Remember, Never to Forget---29
Shazzia looked at Domitar and allowed a hint of a smile as the elderly man sat down opposite her. She respected her father, but had not called him by that title in many years. "Tell me you found me a ship."
"Not yet, but I do have news."
"Tell me!"
"Corbone sent word that Suduko and his guests have left for Hawk's fortress. I believe they have the ships and the man power to rescue John Sheppard."
"What good will that do me while I have no ship?"
Domitar smiled at his daughter and knew she was impetuous and lacked his patience. "If Suduko and the others are successful they will need to return here and I will arrange to have a welcome party ready for them. You could have John Sheppard back in your hands before the next solar cycle."
"That is wonderful news, but we will also need some way of escaping once he is back where he belongs."
"I am also working on that, Shazzia. Everything will be ready when they return, but you must stay out of sight until that time," Domitar told her.
"I hate being shut off from everything, Domitar…Suduko and the others must pay fro what they cost me."
"They will, Shazzia, but we can only do one thing at a time," Domitar warned and stood up to leave. "I will return as soon as Corbone brings word of their success or failure."
Shazzia moved to the bed and lay down as she thought about the man she'd sold without realizing who she had. There were many who would pay to have him, but she would not make the same mistake again. "You're mine, John Sheppard, and I will not stop until you are back where you belong."
SGASGASGASGASGA
Shariel's ship was as big as the Daedalus, but lacked the grace and design of the Asgard vessels. The ship seemed cumbersome and not space worthy, yet Rodney McKay was awed by the technological advances he saw once Shariel allowed them access to her 'bridge'.
Rodney had a lot of questions, but the headache that lingered made it impossible to concentrate and he could feel Teyla watching him closely. He heard her speaking in hushed tones with their hostess and soon felt a hand on his arm.
"Rodney, perhaps you should get some rest…"
"I'm fine, Teyla, do you see this…it's incredible," McKay said and fought the rising tide of nausea churning through his stomach.
"Yes, it is and you will have plenty of time to check out the systems during the trip to Hawk's Fortress, but Dr. Beckett said you should rest," Emmagan warned.
McKay knew she was right and sighed heavily as Teyla nodded to their hostess and led him away from the main 'bridge'. He blinked several times in an effort to control the pain caused by the bright lights as they slowly made their way along a narrow corridor. He had no idea where she was taking him, but he trusted Teyla and soon found her opening a door and motioning him inside. It was a simple room with just a small bed along one wall, yet it was the second most wonderful sight he wanted to see. He sighed heavily and sat down before glancing up at the Athosian.
"We'll get John back, Rodney," she assured him.
"I know…but what will he be like?"
"What do you mean?" Teyla asked.
"The last time I saw him he was in the hands of one of those creatures, Teyla. There was so much blood and then I blew up the damn ship while he was…was staring at me…I did this to him, Teyla…"
"No, you didn't Rodney," Emmagan said and sat beside him. "Rodney, you have to believe he's still the John Sheppard we know…"
"I wish I could, Teyla, but if Sheppard was himself he would have found a way to contact Atlantis. So much time as passed without a word…what if his memory…what if he don't remember us…remember me?"
"Rodney…"
"You don't understand, Teyla…John Sheppard accepts me for who I am. He doesn't just see the scientist…the egotistical brilliant mind…he sees me and doesn't push me away…"
"Rodney, you have many friends…"
"I know, but Sheppard's friendship is…it's just…I can't explain it, Teyla, but when I see Sheppard I see a kindred spirit. I don't mean I'm like him…not exactly…I don't think there's anyone like him, but it means we both seem to understand each other."
"I understand, Rodney," Teyla said and placed her hand on his arm. "No matter what happens we'll help John deal with it."
"I know…"
'And we'll help you through this too, Rodney,' she thought and stood up. "Rest, Rodney, it'll work out."
"Thanks, Teyla," McKay said and surrendered to the nightmares that often plagued him.
SGASGASGASGASGA
John walked beside Hawk as they exited the ship and knew Kudrone was directly behind them. There were several other 'slaves' with them, and they would be ringing the supplies before being taken to the special quarters kept for the non fighters. John held his arm against his injured ribs, but refused to show any other outward sign of his discomfort.
There were several other crafts already docked and John studied them as they walked by each one and wondered if any of them offered a way out for him and Kudrone. He knew there was no point in thinking about it, because Hawk was very selective in who he invited to these fights.
"What are you thinking about, John?"
"My thoughts are my own, Hawk!" Sheppard told him.
"No, John, everything about you belongs to me and it's time you realized that. You have yet to see some of the Atlantian technology we have here, but I can assure you I can and will find out your thoughts when I want to," Hawk warned as he smiled at the woman walking toward them.
"Hawk, it is good to see you have recovered from the…"
"Watch what you say, Piatra, or I will have you escorted from the chambers."
"I was just going to say how much I admired your slave's ability to fight and hope to see him in the ring again soon."
"John will be fighting, Piatra," Hawk assured her.
"Excellent…is it to be a rematch?"
"No…"
"Come now, Hawk, surely you are not afraid of…"
"Piatra, watch your mouth!" Hawk warned.
"My apologies, Hawk, I was only pointing out that John has wonderful fighting techniques and with you as a teacher he could very well be the best to ever grace the Chambers," Piatra said as several newcomers joined them.
"Is this the slave who bested you, John?" a tall, gangly male asked.
"Be careful Drushale, Hawk does not wish to speak of his defeat," Piatra said with a smile.
"Piatra…"
"My apologies, Hawk, I seem to be getting caught up in the excitement," Piatra said and smiled at the slave standing beside Hawk. "It is just that I have seen John fight and I know we will not be disappointed when he steps inside the arena."
"You are letting John fight?" Drushale asked.
"I am," Hawk answered.
"Who will he fight?" Syngy asked upon joining the group.
"Did you bring Glayne?" Hawk asked.
"Of course…he proved how valuable at the last challenges and I was hoping to pit him against Tyrel of Glione this time," Syngy asked.
"Tyrel has been freed and has rejoined his people and I must warn all of you not to take him again or you will be banned from these fights," Hawk warned. "I believe John would make an adequate opponent for Glayne."
"John and Glayne…you honor me, Hawk," Syngy said and shook hands with the bigger man before turning his attention to John. "After seeing your last outing I believe you will provide a challenge to Glayne."
"I am looking forward to this particular challenge," Piatra said excitedly.
"I am sure we all are, but right now I must take John to my quarters so he can rest," Hawk explained and took John's arm before leading him away from the others.
John could hear the excited chatter until they reached the doors and they closed behind him and Hawk. He swallowed several times and kept his arm held tight against his ribs as they walked along the corridor. There was a weariness sweeping through him and he tried to ignore the icy fingers that seemed to be racing up and down his spine.
"Kudrone will give you something to ease the pain and help you relax when we reach my quarters," Hawk told him.
"I don't need anything."
"Do you think it really matters, John?" Hawk asked, but really didn't expect an answer as they reached the door leading to his private sanctuary. He led his 'slave' into the sleep chamber and motioned for him to sit on the bed as Kudrone joined them.
"Take off your shirt, John," Kudrone ordered.
"I don't want…"
"It does not matter what you or I want, John," Kudrone offered sadly as he opened the kit he'd brought with him. He felt sorry for the injured man as he reluctantly shrugged out of the shirt and dropped it on the floor. There was an inner strength to John that he admired and wished he possessed, but Hawk had succeeded in taking that from him.
John looked up at Kudrone and saw a depth of sadness that spoke of the man's inability to act on what he knew was right. He gave the man a half smile and saw a flicker of relief as Kudrone motioned for him to lay back. John did as he was told and winced as Kudrone gently probed the bruised area. He could see Hawk leaning against the wall next to the bed and wondered what had made him who he was.
"John, you need to rest, but I know you won't be able to do that without help," Kudrone said sympathetically.
"I'm okay," John lied.
"I'm sorry," Kudrone said as he readied the injection that would dull the pain and probably put the injured man to sleep for several hours.
John held his breath as Kudrone gave him the injection and fought the lethargy creeping along his nerve endings and solidifying inside his brain. He swallowed several times, fighting to keep his eyes awake as Hawk replaced Kudrone.
"You will do well against, Glayne, John," Hawk said.
"I know…I beat you," John whispered as the dark shadows at the edge of his vision grew to encompass his mind and he relaxed against the pillows.
"Hawk, are you sure you want to do this to him?"
"I am. Leave us, Kudrone," the bigger man answered simply. He studied the relaxed features of his 'slave' and again wondered what it was about him that made him want to not only punish him, but also reward him for his insolence. He knew John would sleep for some time and wanted to greet those who'd arrived early. Shariel's ship would not be here for at least twenty cycles, and he looked forward to dangling Kudrone in front of her eyes.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Rodney opened his eyes and groaned as he sat up. He knew he'd slept longer than he intended and needed to get something to eat before he did anything else. It surprised him when the door opened and Ronan came in carrying a tray of food.
"Figured you'd be hungry," the Satedan explained simply.
"I am…thank you. How long have I been asleep?" McKay asked as he picked up a sandwich.
"About 10 hours," Dex answered.
"10 hours! Why didn't someone wake me?"
"Teyla said you needed to sleep," the bigger man answered. "You didn't miss much…we did come up with a plan though."
"What kind of plan?"
"We're going to stay with Shariel's ship when she goes to the chambers. Major Lorne and Major Wallace will take the Puddle Jumpers and stay just on the edge of the solar storms until it ends. They'll stay cloaked and move into position as soon as the first crafts leave the underground chambers. Shariel says Hawk's ship will be the last one to leave," Ronan explained.
"What about us? What are we going to do?"
"Shariel is going to ask for a private audience with Hawk once the fights are over. You, Teyla, Suduko, and me will also be there and we'll be watching for a chance to attack and hopefully rescue Sheppard."
"What if Hawk refuses?"
"Shariel says she asks to speak with him after each storm and he always grants her an audience. He likes to rub it in her face that he has Kudrone and there is nothing she can do about it."
"Until now," McKay offered.
"Right," Ronan answered with a grin. He knew how hard this whole thing had been on Rodney McKay and loved to tease him, but there were times like this when they had a mutual understanding of what was at stake and both men knew they'd do anything to bring Colonel John Sheppard home where he belonged.
TBC