Survival

New chap and this one will be detailing Stevens stay in Hell's Kitchen.

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Captain Hollister sat in his quarters with a glass of scotch trying to forget the galaxy. Only two hours ago his friend and second in command had been sent to Hells Kitchen penitentiary. Hells Kitchen itself was an old Harvesting facility beneath the surface of Mercury and had been retrofitted to be a prison. It was rare for anyone to get out of Hells Kitchen and those that did were never the same afterwards. Some didn't even last a year.

A harsh pounding sound emanated from his door and he knew just who it was. The woman he'd been trying to avoid, Alias.

Slowly getting to his feet Hollister trudged to the door, already wondering if he was going to get out of this alive. The door slid open to reveal Stevens 7 month pregnant mate Alias who right now looked like someone about to go on a killing spree. Before he could get a word in Hollister felt Alias's fist slam into his stomach, winding him. Staggering back Hollister clutched his stomach and readied himself for the next hit, it didn't come. Instead he simply heard Alias ask "Why. Why didn't you help him!"

Hollister straightened his back and looked Alias in the eyes "And what could I have done?" She surged forward and slammed him into the wall "YOU COULD HAVE TOLD THEM IT WAS YOUR IDEA!. THAT YOU GAVE THE ORDER, NOT STEVEN!" Hollister was tempted to shout back but seeing Alias's pained eyes he knew that now wasn't the time.

"Alias, if I had told them that then I'd be in Hells Kitchen with Steven. With me out of the way they'd check the records and discover who else was on that mission. Steven took the full blame because he knew that." Alias just glared at him with tears in her eyes "So thats it. My mate rots in jail, my children will never see their father again and you and three other people get off scott free"

Alias let go of Hollister and walked towards the door. Before she left Hollister spoke up. "We're not going to let him rot in there Alias. I promise we'll find a way to get him out of there even if we have to break him out". Alias's only response was "You better. Otherwise I'll make sure the U.P. find out who really gave the orders"

When Steven came too the first thing he realized was that it was hot, really hot. The second thing was that he was lying on the floor and he still had his claws, although they were covered by some kind of metal blocks. Slowly opening his eyes he was greeted with the sight of a stone grey ceiling. "Oh shit" was the only thing he said when he realized just where he was. Sitting up Steven winced at the pain in his back and looked at his metal covered hands.

It looked like steel blocks were covering his hands but he couldn't cut through them, lifting his claws Steven was pleasantly surprised to find the block weren't heavy. Shakily getting to his feet Steven got a good look at his cell.

It looked more like a large cave rather then a cell with the only light being the glow coming from the blue kinetic barrier covering the entrance. There was no bed and a tiny hole in the corner that he assumed was the toilet. Walking up to the barrier Steven cautiously pressed his metal covered claw against the barrier, not feeling an shock from it Steven tried to see outside but couldn't. The barrier was designed so he couldn't see out but others could see in. They had these in the cells on the Daedalus.

Collapsing against the barrier Steven slowly slided to the ground. He was hungry, thirsty and sore but most of all he felt like crying. He wouldn't of course since showing weakness in jail was pretty much a death sentence but the thought that he'd never see his loved ones again, watch his children grow up and hold his unborn child just ripped into him. He layed on the floor, closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.

He tried to cheer himself up with the thought of escaping but he knew he'd have to wait till they feed the prisoners before he could start any real plan. A determined look filtered across his face. He didn't care if had to dig his way out with the blocks on his hands, no one was keeping him from his family.

Stevens eyes snapped open at the blaring noise filling the prison. He didn't know how long he'd been asleep and getting to his feet he knew it wasn't long enough. The barrier went down and Steven cautiously walked out of his cell and got his first look at Hells Kitchen.

The entire room was a large circular well with a massive hole in the middle. The cells were in the walls and descended in a diagonal pattern as did the walkway. Lowering through the room in the hole was a metal gun of some kind. He watched as it faced a prisoner, a male Flist to his surprise, and a beam of light hit the Flist. When the beam was gone so too was the Flist and Steven knew it was a transporter. He watched as one by one Human and Flist were transported to who knows where.

It was his turn but Steven couldn't help but feel uneasy because of the giant gun pointing at him. A flash of light filled his vision and when it was gone he found himself standing in a massive rectangular cave with tables and chairs. In the ceiling corners were turrets armed and ready while sonic rifle carrying guards stood against the walls. A serving station was open in one of the walls and Steven decided it was time to get something to eat.

Watching his back for anyone trying to kill him Steven stepped up to the trays and discovered a problem. With the metal blocks around his claws he couldn't grab anything. shakily trying to wedge one of the trays between his blocks after a minute he managed to balance the tray on top of them. Walking down the line the servers didn't even spare him a glance, they simply dumped some kind of green, red and yellow stuff onto his tray and a bowl of water. Exiting the line he made for a table and sat down, wondering how the hell he was going to eat this... food.

A quick look around showed that no one really gave a damn about table manners so Steven lowered his mouth and took a bite out of the green stuff. He took a gulp of water the same way and hoped to god that Hollister never found out about this otherwise he'd let him live it down.

"HA! Get a look at this guy!" Turning in his seat Steven found himself looking at a group of male Flist, the tallest one was the one who spoke out. "I always knew you bastards were animals but I didn't realize you ate like one" The leaders followers started laughing at the joke but Steven just rolled his eyes and got back to his meal. He heard the Flist walk towards him and Steven readied his metal block to whack the guy if necessary. Instead of attacking him the leader sat down next to him.

"You know" The Flist grabbed his tray and threw it onto the ground "Animals eat off the floor"

Steven flung his metal covered hand upwards, smacking against the Flists chin and sending him sailing towards the floor. Steven stood, glared at the Flist and said "So eat off the floor then" The Flist got to his feet and his friends circled Steven. He couldn't help but wonder WHY the guards weren't stopping this.

Eventually the thing that he'd been dreading since he got to Hells Kitchen happened, someone recognized him.

"Hey boss!" One the Flist cronies spoke up "Thats Steven Baker!" Silence filled the room. The sound of a chair scraping against the floor echoed around the room and a furious male Flist started walking towards the group. One by one more Flist men stood and walked towards them, no doubt wanting to rip Steven apart with their barehands.

It wasn't long until every Flist man had Steven surrounded yet the guards just watched. Knowing that this may be where he was going to die Steven readied his block covered hands and braced himself. If he was going to die then he'd take as many of the bastards as he could with him. Finally one of them dived towards Steven but a quick slam with a block had the Flist out like a light. They charged towards him and Steven ducked, punched, kicked and even bit but it was no use, he was out numbered. Steven felt a boot slam into his head but before he lost consciousness Steven heards the sound of gun shots and screams of pain.

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When Hollister walked into the med bay he found it empty. Looking around for Mouse, Hollister walked towards the quarantine room but stopped when a voice rang out.

"The Lt. Commander is resting in there. I wouldn't go in" Hollister turned and his eyes widened at the sight before him. It was Mouse but he looked like a dying man. His eyes were dull with shadows underneath. His chestnut hair was messy and unkempt, even for Mouse and his clothes looked like he slept in them. Mouse's shoulders were slumped and his skin was pale. Mouse collapsed onto a chair and closed his eyes.

The Captain knew what was happening, he'd seen it plenty of times before. Survivors guilt.

Hollister grabbed a chair and sat infront of Mouse. "It wasn't your fault" Mouse gave out a lifeless laugh at Hollisters words and responsed with a "Yes it was" Hollister shook his head and inched the chair forward. He looked Mouse straight in the eyes and said "It. Wasn't. Your. Fault."

Mouse only gave Hollister a helpless gaze before whispering "I left him there. He was hurt and I just ran like... like a coward!. He was my friend, my best friend! and I just left him there. Why didn't I do something. Anything!" Mouse's head was bowed and he started rubbing his hands together, his breathing was heavy and his eyes were filling up with tears. "Its my fault... my fault..."

"Mouse if you don't stop this little pity party you have going then I'm going to hit you, understand?" Hollisters harsh words caused Mouse's head to snap up and look at Hollister in disbelief "Hit me? You think I care! I sent my best friend to the worst prison in the galaxy and you think I care if you hit me!" Mouse stood up and started pacing and ranting "Hit me... HA!" Hollister nodded and stood up aswell "Good Mouse, get angry"

Mouse just continued to rant "I mean what was I thinking with that stupid plan of CUTTING through the most powerful ship in the galaxy to get a stupid bomb! We should have just blown it up once the Valkyries fired it!"

Hollister crossed his arms and interupted "And what about Luna?"

Mouse glared at nothing and answered "Don't get me started on that... that... rotten bitch! And people wonder WHY I'm afraid of women! If she had just left us alone, if she hadn't seen me, if I hadn't spoken up and gave away my postion Steven wouldn't... wouldn't..." He took a deep breath and sighed, the tears were still there. "Why did I open my big mouth."

The Captain walked over to Mouse and wrapped his arms around him. After a moment of silence Hollister tried to comfort Mouse the best way he could "I'm an old solider Mouse. I've seen people die and I've left people behind but I can promise you that the pain will fade" Mouse let out a weak laugh and said "Time heals all wounds huh?"

Hollister nodded and ignored his now tear stained shirt "Yeah but it leaves one hell of a scar. You did the right thing, if you had stopped to help Steven you both would be in Hells Kitchen and the Hoto would be dead. He doesn't hate you, I don't think Steven has it in him to hate the people he cares about. Right now we need to focus on the present" Hollister pulled Mouse away but held him in arms length "Tell me, if the positions were reversed, if it was you in Hells Kitchen and Steven was here. What would he do next?"

A determined expression fell across Mouse's face and he quickly wiped away the tears "He'd find a way to get me out of Hells Kitchen"

Hollister grinned and gave Mouse a light slap on the back "and thats exactly what we're going to do.

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Steven awoke to pain all over his body. Not surprising considering the fight he was in. Sitting up with a groan Steven looked around him and found himself in some kind of medical bay with two guards at the door. Collapsing back onto the bed Steven tried to figure out a way to use this to escape. No windows since he was underground, armed guards at the door and an entire prison between him and the exit.

"The good guys can never catch a break..." Steven mumbled and rubbed his eyes, the bright light overhead was hurting his eyes.

"Sorry about that" A voice echoed around the room accompanied by the sound of a closing door. The lights dimmed and Steven opened his eyes to find himself looking at a Flist woman in a lab coat "Forgot the lights could a little harsh on the eyes. Now then Mr. Baker, you mind telling me WHY you thought it was a good idea to uppercut a Flist man in a prison with more of them?" Steven sat up with a wince and answered the Doctor "It was a show of dominance, strength. If I had let that bastard push me around I would have come off as weak and weak men get killed in prison"

The Doctor scoffed and pulled out a medical pad "Dominance and strength aren't exactly good for your health either, as you no doubt have learned. My advice? keep your head down and pray." Steven chuckled and couldn't help but point out "They blame me for the coming extinction of the Flist men, keeping my head down just exposes my neck. You and I are probably gonna be seeing each other a lot so I think its only fair you tell me your name"

The Doctor smiled and answered "Elizabeth"

Steven raised his eyebrows at the name "Elizabeths a Human name and you're not young enough to be born from a Human-Flist relationship." Elizabeth shrugged and kept tapping away at the medical pad "When I left the old world I decide to leave every part of the old world behind, including my Flist name. It just brought up bad memories"

Steven kept his mouth shut since in situations like this sympathy is easily misjudged as pity. "Well Mr. Baker your body seems to be healing nicely. The conditions in the cells will just cause an infection so you'll have to spend the night here under armed guard. Any questions?"

"Just one. Why aren't you just using nanites to repair the wounds?" Steven stretched his sore arms and waited for an answer that could help him get out of here "We don't have the equipment to create nanites in Hells Kitchen so you'll just have to heal the old fashioned way. I've got to get going, I'll probably be seeing again" Elizabeth gave him a smile, turned and walked out of the room. Once the doors closed Steven flopped back onto the bed and sighed. His plan of using nanites to create a tunnel just went down the drain.

After a few minutes of trying to ignore his sore body Steven finally fell asleep. His dreams were filled with images of his children growing up without him.

Back on the Daedalus Alias walked briskly towards the school room onboard. She had just gotten a call saying that William and Chorus were in a lot of trouble and right now that was the last thing she wanted to deal with. She tried to ignore the whispers that followed her but it was hard not to lash out. Everyone knew what really happened on the Nautilus and people were trying to be supportive but the looks of pity were straining her patience, what little patience a seven month pregnant woman has anyway.

When she turned the corner that lead to the school room she saw William and Chorus were standing against the wall with their teacher watching them. Getting closer William and Chorus must have heard her since they looked up and she got a good look at them. They were hurt. William had a black eye and Chorus was clutching her bruised arm. Rushing forward she knelt down and gave them a once over to make sure nothing else was wrong. Chorus was looking to the side while William just glared at the ground. Standing up Alias turned to the teacher and demanded "What happened?"

The teacher gave her that piting look that had been following her all day and answered "A few of the kids started to badmouth their father and they both lashed out at the kids. I'm afraid we'll have to suspend them for a few days." Alias sighed, this was the last thing she needed. All she wanted was a private moment where she didn't have to be strong, a moment where she could just curl up and cry.

"Come on, lets get you two to the med bay so someone can get a look at those wounds." She spoke softly but it didn't seem to have any effect. William and Chorus both just grabbed their bags and started walking. The walk to the med bay was a silent one, Alias didn't really know how to approach what they'd done. She knew she should punish them but that would be like saying that they shouldn't defend family. She was simply tired.

Entering the med bay Alias's tired face became one of fury at the sight of Mouse. After the mission had ended Mouse was the one who told her what had happened, including the part where he left Steven behind. Needless to say, Mouse was sent to the med bay for healing. Alias put her hands on Chorus and Williams shoulders and started to guide them out of the med bay. A startled "WAIT!" stopped her in her tracks.

"I can fix them up Alias, I've got the equipment and everything." Alias didn't even face Mouse when she growled out "You've done enough damage to my family"

Mouse looked down and felt the guilt well up inside him again. Ignoring his shaking hand Mouse manage to choke out "I... Please, just let me help" Alias ignored him and walked out of the med bay with her kids in front of her. Before the door closed behind her Alias heard Mouse say in a small, trembling voice "I'll send someone to look at Will and Chorus's wounds"

Steven yawned, stretched and opened his eyes. Instead of being greeted with the sight of the medical wings ceiling he instead saw the grey ceiling of his cell. Getting to his feet Steven winced at the pain in his shoulder. Walking over to the blue barrier Steven tapped it with the blocks covering his claws and waited. After a minute of listening for any guards Steven reached back his right arm and slammed it into the barrier. A wave emitted from where he hit but nothing else happened. Steven waited but after what felt like ten minutes his brows furrowed and gave out a little "huh"

It was standard procedure to moniter any activity on the barriers of cells. Someone should have come by now to find out what was going on. Steven had planned to measure the amount of time it took for one of the guards to get to his cell. If a guard got there in under a minute it mean't they'd used the transporter but if they had taken over five minutes that mean't that they walked to his cell, meaning there was a way out at the top or bottom of the cell block.

There were no cameras within the cell and the only technology he'd seen in the cell block so far was the barriers and the transporter. If the transporter had a camera on it he would have heard it lowering to see what was going on. Reeling back his arm for another hit Steven slammed the block on his claw against the barrier. A wave rippled out from the center but stopped and started receding. It connected with the block on his claw and Steven felt something slam into his chest and he was flung backwards into the back wall. Lying on the ground Steven coughed and gasped trying to catch his breath, stumbling to his feet Steven rasped out "Didn't know they could that"

A blaring sound echoed through out his cell and the barrier fell. Slowly stepping outwards Steven straightened his back and glared at the sniggering inmates. The transporter started to get to work and Steven seriously considered making a run for the bottom but threw that plan to the wind. He couldn't run faster then that transporter could shoot. A flash of light and Steven found himself in the cafeteria again.

Walking towards the trays Steven caught a glimpse of blood on the floor, no doubt from the fight. The Flist men were glaring at him but made no movements to attack.

After a few awkward attempts to hold his tray Steven finally went to get some food. The servers just gave his blocks a glance but didn't say anything.

Sitting down at a table Steven lowered his face and chewed some of the red stuff, hoping that it wasn't made of anything gruesome like dead inmates. His meal was interrupted when a man covered in tattoos sat down next to him. He was big, in height and width and the mans head was completely shaved. "So" he began in deep voice "Your Steven Baker huh? The modern day Captain Kirk, the man who fucks aliens am I right?" Steven decided that pissing off this guy was a bad idea, so he simply gave him a small smirk and answered "I was always more of a Stargate fan"

The man nodded in what was most likely supposed to be a wise gesture and asked "So should I call you Jack O'Neill or Daniel Jackson?"

"Call me Steven. I'd shake your hand but as you can see my hands are doing time aswell" The man let out a booming laugh at the joke and slapped Steven on the back. Steven jerked forward but managed to stop himself from slamming into his food. "So what do they call you?" Steven asked before bending down to sip some water. "They call me Richard since its my name and all, hey listen" Richard bent down and said in a whisper "That uppercut you gave that xenos bastard was brillant! Did you give that bitch Luna a uppercut as well?" Steven gave him a curious look and asked "The hell do you know about that?"

Richard gave a nervous look towards a group of humans at one of the tables then answered "You see those guys there? some of the guards keep them informed about whats going on outside and everyone else hears it from them" Steven bent backwords to see past Richard and get a look at the group he was talking about. Ten men, each one with a serious expression. Once in a while one of them would glare at some of the Flist before talking to the others. They had the air of military about them or at least mercenary experience.

Righting himself Steven asked Richard "Why would some the guards give a damn about those guys?"

Richard looked around to see if anyone was eavesdropping before whispering "Because the Primus take care of their own" Eyes widening Steven turned towards his food and glared at nothing. Humanitas Primus, the Human supremacist group. "The fucking Primus have leaks in Hells Kitchen? How high does this go."

Richard gave a helpless shrug at the question "No idea. Warden can't be Primus since shes a Flist but I know that some of the guards are definitely Primus. Listen, those guys have been talking about getting you to join up and if you don't, well, the Primus guards will make sure your never found again"

Steven gave Richard a grateful smile but had to ask "Why are telling me all this? Why help me?"

A sad gaze fell over Richards eyes and after a few moments he said "My mate, Amity was a Flist. If it wasn't for you and Alias, I probably would have never met her..." Steven was silent out of respect, after a while Richard looked up and the sad gaze was gone. "Any children?" Stevens question caused Richard to shake his head and say "Never had the time. I was a miner and Amity was a scientist, in the Revival project."

"Never heard of a Flist in the Revival project before. Thought they hated it" Steven bent down and got more food and watched out of the corner of his eye as a guard started talking to the Primus group. Richard smiled and said, in a proud tone "Not Amity. She had a heart of gold, always tried to see the best in people too"

Sitting up Steven gave the approaching Primus group a glance before saying to Richard "You better get out of here" Richard turned his head and quickly turned back when he saw the approaching Primus group. Richard bit his lip and Steven could see the indecision in his eyes. "Richard" Steven spoke kindly, like he did to his friends and family "this isn't your fight. Now go on, I'll be fine" Richard nodded, gave Steven an apologetic look and quickly stood and walked off.

On his own Steven stood to face the Primus group. Their ring leader, a Russian man he guessed stepped forward towards him. Steven was well aware of the silence consuming the cafeteria and asked "Can I help you gentlemen?" The ring leader spoke up "My name is Dmitry and you are the famous Steven Baker. Please Mr. Baker, sit, we only want to talk"

"Is that why you brought your gang with you? to talk. I'll stand if you don't mind." Steven knew that what he was doing was stupid, probably a death sentence but these bastards in the Primus want to kill his family and damned if he was gonna show them anything but contempt. Dmitry sighed and said "Very well Mr. Baker. Myself and my associates are apart of very prestigious group whose only goal is the prosperity of Humanity, a goal you yourself have tried to do within the military. But the military now a days is so... trapped by the idea of morality, by the need to differentiate themselves from the Locust that they've lost sight of the truth"

Steven gave a quick glance at the guards. All human. That wasn't good. "And what truth would that be"

Dmitry smiled "That sometimes morality is just a word. The Flist are a god send Mr. Baker, no ones denying that but our group, Humanitas Primus, believe that the Flist have become something that no xenos should ever be allowed to become. Our equals. Humanity is a wonderful species Mr. Baker and the Primus believe that it is our right to be the ones who run the galaxy. While others, like the Flist, should be where they belong. Serving us as workers and until the Revival project is up and running, breeding stock. We, Mr. Baker, are going to resurrect the glorious Roman Empire and we want you to be apart of it"

Steven was so sorely tempted to crush Dmitrys skull with the blocks on his claws but held back, hoping for a way out of this that doesn't end with him being killed. "Veni, Vidi, Vici" Steven mumbled.

Dmitry heard him and smiled "Exactly Mr. Baker, exactly. If your worried about your family don't be, your wife may lose her rights but she will still belong to you. Your son will be raised as a proud Human and as for your daughter... you can keep her, give her to your son or give her to someone else. It doesn't really matter if its you or your son that breeds her."

Steven saw red. Giving out a furious roar Steven backhanded Dmitry with one of the blocks and grinned at the sound of Dmitrys jaw breaking. Twisting on his feet Steven buried one of the blocks into the stomach of the man trying to sneak up on him. One of them punched across the cheek but he didn't feel it, the adrenline running through him dulled the pain. Pressing both blocks together Steven gave that bastard a powerful uppercut that sent him flying into someones food. That ended up starting a riot.

Everyone was going nuts. Some people didn't even know why they were beating the hell out of eachother, but that didn't stop them. Steven felt someone bump into his back and swiftly turned, ready to beat the crap out of whoever it was but paused. It was Richard. They gave eachother a grin, stood side by side and with a yell they both charged back into the riot.

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I know it a little shorter then normal but I wanted to use this chap to introduce new characters and describe Hells Kitchen.

Stevens eats like an animal, lives in a cave, sleeps on the floor and has gotten almost killed twice. Isn't prison grand. Things back on the Daesalus aren't exactly smooth sailing either. Lets hope they can figure a way to get Steven out of Hells kitchen before he ends up dead.

By the way Veni, Vidi, Vici means I came, I saw, I conquered. It was supposed to have been said by Julius Caesar