Chapter 3 - Initial Assessment of Abilities
The wood was quiet as Vala ran her sweep around the camp. The air was still and the night was cold. Her temper was cooling along with every step of the night air and regret was setting in. With every step that he took around the camp she checked over her shoulder. They were not alone. Her sixth sense or 'gut' reaction (whatever!) that followed her in her former profession as a 'freelancer' was tingling. She was worried. Not only were they being watched but she also remembered that she had accidently packed the journal into the backpack. The one in which Daniel was now digging through. "Oh shhhh…" Vala jumped. Daniel had just appeared behind her. His gun in hand and his torch beam aimed at the ground. "Vala?" His voice was neutral, careful even. Vala felt her heart drop and she was scared to look into his eyes. "We need to talk". Daniels eyes were flat nothing going in or out, nothing being given away. 'This is bad, very bad.' She thought. Worse even, because those lines in earth movies often were accompanied by bad news.
"Vala, in order for this mission to work, we need to work professionally. Cam is "trying" to give us the space to work this out and we need to give him some of the credit he deserves". Vala insides slumped in relief. It wasn't as bad as she thought. "I agree. Can we talk after all this is finished?" She smiled weakly. This was not what she had been expecting. Actually she didn't know what she was expecting. This was not a side of Daniel she was used to. He was usually more expressive even when he was being serious. Mad, humiliated even teasing she had some way of reading him even times when that flash of attraction passed into his eyes. However, now, now he was locked up she couldn't even begin to guess what was going on and that frightened her. He'd said nothing about her pack. Did he even see the journal? She was confused even further by this very short speech about being professional on a mission. They bickered but they always watched out for each other. Something was very wrong here. She needed to ask Sam about it when she got back –she'd know.
They turned and headed back to the camp. When they arrived in the clearing there was a young woman sitting quietly by their fire. Vala automatically raised her gun and Daniel placed a hand on her arm. The girl appeared to be about 20 with corn silk coloured wavy hair and petite pale features. She reminded Vala of one of those China Dolls which were always on the shopping channels she'd flick through on the television. Her head was bowed and she appeared to be murmuring to herself. Mitchell wouldn't be too far behind them. A twig under her foot snapped and with that the girls head snapped up. "Welcome to ekpaidev̱ómenous elpída".
"What?" mouthed Vala
"Learners Hope" responded Daniel
"Doctor Jackson is correct in his translation. He is already respected in this area of learning. I take it then you are his student?" enquired the girl
"STUDENT! Are you kidding me! Who exactly are you anyway? Since you obviously know who my Daniel is." scoffed Vala. Vala looked at Daniel. This would have been something that would have cracked him up. He normally would have smirked even at a remark like this. Nope, no reaction whatsoever to this remark - Vala started to quietly panic. She was suspicious of this girl but she relaxed her whole body to read something different. Relaxed even.
"My name is Karis. I have been appointed your teacher for this visit." Karis looked at Vala and had noticed her shift in body language. She frowned briefly. This woman was going to be a challenge.
"Teacher?" queried Daniel "that's an interesting use of the word. Where we are from teacher implies a profession a role within a school or a building for growing children."
Karis seemed to consider that for a moment. "Do you not continue to learn things as your people get older?"
"We do. However this comes in different forms such as work, higher education and life experience."
"Ah then that is the principle upon which our society is based. We all learn something in our everyday lives. Our roles here within our society reflect that. Surely a teacher facilitates learning and therefore acts as a guide to understanding new things. This is the principle and role which I have been asked to do during your time here. However, be wary as not everyone here accepts that all learning can be used for pure knowledge seeking – some have alternative motives for having you here."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Called a voice from behind them as he moved out of the brush "is there a threat to his team I should be aware of? Colonel Cameron Mitchell and this princess is Vala Mal Doran. I would appreciate it if you could clarify your last statement mam." Karis looked at him as if he were a naughty boy to be silenced. Karis had been 'assigned' to these people she just knew she wasn't going to get the outcome that the council had asked of her. Their motives were not entirely pure whilst all she wanted to do was go home. "You misunderstand me Colonel; it is a simple fact of life here that not everyone lives with pure motives. I'm sure everyone is perfect in your world. It is what it is. Now I would ask that you camp here tonight before we let you near the population. For travellers we ask that they spend time outside the city to quarantine them for the first ever visit. After this I will revisit you all in the morning."
Karis stood up and walked out of the camp. When she was over 10 metres away from the camp she pulled out her touchpad and began to type. "Teacher Karis reporting in from 'camp site'. Assessment process started. I feel that Doctor Jackson may benefit from the dream classroom as he would have the cultural knowledge we desire to make our plans viable and help us to find an emotional point with which to begin our 'pastoral' work. Vala Mal Doran is here. Her past may provide better intel as to the state of the Goa'uld and her history with Ori. We can use her at our leisure. The Colonel needs to be silenced however. Whilst his military knowledge may prove useful we know that Military types rarely share anything within our classrooms. Request that you continue to monitor the 'camp' and we will make our final assessment in the morning - Teacher Karis out." Karis ticked away the pad and smiled. This was exactly what was wanted by all. Payback on Doctor Daniel Jackson. After all these years of waiting – it was finally going to happen.
