A/N: Dredd: Our resident nut job indeed!

Jules: Hope the wait was short enough.

So here it goes…

Chapter 3- Unforgiven

Again Jorus woke up in the cell, still propped against the wall. He sighed at the certainty of it. His thoughts moved to the Commander and his motives. What had this Major Sheppard done to him to warrant his assassination? Why dedicate their time to this, to Major Sheppard and himself?

It had to have taken time to select him for the task, time to set up the capture, the days before he agreed, Vinelle's capture, and now time to set up this assassination. He realized this has involved many planets. His planet Ixonia, this planet whatever it was called, Major Sheppard's planet, and the final planet where the task would be carried out.

The Commander had told Jorus very little about himself, he even kept his name secret. He had also told him little about Sheppard, except that he was a military man and from another planet. Jorus supposed that was for the best, if he knew too much and liked the man… then it would be difficult. Better to think of him as prey. But he would never forgive the Commander for making him a murderer. The guards had been a different story, that was an escape... then maybe the assassination would not be murder… he was following orders and it was an escape of a kind. He sighed at the thought, whatever you called it, he would never forgive that awful man.

She had been paying close attention to the passage of time. She had seen Jorus the morning before yesterday. Her cell was the same as his, but not as deep within the complex. She thought her looks had deceived them of her capabilities. What idiots. She was small, five foot- three inches tall, and thin.

They had two guards outside, who did not seem to be paying attention to their duties. If she could just get her hands on them… she knew she was the stealthiest person she knew, and quick, and her small frame was all muscle. All she needed was a chance, and she would stop Jorus from committing this horror.

They had left her alone since that day, only opening the cell door to give her food and water. She did not trust the Commander, it was the way he acted, as if he was better than everyone else. If he went back on his word and ordered her killed, or even killed her himself, she knew Jorus would spend his life tracking him down without mercy. But she would give them a fight before they touched her.

She heard him, the Commander outside her door… she silently approached the door, looked out the small window, and listened carefully.

"Sir, we have recorded Major Sheppard and his team on Reekan. They visited the Ancient chamber and the one called McKay voiced a wanting to return."

The Commander smirked, "Very good. I did not expect to have a hit this soon, Sheppard will meet his end."

Both of the men left in the direction Vinelle supposed lead further into the complex, most likely towards Jorus. That planet… she knew that name… from awhile before. She and Jorus had visited there when they were investigating paces to build their house. The inhabitants moved on years ago, settled elsewhere. There had been very few of them. Vinelle thought about the address to it… if she could remember the symbols, she could go there. After she escaped of course.

---

It wasn't long until they passed her cell again. This time it was the Commander, four guards, and Jorus. Vinelle thought they must be heading out to the planet.

He saw her looking out the opening of her cell door, and quickly looked away. He knew she would never forgive him for doing this, never look at him the same, but at least she would be alive. From boyhood he had been taught the warrior's ways, to protect his people, and damn it Vinelle was his people if no one else was. He would go to the ends to keep her safe, as she would for him.

The group kept walking, twisting through the few remaining corridors. They finally exited the complex by climbing a ladder into a building. They then moved outside as the day began to wane. He was surprised they had been underground the whole time.

Back in Atlantis, everyone was unaware of the events playing out deep within a complex on another planet. Events that would culminate to a point soon enough.

Dr. Weir sat down in the briefing room, Major Sheppard and the team already waiting. They all looked, well bored, except Rodney. John was sitting across from her twiddling his thumbs next to Aiden and Teyla, Rodney on the end. Aiden was rocking in his chair, Teyla sitting quietly. She supposed nothing much happened on MX7-573, the latest in a stream of planets teams were sent out to investigate.

"What news do you have?" She folded her hands on the table.

John replied, "Not much. Another planet, trees, something Ancient McKay is excited about."

Teyla added, "It's an uninhabited planet."

"We have to go back, I'm not even close to finishing exploration of the chamber."

"It's a cave McKay." John stressed.

"Chamber, completely unlike a cave. A cave is natural, this is man-made, by the Ancients."

"It is a hole in the side of a rock face, a cave that was completely devoid of anything."

"Devoid, the far wall is covered in Ancient writings!" Rodney responded.

"That you have no idea what they're talking about."

"I have an idea, something about 'opening the doorway.' There could be a whole complex buried behind the chamber."

"Cave." John teased. A little banter does a body good once in awhile.

Elizabeth, Teyla, and Aiden had been sitting there un-admittedly enjoying the banter after an uneventful day, but it was time to move on.

"What do you think Lieutenant, Teyla?"

Teyla sided with Rodney, "It does warrant further investigation."

"There was no indication of any hostile life-forms. It would be safe to send a couple scientists."

"Thank you!" Rodney said, rubbing it in John's face. Cave… riiight.

Ford continued, "But a military presence would still be advisable." That silenced Rodney's smugness.

"Of course." She directed her speech at John, " Major I'm assigning you to escort Rodney and whoever he decides to bring along. You leave tomorrow at 0800."

John nodded thinking, Great, babysitting a bunch of scientists out on a field trip. Well, it beats getting the life sucked out of me. Or does it?

"Will do."