Chapter 6

A/N- Sorry it took so long to update. Life kind of got in the way. Please R&R. Thoughts are in italics.

A low rumble rang through Samantha's ears. Everything was black. After a while, fighting the fog in her brain, she came to realize her eyes were open, but she was unable to see through the darkness and determine her location. The rumble became louder, and a crack opened above her prone body, letting in some light. Oh no… Sam sighed while waiting for the sarcophagus to open completely. Once the machine finished, she sat up slowly. "Hello?" Pulling herself out, she looked around to see if anyone else was present. Shaylon was standing near a window, and turned to look at her.

"Samantha. I am again relieved to see the sarcophagus has restored you." Shaylon smiled as he approached her.

"What happened?" Sam asked, annoyed she once again had been placed in the dreaded thing. Taking a few steps forward, she felt a wave of dizziness overwhelm her, she reached out for something to grab on to.

"Please, you still need to rest. Sit." Her captor, or so he was for the time being, led her to the steps of the throne. "You tried to escape, again. One of the guards shot you. It was not my doing, but my mother's, and I apologize."

Sam winced as she sat down. Sam didn't want to show any defeat in her voice, even if she could feel remnants of her injury. Vague images flooded her mind, as she recalled the incident. "Look Shaylon. You can't keep me here, and I am very concerned about my friends. I need to know if they are okay."

"Do not worry about them. I have instructed the guards to treat them well. We will change my mother's mind. She is old, and doesn't think rationally." Shaylon noticed Sam was still in pain, and thought about returning her to the sarcophagus. "Maybe you need more time in the…"

Sam stood quickly, her stomach wound protesting, and backed away. "No. No. I'll be fine."

"Samantha, it may take some time before I am able to release your friends." Shaylon seemed to be hiding something, and Sam couldn't put her finger on it.

"Wait a minute. The longer it takes to free them, the more time you have with me. Right?" There was an undertone of anger in her voice.

"I must admit that is what I would like."

"Then release my friends. I won't leave. I'll stay and help you figure out a way to stop this charade, so you and your people are no longer slaves to the Goa'uld." Talk about a charade, I'm lying through my teeth.

"How dare you say that! My Mother is a god-slayer!" Shaylon shouted as he took a few steps toward Sam. "She freed us from the Goa'uld."

"Yes, Shaylon, I know that. But you will never be truly free as long as you keep sending naquada through the gate. Whether you admit it or not, deep down you know that." Sam tried to reason with the man.

"Samantha, I am asking you to trust me. I promise your friends will be released." His voice was quieter, and although he looked sincere, doubt ran through Sam's mind.

"I want to believe you. I really do…" Sam was at a loss as to what else to say. Her injury made itself known again as she tried to sit back down.

Shaylon went to steady Sam. "I believe you need more time in the sarcophagus Samantha. A while longer and you will be completely well. I wasn't sure how long your kind would need. It seems it was finished too soon." He steered her to the device, and Sam was hesitant.

"Shaylon, no, please." She didn't want to enter the sarcophagus again, but with the shape she was in, she knew there was no chance to escape.

"Please trust me. That is all I ask of you."

"Okay. Once more, and that's it." Once more, so I can get my strength back. Sam looked at the sarcophagus, and somewhere in her mind she felt like she was being pulled towards it. It's just from the injury, that's all. Brushing the sensation away, she climbed in with the help of Shaylon.

"You will feel well again soon." He smiled as she lay back. The low sounds began, and the doors slowly grinded shut.

Sam's mind began to race, and she began to argue with herself and the decision to be put back in. It isn't made for humans…I have to get out…no, I need my strength….it will help me escape…I can help Daniel and Jack and Teal'c…Jack? Since when do I call him that?...It will be okay Sam's consciousness faded away as the sarcophagus continued to do what it was intended to do.