To the reviewers:
highonscifi: Nice name, btw. Appreciate the compliments and the support! It keeps me writing. I'm intent to finish this baby within the next few weeks, maybe sooner. And here's your wish! Updated soon!
jaminesmommy: Sheppard always does seem to get the whumpage, doesn't he?
-----SGA-----
Major Lorne kept his eyes steeled as the Puddle Jumper emerged from the Stargate.
The Tallinn home world greeted them with lush fauna, shadowy mountain peaks in the distance, and a rising sun from the west. The sky was painted orange with lazy cherry-colored streaks and a touch of bright gold. Tall coniferous trees towered over the Jumper, reminding him of why they had foregone using the flying Ancient machine in the first place: a towering wall of what Lorne thought of as oak trees crowded together in front of the Stargate.
With a few calculations from a few engineers and Rodney based on their scouting data, it was determined that it would be safe to use the Puddle Jumper as long as it was flown slowly and carefully through the Stargate. Rodney had punctuated this with an amusing tale of when the physicist had first learned to drive—something about having memorized the entire driver's manual followed by a demolished mailbox and a 'steamrolled chipmunk'—but Lorne had tuned him out to better prepare himself for the journey.
McKay's instructions drifted through his mind: "As soon as you rematerialize on the other side, stop. Fly straight up, over the trees, and then you're home free." Lorne followed Rodney's advice to the letter, stopping almost immediately in place, jolting several people behind him forward who decided not to strap in. He briefly heard an oompf from Cadman, who had hollered at him earlier before they departed, telling him not to skimp on the gas.
As he began to ascend above the shady oaks, higher and higher into the troposphere, he called back to Cadman, "Bumpy ride, Lieutenant?"
She grunted. "Just peachy, Sir."
Accompanying him were Simmons, the newest member of SGA-2 who, when not off-world, was at Rodney's beck and call in the science labs; Parrish, who was seated next to Lorne gazing wide-eyed at the tops of the conifers, marveling at their appearance; Elizabeth, who had buckled in immediately and kept to herself; Teyla and Ronon who sat side by side, Teyla getting in a quick power bar, Ronon checking his weapons; and Cadman who was now rubbing her side at her less than graceful fall.
"Twelve minutes out, Doctor Weir!" Lorne called back, monitoring his progress with the vid-screen embedded in the windshield. He turned around briefly, checking to make sure she heard him over the chattering going on between Cadman and Simmons as he teased the Lieutenant over her fall. The doctor snapped out of her trance and caught his eyes, smiled slightly, and nodded back.
"I heard you Major," she responded. "I have a feeling this isn't going to be a quick trip."
He grimaced and returned to the vid-screen. No doubt about that.
Lorne's first meeting with the Tallinns went spectacularly bad. He hadn't told Elizabeth everything up front in their little briefing, but it would be detailed in the mission report.
For one, the Tallinns were a very reclusive people. As Lorne and the rest of SGA-2 had been welcomed into Talina—their most populated city, he was told—adults and children alike had scurried to the nearest shops and houses like mice, shutting their doors and peeking out of their windows. He wondered if he had wandered onto the set of a western movie and, cautiously, glanced down at his pistol, wary of the man leading them to his leader. Surely he wouldn't walk five more paces, turn and shoot?
He had not.
Lorne sighed in relief.
Following their unwelcome welcoming, they had entered the Great Hall of Kings, a prestigious name given to the Tallinn leader's current residence. It was a stunning structure, the exterior made entirely of what appeared to be tinted glass, not unlike what one would see in the windows of many vehicles on Earth. When they entered the hulking entrance doors made of the same material, Lorne was treated to a delicate, regal interior. Oranges and reds lined the walls, framing the ornate marble statues devoted to previous kings, along with smooth yellow flooring. He was reminded of the sun steadily climbing the horizon in front of him.
"Major?" Parrish queried, his meek eyes staring at him from the co-pilot's chair.
"Yes, Parrish?" Lorne asked, keeping his eyes focused on the vid-screen.
"Sorry," the scientist mumbled, "Just thought you were paying attention…"
Lorne had overheard the botanist talk animatedly about the growth of the shady oaks, but he chose to ignore it. He regretted not paying attention to the younger man, but he really had no interest in plants and vegetation and the life cycles of a tiny green shrub whose name Lorne had no hope of pronouncing.
"Parrish, you know how I feel about plants."
Parrish grinned. "Yeah, but it just helps to talk about it, you know."
Lorne knew. Flying a Puddle Jumper came second nature to him. Having a natural ATA gene just gave him that much more control over the vessel, allowing him greater reactivity and simplifying advanced maneuvers. He used to talk about it aloud when he first started piloting for SGA-2, but they had quickly tired of his ramblings—well, all except Parrish, who just stared at the plant life. Whenever Lorne jumped in the cockpit, he allowed himself a little mental smile for this small gift and what it granted him.
He checked the vid-screen. Another few minutes, he reminded himself.
His thoughts drifted back to the Great Hall of Kings and their unpleasant meeting with the Tallinn leader. Theoron was a large man, complete with extra chins in case he needed a spare. His girth protruded southward and hung over the edge of his waistband by more than a few inches.
Distant memories came rushing back to Lorne. As a young boy, he recalled several instances when his mother would read him stories about kings and their castles, their mouths always fed by the best food riches could buy. This man Theoron fitted the mold of those fictional kings remarkably well, fancy robes and all.
The king's entourage consisted of four bodyguards all dressed in royal garb. The elegant fittings did not fool Lorne; Dangerous men hid beneath those garments. He could see into their eyes, the eyes of men who had killed, who would continue to kill, again and again.
A dark calm had overcome him then. He was going back to that Great Hall, back to the shiny, reflective glass that covered its skin, back to the fat king in his royal robes with the large waistband, back to the dangerous men hidden underneath their fitted garments with concealed, deadly weapons.
Lorne was suddenly thankful for Teyla and Ronon who had decided to join them on what he predicted would not just be a simple diplomatic meeting between leaders. He glanced back once more and caught Elizabeth in her trance, an invisible pendulum swinging in rhythm before her eyes.
No, he thought. This would be a battleground between two opposing forces, one hell-bent on getting their end of the deal and one who would refuse any possible offer short of eternal life.
The Puddle Jumper slowed to a snail's pace as Lorne thought the ship downwards. That invisible wall was ahead of them now, about a ten minute walk.
"We're here!" he hollered, though the descent of the Jumper had already alerted his passengers to his intent.
The landing was as soft as a teddy bear enveloping the soil in a warm hug. If only they could all be like that, he chuckled. Parrish gave him a queer look. "Soft as a feather," Lorne said.
Parrish smiled.
"Now departing Flight PJ-SGA-2," the Major called. "Please, stow your trays, keep your seatbelts on and wait until the Captain gives the 'All clear' to leave the aircraft."
He heard Cadman laugh from the back of the Jumper. "I swear, you're turning more and more into Colonel Sheppard."
Hitting the switches to cloak the Jumper and then to lower the hatch, Lorne grabbed his gear and moved to head out, joining the queue of passengers at the back of the line. "Ouch," he feigned hurt. "You wound me, Laura."
Elizabeth spoke up, "No, it's true. You've certainly come out of your shell a bit, Evan." He smirked at her. "Perhaps I should reassign you to a farther office. I certainly don't think I could handle two Colonel Sheppards."
He enjoyed these moments. Savored them. Banter was something he could keep going, something that would take their mind off the oxygen deprived and steadily dying Colonel back home. "No, I believe you," he agreed. "Atlantis definitely doesn't have the resources to save two John Sheppards simultaneously."
They shared a laugh.
As they stepped off the Puddle Jumper, it wasn't until this moment that Evan could really get a good look at Doctor Elizabeth Weir. Her eyes were unfocused, her mind in another galaxy—as if that didn't sound unrealistic. They brimmed with fire, determination and knowing.
Knowing. That was what got him. She knew what she wanted and what she was here for. Who she was here for.
Lorne wondered if it was more than friendship, more than camaraderie, more than a leader wanting one of his or her men back. He had seen that fire before. It burned in the eyes of the men and women he had served with whose relationships had gone past the stage of mere acquaintances. He could tell she was ready to do battle.
Looking at Ronon, strapping several knives to his person; Teyla, loading her weapon with a new magazine of ammunition; and Cadman, counting her explosives carefully and placing them in her pack, he could tell they were ready as well.
Mentally checking off all the things that normally accompanied Lorne's person when on a mission and ensuring they were all in their proper place, Lorne gave the go-ahead for the diplomatic mission.
"Let's head out."
He traveled behind Doctor Weir, her shoulders taut with purpose. They would not let John Sheppard down.
-----SGA-----
Teyla watched as Cadman led the way to the wall that could not be seen with the naked eye. She picked up on the tell-tale signs of a well-trodden path: leaves and twigs bent at odd angles, soft impressions in the dirt and moss, shrubs lining a vacant aisle on either side. This was a common scouting area for the Tallinns.
Walking in front of Elizabeth comforted her, as it was now in the hands of SGA-2, Ronon and herself to keep the expedition leader safe at all costs. This mission was unlike many others; she feared it would not end without bloodshed.
Adjusting the pack on her back, Teyla double checked her weaponry. The P-90 in her hands was a nice, light weight. A small pistol hugged her right thigh with extra ammunition clips strapped to the belt around her waist. And finally, a serrated-edged dagger lay hidden beneath the long shirt she had decided to wear today under her tactical vest, attached to a small scabbard on her left wrist. She had acquired this latest piece thanks to Ronon, who had been gifting her with quite a few new things as of late. Perhaps she would have to discuss what this meant with him later…
Ahead, Cadman held up her wrist, signaling everyone to stop. Teyla squinted her eyes, trying to see the wall that was not there. Whatever this technology was that they were searching for, it was quite good. It certainly fooled her.
The Lieutenant started to feel in front of herself, stretching her arms out in front of her and bracing for impact. Teyla was ready to ask if she needed any help, but suddenly Laura Cadman's hands hit something solid.
"Found it," she let them know. "Now, if we can only find the door…"
As if on cue, a man appeared several feet away to their right. "Over here!" he called, a nervous smile on his face. "My name is—"
"Tendo!" Simmons announced, having become fast friends with the tour guide on SGA-2's last trip here. "How are you?"
Tendo, Teyla noticed, was a timid man. He had what the 'Lanteans referred to as a 'weasel-y' appearance: a thin, protruding nose with a sunken face. His head was shaped like a pear, certainly an odd shape indeed, and his robes were a dirty, unfortunate brown. He was old, with wrinkles and long white hair. Much older than anyone on Atlantis.
His agitation was easily detectable.
"Simmons!" Tendo said, excited for the moment. Looking over the rest of the group, Tendo's face once more became nervous. "Please, come with me. Our Watchers spotted you several minutes ago as you trekked through the wilds." Tendo pointed upwards towards the sky, as if to indicate this was where the 'Watchers' were situated. "They have eyes sharp like diamonds," he said, nodding to himself, almost as if he had to convince himself to agree with his own statement.
"They are very astute," Teyla commented, wanting to learn more of these 'Watchers.' Should they need to make an escape, observers from the sky would make their plight more difficult. "They watch us from above?"
"Yes, yes," Tendo said. "They are far-seeing. The High Counsel hand-picked them for their duty. They sit high above the towers, high above the city. They watch and they watch. They use the horn to alert us of the presence of others."
So they were in a tower very high above the city. This information would be beneficial and she could almost hear Ronon, Lorne and Elizabeth file it away in their minds as well.
"Surely they do not use just a horn," Teyla continued, wary of trying to sound more inquisitive than anything else. "How would they alert you of trespassers' whereabouts? They could be anywhere outside your walls."
Tendo stopped moving. They had passed through the invisible wall now and were making their way towards Talina, the populated city. Teyla checked behind the group and noticed the invisible wall was no longer invisible. It was only transparent on the outside, not the inside. She turned back to Tendo.
His eyes judged her now, sensing caution now that a stranger was asking about the Tallinn's defenses. Should her question warrant further interrogation, she would be hard-pressed to lie about her underlying motives.
Luckily, he judged her intentions as good-natured. "The horn alerts the guides—such as myself. We have only one entrance, young warrior. The guides seek out the strangers and greet them. We are a secluded people, but we are friendly and inviting to our guests."
"And the Wraith?" Elizabeth chimed in.
Everyone else immediately was put on their guard.
Tendo gazed thoughtfully at her. "The Wraith are a special case. We have only encountered them on one particular occasion and, though they very well meant much harm to our people, we have evaded them ever since."
"And what about the other civilizations—the strangers you meet who cannot evade the Wraith?" she nearly sneered. Teyla could sense her frustration, observed her clenched teeth.
"King Theoron ultimately decides our fate, He is our ruler." He further engaged the heated Doctor. "Your emotions run high and your comrades…they surround you. You are important to them." Tendo was nervous, old and very frail, but he was very observant. "May I ask your name, child?"
Elizabeth nodded ever so slightly. "My name is Doctor Elizabeth Weir, leader of the Atlantis expedition. I am here to meet your King, Theoron, to discuss a possible trade relationship," her voice clipped tersely. Teyla was worried that perhaps Elizabeth should calm down. Strong emotions could antagonize good business relationships. This was not the time to anger their hosts.
The timid man remained unfazed, his nervousness obviously a part of his everyday personality. "Well, good Doctor, please join us! I noticed your earlier party—" he nodded towards Major Lorne, "And had thought you meant to engage us in more diplomatic discussions. If it is trade you wish to have, I shall bring you to the king." His step bounced as he started along the path again.
They followed.
It took twelve minutes, maybe ten, before they reached the edge of Talina. The outer ring was made of mostly huts, small residences for the poorer people of the city. They reminded Teyla much of her own people's homes back on Athos. Oh, how she missed those days before the Wraith culling had forced her people from their planet.
"As we reach the inner circle, you will notice more upscale, lavish buildings," Tendo continued, pointing out various statues and structures of obvious Tallinn significance. Culture was very important to these people. "Here," he said, indicating a rather small building made entirely of stone colored of the same fruit the 'Lanteans called oranges and apples, "This is the Shrine to the King. Every five days each citizen must enter the shrine and devote something of sentimental value to the king. The king returns this kindness by promising wealth and happiness to the city."
Teyla had seen several pictures of buildings on Earth that both Elizabeth and Colonel Sheppard had shown her. She had been curious to learn of their culture, of how they adapted to their own world, similar to how she adapted to life on Athos. This shrine reminded her of a temple, a house of worship where followers would bestow gifts upon a higher authority. Upon a god.
Teyla was still spiritual. Devoting her time to training, relaxation and the possibility of life after death told her such. However, she was no longer religious.
After the destruction of Athos, she no longer believed in gods.
"And this…this," Tendo proclaimed with great stirring in his voice, "This is the Great Hall of Kings."
While the Shrine to the King was made of simple stone, it was decorated to create an appearance of a much more distinguished monument. The Great Hall of Kings needed no such decoration. It was enormous, much taller than any of the buildings they had passed before. This is where the King lives, she thought. No mortal could own such a place.
It was much larger than Atlantis, she was sure of that. She could not quite make out the substance used to create its outer shell, but it was marvelous, dazzling even. It sparkled by the light of the sun and emitted a majestic aura.
"It is very beautiful," Teyla replied.
The timid man's face grew into a beaming source of pride. "Yes," he agreed, "It is."
His face greeted Elizabeth next. "I know," he began, "That you are eager to meet the king—"
"Yes, we are on a short time frame," she conceded.
"I understand. Please, do not let me keep you much longer." Tendo's smile fell from his face. He became nervous once more. "I will go inform the king of your arrival. Just wait here a moment."
Now it was Teyla's turn to become skittish. What could cause this man, so full of life, to become so frightened? she asked herself, but she already knew the answer. Anytime King Theoron was mentioned, the tour guide's lively appearance would shatter and he would become fragile and scared. He is but a shell himself, Teyla ventured, staring at the glittering exterior of the Great Hall of Kings.
What kind of man could cause such suffering?
-----SGA-----
Elizabeth knew her feelings were overriding her rational thought. It was normal in a situation where someone you held dear to you, someone who had been with you through thick and thin, was in mortal danger. It was normal, yes, but she could not afford to gamble with John's life.
She had already lost SGA-6 and as much as she hated to admit it, they were more expendable than John Sheppard. The Colonel was not just head of the military contingent on Atlantis; he was, to Elizabeth, the heart and soul of the expedition. His immaturity was utterly contagious and reminded her that, though this job was serious, was it worth losing yourself over? Losing your identity?
Overtime was not one of Elizabeth's favorite duties. She had probably clocked in more overtime than any member of the expedition, though that was no surprise to anyone else. Coming to Atlantis had taught her much. She was well-versed in Ancient scripture and lore, she had upped the ante on her diplomatic prowess, and the numerous firsts she had experienced in this galaxy were nothing short of extraordinary. One of those firsts was her and John's first conversation on the balcony outside the 'Gate room. It became a ritual when one of them became stressed and both were in the immediate area: head to the balcony, talk it out. Before she left for this mission, however, he was not there to 'talk it out' with her.
No, this time she was going solo.
She had to pull it together for him, for the city. John's exuberance for his job, for the mission, for the people, it helped keep the men going.
Damn it. It kept her going.
Calming her nerves, Elizabeth inhaled a deep, relaxing breath and then exhaled slowly. Time to get down to business.
The looming marble doors to the Great Hall of Kings spread ajar and out walked a small welcoming party to greet them. Judging by the description Cadman had given her in the Jumper, Elizabeth was quite sure that none of these men were King Theoron. None of them wore the royal colors of orange and red; they wore only red. It washed over the men like a crimson waterfall, complete with darkened puddles at their feet as the robes pooled together due their excessive length. Tendo was with them.
"Please, come in, young travelers. The king awaits." A sweeping motion of Tendo's hands. "I, however, must bid you farewell. I wish you all well in your endeavors." And with a subtle nod, Tendo departed towards the shrine behind them with a nervous gait.
"Tendo!" Elizabeth called after him, her voice halting the procession of the king's men back into the Great Hall. He spun around and caught her gaze, a questioning look about his face. "I thank you for the tour, as well as your hospitality, on behalf of our people."
The timid man shot her a look full of praise and gratitude. It appeared it was not often that the man received compliments. "And thank you, Doctor Weir, for your appreciation and," he looked at Teyla now, "For the inquiring minds that grace your presence. The mind, it is a more than sufficient gift." He bowed.
She saw him off then and was slightly bewildered, but delighted, when the frail, timid man's nervous gait turned into one of confidence. Perhaps all he needed was someone to show him his self-worth. That this was a man who was not to be stepped upon, but one to be respected.
Bracing herself, Elizabeth smoothed down her uniform and followed the king's men into the Great Hall of Kings.
The view was breathtaking. All that glitters is not gold, she told herself. But it was gold. The rays of the sun that managed to penetrate the outer exterior of glass shone brightly off everything in the room. The golden floor sparkled like no other and Elizabeth was quite adamant that this was the most expensive lobby she had ever seen in her entire life.
They marched onward.
The king's men led them through several large hallways, all framed the same way as the lobby. Intimidating statues towered over the group as kings from yesteryear stared them down, daring them to press their luck in this extravagant golden land. The royal colors showered the walls and Elizabeth was fairly sure her eyes were about to start swimming around in the sea of orange, red and yellow.
Suddenly, the procession halted in front of a massive set of double doors. The handles sparkled that magnificent golden hue and one of the men motioned for her to open them. Placing her hands upon them made her feel small and insignificant as the handles dwarfed her by nearly three times in size. She pressed forward.
The doors opened soundlessly and it was inside this room that Elizabeth spotted him for the first time.
King Theoron left nothing to the imagination. He sat atop a throne fit for three kings, its base made of solid gold. In his hand he held a golden chalice and upon his lap set a scepter with a shining ruby stone inside. Elizabeth envisioned that if the man upon the throne touched that stone it would miraculously turn to gold. He was a regular King Midas, she was sure. Expensive taste to suit his vast wealth.
Amusingly, Elizabeth noted there was no throne for a queen. A culture averse to women could make this proceeding much more difficult than it had to be.
The room was enormous. The ceiling had to be at the very least twenty feet high above their heads, a wondrous sky dome built to inherit the sunlight. On this lovely morning the rays filtered in unabashedly, striking any surface they could find and making it shine violently, including the golden floors. Sixteen pillars struck the ground from the ceiling intermittently throughout the room, their marble design a sight to behold.
"Humble guests! I, King Theoron of the Tallinns, welcome you to Talina!" He raised the chalice to his mouth and drank greedily. Liquid spilled from the cup to his numerous chins, pooling on his prestigious robes. The king made a thirst quenching noise and started up again, "Please, come join me." He patted the arm of his chair, signaling them to step forward to the center of the room.
He then spotted Major Lorne and his good mood soured. "Why, Major Lorne, you have returned!" He now ran his eyes over Ronon. "And with company…Is something the matter?"
Before giving Lorne the chance to reply, Elizabeth spoke up. She had to inform this man that she was the one he should be worried about here. "King Theoron, a pleasure to meet you," she began, trying to butter up the already butter-filled man. "My name is Doctor Elizabeth Weir, leader of the Atlanteans. I sent Major Lorne here," she nodded towards the man, "To scout this world to see if any existing civilizations resided here. It was then that he and his team discovered your people."
The king's gaze was drawn away from the hulking, knife-wielding Runner behind her. His foul mood did not alter. "Please. A woman? Since when has any culture placed a woman in a position of leadership?"
Elizabeth felt more than saw Ronon, Lorne and Teyla place their hands upon their weapons. "A woman I may be," she said as she took several steps towards the throne, throwing an arm behind her to stop the others from moving, "But I have led an expedition from another galaxy to this one in the hopes of meeting new races and bolstering our relationships with existing ones, should we cross them." The king huffed. "I have brokered alliances, treaties and even dealt with warfare among many races in this galaxy, including the Wraith." His ears perked up and his eyes widened. "I originally came here to request your aid in defeating this enemy, but I now come here with a more dire request."
"Woman," Theoron threatened, "Stop your blubbering. I have dealt with your kind once before. The last woman," he said snidely, "Who tried to negotiate a dealing with me was a Wraith Queen." Elizabeth stiffened. "So, you see, you must forgive me if I do not feel inclined to permit your request." He smiled, satisfied that everything was done here.
Elizabeth was not having it.
He was trying to suppress her, trying to stifle her dignity, her pride. She saw what this man did to Tendo. She saw what he could do to her. His words were not careless, they were precisely diminutive. Their power came from belittling their target.
Elizabeth was not new to the realm of these types of meetings. They required skill, tact, and most of all, wit. Theoron surely had extensive training in this area, an area where Elizabeth herself was also no slouch.
She had powerful words of her own.
"I may be no Wraith Queen, Theoron!" she roared, the giant hall echoing her words, "No, most assuredly, I can tell you that much." She grinned a maniacal grin to throw the king off his guard.
"I am much, much worse."
"She-devil!" Theoron cried, grabbing his scepter and holding it out in front of him as if to ward her off. "You witch," he hissed, "You are in league with the Wraith!"
As if by his command, sixteen men dressed in similar robes to his own jumped out from behind the sixteen pillars in the room, a man for every column. They all carried swords or bows with arrows drawn and trained on the small party of seven in the center of the room.
"Wait!" Elizabeth commanded, her voice narrowly stopping Ronon from blowing one of the men's heads clear off. "Theoron," she tried again, "I am not aligned with the Wraith. You must understand my purpose in coming here."
"I know your purpose, witch." The staff shook with fear, the ruby rattling in its precarious position. "You wish to destroy this place and cull my people for your food!"
"No," she reasoned. "I am here because a man back on our world is on the brink of death. You have technology that can save this man, technology I need." She paused to let him absorb this information, his trembling less pronounced now.
"Originally, I came here to negotiate a deal for your phasing technology, the kind that lets you walk through walls." His trembling slowed to a stop. "But now, I have a more pressing need for it. This man is…"
She stalled for a second. In this one second, several things occurred to Elizabeth. This man was no king, he was but a man. He had trembled at the mere mention of the Wraith. No wonder he had refused to have any dealings with Lorne after the Major had explained their reasoning for wanting the technology. The Wraith terrified this man.
Another thought was that Theoron now believed he had the upper hand. His shaking had stopped altogether now. He knew she was not aligned with the Wraith. He knew she wanted technology only he had ownership of. He knew and he was going to milk it for all it was worth. This simple meeting had now turned into a game of superiority for this imbecile and he intended to reap the glory of it.
But she also knew this man had a weakness. He was weak when it came to women. Elizabeth had seen no women in the city on her way in. She could tell from Tendo's kind disposition towards Teyla that women were not unheard of; they were merely suppressed, hidden from foreigners' eyes. Teyla and Ronon were skilled observers of their surroundings, but Elizabeth was skilled at observing people.
Theoron belittled men like Tendo, so there was no doubt in her mind as to how he would treat a woman. Her standing up to him like this must have absolutely terrified him.
But he would refuse her the technology, of that she was sure.
She had already decided on her new tactic. She would have to submit to this man. Her will had to admit defeat in order to save John Sheppard. As much as it pained her, as much it destroyed her inside to give this paltry fool this simple victory, she would come out the victor in the end.
"This man is," she started once more, "The true leader of our people."
Not only did Theoron's eyes nearly bulge out of his head, she heard gasps from Cadman, Teyla and the scientists behind her. She stood her ground.
"This man, John Sheppard, has defeated the Wraith on countless occasions. Wraith ships have fallen at his feet, Wraith Queens could not conquer him and I…I am his…" she had to choke out the next few words, "I am his toy."
The tension in the room had grown palpable. She did not want to turn around and see the looks on the members of her team.
She rattled on now, while she still had the king's undivided attention. "I am here to rescue him! He is trapped within a room surrounded by toxic gas. We have no other way of reaching him," she pleaded, falling onto her knees for dramatic effect. She held her hands up to the king, now mere feet from his throne. "Please, we need your help."
The king was thunderstruck. He tried to compose himself and mull over his thoughts, but she could tell her act had affected him more deeply than he would admit. It was his eyes that gave him away. Confused orbs drowned in their cerulean seas. He would grant her this wish.
The scepter rose in his hand, an invitation for pain or for fulfillment, she did not know. "Rise, young one." Elizabeth rose. "I understand your earlier anger, your passion." He attempted to appear thoughtful. "This man…this John Sheppard…he is a great man to your people?"
"Yes, very much so."
He silenced her with a quick smack to the head. "Do not speak unless spoken to!" The question vocalized itself again, "He is a great man to your people?"
This time Elizabeth heard Major Lorne's reply, "Yes, he is the greatest."
Teyla chimed in, "We have temples devoted to him, great King. He serves our people well."
That seemed to appease the fat oaf. "This news…it is most pleasing…" His voice trailed off, leaving that thread dangling. "I have come to a decision. Major Lorne and this pitiful thing—" he pointed to Elizabeth, "Will accompany me to the Crystalis. The rest can wait here."
He motioned with the scepter that she was to follow him. Lorne sidled up alongside her and they trailed behind the king as he stood from his throne and walked behind it. A door blended into the wall suddenly opened as the king tapped his scepter on a particular stone and five of them stepped through: Theoron, Lorne, Elizabeth and two of Theoron's men tagging along behind them, bows at the ready.
Several feet down the small hallway behind the throne room, they made it to another set of large double doors, less extravagant than the others. Theoron threw them open and stepped inside, gesturing them to enter.
Inside was a colossal crystal, one that shone brighter than the greatest light Elizabeth had ever seen. It stood in the center of a circular room, elevated by chains that criss-crossed across its still form. Deep below the crystal lay a pit of darkness. Mechanical devices chipped at the crystal, pieces falling off of it in slow, flaky shards.
Elizabeth noted that there was a wall behind the crystal made entirely of wood. This wall was filled with many, many drawers. She suspected that this was her intended target all along.
"I will grant you one brace," Theoron said, stepping over to a drawer marked '078.' "Because your leader is so esteemed and held in such high regard, he is a man worth saving," the king clarified, looking at Lorne who held a confused look about his face. "That is why I am giving you the brace."
It was then Elizabeth discovered the real significance of the scepter. Not merely for show, it was a key. Theoron lifted the scepter and aimed the bottom of it towards a hole directly below the '078' label. Its warps and grooves fit perfectly and, with one fluid motion, he turned the scepter, unlocked the drawer and threw it open.
The contents of the drawer contained a small bracelet with three small, glowing crystals and a mechanized switch. He handed the bracelet to Lorne and imitated how to put the bracelet on. Lorne gave the device the once-over before making a decision on whether or not to use it on himself.
"Simply press the button on the device and it will give you the ability to pass through solid objects!" Theoron announced giddily, as if this was a toy he had just discovered and not a device that could achieve victory in a war against the Wraith. "There are three crystals on there, so you can use the device three times." He turned his back to them, closed the drawer and pressed his scepter back into the hole to lock it. "After three uses, it becomes useless."
Elizabeth was quick to obtain the device from Lorne with the king's back turned. She had come this far to obtain it, she did not intend to lose this opportunity now. Lorne would be capable of using it, she was sure, but this was her battle too. She had lost much from this encounter with this man. She would regain that strength by seeing this through.
Strapping the bracelet on, she felt a jolt of pain in her wrist. The bracelet embedded itself into her arm, the locking of the two ends inducing an intense tightening around her wrist.
Theoron finished locking the drawer and whirled around at her small cry of pain. "NO!" he shouted, his voice perfectly matching that usual terrified tone of his. "You stupid, stupid whore!" The guards behind her and Lorne readied their bows, arrows aligned with each of their bodies.
"You cannot take the bracelet off once it has attached itself!" He pointed the scepter at her, "You fooled me, witch. No woman has the right to wear the brace! NO WOMAN!" He moved to strike her, but Lorne grabbed the edge of the scepter. "Major Lorne, I granted her access to this room out of pity, but I'm afraid that her presence has come at a cost. I cannot, and will not, allow you to leave this room."
The guards pulled their arrows taut.
"This treachery warrants death. Goodbye, Major Lorne."