Thank you for the reviews, they mean a lot and give me encouragement to keep writing. And thanks again, to my super speedy beta, shepsgirl 72. Of course all mistakes are mine.
COLLABORATIONS
CHAPTER 7
Sheppard was given no time to respond or even think, before the angry mob dragged him quickly out the room, along the darkened corridor and down the stairs into a large cellar, empty except for a few wine barrels stacked against a side wall. It smelt musty and had no windows, the only light provided by a single oil filled lantern, set into the middle of the long wall running the length of the room.
Along the centre of the ceiling were thick wooden beams, across one his captors flung two long lengths of rope before tying the ends first around Kolya's wrists then his, before pulling hard so both men could barely touch the ground. John swore as the tight, rough ropes bit into his wrists and his shoulders, stretched to their limits, ached under the strain.
Satisfied with their handiwork, content the men were no longer a threat, they left them hanging painfully from the beam, just as Malen walked into the room along with one of the armed monks from earlier in the day. In the gloom of the cellar, he could just about make out the young monk was carrying a small table upon which lay something. But as they approached, his heart thudded in his chest as he saw two daggers, each with six inch blades, and the most intricate handles John had ever seen…
"Well, gentlemen…I am truly sorry it has come to this. Delivering punishment gives me no pleasure, but I have always found pain to be a great leveller, and if this is what it takes to make you co-operate…then so be it. The excruciating pain as the dagger pierces your skin, and I run the blade slowly down your back will be bad enough…however, this is not just a punishment, but also a lesson in partnership and brotherhood."
"With him…never," Kolya spat out at the monk, then turned and glared at Sheppard.
"Well…you might just change your mind about that, as one of the blades has been dipped in a slow acting poison. The potion used can be easily dissipated through proper cleaning of the wounds…something you gentlemen will need to do for yourselves. Although, I should tell you, if your wounds are not treated properly, then one of you will dead by morning."
Malen went over to the table as the young monk went behind them, ripping the tunics off their back.
"Five lines each I think, from shoulder to waist should serve as an adequate lesson." The monk looked at both men before picking up each dagger in turn, checking each blade was sharp, before placing them both upon the table. "Tell me, Brother Phailim…which dagger will I use first, and on whom? Whisper it to me, I don't want to spoil the surprise."
"Excuse me, if we really have to do this, can I get the one with the green handle? The red one clashes with my eyes." John smiled over, determined not to give the evil monk the satisfaction of seeing his fear.
"Quite the humorist, aren't you? Anyway the decision has been made…I suggest you prepare yourselves."
John's blood was pounding in his ears, his shoulders aching under the stain as Malen lifted the green dagger to walk behind him. Closing his eyes, mentally preparing himself for the pain to come, he heard Nessan hiss, as the monk pierced the Genii's skin before slowly guiding the razor sharp blade down Kolya's back.
Nessan grunted, as the monk finished the first long cut, only to raise the knife once more to begin yet another agonising slow decent. John heard Kolya's groans as again and again the knife cut into his tender flesh, but took no pleasure in his pain. That Nessan deserved to be punished for his crimes, there was no doubt. He wanted to be the one to bring him to justice…make him pay for the abuse he suffered at his hands, but to torture him like this was never part of the plan.
Sheppard heard a low moan as the monk placed the bloody dagger upon the table, and saw Kolya turn to look at him…glazed eyes filled with pain, his dark hair slicked against his pale face. John watched Malen pick up the other dagger and his mouth went dry, knowing it was his turn next…
As the monk went to begin his punishment, John was sure he saw the ghost of a smile on Malen's lips.
"I thought you didn't take any pleasure in punishment, Father. Although, if you ask me, from what I just saw, you seemed to be enjoying yourself way too much."
With a gleam in his eye, Malen replied. "Your imagination, I'm sure. But I will admit it does feel good to bring the disobedient to their knees…only then can they truly repent, and be led into the true spirit of brotherhood."
"Yeah…right. Hey, chief. Before you start carving me up…make sure that blade is nice and sharp. I don't want to be left with any ragged scars."
"Well, let me see."Malen slashed his body with the blade. "How does that feel?
John was stunned to see a long red line oozing blood down his chest…just before the pain hit.
"Gah… I…think…you've…made…your…point."
"My, my…still making jokes. I hope you're still laughing after I've finished."
Already in pain, John flinched as the sharp tip pierced firmly into his shoulder, making him gasp, as searing agony followed the dagger's slow, painful decent down to his waist. Reflectively jerking away, Sheppard felt Malen's left arm come around his chest to keep him still, while with his right… the blade struck again. He was shuddering, and every part of his body screamed… but he was unable to escape the merciless assault.
Sheppard swore through gritted teeth, but the sadistic monk, uncaring of his pain, continued the torture, focused in his task, as the blade tore his flesh apart in long, deep, bloody lacerations. The abuse was relentless, as again and again, the tip pieced into his skin, sending spikes of white-hot pain rippling down his back leaving him breathless, quivering, as trails of blood flowed freely onto the floor, pooling by his feet.
John felt sick, dizzy, in agony, when Malen let him go…relieved his torment was finally over. Then he screamed when the monk, a holy man…a man of peace… slashed the sharp blade deeply across his wounds an extra time, sending him into convulsions, as eyes like stone caught his.
"Remember this… for the next time you would dare speak to me like that again." Malen threw the dagger onto the ground before glaring at John, then walked away.
He hung limply in a haze of pain, unable to speak, as their ropes were cut and both men fell hard onto the dirt floor. He could barely focus, but saw Nessan lying unconscious, as four of the followers arrived and dragged each of them to opposite ends of the cellar, before fitting a metal collar, attached to a long piece of chain anchored on the wall, around their necks.
As the men left the room, the young monk, Phailem, came in carrying a basin, cloths and a large earthenware tub, then set everything down in the middle of the room.
The monk addressed them both, now that Kolya was finally awake."This is for cleaning your wounds. I would suggest you both do this soon, and thoroughly…if not, one of you will not awaken to see another day."
Sheppard tried to force himself up, but fell groaning back onto the ground. Gritting his teeth he tried once more, managed to get onto his side, then taking a deep breath, made it onto his knees. The room swayed, and the movement spiked his pain, but as the world came back into focus, he slowly forced himself to where the basin…and salvation…lay. As he reached the middle, John realised he could go no further as the chain was taut. Then he began to understand…
"Kolya…Nessan. Get over here if you want me to help you." But the Genii didn't move. "Well…didn't you hear the nice man? One of those blades was dipped in poison, and as he doesn't seem to be the kind of guy who would lie about something like that, the sooner we do this, the better."
"You would help me, Sheppard?" Kolya looked at John, surprised.
"Look, Nessan…just get over here before I pass out…please."
John felt Nessan tense, as he began the slow painful process of cleaning the bloody lacerations as thoroughly as possible. Once or twice, the Genii nearly keeled over, but eventually the job was done and he opened the jar, gagging at the pungent smell. Taking some of the ointment in his hand, he'd no sooner slavered it over Kolya's abused back when the Genii yelped, falling onto the floor.
"You okay, Kolya?" Silly question John…neither of you is okay.
Breathing hard, Nessan gradually made his way back onto his knees. "That was…unpleasant. It reminded me of the times after my father beat me with his belt. My mother used a salve similar to that…but perhaps not quite as painful."
Sheppard grew silent, remembering the brutal beating he suffered at Nessan's hands, which not only nearly took his life, but also could have ended his career.
"Well, it's my turn now, Nessan. Just do what you have to do."
Nessan was shocked to see the large laceration torn sideways across the other wounds, much deeper than the rest. "What…why?"
John grimaced, remembering the final excruciating, malicious slash of the blade. "I think the good father was pissed when I told him he was enjoying himself too much."
Kolya smiled. "I think you're right, he was…but never the less you do have that effect on people, Sheppard."
Sheppard sat tense, holding himself steady, waiting for the painful process to begin, when at the sound of shuffling he turned to find Kolya crawling back towards the opposite wall.
"So…no help for me, huh?"
"I'm sure a resourceful man like you will manage, Sheppard."
Picking up a clean cloth, John gritted his teeth as he tried to clean his own wounds. "The last time some sadistic bastard cut me up, a nice lady did this for me." He stared pointedly at Nessan.
Nessan lay carefully down on his side, and watched Sheppard struggle, with no emotion on his face.
"I had intended Teresa to be mine…until you arrived. After you came, she was only interested in caring for your needs and barely looked at me."
Throwing the bloody cloth into the basin John looked in disbelief at Kolya. "You are one delusional son of a bitch, Nessan. It was you who brought me to the village in the first place, and the only reason Teresa took care of me was because you beat me up! Anyway…Teresa didn't like me in that way…she was only grateful to me for killing her husband." John saw Nessan's stunned expression. "Yeah, go figure. Apparently he beat up Sirus, so she was glad the bastard was dead. I've never been thanked for killing anyone before, and I have to tell you, it felt kinda weird."
Sheppard knew he couldn't have cleaned his wounds properly, but just hoped his efforts would be enough. So grabbing the jar, he made his way over to his wall to lie down, before daring to put any on.
"You do know if I die, Kolya, Malen won't be too happy, since partnership, brotherhood…co-operation was all part of the lesson."
Nessan closed his eyes, shutting the sight of Sheppard out. "To have you finally dead, out of my life…I would put up with any punishment."
After Nessan's reaction to the cream, John clamped his jaw…took some of the repugnant ointment on his hands and slapped it quickly onto his back. The fiery ointment sent spikes of white-hot pain burning through him, and he writhed in agony. He tried to continue, but his hands were shaking. With each passing second the pain increased, and became unbearable...he could hardly see… scarcely breathe, as the room started to spin, and he was sure he heard laughter as the world turned black.
ooooOoooo
The tension was palpable, as an enraged Rodney McKay glared at Caldwell across the wide, highly polished conference table.
"What do you mean we can't search for Sheppard? I've compared the 'gate addresses to the list of visitors to the Genii home world the day he was abducted, and have narrowed the search down to four planets…Four…Give the three of us a jumper, or even just me…. and I'll go find him myself!"
"You're missing the point, Dr McKay." Caldwell tried not to sound aggravated. "The satellite over Sutran has detected a Wraith signature just one day away. We still don't know if it's a cruiser or a hiveship…or several hiveships for that matter, but we do know there are still 15,000 people left on the planet to be evacuated and even with the Daedalus…I don't have a jumper to spare."
"Excuse me. What do you mean you don't have a jumper to spare? Oh, I get it…you're still after Sheppard's job aren't you? This whole situation is giving you the perfect excuse not to mount a rescue…Well, Caldwell, you're not in charge of this base…Sheppard is, and you may as well enjoy playing military commander for now…because we're going to get him home…alive!"
Bang, bang. Everyone turned to look at Mr Woolsey who thumped his folder on the table.
"Quite enough, Dr McKay. For the record, I am in charge of this base, and until I say otherwise, Colonel Sheppard is still the military commander here." Richard saw Rodney smirk at Caldwell. "However, Colonel Caldwell has been kind enough to stand in during this crisis, and he is correct, I have to consider the needs of people stranded on Sutran first. At least until you and Doctor Zelenka can calibrate the satellites to be more sensitive, to give us more precise information as to the size, and nature of the Wraith threat. Until then I have to presume the worst case scenario, so I regret to say your mission to rescue the colonel will have to wait."
Ronon jumped up. "And what if we don't want to wait? After everything Sheppard's done for Atlantis and you're just going to leave him to die? What kind of people are you?"
Woolsey faced the Satedan with a calm façade. "The kind of people, who just like colonel Sheppard, would not leave innocent people to die at the hands of the Wraith. I can't stop you leaving, Ronon…and I do hope you'll stay to help, but if any of the three of you attempts anything foolish…you will be stopped. Major Lorne, please liaise with Colonel Caldwell regarding the evacuation…in the meantime this meeting is concluded."
Richard sighed as he watched Teyla rush after Ronon when he stormed out the room. It was at times like this he hated being in charge, having to make the difficult decisions. Especially as he suspected Dr McKay was right…Caldwell did look far too smug for his liking. Nevertheless, although he didn't pretend to know John as well as the rest, he did know one thing for sure. Sheppard would never want to be rescued at the expense of others…and Woolsey just hoped when things cooled down, his team would realise that, too.
ooooOoooo
TBC