Fic: Fallout Part Two (of Two)

[sian1359.livejournal.com]

Eight Hours Ago

We've split into pairs again. Not a wise idea on Comru, but still a necessity as indeed the Wraith have not yet found their way here and the main city is more alive and thriving than it had been even during the days of my youth. Many peoples have found their way here, as refugees as well as traders. More survivors from Sateda, whom I have not yet checked out, and while maybe no Athosians, there are some from planets that Teyla knows even in not knowing of Comru herself. There is also a veritable banquet of trade goods, not just food stuffs and necessities such as clothing and home goods, but things of beauty and art created just for the sheer pleasure of being able to do so. And there is technology, some evident in the few buildings that surround many, many more open areas of tents or simply blankets spread across the ground to protect the product. Tech is also offered for sale within the trading grounds themselves. Much of it looks to be broken or incomplete, most of it also just small objects or bits and pieces that may or may not be useful. Yeah, maybe it would have been better to have paired differently so that both of us had someone who could simply wave a hand and identify items that had once belong to the Ancestors, but Teyla or I would recognize a ZPM amidst even this clutter. Anything else, well, Weir could send a dozen teams comprised of those who had the blood of the Ancients and undoubtedly we would still miss finding all of the things of interest for the sheer volume.

As Teyla and I wander, I cannot help but be reminded of my other two times here. There are many more who offer sex play in trade now than before, perhaps because for some that is the only thing that they have to offer. I am uninterested of course, as no doubt we all are, but it is from one of those young men that I learned there were others from Sateda here, when he identified my rank and squad markings. This time I am uneasy to learn of more of my people, and Teyla shares in that unease, or maybe it is just because we have also found people dressed the uniforms of the Genii, and others who have even taken to dress like the Wraith.

I don't believe that those last people are actually some of those who have taken to worshipping and serving the Wraith; Comru's continued existence is only guaranteed by the singular agreement by all who venture here to keep its location hidden. And for whatever else it might be or represent, Wraith clothing is well made and durable, and there are always people who's needs are great enough to overcome all manner of revulsions. It was still disquieting, and makes the skin between my shoulder blades itch.

Despite all of the potential spread out in front of me, despite the possibility of not only meeting others from Sateda, but maybe even someone I know, I want only to turn around and return home.

Although neither Teyla nor I wore any of the time keepers most of the Lanteans did, we were both adept at reading sun positions. It was nearly time to check in again, not just with Sheppard and McKay, but with Weir and Atlantis, which meant a trip back to the 'gate for one of our pairings. Sheppard had decided not be bring a ship despite the 'gate being a good hour's walk; even a cloaked jumper could be found and this was one world were there was the likelihood of someone recognizing it for what it was -- of possibly even being able to use it due to their own bloodlines. If nothing else, there would be people who could find use for the metals and wiring should it be found and then taken apart for salvage. Yes, the only major laws on Comru dealt with theft, but given the sheer number of people passing through or living here, there would be someone desperate or with avarice enough to think the risks would be worth it.

I moved my hand to click on my radio transceiver to volunteer Teyla and myself to return to the gate since we aren't involved in anything pressing, only to be beaten by Sheppard first. Only it wasn't Sheppard's voice we heard first, just the end of a distant shout, a quick intake of breath and a muted interrogative of his name from somewhere beyond, that had to be from McKay.

"Just keep walking, Rodney," we then heard in a steady but low murmur.

The shout from beyond them was repeated, and this time we could make out the nature of the call, as well as the accusation.

"Lanteans, stop!"

If those two were anywhere like Teyla and I were, they'd be surrounded by people. Unfortunately the Lantean uniforms were even more distinctive than the Genii's, and stood out just as much as the Wraith's did by the obvious difference in how they were made compared to the typical clothing we of the Pegasus Galaxy wore. The Lanteans had also made quite the name for themselves, and not just with people like the Genii; you really couldn't trade with people who couldn't trust, not to mention, identify you, even if you never did let them see your home. So being so publicly identified would mean Sheppard and McKay couldn't lose themselves within the crowd.

"Ronon, Teyla, you're getting this --"

"Lantean!" The cry was strident, and closer toward Sheppard's mike. I had no difficulty picturing what was happening in my mind's eye from the sounds we were picking up: McKay's more rapid breathing wasn't interspersed with panting and so they weren't running, had probably even now stopped.

"Give us landmarks to find --"

But my own words were cut off by Sheppard. His "Fuck!" came through much louder than any of his other words, as did something that sounded like a cut off shout of panic from McKay, only for both of them to then be drowned out by what was obviously a single weapon's shot. Another stuttered intake of breath and then the sounds of bodies falling and screams or shouts that came from the crowd.

Teyla and I exchanged frantic glances. We had a basic idea of the area Sheppard and McKay were searching, but that was still a lot of ground to cover, and so far the confused noises were only reaching us over our communications devices instead of also from somewhere off in the direction we were running toward.

McKay's strident voice suddenly cut through the riot of noise. "What the fuck!" he screamed, causing me to wince at the shrillness cutting through my ear as well as the unveiled panic fueling it. "You shot him! You fucking shot him and we don't even know you --"

While we could hear ragged panting in addition to McKay's words and so determined Sheppard was still alive, the fact that he wasn't making any noise to try and calm or back McKay up, spoke of a seriousness to the wound that could just as easily mean Sheppard's living state was only temporary. Which meant McKay's was also likely --

"As Specialist Dex killed my Task Master, it is my right to kill his," came from the voice that had started this nightmare.

I froze, both in step and in breath, until a violent pull from Teyla got me moving again. I had told Sheppard and McKay about Kell during that first night we had all joined with each other, confessed even to killing him and while I knew that it wouldn't have been something even Sheppard would have done himself, the only recrimination I received for my actions was for involving Teyla. The incident had never been mentioned to Weir or Caldwell, was just one more secret between the four of us, and I had figured that to be the end of it outside my nightmares.

I had forgotten that secrets never stayed as such

"Oh, so if it's eye for an eye, it's okay then?" McKay's voice rose again, this time with a measure of sarcasm and anger that both Teyla and I took relief in. It was still too damn likely McKay was going to get himself into trouble, but it sounded as if his blinding panic was giving way to an impressive fury, and I knew of no one better who might be able to think or talk himself out of being shot too -- as long as he was thinking.

"So, because you shot my best friend, I can shoot yours, right?"

Or maybe not.

"It is my right." This time there was more of a whine to the Satedan's response than righteousness, and I couldn’t help but think that my one time squadmate had to have been very young at the time of the culling. That left his identity to be but from a handful, but the voice now was from no one I could recognize from hearing it.

What I could recognize, however, was a stream of people that seemed to be moving away with almost the same amount of determination Teyla and I were showed in traveling toward. We were getting close.

"Yes, and by your insane logic, it's now my right to shoot one of your companions. And then the other will shoot me, one of my friends shoots him and tell me, Mr. Mensa BrainTrust, where the fuck does it end?"

A sound, suspiciously like a choked off laugh told us that Sheppard was still aware, and I found myself breathing a little easier. Hurt then, but not as out of it as first thought, although I had to think that McKay didn't yet realize for how he was bravely ranting. Sheppard still had his back until we got there.

My optimism was suddenly shattered by a set of whistles that I could now hear both from the radio and from our general surroundings. I hadn't really been able to explain the laws of Comru to Weir's satisfaction. Standard things like killing and stealing weren't good ideas, of course, but the closest thing the planet had to a central government was a handful of the most powerful and permanent merchants, who sponsored a security force that no one went up against. Those forces were equipped with a manufactured whistle that warned of approach and -- against running away by perpetrator, victim or witness. Teyla and I continued forward, now unimpeded, as all within earshot who'd been fleeing the scene suddenly stopped.

Theft was the highest crime on Comru, followed then by fraud, but shooting someone -- killing someone -- could be considered a theft of livelihood or years.

The whistles now were sharp enough that I wanted to pull off my headset from the pain-inducing echo. We were there, and so were the security guards. I made myself reholster the gun I'd pulled as we'd first started running. The guard didn't have a reputation of shooting first, but if they did, no one questioned it and I didn't want to be the one to test their reputation. Or worse, have it be Teyla who paid for that mistake as Sheppard was now paying for another of mine.

We found a frozen picture like when the Lanteans paused their movies to take a call or a piss or something. Both McKay and Sheppard were on the ground, Sheppard sprawled face down more or less across McKay's lap. McKay was actually holding Sheppard's small gun and pointing it up at the three Satedans. It was wavering, but that could be just as much from how long he'd needed to point it as from any fear, and it wasn't enough to have my fellow Satedans lose their own measure of caution. Or for the one who'd done the shooting and the talking to lower his own.

Three guard approached the standoff as four others spreading out to question the witnesses. Teyla and I slowed our approach but continued forward too, hands open and arms away from our bodies and any weapons other than those we were born with. That didn't stop a couple of the guns being pointed our direction, although in drawing the guards attention we'd also drawn McKay's and I couldn't help but cringe to see him lower his aim and then let go of his.

Everyone present, though, seemed to know the power resided in the guards, and with McKay's disarming, the decidedly non-Satedan gun was also lowered until the only one pointing weapons were the ones who should be. Until --

"Dex!"

McKay and the guards weren't the only ones to finally notice our arrival. Even when Velson turned, I could barely recognize him. Yeah, he'd been one of the youngest in our squad, had barely qualified even then and had been more concerned with being accepted than earning his right to be there. Once he'd been scrawny and almost too weak. I rather suspected the weakness had stayed, but there was nothing scrawny anymore and I didn't wonder that he'd gone to Kell for protection after everything was over, even if he'd known what Kell had done. When the Wraith eventually came for Velson, he wasn't going to be able to run from them. And just might be able to provide enough food for two.

I was disgusted on too many levels to be able to talk.

Not so, Teyla.

"May I see to my friends?" she asked the guard with the proper measure of deference and defiance, as a respectful equal instead of cringing and acting guilty in the face of their authority, and once again proving why she was better than even Sheppard when dealing with strangers.

A nod, and one of the guard trailed along beside her. I managed to stop myself from following; Teyla could look after herself and I didn't need to give any more reason for anyone to do something stupid.

"Rodney, are you injured?"

I could see some blood staining the hand that was holding Sheppard against him, but there wasn't too much spilling out amidst the dirt underneath them. I was beginning to think that Sheppard's vest had done its job at least in part, but didn't know if the blood was because of a larger impact than it could block, or because of something that had still been able to penetrate its inner protective plating. The weapon Velson was holding was completely unfamiliar to me.

I could also see that McKay wanted to complain and given into his panic now that we were here, yet he only glanced once more toward Velson and the others before giving a shake of his head as Teyla knelt at his side. "He stepped in front of me when we saw the weapon, tried to move us both but there were other people around and that fucking idiot over there didn't seem to be able to aim any better than I can," McKay more or less whispered, but we were still all on an open circuit and so his words came to me clearly.

As well as to a couple of others. "They fired first?" the guard who had moved along with Teyla asked.

"I barely even got my weapon out," McKay said a lot more shrilly this time. "That… that trigger-happy… moron fired without any provocation whatsoever! No doubt if we hadn't turned, he would have simply fired on our backs like the fucking coward --"

"I claim bloodfeud and Satedan vengeance rights," Velson interrupted.

"And I claimed it right back!"

The one guard looked pained, all the more so when Teyla was successful in getting McKay to let her turn Sheppard and see that he was indeed alive and aware enough that he was stilled holding onto the weapon he'd covered with his own body. Blood covered both gun and hand, but his hand was still as steady as the smirk he gave Velson before he let Teyla pull the weapon away.

"It was a good thing you were a good cook," I couldn't help but respond with to Velson's cries of dismay to see Sheppard still among the living. "But it seems you've forgotten you're not cooking for a squad any longer. You forget how to share?" There were none of the scientists on Atlantis, not even McKay, with as much extra body weight as Velson now carried, and for a soldier, there was no excuse.

"Don't speak of the Squad, Oathbreaker," Velson hissed back. "You have profaned us all with your betrayal."

"Kell betrayed not just Squad, but Home," I snarled right back. "He betrayed us to the Wraith and fled in the face of his cowardice, striking down mates to insure his own escape."

"You lie --"

"Maybe, maybe not," the lead guard interrupted as he rose back to his feet and then helped Teyla to hers as she'd finished binding Sheppard's wound. "Word against word is not proof, but vengeance rights are acknowledged here. You," pointing to me, "are accused of Oathbreaking and Stealing Life and Support. You," pointing then to Velson, "have been witnessed in the attempt of Stealing Life and Love. Both might be guilty, and so cannot earn freedom. Do any of you others claim their value?"

"What exactly do you mean?" Sheppard asked between gritted teeth, still on the ground and held within McKay's embrace, but now somewhat upright so he could better take in what was going on around him.

"Comru does not lock up lawbreakers, it is a waste of time and resources," the youngest of the guard explained with the dull inflection of many repeatings. "Comru acknowledges that there are many worlds with many laws. Normally we would return you to your world of origin so that you might deal with this amongst yourselves, but all know of Sateda's fall, nor are you three --" gesturing to McKay and Sheppard, and then Telya, "Satedan. You have been identified as Lanteans, but we do not know your world and, therefore, it is up to Comru to arbitrate the claims. Either side may forfeit claim and turn your man over to service to Comru. For such crimes as Stealing Life, life in return will be traded. Or you may both dispute and earn freedom for one."

"I will never forfeit!" Velson shrieked.

Both of the guards who had spoken turned to McKay.

"Wronged parties here," he snapped back and unconsciously drew Sheppard tighter until that invoked a protest cut off by coughing. "We're not forfeiting any of our rights."

"Then you will fight for him?" with another pointed finger my direction.

"Fight?" McKay squeaked, even as Sheppard protested with a "Hell, no --"

I didn't blame Sheppard for refusing; this should have been my business alone, and if I could not fight for myself, I would rather forfeit my life to service or death than allow McKay to be placed in danger. Maybe if it had been against Velson, but he too stood accused and so it would be one of the others who would have to stand for him, any of which even I would have a time of defeating.

Except Sheppard wasn't overriding McKay and forfeiting me. "If anyone is going to have to fight --"

"I will fight for Ronon Dex," Teyla took control before Sheppard could do anything even more foolish than attempting to get away from McKay and try to stand up with a belly wound.

"Teyla --"

"She has Claimed," the young guard scowled, although not as fiercely as Sheppard now was. "It is done, Lantean."

"Must it be to the death?" one of the Satedans I didn't know asked.

The young guard looked to the first of his fellows who had spoken, who shook his head. "Although your accusation is of Stealing Life, we have no body and yours is the only transgression we can prove. First rights, therefore are the Lanteans."

"If it's not to the death, what happens to the loser?" McKay asked with a steadier gaze than I'd expected as he realized that in being the accuser for the Lanteans, it would be his decision as to how far the fight would have to go. "And what are my options for types of fights? I don't suppose we'd all be happy with first blood?"

"First blood is insufficient payment for the people of Comru whose time, lives and livelihood have been disrupted on this day. It must be until one cannot fight any longer, either through unconsciousness or death."

"So I guess that means arm wrestling is out," McKay muttered.

"The loser of the fight will suffer nothing more than the injuries he or she sustains in the conflict. The one who has then lost freedom will forfeit a year and a day in service to Comru as penalty for bringing your crimes here, in addition to forfeit of the claim, of course."

Sheppard still didn't look all too happy as he first took in Teyla and then my acceptance but he gave the barest of nods against McKay's chest and tightened his grip around the arm holding him upright in a squeezed signal of silent agreement to McKay.

"Okay, fine. Not to the death," McKay accepted. "And I expect that you're going to need to take the claimants and the accused with you, but maybe the rest of us could get out of the middle of the street?"

"We are still awaiting confirmation of Satedan's claiming," the young guard looked toward Velson and his two companions.

"I will fight for Velson and Sateda."

"Only the accused need come with us now," the first guard said briskly. "Check any of the arena schedules for the fight time, I imagine we'll be able to fit you in tonight, but I want to make sure that you're given access to the one of the main arenas as you deserve the crowd." To my surprise he then moved over toward Sheppard again, and helped Teyla get him to his feet.

"There is a healer's tent two streets over," he then informed Teyla. "It's blue with gold ribbons proclaiming her trade. If you must stay the night, look for a building with green paint outlining a sign with a square hole in its middle. They hold better beds and will give you privacy so that you might be able to prepare for the coming battle without interruption."

"We thank you," she tilted her head and then nodded gravely to him before sending a cool look my direction.

I couldn’t offer her guilt for what I had done, but I didn't turn from or attempt to deflect the disappointment in her eyes either. I had done what honor and loyalty had demanded then, and would do what they demanded now, regardless of the final outcome. I had a moment's wonder that even if Teyla won and I retained my freedom, I might need to stay on Comru or go somewhere else that is not Atlantis. Having to leave would hurt more than I thought anything else ever would again in my life, but was still the better price to pay over losing one of them.

The guard confiscated my gun and my sword, but didn't bother yet stripping me of other belongings, including the radio I still wore, which allowed me to listen in to the others as I was drawn away with Velson.

"Teyla, I need to you go back and let Weir know what's going on," Sheppard was saying, his voice still strained but not as bad as I've heard it when he's been injured before. "Save the specific details, but you had better mention your impending fight. Tell her that I don't want a back-up team coming into town right now, but would appreciate one on standby at the gate just in case things don't go as they should. We've not found anything that would suggest the people here have technology that can penetrate a jumper's cloak or block our comm. devices, so they can just hide out unless we call for them."

"We need to get you back to Carson," came from McKay.

"We don't know how much time we really have and I'm not going to leave Ronon here with an automatic forfeit. That might mean a lifetime of service instead of the year and the day if Teyla doesn't show up."

"But --"

"But nothing, McKay. My vest deflected the actual bullet; I guess it just tore up one of the buckles or something that did the actual puncturing -- besides giving a kick like a mule, of course. I'm stiff, and yeah, my whole side hurts like a bitch, but I'm not in any danger of bleeding out. We'll see this through and then see if we have to take any more action before we all go home."

I wanted to caution them from trying (planning!) to free me if Teyla lost; I could only imagine there were also penalties and payment for overtly defying Comru judgments. Stealing of Justice or something like that. But even just warning them might be accusation enough, plus it would get my radio only taken that much quicker, and I hoped to have it long enough to have confirmed that Sheppard was damaged only a little as he was claiming.

I gave a cough just to remind them that we were all still openly connected and then dipped my chin when that also got me my personal guard's attention. "What type of service do you guys generally demand for a year and a day?" I asked of him. I'd earned the biggest of the seven, although a third man was walking behind and between the distance Velson and I, although with our private guard were keeping of one another.

"Someone like you would probably be recruited for the guard like us, or maybe even a personal bodyguard for one of the Trade Council. Him?" with a nod Velson's direction. "You said he was a good cook. There are a lot of important people who would appreciate a good cook."

"I could pass my time as a guard," I agreed, although I still spoke mainly for Sheppard and the team's benefit. I really didn't want them to endanger themselves any more for me.

"Yeah, but only on my team," I heard Sheppard's fierce, possessive whisper coming right back. "And don’t you be giving up on Teyla quite so soon anyway," he then admonished me with that weird tone he sometimes got. "I've seen her kick your ass before."

Only when we were both drugged out on Ford's stupid Wraith enzyme, but yeah, the two of us had never really fought for real before then, and even though it had all been foreplay for me, maybe for her our sparring while being drugged was a better indication of how she'd fight me hand-to-hand if we were enemies. I'd shot her and Sheppard both when I'd first run across them, never giving either of them any chance to show me what they could do under life or death conditions. I had tremendous strength and size on them, but they were both faster and more flexible, not to mention sneakier. Teyla took her stick fighting seriously, but against friends she still held back, as evidenced with how easily she'd dispatched the Wraith when we were escaping from Olesia. She beat Sheppard regularly in their training matches, just as I did in our own hand-to-hand matches, but I still had a feeling I'd never seen him deadly serious outside of when he'd held a gun in his hand.

"You guys can make sure she'll have a few hours to get ready and to make sure Sheppard's alright, right?" was the only other thing I could think of to ask of the guard for my squad's benefit.

The guard I'd decided had to be this team's leader turned his head back my direction and nodded before speaking in tones I hoped were loud enough to be overheard. "Pretty lady like that, I'm going to make sure I've got a good seat to watch for myself, and I'm on call through dinner. She'll have the time she'll need, but not so much that she might get too fretful."

"You don't sound very impartial to me," Velson suddenly complained with a whine even more grating than McKay's. "You're all supposed to be impartial. Comru is neutral ground--"

"I'm partial to pretty ladies, Satedan. I have no care about the outcome of your accusations other than being glad that she's not going to have to kill or be killed. But since you have asked, I do think you're a coward for not taking him on directly," he nodded my way. "Blood feuds shouldn't involve collateral."


Now

Dinner had passed. In addition to better food than I would have expected in being held prisoner, I was also given the timing of my final judgment. I guess major crimes really weren't all that common here on Comru, because as promised, Teyla's match against Velson's supporter was slotted into time yet this evening, and if this wasn't one of the main arenas, I didn't want to see one that might be considered more important. Sateda had been one of the more prosperous and prolific of worlds before its destruction, the great city built around the Circle of the Ancestors, but there had been others nearly as large and filled with many more people than I'd seen anywhere else in all of my travels. The arena here on Comru could have easily held a third of the great city's population, and the guards who still watched over me implied there were four more like this.

I was escorted to one of the seats just above the sand, one of the more coveted ones going by the manner and dress of those who were seated nearby. I actually couldn't make out Velson in a crowd of what had to be a thousand or more people, but I was told he would be brought to the opposite side, just as his champion and Teyla would be entering the arena floor from opposite sides. I was surprised and more than a little grateful to see that Sheppard and McKay were being brought toward me, but I guess that made sense as it was actually McKay who was the accuser against Velson. Two claims were being settled here.

Neither were armed, at least not visibly, and they didn't wear their tack vests, but one of the escorts were carrying them, while another held a box that I assumed contained their guns. No matter the outcome, they and Teyla would be free to leave when the battle was over, and I rather suspected the guards were assuming we/they would be and so having their supplies on hand would just expedite departure. While he didn't look completely relaxed, Sheppard was no longer pale, nor did his face carry the deep signs of pain as it had when we'd parted. McKay's still visible agitation was more born of anticipation and disgust, I was thinking, than like his earlier out and out panic. Both were also wearing spare shirts from their packs, as even McKay's had gotten stained by Sheppard's blood. (We'd intended from the beginning to stay overnight had Comru not been recently culled, and so at least there would be no payment wasted to repay a bounty from our 'hosts'.)

I knew they were scrutinizing me as closely as I had them, although only McKay was obvious about it. But I'd been fed and even given a chance to wash more than just my face and hands, and so bore no signs of any ill treatment. Comru's justice was swift, impartial and, yeah, I'd have to say fair at least from what I'd seen so far.

"Is everything okay back home?" I had to ask when we took our seats. The one thing I still didn't know was whether Teyla had actually shown up for fight.

"Mom's not really happy, but she's even agreed to let us stay after this is over, assuming we don't need to get Teyla back right away," Sheppard offered, automatically leaning forward a bit so we might meet each other's gaze since we'd automatically put McKay between us. That cost him a grimace and a low growl, as well as a tisk from McKay before the scientist was shooing Sheppard back to lessen the strain on his wound.

I shot him a raised a brow, one I thought worthy of the same type of skepticism Sheppard liked to throw my way when I ignored my own injuries.

"We really didn't get much of a chance to explore, and this is a hell of a place to just give up on because of a little trouble," he shrugged when it was McKay that folded inward enough that we could again meet each other's gaze. "Even if there are others from Sateda out there, word of this … these accusations have spread like wildfire, and we've been repeatedly assured this will be the end of it one way or the other. Someone else makes a claim against you or takes action against any of us and they're to be summarily shot with no recrimination, although I think the guard are assuming they will be the ones doing the shooting. Same if we do anything against the other guy's people, of course, but …" He shrugged again with a bit of fidgeting following.

"It appears that the drugs they have here are almost as good as the ones Carson holds out with," McKay said with a mix of acerbity and amusement as we both observed Sheppard trying to find a comfortable position. "We've had time to nap and look at things that made pretty colors, as well as being fed remarkably well. I guess the coin of this level of entertainment goes a long way here."

"I assure you, Rodney, I would have been napping with only the comfort you gave me," Sheppard sniggered from his seat before McKay had a chance to launch into another rant about the barbarism of said entertainment, which had been the last thing I'd heard from the others before my radio had been taken away earlier. Sheppard then laughed more outright at how quickly and deeply McKay turned red, even as it brought more lines back into his face.

The rule was no sex during a mission, even on the ones to uninhabited worlds. I guess I wasn't the only one skirting the rules today.

Before McKay or I had any chance to respond, the lights around the arena dimmed and others flared to life to illuminate just the sandy floor below us.

"You know, this looks remarkably like Husky Stadium," Sheppard remarked as the crowd noise began to rise again when nothing else immediately happened. "Okay, that's only a lake out there, and the mountains can't begin to compete with any of the Olympic range, much less Mt. Rainier, but it's remarkable similar for their version of football being some sort of gladiatorial blood sport. Did you know that Husky Stadium is annually voted the prettiest stadium in the entire country?"

Since McKay professed to know little more about football than I now did, I could only conclude that Sheppard was talking strictly to hear himself do so at the moment, and had to agree that the drugs he'd been given from the local healers would indeed good enough, since babbling was a McKay trait when nervous, not a Sheppard one.

"You're presuming that either of us -- that anyone within bloody earshot -- actually cares, Colonial," McKay growled even as his hands began the usual flutter, but then I decided he was only trying to capture one of Sheppard's that was deciding to take advantage of our darkened surroundings. "Just hold -- not that!" McKay suddenly squeaked.

It wasn't appropriate behavior to the mission or to the seriousness of what we were about to have to witness, but Sheppard abruptly caught my eye just before the lights around us darkened completely and flashed me a look that was then directed toward their vests, one that was neither horny or nearly as drug relaxed as he'd been presenting before. Suddenly I wasn't sure how much had been misdirection for the sake of McKay's nerves, how much might have been subterfuge for the guards surrounding us, and how much was actually real. He'd made it very clear that he understood the consequences of what would happen if he acted against the guards or disputed the outcome, but on the other hand, just because McKay had directed that this not be a fight to the death, didn't mean that the other side had to abide by it.

I shook my head sharply and berated myself silently. I'd been assuming Satedan honor, not only my own strict interpretation of it, but also relying on it when I'd already had proof that not all of us were honorable, first in Kell's actions, then in Velson's. The fighter who was now coming out at a speaker's words was not someone I knew, nor was his squad markings one I recognized. He, too, carried the added mark of a specialist, but that didn't necessarily mean tracker as mine had, could just as easily mean interrogator or assassin. And I truly knew nothing about the nature of his relationship to Velson, not if his initial question before agreeing to champion Velson had been because he wouldn't have done so if it had been a death match, or if he would have preferred it that way.

I'd been told there would be a team on standby, on-world and in a cloaked jumper. I could only interpret now that Sheppard was also prepared to interfere in the fight if something went contrary, and that he was expecting me to go for one of the radios and call for the back-up since the division of duties the other way would automatically result in me being shot. Implied, too, was my defense of McKay, with my own life if necessary, but that was honor and duty too, one now of much higher priority than to a dead people and their world.

I raised my arm to rest it across McKay's shoulders, drawing him just a little closer into the radius of my body, but still stretched out far enough to also squeeze Sheppard's shoulder with my fingers. We'd been together long enough, often enough for touch to be able to convey a wealth of communication. McKay didn't pull back away despite normally being skittish of any closeness out in public, and it was his hand that covered mine on Sheppard's shoulder, before Sheppard covered both of ours.

Messages received.

Plan understood.

And then Teyla was introduced, the crimes read, the challenge set and the fight begun.

I have seen Teyla face down Marines as well as Wraith, face down Sheppard no less than she did me when she thought we were wrong. I have seen her fight dressed in the Lantean uniform and her Athosian garb, fight when fresh, fight when wounded, and fight when drugged. She has a beauty of inner strength as well as outside allure, and there are times I think that just about everyone on Atlantis is a little bit in love with her, the women included, just as everyone is a little bit in love with Sheppard, even his marines, just for the type of people that they are.

I suddenly do not want to see anything mar such magnificence, not even the faintest bruise, nor do I think I'm alone, from the sudden lack of sound throughout the entire arena, as if everyone has collectively caught their breath at their sight of her. But to do something now is to potentially forfeit more than my own life, and in another few seconds there is no time or opportunity regardless.

As challenger McKay had first rights to determine the parameters of the match, but I guess that meant that the challenged got to choose the actual type of combat. My mind has definitely been off today, for I had been imagining hand-to-hand without having any information to support such a conclusion. But that would have been ugly, brutal and all too likely something that would end too soon to be called entertainment in looking at the differences between the two of them. Instead they have been given staffs, slender and almost as tall as she is.

Better than knives or swords, of course, because even a blocked blade can do damage, and it is all too easy to launch a strike to a vital area even when proscribed, with no time for the Marshal to do anything but penalize the rogue for his violation. Teyla is even proficient with a battle staff; she and I have practiced with such weapons on Atlantis despite her preference for Athosian Fighting Sticks.

Unfortunately, this form of fighting was very common on Sateda, and it was in fact something to specialize in. I can see from how Velson's man handles the one he is given, that he just might be one who had. I manage to stop my groan lest I scare McKay, but I still give Sheppard's shoulder another squeeze in warning.

At least in this form of combat, it will be less likely for him to land one single killing blow, and any to a repeated location is much more likely to render her unconscious or unable to continue the fight before it will kill her.

Velson's man may not be a Specialist in staff combat, but he is proficient enough, and the only reason it isn't over within the first few minutes is either because he's decided to throw or prolong it purposefully. Or maybe he has no more desire to see her bruised than any of the rest of us. What he does, instead, is hammer at her weapon as an alternative to hammering against her body, trying to use his strength to either overwhelm or tire her. In return she starts aiming for his fingers, until she actually manages to connect with his left ones and he's suddenly able to only maintain his grip one-handed.

This, however, he proves adept at too, and suddenly he's got three times the reach that she does as well as suddenly being able to come closer to matching her speed. The trade off is a loss of some of his control and strength, but that also has him changing his target now to her shoulders and legs.

McKay is near hyperventilating in his anxiety, and is leaning into my body although I cannot feel that he's actually gone so far as to hide his face. Under my fingers I can also feel Sheppard's tension mounting throughout his body, but then so is mine. I have to remind myself sometimes to breathe. This is so much worse than fighting myself, not because she's the one responsible for my own freedom, but because I am not worthy of the effort she is expending. Again I want only to stop things, would gladly pay my entire lifetime of freedom to spare her injury, but this has gone on long enough that the reason behind the battle is no longer the point.

We are witnessing art as well as violence, and while only some of the audience may be submerging within their baser lusts, the hew and cry were it to end before completion would only inspire chaos and rioting in all.

Hair and cloth lie sweat-plastered against their bodies, but of course this only makes the both of them, Teyla especially, all the more enticing to the crowd. Both, too, are bruised and bleeding, although neither has penetrated each other's guard often enough to do significant damage to anything other than strength and stamina. Unfortunately, if that is what it will ultimately come down to, I'd best prepare myself to a year and a day of servitude, for no matter how skilled or strong the woman; she cannot overcome someone who is nearly a foot taller and more than a hundred pounds heavier than she in a straight match of blow against blow.

Sheppard has now moved forward enough in his seat that I can no longer touch him, any discomfort in this subsumed to his hyperawareness. I don't know if he's actually seen something that has put him on alert, or is simply so engrossed that he feels the need to move closer and has actually forgotten about his injury. Indeed, there is little movement around us at all as well as near utter silence, only the occasional stuttered breath and gasp or explosive release of air in response to the display we're being gifted.

When it comes, the sound of the break is near overwhelming and produces more than one shrill scream. For a moment I look frantically to see who is suddenly so damaged, before realizing that it wasn't bone, but wood that snapped. The man's staff is suddenly in two pieces. As he throws them to the ground, he is also rushing forward, bent low to take advantage of Teyla's sudden loss of resistance against her and, therefore, her balance. He's misjudged it, though. In trying to fold her over and slam her down, he hasn't realized she still has one foot in position to push off the ground. Teyla uses that little push and her own abrupt forward momentum to roll over him. Even as she's tucking her body, she throws her staff away as it is as much a liability to her as to him in this position. By using most of her remaining strength, she is able to skim it across the floor instead of into it and so thus depriving him too of its use.

Unless he actually tries to run across a hundred or so yards to regain it.

No or, at least, not yet.

They have landed in each other's positions, backs turned to one another as they both regain their feet. Another instant and they are both pivoting almost as if they have synchronized their moves. Again he rushes to try and overpower her with his bulk and again she evades. McKay is showing less panic at this change, moving away from where he'd tucked his head against my chest, obviously not realizing that the danger to Teyla is now greater for her to sustain serious injury.

But maybe I've underestimated them both, because on the next crash toward one another, Teyla doesn't give way. Instead she pulls her weight back onto one leg while spinning and lifting her other in a perfect kick. The Satedan is the one who is folding over, all breath lost. Yet he moves quickly back to his feet and is changing tactics yet again. Now he is moving to strike at her with his hands, arms and feet. She matches him for long seconds, forearm, wrist, calf, forearm again, blocking only, but with a speed and grace that is breathtaking.

I begin to smile as McKay's sudden excitement is contagious, only to berate myself in the next moment for jinxing her. One of his blows gets through, hard enough to toss her away as well as back, and the silence of the arena is beginning to fall to not only gasps, but some shouts of encouragement as favor changes to support the one who appears now to have won. McKay's "No!" is still loud enough to draw a few heads our way. Sheppard's much quieter and just as heart-felt "Shit!" more matches my own thoughts.

Except all three of us are wrong, too premature, because where Teyla's been thrown is where the two pieces of the staff lie, and by the time she rises with both of them in hand, the fight is over although probably only the four of us have realized it.

It takes only two more clashes for Teyla to have him folding over again from a blow to the stomach, and then dropping from a forearm and stick across his back. I'm not completely sure he is actually unconscious, but neither is he moving to get up. I might have wanted her to make sure, but Teyla backs away warily and simply stands there, regaining her breath and waiting.

This time another "No!" is heard in the new round of charged and astounded silence, and I have no doubt that it has come from Velson. I stand with a roar of Teyla's name, celebrating not my freedom and vindication, but her victory, and in moments I am joined by near all in the seats.

She waits near motionless still, although I can see her draw some strength from the chanting thunder of her name and she straightens her back although remaining loose enough to counter something should her opponent be setting her up.

Except that it really is over, as the next movement on the floor is that from the Marshal and a handful of guard who offer succor, acknowledgement and escort.

"Well then, I guess we know whose turn it is this time," McKay said with a dirty grin that threatened to split his face.

"Hey, I'm the one who was nearly imprisoned for a year," I protested.

"And I'm the one who fucking got shot!"

"Yes, but she's the one who can kick all of our fucking asses," McKay pointed out. "And so I'm thinking she's the one who should also get do decide who exactly is fucking which ass. If we're not careful, it just might be one of ours with one of her fucking sticks!"

Now that was something I might just be willing to try. From the sound of Sheppard's sudden intake of breath, I'm thinking I'm not be the only one who might be up for that, although definitely not something to try on a night with all of us quite so pumped up with adrenalin.

No, tonight was for gentleness. For something maybe not even including sex, save for soft kisses and soothing touches. We'd all come too close again but had come through it by the luck and grace of each other, which was a thing of quiet celebration as well as frantic ones.

I suddenly remembered another one of Comru's past delights and turned to ask my one-time jailor if the reputation for amazing baths was still deserved.

Finis.