Remember, Never to Forget---26
Rodney McKay listened as the others planned their next move. Teyla and Ronan were familiar with Nervula and were offering several suggestions on how to get past the outer rings.
Nervula's atmosphere was often under terrific storms that spread over every inch of the planets that occupied the outer rings. There were solar storms that created havoc and made some planets unlivable, but there were at least four that could sustain life. Hawk's fortress was located on one of them and that meant John Sheppard was there.
'We'll find you, Sheppard,' McKay thought and rubbed at his temples. The headache he'd been fighting all day could no longer be denied and he knew he was going to be sick.
"Rodney, why don't you go lie down," Teyla suggested.
"I'm okay…"
"No, you're not and you won't be any good to John Sheppard if you don't take care of yourself," Emmagan said sympathetically.
"I don't want to be left out of this," McKay told her.
"You won't be, Rodney, I promise we'll wake you when it's time to leave," Teyla vowed. "You're no good to us…to him the way you are now."
"I hate it when you're right," the Canadian told her.
"I know," the Athosian said with a smile.
Rodney stood up and walked out of the room. He made it to the main living area before his stomach churned and his gut cramped. He felt a hand on his arm and allowed whoever it was to lead him to the room he'd been occupying since arriving at Suduko's home. He sat down on the edge of the bed and knew he was going to be sick. Something was pressed into his hands and he wiped the cool cloth across his sweat soaked brow.
"Just rest…I'll bring you something to make you feel better," Kierra told him.
"Thank you," McKay managed just as his stomach lost its contents into the basin she'd placed in his hands. He lost track of how many times he vomited, but managed to regain control as she came back into the room.
"Drink this…"
"Don't think I can," McKay told her.
"It'll help," Kierra said and waited for him to take it.
"What is it?" the scientist asked of the sweet smelling nectar.
"It is made from many fruits that grow wild in the surrounding forest. They have many healing qualities and act as a sedative for the stomach. It will help you sleep," Kierra assured him.
"I don't want to sleep."
"You need sleep, Dr. McKay."
"I know, but the dreams…"
"Dreams are just reminders of what may have happened, but they are nothing to be afraid of unless you let them," Kierra told him.
"I wish I could believe that, Kierra, but I've seen things that should only come from nightmares," McKay said, but reluctantly drank the fruity beverage.
"The nightmares are just that…don't let them follow you when you awake."
"That's easier said than done," the Canadian said and closed his eyes. He felt the calming effects of the drink and pulled the blanket up over his body as sleep dragged him under. 'We're coming, John,' he thought and hoped the man could sense them drawing closer. The nightmares started immediately and a soft whimper escaped, but Kierra had already left the room.
"Blow it!" Sheppard managed, blood spilling from his mouth and running down his chin.
"No…Teyla, shoot the bastard!" McKay screamed.
"I can't without killing him!" Teyla snapped.
"Blow it! God Damn you, McKay, blow it now!"
"Sheppard…"
"Rodney, you have to!" Teyla said as more and more of the creatures came from the back of the craft.
"McKay…please…just do it," Sheppard said and Rodney watched as the bulbous fixture he thought was a mouth formed into a cone that ended in a point aimed directly at Sheppard's left eye. He could hear the screams and could only imagine the pain that shot through Sheppard's body and knew the colonel was dying as his own hand pressed down on the detonator.
"Rodney…"
"I know damn it!" McKay spat, unshed tears in his eyes as he watched the creature slowly feed on his friend. "God forgive me!"
Rodney could feel the despair sweeping through him, sucking the air from his lungs and the strength fm his body.
"Oh, God, I killed him," Rodney McKay struggled with his guilt as the darkness reached out and dragged him under.
"No!" McKay screamed and sat upright in the bed. He reached for the basin as his body was wracked by dry heaves that left him weak and shaken. He slid his legs over the edge of the bed and stared at the floor as the nightmare replayed in his mind. He saw the hideous creature with bulbous mouth and too many arms as it fed on John Sheppard, sucking the life from him in the same grotesque manner as the Wraith they'd encountered.
Rodney ran his fingers through his disheveled hair and let the sorrow and pain wash over him. Every time he closed his eyes he saw John Sheppard's face just before he sent him to hell. Rodney knew now that John wasn't dead, but he was still in hell, one that Rodney McKay had delivered him into. The long months of guilt could not be washed away, not until John was back on Atlantis where he belonged.
Rodney looked up at the sound of footsteps and wasn't surprised to find Ronan Dex standing in the partially open doorway. The big Satedan had easily fit into Sheppard's team and even Rodney admitted that he admired the man's quiet strength. Dex stepped through the door without a word and sat on the bed next to him. Neither man found it necessary to speak, but they both knew it was time to find John Sheppard and bring him home. Atlantis needed him, they needed him.
SGASGASGASGASGA
John sat back as Hawk maneuvered the ship low over the trees. He knew they'd soon be at the underground chambers and that there were several of Hawk's closest acquaintances meeting them there. He had no doubt that today would end badly for him, but if he could defeat his captor in the arena, at least Tyrel would be freed of a life of slavery. Maybe someone would take pity on him when he won and insist Hawk grant his freedom, but somehow he knew that would not be the case. His life meant nothing now, but there was a strength born of determination and he sat forward as they neared their destination.
"What are you thinking about, John?"
"Tyrel's freedom," John answered simply and heard the other man chuckle.
"Do you really think you can defeat me?"
"I have to," John vowed.
"I wish I could allow that, John, but too much is riding on this and I have already arranged for Tyrel to go into battle. When he defeats his challenger Tyrel will be auctioned off to the highest bidder…"
"You bastard!" John spat.
"You're the only one who can stop that from happening, John, but we both know it's not possible. By the end of the day you will bow that stiff neck and admit that I am your master in every way possible. Perhaps I will allow you to conduct the auction for Tyrel as proof that I own you…"
"Go to hell!" John snarled and turned his attention to the front of the craft as it dropped lower toward the entrance to the underground chambers. Instincts told him that his life, the one he had no recollection of, would give him something of an advantage if he could just draw on his training. He could hear Hawk talking to him, but he tried to draw on the strength he felt hidden in his subconscious, but flashes of creatures so hideous they revolted him made him shudder uncontrollably for several agonizing seconds.
"John…"
"I won't let you win, Hawk," he stated flatly and saw a change in Hawk's features.
"I can't allow you to defeat me, John," the bigger man vowed as the craft entered the opening and he expertly maneuvered it through the narrow corridor toward the docking station.
"I guess we'll soon find out who has the stronger conviction," John whispered and stared at Hawk defiantly.
"No, we'll soon find out who is the stringer man…convictions don't mean anything in hand to hand combat," Hawk told him as the craft came to a stop. There were several others already in place and Hawk frowned when he turned to look at the man in the next seat. There was something about his eyes that spoke of a quiet strength and some part of him realized John's convictions just might be his downfall. No, he could not even entertain that idea…John may be strong, but he was stronger and it was impossible to even entertain the idea that he might lose.
"How many of your friends are here?"
"Only a select few, but don't worry, they know about our wager and they will not interfere," Hawk told him.
"Tyrel goes free?"
"Only if you defeat me, John."
"I will…I have to!" John vowed as the other man completed docking procedures and they exited the ship. The corridor was deserted and cold seeped through his bones as they walked toward the living quarters. The lights came on as if they worked on sensors and he could feel the darkness being pushed back as if he was going on display.
"We will go home as soon as we're done here," Hawk told him.
"Hawk, it's good to see you again, but why the sudden need for games in the cages?"
"This is not one of our public games, Syngy," Hawk told her. "Today there will only be one challenge…"
"You and John," Syngy stated delighted at the prospect of watching such a fight.
"John is fighting for freedom…"
"You are willing to let him go if he wins?" Piatra asked from behind Syngy.
"No, John is and always will be my property, but if he defeats me today then Tyrel will be free to return to his home world," Hawk explained.
"You are willing to free such a champion?" Piatra asked.
"I am…"
"Perhaps I can entice you into selling him to me…"
"No, Tyrel goes free…you promised, Hawk!" John snapped.
"Yes, I did and Tyrel will be freed and no one and I mean no one is to touch him," Hawk vowed.
"You let a slave dictate terms?" Syngy asked in disgust.
"No, I offered him a chance to fight for something he believes in."
"What do you get when you defeat John?" Piatra asked.
"He will call me master and bow his stiff neck," Hawk answered as they reached the cages. "Are the others inside?"
"Yes, they arrived just after we did," Syngy answered.
"How many did you invite?" John asked.
"There are ten including Piatra and Syngy, and they know I will not tolerate any interference. If you defeat me Tyrel will go free," Hawk answered.
"When?"
"As soon as we reach my fortress I will have Kudrone assign a pilot to take him home," Hawk vowed. "Come, John, your destiny waits."
SGASGASGASGASGA
"How long will the trip to Nervula take?" McKay asked, wishing he had Atlantis' equipment at hand, but all they had was what they'd brought with them in the Jumpers. They could easily calibrate the data they had, but it wasn't enough because Nervula wasn't in the star system programmed into Atlantis or the Jumpers.
"It will take at least two cycles to reach the out rim," Trazdia answered. They were gathered around the table in Kierra's kitchen going over plans to attack a fortress they knew little to nothing about.
"We're going to need to find out everything we can about Hawk's fortress before we attempt to rescue your friend," Suduko explained.
"We can use the Jumper's sensors as long as he doesn't have any kind of jamming device," Lorne answered.
"From what we do know Hawk believes his fortress is impregnable, especially with the storms that rage through the outer rings," Trazdia offered.
"Overconfidence can get you killed," Wallace observed.
"In this case he doesn't need to be overconfident," Trazdia told them. "I have heard stories about the fortress and the underground chambers…"
"Underground chambers?" McKay asked.
"It is rumored that Hawk conducts fights there and only invites people he has an alliance with," Suduko offered.
"Do you know anyone who has an alliance with him, but does not consider him a friend and therefore has no loyalty to him?" Teyla asked.
"Perhaps," Trazdia said thoughtfully rubbing the beard on his chin. "Suduko, do you still have contact with Shariel?"
"I have spoken with her on occasion," Suduko answered.
"Do you think you could entice her to invite you along on her next trip to Hawk's fortress?" Trazdia asked.
"I believe she would allow me to accompany her…"
"You and your entourage," Trazdia said.
"My entourage?" Suduko asked.
"Of course…don't you remember how we duped her into letting us travel with her to Calaros?"
"She was rather impressed with my royal servants," Suduko chuckled softly.
"Exactly…if we can get her to invite you along then maybe we'll be able to get the upper hand for a change," Trazdia explained.
"She only travels there when Hawk is setting up a challenge during the solar storms," Corbone said. He'd listened to the plans without speaking, but there were things he knew that could make this assault on Hawk's fortress easier. Perhaps if they did rescue John Sheppard his true loyalty would not be questioned.
"How often do these Solar Storms happen?" McKay asked.
"They are quite frequent," Trazdia answered. "That is probably the reason he chose Nervula. Those storms can tear a ship apart, but something tells me your Puddle Jumpers would sail right through."
"The inertial dampeners would help," Lorne observed.
"How long before we leave?" Ronan asked.
"It will take some time to contact Shariel," Suduko told them.
"We need to leave as soon as possible," McKay told them.
"Rodney, we need to have a plan," Teyla explained and placed a hand on McKay's arm. "We'll have a better chance of getting John back if we do."
"I know," the Canadian reluctantly agreed.
Corbone listened to the plans and knew Domitar would pay well for the information he now possessed. He knew he would be considered a traitor if anyone found out, but better a rich traitor than a poor dead man.
"Rodney, you should try and rest," Teyla said as the others got up to leave.
"I will, Teyla, but I can't help wondering what Sheppard is doing right now," McKay offered and walked outside. He stood staring up at the stars high overhead and could almost hear Sheppard call to him. 'We're coming, Sheppard…I'm coming,' he silently vowed.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Hawk felt a thrill run through him as he looked at the man standing before him. John looked like a warrior in spite of everything he'd been through. There was no doubt in his mind that his 'slave' could defeat most opponents, but there was no way the captive could possibly beat the captor. John's hair had grown longer and hung low over his forehead, stopping just above his eyes. Eyes that were dark with a mixture of anger and confidence that would have made a normal man back down, but Hawk didn't consider himself a normal man. By the end of the day, John would realize the alpha male always won.
John felt a chill race along his spine as he looked at his opponent. Hawk's eyes sparkled with mirth as if he found this funny, but John knew that was far from the truth. He felt the others watching them and felt as if he was on display as Hawk slowly circled him. John knew the big man was fast, but he drew on something that seemed to be part instinct and part ingrained training. As Hawk moved to grab him, John ducked beneath his outstretched arms and drove upward with his elbow, catching his nemesis beneath the lower ribs.
John turned as Hawk regained his momentum and smiled at the look of surprise on the man's face. He lashed out with his right foot, but did not finish the move as he turned and expertly drove his right elbow into his opponent's abdomen. The move took him close to Hawk and he gasped when the big man struck him viciously across the lower back. He struggled to his feet and realized Hawk was not holding back this time. The man was out for blood…his blood, but two could play at this game and he planned to be the victor once the blood was spilled and the challenge answered.
Hawk moved quickly as John slapped his arm away with a flick of the wrist that managed to send shockwaves the length of his arm. He turned and lashed out with his foot, catching his 'slave' just below the knee before turning and driving his fist toward John's face. The man was fast, but not quite fast enough to escape the attack completely and his head snapped back as it caught him on the chin. Blood and sputum flew from John's mouth as his teeth cut the inside of his cheek, but John managed to stay on his feet and the combatants circled one another as the spectators watched excitedly.
Piatra sat on the edge of her seat and threaded her finger through the wires of the cage. She couldn't help, but admire both men, but there was something about John that set her insides on fire. She found herself hoping the smaller man could defeat Hawk just to see the look on his face as he stood over Hawk. She winced when Hawk sent John backward with a kick to the ribs, but John managed to stay on his feet and met the man's next attack with a flurry of fists to the face and abdomen. His moves were expertly placed and there was no doubt that Hawk felt each one, but it wasn't long before he turned things around and delivered a series of blows to John's face and chest that staggered the smaller man and drove him against the side of the cage.
John ducked as Hawk moved closer and spun around until he was face to face with his enemy. He spat a mouthful of blood on the floor, his chest heaving as he fought to draw air into his lungs. He didn't bother to speak as he tried to stay out of the big man's reach and was rewarded when Hawk moved and a grimace formed on his face. He knew he'd done some damage, but it wasn't nearly enough to put the man down for good. Hawk feigned right, but quickly changed direction and came at him from the left. His fist connected solidly with exposed ribs and John backed away, breathing through a ring of fire that engulfed the left side of his chest.
Syngy watched the fight with more than a little interest as the combatants circled each other, landing blows as they sought the upper hand. He winced sympathetically as Hawk landed a devastating fist to John's midsection, following up with one to the face that sent John flying across the room. It shocked him when the smaller man climbed shakily to his hands and knees and finally managed to regain his feet as Hawk moved in again. He nodded appreciatively when John used Hawk own momentum and slammed his body into the cage.
"That is going to leave a mark," Piatra observed.
"Yes, it is," Syngy agreed as he continued to watch the battle.
John had no idea how he managed to get to his feet let alone grab Hawk's outstretched arm and slam him into the cage. He pressed the advantage and slammed a double fist down on his opponent's back, sending him to the floor. Again he moved forward, grabbing Hawk's hair and slamming his face into the dirt as cheers and jeers sounded from those present. John fought as if his life depended on the outcome and knew he was fighting for Tyrel's freedom. There was no way he would contemplate defeat, not when victory meant so much to a young man from Glione's clan. No matter how beaten down he was, John would be triumphant. His body ached, but he was beyond feeling the pain now as Hawk managed to escape his hold and turn the attack in his favor.
John sucked air through clenched teeth as Hawk landed a blow to his right side, and a fist connected with the left side of his face. Again and again he felt the fists of steel strike his body and he dropped to his knees as he was hit repeatedly in the chest, abdomen, and face. He climbed to his feet and lost his footing as Hawk kicked him in the left leg, just below the knee. He cried out, but refused to quit as blood flowed from a cut above his right eyes. He blinked in an effort to clear his vision and ducked beneath Hawk's fist, and brought his own up into his foe's gut. He dropped to his knee and repeated the motion, driving his left fist under Hawk's ribs. John knew he could not let up as Hawk dropped to his knees.
Hawk shook his head in an effort to clear his vision, but he knew he'd underestimated his 'slave' as John's double fist struck him in the temple and sent him sideways onto the ground. He coughed up a thick wad of blood and spit it out as John's booted foot caught him under the chin and stars sparked across his vision. He tried to get to his hands and knees but something collided with his skull and he dropped back to the ground.
John knew he was done…there was just no way he could continue and remain on his feet. He staggered backward, shocked when Hawk's body remained as it was. The bigger man didn't move and John heard shouts of approval and several offers to buy him, but he could no longer stand on his own two feet. He dropped heavily to his knees, fighting to stay conscious as a wave of nauseating pain washed over him. He felt blood trickling down his face and swiped it away from his eyes as he stared at his 'owner'. There was no doubt that Hawk was unconscious, but did that mean he won? What if the man came to while he was unconscious? Would he still honor their agreement?
"I be…beat y…you," John whispered just as a dark cloak wrapped around him and he pitched forward on his face.
TBC