Remember, Never to Forget---28
Rodney McKay was not a happy man, but there was nothing he could do about the delay. He knew Teyla was right in that they needed a plan, yet he couldn't help thinking they were wasting valuable time…time John Sheppard didn't have. Rodney turned from the open window as footsteps sounded behind him and sighed tiredly.
"Suduko made contact with Shariel," Ronan Dex.
"Will she take us with her?"
"Only if we're part of her entourage…"
"You mean her harem," McKay spat distastefully.
"I don't know what a harem is, McKay, but it don't sound good."
"It's not…although there are some who view it as a fantasy," the Canadian told him. "When do we leave?"
"Shariel said there's another solar storm coming…probably in the next 48 hours," the Setedan answered.
"Sheppard might not have 48 hours, Ronan," McKay said softly.
"Sheppard's strong…he's a survivor like you," Dex offered.
"I'm not a survivor, Ronan, I'm a follower. Haven't you noticed I like to hide behind the guys with the big guns?"
"At one time maybe, but lately you've been sticking your head out a little more. You've changed, McKay," Ronan assured him.
"I wish I could believe that, Ronan, but I…"
"Believe it…Sheppard chose his team…he chose them wisely," Dex said as Teyla joined them.
"Suduko is back and Shariel wishes to meet with us," Teyla said.
"Is she here?" McKay asked.
"Yes, she is," Teyla answered and led the two men out of the room.
Rodney's eyes grew wide when he found himself face to face with the most exotically beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Long strands of shimmering silver and gold hair hung down to her waist, her skin held a golden cast, while her eyes were silver grey set in a soft face. She was slightly taller than Teyla and had a softness to her that belied the strength that shone in her eyes as she studied the newcomers.
"If these two are any indication of the males you call allies I believe I need to moe to your world," Shariel said, licking her lips hungrily.
"Shariel, these are my friends Teyla Emmagan, Dr. Rodney McKay, and Ronan Dex," Suduko made the introductions as the newcomer eyed the two men.
"Perhaps I could persuade you to sell them to me…"
"Not for sale!" the Setedan spat.
"Slavery was abolished on my world a long time ago!" McKay said.
"Too bad…you would bring many riches," Shariel told him, running her hand across his chest. "There is much I could teach you."
"I just bet there is," the Canadian said and pulled away from her as memories of his time with Shazzia made him cringe at her touch. He shuddered as she stepped closer, but found Teyla blocking her way.
"Is he yours?" Shariel asked.
"He is with me…they both are," Emmagan said, relieved that Lorne and the others were not present. She knew this woman would see it as an affront for her to have so many virile males with her.
"Very well…Suduko tells me you wish to attend one of Hawk's solar storm challenges," Shariel said.
"That is correct…he is holding a friend and we wish to bring him home." Teyla knew she needed to be honest with this woman and saw the silver grey eyes brighten at her disclosure.
"This friend…does he have a name?"
"He does…his name is John Sheppard," Ronan told her.
"I know he has a slave he keeps close at his side and they were recently fighting in the underground chambers. I believe the slave…John defeated Hawk…"
"Is he…did he get away?" Rodney asked hopefully.
"No, he was fighting for another man's freedom. Tyrel of Glione was returned to his world."
"Tyrel of Glione?" McKay asked.
"He is a young male purchased at the same auction as John," Shariel explained.
"You people really need to realize people are not property to be bought and sold on a whim!" the Canadian snarled.
"Who are you to judge me?" Shariel asked angrily.
"A free man who's seen the people of his world rise above this type of behavior," McKay answered.
"Must I remind you that it is you who came to me for help?"
"No, you don't," McKay grumbled.
"Rodney, perhaps it would be best if you helped Major Lorne with the Jumper," Teyla suggested when she noticed the woman's eyes were darkening in anger.
"I…"
"Rodney," the Athosian said and motioned for the other man to leave, relieved when he finally stormed away.
"Is he always so…"
"When it involves his friends…yes, he is," Teyla told her.
"Walk with me, Teyla," Shariel said and waited for the other woman to follow her. "This man John means a lot to you?"
"Yes, he does."
"He is more than a friend?"
"He is like family…"
"I sense that is only partially true, but it is enough for now. If I allow you and your people to accompany me to Hawk's world then I want something in return."
"As long as it does not involve slavery," Teyla told her.
"No, at least not directly, but Hawk has a friend…"
"A friend?" Teyla asked.
"He is more than a friend and Hawk refuses to release him," Shariel explained. "If I help you get inside Hawk's compound then I would expect you to help me acquire…"
"Is he a friend or property, Shariel?"
"He is a friend…a very close friend who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hawk purchased him many cycles ago at a time when I did not have the means to acquire him."
"How do we know this friend is there?"
"Kudrone is many things. He is a scientist…a healer…and an expert in Ancient technology…"
"What do you know of the Ancients?" Emmagan asked.
"I know they were a strong race, but could not defeat the Wraith. There are stories amongst my people that tell of the Ancients not being from one of our worlds," Shariel offered. "It is said that they returned to their world when the Wraith all but destroyed them."
"If it is possible to rescue Kudrone will he be free or will he become a slave to you?"
"Kudrone was never my slave…he was my consort and my heart has lacked the warmth of his touch."
"I will help in any way I can," Teyla vowed and understood that this woman was not as deadly as her reputation made her out to be.
"That is all I ask," Shariel said.
"Do you know when the next challenges will take place?"
"In three day's time, but we will leave later today in order to beat the storm itself. The challenges are in underground chambers in the mountains and if Hawk stays true to form then Kudrone and John will both be in attendance. We must come up with a plan to rescue them before Hawk becomes away of our plan," Shariel told her as they headed back to the house.
SGASGASGASGASGA
John became aware of voices talking nearby, but remained still as he tried to make sense of what they were saying. It was hard to concentrate when it felt as if his head was mired in thick mud while his body nearly screamed with pain and fatigue. He opened his eyes to half mast and felt as if he'd been gut punched when he recognized the room. Somehow he'd known he' find himself back in Hawk's quarters, but a small part of him hoped Kudrone had been able to convince his 'master' that he belonged in his care.
"You have slept long enough, John. It is time to get ready."
Hawk's voice came from just over his right shoulder and John knew it was useless to pretend any longer. He slowly sat forward and slid his legs over the edge of the, biting back a sharp cry as the movement tugged at battered ribs. "Get ready for what?" he finally managed.
"A new series of solar storms will hit the mountain in two days," Hawk explained.
"Oh crap," John snapped understanding what those words meant.
"I do believe I am short one fighter…"
"Tyrel?"
"Exactly…he was returned to his world while you were unconscious, but as I said that leaves me one fighter short," Hawk said with a grin as Kudrone's eyes grew wide.
"Hawk, you can't be serious!" Kudrone snapped.
"I am deadly serious, Kudrone," Hawk said. "John has proven he can fight and…"
"What of his injuries? He will die if you out him in there!"
"It will not come to that, but you have two days to get him ready for the challenge," Hawk told Kudrone.
"Two weeks isn't long enough, Hawk…"
"You are forgetting yourself again, Kudrone," the bigger man warned and savagely grabbed Kudrone by the arm. "I will not have you speak to me like that again or you will find yourself fighting at his side!"
"I'll make it, Kudrone," John vowed, hiding just how much pain he was in.
"I do believe you will, John," Hawk said as he released the other man. "We leave in four hours so make sure you have the proper supplies, Kudrone!"
"Hawk…"
"You are wasting time, Kudrone," Hawk warned and watched as the other man stormed out of the room before turning his attention to the man seated on the bed. "You will fight, John…"
"What if I refuse?"
"Then Kudrone will take your place and I assure you he is not a fighter, but a healer. He would not last five minutes," Hawk told him.
"You're a real bastard, Hawk," John spat.
"I expect you to fight your opponent just as hard as you fought me," the bigger man warned. He studied the pale features and saw a depth of hatred he'd never seen before and knew this man would kill him if given the chance. He wondered what it would be like to have this man fight by his side, but that was not part of his plans.
John turned away, but his dislike for Hawk raged inside him and he hoped that someday he would truly have the chance to be rid of the man. He closed his eyes as it felt like shards of glass were piercing his skull, and images flashed across his mind. Pain in his chest as something fed on him, a friendly face smiling as long hair blew in the wind, and a worried and heavily laden accented voice spoke to him. A tall tower, a soft breeze, waves crashing against something far below, a friendly, laughter filled voice carried on the wind.
John moaned and grabbed at his head as the memories seemed to run into one another and left him feeling more lost and alone than he'd ever felt before. His gut churned as he struggled with the intensity and speed of the changing scenes of his life and he gasped for air as his body jerked spasmodically. Darkness wavered at the edge of the visions and he welcomed its cold embrace in hopes of escaping the agony twisting through his mind.
Hawk caught his 'property' as John cried out and grabbed at his head. He laid him gently back on the bed and watched the chest rise and fall, relieved that the man seemed only unconscious as Kudrone returned.
"What happened?" Kudrone asked worriedly.
"I believe John's memory is returning," Hawk answered.
"That's good…"
"No, I do not believe it is," Hawk told him. "John has a stubborn streak and if his memory returns he will be harder to handle."
"Why not release him?"
"I do not release my property, Kudrone, you should know that by now," Hawk said, noting the sweat soaked hair plastered to his 'slaves' forehead.
"You could break him…"
"If that's what it takes then so be it. Treat him and get him ready to travel. You will also be accompanying us," Hawk said and stepped away from the bed. He watched as Kudrone carefully checked the unconscious man's injuries and noted the careful way he probed the rib cage. He needed to prove that he was master to this man…alpha to his beta and make damn sure John understood his place whether his memory returned or not.
"Hawk…his ribs…"
"You have already told me his injuries, Kudrone…there is nothing more to say!" Hawk spat and folded his arms across his chest as the man grew quiet. The trip to the underground chambers would be interesting if John regained consciousness, because one way or the other Hawk planned on finding out whether John was faking the memory loss. If he was John would find out what retribution really meant.
SGASGASGASGASGASGA
Elizabeth Weir waited impatiently for Rodney McKay's voice to come through, but so far there'd been too much interference. She knew everyone's attention was on her and knew they were anxiously waiting word on John Sheppard. Atlantis seemed to have stopped since news came that the Colonel was alive and rescue efforts were underway.
Carson Beckett stood beside her and she knew he'd be listening for anything that didn't seem right with the Canadian. Beckett was a hands on doctor and hated when his patient was not within the confines of his infirmary. McKay had a concussion according to Teyla, and Elizabeth understood how dangerous that could be.
"Dr. Weir," the communications officer motioned that everything was ready and Elizabeth stepped closer.
"Rodney, it's Elizabeth…"
"Elizabeth, thank God…we don't have much time but I wanted to update you. We know where Sheppard is and we're…"
"Slow down, Rodney," Weir warned as the Canadian's words seemed to run into each other.
"Sorry, look we're accompanying a woman named Shariel to Hawk's compound so we'll be unable to set up communications until after we get Sheppard back."
"Be careful, Rodney…bring him home," Weir said.
"We will, Elizabeth."
"Rodney, are you okay?" Beckett asked seriously.
"I'm fine, Carson, or I will be once we're home…all of us."
"Just be careful and watch out for…"
"Headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision…I know the signs, Carson. We'll be out of contact until we return to Suduko's home."
"We'll be waiting," Weir said as they lost the signal. "How did he sound, Carson?"
"I'm amazed that he isn't complainin', Elizabeth, then again he's changed since Colonel Sheppard's disappearance," Beckett said.
"We all have," Weir offered tiredly.
"Come on, Elizabeth, let's get something to eat and I'll update you on Major Riggs and her team," Beckett said. He knew Weir worried about everyone on Atlantis and tried to keep her updated on anyone in the infirmary. Luckily there were only two patients and both had minor injuries.
SGASGASGASGASGA
John knew they were air born and relaxed into the seat as if he'd been born to it. He shifted slightly and opened his eyes, disgusted at the sight of the man seated in the pilot's chair. Hawk reminded him of a man he'd once met, but John could not remember when or why. All he knew was that both men were the enemy and didn't give a damn who they hurt as long as they got what they wanted.
"How do you feel, John?"
John looked over his shoulder at the man standing in the open hatch to the rear compartment. Kudrone surprised him time and again, yet John was not sure whether he trusted him or not. He could feel Hawk watching him, but did not acknowledge the man as he sighed heavily and held his arm against his ribs.
"John?" Kudrone said.
"I'm okay, Kudrone, just a little sore," the Atlantian answered.
"Hawk…"
"We've been through this, Kudrone, John fights and that's the last I want to hear about it. We should be coming up on the entrance to the underground chambers in a few minutes," Hawk explained and looked at his 'slave'. "Would you like to take the controls, John?"
"Yes," John answered and felt himself tense as Hawk released the control of the vessel to him. He flew the ship low over the trees, skimming the tops as he watched the screen. He knew Hawk had preprogrammed the onboard computer to make sure he didn't take them off course, yet John felt some control as he expertly handle the small craft.
"Shariel will be here, Kudrone."
"Shariel's coming here," Kudrone asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Yes, but I refused her last offer…"
"Please, Hawk, what would it take…"
"There's no price…I need you to work on the Atlantian technology," Hawk told him.
"I have done all I can."
"No, you haven't, but perhaps if you can convince John to help you it would go easier on you both," Hawk said, but smiled when he looked at the man in the seat beside him. "What do you say, John, would you help Kudrone in exchange for his freedom?"
Nothing was said as the ship descended toward the underground chamber, yet John knew he would do anything he could in order to help Kudrone escape Hawk's clutches.
TBC