Remember, Never to Forget---27
Corbone hurried toward Domitar's place of business and looked around before entering the dull interior. He saw the elderly man seated at the counter with the stump of a foul smelling cigar in the corner of his mouth.
"Tell me you have some news for me, Corbone."
"I have news, but it will cost you."
"How much do you want?"
"20 Shoclaws," Corbone answered hopefully.
"It had better be worth it," Domitar warned.
"I have news of Suduko's plans for rescuing John Sheppard."
"Start talking," the elderly man said and counted out the currency.
"They will be using Puddle Jumpers provided by the Atlantians to travel to Nervula."
"That still does not explain how they will get to Hawk's fortress."
"They don't plan on attacking his fortress. They plan on asking Shariel to allow them to accompany her when Hawk sends out his invitations to the next series of fights," Corbone explained.
"Do they really think they can rescue Sheppard from the underground chambers?"
"They think they'll have the upper hand because of the Puddle Jumpers. They can make them invisible and fly in with Shariel's ship."
"Invisible Puddle Jumpers? That sounds like something out of a child's fantasy," Domitar said.
"They are real…I've seen them," Corbone told him.
"I would pay highly if you bring one to me."
"I wish I could, but the Atlantians are the only ones with the ability to fly them."
"How do you know this?"
"I have seen them and know how they operate," Corbone answered.
"Could this John Sheppard fly one?"
"I believe so, but I cannot be sure."
"You will be well rewarded if we manage to get John Sheppard and a Puddle Jumper. Shazzia will see to that."
"Thank you, Domitar…I will do everything I can to help you and Her Highness," Corbone said, pocketing the Shoclaws before leaving the elderly man alone.
"You heard?"
"I did, and this makes it even more important that we find John Sheppard. Imagine how easy it would be to defeat our enemies if we could get a Puddle Jumper and John Sheppard to fly it. I knew he was special, and this proves how right I was."
"You must stay in hiding until we are ready, Shazzia."
"I will…at least for now," the woman said and disappeared back into the shadows.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Hawk opened his eyes and looked around as he sat forward. It took several minutes to orient himself and remember where he was and why his body ached in more places than he could ever remember hurting before. He rubbed at his face and realized he was no longer in the underground chambers as his eyes focused on the man seated across the room.
"Welcome back, Hawk."
"Where is he, Kudrone?" Hawk snarled.
"He is in the infirmary, Hawk."
"I did not give permission…"
"He's not like you, Hawk. His body does not have the ability to heal itself when the wounds are severe," Kudrone warned.
"Then you should have treated him here."
"His wounds required more."
"Then I beat him?"
"Yes, you beat him, but not before he defeated you. Are you going to honor your promise to release Tyrel?"
"That promise is no longer in effect…"
"Hawk, are you a man of honor?"
"You dare to ask me that, Kudrone?"
"Your reputation is built on your word, My Friend, and you invited several people to attend this challenge. They all saw your defeat at John's hands and if you go back on your word then you will lose face with them."
"Damn you, Kudrone," Hawk warned and raised his hand to the other man before slamming it into the wall beside his bed.
"I take it you will be returning Tyrel to his world?"
"Have him transported on the next merchant vessel," Hawk ordered and reached for his clothing.
"You should rest."
"I will rest once I see a certain slave and show him I am a man of honor and…"
"Hawk, John is in bad shape and I must remind you that this fight was your idea."
"I cannot allow him to believe he is stronger than I…I may have underestimated him once, but it will not happen again. He will be punished…"
"For defeating you in a one on one challenge?"
"Silence, Kudrone, I remind you that you are still my property and I will punish you if the need arises," Hawk vowed.
"I…you have always allowed me to speak freely, Hawk…"
"Yes, I have and you would do well not to do anything to make me rethink that decision," Hawk warned, pulling on his robe and making his way to the door. "Perhaps you should wait here."
"No, I think I should come with you in case you lose your temper with John. I was serious when I told you that he is badly injured."
"Tell me what injuries he sustained," Hawk said as they left the room.
"Several broken ribs, concussion, not to mention the damage he did to his wrist because he used it before it was completely healed. I had to set those bones again," Kudrone told him.
"That hardly sounds serious," Hawk offered.
"Not to you, but John's been through so much that his body is worn down. He needs to be given time to heal," Kudrone told him.
"He must be punished for putting me in this position."
"You mean he must be punished for proving he is alpha…"
Hawk reacted on instincts and grabbed the other man around the throat, lifting him off his feet and pressing him against the cold wall. He snarled, baring his teeth as leaned in closer and breathed through his nostrils. "I will not warn you again, Kudrone! From now on you will call me Master Hawk and you will remember your place with me! I will not allow you to speak to me like that ever again! Do you understand me now?"
"Yes…"
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, Master Hawk!" Kudrone managed, breathing heavily once the bigger man released him.
"Don't ever make the mistake of thinking you are above my other slaves, Kudrone," Hawk warned, striding toward the infirmary. He shoved open the door and stepped inside. Of the four beds only one was occupied and he walked slowly toward it, studying the pale, but battered features. John's eyes were closed and his head was turned slightly to the left, his right leg was drawn up, while the left was bent slightly at the knee. The right wrist was once again encased in a brace that would keep it from any new damage, while bruises were visible above the blanket that covered him to the waist.
"He needs time to rest and heal," Kudrone said, unconsciously rubbing his bruised throat.
"He needs to be taught who owns him."
"Haven't you learned anything…"
"You've been warned, Kudrone," Hawk snapped and turned on his heels to face the other man. "John is my property and as such he is mine to do as I wish. He is to sleep in my quarters tonight…"
"He needs to be treated…his wounds are severe…"
"That does not matter. Bring him to my chambers and treat him there!"
"Yes, Master," Kudrone said the words with utter distaste as he moved to the bed. "John, it's time to wake up."
"Carson?" John whispered the word reverently and forced heavy lids to lift. There were two figures, both blurred and unrecognizable until he blinked several times and brought them into focus.
"John, why do I get the feeling that your memory is coming back?" Hawk asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Hawk," John answered and looked around before letting his eyes come to rest on the bigger man. "Did you keep your promise?"
"What promise?"
"I beat you, Hawk…you promised to return Tyrel to his home," John snapped.
"He will be returned on the next Merchant vessel," Hawk told him. "You will be returned to my chambers immediately."
"Hawk…"
"Silence, Kudrone!" Hawk snarled and saw the man cringe and move back. He returned his attention to the man in the bed and motioned toward the equipment. "You may have defeated me this time, John, but it is you who has the greater wounds."
"You were out cold, Hawk," John said tiredly.
"Yes, but I am on my feet while you take to the sick bed like a woman."
"Teyla'd tear you apart if she heard you say that," John told him.
"Who is Teyla?"
"I don't remember…she's someone I used to know…I think," John answered honestly.
"John, I warned you that if I find out you're lying to me I will punish you…"
"That seems to be your answer for everything," John snapped and tried to sit up, wincing when the movement reawakened the pain of broken ribs.
"When it comes to my property it is often the only answer," Hawk said. "Kudrone, remove the equipment and make sure John has something to wear or he will walk naked through the corridors."
"I'm sorry, John," Kudrone said and removed the IV line that was feeding pain medication into the injured man's arm. "Hawk…"
"Did you forget already, Kudrone?"
"No, Master Hawk," Kudrone snapped. "The pain medication is all that's keeping him from feeling everything you did to him and once it wears off he will…"
"Perhaps that is not such a bad thing," Hawk said as he studied the pale Atlantian. "Pain is a good reminder that you may have won the battle, but you lost the war."
"Hawk…"
"Silence, Kudrone, give him a new set of slave clothing and we will be on our way," the bigger man snapped.
John accepted the plain white shirt and dark pants and ignored the two men as he slid his legs over the edge of the bed. He winced as he pulled on the clothing and stood on shaky legs, searching for something to put on his feet. Kudrone handed him a pair of simple shoes that he slipped on his feet.
"Where is his collar?"
"I removed it…"
"You had no right…"
"He was having trouble breathing and I had to make a decision because you were unconscious," Kudrone explained.
"Where is it?"
"I…I'll get it," Kudrone offered, reluctantly reaching into his desk and retrieving the collar.
John could only stand his ground as Hawk placed the hated collar around his neck and he heard the locking mechanism engage, once more marking him as property. He could see the spark of anger on Kudrone's face, but shook his head before turning toward Hawk and staring into his eyes.
"I see you still have a lot to learn," Hawk warned.
John smiled cockily as he looked at the man who stood in front of him. He knew he'd been lucky in defeating Hawk, but he'd also been able to draw on something from his memory.
"John, you were lucky and I promise your luck has run out," Hawk vowed.
"I had a friend once who said 'lucky is good'," John told him.
"Perhaps, but luck has a way of running out. I underestimated you once…it will not happen again. Come, we will discuss your punishment for…"
"For what? Defeating you in front of your friends?" John asked, a hint of a smile on his face as he turned and walked toward the door.
Kudrone hid a smile as the Atlantian strode purposefully toward the door and admired the man for being able to get under Hawk's skin. The more he saw the two men together, the harder it was to fight his instincts to help John escape before Hawk physically and mentally broke him. John's spirit was strong, but Hawk did not care about that, all he cared about was bending the Atlantian's stiff neck.
"John!"
Hawk's voice was barely above a whisper, but Kudrone knew and understood what it meant for the 'slave'. He saw the rage in the bigger man's eyes and wished he could protect the Atlantian, but there was nothing more he could do aside from laying down his own life. He was not prepared to do that and moved aside as Hawk reached for his property.
John knew he'd gone too far as Hawk's hand clamped down on his shoulder and jolted him to a stop. He felt a vicious tug and turned to defiantly face his 'owner'. He knew he'd been lucky to defeat Hawk once, but there was no way he could beat him now. A part of him wanted to bow to this man, but another part, the part that made him who he was would not allow him to do that. He stood his ground and stared up into the rage filled face as Hawk lifted him off his feet.
"You will never turn your back on me again, Slave!"
"Go to hell!" John cried out as his body was slammed up against the wall and it felt like daggers were pressed into his chest. He knew he'd gone too far, but somehow he understood that was who he was and to do anything less would be denying the memories hidden just out of his reach. He could have sworn he heard someone scream and darkness reached for him just as he realized it came from deep in his throat.
"Hawk, you're going to kill him!" Kudrone said, grabbing the bigger man's arm in spite of the danger. John hung limp in Hawk's arms and his skin had an almost translucent quality that spoke of impending death.
Hawk knew Kudrone was right as the temper that raged within eased and he looked at the slave who seemed so lifeless compared to the man who'd defied him moments before. He gently changed the limp body's position so that John was cradled in his arms before he turned to Kudrone. "You will bring whatever is necessary to treat him to my chambers."
"Hawk, he needs…"
"Silence, Kudrone, Do as I say!"
"Yes, Master Hawk," Kudrone said and hurried to gather what he thought he would need and prayed it was enough.
TBC