"Please, I beg you! Let me go!"
Pandora was on her knees, begging through tear-filled eyes to be set free. The stricken woman lent forward and extended her arm, gathering a fistful of Telamon's robe in her shaking hand.
"Please..."
Telamon pulled his robe free of her grip and crouched down to her level. Sam furrowed her brow, slightly confused by the compassionate expression on Telamon's face. For a moment she thought he was going to grant Pandora her wish, until Telamon roughly grabbed the crying woman's chin and barked into her face.
"Enough of this ridiculous behaviour Pandora! You are the next significant and there is no way that can be changed. The Gods have chosen you, and you should be grateful. Without their help you will surely die."
"I would rather die a thousand deaths than spend one moment away from my husband! I love him!"
"Then where is he now? Your husband, Ajax, is probably spending time at home, glad that he no longer has to take care of such an ill, dishevelled wife. He was the one who let the Gods know to choose you as the next significant. He is glad that you will be gone."
"No!" Pandora lunged forward, trying to get at Telamon's throat. The guards grabbed her and pulled her back to her feet. Still she struggled, and Sam had to hand it to her, for a sick woman she was still spirited... and strong. The guards had to use a considerable amount of muscle power to hold her back.
Telamon sighed heavily and straightened his back, "Violence will get you no where."
Sam knew he had directed that line at her, and she scoffed.
"You honestly think that the Gods are on your side don't you? Well take it from me Telamon, I've seen what's out there. I know what your Gods really are. I know what they do to people like us and it's far from pleasant! The Gods are parasites who take over the human body; they're Goa'uld. All their healing power comes from their technology, they can't just bring people back to life or cure their sickness by thinking about it. And to make it worse their technology wasn't even built by them! They had to lie, steal, pillage and torture to get it."
"Lies. Your mind is poisoned. I severely hope that our Gods teach you some respect."
"The Gods are fake! Surely you've wondered how they managed to be where they are. Haven't you even thought about what makes them so strong? Why the hell can't you people think outside the square!"
Telamon laughed, "That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard. Why would we question their authority when they have existed for longer than we have. The Gods built Elysium! And we owe them gratitude and unwavering loyalty."
"The Gods built Elysium for one specific reason Telamon. To use your people as hosts! To make more of themselves in an effort to dominate other worlds. This whole place is a facade! But you and your people have the power to put an end to it!" Sam attempted to take a step forward, but she was stopped by a guard's strong arm wrapping itself around her waist.
"I have heard enough of this banter. Silence her."
"Telamon, listen to me-" The guard muffled Sam's voice with his hand. She wrapped her fingers around his wrist to try and pry his grip off her, but gave up when she realised it wasn't going to work.
Telamon ran his fingers through his hair and began to pace. He knew it wouldn't be long now, but he was growing tired of waiting and the thought of his father was making him anxious to return to him with some good news. His thoughts were interrupted suddenly when he heard the transportation rings activating from behind him. Smiling, he turned to face them and kneeled, ready to make contact with his God. The guards followed suit, pushing Pandora and Sam to the ground with them.
Sam tilted her head so she could get a glance at the rings. She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, and the last twinge of hope that the rest of SG-1 would get there in the nick of time to save her was diminishing.
The rings descended in a familiar glow, then left in the same fashion, leaving a hooded figure standing in their wake. Telamon bowed his head. Dry and to the point, his speech to his God sounded like it had been practiced a million times over.
"My God, we are pleased that you have returned once more. And as promised, I have two Significants in my possession. One is Pandora, an ill housewife whose life would be better spent with you, and the other is Major Samantha Carter whom you expressed a personal interest in. We are more than happy to leave them in your hands."
Telamon then stood again, and mechanically walked to the back of the temple and doused the candles. The room was now half lit, the light being behind the hooded Goa'uld. Ptah removed his hood. With the light source gone from the back of the room it was impossible to make out his face. No doubt a 'tradition' engrained in the rulers of Elysium which effectively acted as a safety precaution. Ptah was making sure that his identity remained as much of a secret as he could.
The room was silent for a few moments as Ptah gathered his response. Even though Sam couldn't see Ptah's face, she could feel his eyes on her. A sick feeling crept into her stomach and she clenched her eyes shut for just a second, willing herself to keep her head.
"I am pleased. You may inform your father that I will soon make contact with him regarding our arrangement. Rest assured that your Significants will be looked after, and returned to you once they are able." Lies, lies and more lies. Sam never expected to hear anything else. Filtered through the host's voice, Ptah sounded deep and strong. The weird sound that usually accompanies a Goa'uld's voice was barely audible. It was almost a bearable sound... almost pleasant. Sam figured that Ptah must have been forcing himself to sound friendly. Otherwise he'd have a harder time getting the people of Elysium to put their faith in him. People were more likely to love and respect Ptah if he appeared to be compassionate and gentle. It made Sam sick.
"I will my Lord. Many thanks to you as always. I only wish my father was here to thank you personally." Telamon bowed his head again, then motioned to his guards.
Sam and Pandora were dragged to their feet. The guards brought them both before their God. Pandora was still crying, her sobs sounding more and more pained with each breath. Despite her emotional state, the wild look in her eyes told Sam that she wasn't going down without a fight. And she was right. The moment Ptah took hold of Pandora's upper right arm and dragged her towards him she began screaming and struggling like a wild animal.
"No! Let me go! Somebody help me! Please! Ajax!"
Ptah tightened his grip on the woman and brought his other hand up to her neck. In an instant Pandora was silent, her face expressionless. Ptah let her go and she just stood there, dazed, her arms hanging loosely by her sides. Sam was baffled, but her scientific mind kicked into gear and she figured that he must have injected her with something.
"I apologise for her behaviour my Lord. Her sickness has been affecting her mind of late." Telamon lied.
"It is no matter. She is calm now." Ptah extended his arm in Sam's direction, motioning for the guard to release her. Ptah grasped Sam by the back of her neck and pulled her toward him. A chill ran down her spine. Being this close to a Goa'uld was always going to terrify her, but she'd be damned if she was going to let it show. Ptah turned her around and grabbed hold of her right arm, then pulled his hood back over his head. After activating the rings, he took Pandora's left arm again and waited for the light to engulf both him and his captives.
Telamon smiled as the rings left the room. He had completed his task once again, this time with the added satisfaction of avenging his father. He turned to his guards.
"I will be sure to mention your good deeds to my father. You may return to your homes and get some rest. Tomorrow we look for the rest of SG-1."