Chapter 11 - Adjustments
Sam and Jolinar went to sleep early that night. Sha're was taken under Larys' wing so that he could check on her pregnancy, and then she was questioned by the Council for any sensitive information Amonet had. Sam was uncomfortable for her because Sha're held herself like the leader she had been, and even her fatigue didn't wipe that away. She didn't know much, in any case, so it was over quickly and she was handed into the hands of yet another Tok'ra. Sam stayed on the edge of the proceedings, not knowing what to do but not wanting to be out of the loop; eventually Sha're was settled down and Martouf and Lantash came to see Jolinar. It was a quick reunion, full of unspoken "I told you so" from Jolinar, and gracious silence from her mate.
And then it was time to sleep again. ~What shall we do tomorrow?~ Sam asked as they were getting ready.
*Nothing,* said Jolinar. *At least, not for a good portion of the day; I do not think my compatriots will allow me to do anything but take some relaxation, so I shall circumvent their chiding and do it without bidding.*
~While you relax, may I ask questions and do research?~ asked Sam. ~I don't feel in need of extended rest.~
*I believe there will be time for such things,* said Jolinar.
Sam was surprised and pleased by Jolinar's geniality; it was clear that success and a little fatigue softened her up quite nicely, and Sam decided to file that away as an important memory.
But that night she had nightmares of home, where she was living in an alternate reality like Daniel had only recently reported. Inexplicably, she was still a captain but engaged to Colonel O'Neill, and Daniel was trying to convince them that the Goa'uld were going to come through the gate. Teal'c was in the place of General Hammond, but that weirdness only struck her when she woke, and in the dream his insistence that they continue on their original path sent Daniel into near hysterics. Then, in the immediate nature of dreams, suddenly the Goa'uld were on base and they were all taken captive. Apophis took his hand device and slammed Daniel up against the wall with it, over and over until his head caved in and a pool of blood gathered at the foot of the wall. Then he did the same to the Colonel, and she was forced to watch it all, sobbing and gagging in the terrible horror.
She woke up in control; breathless, sweating, shaking. Curling up under the covers, she couldn't stop her aching sobs, nor drive the visceral stomach-churning images from her head. Rarely had her nightmares been so vivid, and never had the environment been so foreign. There was nothing to comfort; she couldn't go up and get a cup of hot coffee, couldn't spill the whole story to her plants as catharsis, couldn't even wait up all night until she could reassure herself that Daniel and the Colonel were just fine. Instead, all she could do was stare at the crystal ceiling. Jolinar was wakened from her distress, but wisely left Sam alone in her thoughts.
Jolinar fell back asleep, but thankfully for Sam it was near dawn, because she didn't go to sleep the rest of that night. Even when it was clearly morning and Jolinar was only dozing, Sam didn't make the first move. It was so hard to remember that yesterday she had been confident and then proud when everything had gone close enough to the plan.
*You are missing your home again,* Jolinar finally put in, not taking control.
~It's nothing, I'll be fine,~ said Sam.
*Yes, you will, but not until you get up and live this day,* said Jolinar. *You are hungry, I can tell; food clears the emotions away.*
~Okay, fine,~ said Sam. Yawning, she slowly rose from the bed and got herself dressed. By the time she reached the mess hall, she had to admit that Jolinar was right about one thing, simple routines cleared passing feelings such as nightmare-induced fears. By the time she was done with breakfast, she could think about the night before with near objectivity.
Sam loved projects and missions, loved the challenge and adventure of setting out to accomplish something. It was part of why she loved science, and why though she had joined for her father, she still loved being in the Air Force. But sometimes the thrill of the challenge kept her other emotions at bay; emotions like sympathy, love, regret. Learning about the Tok'ra and rescuing Sha're had made her forget that the long-term plan was to get home free. But no longer, and she was going to keep it that way whatever happened today.
She was just standing up when Martouf came over. "Good morning, Samantha," he said, smiling as always.
"Morning," answered Sam.
"How is she?" he asked.
"Surprisingly quiet, meditating I think," answered Sam.
"Then I have no cause for worry," said Martouf, flashing her one last smile before sitting down elsewhere with his food.
Sam had no idea that a healthy happy Jolinar could be so still, so lacking in restlessness. She had only known the symbiote for a few days, but sharing the same head and body gave a sense of intimacy that would take a year in a normal friendship. Before disappearing, she had given directions to Sam about places of interest in the Tok'ra complex. But Sam had a duty first.
"Hey there," she said, seeing Sha're sitting on the edge of a bed in the half-hospital half-guest quarters where she was being housed.
"Sa'm," said Sha're, her smile a little forced.
Sam smiled at the distinctive accent, but then frowned. "Are you all right?"
"If I were left alone, I should be," said Sha're in that ruffled-feathers way of speaking. "These people do not understand such concepts!"
Sam gave her a rueful smile. "Yeah, I noticed that too. What are they doing to you?"
"Tests, all these tests," Sha're bemoaned. "I remember Dan'yel trying to explain such discomforts, but I never thought I would bear so many myself. And so much for the child."
"I guess I had it easy, a back door into being their own and not as worthy of curiosity," said Sam. "You are brand new to them, Sha're."
Sha're sighed. "That is a little comfort. I have been told more times than I thought possible how special I am, how they have never seen a host so isolated. It gives me hope," she finished on a lighter tone.
"Of course you're amazing," said Sam, sitting down across from her and touching her hand. "Daniel analyzes everything and yet he is in awe of you. Have they discussed when Amonet will be removed?"
"Yes," said Sha're, settling a little in her posture. "It is too dangerous before the child is born, so they are keeping the demon quiet with medicine. I still worry a little, but they say it is all safe."
Sam looked thoughtful. "When Daniel comes to Abydos, it will be near the time when you give birth. Are you afraid that they will coincide?"
"Will not you be there to greet him?" asked Sha're. "That was my assurance."
"Yes, but I'm not sure he'll listen to me," said Sam, her mouth twisting.
"Why, because he thinks you possessed?" asked Sha're. "Would it not be equally true of me?"
"No, not exactly," said Sam. "Your—well, your case was straightforward, but the SGC likely thinks that Jolinar was a lying pretender. They would trust that Amonet would not attempt infiltration, but they must be on the alert when it comes to me. In fact, especially if Daniel does not come alone, there is a good chance the discussion would happen after I was stunned and secured."
"But you will try?" asked Sha're.
"Of course," said Sam. "I will see if the Tok'ra can find a way to keep me safe until I can get Daniel to listen—and we'll see from there. I hope you will be there, I know he would trust you."
Then Sha're looked past Sam, and sat up straight, her face hardening. Sam turned around to see a Tok'ra, one that she recognized by face but who was not close with Jolinar, so she knew naught else.
"Jolinar," she nodded.
"Samantha," corrected Sam. She had never liked that name, but "Sam" seemed beyond the Tok'ra's tongues.
"Ah," said the Tok'ra. "I am Anise." She turned to Sha're. "This device is designed to detect the mental capacities of your child, for maybe his genetic memory has enhanced his consciousness."
"No, I will not do it," said Sha're. "My child will not be subjected again—I demand it."
"You cannot understand how important this is," began Anise.
"No, no, no," said Sha're, slowly and forcefully.
Anise breathed out heavily, her teeth probably clenched behind her pouty lips. "The child will not be harmed."
Sam intervened. "Okay, listen Anise; she said no, and she is in full position to say that."
"Full position?" asked Anise. "How can she comprehend—"
"That you are experimenting on her child? It's not that hard." Sam stepped in between the two, arms crossing.
"Very well," said Anise shortly, and turned on her heel to leave.
Sam and Sha're shared a satisfactory little look, and Sam mostly hoped that Jolinar didn't notice the exchange.
ooooooo
"Dr. Jackson?"
Daniel looked up from where he was putting papers into boxes. "General Hammond."
"I've been informed by someone who should know that you are stalling about something, and that I should approach you about it," he said, standing squarely in the doorway.
"Who?" asked Daniel. He put the lid on the next box and stacked it rather precariously on the others.
General Hammond gave a half-chuckle.
"Oh. Jack." Daniel frowned. "How would he know?"
"His words were, 'Daniel's cleaning his lab and no one ordered him to—something's wrong'."
Daniel paused and looked around, especially at the visible layer of dust way over on some Abydonian artifacts he hadn't had the heart to touch. Brushing his hands together absentmindedly, he was without words.
Hammond nodded, saying, "I understood that you finished all your interviews yesterday, but haven't made a decision. Considering that Jack has already chosen one of the new members, a Major Dave Dixon, I think the evidence shows that you're having a difficult time."
"Mm," said Daniel. "You know, I was the one who warned Jack that it wouldn't be easy?"
"I might have guessed," said the general.
"So there I was, all self-aware and objective, and now I realize it was just another form of denial," said Daniel, leaning against the edge of the table. He rested a hand on the box, tapping his finger in a slow rhythm. "Of course, it would have been difficult at anytime," he added.
"Yes," said Hammond, "well, the SGC was not set up with scientists in mind, once the technology of the Gate was understood. It's still a very small department."
"And no one like Sam," added Daniel honestly. "There's one or two that I think I could work well with once we all got to know each other, but I don't think I'm the most difficult sell, certainly not on SG-1."
"Colonel O'Neill and Major Dixon are military, Dr. Jackson; you don't pick your commanding officers based on who you like, and the same is true with your men," said Hammond. "You learn to live with it."
"Live with it, sure," said Daniel. "But we're going to need a team that works well together, and to be honest, Jack doesn't make that easy on the best of days. And even if the scientist has thick skin, Jack'll take it out on the rest of us."
"No magic answer is going to show up if you just wait around," reminded Hammond.
"Does it have to be urgent?" asked Daniel. "There's another few days before our next mission."
"In which there will be paperwork to sign on a new team member, training and outfitting for the new team member, also time you'll need to get to know each other," said Hammond.
Daniel sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Just go with your instinct, Dr. Jackson," said Hammond. "As soon as you can." And he didn't wait for an answer before leaving the lab.
Daniel determinedly began loading up boxes again, but this time a little more slowly, thinking. He slowly ran through every option, pored over each choice looking for that one gift or flaw that would make or break his decision. And they started adding up. It only took about half an hour to eliminate the first couple choices, and when he looked at the final round, he almost groaned.
No matter how non-ideal the situation was, it was staring him in the face. He knew what choice he would make, and he knew that Jack wouldn't like it. He wasn't even sure he liked it.
ooooooo
Sam was finally starting to see the differences in the Tok'ra hallways, the ways that you could distinguish between them and find your way from room to room. Even Jolinar's simple directions were enough to get her where she needed to go. Every room in the complex was incredibly simplistic, even the hidden closets in the walls containing rarely more than the usual dull content of ordinary closets, but this one—well, Jolinar may not have found this interesting, but she had read Sam's interests well.
It wasn't as large as the warehouse, but the contents were just as crowded and oh so as interesting. Sam stood for a moment in surprise and awe as she looked around—it could have been her lab, had she grown up with Goa'uld technology instead of Earth. Here, there, and everywhere were projects; some were apparently finished, others were in pieces, and still more might have been either for all Sam could tell. There was a wide range of sciences covered, too, at least biology, chemistry, and probably physics if not astrophysics.
A Tok'ra with tightly curled dark brown hair in a halo around her dark face was bent over a glowing machine. The golden light from whatever-it-was was full on her face, but it was plain that what made it look like sun shining through chocolate was her enthusiasm and excitement. She didn't even notice Sam.
Sam walked over, not saying anything in case she should interrupt something important. The Tok'ra, whose host could not have been more than twenty, paused, then gave a wide smile and stood up straight.
"Hey," said Sam, stepping a little closer.
"Ah!" said the Tok'ra, jumping back a little, but with the smile still on her face. "I was not expecting anyone. You are—Samantha, right?" she guessed.
"Does everyone know my name?" asked Sam a little ruefully.
"A new member of the family stands out," the Tok'ra answered. Sam noticed that it was the host's voice both times. "I see Jolinar is staying back. I am Reyfa, host to Dru'ri, and have finally met you."
"Thanks," said Sam, putting out her hand automatically, then pausing awkwardly as she remembered that it was an Earth custom.
Reyfa looked at her hand, then her face, then with an even wider smile she reached out and took it. "This is your custom?" she asked.
Sam chuckled. "Yes it is—I never used to think it strange."
"So, were you sent here for something?" asked Reyfa.
"Not exactly," said Sam. "Jolinar is resting, and I needed some way to spend the time. I am a scientist back on my world, and I think that's why she suggested I go here."
"Jolinar, suggest?" asked Reyfa incredulously, then followed it with a laugh. "You must be as strong as the rumors say, Samantha."
Sam's smile twisted just a little—she didn't like the idea of rumors, even if they didn't sound malicious.
"Well, what do you specialize in?" asked Reyfa, turning a little to right and left, her hands spread.
"Astrophysics mainly," said Sam. "But I've been focusing on alien technology for the past year, of course," she added, nodding her head to what was in front of her.
"Alien technology," said Reyfa, and chuckled. "I suppose your science would be 'alien' to me?"
"That seems about right," said Sam with a bit of a grin. "What is this?" she asked, pointing to the still-glowing object.
"I'm working on advanced sensors," said Reyfa. "This machine collects data from broadcasting points, and coalesces it into a useful form—or, that is what it's supposed to do." The enthusiasm on her face wavered, and she added, "You do know I cannot teach you the details of it; our technology must be kept secret for obvious reasons."
"Okay," said Sam, a weaker smile on her face. "I get it, I'm not sworn to the Tok'ra."
"We wouldn't want to put you in danger of interrogation," said Reyfa, almost with a shrug.
"That's all right, I'm still interested in the basics," said Sam, quickly moving along. "What is this?"
"This," said Reyfa, picking up the oval shaped piece, "is an adjunct to the former project. We are working on getting sensor readings through an active wormhole, to better predict what is on the opposite end of a gate trip."
"Oh, we have something like that," said Sam. "We can send a small vehicle through the gate, and relay back video and audio—it's not very maneuverable, but it functions well."
"Really?" said Reyfa, leaning on one arm to look at Sam. "But that is all you can read?"
"Well, we can tell atmosphere and temperature as well," said Sam. She saw Reyfa's astonishment and continued, "I didn't realize it was that complicated, actually."
"Oh, I'm not saying it is, necessarily," said Reyfa, standing up straight again. "It's just, we always knew what was on the other side, or could guess well enough. Only recently have we thought of making the choice more than a guess."
"That's odd, considering you're so cautious about other things," said Sam.
"Force of habit," said Reyfa, a smile on her face again. "But if you have no issue with radio waves...?"
"No, they work almost perfectly," said Sam.
"That shortens my reasons for testing," said Reyfa, walking further into the lab. "Now, you also created a basic form of a dialing device?"
"Yes," said Sam, following her curiously.
"And you're familiar with the traditional form?" Reyfa continued.
"Yes."
"Have you ever considered a smaller version?" asked Reyfa, holding up a bracelet shape.
Sam grinned. "Now I have." She decided that she might not come away with a huge amount of information, but this afternoon would not be wasted.
ooooooo
In the spur of the moment, Daniel decided to get rid of some old souvenirs from planets that had looked interesting but proved pointless in the end. It wasn't something he usually did until buried in such items, but he was in the mood for change. Carrying the two paperboxes full in front of him, he could barely see over the top.
"Whoa there!"
He nearly crashed full on into Jack. Pulling up short, his glasses hit the lid of the top box, pushing it askew and leaving a slight but painful indent on his forehead. "Ow."
"Y'know, there's a hundred ways this could be safer," said Jack, taking the boxes so Daniel could rearrange himself.
"What were you doing near my lab?" asked Daniel, rubbing the sensitive spot with one hand and checking the straightness of the glasses with his other.
"Hammond said you reported to him," Jack said shrugging. "And I finished eating and didn't have anything else to do..."
"Yes," said Daniel, taking his boxes back. "That was a few hours ago, actually."
"So," said Jack, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"So," said Daniel. "So, I had Hammond ask Mckay."
"Mckay?" exclaimed Jack. "As in Rodney, as in the guy who was ranting in the mess hall just a few minutes ago?"
Daniel frowned. "Well, his file said M. Rodney."
"No, Daniel, I'm not having it," said Jack.
"Jack, don't make a snap decision," said Daniel wearily.
"Daniel, I heard this guy, I heard the way he talked. There's no way I'm spending any more time with him voluntarily."
"Fine," said Daniel. Turning at a sharp angle, he began walking back to his lab.
Jack, surprised, followed. "What does that mean?" he asked.
"I don't know, what does it mean?" asked Daniel. "Hammond agreed with my choice, so if Mckay accepts, what are you going to do about it?"
"I have command, Daniel, it's part my decision," insisted Jack.
"But are you going to fire him? Who is the better choice?" asked Daniel. He put the boxes down in his lab, opened them, and began putting the objects back on shelves. Jack had a way of making him feel rebellious, even if just against himself.
"I don't know," said Jack. "But come on, there has to be a nice scientist!"
"Who are adequate at their roles, but are not the sort who would do well on a mission," said Daniel. "Yes, Jack, I did think to look for really nice people. Mckay isn't going to be fun, but he's got the brain for the team."
"You couldn't compromise?" Jack said, pushing further.
Daniel held his ground. "Yes, Jack, I did. I compromised a little personal issues for talent. But I could have gone much worse, believe me—in a way, maybe even more, Mckay is just the greatest of the worst."
Jack smirked.
Daniel sighed, saying, "I didn't mean to say that. He's not that bad, Jack, I'm sure. I have a good feeling about this, and I'm inclined to trust it. Please, can't you give the benefit of a doubt?"
Jack's eyebrows expressed dissatisfaction, but he stood still with his shoulders slumped and hands in pockets. "You said if he accepts, right?"
"Uh, yes, actually," said Daniel. "He didn't seem interested in the idea when I talked to him—I did ask Hammond to beg him, though."
"That good of a feeling?"
"Yeah," said Daniel with a half shrug. "We're going to want someone who can think quick and fast, and I don't think his personality is unworkable in the end."
Jack sighed, and Daniel relaxed inwardly. He didn't have anything to say, which in Jack-ese most often meant he was resigned. It could mean he wasn't sure how to formulate his words, but Jack didn't usually care if they came out a little fudged. No, he was being cooperative as he had all but said he'd be.
"What's with the boxes?" asked Jack after the pause, reaching out to touch some of the more oddly shaped ones.
"I was getting rid of them," said Daniel.
"Right," said Jack, frowning, watching as the contents were being taken out of the boxes, not the other way around.
Daniel almost grinned. Messing with Jack was too much fun to be anything but wrong.
ooooooo
By the time Jolinar roused herself, she loudly rebuked Sam for getting carried away and not eating. And since Martouf and Lantash found them in the mess hall, they both forgot about Reyfa until it was quite late—and then it was time for sleeping again. The day had gone by without event or even a high amount of interest.
Could Sam have known, she and Daniel had very similar thoughts that night. Nothing much had happened, to be sure, but they were both well aware that the adventure was only just beginning. Today had been part of the still and the sun, the calm; soon the winds and the rain would begin to herald the next storm. Sam and Jolinar would be looking for a new host, and Daniel and the new SG-1 would meet and go on their first mission. And they were both headed for the same end.
