It had been two days since Culsa had left and Samuda had returned to the Chappa'ai. Anann had managed to block their Chappa'ai by keeping it dialled since. Well you could say that she had kept it blocked but another description of events would be that she had wasted her time since Samuda did not have plans to dial out. If she had wished to dial out it would be within her capabilities since opening the Chappa'ai was determined merely by who could do it quicker, her or whoever Anann had dialling it.
Samuda found the situation mildly humorous however she knew that the Chappa'ai being constantly open had Mya'ac and the other Jaffa guarding the gate on a hair trigger.
However two days had passed and Samuda knew that Culsa was due to return. Looking at Mya'ac she gave the instruction, "Next time the gate closes dial Rudra."
Mya'ac was confused, wormholes created by the Chappa'ai were one way only. Dialling Rudra would not make it easier to retrieve Culsa. If anything it would make it harder. If Culsa was trying to return through the Chappa'ai there would be three people trying to dial rather than two which would surely mean that he would have a harder time."
Mya'ac was thankful the Samuda understood her confusion and explained, "By dialling Rudra we can send a messenger telling Culsa to dial when the Chappa'ai closes. Once we have the Chappa'ai open Culsa will have the advantage since he can begin to dial home as soon as the Chappa'ai closes while Anann will not know when the Chappa'ai closes."
Mya'ac nodded "I understand."
Ten minutes passed and Mya'ac stood ready to dial the Chappa'ai. She knew the gate was due to close and as it did she immediately began dialling Rudra. Before she could complete the dialling sequence an incoming wormhole was established. "Damn it" she cried out.
Samuda tried to reassure the Jaffa. "Do not be concerned, there is not an immediate need to have Culsa present."
Gerak looked at his new commander. Culsa had stalked off away from the Chappa'ai and was firing his staff weapon randomly at trees. The rest of the Jaffa had remained at the Chappa'ai however he had followed Culsa. He had to say something just to draw attention to himself so that Culsa would know that he had followed. "Nice aim sir."
Culsa let off a stream of profanity which Gerak ignored unflinchingly, "What is wrong sir."
Culsa growled "The Chappa'ai did not connect. I am concerned."
Gerak shook his head, "Surely there is no need to be concerned about our new God."
Culsa didn't know what to do, he didn't want to come out spraying religious rhetoric, like he felt that he should, and he didn't feel capable of lying to the younger warrior, however Culsa didn't want to walk away from his duty to his lord. Someone who Gerak would have to Call God. "Even Gods do need help and I have not been there to provide it." Was the answer Culsa decided upon.
Culsa was convinced something was wrong, that Anann had continued her attack, that Mya'ac at the gate had been overwhelmed, that Samuda, Furkas, Kerak and Mya'ac had died. When Alloa's world had been attacked by Morigan's fleet Culsa had left behind his family. His sisters were married and his brothers and father in service to Alloa or to another Goa'uld in her service. His brothers were like he had been, fanatics. He knew in his heart that they had died when Morigan's forces attacked.
Now he was faced with the threat of losing what had become in many ways a second family. The long Tel'tak journey to Rudra, and the stresses of combat had bonded them together. Had Anann killed them.
Culsa was at the Chappa'ai, he had been there for six hours dialling out every ten minutes, and he as the time went on his desperation was mounting.
Suddenly the Chappa'ai opened and a Jaffa walked out, a Jaffa he knew, a Jaffa he had recruited to Samuda's service. Silently he thanked whatever true higher power that there was while waiting for the Jaffa to talk.
"Culsa! Anann is attempting to block the Chappa'ai by dialling the Chappa'ai. Lord Samuda claims that we will have an advantage when the Chappa'ai closes. Since Anann will not know that it is closed we will be able to dial in."
Culsa nodded understanding the point that the Jaffa was making and settled himself down at the dialling platform. As the wormhole winked out of existence Culsa quickly dialled the Chappa'ai, calling out to the Jaffa, "Through the Chappa'ai."
Gerak and the other new recruits sprinted through the Chappa'ai as he called out the order.
As Culsa walked through the Chappa'ai following his recruits, his new comrades all that he could about was that it would be good to be home.
AN Yay 25,000 words written.
