Part 14 -Day Nine
Ellie was still incensed that Jack went behind her back after her repeated warnings to let her handle matters. Out of frustration he sent Lt. Marks and Sgt. Lewis on a scouting expedition by horseback. They got caught using Ellie's horses. Now, the Legion was on the way to Ellie's estate. Worse, Teal'c was still in big trouble. The Legion continued to surround his position with an entire cohort. And now, he had no snake. Worse, the powers that be knew he was a Jaffa and the significance. To top it all off, the Emperor just arrived in town to go to the Sacred Ring, which would activate tomorrow when General Hammond called in. Jack knew he had blown it big time. So he went on the offensive.
"Oh please, you're only worried about your precious investments. I don't know what you people are really getting here, and I don't care anymore. I want my men and that includes Teal'c out of here NOW. Enough pussyfooting, lady."
"You think we are getting something of value for our efforts here besides scientific information? Am I right?" She was disgusted with his agreement.
"And that brings me to another question." Jack figured this was his only shot. "What do they mine here that they are always threatening to send folks to the mines?"
"Coal. Salt. Sulphur. Bauxite. Copper. Iron. All minerals and metals that they need at this level of development, along with some gold and silver. They can cut gemstones up to the old mine cuts of your 18th century. But they haven't been able to develop industrial uses for diamonds.
"Naquadah?"
"No. The one big vein played out thousands of years ago. That's why the Goa'uld left them and didn't come back."
"Trinium?"
"None."
"Neutronium?"
"None."
Jack was surprised. "So you guys take the gold, gemstones, and some vegetables?"
"No, Jack. We don't need any of that. I brought more gold with me than all the gold they have in circulation after 2000 years. We can grow the gemstones ourselves. We can make larger and higher quality stones than what can be found in the ground. The vegetables we eat here."
"Did you look around?" Jack motioned his hand in a circle looking perplexed.
Ellie regarded him with annoyance. He did have a good sense of humor, just bad timing. "Do you feel better about my motives?"
"I suppose so," he agreed reluctantly.
"How can you understand what I was doing? It would be even worse than asking Julia to understand your world. It would be like asking Shakespeare to understand your society. He and people from his time would think that antibiotics were magic."
"Yeah, we ran into some folks like that," Jack remembered the village making sacrifices to the Demon who was really an Unas snaked by a Goa'uld.
"Jack, the gap between our societies is huge. Changes in learning are not linear. Even the changes on Earth from 1840 to 2001 were vast and keep increasing exponentially in speed as more discoveries are made. More changes have come to your people in the last ten years than in the entire previous 80 years. To continue even at that pace for another160 years, well, there is no way, Jack, I can describe what that means. You think these folks are ignorant savages? Well guess what? We aren't all that impressed with your folks." Ellie paused for a breath. "The Tollan warned us about your primitive operations."
"That was cold."
"Cold is doing what you just did to me."
"I did what I thought I had to do. You weren't giving me the information I needed. I am responsible for my people."
"So what? It wouldn't be the first time a superior officer withheld information from you. And you still did your job. Need to know, Jack, and you didn't need to know."
Ellie sat down behind her desk. Jack regarded her coldly, assessing the situation. Hammond was due to call in tomorrow. Assets could be deployed then. Was it worth the risk to Teal'c. Probably not. If he was separated from his snake, this was dire.
"No that's where you're wrong. I do have a need to know. We're talking about the people under MY command not yours. I don't report to you." Jack stopped. He was very angry. But keeping his cool was always the solution. "As for the Tollan, they were arrogant sanctimonious dreamers. If they had listened to me, they'd still be here. Kinda like you, Ellie, dreaming that you can make a difference in a society that has to go. You said yourself, it's not sustainable. Now we have to focus. How do we get Teal'c out under the circumstances?
"Jack, we have to think and think fast, because the Legion will be here in the next twenty minutes. So I have gotten my assets in place as far as I can with short notice. We had a contingency plan, but it didn't include busting Teal'c out of a fortress surrounded by troops still gathering by the hundreds."
"So let's bug out back to your facility. Major Griff and I can sit down with your people and run through your plans. But the priority has to be getting Teal'c."
"Right now, only you and Griff are going to 'bug out.' My staff will work with you. But I have to try to salvage this operation by playing the injured Matrona. My slave, a man that I adored, fled this morning after the incident with an hysterical maid. He thought that I believed he poisoned the maid who found out about Griff and the others, who stole my horses to escape."
"Too risky--- you adored...?" He stopped and looked down. "Oh." He frowned. "You think you can still salvage this?"
"Yes, Jack. My connections here are firmly in place. I know what I'm doing. So, go. I'll deal with the Legion."
"No, I'll stay with you Ellie. They've been here before and didn't bother me."
"Dammit, Jack. If they know that Lewis and Marks are the barbarians they were after, how do you think they know? Someone had to tell them. That someone is here and ratted them out. You are one of the original barbarians, who came along with Teal'c. They know HE is a Jaffa. Griff came with Lewis. And Marks and Lewis were caught together. Then it isn't hard to draw the dotted line. What do you think they will do to you? Get with the program."
"I can't leave you like this." Jack stepped closer. "Look, we've dealt with this situation before. With our ordnance and some of yours, we can create a diversion, get in and get out with Teal'c. It's what we do. But I want you safely away from here so I can do my job."
"Your job? YOUR job? You want to do YOUR JOB, then get the hell out of here and get back to my base."
"Just bring what we need here and transport us there. We'll bring him home."
"Jack, yes, you are Spec Ops. I'm not denying your expertise. And my people are not soldiers, but we do have a security contingent. You can help by staying at the base and going over the plans there. As we speak, one of my teams is about to reach Teal'c this afternoon."
"Why didn't you tell me?
"Why should I? Need to know. And you didn't need to know. I told you I would handle this but you couldn't leave well enough alone." Ellie took a hard stance. "Jack, I want you to go. They shouldn't find you here."
"They'll kill you."
"Unlikely. And if they arrest me, then I can beam out anytime. But I can do more in my role working things from this end. I don't even have to play at being the injured woman, after all I am one." Jack startled and then accepted her statement. "I have got to try to contain matters before they spiral out of control. The Emperor is not in a hurry to kill a patrician these days. So you will go and get Teal'c out using our assets."
"No, ma'am. I'm staying with you. You have no protection. I owe you that much. Just, get my teams out." Ellie started to object when the sensors started screaming. Ellie could hear servants running.
"This is it, Jack. You are out of here."
"No, Ellie." He reached out and grabbed her, not allowing her to activate the controls without also beaming out with him. "I'm not going."
The thunder of hooves sounded out side the window as horses slowed to a stop.
"Jack, release me." He didn't. "Then, remember you are a slave. Keep your eyes down. Let me do the talking. They can't take my property without a warrant from the court and they don't have one. But the Emperor's security is paramount. For that, they can arrest us all and figure it out later."
"I got it, Ellie."
"Jack, you can't help me other than by staying in character. No heroics, they'll kill you as soon as look at you. You should go."
"Yeah. But I'm not." He frowned. They could hear the troops calling in the courtyard and the front door crashing in. "Ellie, for what it's worth..." She met his gaze and gave a head nod. She spoke to shut down the computers.
Heavy bootsteps clomped up to the door. Banging at her office door, the Centurion demanded admittance. And then he broke down the door without waiting. The soldiers grabbed both Ellie and Jack putting knives at their throats, while the Centurion walked around the office.
Ellie kept her eye on the Centurion. If he were intelligent, they had some hope. With the knife at her throat, she didn't dare speak to activate the transporter. There was still a chance she could bluff. Ah, the Centurion was intelligent. He moved to Ellie's side of the desk to read the hard copy messages. Mostly the messages discussed Teal'c and how he was in custody and troop strength around him. Then the Centurion saw the message about the Emperor. His face clouded over. Clearly there was a threat to the Emperor here. He spoke to his Optio, his second in command.
"Optio, secure this room with these men. Let no one enter except those here right now. Tell no one what we have seen. Touch nothing, do you understand me!" The Optio assented. "Now, Matrona Eleanor, you will do as you are told or I will slit your throat. Slave, remove your shirt for examination."
Jack decided to comply. He could take them but not before Ellie's throat was cut. So he pulled up his shirt. The Centurion carefully touched his belly to be certain no wound was visible. He nodded in satisfaction. Then he ordered the Matrona's maid, Julia, into the room. Julia saw the scene and clenched her jaw.
"Is this your mistress?" Julia nodded wordlessly. "Does she have a belly wound that opens?" Julia looked confused. "Does she have any blemish on her belly?"
"No, none, Centurion. She is a lovely woman, perfect in form." Julia glanced at Ellie wondering what was happening.
"Show me. Open her gown."
Julia's eyes went wide, but she did as commanded. The Centurion was satisfied.
"You have not seen these before?" He held up the diagrams of the gladiator school.
"No, never, what are they?"
"I see. And you are in charge of the household staff?"
"Yes, sir."
"Bring her and these two." The Centurion marched out of the room, followed by the others. The remaining guards saluted the Centurion's exit.
Out in the courtyard, Jack saw Major Griff was already under guard. The Centurion called out, "Remove his shirt."
The Centurion went up to Griff and examined his belly, nodding in satisfaction. The legion had rounded up the staff who were standing in the courtyard. Everyone was showing his belly to the soldiers.Of course, nothing could go smoothly. Dru had another hallucination and started screaming about Jack and Ellie taking her to the underworld. Julia made a move to go to her and was restrained. One of the soldiers caught Dru as she tried to claw Jack's face. Dru ranted and screamed while the soldiers looked on. The Centurion listened grimly realizing more was happening than was first apparent. He motioned to have Dru carried off for transport.
"Listen up. His Imperial Majesty is now present in the Provincial Capital today. Security is tight. Finally, the marauding barbarians have been caught. The Emperor will not tolerate threats to our Empire from any barbarian horde. And so he has come. As Pontifex Maximus, our Emperor is come to us to protect us from a great Evil now abroad in the land. Your Emperor has come to wield great power and consult with the gods. He will determine why the Sacred Ring continues to open and close. Loyal law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear."
The Centurion turned to face Ellie. "Matrona Eleanor, we are commanded to bring you before the Emperor. Having no belly wounds, the barbarian you own and his accomplices are to be brought before the High Priest for examination. The Emperor himself signed this Interdict." He held aloft so all could see the Writ with the Emperor's seal. "No one is to disturb Matrona Eleanor's house. Do not enter it for any reason until you are given permission. My guards will stand watch to be certain. And let everyone know, we shall root out this Evil, all of it. Hail the Emperor!" Everyone responded back the same. "Take them away and bind them fast. But, let the Matrona ride unbound with respect. Get her a horse. Throw the others in the wagon. We must make haste." And with that, the soldiers separated the group and mounted up to go.
Jack looked for any advantage and saw none. Obviously, they were worried that he and the others might also be Jaffa. It made sense. But that didn't make him like it any better. He looked at Dru all trussed up in the wagon sending him looks of hate. Jack sighed. There was no doubt she would say many unfortunate things now. The wagon took off with a lurch that sent them tumbling down on the hard floorboards. This time he managed to avoid the big bolt sticking out on the side. Griff helped him right himself. They exchanged looks. The situation was grim, but Ellie could still beam them out. Hopefully, she really did have a plan.
Meanwhile, Daniel stood in shock as his Patron explained the situation. For all his travels through the Stargate, he had never met people so thoroughly familiar with Earth and so contemptuous. And yet, one stood before him explaining the dire situation.
"Contrary to your beliefs, Dr. Jackson, Earth is NOT the center of the Galaxy. It's a primitive backwater planet with aspirations beyond its accomplishments. I've been there, as you now understand. So I know whereof I speak." The man smugly sat down to contemplate his next revelation.
"If Earth is so primitive, then what are you doing in this hell hole?"
"Ah, let's just say I'm on an oversight committee." He gestured with one hand in the air.
"Well, that's interesting, but how does that help the situation? I'm about to be arrested."
"Yes, pity." The man looked out the window as if expecting the Legion any moment. "I shall have to send my children off to boarding school. They are getting too old for home schooling, anyway. My wife will be broken hearted. Fortunately, she knows her place in these matters."
"She's a native?"
"Oh, yes. She's quite intelligent really. But she has no idea. I've debated having some fun showing her the truth, but like the rest she is so horribly xenophobic it wouldn't work. Her accidentally buying you was a big joke. At the office, we all had a laugh about it. The great Dr. Daniel Jackson is my kids' tutor!"
"You can't keep it a secret after the kids see the truth. What then?"
"Well, you are a smart man. You figure it out." He smiled ruefully.
"You get another wife."
The man shrugged. "Anyway, it is in no one's interest to disclose our operations to the locals. So, this is what you are going to do. You will go with them. You will do as you are told. And in exchange, I shall manipulate the situation from behind the scenes to get the appropriate outcome. But, my price is that you take Ellie away for good."
"You hate her that much?"
"I don't hate her at all. She's a nuisance. Let her go live on your primitive planet with O'Neill if that will keep her out of here. She's so in love with him, she's a laughingstock. Had it been anyone but him, this situation would never have come to this. Her decisions have been completely unprofessional. She should have contained you all off at the facility and let people think you escaped. We would have gotten to Teal'c eventually. And if not, well he is a Jaffa. So, to make it clear, if she comes back, it would not be good for her health. And if you say anything, well, let's just say that I am familiar with Stargate Command. I can find you. Or rather my people can."
"So what exactly are you telling me to do?"
"Keep your mouths shut about who you really are, who I am, and who Ellie really is. Make up any other excuse you want."
"What do you get out of this? Why not just kill her?"
"I am a professional. This is not personal. The rest is irrelevant for you."
"You want her job."
"Oh nothing so mundane as that. Ah, I see the Legion has arrived. Good-bye, Dr. Jackson. It was a pleasure meeting you, a real pleasure."
Teal'c heard the commotion. Running and shouting filled the corridors of the gladiator school. He was strapped to the bed in the doctor's office. The door slammed open revealing more Legion troopers. A priest entered the room. Then he turned and used a zat on the troopers in the room and the hall. Closing the door, he advanced on Teal'c.
Teal'c struggled against the bonds, but they were too strong. He watched as the priest checked the jar with the symbiote. Reaching in he held it up. The creature barely wiggled.
"Don't, don't kill it. I need it to live. It is my symbiote."
The priest walked up and checked Teal'c's belly which had been stapled shut. He turned and replaced the snake in the jar. Wiping his hands he lifted some tool and approached wordlessly. Quickly, he opened the belly pouch and stuck his hand inside to check. Teal'c grunted in discomfort. The priest reached inside his cloak and drew out a sack. With a swift motion, he filled the belly pouch to Teal'c's amazement. Then the priest stuck the symbiote back in. Teal'c gave him a wary look. It was not the sort of treatment he expected.
"You will do as you are told. Ellie sends her love." He waited until he could see understanding in Teal'c's eyes. "Good. We don't have much time." Then he injected Teal'c with something. "This won't work until we are outside the walls. Too much interference. Do you understand?"
"Indeed."
"Can you walk? Or do you need more time?"
"I can walk. But I need to kelnorim."
"We don't have time."
At that moment, the door burst open. Sounds of boots clomping down the hall and a firefight with zats could be heard from outside the room. Orders were shouted. Death screams pierced the struggle. Someone, clearly not a local, came in all geared up for combat holding a zat.
"C'mon, we have this passage secured." The officer limped over to the table and began to undo the restraints.
Teal'c saw the bruises on her face, the cut lip, the missing tooth, and the limp. "Major Carter? You are injured."
"I've been worse." The straps undone, the two helped Teal'c sit up. "And we don't leave our people behind."
Once into town, Ellie's party proceeded to the villa of the provincial governor. The Centurion was careful to help her down from the horse and appear to perform the requisite courtesies to a patrician lady. But both of them knew she was a prisoner. The Centurion had been warned about public displays of force against her. The political climate was such that the Emperor did not want to start an incident unnecessarily. Anyway, she was a weak woman, who alone could not oppose a contingent of the Legion. So they let her appear to be an honored guest.
The crowds were curious about the motley assortment. But the guards shut the gates and fastened them securely. Once inside, Ellie was given time to arrange herself before being conducted to the audience with the Emperor. During that time, she was in communication with her staff via the molecular communication equipment embedded in her cortex and through the retinal imaging system that activated in her left eye. Her security contingent at the base could hear and see everything she did. They knew exactly where she was at any given moment. As a precaution, they had O'Neill's people locked in the transporter system ready at to beam them out at her command.
At the moment, she was more focused on the preparations concerning Teal'c. Cloaked ships were hovering high above the gladiator complex. They discerned no Jaffa inside. So she ordered them to scan for the snake and its naquadah readings. The walls of the complex contained naquadah and so the readings were muddled. Spies were on the way to infiltrate the Legion's support services. And a priest was beamed close by to infiltrate the religious contingent. Having the Legion surround the complex was actually helping the mission. With so many people milling around, the confusion worked for the concealment of Ellie's personnel.
But the process was slow. As part of the backup plan, Ellie ordered her operatives to impersonate Legion commanders from a contingent of the Emperor's Praetorian Guard, arriving into the area. They were to try to take command. It was a gamble. One way or the other, Teal'c had to get out with his snake. He had been nearly half a day without one and was declining fast. The snake was dying, too. At most, Teal'c had another two days maybe three. While Ellie was alone she authorized the rescue to begin.
A servant entered the chamber to tell Ellie of the summons to appear. Knowing she had done what she could for the moment, Ellie sighed and followed the servant out into the hall. Now it was time to deal with the political situation. Guards escorted her into an antechamber where there were other patrician matrons. The doors closed.
"Matrona Eleanor," began the wife of the provincial governor. "We are commanded by the Emperor to examine your person. Please forgive the impertinence and insult as we are only doing his will." Ellie nodded for them to proceed and even loosened her dress. She showed them her midriff and let them touch her skin. They were satisfied and helped her dress again. The ladies summoned the guards and Ellie went out to her audience.
"Matrona Eleanor of the Vespasian clan, Three Springs Estate, patrician fourth order." The herald announced her to the royal court. Ellie glided forward, her skirts swirling around her. The headdress and long veil of a matrona draped over her shoulders and down her back, announcing her position of respect. She stopped before the Emperor and knelt on the large cushion provided to her as a courtesy to her rank and sex. She waited quietly until she was addressed.
"Matrona Eleanor Vespasiana you are known to us as a woman of worth and honor. Greetings." The Consul spoke for the Emperor who merely looked on, appearing to be above the proceedings.
"Greetings Consul Lucius Sulla, I am most honored to be in the exalted presence of my lords and his most Imperial Majesty." She continued the ordered greetings. Then Ellie waited for the proceedings to really start. She could see that the newspapermen were present. The Emperor wanted something from her. Otherwise, she would be in the jail.
"We are most disturbed to learn that you have been sold a barbarian criminal. The mercy of the Emperor was never intended to endanger a worthy Matrona or her household. He has sojourned with you for a week and so have his friends, all illegal barbarian criminals. What say you?"
"I don't understand, my lord Consul."
"Matrona, why would you tolerate the presence of illegal barbarians on your estate?" He snapped his fingers and Daniel, Jack, Major Griff, the Lieutenant and the Sergeant appeared.
"I purchased one barbarian slave last week from the court auction. It is my right. And as is my right, if I am to be accused of a crime, I require the presence of an attorney and formal charges to be stipulated."
"Madam, you are not accused of anything. But, understand his Majesty will not tolerate evasive answers. Two barbarians, riding your horses, were captured on the East Road this morning, carrying weapons." He clicked his fingers. The weapons were laid down before her on a low table. She saw two P-90's, some grenades, communicators, flak jackets, two 9 millimeter pistols, an assortment of ammunition, and one telltale zat. Ellie looked up blankly at the Consul, saying nothing.
"Madam, what say you?"
"I don't understand."
"Madam, why were they riding your horses?"
"They worked on my estate. My former estate manager, Marcus, hired them to make repairs before the harvest. I didn't know they were out riding my horses." Ellie carefully stuck to the truth.
"I see. Your former estate manager hired them for you, with your approval?"
"He had the power to hire and fire without my approval." Ellie was dancing some on legal points. "You sound like a trial attorney, Consul. Am I on trial? For if I am, I stand on my rights in the Lex Aquilia."
"We merely wish to determine the situation, Madam. So you are saying that you had no knowledge that these men were the barbarians the Legion informed you they sought?"
"I don't know which men the Legion sought." Ellie was splitting hairs as well as she could. The Consul realized she was extremely intelligent, not some hysterical female. "Again you ask as if you are making accusations. What would you charge me with doing? Are you saying I may not hire peasants through my estate manager for the harvest? Are you saying I may not buy a slave at auction? Are you saying that I must concern myself with searching and monitoring each and every plebian on my estate so he will not steal a horse?" The crowd snickered.
"We are simply making inquiries, Matrona. As a loyal citizen of the Empire it is your duty to answer to proper legal authorities."
"Perhaps you are saying that a Patrician may not operate her own private property without being scrutinized by every legal authority in existence? Just this week alone, I have been questioned twice by the Legion. This morning the Centurion even did it with a knife at my throat."
Ellie bared her throat at the nick he made. The crowd murmured in agitation. She made sure the newspaper men saw the cut. Ellie angled herself so the press could sketch it.
"The Centurion had orders to prevent any resistance."
"I offered no resistance, yet he broke down my private office door before anyone could open it for him. And he removed my slave without a warrant or my consent. My attorney has filed papers with the court even now disputing the legality of the seizure of my slave against the laws of the Twelve Tables. Is a Patrician's property subject to seizure without court order? I want him returned to me."
Every eye was evaluating Jack. The Emperor was curious too. He had seen men like Jack before. This was a warrior, a commander of men. He had seen the look Jack gave to Ellie to make sure she was unharmed. And he realized the concern she had for him. He understood the situation perfectly.
"The laws of the land provide for inquiries like this to be made, Matrona."
"Sire, the Praefectus Urbi, Rufus Tacitus made his inquiry this week, too. He questioned me in my own home concerning this slave. He inspected the slave. And then he made his personal inspection of my private residence. Am I not allowed a shred of dignity in my own home. Am I allowed no privacy to live in peace?"
Angry murmurs could be heard from the nobles assembled. She was the picture of an injured noblewoman.
"And what does the Legion accuse my slave of doing? I do not know. Since he was sentenced for his crime, he has been in my custody or the doctor's custody every moment. He obeys me absolutely with great respect. So where is the fault?" Ellie raised her eyes to the Emperor. "Sire, what crime have I committed that you would question me so publicly without the protection of your laws?"
"Matrona, we are simply curious about this situation. There is much that is not obvious about these barbarians. And we have long been concerned about your opinions." The Consul spoke for the Emperor who watched more carefully since he realized she was very smart and extremely learned.
"My opinions, Consul? You are saying the Emperor is concerned with a provincial woman's opinions?" She smiled ruefully. "I am indeed honored... and amazed." More snickers went around the assembly.
"It is well known that your politics are abolitionist. We are concerned about the subversive activities of the abolition movement. There is much unrest caused by these radicals. The law of the land is clear concerning this time honored institution. Acts of violence against the law of the land are not tolerated."
"Then am I accused of committing acts of violence or just having an opinion?"
"One may be connected to the other. Conspiracy is also against the law."
"Then let us review this case in a court of law. If I am accused of a crime, I stand on my rights to a fair trial by my peers."
"Madam," the Emperor broke in because this interrogation was only making his position worse with the Patricians. She had not done anything specific. "We find it unusual that an abolitionist owns a slave. But the slave is unusual. And so is your conduct towards him. Your opinions matter only inasmuch as you offer comfort and support to radicals who would start civil unrest. More importantly, we have determined that jurisdiction here is not limited to the courts." A sigh of anxiety went around. Quickly the Emperor silenced them. "In fact, this matter is for the State Religious Court of which I am the Pontifex Maximus. Do you challenge this authority, woman?"
"No, your Majesty. But I don't understand the connection."
"This matter is related to the activity at the Sacred Ring. My duty is clear. The evil gods and their servants must never be allowed to come here again. We have evidence they are among us now. How these barbarians are connected to the matter is to be determined by me here and now. How you are connected, if you are connected, will also be determined by me now." He had no doubt she was involved. "I command you to answer all the questions fully and completely."
The Emperorlooked around the room to make certain he was in control. Ellie waited meekly, although she was boiling. The crowd shifted restlessly but no one spoke.
"Madam, where did you go last year on your travels?"
"I went abroad to visit many places."
"You were curious to see barbarians and their lands?"
"Yes, sire."
Maybe Jack was right. Maybe it was time for them to learn the truth. The crowd was astonished, murmuring in surprise.
"You admit to going beyond our borders?" She nodded. "Well, that is not a crime." He held up his hand to quell the crowd. "Did you meet this slave on that journey?"
"Yes, sire. I did."
The crowd became agitated. The Praetorian Guards had to settle them down, while the Herald banged his staff for order.
"If I may explain." She waited for his consent, before continuing. "Sire, may I introduce to you Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr. Daniel Jackson."
Ellie gestured for them to join her. The Emperor nodded his permission. They were permitted to come and kneel beside her. Everyone could see the friendship.
"This man is a high officer of his people, a leader of men. Colonel O'Neill is a gallant honorable warrior. He saved my life when real barbarians kidnapped me. Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr. Jackson did not rest until I was safe. Colonel O'Neill rescued me and nursed me back to health."
The press would have a field day with that news. Ellie kept her eyes forward, judging the moment.
"Sire, he is the love of my life."
Pandemonium erupted in the audience. Jack couldn't believe his ears. The guard had to quell the uproar. The Herald banged away for a long time. Ellie maintained a calm visage. The Emperor closed his eyes to slits in his displeasure. Finally, the proceedings resumed with Ellie's questioning.
"Tell us more about your abduction, Matrona," ordered the Consul."We would know how ignorant barbarians would treat a civilized Roman woman."
"Sire, these men are not barbarians. Dr. Daniel Jackson has several advanced university degrees. He helped to coordinate the search. He traveled great distances to use his knowledge to figure out where I might be held. Major Griff and the others over there searched far and wide to find where I was taken. They attacked the barbarian who had nearly killed me, killing him instead. I would be dead but for those you call barbarians. They are anything but barbaric. They are kind, talented, educated people who showed me more mercy than we have shown to them."
The crowd became unsettled. The guards had to shut them up before the proceeding could continue. The Emperor lost his patience at the crowd warning them that for the next outburst he would clear the room.
"What is your interest in the barbarian sent to the gladiators?"
"His name is Teal'c. Teal'c helped Colonel O'Neill save my life. In his arms, Teal'c carried me unconscious a great distance to receive medical help. I owe these men my life. These fine people only came to visit me. And look at how we treated them. Sire, the only crime is how badly we behaved toward them."
Ellie held out her hand to Jack. He took it and kissed it. He had no words for her fearlessness. She was magnificent. Ellie looked at him with resignation. She had forced the issue now. Still she wondered about revealing all.
The spectators could not contain themselves over the last statement. The Praetorian Guard forced the room to empty. The Herald continued to call for order. Finally, the room was quiet without the spectators present. Only the Emperor, the consul, the herald, the governor, the priests, and the Praetorian guard remained with the prisoners.
"Madam, you have admitted to conspiring with barbarians."
"Sire, what conspiracy is that to want to live in peace, to go home to one's family, to love and be loved?" Ellie looked up to him with her appeal.
"Foolish woman, I have no doubt that you unwisely love this man. You have been deceived and are part of a conspiracy with servants of the Evil Gods. The gladiator is a Jaffa. We both know you understand what that is." The Emperor picked up the zat. "This is the weapon of a Jaffa. And this," he held out his hand, "is the one found in your bedroom. So the only question left in my mind is whether or not you or any of these men present are now the Evil Ones in person."
The Emperor motioned to the guards. They brought forward Drusilla who knelt behind Ellie but facing the Emperor.
"Your own servant tells us that you have special abilities. As Pontifex Maximus I am privy to knowledge about these Evil Gods, the Goa'uld. You will show me the back of your neck."
Ellie gasped. This was a problem. While on Earth abducted by a Goa'uld, he had snaked her. Instantly, the symbiote died in her because of the tremendous amount of symbiote poison in her system. But she carried the scar from it. The Emperor motioned for the guard to bend her neck. She quickly removed her headdress. Rough hands turned her around.
"Sire, I bear the mark. But the creature is dead."
She showed her scar. Jack knew she had one but didn't like to think about it. And he had one too. The guard bent his neck forward next. He bore the scar from Hathor's symbiote, which never blended with him but crawled out in the cryogenic tank and died. The Tok'ra Kanan had entered and exited through O'Neill's mouth and left no scar. The priests sucked in their breaths at the signs of entry.
"Oh for crying out loud, she's not a Goa'uld. None of us are. We are explorers. She had a Goa'uld but it's dead. Mine never blended with me and crawled out of me. It's dead too." He surveyed the looks of horror and disbelief. They were really in trouble if she didn't get them out of here. "If we were Goa'ulds, which we aren't (feel free to jump in here anytime Dannyboy) why would we let you capture us?" He looked around and grimaced at Daniel. "Fine, you want to kill somebody, kill me. But leave her out of this."
"Insolent." The Emperor clicked open the zat and let O'Neill have a full blast. He took it hard and went down jerking and groaning until he passed out.
"Sire, please hear me." Daniel tried to help. "You are a learned man. You obviously know about the Goa'uld. We are not the Goa'uld. We fight them. They took my wife. And now, she is dead because of them. I hate the Goa'uld. Our friend, Teal'c, does not serve them anymore. He left them to work with us to defeat them. He is a good man. But if you don't put his symbiote back in his pouch he will die. I appeal to your mercy and great wisdom."
The Emperor considered the request. Then he unloaded the zat on Daniel.
"Now where are the other two who came with them? There were eight."
Ellie didn't answer immediately. So the Emperor discharged the zat on Major Griff and each man in succession. Then he pointed it at her. She didn't flinch. So he pointed the zat at O'Neill who was just beginning to come around. She understood he knew that two shots would kill.
"Sire, I am innocent. I am not a Goa'uld. Please, may I speak with you in private? What I have to tell you should not be heard by lesser men. The ones you seek are too far away and will never be seen again. I swear this to you on my beloved's life."
"I am not interested in a woman's deceptions. You will submit to examination by the High Priest of the Temple of the Sacred Ring."
"Sire, I demand to be examined by the High Priest." Gasps were audible as astonished witnesses reacted in disbelief. "I invoke my right to the Trial of Innocence at the Sacred Ring." Jack managed to open his eyes and listen to the exchange.
"You would do well to honor your family by taking your own life so that your property will pass to them and not be confiscated by the crown. You may take poison or let your veins out in a bath as you please. A woman is not entitled to death by the sword."
"Oh, no. Ellie, no. Get us out of here." Lying on his back, Jack pleaded with her. She ignored him.
"I am innocent. Let the Sacred Ring decide who is innocent. I invoke the ancient rite before all those here and for these men as is my privilege for those under my protection." Ellie looked at Dru significantly. She gasped. "Everyone. But bind not my hands as I freely choose to go as is my right according to my rank and as a sign of my declaration of innocence."
"So be it," ordered the Emperor. "Tomorrow afternoon, the truth will be told. Take them away and transport them to the Ring at first light."