AN: See chapter one for disclaimers

Retribution

Chapter 6: Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold

The four Atlanteans watched in dread and disbelief as Chief Cowen and Commander Koyla of the Genii entered the council chamber.

Surprised by this new development, Ford swallowed hard and cast quick glances at his teammates. Teyla stared icily at the new arrivals, barely containing her rage at Golathe's treachery and betrayal of her trust. Only the guns pointed at her and the other three kept her from attacking their captors. McKay tried to hide his growing panic as his former torturer strode into the room with an evil smile plastered across his face. It was a face he hoped to never see again, a face that still haunted his darkest dreams. Only the dream was now about to become a living nightmare once again.

Sheppard stood with his arms calmly folded in front of him, his face a mask of cool indifference. Only those closest to him could tell a fierce anger simmered below the surface, waiting for an opportune moment to erupt. Only those who knew him well could see the cold determination in his eyes. He was not about to let his nemesis see him sweat.

Chief Cowen strutted up to the captive group, placed his hands behind his back, and walked slowly around each one of them. "Well, well, well. Look who we have here. None other than our old and dear friends from the great city of Atlantis."

"Nice to see you again, Cowen. How's that A-bomb coming along?" Sheppard taunted the Genii leader who had stopped his pacing to stand in front of the dark-haired major.

Cowen pursed his lips in annoyance at the major's insolence, but his voice remained impassive as he replied. "Ah, I see you have lost none of your acerbic wit, Major Sheppard. I am surprised though that you haven't yet realized you have so little to laugh about."

"What can I say? I am easily amused." Sheppard shrugged in response.

Koyla, however, did not find the major's sardonic remarks the least bit funny. The Genii commander walked over and viciously backhanded Sheppard across the mouth. "Your impertinence has no place here, Major."

Sheppard casually wiped off the blood that trickled from the corner of his lip with the back of his hand and glared back at Koyla in defiance. "Sorry, but it has a nasty habit of following me around wherever I go."

Koyla narrowed his eyes as he stared the major down. "Believe me, when I have finished with you, you will wish it didn't."

The commander turned to three of his men. "Kindly escort the major to the accommodations I have set aside for him. I wish to share some...after dinner conversation with him."

Two of the brawny warriors grabbed Sheppard by his upper arms while the third kept his weapon aimed at the major's back as they pushed him towards the door. Looking over his shoulder at his team, who were restrained at gunpoint by the rest of the Genii soldiers, he called out to them as he was led from the room. "Don't worry, I will be back."

As soon as the major was taken away for interrogation by Koyla and his men, Cowen instructed several of the remaining guards to direct the others to another location to be placed under confinement.

"Take our guests to their new quarters. I will be there shortly to personally settle them in for the night. We wouldn't want them to miss out on our special brand of Genii hospitality."

As the team members were forcibly removed from the council chambers, Cowen turned to Golathe who had been silently watching the proceedings. "You have done well, Golathe, my friend. Not only do I consider your debt to the Genii repaid, I plan on rewarding you for the gift you have bestowed on us tonight."

Golathe looked sadly after the departing group. "I don't wish to have your blood money, Cowen. My debt to you is paid. Let that be reward enough."

"As you wish then. But your work here will not be soon forgotten." Cowen left the magistrate and headed out the door.

During this time, Major Sheppard was brought to a small, windowless room deep inside the complex. The spartan room was furnished only by a utilitarian table and chairs, along with a small, narrow cot in the corner. The dimly lit room had only one entrance protected by a stout, reinforced door with a heavy padlock on its latch. Far from being a comfortable guest suite, the dreary cell was obviously meant to house captured enemies of the Logarans. After unlocking the door, the Genii soldiers shoved him into the room followed by Koyla.

Shutting the door behind him, Koyla nodded to his men who pulled Sheppard down into one of the chairs, then positioned themselves at each side and in back of their hostage to prevent him from attempting escape.

Refusing to be intimidated, Sheppard looked up at the commander as he spoke. "I guess I am not as good a shot as I thought I was."

"Why? Were you expecting me to be dead from a mere shoulder wound?" Koyla asked.

"Well, I was aiming for your heart. I should have known you didn't have one." Sheppard quipped.

The blow caught him off guard as the soldier to his right slammed the butt of his rifle into the major's ribcage, momentarily knocking the wind from him as he doubled over and grunted in pain. Sucking in his breath, Sheppard sat back up, wincing slightly as he rubbed his bruised side. He watched Koyla warily, wondering when the next strike would come.

"Your continuing defiance grows tiresome, Major Sheppard. I hold all the cards here. You have nothing to gain with your insolence."

"Maybe. Maybe not. What about you, Koyla? What do you possibly hope to get by this little display of military might?" Sheppard asked.

Koyla shook his head in disbelief. "Why isn't it obvious? Retribution, Major. Retribution for the men you murdered and the victory you snatched from my grasp. Not to mention there's still the matter of the C4, the medical supplies, and the spaceship you reneged on, along with the Wraith data device you stole from us."

"Is that all? Now why didn't you say so in the first place?" Sheppard steeled himself against the anticipated blow as he spoke. This time it came from the left as the rifle butt smashed into his stomach, then swung up again to crack against his jaw before he could recover from the first hit. The guard behind him then grabbed his hair, yanking his head back painfully so that he was forced to meet his tormentor's cruel stare.

"You are only making this harder on yourself, Major." The commander pointed out to his captive.

Sheppard tried to hide his grimace of pain as he answered. "I don't see how. You are only going to kill me no matter what I do. Whether I am dead or alive, you'll never see the C4 or your data device. I have nothing to lose."

"Oh, but you do. I do recall your rather touching concern for Dr. Weir's safety. Since she also seemed to hold you in such high regard, I plan to use you as a bargaining chip. Perhaps, I can even persuade her to visit Logara herself to negotiate the release of her people. She's a beautiful woman, I would so relish seeing her again." Koyla sneered.

At the mention of Weir's safety, Sheppard launched himself out of the chair and lunged angrily at the Genii commander before his surprised guards could react. He almost had his hands around Koyla's throat before the soldiers were upon him, kicking and punching him into submission. Though outnumbered, the major continued to fight back until a rifle butt once again smacked down against the back of his head, knocking him senseless. He fell bonelessly onto the floor as darkness overtook him.

Koyla looked down at the unconscious prisoner lying sprawled across the cell floor. "Leave him for now. We will let his pain keep him company in our place for the time being. I have a message to send on our unfortunate major's behalf and will be back within the hour. Guard him well until I return. We will continue our little interrogation after I have taken care of this important piece of business."

(TBC)