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Title: Kur
Author: JayBee-Bug
Rating: PG-13 (for a little language and adult content)
Summary: Welcome to planet Kur, whose vast deserts are mined for the precious jerra. These seeds are from a unique and very invasive species of plant. The SGC scientists have discovered exactly how powerful jerra can be. The trouble is getting to them . . .
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Disclaimer: The characters of Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, ect., do not belong to me and are being borrowed. No money is being made from them. Much of the content of this story-- original characters and creatures-- are however my own and thus belong to me.
Distribution: I'd be honored if you want to distribute this, but please drop me a line when you do, so I can come visit.
A/N: This is a sequel to "Eden." It's sort of essential that you've read Eden before you read this, otherwise this isn't going to make a whole lot of sense.
Warnings: This story contains mild J/D slash. While it's mostly centered on a non-ship plot there will be occasional scenes depicting Jack and Daniel as a romantic couple. You've been warned.
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Chapter One - New Horizons
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A cool breeze from the west trickled in as her auburn gaze swept across the waves of sandy-colored grass. Everything looked so strange in the dying light, almost mystical and threatening. The pale salmon-pink advanced slowly upon the landscape.
Sojourn was standing beside her, also captivated by the haunting display. He shifted and looked to her expectantly. The young woman smiled at her companion and spoke in her native tongue, a slow, comfortably meandering pace to the language,
" Soon. I want to see it get a little lower first. We never get to watch this part. "
Sojourn sighed and settled back down, resigned at least for the moment to let the girl watch. She always had a strange fascination with the sunset, always carried that dangerous streak in her. They waited as the flora-ocean darkened, the reddening sky seeping into the grass around them. The reddish orb of the sun was neatly halved, sitting on the clearly visible horizon.
" Celesal, we must start back soon. We stand on the border of Keeval Sea. There is much distance to travel. "
" I know. Just a few moments longer, Sojourn. Look--the fryar-birds are awakening. "
Sojourn lifted his head to see the small black creatures were indeed fluttering low in the sky.
" That is not a good thing, Celesal. When they come others soon follow. "
But the young woman was watching the birds with an expression of quiet awe, a tiny smile of wonder brightening her features. The dark silhouettes of the fluttering, long-tailed creatures were captivating, darting about energetically in the red air above them.
" They're so incredible, " she murmured, in a slightly regretful tone, knowing she could not stay. She leaned against her companion.
" We can see them longer tomorrow. When we are not so deep in Keeval. "
Celesal turned to him.
" Really? "
Sojourn nodded to her.
" I promise. But we must make ourselves scarce now. We cannot linger in this place any further. "
He lowered to his knees, keeping his calm brown eyes upon her. She murmured,
" Very well. "
The woman climbed up on his back and Sojourn stood back up to his full height. She cast a final, lingering look out across the grass Sea of Keeval, clouds of black fryar-birds gathering in the skies, only a third of the sun remaining on the horizon. She spoke in her sweet, slow manner,
" Admit it, Sojourn, you like it out here just as much as I do. "
The sable horse snorted indignantly.
" My dear, I prefer a calmer, more reliable existence, to be truthful. But it would appear I haven't much choice in the matter. "
He turned from the stunning vista of the grass-sea and its gathering flocks of birds to start out on the thin trail that snaked through the gentle hillside. Celesal chuckled,
" Oh, that's not true. You know you don't have to associate with me if you don't like. There are plenty of other chaperones who could take me. "
" Mm, that's true. Though I very much doubt they'd be prepared for the task. "
As they traveled lower down the hill the cooling evening air became apparent. The blood-red sunset threw everything into a dramatic red relief.
" And what exactly is that supposed to mean? "
Sojourn glanced nervously down the path, and picked up his speed slightly. It was getting dark quicker than he'd anticipated.
" Let's just say you can be difficult at times. "
Celesal leaned into the horses' neck comfortably and sighed, feeling the short velvety coat under her fingers. She mumbled affectionately into his mane.
" You always keep me from doing something too stupid, though. You're a lifesaver. "
" I'll remind you that next time we're arguing. Mind you, Celesal, sit up straight. Here come the rocks. "
The woman did as told, getting a better grip on the animal she was riding bare-back. The horse expertly jumped over a few small rocky gullies, at a fairly hasty pace. They were on flatter ground now, the grass thinning out and the forest coming into view. Sojourn picked up his pace and made quick work of the path through the trees. The two fell quiet for some time, both concentrating on navigating the path through the rapidly darkening forest. Occasionally something would catch the corner of Celesal's eye, and she'd glance about nervously. By the time they were nearing the end of their journey, a heavy feeling had gathered in her mind, an irritating sense of doubt. Had she stayed too long this time? Was Sojourn right?
But then they immerged from the trees into the familiar clearing, and Celesal relaxed. It was darker than she'd seen in a very long time, but they were almost home. They'd make it.
Sojourn had progressed into a full-out gallop by now, leaves and sticks flying in the wake of his hooves, heart hammering in his chest. Landmarks whizzed past his vision as he sought out their safe-point. He had let Celesal stay far too long this time. Night had nearly arrived.
The village suddenly came into view, the tops of the huts poking up from the ground, the well-worn pathways of their living space a comfort. His hooves hit the cobblestone of the roadway, loudly announcing his approach. They were lucky, this time, but next time--
Sojourn cried out in shock and stumbled as he attempted to halt, feeling his rider cling on for dear life. He barely regained his footing back-stepping in a panic, as quickly as he could, fumbling on a pit in the road. The frightened horse turned his head about wildly, blinking in the blinding blue light. Panting, he stood nose-to-nose with the terrifying face of the very creature he had been hoping to avoid. A high-pitched, electronic voice shrieked in his face,
Halt! Peons! Attempts to move will have you neutralized!
Sojourn stood stock-still, his mouth foaming from exertion, his frightened rider clinging to him like cellophane. The loud voice rung in his ears and the neon-blue flooded his vision.
Book 47, section qv-12, paragraph 13, line 8: Unauthorized mobility after hours.
A sheet of blue light was cast over the two travelers and swept up and down, the loud, invasive scanner making a whiny sound and causing a deep sense of discomfort as the electric field passed over them. It snapped off quickly and the Patroller commanded,
Peon Celesal Alderwit and Chaperone! Immediate explanation for your illegal mobility!
"K'laul! Among the last at harvest! We failed to startback on time, m'lady! "
The blue eyes of the beast, a huge blue mask that filled nearly its entire beady black head, flickered rhythmically as it spoke.
Peon claims to have been late from harvest! The last of the harvesters arrived two hours ago!
"Aye, m'lady, in our foolishness we tilled more than needed! We returned with as much haste as possible when we realized our incredible error, m'lady! "
The Patroller hovered higher above ground, its engine making a rhythmical thrumming sound akin to an oversized hummingbird. It demanded in an even louder voice,
What Peon is as foolish as to till two hours late into nightfall?!
Celesal blinked up at the Patroller, rendered silent. The horse also blinked up at the looming creature. He whimpered to her,
" Tell it Celesal is such a Peon. Oh, for the love of Kur, tell it you're the dumbest peon of Keeval, it's furious! Celesal! "
The young woman tightened her grip on Sojourn, whispering harshly into his ear,
" Are you crazy? "
From above the rider a shrill voice boomed,
We demand an explanation Peon Celesal Alderwit!
While from below her the horse rasped angrily,
" If you do not repeat after me right now we'll both be in the stun-chamber quicker than this daemon can blink! "
"Yes, K'laul, I obey!" she cried, and hesitated slightly before calling,
"I am such a Peon! For I am the most foolish Peon of Keeval, and my mistake is a reflection of such foolishness! So eager am I to till that I lose sight of your glorious sky, and beg forgiveness for such heinous short-sightedness! I, uh--"
She paused and listened to Sojourn's rumbling speech a moment,
"I throw myself at your mercy great K'laul, glorious K'laul!"
She bowed her head and Sojourn lowered to his knees at the same time. Above them, the Patroller hovered. Seconds passed, and then a minute. The machine spoke,
Peons, return to your living quarters immediately. Limited mobility effective immediately. Any further digressions within this Cycle will be punished severely.
Sojourn stood and immediately moved off along the path. Celesal looked up and watched the strange Patroller hover higher and higher into the sky, its flattened oval body and small, round head an unnatural silhouette against the sky. Then it swept off in a nearly silent flight.
" Good job. We got off with only a slap on the pelt. I expect our next encounter will not run as smoothly. "
" You called that smooth? "
" Relatively speaking, yes, " Sojourn panted, skidding to a halt in front of a building. The woman dismounted.
" I guess so. You really have the begging speech down, don't you? "
" It comes in handy, " the horse told her with a serious look. She opened the wooden gate and nodded as he entered.
" I know, I'm sorry to put you through that, Sojourn. I really thought we'd be fine, we've been getting away with so much lately. "
" There is no need to apologize, I should have had us leave sooner. We have not been the K'laul's favorite peons in a long while. "
Celesal smiled at him and stroked the white diamond on the velvety coat of his muzzle.
" True. I'll be more careful, Soj', try to keep off the radar. "
She kissed the spot where the white diamond was peeking through his black coat, and turned to shut the gate. The horse watched through the gate as she fashioned the latch solid and turned to quickly dart towards the huts.
Halfway to the huts, she turned and looked behind her.
"Pssst! Soj'!"
The horse snuffed, announcing his attention.
"We're still on for tomorrow, right?"
Sojourn groaned, butting the gate door with his head.
" Yes, my dear. You may be crazy but I keep my word even to the crazy ones. "
"Great. You're the best, Soj'," she grinned, then turned and made her way hastily to her hut. Sojourn let loose a long sigh, pressing his face into the bars of the gate. The sky had darkened; night had fallen on their village.
" Could have been worse, " the dark horse noted to himself, referring to how his day had went. He flicked his ears forward and raised his brows in an amused horse-smile gesture.
" Could have been worse, " he repeated, turning to enter the stable.