Inquisition
Part One
They were well concealed behind thick bushes at the top of the ridge, overlooking the large village – more of a town really, it's streets paved with cobblestones, several substantial buildings lining the main thoroughfare. They watched as the day-to-day lives of the people flowed below them, men hurrying to work, women sweeping the steps. Children playing. All in all, nothing out of the ordinary. Daniel had put the level of development at late medieval, pointing out the small panes of glass in the windows, the open drains and general lack of hygiene. Sam had responded by noting the dresses on the women – ankle length with heavy sleeves and high necks. This had started a discussion on the medieval perception of women, brought swiftly to a halt when a middle-aged matron was thrown bodily out the front door of a house and given a hard cuff on the head by a man whom the watching team took to be her husband. Daniel had glanced at Jack, sensing his reaction, and saw narrowed eyes and lips thinned in disapproval.
Another hour of observation confirmed their suspicions – definitely a male dominated society. Daniel could feel Jack getting tenser by the minute, and was hardly surprised when he finally spoke.
"Okay, we're out of here. There's no reason to stick around."
"Yes, sir." Sam started to get up, careful to stay concealed. "There's no sign of naquadah or any other useful resources here, and I can't say that I want to get up front and personal with the natives."
"Hold on a second." Daniel peered through his binoculars. Something had caught his eye, shining in the centre of the village square.
"Daniel, come on. I don't want to hang around here any longer than we have to." Jack's voice showed his irritation.
Daniel turned. He knew Jack wasn't going to like what he was about to say.
"I think that you need to have a look at this." He pointed down. "In the square."
The machine gleamed silver and gold in the bright sunlight, the wagon that had concealed it trundling off down a side street.
"Looks like the snakes have been here after all." Jack turned over, lying on his back, his sunglass covered eyes staring straight up, thinking. "We better go see what it is. Carter, I want you and Teal'c to stay here, and keep an eye on things." He twisted and got to his feet. "If we aren't back by nightfall, get back to the gate, and contact base."
"Are you anticipating problems, O'Neill?"
"Not really, Teal'c," Jack shook his head, "but there's something about this place that I don't like. That's why I want you here, as backup."
"Wouldn't it be better if I went with you, Colonel, especially if it's a machine down there?" Sam argued.
"No, Carter. I've just spent the last hour watching how these people treat their women." He raised a hand, forestalling her protest. "I know that you can look after yourself, but I see no reason to antagonise the locals, and you and I both know that is exactly what will happen if you walk into that town. No, you stay here with Teal'c. That way I know Daniel and I have backup if anything goes wrong."
Sam acknowledged her orders with a nod. Daniel could see her frustration, but she knew better than to argue with Jack when he was in this sort of mood. He picked up his pack and settled it on his shoulders, ready to follow the Colonel down the slope.
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"This looks very...quiet." The uncomfortable feeling that Jack had experienced while watching the town was increasing with every step they took. They had reached the outskirts, the first buildings appearing to be small private dwellings, with more substantial homes further towards the centre. The few people that they had seen from the hill were conspicuous by their absence.
"Maybe it's meal time?" Daniel was looking around him, searching for any sign of life, a worried frown on his face.
"I don't like this one bit." Jack settled his P90 more firmly, his finger twitching. "Keep alert."
"As always, Jack," came the distracted reply.
"Yeah – right!" The Colonel snorted, his mouth turned up slightly in a small smile.
They were almost at the machine, a large gleaming shape covered in symbols. Daniel was obviously finding it hard to not hurry forward, Jack could almost feel the tension in him, like a taut spring about to snap, but he hung back, letting Jack take the lead. A movement between two buildings on their right had Jack spinning, raising his weapon to watch a group of eight men approaching, solemnly dressed in blacks and browns. Jack could see no welcome in their faces; there were no friendly smiles.
"Hello. We are peaceful explorers." Daniel launched into his standard spiel. "I am Daniel Jackson. This is Colonel O'Neill."
The tall, gaunt man standing at the head of the group took a step forward. He was dressed completely in black, except for a small touch of white from the collar peeking above his robes, his face pasty and unhealthy looking.
"Welcome. I am Pater Yleek." His expression belied his words; there was nothing of welcome in it. "What do you here?"
Daniel seemed oblivious to the undercurrent of hostility. "As I said, we are explorers. We would like to learn more about your people."
"Why?" Again the Pater spoke, the other men remaining silent.
Jack didn't wait for Daniel's answer. Every nerve in his body was warning him that this was so not a good place to stay. He didn't care about the machine. He just wanted out of there.
"True. Very good point." He interrupted, out of the corner of his eye seeing Daniel shut his mouth, a look of surprise on his face. "We'll leave you good folks in peace, and be on our way."
"Jack..."
He didn't even look at the other man. "Shut up, Daniel. We're out of here."
"I think not." The Pater's voice was cold and decisive, but Jack didn't have time to do more than take a step back, before more men entered the square, crowding the two of them, forcing them closer together. Jack held his gun up threateningly, motioning them back, pleased that Daniel had also drawn his Beretta.
"Look," he tried to reason with them, keeping his tone low, "We don't want any trouble. Just let us go and no one will be hurt."
His words were ignored as if he hadn't spoken. They found themselves being pushed back, retreating, eyes searching for another way out. They ended with their backs against the wall of a low building, their weapons raised.
"Jack?" Daniel was looking to him for suggestions. He had only one, one that he was reluctant to take. Firing on unarmed men, no matter how threatening they seemed, was not in his nature.
The decision was taken out of his hands.
His head exploded with pain, the world tipped sideways, and the ground came up to meet him.
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Daniel rubbed his ear against his shoulder, trying to clear the ringing. His arms ached making him think that he had been hanging unconscious in these chains for quite some time. He tried to take his weight off his wrists, but his feet barely brushed the floor, already his toes were feeling the strain, curling in. His movements made him spin slightly, a painful pirouette held in place by the hook in the high ceiling.
He looked over to where Jack was similarly hanging, envious that the other man's extra couple of inches allowed him to stand reasonably comfortably. He was pleased to see that Jack was finally looking a little more alert, the last hour or so spent hanging in this cell with an unconscious companion was one that he didn't want to repeat in a hurry. All his shouted attempts to rouse his friend had been unsuccessful, until finally Jack had begun surfacing by himself.
"Daniel?"
"Hey Jack. You okay?"
Daniel watched as the other man straightened, raising his head to look around. It took several seconds before his eyes reached Daniel's position, their light dull.
"Been better. How about you?"
"Wishing I was taller." He saw Jack's puzzled look and took pity on him. "I'm fine, considering the circumstances."
"Yeah, about that." Jack was trying to twist around, surveying the large room. "What the hell happened?" He sounded confused, unsure of himself, and Daniel could see the effort that it was taking him to stand upright, even with the help of the wide chains holding him in place.
"I think that they had someone on the rooftop above us. All I know is that one minute you were standing there next to me, the next there was a thump, and you were lying on the ground making friends with a brick."
Jack blinked a few times before speaking. "A brick. That explains the headache then. How long was I out?"
"It also explains the blood on your face, Jack. You took quite a blow – probably about two hours, I'm not sure, I was unconscious for a lot of it. Someone hit me with a club."
"Shit, Danny. You okay?" Daniel's confession seemed to bring Jack fully alert for the first time since he had roused.
Daniel smiled at the concern in his friend's voice "Better than you, I think."
"Any idea what they want?"
"Well, judging by the culture, I'd say that they're late medieval level in development." Daniel thought for a moment. "The man who spoke to us looked like some sort of religious leader, by his clothes and title."
"And that helps us how?"
Daniel felt a moment of annoyance, Jack's expectation of an easy answer irritating him, then he took in the other man's appearance, the blood still wet on the side of his face, the glazed eyes, and swallowed down his anger. He was about to continue when the sound of footsteps came from behind him. He held his breath, his spine tingling with the knowledge that someone was behind him that he could not see. He needn't have worried. The steps continued until the Pater came into view, coming to a halt between the two hanging men.
"Good, I see that you have finally awoken." He addressed Jack, "Now we can begin."
"Now we can be released." Jack spoke with conviction, as if he expected to be obeyed without question. Daniel thought of the many times he had used this same tactic. It never worked. He had once asked Jack why he bothered, and had received the off hand reply of "you never know, it may work one day."
Today was obviously not the day.
"I will release you." The answer was unexpected. "After you have answered some questions."
"Great! What's the capital of France? I can answer that – Paris. How about Independence Day? Fourth of July. That enough? Can we go now?"
"Where is the demon?" The Pater's voice cut across Jack's.
Daniel exchanged confused looks with the Colonel and shook his head slightly.
"Sorry – got no idea what you're talking about." Jack snapped out his reply.
"I explained before. We're peaceful explorers." Daniel decided that it didn't hurt to try again. Maybe they hadn't understood.
The black robed man ignored him completely, all his attention focused on Jack. "We saw you come from the Devil's Circle. You were accompanied by your demon and a witch. Tell us where the demon is hiding, and I shall grant you release from your life of evil. We will find the truth, be certain of that." He turned a dismissive eye to Daniel. "Do not think that your servant can help you. The only thing that can save you is confession." He reached out and touched Jack's arm, swinging him. "Tell me where the demon is."
Jack kept his feet with difficulty, the stubborn look that Daniel knew so well settling over his face.
"Go to hell."
Daniel winced. Given what he had deduced from the Pater's words, that wasn't the best answer.
The priest smiled and nodded, almost as if he had welcomed Jack's reply. "No, but it is certain that you shall."
Daniel shivered. He looked at the stern man in front of him, saw the light of the fanatic in his eyes and knew him for what he was.
An Inquisitor.
He did the most appropriate thing under the circumstances. He prayed. Prayed that Sam and Teal'c would rescue them soon.
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"I can't see the Colonel any more." Sam peered through the binoculars, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The Colonel and Daniel had met with a group of men in the square, that much she had been able to see, but the buildings had hidden them from view. Anxious minutes had passed, as they waited for the men to come in to sight again, but so far they could see no sign of them.
"They appear to have gone into one of the buildings on that side of the square." Teal'c answered her. "The locals seemed unarmed. I am sure that there is nothing to be concerned about, Major Carter."
Sam nodded, settling herself into a more comfortable position. She was probably worrying over nothing. "I suppose we will just have to wait." She looked at her watch. "We might as well make ourselves comfortable."
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There had been no more questions. The Inquisitor had been joined by three men, three of those that had been with him in the square. Candles had been lit, illuminating the far corners of the vast room.
What Daniel saw there made him gasp.
The instruments of torture, like something out of a museum. The low bench, chains on either side. The tongs and pinchers. The brazier, already lit, coals glowing hotly. The rack.
"My men are hunting your companions as we speak. It will not be long before they are found." The pale face shone in the flickering light. "It would save us much time if you ordered your servants to reveal themselves." He gestured, and the chains holding Jack in place were released by one of the men, as the other two stood waiting to support the Colonel. As the chains loosened, Jack swayed, his eyes closing for a moment. Daniel could see that the cut on his head was bleeding again, the fresh blood mingling with the old, his wrists cut and bleeding from holding the full weight of an unconscious man.
Daniel shook his head from side to side in disbelief. This couldn't be happening to them. This was the sort of thing he read about in books, not experienced first hand. Their captors pulled Jack towards the table, ignoring his struggles as the Colonel's tired and weakened body betrayed him, and pushed him on to it, pulling his arms above his head and his legs taut. Daniel saw him conceal a grimace of pain as ropes were tied around his wrists and ankles, fastening them in place. The ropes, in turn, were connected to handles. Jack turned his head and looked him straight in the eye, and Daniel saw that he knew exactly what was happening. The first twist of those handles came as no surprise, the unsmiling men taking turns to twist one handle, and then the next, giving no hint as to which limb would be stretched, the anticipation as much a part of the torture as the pain.
"Tell me where the demon is." The Inquisitor's voice was demanding.
Jack didn't respond, as Daniel knew he wouldn't. The following turns of the handles were like knives in Daniel's gut. He watched Jack's face go pale, his teeth biting on his lower lip until the blood ran.
"There isn't any demon. We are human, just like you." Daniel shouted the words into the gloom, trying to make them understand. "Please stop this."
He heard the reply as the Pater bent over Jack.
"Tell your servant to be silent. I know the truth. You led your fiends through the Devil's Circle. I am allowing you time to repent before God judges you. Confess that you are a servant of Satan, and tell us where the demon and the witch are, and I will give you a quick end."
Daniel knew what was coming. He held his breath as Jack shook his head once more.
The handles turned again
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