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Chapter 13 - Maloo
The Athosian evening was at least warm, the end of summer still holding despite the ever increasing rain showers.
Following John's angry departure and confirmation on the complex's schedule that the group from Atlantis had indeed left, Teyla had come out to Family Courtyard, desperate for fresh air and for somewhere to sit outside alone.
Hours had since passed, through which she had simply sat on the warm bench set in the corner of the yard, watching Ketra explore the damp flowerbeds and occasionally lap water up from one of the two large reflecting pools.
Teyla had realised about an hour into her silent brooding that she should not have come to this yard, for it had been the one in which she and John had saved Father and Zabetha. The yard, though only for family to enjoy within the Governing Buildings, was still tainted by John's ghost.
And haunt her he did.
She had played through his words and her own over and over again since he had stormed out of her quarters, which felt like both a lifetime and an instant ago.
She should have handled the situation better, more professionally.
She should not have indulged herself with him one last time; He had been fresh from lovemaking and her words must have felt more like betrayal than at any other time. And she should have realised that her planning to marry a Genii would be so very significant to him.
She had been foolish in so many ways, and the regret had echoed.
But so had the anger.
His own angry words had run through her thoughts, the memories somehow especially loud and aggressive to her.
She had suspected that he would be upset, that the heightened emotions borne of their relationship would make the discussion more difficult, for them both.
On that she felt both embarrassment at her own loss of control and no small amount of fury for the way he had talked to her. How could he believe what he had asked of her?
He had suggested that she had not only been sleeping with many other men, but that she had done so with him simply to engender cooperation between her people and Atlantis. To think he would think so little of her cut deeply at her sense of honour. Even in the flush of anger, how could he suggest that she would be so low?
Despite the painful situation and her own behaviour, the argument between them had only strengthened her resolve. Distancing herself from John was the correct decision. He had made her lose her centre, her calm, and her professionalism.
She had never before thrown anything in anger in her life.
The thrown pot still lay on her floor upstairs, its soil and dislodged roots across the rug.
Despite the mess, she had not wanted to touch it. She did not want to see if it had been damaged beyond repair.
She should have listened to her Elite training from the start – emotional connections with others led to a loss of focus that could lead to the worst of consequences.
That had already been proven to her with Kari' death.
It was not her lot to be in love as an Elite, to be distracted so easily. There was too much at stake, and clearly John had a continuing ability to disrupt her life, and her usual calm.
That would change now. She would simply have to move on, follow through on her decisions, and in time the heated angry words would be forgotten.
But, how could he have thought so little of her to suggest what he had?
How could he think so little of her?
Why did the question torture her so?
Ketra padded up to her, warm soft snout pushing under one of Teyla's hands, forcing the attention she was unable to give without prompting.
Teyla lifted her hand and scratched around Ketra's ear. Ketra huffed out tiredly. Had they been out here so long that Ketra was tired from her climbing, jumping and dancing around after insects and birds? Teyla stroked over Ketra's head and the dragon let out another puff of air and then laid down dramatically, as if exhausted, or perhaps bored.
Teyla smiled faintly down at Ketra as the dragon laid her cheek against Teyla's foot and stretched out her limbs on the dried paving stones.
Her smile did not last long though. Sadness reared up painfully in Teyla's chest as she watched Ketra breathing calmly, peacefully.
Hurt, grief and deep regret threatened her control again. A foolish urge to run to the Portal and contact John played through her thoughts.
What if she was never to see him again?
What if she did see him again? How would she be able to ignore this torrent of mixed grief, anger, and deep sadness?
Why did it have to feel so intense? She had just wanted to end the affair, to create separation and yet now she had perhaps damaged their friendship forever, and perhaps even the ties that bound Atlantis and her own people.
What if her affair would unmake all the good the treaty and trade agreements had achieved?
What kind of Elite lost the Alliance one of their greatest allies against the Wraith?
No, she could not believe that John would do something like that. He was too honourable himself to damage such alliance.
But then he had said such awful things to her...
The angry hurt rose up in her throat again. He had shouted at her, hadn't let her finish a single sentence. He had ignored her points and accused her of dishonourable behaviour.
She would not have thought him capable of that before now.
Had they truly known each other at all?
She looked up and away from Ketra's contented snooze, refusing the tears that were trying to break free.
Elite did not cry.
"Teyla?" Charin's voice lifted softly and kindly across the yard.
Teyla's throat constricted – she did not want to be with others right now. Did not want to see her family. They would too easily be able to see the emotions warring inside her.
Ketra sat up from her snooze to watch Charin's approach down the length of the yard.
"I saw her rushing around the pools earlier," Charin began, her elderly voice still strong, and without any obvious discernible note of concern or pity.
Teyla pulled herself together internally and tried the best smile she was capable of right now. "From tomorrow she will be shut in the Sythus for many weeks," she replied, hoping her tone was even.
"I have seen the images of the Hydropondics Bays in your ships," Charin replied as she reached the bench and carefully settled down beside Teyla. "I imagine she has more green space to run around in there than in this complex. Do you not pretty girl?" Charin asked as she cupped Ketra's face in her aged hands. Ketra's eyes slid shut, her mouth almost lifting in a smile of contentment. Of course her species did not smile, it was simply Teyla's imagination that she did.
Teyla watched Charin definitely smile at Ketra, and the woman's presence smoothed something deep in Teyla. Part of her desperately wanted to be comforted, to be held and told all would be well. Yet, another side of her did not want any sign of comfort, for she was a grown woman and an Elite warrior. And that any true sign of concern might fracture her thin control over the tears that wanted to flow over what had happened with John.
Elite did not cry.
"I received a link from Sitayi," Charin said as she held Ketra's head in her hands, her thumbs stroking Ketra's cheeks so gently.
Teyla glanced at Charin's face. "Has she recovered?"
"Yes," Charin replied, her attention still on Ketra. "Enough to be here tomorrow."
"If she is not well enough, I will understand-" Teyla said quickly. For some reason the idea of Sitayi not being present somehow lessened the reality of what the ceremony tomorrow would bring.
"She wishes to be here," Charin interrupted her gently, her kind eyes turning to Teyla. "She knows she will be here."
The meaning being that Sitayi had already foreseen her presence at Teyla's wedding. How long had Sitayi known?
Teyla looked away to the closest reflecting pool, the last of the sun's rays casting a sharp line across the yard. It would be dark too soon, but the warmth should remain for some hours yet.
Teyla found that she wished it was cold instead.
If Sitayi had seen the wedding, then it would happen.
She really was getting married tomorrow.
It was a foolish realisation since she had been the one to set this event, to decide upon the day. Yet, knowing Sitayi had seen it, perhaps for some time now, meant that it truly was real. It was going to happen.
"It is not every day that an Elite marries," Teyla said into the silence, her voice sounding rather empty to her own ears.
"She cares for you, Teyla," Charin replied. "She has seen you grow, as I have, from a young child to the strong warrior you are now."
Teyla did not feel like a strong warrior today.
"She would not miss your day."
Teyla nodded, her eyes still focusing across the yard on the dying light, feeling it overly representative of her own heart. "It is kind of her."
Charin moved slightly in Teyla's peripheral vision, perhaps nodding to that truth.
Silence fell between them, though Ketra's faint purring under Charin's loving attention was a warm sound to fill in the empty quiet.
"Maloo is here," Charin said into the moment.
Teyla pulled her eyes quickly from the yard and looked at her.
"He and his party arrived a short while ago," Charin continued. Her expression seemed closed, the face of a politician, working to hide any emotion other than gentle support.
"I thought the Genii were arriving tomorrow," Teyla responded, fixating on the fact to allow herself time to process how she felt about the news.
"They were unsure about General Maloo's schedule until this morning. Your father had guest quarters prepared anyway," Charin reported. "They have had late meal with your father and some of the other guests, but are now with your father in the Tea Room."
The suggestion being that Teyla should go and join them.
"I have to report in with the Sythus," Teyla found herself saying.
"Of course," Charin nodded immediately. "They know you have duties, but you should meet with him, if only briefly. You should meet the man likely to be your husband tomorrow. You may wish to sit alone with him, discover what kind of man he is."
Teyla looked away. "It does not matter. The contract is for our people."
"It is a contract that will bind you with him," Charin corrected. "I have seen the latest contract myself and it still holds the standard practice that you will spend time with him and he with you. He will have to be on the Sythus with you, walk the ship's hallways with you, and you will walk the hallways on the Genii homeworld."
"The contract also states that his own military duties will reduce the number of days we spend together," Teyla pointed out quickly.
"Yes, but when together, are you simply going to ignore him? Will you not sit at dinner tables with him, share his company in the evenings, share family?"
Teyla glanced away again.
"He will not simply be a pet to haul around with you," Charin added.
Teyla looked sharply round at Charin's harsh words. "I do not haul Ketra around and I do not think of Maloo in such a way. We simply will live quite separate lives."
Charin tipped her head to the side slightly as if studying Teyla closely. "But still joined for life. I question whether you realise how long you may live, dearest Honoured Elite."
"We have discussed why I am doing this and what benefits it will bring."
"Yes," Charin replied. "But I feel that you have not truly considered what changes it will bring to your life. He will be present in your life, to whatever degree, for the rest of the years to come. You should meet the man."
It was of course logical and a valid point.
Teyla had read about Maloo's life from the official files, his strategies, his own profile that he had sent with his official greeting message, and also from the Elite records. He was a career military man and so they would have that in common.
However, she was an Elite. No, she would not nervously stay away, hiding until the last minute that she came face to face with her future husband.
"Of course," she stated to Charin and stood up, drawing courage to her like the familiar friend it was. "I shall go meet him now. Will you watch Ketra for me?"
Charin looked up at her and nodded. No smile, no pity, nothing in her expression but the politician.
Teyla feared she knew why.
"I shall remain here in this lovely warm spot with Ketra until you return," Charin replied.
"Thank you," Teyla replied before turning away.
She strode down the length of the courtyard, out of the strong last rays of sunlight and through the shadows of the falling evening. The door into the Governing Complex was open at the far end of the yard and she moved through it with purpose.
She moved swiftly through the complex, her feet moving without any conscious control on her part. She knew the route without thinking.
Inside, she prepared herself as if she were readying herself for battle. Each step brought forth her professional confidence, the mantle of her Elite status sliding over her like an old comforting blanket. It was her place of power and strength.
The doors to the Tea Room ahead, she could no longer feel the tug of hurtful or angry emotions. There were no more brooding dark thoughts and lost feelings.
She was Elite warrior Emmagan and she had made a decision for political and military reasons. She was making this small sacrifice for her people and her future. It was a vital and strong decision and she would meet it decisively.
The guards noticed her approach and opened the way to the Tea Room for her, the doors sweeping aside to reveal the very political space beyond.
She strode into it, one sword against her back and her shoulders square.
There was no emotion to this, nothing but swift sure decision, and she drank it up, needing that solid ground under her feet once more.
John had to be part of her past and with each step she knew she was moving away from it. Part of her hated that fact, but the rest of her knew it was needed. Knew it was her future.
She entered to her future now, her eyes moving swiftly towards where Father was standing up to greet her, whilst at his side, the Genii man also stood and turned towards her.
She had seen many images of Maloo, but no two dimensional image could give you a true impression of a person.
She watched in a slow, anticipatory moment as he turned towards her.
He wore the Genii uniform of course, all Genii did most of the time, but his was decorated with the symbols of his high military rank. His shoulders sported the bars of high office and as he turned, medals of valour and victory decorated his sleeves and chest.
His posture was picture perfect military precision, as was also held by the two Genii guards to his left. She knew the Genii honoured the Elite, and their respect was usually shown in the squareness of their shoulders and the sharp tallness of their spines.
Maloo's posture was the straightest she had ever seen.
He faced her and bowed immediately, which was a particular sign of honour from a Genii. They rarely bowed to anyone.
She inclined her head faintly "General Maloo, welcome to my Father's home," she greeted him, hearing her professional Elite tone in her voice. It could not be further from her confused and angry tone while arguing with John. There was no passion in her now, just professionalism.
"I am grateful, Honoured Elite," Maloo replied as he straightened up.
He looked somewhat older than he had in his images, but his eyes were sharp and his shoulders broad and strong. Everything about him screamed military strength and Genii determination.
"Leader Cowen of the Genii asked me to pass along his personal greetings," Maloo continued.
Teyla inclined her head slightly once more. She was not overly keen on the Genii supreme leader. She supposed she was going to have to get used to seeing Cowen more often now though.
"We are honoured for your presence for tomorrow's ceremony," she replied formally. "I hope that whatever the outcome tomorrow will be that your people will benefit from being part of these celebrations."
She was rather pleased with the lines she stepped over with that phrase, and she was faintly aware of Father's pointed attention on her.
"As do I, Honoured Elite," Maloo replied, and she sensed the faint discomfort on his part that she had implied that he may not win her choice in the Offering Ceremony. It was traditionally possible that other parties within the Alliance might put in an offer during the Offering Ceremony, but it was highly unlikely. The Genii had already made sure that their real competition had been negotiated out, and the rest had simply wanted trade contracts of some kind through Father directly. However, she would not bow to Maloo and essentially thank him for being the only one left to ask her for the Marriage contract.
"I understand that you will shortly be departing for the Outer Lantana battle after the ceremonies," Maloo asked.
"Yes, very quickly I am sorry to say," she lied.
"I have yesterday ordered several more ships of the Home Fleet from Genii out to the battle zone in hopes of assisting."
"That is good of your people," Teyla replied.
"To hold the line until the Elite and the main fleet can push to resolution," Maloo added.
Had that been a veiled comment that the Elite had taken a long time to get to the conflict area? She looked up at his face and into his silver-coloured eyes. His expression gave away little.
"I had hoped to join the battle myself," he added quickly, not allowing her much time to assess what he had meant.
"It is likely that you shall," Father put in quickly. "Honoured Elite, General Maloo was just telling me of his successes in space battles."
Teyla nodded. "I have read up on them."
Maloo seemed to grow a little taller at that. "Thank you, Honoured Elite. I seek only to serve my people."
And his people were the Genii.
Not the Alliance – his people.
How very in keeping with the Genii military mindset.
"And you have done so admirably," she told him. He inclined his head again. "I understand that you turned down promotions to move you into the Genii Government in the past so that you could remain working in the military."
"Yes, Honoured Elite," he replied. "I still feel it is my place to know exactly what it is like on the front line of war, otherwise how am I to lead those who give their lives there?"
She nodded with some agreement. "And how would you see yourself assisting the Elite in the future?" She asked, not wanting to add 'once we are married'.
"I would hope that I could bring strategic assistance, my own people's military," – again with the separateness from the Alliance – "and any assistance in fighting that you may wish of me."
A noble offer and well answered from a Genii point of view. To the side of her view of Maloo, she saw Father faintly nod with approval at the answer.
"And what of your own future plans?" she pushed.
"I will do anything to assist my people and fight against the Wraith in any way I am able."
Another well tailored response that she had no doubt he had practised.
"And your family?" she kept going, not letting up the interview, the three of them still stood by the tea table. "I understand that your family have held great leaders."
"Yes, Honoured Elite," he replied. His back and shoulders remained solid, an unmoving straight line that seemed unyielding. "I have been brought up by the principles of serving my people, and by extension the Alliance."
Teyla nodded.
He was the best match the Genii would have had she realised. He was military, successful, but not overly political – just as she was – and he was clearly not an overly emotional man. His expressions were relaxed and confident, but not open or too expressive as to be open to misinterpretation. His feet remained planted in a strong stance, unmoving, as if under the watch of a commander.
This was important to him, but he showed little emotion.
He fitted the profile for a husband for her quite well – at least what they saw of her, what she herself had thought would best suit her, and the most suited to be the first to marry an Elite warrior in a Political Marriage.
She had difficulty imaging him smiling, or laughing at something amusing.
"And in your own time," she asked him, "what do you enjoy?"
The question threw him slightly, the smallest of frowns creasing his straight brow, but he recovered smoothly and quickly. "I give all of my time to my work, Honoured Elite."
"You take days away from your work though," she found herself pushing.
"There is the odd day, but on those, I try to complete the vast array of bureaucracy my position requires, and to see that my family is well," he added.
"Your mother still lives," Teyla recalled, and beside her she felt Father shift slightly. He was growing uncomfortable with her blunt questions, but she ignored his faint cautionary warning.
"Yes, she does," Maloo replied. She watched his face for any hint of emotion. "I was able to procure her a sizable home in which to grow old. My brother and his family also live with her. Our father died in battle against the Wraith."
"He died with honour," Teyla replied automatically and meaningfully. Maloo bowed his head, the comment from an Elite supposedly even more profound in its meaning.
"I walk in his steps, fighting for and serving my people," Maloo responded.
"And you do it well," Teyla replied.
Yes, he was everything a good Genii General should be, everything a military husband would best be. He would not make demands of her, he would make use of himself if among the Elite, and he would likely provide benefits to Athos and the Elite with Genii home military support.
He provided all that she had considered for the role of her political husband.
Yet...
She did not like him.
And she knew why.
He was respectful, strong, proud, successful and very much as expected – which though correct and what she had wanted, now seemed empty, obvious, and unchallenging.
Unlike John.
"Thank you for your time, General," Teyla said up to the grey eyes. "I am afraid I have duties to attend to this evening, but we will no doubt speak further tomorrow."
Maloo bowed deeply. "Thank you for your time, Honoured Elite."
She inclined her head and turned away, the doors opening for her at the hands of the Athosian guards.
She moved out of the Tea Room without looking back, knowing the Genii would take no insult in such behaviour, after all it was expected of the Elite and normal among the Genii.
Moving swiftly back down the corridor away from the closing doors, she found the Elite mantle now sliding off her shoulders as easily as it had fallen into place on the way here. She tried to hold onto it, to keep hold of her sense of professional strength, but the emotions and rapid thoughts pushed up and out.
As she reached the non-public areas of the complex, she slowed her pace slightly.
Maloo would suit her needs exactly. He was as advertised in his profile, and that was perhaps the problem – there had been no hint of more. He lived his life for his work, but there seemed little heart in it. He had seemed cold – respectful yes – but still...cold.
Which was how the Elite were seen of course – strong, impenetrable, and focused only on work.
Except, she realised, her fellow Elite were in fact far from that public appearance. She noted the time on a passing display. Her fellow Elite would likely be sitting down to their Late Meal together on the Sythus now. There would be technical discussions and strategic planning, but also ribbing, teasing, and honest complaints about things. They were family, and far more open than she had previously acknowledged.
But, they hid that from outsiders. The reputation of the Elite had a profound influence on others, giving strength and confidence to billions out of the shadow of the Wraith.
Yet, under that, the Elite were not cold and hard. They were just strong, controlled as needed, and honest.
She paused in her steps and turned to look back the way she had come.
John disliked the Genii, and not just because they had tried to take over his city and one of their number had tried to kill him. He was the antithesis of the Genii – he was open, warm, expressive, and honest.
For the first time, she saw the Genii in a new light – they were strong, military and successful, but they were also cold, manipulative, and concealed a great deal.
Deep down inside, something purely instinctive and honest whispered to her that Maloo was too Genii for her comfort.
Yet, there would be no other choice tomorrow.
She should have met him long before now.
Her plan, so well formed and logically decided, had not taken into account one vital issue – whether she liked her future husband. She had thought it unimportant, and in some ways it remained so, yet...
She stepped back out into the Family Courtyard and made her way in silence towards where Charin and Ketra sat in the last tiny patch of warm sunshine, both of them sitting with their eyes closed, basking happily.
Maloo had been just what Teyla had wanted, had ordered – a military, distant, uninvolved, and politically well placed husband.
She had gotten what she had ordered.
And she didn't like what she saw.
She sat back down on the bench beside Charin, the older woman not stirring in her basking.
Silence continued as Teyla's mind turned.
She had needed to push John away. It was necessary in order to maintain her Elite distance and professionalism. Yet, she had walked herself into a situation where that same distance and aloof professionalism had brought her an unappealing political husband.
Of late it seemed that nothing was going as she wanted, and nothing she did seemed to be right.
She frowned down at Ketra who opened one eye and sleepily leaned further against Charin's knee.
Charin continued to say nothing, and Teyla knew why. Charin would have seen almost immediately what Teyla had; Maloo was not suited to her.
Teyla felt that knowledge floating, unsaid, between her and Charin.
"It is what I decided upon," Teyla said quietly, holding onto that logic in the dying evening. That she did not like Maloo did not change the reasons why she had decided on this course of action.
"Yes, he is," Charin replied, her eyes opening slightly against the last light.
"I am not doing this for me," Teyla stated out loud. "He will suit the role."
"Yes, I suppose he will," Charin agreed.
Teyla frowned, looking round at her.
"Elkaska doesn't like him," Charin reported.
"Uncle has not liked any on the list," Teyla replied with her first smile in many long hours.
"I think he still believes you may one day become a trader," Charin smiled. "And in his eyes, no man is good enough for you."
"Maloo is not for me," Teyla corrected, "he is for our people and for the good of the Alliance."
Charin nodded faintly in agreement, then closed her eyes and lifted her face back up into the sunlight.
Silence fell between them once again.
"I should have met him sooner," Teyla muttered.
"Yes, you should have," Charin rebuked, "but you have always been that way – thinking you know best."
Teyla glared at Charin, even though the older woman could not see her with her eyes closed. "I do not."
Charin smiled. "My point exactly."
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TBC