Chapter 8: Despair

A knock at the door stopped Rodney and Carson's conversation dead and Carson wondered if they were being monitored. He could have kicked himself for trying to formulate a plan of attack when he hadn't considered that someone may be watching and listening.

Slowly approaching the door, he called out, "who's there?"

A muffled reply came from the other side of the door, "my name is Logo."

He turned to Rodney who was staring at the door in surprise, "did he say that his name was Logo?"

"Yes, Carson I think he did, perhaps we should let him in, although I have no idea whether the door is locked or not."

"Come in," Rodney said as loud as he could.

The sound of the door unlocking confirmed their suspicions that they had indeed been locked in.

A tall dark-haired man walked into the room, he had deep blue eyes and a beard. He wore a simple beige tunic and his eyes looked more compassionate than anyone he'd met on the council.

Before saying anything, Logo held up some kind of tool," Minister Voth has permitted me to take the punishment devices off your wrists, providing you do the right thing from now on."

"And what would that be?" Carson asked suspiciously.

"The minister simply asked that you stop asking about your friend and don't try to escape. Your life is here now and if you accept it, you will be treated well."

For some reason Logo seemed to be looking at the ceiling and Carson had a feeling that they were being watched, so he merely nodded at the man, before sitting down in his chair again.

"So," Carson began, "what is your role here Logo?"

Logo looked at him and whispered in his ear, "these days I'm a doctor and I look after the sick gene carriers, but if you'd like to talk further, I can take you on a tour of our part of the city."

"Yes, yes that would be wonderful," Rodney replied, "now can you get these stupid bracelets off us and I'd love a tour of the city?"

Carson watched patiently as Logo took the bracelet off Rodney's wrist and he was relieved a few minutes later when the one on his wrist was off as well. It was certainly a relief that they weren't going to be zapped every five minutes.

"Right then gentlemen follow me. Most of the areas in our part of the city are not closely monitored, so we should be able to talk freely," Logo looked at Carson before he continued, "first I think I will take you on a tour of our hospital."

Carson didn't miss the compassion in Logo's eyes, and he sensed that there was something that the man wanted them to see.

Once they were out of their apartment Carson was surprised to see that the area of the city that they were in was surrounded by a large stone wall, he had no idea how tall or thick it was but he knew that it would be hard to climb over. Basically, this was a city within a city, and it was clear that the Hilaring council wanted to keep these people in. He wondered if any of these people had ever tried to escape, but perhaps they had been killed for it.

Logo led them to a shady tree with a wooden bench and table and he indicated that they should sit down.

"Before I take you into the hospital, I should warn you that some of these people are dying. I have tried to do everything I can, but I don't have the resources to save them all."

Carson was incredulous by what he'd just heard, "surely if you're going to use gene carriers like batteries to power the city, you'd want to look after them!?"

"Unfortunately even if they do get well, they are put right back in the chambers and most of them end up dying eventually. The only reason I haven't been used is that I am a doctor and they need my expertise in the hospital. I was part of the breeding program once and I fathered numerous children, but I have no idea who they are as the mothers and children are kept separately from the men." He paused and looked thoughtful before continuing, "although I have a fair idea who some of my children are."

"So…Umm…Logo…we're…safe for now," Rodney stammered.

"Yes as long as you are part of the program you are safe, but it is clear that your friend is not. I want to show you what is going on in the hospital, so you know what you're up against. And I need to know if you can help these people. Do you think that you can help them, Carson?"

"Aye lad, I'll do what I can, but my major concern right now is finding General Sheppard."

"I have sent a message to people living on the outside of the city, I am hoping that they will be able to help us since underground passages are leading to this part of the city," Logo informed them and at least if offered Carson a bit of hope.

Perhaps Ronon and Lorne had found their way to the city by now, maybe they had met up with these people, he could only hope because right now they needed all the help they could get.

Carson stood up ready to follow Logo to the hospital. He had no idea what he was going to find in there, but he was determined to help these people if it were possible.

oOo

It was three hours exactly since they'd left Johan's cabin and Ronon was relieved when they finally came to a trapdoor in the ground. It was clear that the area had been disturbed recently and he wondered if anyone other than Sharnie had come through.

He looked at Lorne and it was obvious that the military man was thinking the same thing. Ronon looked to where Lorne was pointing, and he saw human footprints leading away from the trapdoor. It was clear that they weren't Sharnie's as they were much bigger – although he wasn't sure whether they were a woman's or a child's.

"Lorne, can you open the trapdoor and check to see if anyone is down there?" Ronon instructed, "and I'll keep an eye out up here."

"Ronon what's going on?" Sharnie asked as a look of panic crossed her face.

He thought about lying to the kid but thought better of it because if they were in danger everyone – including Sharnie – needed to know about it.

"I'm not sure, but I think you may have been followed when you left the city."

A voice entered the conversation and when he looked up he saw that a young woman was standing in the forest, "you're right I did follow the child through the underground passage, but not because I want to harm her."

This woman was like so many others of her race, she was tall and thin with dark brown hair that curled around her shoulders and her eyes were large and brown.

"Then why did you leave?" Ronon asked feeling confused.

"Because I was supposed to be one of the next people to help power the city, but some stranger showed up and they used him instead." The young woman turned to Sharnie before continuing, "I heard what happened to your mother and many of my friends have disappeared in recent months, so I knew that I had to escape and try to find some help." This time she turned to stare straight at Lorne before continuing, "please can you help us?"

Ronon watched as Lorne walked up and put his hand on her shoulder and spoke gently to her, "my name is Lorne and yes we will try and help you."

She nodded her head at them before speaking, "my name is Carissa."

Just what we need, Ronon thought, more people tagging along.

Before he had a chance to say anything Lorne made a suggestion, "Hannan, can you please take Carissa and Sharnie back to your cabin." Lorne turned to Jonan before continuing, "In fact, I think that I would like you to go with them. Ronon and I can find our way from here."

Jonan looked as if he were going to argue, but Ronon didn't give him a chance, "I would feel better knowing that Carissa and Sharnie were being well looked after. Lorne will give you a weapon to use in case there are any problems. Do you know how to use one?"

When he nodded, Lorne handed over his 9mil, before speaking to Jonan in what was clearly an urgent tone, "please look after them and if all goes well, we will be seeing you soon?"

Sharnie ran up to Ronon and threw her arms around him, "look after yourself and remember to look for Logo, he will be able to help you."

He looked down at her and saw concern written all over her face, "don't worry kiddo, I'll be seeing you again soon."

His heart melted when Sharnie smiled at him before turning around and walking off with Jonan and Hannan. Yeah, I want Amelia to have a little girl.

Turning to Lorne he pulled his weapon out, "let's get this show on the road."

Lorne smirked at him and opened the trap door, "after you Ronon."

He peered into the hole and was surprised to find that it wasn't pitch black. Discovering a ladder built into the wall he climbed down it and it wasn't long before he was standing at the start of a long narrow corridor. There were torches along the wall, which had him wondering how many people used this passage and how often.

Lorne appeared beside him, and he was instantly on high alert, "Lorne, it's clear that this passage has been used recently and more than once so we need to be on high alert, just in case we run into hostiles."

When Lorne nodded, he started to walk cautiously down the passageway, hoping that Lorne was following him.

oOo

John had no idea how long he'd been standing on the bridge of the alien ship, and he'd had enough. He had no idea why he kept coming here in his dreams because all he wanted to do was dream of Teyla and their children – he could do without the red beam killing them all though.

Suddenly the Voth look-alike stood up and started to bark orders at his crew, "I've just seen a wraith craft heading towards that nebula and I want to know why. It's obvious that whatever Atlantis is up to in there they're gathering allies, so we need to enter it now."

The ship started to move and he was amazed at how quickly the ship gained speed and within five minutes they were in the nebula and approaching the anomaly that Atlantis had gone through.

Before anyone had a chance to blink the ship was being sucked into the anomaly and he could feel the pressure in his head. He knew that whatever happened when they arrived on the other side, they wouldn't find Atlantis and this ship for whatever reason would end up in a different time period. Because right now he was fairly convinced that this ship arrived on the Hilaring planet at least ten thousand years before they did.

All of a sudden, the view changed and he was standing on a balcony on Atlantis overlooking the ocean. Looking around he wondered what was going on when he spied a figure walking towards him. The figure was instantly recognisable – it was Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth?" He whispered.

"No, I am the AI which is the city of Ilaria, I have taken this image from your mind because she was someone important to you."

By this time, he was beginning to feel bewildered, "what is going on? Why am I here and why, are you communicating with me?"

"Ilaria is the ancient city on the Ilarian home world and I have been trying to reach you ever since you first connected with the city."

"Believe me it wasn't my idea."

"I know, "the image of Elizabeth replied. "It's been a Millenia since I have been able to connect with someone like you and I need to let you know what has been happening in my walls for many thousands of years. You need to know what's happening so that you can free my people."

This comment left him feeling more than a little confused, "surely your people left or ascended ten thousand years ago along with the ancients in the Pegasus galaxy?"

"No some of them remained and they have been subjugated for thousands of years. I need you to help their descendants."

"So, I guess the images I've been seeing are your version of a quick history lesson?"

"Yes, and there is more to show you, but will you help us?"

Elizabeth – or Ilaria – looked desperate and he found himself missing his former leader and friend. Although it had been over seven years since he'd last seen her, he still thought of her every day.

"I'll help if I can, but I am a prisoner and being used in the chamber against my will."

"Do not worry, John Sheppard, your friends are close and on their way."

"I'll do my best to help your people's descendants as will all my friends."

The image of Elizabeth began to fade away and the next thing he knew was that he was standing on the bridge of the ship again. When he looked at the view screen, he soon realised that they were hurtling towards the planet in front of them and it looked a lot like they were going to crash.

oOo

Shock, horror, disgust, compassion, and utter bewilderment were the emotions that confronted Carson the minute he walked into the so-called hospital. It looked as if it were from the 1900s and nothing like he would have expected in a city as modern as the one they were in.

The Walls were grey and dreary, and the bed frames were metal and rusting, the mattresses made out of some kind of straw. The blankets were thin and drab green, but what surprised him the most was the lack of modern equipment. No IVs, or Heart Monitors and defiantly no ancient technology. The place seemed sterile enough, but he'd hardly call it a hospital.

Without uttering a sound, he walked over to one of the patients and there were no words to describe what he saw of the young man's condition. There was sweat covering his entire body and it looked as if the wounds along his forehead and temple were infected. The man was unconscious – which was clearly a blessing. He walked around the ward and most of the patients seemed to be in the same condition, some looked better than others though.

As he approached a young woman at the end of the room, she tried to grab his hand and it was obvious that she was having trouble finding it, so the only conclusion he could come to was that she was blind.

He turned to look at Logo and there was cold fury in his voice as he spoke, "what the hell is going on here Logo!?"

"I'm sorry, but as told you before, we're trying to do all that we can to make them comfortable and we give them what medicines we can, but there's not much else that we can do."

Before he had a chance to reply, Rodney – who had been strangely quiet until now – found his voice, "What is this, it looks like I've stepped into the dark ages."

"These are the worst of the patients I will take you to the other room, so you can see the people that are almost healed, "Logo suggested looking nervous.

When Carson nodded, Logo led him through the door into another ward and most of the patients were sitting up, either in chairs or on their beds – they looked a dam sight better than the patients in the other room.

Some of them were talking others were just staring into space, the only problem was none of them seemed happy. They all had bandages around their heads, and they had IVs in their arms – much to Carson's chagrin.

"Why do these people get attention and the others get left to die?" Rodney said, asking the exact question that he had wanted to ask himself.

Logo looked embarrassed as he spoke, "these people are deemed to have the strongest ancestor gene, so they need to get well and when they are they can be put back in the chambers again."

Rodney had a forlorn look in his eyes when he spoke next, "but surely someone has tried to put a stop to this?"

"There have been uprisings over the years, but they have very quickly been squashed. Some have managed to escape the city, while others have tried and been killed."

Carson turned to look at Logo, his anger boiling over, "you call yourself a doctor, if you were a doctor these people wouldn't be suffering the way they are! So, what are you doing about it?"

"I have helped some escape and I have also tried to make my patients as comfortable as possible and try to ease their journey into the afterlife."

There was genuine sorrow in Logo's eyes and Carson sensed that he was as much a prisoner as every other gene carrier in the city. The man certainly didn't need to have accusations hurled at him.

"I'm sorry Logo, it's just that with the right medicines most of these people could survive."

"I know Carson and the infirmary in the main part of the city is well stocked. They also have marvellous technology that I could only dream about. But for some reason, they want to keep it for the richest and most influential people in the city. They are a bunch of hypocrites they claim that they need the gene carriers for the city to function, but they won't give them the medicines they need to survive!"Logo finished off in anger.

"And who are they?" Rodney asked and Carson could tell he was annoyed.

He wondered if his friend was trying to remain calm, because normally in a situation like this Rodney would be hurling insults at the man.

"Toth and the council. Many others in the city agree with what is happening and then there are those who know what's happening but choose to ignore it – as long as they have their wealthy lifestyle they don't care what happens beneath the surface.

A soft voice from the corner of the room interrupted their conversation, "Logo have you come to pay an old lady a visit."

Carson turned his head to where the voice came from, and he was surprised to see a woman of about eighty sitting by a window. Although he was positive that she wasn't taking the view in because like so many of the patients here, she appeared to be blind. She was small and thin with thinning grey hair, and she bore the same scars on her temple and forehead as all of the gene carriers seemed to.

"Hello Betsy, I've brought some friends to visit with you today."

Kneeling in front of her, Carson took her hand, "hello Betsy I'm Carson Beckett and I'm here with my friend Rodney."

"I know that you're not here to visit an old woman like me, so why are you here?"

Carson decided to tell her the truth," My ship is lost, and we came to this planet looking for answers, the only problem is we can't find our friend and we suspect that he is being used in one of the chambers."

"You came through that strange anomaly, did you?"

"Aye we did," Carson answered with a sigh.

"If he is strong he will survive," Betsey stated in a matter-of-fact tone, "I have been in the chamber many times over the last forty years and I have survived."

"Do...you...still..go in the chamber now?" Rodney stuttered.

"No, they don't need an old woman like me with so many young ones to use. All I do these days is assist Logo in caring for the patients."

"But surely you realise what happened to you is wrong?" Rodney asked rather forcefully.

"Of course, I do Mr McKay!" Betsy replied with anger, "but as Logo just said there really isn't much that we can do about it." Her voice softened as she continued, "I'm an old woman and there isn't much I can do but help the sick and infirmed."

Before the conversation could continue any further there was a shuffling noise in the corner and Rodney pulled out his gun. Although Logo or Betsy didn't seem phased or worried about what was happening.

Some kind of trapdoor was opened in the corner and Carson was surprised when a dreadlocked head appeared. It was Ronon who was holding his gun and on high alert as usual.

"Conon!" Rodney yelled, "so good of you to show up."

All Carson could do was smile as Lorne followed Ronon into the room, "Colonel Lorne, it's good to see you."

"Oh, hey doc, hey McKay, "Lorne replied, "we're looking for someone named Logo."

Logo stepped forward and Carson didn't miss the look of suspicion on his face, "that would be me."

Carson watched as Ronon walked up to the man and slapped him on the back, "nice to meet you I'm Ronon and Sharnie said that you could help us find our friend."

"Sharnie's okay then?" Logo asked and Carson sensed genuine relief in the man's voice.

"Yeah, she is," Ronon replied, "you know what she looks a lot like you are you, her father?"

Carson watched as Logo's face filled with confusion, but then the man shook his head, and answered Ronon's original question, "Yes your Dr Beckett gave me a map of underground tunnels leading to his position, the only problem is I am sure that the area will be heavily guarded."

"Don't worry about that, " Ronon said with a smug look while twirling his gun in his hand, "Lorne and I are more than ready to take out a few guards."

"Yes, yes, we know that you can get rid of the guards, "Rodney said impatiently, "so can we go and find Sheppard now?"

Carson could sense his friend's frustration; he was extremely worried about John as well. And given the condition of half the people in this hospital, he sensed that John would need his expertise.

He was relieved when five minutes later they were walking through an underground passage heading for Sheppard's location. It was dark, damp and a little spooky with the only light being Ronon and Lorne's flashlights.

oOo

John walked through the once-beautiful city and all he saw was complete devastation. Children were crying in the cobbled streets and most of the lovely stone buildings had been flattened by the giant ship as it came in for a crash landing.

He had no idea how many of the ship's inhabitants had been killed in the crash but from what he could ascertain, thousands of people had been killed in the city.

Fires were burning in the city, thick smoke filled the air and there was the stench of death. The once-green hills were now either on fire or charred. Bodies littered the streets and families huddled over their deceased loved ones and mourned.

The survivors from the ship seemed to be rounding the inhabitants of the city up and he had to wonder why. Did they truly want to help these people, or was this the beginning of the end for them?

Up ahead he saw the ancient city of Ilaria and for the moment it appeared to be safe and whole, but he wondered how long it would be until that was overrun as well.

Did the ancients just leave at this point? The Hilarings must have got their gene carriers from somewhere.

As he approached the ancient city, he sensed that something was wrong, and the closer he got the more convinced he was that it was abandoned, well not exactly abandoned, but not full of ancients either.

How could the ancients abandon the people on this planet? Had they gone back to earth, or had they ascended? All questions that he'd love to ask Ilaria if she ever appeared to him again.

Suddenly the image began to fade and he felt himself falling into the darkness once more…

The first thing he noticed when he became aware again, was that cold metal was being pressed to his temple and he didn't have to be a genius to figure out that it was a gun. There was a warm body against his and someone had an arm around his neck, so he could only assume that someone else was in the room and it was someone his attacker didn't like.

His suspension was confirmed when he heard a voice, "don't do it, if you kill him I'll kill you?"

He couldn't believe Ronon was here and if Ronon were here he was positive that the man would have his gun. So he nodded his head at his big friend hoping that he'd get the message that it was okay to stun him if he needed to.

The next thing he heard was the click of a gun as the safety was being taken off and then all hell broke loose,

He could hear Sophia sobbing behind him, "don't do it, Toth."

"If I can't have him neither can they!"

The man certainly seemed unhinged and given the fact that Toth had a gun to his head, and he was blind, he knew that he was in big trouble.

Suddenly Sofia screamed, right before he felt a sharp pain radiate through his left temple. It was excruciating and it was the last thing he felt before he heard the whir of an energy weapon.

Time seemed to go in slow motion as he began to fall and as he hit the floor and lost consciousness, he wondered if he would ever wake up again.

TBC…

Sorry about the evil cliffhanger.

Please don't forget to comment as I love to hear what you think.