Mine Cave

Chapter 2

SGA SGA SGA

Sheppard had a reprieve of a few days from having to touch any more devices. Perhaps none were new finds, as no further ones had been unearthed. Why there was so many hidden in these mines was anyone's guess. There was the occasional dallying with ones they had tried before, but Sheppard maintained his ability to hide their true purpose and most were dead anyway.

The tent where he was taken usually remained empty of personnel during that time until one day, when they were bone weary and sitting on a ten-minute break, a large ship appeared above them, shading everything as it stayed stationary for a time. Their guards radiated unease, but Sheppard was particularly interested in the ship itself and whether this could be a means for escape. He would watch it with interest.

Eventually some materialised. There was a white shimmer and two guards, guns raised, stood in protection of a tall thin woman dressed all in grey. Her hair was of note with its long grey/white length that whipped to the side as the shimmer departed and the breeze of the day cooled her from her protected temperature in the ship. About the same age as Sheppard, she looked strong, vital and most of all pissed.

Ronon raised an eye and Rodney groaned. It was the notorious She'llyn they had been hearing about; owner and ruler of the mine. And not only that, she looked to be a very strong woman in a man's world that used and abused her own sex; even to death. What did she think of that?

Nothing it seemed as she strode towards the guards with an authoritative manner.

Sheppard stood tall watching her; defying her already with a scowl to catch her attention when he was pointed out.

For a second it looked as though she would come over to them, but she continued to talk to the guards, taking a moment though to flick back her long grey linen coat revealing her blaster and highlighting it for a very probable reason. Next, she made her way over to the large tent and her two personal guards unfolded the canvas door for her to disappear inside into and left her alone.

Ronon sniffed the air.

'Sea leaves." He said.

"Care to elaborate?" Rodney.

"I smell the sea coming off of her."

Rodney and Sheppard both sniffed the air. "Yes, you are right; but we call it seaweed."

"Whatever McKay!" Ronon threw his hands up.

"Not from the immediate vicinity then." Sheppard pointed out, trying to quell their pent-up nerves.

Both Ri'shba and M'atra walked towards the tent, and for the first time Sheppard noticed a friction between them. Their body language was tight, pensive and all together combative between each other, you could tell by the slight looks they gave the other one; eye them up and playing for perhaps the woman's attention in a different area other than leadership.

One of the lesser guards decided; with the two senior guards out of the way, to assert his leadership and called for their return to the mines.

Sheppard sighed and looked at the calluses on his hands. His axe was very unwieldy and he had tried to change it for something else only to be met with hysterical laughter. Punishment he supposed for failing to bring to life one of the artefacts.

Rodney was pale, coughing and tired to the bone but he got up to make his way to the mines. Ronon was keeping strong with the manual work, but a lack of food hindered his usual muscular frame and he was getting increasingly restless waiting on their rescue.

Sheppard himself was tired also, but very mentally aware of his surroundings, his team mates and the general health and well-being of their new allies. But he had issues he kept to himself and he worried about his team's reaction to a secret he was keeping when they found out.

He walked slowly behind Ronon and filed it away for now, his decision had been made but it was hard to live through and slowly killing him, although he did not regret his decision made at the time.

He still had one thing that might change things soon though: he had his hidden Monopoly 'get out of jail' card, and was watching and waiting on his chance to unleash its power on the unsuspecting Ashirree; even he, though, did not know exactly what it did, but it had felt powerful.

So lost in thought, he did not hear his name being called at first, then a strong pull on his arm and he thought he was being attacked. He lunged for the guard and they both fell to the ground. The guard called for help and soon Sheppard was being dragged off the one under him, and being bodily raised up, his arms pulled painfully behind him with course rope and tied together. He heard shouts from his friends but he shouted on Ronon and Rodney to stand down, along with new friends; Tain and Soony, whom they were growing close to. This was his fault and he did not want his misjudgement to start a war that would end badly.

Eventually everyone calmed down and stepped back when pushed by the other guards, although Ronon looked like he was going to try and break towards him given the chance at any moment.

Sheppard shook his head silently and walked forward with a rough shove of his back and was marched towards the tent and the lady in grey. He got his act in gear and stepped in time with the guards, not wanting to risk a beating. Te'gan appeared in his view but he marched ahead wanting all his concentration to be on the next few minutes.

SGA SGA SGA

Sheppard stood patiently, arms still tied behind his back, legs at ease but ready to move at the slightest moment. He had been like that for the last ten minutes or so waiting on She'llyn to raise her head and look at him for the first time since he had entered the tent. Dammed if he would speak first, although he was tempted.

The heavy canvas material could not muffle the noise of the wind as it picked up outside and rain started to pelt down; its heavy drops landing to the beat of his heart. The occasional drop managed to leak through a worn section and Sheppard had to stifle a smirk as he saw a drop land on the desk she was currently sitting at, but she just moved what looked like their version of a small laptop without a word.

The smell of the sea's aroma off of her clothes permeated the damp air that was turning slightly humid and to his dismay he felt one drip of sweat wind its way down the side of his face and was then soaked up into his new facial growth.

He watched her tap her keys, head bowed, and occasionally she would pick up one of the artefacts he recognised as not particularly anything to write home about, and put it in a box after turning it over several times in her hand.

Wearisome from his hard day's work and bored of whatever she was trying to accomplish by ignoring him for so long, Sheppard went into a slight doze.

Finally, without looking up, She'llyn spoke: "Are you well Colonel Sheppard?"

Of all the things he thought she might come out with, that was not one of them. They had been with their captors over a week now, and at no time had he, or the rest of his team for that matter, ever been addressed by their names and he didn't think any of their new friends had ever shouted out each other's names either. It was all grunts and pushes by the guards. She had surprised him and he suddenly felt a cold space in his stomach and hackles began to rise on his neck.

She took delight in the fact she had staggered him, Sheppard thought, as she finally raised her head up and met his hazel eyes with dark black ones and an enormous smile that lit her whole pale face up. She might have been considered beautiful if it wasn't for the fact that the radiant smile vanished as fast as it had been pulled, leaving a look that was more likened to someone who looked like they were pure evil.

"What? Do you think your reputation with the ATA gene and being from Atlantis wasn't a huge clue to me once my men told me who they had captured?" She pushed back her chair slightly and at that point Sheppard noticed the chair he was usually made to sit on was now covered in an animal skin for her comfort.

"Sorry, it has taken me so long to come visit." She continued, now smirking. "What's wrong? Can you not speak?"

Sheppard raised an eyebrow. "No apologies necessary. There was no need for you to visit…erm… you are?" - As if he didn't know - Mention of the grey-haired woman circulated like wild fire in the mines.

She'llyn smile mischievously.

"I can tell you know who I am, so I do not think introductions as such are necessary."

"Okay then." Sheppard said.

Although he was desperate to make some sort of wise crack and play into her game, he refrained, going with the strong, silent, battle of wills sort of an effect instead.

Tapping her fingers against the butt of her blaster in its thigh holster, She'llyn leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs before also crossing her arms against her stomach.

"So what am I going to do with you?"

"You could let me and my friends go and tell your thugs to back off."

"I need all the manpower I can get to work these mines, and for that you all have your uses…but you…Sheppard, you have particular qualities I would like to utilise and I have also discovered that you have many enemies that would pay for your return into their custody."

"If you are talking about the Genii, we have settled our differences and are now allies."

"No, I was not talking about them - although there are some factions you may be unaware off, I am beginning to think. That is interesting for the future!"

"Your men work us hard every day, I have had several useless artefacts thrust upon me most days, and this weather is getting old. I will ask you – nicely! – if you would allow me to contact Atlantis and organise our safe return..."

"Exciting, Sheppard! …or What, Colonel? Hmm."

Whereas a gleam was glistening in the grey-haired woman' eyes, Sheppard's were dull and uninterested; realising that this leader in front of him had no clear direction on where to take the conversation; idly standing by to let him dictate the way it should go next.

Then Sheppard almost took a step back at the speed of which she left the chair to stand in front of him, shouting on her guards to come into the tent. Perhaps he had misjudged her, she probably did have a plan all along?

"Tie our Colonel here to the post outside. He needs to understand more about me it seems." She said whilst picking up two artefacts.

Sheppard rolled his eyes. Not again.

"Oh, and just so you know Colonel Sheppard. Your two soldiers: they refrained from showing me what these little trinkets are capable of as well and were just as indifferent as yourself. A word of warning; do not underestimate me. I suffer no fools and especially soldiers from different lands who think they can dismiss my leadership with ease. Your men paid the price by not obeying my rules, I truly hope you will be different."

Sheppard strained against the hold on his arms as he was led backwards out of the tent with her following. "What happened to my men?" He snarled at her, glaring for all he was worth.

The rain poured down over them now, but She'llyn did not seem to mind. She reached into her coat pocket and swung the two marines' dog tags in front of Sheppard's face, gauging his reaction. "These had their names embossed on them I see. Handy little trinkets to keep I think."

"You, bitch!"

A punch to his right kidney and Sheppard bent double with the strength of it. This guard had cement for hands.

He was dragged over to the pole, his bonds cut and then secured around the waist, chest and thighs with more of the course rope.

Panting to control his breathing and anger, Sheppard stared at her without averting his eyes as she summoned Ri'shba and M'atra to join her. "Did you gather the best as I asked?"

With dismay, Sheppard noticed what looked like a duplicate of the credit card artefact and another two ones he knew had been difficult to control also, being placed into her eager hands.

So involved in imagining what was about to happen, Sheppard had failed to notice that the mine had stopped work for the day and all workers, the afflicted; including Te'gan, had been brought forward to watch the proceedings.

Ronon and Rodney stood terrified. There was nothing they could do to help. The hurt they felt oozed off them and Rodney even started to shake. "Ronon!" He whispered.

"He will hopefully be able to keep control of these."

Ronon noticed the moment the now silent crowd registered with Sheppard, and held his gaze when he found him seek him out for his opinion. He nodded towards him once, swiftly and purposefully. He could do this.

Sheppard's eyebrows were furrowed but he had been here before. They would be his strength to get through the next agonising few minutes. He did not want to disappoint his friends so he nodded back towards them both, and then turned his head to seek out someone else, but when there was no visual, he started to panic.

"Te'gan!" Shouted She'llyn.

Sheppard's head whipped up and looked in the direction Te'gan was being marched over by another of the guards.

"Look, you have me: the best ATA gene carrier, let my friends go back and I will stay willingly." Sheppard quickly spat out, trying to save Rodney from his same fate later. He grabbed at straws, worrying that if this was to be the end of him, he had at least organised something.

She'llyn just laughed at him, infuriating him further.

Te'gan arrived then and bowed, as was fitting towards the tall warrior woman.

"You, Te'gan, have been seen with this man several times, tending to him and bringing him and his friends their meals. Is that correct?"

Wondering what She'llyn was getting at, Te'gan nodded in agreement and watched through slits to see where this was going.

"Then as you know this person has the ability to light up my little trinkets; but refuses, I want you to be the first to persuade him to change his mind, so present him with one of your choice." She demanded, her voice loud for all to hear.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Te'gan was rooted to the spot, glancing fast between Sheppard and She'llyn who was now handing out a tray with artefacts from which one had to be chosen.

Te'gan started shaking and bodily jumped when Sheppard shouted "Do it."

He had been watching the proceedings and as soon as Te'gan had been singled out, his heart fell. She'llyns glint in her eye had spoken volumes to him and he was able to read between the lines and it was not good. To save Te'gan the responsibility he had shouted out his command to take that guilt away, but Te'gan hesitated too long and was roughly pushed towards She'llyn by the aid of a large piece of wood; like a small staff. No guard wanting physical contact.

Sheppard pulled against his bindings and pursed his lips. "I said, do it!" He commanded again.

Te'gan slowly picked up a small sphere shaped artefact and moved over to stand in front of Sheppard with it, the leather mask going in and out to match each breath, faster and faster and then looked up and into Sheppard's sweating face.

Te'gan reached out with it until it touched Sheppard's arm and flinched.

"Hold it there."

Te'gan looked straight into Sheppard's eyes and felt the muscles from his body contract at the effort it took to hold back its mystery.

Sheppard tried to contain it, and it worked for a while, until She'llyn studied him; saw the cording of his neck muscles and the fingers that curled into soaked palms that would then wipe, fruitlessly, onto his equally wet trousers.

"Another!"

Te'gan stepped back, relieved to give some relief to Sheppard from the previous one as he was starting to pant.

"No, you fool. Hold another one TOGETHER with that one!"

Te'gan could not take in the words.

"No!" Rodney shouted out without thinking and was quickly pulled back into the crowd by Ronon.

"Ronon, one is bad enough, but two – that could kill him holding that back."

"Don't think I don't know that Rodney, but what is he to do? Look at him, he is going to protect Te'gan from coming to harm that's obviously headed his way if he doesn't comply. This is Sheppard doing what he does. We just have to hope he gets through the other side of this and they don't kill Te'gan anyway. He doesn't need another soul on his mind."

Rodney gulped. He knew Ronon was right, but it did not help knowing this. He stuck out his chin and moved to watch, mentally supporting his friend.

By the time he and Ronon were at the front of the crowd again, Te'gan was lifting another object and moving towards Sheppard before hesitating once again.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, I have had enough of this play. Ri'shba, if you please."

Ri'shba, obviously delighted to be in She'llyns thought process, came forward to stand beside her.

"I think Colonel Sheppard would like to be unconscious for this little show. We can use him without him even knowing."

Ri'shba took the staff from the guard that had pushed Te'gan earlier and wasted no time in reaching Sheppard in three strides. He raised his arm and Sheppard locked eyes with She'llyn before watching as the heavy end of the staff hit him full force on the side of his head. Her eyes were wide for a moment until he knew no more.

His head fell forward unconscious, blood streaming from the wound. The rope bindings held him in place but they were cutting into his skin as they became his barrier against the hard ground.

"Te'gan, I will not tell you again." She'llyn shouted.

Te'gan had no choice but to walk forward and place the two artefacts on Sheppard's arm.

Nothing happened and there was a collective sigh. "Place them on his neck so that they do not fall away from him and leave my sight."

Once again, Te'gan reluctantly stepped forward and did as was asked and then started to run towards Ronon and Rodney and the caves, before She'llyn pointed to the afflicted area, making her orders known.

When all became still again, a low moan could be heard coming from Sheppard. The two artefacts slowly came to life, alternating green and blue colours. Several maps appeared, some She'llyn came to be excited about as she recognised them and the wonder of them made her momentarily distracted.

"I want to see if one can be a weapon. Put a third on him."

Ri'shba still eager, picked up the third one; leaving the credit card shaped one alone on the tray. As soon as it touched Sheppard's skin, it emitted a piercing noise that had them all cover their ears. A bright white halo floated about Sheppard's head that whirled inside strips of molten silver, like mercury. All the strips struggled against the glow as if trying to break free. Sheppard's moans grew in intensity; it was obviously distressing him greatly. Unexpectedly one of the streams of silver escaped and without proper instruction; hovered, before deciding on one of the huge ground transport vehicles.

The light show and sparks that came off the vehicle caused some damage to the door of the cabin; its force, noticeably, went straight through and through.

The spinning stopped as Sheppard growled low in his throat, and then, surprising them all, the small disc suddenly grew thin metal legs and they burrowed into his neck, just beside his left ear and then stilled and was silent. She'llyn walked up close to look and noticed how they were now fixed in his skin.

M'atra dared to poke at it with the wooden staff to remove it, but to no avail. Ri'shba tried with his fingers but with no success either.

This did not seem to bother She'llyn too much as she stepped away from the bound man.

"That will do just now. Let's see what he is like when he awakes. You have been going about this the wrong way M'atra. I told you he just needed some encouragement."

Ri'shba took her hand and bowed. "You knew how to provoke him; I am in awe of you."

She'llyn grimaced, hating this man's weak attempt at praising her. But she was on a high. Sheppard, with motivation, could maybe just be her weapon to bring her great wealth and superiority amongst her foes, and answer some long sought out questions she had herself. Besides she had another handy gadget that had accompanied the small disc now embedded in Sheppard's neck; she would look forward to trying that out later as she suspected it was some sort of remote device to control it with.

She appraised her two leaders: Ri'shba would do very well for lots of things just now. He did seem eager to please after all. M'atra was on borrowed time.

"My tent." She said to Ri'shba, and it was all he could do not to run; then, pointing at Sheppard: "Release him and let him lie there until he wakes."

"My leader." M'atra said. "We cannot allow for him to catch an illness and die." He pointed out.

"You may be correct, but he can endure it for a time I am sure. He seems a strong one." With that she waved her hand towards him.

The guards made short work of cutting the bindings and Sheppard collapsed onto the cold and wet ground. He had landed on his side with his back to Ronon and Rodney so they could not see how bad his head wound was. The worry now was whether the concussion he obviously now had was causing the unconsciousness, the power of the artefacts, or both things together. Either way, Ronon and Rodney hoped he would wake soon so they could tend to their friend and make him as comfortable as possible.

SGA SGA SGA

As soon as Sheppard had fallen, everyone had been told to go to their areas for their supper. Ronon and Rodney remained standing, as close to him as they could, just waiting on permission to go and collect him.

Te'gan could be seen pacing at the other side of the mine, and Ronon watched with interest as he seemed to ignore the attention of his fellow afflicted trying to comfort him.

Through the mask, Ronon had only been able to catch glimpses of bright brown eyes. Gloves hid hands that he had no idea if they were the hands of a worker or soldier or something else – all before the disease had struck of course. Now, manual labour and one of servitude was all that was on offer for them until they died.

Ronon could not quite say that something was bothering him about the young lad; but his attachment and the constant attention he contributed towards Sheppard was quite pronounced, and more to the point Sheppard would usually rebuke such attention, but he also seemed to seek his company and worried about his welfare constantly. He had also watched as Sheppard sought him out when he had first been tied to the pole. Te'gan had been very distraught. Whatever had transpired between the two at the battle at the 'gate had obviously been intense enough to forge a solid friendship that neither seemed willing to break. Okay, he could deal with that; their own friendship had been strong from the start also. Still, as he watched him across the way; Sheppard dividing the space between them in a mutual bond, Ronon would just keep a closer eye on him for the time being and hope he was not wrong that something just didn't sit quite right.

"Rain has stopped at last." Rodney announced.

When Ronon didn't answer, Rodney left his vigil over Sheppard for a second to look at his other friend. He saw a stone faced warrior on high alert staring over to the other side of the mine. Rodney shifted further over and noticed it was Te'gan he was watching as if sizing him up.

"You don't like him do you?"

"Who?" Ronon moved his eyes back to Sheppard's lifeless body.

"Te'gan, who else?"

Ronon furrowed his brow – had Sheppard just moved? "I do not know him enough to judge." He distractedly answered. "Sheppard's waking up."

Rodney let go his thoughts about Te'gan and started to walk out of the caves shelter in a daring attempt to go over to him.

A guard who hated them with a passion was quick to come towards him with a stunner raised, but M'atra intervened by raising his stunner also. "He wakes. See to his health. Leader She'llyn will want to see him again soon."

They needed no further prompt and together the pair ran towards their fallen friend. Ronon skidded to a halt, landing on his knees in the muddy ground.

"John." He whispered quietly, for he could now see his head wound and was receptive to his probable headache.

Sheppard stirred at the sound of Ronon's voice and flopped over onto his back. "Aargh, what happened?" He slurred.

"You did!" Rodney said in sympathy. "Come on, let's get you off the wet ground."

"Stop. My head." Sheppard put both hands onto his head and tried to curl up, cradling it, when he felt a shift to his body.

"We need to get you cleaned up, come on Sheppard." Ronon put his hands under his armpits to lift him up, with Rodney grabbing his waist from behind.

The ground swayed in Sheppard's vision but he allowed his friends to guide him towards their mattresses, breathing out as he walked. Once they had reached their area, he was gently lowered and Mea; Tain's wife, came rushing over with a bowl of rain water that had been collected and some ripped up pieces of cloth to clean him up; hoping he didn't require a bandage.

Ronon braced him against the stone wall, but both he and Rodney remained on each side of him, watching, whilst Mea cleaned him up, dabbing gently until all the blood was gone. Good, no bandage required as it was already clotting. Sheppard remained unmoving himself, still coming out of his fugue, but eventually he raised his head to seek out his friends. Ronon clasped his shoulder in support. "You, okay?"

"I'd nod, but I have a funny feeling that I'd regret it."

Rodney scooted around his feet until he was kneeling in front of him. "I don't really want to get this close to you Sheppard, but I need to do a Carson and check your eyes." Without waiting for permission, Rodney pulled down each eye and looked for reactions, but without a penlight it was pretty hopeless. Sheppard put out a hand to grab his wrist. "Headache, nausea and balance problems Rodney, I know the signs of a concussion. I have had it worse. I'll be fine."

Rodney harrumphed but acquiesced, sitting down where he knelt, just watching him.

"That was some light show you put on. Do you remember?"

"Kind of…" Sheppard reached up and shakily touched his neck where it was bothering him, shocked to discover something cold and metal attached, but Ronon was there swiping his hand off of it. "Careful, Sheppard. We have no idea what you could do with that!"

"I remember great pain and a weird sensation before I fell unconscious. Is it…is it embedded in me?"

Rodney winced and nodded. "Leave it just now."

"No kidding."

Silence came to stay for a while and after they shared some food with Tain and Mea. Sheppard found that a pillow of sorts had suddenly appeared from a smiling Soony, and he didn't object when he was pushed down to lie flat and encouraged to sleep.

"But you know the drill, Sheppard, we are going to have to wake you every so often to check you are okay and your head is not bleeding again. Sleep just now though, you will need it after your day." Rodney smiled nervously.

"M'fine." Sheppard mumbled but closed his eyes. Residual pain and a thought that something was missing kept sleep at bay. Eventually, after a few minutes had passed, he began to drift into a deep sleep, until:

"Teyla!"

Ronon was there in an instant, pushing down on his chest to hold him still.

"Ssh, Teyla is back home and safe…"

"No, she's…" Sheppard then closed his mouth after gaping at Ronon for too long a second, and in that moment he realised he had given away his secret. He saw the realisation dawn in Ronon's eyes and the shock of what Sheppard had just given away.

Ronon rocked back on his heels and dragged on his hair. "John?"

Sheppard looked at him and grabbed for a hand in the air. Ronon took his and leant forward to accommodate his concussion.

"It was the only way to protect her. They would have killed her." Sheppard started to explain as Rodney also took note at what was going on and leaned in.

Sheppard dropped his arm and thumped the ground with his fist. "We both agreed… well Teabu, of the afflicted, she suggested it … to take her nephews clothes who had recently died. There was a risk with that ... she could still fall ill with it, Ronon. But here, well - she would be dead by now anyway…I…I…can't let that happen…"

"Nor would we. You should have told us." Ronon said. A bit put out. Rodney was silent.

"I couldn't, Ronon, Rodney. I promised her. We thought your body language would give it away. You especially Ronon would have watched her like a hawk to make sure she was okay, and…well, you know what it's like here…"

"You did the right thing." Rodney said finally.

"Yes?"

"It was a perfect way to hide her. No wonder you were always looking out for Te…oh hey, her name…?!"

Sheppard smirked. "It's hers. I made it up."

"I suppose you think that's genius of you combining her first and second name."

"I was sure you would have figured it out by now." Rodney shook his head but pushed his foot over in a show of support.

Ronon now understood the connection and quickly looked over his shoulder at the lone figure he now understood to be watching over towards them as had been the case since they had arrived at the mines.

He was not disappointed. Teyla was there, waiting on some idea Sheppard was okay.

Teyla, he realised, was now a disguised figure living a dangerous double life that depended on his next reaction and further ones. Although it pained him greatly, he turned back to look at Sheppard instead of waving over to his friend and he shut his eyes for a moment with the pain of the induced betrayal. Ah Teyla.

"And that's why I couldn't tell you pal." Sheppard said softly, watching him.

SGA SGA SGA

TO BE CONTINUED …..