Chapter------5
Carter knew there was no way she could stop what was going to happen to Mitchell, but she'd promised herself that she'd be there when the Tarleans 'punished' him. She knew Jackson and Teal'c and everyone at Cheyenne Mountain were trying to find some way of getting Mitchell away from his tormentors, but so far no one had a clue to how it could be done.
Carter knew they could mount a military rescue, but the IOA in a show of stupidity refused to allow it. It ticked her off that they could be so callous with Mitchell's life, but nothing they could say or do would change the IOA's decision. Landry had given her permission to go back to Tarlia and state their case, but she didn't hold much hope that Shinara would listen to her.
Carter stepped through the gate and walked slowly along the trail leading to the Tarlean city and hoped she could at least convince them to let her see the captive. She could hear music in the distance, but had no idea what it meant and hoped it was not more bad news, because what was happening could not get any worse.
Carter entered the city limits and quickly made her way to the structure where Cameron Mitchell was imprisoned. There were Tarleans everywhere she looked and they all bore that look of morbid excitement that people got when they expected someone to suffer.
Carter spotted Shinara near a batch of colorful flowers that resembled Geraniums, and hurried toward her. The Tarlean woman seemed to be deep in thought and Sam wished she knew what she was thinking. "Shinara, what you're doing is wrong."
"I thought you returned to your world," Shinara observed.
"I did, but I told you I would be back. Where is Cameron Mitchell?"
"He has been returned to his prison to wait the second of the ten deaths of Skar'bri'osh," the woman told her.
"Shinara, listen to me…you don't have to do this. You can stop what's happening…"
"Why would I do that, Colonel Carter? Colonel Mitchell was convicted by our laws and he must complete his punishment."
"What you're doing to him is cruel and if it continues you could do irreparable damage to him."
"It does not matter."
"What do you mean it doesn't matter?" Carter asked angrily.
"At the end of the Skar'bri'osh he will be buried with the others…"
"You can't…I thought," the colonel stammered.
"What? You thought we would send him back to you?" Shinara snapped. "Did you really think he would get off that easy?"
"You call dying ten times getting off easy, because if that's the case your people have a sick outlook on life."
"My people were not the ones spying on your people, Colonel."
"Shinara, what if I told you Dr. Randolph is not who he appears to be?"
"What do you mean?"
"Randolph has disappeared, but he contacted the SGC just before I left. He may have used the IOA to cover his real reason for coming here. We believe he…"
"It does not matter, Colonel," Shinara told her and stood up. "He is one of your people and he was sent here to spy…"
"No, he was sent here to open talks with you about becoming allies…"
"Spying on us is not opening talks," the Tarlean woman told him. "I must go prepare the next part of the Skar'bri'osh."
"Please, Shinara, think about what I've told you."
"It will not change what Colonel Mitchell must face," Shinara told her.
"I would like to see Cam."
"I will leave word with the guards that you be allowed inside his cell, but you do not have much time."
"At least it's something," Carter snapped as she watched the other woman leave.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
Cameron Mitchell opened his eyes and shifted on the bed, moaning as he tried to sit up. He had no idea why he felt like he'd been run over by his grandfather's prize bull, but he knew there had to be a reason. He rubbed at his eyes as a headache began to build and winced when he glanced around his prison.
"What the hell," he whispered and stood up, closing his eyes as the room seemed to tilt on an axis. It took some time before he was able to open his eyes without feeling as if he was standing on a swaying bridge with high winds making it even more difficult to stand still.
"Cam, are you all right?"
"Sam, how…what are you doing here?"
"Shinara gave me permission to see you. How do you feel?"
"I don't know, Sam…I guess I'm tired," Mitchell answered as she moved toward him. He sank back on the bed and sighed heavily when she sat beside him.
"I…I wish there was something I could do to stop this, Cam, but the Tarleans don't seem to give a damn whether we're behind their problems or not."
"Sam, Prionne is not what he appears to be. He's not Tarlean," Mitchell told her.
"He's not the only one."
"What do you mean?"
"Randolph is not with the IOA…we're not sure who he is, but General Landry has people searching for him."
"I knew there was something about that bastard," Mitchell said, sighing tiredly as the door opened, revealing two guards with weapons drawn.
"Colonel Mitchell it is time," Shinara said upon entering the cell.
"Figures," Cam said, standing on shaky legs as he faced his tormentors. "Bring it on."
"Cam," Carter whispered softly.
"It's okay, Sam…it's not your fault," Mitchell said and soon found his arms bound behind his back before he was lead from his cell. The Tarleans lined both sides of the street as if thirsty for his blood to be spilled and he realized it was the same on nearly every planet he visited. There was something that drew people, some kind of twisted need to see someone else's pain and suffering.
"Shinara, please, give us some time to prove…"
"We have our proof, Colonel," Prionne said from behind her. "Mitchell has been sentenced and that cannot be changed…"
"Prionne…"
"Sam, it's okay…"
"The prisoner is no longer allowed to speak!" Prionne snarled.
"Colonel Mitchell, you will be silent," Shinara warned, nodding to the guard who stepped forward and placed something over the prisoner's mouth.
Mitchell could do nothing as the metallic gag shaped itself so that it covered his mouth and sealed his lips shut. At first it felt cold, but if he tried to move his lips it burned until he was forced to remain still. He glared at Prionne and hoped he'd have the chance to expose the man for who he really was, but for now he was being forced to complete his punishment at the hands of the Tarleans.
Samantha Carter walked beside the prisoner and nothing could move her from her position as they strode toward the clearing. There were more people gathered than the last time and she noticed several children were also present. Her stomach revolted at the thought of children witnessing the Skar'bri'osh, but she knew there was nothing she could do to prevent it. She glanced toward Shinara and then caught sight of Prionne.
The man was cocky, and self assured and when he glanced at her a hint of a smile formed as a spark of color flashed across his eyes. Sam knew the man was baiting her, but she would not give in…not yet…not until she had proof of who or what he was. She would stand with Mitchell during the Skar'bri'osh, but once he was placed in the sarcophagus she would seek out that proof. Once she had it she would go to Shinara and expose Prionne and reverse the charges brought against Cameron Mitchell.
Carter could only watch helplessly as Mitchell's wrists were locked in the metal clamps and his arms were pulled above his head. Her heart ached for what he was about to go through, but there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"Colonel Mitchell, the second of the ten deaths of Skar'bri'osh is called the Kel'tek'kor," Shinara explained as the executioner appeared before her and opened a metal case that held knives of various shapes and lengths. Some had serrated edges; others were straight except for a wicked looking hook at the tip, while still others were a combination of both.
Mitchell could not see what was inside the case, but one look at Carter told him it was as bad as, if not worse than the first of the ten deaths. He took a deep breath through his nose as the executioner reached for the first of the seven blades. His eyes locked onto the long stiletto shaped knife as Shinara stepped in front of him.
"The seven Kel'tek represent the seven plains of existence in the Kel'tek'kor. The seven plains were discovered by Kor and thus named for him. Each Kel'tek represents a part of the plains. The first being Kelec, the second Telor, the third…"
"Shinara, Colonel Mitchell has no idea what the Kelec or Telor represents and I see no point in delaying his punishment any more," Prionne said, pleased when other Tarleans began to call for Mitchell's blood.
"It is part of the ritual of Kel'tek'kor…"
"It simply prolongs the punishment when there are other things we could be doing…"
"Prionne, why are you so anxious to see Cam punished?" Carter asked.
"I simply wish to see justice served," Prionne told her. "Get on with it, Shinara or…"
"Or what, Prionne?" Shinara spat and turned to face the man.
"Or I'll do it, Shinara," Prionne warned. "It has been ordered that Mitchell be punished and if you do not have the stomach for it then you should step down."
"Do you have the stomach for it, Prionne?"
"I do!" Prionne told her and reached for the Kelec blade held by the executioner. He knew the ritual and knew where the hooked blade should be placed to draw out the agony and twist the ligaments until the victim could not stand the pain. He lifted the Kelec and placed the hook at the juncture between the right shoulder and neck and pressed forward, twisting savagely until the hook tore at the muscles and ligaments hidden beneath. He knew there were nerves that would be damaged as well, and stood back to admire his work as the executioner lifted the second blade.
Mitchell could not believe the agony that burned through his shoulder as Prionne twisted the blade and drove it into his shoulder. He sucked air in through his nose and tried to swallow, but any movement sent a fiery pain through his gums as the hooded executioner replaced Prionne and placed the Telor at his left shoulder. Mitchell's breath caught in his throat as the Tarlean pressed forward, driving the blade deep into his shoulder and tearing the muscle, nerves, and ligaments.
Carter knew there was nothing she could do to stop what was happening and fought to keep her rebelling stomach from reacting to what she was seeing. The executioner continued until the last blade was placed over Mitchell's heart and she looked into his eyes as they clouded over in death. There was very little blood from this last wound as Cam's heart stopped beating. The executioner removed each blade and moved away as the guards reached up and removed the manacles around the prisoner's wrists. They dragged him toward the structure where he was placed in the sarcophagus and she stood watching as a tremor ran through her body.
"I am sorry, Colonel, but there is nothing you can do to help him."
"You could stop this, Shinara…this isn't right."
"There is no way for me to help him…but I will allow you to be there when he is removed from the sarcophagus."
Carter watched her leave and turned to see Prionne watching her. His eyes were cold, and she knew she needed to be careful around him, but she would not let that stop her. She needed to find out what he was doing if she was going to help Mitchell.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
Prionne smiled as he turned away from the scene and headed toward his quarters. Samantha Carter could very well mean trouble for his people, but until he could get her alone there was nothing he could do. Carter had been watching him during the Skar'bri'osh and he knew Shinara didn't trust him. It wouldn't take much for Carter to convince Shinara that he was not who he pretended to be. He entered his chambers, closed the door, and locked it before moving to the mirrored wall.
Prionne relaxed and allowed his body to take the shape of his own kind. His hands elongated, his fingers fused to be come one large sharp claw, while his legs bent backward at the knees. His feet became a taloned appendage, while his upper body reshaped itself in a shell like covering that protected a jellied, segmented body. His head was a grotesque caricature with red eyes and a single orifice at the center.
Prionne, or Shreelak, as he was known amongst his kind, was proud of his physique, but understood the human's of this world would look on him with disgust. Years of pestilence and war had shaped his kind and they enjoyed feeding on the raw emotions and pain caused by catastrophes such as war. When the time came and the Tarleans and Humans were on the brink of death his people would reveal themselves and feed up on the energy released upon death.
Until that time arrived, Shreelak would just have to endure the humanoid form of the Tarleans. With a last look at himself, Shreelak became Prionne and with a self satisfied grin reached for the plate of food on the table. When the others retired for the night he would visit Mitchell and savor the reek of death that was on him.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
Daniel Jackson removed his glasses and rubbed at tired eyes. He'd been staring at the computer screen searching through files that were hidden so deep you'd need a backhoe to dig them out. There were several files on Dr. Jonathon Randolph, but none of them shed any light on who the man really was.
Jackson replaced his glasses and clicked on several keys as another file appeared on his screen. This one was dated nearly ten years ago and showed a picture of a group of friends who according to the headline made a startling discovery in South America. Daniel didn't recognize any of the group and pressed another key, but as the screen changed something clicked and he hit return.
Jackson began reading through the names and frowned when he saw Jonathon Randolph was amongst the group. He counted four across in the second row and double checked to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him. Jonathon Randolph was smiling at the camera and holding a part of their discovery, but that was not what interested him. The doctor was missing the thumb on his right hand, and Jackson knew the man he'd been introduced to had both working thumbs.
Daniel printed out the picture and continued searching the archives in hopes of finding more evidence that Dr. Jonathon Randolph was definitely not who he was supposed to be. He heard someone at the door and looked up as Teal'c entered. The Jaffa was hard to read sometimes, but those who knew him could tell when the man was angry.
"Did you find anything, Daniel Jackson?"
"Maybe, but it's not enough yet," Jackson answered and showed Teal'c the picture.
"What is this?"
"The fourth man in the second row," Jackson answered.
"Who is he?" Teal'c answered.
"That's Dr. Randolph."
"That can not be…"
"That's what I thought, but it just might explain some of the things that are happening around here. If Randolph is not the man who went to Tarlia then we need to find out exactly who he is and prove it to the Tarleans. If we can do that we should be able to convince them of our innocence."
"Perhaps there is more to this 'subterfuge' than we know," Teal'c offered.
"You're right about that…something tells me we're dealing with more than one man here," Jackson said. "We just have to keep digging."
"Indeed," Teal'c said and pulled a chair closer. He had a great deal of respect for the members of SG1 and would do anything to protect them. Mitchell needed their help and he would do whatever he could to help a fellow team member.
TBC