Brimstone

Chapter Thirty-one

The temperature in the arena had grown uncomfortably warm. The heat rose a few degrees every fifteen minutes or so, and the people in the stands had begun to feel the effects. The musky scent of sweat filled the arena and small fights had begun to break out in the audience — the reality of their fate growing sharper as the temperature climbed. Cold drinks no longer stayed cold for longer than a few minutes, and though — for the moment — they were holding their own, Admah’s environmental controls were working overtime. Normally they hummed quietly and only kicked into higher gear occasionally. Now the fans ran constantly, recirculating the air through increasingly inadequate cooling systems.

A maintenance crew worked at preparing the arena for the next bout, but their movements were slow and labored. They were slow to cart off the carcass of the fallen wolves, and the woman with the extra arms held them at bay for some time, refusing to give up her spot in the center of the arena. The crowd grew restless. Catcalls and cries for action reverberated from the walls. The cooling systems were pumping at full capacity but the air that sputtered and whistled through the vent system was just marginally cooler than the air in the arena. It was only a matter of time until it failed, and the heat became unbearable.

Outside the arena, Sheppard and his team moved quickly through the passageway to the main room. They met no resistance, and there were no audible alarms to report their escape. As they moved, the heat worked on them quickly. After only a short distance they were coated in sweat. When they’d last walked those halls the air had been cool and pleasant, but it was beginning to feel stagnant and humid. All of the wonders and luxuries of Admah were failing, and though it was still bearable, it was obvious that it would not be for long.

The hallway emptied into the main room and the team was greeted by a cooler gust of air. Drinks and pitchers still sat on the tables all over the room, and music played through the speakers in the walls. It was surreal, with the world about to end and the music still playing. “This way,” Sheppard said, leading them on.

“Wait.” Ronon had stopped and was staring off toward another door.

Sheppard tried to wipe the sweat from his face. “What?”

“It’s only a little ways to the rooms where they held us. Our weapons are there, and the rest of our gear.”

“If they didn’t take them away,” Cumby said. “It’s getting pretty hot in here — we should just go.”

Ronon frowned. He knew Cumby was right, but he couldn’t stand the thought of losing his weapon. He glanced down at his belt where his gun was conspicuously absent. “I’m going to check, you go on ahead.”

“We aren’t splitting up,” Sheppard said. “Let’s make this quick.”

Cumby looked unconvinced, and watched over his shoulder as they hurried down the side passage to where they’d been imprisoned. It was only a short way, but the heat, and uncertainty of their escape plan made it sound like a really bad idea. They reached the door, and Mara quickly opened it for them. Their things were right where the guards had tossed them. Ronon grabbed his gun and strapped it on. Sheppard slipped into his gear, leaving everything heavy behind. Cumby grabbed his equipment belt, but he looked as if he’d just as soon be without the extra weight.

“Now,” Sheppard said. “If no one has any other little errands they’d like to run, I think we should get out of here. It’s getting pretty hot.”

“If we want to leave the city, we have to get out into the gardens,” Mara said. “There’s no shade. There’s no water. It’s going to be hot.”

As they passed the bar in the main chamber, Sheppard paused to liberate several bottles of water. He tossed one to Ronon, and another to Cumby, and they tucked them away.

“This way.” Mara pointed down a hall to the left.

Sheppard nodded and swallowed a huge gulp of water. “Let’s move.”

The echo of raised voices emanated from the long hall behind them. The words were indiscernible but the intent was clear. Saul had discovered their absence, and he was sending pursuit. Sheppard put a finger to his lips and motioned for them to hurry. They slipped out of the main room into the corridor beyond and back down the hall. Overhead, the lights guttered and went out for several beats, then came on again. Admah was dying.

They were halfway to the elevator when a group of guards burst into the hall behind them, and they were forced to turn and fight.

“You aren’t going anywhere,” the first guard called. “There isn’t anywhere to go. Come back to the arena and fight — it’s a good way to meet eternity.”

“We’re getting out of here,” Sheppard replied. “If any of you people had any sense you‘d be following us, not chasing us. You feel how hot it is now? It isn’t going to be instantaneous. You’re going to slow roast, like meat on a spit.”

“It’s a glorious death.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard all that. Good for you. You’re missing your final entertainment, and we’re not coming back. I guess you have some choices to make.”

The men advanced, and Ronon, tired of all the talk, drew and fired in one smooth motion. The first man fell, and those behind him ducked up against the wall. Someone returned fire, his shot striking the wall about a foot from Mara’s head. She screamed and ducked behind Ronon and Sheppard.

Joining Ronon, Sheppard sprayed short bursts into the passage, driving their pursuers back into the main hall.

“Go!” he yelled.

They turned and rushed up the stairs, but the heat made the climb difficult. Cumby started to lag behind, and Ronon grabbed him by the arm and dragged him forward.

“Keep moving,” Ronon growled.

“I don’t know if I can…”

“Then you’ll die here,” Ronon said.

Cumby didn’t reply, but he also didn’t slow down. Ronon kept his grip on the smaller man’s shoulder and propelled him up the stairs. Mara held her own, staying close to Sheppard’s side, and below they heard Saul’s guards gathering. Ronon shoved Cumby up the stairs and spun. He fired twice, and the guards dove for safety. Moments later, the group reached the next level, turned, and bolted down the passageway. One more set of stairs, and they’d reach the surface.

“They don’t seem to be following,” Cumby said, glancing over his shoulder.

“They probably lost interest,” Sheppard said. “Whether they catch us or not, what is Saul going to do? What does it matter? I think it’s finally sinking in that they’re all going to die, and it wasn’t even their choice.”

They continued on at a slightly slower pace, letting Cumby catch his wind.

“Here’s the elevator,” Mara said. “It’s faster than the stairs.”

Sheppard glanced up at the flickering lights and shook his head. “We can’t trust it. The power could go at any time. The closer the city comes to that sun, the fewer systems will remain on line.”

He moved forward to the stairs leading to the surface and started up. Mara followed, and Ronon brought up the rear, urging Cumby on as the climb grew longer and harder. The closer they got to the surface, the higher the temperature rose.

“We don’t have much time,” Sheppard said. “It has to be over a hundred degrees already.”

“It will be worse outside,” Mara said. “The city gives us protection from the sun.”

“Thanks for the cheerful thoughts,” Cumby grumbled. He stumbled up the last few steps and bent over, hands on his thighs and breathing heavily.

“Come on,” Ronon said. “You can rest when we get back. I’ll buy you a beer.”

Cumby scowled at the big man.

They passed through the main control center, where Rodney had first accessed the city’s systems. After the opulence below, the stark and abandoned looking spaces seemed alien and impossible. It was easy to see how the illusion had fooled the Wraith for so many years. It was also depressing. They stumbled out into the gardens and down the path. The heat slammed into them like a hammer blow as they made their way down the steps. The air was heavy and dry, and everything was far too bright. There was no sign of pursuit and after only a little ways in the overwhelming heat it was all they could do to focus on the ground ahead, and keep their feet in motion.

“It’s not too much farther,” Sheppard said.

He passed around the bottles of water he’d grabbed. They all drank some, and it helped a little. There wasn’t much shade between the city and the gate. Grim faced and fighting their discomfort, they moved on.

Behind them, cries rose again, but they ignored the sound. They needed their strength to reach the gate, and whoever was behind them would fare no better. What it had come down to was a race, and they needed desperately to win.