A pounding in her head told her that Talon's warning was a good one, and Mitchell did as she was told, opening her eyes carefully against that ache, knowing that any light was going to magnify the hurt she was feeling tenfold at least.
It turned out to be unnecessary. The fairly large room she found herself in was only dimly lit with a single candle burning high on a shelf. She frowned, looking around. The room was sparsely furnished, with a bed, a table or desk of some sort, and an odd looking set up in the corner that the candle was shining above.
Any idea where we are?
Not a clue, Talon replied. I was stunned, too
She turned her head, and realized when she tried to turn the rest of her body that she was tied up – either with rope or some kind of cord. Whatever it was, it was well tied, because when she struggled with it to try and loosen the bonds they only tightened further, almost painfully. She was sprawled unceremoniously on the floor in one corner, and it took a lot of effort for her to get into a sitting position. The rope that tied her hands and feet was anchored to the wall firmly, giving her only about ten feet of tether.
Damn it.
Take it easy, Hot Shot, Talon told her. We're not done, yet
I wonder where Teyla and Ronon are…
I wonder what that thing in the corner is, Talon countered. If I didn't know better, I'd say it looked like an altar
Melony looked back over at the corner and decided that he was right. It did look like an altar. A little, anyways.
I don't suppose you remember losing the fight?
Not a thing, he admitted. One minute we're in the thick of it – and I do remember hearing a P90 firing – and the next minute I'm awake and checking you out for injuries. How do you feel?
She took a quick inventory of her aches and pains and found what he already knew; she was sore and a little banged up, but hardly in critical condition.
I'm fine. Let's-
The door opened just then, allowing a bright light to enter the room, illuminating it further, and showing Mitchell and Talon both that her weapons – as well as Teyla and Ronon's weapons – were all sitting on the table in a small pile. Before either could comment to the other about that, however, Hu walked into the room, carrying a burning stick, which he used to light up a fire in a fireplace against the far wall that Melony and Talon hadn't noticed in the near darkness.
"You're awake, I see," Hu said as the flames roared higher, lighting the room and filling it with warmth.
"Where are the others?" Melony asked, forcing herself around to look at him, even though the ropes that tied her made it difficult.
"They're safe. For now."
He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed, looking over at her.
"We have a few things to discuss, you and I."
"I don't have anything to say to you."
She certainly wasn't going to strike up a conversation tied to the wall like she was.
He gave her a tight smile, not seeming to be offended.
"I think you do. Because if you don't tell me what I want to know, your friends will suffer."
"Go to hell."
His calm façade slipped just a little, with a slight tightening around the sides of his mouth and a hardening in his expression.
"That isn't the answer I was hoping for, Colonel Mitchell. Do you really want your friends to pay for your insolence?"
"Why are you doing this?" Melony asked, ignoring his question, because she could only hope it was an empty threat. "We didn't come here looking for trouble."
"Your friend killed my second in command. That is not the act of someone not seeking allies…"
"Neither is trying to seduce someone without warning."
Hu hesitated.
"How did you know what I was doing?" he asked.
She shrugged.
"I'm sensitive to that kind of thing – and I don't like it."
"I wasn't going to harm you."
She snorted, blatantly struggling against her bonds.
"This is a fine example of that."
He scowled.
"You're not injured."
"And my friends?"
"They're not hurt, either."
"I want to see them. Now."
"That won't be possible, I'm afraid."
Which means what? She asked Talon privately, feeling sick. They're dead?
They could be unconscious, he replied. Or maybe just too far away or something. Or maybe they can't control Ronon without having him as tightly bound as you are and won't risk moving him… don't be such a pessimist
"Then I don't have anything to say to you."
He flushed angrily, and stood up, towering over her and obviously trying to intimidate her.
"You will tell me what I want to know!"
"Go to hell," she repeated, leaning back and closing her eyes.
It was a much bolder move than she really was in a position to make, but it was all she had. She wasn't going to start spilling secrets – or whatever it was he wanted to know – and she certainly wasn't going to be making friends with him any time soon. The best she could hope for was to prove to him that she wasn't going to be intimidated by him and hoe for some kind of opening that would get her closer to her gun and to the others.
He made an angry sound, and she heard him move closer, but she didn't open her eyes – although she was tensed for a blow of some sort. It didn't land, however, and a moment later she heard him stomp away, his boot heels clicking on the wooden floor. Moments later the door opened and then slammed shut, leaving her alone once more.
We've got to figure out a way out of here.
YeahBut what?
OOOOOOOOO
"Report."
Duck shook his head.
"We haven't found any sign of Colonel Mitchell," he reported to Teal'c, who had called in each team separately for reports. They'd been looking for several hours without any luck – not even a sign of Mitchell or any kind of struggle. "It's like she vanished into thin air."
"That is not possible, sergeant."
"I know. I'm just saying…" he shrugged again, feeling frustrated and angry. Teyla and Ronon had both been bleeding and hurt, and he was certain Colonel Mitchell was, too. They had to find her. "Maybe we should bring in bigger guns…"
"There are no bigger guns on Atlantis," Teal'c said, looking at the firepower they were already carrying.
Duck shook his head.
"That's not what I meant, sir. I meant, maybe we should head back and get a couple of jumpers. They have better sensors and longer range… It's obvious she's nowhere close."
Teal'c scowled at him, making the sergeant wonder if his idea was a dumb one – even though he'd thought it was pretty good himself. Duck didn't know him well enough to know that that was how the First Prime always looked when he was thinking. Finally, Teal'c nodded.
"Take your team and return to Atlantis and procure two puddle jumpers to assist with the search teams, sergeant. I will remain here with the others and continue searching. Contact me when you have returned."
Duck nodded – almost saluting, even though Teal'c wasn't in his actual chain of command and certainly wasn't in the military.
"Yes, sir."
He turned, called the rest of his small team together and headed back for the Stargate at a fast trot.