Chapter 2
When Jack, Sam and Daniel stepped through the Stargate the alien sun was just rising behind them. Their guides were waiting for them as promised and the two aliens turned a translator on as the three humans approached.
"Ry-a," said one looking curiously at them,
"Thil-asa," said the other and looked expectantly at Jack who was standing slightly in front of the others.
"Jack, Daniel and Sam," The colonel said simply, wanting to keep things straightforward. One of the things SG-1 had discussed in their meeting was the fact that the translators seemed to be quite basic.
"Han-os-Ana is two Mab-sers walk," Ry-a said,
"Is a Mab-ser a unit of time or distance?" Daniel asked carefully,
"Time; twelve Mab-sers make a Sa-ra rise," Daniel and Sam shared a look,
"If one Sa-ra rise is a day here we calculated in hours that would be 23 so two Mab-sers is roughly three hours."
"Are mathematicians?" Ry-a asked and started walking past the Stargate down a road behind them. The three humans quickly followed.
"I am among other things," The two Annins looked confused though SG-1 didn't know why,
"Tor-a and Mar-a are good with numbers," Thil-asa praised,
"Not great farmers like us," Ry-a boasted,
"And?" Thil-asa asked looking at Jack and Daniel,
"I'm in charge," said Jack and Ry-a and Thil-asa nodded their understanding and turned to Daniel,
"I'm a linguist and archaeologist," that confused the siblings.
"What is arch-e .. olo-gist?" despite the strong desire to make a sardonic remark Jack stayed silent,
"A person who studies the past,"
"We are honoured by such an intelligent pairing." Ry-a said to Jack, who raised a confused eyebrow,
"Pairing?"
"Daniel and Sam are first pairing?" Ry-a asked,
"Daniel?" Jack turned to his linguist to translate,
"What is the meaning of first pairing?" Daniel asked,
"First-life pairing is relationship between two Annins born on the same day within a second pairing,"
"And a second pairing is?" Daniel asked fairly certain of the answer but wanting to make sure,
"The second-life pairing is the join between two Annins born on the same day by other second pairs." While this confused Jack and Sam further, Daniel managed to follow explanation,
"They think Sam and I are twins and that Jack is our father," he clarified slightly perturbed,
"No, no and no!" Jack protested,
"Why twins?" Sam said half laughing at Jack's reaction,
"I think being born on the same day is culturally significant?" Daniel answered Sam and asked their guides,
"Culturally no: biologically," that stopped the SG-1 team members,
"Biologically?" Daniel asked Sam,
"I don't understand," she said,
"Our Sa-ra: energy needs … to balance,"
"Oh! Of course the radiation from their star! It is wildly different each day they must need to find someone 'pair' with who was born when it was at the same level!" Sam guessed,
"That … must be ..." Jack trailed off unable to think of a suitable description.
"Difficult," Daniel supplied,
"Extremely," Sam said mentally calculating the odds,
"Nearly two hundred Sa-ra Turns past, the Organising Royal Couple: Rin and Nala, registered births. Second pairings became more common and now with science families can choose to induce their babies – a second pairing is almost guaranteed."
"Would it be rude of me to ask if you have 'paired' yet?" Daniel asked carefully,
"Have met others Annin we were born with and we consider them: as they consider us."
"Annins are always born as twins?" Daniel asked,
"We do not understand twins?" Ry-a asked,
"Two children born at the same time," Daniel explained,
"Yes although …" Ry-a paused and shared a look with Thil-asa,
"Some Gele are not able and then only half is born," the Annin looked angry while the three members of SG-1 looked confused,
"This is causing an unbalanced population," Thil-asa said,
"There are now three Mam for every Gele," Ry-a said with resentment.
"Do not concern our guests with intolerant views," Thil-asa cautioned,
"I'm sorry; but who or what are Mam and Gele?" Daniel asked carefully,
"We are Gele Annin. Mam are different in appearance from us," Thil-asa said carefully,
"Different in more than just appearance!" Ry-a growled,
"How do you mean different?" Daniel asked exchanging worried looks with Sam and Jack,
"They are shorter and they're ears are …" Thil-asa used hands to motion floppy ears,
"Shorter noses and wider," Ry-a spread arms wide open and swung them around,
"Exaggerate horribly," Thil-asa said with a smile,
"See soon – the next farm is Mam. Ben-sis and Tin-wis will be working in the field."
The five had walked quite a way down what SG-1 thought of as a country lane, plenty of alien wildlife had distracted them – most of the time alien worlds were populated with humans and wildlife from Earth. It was almost satisfying to be on a world so clearly alien.
"Is all the land we walked past owned by your family?" Daniel asked,
"No we have passed three farms," Thil-asa pointed to two tall trees side by side a cloth wrapped around the trunk of each. Looking closely SG-1 noted the different designs on each cloth.
"Land markers!" Sam guessed,
"Indeed," Ry-a said reminding the three humans of Teal'C. Noticing a shift in their concentration Thil-asa and Ry-a shared a look,
"Is all well?" Thil-asa asked,
"Yes we were thinking of a fourth member of our team who uses that word," Daniel explained and looked for advice from Jack about how he should proceed.
"Is unwell?" Ry-a asked looking worriedly at Jack,
"Err yes," the colonel lied not wanting to reveal the presence of a Jaffa if it would cause problems.
"Thil-asa! Ry-a … guests?" SG-1 exchanged a bewildered look as a second type of dog-like alien greeted them.
"Greetings Ben-sis and Tin-wis meet Jack, Sam and Dan-yel,"
"They came through the Star-Gate," SG-1 wondered whether that was what they or the translator called it,
"The Devil-Gate!" Ben-sis said in alarm and Jack and Sam twitched towards where their guns hung around them,
"Sorry for our rude elderly neighbours it has not been called that in many Sa-ra Turns." Ry-a said snidely,
"Ry-a!" Thil-asa said with a warning tone,
"Fair neighbours our guests do not mean us harm – they have come seeking trade with us!"
"Maybe Gele noses think this but Mam eyes see something different!" Tin-wis hissed,
"We carry weapons for defence only!" Daniel said passionately,
"The light of Tuin would have stopped them if they meant us harm," Thil-asa added,
"That is why the STAR-Gate is no longer guarded," Ry-a said with emphasis,
"As soon as the Principle Couple are Gele," Ben-sis said indignantly,
"That has nothing to do with the decision and the Royal Couple Jit-ila and Rol-ana and our parents, the Royal Couple Thil-a and Ry-asa, have agreed to live by its side to greet guests," That startled SG-1 they had, had no idea they were walking with royalty – Jack thought it was lucky they had not asked any awkward questions about the leadership of the planet.
There was a brief pause and then Thil-asa ushered SG-1 along the road. The conversation didn't start up again until they were out of hearing range from the Mam couple.
"Should be more respectful to neighbours," Thil-asa said to Ry-a who snorted in response,
"When they respect us maybe," the stubborn Gele said.
"This light of Tuin what's that?" Jack asked innocently,
"It is the old name for an old piece of technology that guards the Star-Gate." Thil-asa said,
"Technology?" Sam said with interest,
"Mathematicians the same whatever land is home," Thil-asa said smiling again,
"There has been much talk of trying to discover how it works but Principle Couples, since the Revelation Time, have not dared to investigate fearful of the consequences."
"The Revelation Time?" Daniel asked inquisitively,
"Past investigators!" Ry-a said sharing a grin with Thil-asa,
"Before then everything unknown was explained as the decisions or actions of the gods. The Reasonable Royal Couple Hana and Jil-an proposed an end to belief in the unbelievable and started the Science Revelation," Thil-asa explained.
"After the Devil's were forced out each Annin pedigree created different religions and fighting nearly destroyed the Annin people. Many, many died and whole pedigrees were lost. Superstitions and non-sense! Now all believe only in logical knowledge," Ry-a said passionately.
A society of complete atheists – that was something new. SG-1 were surprised by the strength of Ry-a's vehemence and didn't quite know how to respond. Thil-asa stared at Ry-a with a look of anger,
"Ry-a! Do not speak with such scorn in front of guests! We know off-worlders usually feel strong religious convictions! Forgotten Na-la and Nor-in who nearly started a war with the Bai-ol-us people!"
"We apologise if we have insulted yourselves and pedigrees," Thil-asa and Ry-a both looked worried at the prospect at insulting the three humans. Daniel smiled reassuringly back,
"On our planet there are many religions and some people that don't believe any of them," he said graciously.
"And there is no war?" Ry-a asked in shock,
"There has been and there are is … difficulties in some parts of our world but religion brings much needed hope and joy to many people on our planet. For thousands of years it has also been the foundation for our morality." Despite travelling through the Stargate together for over four years now SG-1 had never sat down and discussed religion or their beliefs.
"Morality amongst the Annins has been decided by our leaders – for over two hundred years that has been the Principal couples."
"These principal couples are second pairings?" Daniel asked slowly – making sure he used the correct terminology,
"Yes Jan-ana and Set-opa only the second Gele-Gele Principal Couple. They were voted in to try and solve the Gele crisis." Ry-a said proudly.
"You vote?"
"Of course since the Inept Principal Couple Na-la and Nor-in over one hundred Sa-Ra Turns Past. There is much honour in being chosen but many of the royal family like our own would rather not."
"I would love to hear more about the history of the Annin people." Daniel said,
"It is a long walk; shall start with the founding of the Principal City Han-os-Ana . . ." As Thil-asa started talking to Daniel, Sam moved in front closer to Ry-a and asked,
"I'd like to know more about the Light of Tuin?"
"The Royal Couple Se-va and Sar-asa are the most prominent science advisors if the Principal Couple allow they would be most willing to speak."
"Does it let many visitors through?"
"No that is why Jan-ana and Set-opa decided to dismantle the guards. Se-va and Sar-asa argue over why; Se-va thinks it is our position in our galaxy but Sar-asa believes there is a … nearby." The translator was obviously unable to translate the scientific word but Sam concluded it was a black hole. She frowned continued to ask Ry-a questions and though the responses were usually slow, hesitant and unsure she was able to glean a lot of information: about the planets level of technology and general scientific knowledge.
Jack walked in between his two teammates: he knew Sam would have at least some of her attention on their surroundings while Daniel would be too involved in his conversation. True to form after ten minutes of non-stop questions Daniel and Thil-asa were falling behind,
"Keep up Daniel!" Jack called to him crossly. The sound of two conversations with the alien translator over the sound of the alien growls was beginning to irritate the colonel,
"Sorry Jack," he called and hurried to catch up. Sam had slowed slightly as soon as Jack shouted. She was now talking about their sun while Daniel was discussing their language. Suddenly, and almost at the same time, they both jerked in surprise and hurried over to Jack,
"Jack!"
"Colonel!"
Jack was really missing Teal'C by now – the Jaffa was mostly silent and Jack enjoyed the calm and serenity he could project even in the middle of a gunfight. And a gunfight might be more preferable to Sam and Daniel both talking to him at the same time about stuff he didn't understand . . .
"They have two suns here, the other one won't appear for another hour but they call the two of them by the same name because they . . ."
"Their language is fascinating Jack, they don't have a word for 'I' or 'me' everything they say is 'we' and us! They . . ."
"Don't have the number one!"
"Don't have a word for one!"
Daniel and Sam stopped and grinned at each other – their great brains rarely quite so in sync. Jack looked from one to the other and then at Ry-a and Thil-asa as if asking them to explain what his teammates meant. This caused the two aliens to laugh,
"Sam you wanna explain?" Jack indicated that they should keep moving,
"Well sir, obviously they must have a one it's just that is what we would call 'two'. This means when Ry-a said two mab-ser he actually only one which is just under hour. I can sort of understand it: they have two stars, two moon, two different sub-species, four fingers and four eye lids, most of the trees have two halves to each leaf and perhaps most importantly for every two parents there has historically always been two offspring."
"So the three of us . . .?"
"Are in their terms: one and a half!"
"…!" Jack couldn't wrap his head around that one,
"But there are three of us … one, two, three? Isn't maths supposed to be universal? One is one everywhere or something?"
"Well yes it is it's more like . . ." Sam couldn't think of how to explain it so turned to Daniel,
"One is still one here but the cultural understanding of one is different. Two, or a pair, is the definition of one because as Sam said nearly everything here comes in twos. Despite our intelligence Jack we are quite a simple species – on Earth early mathematicians didn't have an understanding of naught and ten is fairly significant purely because we have ten fingers and ten toes." The archaeologist might have continued but Jack was looking bored,
"Is this something I really need to know?" he asked carelessly, his attention drawn to two fire-red small birds flittering, closely together, in between two more tree markers.
"Actually yes sir, uneven groups may make other Annins 'uncomfortable' around us," Sam looked ruefully at Jack,
"Jack we are young and we grew up closely with Half Annins but many of the people of Han-os-Ana are weary of what they see as an affront to nature." Thil-asa looked ashamed,
"It is illogical there are several animals and insects that live as halves," Ry-a said and then looked at Jack worriedly,
"Not that our guests are like insects or animals for being halves!" he said and looked to Thil-asa to help explain what he meant,
"Ry-a does not think before speaking but means no disrespect. Annins regularly judge quickly and often unfairly."
"How much trouble could this cause?" Jack asked,
"We could go home and bring another 'half' but we would rather not meet your people with false pretences." Daniel suggested,
"No that would be unfair to both of us: our people must learn to respect other cultures and Halflings." Thil-asa said firmly,
"There are movements to change how Halflings are viewed but such a change is not easy." Ry-a said with shame,
"In our history groups have suffered and still suffer prejudices. We are also still working on change." Daniel admitted.
"Would it be impolite to ask what differences separate your society?" Ry-a asked. Daniel checked Jack before answering and Sam moved back in front to continue talking science with Thil-asa.
The pace was steady and the two conversations continuous. Daniel kept up and Jack felt his headache lessen as he got used to the sound of two overlapping languages. Farmland gave way to painted cloth-covered box houses with large front gardens filled with paired trees, bushes and flowers. A tall cliff rose up behind the city. It was SG-1's first look at any buildings on this world and they were impressed by the artwork that covered them. Thil-asa was telling Sam about the cloth which kept the homes safe from radiation and Ry-a was telling Daniel the history and significance of the artworks.
"Most families can afford to pay for a painted scene important to them: where they met or children. Our own families have several cloths' to change throughout the year," Ry-a said to Daniel.
In one garden fourteen children of various sizes were playing what looked like tag with lasers that growled whenever they 'hit' a target,
"Hit!" said Ry-a's translator as the Annin ventured too close to the game causing all the children to giggle and stare at the passing visitors. Two adult Mams were watching them and tending to the garden. They stared uneasily and stayed silent as SG-1 passed. The gardens were smaller and the houses closer together now. The cloths covering the building became less detailed and some even had bare patches – a sign Daniel had been told of poverty. Despite this the gardens and streets had children running around; up and down trees and in and out of bushes. No laser machines here, these children played with what they could find. When they saw Ry-a and Thil-asa they ran over and begged for stories. They seemed to ignore SG-1 mostly.
"We have no time for stories today younglings we are taking our most honoured guests to see the Principle Couple," the children danced around them in delight asking all sorts of questions from "Can we come?" to "What will the Principle Couple be wearing?". SG-1 estimated that the majority of these children were a lot younger than the others though some were obviously older probably nearly adults. Two elderly Gele appeared from one of the houses and shouted affectionately,
"Stop annoying the Royal First Pair rowdy lot of …" the children laughed at the good-natured minders and scattered into bushes and up trees. The older children walked away with disinterested slowness,
"Our apologies for the children we hope they have not delayed your journey." One old Gele said,
"No apologies needed we are always grateful for the welcome these children give us as we arrive," Thil-asa said sincerely. Ry-a was looking around at where the children were watching them: pushing and shoving each other to get a better look.
"However we always seem to forget the way to the palace could we borrow guides to show us the way?" Ry-a asked with a polite smile,
"Of course any Pair would be delighted to show you the way," the second Gele said 'forgetting' the sight of the palace which filled the space behind them. At once all the paired children jumped out and rushed towards them, "Us! Us!" they all shouted. There was one Gele that stayed silent and away from the others, this Gele was a Halfling and it was this child that Thil-asa and Ry-a asked for,
"Deva-Dana? Help us?" Separate and alone, Deva-Dana was quietly reading between two trees, the Gele looked startled by the request. The children all chimed in with callous remarks until the elderly Gele shouted for them to be quiet,
"They are one and half guests, Deva-Dana will complete," the Gele said knowingly much to Thil-asa and Ry-a's dismay. They shared a look with each other and SG-1 but didn't say anything to the contrary. Despite this Deva-Dana was most happy to be their guide.
"It's up here Lords Ry-a and Thil-asa!" the child said pointing upwards.
SG-1 looked properly for the first time at the commanding palace. It was a series of structures built into a large hill. They were still too far away to make out much detail but it completely dominated the cliff front and overlooked the entire town.
"We are related however distantly Deva-Dana call us uncles," Thil-asa said,
The little child looked pained,
"Must not," said with a small sad smile,
"Would that we were wholly related my family would live in our destination," Deva-Dana looked up at the palace in awe while Ry-a and Thil-asa shared a guilty look,
"There are many that would see your family move back where they belong," Thil-asa said with an appeasing tone,
"The people do not want that," Deva-Dana said knowingly.
"They will change their minds," Ry-a said firmly and Deva-Dana didn't reply. Despite huge differences between Earth and humans and Tuin and the Annins SG-1 could see so many similarities between the two. Daniel walked alongside Thil-asa again trying to learn the language and Sam walked next to Ry-a at the back asking about Halflings leaving Jack up front with Deva-Dana,
"So how old are you?" Jack asked the child didn't understand the translator and Daniel and Thil-asa moved closer to help translate the translator.
"This road to the right leads to where many adults work the great science and technology areas, Deva-Dana has seen ten Sa-Ra's Turn," Thil-asa said to Daniel and Jack,
"So what were you reading?" Jack asked the child half glaring at Thil-asa for answering. Thil-asa understood and moved closer to Daniel,
"Are a gifted linguist," the alien complimented and switching off the translator added,
"And brave," Daniel grinned as Jack glared. Deva-Dana stayed silent to nervous of saying the wrong thing to answer. Jack realised the problem and started talking about his favourite entertainment to the trepidation of Sam and Daniel.
Suddenly two very small Annins, one Gele and one Mam, ran up to Ry-a and Thil-asa,
"Uncle Thil-asa! Uncle Ry-a!"
"Little Hom-Dan and Ry-a what a surprise but where is Homa and Ry-Dan?" the pair giggled in mischief,
"We're playing visible/ invisible," one said,
"Shhhh Hom-Dan!" said the other,
"Children do parents know of this game?" in answer to their question two thunderous and fearful parents could be heard shouting for the young pair,
"They're here!" Ry-a the elder shouted back,
"No fair!"
"That's cheating!" The children shouted and tried to struggle free. Just as the worried parents caught up with them they struggled free and ran off again,
"Thanks distant siblings … we'll see at the party later!" one yelled as they chased after their children.
"A party?" Jack asked with a smile,
WC – 3,728
AN – Congratulations if you made it here.
You might have noticed: I don't much understand maths, science or even English actually so this is proving very hard to write. Please review with any insights you have.
I will not be updating this for a while – it's hard and confusing and I lost the plot (literally my USB key broke) but I really hate WIP's that never get finished so I will end this somehow.
The more reviews I get the sooner I will gain the will power to finish.