back against the wall of the lift, feeling its cool metal wall against his hands, he was startled when he noticed his reflection in the mirrored walls to the side. He quickly took in his clothes and as he pulled back the hood, he flinched when he saw the dark lines under his eyes and the clammy, grey looking pallor his skin betrayed. He stared at his heavy beard and even though he couldn't tell exactly, it told him that quite a few days had passed since his capture. He watched his hand come up and touch it and then snatch it back as a noise alerted him that another floor had been reached and the door was opening. A quick look at the numbers and he realised someone else had requested this stop as he still had two floors to go.

He dragged the hood back over his head and calmed himself down as the doors slid open to reveal the outline of a Wraith standing waiting on the doors to fully open. Sheppard looked at the floor, keeping his head down and made a show of making room for the Wraith to enter the small space.

Sheppard inwardly sighed, did he really have a target on his back. It was incredulous that his enemy stood in front of him now and was totally accepting of his presence. It was so wrong, Sheppard could not comprehend it, even though Bartok had filled him in with the history of the planet but he thought surely the Wraith could hear his heart beating too fast and feel his discomfort. It seemed like an age but the lift dropped the final two floors and the doors slid open as they should, the Wraith walked out and on his journey and Sheppard followed out the lift onto the ground floor with shaky legs and then remembered to breathe. It came out slightly louder than he wanted and covered it up with a cough in case somebody noticed. He noticed that the Wraith was walking in the direction he was going, so he decided to curb the urgency to run towards and through the door that would lead to the outside world and freedom but kept a steady pace, not looking left or right but straight ahead the whole time, watching the Wraiths back as he walked.

The promised freedom was too good to be true Sheppard realised, as if in slow motion, the Wraith slowed his steps and turned around. Panic rose in his throat. Was he looking at him, or somebody else? He didn't stop walking and acted as if unaware of what the Wraith was doing and just subtly changed his trajectory to the right but not raising his head to look the Wraiths way as he drew nearer him. Confirmation that it was indeed him the Wraith was after came when two large leather clad booted feet came into his hooded view in front of him and stopping any further movement forward.

"Excuse me." Sheppard said as he tried to side step the looming threat in his path; for the moment, only too glad to act like he was in the wrong.

The feet stepped back only one movement and maintained its position.

Sheppard drew in a breath, blew out in resignation and prepared to face his enemy. He slowly looked up the Wraiths body towards his face and couldn't have imagined for one moment the face his eyes looked upon regarding him with a sneer. The Commander.

Time stood still with neither willing to be the first to speak. Around him, Sheppard heard the lifts bell sound that someone was stepping out from it once again. People milled about but they were few. Sheppard and the Commander remained standing still, facing each other whilst the lifts occupier walked the other way and the receding footsteps heralded the end of the shared space. There was now just the two of them left in the hollow ground level floor.

"Shepp…ard" the Commander spoke. It was neither a statement nor a question but it sprung Sheppard into action and quicker than he thought it possible with his weakened state he dodged left of the Commanders stance and kidney punched him twice in succession with an elbow to his sternum for good measure. To a Wraith it was just a glancing blow though, and he quickly grabbed Sheppard's wrist and spun him back until he could kick his legs out from under him. Sheppard went down, the pain in his wrist growing as the Commander tightened his grip on his prisoner. He tried to scrabble up but the Commander placed a heavy boot on his chest holding him down. Still holding onto his wrist and bending it back he leaned forward until Sheppard could see every tattooed line on his face.

"Not so fast Atlantean!" The grip lessened slightly on his wrist but Sheppard knew he was in no fit state to fight back to a good conclusion so he stayed down and glowered.

"How did you know it was me?" Lame, but it was all he could think to ask. He thought of Bartok and wondered if this was part of the plan all along or had there been a mole that alerted the Commander to where he was now. But if he knew all along why did he allow for it to be played out for so long? Questions he wanted answers to.

"There is no need for you to know these things Sheppard. Where do you think you are going?" His voice at last was an answer of sorts. It was brisk and cold, erring on the enemy side of things not the helpful 'Todd' tone that he could empower.

Sheppard's silence was expected by the Commander but not encouraged so he roughly pulled him up off the ground with no effort and brought him level to chest, his other hand around his throat just tight enough to evoke a response from Sheppard who stumbled into him and held onto his leather coat for balance. The stench of the Wraiths breath brought on Sheppard's nausea again and he swallowed hard against it coming up.

"I am not like the others Sheppard, I do not want what they have planned for you. I merely want you to take back to my Queen as she requests."

On seeing Sheppard's puzzled look he enlightened him. "I infiltrated this planet Sheppard on the orders of my Queen when she heard about what happens here; to watch, study and report back. Your turning up here Sheppard was very fortuitous as this would be the ultimate prize for her to capture you and now I think my assignment is at an end. You will walk outside with me, by my side Sheppard. It is quite funny really that you can do nothing else for who would help you." The Commander laughed heartily and Sheppard just stared up at him as he roughly pushed him back away from him but holding onto his coat sleeve, not quite ready to let go his prize yet.

Sheppard's head was reeling with this new threat. So someone requested his head on a platter and someone wanted his organs transplanted; he had never felt so wanted!

Having no choice at the moment, Sheppard shrugged off the Commanders hand and righted his cloak around his shoulders, pulling up his hood that had fallen back in the scuffle and allowed him to usher him out the very door he had been aiming for. If he was heading for the forest too, all the better as it might give him a fighting chance if he could get his hands on a tool of some sort to fight him with.

Unfortunately, as they exited the building, the Commander grabbed his elbow and pulled him left and around the back of the building and away from the forest that beckoned in front of him. He glanced over his shoulder quickly to see where the path was that led to the forest for future reference – hopefully very future reference and tripped over his own weakening feet, slamming into the Commander who manhandled him in front of him, growling as they went.

"So how do we get off this planet then? Through the Gate? You have a dart?"

"Too many questions Atlantean. Be quiet!"

The hadn't walked far when Sheppard's spidey senses that someone was watching them, started to kick in, almost at the same time a wave of nausea overpowered him and he bent double, clutching his stomach once again. A moan escaped his tight lips and this time he could not hold back and let go of the contents of his stomach, as meagre as they were. The sun, tainted red with Crimson, did nothing to warm his clammy skin and he fell onto his knees, for the moment strength to recover completely avoiding him. Surprisingly, the Commander just patiently stood still for the few minutes it took for his breath to be regained and eventually Sheppard wobbled to a standing position, wiping his face as he did so. He noticed movement a second or two before the Commander did and the appearance of Bartok's relative Girvan became a running, screaming blur of adolescent fury giving Sheppard the distraction he needed when the Commander noticed the assault heading his way. Sheppard started to pull away as the Commander pulled out his stun gun to fell the boy before he reached him with his out-stretched knife in a throwing position. Sheppard realised the boy did not have the strength needed to overpower the Wraith alone, so pulled on the Commander's leather coat hard so the shot from the gun went wild, hitting a tree in the forest with a round of sparks. The Commander back handed Sheppard across the face but he held on tight to the coat as he spun away from the Wraith and momentum brought him back to face him once again. For a second their eyes met and then dawning made the Commanders eyes go wide with shock as he realised Sheppard had, in the short time he was attached to the coat, extracted his sharp and jagged knife from its sheath and plunged it into his heart almost as simultaneously as the short knife Girvan owned had been thrown with deadly precision into his neck and carotid vein. Thick, dark blood exited the dying body and pooled on the ground below them, both stepping back and panting hard as they witnessed the death of their enemy. The boy shook slightly so Sheppard put a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"I owe you Girvan. Thanks for your help."

Girvan seemed rooted to the spot but eventually he looked up at the paling Sheppard, who seemed to be swaying on his feet slightly. The exertion being too much for him.

"Move!" Girvan cried and made to shove Sheppard out of the way as the Commander, not quite dead after all, hauled his arm up with his gun, and aimed it at the pair. Too late, the blast hit Girvan's shoulder and he felt it sizzle his way through his flesh, already numbing it and instantly feared that the consecutive blast would kill him. Sheppard, possibly from adrenalin, found the strength he needed and pushed off from the wall and landed on the fallen Wraith before his next shot could hit the young boy. He felt the pain of the blast scrape his side as he fell but used his momentum to grab the arm of the Commander and pulled the trigger himself up and into the chin of the Wraith, this time killing him outright. Soon, he felt a pull on his shoulder and with great effort he pushed himself off the dead body and looked up into the frightened face of Girvan as he kneeled on the ground.

"He would have killed me if it wasn't for you Sheppard. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

Sheppard shook his head and accepted some help up to a standing position. "You've got that the wrong way round Girvan. Here on this planet or somewhere else he would have killed me for sure. Now if you are ok, I need you to help me get him into the forest and hide him. We are in danger of getting caught and I must find my way back into the forest to find Bartok." It dawned on him suddenly. "What are you doing here anyway?"

At the question Girvan looked awkward. "I heard my Uncle's plans and thought I would wait for you at the other side of the door but I heard you and the Wraith speaking in the building as I held the door open a crack so I thought I would follow you and see where you ended up so I could tell Bartok. Now what are we to do?"

Sheppard winced as he prodded the new wound on his side and grimaced. "How's your shoulder? Can you help me pull him into the forest?" At Girvan's nod, the both grabbed an arm and after checking no one was watching, they dragged the heavy weight into the forest and Sheppard covered him up with us many leaves and dirt as he could before he started waning again. Next Sheppard collected the dead Commander's gun and knife and pocketed a tall, slim piece of metal that he had no idea what it was for but reasoned it might be useful at some stage in his escape.

"So Bartok. He is your Uncle you said? Do you think he will have made it into the forest to find me ok by now?"

"Yes, my Uncle will keep his word. Come, we must go, I will help you and then he can look at your wounds."

"And yours, don't forget."

Girvan was stunned, he had forgotten about his wound, not even feeling the pain until it had been mentioned and now it throbbed in time with his heart.

Sheppard was watching him with a knowing smile. "It's called adrenalin. Now let's get moving before I can't move anymore."

Girvan eyed him up. "You are in great pain and discomfort." A statement that needed no reply but he shook Sheppard's sleeve. "The powder, please take some, it will help greatly."

"You could be right. I will do."

Sheppard dropped some of the powder into his mouth and felt it disperse fast on his tongue and offered some up to Girvan. At first he refused but Sheppard looked determined so he dropped a small amount on his tongue and felt a warm comfort settle over the pain immediately and closed his eyes. Sheppard was there when he opened his eyes after only a couple of seconds and found his good shoulder being held onto with one hand.

"I'm going to have to lean on you Girvan if you don't mind?"

"Go ahead. Let's go find my Uncle and he will look after you further. He will have bandages and the likes."

"That he will."

They had only walked a few minutes, entering into the deepest part of the forest when Girvan felt the body of Sheppard slip to the ground, even though he tried to hold him up.

"Whoa, stay with me…Sheppard?...Sheppard!"

SGA SGA SGA

TBC

I HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS STORY?