FIC: Sins Of The Father Chapter 5
Title: Sins Of The Father Chapter 5
Author: joaniexjony
SINS OF THE FATHER
CHAPTER 5
Jusana had only been fifteen, a cadet in the militia, when she discovered the mutilated remains of her beloved brother Colaine. Gone was the handsome auburn haired youth who'd loved life. Instead, in his stead was a hideous scaled creature more beast than man, with only the familiar pendant given by her, a gift for his seventeenth birthday, as evidence it was him lying dead, discarded amongst the pile of decaying bodies hidden in the forest.
Since that day, nothing in her life made sense. So Jusana went through the motions and did what people expected of her. She pursued a career, rising quickly through the ranks, eventually getting married to the first man who asked. Children, though, had never been part of her plan. For years hints were made and pressures applied by both families, but she ignored them all, and it was only when her marriage started to fall apart that she finally relented. Failure was something she hated, despised even, not just in others, but especially in herself. Thus she only submitted to his request for a child, and allowed one final act of intimacy to conceive at the age of forty-two.
After Marcen was born, for a while she had been surprisingly happy. Each time she'd held her precious son in her arms, Jusana felt a love so intense, so all consuming, she scarcely recognised herself and for a short while, even managed to forget the pain. However the memories soon flooded back, little by little invading her dreams, then her waking hours too. The image of her brother half man, half beast, calling out to her for help…revenge.
In the beginning she tried to shut them out, knew nothing could ever bring Colaine back, except they wouldn't be denied. Their persistence eventually grew into an obsession, which ultimately drove her husband away, destroyed her career until there was no one, nothing, but Marcen left. So she packed up and left the city behind and returned to the only place where she'd ever truly felt accepted, the village where she grew up.
Despite having lived in the city for most of her adult life, Jusana came from a rural village, a child born to farmers who lived a simple existance, with a strong, rigid moral code. She believed in the old ways, and was frustrated by the liberal attitudes tolerated in modern life showing a leniency, compassion even, towards criminals. A limb for a limb, an eye for an eye, and a life for a life. That was the way of her village, and in Jusana's view the way all crimes should be judged. Thus, she believed if the perpetrator was no longer around to make amends for his crimes, then the sins of the father became the sins of the son…
She was positive Sheppard was lying, and that he was really Forant under a different guise, or at least a close relative, perhaps even his son. Yet, whether or not John Sheppard was the man guilty of killing her brother didn't matter. If it wasn't him then it must be his father, as his resemblance to Forant could brook no other argument. But, if he refused to give up the man responsible, his father, then it would be him, the son, who would suffer. For someone must pay the price for the atrocities carried out against her people…especially Colaine.
"Mistress. There is something wrong with the prisoner, I can't get him to wake up."
Jusana threw down her pen, and glared at Luthame who was standing looking sheepish by the door. "When did you last see him…was he lucid then?"
"He was fine last night…"
"Last night! It's now the middle of the afternoon. You fool. Can't I leave you a simple task of caring for a prisoner without you killing him?" Jusana saw the man back away in fear. "Did you release him from his restraints as I told you, give him a blanket? The broth I ordered?"
"No…I wanted to make him suffer, just a little longer, for his stubbornness to you, Mistress and his disrespect to me."
"What…You do realise there is a difference between punishing a man and killing him?"
Jusana got up, pushed him aside, and walked into the corridor barely looking at the man beside her. "If he dies, Luthame, you do know it is you who will take his place…"
Luthame stammered. "He's alive…I'm sure of it. It's dark in there, but I'm positive he's still breathing."
In the gloom of the cavernous space, Jusana saw Sheppard, still anchored by the metallic bands, held rigidly against the wall. He wasn't moving, but then she wouldn't have expected him to. However his ghostly pallor, a startling contrast against the dark, rock wall made her doubt he was still alive. Also his body was covered with deep lacerations, a punishment she hadn't authorised.
Without looking at the two guards standing nearby, she put out her hand and snapped her fingers impatiently. "Keys…"
When Sheppard's head fell forward she searched for a pulse. At first she struggled, but was eventually relieved to feel a faint flicker beneath her fingertips.
"You. What's your name?" Jusana pointed a finger to the new guard, someone Marcen recently hired.
"Eduande, Ma'am."
"Go quickly and bring my medical kit, and blankets. As many as you can."
Even as the young man rushed out the room, she unlocked each of the restraints until Sheppard slumped against her, and despite his greater weight, slowly eased him onto the ground. Luthame started towards her, but she stopped him with a look, enraged that the man who she'd spent so many years trying to find, could soon be dead.
With hesitation, Luthame moved forward. "I am so sorry for disobeying your orders, Mistress. Please forgive me. Tell me, what can I do to help?"
"By the looks of things, Luthame I think you've done quite enough. But there is one thing you can do for me."
"Name it, Mistress…anything you want."
Jusana turned to give him a grim smile. "Take off your clothes…"
ooooOoooo
It was shortly after Rodney's near collapse that the relationship changed between the brilliant wormhole physicist and the man who'd made him his prisoner.
Since that day, Marcen always made sure to have plenty of snacks available to prevent a recurrence of McKay's hypoglycaemia, but more than that, the young scientist became much more pleasant, more amenable to any suggestions Rodney had to offer. Except for one, as he still refused to allow him close enough to examine the bracelet.
Ever since finding the cell empty and learning about Sheppard's doppelganger, he was worried sick over John's continued absence. He had racked his brains trying to figure out a plan which would get them both out of here, while there was still something of Sheppard left to rescue. Except every single scenario revolved around obtaining access to the bracelet, because without it, they were going precisely nowhere. So, with hostilities between him and Marcen a thing of the past, McKay felt the time was right to ask the six million dollar question…what was the flaw that killed the technician?
"Marcen. I've checked and re-checked the schematics of the bracelet, and obviously we know it is a teleport device of some type, however from what you've told me it has a limited range. Honestly, from what I've been able to tell from these diagrams, I can't understand why. Is that the flaw you mentioned?"
Rodney watched Marcen look uncertain, as if trying to decide whether or not to tell him the truth, before the young man finally spoke. "I'm pleased to hear your findings coincide with mine, Dr McKay, as I suspected as much myself. Now perhaps we can find a way to extend the range. But in answer to your question, no, that wasn't the flaw."
Marcen shuffled some papers before starting to speak. "After I found the bracelet in the lab I realised the potential of the device, except much to my disappointment Hollena asked Rathama, one of the more senior technicians to test it instead of me. However, once he put it on, the bracelet moulded to his wrist and wouldn't come off. It was a concern of course, but we were confident we would be able to find a solution, plus it didn't seem to be doing him any harm…at least not at first. Although after a couple of months it became clear to me Rathama didn't have the ability to effectively control the device, only having been able to travel a few feet, also it was around that time he discovered the first blotches around his wrist. Our worst fears were soon confirmed when he developed a mass of festering sores, then, soon afterwards a high fever. Within weeks, the sickness reached his brain and he became completely disorientated, unable to recognise his friends, or even his family. The infirmary had never seen anything like it but did everything they could, even amputated his arm just above his elbow. Unfortunately though, nothing they tried worked, and he died shortly afterwards, a horrible agonising death."
"Wha…you mean to say you can't get that thing off? Rodney was shocked. "Are you okay, do you have any of the sympt…" Marcen rolled up his sleeve to show him a small white mark just showing below where the bracelet sat on his wrist. "But why, Marcen? I don't understand. Why would you take a risk with your life like that?"
"Because, Doctor, I was foolish enough to think I could control the bracelet, solve the problem on my own and at the time I even thought the risk was worth it. If I could control it, harness it's powers, duplicate them even, what a discovery it would be for my people. In the beginning I thought I had suceeded. First I was able to teleport back to Forant's old lab, then from there I discovered the link to these caves, but since then...nothing. My mother may hate Brantum Forant, but I cannot deny what his contributions to technology, industry did for this planet. After he went, all Tynos was left with were some pretty buildings to remind us of what might have been. But those auspicious beginnings were halted in their tracks, as he'd never allowed anyone close enough to learn from him, to carry on the work he'd started. Some progress was eventually made of course, but it took us decades to do what he could have done in weeks, months, and we are still far behind from where we should be. Except now of course, everything I have discovered about the bracelet will be worthless, unless I manage to remove it. So please, Dr McKay I'm asking for your help. Not just for the sake of Tynos, but for me. Or I will surely die because of my arrogance."
Rodney shook his head slowly. "I don't know what to say, Marcen. I only wish you'd told me when we first met. If it is a form of radiation sickness as I suspect, even if I do manage to remove the bracelet, I'm a scientist, not a doctor. The best chance you have, the only one, it to return with us to Atlantis. They have a wonderful medical facility with the best doctors, one in particular who may be able to help you, or at least prolong your life long enough to give me a chance to remove the bracelet. What about your mother, does she know?"
"Does she know what?" Jusana was standing at the opening of the lab, her eyes filled with suspicion.
"Of course my mother knows my plans for the bracelet, Dr McKay." Rodney saw Marcen shoot him a warning look, before turning to smile at his mother.
"What a pleasant surprise, Mother. Have you come up to see how our research is going?"
"No. One of the guards took Sheppard's punishment a bit too far, and I am going to need him."
"What's happened? What the hell have you done to him?" Rodney went to confront the she-devil who'd obviously hurt his friend, but Marcen grabbed his arm, holding him back.
"It's just as well this man is valuable to you, Marcen, or I would take great pleasure punishing him for that outburst. Anyway…little man. You're friend is back in the cell and I don't have time to take care of him. That's going to be your job."
"Mother, isn't there anyone else? Dr McKay and I were just starting to make progress."
Jusana shook her head. "I'm sorry, my child. But the good doctor shouldn't be away for too long. Colonel Sheppard will either survive the night, or he won't. Whatever happens, Doctor McKay should be able to return to the lab tomorrow."
McKay marched up and glared into Jusana's stony eyes. "Well, I better go right now then, hadn't I?"
Rodney glanced over to Marcen. "Sorry, Marcen. As much as I would like to help you with your…research, I should tell you if Sheppard dies, you may as well kill me too, because with him gone, you'll get no further help from me."
ooooOoooo
John looked dead. In fact Rodney was pretty sure he had seen corpses with more colour. His dark hair lay flat against his pale waxy skin, the only thing visible above the mound of blankets obscuring his body. When he went to check for a pulse, he sighed with relief. It was weak and thready, but at least John was still alive, even if freezing cold. Then he saw the dark livid bruises on his neck and chest, plus the deep ragged cuts covering his body.
"At risk of repeating myself, what did you do to him? How long has he been like this?"
"None of your concern…Doctor. Now, I would suggest if you are serious about saving your friend's life that you start taking care of him."
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that? Sheppard's hypothermic. He needs a medical doctor, so why aren't you doing something?"
Jusana's cold hard eyes caught Rodney's. "I am not a medical doctor either, Doctor McKay, just a skilled army medic with limited resources at my disposal. Now I am leaving, as I have other business to attend to, so do what you can for him. If Sheppard lives through the night, just ask the guard at the door for whatever you need. I only intend to return if he survives, and when he is ready to resume his interrogation."
"You're all heart, you know that…" Rodney shouted at the retreating figure.
With shaking hands he pushed the blankets closer to Sheppard's ice cold skin, but deep down he knew they alone wouldn't be enough. He then dared a quick look at the cuts, but discovered they'd been cleaned, so at least she'd done something.
Panic was starting to set in when Carson's first aid lessons came flooding back. Body heat. That was the best way of dealing with someone in John's condition. Trouble was, if there was anyone who hated physical contact worse than him, it was Sheppard, but needs must…
Quickly grabbing the cover off his own bunk, he took off his boots then got into bed beside him. Two things struck him at once. First John wasn't just cold, he was positively baltic. Second, he was shocked at the extent of the horrendous bruises clearly visible on his arms, legs and wrists. Thick indentations, about three inches wide could clearly be seen, and from all appearances it was evident Sheppard had been rigidly restrained in the same position for days, maybe even since the last time he'd seen him.
Rodney shivered as he pulled his friend in close, feeling the chill seep from John's icy skin right through the very clothes he was wearing. As he went to rub his arms, he stopped himself just in time, suddenly realising that action could force cold blood from John's extremities into his heart, which could wind up killing him. Just then, he felt him flinch, which was at least a response of sorts, but not the one he wanted. If only John would wake up, let him know he was going to be okay, even if it was just to tell him to back off…
ooooOoooo
TBC
Author: joaniexjony
SINS OF THE FATHER
CHAPTER 5
Jusana had only been fifteen, a cadet in the militia, when she discovered the mutilated remains of her beloved brother Colaine. Gone was the handsome auburn haired youth who'd loved life. Instead, in his stead was a hideous scaled creature more beast than man, with only the familiar pendant given by her, a gift for his seventeenth birthday, as evidence it was him lying dead, discarded amongst the pile of decaying bodies hidden in the forest.
Since that day, nothing in her life made sense. So Jusana went through the motions and did what people expected of her. She pursued a career, rising quickly through the ranks, eventually getting married to the first man who asked. Children, though, had never been part of her plan. For years hints were made and pressures applied by both families, but she ignored them all, and it was only when her marriage started to fall apart that she finally relented. Failure was something she hated, despised even, not just in others, but especially in herself. Thus she only submitted to his request for a child, and allowed one final act of intimacy to conceive at the age of forty-two.
After Marcen was born, for a while she had been surprisingly happy. Each time she'd held her precious son in her arms, Jusana felt a love so intense, so all consuming, she scarcely recognised herself and for a short while, even managed to forget the pain. However the memories soon flooded back, little by little invading her dreams, then her waking hours too. The image of her brother half man, half beast, calling out to her for help…revenge.
In the beginning she tried to shut them out, knew nothing could ever bring Colaine back, except they wouldn't be denied. Their persistence eventually grew into an obsession, which ultimately drove her husband away, destroyed her career until there was no one, nothing, but Marcen left. So she packed up and left the city behind and returned to the only place where she'd ever truly felt accepted, the village where she grew up.
Despite having lived in the city for most of her adult life, Jusana came from a rural village, a child born to farmers who lived a simple existance, with a strong, rigid moral code. She believed in the old ways, and was frustrated by the liberal attitudes tolerated in modern life showing a leniency, compassion even, towards criminals. A limb for a limb, an eye for an eye, and a life for a life. That was the way of her village, and in Jusana's view the way all crimes should be judged. Thus, she believed if the perpetrator was no longer around to make amends for his crimes, then the sins of the father became the sins of the son…
She was positive Sheppard was lying, and that he was really Forant under a different guise, or at least a close relative, perhaps even his son. Yet, whether or not John Sheppard was the man guilty of killing her brother didn't matter. If it wasn't him then it must be his father, as his resemblance to Forant could brook no other argument. But, if he refused to give up the man responsible, his father, then it would be him, the son, who would suffer. For someone must pay the price for the atrocities carried out against her people…especially Colaine.
"Mistress. There is something wrong with the prisoner, I can't get him to wake up."
Jusana threw down her pen, and glared at Luthame who was standing looking sheepish by the door. "When did you last see him…was he lucid then?"
"He was fine last night…"
"Last night! It's now the middle of the afternoon. You fool. Can't I leave you a simple task of caring for a prisoner without you killing him?" Jusana saw the man back away in fear. "Did you release him from his restraints as I told you, give him a blanket? The broth I ordered?"
"No…I wanted to make him suffer, just a little longer, for his stubbornness to you, Mistress and his disrespect to me."
"What…You do realise there is a difference between punishing a man and killing him?"
Jusana got up, pushed him aside, and walked into the corridor barely looking at the man beside her. "If he dies, Luthame, you do know it is you who will take his place…"
Luthame stammered. "He's alive…I'm sure of it. It's dark in there, but I'm positive he's still breathing."
In the gloom of the cavernous space, Jusana saw Sheppard, still anchored by the metallic bands, held rigidly against the wall. He wasn't moving, but then she wouldn't have expected him to. However his ghostly pallor, a startling contrast against the dark, rock wall made her doubt he was still alive. Also his body was covered with deep lacerations, a punishment she hadn't authorised.
Without looking at the two guards standing nearby, she put out her hand and snapped her fingers impatiently. "Keys…"
When Sheppard's head fell forward she searched for a pulse. At first she struggled, but was eventually relieved to feel a faint flicker beneath her fingertips.
"You. What's your name?" Jusana pointed a finger to the new guard, someone Marcen recently hired.
"Eduande, Ma'am."
"Go quickly and bring my medical kit, and blankets. As many as you can."
Even as the young man rushed out the room, she unlocked each of the restraints until Sheppard slumped against her, and despite his greater weight, slowly eased him onto the ground. Luthame started towards her, but she stopped him with a look, enraged that the man who she'd spent so many years trying to find, could soon be dead.
With hesitation, Luthame moved forward. "I am so sorry for disobeying your orders, Mistress. Please forgive me. Tell me, what can I do to help?"
"By the looks of things, Luthame I think you've done quite enough. But there is one thing you can do for me."
"Name it, Mistress…anything you want."
Jusana turned to give him a grim smile. "Take off your clothes…"
ooooOoooo
It was shortly after Rodney's near collapse that the relationship changed between the brilliant wormhole physicist and the man who'd made him his prisoner.
Since that day, Marcen always made sure to have plenty of snacks available to prevent a recurrence of McKay's hypoglycaemia, but more than that, the young scientist became much more pleasant, more amenable to any suggestions Rodney had to offer. Except for one, as he still refused to allow him close enough to examine the bracelet.
Ever since finding the cell empty and learning about Sheppard's doppelganger, he was worried sick over John's continued absence. He had racked his brains trying to figure out a plan which would get them both out of here, while there was still something of Sheppard left to rescue. Except every single scenario revolved around obtaining access to the bracelet, because without it, they were going precisely nowhere. So, with hostilities between him and Marcen a thing of the past, McKay felt the time was right to ask the six million dollar question…what was the flaw that killed the technician?
"Marcen. I've checked and re-checked the schematics of the bracelet, and obviously we know it is a teleport device of some type, however from what you've told me it has a limited range. Honestly, from what I've been able to tell from these diagrams, I can't understand why. Is that the flaw you mentioned?"
Rodney watched Marcen look uncertain, as if trying to decide whether or not to tell him the truth, before the young man finally spoke. "I'm pleased to hear your findings coincide with mine, Dr McKay, as I suspected as much myself. Now perhaps we can find a way to extend the range. But in answer to your question, no, that wasn't the flaw."
Marcen shuffled some papers before starting to speak. "After I found the bracelet in the lab I realised the potential of the device, except much to my disappointment Hollena asked Rathama, one of the more senior technicians to test it instead of me. However, once he put it on, the bracelet moulded to his wrist and wouldn't come off. It was a concern of course, but we were confident we would be able to find a solution, plus it didn't seem to be doing him any harm…at least not at first. Although after a couple of months it became clear to me Rathama didn't have the ability to effectively control the device, only having been able to travel a few feet, also it was around that time he discovered the first blotches around his wrist. Our worst fears were soon confirmed when he developed a mass of festering sores, then, soon afterwards a high fever. Within weeks, the sickness reached his brain and he became completely disorientated, unable to recognise his friends, or even his family. The infirmary had never seen anything like it but did everything they could, even amputated his arm just above his elbow. Unfortunately though, nothing they tried worked, and he died shortly afterwards, a horrible agonising death."
"Wha…you mean to say you can't get that thing off? Rodney was shocked. "Are you okay, do you have any of the sympt…" Marcen rolled up his sleeve to show him a small white mark just showing below where the bracelet sat on his wrist. "But why, Marcen? I don't understand. Why would you take a risk with your life like that?"
"Because, Doctor, I was foolish enough to think I could control the bracelet, solve the problem on my own and at the time I even thought the risk was worth it. If I could control it, harness it's powers, duplicate them even, what a discovery it would be for my people. In the beginning I thought I had suceeded. First I was able to teleport back to Forant's old lab, then from there I discovered the link to these caves, but since then...nothing. My mother may hate Brantum Forant, but I cannot deny what his contributions to technology, industry did for this planet. After he went, all Tynos was left with were some pretty buildings to remind us of what might have been. But those auspicious beginnings were halted in their tracks, as he'd never allowed anyone close enough to learn from him, to carry on the work he'd started. Some progress was eventually made of course, but it took us decades to do what he could have done in weeks, months, and we are still far behind from where we should be. Except now of course, everything I have discovered about the bracelet will be worthless, unless I manage to remove it. So please, Dr McKay I'm asking for your help. Not just for the sake of Tynos, but for me. Or I will surely die because of my arrogance."
Rodney shook his head slowly. "I don't know what to say, Marcen. I only wish you'd told me when we first met. If it is a form of radiation sickness as I suspect, even if I do manage to remove the bracelet, I'm a scientist, not a doctor. The best chance you have, the only one, it to return with us to Atlantis. They have a wonderful medical facility with the best doctors, one in particular who may be able to help you, or at least prolong your life long enough to give me a chance to remove the bracelet. What about your mother, does she know?"
"Does she know what?" Jusana was standing at the opening of the lab, her eyes filled with suspicion.
"Of course my mother knows my plans for the bracelet, Dr McKay." Rodney saw Marcen shoot him a warning look, before turning to smile at his mother.
"What a pleasant surprise, Mother. Have you come up to see how our research is going?"
"No. One of the guards took Sheppard's punishment a bit too far, and I am going to need him."
"What's happened? What the hell have you done to him?" Rodney went to confront the she-devil who'd obviously hurt his friend, but Marcen grabbed his arm, holding him back.
"It's just as well this man is valuable to you, Marcen, or I would take great pleasure punishing him for that outburst. Anyway…little man. You're friend is back in the cell and I don't have time to take care of him. That's going to be your job."
"Mother, isn't there anyone else? Dr McKay and I were just starting to make progress."
Jusana shook her head. "I'm sorry, my child. But the good doctor shouldn't be away for too long. Colonel Sheppard will either survive the night, or he won't. Whatever happens, Doctor McKay should be able to return to the lab tomorrow."
McKay marched up and glared into Jusana's stony eyes. "Well, I better go right now then, hadn't I?"
Rodney glanced over to Marcen. "Sorry, Marcen. As much as I would like to help you with your…research, I should tell you if Sheppard dies, you may as well kill me too, because with him gone, you'll get no further help from me."
ooooOoooo
John looked dead. In fact Rodney was pretty sure he had seen corpses with more colour. His dark hair lay flat against his pale waxy skin, the only thing visible above the mound of blankets obscuring his body. When he went to check for a pulse, he sighed with relief. It was weak and thready, but at least John was still alive, even if freezing cold. Then he saw the dark livid bruises on his neck and chest, plus the deep ragged cuts covering his body.
"At risk of repeating myself, what did you do to him? How long has he been like this?"
"None of your concern…Doctor. Now, I would suggest if you are serious about saving your friend's life that you start taking care of him."
"And how exactly am I supposed to do that? Sheppard's hypothermic. He needs a medical doctor, so why aren't you doing something?"
Jusana's cold hard eyes caught Rodney's. "I am not a medical doctor either, Doctor McKay, just a skilled army medic with limited resources at my disposal. Now I am leaving, as I have other business to attend to, so do what you can for him. If Sheppard lives through the night, just ask the guard at the door for whatever you need. I only intend to return if he survives, and when he is ready to resume his interrogation."
"You're all heart, you know that…" Rodney shouted at the retreating figure.
With shaking hands he pushed the blankets closer to Sheppard's ice cold skin, but deep down he knew they alone wouldn't be enough. He then dared a quick look at the cuts, but discovered they'd been cleaned, so at least she'd done something.
Panic was starting to set in when Carson's first aid lessons came flooding back. Body heat. That was the best way of dealing with someone in John's condition. Trouble was, if there was anyone who hated physical contact worse than him, it was Sheppard, but needs must…
Quickly grabbing the cover off his own bunk, he took off his boots then got into bed beside him. Two things struck him at once. First John wasn't just cold, he was positively baltic. Second, he was shocked at the extent of the horrendous bruises clearly visible on his arms, legs and wrists. Thick indentations, about three inches wide could clearly be seen, and from all appearances it was evident Sheppard had been rigidly restrained in the same position for days, maybe even since the last time he'd seen him.
Rodney shivered as he pulled his friend in close, feeling the chill seep from John's icy skin right through the very clothes he was wearing. As he went to rub his arms, he stopped himself just in time, suddenly realising that action could force cold blood from John's extremities into his heart, which could wind up killing him. Just then, he felt him flinch, which was at least a response of sorts, but not the one he wanted. If only John would wake up, let him know he was going to be okay, even if it was just to tell him to back off…
ooooOoooo
TBC