Brimstone (Stargate Atlantis #15)

The Stargate Atlantis team discover a city on a moon that's about to plunge into its own sun. But the city which looked as if it had been abandoned turns out to be inhabited by descendants of the Ancients who have fallen into decadence and debauchery. Faced with a dissolute society disinterested in their own fate and unable to escape, the team must fight their way free before being plunged into a fiery death.

TEASER

THE WOARD LIFTED ITSELF UP on one arm and turned. The two combatants came face to face. Teyla was a little shaky, but she held the blade out and stood her ground. The Woard saw her. It tried another roar, but the sound was feeble — a shadow of its former strength and rage. It half rose, and it seemed the effort would be too much for it. Teyla looked ready to drop the blade and walk away, but in that second of hesitation the Woard lunged.

Every bit of its remaining life went into that final attack. Teyla staggered back. She held the blade high, and the Woard’s weight drove it down over the cold, hard steel. The creature’s momentum took it forward, and it fell heavily atop Teyla, who was lost from sight.

“No!” Rodney cried out.

In that moment, the image on the screen dimmed, and grew dark. The panel in the wall closed, and the team were left to stare at one another in shock as the crowd’s cheer erupted in the arena above.