Chapter 9 - Preparation

Teyla felt a hand on her shoulder and frowned. 'Tycho?' She opened her eyes and saw John standing over her with a less than impressed expression. Tycho was not here.

Teyla swept back her hair and adjusted to her awakened state, smiling thinly at him. John did the same with folded arms. 'Good morning.'

'Did you sleep well?' She asked.

John raised an eyebrow. 'Like a baby. Nothing like a haystack to make you sleep like a rock.' He paused. 'Dio had some trouble in the night, woke up shaking and screaming, but he's okay.' John saw her worried expression. 'He's a tough kid.'

The Athosian stood and stepped out of the cell, looking around the room. 'Where is Tycho?'

John gritted his teeth. 'Tall guy? Aggressive? Mildly attractive with a real chip on his shoulder?' Teyla gave him a cold look. 'He's by the door giving the guard some grief.' He paused. 'Not the smartest thing to do in my opinion – but he wouldn't listen.'

Teyla breathed heavily and crossed over to the handsome figure leaning through the bars to pester the guard. Teyla tapped his shoulder and he turned with a smile.

'The guard will soon return with today's game plans.' Tycho informed her.

Teyla nodded and then looked down at his side. The wound had healed considerably, but was still noticeably painful. Tycho saw her look and grinned.

'It takes more than a splinter to slow me down, Teyla.' He said reassuringly. Teyla raised an eyebrow.

'It would have stopped you if Quintus hadn't pasted you up.' John pointed out with a smile. Tycho narrowed his eyes and Teyla intervened.

'Titus said it would be us three in the Arena, and that it would be…he seemed certain that we would lose.' Teyla informed him. Tycho nodded.

'I don't like losing – it sucks.' John stated childishly.

Tycho raised an eyebrow at him but Teyla smiled slightly. 'I am well aware.'

Tycho didn't understand the relationship between them. John was her leader, and yet he was overly protective of her. They were friends, but there was tenseness between them that he could not put his finger on. And he knew that John was not keen on him because he had been there for her when he couldn't which baffled him because they seemed as though they were only friends. But that look she had given him, and the one he had returned said something else. Something that made his stomach burn with a disliking for this new arrival.

'Away.'

Tycho turned and saw the guard at the door. He wanted to open it and enter.

The three moved back and watched them open the door, a guard entered with many more behind. A crowd began to gather. The guard looked bored and uninterested at the many inmates giving him death glares. He was obviously use to it.

'The Emperor commands your participation…' He rolled his hands. 'And so forth. The first contestants are Gaidan and Ferellis versus the "Killers of Kerdan." You will fight at noon. The second man who will follow is Silas who will fight Tartan – once Quintus has seen to his injuries from his previous fight.' The guard paused. 'And the main fight which will take place in the evening are the Star Masters – and Tycho. The Emperor has decided that you will die tonight – and not alone.' He grinned. 'That is all.'

John surged forward. 'Hold on a second – what does "not alone" mean?'

The guard looked mildly surprised at being spoken to and Tycho put a hand on his shoulder. John shrugged him off. 'Who else could Titus possibly kill that we know?'

The guard shut the door and locked firmly behind him. 'Perhaps your friends.' He laughed and walked away. John held onto the bars and turned to Teyla.

'He's just messing around. Ronan and Rodney haven't been captured.' He stated moodily.

'Athera?' Teyla queried.

John shook his head. 'She's with them helping us out – probably feeling guilty that you were caught on her watch.' He gave her look and Teyla immediately understood the double meaning behind it. She smiled gently.

'I insisted on going to the market with Athera. My capture was no fault of yours.' She told him firmly. John did not respond, looking unconvinced. Teyla continued. 'What is the plan for our escape?'

John nodded and led them to the haystack where Dio sat. They sat in a small circle and John began. 'I managed to smuggle in a weapon that should be able to pick that lock the old fashioned way.' He indicated to the door the guard had just locked. 'We make our move at night when the guard's numbers are low and head toward the back of the Arena. Rodney and Ronan will infiltrate from the outside, taking care of any guards on the way and meet us in the middle with a small force Athera's scraping together, we head back, and out into the city.'

Teyla raised an eyebrow. 'This is the plan?'

'It will fail.' Tycho said simply.

John raised an eyebrow at him. 'Well, you're free to stay here.'

'Colonel.' Teyla reprimanded. 'We cannot leave him or any of the others here.'

John did a double take. 'Teyla, there must be a hundred people in here. The moment they're let lose and our cover is blown…this is suppose to be a quiet operation.'

'Then we will have to make it a louder operation.' She stated. 'We can use their help.'

'How many guards will there be?' Tycho asked.

'Athera's sources say thirty.' John stated wearily.

Tycho shook his head and John gritted his teeth. Teyla was surprised; she thought there would be more. 'It is possible.'

'It is madness.' Tycho insisted. 'You would never make it. They are heavily armed and we will have nothing.'

'We do not need anything.' Teyla said dangerously.

'Plus Ronan and Rodney – mostly Ronan – are packing a lot of heavy weaponry. All we have to do is get half way there, and then things get a lot easier.' John stated.

Teyla nodded, she knew he was talking about guns and grenades, which Tycho had never seen or heard of before. 'Very well. Where is this concealed weapon?' She frowned.

'In my boot heel. Did the James Bond thing and stashed a foldable pen knife in the space.' He grinned. Teyla smiled widely.

'And once we are free, then what happens? We go our separate ways?' Tycho said bitterly. 'I haven't been in the city in years and I have no family – and neither does Dio. He told me that his Mother was all he had.'

Teyla nodded. 'You will come with us; my people would gladly take you in. You will live in peace.'

John seemed stiff at the prospect of Tycho joining them, but did not argue.

Tycho smiled slightly. 'Peace…after being here for so long. It does not seem possible.' He said uncertainly.

'Yeah, well, it always seems that way until it is that way. And hey, if you're lucky, I might even teach you golf.' John grinned. Tycho raised an eyebrow.

'Golf?'

Teyla smiled. 'It is a game where you hit a ball with a metal stick.'

John seemed highly offended and Dio giggled. 'It's a little more than that.' He paused at Tycho's inquiring look. 'Well, there are course obstacles and stuff. It's a good game, right Teyla.'

Teyla seemed taken off guard for a moment. 'Oh, yes, of course.' John gave her a 'you should feel ashamed' look.

'The challenge will soon be upon us.' Tycho sighed, standing. 'How well do you fight?'

John shrugged. 'Well enough I guess.'

Teyla stood also. 'He is a fair fighter, his height and strength will be on his side. His technique is…slow, but on occasion, effective.'

John stood with a frown. 'Thank you. I think.' He paused and folded his arms defensively. 'I'm military trained. I can handle myself.'

Tycho strode over to the training arena. 'We shall see.'

Teyla paused uncertainly. 'Perhaps I should spar with him, I would not want for the both of you to be more…hostile toward one and other than you already are.'

Tycho and John raised an eyebrow at her before looking at each other.

'I have no hostile feelings towards Sheppard.'

'Same.' John agreed.

'I only have an intense feeling of dislike.' Tycho stated.

'Same.' John nodded.

Teyla shook her head and sat at the side, Dio joining her with a look of anticipation. 'Fine.'

John bowed over and pulled his robe off, revealing his fully naked torso and wearing only the stone coloured trousers. He dumped the material next to Teyla and turned to Tycho. John saw him raise his fists, but merely watched him as they circled each other.

Teyla's eyes wandered over his chest and the muscles in his shoulders as he moved. She had never seen him like that and it intrigued her. To see this playful and adorably sarcastic man, her friend, a man with some serious courage and loyalty, half naked. She smiled slightly, and then scolded herself, averting her eyes. They fell down to Dio who smiled up at her. Teyla smiled widely to compensate for her blushing cheeks.

'So, you said that you'd been here for year's right?' John asked.

Tycho smiled.

'You know the inmates pretty well?'

Tycho made an expression which only told him of the possibility of it. John narrowed his eyes.

'Right, well, there's a guy called Aegen. I need to find him if that's at all possible.' He stated. Tycho stopped and looked at Teyla. John frowned, turning to the Athosian. 'What-?'

Tycho rushed him, lifting him off his feet and sending him to the ground. 'You must never be distracted from your enemy.' He stated before standing and turning away.

John scowled up at the ceiling, getting his breath back. 'Thanks – but I already knew that.' John stood with a little more purpose and Tycho smiled. 'Teyla.' John said sternly.

Teyla looked uncomfortable and Dio watched her.

Tycho swiped at John, left and then right, he dodged both and planted his own jab on Tycho's chin. Tycho grinned thinly and then came back immediately with a back hand which caught Sheppard off guard. He brought his knee up into the Colonel's face but John blocked it with his forearm and quickly linked the other hand under Tycho's leg and pulled him down with massive force. He landed hard on his back and John released his leg.

'Aegen died the night you first saw me fight. He was the man that fought before me.' Teyla told him regretfully. John paused, looking to the sand.

'He was the guy they were scraping off the sand before you came on.' He stated. Teyla nodded.

'I know that he was Athera's husband, I only learnt of it after he had died.' She told him as Tycho stood, bringing a hand to his back. 'Quintus was most informative.' She said coldly.

John turned to her. 'He knew?'

Tycho snapped a side kick at Sheppard's midsection before coming down with a hard punch to his face. He turned to back hand him but Sheppard blocked and punched his side twice before looping his hand over Tycho's arm, sticking out his foot and dragging him back and forcing him to the floor. John stopped leaning over, but not quick enough. Tycho launched a kick from the floor into his face that sent him back and flipped onto his feet. John shook his head as Tycho advanced managing to dodge the punch combo's the man sent his way, finally coming to his senses and elbowing Tycho's unprotected chest before back handing his face with the same fist. Tycho stumbled back and Teyla leapt in between them.

She turned to Tycho. 'I will take over now.'

Tycho reluctantly agreed, bleeding from several places on his face. He watched John who grinned at him with a split lip. He turned to Teyla his brown eyes softening. 'Quintus knew that Aegen was his niece's husband?'

Teyla nodded. 'He sent Aegen here in the first place; he betrayed them like he betrayed us.'

'Oh, I've got a major score to settle with this guy.' John said forcefully. 'And what's worse is that Athera thinks he's still alive. She has no idea that the corpse we saw before you fought was her Husbands.'

Teyla nodded. 'I know. It will not be easy.'

John shook his head. 'You know, just for the record – I don't like this place.'

Teyla smiled. 'I share the same feelings, Colonel.'

John looked unimpressed and put his hands on his hips, breathing through the fight he had just had and preparing for Teyla. He looked up. 'You know, his butt I can kick, but I've never been able to down you – not unless I was bugified, and that is not an experience I want to repeat.'

Teyla smiled again and looked to the sand. He had been something to behold when fighting her at that point. The retrovirus that was transforming him into an Iratus bug gave him a great ability that would have been very useful in the Arena. But Teyla could only remember the hungry kiss he had planted on her after the fight…even though he had not been in his right mind.

She looked up at him and smiled, John frowned. Teyla was supremely glad that she could not read his mind.

'Prepare.' She warned him. John sighed.

'Prepare to have my ass kicked, yeah, okay.' His fists rose.

Teyla raised an eyebrow. 'Would you prefer it if I went easy on you, Colonel?'

John bowed his head and gave her a challenging eye. He smiled handsomely. 'You're only saying that to get me riled up.'

'Is it working?' Teyla asked. John grinned.

'I'm very protective of my ego.' He answered, setting his stance. He had sparred with Teyla on many occasions and knew her style, but he had never been able to beat her.

Teyla nodded and sidestepped into a backhand, coming round to deliver another and planting a sidekick in his midsection. She held her ground. John took a moment to breathe before looking up and advancing. He ducked her swipe and grabbed her fist spinning her round and looping his arm around her neck. Teyla elbowed his side and threw her head back into his face, John stumbled back but Teyla held on to the hand that had looped around her neck, swiftly stepping behind him and twisting it up. She threw him against the nearest wall and held his arm in between his shoulder blades.

John groaned. 'Maybe not that protective.' He laughed tenderly.

Teyla smiled and released him quickly, realising that she had her hands on his bare skin. John turned and rubbed his neck, smiling at her weakly.

Teyla smiled apologetically. 'Are you alright?'

'Ah, I'm already covered in bruises, a few more aren't going to kill me – I hope.'

Tycho folded his arms. 'His technique is sloppy.' He stated.

'Took you down alright.' John retorted with a firm side glance. Teyla smiled at their competitive nature.

'Give me a sword and I will make quick work of you.' Tycho promised.

John frowned. 'A what now?' He turned to Teyla.

'Tycho is right; we will be fighting with swords.' Teyla informed him and watched his eyebrows hit the top of his head.

'Well, I'm more of a twenty first century type of guy, swords aren't really my area of expertise. Give me a P90 and some grenades and I'm all yours – heck – give me a load of C-4 and we can blow this place to hell and go home.' He said cheerfully.

Teyla crossed the room and retrieved two wooden swords, tossing one to him. 'I am afraid that the armoury has little in the way of C-4, John. Swords they have in abundance.'

John held his arms out. 'Well that's just bad management of stock.'

Teyla twirled her sword and cocked her head. 'You must learn how to handle a sword; it is the only weapon worth anything in the Arena.'

John held the sword in front of him with an awkward expression. 'I feel like I should be in a King Arthur movie.'

'Prepare.' Teyla stated, taking a fighter's stance. John raised an eyebrow and glanced at his sword.

'Why do I think that this is going to hurt?'

Teyla grinned.

Rodney paced.

Ronan curled his fist and gritted his teeth trying desperately to think of anything than the constant movement at his side, the sound of his feet going back and forth, back and forth…

'Sit.' Ronan commanded.

'No.'

Ronan raised an eyebrow at him, but Rodney was not paying attention. The scientist looked wide eyed and sweaty. Ronan breathed deeply and allowed him to freak out while he still could – along as he pulled himself together for the fight.

Athera had returned with nine men, all of them her husband's friends. They seemed determined to go against the Emperor and do as much good as they could do. Ronan felt a sense of appreciation, but really all he wanted to do was go in himself and deal with them. They had been told to follow orders or stay behind. Rodney had swiftly interrupted Ronan telling him that he was in command with Sheppard gone, and Ronan in turn swiftly reminded the little man that he would have to go in first if he led the Op. Rodney had relinquished his command eagerly.

It would be a few hours till dark, and he wasn't happy that John and Teyla would have to go through another fight without him in the Arena, but there was no choice. Hundreds of guards were one too many even for Ronan.

Rodney sighed heavily and sat on a chair. 'We must be crazy. How are we going to escape the city when they're back anyway? Titus'll send out his guard again and we'll be back at square one – and I hate square one, it's so…simple, and squarish.' Rodney muttered and Ronan looked at him. 'Well, we don't make progress in square one, we just stay there until we get thrown from there into a cell to be eaten by evil aliens in an Arena full of sand…I mean what is more annoying than fighting for your life whilst worrying about sand in awkward places?'

'Dieing.' Ronan offered.

Rodney considered it and then nodded. 'Well, yeah, dieing is more than annoying, it's…dieing.' He croaked.

Ronan closed his eyes and waited for the hours to pass; hoping that his friends would be able to survive what Titus threw at them long enough to escape.