Okay, I am getting somewhere now. Next chapter will have Yami again. I hope I'm still doing a good job. Anyways, the story is taking shape.
ENJOY @____@
The group held their breath as yet another of Kaiba's monsters went by on patrol. Red had landed in a small clearing and immediately moved the group under cover. He had taken his human form, especially since that form was far easier to hide. As he led them to the base his cape fluttered behind him as he walked, making it easy to follow, but it hid him amazingly well when they stopped moving.
Being back in Japan meant that they had to be much more careful. Kaiba patrolled this area more intensely then the others. So, as they traveled they kept silent. SG1 were still trying to make sense of everything that was going on. They had only given a couple of updates to Hammond using Dark's communication device, and would wait until they were at the base to make another.
The most aggravating aspect of this part of the trip for O'Neill was that he had to let the duel monsters take control. He was the novice at the moment and he didn't like relying on people other than his team, especially people he still hadn't figured out. Of course, he was still bothered about letting Siris go her separate way, but that argument would have to wait until he saw her again.
Finally they reached the entrance to the base. Red went first, slipping between a clump of bushes and disappearing from sight. One by one the rest followed. Dark went last, ensuring that everyone was in safely. The bushes hid a tunnel that sloped downward. Despite having no lights they found that they could see enough to walk safely.
The tunnel ended in what looked like a storage room, very similar to a large underground cellar. A few doors led into and out of the room, shelves and cabinets lined the walls, and large assortments of supplies were expertly packed away leaving the center of the room clear. Red told them to wait there while he let his master know that they had arrived.
Not long after Red left everyone heard the distinct sound of footsteps hurrying towards them. One of the doors burst open and two blondes ran into the room and straight up to Yugi.
"Yug! Ya all right? I was worried sick about ya." The blonde boy shouted as he nearly crushed Yugi in a fierce bear hug.
"I am so glad you made it back Yugi. After the first couple of weeks I began to think that maybe Kaiba had recaptured you or worse." The blonde girl spoke with concern, forcefully nudging the boy out of the way so she could give Yugi a hug as well. Laughing Yugi let his friends go on like this for a moment before extricating himself.
"It's great to see you guys to. I see you found Joey all right Mai."
"Well, actually, Sol found me and brought me to Joey. I got lost." Looking up Mai noticed the others standing there as if for the first time. "Are those all the people you needed to find Yugi?"
"Yep. Let me introduce you. Mai, you've already met Dark and Celt, but you haven't met Mag yet. And these are the members of SG1, Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter, Doctor Jackson, Teal'c, and Jonas Quinn." Yugi said, pointing to everyone in turn. He then turned to SG1 and introduced Joey and Mai.
"And these are two of my best friends, Joey Wheeler and Mai Valentine." With introductions made and the initial excitement dying down Joey decided to move the meeting to one of the more comfortable rooms.
"Well, what are we all standen down here for? Let's go ta one of da meeting rooms and fill each otha in." Once everyone had nodded their agreement Joey and Mai led the way, keeping Yugi between them and talking the entire way.
~~~~~**~~~~~
"So that's how you kept away from Kaiba. It is a good thing our monsters are so loyal to us. Say, Mai, have you managed to meet any of yours?" Yugi asked taking a sip from his glass. They were sitting in a comfortable living room with many chairs and a few couches. After they had arrived Joey had gotten refreshments and then refused to tell anything about what had been going on with him until Yugi and SG1 told their stories.
/It seems like even though we have long since left the SGC, we still are only talking. I don't think I could stand another explanation round. And why are all the people we are going to be helping kids, are there no more adults./ O'Neill thought to himself as he looked around the room. Once again they had taken many hours to get all the details straight and O'Neill was getting very tired of it.
"Actually, I have. I didn't think I would, but they came to me, a lot like Joey's came to him."
"Really, which ones have you met?"
"My three Harpy Ladies."
"You mean Oceana and Sienna are here?" Mag suddenly blurted out, standing abruptly and accidentally hitting Celts elbow, causing him to spill his drink all over himself.
"Yes. Last time I checked they were with Sol in the training arena."
"Great, I gotta go talk to them. I haven't in so long. Which way is it to the arena?" Mai pointed out where she should go and Mag was off. Celt mumbled something under his breath at which Dark was forced to cover his mouth not to laugh. Most everyone else was simply confused.
"Oh, Celt, are you still going on about that incident?" Magenta laughed as she walked in to sit in the spot vacated by Mag.
"If it was only one incident I wouldn't be so worried. But you know as well as I that those three together mean disaster for me." Deciding to change the subject Yugi spoke to Joey.
"Joey, I know that you are all right and everything, but what happened to Serenity?" He asked this hesitantly, worried that the answer would be bad news.
"Serenity is fine. Dis is only one of da bases. Serenity is wid Tristan and Tea at anotha base. I want ta keep her as far away from da action as possible."
"Tristan and Tea made it out as well?"
"Yep. Dey stay wid Serenity, since dey don't have any monstas and can help out more by doing stuff on da sidelines."
"I don't mean to interrupt, but who are you talking about now?" Carter asked
"Joey's sister and our other friends. Maybe at some point we can introduce you, but at the moment we should keep them from away from the fight." Yugi answered. The group become a bit silent after that, they had pretty much talked themselves out. They were saved from getting too uncomfortable when Sol poked his head into the room and let everyone know that dinner was ready.
"Aw right. Food!" Joey shouted, clamoring to get to the dining hall.
"I see that some things are never going to change." Yugi smiled as he stood up to follow him. Mai laughed good-naturedly and assured him that Joey and food would never change, no matter what. Still laughing, she led everyone to the dining room to eat and relax some more.
~~~~~**~~~~~
Mai and Carter walked down one of the corridors. After they had finished eating, Carter had asked if she could talk to Mai alone. Mai had given no objection and soon the two had been drawn deep into conversation. Despite having just met each other Mai felt quite comfortable in telling Carter all about the time she had spent working at Kaiba's castle.
"What made you finally escape?"
"Joey, I think. I had been growing more and more distressed by what Kaiba was doing to Yami and Yugi, but it wasn't until Joey showed up that I finally began to realize that I could fight back. It took me a while to get up the courage, but I finally did. I only wish I could have gotten Yami out as well."
"I'm sure you did your best. By the way, who exactly is Yami? All I've been able to tell is that he is connected to Yugi through the millennium puzzle."
"I don't really know how to answer that. I'm sure as soon as we get Yami out Yugi will tell you. I don't think he wants to talk about it too much because every time he does he is faced with the fact that he got out and Yami didn't."
"You know, I can't began to tell you how much not having all the details is driving the Colonel up the wall. He can't stand surprises."
"Well, I'm afraid he will have quite a few more to deal with before this thing is through, perhaps we should tell him. Then at least he can anticipate them." Mai and Carter jumped slightly at the new voice and abruptly turned to face who it was.
"Siris! When did you get here?" Carter exclaimed. Mai looked Siris over carefully while Siris simply smiled and gave a small shrug.
"I just got here a little while ago. I was heading up to let everyone know when I ran into you two. I figured I'd let you show me the way."
"Oh, well, did you do what you needed?"
"Uhuh. Actually Mai, I'm glad I ran into you so soon. I would like to talk to you about the layout of Kaiba's castle. I'll need to know whatever you remember if I'm going to get Yami out with any amount of ease."
"You're getting him out? I thought the SG1 was going to with Yugi."
"I'll need SG1 to help me get into the castle but it will be a lot easier if only one person goes in. And I haven't told anyone this yet, so I guess we should go do that." Waiting patiently Siris let Carter and Mai take the lead and head back to where everyone else was. This was going to be an interesting meeting, that much Carter could tell. She glanced at Siris, and found her walking nonchalantly with both hands behind her back, eyes looking ahead. Shaking away the sudden doubts about Siris she started paying attention to where she was going again and back to wondering how Siris expected to be allowed to rescue Yami alone.
~~~~~**~~~~~
"Absolutely out of the question. Siris, what makes you think that we would even think about allowing you to go through with a half-baked plan like that!" O'Neill demanded. After the initial shock of her sudden appearance she had immediately let them know of her idea of getting Yami out.
"Calm down Colonel. Siris, how sure are you that you can do this on your own?" Dark asked.
"Oh come on, you can't seriously be thinking about letting her go?"
"Colonel, I have known her far longer than you and in the time I have she has never made a boast that she couldn't back up. If she says she can get Yami out alone, I am inclined to believe her."
"Dark is right, Siris doesn't try things unless she is very sure that she can do them, especially when people's lives are on the line."
"Please quit arguing. If more than one person attempts to go in then they will get caught. If I go in alone I can blend in and avoid suspicion, besides, I work much better solo than in a group. At least, when it comes to tasks like this." O'Neill glared at her but remained quiet. He realized that he had lost the argument; the only good thing was that he would be able to let Kaiba know what was on his mind by going along.
"Will ya need supplies?" Joey asked.
"No, I have everything I need. Colonel, can you and your team make the distraction I'll need?"
"We can do what you want. Just don't go and get yourself caught after we get you in."
"Then it is decided. Mai, I'd like to get a few more things clear if you don't mind. We will leave in a few hours, please make any preparations you will need." Indicating for Mai to follow her, Siris left the room. Mai immediately moved to follow leaving the others to stare after her.
"There is something off about her."
"Perhaps O'Neill, but she seems to know what she is doing. We should prepare." Teal'c left to do just that and not long after so did the rest of the group.