Chapter Twenty-Two

  Nicholas and Colleen made several attempts to zero in on the armory where the C-4 stored but couldn’t do it. Instead they volunteered to traveled the astral to the armory and bring the explosives to the gate room where they would meet up with Uncle Jack and Dad.

Upon arriving at the armory they found it well picked over and crowded. Gunfire ensued almost as soon as they materialized. Both dove for cover and plucked arrows from their quivers. This time they didn’t have the plain old double edge arrows they used for target practice. Nicholas stood up first and fired. His arrow flew straight and true smacking a enemy solider in the chest the poison arrow not allow spread the toxic substance through the creatures body it infested it and as he breathed his last breath it infected those around him. They fell ill almost immediately, falling to the ground and spreading the infection further.

Colleen stood up next. Artemis’ arrows exploded. The men she struck flew apart like dry leaves in a strong wind engulfing those next to them in a fiery blanket.

Bodies flew every which way while the twins cleared a path for themselves. “Go!” Colleen shouted at her brother. “I’ll hold them back! Go get it!”

“A’ight,” Nicholas returned and disappeared from the corridor outside the armory to reappear inside where he found the explosives without a problem. Stuffing bricks of it into his pants and into the quiver at his back he watched through the open door as his sister picked the little bastards off one by one. Damn she was good! Having all he could carry Nicholas reappeared at Colleen’s side.

“Let’s go!” He shouted while tossing two bricks of the explosives to her.

Colleen put them in her own belt and firing one last time she took off down the hall after him. “We gotta get back to Dad!” Coley yelled.

“I know,” Nick agreed and tried to find him and Uncle Jack but couldn’t zero in right away. Something was blocking him. Down the hall there was a shadow growing against the wall. Then there were two. The twins raised their loaded bows.

Around the corner came two familiar figures.

“Umpa! Sam!” Colleen cried. “They found you and you’re all right!”

“Hey!” Sam smiled for them but when she spoke again there was a definite urgency in her voice. “Yeah, come on, come with us, Jack’s waiting in the Gate Room he can’t hold them back alone.”

“No kidding.” Nick said. “I got it, Umpa.”

“Great.” Ares stuttered and let Nick get ahead of him while Samantha did the same. Trusting half mortal fools. Morpheus would be proud of the way they executed the illusion. Ares fired a Zat gun at Nicholas while Samantha did the same at Colleen. Surprised and hurt they fell to their knees crying out in shock and pain.

Back from Mount Olympus and not liking what he saw when he arrived at the SGC Ares zoned in on his Grandchildren and appeared in the place they were with Achilles by his side. “Get away from them!” He ordered drawing his sword. “Colleen! Get out of there!”

Smaller and faster than her Brother Colleen was able to obey her Grandfather’s demand before the transport beam came down. Nicholas was not. He disappeared with….

“Damnit!” Ares shouted! “You snake!” He raised his fist to the air and shook it hard. “Bring back my Grandson!”

The air glittered with a tittering sound. The hair on their necks stood up and their flesh prickled at the evil sound.

“Obviously that wasn’t you.” Colleen said.

“Not even close.” Achilles intoned . “That was your Uncle Eros. He’s a shapeshifter you know.”

“No, I didn’t.” Colleen whispered in response.

“And your rotten whore Grandmother.” Ares roared in frustration. “Fuck!” He shouted like an animal. “Where’s your Mother?”

“I dunno, she’s not here. Where’s they take Nicky? What are they gonna do with him?”

“Of course she is.” Achilles spat. “Her job is done, Valhalla and Avalon were opened. Where else would she go?”

“I don’t know!” Colleen shouted. Gun fire was coming closer. “We gotta get outta here. We gotta find Dad and Uncle Jack.”

“I know where they Ares said. We’ll destroy the goddamn Stargate and go after them. Follow me.”

Nicholas tried to stand up but the chains around his neck and at his wrists were incredibly heavy. “Where am I?” He said.

“Aboard our ship.” Eros in his own form said from behind a force field. “I suppose you know your roommate.” He pointed behind Nicholas who turned around to look and see Enya sitting on the floor. Ares’ long time Consort was big as a house with child, she was bloody and bruised sitting there quietly with a dazed look in her eye. “She was helpful. Oh, I’m Uncle Eros by the way. Good to meet you Nicholas.” He smiled wide. “You know, you were almost my Son.”

“Fuck off, you died before I was born.”

“About ten minutes before,” Eros cracked. “Yep, that’s when Daniel Jackson killed me just about ten minutes before you and your Sister were born. If it weren’t for him we’d already know each other and be one big happy family. I already met your wife. In fact I should say that I knew her intimately.” Eros crooned.

Nicholas found his footing and charged at the invisible barrier only to be knocked back on his ass his body tingling with electricity. “Annie!” he roared. “I know what yew did to her. I’ma gut yew like a deer.” He threatened.

Standing back and taking his nephew he remarked. “My you do look like my Father, don’t you? That must please Ares to no end.” He smirked. “Oh by the way, thanks for returning my bow and arrow. What’s this?” He held out a brick of C-4.

Nicholas growled as he fought to free himself of the chains but nothing he did worked. His magick was gone and slowly the shackles were soaking his strength away as well. “Argggg! Get these off of me!”

“Why don’t you get comfortable, Nephew. I’ll be back later and we can get talk about something we have in common; your wife.” He sneered. “But now I’m off to…introduce myself…” his hand descended to hardening cock, “to your Sister. Oh, yes, and of course, retrieve your Mother. Can’t leave without Callestah can we?”

“Don yew fucking touch her!” In a fit of anger Nicholas hurled his big body at the force field only to be tossed back again but that didn’t deter him. “Don’t yew tauch either of ‘em!”

“Don’t be jealous,” Eros said as he left. “Mother will see that you get yours... she has many plans for you so don’t wear yourself fighting against the restraints.”

“Are we any closer, Ollie?” Duncan asked quietly as they walked the mostly deserted halls.

“I keep calling for him but Daniel doesn’t answer me.” Calla’s voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t know why….”

“Calla?”

Slowly she turned toward the voice. “Daniel!” she held her arms out to him.

“Calla,” he cried, “I missed you. You look awful, my love.” He swept her off her feet and into his arms.

“Daniel,” she moaned laying her head against his shoulder. “I did it,” she said in a rasping voice, “I freed them all.”

“You’re very brave.” His skin broke out in goose bumps at the feel of her and the sound of her voice.

“Annie….Lilly…”

“I know it’s terrible isn’t it?” Holding her this close the echo of her heart beat resonated in his head and he found it dull and erratic. “Duncan, Ares is looking for you, they’re three floors down, he needs your help with the obelisk or something.”

“Do you want me to stay with you?”

“No, you go on. I’ll stay with her. She needs me and Ares needs you. We’ll catch up.”

“Right.” Duncan started to take off.

“Duncan?” He waited until the man turned around again. “Thanks.”

“Aye.” Duncan disappeared down the corridor.

Glad to be in his arms but knowing this ordeal was still far from over she looked up at him with sad worn eyes. “Where are my children?”

“I’ll bring you to them very soon, you should rest for a while. You’re very tired.”

“No,” she fought to keep her eyes open. “we have to go we have to ….to…finish this.”

Always the most determined little thing he ever knew. Behind his back, in the palm of his hand, appeared a bottle of water. “You must be thirsty, drink this, Calla.” He handed it to her but her hand was too weak so he raised the liquid to her lips and watched her drink. In a moment, under the grip of the mandrake root in the water her head went limp against him and she was asleep believing herself self safe and sound in the arms of the man she loved. Off to dreamland and there she’d stay for the next several hours he was sure.

Of course the baby she was carrying wouldn’t survive the deep sleep but that was a small price to pay besides he didn’t want Jackson’s offspring anyway. Not this time. Mother would be upset but that was just too bad, she’d have to be satisfied being the Dual Goddess rather than the Triple Goddess. Besides, Aphrodite was absorbing more of Hecate everyday the woman was old and feeble. Aphrodite and he may have been dead but they were in tip-top shape when Hades let them cross the river. Eros intended to fill her belly with his own children, Colleen’s belly too. “Too damn easy.” Eros said with a smirk and pressed a button on the amulet around his neck. The ship above sent down a beam and they removed from planet Earth altogether.

On board the ship life was not a piece of cake. Alarms sounded and soldiers ran around. The ship was under heavy fire and Eros couldn’t believe what he saw. Callestah was successful in freeing the old myths and legends. She brought them to life. Out there a war between Magick and Technology raged on and it would keep doing so until a victor was declared. It might not be safe here on the ship. For a moment he considered leaving Aphrodite and the rest of them behind just taking off with her.

But no. There was still the matter of Ares to take care of and he was bound and determined to see that through. Ares would pay for taking Callestah the way he had. Someone had to make him accountable seemed Jackson wasn’t up to the job. Soon the sleeping Goddess in his arms would be his once more and there would be not turning back. “I am your Husband, Callestah.” He whispered as he carried her down the corridor to his quarters. “You were my Wife before Jackson’s this is only right.” The door slid open. “But don’t worry you won’t be alone.” Still in Daniel’s body and speaking with Daniel’ voice he laid her down on the bed. “Nicholas and Colleen will be with you, Mother too.” His lips brushed against her cheek. “You’ll see. Mother will forgive you and we’ll all be happy just like we used to be. One big happy family.” Eros pulled the blanket over her and tucked the pillows in close to her body so she would feel their weight and believe Daniel laying next to her. “That’s it, sleep my Wife, all be well when you wake.”

Turning his body back into his own Eros left his quarters locking the door from the outside and posting four armed guards to watch over her. He’d much prefer to stay with her but, well, he really did have his golden eyes on Colleen.

“I don’t know how much longer we can stave them off, Lord Eros.” The Captain told him. “We should leave.”

“And we will very soon. In the meantime stay within transport distance my Mother will be here shortly with Nicholas.”

“Yes, my Lord.” The Captain said grudgingly and watched as Eros transported from the ship back to the planet below. “You heard him!” he shouted at the crew. “Let’s back away from this mess a little.”

End of Chapter Twenty-Two
The Cradle Will Fall
Continue to
Chapter Twenty-Three

This story and all stories in the Cradle Will Fall series are copyrighted to Lisa Beth Darling these stories may not be transferred outside of this URL in any fashion.