Remember, Never to Forget--9
Elizabeth Weir leaned against the railing and stared out over the ocean as her thoughts turned to the missing man. John Sheppard was as stubborn as any man she'd ever known and often they were at loggerheads with each other, but she would not change anything about him. John was such an integral part of Atlantis and there were times when she sensed the city itself missed his presence. She knew that was impossible, but it didn't make it any less real.
"Elizabeth, has there been any word from Rodney?"
Weir turned to see Carson Beckett standing in the open doorway and shook her head sadly. "Not since Major Lorne checked in and said they were headed into the mountains."
"When are they due to check in again?" Beckett asked, joining her at the railing and feeling the soft wind on his face.
"Lorne said it could be several days because there's no reception in the mountains," Weir answered. She knew Beckett was worried about the team, truth was so was she, but they needed to have answers and right now this seemed like the only way. If Lorne confirmed that John Sheppard was alive they would have to come up with a plan to bring him home, and God only knew what had happened to him during the last few months.
"If Colonel Sheppard is found there's no telling what shape he'll be in," Beckett said as if reading her mind.
"I know," Weir agreed softly. She remembered when she'd chosen Carson Beckett to be CMO of Atlantis and had never regretted the move. The man knew what to do when it came to life and death situations and something told her that's exactly what this would be 'if' they did find Sheppard alive. The two remained silent and stood watching the sun go down as the soft breeze picked up and white caps appeared on the ocean.
SGASGASGASGASGA
High Priestess Shazzia of Denubia was a woman who got what she wanted…either by choice or by force if necessary. She knew who had purchased John and knew it would be hard to get him back, but she had the power and the funds to take what she wanted. She'd grown up fighting for her rightful place in a family of six kids…five boys and one girl. She'd taken what she wanted from the beginning and learned how to make other bow down to her. Her parents and brothers were both living on their home world, but she'd chosen to spread her wings and make her fortune on her own.
"High Priestess, I have news," Bekha said upon entering her chambers.
"You have found him?"
"I know who purchased John and he has taken him to his world," Bekha answered. He'd already given her the man's name and knew she would understand the dangers of going up against a man like Hawk.
"It was Hawk?"
"Yes, High Priestess. He left for Sheyenne shortly after paying for John. I tried to contact him, but there is a solar storm and it is making communications impossible," Bekha explained.
"Hawk has probably taken his slaves to the underground chambers to wait out the storm," Shazzia observed and wondered how her slave was faring against the larger man. It was well known amongst the other slavers that Hawk chose his slaves carefully and on several occasions he liked to go one on one with his newest acquisition. More often than not the newcomer wound up severely injured was never seen again, but there were a few who managed to survive. Shazzia silently prayed 'John' was one of the 'lucky' ones.
"It will be hard to get him back," Bekha told her.
"I know, but I will get him back," Shazzia vowed and looked at the man who'd stood beside her since the day she left her home. "Send word to Domitar and have him tell Drakar that I want him to get rid of the people searching for John."
"You want them disposed of?"
"If that's what it takes," Shazzia answered.
"I heard that one is a military officer and another is a scientist," Bekha told her.
"Interesting…the military officer….does he have the same rank as John?"
"No, High Priestess…"
"Then he is of no use to me. Kill them and be done with them," Shazzia said and reached for the bottle of white wine that accompanied her meal. She'd been thinking about John since his sale and knew if she did get him back she would keep him as her own private slave, but first she had to make sure everyone thought he was dead. "Bekha."
"Yes, High Priestess?"
"Forget what I said about killing John's people…I have something better in mind."
"What would you have me do?"
"Find someone who fits John's physical appearance. I think we can dispose of the newcomers by giving them what they are looking for."
"John's body?"
"Exactly," Shazzia told him. "We simply make sure his face his unrecognizable."
"I shall see that it's done, High Priestess," Bekha assured her and hurried from the room.
Shazzia sipped the wine, enjoying the tart taste of it as she thought about the future and having the virile male as her bed warmer. Things were looking good, but she still had to reacquire John before she could enjoy the feel of his body. With a heavy sigh she sank back against the cushions and closed her eyes.
SGASGASGASGASGA
"Now that's impressive isn't it," Rodney McKay observed upon entering Suduko's home. The living room had Cathedral style ceiling with tapestries hanging from the walls that reminded him of the ones in the castles he'd visited in Ireland, Scotland, and England. The floors looked like highly polished marble with area rugs scattered throughout. There was a couch and chair placed in front of a roaring fireplace and an unfamiliar animal hide hung from the rafters. A set of heavy swords were crisscrossed above the mantle and several stones cast light on the room.
"I am glad you like it, Dr. McKay," Suduko said with a hearty grin as he clapped his hands. Immediately several servants stepped into the room carrying trays of food and beakers of wine. "Come, we must eat if we are to find your friend."
"Nice place," Ronan said and moved to the table set against one wall.
"It's home," Suduko told him. "My sister and her husband take care of it while I'm away on business. Kierra, come meet my friends."
"Welcome home, big brother," a petite woman said, hugging the big man before turning to the newcomers. "Welcome to our home."
"Thank you, Miss…"
"No miss…I am Kierra and this is my husband Bendor," Kierra introduced a bear of a man who shook hands with Suduko before doing the same to the newcomers.
"Kierra and Bendor stay in my home and keep unwanted strangers from moving in," Suduko said.
"Is that a problem here?" Teyla asked.
"Yes, there are those who think they can take what they want by simply moving into an unoccupied home," Bendor explained.
"We have them on earth too…they're called squatters," McKay told them, picking up what looked to be a chicken leg and biting into the rich tasting meat. "This is good."
"Kierra is a wonderful cook," Bendor told him as the group took their places around the table.
"So, this man you are looking for…"
"His name is John Sheppard and he's a good friend," Teyla answered, watching the way Rodney's eyes clouded with pain. "We were separated…"
Rodney dropped the meat on his plate and walked away from the table as Teyla told the story of their missing friend. He made his way to the window and pushed aside the heavy drape. He knew there was nothing he could do to change what had happened, but it didn't lessen the guilt that surrounded his heart and threatened to choke him. John Sheppard…God if it really was him why hadn't he tried to contact them? If…when they found him would they he even know who they were? Was that it? Did Sheppard have amnesia? Was that why he was incognito?
"Rodney, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Teyla," McKay lied.
"If he's here we'll find him," Teyla assured him.
"I hope so…I know it could have been my imagination, but I swear it was Sheppard," the Canadian told her, eyes glistening with unshed moisture.
"Then that's what you hold on to, Rodney. If you believe you saw John Sheppard then we'll turn over every rock and check every crevice until we've exhausted all possibilities. Then if you're still sure we'll start all over again," Teyla offered with a slight smile.
"Thanks, Teyla…"
"You are welcome. Why don't you join us?"
"In a minute…I'm okay, Teyla, I just need to be alone for a little while," McKay said and turned his attention back to the window. He could feel her watching him, but did not acknowledge her presence as his thoughts turned to the missing man once more. 'I'll find you, Sheppard, no matter how long it takes,' he silently vowed.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Hawk knew his captive was surfacing from the deep sleep he'd been in and gently adjusted the blankets that covered the lower half of his body. There were deep bruises across his chest and Hawk knew he'd cracked a couple of ribs on top of the broken wrist and damaged knee. He regretted causing the injuries, but John needed to learn his place. A soft sigh reached his ears and he watched as the eyelids fluttered and finally opened revealing orbs that spoke of the pain he felt. "Welcome back, John, how do you feel?"
"You should know…you're the one who did this," John snapped, shifting slightly as Hawk's big hand clasped onto his left wrist.
"Didn't you learn anything, John, or do we start all over again?" Hawk asked, anger evident in his eyes.
"You proved your point,' John spat, trying unsuccessfully to free his left hand as a smile formed on his 'owner's' face.
"I guess I did, but it appears you are still insolent," Hawk said, releasing his captive's hand. "I believe you will need to wear the marks of a slave."
"What marks?" John asked, hating how weak his voice sounded.
"Until you learn to show me the proper respect you will wear the chain of a slave whenever we are in public," Hawk told him. "You will be put in leg and wrist cuffs and will be led around by a leash…"
"No," John whispered, but he could see the determination in his captor's eyes. "Don't…"
"It's too late, John," Hawk told him and stood up. "For now you will remain in bed until the swelling in your knee goes down. The medication I have given you should take care of that in a less than a cycle."
John watched as the big man reached into a drawer and pulled out a gold colored cuff. He knew fighting wouldn't prove anything as Hawk locked the cuff securely around his left wrist and attached a length of chain to it before locking it to a hook set in the wall beside the bed.
"I have several things to do and do not want to worry about what you are doing, John," Hawk explained and pulled over a table that held several items. "I know you're hurting, but you should try to eat…the fruits are soft and should be easy on your stomach. I will be back as soon as I've arranged for some sport with the other…"
"Slavers," John spat. He heard the soft laughter as the big man left him alone in the room. John waited until he heard the door close and turned his attention to the cuff encircling his left wrist. He twisted his arm, trying to make his hand smaller, but there was no way he could pull it from the metal circle. He pushed back the blankets, cursing the fact that his clothing had been removed, leaving him with nothing but the blankets for cover. He slid his legs over the edge, gasping when his right foot hit the floor hard and sent daggers of pain through his injured knee.
"Sonofabitch," John cursed and lifted his leg back onto the bed. It took everything he had to calm his nerves and bring the pain under control. He slid up on the bed and adjusted the pillows before leaning back against them and closing his eyes. He drifted toward sleep and let the images flow as he sank deeper. The faces were clearer, but he couldn't quite grasp the names that went with them. One face in particular rose above the others and the blue eyes sent a promise that John latched on to…the promise that help was out there…searching for him.
TBC