DISCLAIMER: Not Mine. MGM and the Stargate writers got to play for real, I get to play in my head now that they are finished with them! And Suzanne Collins provided the inspiration for the backdrop/plot into which I will be throwing Daniel and Vala this time!
Daniel had absolutely no idea what they had got themselves into - where they were headed or what waited for them when they arrived.
But, when he looked back and caught a glimpse of Vala`s eyes he knew one thing for sure: Daniel had never seen Vala look so scared.
When they arrived at the local police station Vala and Daniel were immediately forced into a cramped holding cell. Tavlek told them they would wait there for their official escort to the training centre before he left to make the necessary arrangements.
The cement walls, and heavy metal door with its barred window screamed "NO ESCAPE" fairly clearly, nonetheless as soon as Tavlek slammed the door Vala immediately began fiddling with the lock. But as he leaned again the cell wall watching her, it as clear to Daniel that Vala's efforts were fairly lackluster.
"So Vala," Daniel began cautiously, "care to tell me what I just volunteered for?"
Vala stopped trying to pry open the door with her fingernails and proceeded to give it a swift kick before turning towards him with fire in her eyes, "I told you not to do that, Daniel. Why couldn't you have listened to me? Just this once?" Her voice was quickly rising to a shout.
Daniel raised an eyebrow as well as his hands in response, but remained silent.
Vala sighed and paced the length of the cell a couple of times before leaning against the wall opposite Daniel. She let out a long breath, blowing her hair out of her face, before slowly sinking down to sit on the rough dirt covered floor. She wrapped her arms around her knees tightly. There was a long pause before Vala began to speak, her eyes focused intently on the toes of her boots.
"On Gaban basically all crime is punishable by death. Stealing, adultery, assault, illegal trading, herding goats through town on the last day of the month…you get the idea. Convicted criminals are immediately placed in holding cells to await their punishment. Twice a year there is a draw for competitors in the games. During each selection, 12 names are chosen for a total of 24 players. Those prisoners who are chosen must compete against one another in the arena. Prisoners can volunteer as well; to take someone's place or if someone dies in prison before the games roll around. The victor gets a full pardon and is released." Vala paused then and a look of pain crept over her face.
Daniel moved to sit next to her. When she remained silent he carefully placed a hand on her knee. She started, quickly ran her own hands over her cheeks and cleared her throat. "Victors are supposed to be cleared of all charges and left in peace. Apparently that is no longer the case though, since according to the sign in the market all the competitors in the arena this year will be victors from previous games. They must have changed the rules for the anniversary year in order to put on a special show." Vala spit out the last words, picking up a small stone from the dirt floor and throwing it across the cell with as much energy as she could muster. Daniel simply stared it her in disbelief.
"They must not have had 24 victors left planet-side, that's probably why they let you volunteer. Besides, from what I can tell off-worlders are usually pretty popular, so chances are you'll be a big hit." Vala added quietly as her fingers found the edges of a small tear in her pants and toyed with the frayed fabric.
"A hit with whom exactly?" Daniel asked, confused.
"The gamblers, the sponsors, the public…" Vala's eyes flicked over towards him. "The entire thing is televised you see. Every terrible moment. And people place bets on who they think is going to win."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Televised? I'm sorry but this doesn't really look like the kind of town where flat screens sell for cheap and HD cable is widely available, Vala."
"Oh that's just the aristocracy holding everyone under their thumb by keeping a tight grasp on technology Daniel. You of all people should know that you can't make snap judgments about a town. The rich on Gaban have their own televisions. Everyone else is required to gather in public squares in the evening to watch daily re-caps on giant screens provided by the government. Everyone. No exceptions." Vala picked up a handful of dirt from the floor and let it slowly slip through her fingers. Despite her detailed explanation she seemed distracted, distant. They were sitting shoulder to shoulder but Daniel had never felt father away from her.
Daniel grabbed her hand to try and bring her back to him, to cheer her up. "Well then, no big deal. We'll compete, we'll be reality TV stars and then it'll be over right? It'll just be like…what's that show you've been watching recently? Real Housewives of New Jersey? The Amazing Race? Or was it Toddlers in Tiaras? Whatever, the point is you'll get to be in the spotlight for a while and when the competition is finished we'll get out of here and head home. And you know that if they refuse to let us go afterwards Cameron will bring in the cavalry and break us out anyway. I'm honestly surprised he isn't here already." Daniel knew he was babbling, but he couldn't believe how quiet Vala was. There was obviously something here he wasn't getting. But he continued to try and comfort her, hoping that she would open up. "Vala, I promise, we will get out of this, okay?"
Vala slowly turned to look at him and bit her lip. "No Daniel, we won't get out of this. Because you still don't get it. There is only one rule in this competition: stay alive. Twenty-four people go into the arena…only one comes out."
Daniel's mouth dropped open as he finally began to understand exactly what was happening. Not only were the Gabanese controlling society through severe laws and a frighteningly despicable overuse of the death penalty…they were having prisoners carry out the punishment on each other and broadcasting it for the world to see. Using the whole thing as a warning, as well as entertainment for the masses.
Daniel caught Vala's gaze with his and they were silent for a long moment.
Vala tightened her grip on Daniel's hand. There was so much he didn't know. So much she had never told him. So many things she had been wanting to say, for so long. "Listen, Daniel, before they get back I just want you to know –"
There was a loud bang as the metal door swung open and several guards moved swiftly into the room. They lifted the Vala and Daniel up from their sitting position before yanking the two of them to opposite sides of the small room and quickly pulling blindfolds over their eyes. Daniel could hear Vala being dragged from the room; several pairs of feet were scuffling and struggling along and a boot clanged sharply against the metal door. Then he heard Vala's voice yelling from outside in the corridor. She was saying something he was not sure he had ever heard her say before.
"Daniel! I'm, sorry Daniel!" her voice reached back to him as she was pulled farther and farther away. With the loud bang of another slamming door, she was gone.