Commander Kraco was personally escorting the slave ship to his newest customers. Several ships had taken off from the planet with the last of their cargo. The Dejah's underground holding area was well hidden underground and kept a healthy supply of slaves for the highest bidders. His newest cargo of slaves included a lost race, known for making an ancient device that increases strength, stamina and durability. The race was thought to have died out and lost long before the Gou'ald domination. However Kraco had discovered them by accident and one of their race demonstrated those capabilities for the weapon, thus giving Commander Kraco a reason to have that ultimate power throughout the galaxy. But they would not reveal how the ancient weapon was constructed, so he enslaved the whole of their simple existence. He had tortured them to entice the one to reveal its secrets. He had no success, but refused to give up, so outside bidders were contacted and the response was overwhelming, especially when the compensation was over a million Crenda. More than his crew had ever made with in one transaction in his entire lifetime. Kraco had also sent out markers on his new set of slaves, wanting to know if they were valuable, and wanted a sizeable reward for them. He waited.
Vala had not moved for hours. Sam, Mitchell and Teal'c tried to wake her, while Daniel never said a word. This bothered his friends, especially Sam. She knew that Daniel could be so internal with his feelings and outwardly he was taking a lot of mental punches at Vala for awhile. But Vala stood up to him and that was unnerving to Daniel. But not saying anything to wake Vala, made her access Daniel's character a little more than just a little brother. It made her think maybe he was feeling guilty for all the things he had said about Vala out loud without thinking about how she felt.
Vala moved, she was moaning as if in a lot of pain. She tried to move on her own and fell back down to the floor. She tried crawling to the wall; it was heartbreaking to her friends to see her struggle to just sit up. Never had Mitchell felt so helpless. He's the one that felt responsible for what happened to his team, but just watching Vala struggle to stay conscious was tugging at his consciousness to protect her. Finally Sam needed to know if Vala was going to be alright.
Vala……….Vala, we need to know if……..if you need some help? I need to speak with whoever's in charge to get a medical kit to help you? Vala?"
Vala's eyes were closed as she struggled to stay positioned upward. Vala said nothing, whether she was in too much pain to answer or just didn't know where she was. Daniel never took his eyes from Vala. His face was unreadable, but his eyes shown something else. Teal'c attempted to speak to her also, concerned about his friend, but he never received a reply also. Just when Mitchell was about to speak, they heard footsteps again. The same men who dropped Vala to the floor entered again. This time the lead man ignored Vala and the other four soldiers stepped individually towards SG1. They pulled out, what looked like a long silver syringe and forcibly injected all four members. They coughed briefly and then felt tired, extremely tired. The four soldiers positioned themselves around the holding area, while the lead man finally spoke.
"Who I am, and what we are, have no bearing here. However so you understand. You have been given a drug that induces the loss of certain enzymes in your system. You must be given and antidote everyday or die. My Commander believes you to be very valuable, yet is not afraid to lose you, if you are not. However, since you have been associated with this Gou'ald, then she will be responsible for taking care of you. Daily she will feed you, wash you, and see to your every need. She will feed you the antidote everyday. She will be beaten everyday until she feeds you. She will be responsible for keeping you alive, regardless. Her punishment for her evil deeds will to keep every slave on this ship alive. She is lucky there are only a special few. You will watch as she is punished daily and if you refuse what she is to task to do, then you will see her die slowly, and painfully. My Commander has plans for this treacherous snake. She is only doing what she had done for eons and now it is her turn to serve for as long as she lives."
Some strange people arrived carrying bowls, what looked like oatmeal to Mitchell. They laid the bowls in front of Vala and left. The four soldiers left, while the lead man kneeled on one knee to Vala.
"Feed them or their death will be on your head, Quetesh." He then stood and left. The doors was never closed and left open, as if to dare Vala to escape.
Vala slowly moved in picking up the bowls. She looked as if she could barely hold her head up, but then she stood with one bowl in her hand. Her hair was cascaded over her face as not to see her. She slowly walked towards Mitchell with the bowl and finally looked up at him. Mitchell's face went nearly white and the beaten expression on Vala's face. She had a black eye and some bruising around her cheeks as if she was slapped around, a lot. Her hair fell away from her face and Sam and Mitchell could see her one good eye. Sam's heart broke at the sight of Vala looking as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Vala dipped two fingers into the oatmeal looking substance and gently put the meal into Mitchell's mouth for him to eat. Vala said nothing and did this again, and then moved to Sam. Both Mitchell and Sam could barely watch Vala do this act to keep them alive. Their hearts were breaking at seeing Vala humiliated like this. They knew if Vala did not feed them, they would die and then she would die, especially now that these kidnappers knew she was once Quetesh. Sam tried to speak, but nothing cam out. But Vala did not stay long in feeding Sam. She then went back for the other bowl and then feed Teal'c. Teal'c finally spoke.
"We will not be long as their prisoners Vala. Do not give up."
Vala looked up in Teal'c eyes, seeing his determination and strength returning. She reached up with her shaking hand and stroked his cheek in silence. It's the only emotion they ever saw. Teal'c could barely bow at her understanding of his words and sentiment behind them.
When she reached Daniel, he almost refused. When Sam reacted angrily towards Daniel, for not saying a thing to Vala.
"Eat Daniel. She will be beaten if you don't, and I refuse to let her be punished for our arrogance and pride." Sam and the others gave Daniel a stern and troubling look.
Daniel took the paste like meal and ate, never taking his eyes off Vala, and still he said nothing. Vala put the bowls down after feeding all of them and walked shakingly back to the wall and slid down, using the last of her strength up. She finally laid down and fell to sleep, or unconscious. All her friends watched her as their strength returned and hers was depleted; they suspected from the beatings; but Sam was the only one so far, to realize that Vala never ate any of the food. Sam was doing what the others were feeling and could not. She cried silent tears for Vala.
A/N: Finally added another one guys. Thanks for the feedback and reviews. Warning though. It's going to get darker as I go along. Reviews and feedback are welcomed.