Ancient Power
Chapter 9
Somehow, being chained to a post in the middle of a field wasn't something Jack thought he'd be doing today.
They'd been dragged from their cells, ringed to a ship, and deposited here. No chance for chit-chat about free Jaffa or helping them escape. He tried to shift his weight, but nothing relieved the dull ache in his side or the nausea that accompanied it. Something was definitely not right.
They had all seen the people gathered on the hill in front of the castle, watching and waiting. And, as expected, Anath was there with Daniel, who was strapped to some contraption that was holding him upright.
The three of them had watched as a glider came towards them, but had been unprepared for the blast that shook the ground and everything around it, leaving a crater in the earth in front of them.
As soon as he'd recovered from the blast, Jack glanced at Sam and Teal'c. He could see in their eyes that they knew what was coming, what Daniel's next test would be. None of them spoke, exchanging without words the feelings they were all sharing: faith that Daniel would do whatever he could, hope that this wasn't the end, and the kind of love only those who'd shared what they had could understand.
A shadow fell across them and Jack looked up to see the sun blotted out by a rolling bank of dark clouds. The whine of a glider could be heard, crescendoing as it came closer.
An odd sensation made Jack pull his eyes away from the sky and look towards the hill where he knew Daniel was watching them. Feeling strangely calm under the circumstances, Jack realized he knew what was about to happen, and a small smile found its way to his lips.
The glider appeared, racing across the sky, chased by boiling black clouds that seemed to move faster than the glider. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot from the clouds, striking the glider which exploded in an enormous ball of flame.
Looking across at Sam and Teal'c, Jack saw their shocked expressions quickly transform into smiles. There was no doubt-Daniel had done it.
They were startled by another flash of lightning as it streaked across the sky and struck a turret on the castle wall. Chunks of stone rained down and the people watching on the hill began screaming and running. None of the pieces landed close to the crowd, but they continued to run for cover, the Jaffa barking orders and trying to reinstate order.
Knowing Daniel, Jack was sure his friend had purposely chosen a target that wouldn't injure anyone. It was done to cause panic, to keep Anath and her Jaffa occupied and maybe give the three of them a chance to escape. Way to go, buddy.
Jack pulled at the cuffs around his wrists, trying unsuccessfully to force them open. Sam and Teal'c were doing the same. Why couldn't at least one pair be rusty or loose?
Jack could feel blood beginning to coat the skin of his wrists but he kept at it, trying everything he could think of to get them off.
A clinking sound make him pause and look at his teammates. Teal'c held up blood-slickened wrists as his manacles dangled from the post. He quickly reached Jack's side and began to work on his cuffs.
After a few seconds of unsuccessful efforts, Jack stopped him. "Forget it, Teal'c, they're not coming off. Go—see if you can find a Stargate and bring some backup."
Teal'c didn't reply but moved to Sam, trying with all his might to open her manacles.
The sound of a ship approaching brought all three heads up, searching the sky that was now blue again, all trace of dark clouds gone.
"T—go! We don't have time for this. Go find the gate and get help—now!"
"I am sorry," Teal'c replied, looking from Sam to Jack.
"It's okay, Teal'c. Go," Sam said urgently.
And then he was gone, running for the closest tree line. Just yards from his goal, a ship appeared, followed by rings which deposited half a dozen Jaffa between Teal'c and the trees.
Not willing to make it easy for them, Teal'c turned and began running at an angle towards a small copse of trees, zigzagging to throw off their aim. A zat brought him down before he could reach it.
Disheartened, Jack and Sam watched as the Jaffa surrounded their friend and secured him.
Jack glanced back to the hill, searching for Daniel. Jaffa were moving people back towards the castle but there was no sign of Daniel or Anath. It had been a valiant effort, but the odds were against them.
Then hands were on them, releasing them from the posts and herding them into the open where the ship was waiting to ring them aboard.
Even in the unpleasant situation Jack found himself in, his main worry was for Daniel. He couldn't have given Anath a bigger demonstration of his powers. If she took him as a host—and Jack had no doubt that was next on the agenda—the universe would be faced with a Goa'uld with the powers of the Ancients. What Anubis had aspired to, Anath would achieve. God help them all.
~oOo~
He knew where he was without even opening his eyes. Lying flat on his back, ankles and wrists tied down—again.
There was no disorientation this time; he remembered clearly the events that had taken place outside the castle overlooking the open plain. Remembered his friends chained to posts, awaiting their fate. Daniel had tried to give them a chance to escape. He had no idea if they'd been able to get away.
He wasn't sure if Anath had zapped him again—that was one thing that was still fuzzy. He remembered destroying the ship, how he'd felt the power flowing out of him, pain exploding in his head at the same time the ship did. Remembered pushing past the pain to release another bolt at the turret. Daniel wasn't sure if he'd passed out from the pain or from the implant.
A pounding headache still raged but he found he could reduce the level of pain if he relaxed and focused. And he felt so weak, like he'd gone ten rounds against Teal'c. He knew he needed to rebuild his strength to prepare for what was to come. There was no reason for Anath to wait any longer; he had given her just what she'd asked for: something big.
Daniel knew he was only going to get one chance to finish this. If his plan worked, they would be rid of Anath and her Jaffa and Meryet's people would be free again. If this worked, the galaxy would be spared living under the thumb of a nearly all-powerful Goa'uld.
One question continued to puzzle him, though. Why hadn't the Ancients stopped him from using his powers? They had allowed Anubis to run unchecked just to punish Oma. What reason did they have for allowing him to use Ancient knowledge? He didn't know if he'd ever understand their thinking.
The sound of the door latch made him open his eyes. Meryet and her Jaffa shadows entered; this time her escort had grown to six Jaffa.
Meryet hesitated before crossing the room to stand next to him. Her eyes looked at him with something close to awe. "I have brought you water," she said, holding up a large cup. "I am to see that you are awake and well so that you may be taken to Anath."
This was it, then. Time was up. Once again he felt himself being raised to a sitting position. "I'm okay, Meryet."
She hesitated again before lifting the cup to his lips.
Using the cup to block his voice, Daniel whispered, "Meryet, did my friends get away?"
Her eyes became moist as she whispered back, "I am sorry, Daniel. They were returned to their cells."
Daniel's throat tightened. He knew it had been a long shot. It was time to put his plan into action, but there was one thing that had to be taken care of first.
He took a sip of water and made his final request. "Meryet, something is going to happen soon and I need you to do one last thing for me."
Distressed, Meryet reached out and put a hand on his arm. "Daniel, what is going to happen?"
"I don't have time to explain. Just promise me that when it happens, you'll get my friends to safety. They can help you and your people."
"Daniel, what about you?" She was trembling now; he could feel it through the hand resting on his arm. "Can you not use this great power you have to—"
"Enough!" The Jaffa began moving toward them.
"Please—promise me." He had to know that Jack, Sam, and Teal'c would be safe.
Two Jaffa yanked Meryet away from him, sloshing water from the cup. As they pulled her away, she called back to him, "I promise."
Two more Jaffa began to unfasten Daniel's restraints while two others kept zats trained on him. He felt the buzzing return to his head, but this time he found he was able to fight it, keeping himself alert and focused.
Not wanting to alert them to the fact his implant was no longer effective, Daniel remained compliant, conserving his strength for the task ahead. He allowed them to manacle his hands in front and do the same with his feet, leaving just enough room for him to walk.
They led him from the room and down the hall as before, bringing him once again to the cavernous throne room.
The room was empty except for Daniel and his guards. They positioned him so he was facing the throne. There was a creaking sound above his head and he looked up to see a chain lowering from the ceiling. One of the Jaffa grabbed it and attached the hook on the end to the chain between Daniel's wrists. The chain was raised, pulling his arms above his head, but leaving his feet firmly on the floor. He took a deep breath, calming himself, preparing for what he was about to do.
The door opened again and Anath entered with two Jaffa. Daniel felt the buzzing increase again and he fought to push it back. Obviously, they wanted to make sure he didn't go after Anath again.
She stopped in front of him and let her eyes travel up and down his body before looking him in the eye.
"Well, Daniel, I must say, you gave us all that we had hoped for."
"Glad I could entertain you." He kept his voice soft, hoping he was giving the impression that the implant was doing its job.
"Oh, it was most entertaining," she replied, smiling as she moved closer and placed a hand on his chest. "I can think of other ways you could entertain me."
She placed her other hand on his chest and leaned forward, brushing her lips against his before pressing harder, capturing his lips with hers.
It took all of Daniel's self control to keep from using his powers on her. But he needed to stay focused in order to draw on the power to a greater extent than he ever had.
He was so close.
Anath pulled back, running her tongue across her lips. "I have always had a female host. As much as I would like to enjoy the pleasures of your body, I believe it is time to find out what it is like to be in that body."
Daniel ignored her comments, pulling inward, drawing the power to the center of his being.
"Kor'ac will be here shortly with our guests. I wish them to bear witness as I take control of your mind and body."
He couldn't wait any longer—he had to do it before his friends arrived. Only Anath and her Jaffa were in the room and he was grateful neither Meryet nor any of her people would be affected.
Daniel closed his eyes, feeling a core of energy churning within him. Unaware of any sound, no longer feeling the shackles against his skin, his mind was free—connected with everything around him. He drew on that connection, letting it feed the energy within him.
And then he let it go.
TBC
