“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.
Chapter Thirty-two
The temperature had climbed steadily as they moved closer to the surface but here, at the mercy of a huge and blazing sun, the temperature was a good thirty degrees higher than it had been down in the arena. Their bodies had adjusted to the slow increase in temperature but the blast that had struck them when they moved into the open was nearly unbearable.
They paused in the shade of one of the only trees beyond the garden, wishing desperately that it still had leaves, or more branches. They gulped the water as if they’d never see another drop. It seemed to pass right through them, gone as sweat as soon as the water was drunk. Sheppard drew in a deep breath and looked at Mara.
She swiped at her forehead with one arm. Her face was streaked with dirt and sweat and her lips were cracked from the heat, but still she was pretty. “It’s not much further,” she sighed. “Perhaps another quarter of a mile.”
“I know.” Sheppard nodded in the direction of the gate, but the last thing he wanted to do was leave the shade of that tree. “Let’s get this over with.”
Ronon took Cumby’s arm again and helped him lever himself away from the tree. Ronon was used to hardship but this was nearly more than even he could bear. He was a big man, and the heat hit him hard.
They moved as quickly as possible across those hot, open spaces, headed for the city gates. They loomed in the distance, seemingly miles away. The water was going fast and the heat was increasing at an alarming rate. Even Sheppard began to doubt whether they would make it.
Mara stumbled and Sheppard grabbed her arm.
“Thank you.” Her smile was weak and forced.
“Are you okay?”
She checked his face, saw genuine concern there. “As okay as I can be.” She paused for a moment. “You didn’t have to pretend, you know.”
“Pretend what?” Sheppard feigned ignorance, but the conversation he had dreaded was upon him. They no longer needed Mara, but to have to face her with the truth of his deception was painful.
“You pretended that there was a special connection between the two of us, but all along we both knew you just needed me to get your people out of Admah.” When no response was forthcoming from Sheppard, she pressed on. “Don’t be ashamed. I understand. You’re a good man and a good leader. You would have done anything to save your people. Even a love-sick and very bored woman like me can see that.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you. I honestly want you to come with us — to save yourself from this. You can’t stay here.”
She looked away, not answering him. “Your people would die for you, you know that? I can see it in their faces. As far as you are willing to go to protect them, they are willing to go just as far. That’s loyalty.”
“We’ve been together a long time. Been through a lot.”
She nodded. “And I’ve been through a lot with my people, too.” She jerked her head in the direction of the decrepit city. “They’re all I’ve ever known, for what that’s worth. Even Saul hasn’t always been so…difficult.”
They had reached the gates, two giant wrought iron structures which hung listlessly from the ends of the wall. Waves of heat washed over and around them, making the air swim for a moment with unrealized vapor. Ronon reached out one hand to shove the gate open a bit farther, a gesture as much of frustration as anything. Sheppard was about to tell him to stop when the sound of sizzling flesh filled the air.
“It’s hot,” Sheppard muttered to no one in particular.
“You think?” Ronon scowled and blew on his hand. It didn’t help.