Stargate BigBang Part Four
Feb. 27th, 2011 09:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
emeraldsnakesTitle: I Would Like To Meet You All In Heaven
Fandom: Stargate
Series: None
Pairing: pre- John/Cam
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 8,644
Warnings: Slash, Implied M-preg, few dark-ish implications
Summary:AU. Cameron just wants to meet him.
Note: Expansion of this fic
The wind blew around him and the air grew thinner as he flew higher and higher. Fifty years. That's how long the war had been going on, filling his entire life with conflict between the angels and demons. Filling his head with lies and misconceptions only to learn the truth later on.
Cameron twisted around and kicked at the nearest cloud. His dad hadn't exactly lied to him, but he'd never been told the truth either. The truth about his father, the truth about his eyes and his other skills that make him abnormal for an angel.
He'd figured it out though, figured out why his eyes were black, why we could run as fast as he could fly, why sometimes he had fathom pains at the base of his back. His father was a demon, but not just any demon. His father was Lucifer, the Demon King, the one who started the war.
Cameron dropped his altitude. His demonic gains limited his angelic abilities. He couldn't fly as fast, or as high as most angels and he was sure that, if he tested his running and stamina against that of a pure demon, they wouldn't be equal either. He hated it. He hated being a part of both races because he didn't belong with either one. His dad had purposefully hidden him until a way to disguise his black eyes had been found so that his people wouldn't do anything to him. He didn't even what to know what the demons would do to him. Sure, they'd hate him because he was angelic but if they ever found out he was demonic too?
He spiralled down, away from Avalon and towards Tollana. Sam was there, his best friend and someone he always talked to, but so was Daniel. Daniel was the foremost historian and documented everything that happened in the war. He had records from centuries past, details about Cameron's ancestors and the Century Wars that their survival had been virtually impossible, except that they had.
Daniel was old enough to remember the Peace Years, the 150 years between the Century Wars and this one, and was probably one of the few who would answer his questions honestly and without bias. Daniel was funny like that, angel in every way except that if he could, he'd live with the demons as easily as he does with his own people.
His dad's biggest regret was how this war had almost entirely erased how, during the Peace Years, the Angels and Demons had learned to get along and live with one another. Cameron wondered if that was ever possible again.
Tollana was one of two towns closest to the demon border. It was also the safer one, receiving less attacks than Orilla but still its fair share. It was mostly an empty town, those who couldn't defend themselves regularly having moved west to Avalon or a larger town. Only soldiers, scientists and crazy people like Daniel lived in Tollana now.
Cameron landed in the west end town, waving to Zoran, the on duty guard. Daniel's home was unkept, a small two story building that always made Cameron feel like a klutz. He knocked over at least one stack of books every time he visited.
He knocked on the door as he let himself in. Daniel had given him an open invitation when he was a kid so he didn't feel weird about entering virtually unannounced.
He wished he'd waited, deviated from the norm because he didn't expect to walk in on Daniel in an intimate embrace.
"Oh shit," Cameron cursed, eyes going wide.
He turned away to give them some privacy as his face burned with embarrassment. A few decades ago he'd fantasized about being Daniel's lover, but Daniel had only ever seen him as the Prince, someone he couldn't touch.
"You can turn around now Cameron."
Daniel looked surprisingly normal, though normal for him was flustered and a little rumpled, so Cameron wasn't sure what to make of that. It was his companion that threw Cameron for a loop.
"General O'Neill?" he blurted.
General Jack O'Neill was one of his father's oldest friends and in charge of the Angelic Army. Cameron didn't know how old he was. He looked older than his father, greying hair and feathers that frayed faster, but most days he acted much younger.
O'Neill winced, "Hey kiddo."
Cameron grimaced. He was nearly fifty, hardly a child anymore even if he was young for an angel. "General."
He looked at Daniel, "Do you have some time?"
Daniel and O'Neill traded a look, silently communicating and Jack nodded before getting his things ready to go.
Daniel's wing brushed his in a sign of comfort, "What's up Cam?"
Cameron glanced at O'Neill briefly, almost out the door. "I know who my father is."
"Jack wait," Daniel immediately. Cameron looked between the two confused.
O'Neill sighed but he came back in the house and took a seat.
"Jack will have a better insight on some of the matters," Daniel explained, taking a seat beside O'Neill and gestured for Cameron to sit as well.
Cameron frowned, "So you already know Lucifer's my father?"
Daniel nodded, "Though the relationship had never been made a big deal, there are many of us who remember your father and Lucifer were lovers. Some refuse to remember and consider you're Lucifer's son but others, like Jack and I and all the personnel in the palace remember and do not like this conflict with the demons but know that we have to fight back if we want to survive. We don't hate that you're half demon Cam."
Cameron sagged in relief. He didn't think Daniel would change towards him, but hearing it from his own mouth eased some of his fear.
"Why didn't he tell me?"
It was General O'Neill who sighed, "Because of how easily conflicts between the Angels and Demons arose after the attack. It was as if the Peace Years had never happened."
"General-"
"Jack," O'Neill interrupted. "Call me Jack, kiddo. Especially since were discussing such a sensitive subject."
Cameron hesitated. He'd never called the man something other than General even though he'd known him his whole life. "Why did people forget?"
"Because the Century Wars were terrible," O'Neill replied. "There was so much hate between our races stemmed from a conflict blown so far out of proportion that no one could even remember why they were fighting. Your Grandfathers, both Michael's and Lucifer's fathers, died so that the fighting could stop. The entire Angelic and Demonic Kingdoms watched as our Kings stood before each other, made a blood treaty and then killed themselves so that your fathers could start anew. It took time, but eventually we lived in harmony. We still don't know why Lucifer broke the treaty."
Cameron had heard all of this before. Not in exactly the same way, basic Angelic and Demonic history was told to all Angels and he'd never studied their history farther. He'd never been interested in learning all the details, only the basics so that he understood what had happened. He'd never known his Grandfathers had killed themselves.
"What was Lucifer like?"
"Arrogant," O'Neill answered immediately. "Stubborn but compassionate. He loved Michael and Michael loved him. You are as much like him as you are your dad."
"But he never knew about you," Daniel added. "The war broke out before your father could tell him or get an explanation for why the demons attacked."
"I still don't understand why he didn't tell me," Cameron said looking away.
O'Neill leaned forward and his wings stretched out to him, "During the Peace Years I was bonded to a demon. Her name was Sara, and we had a son together."
Cameron's eyes widened. He'd never known this about the General, not that he'd known much to begin with but the raw pain in his voice made Cameron want to tell him to stop. He couldn't get anything out of his mouth.
"Charlie was the first child born to parents of both races. He had a tail, but no wings and silver blue eyes. He was beautiful, an inspiration to other couples that it was possible for our races to breed together."
"What happened?" Cameron whispered.
"He died, from Kirsan Fever," O'Neill leaned into Daniel's embrace and Cameron wished he hadn't asked. "For some reason it hits half breeds harder than it does demons or angels. Sara and I broke the bond not long after, there was just too much hurt between us. You almost died too Cameron, when you were six. I didn't think it was possible for Michael to be more devastated then when the war started."
Cameron frowned. He didn't remember being that sick when he was a kid. He knew he would have gotten Kirsan, everyone did but he hadn't known it'd been that bad. He'd never known it was possible to die from Kirsan.
"Why haven't I been told any of this?" Cameron asked, distressed. He should know this, he's supposed to know this. He's the Angelic Prince, it should never have been kept from him!
"Because Michael feared that you'd be used against him, by the demons and by some of our own people who don't like that we only attack the demons if it's to regain control over Orilla. Because he feared that other common ailments might affect you differently and be used against you.
"But doesn't Lucifer know I'm his son?"
O'Neill shook his head, "Lucifer refuses all contact with Angelic Kingdom. There was no way your father could let him know save by starting a rumour, but there was no guarantee the right information would reach him."
Cameron thought about that. He didn't think it fair that his father not even know he existed. Maybe, if he managed to see his father he could figure out why the demons attacked, why he attacked. But more than that, he wanted to meet his father. He wanted to meet the man dad had loved, no doubt still loved.
"Cameron," Daniel said slowly, as if he suspected what was going on in Cameron's head, "don't do anything rash."
"I just want to go to Orilla," Cameron lied smoothly. "See the Demonic Kingdom."
...............
Orilla was a fortress sitting on top of the only mountain pass between the kingdoms. All the other paths had been destroyed during the Century Wars and there was no other way to enter either kingdom, unless someone was dumb enough to try crossing the Great Dessert. The border town was the primary protection for the Angelic Kingdom, saw ownership change between the angels and demons regularly but gratefully the fighting didn't extend beyond the town. Cameron had never been to Orilla before. He'd read all about it, been allowed to see it from afar but it was considered too great a risk if he entered.
Cameron ignored all that now. He walked through Orilla's streets like he was just another soldier except that he wasn't being treated like just any soldier. As he made his way to Commander Thor's post the oncoming flow of angels parted to let him through. He smiled at them, and while they nodded back they wouldn't meet his eyes. They never met his eyes, as if doing so would get them in trouble and he didn't know how to tell them he hated being so damn revered without sounding like he was throwing a tantrum.
Commander Thor's post was located in the western spire overlooking the training grounds and barracks. Cameron found him in a room decorated with maps of both the Angelic and Demonic Kingdoms, some broad scale, others very specific. He was with two other Commanders. Cameron knocked at the door, but did not enter.
"Your Highness," Commander Thor greeted him with a smile. He was roughly around General O'Neill's age, a tall broad shouldered angel with pristine white tipped brown feathers, and a bald head but a short white beard. His eyes were a rare purple and when he was a child, Cameron had though that meant they were related but Thor, like Cameron, belonged to one of the old bloodlines. "I heard rumours of your approach but I did not expect to actually see you."
Cameron gave him a small shrug, "My apologies. It was a sudden decision."
Commander Thor raised an eyebrows, "Can I assume your father was not part of this decision?"
Cameron scowled, "My father does not dictate every aspect of my life."
"Of course not Sire," Thor amended, backing down. He gestured to his companions, "Have you met Commanders Bra'tac and Selmak of the Jaffa and Tokra Companies?"
Cameron shook his head and greeted the Commanders politely. A Company was comprised of eight hundred soldiers and each Company, instead of numbered, was named. Commander Thor was in charge of the Asgard, Orilla's permanent residents. The Jaffa and Tokra Companies rotated postings every year, like the majority of the Companies. In addition to the Asgard only the Tollan and Terran Companies had permanent postings.
Bra'tac and Selmak excused themselves after receiving a look from Thor. They closed the door behind them, and it sounded to Cameron like a cell door closing on a prisoner.
"Commander-" Cameron started but Thor raised a hand. Cameron felt compelled to stop.
"My Prince, whatever the conflicts are between you and your father I will not disguise your presence here. There are reasons you're not supposed to be in Orilla the least of which involving your safety."
"Commander, I very well understand but I won't be here long. I just want to look out the other side."
Thor stared at him, and Cameron forced himself not to fidget. He wasn't going to leave Orilla, not until he got to look at the Demonic Kingdom, not until he got a good look at the maps and decided whether or not he could enter the Kingdom.
Thor sucked in a breath, and Cameron knew he'd figured it out. "He told you?"
Cameron nodded.
Thor sighed and sat down behind the table, "I always wondered how long he would wait."
Cameron scowled, "And no one else decided to mention it."
"It wasn't our place, despite how much we argued with your father over it." Thor replied. "Just be careful while you're here Sire. I don't want to be the one responsible if anything happens to you."
...............
Cameron sat on the southern edge of the battlement overlooking the Demonic Kingdom. He could see the cropping of a small outpost a mile out from the bottom edge of the mountain and the perimeter of a village several more miles away. He figured that town was the equivalent to their Tollana, though he had no idea what it was called. There was a soft beating of wings and Cameron glanced to his left.
Lieutenant Fryer, an Asgard soldier, had been tasked with shadowing Cameron while he remained in Orilla. He was shorter than Cameron but not by much, wearing the simple uniform of the Army with only the lightweight armour. He had a mop of sandy blond hair that was on the verge of falling down over his eyes which were a stunning gold and his wings were gorgeous midnight blue. Cameron thought his presence was useless, annoying and problematic because if he was going to complete any studying of the Demonic Kingdom he needed to be left alone.
"How old are you Lieutenant?"
"Old enough to know exactly why you stare down there longingly Sire," Fryer replied promptly.
Cameron grimaced. Of course Thor would assign someone who knew, and would be wary of any questions he asked. Still, it was possible he could work that to his advantage, if he went about it carefully.
"Have you been down there?"
Fryer moved closer to him and leaned against the ledge, "When I was a fledge my parents took my sister and I to Atlantis. It's different, not as open as Avalon but it's beautiful. I've always wanted to go back. There's so much to see and experience that I never had to opportunity to or that I can remember."
Cameron nodded thoughtfully. "Can you show me? On a map I mean, tell me about where you went and what you know."
Fryer thought about that for a moment, mulled it over while staring at Cameron and Cameron did his best to keep his face blank, void of anything but plain curiosity.
After a moment, Fryer shrugged, "Sure. I'm not sure how detailed the map of Atlantis is but it should be good enough."
Fryer led Cameron to where he'd spoken with Thor earlier. There was a Tokra soldier pouring over an old map, frowning in concentration and he didn't look up when they entered.
"Malek has been studying the Orilla foundations for some time now. He believes, like Doctor Jackson, that under the city we see now is an older version," Fryer explained when Cameron gave him an inquiring look.
"And one day I'll prove it," Malek countered. "There's still a lot about our histories we don't know, places in the journals of our past kings that we cannot find, places the great Ancestors probably lived and built like Avalon and Atlantis."
Cameron knew the stories. Angles whose wings spanned almost twice the average length and could fly to immeasurable heights and demons who could run and never get tired. They'd lived in Avalon and Atlantis, Castina and Sehal with Heliopolis as the capitol. They had lived in harmony, studied the sciences beyond anything that had ever been replicated now and then...nothing. No one knew what happened, why only Avalon and Atlantis survived or why that harmony had been broken. After so many years people only believed them to be stories made up to explain why Avalon and Atlantis were unlike any other city both Angelic and Demonic.
If the Ancestor Cities exist, shouldn't there be ruins?" Fryer pointed out as he browsed through the shelves of maps and pulled one out. He moved down the central table so they didn't disturb Malek too much.
"Time destroys many things," Malek replied cryptically.
Cameron gazed down at the city, built almost like compass. There was a large central building then a series of small and large buildings at an equal distance at the north, south, east and west points and a sparse scattering of even smaller buildings between those points. It was kind of an odd design, and Cameron wasn't sure of what purpose it served. How could they defend it is someone attacked? Avalon at least had an impenetrable outer wall.
"The city's made up of a series of towers," Fryer began to explain. "We think it was meant to be a center for science as the defensive wall they built is not part of the original structure. It has cobblestone roads, nothing like our own though. They're smaller, a little rougher for better traction and don't ice over like ours during the Freeze. Some of the towers have a bridge between them, usually the small ones that are close together thought I gather that if it was needed, some of the buildings could be easily lept across."
"What's the center tower used for?" Cameron asked.
"It’s the equivalent of your place in Avalon. It’s not only Lucifer's home but its where most of the city and ultimately the kingdom are run. I believe it's also where the Atlantis records are kept, given that it's one of the most secure places in the city. It's the city's tallest tower."
Cameron straightened, frowning to himself, "Why?"
Fryer shrugged, "That's just the way it was built."
"It probably wasn't built to be for a royal family," Malek joined in, looking up from his Orilla map. "We know your place in Avalon was originally a gathering hall, where guests from other cities would stay if they did not have any other accommodations. I can only assume that's why it became the home for your family Sire. During the Peace Years, especially the early ones, Demonic dignitaries would be housed within your father's home. It brought not only security but showed the people that if the King was making an effort, then everyone else had to as well."
Throughout the explanation Cameron casually scanned the shelves of maps, looking for the right notation that would tell him it was a wide spread map, and not one specifically for a town. As he inched closer and closer he could see the little notations made on the wood, etched in both the Ancestor's and their common script, a pale imitation that Cameron had never really liked. He was pleased to see that the maps for the Demonic Kingdom weren't too high up that he would have to raise his and draw attention to himself and as he kept his eyes on both Fryer and Malek he reached over and slid one out quickly but quietly. He tucked it up under his shirt by his left wing where it wouldn't show too much then pressed his wings in close to keep it in place.
"Have you been to Atlantis?" Cameron asked him.
Malek nodded, "Once, as an escort for your father. It's a beautiful city."
Cameron nodded, and they stayed there for a while talking about the city, about things a map didn't tell you and Cameron wondered if, when the time came he would get to see these things first hand too.
...............
Cameron was perched in the trees overlooking a small town labelled Athos on his map. They were a farming village, peaceful and Cameron envied them for how peaceful they were, living so close to the border. Tollana had once been like this.
There were demon children playing near his hiding place and Cameron wondered if they knew what it was like on the other side of the border, if they were taught that Angelic children weren't allowed outside city confines unless they had sufficient protection.
Passing over the mountains might have been impossible, and going around was a death sentence, but somewhere demons were crossing into angelic territory. Not large groups, four at the most and always well trained; assassin like. They attacked at random, large cities or small towns, it didn't matter and if taken alive, they never revealed their point of entry. So many good lives had been lost in the attacks.
Cameron lurked above Athos till nightfall, before taking flight again and heading south. Atlantis was at the heart of the Demonic Kingdom, much like Avalon was the heart of the Angelic Kingdom. It would take him another three days to fly there and hopefully, if his map was correct there would be a few areas he could hide out during the day to avoid any patrols. He would pass by one other town just over half way there called Manaria. He hoped to just pass right over it. The less chance of demons seeing him the better and really, he shouldn't have even stopped in Athos but he'd just been too curious.
He wondered what Lucifer would be like. Was he anything like his father? Cameron wondered if he would even believe him. Sure, he could show him his eyes, the black as night eyes he'd inherited from him, covered by a coloured lens to protect him but he might think that a trick or hate him even, for having grown up as an angel hiding his demonic side. There was just no telling. But Cameron wanted to tell him anyways, no matter what the outcome.
...............
Ronon had been sensing and seeing something out of the corner of his eye for the past few days. Always up high and always when he was with Sheppard. Sheppard, typically, didn't notice. For being an expert in interrogations and noticing things about people he was terrible when it came to his own life and surroundings.
On the third day he got fed up. Someone was stalking his friend, a man he considered family and he wasn't just going to sit by and let it happen. So he trailed John himself, scaled a few walls and followed him from an approximately the same height as the stalker.
John was aimless that day, meeting up with Lorne and Parrish for a few hours at Parrish's lab, talking to Laura about the latest chemicals she used to blow shit up with and whether or not it would be beneficial to him then stopping by McKay's place for a while to bug him.
It was during that time that Ronon spotted him, a figure crouched in the shadows of the Olivier Tower, one of the smaller towers of the North Point. He was wearing black, had short hair and as Ronon stared closer he saw the one thing that could really startle him. The figure had wings, a moderately sized expanse curled up behind him as best as he could get them but Ronon wasn't the best Hunter for nothing.
Ronon hadn't seen an angel freely walk the streets of Atlantis in a long time and doesn't like knowing that this one had not only been able to sneak into the Demonic Kingdom and Atlantis, but was stalking Sheppard as well.
Ronon's lips turned up in a smirk. It had been a long time since he'd hunted in his own back yard.
...............
Cameron had never thought that he could look at a Demon the way his Father had. It wasn't because they were demons but because of what their people had caused his. He'd been completely taken by surprise when he saw the spiky haired demon on his first day sneaking around Atlantis; which was very difficult because Atlantis was bright, similar to Avalon in a way and provided few blind spots.
The spiky haired demon was not quite as tall as Cameron, his hair was dark, his eyes as black as Cam's and his tail was almost as long as he was tall. He walked with a fluid grace Cam had never really seen before and all thoughts about seeing his father had left taken a less important spot in his mind.
The demon had visited four others so far that day. Two of them had appeared to be lovers, Cameron hadn't felt threatened by them but the other two, the woman and the man he was visiting now did. What if he was with one of them? Or maybe it was that really big demon from yesterday. He kind of scared Cameron, in that it would probably be effortless for him to kill Cameron.
And then what would happen? Cameron questioned. His father would be destroyed, the war would continue and nothing would be resolved. Lucifer would either never know of him or his father would use it against him and they would never be happy again.
Cameron took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down and stop thinking morbidly. He wasn't going to get caught and he definitely wasn't going to die.
...............
The angel obviously didn't know enough about demon capabilities and attributes to keep an eye on the space above him. Ronon looked down over the balcony and contemplated his descent. The building's structure was smooth, easy to slide down though hard to get a grip on. He knew from previous experience that his almost claws were good enough to slow his descent, but they weren't strong enough to penetrate the metal used to build the city.
Ronon made the jump, swung over the railing, using his tail to ensure that he remained close to the wall. He hit the wall and slid down, gaining speed the closer he got to the angel. He saw the second the angel figured out he was compromised. His head jerked upwards, his eyes widened a fraction of a second later and his wings flared out, ready to take off but he was too late. Ronon was already sliding past him, grabbing him and pulling him along for the ride.
The angel was a bit young and not that well trained. He could barely fight Ronon's grip and his wings flapped, gaining a little air but were mostly useless. They did annoy Ronon and after getting whacked in the face again he used his tail to wrap around one of his daggers and plunged it into the angel's wing joint.
There was only a small cry of pain and a flinch in response but it was enough to give Ronon an even better upper hand. There was an approaching balcony, the only other one on this side of the tower and he gripped the angel's shirt tighter in anticipation for grabbing it.
...............
John looked between the unconscious and bleeding angel sprawled out on the road and the smug satisfied demon standing over him. He was a bit confused because he'd never seen Ronon take down an angel so hard before, especially not one they'd need to interrogate later on.
"Did you have to fall down the building?"
Ronon gave him an annoyed look and John returned it with a grin. he knew Ronon's style, the big demon did whatever it took to eliminate a threat. Though he kinda hadn't figured Ronon as one to go down the side of a building again after what had happened last time.
"Alright, Stackhouse you and your team take him back to my place. Put him in Room 2 and make sure he's secure," John ordered.
The young leader of the security team that had been sent nodded and began directing his me. John watched him for a moment frowning to himself. Adam had been acting strange in the past few weeks, emotionally bouncing from one extreme to the other and he could understand why. He wondered if it had anything to do with Jamie Markham's disappearance but, he didn't have the right to ask.
He turned back to Ronon, "How'd you know he was there?"
Ronon stared at him for a moment, "He was following you."
John's eyes widened in surprise, 'He was following me? Why?"
John looked down at the angel perplexed as Stackhouses's team made the final preparations for moving him. Why would the angel have been following him? He hadn't even noticed, and that bothered him the most. What else could he have missed while casually walking down the streets. Least Ronon had noticed, but really, he was going to have to do better, be more aware of his surroundings. He'd gotten to used to living in Atlantis where is was virtually untouchable. This intrusion changed everything.
"Don't know," Ronon replied. "You'll find out."
Yea, John thought. He sure would.
...............
"Did you see the boy?"
Crowley pulled Adria into his room and shut the door quickly, hoping no one had heard her. This was serious business, surprising beyond all measure because he never expected that boy to come anywhere near Atlantis. He keyed in his room's security protocol before turning around to the younger female demon who was his...protégé.
"I saw him. But I distinctly remember telling you not to go anywhere near the site."
Crowly had every confidence in his plans, knew all the major demon players, especially Lucifer, like the back of his hand. He just couldn't take any chance that he hadn't compensated for all the moves the angels made. There were some, like Commander Baal and Commander Simeon who actually made him worry. That's why he couldn't have anyone connect them if something happened.
Adria flushed, eyes going wide a bit at the fact that she'd been caught. She'd actually thought she'd been able to hide from Crowley. Crowley smirked at her. Word had gone out that an angel had been caught within the city, but there'd been no mention of his gender. Until probably tomorrow, only those who had been there or gone to see would have known.
Despite her minor disability to follow certain orders, Adria was a brilliant protégé. She was smart, she knew the truth, agreed with him on the practicalities of what had been done and she was beautiful. Long ebony hair, fiery red eyes and a long lean body that most underestimated.
"Is he..." Adria trailed off, the question hanging in the air between them.
Crowley nodded, eyes alight with all the possibilities this gave them. "He looks too much like Michael not to be."
"What are we going to do?" Adria asked, trying to hold in her excitement but not completely succeeding.
That all depended on what Lucifer decided to do when he found out. He might try to talk with the boy but Crowley didn't think that likely because he remembered how angry and betrayed Lucifer had felt when they found out about him. He could imprison the boy, lock him up for the rest of eternity or even kill him. But then, those possibilities didn't help Crowley in any way.
"We're going to fast track Operation Summer Storm."
Adria's eyes widened, "I thought the formula wasn't finished."
"Not yet, but I've been assured that they're close. Using him as patient zero will allow us to take out Michael and his Commanders a lot faster, maybe even first and then where would the angels be without their King and Prince?"
Crowley had plans, great plans to ensure the Demon's domination over the angels. He knew how to get what he wanted, how to manipulate those around him and by the Ancestors, no one ever saw it coming.
...............
"Were you able to follow her?" Michael asked.
"Yes My Lord. We've finally found their entry point." Commander Simeon replied.
"Or one of them," General O'Neill pointed out.
Commander Simeon's dark green eyes glared at O'Neill.
"Are you sure she did not spot you?" Michael wanted no mistakes.
"Positive."
Michael nodded and looked around at the assembled group. He'd called the Commanders of each Company to him. If his intended reveal of Cameron's identity to that demon spy gained them nothing then they had to plan their next move. He wasn't going to leave Cameron in Lucifer's hands, not when he had no idea what Lucifer would do.
Jack, who was the Commander of the Terran sat on his right and Thor on his left. Beside Jack was Bra'tac, then Selmak, Nareem Commander of the Tollan, and Baal Commander of the Atoniek. Beside Thor was Lyra Commander of the Nox, Nyan Commander of the Furling, Simeon Commander of the Lucian, and Telford Commander of the Aschen. Michael trusted them all, had served with them in the Century Wars and then handpicked them to take command of their respective units. They were his closest friends.
"Why was she allowed to go?" Nareem asked. He was a quite angel, with kind green eyes and tawny coloured hair and wings.
Michael gave Thor a pointed look. Though he didn't blame Thor for anything that had happened, Thor should have realized Cameron would do something stupid.
Thor winced, "Fifteen days ago Cameron crossed into the Demonic Kingdom. Three days ago we got word that he was captured and that they'd started interrogations."
Soft curses filled the room.
Telford leaned forward, smoky grey wings pressed close to his body, "That still doesn't explain why the demon was allowed to go free."
"They don't know who he is," Thor replied. "They assume he's just another soldier and not our prince. That will soon change."
Telford's face slacked and his mouth formed an o in silent surprise.
"You're gambling with Cameron's life," Baal's silky voice cut through them. He was more demon like than angel with eyes that were a navy blue and his wings were black with a red edge. Michael sometimes wondered if he had demon ancestry. "Who's to say Lucifer won't just kill him when he learns who Cameron is, because I know you wouldn't have "let slip" that Lucifer is his father as well. Do you think Lucifer will stop, or let him go? He is no longer your kind hearted lover, Michael."
Michael briefly closed his eyes. He knew this, knew that he was gambling on a mere hope that there was still some thread of the Lucifer he loved left, that Lucifer still loved him. This whole plan had the potential to destroy him.
"Nor is he a raging psychopath Baal, not like you," Jack argued.
Michael hid a small grin as Baal rolled his eyes. Jack and Baal had never been able to see eye to eye and bickered on almost every topic. Michael didn't know if it had always been like that, they hadn't told him and he didn't subscribe to rumours.
"What outcome are we hoping for, exactly," Lyra's calm voice eased some of the tension. Michael grew up with her, had known her since they were both fledglings and she had always been small with a thin frame, light blue eyes and golden wings. While not an exceptional fighter she had a cool head and a keen insight.
"That the interrogation stops," Thor replied. "A release, as great as it would be, is unlikely."
"And if none of that happens?" Simeon asked. "Are we going to ignore what we've been trying to achieve by attacking them?"
"I propose an extraction," Bra'tac announced. "A small team slips in and pulls him out. While they're headed back we attack from Orilla to provide both cover and a distraction."
Michael didn't want it to come to that. He didn't want to take an offensive stance in this war but he knew that if it came down it it, that if it would save Cameron than he would order an attack. He would do anything for Cameron.
"I believe that should be a last resort, my friend," Selmak said. "Is there not some way we could utilize the Demon's entry point for ourselves?"
"She took the Serpent's Path," Simeon informed them.
Michael frowned.
"Don't the Unas still live in that area?" Nyan asked confused.
"They do," Baal confirmed. "You can hear them during the night in Chimmera sometimes. Its annoying."
The Unas were a savage race that lived in the mountains, sometimes coming down to steal food from Chimmera. They were generally left alone too, though Michael was sure Daniel had tried to befriend them on several occasions. He'd never believed anyone could reason with them, didn't think that they were intelligent enough to understand their speech or communicate back. They had no language that he knew of.
"Then that way's out of the question," Selmak stated. "General O'Neill, any ideas?"
Jack frowned, "I think the Demons have more than one entry point, one where that spy, and maybe others enter an another were their assault teams enter. That way, if one is discovered they still have the other to fall back on. We need to find that second entry point."
"We need to ensure Cameron's safety," Bra'tac argued. "Then we should focus on our defences."
"Short of asking Vala to abandon her post, thus giving up our only source of information, there isn't much we can do at the moment."
Michael bowed his head. He'd been afraid of that, but he didn't like knowing he was right.
...............
John's not sure what happened. The angel was his prisoner, his to question - intensely - and get information out of before the attack. He hadn't expected this kind of complication.
He was trained in interrogation, the best there was because he didn't get emotional. He didn't get attached, had a failed marriage to prove it and only a few friendships.
He was especially known for his dislike of Angels. Oh, there were groups of Demons who advocated peace between the warring races but John wasn't a part of that. John didn't believe the angel's weren't at fault, nor did he think the angels were just as much victims as the Demons were and he certainly wasn't interested in hearing their side of the story.
John had interrogated scores of angels in the past and been responsible for the deaths of countless more but this one angel was different. This angel has talked and talked and talked yet never cracked, even when John did, losing his temper and whipping him into unconsciousness.
"Sheppard."
John nodded to Ronon, the best hunter in all demon history. Ronon was usually the one who captured the angels John interrogated. He was taller than John, incredibly strong and agile and one of the few demons whose hand were reinforced with something akin to claws.
"Hey," John said as they started walking down the halls to the mess together. Their tails twined together for barely a second.
"Teyla should be back today."
"Yeah?" John hadn't heard that, but then, John had been trying to get that damn angel out of his head.
Ronon nodded, grinning. Teyla was their most competent spy. She slipped in and out of angel territory on a monthly basis and had yet to be caught.
Teyla was already in the mess, he hair tied back signalling that he was still technically on duty. She wore a tight leather outfit with an overcoat that hid many knives. Her tail was twirling a loose strand of hair as she spoke with Rodney.
Rodney was the last in their strange group of friends. He was abrasive and egotistical but a genius and if it weren't for him the demons would have lost the war years ago.
"Your angel say anything yet?" Rodney asked.
John tried not to think about how those words made him feel.
"When has he not said anything?"
Rodney gave him a look, "Fine. Has he said anything useful?"
John shook his head, "I think he likes being tortured."
"Lucifer, of course they'd send us the crazy one."
John poked him with his tail, "How's Katie?"
Rodney groaned and launched into the latest mishap to befall his relationship with the shy demon, effectively ending the topic of angels.
...............
"John," Teyla called out to him as he headed for another round of angel interrogation.
"Something up?" John asked confused.
Teyla shook her head, "I did not want to tell you this in front of the others or in such a public area."
John frowned. Anything Teyla learned became public knowledge unless Lucifer said so and he couldn't remember a time when Lucifer had restricted knowledge.
"I found out who that angel is," Teyla explained.
"What do you mean?" John's tail twitched.
"He's no ordinary angel," Teyla touched his arm. "He's Michael's son."
John cursed. He had to rethink everything now, had to get the information he needed even faster before the entire Angelic Kingdom came down upon them. In fact, he needed to know what the hell the heir to the angelic throne was even doing in Atlantis.
"Have you told Lucifer?"
Teyla shook her head, "I have not seen him yet."
Cameron was nicely strung up in chains for him once he finally got to the interrogation room. He was mostly naked, his scars standing out and his wings, a pale grey colour, were drooping.
Oddly, they perked up when John entered. John studied him, tried to picture him as the son of Michael but it was weird. Cameron didn't act like a prince.
"Can I ask you a question?" Cameron's voice was rich, still strong after seven days.
"You'll ask it either way," John pointed out.
"Your eyes are black-"
John snorted. That was stating the obvious.
"Does that mean you belong to Lucifer's bloodline?"
John came around to face him. Demonology 101. All demons had tails. They ranged from two to three feet in length and were the strongest appendage a demon had. Demons commonly had either red or yellow eyes and only those belonging to the really old bloodlines had black eyes. There weren't many black eyed demons left.
"Lucifer has no children. I belong to the Asmodeus bloodline." John scowled. He didn't know why he was humoring the angel.
Cameron tilted his head to the side like a bird, "Asmodeus? Wasn't he a General in the Old Wars and the one for whom your western mountain is named after?"
John's eyebrows rose in surprise, "You're taught Demon History?"
"Why wouldn't we be?" Cameron asked perplexed. "It's just as important as Angelic History. Why only learn one side?"
John turned away, distressed and he wished his stupid tail would stop flicking around. It was going to give him away. Cameron's revelation, it couldn't be true. Could it? Why would angels even care about educating their children on demons except on how to kill them? Was Michael planning something, something concerning their history?
"Tell me more," John demanded, facing him once again.
Cameron looked surprised, "You...want me to talk about angelic culture?"
"Just your teachings. Everything. Whatever concerns demons!"
Cameron balked, "Um, that's kind of a lot, I think. History and anatomy, though those branch out cause there's a lot to learn."
"I'm not looking for generalizations," John growled.
"And I don't know what to tell you that you don't already know!" Cameron yelled.
John grabbed the closest knife, a long serrated beast he used the most and plunged it into Cameron's left wing. Cameron screamed and jerked away, but the chains only gave him a few inches give.
"Tell me what your father is planning."
John waited, hand still gripping the knife and ready to pull it out and stab Cameron again.
"Figured it out, I see." Cameron managed against the pain. "I thought you'd already known, except you never brought it up before."
"It’s not like knowledge of you is widespread. Not everyone realizes Michael even has a son."
"My Dad did love once," Cameron softly. "Even if it’s not the same anymore. Would you like to know my family's biggest secret?"
John's eyes narrowed, "You'd tell me, just like that?"
Cameron shrugged, "Yes."
John sighed, hoping this wasn't another one of Cameron's stupid stories. It wasn't like he could refuse the offer up of knowledge anyway. "Fine."
"My eyes don't actually look like this. I wear contacts, coloured see through fake glass, because most people wouldn't understand."
"Understand what?"
"Why my eyes are black."
John pulled the knife out in surprise and dropped it. Cameron had to be lying. He'd never heard of an angel with demon eyes.
Cameron flinched but otherwise remained silent.
John was really beginning to hate ever having set his eyes on Cameron. The angel was a conundrum of epic proportions and John was beginning to wonder what the hell was really going on. Cameron was making him want to question things he'd never wanted to question before.
"Bullshit."
"Take my contacts out and you'll see for yourself."
John frowned, but he wanted to know so instead of doing it himself he went over to the leaver and lowered Cameron's arms. "Show me."
Cameron bent his head and carefully removed the contact from each of his eyes. He looked back up at John and John heard himself gasp. He really was an angel with demon eyes.
"Its actually a relief to know black eyes are common to more than one family," Cameron said, smiling at him. John couldn't figure out why Cameron kept smiling at him.
"Why?"
"Because I like you. I was watching you, before your friend caught me. I think you're beautiful."
John got in his face, "What the hell is wrong with you? You're an Angel in the Demon capital city being interrogated and all you can think about is your attraction to me?"
John cursed himself for being so damn foolish as Cameron grabbed him, sure he was going to be killed but instead Cameron pulled him into a searing kiss.
John wrenched himself away, "I hate you."
Cameron simply smiled.
...............
John stood with Ronon, Teyla and Rodney before Lucifer and his advisors and tried not to be anything but professional. It had been days since Teyla had reported her findings, days in which John hadn't been doing his job. He'd been getting to know Cameron better instead, compromising his integrity and probably singing his death warrant if Michael or even Lucifer ever found out. He'd been falling for Cameron.
He hoped that whatever Lucifer's decision was, it was something he could handle, something that wouldn't harm Cameron more after all that John had already done to him. If that were the case John knew he'd never be able to carry out the orders.
Lucifer's tail thumped against the floor, drawing all attention to him as if the attention hadn't been already on him. John waited with baited breath.
"Specialist Emmagan already knows this but before this goes public I want the rest of you to know because I have a mission for you," Lucifer met each of their eyes. "The angel under our imprisonment is Prince Cameron."
"What?" Rodney blurted in true Rodney form. "The Prince?"
Lucifer smirked indulgently, like most people who didn't work with Rodney did. "Yes Doctor, and I am sending him back."
Stunned silence greeted his words and John let out the breath he'd been holding. Cameron wouldn't die. He wouldn't be asked to do something he couldn't do and, while this would separate them, at least Cameron would be safe.
"Are you serious?" Rodney blurted again, perplexed. "Why would you do that, he's leverage!"
"Because if he were my son and in Michael's grasp, I'd hope that there was still some of the friend I once had that would allow him to spare my child." Lucifer told them slowly, as if it pained him which John figured it probably did. He hadn't even known Lucifer and Michael had been friends, let alone lovers and he doubted many demons remembered that as well. It still made him ask himself what the hell had changed.
"The four of you are going to be escorting him back to Orilla," Lucifer added. "And you'll leave tonight, under the cover of darkness so it doesn't cause an uproar."
John knew it would cause an uproar anyway. The people wouldn't be able to understand Lucifer's not on a while and the faster they got Cameron home the better it would be for all of them.
"What route are we taking?" Ronon asked.
"That's all up to you, just don't do anything more to him."
Lucifer's tail curled up close to him as he stood and left, gliding out smoothly without another word. They all left him too it, John realizing that whatever Lucifer did that night it would be with all his emotions out in full force, his walls completely down. John felt the sudden urge to go see Cameron.
"Specialist Sheppard," the silky voice of Crowley, one of Lucifer's oldest advisors made the hairs on the back of John's neck rise. There was something about Crowley that always set him on edge. "Before you go, I'd like to see him."
John wanted to refuse him, wanted to tell Crowley where to shove it but he knew he had no choice to accept, John nodded before turning and walking out of the hall. He had to get Cameron ready, find him proper clothing and pack for them both.
...............
Crowley gazed out his window and watched the five figures leaving Atlantis by the cover of night, guided by the pale moonlight. Operation Summer Storm had been executed and within months the Angelic Kingdom would fall.
It made Crowley giddy, like a child excited for over a new toy because when the Old Kings had made the pack resulting in the Peace Years, he hadn't thought this outcome possible again. Everyone had been so happy to not be fighting anymore, as if they'd forgotten everything that had happened.
"Have they gone?" Adria's voice drifted from his bed.
"They have. We'll start the final preparations tomorrow," Crowley replied, sparing one last look at the figures. "The Demon Years are about to begin."
Fandom: Stargate
Series: None
Pairing: pre- John/Cam
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 8,644
Warnings: Slash, Implied M-preg, few dark-ish implications
Summary:AU. Cameron just wants to meet him.
Note: Expansion of this fic
The wind blew around him and the air grew thinner as he flew higher and higher. Fifty years. That's how long the war had been going on, filling his entire life with conflict between the angels and demons. Filling his head with lies and misconceptions only to learn the truth later on.
Cameron twisted around and kicked at the nearest cloud. His dad hadn't exactly lied to him, but he'd never been told the truth either. The truth about his father, the truth about his eyes and his other skills that make him abnormal for an angel.
He'd figured it out though, figured out why his eyes were black, why we could run as fast as he could fly, why sometimes he had fathom pains at the base of his back. His father was a demon, but not just any demon. His father was Lucifer, the Demon King, the one who started the war.
Cameron dropped his altitude. His demonic gains limited his angelic abilities. He couldn't fly as fast, or as high as most angels and he was sure that, if he tested his running and stamina against that of a pure demon, they wouldn't be equal either. He hated it. He hated being a part of both races because he didn't belong with either one. His dad had purposefully hidden him until a way to disguise his black eyes had been found so that his people wouldn't do anything to him. He didn't even what to know what the demons would do to him. Sure, they'd hate him because he was angelic but if they ever found out he was demonic too?
He spiralled down, away from Avalon and towards Tollana. Sam was there, his best friend and someone he always talked to, but so was Daniel. Daniel was the foremost historian and documented everything that happened in the war. He had records from centuries past, details about Cameron's ancestors and the Century Wars that their survival had been virtually impossible, except that they had.
Daniel was old enough to remember the Peace Years, the 150 years between the Century Wars and this one, and was probably one of the few who would answer his questions honestly and without bias. Daniel was funny like that, angel in every way except that if he could, he'd live with the demons as easily as he does with his own people.
His dad's biggest regret was how this war had almost entirely erased how, during the Peace Years, the Angels and Demons had learned to get along and live with one another. Cameron wondered if that was ever possible again.
Tollana was one of two towns closest to the demon border. It was also the safer one, receiving less attacks than Orilla but still its fair share. It was mostly an empty town, those who couldn't defend themselves regularly having moved west to Avalon or a larger town. Only soldiers, scientists and crazy people like Daniel lived in Tollana now.
Cameron landed in the west end town, waving to Zoran, the on duty guard. Daniel's home was unkept, a small two story building that always made Cameron feel like a klutz. He knocked over at least one stack of books every time he visited.
He knocked on the door as he let himself in. Daniel had given him an open invitation when he was a kid so he didn't feel weird about entering virtually unannounced.
He wished he'd waited, deviated from the norm because he didn't expect to walk in on Daniel in an intimate embrace.
"Oh shit," Cameron cursed, eyes going wide.
He turned away to give them some privacy as his face burned with embarrassment. A few decades ago he'd fantasized about being Daniel's lover, but Daniel had only ever seen him as the Prince, someone he couldn't touch.
"You can turn around now Cameron."
Daniel looked surprisingly normal, though normal for him was flustered and a little rumpled, so Cameron wasn't sure what to make of that. It was his companion that threw Cameron for a loop.
"General O'Neill?" he blurted.
General Jack O'Neill was one of his father's oldest friends and in charge of the Angelic Army. Cameron didn't know how old he was. He looked older than his father, greying hair and feathers that frayed faster, but most days he acted much younger.
O'Neill winced, "Hey kiddo."
Cameron grimaced. He was nearly fifty, hardly a child anymore even if he was young for an angel. "General."
He looked at Daniel, "Do you have some time?"
Daniel and O'Neill traded a look, silently communicating and Jack nodded before getting his things ready to go.
Daniel's wing brushed his in a sign of comfort, "What's up Cam?"
Cameron glanced at O'Neill briefly, almost out the door. "I know who my father is."
"Jack wait," Daniel immediately. Cameron looked between the two confused.
O'Neill sighed but he came back in the house and took a seat.
"Jack will have a better insight on some of the matters," Daniel explained, taking a seat beside O'Neill and gestured for Cameron to sit as well.
Cameron frowned, "So you already know Lucifer's my father?"
Daniel nodded, "Though the relationship had never been made a big deal, there are many of us who remember your father and Lucifer were lovers. Some refuse to remember and consider you're Lucifer's son but others, like Jack and I and all the personnel in the palace remember and do not like this conflict with the demons but know that we have to fight back if we want to survive. We don't hate that you're half demon Cam."
Cameron sagged in relief. He didn't think Daniel would change towards him, but hearing it from his own mouth eased some of his fear.
"Why didn't he tell me?"
It was General O'Neill who sighed, "Because of how easily conflicts between the Angels and Demons arose after the attack. It was as if the Peace Years had never happened."
"General-"
"Jack," O'Neill interrupted. "Call me Jack, kiddo. Especially since were discussing such a sensitive subject."
Cameron hesitated. He'd never called the man something other than General even though he'd known him his whole life. "Why did people forget?"
"Because the Century Wars were terrible," O'Neill replied. "There was so much hate between our races stemmed from a conflict blown so far out of proportion that no one could even remember why they were fighting. Your Grandfathers, both Michael's and Lucifer's fathers, died so that the fighting could stop. The entire Angelic and Demonic Kingdoms watched as our Kings stood before each other, made a blood treaty and then killed themselves so that your fathers could start anew. It took time, but eventually we lived in harmony. We still don't know why Lucifer broke the treaty."
Cameron had heard all of this before. Not in exactly the same way, basic Angelic and Demonic history was told to all Angels and he'd never studied their history farther. He'd never been interested in learning all the details, only the basics so that he understood what had happened. He'd never known his Grandfathers had killed themselves.
"What was Lucifer like?"
"Arrogant," O'Neill answered immediately. "Stubborn but compassionate. He loved Michael and Michael loved him. You are as much like him as you are your dad."
"But he never knew about you," Daniel added. "The war broke out before your father could tell him or get an explanation for why the demons attacked."
"I still don't understand why he didn't tell me," Cameron said looking away.
O'Neill leaned forward and his wings stretched out to him, "During the Peace Years I was bonded to a demon. Her name was Sara, and we had a son together."
Cameron's eyes widened. He'd never known this about the General, not that he'd known much to begin with but the raw pain in his voice made Cameron want to tell him to stop. He couldn't get anything out of his mouth.
"Charlie was the first child born to parents of both races. He had a tail, but no wings and silver blue eyes. He was beautiful, an inspiration to other couples that it was possible for our races to breed together."
"What happened?" Cameron whispered.
"He died, from Kirsan Fever," O'Neill leaned into Daniel's embrace and Cameron wished he hadn't asked. "For some reason it hits half breeds harder than it does demons or angels. Sara and I broke the bond not long after, there was just too much hurt between us. You almost died too Cameron, when you were six. I didn't think it was possible for Michael to be more devastated then when the war started."
Cameron frowned. He didn't remember being that sick when he was a kid. He knew he would have gotten Kirsan, everyone did but he hadn't known it'd been that bad. He'd never known it was possible to die from Kirsan.
"Why haven't I been told any of this?" Cameron asked, distressed. He should know this, he's supposed to know this. He's the Angelic Prince, it should never have been kept from him!
"Because Michael feared that you'd be used against him, by the demons and by some of our own people who don't like that we only attack the demons if it's to regain control over Orilla. Because he feared that other common ailments might affect you differently and be used against you.
"But doesn't Lucifer know I'm his son?"
O'Neill shook his head, "Lucifer refuses all contact with Angelic Kingdom. There was no way your father could let him know save by starting a rumour, but there was no guarantee the right information would reach him."
Cameron thought about that. He didn't think it fair that his father not even know he existed. Maybe, if he managed to see his father he could figure out why the demons attacked, why he attacked. But more than that, he wanted to meet his father. He wanted to meet the man dad had loved, no doubt still loved.
"Cameron," Daniel said slowly, as if he suspected what was going on in Cameron's head, "don't do anything rash."
"I just want to go to Orilla," Cameron lied smoothly. "See the Demonic Kingdom."
...............
Orilla was a fortress sitting on top of the only mountain pass between the kingdoms. All the other paths had been destroyed during the Century Wars and there was no other way to enter either kingdom, unless someone was dumb enough to try crossing the Great Dessert. The border town was the primary protection for the Angelic Kingdom, saw ownership change between the angels and demons regularly but gratefully the fighting didn't extend beyond the town. Cameron had never been to Orilla before. He'd read all about it, been allowed to see it from afar but it was considered too great a risk if he entered.
Cameron ignored all that now. He walked through Orilla's streets like he was just another soldier except that he wasn't being treated like just any soldier. As he made his way to Commander Thor's post the oncoming flow of angels parted to let him through. He smiled at them, and while they nodded back they wouldn't meet his eyes. They never met his eyes, as if doing so would get them in trouble and he didn't know how to tell them he hated being so damn revered without sounding like he was throwing a tantrum.
Commander Thor's post was located in the western spire overlooking the training grounds and barracks. Cameron found him in a room decorated with maps of both the Angelic and Demonic Kingdoms, some broad scale, others very specific. He was with two other Commanders. Cameron knocked at the door, but did not enter.
"Your Highness," Commander Thor greeted him with a smile. He was roughly around General O'Neill's age, a tall broad shouldered angel with pristine white tipped brown feathers, and a bald head but a short white beard. His eyes were a rare purple and when he was a child, Cameron had though that meant they were related but Thor, like Cameron, belonged to one of the old bloodlines. "I heard rumours of your approach but I did not expect to actually see you."
Cameron gave him a small shrug, "My apologies. It was a sudden decision."
Commander Thor raised an eyebrows, "Can I assume your father was not part of this decision?"
Cameron scowled, "My father does not dictate every aspect of my life."
"Of course not Sire," Thor amended, backing down. He gestured to his companions, "Have you met Commanders Bra'tac and Selmak of the Jaffa and Tokra Companies?"
Cameron shook his head and greeted the Commanders politely. A Company was comprised of eight hundred soldiers and each Company, instead of numbered, was named. Commander Thor was in charge of the Asgard, Orilla's permanent residents. The Jaffa and Tokra Companies rotated postings every year, like the majority of the Companies. In addition to the Asgard only the Tollan and Terran Companies had permanent postings.
Bra'tac and Selmak excused themselves after receiving a look from Thor. They closed the door behind them, and it sounded to Cameron like a cell door closing on a prisoner.
"Commander-" Cameron started but Thor raised a hand. Cameron felt compelled to stop.
"My Prince, whatever the conflicts are between you and your father I will not disguise your presence here. There are reasons you're not supposed to be in Orilla the least of which involving your safety."
"Commander, I very well understand but I won't be here long. I just want to look out the other side."
Thor stared at him, and Cameron forced himself not to fidget. He wasn't going to leave Orilla, not until he got to look at the Demonic Kingdom, not until he got a good look at the maps and decided whether or not he could enter the Kingdom.
Thor sucked in a breath, and Cameron knew he'd figured it out. "He told you?"
Cameron nodded.
Thor sighed and sat down behind the table, "I always wondered how long he would wait."
Cameron scowled, "And no one else decided to mention it."
"It wasn't our place, despite how much we argued with your father over it." Thor replied. "Just be careful while you're here Sire. I don't want to be the one responsible if anything happens to you."
...............
Cameron sat on the southern edge of the battlement overlooking the Demonic Kingdom. He could see the cropping of a small outpost a mile out from the bottom edge of the mountain and the perimeter of a village several more miles away. He figured that town was the equivalent to their Tollana, though he had no idea what it was called. There was a soft beating of wings and Cameron glanced to his left.
Lieutenant Fryer, an Asgard soldier, had been tasked with shadowing Cameron while he remained in Orilla. He was shorter than Cameron but not by much, wearing the simple uniform of the Army with only the lightweight armour. He had a mop of sandy blond hair that was on the verge of falling down over his eyes which were a stunning gold and his wings were gorgeous midnight blue. Cameron thought his presence was useless, annoying and problematic because if he was going to complete any studying of the Demonic Kingdom he needed to be left alone.
"How old are you Lieutenant?"
"Old enough to know exactly why you stare down there longingly Sire," Fryer replied promptly.
Cameron grimaced. Of course Thor would assign someone who knew, and would be wary of any questions he asked. Still, it was possible he could work that to his advantage, if he went about it carefully.
"Have you been down there?"
Fryer moved closer to him and leaned against the ledge, "When I was a fledge my parents took my sister and I to Atlantis. It's different, not as open as Avalon but it's beautiful. I've always wanted to go back. There's so much to see and experience that I never had to opportunity to or that I can remember."
Cameron nodded thoughtfully. "Can you show me? On a map I mean, tell me about where you went and what you know."
Fryer thought about that for a moment, mulled it over while staring at Cameron and Cameron did his best to keep his face blank, void of anything but plain curiosity.
After a moment, Fryer shrugged, "Sure. I'm not sure how detailed the map of Atlantis is but it should be good enough."
Fryer led Cameron to where he'd spoken with Thor earlier. There was a Tokra soldier pouring over an old map, frowning in concentration and he didn't look up when they entered.
"Malek has been studying the Orilla foundations for some time now. He believes, like Doctor Jackson, that under the city we see now is an older version," Fryer explained when Cameron gave him an inquiring look.
"And one day I'll prove it," Malek countered. "There's still a lot about our histories we don't know, places in the journals of our past kings that we cannot find, places the great Ancestors probably lived and built like Avalon and Atlantis."
Cameron knew the stories. Angles whose wings spanned almost twice the average length and could fly to immeasurable heights and demons who could run and never get tired. They'd lived in Avalon and Atlantis, Castina and Sehal with Heliopolis as the capitol. They had lived in harmony, studied the sciences beyond anything that had ever been replicated now and then...nothing. No one knew what happened, why only Avalon and Atlantis survived or why that harmony had been broken. After so many years people only believed them to be stories made up to explain why Avalon and Atlantis were unlike any other city both Angelic and Demonic.
If the Ancestor Cities exist, shouldn't there be ruins?" Fryer pointed out as he browsed through the shelves of maps and pulled one out. He moved down the central table so they didn't disturb Malek too much.
"Time destroys many things," Malek replied cryptically.
Cameron gazed down at the city, built almost like compass. There was a large central building then a series of small and large buildings at an equal distance at the north, south, east and west points and a sparse scattering of even smaller buildings between those points. It was kind of an odd design, and Cameron wasn't sure of what purpose it served. How could they defend it is someone attacked? Avalon at least had an impenetrable outer wall.
"The city's made up of a series of towers," Fryer began to explain. "We think it was meant to be a center for science as the defensive wall they built is not part of the original structure. It has cobblestone roads, nothing like our own though. They're smaller, a little rougher for better traction and don't ice over like ours during the Freeze. Some of the towers have a bridge between them, usually the small ones that are close together thought I gather that if it was needed, some of the buildings could be easily lept across."
"What's the center tower used for?" Cameron asked.
"It’s the equivalent of your place in Avalon. It’s not only Lucifer's home but its where most of the city and ultimately the kingdom are run. I believe it's also where the Atlantis records are kept, given that it's one of the most secure places in the city. It's the city's tallest tower."
Cameron straightened, frowning to himself, "Why?"
Fryer shrugged, "That's just the way it was built."
"It probably wasn't built to be for a royal family," Malek joined in, looking up from his Orilla map. "We know your place in Avalon was originally a gathering hall, where guests from other cities would stay if they did not have any other accommodations. I can only assume that's why it became the home for your family Sire. During the Peace Years, especially the early ones, Demonic dignitaries would be housed within your father's home. It brought not only security but showed the people that if the King was making an effort, then everyone else had to as well."
Throughout the explanation Cameron casually scanned the shelves of maps, looking for the right notation that would tell him it was a wide spread map, and not one specifically for a town. As he inched closer and closer he could see the little notations made on the wood, etched in both the Ancestor's and their common script, a pale imitation that Cameron had never really liked. He was pleased to see that the maps for the Demonic Kingdom weren't too high up that he would have to raise his and draw attention to himself and as he kept his eyes on both Fryer and Malek he reached over and slid one out quickly but quietly. He tucked it up under his shirt by his left wing where it wouldn't show too much then pressed his wings in close to keep it in place.
"Have you been to Atlantis?" Cameron asked him.
Malek nodded, "Once, as an escort for your father. It's a beautiful city."
Cameron nodded, and they stayed there for a while talking about the city, about things a map didn't tell you and Cameron wondered if, when the time came he would get to see these things first hand too.
...............
Cameron was perched in the trees overlooking a small town labelled Athos on his map. They were a farming village, peaceful and Cameron envied them for how peaceful they were, living so close to the border. Tollana had once been like this.
There were demon children playing near his hiding place and Cameron wondered if they knew what it was like on the other side of the border, if they were taught that Angelic children weren't allowed outside city confines unless they had sufficient protection.
Passing over the mountains might have been impossible, and going around was a death sentence, but somewhere demons were crossing into angelic territory. Not large groups, four at the most and always well trained; assassin like. They attacked at random, large cities or small towns, it didn't matter and if taken alive, they never revealed their point of entry. So many good lives had been lost in the attacks.
Cameron lurked above Athos till nightfall, before taking flight again and heading south. Atlantis was at the heart of the Demonic Kingdom, much like Avalon was the heart of the Angelic Kingdom. It would take him another three days to fly there and hopefully, if his map was correct there would be a few areas he could hide out during the day to avoid any patrols. He would pass by one other town just over half way there called Manaria. He hoped to just pass right over it. The less chance of demons seeing him the better and really, he shouldn't have even stopped in Athos but he'd just been too curious.
He wondered what Lucifer would be like. Was he anything like his father? Cameron wondered if he would even believe him. Sure, he could show him his eyes, the black as night eyes he'd inherited from him, covered by a coloured lens to protect him but he might think that a trick or hate him even, for having grown up as an angel hiding his demonic side. There was just no telling. But Cameron wanted to tell him anyways, no matter what the outcome.
...............
Ronon had been sensing and seeing something out of the corner of his eye for the past few days. Always up high and always when he was with Sheppard. Sheppard, typically, didn't notice. For being an expert in interrogations and noticing things about people he was terrible when it came to his own life and surroundings.
On the third day he got fed up. Someone was stalking his friend, a man he considered family and he wasn't just going to sit by and let it happen. So he trailed John himself, scaled a few walls and followed him from an approximately the same height as the stalker.
John was aimless that day, meeting up with Lorne and Parrish for a few hours at Parrish's lab, talking to Laura about the latest chemicals she used to blow shit up with and whether or not it would be beneficial to him then stopping by McKay's place for a while to bug him.
It was during that time that Ronon spotted him, a figure crouched in the shadows of the Olivier Tower, one of the smaller towers of the North Point. He was wearing black, had short hair and as Ronon stared closer he saw the one thing that could really startle him. The figure had wings, a moderately sized expanse curled up behind him as best as he could get them but Ronon wasn't the best Hunter for nothing.
Ronon hadn't seen an angel freely walk the streets of Atlantis in a long time and doesn't like knowing that this one had not only been able to sneak into the Demonic Kingdom and Atlantis, but was stalking Sheppard as well.
Ronon's lips turned up in a smirk. It had been a long time since he'd hunted in his own back yard.
...............
Cameron had never thought that he could look at a Demon the way his Father had. It wasn't because they were demons but because of what their people had caused his. He'd been completely taken by surprise when he saw the spiky haired demon on his first day sneaking around Atlantis; which was very difficult because Atlantis was bright, similar to Avalon in a way and provided few blind spots.
The spiky haired demon was not quite as tall as Cameron, his hair was dark, his eyes as black as Cam's and his tail was almost as long as he was tall. He walked with a fluid grace Cam had never really seen before and all thoughts about seeing his father had left taken a less important spot in his mind.
The demon had visited four others so far that day. Two of them had appeared to be lovers, Cameron hadn't felt threatened by them but the other two, the woman and the man he was visiting now did. What if he was with one of them? Or maybe it was that really big demon from yesterday. He kind of scared Cameron, in that it would probably be effortless for him to kill Cameron.
And then what would happen? Cameron questioned. His father would be destroyed, the war would continue and nothing would be resolved. Lucifer would either never know of him or his father would use it against him and they would never be happy again.
Cameron took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down and stop thinking morbidly. He wasn't going to get caught and he definitely wasn't going to die.
...............
The angel obviously didn't know enough about demon capabilities and attributes to keep an eye on the space above him. Ronon looked down over the balcony and contemplated his descent. The building's structure was smooth, easy to slide down though hard to get a grip on. He knew from previous experience that his almost claws were good enough to slow his descent, but they weren't strong enough to penetrate the metal used to build the city.
Ronon made the jump, swung over the railing, using his tail to ensure that he remained close to the wall. He hit the wall and slid down, gaining speed the closer he got to the angel. He saw the second the angel figured out he was compromised. His head jerked upwards, his eyes widened a fraction of a second later and his wings flared out, ready to take off but he was too late. Ronon was already sliding past him, grabbing him and pulling him along for the ride.
The angel was a bit young and not that well trained. He could barely fight Ronon's grip and his wings flapped, gaining a little air but were mostly useless. They did annoy Ronon and after getting whacked in the face again he used his tail to wrap around one of his daggers and plunged it into the angel's wing joint.
There was only a small cry of pain and a flinch in response but it was enough to give Ronon an even better upper hand. There was an approaching balcony, the only other one on this side of the tower and he gripped the angel's shirt tighter in anticipation for grabbing it.
...............
John looked between the unconscious and bleeding angel sprawled out on the road and the smug satisfied demon standing over him. He was a bit confused because he'd never seen Ronon take down an angel so hard before, especially not one they'd need to interrogate later on.
"Did you have to fall down the building?"
Ronon gave him an annoyed look and John returned it with a grin. he knew Ronon's style, the big demon did whatever it took to eliminate a threat. Though he kinda hadn't figured Ronon as one to go down the side of a building again after what had happened last time.
"Alright, Stackhouse you and your team take him back to my place. Put him in Room 2 and make sure he's secure," John ordered.
The young leader of the security team that had been sent nodded and began directing his me. John watched him for a moment frowning to himself. Adam had been acting strange in the past few weeks, emotionally bouncing from one extreme to the other and he could understand why. He wondered if it had anything to do with Jamie Markham's disappearance but, he didn't have the right to ask.
He turned back to Ronon, "How'd you know he was there?"
Ronon stared at him for a moment, "He was following you."
John's eyes widened in surprise, 'He was following me? Why?"
John looked down at the angel perplexed as Stackhouses's team made the final preparations for moving him. Why would the angel have been following him? He hadn't even noticed, and that bothered him the most. What else could he have missed while casually walking down the streets. Least Ronon had noticed, but really, he was going to have to do better, be more aware of his surroundings. He'd gotten to used to living in Atlantis where is was virtually untouchable. This intrusion changed everything.
"Don't know," Ronon replied. "You'll find out."
Yea, John thought. He sure would.
...............
"Did you see the boy?"
Crowley pulled Adria into his room and shut the door quickly, hoping no one had heard her. This was serious business, surprising beyond all measure because he never expected that boy to come anywhere near Atlantis. He keyed in his room's security protocol before turning around to the younger female demon who was his...protégé.
"I saw him. But I distinctly remember telling you not to go anywhere near the site."
Crowly had every confidence in his plans, knew all the major demon players, especially Lucifer, like the back of his hand. He just couldn't take any chance that he hadn't compensated for all the moves the angels made. There were some, like Commander Baal and Commander Simeon who actually made him worry. That's why he couldn't have anyone connect them if something happened.
Adria flushed, eyes going wide a bit at the fact that she'd been caught. She'd actually thought she'd been able to hide from Crowley. Crowley smirked at her. Word had gone out that an angel had been caught within the city, but there'd been no mention of his gender. Until probably tomorrow, only those who had been there or gone to see would have known.
Despite her minor disability to follow certain orders, Adria was a brilliant protégé. She was smart, she knew the truth, agreed with him on the practicalities of what had been done and she was beautiful. Long ebony hair, fiery red eyes and a long lean body that most underestimated.
"Is he..." Adria trailed off, the question hanging in the air between them.
Crowley nodded, eyes alight with all the possibilities this gave them. "He looks too much like Michael not to be."
"What are we going to do?" Adria asked, trying to hold in her excitement but not completely succeeding.
That all depended on what Lucifer decided to do when he found out. He might try to talk with the boy but Crowley didn't think that likely because he remembered how angry and betrayed Lucifer had felt when they found out about him. He could imprison the boy, lock him up for the rest of eternity or even kill him. But then, those possibilities didn't help Crowley in any way.
"We're going to fast track Operation Summer Storm."
Adria's eyes widened, "I thought the formula wasn't finished."
"Not yet, but I've been assured that they're close. Using him as patient zero will allow us to take out Michael and his Commanders a lot faster, maybe even first and then where would the angels be without their King and Prince?"
Crowley had plans, great plans to ensure the Demon's domination over the angels. He knew how to get what he wanted, how to manipulate those around him and by the Ancestors, no one ever saw it coming.
...............
"Were you able to follow her?" Michael asked.
"Yes My Lord. We've finally found their entry point." Commander Simeon replied.
"Or one of them," General O'Neill pointed out.
Commander Simeon's dark green eyes glared at O'Neill.
"Are you sure she did not spot you?" Michael wanted no mistakes.
"Positive."
Michael nodded and looked around at the assembled group. He'd called the Commanders of each Company to him. If his intended reveal of Cameron's identity to that demon spy gained them nothing then they had to plan their next move. He wasn't going to leave Cameron in Lucifer's hands, not when he had no idea what Lucifer would do.
Jack, who was the Commander of the Terran sat on his right and Thor on his left. Beside Jack was Bra'tac, then Selmak, Nareem Commander of the Tollan, and Baal Commander of the Atoniek. Beside Thor was Lyra Commander of the Nox, Nyan Commander of the Furling, Simeon Commander of the Lucian, and Telford Commander of the Aschen. Michael trusted them all, had served with them in the Century Wars and then handpicked them to take command of their respective units. They were his closest friends.
"Why was she allowed to go?" Nareem asked. He was a quite angel, with kind green eyes and tawny coloured hair and wings.
Michael gave Thor a pointed look. Though he didn't blame Thor for anything that had happened, Thor should have realized Cameron would do something stupid.
Thor winced, "Fifteen days ago Cameron crossed into the Demonic Kingdom. Three days ago we got word that he was captured and that they'd started interrogations."
Soft curses filled the room.
Telford leaned forward, smoky grey wings pressed close to his body, "That still doesn't explain why the demon was allowed to go free."
"They don't know who he is," Thor replied. "They assume he's just another soldier and not our prince. That will soon change."
Telford's face slacked and his mouth formed an o in silent surprise.
"You're gambling with Cameron's life," Baal's silky voice cut through them. He was more demon like than angel with eyes that were a navy blue and his wings were black with a red edge. Michael sometimes wondered if he had demon ancestry. "Who's to say Lucifer won't just kill him when he learns who Cameron is, because I know you wouldn't have "let slip" that Lucifer is his father as well. Do you think Lucifer will stop, or let him go? He is no longer your kind hearted lover, Michael."
Michael briefly closed his eyes. He knew this, knew that he was gambling on a mere hope that there was still some thread of the Lucifer he loved left, that Lucifer still loved him. This whole plan had the potential to destroy him.
"Nor is he a raging psychopath Baal, not like you," Jack argued.
Michael hid a small grin as Baal rolled his eyes. Jack and Baal had never been able to see eye to eye and bickered on almost every topic. Michael didn't know if it had always been like that, they hadn't told him and he didn't subscribe to rumours.
"What outcome are we hoping for, exactly," Lyra's calm voice eased some of the tension. Michael grew up with her, had known her since they were both fledglings and she had always been small with a thin frame, light blue eyes and golden wings. While not an exceptional fighter she had a cool head and a keen insight.
"That the interrogation stops," Thor replied. "A release, as great as it would be, is unlikely."
"And if none of that happens?" Simeon asked. "Are we going to ignore what we've been trying to achieve by attacking them?"
"I propose an extraction," Bra'tac announced. "A small team slips in and pulls him out. While they're headed back we attack from Orilla to provide both cover and a distraction."
Michael didn't want it to come to that. He didn't want to take an offensive stance in this war but he knew that if it came down it it, that if it would save Cameron than he would order an attack. He would do anything for Cameron.
"I believe that should be a last resort, my friend," Selmak said. "Is there not some way we could utilize the Demon's entry point for ourselves?"
"She took the Serpent's Path," Simeon informed them.
Michael frowned.
"Don't the Unas still live in that area?" Nyan asked confused.
"They do," Baal confirmed. "You can hear them during the night in Chimmera sometimes. Its annoying."
The Unas were a savage race that lived in the mountains, sometimes coming down to steal food from Chimmera. They were generally left alone too, though Michael was sure Daniel had tried to befriend them on several occasions. He'd never believed anyone could reason with them, didn't think that they were intelligent enough to understand their speech or communicate back. They had no language that he knew of.
"Then that way's out of the question," Selmak stated. "General O'Neill, any ideas?"
Jack frowned, "I think the Demons have more than one entry point, one where that spy, and maybe others enter an another were their assault teams enter. That way, if one is discovered they still have the other to fall back on. We need to find that second entry point."
"We need to ensure Cameron's safety," Bra'tac argued. "Then we should focus on our defences."
"Short of asking Vala to abandon her post, thus giving up our only source of information, there isn't much we can do at the moment."
Michael bowed his head. He'd been afraid of that, but he didn't like knowing he was right.
...............
John's not sure what happened. The angel was his prisoner, his to question - intensely - and get information out of before the attack. He hadn't expected this kind of complication.
He was trained in interrogation, the best there was because he didn't get emotional. He didn't get attached, had a failed marriage to prove it and only a few friendships.
He was especially known for his dislike of Angels. Oh, there were groups of Demons who advocated peace between the warring races but John wasn't a part of that. John didn't believe the angel's weren't at fault, nor did he think the angels were just as much victims as the Demons were and he certainly wasn't interested in hearing their side of the story.
John had interrogated scores of angels in the past and been responsible for the deaths of countless more but this one angel was different. This angel has talked and talked and talked yet never cracked, even when John did, losing his temper and whipping him into unconsciousness.
"Sheppard."
John nodded to Ronon, the best hunter in all demon history. Ronon was usually the one who captured the angels John interrogated. He was taller than John, incredibly strong and agile and one of the few demons whose hand were reinforced with something akin to claws.
"Hey," John said as they started walking down the halls to the mess together. Their tails twined together for barely a second.
"Teyla should be back today."
"Yeah?" John hadn't heard that, but then, John had been trying to get that damn angel out of his head.
Ronon nodded, grinning. Teyla was their most competent spy. She slipped in and out of angel territory on a monthly basis and had yet to be caught.
Teyla was already in the mess, he hair tied back signalling that he was still technically on duty. She wore a tight leather outfit with an overcoat that hid many knives. Her tail was twirling a loose strand of hair as she spoke with Rodney.
Rodney was the last in their strange group of friends. He was abrasive and egotistical but a genius and if it weren't for him the demons would have lost the war years ago.
"Your angel say anything yet?" Rodney asked.
John tried not to think about how those words made him feel.
"When has he not said anything?"
Rodney gave him a look, "Fine. Has he said anything useful?"
John shook his head, "I think he likes being tortured."
"Lucifer, of course they'd send us the crazy one."
John poked him with his tail, "How's Katie?"
Rodney groaned and launched into the latest mishap to befall his relationship with the shy demon, effectively ending the topic of angels.
...............
"John," Teyla called out to him as he headed for another round of angel interrogation.
"Something up?" John asked confused.
Teyla shook her head, "I did not want to tell you this in front of the others or in such a public area."
John frowned. Anything Teyla learned became public knowledge unless Lucifer said so and he couldn't remember a time when Lucifer had restricted knowledge.
"I found out who that angel is," Teyla explained.
"What do you mean?" John's tail twitched.
"He's no ordinary angel," Teyla touched his arm. "He's Michael's son."
John cursed. He had to rethink everything now, had to get the information he needed even faster before the entire Angelic Kingdom came down upon them. In fact, he needed to know what the hell the heir to the angelic throne was even doing in Atlantis.
"Have you told Lucifer?"
Teyla shook her head, "I have not seen him yet."
Cameron was nicely strung up in chains for him once he finally got to the interrogation room. He was mostly naked, his scars standing out and his wings, a pale grey colour, were drooping.
Oddly, they perked up when John entered. John studied him, tried to picture him as the son of Michael but it was weird. Cameron didn't act like a prince.
"Can I ask you a question?" Cameron's voice was rich, still strong after seven days.
"You'll ask it either way," John pointed out.
"Your eyes are black-"
John snorted. That was stating the obvious.
"Does that mean you belong to Lucifer's bloodline?"
John came around to face him. Demonology 101. All demons had tails. They ranged from two to three feet in length and were the strongest appendage a demon had. Demons commonly had either red or yellow eyes and only those belonging to the really old bloodlines had black eyes. There weren't many black eyed demons left.
"Lucifer has no children. I belong to the Asmodeus bloodline." John scowled. He didn't know why he was humoring the angel.
Cameron tilted his head to the side like a bird, "Asmodeus? Wasn't he a General in the Old Wars and the one for whom your western mountain is named after?"
John's eyebrows rose in surprise, "You're taught Demon History?"
"Why wouldn't we be?" Cameron asked perplexed. "It's just as important as Angelic History. Why only learn one side?"
John turned away, distressed and he wished his stupid tail would stop flicking around. It was going to give him away. Cameron's revelation, it couldn't be true. Could it? Why would angels even care about educating their children on demons except on how to kill them? Was Michael planning something, something concerning their history?
"Tell me more," John demanded, facing him once again.
Cameron looked surprised, "You...want me to talk about angelic culture?"
"Just your teachings. Everything. Whatever concerns demons!"
Cameron balked, "Um, that's kind of a lot, I think. History and anatomy, though those branch out cause there's a lot to learn."
"I'm not looking for generalizations," John growled.
"And I don't know what to tell you that you don't already know!" Cameron yelled.
John grabbed the closest knife, a long serrated beast he used the most and plunged it into Cameron's left wing. Cameron screamed and jerked away, but the chains only gave him a few inches give.
"Tell me what your father is planning."
John waited, hand still gripping the knife and ready to pull it out and stab Cameron again.
"Figured it out, I see." Cameron managed against the pain. "I thought you'd already known, except you never brought it up before."
"It’s not like knowledge of you is widespread. Not everyone realizes Michael even has a son."
"My Dad did love once," Cameron softly. "Even if it’s not the same anymore. Would you like to know my family's biggest secret?"
John's eyes narrowed, "You'd tell me, just like that?"
Cameron shrugged, "Yes."
John sighed, hoping this wasn't another one of Cameron's stupid stories. It wasn't like he could refuse the offer up of knowledge anyway. "Fine."
"My eyes don't actually look like this. I wear contacts, coloured see through fake glass, because most people wouldn't understand."
"Understand what?"
"Why my eyes are black."
John pulled the knife out in surprise and dropped it. Cameron had to be lying. He'd never heard of an angel with demon eyes.
Cameron flinched but otherwise remained silent.
John was really beginning to hate ever having set his eyes on Cameron. The angel was a conundrum of epic proportions and John was beginning to wonder what the hell was really going on. Cameron was making him want to question things he'd never wanted to question before.
"Bullshit."
"Take my contacts out and you'll see for yourself."
John frowned, but he wanted to know so instead of doing it himself he went over to the leaver and lowered Cameron's arms. "Show me."
Cameron bent his head and carefully removed the contact from each of his eyes. He looked back up at John and John heard himself gasp. He really was an angel with demon eyes.
"Its actually a relief to know black eyes are common to more than one family," Cameron said, smiling at him. John couldn't figure out why Cameron kept smiling at him.
"Why?"
"Because I like you. I was watching you, before your friend caught me. I think you're beautiful."
John got in his face, "What the hell is wrong with you? You're an Angel in the Demon capital city being interrogated and all you can think about is your attraction to me?"
John cursed himself for being so damn foolish as Cameron grabbed him, sure he was going to be killed but instead Cameron pulled him into a searing kiss.
John wrenched himself away, "I hate you."
Cameron simply smiled.
...............
John stood with Ronon, Teyla and Rodney before Lucifer and his advisors and tried not to be anything but professional. It had been days since Teyla had reported her findings, days in which John hadn't been doing his job. He'd been getting to know Cameron better instead, compromising his integrity and probably singing his death warrant if Michael or even Lucifer ever found out. He'd been falling for Cameron.
He hoped that whatever Lucifer's decision was, it was something he could handle, something that wouldn't harm Cameron more after all that John had already done to him. If that were the case John knew he'd never be able to carry out the orders.
Lucifer's tail thumped against the floor, drawing all attention to him as if the attention hadn't been already on him. John waited with baited breath.
"Specialist Emmagan already knows this but before this goes public I want the rest of you to know because I have a mission for you," Lucifer met each of their eyes. "The angel under our imprisonment is Prince Cameron."
"What?" Rodney blurted in true Rodney form. "The Prince?"
Lucifer smirked indulgently, like most people who didn't work with Rodney did. "Yes Doctor, and I am sending him back."
Stunned silence greeted his words and John let out the breath he'd been holding. Cameron wouldn't die. He wouldn't be asked to do something he couldn't do and, while this would separate them, at least Cameron would be safe.
"Are you serious?" Rodney blurted again, perplexed. "Why would you do that, he's leverage!"
"Because if he were my son and in Michael's grasp, I'd hope that there was still some of the friend I once had that would allow him to spare my child." Lucifer told them slowly, as if it pained him which John figured it probably did. He hadn't even known Lucifer and Michael had been friends, let alone lovers and he doubted many demons remembered that as well. It still made him ask himself what the hell had changed.
"The four of you are going to be escorting him back to Orilla," Lucifer added. "And you'll leave tonight, under the cover of darkness so it doesn't cause an uproar."
John knew it would cause an uproar anyway. The people wouldn't be able to understand Lucifer's not on a while and the faster they got Cameron home the better it would be for all of them.
"What route are we taking?" Ronon asked.
"That's all up to you, just don't do anything more to him."
Lucifer's tail curled up close to him as he stood and left, gliding out smoothly without another word. They all left him too it, John realizing that whatever Lucifer did that night it would be with all his emotions out in full force, his walls completely down. John felt the sudden urge to go see Cameron.
"Specialist Sheppard," the silky voice of Crowley, one of Lucifer's oldest advisors made the hairs on the back of John's neck rise. There was something about Crowley that always set him on edge. "Before you go, I'd like to see him."
John wanted to refuse him, wanted to tell Crowley where to shove it but he knew he had no choice to accept, John nodded before turning and walking out of the hall. He had to get Cameron ready, find him proper clothing and pack for them both.
...............
Crowley gazed out his window and watched the five figures leaving Atlantis by the cover of night, guided by the pale moonlight. Operation Summer Storm had been executed and within months the Angelic Kingdom would fall.
It made Crowley giddy, like a child excited for over a new toy because when the Old Kings had made the pack resulting in the Peace Years, he hadn't thought this outcome possible again. Everyone had been so happy to not be fighting anymore, as if they'd forgotten everything that had happened.
"Have they gone?" Adria's voice drifted from his bed.
"They have. We'll start the final preparations tomorrow," Crowley replied, sparing one last look at the figures. "The Demon Years are about to begin."
