Chapter 4

Daniel woke when he heard the bell going off. Oh, that was right, his complimentary alarm clock that sounded like an over wound school bell. No matter how often he tried to sleep through the darn thing, it was impossible. His jailers rang that stupid bell at oh-seven-hundred every morning and switched off his lights every night at twenty-two hundred. Breakfast appeared at oh-seven-thirty, and his counterpart arrived at oh-eight-hundred.

Life in this SGC was terribly predictable. He and this world's Daniel would work together until twelve-hundred hours, and then they would break for the lunch that SFs brought them for an hour. Then, he and Daniel would keep working until seventeen-hundred, when SFs would arrive and escort them both to the gym for a daily workout, where they would both keep talking. At eighteen hundred he and Daniel would hit the showers, and at eighteen-hundred thirty they would be escorted back to his quarters for supper and more talk. By twenty-one hundred he was bidden good night and his counterpart left, giving him an hour of free time before compulsory lights-out.

He hated every moment. The food was terrible, the accommodations depressing in the extreme, and he was tired to death of being their sacrifice to Hathor. By this point he knew every detail of the missions where they had encountered Hathor, what Daniel had done and said, and how Hathor had acted in response. It was clear that this world's Daniel had not enjoyed being singled out by the Ga'ould queen and that he hated preparing his twin to be turned over to her, but he could do little about his situation. The government had him as a prisoner and his parents as hostages.

Fortunately, it had no such constraints on Daniel. As soon as an opportunity presented itself, he would try his darnedest to get out of there.

The puzzle of his not suffering any ill effects due to being in another universe where he had a counterpart was solved. Dr. Carter had arrived, given him an injection, and explained that the injection was to prevent any problems of there being two of them within the same reality. Apparently, that alien technology had had an answer for that eventual problem, but she hadn't explained what was in the injection, how it worked, or what other effects it might have. Annoying, but at the same time, fortunate. Even more annoying was the information that it would keep him hidden from anyone looking for him.

"I think I prefer my world's Sam over you," Daniel had told her. "She'd never keep anyone prisoner."

Dr. Carter had said nothing and left.

He spent his evening free hour reading. He read a history of the world that explained how the current government had been established (apparently, the world wars had not turned out like the ones in his world and certain movements had not lost momentum and later became global institutions) and what had happened since the beginning of the Stargate program. It was common knowledge and from what he could gather it was every kid's dream to make it into the corps and become part of an SG team.

Poor kids.

He read mission reports and Daniel's journals, and it was incredibly weird seeing his own handwriting forming words and sentences he'd never written. He could tell from the reports and the journals that each encounter with Hathor had deeply shaken this world's Daniel, but from what he could gather, people ignored that. There was no mention of anyone offering counseling or even a listening ear. His descriptions of missions were depressing: he was along to talk to people, convince them of SG-1's and the SGC's good intentions, and then smooth over any waves that were made. In short, his job was to con people. The other parts of his job like getting to know people and working with languages always had to take the backseat to the SGC's commercial interests. Quite a few people had threatened to kill him for his unwilling con work, but by then the damage had been done and the planet had become an SGC protectorate. Each new protectorate had something of value for the SGC: mineral deposits, new pharmaceutical sources (plants, minerals, fungi, and herbs that did not grow on Earth and resisted cultivation), and technology that had not yet been developed on Earth. It was during a mission to check out a possible naquadah source that they'd had their latest encounter with Hathor. A few weeks later she'd made her famous demand and just a week after that he'd been kidnapped and brought to this universe. The whole thing sucked big-time and was monstrously unfair to the both of them. Of the two of them, Daniel thought his double had the worst deal. His parents were hostages, he was a prisoner, and he was being forced to hurt other people. Every time he thought about it, he became furious.

If only there was some way to begin an insurrection or revolution of some kind! Unfortunately, the government had the manpower, weapons, and resources to keep itself firmly where it was. No dissent was tolerated, and those people that protested often disappeared. Most of the time that fear of disappearing was enough to keep everyone else quiet, but every now and then the government held public executions of "traitors" to remind the people who it was in power and what happened to those who sought to change the status quo. None of it was pretty.

A week and a half of captivity went by, and for the entire time Daniel was sure he was going to lose it. When he wasn't talking with his twin and being quizzed by O'Neill (he couldn't think of that guy as 'Jack,' he just couldn't) he was being made to read the mission reports and the journals. There were two guards outside his door at all times, and on the occasions he left his room they were right behind him. The other Daniel looked regretful and said he sympathized and O'Neill gloated while Dr. Carter ignored him, but the fact remained that he was going to make a trip that ended with Hathor sometime in the near future. He felt sick and very nervous each time he thought about that, and more than once his white face had prompted his twin to call the infirmary and Dr. Benton. Each time he came Dr. Benton said that he was fine physically but that his nerves were a little worn. In Daniel's opinion, he felt more as if a tank had creamed them.

One morning, it wasn't the bell that woke him, but his double shaking him. "What're you doing here this early?" he asked, covering his head with a pillow.

"Um, they told me to come wake you," he explained. "They wanted you up a little early today, and they can't ring the waking bell yet since it's for the whole base."

"Wish they would," Daniel muttered, not emerging from beneath his pillow. "Everyone else in this place deserves an early wake-up call. What time is it, anyway?"

"About five-thirty."

Daniel groaned and pulled the blankets up over his head as well. "I am not getting up!"

"They want you up," his twin repeated.

Suspicious, Daniel peeked out from his cocoon of blankets. "Why?"

Now the poor guy looked very uncomfortable and a bit upset. "They're sending you today. After a final health check and cleanup and everything else they do. By oh-eight-hundred, they said. Your breakfast is going to be here in a half-hour, and they want you to shower and dress."

Suddenly terrified, Daniel stared at him. "They're not serious! How can they possibly send me now?"

"Colonel O'Neill thinks you're ready. I tried to tell him that it was too soon, but he told me to stop trying to fool him. He said that he knew how smart we were and that it wouldn't take us that long to get you ready, and he said that you answered every question perfectly last night."

"Damn!" Daniel exploded, getting out of bed. "I knew I should have pretended to remember nothing!"

The other Daniel didn't say anything, but it was clear that he hated the whole situation. "I'm sorry," he said. "I wish…" He didn't go any further since there were bound to be others listening, and too many comments against the government's plans could be taken as a cue for a disciplinary action. The poor guy did not need that on top of everything else, and Daniel agreed with that.

"It's all right; it's not your fault," Daniel said, making his bed. Old habits—like neatness—died hard. "You didn't ask those creeps to kidnap me, and I know you didn't encourage Hathor, either."

"Well, you have to admit one thing," the other Daniel said quietly.

"What?"

"She has great taste."

Daniel stared at him, too shocked to even think for a moment. "Did you just make a joke? You?"

"I don't do it that often, but I figure that if I lose my sense of humor, then I might as well give up. I may be down but I refuse to be out. Anyway, she does have great taste."

Daniel collapsed onto his neatly made bed and howled, laughing so hard his stomach hurt. The other Daniel laughed, too, a smile transforming his face into that of the person that Daniel knew he could be and should have had a chance to be. They were still laughing when someone pounded on the door.

"Jackson!" O'Neill shouted as they both tried to stop laughing. "Is your twin in the shower yet? We're on a time schedule!"

Daniel took a few deep breaths. "Why is it so important for me to have a shower before they send me?"

"They want Hathor to know that you've been well taken care of," his double explained.

"Heaven forbid she think otherwise," Daniel said, still smiling. "Well, I'll go get cleaned up. And thanks!"

"For what?"

"For making my day," Daniel told him. "I'll remember that joke for the rest of my life!"

As Daniel disappeared into the tiny adjoining bathroom he heard the other Daniel chuckling quietly.

Space

Their favorite breakfast, waffles, arrived, and they both sat down to a breakfast that was edible. After breakfast they both reported to the infirmary, where Daniel had another exam and was pronounced perfectly fit. Shortly afterward he was taken to the base dentist for a dental exam and since he had no cavities or potential problems, he was given a cleaning and whitening and sent on his way.

"I can't believe you guys have a dentist on the base," Daniel muttered while on the way to wherever it was that the guards had been ordered to take him.

"We're given the best of care," the other Daniel said, the slightest bit of sarcasm in his voice.

Daniel understood. The best of care, and he hates it because it's not what he might really need, like friendship or compassion or caring. Also, there's no reason for him to ever leave the base since they've got a doctor, dentist, and who knows what else on the base. He's trapped. "So where are we going now?"

"This will really be surprising," the other Daniel said, grinning. "There's a barbershop and salon on base, too."

Daniel actually stopped in his tracks and didn't move again until one of the guards reminded him to walk. "What? You're joking, right?"

"Nope," the other Daniel said. "Most of the people here find it inconvenient to go all the way to town when they spend most of their time on the base, so the government decided to set up everything a person could possibly need or want."

"Why are we going there?"

"General Maybourne wants your appearance improved before you go," the other Daniel told him. "Colonel O'Neill told me that this morning when he woke me and told me to wake you. You're going to have a haircut and a few other things done."

"You know, the idea of a military base with a barbershop and salon is a little much," Daniel said, not exactly happy. "I take it this is the cleanup that you mentioned earlier?"

"General Maybourne's orders, yes."

An hour and a half later Daniel saw the merit of having such a place on base. Having his hair washed again, combed, and cut was actually somewhat relaxing, but the manicure was such a surprise that he couldn't keep from laughing. Kinsey certainly made this place and the people in it his first priority with such treatment. This place wasn't a barbershop/salon; it was a spa underground! His feet were given the same treatment as his hands as well as a massage by a young lady with very talented hands, and a full back massage actually made him relax as he hadn't in days. It was very gratifying to see that his counterpart was getting the same treatment as he was.

"That's an order I actually like," he said as they left. "I have no problem following that one."

"You sound as if you've been given that order before," Daniel joked.

"I have," his twin said matter-of-factly. "Dr. Benton went to General Maybourne when I'd been here about two weeks and said that my nerves were shot and close to breaking. He said that I needed some way to unwind, so General Maybourne gave me a standing order that I needed to visit the salon once a week for some kind of work. You know, whatever helps me to relax. Most often it's a massage, but occasionally I'll get something else done, like a haircut. That place is one extravagance I'm grateful for."

"I'm not surprised," Daniel told him. "I actually feel relaxed in spite of what's going to happen later this morning."

They both became very quiet at that, and the other Daniel said that General Maybourne wanted them to report to his office once they were done.

Maybourne looked up from some papers as they arrived, and he grinned. "My God," he said, staring at the both of them. "You're like twins. This is incredible!"

Daniel didn't say anything. Neither did his "twin."

"Well, Dr. Jackson, I would like to talk to your counterpart from another dimension, so you may go to your office. You'll have a phone call waiting."

The other Daniel looked surprised, but then he said, "Today's not my day for a phone call."

"I thought that with all the extra work you've been doing you deserve one," Maybourne said. "Go on, and I'll entertain Dr. Jackson."

Daniel guessed that it was a phone call from his parents, and he waved the guy on. "Go ahead. I'll see you later."

He left, and Daniel was left alone with Maybourne. "I will, won't I? See him later?"

"He'll see you off, if that's what you mean," Maybourne said. "Have a seat. Now, do you have any questions? Any concerns?"

"Other than the fact that I'm going to be turned over a to a Ga'ould in another hour or so; no, I really don't have any concerns," Daniel said, sitting down. "I will say, however, that I won't be doing you any little 'favors' while I'm with the Supreme System Lord, either. I won't try to poison her or kill her or spread discord or even put a tack on her chair."

Maybourne stared at him. "How the heck…?"

"You forget, there's a Maybourne in my world, too," Daniel explained. It was only natural he would try to make his "sacrifice" work for him and get rid of some opposition. "You and he are just about alike, except that he never was in charge of the SGC, and at one point he was on death row for treason."

"Sounds like he made some mistakes," Maybourne said, not sounding surprised.

"No, I think he was just following his natural inclinations."

Maybourne laughed, surprised at the joke. "You know, aside from a comment now and then, our Daniel rarely jokes."

"Because he's afraid someone will take something the wrong way and kill his parents to punish him," Daniel said, allowing all of his disgust for the situation to show. "You know, he might work better and have to spend less time in the infirmary or with the masseuse if he didn't have to worry about them. Let them go and let them return to their home and their work and see if he doesn't do better."

"I'll take that under consideration," Maybourne said, indicating the matter was closed. "I have to ask, don't you want to kill Hathor? After all, she's a Ga'ould, and we can give you the means to do so. Give you the means with which to gain some kind of revenge. From what I read in your file, you hate the Ga'ould because they took your wife and were responsible for her death later on. Am I right?"

"Well, this world's Hathor has never done a thing to me."

"That won't be the situation for long," Maybourne told him, enjoying his discomfiture. "We were communicating with her earlier today to confirm coordinates and she mentioned that she's looking forward to your arrival. I'll leave her personal greeting to your imagination."

Daniel shrugged. "It won't be anything I can't handle," he said, sounding grim. "And as for your suggestion for revenge, I already have it, and justice for Sha're, too. Apophis is dead, and he knew that I had a hand in it, and he knows that I was the last one to see her alive. He never saw her again. I'm content."

Maybourne grit his teeth in irritation. "But wouldn't you be happy to take out a Ga'ould queen?"

"No, not really. Like I said, she hasn't done a thing to me."

"All right, then," Maybourne muttered. "How's this? I'll give you a GDO so you can return and we'll take you back to your home universe after you kill Hathor."

Daniel glared at him. "Go to hell, Maybourne. I'll get home without your help. Even if I don't, then I'll die happy in the knowledge that I never degraded myself working for someone like you."

Daniel wasn't surprised when Maybourne sent him back to his room. Once he got there, he noticed a pile of folded clothing on the bed, with orders from his guard that he was to change. He dressed, wondering who had chosen the outfit. Long jeans with a matching denim jacket, red shirt underneath that, and ankle boots to wear under the jeans. Just his style, and for a moment he reflected that it would fit in with Maybourne's twisted sense of humor to send him to Hathor in an outfit that made him devastatingly handsome. That last little comment he'd made meant that he wasn't about to get any kind of help or kindness from the man, but to Daniel, it was a small price to pay for the look of sheer outrage on Maybourne's face. Jack would have been proud.

The other Daniel arrived after a few minutes, carrying a duffel bag. "Hey. What'd you say to Maybourne?"

Daniel looked at him. "Oh, I told him to go to hell. Why?"

The other Daniel grinned. "You should hear him swearing! He's in his office right now, swearing so badly that he'll take the finish off the furniture. I had to write a few phrases down so I don't forget them. They may come in handy."

Daniel grinned in response. "Oh, I hope he works himself into an ulcer! I'd love to hear him swear then! What's in the bag?"

"Oh, some stuff for you," he said, handing it to him. "You know, a few comforts and things."

Daniel was getting ready to open the bag and take a look, but the door opened, and O'Neill was there along with an escort. "Time to go, Jackson."

"Now?" the other Daniel said, surprised.

"Now," O'Neill confirmed. "Let's go."

The two Daniels followed him through the complex to the Gate room. Daniel had to keep swallowing to keep his breakfast down, and he was starting to feel very, very shaky. In fact, he was starting to feel as if he were getting sick. He expected himself to collapse at any moment, and he fought against the feeling with everything he had. As he approached the ramp, his knees gave and darkness began to creep into the edges of his sight almost simultaneously. The guards caught him, and slowly the world began to fade.

"What the hell's the matter?" O'Neill demanded. "Get Benton in here, quick! The guy's dead white!"

Daniel came to a few minutes later, stretched out on the Gate room floor and feeling as if an eighteen-wheeler had decided to use him for a doormat. "What happened?"

"A reaction from stress is what happened," Dr. Benton said, looking down at him. "To use a colloquialism, you're wound too tight. I'm going to give you something to calm you."

"Ohhh, no!" Daniel said quickly, getting to his feet. "I'm going to need to have a clear head when I go through that Gate! You're not giving me anything!"

"It's not your choice, Jackson," O'Neill said as the two guards took hold of his arms and held him still. "We can't have you looking like death warmed over when you go through that Gate. You either take what the doc gives you or you'll be forced to take it."

Daniel stuffed his hands in his pockets and glared at him. "You know, aside from physical resemblance, it's a wonder you can be Jack O'Neill."

"Spare me and take that stuff, Jackson," O'Neill snapped as he pointed to the syringe that Dr. Benton was holding.

Daniel glared again, but he shook the other Daniel's hand and wished him luck before presenting a bare arm.

"Good luck to you, too, Daniel," the other Daniel said, masking his surprise at the tiny folded paper he felt pressed into his hand. He hid it quickly in his sleeve before anyone could notice.

Daniel was given the injection, and it took effect quickly. He slumped and was caught by O'Neill, who flung Daniel over a shoulder and carried him toward the still-active Gate. A guard took the duffel and followed, and both of them disappeared through the event horizon.

Daniel waited until he was in the privacy of his office before taking out the paper and reading it, keeping it hidden within a book. It listed coordinates and information under several headings: Places to avoid, People who can help, Where to find them, Places where you all can find sanctuary. There was a wealth of information there, and written at the very bottom of the paper were the words, Good Luck.