Complete
Chapter 12
5 Days Later
Daniel sat up in bed and pushed the covers back. It was still an hour before dawn, but he knew he would get no more sleep tonight. Their weeks of planning would come to fruition tomorrow—later today he reminded himself—and he had had a restless night, worry over the details of their plan keeping him from getting any rest. He slipped out of bed, dressed, and headed for his classroom. Once there, he headed straight for the balcony, hoping the fresh air would clear his head. The first hints of pink were beginning to tinge the horizon. He leaned on the railing and began reviewing their plan.
Today Thoth would send a troop of Jaffa through the 'gate in search of more slaves. Once they had gone through, one of their people would keep watch at the 'gate for half an hour to make sure the Jaffa didn't make an immediate return. If the half hour passed without their return, it would be assumed that they were retrieving their quarry. The sentry would then send a signal that would be passed to waiting messengers who would make sure it reached the two places that were going to serve as diversions, causing the Jaffa to shift their placements in response. One of the sites was the laundry in the servants' quarters where a small fire would be started. The other was the livestock pens where animals would be set loose. Hopefully, many of the Jaffa would be split between these two sites in attempts to bring the problems under control. This would leave most of the slaves free to move about. Each of the rebel groups they had organized would be responsible for a particular task. The first group to act would be those working in the armory. They were to try to take and distribute as many zats and staff weapons as possible. Another group would try to keep the main city gates open. Another would be sent to watch the Stargate. Other groups would station themselves around the palace to protect those leaving and to stop any Jaffa coming to aid those in the palace. Because the children trusted them, Daniel and Makare had been chosen to be in charge of getting the women and children to a safe place outside of the palace. A group of slaves with combat experience would join Val'nor and a contingent of his loyal Jaffa, entering the palace to confront Thoth and his Jaffa. They were fortunate that Kresh'nar was leading the offworld group—but that meant Val'nor would still have to face Mal'rac.
Daniel knew there was no way to avoid bloodshed. Thoth and his Jaffa might opt to flee the planet, but he doubted it. The slaves all knew they were putting their lives at risk by implementing this plan, but their desire for freedom for themselves and their families made them willing to take that risk. Once again he thought of the Abydonians and the sacrifices they made to free themselves from Ra's rule. He hoped their efforts today would be as successful. The alternative was unthinkable.
As the sun began to peek over the horizon, Daniel straightened, taking a deep breath and letting it out, calming and focusing himself. He had confidence in Val'nor—he was strong and capable—almost as good as Teal'c. And Cimon was intelligent and a natural leader. But he thought how much more confidence he'd have in the success of their plans if Jack, Sam, and Teal'c were with him now.
He closed his eyes as a gentle breeze brushed his face. It lingered as though a hand were caressing his cheek. You are not alone. Help is on the way.
"Oma," he whispered, knowing immediately it was her. Before he could say another word, the breeze disappeared, the caress fell away, and the voice was gone. He opened his eyes and smiled, his confidence bolstered by the promise that help was coming.
An hour and a half later he was in his classroom beginning the day's lesson. It was hard to concentrate knowing the alarm would soon be sounding. The sound of someone entering the room interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see Lor'noc and another Jaffa approaching.
"Danyel, your god requests your presence," Lor'noc said.
"Now? I am in the middle of class." Please, not now!
"Immediately. He does not wish to be kept waiting. Ar'tan will stay with your students."
"Very well. Class, keep working. I'll be back soon," he said pointedly, looking at Dan'e. He had already prepared her for what was to happen today.
As he was led to the throne room, his mind raced with possible reasons why he was being sent for. Maybe Thoth just wanted an update on his progress? Whatever the reason, the timing sucked. He smiled inwardly at yet again hearing Jack's influence in his choice of words.
~oOo~
Hammond watched the activity below in the 'gateroom from his position in the control room. SG-1 and SG-10 were doing their final equipment checks before heading through the gate in an attempt to rescue Doctor Jackson. The entire SGC had been buzzing with activity for the last five days, ever since Colonel O'Neill had spoken to him and a hastily assembled SG-1 about his encounter with Oma Desala. They had learned from experience not to question the validity of these visits, and Jack's 'rock' had immediately been taken to Daniel's department where a team of scientists worked relentlessly until they were able to decipher the writing. One name had emerged—Thoth. A call for assistance had gone out to their allies. They had received no answer from the Asgard and assumed they were occupied with the replicators. They hadn't heard from the Tok'ra, either, which Jack said was probably because of their motto: Don't call us, we'll call you. Teal'c, however, was successful, having found some among the free Jaffa who were familiar with Thoth, and, better yet, knew the address to his homeworld. They had learned that Thoth's main objective was to gain knowledge which he traded to the System Lords in return for their protection. He also educated their future hosts.
Standing in the 'gateroom, Jack considered what they might face on the other side of the 'gate. No one had been able to supply them with numbers on the strength of Thoth's army. Plus, they had to locate Daniel. Jack knew that if Thoth had learned anything about Daniel, he would consider him valuable, in which case they might have trouble getting close enough to grab him and get him out of there. They needed to be prepared for anything. Business as usual, he thought.
"Seventh chevron locked," the sergeant announced. The 'gate sprang to life, its rippling surface beckoning them forward. The waiting teams looked to General Hammond for their signal to go. He addressed them through the microphone, "Godspeed. Bring Doctor Jackson home."
Jack gave a salute to the general before giving the signal for a shock grenade to be tossed through. He then ascended the ramp, followed by his teammates and SG-10. The general watched the teams disappear through the gate one by one, a prayer for success going with them.
~oOo~
Daniel and his escorts reached the throne room and entered. He immediately went to his knees at the throne's steps, bowing his head in the expected show of submission to Thoth. The Goa'uld was sitting on his throne, several servants hovering around him. Daniel hadn't missed the fact that Mal'rac was standing next to the throne. Thoth rose and descended the steps, stopping on the last one.
"Servant Danyel, I am pleased with the progress you have made teaching the slaves."
"Thank you, my lord."
"It has allowed us to resume our procurement of new slaves through the Chappa'ai. Soon you will have new slaves to instruct."
"Yes, my lord," Daniel replied, all too aware of what was taking place even as they spoke. He hated the thought of what those people might be going through. He was also aware that the signal for their plan to commence could come at any time. He needed to get back to the children.
"I understand your young pupils are making much progress, also," Thoth continued.
"Yes, my lord."
"Mal'rac tells me they particularly enjoy your stories about travel to other planets and about the civilizations there."
Daniel wondered where this was going and what Mal'rac's interest was.
"Yes, my lord."
"Mal'rac believes these are real planets and civilizations you speak of. He thinks you have knowledge of some that we are unfamiliar with."
Daniel was beginning to see the focus of the questions. "They are just stories, my lord, passed down from our ancestors or brought to us by visitors through the Chappa'ai."
"These visitors may have been telling you of real places. We would like to know more about these civilizations. Do you know the symbols for these worlds so that we might visit them through the Chappa'ai?"
"No, my lord. I do not remember the symbols for specific worlds." Please believe that.
An arm came into view, the ribbon device clearly visible on it. A metal-tipped finger reached under his chin and lifted his head so that he was looking directly into Thoth's steely gaze.
"You would not withhold this information from your god?"
"No, my lord," he replied, trying to remain calm.
"How is it you remember the details of all of their history, all of their stories, but do not know the symbols for their worlds? Surely this was recorded along with other information about their home worlds?"
"I was not required to learn them, my lord. I do not remember seeing any of them."
Thoth let go of his chin and stepped back. "Perhaps your memory needs some assistance."
Daniel knew the method of Goa'uld 'assistance.' He waited for the ribbon device to activate, but instead Thoth opened his other palm, displaying another small device. He aimed it at Daniel, pressing some type of button. Pain exploded in his chest, centered on the brand, radiating outward through the rest of his body. He felt rooted to the spot, unable to move while the pain continued. Thoth released the button and Daniel fell forward onto the floor, tremors coursing through his body.
"Do you remember any of the symbols now?"
The tremors began to subside and Daniel took in a shaky breath.
"No, my lord. Please believe me, I'm telling the truth."
"We shall see." But before Thoth could activate the device again, a Jaffa came running into the room.
"My lord, a fire has been reported in the servants' quarters."
"Where?"
"It appears to be in the area of the laundry."
"Is it under control?"
"Not yet. We are short-handed as there has also been a report of livestock loose in the city."
Thoth seemed to consider the situation. "Mal'rac, Kresh'nar is gone, therefore I would like you to go and supervise the Jaffa. Make sure these two situations are taken care of. Take what Jaffa you need and get the fire out first. Gather some of the slaves to find the livestock when you are done. Lor'noc will join you after he has taken Daniel back to his quarters."
"Yes, my lord."
Daniel looked up and saw Mal'rac look back at him with what was almost a smile on his face before turning and leaving the room, followed by the other Jaffa.
TBC
