Thanks again to those who reviewed, and the alerts.

Now on with the story…

THE TIES THAT BIND

CHAPTER 18

John was afraid.

He knew that some would be surprised, those who believed he had nerves of steel, but they couldn't have been more wrong. It was fear that had kept him alive up till now, and the raw throbbing emotion was necessary to heighten the senses, keeping you sharp, but more important – it kept you alive. Now however, it was just making him antsy. His fight or flight response was in full flow, but he couldn't move, and the loud, pulsating sound of the blood roaring through his ears was driving him nuts.

Despite the surgery he endured only days before, the pain was completely gone. There was no question Forant was a brilliant man, and not for the first time John wished the Ancient was one of the good guys, because his contribution to every field of science would have been awesome. Yet John was only too aware his improved condition could mean only one thing – the mystery of the sensors implanted in his body, would soon be revealed.

The lab was shrouded in darkness, but as the light switched on, John knew someone had entered the room. A moment later Janus appeared with a tray, breakfast.

He was starving, and without the neck brace this time, John could see a bowl of cereal, and the brown bag of liquid lying on the tray. Janus set it down on the stand beside the bed, then activated a control attached to the side. Suddenly, John could feel his body move, as the bed slowly turned into a reclining chair.

"What's it to be, Sheppard?" Janus nodded to the tray, tapping the spoon against the bowl, looking impatient.

The nausea had gone, but John didn't know if he could stomach anymore of the revolting goo, nevertheless, he would refuse to take anything if Forant was the one feeding him. "Where's Forant? Or is it you who's doing the honors today?" He asked, keeping his tone light so as not to make the question appear too pointed.

"Yes, it's me. Father's busy, now hurry up and make up your mind, or they'll both go." Janus stood staring at him, with his arms crossed.

Now he had a dilemma. John wasn't crazy about anyone feeding him, least of all a badass clone, but as Janus couldn't help the way he'd been made, John was prepared to stretch a point. Besides, he was hungry. "The cereal."

It was obvious that Janus deliberately dribbled the milk over his chin, the drops sticking to his face and chest, but John didn't care – it was wonderful. The simple meal of cornflakes tasted like manna from heaven, better than the best T-bone he'd ever had. Then it was finished, barely filling a hole, but the traditional breakfast rekindled memories of sitting down with his team, watching the sunrise break on a new day, while sharing food and of course, a little snark. He missed them, all of them, and wondered whether he would ever see his friends again…

Janus was helping him drink some water, but he nearly choked when he saw Forant enter the room. John knew this was it, his brief respite was over, and he wondered what the hell was coming next.

"Morning, John." He didn't respond, but it was obvious Forant wasn't expecting one, as he came and started checking him over. After a moment he stopped, and caught his gaze. "Good. I can see that you're fully healed, so we can now proceed."

"Proceed with what exactly?" John asked keeping his voice strong, but already he could feel his mouth go dry.

Forant moved out of sight, but continued talking loud enough so that John could hear him. "Well, John, I'm going to take you on a journey down memory lane - as it were. I've accessed all your mission reports and have cherry picked the ones which I want you to revisit."

"Okay…now you've lost me." John interrupted, confused. "I'm not on your time machine now, so how can I revisit anywhere?"

The Ancient then appeared beside him with a strange looking piece of head gear, attached to a dark visor. "That, my dear boy, is where the sensors come in. I will activate them to a specific date and time, and you will relive the experience. On this occasion though, every emotion, reflex and pain, will be recorded."

John remembered only too well every mission he'd been on, especially the bad ones, and he really, really, didn't want to repeat those suckers. "I've got a better idea," he said, trying to wangle out of it, "Why don't you just ask me how I felt? Then you don't need to go to all this hassle?"

"It's no hassle, John, although I thought I'd already explained it." Forant's expression was derisive, and John would have knocked him flat on his boney ass if he wasn't restrained. "The way it works is this. I have programmed the missions that reflect the best of your military talent, into this machine. Each time it's activated, the sensors in your brain will spark off the memory and you will relive the mission as if it were the first time. I want to find out how your mind works, John, the way your brain and body responses to danger and stress. How it reacts when making decisions and formulating strategies. In other words, I intend to analyse every reaction you make to find out what makes you the brilliant leader you are. Then, I intend implanting those skills into my army of clones."

Drenched with sweat, John could feel his thin cotton gown sticking to the chair, and beads were trickling down his face. He couldn't let Forant get away with this, but how was he going to stop him? Then something dawned on him. "No matter how much you soup them up, clones are basically flesh and blood, and can only retain so much information – you've done something to their brain, haven't you?" He asked, but had a horrible feeling he already knew the answer.

A tight smile grew on Forant's lips. "Very good, John." He replied. "You are of course correct. Instead of an organic brain, they have a processor which will be downloaded with the information you provide," Then the old man's smile faded, and for a moment his expression became almost remorseful. "I'm truly sorry you didn't want to be a part of this, as a fine leader like you could have taught them so much more. Nevertheless, even without your co-operation, the reactions I glean from your memories combined with their superior physical abilities, will make them the best, most impressive force the galaxy has ever seen."

John could feel his body move, as the chair became a table and he was once again lying on his back. His mouth was so dry he could hardly speak, but he tried to buy some time. "Where are the clones? I haven't seen any of them roaming around." he asked. John also wanted to know because he intended to destroy every last one of them, when, or if, he ever got the chance.

Unfortunately the Ancient seemed to be tiring of the conversation, as he went out of eye shot again then moments later John could feel every nerve ending in his body start to tingle.

"Their pods are scattered throughout the caves." Forant shouted from behind him. "Most are still growing, although some are nearly ready and waiting to be hatched. They will however remain in that state until I get everything I need from you." Forant's voice trailed away, and John wondered where the hell he'd got to, when he saw the bastard suddenly appear by his side. He was given no warning as the device was placed over his head. "Enough conversation, John, now we begin…"

ooooOoooo

John Sheppard was a stubborn, insolent and foolish young man, but Forant admired his bravery.

John's face had paled beneath the visor, and his body twitched in controlled convulsions. His blood pressure had also risen, but as it was still within the parameters he'd set, Forant allowed the memory to continue. He wasn't interested in the missions where John had saved others. Colonel Sheppard the hero, the man who defended the innocent was no use to him. Forant wanted the other John, the warrior who'd taken life without hesitation, or used guile and deception to defeat the enemy. Those were the missions he'd chosen, as those were the skills he wanted his army to have.

Occasionally John would cry out, shouting orders to an unseen team, but sometimes they were grunts of rage - or pain. The reflections on the outside of John's visor were vague, but Forant could see the memory unfold crystal clear on his monitor. It was better than watching many of the movies he'd seen, as this was no John McLean. This was a real man, his grandson, fighting battles with the Wraith, and now an invasion force which had once invaded Atlantis.

Forant went to check on Janus, who was lying at the back of the lab, out of John's sight, receiving each response that his grandson produced. Janus was his prototype, the means to test what was learned before it was passed to the others. He too was wearing a visor but his movements were less abrupt, mainly because they were not his memories, that, and he was stronger than John, more able to bear the strain.

A movement on the screen, made Forant turn around. The large man, Kolya, was looking at the Stargate with rage as John had just killed fifty-five of his men. It excited him, for that was what he wanted his soldiers to be - ruthless. Yet it also made him confused, because if John could take so many lives without hesitation, then why didn't he want to join him? Forant couldn't understand.

He sat at his desk watching as the monitor went black as one memory faded and led to another. This time John was alone in the desert fighting a Wraith. Forant could tell this was no ordinary Wraith, as the being was stronger, more powerful than any he had ever seen. For a while the monster held the upper hand as John was shot, then later, was thrown high into the air, not once but twice. He heard John yelp, and his blood pressure rose alarmingly. For a moment Forant wondered if he should stop, then the images disappeared.

For a few tense minutes he waited until John's pressure slowly reduced to a safer level, then after some deliberation, decided to carry on with one final procedure for the day. Forant knew what was coming, and watched the monitors closely, both fascinated by what was to come, but also prepared to intervene if necessary. This time John wasn't in battle, at least not in the conventional sense. He'd chosen this memory because he wanted to know how John had survived, and why he'd chosen to forge a relationship with a Wraith. More than anything, Forant wanted to know, why, after John escaped, his grandson had allowed the monster to live.

On the screen Forant could see John tied to the chair, and he followed his eyes as the Wraith entered the room. John looked afraid, but who wouldn't, and Forant shivered as he watched the beast feed and his grandson scream into the gag. Then he heard a blood curdling noise - it was John, screaming for real. The resounding echo filled the room with terror, it was a horrific sound, feral, filled with pain. Then he heard the alarm blare.

It's piercing echo reverberated around the lab and he could hardly bear the noise. Forant rushed to John's side to find him deathly still, and was shocked at the blood pouring from his wrists where he'd struggled against the metal restraints. Then his own blood turned cold as he saw the ragged hole in John's arm, and the raw feeding mark on his chest…

He couldn't believe what he was seeing, and started to panic. Forant didn't understand as the machine was only supposed to capture the memories, and leave John with no more than a headache, or perhaps some residual soreness from the convulsions. With a shaking hand he nervously reached for the visor, and was horrified to discover John's dark hair now streaked with grey, and his once youthful face now lined with wrinkles.

Forant ran for the scanner and waited impatiently for it to do its work. The results were just as he feared. John's body had suffered through each of the memories. He had several cracked ribs, a bullet wound in his arm, and deep bruising all over his body. He had also once again, been fed on by a Wraith. It wasn't just his mind that had relived the missions, his body had too.

John's breathing was shallow, but fortunately he was still alive, so remembering Janus, Forant went to check on how the clone had been affected by the experience. Unlike John, his vitals were better than before, stronger, and Forant was pleased to see at least this part of his plan had worked. In a way it was ironic, as Janus had taken the life-force from the Wraith, while John had suffered the agony. When he removed the visor to find the clone unconscious, but no older than he'd been before, Forant let go a sigh of relief.

His grandson would heal, but Forant knew he daren't expose him to any further sessions, until he'd worked out what had gone so badly wrong. It was inconvenient, as his plans would need to be put on hold while he went back to work. Still, this plan had been a long time in the making, so Forant consoled himself that a little longer wouldn't matter, in any case he had no choice but to be patient.

ooooOoooo

Ronon was bored. Back on base there were rookies waiting to be trained, but instead he was on Tynos, playing nursemaid to McKay, who was running around like a headless gruant.

Why? Well, McKay of all people had a hunch. That was usually his thing, or Sheppard's, not like the geek at all. Rodney said he wanted to check something out, and that he'd be okay on his own, but Ronon had already lost one friend, besides, he could tell the guy was wired and needed watching.

"I was sorry to hear about Dr Weir," Hollena said as she led them along the familiar corridor. "She was a fine leader, but more than that she also possessed a beautiful spirit, I liked her tremendously."

Ronon shared a look with McKay, and swallowed a lump in his throat. He missed Weir, they all did, but the moment soon passed, when they arrived in front of Forant's old lab. Rodney was as white as a sheet, and Ronon knew it wasn't just because they'd remembered a fallen friend. He didn't blame the guy, as being back here must be freaking him out. The last time they'd come, John was at death's door, and Rodney had been searching for answers to remove the bracelet which could have taken his life, so it was no wonder his little buddy looked nervous.

"Please, gentlemen, feel free to look around and take whatever you think would be of help." Hollena removed the heavy padlock and opened the door wide, ushering them inside.

McKay barged past him and into the room, but stopped dead in his tracks at the picture of Forant. It was spooky, as the guy in the frame looked just like his friend. Ronon could only make out one difference, Forant, both young and the older version, possessed a cold, mean streak in the hazel eyes.

Rodney eventually dragged himself away, and Ronon waited with his arms crossed, slumped against the wall, while the scientist looked around.

"Have you altered this room in any way?" McKay asked Hollena.

The pretty blonde looked puzzled, as she came to stand beside him. "No. In fact no one has been down here, since you last came."

McKay scratched his head. "I dunno, maybe it's my imagination, but the room seems a little smaller…"

Rodney's voice faded away as he went towards the right wall and started moving his palm along the surface. All of a sudden Ronon saw a flash of static, and McKay jumped back, shaking his hand.

"Shit! It's a force field of some kind, but it's been made to look like a wall. There must be some way to deactivate it." Rodney muttered, still nursing his hand as he turned to his team mate. "Ronon, would you get me something from the jumper? My tools are in a box under the co-pilot's seat."

"Sure…will you be okay?" Ronon asked, not happy about leaving the geek behind.

Rodney rolled his eyes. "Of course! I'm not wearing a life sucking bracelet this time, and it's just me and Hollena here. Go, but don't take too long. I want to know what's behind here."

Ronon grunted, and shot him a disgruntled look at being dismissed, but left anyway. He had a bad feeling about this, but couldn't say why. Still, Sheppard's disappearance had gotten to everyone, so he reckoned it was just that making him more spooked than usual.

ooooOoooo

Rodney was a man of science and it wasn't like him to follow a hunch. The only thing his gut usually told him was when it was time to eat, or maybe when he got indigestion. Now he knew the sick feeling he'd had since looking at the bracelet told him he'd been right. He was sure this wall hadn't been there the last time, which meant only one thing - Forant had been back.

"Excuse me, Doctor McKay, would this help?" Hollena passed him a small rectangular box, and when it was opened, Rodney eyes flew open in delight at the set of small hand operated scanners nestled inside. "These belonged to Forant, one of the few useful things he left behind." Hollena explained, smiling.

"Perfect." Rodney stared at the treasures for a moment, desperate to try them all out. He hoped Hollena meant what she'd said about taking whatever he liked, because he really wanted these. Right now though there was a mystery to solve, so he chose the most likely device, similar to the one he used in Atlantis and scanned it around the entire surface of the wall. It didn't take long before there was a fizz and a flash and the wall disappeared to reveal a very well equipped, and obviously still operation lab lying beyond.

"I knew nothing about this. Do you think this could have been here the last time you came?" Hollena stammered, her beautiful features filled with confusion.

Rodney ran a shaking hand through his hair, and shrugged. "I was hoping you could tell me." Then something dawned on him, and he turned to face her. "C'mon, do you mean to say that Forant could have been working here for months, or even years, and none of you guys heard anything?"

Hollena shook her head. "Not a sound. As I said before, Doctor McKay, no one has been down here in years."

Rodney wandered around the lab in wonder. In many respects it was similar to the labs on Atlantis, as there were bits and pieces of tech he recognised, but somehow it was just…different. In addition, there was a strange bit of head gear attached to a visor which looked like a work in progress.

"Look out, Doctor McKay – Forant's behind you!"

He heard Hollena shout in alarm and turned just in time to hear the gun fire and see Forant's furious expression, before he watched in surprise as a patch of red appeared on his jacket. Then he gasped, as a sharp, fiery pain exploded in his shoulder. As if in slow motion the floor came to meet him, and Rodney could only lie helpless as his world became an agonising place.

Blaster fire and Ronon's yell brought him back to awareness, then there was shuffling behind him, and Hollena was there holding his hand.

Already shrouded in pain, he yelped as Ronon pressing a field dressing to his wound. "Sorry, buddy, but I have to stop the bleeding." He saw the fear in Ronon's eyes, and wondered what had happened to make the big guy so afraid. "C'mon, McKay, you've got to hang on, I've called Atlantis and help is on the way."

He tried to answer, but the words wouldn't come. Rodney felt weird, almost like he was floating above the clouds. Then John was there, grinning at him with that crooked smile, and he was desperate to ask him where he was, but his friend just turned, gave him a mock salute and disappeared. He was shivering, so cold, but the fire in his shoulder was getting hotter with every breath. Ronon was speaking to him, yelling, telling him not to give up, and he didn't want to, but it was so much easier to close his eyes...

ooooOoooo

TBC

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