Retribution
Chapter 10: A Taste of Freedom
Ford, Teyla, and McKay followed their Logaran rescuers as they hurried down the corridor, intent on finding their team leader. Still surprised at their sudden reversal of fortune and the magistrate's abrupt change-of-heart, McKay could not resist questioning the ulterior motives of their newly reformed liberator.
"Not that I am not grateful to you for freeing us from our lovely little cellblock, Golathe, but why should we trust you now? After all, the unscrupulous way you handed us over to the Genii could not be considered one of your most endearing qualities. Forgive me if I find your sudden about-face from betrayer to savior a bit difficult to fathom, but I have certain qualms about trusting sneaky, underhanded backstabbers."
"I empathize with your lack of faith in my sincerity, Dr. McKay. You have every right to hate and distrust me. Perhaps if I explain the reason for my dishonorable actions, you'll understand better why I felt compelled to act as I did." The Logaran magistrate attempted to convey his regret.
"Yes, do tell. I am all ears to hear your tale of woe. But make it quick, we have more immediate concerns to think about. Oh say, like saving our peerless leader!" McKay commented snidely.
"My father truly is not an evil man, Dr. McKay. He did not realize the extent of the Genii's hatred for you. Chief Cowen had only told him Major Sheppard had stolen a device from him and that he must be punished as a thief. He did not realize the full price Koyla's would exact as his revenge until you were taken captive. It was only then did he realize his mistake." Kenra interjected as the group quickened their pace.
"Daughter, let me speak for myself in answer for my transgression. You were too young to know of the event that put me in debt to the Genii. It's a debt that I was duty-bound to repay in order to protect my people from Cowen's wrath. Many years ago while Cowen and a party of Genii were trading on Logara, the Wraith came to our world for a culling. They would have taken my wife if a Genii named Edan did not push her out of the way of the Wraith's transporter beam. He was taken in her place. Edan was Cowen's brother. As I am sure you have learned, the Genii demand compensation for any loss they suffer. For all these years since, Cowen has found many ways to remind me that he has yet to receive adequate repayment on the debt the death of his brother incurred. I thought offering him the man he so wished to punish would finally erase that obligation."
"Fine, fine. Just help us get Major Sheppard back in one piece, get us off this tranquil little shopper's paradise, and we'll let bygones be bygones." McKay scowled impatiently.
The cell in which Major Sheppard is imprisoned is just down the end of the eastern wing connecting to this corridor. One of my people reported that Koyla had exited the major's cellblock only a few minutes before we arrived at yours. He left only one guard posted outside the door." The Logaran magistrate explained as the group came to a halt in a wide hallway.
"They will not suspect anything is amiss if a Logaran passes this way. Thus, Senara will proceed ahead of us and render him unconscious. We will wait here for his signal."
"It will only take me a moment. Wait here and when I signal Magistrate Golathe, we shall be able to release Major Sheppard." Senara promised as he moved off down the hallway to deal with the Genii sentry.
Shortly they heard a low-pitched, electronic whine and soft moan as the young Logaran dispatched the guard with his stun device. He signaled to Golathe that all was clear as he caught the insensient Genii as he slumped to the floor.
Inside the cell, Sheppard was sitting slouched on the cot, his elbows resting on his knees while his aching head rested dejectedly against the palms of his hands. He was truly tired of playing human punching bag for that sadistic bastard Koyla. If he ever got out of this cursed room, he vowed to himself he would give Koyla a taste of his own medicine before he left Logara. That is, if he didn't collapse from his injuries first. This last round with the Genii commander left him with a blackened eye, a split lip, and a least one more cracked rib. He didn't know how much longer he could last without food, water, and rest if the beatings continued. He could only hope his teammates were faring better.
The sound of voices outside the door caused him to suddenly tense. Crap, he really hoped Koyla would not return so soon. He looked up as the cell door swung open once again, resigning himself for more abuse. But instead of Genii soldiers, his teammates along with Golathe, Kenra, and Senara entered the small room. The three team members rushed over to where the major sat, elated to find him still alive.
Relieved at the sight of McKay, Ford, and Teyla looking relatively unscathed, but eyeing the Logarans in suspicion, Sheppard quipped. "I hope this means you have convinced Golathe and his friends to finally come over from the dark side."
"Yes, we don't have time to explain the whole story, but let's just say they have seen the error of their ways and have journeyed to the light." McKay replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Noticing the contusions, dried blood, and the pained expression on his face as he attempted to stand, his teammates voiced their concern about his condition.
"Major, how badly are you injured? Do you think you are able to walk?" Ford asked, uncertain of how they would get to the stargate if Sheppard was too weak to remain upright for any length of time.
Wincing as he took a few hesitant steps, Sheppard tried to convince them he was fine. " I just need a moment to catch my breath, but I'm good to go." He stated at the same time he began to sway as the edges of his vision grayed slightly.
Seeing his friend was on the verge of passing out, McKay grabbed his shoulder and eased him back onto the cot. "Major, please sit still while we check you out. We would prefer you stay conscious and ambulatory. Since I haven't eaten in awhile, I doubt I have the strength to carry you all the way to the stargate."
Too tired to argue, the major sat quietly while Teyla and McKay tended to his most noticeable injuries. After cleaning the wounds and bandaging a gash on the side of his forehead, they helped him to his feet. They did not want to delay any longer in case the Genii returned.
"We need a way to get back to the stargate undetected. Koyla's men may be stationed all through the complex and we are currently outnumbered." Sheppard noted.
"Come with me, there is an extensive tunnel sytem under this building which will provide a faster route to the Journeyer's Portal. Since the Genii are unaware of these underground tunnels, they will provide all the cover we need to reach your destination safely." Golathe bid them to follow him as he walked over to a decorative niche carved into the stonework beneath the lit sconces on the hallway wall.
As he touched his palm to the recessed area, a portion of the wall smoothly slid back to reveal a hidden passageway. The group hastened thorough the narrow entranceway one by one as the Logaran magistrate lead them into the concealed walkway to a set of stairs. In single file they walked behind Golathe with Senara and Kenra following at the end of the line. The staircase widened as they reached the base, opening up into an immense underground labyrinth of workshops, laboratories, and weapon arsenals. The huge complex was bustling with activity and the hum of machinery.
"Is there some unwritten rule that states every bucolic community we visit in the Pegasus Galaxy must have covert technology hidden in underground bunkers?" McKay wondered as he looked in amazement at the vast subterranean installation.
"It does give you a strange sense of deja vu, doesn't it." Sheppard remarked as he exchanged looks with McKay.
Golathe looked at the two men in confusion. "I am not sure I understand your meaning, gentlemen."
"Let's just say the discovery of a similar bunker is what got us into trouble with the Genii in the first place. But it's long story we don't need to go into now." The major grimaced both from the discomfort radiating throughout his midsection due to his cracked ribs and also from the memory of their previous encounters with the Genii.
McKay, in the meantime, had pulled out his scanner and was nodding his head at the expected readings. "Surprise, surprise, it's seems we have found the source of those pesky energy spikes." He swung his hand in a lazy arc, pausing at regular intervals, scanning the immediate perimeter of where they stood. "Oh look. Energy here. Energy there. And oh my god, would you believe more energy everywhere? You'd think by now, I would have seen through the bogus country bumpkin routine and known your civilization was more advanced than outward appearances would indicate when we first noticed the scanner readings."
"Golathe, why did you keep this a secret from my people?" Teyla inquired.
"We must conceal our technology from the Wraith so as not to attract undue attention. If they knew we have made such advances over the generations, they would totally obliterate our planet and its people. This is the best way for us to protect our society as we strive to develop more effective weapons to use against them."
"How many lives could you have saved among those like the Athosians if only you chose to share this knowledge?" Teyla asked with a mixture of sadness and disgust.
"We have found that the fewer individuals we take into our confidence, the more we can ensure our secret remains safe from the Wraith." Golathe explained.
"Seems to me we're heard this one before on another planet not so far away. So why reveal all this to us now?" Sheppard asked.
"Because I have done you a grave misdeed and I wish to atone for it. We have lived under the threat of Genii intimidation for too long. Once we have together rid Logara of the Genii, it is my hope that we can forge an alliance based on mutual friendship and renewed trust among our peoples." Golathe answered truthfully.
"Okay, we'll worry about swapping insider secrets later. We don't have much time left to before Koyla notices that we have escaped and all hell breaks loose. We need to get back to the stargate to thwart any possible reprisal attack on Atlantis or your people."
"Of course, Major. This tunnel system contains a transport that will provide a shortcut to the Portal. Some of my men will show you the way and help you disarm any Genii guarding it."
As if on cue, several men armed with weapons came over to Golathe and awaited in readiness to comply withhis instructions. The magistrate directed his guardsmen to lead the Atlanteans out through the underground facility and back to the gate.
Sheppard drew Golathe aside from the rest and asked quietly. "What about Koyla? Any ideas where I might find him?"
"After he left your cell, it appeared he was heading back to his temporary quarters. If you take that passageway to your right, it will lead you to a concealed entrance just down the hallway from his location." Golathe indicated the archway to the side of him.
Sheppard clapped the Logaran's shoulder in thanks and turned to his second-in-command.
"Ford, take the others and go to the stargate. I want you to secure the area in case Dr. Weir sends in either the ransom or a strike force to rescue us. Knowing Elizabeth, I am betting on a rescue mission." Sheppard instructed his second-in-command.
"What about you, Sir? You need to get to the infirmary and have your injuries tended by Dr. Beckett." Ford urged as he looked worriedly at his superior.
"I'll be fine. I have some unfinished business with someone to take care of first. If I am not at the stargate in 20 minutes, send in the reinforcements." The major started back down the corridor as he spoke.
"Major, you're in no condition to handle the commander yourself. I think someone should go with you to provide backup." Ford called back to the departing major, knowing Sheppard would not rest until he was certain Koyla was no longer a threat to their people.
"That's an order, Lieutenant! Taking care of Koyla is something I need to do alone. Give me 20 minutes. Then I will join you, and we'll all go back to Atlantis together."
Ford, McKay and Teyla were joined by several of Golathe's people to set off to dispatch any sentries guarding the stargate and to re-establish contact with Atlantis. Sheppard headed off in the direction where Golathe had indicated Koyla most likely would be found. As he made his way down a passageway that branched off the main corridor, he spotted his quarry conferring with one of his men just outside a doorway. The soldier saluted his superior officer and strode off down the hall, leaving Koyla standing alone. Stepping out out the shadows, Sheppard lifted his rifle to his shoulder and pointed it at the commander's back.
"Put your hands up and turn around Koyla, so I can look you in the eye when I shoot you." Sheppard growled in warning.
Koyla stiffened slightly in surprise before he slowly raised his hands and began to pivot round to face his former captive. As the Genii warrior turned, he shook his head almost in amusement as he spoke. "You have an unfortunate habit of turning up when least expected, Major Sheppard."
"You know, I'm just full of surprises." The major walked forward keeping the barrel of his P90 pointed directly at the commander.
As Sheppard continued to aim at Koyla's chest, he noticed the soldier that had left moments ago returning at run from the end of the hall. Having heard voices coming from the direction where he had left his commander alone, the young lieutenant had looked back and saw Sheppard confronting his superior officer. Removing his sidearm from its holster, he raised the weapon and pointed it at the major.
Forced to take immediate action, Sheppard took quick aim at the new threat, firing off two quick rounds that dropped the young soldier in his tracks before realigning his gunsight on the commander. In the split second it took the major to take down the soldier, Koyla had reached for his own pistol, targeted his sight on Sheppard and pulled the trigger in one swift and smooth motion. The hall echoed with the sound of two ear-ringing explosions as both weapons discharged simultaneously.
(TBC)