Having troubles with my other writings means I get to work of some of my other stories :) This chapter is a little bit of an info dump as I like to call it, but hopefully not too boring.
Just wanted to apologise. I am notoriously bad at reviewing my own work. I really don't see the typos etc. and I don't have a beta for this story. I have done my best but beg for forgiveness for any grammatical errors.
A note on the story; there will be a lot of fluctuations between timelines. I hope to manage this in a way that's not too confusing. Also, the happenings of the last movie are not in this. But Sam did command Atlantis and did get the George Hammond. Obviously from there, everything changes.
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She watched him. Not since that day on the ice planet some three months ago had she seen anyone else but the nurses, guards and the pompous doctor. In those three months Carter had not only been treated for her addiction and nursed back to health but subjected to daily mental and physical challenges.
Instead of a prisoner of Ba'al, Colonel Sam Carter felt more like a patient of an Earth rehab hospital.
Twenty minutes ago however she'd been roused from her bed, told to dress and marched through the compound that had served as her prison to the command centre. Her guards stood at either elbow, holding her steady. They'd always done that. Not in fear she'd escape, but in fear she'd collapse. From what she could make out, the guards were to see to her safety as much as ensure she didn't escape.
Not once had they spoken to her.
Only the nurses and doctor had spoken to her. Even then all communication was tight lipped. Do this, swallow that, sleep now.
And now she stood in the command centre; Ba'al's command centre. For the first time in three months, Carter saw windows. Through the viewscreen she saw the black of space broken up by glittering stars and a fleet of numerous classifications of ships. Some she recognised, some she did not.
They were on a large asteroid. But where in the galaxy remained a mystery.
Looking back at Ba'al, Carter couldn't even attempt to guess his purpose. He hadn't implanted her. He hadn't tortured her. He hadn't even bothered to interrogate her.
Today was the first he'd seen of her since plucking her away from her drug induced death wish.
As she watched him, he continue to read from the small pad the doctor had given him. Finally, his focus shifted from reading to glance at her, but then returned back to the device.
"Doctor?" he inquired without looking up again, "Why is she muzzled?"
"My lord, we thought she may start that hideous screaming again."
Ba'al's eyebrow raised, but still didn't raise his eyes from his reading, "Yet you claim her mind is restored. I never recalled Colonel Carter screaming, hideously or otherwise." He finally looked to the doctor and gestured at the device, "Her cognitive and intelligence test scores would attest to the health of her mind."
The doctor smiled, "A simple precaution. With the escape attempts and the profanity during the first few weeks-"
"All of which you have assured me have passed."
The doctor glared at Ba'al, much to Carter's surprise. She'd found the doctor incredibly smug and arrogant, but to be so openly contemptuous in front of Ba'al? "She is human. An unpredictable race."
Ba'al continued reading, "You also say her health has returned, but I cannot help but still see a scrawny Tau'ri woman before me."
"A few months continuing with the nutrients I have provided will continue to improve her overall health, plus an intensive exercise program to restore her fighting fitness as per your request."
Ba'al chewed on that for a moment. "You still maintain you cannot cure her addiction entirely?"
"The human species is weak, my lord. Her body will always have the affliction and be incumbent upon you to ward her away from any further temptations. But I don't believe she'll willingly return to her habit. She has shown a surprising strong will-"
"Silence, doctor." Ba'al looked over to her then to the nurse and guards surrounding her in annoyance, "Remove the muzzle already."
Two of them began to unbuckle the straps around her head.
Ba'al watched them, "I trust you have many questions, Colonel, all I am willing to answer in time. But first answer me this," he waited until she was free of the mask and held up his left hand. "Do you want this?"
Carter's blood ran cold. In his fingers was a purple pill. Part of her ached for it and the other was terrified. She took one step back, her breath stuck in her throat. "I don't want it."
Disappointed, Ba'al dropped the pill back into his pocket, "And yet you do want it." He looked back to the doctor, "So you have indeed failed."
"My lord," the exasperated the doctor, "human physiology is remarkably frail. As I have explained there is no way to completely cure her of the addiction."
Ba'al shrugged, "Then why should I pay you? You proclaim yourself a genius in you field-"
"You could implant her. That would cure her-"
"You claim to be an expert yet you would have me heal your patient by implantation?" He shook his head, "Your time is up. Return to your planet. I will pay you eighty percent of your fee since that is all you were able to recover."
"Eighty percent?" exclaimed the doctor. "Look at her! She is fine! Her health is improved and just look at her youth! All need be is keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't have a cause to be tempted and she'll never use again."
"Leave doctor," Ba'al switched to his deep, symbiotic voice, his eyes flashing brilliantly, "before I find cause to pay you seventy."
Muttering the doctor turned and left without bowing.
"There was a time I would have killed him for such incompetence," Ba'al turned back to his people.
One of his Jaffa patted his weapon pointedly but Ba'al shook his head, "No, the numbers of competent doctors in this galaxy are getting pathetically thin. Bring her in."
The Jaffa nodded and left.
"What am I doing here?" Carter asked warily. "What do you want from me?"
Ba'al did not look at her when he spoke, instead moving casually over to the view screen, "The galaxy is in turmoil, Colonel, and although you have chosen to wallow in slime and sleaze for the loss of your planet, others have not been so . . . lethargic." He held his hands behind his back, "There are many still willing take the fight to the enemy."
Carter gaped at him then scoffed loudly, "What? You want me to join you?"
His gaze concentrated out the view screen, as if seeing something, "Not exactly. But there are some who would have you back, despite your recent fall from grace."
"And who are they?" she walked over to where he stood.
Ba'al didn't answer. He continued to stare out at the view.
Frowning, Carter followed his eyes. It was then she saw it. Grey like most ships but with a long neck, the body splaying out like wings. Landing pads. A deep space carrier . . .
Carter gasped despite herself. That was an Earthship.
"Yes," Ba'al nodded, "Thought you might recognise it. I told them of what became of their beloved commander, and yet they still insist on having you back." Ba'al laughed, "Pathetic sentimentality of your species no doubt."
"The Hammond?" she whispered. No, it was impossible. "It was destroyed."
Ba'al sniggered at her, "And yet there it is."
"This is a trick!"
"An extremely expensive trick. And for what purpose Colonel? I already have you in my possession."
Still in shock, she shook her head, "What happened to them?"
"I have no interest in recounting their history to you. Undoubtedly you'll find out once you board."
Carter tore her eyes from the sight of her ship, whole and apparently functional to look at Ba'al, "You said you would answer my questions."
One of his brows rose, "The ship's here and in one piece, fully crewed, armed and ready for join the war. What more do you need to know, Colonel?"
"Why?" she asked, holding his glare. "You want to use us as a pawn in your own quest for domination?"
Ba'al rolled his eyes then shook his head, "Your Tau'ri sentimentality and narrow mindedness is what lost the war."
"We lost the war," she told him hotly, "because they destroyed our planet."
"You lost the war because you failed to unite and fight under a common banner."
"And what? We should've all rallied under you? Trade the Ori Priors for an evil dictator?"
Ba'al smirked; a touch of something gentle touched his eyes, "I am the only one still standing." He waved his hand around them, "standing strong and fighting as you can clearly see. Perhaps your planet would be still in one piece if you'd allowed me to rule."
When she didn't offer a response he continued, "You cannot deny the Tau'ri would've lasted longer had they united, not just those on your planet but all of humanity in an offensive against the Ori. Now? They are all scattered throughout the galaxy, living under Ori rule or," his eyes burned into hers, "finding new ways to sink lower in their existence."
Carter leaned back, her eyelids lowering in condescension, "And what? You want me to unite them now, to serve you?"
"Would you rather go back to where I found you?"
Her lip curled. That was an impossible choice.
"No, that is not my plan," he said in a tone suggesting his waning patience, "I want them to unite under you."
Carter regarded him coolly, "You want me," she pointed out the viewscreen, "out there, fighting as your ally?"
Ba'al did not answer, his confident expression was his answer. Whatever he may of done for her, he was not benevolent. And she would never trust him. "And what will happen? If the war ends and we win? We go back to being mortal enemies?"
His smirk broadened and he leaned in closer to her, "Let's cross that chasm later, shall we?"
She was not going to give in so easily. "I help you overthrow the Ori armies, then you turn on us?"
He was amused now, "You'll have your corner of the galaxy, and I'll have mine. No need for the return of hostilities."
"Just as long as we'll allow you to rule?"
"I was bred for ruling," he moved even closer to her, "Just as Tau'ri females were bred for whining."
If his close proximity put her on edge, his usual sexiest rhetoric poked the bear and she stood tall, "Yet it's this whining Tau'ri female you're asking to join you."
Ba'al's eyes flickered briefly, fleetingly and very out of place, but then only to be replaced by steel, "I have restored your ship, your crew, and your health at great expense. The least you can do is get out there and repay me by taking down a fleet or two of Ori ships."
"Samantha!"
Carter turned in shock hearing her name and saw Vala Mal Doran sprinting through the door and throw herself to her with far too much force. Carter stumbled backwards against the bulkhead but Vala's arms around her held her tightly and righted her back onto her feet, "I'm so glad to see you! Wow, don't you look skinny. And so young!"
"Vala?" It did look like her but . . . younger.
"Yes, it's me!" She pressed her into another full bodied hug. "We have so much to catch up on!"
Carter tried not to smile too broadly. But it was Vala. Younger but Carter also looked younger. The doctor told Ba'al the medicine he'd given her had given back much of her youth. That was yet another burning question she desperately wanted to ask. Just what had they done to her?
Had Vala undergone the same treatment?
There was no sense of a symbiote. This really was Vala. "What's going on?"
"Save your soppy female bonding rituals for when I am not present," Ba'al stepped away from them in disgust.
Vala released Carter but still held her arm in hers, "Thought you wanna join in?" She winked at Ba'al, "You used to be up for a little bonding."
Ba'al didn't reply to Vala, looking pointedly at her, "I'm giving you everything you need to take the fight to the Ori. Don't get too caught up in what may be if they're defeated. At this point we're outmatched ten to one."
Ten to one? How many more ships did the Ori Army bring into their galaxy? What choice did she really have? Go back to oblivion, one version or the other, or take up the fight? The hopeless fight but . . .
There was no choice. Carter was a warrior. And now she had a cause.
"How many of our ships did you save?"
"The Hammond was the only Tau'ri ship we know to survive," Vala said sorrowfully. "And it was a wreak-"
"And the Asgard technology? The database?" she demanded from Ba'al, "How much of it did you steal?"
"Ten to one, Colonel, taking into account the installation of Asgard weapons and database on every alliance ship," he shook his head, "But if you would rather, feel free to crawl back into the cesspit where I found you-"
"I'm accepting your offer Ba'al."
He stopped. His eyes studied her for a moment, his arms crossing over his chest, "Finally. Truly a failing of the species to take so long to accept a more than fair and generous offer."
"Now, now, let's play nice," Vala smiled at her then to Ba'al, "Can I take her home?"
"Wait!" Carter pulled her arm away from Vala to step up to Ba'al. "We have not discussed terms of this alliance."
"Terms?" Ba'al scoffed. "It's simple, Colonel. You unite the rest of your pathetic race into something resembling an army and I will arm you with a fleet."
Carter's jaw dropped. "That simple? I don't believe you."
"I do not rejoice in this alliance," Ba'al all but spat, "but I do lack the numbers to man my ships. You supply the personnel, I supply the hardware. I do not intend to submit to Ori rule. Either we all fight or we all die. Simple enough for your female intelligence to understand?"
"If I take your ships," Carter asked firmly, "do I take your orders?"
Ba'al ground his jaw and his eyes flashed. But his answer was truly a surprise, "No. But be warned, if you cross me, try to undermine me or kill me or take my empire, I will execute every one of your people," his lip twitched into an evil smile, "right in front of you. Starting with her." He pointed at Vala.
"Well," Vala grinned, completely unaffected by Ba'al's threat, "Let's get going then. We've got lots to do."
"My ship departs once you leave, Vala." Ba'al glared at Vala for a moment then walked away, heading for the exit corridor towards the centre of the ship, "I expect you to keep your end of the bargain."
Vala grinned and confirmed happily, "Yes, my very worthy lord."
Carter blinked, "Vala? He just called you-"
"Oh, yes, what a runabout that took. But in the end we agreed to compromise; he'll call me Vala if I call him lord."
"And what about this bargain?"
"Come!" she took Carter's arm and pulled her towards the exit, "We have so much to talk about. You see, Ba'al expected your addiction wouldn't be totally cured and you've been out of contact for so long, therefore he commissioned me to watch over you, make sure you don't use again."
She tore her arm from her. "Commissioned?" Carter accused.
"Not everything we get from his territory is free, Sam," Vala looked around them, "The ships and military hardware we get free, but nothing else. So we bargained – I keep an eye out for you, and we get four tons of food stuffs every month for free." She huffed, "I could've asked for anything, and though I'd love a chest of precious metals, I decided the Hammond could use the supplies." She smiled a little coyly, "Your crew is well and your ship well stocked. And any surplus we trade for whatever we need."
Carter blushed and sighed, "I'm sorry, Vala. I shouldn't have questioned your motives."
"Five years ago it would've been true." Vala smiled sadly, "Stargate Command, Daniel, you and the others all gave me a home, a chance. I'm not going to betray that."
Taking a deep breath, Carter took Vala's arm again. "Come I want to leave this place."
"I would've done it for free, you know, Sam," Vala said quietly. "Please don't doubt that. I would be here with you until the galaxy is free, or more likely, until we all die fighting the good fight. But when Ba'al offered, I thought we could benefit-"
Carter smiled and touched the woman's arm, "It's okay Vala. I am really glad to see you. You're the first friendly face I've seen since-" she broke off, "since the Ori took away my home."
Vala's face crinkled as if she was going to cry and threw her arms around Carter, "I still can't believe he found you. We all thought you were dead."
"I was," she grimaced, looking down and away from her friend, "in a way."
Vala held her tighter, "I cannot imagine what it was like to lose your planet, but I don't blame you. No one does really. We're all just so happy you're back." She sniffed and pulled back to look at her with weepy eyes, "I wonder if this is the female bonding Ba'al was imagining?" she giggled, "probably a little more hands on and less clothing."
Carter's eyes narrowed, "I don't want to know. Let's just get out of here."
In the ten minutes it took to walk through the compound towards the docking bay, Vala told her all about the Hammond's resurrection. She explained Ba'al's network had scoured the galaxy for all the rumoured ships, wrecked or functional, and by chance found the Hammond lonely floating out amongst the stars. Ba'al had harped on to Vala about just how much a fortune it cost him to restore the ship, locate the survivors from the destruction of the Tau'ri home-world, and get them back onboard.
"But they were insistent," Vala said firmly, "they'd only take orders from a human commander not under Ba'al's control. During his search for a worthy commander, his spies reported a rumoured sighting of you. The Ori were closing in on you but Ba'al got there first."
"And all of this, Ba'al is doing all of this," she paused for a moment, trying to absorb everything, "just to have us out there fighting?"
Vala nodded and they continued along the corridor towards the docking platform. "Yes."
"Yes?"
Vala sighed, "Ba'al is Ba'al. And he wants the galaxy. But for now, what other choice do we have? There is no human rebellion, Samantha. None of significance anyway. Without Ba'al, we'd be back to hiding." Her face lit up, "Everyone is dying to see you and we shouldn't keep them waiting. And I doubt Ba'al will wait if he decides to leave and we haven't left yet."
Something struck Carter, "But we're on the asteroid?"
"We are. But this isn't just a base. Think of it more like Atlantis."
"Ba'al's base is a ship?"
"Yes, it's how he can maintain better secrecy. Something he undoubtedly learnt from the Atlantis database."
"Atlantis' database?" she demanded.
Vala nodded. "There's so much you don't know."
"You can say that again." She looked down the corridor, "Does the beaming no longer work on the Hammond?"
"Oh, no, it does." Vala smiled flirtatiously at the Jaffa walking passed them. They ignored her and continued on their way. "They have a Tau'ri honour thing planned; something about the commander coming onboard?"
"Ah. We have so much to talk about Vala."
"Major Marks has a full debrief planned once the welcoming ceremony's over."
"Major Marks? He's alive?"
"He's your ex-o."
Carter rubbed the coming headache, "There's so much to catch up on."
"I am yours Samantha. I will tell you everything and never leave your side again. Ever. I mean that."
Carter looked to Vala. Seeing the sudden sadness in her friend, Carter's expression softened in understanding, "What happened to Daniel wasn't your fault."
"I shouldn't have gone with Mitchell," she croaked, "At least then we'd both be lost, together."
Cater sighed before allowing the Jaffa guarding the docking platform to wave them through, "So you haven't heard anything of him?"
"No, not one word. No one knows anything of what became of him."
"Then we must continue to believe he is still alive."
Vala lead her up and into the cargo ship, then jumped into the pilot's chair, her strong character pulling her back to her normal positive self. "My Daniel's out there somewhere and I will find him."
Taking the co-pilot's chair, Carter nodded, "If anyone could find him, it'd be you."
Vala didn't answer. She busied herself bringing the cargo ship to life and taxiing them out of the dock. But she could see the hard edge to Vala's jaw.
It was a pity Daniel never understood. And he never got to see the grief and desperation in Vala to find him after he disappeared.
Then the Earth had been destroyed and Carter went into her own selfish grief.
The time for guilt was over. Sitting back in her seat, Carter smiled to herself watching the Hammond growing bigger through the viewscreen.
Now was the time for vengeance.
