My team materializes behind me upon exiting the Stargate. The world in front of me is green, a sign of healthy land. A small forest lies to the west of us and the rest is a huge meadow full of green grass and delicate flowers. I take a step forward when a hand on my shoulder stops me. I turn around to see Teyla with a wondering expression.
" The Genii do not trust strangers but with me here they should be fine. Unfortunately, I fear that with such large numbers they will think the worst."
" Why didn't you mention this at the meeting?" my voice held a hint of accusation.
" I had hoped that maybe you might change your form, like you did on that Wraith planet." she sounded hopeful.
I glance up at Sheppard and see the others watching our discussion take place, curiosity plain of their faces. Teyla glances at them as well, " They were not aware of anything."
Nodding, " Okay, but in the future please tell me about these ideas before we gate to the world." I turned away when Teyla nodded her agreement.
" What was that about?" McKay's question promptly answered when I shifted my form. I always find the sensations of shifting rather unusual, especially when turning into an animal that is bigger than my vampire self. For instance, I felt a zing as my legs and arms lengthened, also when my fingers and toes merged into one and my feet and hands hardened. My neck and back lost feeling for a moment as they too lengthened, I could feel my ears traveling to the top of my head as my jaw and skull elongated. My skin stung as hair sprouted forth and my vision was suddenly obscured by thick tresses.
" Wow." I heard Ford's surprised voice from behind and I turned my sleek neck in his direction. From the corner of my eye I saw my hindquarters, a glistening dark chocolate brown. I focused my gaze on the others and I felt my ears turn in their direction as well.
Without moving his eyes away from me Sheppard leaned toward Teyla, " Is this what you were talking about?" all she could do was nod her head as I made to walk to them.
" Wait. I thought Faith could only turn into that white cat." Ford said with some confusion.
" Did I ever say that that was the only thing I could turn into, Lieutenant?" technically, I am not breaking my promise by connecting with them seeing as it is the only way for me to accurately communicate to them. At least, that's my reasoning.
I watched with great amusement as his eyes widened at my words, McKay's weren't any better, Teyla wasn't freaking at least, Sheppard just looked interested.
" What else can you turn into?" McKay sounded like he hoped this was all. Over the mental connection I sent image after image of earth wildlife, and with each one his expression became more shocked. I glanced at Sheppard to him smiling, " So, you can turn into all sorts of creatures. What about those wings that you flashed on the first day of your freedom?"
I relax my ears and shake my head, " Just a bi product of being able to manipulate my body."
" Well, Faith, I must say. You make one beautiful horse." I could hear his sincerity, he actually liked my horsy self.
I stepped toward him and raised my graceful head, " I wonder how beautiful you'll think I am after you start riding me. After all, that's a horses main function when it comes to humans. Transportation." my opinion of Sheppard went up greatly when he just shrugged and moved to my side before jumping up on my broad back. He grabbed a hank of silk mane and place his other hand on his P-90.
" All right, let's get going. Teyla, lead the way." he pressed his right leg into my side and I obediently turned my body to the left until I was facing away from the Gate. I waited until Teyla was in front of me before calmly walking after her, only barely aware that my hooves made no imprint or sound as I passed over the crisp ground.
We hadn't even gone half a mile when I saw Teyla being greeted by a man in a straw hat ahead of me, I pulled my ears slightly back before picking up my pace a little. I am pleased with Sheppard as a rider, he has a natural ability that most people would kill for.
When I neared Teyla I saw the man's eyes enlarge as he caught sight of me but Teyla quickly placed her hand on his shoulder, " Don't fear, this is just a animal from their planet that none of us has come across before," she turned around until she could easily see us and the man, " This is Major Sheppard, Dr. McKay, Lieutenant Ford, and Faith." I pricked my ears toward Teyla at my name, I hadn't expected her to introduce me let alone by my "real" name. A branch snapping in the forest attracted my attention, swinging my head in the direction of the sound I strain my ears to find the source. All I find is an approaching heartbeat just seconds before a young woman appears and walks toward the man.
When the woman stops next to him he looks down at her before returning his gaze back to us, " I am ,Teran, and this is my daughter, Sora." his voice is smooth and something in that smoothness makes my skin bristle.
" I suppose your hear to trade, shall I take them to the village, Father?" Sora's voice was just as bad as her father's and I resisted the urge to side step away, but I felt Sheppard stiffen in response to my tight muscles.
" Yes, I will join you all soon, there is still something that needs to be done in the field." with that Sora turns to her left and starts forward with Teyla and Ford close at hand. McKay glances up at Sheppard before following after them. I feel pressure on my sides and I start into a trot until I catch up to the group, but I notice that Sheppard doesn't relax just as I haven't.
Sora turns to gaze at my sleek body as I settle into a even walk behind them, " What an interesting animal, what do you call it?" I flattened my ears at her voice.
" We call them horses, this one is named Faith." Sheppard sounded relaxed but he was just as tense as I am.
After that the conversation between ourselves and Sora were confined to her and Teyla discussing past events, I forced myself to loosen my muscles if only for Sheppard's sake. He couldn't negotiate if he was wound up because of me. My reasoning worked because almost immediately he became less rigid in his position
The walk only lasted fifteen minutes before we encountered more people, I watched as a house here and a house there appeared in betwixt the trees. It wasn't long before the building grew in size, but most of these seemed to be storage houses, most likely for the harvests.
A squeal up ahead tells me that children have noticed us, when I turn my gaze forward I see three little ones running toward us with big smiles on their faces. They seem to attach themselves to Sora and Teyla but leave the other mostly alone. I look up from a little girl playing with the Velcro on Teyla's vest to see what looks like a main building, two woman are standing in front watching us. Probably the children's mothers.
Sheppard stops me a few feet from the entrance and slides off, I see him hesitate as he looks at my un-haltered head, " Don't worry, Sheppard. I'm trained." I see him smile before joining the others who are entering the structure.
I decide it would be best not to be seen standing in the same position when they come out, so I lower my head and walk a couple yards away before snagging a hank on grass with my teeth. I think it's funny how, when human or even vampire, grass tastes... well, like grass. But when I'm a horse or anything else that eats grass, it tastes sweet and juicy. A man walks by me with Teran, they pause only a moment to watch me before entering the building as well.
I don't know what it is about these Genii, but something feels off.
Shaking my head, I return to the grass and start my usual process of grazing. A momentary flashback of Monif and Teric eating while watching me with fascinated wonder briefly invaded my mind. Things had seemed much simpler than.
I hear the door creak behind me and I lift my head slightly to see Sheppard and McKay leaving the building. Sighing, I lope toward them even though I had been happy with my grazing. Sheppard glances at me before waving me off.
" We're just reporting back with our progress. Stay here with Ford and Teyla."
I stopped in mid stride and watch with pricked ears as their two forms disappear around a bend, I really want to follow and make sure that they make it there and back safe and sound, but if Sheppard found out that I had...
Laughter to my left draws my gaze to the building, curious, I walk to the nearest window and raise my head until I can see clearly. Teyla and the Genii inside are watching Ford stare at his wooden cup with awed shock, I skim through his thoughts to see why he's being laughed at. Moonshine. And he wasn't expecting it so when he automatically choked... actually, it is funny.
Shaking my head I lower myself back to a more natural stance, at least for a horse. Inside the building I hear a muted staticy crackle, like when someone tries to radio but there is interference, I walk around the exterior of the structure looking for some possible source through the few windows that there are. When I round the corner back to the front I see the same man that had arrived with Teran walking away at a steady pace, a very steady pace, not like someone going to check some fields. I lower my head until it is level with my shoulders before following at a soft walk, my hooves barely disturbing the lush grass.
As I follow, I notice that he turns in the opposite direction of the fields and my ears quickly flatten against my head. I swish my long tail and shadow the man until he comes to a old dilapidated barn used to house the oxen-like animal that they use in transporting the crops. My nostrils flare as I search for the reason behind his going inside, a strong scent of rotting wood and dry hay fills my mind, his scent is also strong, but I detect two other scents that I recognize. Their fainter, maybe a couple hours old, but there's still something about them that's familiar. With a jolt I realize why, it's Sheppard's and McKay's.
I throw my head back as my right hind hoof strikes the moist soil under me. With a slight rumble of suspicion in my throat, I slowly enter the barn to see mounds of hay piles against the wall, in three of the stalls I see those ox grazing peacefully on their meal. But no man, and no exit that he could have used that I wouldn't have seen him use. My ears flatten hard to my head and my tail lashes out behind me.
I don't like being outmatched, mostly because it rarely happens and I'm not use to it, but especially when I don't like the person who did it. Uneasy at the thought of being beaten, I flare my nostrils again and search for his scent. I discover a faint trail mix in with all the other scents, Sheppard's and McKay's included, and I follow it to a larger than usual pile of hay. I snort in annoyance before reaching out and biting a hank of hay and throwing it to the side. I repeat this process four more times before I see something under the hay that isn't suppose to be there.
I pull the rest of the feed off to see a metal hatch that reeks of oil. My gaze falls to primitive latch and I reach out and grip it between my teeth and thrusting upward, suddenly grateful for the coating of oil as the effort results in silence. Positioning myself partially behind the hatch I pull the handle connected to the top until it fall backwards on top of the thick hay. Cautiously, I peak over the rim into the darkness below, it takes only a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the sudden change in lighting and I can see the corridors made of concrete branching out from the ladder leading down.
Well, I suppose this explains the man's sudden disappearance, and I also suppose that everyone's somewhat entitled to their own secrets, but why would Sheppard and McKay come here?
The only thing that I can figure is that something down there had a power signature that McKay picked up.
If that is the case, it looks like they weren't suppose to investigate.
Sighing, I survey the wide opening of the hatchway and the easily ten foot drop down. If I was in my two-legged form, I'd laugh at how easy it would have been, even now I would have laughed if I could because the only problem I'm having is that I've never done this as a horse. Also, hooves make noise on concrete whether your real horse or vampire. I lift my right front hoof up onto the rim of the hatch and lean forward to better judge the surrounding area, no one around. I pull my other front hoof up and tense my back legs for the jump in, I push against the creaky wooden floor at the same time that I push with my front.
When my hooves hit solid concrete the reverberating clash sounds down the hallways, if no one had known that I was here they do now. I glance around before I realize that I'm standing in front of a small cliff overlooking a mini canyon filled with a little industrious city, complete with waterfall. The Genii aren't so simple as they let on.
Running footsteps alert me to company, my left ear swivels in the direction of the footfalls and I guess about three persons coming my way. I say guess because the footsteps cover up any heartbeats that I would have heard. Ascertaining the danger that I'm in of being discovered, I leap to my right and gallop down the long corridor, not even breaking stride as it turns sharply. I know that the Genii down here will easily be able to follow my clattering hooves but I also know that what ever they think their capable of I can easily deflect. Their underground city is unexpected but they are still less advanced then Earth.
I make random turns until I come across Sheppard's scent, I slid to a stop as I look up and down the hallway that his scent spans. I detect nothing to the left so I head right at a careful trot, I stretch my strides to reduce the number of times my hooves strike stone and to quicken my pace enough that I stay ahead.
Sheppard's scent suddenly veers to a solid metal blast door, I catch a hint of McKay and the man's as well. I slow to a stop in front of the daunting door and strain my ears toward it, I hear a voice that doesn't belong to either Sheppard or McKay so I figure it's the man's.
" What's this?" he sound kinda gravely.
" It's a very fragile piece of technology so please don't-" something clatters and cuts off McKay's sentence.
" And what about these?"
" We're not at liberty to say." Sheppard sounded strained.
" Fine, be that way. But tell me, where can I get some of this... C-4?"
I swish my tail before turning around and placing my hindquarters toward the door, let's see if a rusty blast door can stand up to a vampire assault. I flex my neck muscles as I kick out, the metallic clash is drowned out by the screech of metal against metal. I glance over my shoulder to see two indentation in the door in the shape of my hooves. Turning back around, I kick out again only much harder, and I feel the metal give way under my right hoof. I kick again and this time I hear something snap above me and I jump forward in case of a trap. I whirl around to see the door falling into the room, I catch a glimpse of Sheppard and McKay before the door hits and dust and dirt and who knows what else was flung up into the air.
I lope forward a stride and jump onto the fallen door, I see the man standing across from Sheppard and McKay with a round barreled handgun pointed at them. I see shock flash across his face as he makes out my shape through the settling dust.
" What is this?" his question is aimed at the two men.
" Our back-up." McKay sounded smug.
" But this is just that animal you brought, I thought it was to trade."
" You thought wrong."
My ears disappeared into my mane as I bared my teeth at the man. I hissed in warning as he turned his round gun on me and cocked the trigger, but before anything could happen I heard a spit behind me followed by a sharp pain in my left hindquarter. I whip my head around to see a primitive dart with it's needle sunk into my skin. Oddly enough, I notice that I can't feel my left hind leg and that the sensation is spreading up my spine.
" Faith?" Sheppard's voice sounded far away as the sensation spread to my head, I didn't feel tired but it felt like my blood was running slower through my veins.
I saw the ground rush up toward me but I couldn't stop myself or lessen my impact, I groaned in pain as my body crashed down. My vision blurred as more shapes appeared, then I knew nothing more.
" You're the reason the Wraith awoke!" the shouted words sounded as though heard through a tunnel, reverberating through my head over and over again while giving me a massive headache.
" Well, they were going to wake up anyway, and we didn't mean for it to happen." I would know Sheppard's voice anywhere, if only it didn't bounce off the inside of my skull.
The pounding in my head intensified to the point that I couldn't make out words to the mumbled voices, I could barely hear myself think. On a brighter note, the thirst coming from my throat wasn't much and could easily be ignored, for now.
Slowly, I could feel my strength returning, but the pounding didn't lessen. Opening my eyes, I see the same dull gray cement around me but in front of me I see a long wooden table with people sitting and eating. My nostrils widen slightly as I take in the scents of the room, wood, people that I have never met before, Teran and Sora, the man, and my team.
Against the wishes of my head, I lift myself up until my hooves are curled under me and my neck is arched gracefully. All bit that I am tense with the headache, on the outside I would appear just as relaxed as I ever am.
" Sheppard? What's going on?"
I saw his eyes flicker to me and I heard his sigh of relief, but he shakes his head and gestures toward the people across from them, the Genii. I nod and carefully push myself so that I can stand, I hear Sora gasp and the clicks of guns cocking, and ignore them all. I arch my back to stretch the tense muscles, as well as my neck, before calmly walking up behind my team and stopping. I can feel dust particles clinging to my coat and irritating my skin, with an annoyed toss of my head I shake until a nice cloud of dust fills the air and sinks to the ground.
Sheppard glances at me with his unspoken question, I nod my head in answer knowing he would have asked if I was all right.
" What is the thing? I've never seen such a beast in all my years." the man asks while eying me.
" Who is that?"
Sheppard answers both of us, " Kowen, there is no real answer to that one. Faith, at least in this Galaxy, in one of a kind."
" But what is she?" Kowen, finally, a name to scorn him with.
" They called her a horse when they first arrived." Sora offered.
" Do you have any more of these... horses?"
" Even if we did I wouldn't subject them to him."
" No, afraid not."
" That's unfortunate, I suppose we'll have to settle for your entire stock of C-4 and one of these... Puddle Jumper's, as payment."
" What payment?" McKay was quick at the draw.
" For awakening the Wraith."
Sheppard focuses on Kowen, " Can we talk in private?"
Kowen nods and rises from his seat followed by Sheppard, then they leave through another blast door.
I strike the ground with my hind hoof to show my displeasure at letting him go alone, if it had been up to me I would have been right behind him.
I don't pay any attention to the Genii left in the room and allow them all to have whatever blame competition they want, all I know is that Sheppard has been gone now for fifteen minutes and counting.
" Okay guys, head up to the surface. I made a deal with Kowen and I'll explain when you get up here."
I heard Sheppard's voice from their radios and watched as everyone stood up, McKay patted my shoulder as he passed and I followed after him. I did my best to memorize the path we took through the maze of corridors but my head was still pounding and I would have had trouble navigating a Hive ship, and that's saying something.
I stayed behind as the others climbed the ladder up to the hatch, when they had all cleared I jumped up and over the rim to land on the soft hay. Trotting after them I catch up in time to see a Jumper and Sheppard waiting for us, but at a miniscule shake of the head from him I stop in my tracks.
" What?"
" This is part of the deal, I made Kowen believe that you are our most prized possession, which isn't to far from the truth. We have to go on a little mission and your collateral. Don't worry though, we'll be back to claim you."
I was speak-less at his words, they weren't only leaving their most irreplaceable member behind with a people that they KNOW they can't trust completely but they were using me as collateral! I neighed my defiance, for all the good it did. Sheppard, Teyla, Ford, McKay, Teran, and Kowen went aboard the Jumper and flew toward the Gate.
I watched as the Gate deactivated and my head dropped in dismay while my tail drooped. A rope flew in front of me and my head shot up but not quick enough as the rough noose settle and tightened around my neck. I whip my head around to two Genii men pulling the rope with all their might, then another cord flew over my head and I turned to see two more.
Their trying to trap me.
The realization hit me and I felt something inside me rush to the surface, something primal, something instinctive. My natural vampire instincts for survival urged me to either flee these men or fight, but I was still hindered by my oppressive headache. Feeling like my head is turning to mush, I scream my defiance and rear up on my powerful hind legs. The unkind ropes cut into my sensitive vampire skin and blood starts to flow freely from the wounds. I paw the air in front of me with my front hooves and I feel another sharp pain, only this time in the side of my neck.
I shake my head and neck furiously, a second dart falls to the ground. Even as I see what has just happened, I start to feel the numb sensation spreading with each pump of my heart. Though something is different this time, I may feel the numbness but I still have control of my body.
Unfortunately, the pounding in my head as just developed ten-fold. I don't want to aggravated my head anymore than I have to so I stop thrashing and stand with the ropes still cutting into my flesh.
" Why isn't it going down?" the voice belonged to one of the men hanging onto the first rope.
Another man appears from the trees to my right with what looks like a blow gun, " I don't know," he looks at the gun in his hands before returning back to me, " maybe it has built up a resistance to the formula. I don't see how it could have so quickly, but it's the only reason that makes sense."
" Hit it again!"
Mr. Blow Gun shakes his head, " With the speed it has resisted with already another hit will only make next time worse. Better to get it back to the barn and put the Cutter's on as quickly as possible."
The ropes suddenly pulled my neck forward and forced me to step after the pressure to not choke myself, my ears pulled back as the momentary lack of oxygen makes my head feel like it's about to explode. My legs drag with each step I take as the grasses catch on my hooves.
I lift my head as high as I can through the ropes as the barn nears, fear invading my system as I recall what awaits me here, something call Cutter's. My legs lock and I'm forced to stretch my neck out as the men pull harder, the rope slides up to my throat and tightens. I hear a crack behind followed by a searing pain along my hindquarters, I leap forward a few steps before looking behind me to see Mr. Blow Gun holding a slightly barbed whip, my blood coating the terrifying thing. He raises the whip again and I side step and limp after the men toward the barn.
" See? Even a beast can be taught." he yelled behind me toward the men who laughed with amazement.
I was lead into the barn and placed inside one of the empty stall far from the ox things, my ropes were tied onto post on either side of me while Mr. Blow Gun went outside. When he came back he had a set of thin metal coils with him instead of the whip. My relief at the whips disappearance is short lived as the four men hang off the ropes, forcing me to lower my head as he nears.
The thin metal is chilled against my face and I feel him place the thing behind my ears, under my throat, over and under my nose, inside my mouth, and across the front of my face in an X pattern. I notice that two long strands are left and that they have been covered by some sort of braided cloth. He walks beside me and throws the braids until they hang over my withers in a western fashion.
With a couple a failed tries, he finally manages to jump onto my high broad back. He picks up the braids and pulls slightly, the pain that flashes across every inch of my face makes me tuck my nose as close to my chest as possible in hope of lessening the pain.
From the corner of my tearful eyes, I see the men cut the ropes and step back. I want desperately to burst through them and outside but I flinch at what Mr. Blow Gun on my back would do with what I assume is the Cutter's. He kicks his heels against my sides and I walk forward at an awkward pace as each step brings my knees within an inch of my pained face.
The Cutter's along my nose and mouth tighten and I feel them break through the skin, I stop quickly in the hope that they will be loosened, they are but only slightly.
" Come on! Let's see what this beast can do!"
Keeping the Cutter's snugly in place, my sides explode in pain as he kicks me with all his might. Automatically, I leap into a gallop to get away from what pains me but all he does is kick harder. I restrain myself from entering vampire speeds but only just. I know that those speeds will do nothing to help me, except maybe cut my face off.
And for those reasons I can't even try to buck him off.
I sense of joy washes through me when I feel him sliding off with my jumbled gallop, but when he pulls back and the Cutter's slice deeper into my skin I snap my eyes closed and lock my legs. Mr. Blow Gun slams into the back of my neck at my sudden stop, and I regret it as quickly as he jerks the Cutter's back.
My blood is starting to run in mini rivers from the growing wounds on my head, with each huff of air through my nostrils more and more blood enters and sprays out.
" Behave you beast or this will be the least of your problems." I feel his weight shift forward and his fingers searching through my mane before I notice him grasp something and pull, the Cutter he had placed under my throat tightens and I feel the thing break the skin there as well. My ears flatten instinctively, and just as instinctively I reach back to bite his leg, but when the Cutter's cut harshly into my face I give it up.
Where are you, Major?
"Kowen has returned."
The voice over the Genii radio is garbled but clear, and not a minute to soon. I know that my will is strong, ten thousand years of living with Wraith will do that, but no one or nothing should ever have to suffer what I am right now. I fought, as anyone would, and I was punished repeatedly. Not only is my face and mouth dripping with my own blood, my throat was sliced open as a punishment and even though it healed Mr. Blow Gun has kept a steady pressure on it so a stream of blood is flowing down my neck and legs.
My head is tucked, my ears are limp, and flinch every time I feel the whip brush against my right shoulder. I can't walk smoothly from the slashes of the whip that have yet to heal. The wounds and bleeding have greatly hindered my ability to heal so I've tried to please him to give him no reason to hurt me, so far this course of action has worked.
The nudge makes me flinch but I quicken into a trot in the direction of the Gate, I see the Genii stationed around the clearing as the hum of the Jumper's engines fills the air.
Through the trees I see Kowen exit the Jumper before my team, he walks to Sora and a few other Genii. Suddenly, he turns around and those hiding in the trees jump forth with round guns raised. I feel the kick and jump forward and burst through the bushes, I lope toward my team but I respond to pressure of the Cutter's.
" What is this, Kowen?"
" I'll take the data storage device, all the C-4 you have with you, and your ship."
Sheppard glances toward me and I see him wince at my appearance, " What about, Faith?"
" We'll keep it as well."
He turns back to Kowen and I see a glint of something in his eyes, " I don't think so. Jumper's 3 and 4, execute!"
Above me I see the two Jumper's appear as their cloaks are turned off, weapons visible. Ford walks forward and grabs the data storage thingy before heading back toward them.
Sheppard turns toward me and raises his P-90 to Mr. Blow Gun, " Get down and take those... things, off." it wasn't a request.
I cringe as the whip runs across my back as he slides off, when he goes to take off the Cutter's I scream in agony as the metal rips off the few stable scabs I was able to produce. Relieved to be free of the thing, I limp toward Sheppard and press my bloody head into his shoulder.
I follow as everyone loads up into the Jumper and I sigh as I hear the hydrolic behind me. With the knowledge that I am safe I fall onto the one of the seats as I simultaneously change my form. The white cotton dress is soon covered with fresh blood.
My eyes slowly close and I welcome the blackness promised by it, when I open them next I see the infirmary around me and a bag connected to each arm both of which are half empty.
" How is she, Carson?" Dr. Weir's voice sounded worried.
" I don't know, she lost a lot of blood."
I turn my head to the left to see Dr. Beckett and Dr. Weir talking with there heads close together. I open my mouth to tell them I'm fine when I discover the stiff bandage stuck to my throat and my face. I reach up to feel the wet material under my finger tips.
My eyes open wide when I pull them away to see a thin coating of blood, I had bled very badly, maybe I wasn't so fine. No, I was now.
I nod to myself, " I'm fine, Elizabeth."
The two of them whirled around and rushed forward but I raised my clean hand up to stop them, " I'm fine, but I would like to rest some more before the interrogation if you don't mind. Thank you." I closed my eyes and turned away before they could say or do any more.