SGA-15 Brimstone

by Wilson, David Niall

  He gestured to one of the guards, and the man deactivated the energy beams. “That one,” Saul said, pointing directly at Teyla.

  “Wait a minute,” Rodney said, stepping between Teyla and the advancing guards. “You don’t want her. I know, I know, she looks tough and athletic, but really — she hasn’t got what it takes for your arena. She’s a teddy bear, and besides — Saul has lied to you. This lady,” he pointed back at Teyla, “can’t even turn on your weapons. She won’t last five minutes in there. You should take me.”

  Teyla stared at Rodney. All of them did. Ronon stood, still groggy.

  “I know who I want, and in what order, Dr. McKay,” Saul said. “I’m also aware of Colonel Sheppard’s claim that only the two of you contain the genetic makeup to use our weapons. I find it odd, though, that he’s not here. I find it unlikely that, if he was the only one who could enter that arena and survive, that he’d walk away and leave all of you to take his place. He seems a more courageous and honorable leader than that. Unless there’s something else you’d like to tell me?”

  Rodney’s mouth opened, and then it closed. He didn’t move out of the way, but neither did he speak. The guards pushed their way into the room and brushed him aside. Ronon staggered toward them, but he was quickly overwhelmed. The guards grabbed Teyla by the arm, but she shook them off. With an angry glare, she followed them out of the room, never once looking back. Ronon lept after her but was tossed backward and the beams of energy returned, cutting them off from the outer room and any hope of helping their comrade.

  “Don’t worry,” Saul said. “You’ll all have the opportunity to follow her progress. We wouldn’t just separate you and leave you waiting and wondering about her fate.” He smiled. “We’ll be starting soon.”

  Then the door closed and cut them all off from the rest of the city. Ronon smashed his fist into it in frustration.

  * * *

  Once Sheppard and Mara cleared the passageways leading to the arena, she led him back through the main hall where they’d first met. It was silent, a giant empty cavern. Without the lights and dancers and music, it felt like an amphitheater after a concert or the fairgrounds an hour before the roustabouts knocked it down and carted it to the next town.

  “There are cameras and security circuits everywhere,” she said. “I’ve never had any reason to give it more than passing thought, but now I see how it is that Saul always seems to know exactly what’s going on. I don’t believe his people can monitor everything at once, though. If they are watching for us in my room, somewhere else should be safe, for a while.”

  She led him across the chamber, and he recognized the passageway they entered on the far side. “The observatory.”

  Mara nodded. “It’s one of the last places anyone in Admah would go during Saul’s entertainments. Why visit the beauty of the universe when all the excitement you need is waiting for you inside? Or maybe they just don’t want to be reminded how false all of it really is by comparison to something — infinite. It will buy us a few moments.”

  She led him up the stairs for the second time, and again they came out into the room with a ceiling of stars. For just a moment the two of them stood, staring up into that vast, open expanse.

  “I needed to get you away from the cell where your people are held,” Mara said. “If there is any chance at all to break them out of there, it has to be after the entertainment has begun, and it has to happen from outside the cell. There have been attempted break-outs before, and Saul has tightened his hold on the cells themselves. Even your Dr. McKay will have a hard time getting around that.

  “From out here, though, we have a chance. Security will be busy with the combatants and the crowds, and Saul’s attention will be focused on making certain his plans are not altered or spoiled. Particularly tonight, with everything he’s been telling the people on the line, he will be in fine form.”

  “What’s your plan?” Sheppard said. “Do you have access to the computer system?”

  “Everyone has access, but we won’t need that,” she replied with a laugh. “There is a panel right by their door that opens the cells. But you’ll need surprise on your side to pull it off — you’ll need to act when the entertainment is in full swing and the guards are distracted.”

  Suddenly a soft, trilling sound invaded the room. Lights on the wall blinked, and Mara frowned. “It’s begun!” She stepped over to the lights and touched a button, causing a screen to drop down from the ceiling. “Saul has started the entertainment.”

  The screen flickered, and then the arena came into sharp focus. They watched as Saul, on his platform above the ring, began his address to the crowd.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” he cried. “This is the night you’ve all been waiting for. Some of you have waited several lifetimes. I will do all within my power to see that your wait has not been in vain. There is a grand finale approaching, a last brilliant flash to lead us to whatever comes next, but it starts here, and it starts now. From this moment, until the last, I will be here. We will continue the entertainment that has escorted and led us through the years until the heavens decree it final and complete. I beg your attention.”

  “What is he planning?”

  “I don’t know…” Mara replied.

  As her words faded away, Saul continued.

  “As you all know, fate has dropped an unexpected bounty in our laps in these final hours. It has been many years since anyone of interest arrived through our gate. I can only take it as a sign that now, on the eve of our finest moment, fate has brought us some of the worthiest combatants to ever grace our arena. For your entertainment — fighting here for the very first time — I bring you the outsider known as…Teyla.”

  “Oh no,” Sheppard said. He started back toward the door.

  “Wait,” Mara said. “See who, or what, she is fighting. Maybe she can win. If so, she’ll be taken back to the cell. If you just go running back there, you won’t save anyone.”

  On the screen, the first of the doors in the arena opened. Teyla stepped into view. She held a very long, very ornate sword in both hands. She swung it experimentally, and while she lacked the finesse of the blond barbarian from the previous night’s entertainment, she showed a natural grace and skill with the weapon. It seemed that the sword, whatever other powers it might possess, was also a well-balanced blade. At least that much was positive.

  Then Saul began to speak again.

  “For many years we have been searching for a good match for our very first Woard. One by one, the challengers have fallen. I had thought that Alden Zane would be the one — that we would match those two finally, tonight, but now…now I have decided on another. Maybe this will be the night this adversary’s streak will end. Perhaps this will be the battle that kills a legend. He’s fierce. He’s inhuman. I present to you, the First Woard! Let the battle begin.”

  “My God,” Mara said. Her hand rose to her lips so quickly it nearly muffled her words.

  The larger gates opened and a huge, misshapen hulk shambled into view. It vaguely resembled the Woard that had fought the night before, but it was huge. The creature turned its head from side to side, as if it had trouble focusing on the room. Sheppard thought it was possible that the thing had some genetic defect placing its eyes too far apart — that its system wasn’t equipped for its own immense size.

  “This is bad,” Mara said. “The first Woard has never been defeated. It’s never even been damaged.”

  “That sword,” Sheppard said, “is it supposed to do something special?”

  “Of course,” Mara said. “Without some sort of weapons advantage, sending someone in against that creature would be like sending an animal to slaughter.”

  “I was afraid you’d say that,” Sheppard replied. “There was a point where I thought maybe Saul really was in this for the sport of it, but he knows Teyla can’t use that blade, and he sent her in there anyway. Come on!”

  He turned and ran down the stairs, turning back into the pas
sageway. Mara followed, having trouble matching his pace. They made it to the large, central chamber, but there — waiting for them — was a group of guards.

  “Let us pass,” Mara cried. “How dare you try to bar our way?”

  “Saul has asked that you view this first battle in his company,” one guard said.

  “What if we have other plans?” With a suggestive leer, Sheppard slipped his arm around Mara’s back and pulled her close.

  “He insists. It’s going to be very special.”

  Sheppard turned to Mara, who met his gaze levelly. “Then of course we will accompany you,” she said. “It will be our pleasure.”

  The guard nodded and Mara grabbed Sheppard tightly, dragging him along toward the arena.

  “I can’t watch this and do nothing,” he hissed.

  “You have more than one person with you,” Mara replied, keeping her voice very low. “If you want them all to be killed, cause a problem now. Otherwise, come with me. We will get away from Saul as quickly as possible, and when we do, I promise you I will help. If you fight him at this point, he’ll know for certain that you are going to cause trouble and he’ll simply lock you away, or throw you in the arena.”

  Sheppard still hesitated. Then the logic of her words struck him, and he nodded, hurrying along at her side and hoping they would not arrive too late to at least witness what was about to happen.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Sheppard and Mara were escorted into a large, plush chamber overlooking the arena. At the front of the room, a door opened out onto a balcony and from there it was possible to step onto the moveable platform from which Saul made his announcements and played Ringmaster.

  “You have to stop this,” Sheppard said without preamble. The door slid closed behind them.

  Saul turned to him, amused. For once, the amusement seemed genuine. “Why would I do that? This may prove the finest battle we’ve ever witnessed. In all the years we’ve been holding these entertainments, the excitement has never been higher.”

  “She doesn’t have the gene,” Sheppard grated. “I told you that. Only Rodney and I can use your weapons. You’ve sent Teyla to her death.”

  “She would die with or without the weapon’s special powers,” Saul shrugged. “That is why I chose one without the gene for the battle. The first Woard is not going to fall to a single opponent, man or woman, no matter how tough they might be. Even if she wields an almost magical weapon, this is a one-sided contest. It’s a shame she chose not to watch the entertainment at my side, but we all make our own choices, don’t we? The entertainment is not about who wins and who loses, but in how well the two fight. How long do you think your Teyla will last?”

  “You’re insane.”

  Sheppard started toward Saul, but Mara grabbed his arm and held on like an anchor.

  “There’s nothing you can do,” she said. Her voice was calm, but there was a tremor in it.

  Before Sheppard could respond, there was a horrible scream of rage and they spun toward the arena. Sheppard ran to the glass windows separating him from Teyla and the creature below. The Woard had sensed the presence of its opponent and leaped with unexpected speed to where Teyla hoisted the sword, and waited.

  “My God,” Sheppard said. “That thing is fast.”

  “You have no idea, Colonel. I have waited a very long time for this…and now, it begins.”

  * * *

  In the cell where Rodney and the others were being held, a video panel had opened on the wall. Behind a thick plate of glass, a video screen flickered to life and they had a clear view of the arena. On screen, the Woard leaped.

  “Oh man,” Rodney said, staring at the screen.

  Cumby looked away. “She’s going to be slaughtered.”

  Ronon slammed into the door, trying to force it to open or crack.

  “You’re going to injure yourself,” Cumby said softly.

  “He’s right,” Rodney said. “There’s nothing you can do. If they choose you next, do you want to go in there with a broken arm, or do you want to fight?”

  Ronon’s eyes blazed, but he didn’t speak. He turned to the screen on the wall.

  Teyla had slipped the initial charge, taking advantage or her superior speed and agility. She swung the sword in a glittering arc that drove it into the Woard’s side. The blade sliced in beneath the creature’s arm, drawing first blood. The Woard swung back at his attacker, but Teyla was quick. Anticipating the counterattack, she ducked. Her adversary’s huge arm slashed the air above her head and she leaped up, jabbing with the sword. It entered through the ribs and cut deep a second time. The Woard screamed in pain and anger and staggered back, retreating.

  Teyla took advantage of the opening. She dragged her blade free of the creature’s torso and changed tactics. She slashed down, swinging the blade at the Woard’s ankle. It tried to back away, but she caught it cleanly, severing the tendon behind its lower calf. With a screech, the creature dropped sideways, half its support cut away.

  “Yes!” Ronon cried, fists clenched.

  On the screen the Woard rolled away from Teyla toward the wall, clutching at its ruined ankle. It could not rise to its feet, but it was still considerably larger and stronger, and it was not hobbled by rational thought or conscience. If anything, despite the pain and confusion, it had grown angrier.

  “That creature is only injured,” Cumby said. “Teyla should be careful.”

  As if in response to her words, the Woard, having lain still for a moment, whirled very suddenly. It flung its arm out and down, and despite her quickness, Teyla caught a glancing blow that spun her away and nearly tore the sword from her grip. The Woard didn’t hesitate. It couldn’t get back to its feet, so it spun and crawled rapidly across the arena, directly at Teyla, who recovered quickly from the blow she’d been dealt and leapt into the air.

  That leap saved her life. She cleared the Woard’s arm as it swung for her and drove down with the blade. It entered at the top of the creature’s shoulder and dug far down through flesh and bone into the soft organs beneath. The Woard screamed again. Teyla dug her feet in and pulled on the blade, but it wouldn’t release. She tried again, but the creature shuddered, and then bucked up off the floor, sending its attacker flying. The sword remained embedded just below the thing’s neck.

  “Oh no!” Cumby cried.

  There were no other weapons in sight, nothing else Teyla could use to defend herself. She sprinted across the arena. The Woard tried to lunge after her, but the sword had apparently embedded itself in a tendon, or a nerve. It moved slowly, partially paralyzed and roaring in pain and fury.

  “She hurt it,” Cumby cried. “She hurt it bad. How long can she stay clear?”

  “There’s nowhere to go,” Ronon said. “She has to get the sword back.”

  Teyla, as if she’d heard Ronon’s words, started a slow circle of the beast. It crawled toward where she’d been moments before, single-minded and blinded by pain. Teyla took advantage of this, slipped around beside the creature, and with a running leap clawed her way suddenly up its side. Even with the creature down, the sword’s hilt hung tantalizingly, six or seven feet off the ground. She made the first couple of feet easily, and lunged, stretching out to catch the blade.

  The crowd were on their feet, screaming for her to get it, to finish the Woard. The sound seemed to energize the beast. It sensed Teyla’s presence at the last second. As her hand clutched the hilt of the sword, the creature swung up and back, drawing its elbow in close and catching Teyla solidly in the back. She cried out as she was driven over the Woard’s back and into the wall.

  The sword came free, but she couldn’t hold on. It clattered to the arena floor as Teyla toppled over and fell beside it. The Woard had used up most of its remaining strength with that blow. Blood flowed freely from the wound at its neck. It scrabbled about almost blindly, searching for its tormentor. Teyla shook her head and fought for the breath that had been knocked from her in the fall. She glanced over and saw the
sword. She rolled toward it, gripped the hilt and turned back.

  The Woard lifted itself up on one arm and turned. The two combatants came face to face. Teyla was a little shaky, but she held the blade out and stood her ground. The Woard saw her. It tried another roar, but the sound was feeble — a shadow of its former strength and rage. It half rose, and it seemed the effort would be too much for it. Teyla looked ready to drop the blade and walk away, but in that second of hesitation the Woard lunged.

  Every bit of its remaining life went into that final attack. Teyla staggered back. She held the blade high, and the Woard’s weight drove it down over the cold, hard steel. The creature’s momentum took it forward, and it fell heavily atop Teyla, who was lost from sight.

  “No!” Rodney cried out.

  In that moment, the image on the screen dimmed, and grew dark. The panel in the wall closed, and they were left to stare at one another in shock as the crowd’s cheer erupted in the arena above.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Sheppard spun on Saul, grabbed him before he could back away, and shoved him against the wall. “You did this! Her blood is on your hands!”

  The door opened and a guard stepped through, his weapon raised. Saul waved him away. Sheppard glanced at the guard, as if daring him to try something, and then released Saul with a shove that smacked his head soundly on the wall before he turned and strode to the window. Both hands pressed to the cool glass, he stared down at the arena. All around it, people were on their feet, cheering and throwing things at the battlefield. Preparations were being made to move the dead Woard but Sheppard couldn’t watch. He didn’t want to see Teyla’s crushed body when they moved the beast, so he turned away, eyes and fists clamping tightly and his body shaking.

  “I don’t know what sort of sick pleasure you got out of making me stand here and watch that,” Sheppard growled from between gritted teeth. “Did you just do it so you could tell me I’m next, or am I free to go?”