Chapter 4
Pyrinia stood on the balcony overlooking her workers. Her son stood by her side as they watched the mining continue. "Foolish child, they must have been sent by some distant evil God. They are here to raid our mine. And we can spare none of our naquada, it grows more scarce by the day."
"I know. I will not put our world in jeopardy. When you are gone I will have to make these kinds of decisions all the time. Please, believe in me." He replied, trying to reassure her, as much as himself.
Pyrinia left the room, and the man walked up the stairs which led to the throne. He reached over and pushed a button on a control panel. A low rumble could be heard as the base of the stairs slid apart to reveal a sarcophagus. The doors of the device parted slowly, and Sam opened her eyes. The stranger went to her side. "Do you feel better?"
Sam looked around, confused. "What's going on?"
"You tried to escape. You were badly wounded." He replied.
"My friends?"
"They were recaptured. By what name are you called?"
She was hesitant to answer, but did so anyway. "Captain Samantha Carter."
"May I help you out Captain Samantha Carter?" He offered his hand and helped her out of the sarcophagus.
Sam stood there for a moment, and then looked at her clothing. "Thank you. Why am I wearing this?"
"I took the liberty of providing you with royal robes. You may call me Shaylon. In return for saving your life, please do not try to escape again. I have taken personal responsibility for you." His voice was kind, but it had a slight warning to it also.
Sam was embarrassed for a moment, wondering just who might have put her in the robes. She shuddered at the thought and brushed it away quickly. "Okay."
"It would also be rude of you to try to hurt me in any way." Shaylon stated.
"You do realize it's also kind of rude to kidnap people and chain them up in a mine." Sam retorted.
"Please forgive me for not telling my mother the truth about what happened by the cliff. I…she would not understand." There was a hint of saddness in his voice.
Sam was confused. "Okay. So, you're not Goa'ulds but you're running a naquadah mine and you've got yourselves a Goa'uld sarcophagus."
"You know of the sarcophagus?"
"Yes. A little too much knowledge if you ask me." Sam spoke back. She looked over her clothes again, and around the throne room, trying to find a way out.
"You have an unusual name Captain Samantha Carter. How was your name derived?" He looked quite curious.
"Well, the Captain part is actually a rank for the branch of military I'm in. Most of the time it's just Sam." She responded.
"I like Samantha. You are also a warrior, like the men who were with you? That is highly unusual."
"Mmmm, not where I'm from. I am also a scientist. Women are just as capable and valued as men on my planet. Some of us are even smarter than the men. Something you may want to think about." Sam had seen some women in the tunnels, and working as slaves in the palace.
"A…scientist?"
"Yes. I study things, see how they work, figure things out, something like that." Sam said. She was getting a bit uneasy with all the questions.
Shaylon smiled. "I just know I've done the right thing. Come, I must show you something." He took her hand and led her out of the throne room.