"Wrong!" He hissed "Do it again!" The constant disapprovement was killing him, but dragging himself from the mud he repeated the action. Gripping the sword he swung it high over his head, letting the handle glide through his hand. Stepping forward with his right leg, he brought the weapon down with the force it had been gathering in the swinging motion down hard on a wooden pillar, landing with a heavy thud. Ripping it free, he spun on his back left leg until he was in a solid defensive position again holding the blade out straight facing the pillar. He had to blink through the down pour of rain that had him soaked completely. Walking out from the safety of a cover, his father approached the pillar. It had almost but cut cleanly in half, the best hit today. His chest heaving he gleamed with pride. Val knew his father could not deny that one was good. With a short nod he walked back to the cover. "Good, now do it again." He said shortly and disappeared into the dark. His shoulders fell as he tried catching his breath.
"You do it!" He yelled into the distance but he was gone. Grinding his teeth he rolled his shoulders, squeezed the water from his hair and continued the exercise. He kept at it for hours, never stopping until his muscles shook from exhaustion and his body collapsed into the mud he had been slipping in the whole time. Shuttering he curled up. He had never worked himself so hard. The rain had not let up the whole time and his body was drenched head to toe. Just as morning came for the next day he finally pulled himself from the mud and walked slowly to the hive that had landed on a deserted planet for repairs. He left a trail of water and mud as he crawled through the halls, dreaming of a warm shower. But just as he was about to make it to his quarters he was forced to stop.
"Todd, pal, we had a deal. We held up our end, now it's your turn." A voice he didn't recognize said just around the corner. He could hear his father growl softly. Pressing his back against the wall he could feel a group of humans there to. Strange, when did his father talk to humans so freely?
"You do pick the best times to come request payment don't you Sheppard?" He sighed deeply. The human called Sheppard laughed lightly.
"What can I say? We have come in need of your assistance as of late." He said nonchalantly. Who was this human? As soon as the thought pressed his mind he felt his father connect with him as well. It was a scolding feeling. Telling him strongly to leave. No, he wasn't going anywhere, not until he got his answers.
"I can spare no time, we are in the middle of a war!" He growled, but the human seemed unthreatened. What was with these humans being immune to the looming power of the commander? Heaving a sigh Sheppard rubbed his head.
"Well you should have thought about that. If you ever want our help in anything ever again Todd, you'll come." The offer was becoming a demand. Growling, the presence changed from light to heavy instantly.
"Give me an hour." He snarled defeated then turned from the humans. A couple of soldiers led them to a holding area. Turning the corner the commander grabbed his son by the neck and smashed him against the wall. "Stay out of my business Valimor!" He snarled, his hold so strong Val thought he was going to snap his neck. Gasping he struggled to loosen the grip, but the commander was not going to. In the few minutes before he blacked out he remembered something he had been taught. Twisting his hand around, he grabbed the commander's wrist, then turned his head to the side. Twisting the arm the grip relaxed some. Bringing his knee up, he hit him hard in the chest. Gasping for air he released Val. Next, turning around he wrapped his arm around the commander's neck and held him tightly, taking his arm and pulling it up and behind his back rendering him immobile.
"Do you regret training me yet?" Val growled happily. Choking, Todd pushed him away and rubbed his sore body and shook himself off. Trying to find his voice he rubbed at his neck. Unable to get it to come, he gave a slight smile and shook his head. But quickly the moment vanished and the commander stalked off towards the main deck. Following quickly he regretted using the opportunity to prove his strength over his fathers. That was the human in him. From the experience with the human and having to submit to him, it was not a good time to prove he was weak in yet another way. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…" He began to apologize, but his father whirled around striking him hard on the side of the neck. It sent him flying against the wall.
"Do not apologies!" He snarled "You are stronger then I, you have proved that. You have work to do, but your youth will soon replace me. I don't want to hear you're sorry or you shall be as weak as me!" He tried holding the angry tone, but Val could feel the pain behind it all. He knew his father wasn't weak. He was more human then he would like, but that wasn't weak. Val had gotten the upper hand one time, a very bad time.
"Fine, then I'm not sorry. But you are not weak, if I could learn but half of what you know, I would be satisfied. I intend to continue to learn from you. Whatever that human wanted from you, I would gladly do it instead." He said, standing proud, yet lower, respect full to his father. This display seemed to make him smile slightly.
"Your innocence continues to amaze me each day Val. That soft human side will get you nowhere, now as for taking my place, I believe you would rather go through hell then do what I have agreed to." Shaking his head he began walking again. "But…if you did insist, I would be forced to let you go." He called over his shoulder. Thinking to himself Val made the worst decision of his life.
"I insist!" He called back. A short pause and the feeling pressed into his mind. Permission granted then. Good luck. Smiling to himself, Val set off to prove to his father he could handle anything thrown at him. Little did he know he was about to learn the very hard way why his father was like he is. Valimor was going to meet John Sheppard and the Atlantian people.
The commander smiled to himself upon reaching the main deck. Though he did feel bad, he couldn't wait to see how his naive son took this new experience. He was about to learn what being human really meant.