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The Supernatural characters belong to Kripke Enterprises and the CW, not me. Stargate Atlantis belongs to MGM and its creators, Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, again, not me. No money is being made from this story. It is for entertainment only.
Star Born
Chapter 10
Another Door Opens
Later that night Castiel abandons his post and moves for the first time in decades. He needs to know if what he saw was real. Could this alien child truly conceal tattered remnants of Dean Winchester's soul? The invisible Angel leans over the child's bed and runs his hand lightly through the short blonde hair. It has been years since Castiel has felt anything at all and to feel hope again almost tears him apart.
The child's eyes open and he looks at Castiel. The Angel shudders at the impossibility of the action. No human has looked upon his face since Dean lay down on the desert sands to die beside his brother. The bright green eyes pierce the Seraph's being and would have pierced his soul if he had one. The little boy smiles and breathes a whispered, "Hi Cas" then goes back to sleep.
He returns to his post, shaken to his very core. Emotion races through him, filling up empty places and, unfortunately, the emotion overflows and touches Heaven. Hope and love invades those cold halls of perfect contemplation and attract attention. Such gifts should flow only from God himself, not from some exiled Seraph on watch on Earth.
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Jack O'Neill sat at the head of the conference table, relaxed and smiling. He had aged but had aged well. Still sharp, still quick witted and easy to like, he considered most of the people gathered around the table as his friends. Samantha Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson and Teal'c of course, were long time members of SG-1 and good friends. The Tok'ra Selmac who was partners with Jacob Carter, Major Carter's father was also a good friend. Jack smiled and played with his coffee cup while fiddling with his napkin, folding it into a lovely origami crane.
The rest of the gathering was not all that friendly. Two more Tok'ra sat expressing disapproval of Jack's fiddling but they kept their mouths shut. Who knew, maybe origami cranes were a sign of respect among the Tau'ri? Directly across from the Tok'ra delegation was the man from the State Department who darn well knew origami cranes were not normal but Jack O'Neill had friends like the Asgard and Selmac so the man from the State Department kept his mouth shut.
"So, guys," Jack started the meeting rolling. "What'd you do with His Snakeyness in a Box? Good present for ya', right?"
The two Tok'ra looked to Jacob / Selmac for a translation. What exactly was the O'Neill saying?
"General O'Neill is inquiring about the disposition of the Goa'uld Tiernen. " Selmac graciously translated for his Tok'ra cohorts.
"The Goa'uld Tiernen has been delivered to the Tok'ra council for interrogation." Kief replied. "We wish to thank you on their behalf. The council is very pleased."
"Think nothing of it, guys." Jack said, waving a casual hand. "We like giving gifts to our friends."
Kief dipped his head in thanks. "I do, however, have a request from the council. The Tok'ra wants to understand how the Goa'uld was removed from its host. How was this accomplished? The Tok'ra council is not aware of any way to accomplish such a separation without killing both the Goa'uld and the host. May we ask if Tiernan's host is still alive?"
Daniel Jackson spoke up. "Yes, the host is alive. His name is Dejon and he was taken from his home in France a thousand years ago. He is here with us, recovering from the separation in our medical bay. He is speaking and remembers his home, his family and his name. He also remembers a great deal of his life under Tiernan's control." The blonde, mild mannered academic peered over his glasses at the Tok'ra, radiating a gentle intelligence.
Kief's associate Bennin took up the conversation. "That is amazing. Not only that he lives but that he is capable of speech and remembrance. It has always been assumed that the host's mind withers away after a period of time. That this one lives in such good condition is remarkable. The council needs to be made aware. Can we meet the host? I mean, of course, can we meet Dejon?"
Jack smiled down the table at Bennin. "Now, don't you think that might be pushing it a bit? I mean, the guy just got his body back. Let's give the poor man a little room to breathe."
Kief leaped into the conversational pause. "Yes, of course. General O'Neill. You must forgive my colleague, Bennin. " Kief spread his hands and shrugged his shoulders in what he hoped was an a human expression. He had, after all, practiced it a lot. "These scientific types, what can you do?"
Jack stopped fiddling with his crane and flicked it over to Colonel Carter, who caught it neatly. Jack however, wasn't watching. He was looking directly at Daniel Jackson. "Scientific types, tell me about it. I feel like I'm being left in the dirt every time Daniel opens his mouth."
Daniel glanced up at Jack's face. "Right, that's what happens, every time."
Kief joined in the general laughter. "This is all very pleasant. I see we are all getting along quite easily however, we must insist, at the order of the council that we find out how the host was separated from the Goa'uld."
"How 'bout this, guys." Jack said leaning back in his chair and smiling his 'trust me' smile again. "If you have a test subject for us to separate I'll introduce you to our secret weapons. Does that sound good?"
For some reason that comment made the Jaffa smile. "Yes, O'Neill; secret weapons indeed." Teal'c intoned.
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It took a week for the Tok'ra to return with a prisoner for the experiment. Kief and Bennin came with the captive Goa'uld, a minor system Lord appropriately named Ruin, and a guard of about eight Tok'ra fighters. SG-1 suddenly seemed to be overrun with men who spoke with two different voices.
In the absence of the Tok'ra O'Neill had asked that De lay down a Sign of Protection at the base of the ramp in the Gate room. It had been suggested by some that the ritual take place elsewhere in order to keep the Gate Room clear for traffic, both outbound and returning. The Gate room however provided the best view for officials through the large, blast protected control room and the Gate room already had cameras installed, capable of scanning every square inch of the place. O'Neill had listened to every idea and then decided to keep the experiment in the Gate room.
If this worked Jack wanted to make very sure that De's Sign of Protection became a permanent addition to the security measures of that most sensitive of areas. The Goa'uld would no longer be able to use SG-1's Gate to attack.
Daniel had provided De with paint and herbs. He had stayed with the child, taking notes on every move, every muttered word that the De uttered. When the paint finally met with De's approval they had painted the Sign and sealed it afterwards.
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The Tok'ra marched down the ramp, surrounding a dark skinned man dressed in a pleated white linen skirt slashed with golden bars; typical Goa'uld over dressing. All the Goa'uld's jewelry had been stripped so no golden ring or twisted bracelets that were designed to inflict pain. The only weapon the Goa'uld had left was the enhanced strength the parasite gave a normal body. Of course the Goa'uld was cursing and insulting his escort but since none of the humans with the possible exception of Daniel Jackson could understand what was being said no one cared and the Tok'ra were used to it.
At the bottom of the ramp a line of Marines prevented the Tok'ra guard from accidently stepping into De's Sign of Protection. The Marines opened a path for only the Goa'uld to pass through and, to the confusion of the Tok'ra, Selmac ordered them to let the System Lord advance.
The Goa'uld walked straight over De's artwork and ran full bore into the other side. Hitting the invisible barrier he bounced hack, landing on his ass in surprise.
Up in the control room Jack O'Neill burst into laughter, earning him a glare from the embarrassed System Lord.
"Well, that set him back on his bony ass." Jack said between huffs of laughter. "I guess the kid's stuff really works."
Daniel Jackson adjusted his glasses and said, "I think I want to go down and observe more closely. When the children are brought in it should be very interesting." He used the side stairs to descend to the floor.
The main door to the Gate room slid to the side revealing Ronon with De's hand in his and Teyla, carrying San. De tugged on Ronon's hand and the tall Satedan leaned down to hear what the boy had to say,
At the end of a few minutes of intense conversation Ronon raised his head.
"General O'Neill," Ronon's rich voice rolled through the Gate room as he tried to get it to carry up to where O'Neill was standing. "De says that he and San are not strong enough to take care of all these people at once. He thinks they might be able to do two or three but it would be better to take care of them one at a time."
O'Neill exclaimed. "Crap, you mean it would affect everyone down there not just the guy in the circle?" Ronon looked down at De who was nodding his head.
"Evidently anyone in the room will be affected to some degree." Ronon replied. Tired of bending over to hear De talk Ronon picked the boy up.
"Ronon, find out if it would be OK for the Ambassador and his friends stood up here with me." Jack directed.
Ronon listened to De. "He says it is most likely safe but only humans can be in this room. All others must leave before the ritual starts or they may be harmed."
During these prolonged discussions the Goa'uld had been circling in the trap, looking for a weak spot; muttering and gesturing the he kept slapping his hands against the invisible barrier that surrounded him.
Selmac, Kief and Bennin took the stairs to the control room. Daniel Jackson went with them to translate or answer any questions. Once there Selmac leaned into O'Neill. "Jack, where are these people from? I don't recognize their home planets."
Jack answered. "These people are from worlds that remain unknown to the Tok'ra. The man is a Satedan and the women and the children are Athosians. Earth has her secrets too and I am not supposed to tell you where these planets can be found."
"Very well, "Selmac said. "I'll hold my peace for now but if this works we will have to have some more details later"
Jack gave a curt nod. "If it works we'll talk about it."
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The Goa'uld Ruin focused on Ronon, expecting the man to be the danger. If he regarded the children at all he most likely thought they could be sacrifices. When Ronon walked around the circle and put De back down on his feet everyone in the room began to watch the child. Teyla placed San directly opposite De then she and Ronon stepped away until they had their backs against the wall.
When De began to speak sensitive microphones picked up his childish voice and sent his words into every corner. Jack instructed Sgt. Harriman, the Gate Keeper, to increase the volume. The Tok'ra observers pushed forward to the window.
De, in his sweet childish voice, said, "I stand in the West; I stand with the setting sun. My brother stands in the East and greets a new day. We call on the old Gods, Osiris, Ra and his daughter Sekhmet to aid the God Ha-Shem, Adonai, in this work."
The Tok'ra turned to stare at Jack O'Neill. "Hey, don't look at me," Jack said, raising his hands. "I just think it's creepy."
Daniel Jackson snickered from the back of the room. "Nice one, Jack." Teal'c folded his arms and listened to the child as seriously as he would have listened to one of his own people's prophets.
De and San both dropped their heads, gathering their former lives forward. In an empty corner the Angel Castiel felt movement on the spiritual plane. There was a sense of someone arriving. Far over the smooth, gentle curve of the void, out of the curtain of time two figures approached. From the birthplace of creation, Dean and Sam Winchester approached their newest incarnations. Castiel's friends swept past him and melted into the children.
De lifted his head and spoke In a dark, adult voice while raising his hands on either side of his head and placing his palms forward toward the Impenetrable wall of the Devil's Trap, the Sign of Protection of the Peruses Galaxy. San extended his hands, palms also exposed, and swung like a compasses toward the Goa'uld.
Dean began:
ADJÚRO TE, serpens antíque, per júdicem vivórum et mortuórum, per factórem tuum, per factórem mundi, per eum, qui habet potestátem mitténdi te in gehénnam, ut ab hoc fámulo Dei serpen, qui ad Ecclésiæ sinum recúrrit, cum metu, et exército furóris tui festínus discédas.
The Goa'uld who, until that moment had been standing with his arms folded and a sneer on his face, feel to his knees and began to choke.
Dean paused. "Ronon, the cage!" the dark voice called and the Satedan picked up a wire cage that was sitting just inside the door. The tall man moved around to stand behind De with the open cage in his hands.
Again the dark adult voice poured out of the child:
Adjúro te íterum, non mea infirmitáte, sed virtúte Spíritus Sancti, ut éxeas ab hoc fámulo omnípotens Deus ad imáginem suam fecit. Cede ígitur, cede non mihi, sed minístro Christi. Illius enim te urges potéstas, qui te Cruci suæ subjugávit. Illíus bráchium contremísce, qui, devíctis gemítibus inférni, ánimas ad lucem perdúxit.
The Goa'uld shivered and fell forward on to his hands. He been to choke in earnest and fell further, on to his side. All the observers could see the throat of the host ripple. A white, mucus covered slug like extension pushed its way past the host's lips.
Dean began now to shout:
Non resístas nec moréris discédere ad hómine isto, quoniam complácuit discédere ab hómine isto, quóniam complácuit Christo in hómine habitáre. Et ne contemnéndum putes, dum me peccatórem nimis esse cognóscis. Imperat tibi Deus . Imperat tibi majéstas Christi . Imperat tibi Deus Pater , ímperat tibi Deus Fílius , ímperat tibi Deus Spíritus Sanctus .
With a disgusting, wet splat a foot long white slug with fins and four protruding fangs slithered out of the host's mouth. The man began to breathe again, taking in huge mouthfuls of air.
Up in the control room there was quiet pandemonium. Jack's lip curled in disgust. The Tok'ra's eyes were flashing and their voices slid back and forth between host and guest, gasping out their shock and surprise.
Down on the floor of the Gate room Ronon was involved with capturing the Goa'uld. The parasite threw itself around the circle, smacking furiously into the wall.
Teyla had stepped into the circle and dragged the host out of range during the Goa'uld's angry attack. De had warned the Atlantis crew that the Goa'uld could re-enter the host if the victim was allowed to remain inside the trap and this function now fell to Teyla to perform. Finally Ronon timed a leap perfectly and stepped in while the Goa'uld leaped forward. Ronon slammed the cage door on a now complete enraged system Lord.
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"Well, that's the show," Jack O'Neill addressed his Tok'ra visitors. "Now you know as much as we do."
"Who are these children, Jack?" Selmac asked. "Where do they come from?"
Daniel Jackson answered. "Perhaps we should all return to the conference room. This control room is getting a little crowded and the Satedan needs to be told what to do with your Goa'uld friend in the cage."
Selmac turned back to the window. "I'll go down and take care of that, if you don't mind. What are their names?"
Colonel Carter took her father's arm. "Come on, Dad. I'll introduce you."
De looked at Cas on duty in the empty corner of the room. "Hey Cas, how have you been doing"
"Dean?" the Angel whispered. "Is it really you?"
"I told you I'd look you up next time I came back." It was strange to hear that familiar voice coming from the child.
"I'm afraid I didn't understand you, my friend." Cas answered. "This is a very big surprise."
"I know," Dean said. "Look, I'll try to explain it. Why don't you came to our room again tonight and you and I will have a long talk while the kid's asleep?"
"I would like that very much. One question right now, though." Cas tilted his head and looked into Dean Winchester's bright green eyes peeping out of a small child' face. "Sam is part of the other child, isn't he?"
"Yeah, we're both here." Dean answered softly. "We're sort of a package deal. You don't get one Winchester without the other. That's the way we were made."
"But what are you?" Cas wanted to go on.
"Hold it until tonight, OK Cas?" Dean said. "People are beginning to notice me talking to an empty wall.