Remember, Never to Forget---34
Hawk knew he was letting his emotions run wild as he watched over his sleeping slave. John had succumbed to blood loss and medications nearly four hours ago and only Kudrone had been allowed entrance to his chambers, but he'd sent the other man away once John was sleeping. John's face was pale except where bruises had spread across the right side of his face. The white bandages covering his chest did not quite cover the livid bruises that formed around the knife wound, and Hawk silently cursed Syngy for injuring his property.
The Solar storms were dying down and the other slavers were slowly leaving the underground chambers. The only ones still present were Syngy, Piatra, and Shariel. Shariel was still waiting to have a private meeting with him, but he wasn't ready to speak with her yet. Piatra was in the process of leaving, but Syngy would remain until she was satisfied John would be punished for his interference in her treatment of her property.
John had been sleeping for several hours, but was showing signs of coming too during the last half hour. His eyes moved beneath closed lids and a soft moan escaped tightly clenched lips as he shifted on the bed. Hawk reached out and placed his hand on John's shoulder and waited for the man's eyes to open and focus on him.
"Be still, John," Hawk ordered.
"What…happened?" John managed.
"You were injured when you made a foolish gesture," Hawk growled, angered that his property had foolishly tried to be a hero. He could tell John was in pain, but he needed to let the 'slave' know that he'd made a stupid mistake. "You are not to interfere in my guest's business…"
"He would…would have killed him…"
"That is his right, John, and he would be within his rights to demand that you be punished for your interference."
"Hawk, I need to check his wounds."
"I told you I was not to be disturbed!" Hawk snarled.
"I know, but it is time, Hawk. I need to check his chest wound and the marks on his back or they could get infected," Kudrone warned.
"Be careful, Kudrone…"
"That's what I am doing, Hawk, his life depends on it."
"As does yours," Hawk warned and moved away in order to allow Kudrone to check over the wounded man.
"Easy, John," Kudrone said as he eased the bandages away from the chest wound. The skin around the stitches looked raw and oozed a substance that spoke of infection and Kudrone silently wished they were back in Hawk's fortress. He knew he had to clean it and the whip marks that criss-crossed his back, but hated the idea of causing more pain.
Hawk stood back and watched Kudrone work and knew the man was doing everything he could to make sure John's wounds were kept clean. He leaned against the wall and watched John's face and frowned when he thought about the name John seemed to speak so often when he wasn't thinking straight.
Rodney…that name had been said on several occasions and whether she knew it or not, Shariel had brought along a man who could very well be the same one John was calling for. It could have been a coincidence that Shariel's newest acquisition was called Rodney, but for him to have the same blood type and the Ancient Gene went far beyond that.
Hawk moved back to the injured man and pulled Kudrone away as anger flared in his eyes, giving them a dark obsidian glow. "John, who is Rodney?"
"I don't know!" John answered, crying out as Hawk pressed his hand against the wound, igniting a g=fire deep inside him. His body shook with pain as he gripped the edge of the bed he lay on.
"Hawk, you'll kill him!" Kudrone warned as blood stained the 'slaver's' hand. "Hawk!"
"Stay out of this, Kudrone!" Hawk snarled and shoved the other man away. "Who is Rodney and why are you protecting him?"
"I don't…don't re…member….GOD!"
"I do not believe you, John!" Hawk snapped and continued to put pressure on the wound. "Who is Rodney?"
"I don't know!"
"He is telling the truth, Hawk!" Kudrone tried and reached for the bigger man as the color drained from John's face. "Hawk, Stop!"
"Who is Rodney?"
Kudrone knew there was nothing he could do to help John, but he also knew Shariel could if he reached her in time. He raced from Hawk's chambers and along the corridors until he reached Shariel's quarters. He didn't bother knocking, but threw open the door and hurried inside to find Shariel and the others talking quietly at the small table.
"Kudrone, what is wrong?" Shariel asked rushing to his side and leading him to a chair.
"You have to…to stop him…he'll kill him!" Kudrone managed breathlessly.
"Stop who?" Shariel asked as Teyla handed the man a cup of water.
"Hawk thinks John is faking his memory loss and he's hurting him…"
"Where are they?" Ronon snarled.
"In Hawk's quarters," Kudrone explained.
"Ronon, wait!" Teyla tried, but Rodney had already joined the Satedan and she understood exactly how they felt as she hurriedly joined them.
"We have to help them!" Kudrone said sharply.
"No, they will do what they can to save him...you must rest…"
"No, you do not understand, Shariel…John offered to fight for my freedom and I will not turn my back on him now!" Kudrone said and stood up.
"We will go together, but you must let us handle this!" Shariel warned and led him from her chambers.
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John had never felt such pain and his vision blurred, but Hawk did not stop, even as darkness wavered at the edge of his vision. He knew he was dying, there was no one to stop that from happening now and he sank toward the vision that played across his mind. It was a wondrous place with high towers surrounded by an ocean whose turbulent waves struck against the lower levels in a welcoming symphony of sound.
"Is the man with Shariel the Rodney you're asking for, John?" Hawk snarled and leaned closer to the semi conscious slave. "Is that it, John? Are they here to rescue you?"
"Stop…stop…God…"
"Not until you answer my question, John! Tell me about Rodney or so help me I'll kill you now!"
"…least free…free then…"
"Damn you!" Hawk screamed and released his hold on the 'slave's' chest before pulling him to his feet and shaking him until their eyes met. "You will never be free of me!"
"Let him go!" Ronon shouted as he stepped through the open door.
Hawk reacted instantly and pulled the injured man around as if using him as a shield. He wrapped a beefy arm around John's chest as Rodney, Teyla, Shariel, and Kudrone entered the room.
"Hawk, release him!" Shariel ordered and tried to control Kudrone who seemed hell bent on reaching his former owner.
"Shariel, get your slaves out of here!" Hawk ordered and glared at his 'slave'. "Kudrone, get over here…"
"He does not take orders from you anymore, Hawk!" Shariel spat and watched as Ronon slowly made his way deeper into the chambers. She knew the big man was trying to get in a better position to attack, and tried to keep Hawk's attention focused on her.
"Did you know who he is when you brought him here, Shariel?" Hawk spat, shifting the dazed man from one arm to the other.
"Who?"
"Him…Rodney…John's been asking for him…"
"Please, let me help him," McKay tried.
"You will die before I let you anywhere near him," Hawk warned and reached for the knife in the hidden scabbard at his side. With a quick flick of his wrist he threw it toward the other man, smiling when it struck him in the shoulder.
"Rod…Rodney…" John cried and struggled to get free, but Hawk's arm tightened around his waist. John didn't have the strength to fight and allowed his eyes to close even as Hawk's grip suddenly loosened and he dropped heavily to the floor.
"Rodney, be still," Teyla warned before moving toward John Sheppard and dragging him away from the fighting men who no longer seemed aware they were not alone.
"Shariel, we need to get them out of here!" Kudrone ordered as he looked at the two injured men.
"The others have already left," Shariel explained. "There should only be Hawk's men in the chambers and we can handle them."
"Ronon…"
"Go, Teyla, I got this bas…tard!" Ronon said, ducking away as Hawk lashed out with his right fist.
"We don't leave anyone be…hind!" McKay whispered through tightly clenched teeth as the sound of P90s reached their ears.
"Sounds like help is here," Teyla said as she pressed a thick piece of clothe against John's wound, surprised to find his eyes open as if searching for something or someone. "John, be still…"
"Rod…ney…"
"I'm here…" McKay managed as Kudrone examined the wound to his shoulder. He stared at Sheppard, hating how pale and gaunt he looked and prayed they had time to get him back to Atlantis. He turned his eyes to see Ronon connect solidly with his left fist. "Make him pay, Ronon!"
"I'm on it," Dex said, smiling when Hawk struck him in the side. He knew he'd be black and blue when this fight was over, but after seeing what Hawk had done to John Sheppard he vowed to make the slaver suffer.
John heard the fight taking place nearby, but he couldn't tear his eyes from the welcome sight beside him. Rodney was here…he'd come for him and now John could relax. He let his eyes close and sighed heavily, aware that he was no longer at the mercy of his 'owner'…at least for now.
Ronon paid no attention to what was happening around him as he fought the man who'd caused his friend so much pain. He knew Teyla, Kudrone, and Shariel would care for Sheppard and McKay, but it was up to him to deal with Hawk. He landed several blows to Hawk's chest and abdomen, forcing his opponent backward with such force that Hawk actually staggered, but managed to stay on his feet.
"Shariel will pay for this!" Hawk warned as blood and spittle ran down his chin. He kicked out at Ronon's leg and connected solidly with his shin, but the man stayed his ground.
"You won't be making anyone pay!" Ronon warned and managed to stay away from Hawk's fists long enough to throw a left hook into the man's nose. He quickly blocked several attempts by Hawk to get inside, and landed a kick to the other man's knee. He thought he heard something give, but there was o sign of it from his enemy.
'Where the hell are my guards?' Hawk thought as he dodged to the right and brought his fist up into the other man's ribs. He had underestimated Ronon's ability to fight and knew he could not make that same mistake again as his opponent once more pressed his advantage.
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As soon as the last ship left orbit, Lorne had given the order to move in. They had the location of Hawk's underground chambers and were reading McKay, Teyla, and Ronon's subcutaneous tracking devices. Wallace would take his team and search through the area Shariel had described as the fighting cages, while he'd take his team and find McKay and the others.
Lorne signaled his men forward as gunfire broke out deeper in the caverns. He recognized the sound of P90s and hoped Hank could handle whatever he faced, because he had his own hands full with the guards who were blocking the corridor. Several smaller access corridors branched out further back and he'd sent four men to check hem out while he kept two with him and returned fire.
"Major, I think they got the guards," Paula Downing explained as the gunfire stopped.
"Don't shoot…"
"That's Donaldson," Downing said as she watched Lorne stand and move toward the bend.
"Donaldson…"
"It's all clear, Major!" Donaldson shouted and smiled when they joined him. "We caught them from behind."
"Nice job, but we're not finished," Lorne said and took out the detector. He pointed further along the corridor and took the lead, hoping they wouldn't run into any more trouble.
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Hank Wallace led his team along the edge of corridor and motioned for them to follow him in two man teams. He could hear voices up ahead, and signaled for everyone to be quiet as he took a quick look around the corner. There were four men seated at the edge of a large cave, but Hank wanted to make sure there were no surprises before making their move.
Wallace lifted his hand and signaled for two of his team to backtrack to the secondary branch before making their way to the opposite side of the cages. He could hear the four men talking and listened as their conversation turned to something that made his blood run cold.
"Did you see Hawk's reaction when Syngy stabbed the slave?"
"I saw him…I wonder if he will go after her?"
"Not until the slave is out of danger, but I think Syngy better watch his back."
"I would hate to be him when Hawk decides it is…"
"Quiet…"
"You be quiet…"
"Listen…I think someone is out there…"
Wallace knew it was time to act and lifted his hand to motion the others forward. They heard gunfire and hoped the other members of his team were in position. He lifted his P90 and fired at a man who was reaching for the rifle at his side. The man's hands never touched it as a bullet pierced his chest and drove him backward off his chair.
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Kudrone knew he could do nothing for Rodney or John until the fight was over. There was still sporadic gunfire from deeper in the chambers, but he could also hear shouting from the other side of the closed door. He could only watch as the fight continued and Ronon threw Hawk across the small table before attacking him again. There was blood everywhere and he knew no matter who was the victor he would be in need of medical attention and the loser would probably be beyond anyone's help.
"Rodney, be still," Teyla warned when the man tried to move closer to John Sheppard.
"How is he, Teyla?" Rodney managed weakly.
"He needs Carson," Emmagan said as she eased John's head onto her lap. His eyes remained closed, but she knew he was awake as a soft moan escaped tightly clenched teeth. "It's okay, John…"
"Rodney…help…"
"I'm here, Sheppard," McKay soothed and reached out to touch his friend as Ronon drove Hawk backward and the door burst open behind them. A weak smile formed when he recognized Evan Lorne and several members of his team.
"Ronon, do you need help?" Lorne asked, raising his P90.
"I'm good," Dex said and continued to drive his opponent back against the wall. He knew he was running on pure adrenalin and prayed it would last long enough for him to put Hawk down for good, but the other man seemed to have gotten a second wind. He shifted back as Hawk tried to grab him and quickly sidestepped when the other man lashed out with his foot.
Hawk knew he was rapidly losing ground and swiped at the blood running into his right eye before kicking at Ronon's leg. He didn't connect fully, but he knew there'd be a bruise when all was said and done. Then again, a bruise would be the least of their worries. He knew he had broken ribs and possible internal injuries, but his body would heal quickly once the fight was over and he had time to rest. Once Dex was dead he would take care of the others and John would find out exactly what his role as a slave would mean from that moment on.
"Ronon, get him!" McKay spat and smiled when Dex drove his foot into the man's abdomen and followed through with an elbow to his head that snapped his neck and sent the hated slaver into the wall.
Ronon stood over him for several long minutes, but the man's eyes remained open and unmoving. There was no sign of life in the battered body and even the chest was free of movement.
"Is he…"
"He's dead," Dex answered as Lorne reached down and touched the unmoving man's neck.
"Ronon's right," Lorne told them.
"We need to get out of here before Hawk's people get word of what happened," Shariel told them.
"Hank, how are things on your end?" Lorne asked through the radio sets.
"Everything's cool here…we've rounded up the guards and locked them in the cages," Wallace explained.
"Fall back to the puddle Jumpers…we're on our way…"
"Did you find Colonel Sheppard?"
"We did and we need to get him back to Atlantis," Lorne advised.
"Do you need us to come for you?"
"No, we can handle it on this end, just make sure there are no surprises," the major explained and watched as an unknown man removed the knife from McKay's right shoulder. He winced sympathetically when a bandage was slapped on it and taped in place.
Ronon sank down next to John Sheppard as the last of his strength left him and knew Hawk had done some major damage to his body. He knew he would be read the riot act once they returned to Atlantis, but for now John Sheppard and Rodney McKay were the ones in need of medical attention. Kudrone seemed to be the only one capable of dealing with the injuries.
"I don't have what I need to help him here," Kudrone said when he looked at John's wounds.
"We need to get him back to Atlantis," Teyla said.
"Too…long," McKay managed. "We could bring them to Suduko's…where is Suduko?"
"I…he was with us at Shariel's quarters," Emmagan explained.
"I thought he was follow…following us," McKay tried.
"Suduko has always managed to take care of himself, but we need to leave here now," Shariel told them.
"What if he's hurt?" Teyla asked.
"We'll check for him while we make our way back to the Jumpers and back to Atlantis," Lorne assure her. He knew they owed Suduko, but right now his priority had to be John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, and Ronon Dex.
"There is a gate in orbit around Grendaub 3," Shariel told them as she helped set up a stretcher to carry the injured 'slave'.
"Ronon, can you make it?" Teyla asked as McKay's arm was place in a makeshift sling and Lorne helped him to his feet.
"I'll make it," Dex managed as he climbed to his feet and watched Kudrone and Teyla ease John Sheppard onto the makeshift stretcher. He looked at the body lying across the room and silently cursed the man for what he'd done to John Sheppard. Somehow his death seemed to be too quick, but Ronon knew there was nothing he could do about that now.
"Lorne, where are you?"
""We're on our way, Hank," Lorne answered.
"Make it fast because we're getting readings of approaching ships," Wallace told him.
"Let's go!" Lorne said and waited for his team to gather the injured and head for the jumpers. "Hank, have your people seen Suduko?"
"Nothing so far…I thought he was with Shariel's people?"
"He was, but he's disappeared," Lorne said and hoped the missing man was safe.
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Suduko silently cursed his stupidity and leaned heavily against the wall as he moved along the corridor. His arm was useless and he knew it was probably broken, but he chalked it up to his own stupidity. He knew he should have gone with the others, but he'd wanted to make sure Lorne and Wallace got the message to attack. He'd been caught in a cross fire and realized too late that McKay's friends were already there. He'd tried to make his way back along the corridor, but had been struck in the shoulder and blacked out.
Suduko had no idea how much time had passed, but when he'd finally come around the gunfire had ceased and the chambers were eerily silent as he made his way toward the hanger bay. He silently cursed his stupidity, but stumbled forward; hoping Shariel and the others had been successful in rescuing the Atlantian. If not he could very well be walking into trouble.
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It was cold, but at least he'd fooled them into thinking he was dead. Kudrone had so many injured on his hands that he didn't think about Hawk's healing capabilities. Sooner or later the other man would remember and that mean he needed to get out of here before they returned.
Hawk crawled to his hands and knees and stayed where he was, willing his healing abilities to start working even as he struggled to his feet and made his way toward a console that would open a secret chamber that led to a small craft only he could operate. With a sharp intake of air, Hawk made his escape and knew he would some day find his 'slave' and teach him about the proper behavior expected of his station.
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McKay leaned heavily against Lorne as they made their way along the darkened corridors and hoped Hank Wallace had taken care of Hawk's guards. A sound from the left made him flinch as Lorne lifted his weapon, but stopped when they recognized Suduko. "What happened to y…you?"
"I got turned around," Suduko told him.
"How bad?" Kudrone asked.
"I believe my shoulder is broken," Suduko answered.
"Could be, but there's nothing I can do until we reach the ships," Kudrone said.
"It'll keep," Suduko told them and moved behind the men carrying the stretcher. There was no doubt in his mind that John Sheppard was in bad shape and it was confirmed when Kudrone ordered them to stop and touched the man's chest.
"He's not breathing!" Kudrone snapped and knew they had to work fast if they wanted to save John's life.
TBC