Part 10

"You still like Magog?"

"You freaking idiot!" Harper yelled with pained anger. "I have never liked Magog, tell me, boy, how many of your family have been killed savagely by Magog, how many family have you been forced to kill because they have impregnated them?" Harper's frustration and pain drove his anger now. "How many times have you been forced to listen to their battle cries, as they rampage through your home, searching you out, being stricken by intense fear that freezes you to the spot and you prey to the divine without pause for breath that this is not your time," Harper sneered, his face red with anger as he now strained against the restraints that fixed him to the railings. "Tell me how many times!" he yelled with uncontrolled fury.

The yob backed away stunned at the anger and fury on display. "But you protect this Magog, I don't understand," Barton finally said, regaining some of his composure.

"Either do I, but I do," Harper returned, only slightly calmer. "Doesn't that tell you something, inside that pea brain of yours?"

Barton now hesitated before he approached Harper again, and began to undo the restraints that secured Harper to the railings, hauling him up to his feet. "We need to help you," Barton then spoke, to Harper's surprise.

"Help me?" Harper checked unsure, his expression pained as the movement made him more aware of the cuts across his chest now.

The yob motioned for Rev to be lowered and soon Rev stood alone secured in chains, but circled by the many young men that had captured him. "We need to remind you that a Magog is a Magog," the yob declared.

Harper began to struggle but he was now being held by at least two people. "I do not need that particular lesson!" Harper yelled, but couldn't stop Barton from cutting away the blood soaked tee shirt from him, and taking it in pieces from his body, wiping it a few times across the fresh cuts across his chest to be certain the ruined tee shirt was generously represented by his fresh blood.

Barton then took the bloodied cloth and approached the restrained and passive Magog, and with only a small amount of fear Barton put the cloth to Rev's face.

Rev had watched Harper's exchange with interest, and had never before heard the young human share his intense experience of the Magog so vividly, with so much passion or hatred. It hadn't been a shock, it was a story he had heard from many people many times, but coming from Harper it had been a sadness that he had felt, knowing Harper as he did.

Only now there was the smell of blood, Harper's blood, and Rev had never been tested like this before, purposely. It smelt so rich and fresh, and Rev's inner hunger taunted the Magog now from within. The illness had already weakened Rev, and his focus was not as strong as it should be because of this, and for reasons only he knew.

It didn't help Rev that Harper's raised anger, due in part to his own suffering with the illness, now was mixed with the human's intense emotions of pain and fear that Barton had evoked. That mixed with the closeness of the blood that Rev could smell, so close that Rev could almost taste it on the cloth, became too much and he couldn't help but instinctively growl in desire.

"You hear that stranger?" Barton now taunted Harper. "He's hungry, and he doesn't care that you saved him."

"You are wrong," Rev quickly focused, recovering his senses for a moment. "I do not desire anything but to learn more on the teachings of the way."

Harper however, had noticeably paled on hearing Rev's reactions to his blood, his instinctive nervousness rose and Rev couldn't help but notice the change in scent. If Rev had thought too deeply, he could have almost mistaken Harper's reaction for one of offering themselves to the Magog, with so many tempting scents, and Harper being so rich in scent now it was all Rev could do to shake away those thoughts knowing that it wasn't true and he now fought those instinctive primal feelings and justifications that drove his kind.

"You," Barton glared at Rev. "You are here to infect us all, and I can not allow that to happen," he declared triumphantly, before turning to Harper. "And you, poor misguided fool, you threaten us with more Magog, and you wish us to be infected, I can also not let that happen."

"I wouldn't wish that on my worse enemy, and you don't even come close to that status," Harper stated tiredly now, his energy waning, but still unsure as he remained staring at Rev with doubt.

"We wish you no harm," Rev supported Harper's words.

"Lock them both in the viewing chamber," the yob ordered. "Let's have some fun."

Harper and Rev were roughly pushed forward and led to a large iron door, which opened only after four men each took a handle to pull. Harper felt the restraints around his wrists and ankles being removed, and saw Rev was also being freed, before being pushed into the chamber along with Rev. The door closed heavily behind them both, they were free of their chains, but now in a metallic walled room, possibly a store room, with no windows and only the one heavy door. The darkness was brief, as lights suddenly flickered on engulfing them, and Harper spotted a sort of viewing gallery all around them above, with railings, where the goons now all fought for good viewing positions.

"What the hell are they expecting?" Harper asked with confusion, turning to Rev who with his head bowed appeared to be ignoring him. "Rev?"

"Please, Master Harper keep far away from me," Rev requested quietly, backing away from the human.

Harper didn't need another warning and quickly backed away in the opposite direction, as far as he could from Rev Bem. Reaching the cold wall, Harper rested against it for the moment until he felt objects being thrown down upon him, culminating in hot liquid and he was forced to move away from the wall.

"Hey, haven't you losers got something better to do!" Harper yelled loudly, and found that he was ducking for cover as rocks and other objects were soon thrown down in response. "Ow!" Harper darted around to avoid the flying objects, before he was finally floored by something hard hitting the side of his head.

"Harper!" Rev called out on seeing the young human being targeted and then collapsing to the floor, but there was little either of them could do, as the rocks continued to fall but Rev had no choice but to hurry to Harper's side to try and assist.

"The Magog shows concern for his friend!" Barton yelled with amusement, and more objects rained down on them both.

"Harper?" Rev spoke, deflected as much of the junk as he could to protect the human.

"I'm ok," Harper shakily spoke, and Rev saw fresh blood on the boy's temple where he'd been hit. "We have to get out of here," Harper stressed now, and then stared at Rev wide eyed, as the Magog stared back at him.

"It's ok," Rev simply spoke looking away, seeing the concern and fear on Harper's features.

"Good," Harper allowed himself some breaths, as he attempted to recover pushing himself up to sitting position, really feeling his illness and the beating now.

"Your signal, will it work here?" Rev questioned, seeming agitated as he settled down to sit on the floor, being sure to keep a respectful distance from Harper.

"Not sure, I don't think so," Harper explained, as he glanced around at the high structure. "We're surrounded by metals that will interfere with the signal."

"Then we have to hope they get bored very soon," Rev looked up to see the drift's yobs still cheering and celebrating their capture.

"They want to see you in action," Harper adjusted his sitting position now, risking a glance upwards noting the objects were no longer being thrown, before looking at Rev.

"If you are suggesting," Rev began.

"Hell, no way!" Harper backed away slightly, showing sudden concern again.

"I'm glad to hear it," Rev offered defensively. "As much as I consider you a friend, I sincerely do not want to go all the way with you," he added, and offered a Magog smile that didn't help Harper's nerves.

"I'm not ready to be a mother either," Harper attempted to joke softly, but his uncertainty was still clear to see, as he kept the distance between them. "Rev, you told me to stay away," he then added.

"My focus is not at its best," Rev attempted to explain. "Your blood," he simply gestured to Harper's open wounds, scattered across his chest and now his head and arms from the latest onslaught.

Harper slowly backed further away. "I'm not feeling too great either," Harper tried to sound reassuring. "I feel tired, I don't know why but I also feel a little drunk, and I haven't had a drop for other two hours at least," Harper complained, rubbing his face, as he moved to a crossed legged sitting position so he could rest his head in his hands.

"One of the objects that hit your head might have given you slight concussion, I suspect the one that caught you on the temple, it's bleeding heavily," Rev offered.

"Will you quit checking out my blood?" Harper lightly snapped, without looking up, still with his head resting in his hands.

"It's in my nature, I can not help it," Rev frowned, and looked upwards knowing the yobs were quiet, and for a reason. "I don't think this is over," Rev frowned.

Harper glanced up. "They won't be happy until I'm infested with Magog eggs," he stated with bitterness.

"Then they'll be very disappointed, wont they?" Rev assured the human, but Harper's eyes gave away his doubt, as he nervously avoided Rev's stare now. "Master Harper I have no desire to procreate at this time."

"What?" Harper questioned now with shock that Rev had even mentioned it, but he soon relaxed with a bitter smile, as he relaxed on seeing Rev was not the threat his imagination would have him believe. "I'm not good enough for you?" he then asked, attempting humour once again, as he struggled to appear comfortable.

"I'd like to have taller children than myself," Rev mocked.

"I guess I should be grateful for that," Harper smirked, but still kept his distance as the tension remained between them. "What do you think they'll do?"

"I can not determine that," Rev answered gravely.

Harper grimaced, and held his arms around him tightly. He was feeling the effects now of his prolonged fever, plus the blood loss he was suffering. "Do you think anyone has noticed we're missing?"

"I would think they have," Rev responded, and Harper noticed for the first time how weak the Magog was looking now. "And I would also believe that they will fear the worse between us."

"What?" Harper answered with distraction, caught out by Rev's reply.

"We have not exactly been very talkative towards each other lately, and my actions against you have caused great concern within the crew," Rev revealed.

"I keep getting the vibe that they think I've going to up and leave," Harper admitted, holding himself tighter now.

"They fear it with good reason," Rev offered. "I attacked you, and you'd have every reason to no longer feel safe on the Andromeda."

"Are you kidding?" Harper objected strongly. "I feel safest on the Andromeda, look what happens when I'm off it!" he added, gesturing to their predicament. "And why should I leave, you attacked me remember?" he complained.

"You are right," Rev agreed. "And I have considered it."

"I don't mean you should," Harper was quick to correct himself, still avoiding eye contact. "It's just, you know?" he tried to explain, but failed.

"You wish to stop running?" Rev pre-empted.

Harper took a deep breath. "The Andromeda is the best thing that happened to me, and before that it was the Maru," he explained with care. "I didn't care that you were Magog, I didn't like it and hell it took a lot of freaking getting use to, but the alternative was a hell of a lot more of you, who wouldn't be so quick to try and at least get to know me," he sighed heavily, rubbing his face once more. "But Rev, the Andromeda is the best thing that's happened to you too, and the safest place," he gestured madly to their surroundings. "So, let's just forget what happened," he offered, finally looking at Rev sincerely. "I'm tired of this tension, and this freaking illness," he complained further.

"You find things easier to forget than I," Rev frowned. "And I fear I have lost Beka's confidence, I may have no choice but to leave," he added gravely.

"Rev, you were ill and I shouldn't have crept up on you, hell I know better than that, first rule, don't creep up on Magog," Harper stressed. "Beka would never push you away, never, she's your biggest fan," Harper added with conviction.

"What happened wasn't in any way your fault, Harper," Rev protested lightly. "And maybe I have misread Beka's mood, but she was unable to talk to me when she brought me to this place and I have never had problems like that previously."

"Rev," Harper whined now. "Things are just a bit jumpy right now, she'll get over it, Beka doesn't, well she does hold grudges, but not with family, well maybe Rafe, but you get my point?" he asked, forgetting it himself.

"I will try to forget, if that is what you wish," Rev conceded but his attention, and Harper's were quickly drawn to the doors that suddenly opened, and a group of ten yobs carrying sticks walked in.

Both Harper and Rev quickly got to their feet, backing away side by side as the young hooligans approached.

"You're friendship is compelling," Barton spoke in a sneer, as they circled them both. "I'm almost convinced that this monster is different from the rest."

"Good," Harper exclaimed enthusiastically. "Because I can assure you from first hand experience that it's true."

"I need more convincing however," the leader spoke directly to Harper. "You have displayed fear towards him, even though you claim him a friend."

"No, no," Harper insisted now. "Me and Rev, we go back a long way," he stressed, cursing his own insecurities, having realised his earlier doubts must have been obvious when they had first been left in this room.

All around them the chanting grew stronger from the others still looked down on them from above, as they used whatever they could find to hit the metal walls, increasing the intimidating atmosphere.

"Look, I'm not a Magog fan ok, I got demons like everyone else, and for freaks sake can't you just accept that this Magog is ok, hell if I can accept him, anyone can!" Harper now yelled just to be heard over the noise.

"Master Harper I fear the time for debate and discussion has passed," Rev advised him, and moved slightly in front of the human, as the pack closed in around them, wielding their weapons.

End of part 10