Chapter------9
Prionne smiled upon entering Mitchell's cell to find Samantha Carter sitting on the small bed and cradling the semi conscious man's head on her lap. "Well isn't this a pleasant picture, Shreeluk?"
"It is," the Jarganian agreed as he closed the door behind him and engaged the locking mechanism.
"What do you want, Prionne?" Carter snapped.
"Your race is a stubborn one, Colonel Carter, but there comes a time when there is no choice, but to make the move that will bring war between you and the Tarleans."
"That won't happen, Prionne, my people know who…or should I say what you are and they will prove it to the Tarleans before long," Carter spat and felt Mitchell move to sit up.
"Ah, good to see you are recovered from your last session in the Sarcophagus, Colonel Mitchell, but I'm afraid there will be no more life saving trips for you. It is time to force your world to make a move on the Tarleans…"
"Never happen," Mitchell managed and finally managed to sit up.
"Won't it? What if word got back to the SGC that you were all prisoners of the Tarlean people and that you were to be executed before the day ends?" Prionne asked.
"They won't believe you, Prionne," Mitchell said and stood up with Carter's support. God help him, but he felt weak and unable to stand on his own, but stand he would and face the bastards who'd placed him in this situation in the first place.
"Then I will force the Tarleans to make the first move. It is a simple matter for me to…" Prionne turned impatiently as Shreeluk moved to open the door, surprised to see Shreelok move inside and close the door behind him.
"Shreelak, we have a problem," Shreelok told them.
"What is it?" Prionne asked.
"I was with the council when Dr. Jackson and the Jaffa arrived. They know who you are and plan to test you," Shreelok answered.
"The council would not do that…"
"Shinara and Binares have convinced them it is wise to find out if you are Tarlean," Shreelok explained.
"Shinara is weak. I had thought she would be the catalyst to bring about the war, but it seems I have misjudged her," Prionne said and returned his attention to the two humans. "It seems we will have use for you after all."
"Get out of the way, Prionne," Carter ordered.
"And where do you plan on going, Colonel?" Prionne asked with a grin.
"None of your business," Mitchell spat, struggling to stay on his feet and move one foot in front of the other.
"I'm afraid that's where you are wrong," Prionne warned and nodded to Shreelok who grabbed Carter and pulled her away from Mitchell.
Carter could not believe the strength in the hands that gripped her arms. She tried to get free, but Shreelok held tight as Prionne forced Mitchell to his knees. "Leave him alone!"
"Now, Colonel, that is not possible. Colonel Mitchell was sentenced to the ten deaths and I am going to complete that sentence before we leave…"
"We both know you're behind that sentence…"
"Why, yes, I am, and that gives me the right to fulfill it," Prionne said and struck Mitchell, driving him to the floor before walking toward Carter. "Perhaps it is time you experienced death and the Sarcophagus, Colonel Carter…"
"No!" Mitchell snarled and struggled to his feet. He had no idea where he found the strength, but he launched himself at Prionne. The Jarganian was surprised and unprepared for the attack and Mitchell pressed his advantage. He fought, using his fists and feet, driving Prionne back until he hit the wall. He could hear Carter caught in her own battle and hoped she could overpower her captor.
Carter reacted to Mitchell's attack and drove her elbow into Shreelok. She heard a sharp gasp and pulled free, turning even before her mind registered the fact that the Jarganian had released her and was doubled over. Sam turned and drove her right foot into the creatures face, breaking whatever bones were hidden beneath its faked appearance.
Mitchell could not take the time to check on Carter as Prionne regained his footing and struck out with his right fist. There was more power to the blow than Cam thought as his opponent seemed to draw on his Jarganian strength. The colonel knew he could not hold out long against the creature and renewed his efforts to defeat his nemesis. Pain was nothing new to him, and he ignored it as he chanced a sideways glance at Carter, relieved to see she was holding her own against Shreelok.
"That's enough!"
The voice came from the doorway and sent shivers of dread down Mitchell's spine. He turned to find the third Jarganian with an unfamiliar weapon pointed at Samantha Carter.
"I will kill her, Colonel Mitchell!" Shreeluk warned and pressed a button that made the object vibrate in a red haze.
Mitchell's shoulders slumped in defeat as he saw Carter kneeling on the floor while Shreelok twisted her arm behind her back. He knew there was nothing he could do, not when they had a weapon and Carter was ta their mercy. He dragged in several ragged breaths before Prionne slammed his fists into his lower back and sent him to the floor.
"I should kill you now!" Prionne said and wiped the blood from his eyes before turning to the newcomer. "Why did you come?"
"I thought you should know that our contact on Earth was ordered to do whatever it took to start a war between the two worlds."
"That was the plan from the beginning of our mission," Prionne said angrily.
"Yes, but it seems the humans are unwilling to cooperate," Shreeluk told him. "He has spoken with Landry and tried everything to incite a war, but Landry refuses to do anything. It's as if he believes Colonel Mitchell and his team are expendable."
"Not expendable, but we have a policy of not negotiating with terrorist or in this case, animals," Carter told them and pulled away from Shreelok. She moved to help Mitchell and knew he needed to be under Lam's care. The effects of the Sarcophagus could be devastating, especially after prolonged use.
"You should take your people and go back to your world," Mitchell managed, surprised at the strength of his words.
"Not until we have what we want," Prionne vowed.
"We won't start a war with the Tarleans," Mitchell told him.
"Then you will be the first to die and then Colonel Carter," Prionne vowed and turned to Shreelok. "We must be sure that his death is final this time. Destroy the Sarcophagus and then seal the doors. Perhaps we can convince the Tarleans that we were sent to destroy them by the people of Earth."
"They won't believe you," Carter said and helped Mitchell move to the small bed. She could feel him trembling, but knew it was the effects of the Sarcophagus and not fear.
"What was that word they used…Subterfuge I believe it was and I can tell you it is something we are experts at. Look how easily we were able to fool both you and the Tarleans…"
"You weren't that good," Mitchell said with a grin. "It didn't take us long to figure out what you were doing."
"Yes, it would seem we underestimated your people, but it does not matter. We will find a way to…"
"You lost," Carter told them.
"The battle…maybe, but the war is still up for grabs…"
"There is no war," Carter said. "Daniel and Teal'c will get word back to our people and they'll find Randolph and any other Jarganians and send them packing…"
"Perhaps, but as I said you and Colonel Mitchell will be dead."
"The Tarleans will kill you," Mitchell said.
"Perhaps…"
"Let Carter go and I'll help you escape…"
"No, Cam…"
"How would you do that?" Prionne asked.
"Ever heard tell of a hostage?"
"Yes, but your people do not negotiate."
"They will if it means one life compared to thousands," Mitchell said.
"No, Cam…"
"I would entertain such an idea, but we already have an escape plan in place and I believe you two might make amends for not following through on our mission."
"The Sarcophagus has been destroyed," Shreelok explained upon returning.
"Very well, contact the others and tell them the mission has failed for now and we will be leaving."
"What of the Tarlean council?" Shreelok asked.
"We will destroy them before we leave. Colonel Carter and Colonel Mitchell will be accompanying us on our trip home," Prionne explained.
"Are you sure that is wise?" Shreelok asked.
"It is the only way. With the destruction of the Tarlean world we will at least gain enough destruction to supply our planet with the energy needed to survive until another source is found," Prionne said.
"Why bring them back?"
"Perhaps they will provide us with answers…I'm sure they know of other planets with viable energy sources…"
"Why do you need so much energy?" Mitchell asked.
"It is not the energy…it is the resultant destruction left in the wake of a violent explosion. We feed off the fear your kind provides upon death."
"You're nothing but a race of Ghouls," Mitchell spat in distaste.
"I have no idea what a ghoul is, Colonel Mitchell, but I'm sure our scientists will find out."
"Prionne, the Tarlean council is outside and are demanding access to the Skar'Tark."
"Tell them we have no wish to harm them, but we are leaving and we are taking Colonel Carter and Colonel Mitchell with us," Prionne ordered.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
Daniel Jackson and Teal'c stood back as the Tarlean council stood in front of the Skar'Tark and addressed whoever had taken control of the premises. They knew Mitchell and Carter were inside, but were warned not to interfere with the council or they would be escorted to the gate and sent back to Earth.
"I don't like this," Jackson said when Shinara turned and looked in his direction. The look on the woman's face did little to ease his mind and he moved toward her as several council members began speaking with Binares.
"Prionne and two others are in the Skar'Tark," Shinara explained.
"What about Mitchell and Carter?" Jackson asked.
"They are also in there. It seems the Sarcophagus has been destroyed."
"That is a good thing. The Sarcophagus is dangerous," Jackson told her.
"If you are correct then Colonel Mitchell's exposure may have already done more damage than good," Shinara told him.
"Possibly, but with treatment he should recover. Dr. Lam knows what to do for him, but we need to get him back to the SGC."
"The council will try to get Prionne to stand down, but if he is a Jar…"
"Jarganian," Teal'c offered.
"Thank you," Shinara said. She knew she was wrong about the people from Earth, but there was still a lot of distrust for the Jaffa. Teal'c's presence was a reminder that Mitchell was not only paying for his people's imagined 'subterfuge', but also for the crimes committed by the Jaffa. "There is nothing we can do if he is a Jarganian."
"Shinara, perhaps you and the council would allow me to speak with Prionne. We have dealt with their race before and we know what to expect from them."
"I will speak with the council, but I do not hold out much hope…not without proof that you can be trusted. Some believe you could be working with the Jarganians."
"Believe me there is no way we would work with them. They have tried to start wars before and almost succeeded, but we were lucky then and I'm hoping we will be lucky again," Jackson told her.
"As I said I will speak with the other council members," Shinara said and rejoined the others at the Skar'Tark.
TBC