"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 49

(PK3-510, Amazon Planet)

The next morning Stacey and Teyla woke up to breakfast that was placed at the foot of the bed. It was nothing more than what looked like fruit and cheese.

"Mmmm, another luxurious meal care of our friendly Amazons," Stacey said sarcastically to Teyla.

"Did you not sleep well last night, Dr. Grayson?" Teyla asked, eating.

"Not really. I keep having Nemesia's memories," she told her. "I learned something from Inara last night though. It was a bit of a shock to learn it, mind you."

"Inara is an Ancient,"

"Yup!" Stacey began to put her shoes on, placing the Sai's back. "Not only that, but as it turns out, Inara is, was Nemesia's sister."

Stacey began to eat. The two ate in silence, lost in thought. A guard had finally retrieved them and they followed her outside into the middle of the village. The Amazons had brought the four men out of their prison.

Stacey took a moment to look around the site. There were hundreds of people gathered around a large circle of space. Inara stood in the middle of it, waiting for Stacey and Teyla.

"It looks like they are ruled by the way of earths Amazons," Teyla said, eyeing the table full of weapons.

"Uh, huh," Stacey said. "It's looking's like it." She said to Inara, "We gonna fight to the death, Inara? That's not very Ancient like."

"Please, Stacey, we are not that primitive. We fight. But, not to the death. As soon as the either one of us is down. The triumphant one wins," Inara paused and continued. "If you win, you may take your men back to Atlantis and some of our Nightmare Tea as well."

"And if you win?" Teyla asked.

"Then the six of you will be our prisoners for the remainder of your mortal lives," the Queen told them, coldly. "Now, which one of you will fight me?"

"That would be me," Stacey answered.

"Indeed. You may chose your weapon," Inara motioned her hand to a table lined up with weapons.

Stacey bent down and took out her Sai's.

"These,"

"Excellent. I am highly trained to use this particular weapon as well," Inara snapper her finger and an Amazon brought the Queen's Sai's.

Stacey turned to Teyla and whispered instructions into her ear. Teyla understood and nodded soberly. Colonel Anderson, Dr. Jones, Major Lorne, and Dr. Harry Dexter were being held by an Amazon Warrior each. The two woman stood on the edge of the circle that laid in the middle of the village.

Stacey and Inara stood in front of each other. A big gong rang. That was their signal to start fighting. Inara stroke first, thrashing Stacey in the stomach. It healed instantly.

"Hey!" Stacey elbowed the Queen in the face, knocking her on the ground.

"You have the Healing Gene!" Inara got up quickly and swung again, this time missing.

"Ya think?"

Stacey flipped over the Amazon Queen and kicked her to the ground, hard.

"You know, we could be doing this all day," Stacey told her as she moved to hold Inara down by her foot.

The Queen was too quick and got up before Stacey could hold her down. Inara kicked her in the face, knocking Stacey down temporarily. While Stacey was down she kicked Inara down with her and them punched her in the face. Stacey got up quickly and sat on the Amazon. Inara wiggled, trying to break free of Stacey's strong, feral hold.

"Ah!" Stacey kicked Inara's Sai's out of Inara's hands.

She took her own Sai's and dug them into the ground, chris-crossing them, only a half an inch from Inara's throat. They were both breathing heavy, trying to catch their breath. Inara gave up on getting free.

"Well?" Stacey asked the Queen.

"You have won," Inara shouted to her guards. "Let them go!"

The guards obeyed and released their prisoners. Stacey took out her Sai's and released Inara. Stacey offered the Queen a hand. She took it. Stacey put her Sai's back in her boots and started walking toward the men and Teyla.

"Let's go home," Stacey ordered.

To be continued . . .