Chapter 29 – The Final Threat
"Unscheduled off-world activation!" the man named Chuck called across the subdued Control Room as Atlantis' Portal started to activate.
Teyla turned quickly at the end of her latest pace, adrenaline shooting through her system. At the front of the Control Room, Colonel Carter turned to face Chuck, waiting, as they all were, to learn who it was that was dialling in.
Teyla lifted her arm, consulting the Earth timepiece, and her heart dropped a little. It was almost exactly upon the dreaded hour. Unless the Facility or Vakalis happened to be dialling in at this time by some uncanny coincidence, this would be John's captors.
Lowering her arm, Teyla looked forward to find her gaze meeting Colonel Carter's. The City Lead's expression was outwardly determined and serious, but Teyla sensed far more in Colonel Carter's direct prolonged eye contact. In the other woman's gaze, Teyla saw the deep regret at what they were about to face and the silent acknowledgement that there was little that could be done now.
Colonel Carter had been very clear, though equally remorseful, about the stance that Atlantis had to take. Teyla understood, for the Elite would do just the same. Of course those from Earth would not abandon Atlantis to the Genii masquerading as Ancestor Worshippers intending to return lost property to their own kind.
The mere prospect of what someone like Kolya would do with the power of Atlantis at his control worried Teyla deeply, but she didn't need to consider that outcome. Her fears centred purely on John and what was about to happen to him. Colonel Carter felt the same, her eyes full of the strength of a seasoned warrior, but also the compassion that John's people displayed so openly.
Teyla nodded to the City Lead, conveying her understanding and mutual agreement, and then looked away; the reflection of her own fears and guilt a little too sharp.
Teyla focused her attention on the three men sat in front of her. Si, Dr McKay, and Dr Zelenka were all tapping away on their respective computers and consoles as they prepared for the new incoming transmission. It was highly unlikely that they would be able to identify anything new in this upcoming transmission, but it was still possible that a new clue could be found. Anything to help find John. Not that anything found would be in time to save him...
The explosive rush of the opening wormhole echoed around the room, and Teyla forced herself to take a deep breath. Tried and tested professional calm gradually started settling over her as she watched Colonel Carter turn to Chuck, the room seeming to hold its collective breath. Teyla drew in the growing calm; the former nerve-racking anxiety slipping away in the face of an enemy to finally face. There was no more waiting; the hour was upon them and she would face it as an Elite.
The small console screen in front of Si shifted, drawing Teyla's attention swiftly down to it and she saw the signal start to register.
"We have the same video feed incoming," Chuck announced what Teyla had already seen on Si' console.
It was John's captors.
Beside Si, Dr McKay dropped his head and Teyla heard him exhale a heavy shaky breath. She felt the compulsion to reach out and place her hand on his shoulder to offer him some shared sense of comfort, but she did not know the man well enough to do so.
Dr Zelenka's screen abruptly displayed the face of the Kolya's man that held John, while, at the front of the room, Colonel Carter and Colonel Sumner stepped up to the large screen that flickered to life.
"Atlantis, do you hear me?" The horrible man's voice asked, sounding frustratingly in control and arrogant.
Teyla pulled her electronic pad out of her pocket and consulted the information that she had already memorised. The man's name was Pranos and he had a long history with Kolya. Vakalis had been very thorough in his research on all those they had identified in the previous transmissions.
Both of Pranos' parents had died some time ago and his single sibling had died a young man in battle against the Wraith. Pranos had no children and had never appeared to have formed any long lasting relationships. He had instead dedicated his life to serving in the Genii military. He had served in the main military force for the start of his career, but had then been promoted into the more specialised Genii forces, which was where he had started to work closely with Kolya. With a strong aptitude for science, Pranos had been a very useful and capable soldier. He had also become one of the most loyal members of Kolya's battalion, having turned down several promotions so that he could remain part of Kolya's strike teams.
All of this clearly explained why Kolya had selected him for this task – or perhaps it had been Pranos who had volunteered. Pranos had nothing to lose, no lingering personal ties to the Genii homeworld, and he had already abandoned his military career to join Kolya in exile. Instead, his loyalty – his family – was Kolya and those others in the background who had dedicated their excommunication to assisting Kolya's return to their homeworld. It made Pranos a very dangerous individual in this circumstance, for he was clearly never going to betray Kolya and it was highly unlikely that he would cower to threats against his own life considering his specialised military history.
Still, Teyla had a few ideas of some buttons that she could push in hopes of persuading him.
"We hear you," Colonel Carter began the discussion.
"I am assuming that you have reconsidered the value you place on Major Sheppard's life and have nearly completed your evacuation of the Ancestral City?" Pranos asked.
As he had before, Pranos' face filled the view on the screen, hiding everything behind him; denying them view of John until he decided it was time to show his captive.
Teyla fixed her eyes on Pranos' face. She hated the man. The raging hate was sour tasting in her throat and she forced herself to swallow and regain her calm. Focusing on such blinding emotion never helped in battle, and this was a battle. It was a battle of words and threats, and with the captive Wraith as the weapon that would deliver the final blow.
Teyla lifted her gaze up from Pranos' displayed face to watch Colonel Carter take a breath and prepare to deliver the words she clearly hated to voice.
"We will not surrender Atlantis to you," Colonel Carter supplied Atlantis' unyielding stance, "Pranos," she finished, revealing that they knew who he was.
If Pranos cared that he had been identified, he showed no obvious reaction in his expression. It was likely that he had expected as much considering Atlantis' contract with the Elite; still, Teyla wished he had at least blinked or winced.
"And we know who you work for," Colonel Carter continued. "May I speak with Commander Kolya?" She asked almost politely.
Teyla watched Pranos closely.
He lifted his eyebrows in what was clearly a fabricated expression of surprise. "I do not know where Kolya is, Colonel Carter. As far as I know, he was chased off the Genii homeworld by Supreme Leader Cowen years ago."
His use of Cowen's polite and full title surprised Teyla almost as much as his decision not to use Kolya's military title; doing so was tantamount to a powerful insult of Kolya from a Genii so loyal to him. Pranos was very dedicated to his mission it seemed, for he was being very careful of the language he was using. To protect Kolya from any blame, Pranos was distancing him from his Commander in every way he could.
"Really?" Colonel Carter asked doubtfully, having easily seen through the lie. "Our information shows that you abandoned your people to join Kolya outside the Alliance and have been working for him since."
Teyla almost smiled at the faint twitch in Pranos' cheek in reaction to the word 'abandoned'. Colonel Carter had read his military heart well it seemed and Pranos had shown his weakness. He believed himself honourable in some twisted way – he no doubt believed that Kolya had been illegally excommunicated and denied his rightful place.
"You are not the one to speak of abandonment Colonel Carter," Pranos replied with a touch of anger in his voice as he stepped aside, finally revealing the rest of the room behind him once more.
John was sat chained in the same chair as before, Genii guards behind him and the Wraith looming to one side.
"Since it is you who are abandoning Major Sheppard to his fate," Pranos finished.
John shook his head aggressively at Pranos' statement, making it clear that he did not agree that Colonel Carter was abandoning him. Teyla almost felt a lifting moment of levity to see how faithfully determined her John was to ensure Colonel Carter would not blame herself for his fate.
"No, Pranos," Colonel Carter argued, her voice hardening, "you are the one threatening Major Sheppard's life and the one commanding a Wraith. We will not abandon Atlantis, but I am prepared to discuss other terms with you."
"No other terms are acceptable, Colonel," Pranos shook his head.
"Such as returning to you the man who worked as caretaker in your factory," the Colonel continued without a beat.
Pranos tried to hide his reaction, but clearly the capture of the caretaker from Kolya's factory was news to him; which meant that the alert sent out via Kolya's links signal from the factory had not reached wherever Pranos currently held John. The link alert had likely gone straight to Kolya, but if Pranos was indeed inside Alliance space, as they believed, it meant that Kolya had not relayed that information to him yet. Did that mean that they were completely out of touch while Pranos was in Alliance space?
"I do not know which caretaker you are referring to," Pranos responded.
"I'm surprised considering the massive amount of Kolya's supplies we found in that factory," Colonel Carter replied. "I might be inclined to return those supplies to you along with the caretaker if you release Major Sheppard to us now."
Teyla glanced briefly towards Colonel Carter; they had not discussed releasing the factory's seized supplies, but anything that could be helpful in saving John...
"I do not know what supplies you speak of, Colonel Carter," Pranos continued his denials. "But I suggest that you return any recovered Genii supplies to the Genii homeworld, where they belong."
He really was keeping to the script to protect Kolya in every way possible.
"I am sure Kolya will be very disappointed to lose those supplies," Colonel Carter attempted to push the point.
"As I said before, I do not work for Kolya. As far as I know, he was chased off the Genii homeworld many years ago."
Teyla sighed with frustration at the repeated phrase regarding Kolya; it was clearly well practiced and delivered solely for the recording of this transmission.
"Who do you work for then, Pranos?" Colonel Carter asked.
"A higher goal," Pranos replied loftily, "to return the Ancestral property that you have stolen from the people of this galaxy. And I will do whatever is necessary to see that goal accomplished."
This was getting them nowhere, and Pranos was starting to show signs of frustration of his own. Frustration which would easily boil over into deadly action in regards to John.
It was time for something new.
There would be no more hiding in the shadows while John was being used as a piece of bait.
Teyla strode quickly out from behind the consoles and headed down the Control Room to the large screen where the two Colonels faced Pranos.
"Pranos of the Genii," Teyla stated loudly as she approached, trusting that the sound capture on the large screen would pick up her voice. She was also vaguely aware that she had taken many in the Control Room by surprise, seeing them flinch at her raised voice.
Colonel Sumner, having seen her approaching, moved away from Colonel Carter's side, allowing her space to step up next to the City Lead.
"This is Elite warrior Emmagan," Teyla continued as she faced the almost shockingly large display of Pranos. He could not see her, but it felt right to be at the large screen beside the Colonel.
On the screen, Teyla saw John straighten in his chair, his head lifting at hearing her voice. He was so much larger on this bigger screen that it somehow allowed her to feel closer to him.
"Return my husband to me, NOW!" she commanded sternly, feeling the entirety of her Elite mantle settle over her.
With such a large screen to watch, Teyla was able to see the Genii guards around John react at hearing her voice. She saw them exchange quick worried glances before catching themselves; it suggested that they had not expected her to be part of this situation, which only angered her further. Did they truly think she would abandon her new husband so easily?
"Honoured Elite," Pranos bowed his head slightly and was clearly not as surprised as those behind him. He and Kolya would have planned for the possibility of her being in Atlantis, but had not perhaps conveyed that to the guards in the background. "I am surprised to hear that you are in Atlantis; I would have thought you were assisting our people against the Wraith Hive once again invading Alliance territory."
Teyla ignored the blatant attempt to insult her by suggesting that she was not fulfilling her Elite responsibilities.
"The enemies of peace come in many forms, Pranos," Teyla returned. "Return Major Sheppard to Atlantis now, so that I can return my attention to hunting down the Wraith that threaten all in our territory, including the Genii."
There were further quick worried glances between the guards, one even glancing slightly up towards the ceiling above him; they were worried about the Hive. It was another small piece of evidence suggesting that they were indeed in Alliance territory.
"I am doing this to protect our people," Pranos replied, "Those from another galaxy have no right to sit in Atlantis-"
"Return Major Sheppard now," Teyla talked over his lies, "or I shall make it my personal mission to hunt down Kolya and all those stood behind you working for him."
The guards now stood straight, eyes wide and their expressions better controlled.
If Pranos was truly a military man at his heart, then he should be motivated to protect those serving alongside him. Threatening him directly would be unlikely to work, but perhaps threatening his precious Kolya directly, and those working with Pranos, might push him to change track. Or perhaps convince those around Pranos to betray him. It was all that Teyla could think to use now.
"The Elite now know each and every one of your names," Teyla continued letting the anger turn her voice steely and cold, "We know your families, your home cities, all those you trained and fought alongside; I will speak with every one you have all ever known and make sure they know that you played a part in murdering an Elite warrior's husband while he was chained to a chair and the Wraith terrorised our territory."
In his chair, John looked up and round to the guards stood around him. On the large screen, she could see the guards all subtly turning their gazes away from John, looking instead to the floor or to the Wraith that they were restraining. The Genii were stubbornly unyielding people in battle, but they were rational and efficient in their work. If she could convince them that it was illogical to continue as they were, that it would damage them and their people's reputation, then perhaps John had a chance.
As she watched them, her words echoing in their ears still, she found her gaze abruptly drawn to the Wraith stood to the side of John. The creature was looking towards the Genii camera with an intense focus that it had not shown before. It was listening to the conversation and the threats with clear understanding.
"Honoured Elite," Pranos started to reply, snapping her attention back to him, "I regret that you decided to select a man from another galaxy as your husband, but this is the way this has to-."
"Do not think for a moment that I am fooled by your fake mission," Teyla talked over him quickly. "The Elite had already determined that Kolya is behind the recent attempts to destabilise the Genii Government and Supreme Leader Cowen's rule, and you are simply part of that mission. We had decided to keep our focus on protecting the Alliance from the Wraith, but clearly we will now need to focus on the Genii with renewed and full vigour."
In his chair, Teyla could see John lift his eyebrows, seemingly impressed by her stern and aggressive threats.
"Are you threatening the Genii people, Honoured Elite?" Pranos asked, sounding calm, but there was a definite flush across his face.
"No," Teyla replied sternly and calmly, "I am threatening Kolya, you, those stood behind you, and all the others working with Kolya who are not in view of your camera. You all know who I am and what I am capable of doing. If you choose not to return Major Sheppard, and if you harm him any further, there is nothing that will save you from me."
She let that hang.
"Or you can return Major Sheppard now and I will return my attention to the Wraith and choose to forget that you dishonoured your own people, the Elite, Atlantis, and Athos."
And with that, she ran out of all that she could use.
Would it be enough to break through Pranos' blind loyalty to Kolya though?
"Atlantis will also be prepared to ignore what has happened if you return Major Sheppard to us now," Colonel Carter put in.
Silence hung, the hollow air echoing in Teyla's ears as she watched Pranos considering the offer.
Just off to the side, Teyla became aware of Lieutenants Ford and Cadman stood watching. Both looked drawn and fearful as they waited. Would John be saved or was he going to be killed in front of their eyes?
Teyla swung her gaze back to John on the screen. He was sitting tall, his shoulders back and level despite being strapped to that chair. He looked ever the image of strength and courage.
This couldn't be the last time she saw him...
Why hadn't she kissed him this morning? Why had she put such foolish fears and restraints on her heart?
Tears threatened to hit her suddenly, so she blinked quickly and fixed her gaze back on Pranos.
Pranos cleared his throat and licked his lips; sure signs of nervousness.
"I am sorry, Honoured Elite," he started and Teyla's heart dropped into her feet, "But you, and Colonel Carter, have it in your power to save Major Sheppard. Evacuate Atlantis and return it to the people of this galaxy, and you will save his life."
"Do not do this, Pranos," Colonel Carter commanded. "You cannot take this back."
"The choice is yours, Colonel Carter. Give us Atlantis."
On the edge of her vision, Teyla saw Colonel Carter look at her, but Teyla couldn't take her eyes away from John now.
He had his chin high and had the look of a man ready to face his end. How many times had she been forced to see good men and women sacrifice themselves? How could this truly be John's fate?
There had to be another way to save him!
"Will you agree for an exchange?" She asked quickly. "I will take Major Sheppard's place."
Pranos shook his head before she had even finished her offer. "You are needed to protect our people, Honoured Elite." He straightened his back. "Colonel Carter, I need your final answer now or I will take your silence as confirmation that you are not prepared to save Major Sheppard."
John looked so calm, even though she could see his breathing was fast against the white gag around his mouth. He was so brave.
If she could only reach into the screen to save him.
To touch him one last time.
"We will not surrender this city to terrorists," Colonel Carter said, her voice full of regret and inner pain. "If you kill Major Sheppard, it will be an act of war and Atlantis will return in kind."
Pranos lifted his chin and stepped to the side, looking back towards John and the Wraith.
"Do it, Wraith," Pranos commanded.
Teyla lost all awareness of anything around her as she watched John lift his head, looking up at the Wraith turning towards him; the feeding hand rising.
Only it paused.
Teyla watched in the horrified frozen moment as John stared up at the Wraith and the feeding hand remained lifted but unmoving.
Was the Wraith not going to feed? Why would it not?
But then the Wraith struck, its feeding palm slamming down onto John's upper chest and Teyla was completely helpless to stop it taking John's life in front of her eyes.
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Mind Song drew in Sheppard's life-force. It surged up through his arm and into his system with a glorious healing rush. It was warm, succulent, and rich with the Lantean blood.
It would be unlikely that he could get to taste this power again once Sheppard was extinguished. Even the many thousands of years ago during the war with the Lanteans, it had been a treasure to feed upon such rich life-force.
Mind Song's first Queen had tried to keep captured Lanteans as life banks, feeding from them just enough to allow them to recover and allow repeated feedings. But, it had turned out to be very difficult to hold the ancient Lanteans. They had been slippery and dangerously skilled at escaping. Even when kept weakened from feeding, they had still managed to escape into death seemingly at will. Mind Song had even seen one turn into a glowing mist, leaving only its empty clothing behind.
Clearly Sheppard was not able to do what that Lantean had done, but the strength of him was so close to those remembered feedings.
It would be a pity to see Sheppard killed.
After so many long days of overheard whispers about this Human and his capture, it surprised Mind Song that these prey were so quick to sacrifice Sheppard considering his clear importance.
This latest negotiation with Atlantis had revealed another vital part of the puzzle that was Sheppard; he was husband to one of the Armoured Herd's most dangerous warrior class. From what Mind Song recalled, a 'husband' was the Human word for a male mate, and clearly Sheppard's Queen was very angry at him being taken.
Mind Song had not known that those inhabiting Atlantis were tying themselves with the Armoured Herd. It was a concerning development and could have desperate consequences for his own kin. Not that he could do much about that in his current circumstances.
And if Sheppard was mate to an Armoured Herd Queen, did that mean that the Humans were starting to breed new warrior races? Mixing the 'Elite' herd warriors with the powerful Lantean blood? Were they creating an advanced race of Humans to deliver the final destructive attacks against his own kind's remaining territory?
The concept of such measures was not new for the Wraith, for the lineages had bred exclusively to produce specialised strengths and had then cloned them into vast numbers. His own mutated batch had been a mostly failed attempt by his Queen to create new types of warriors as an advantage in the war against the Lanteans.
However, the Humans doing the same was a new worrying development, but, more immediately, the consequences for him were far more dire. Sheppard had suggested that, were his kind to arrive here after he was dead, that they would take out their vengeance upon the Wraith that had killed hm. Now it was very likely that the Human that would arrive would be a violent Elite herd warrior Queen, it was highly likely that he would not survive much longer anyway.
Sheppard had suggested escape; to combine forces to fight their mutual oppressors.
And Sheppard had shown willing to honour such an agreement, unlike most Humans Mind Song had met before.
The life-force shifted into the final stages of its supply, and Mind Song focused on Sheppard beneath his feeding hand. Even at this stage, Sheppard held more strength than most.
It would be enough.
Mind Song pulled his hand from Sheppard's chest, ensuring to seal the wound up a little so that Sheppard would not continue to leach out his life-force.
"Why are you stopping?" The prey called Pranos demanded.
Mind Song turned, looking over his shoulder at the prey. The smell of fear in the room was sweet to Mind Song's nose. Sheppard's Queen had inspired it and it presented new weaknesses that might just help him and Sheppard escape...as long as the prey agreed to allow Sheppard to live a little longer.
"He is near death," Mind Song explained. "Should I finish him?" He asked, ensuring his tone was conciliatory and subservient. He suspected it would be wise to play the part of a weak party and merely a weapon in the eyes of Sheppard's Queen, so that, should she happen to arrive before Mind Song could escape with Sheppard, she might focus first on dealing with the prey rather than him.
Pranos' dull herd eyes dropped to Sheppard, his brain activity almost visible as he assessed the value of keeping Sheppard alive for longer. It would be in his interests to do so, since he had proven so successfully that he was prepared to kill Sheppard, but prey were not always logical.
"Get the creature out of here," Pranos ordered sharply to those around Mind Song.
Mind Song made sure to hide his pleasure at the prey's decision and he remained compliant as they once again shackled the cold metal around his warm and full feeding hand.
"Colonel Carter," Pranos said into his human communication device, "I will allow you one last attempt to agree to save Major Sheppard's life, or at least the very end of it. But, you have only two hours this time."
With that, Mind Song was roughly pulled away from Sheppard, but, with the Lantean power flowing through him, this time he was able to walk easily.
Or perhaps it was the first real taste of hope in his veins that gave him the new spring in his steps.
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TBC