When All the Stars Are Calling
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
GF was in a Beatles sort of mood when writing this. "Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band" sung by the Beatles and "Old Time Rock and Roll" sung by Bob Seger belongs to their creators and their producers. John and George are very much missed.
"Mr. Mistoffelees" written by TS Eliot and music by F.L. Weber belong to its writers and producers.
Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.
0o0o0o0o0
Chapter 9: We Hope You Enjoy the Show
Sam and an older military gentleman were strolling down the corridor when a roller-blading Garion came up hurriedly behind them.
"Beep! Beep! Cowabonga!" Garion shouted as he zipped by. He was heading for the Ring Chamber at top speed.
"Garion!" Sam shouted at him.
"Sorry, Sam! Can't stop! Daniel needs this information!" he called as he whipped around a corner.
"Who the blazes was that, Sammy?" the gentleman asked with a frown. "What's a civilian doing here?"
"Dad, you remember me telling you that Daniel took on an assistant?" she asked, as they continued on toward the Ring Chamber. "If Daniel needs Garion for something, then whatever it was must be important."
They entered to find Daniel scowling at the young man on roller skates. "When I said I needed this manuscript, I didn't expect you to be zipping along on skates, Garion."
Garion shrugged. "What can I say? I was on my way to the surface to enjoy the sun when you called me. You said you wanted it a.s.a.p. So, no biggie!"
Garion's logic caused Jack and General Hammond to shake their heads. By now, they were well used to Garion's excuses to cause chaos on the base. A few die-hards saw Garion's frivolous behavior as 'disruptive to discipline'. Jack and the General ignored most of their complaints. The youth had garnered a lot of support from those that risked their lives daily off-world because of his caring nature.
"Dad, I want you to meet Daniel's new assistant Garion Williams. He's been here for a couple of months now. He works with Daniel on translating," Sam introduced her father. "Garion this is my father, Jacob Carter."
Garion twirled around so that he was skating backwards. "Bonjour Monsieur Carter. Je suis désolé.*"
"Stop that!" Sam glared, as her father frowned.
Garion shrugged switching to English. "I'm sorry, Sam, sir..." Garion skated backwards as he executed a sweeping bow to Sam's father. "...for almost running you over. I understand, from Sam and Daniel, you work as an ambassador to the Tok'ra, Mr. Carter? Also you are a Tok'ra host?"
Jacob's eyes glowed when he gave over control to the Tok'ra, Selmak. "I am Selmak, leader of the Tok'ra. Greetings, young Tau'ri." Jacob's voice took on an echoing affect that interested Garion.
Garion surprised everyone as he placed a hand on his chest and bowed. "Chel hol, Selmak, Tek'ma'tek."
"Chel hol, Garion Williams, Tek'ma'tek. I am impressed. You have done well in your studies," Selmak smiled.
"It's part of my training. My tutors would be disappointed if I failed to give common courtesy."
Daniel excused himself as he went over what Garion had brought him. Jack and Sam would inform him when they needed to head back.
The chamber had an air of impatient waiting. Garion noted that the ring glowed like simmering blue waters.
"Still reminds me of a backward flushing toilet," he commented.
Jacob sputtered as he didn't know if he should be outraged or amused.
"You'll have to excuse him, Dad," Sam explained as she nudged Garion to behave. "Garion's sort of appointed himself our morale officer. He's been raised in theatre, plus he can speak and read over 14 separate earth languages and Daniel says he's picking up many of the ancient ones easily as well."
"A bit young to have such a degree in languages," Jacob said, studying Garion.
"Who said I went to school? They couldn't handle my brilliance," Garion said, smugly as he twirled around on his blades to depart. "Well, I'm off. Hasta la vista, baby!"
Jacob's eyes took on an unearthly glow and said. "What an unusual, young Tau'ri."
Sam shook her head. "Garion will be going with us this time. It'll be his first trip off world. The peace conference should be safe enough for him. He wanted to look over some scrolls."
"He is," Jack agreed. "We feel that he has made a good addition to Stargate. Did Sam tell you what he did to Kinsey last month?"
"No, she didn't," Jacob said, taking back control of his body.
So Jack and Sam filled Jacob in on how Garion Williams made a name for himself among the Stargate members by sending the good senator packing.
"From what I hear, Kinsey's still trying to win back the support of several of his campaign contributors," Jack finished explaining.
Jacob snorted and shook his head. He had no love for Kinsey and his ilk. Anyone who bested the arrogant senator was alright in his book. Selmak agreed.
An hour later, Garion came back, sans skates, but had his guitar case strapped to his back. He was dressed in a black leather vest with a green poet's shirt underneath and almost skin tight black leather pants. A matching green scarf was tied across his forehead. "I'm b-a-a-ck!" He sang out, spreading his arms in a theatrical flourish.
"Don't you have a dress code here, General?" Jacob asked, frowning as he tried to determine the type of leather the young man was wearing.
"We do, however Mr. Williams is a civilian. He seems more comfortable in what he is wearing." General Hammond didn't say that they've had this conversation before with the young man, but Garion stubbornly refused to conform. If Daniel didn't need him so badly on this mission and the fact that the young man had made a lot of friends at Stargate, he would've been sent back home a few days after he'd arrived.
"Daniel!" Jack called, standing on the ramp with Teal'c, waiting for them.
"Coming!" Daniel called back.
"Ready Dad?" Sam asked as she escorted him up the ramp.
Garion walked up the ramp to the shimmering blue veil. He couldn't help but think of the Veil in the Department of Mystery that Sirius fell through. At least that portal led to the Labyrinth. This one was a whole different kettle of fish altogether.
He stepped in. It felt like port-keying and apparating at the same time, the only difference being, when he stepped out of the Chappa'ai onto an alien planet, he didn't fall on his face!
However, he staggered as he felt something snap within him– the complete lack of connection to the labyrinth and the Magical Realm left him empty. It was gone!
Squirt! Was Squirt alright? He pulled off his guitar case and placed in on the stone altar a few feet from the Ring to peek inside. Squirt was there, but he was shivering with fear and shock.
"Shh," he cooed softly as the rest were busy with other things. He reached in and sent a bit of magic into the little goblin, sending the little guy into a deep sleep. This was so not good. The case had just enough magic to help his little companion, but the sooner the two of them were back on earth, the better.
"Everything alright?" Daniel asked as Garion closed the case.
"Just checking to see if everything survived the ride," Garion commented absently as he swung the case over his shoulder.
0o0o0o0o0o0
The complex where the conference was taking place was underground, in an old ruin dating before the Gou'ald conquered this part of the universe. Daniel and Garion's mission was to gather information from a small archive on the site.
The talks went smoothly. Jack and Daniel were the only ones that noticed the total lack of flightiness from Garion. The young man here was not the same one that cavorted around Stargate. Something was off.
For the most part, Garion was having a very hard time dealing with an environment so poor in magic. This world's magic was minimal, at best. He knew he needed to get Squirt back to earth, and soon. The magic in the case should help some, but has wasn't sure how long his little friend could last here.
He spent most of his time in the small archive with Daniel, surrounded by ancient manuscripts. Like Daniel he was in his element looking through the scrolls for anything that would help in their fight against the Gou'ald when he noticed a script that looked very familiar.
Daniel came up beside him. "That's the language of the Nox. They are a very secretive and pacifistic race. They consider us Tau'ri a very young and violent people with lots of potential for good."
Garion frowned. He made copies of the manuscript for later study.
Suddenly the underground complex rocked with an explosion! Dust fell from the ceiling. When Daniel raced out to join the rest of his team, Garion gave a wave of his hand and a carved rune appeared on the ceiling. Now the room was sealed and preserved until its contents could be recovered at a later time. A nuclear bomb could go off on top of it and as long as that rune was safe, the room and everything in it would remain intact.
He stuffed his copies into the guitar case and ran after Daniel, when a second explosion hit. Looks like it's show time!
Garion Williams dropped his playful assistant persona and Garion, the True Bard of the Goblin Kingdom, came forth. He wished Squirt was awake and here but the small goblin was still sleeping in the magically enhanced case where Garion stored more than just his guitar. He would be forever thankful that the case had been a gift from his two favorite uncles and housed many protective and creative enchantments.
"Get down!" called Daniel as the tunnels filled with smoke and dust. Garion ducked into an archway and pulled out his guitar.
"What's happening Daniel?" he shouted over the din of the attack.
"Apophis' death gliders. Someone in the Tok'ra betrayed us," came the voice of one of the Tok'ra. "We're trapped!"
"The conference?" Garion asked, checking the guitar's tuning.
"We're trying to get there," Daniel called back. "There's Jaffas in the tunnels."
Garion straightened, shouldering his case and swinging his guitar into place. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts, Beatles accompaniment. I'm lead singer. Maximum volume."
"What!?" Daniel looked over at his assistant who was standing. Suddenly, deafening rock music shook the tunnel:
"It was twenty years ago today
Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play
They've been going in and out of style
But they're guaranteed to raise a smile
So may I introduce to you
The act you've known for all these years
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. . ."
The Fae knew it was never wise to piss off a Bard! They were a law unto themselves, one of the many reasons they'd had immunity between the realms. The Gou'ald, be they good or evil, were now being reminded of that ancient truth.
Garion stepped forth, walking down the smoke filled tunnel as he poured his magic into the music. . . music so loud it was vibrating off the unstable tunnel walls.
The Tok'ra as well as the invading Jaffa suddenly dropped writhing to the ground, clutching their heads in agony. Garion stepped over them as he continued to sing:
"We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
We hope you will enjoy the show
We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sit back and let the evening go
Sgt. Pepper's lonely, Sgt. Pepper's lonely
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. . ."
A wincing Daniel stood and followed Garion, looking at the down Tok'ra, who were moaning and rolling in pain from the music. He didn't know what Garion was doing but he hoped he kept it up!
"It's wonderful to be here
It's certainly a thrill
You're such a lovely audience
We'd like to take you home with us
We'd love to take you home
I don't really want to stop the show
But I thought that you might like to know
That the singer's going to sing a song
And he wants you all to sing along
So let me introduce to you
The one and only Billy Shears
And Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. . ."
They made it to the conference room only to find it had been taken over by the Jaffa and one Tok'ra traitor.
0o0o0o0
The spell Garion was using to subdue the snake parasites, called the Gou'ald, couldn't be tweaked to identify good vs. bad. So they were all affected by the music, as the bard knew they would be.
Garion gave no quarter as he switched songs. He seemed to be in a Beatle type mood and louder the better. "Give Me That Oldtime Rock and Roll," full accompaniment, Maximum Volume."
"Just take those old records off the shelf
I'll sit and listen to 'em by m'self
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock and roll
Don't try to take me to a Disco
You'll never even get me out on the floor
In 10 minutes I'll be late for the door
I like that old time rock and roll ..."
Danielcame up to stand by Garion as his guitar vibrated to the music. He started to say something only to see the Jaffas pulling off those huge jackal head masks and clutching their heads. Even Teal'c was affected. He turned to say something to Garion, but was taken aback as the young man's eyes were glowing green, not unlike a human, whose eyes glowed gold, when possessed by a Gou'ald.
Garion stepped over to his big friend, and with a wave of his hand, Teal'c stopped thrashing and slowly got back on his feet.
"Still like that old time rock and roll
The kinda music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock and roll .."
There were still explosions on the surface. He couldn't stop the flow of his magic; he had to trust the SG-1 team to know what to do as he kept the music playing. He walked over to Jacob Carter, who was also wriggling in pain, and placed a hand on his forehead. Like Teal'c, he stopped writhing in pain and staggered to his feet.
"Won't go to hear 'em play a Tango
I'd rather hear some blues or funky old soul
There's only one sure way to get me to go
Start playin' old time rock and roll
Call me a relic call me what'cha will
Say I'm old fashioned say I'm over the hill
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock and roll..."
Garion glanced about and turned to Jacob with a raised, questioning eyebrow. Jacob nodded and pointed out which ones they could trust. Garion quickly touched each one and ten Tok'ra stood, shaking their heads to clear them.
"Still like that old time rock and roll
The kinda music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock and roll …
Still like that old time rock and roll
The kinda music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock and roll .."
Taking a deep breath, after the rowdy music came to an end, Garion's eyes returned to their normal green hue. The Tok'ra had taken back the conference room. Many looked to Garion in awe.
"What did you do?" asked Selmak, through Jacob. "Never in the history of the Gou'ald have we felt this much pain from music. Jacob tells me that this music is quite common on your world but he does not remember it being so painful."
Another explosion rocked the underground chamber before Garion could answer.
"We need to get out of here!" Jack called. "We can discuss this later!" Turning to Selmak, "Can you get your people to safety?"
"Yes Colonel Jack O'Niell. What about the death gliders?" Selmak asked.
"We'll draw their fire as you get away," Jack said.
"Sir what about …?" Sam asked to the down Tok'ra and Jaffas.
"We'll take care of those too," Selmak answer as another explosion rocked he chamber. "We are running out of time!"
"We need to get to the Chappa'ai," Daniel said. "But with those death gliders it would be suicide!"
"No it won't," Garion said. "While I may not handle a weapon, I am far from helpless. Get us to the surface and I'll do the rest."
"When we get back to Stargate, you are going to tells us how you did that!" Jack commanded.
"Mmm, as you wish, Kemo Sabe! Mmmm," Garion grunted with a salute.
Jack glared at the young man under his command. He did not like not knowing what Williams was capable of! So far, he had proved to be a good friend and colleague of Daniel's. . . and, if this was any indication, so much more!
The trip up to the surface was quick. The Chappa'ai could be seen at the end of the long corridor of ancient stone ruins. The death gliders were circling. A squad of Jaffas wearing jackal heads and carrying the long spears known as Zat'nikatel was scouting for hidden pockets of resistance. They were quickly subdued by the Tok'ra guards.
"Right! Mr. Mistoffelees, background accompaniment only, Maxium volume." Garion called out, putting his guitar away and stepping out as Jack and Teal'c quickly assessed the situation.
"Williams! Get Back Here!" Jack ordered as he grabbed for him, only to be stopped by Teal'c.
"Colonel Jack O'Neill!"
"He's going to be killed!" Sam shouted as she ran to grab him only to be knocked back by an explosion.
Garion's voice rang out as he strutted down the corridor:
"You ought to ask Mr. Mistoffelees
The original conjuring cat
The greatest magicians have something to learn
From Mr. Mistoffelees's conjuring turn, presto…"
And Garion did a whirling turn. As he swung an arm out a blast erupted from his outstretched hand at several Jaffas who were pointing their Zat'nikatel at him. The explosion knocked them off their feet, leaving them down and unconscious.
SG-1 followed behind him in stunned bemusement. While Garion's voice continued to fill the air.
"He is quiet and small, he is black
From the ears to the tip of his tail
He can creep through the tiniest crack
He can walk on the narrowest rail
"He can pick any card from a pack
He is equally cunning with dice
He is always deceiving you into believing
That he's only hunting for mice…"
Sam gasped. "He's singing from the Musical CATS! What's. . . how's he doing this? It's not possible!"
"And you'll all say
"Oh, well I never, was there ever
A cat so clever as magical
Mr. Mistoffelees"
"Oh, well I never, was there ever
A cat so clever as magical
Mr. Mistoffelees"…
Garion sang and danced, leaping his way to the Chappa'ai, drawing the attention of the Jaffas, as well as the Death Gliders. Each time he would spin and flick his arms a burst of something erupted from his hands.
No weapon that the Jaffas used reached Garion, the gaping SG-1 team members followed, trailing after him. Jack and Teal'c took down the few left standing that tried to get a bead on them.
Daniel reached the DHD first. He started the sequence that would get them back. Sam, Jack and Tealc came up to give him cover as Garion came to a spinning stop with arms spread wide and shouted, "Protego Ultima!"
A Death Glider came swooping down firing as it went. The blasts hit what seemed to be an invisible force-field, one which lit up with a shimmering radiance when hit.
"What the hell?!" Jack muttered as he saw the dome of energy around them.
Garion was straining to hold the shield as the Death Glider soared over head. The remaining Jaffas halted at the edge of the clearing.
"Garion come on! The Gate's open. Hurry!" shouted Jack.
Dropping the shield, Garion turned and ran, diving through the blue shimmer right behind him.
Garion tucked and rolled out of the gate in a controlled dive. He untucked and came up with a very tired finish:
"Oh, well I never, was there ever
A cat so clever as magical
Mr. Mistoffelees"
"Oh, well I never, was there ever
A cat so clever as magical
Mr. Mistoffelees"
He raised his arms as Mistoffelees would've in the musical, as if accepting the adoration of an audience. He was breathing hard as sweat beads dripped from his forehead. Overhead a voice blared, "Blast shield secured! SG-1 stand down!"
Garion smiled tiredly, "Gladly." His eyes rolled back in his head as he collapsed.
Jack rushed to grab him as he fell to the ramp. He hissed as his hand touched the back of Garion's vest. It was smoking hot. Looks like the young man had taken several zat hits. Why was he still alive?
0o0o0o0o0
When the team met in the Briefing Room, Dr. Fraizer sat in to give her report.
"Well, he isn't a Gou'ald. He shows no possession and his blood work shows no naquadah. So I can't explain why his eyes glowed, or how he was able to do what he did." she reported.
"How is he doing?" General Hammond asked, with concern. He had come to respect the young man. It would be a shame if he was a spy, or a traitor.
"He is in a coma from severe exhaustion. Whatever he did, he almost burned himself out doing it. I don't expect him to wake up for at least 48 hours."
"Thank you Dr. Fraizer. Sam, did you analyze that vest he was wearing?"
"It is from no known leather, at least that I am aware of. Whatever it was made from, it saved his life. He took several hits from the zats that we didn't know he took," the blonde officer stated. "Also, sir, we are unable to open the guitar case. There seems to be some sort of security on it that is preventing us, and so far we have found no way to force it open."
"Jack?"
"Sir, Williams has proven that he can be trusted. Even the Tok'ra were caught unaware by Williams' actions," Jack reported. He was clearly not happy with the situation. Williams was supposed be a non-combatant, but he'd proved to be a dangerous unknown.
"Well, I have to tell the Joint Chiefs something," the general groused. "Where is the case now?"
"It's locked in my office," Sam said.
0o0o0o0
That night, when everything was quiet, the guards and tech on duty in the infirmary never noticed the crystal sphere rolling across the ceiling. Nor did they notice it burst showering the room with glittery sparkles. The security cameras paused in their recording.
The quiet infirmary had been taken out of time. A tall, lean figure stepped out of the shadows, placing a finger to his lips, silencing the twittering around him.
Jareth stepped over to the prone figure in the bed. Several smaller faces peeked up through the bed's side rails.
"Music man's sleeping?" whispered one.
"Kingy?"
"He's goin' tabe alright?"
"What about Squirt? Where's Squirt?"
Jareth placed an ungloved hand on his adoptive son's forehead. "He'll be fine. He's drained his magic."
"No good!" several said at once.
Jareth looked around the room and sneered. He hadn't wanted to send his son here but the seers insisted it had to be. When he knew that Garion would be alright, he went about hiding the damage done by his son's open use of magic. Memories were blurred and concerns calmed. Written reports would be edited.
It had to be enough for the moment.
"Kingy? Squirt?"
Garion's guitar case laid on Sam's work bench, bathed in shadows. The blonde officer was asleep in her room which made it a perfect time.
Jareth had no problem opening the case. What the technology-minded major didn't take into account was it was a magical case and it required being keyed into the locks to open it.
Squirt was curled up at the bottom of the enchanted case. Jareth pulled the quivering little goblin out. Squirt whimpered in his sleep.
"Shh. Little one." He held the traumatized goblin closely as he walked back into the shadows.
0o0o0o0
*"Bonjour Monsieur Carter. Je suis désolé.*" - Hello Mr. Carter. I'm very sorry.
A lot of action in this chapter. The fall out will be in the next one.
For those that asked about modeling Garion after M. Lackey's Bard Series, the answer is 'sort of.' She, like us, used Taliesin as our model. So Garion is a cross been her's and what we found in mythology.
Until next time. -GF and the Frau
