Chapter 33
How close can someone be to a line and not cross it? the being asked himself in the quiet of the infirmary. They had landed at the helipad and headed back to the SGC at all possible speed. All of SG-1 had still been drowsy and Daniel had moved from the chopper to the car still half-asleep and dozed on the way to the base. They went through the security checkpoints and all four of them woke up enough to head inside. The elevator ride seemed to wake Sam, Jack and Teal'c up at least, for once they reached the level housing the infirmary they marched Daniel off for an exam with Janet. They were met there by General Hammond, who was beaming.
"Welcome back, SG-1. How did it go?"
"One space monkey, sir," Jack said, grinning. "Signed, sealed, delivered."
Hammond turned his attention to Daniel. "Welcome back, Dr. Jackson. Good to see you."
"Daniel" smiled and pointed at the man wearing BDUs. "That one, General."
Hammond looked from one to the other, surprised. "Weren't you wearing BDUs earlier?"
"We pulled a Trojan horse," the being explained. "The Ashah had to think I was Daniel."
"I see," Hammond said, not sounding as if he saw it in the least. "Well, congratulations and welcome back."
"He was injured, sir, but he says he doesn't need to see Janet," Jack said, fighting down a grin.
The being glared at him. "I don't," he insisted. "I'm just fine."
"Isn't it base policy that all teams have physicals when they return from a mission?" Jack wanted to know, perfectly happy to be mischievous.
Both Daniels glared at him.
"I doubt he's going to quit until Janet sees all of you," Hammond said.
Jack's smile faded. "Sir?"
"Report to the infirmary, SG-1."
Now it was Jack's turn to complain that he was fine, but he submitted to the exam with good grace. Janet said he was fine, just as he'd said. Jack, Sam and Teal'c were fine as well and they were allowed to debrief with the general, but Janet kept Daniel in the infirmary.
"Janet, I'm fine," Daniel said impatiently.
"I know you feel fine, but I would prefer to have you here where I can keep an eye on you," she said. "Humor me. Please."
So Daniel humored her and agreed to sleep in the infirmary. Nurses tiptoed around his bed on their assigned tasks and everyone was careful to stay quiet so Daniel could sleep. The being left only long enough to debrief with the general and with that man's permission he returned to the infirmary, anxious to be with Daniel.
As he entered the room Janet looked up from the folder she was looking through. "He hasn't budged or even twitched. To all appearances, he's just sleeping."
"That's good," the being said. "He'll be very tired for the next few days and when he wakes up he'll be hungry. Other than that, he should be fine."
"Good to know," Janet said. "What about the Ashah?"
"My people are dealing with them right now," he said, sitting down in a chair next to Daniel's bed.
"What about the rest of SG-1?"
"Still debriefing," he admitted. "The general wants the story told from each viewpoint, and he already has mine, so I came back down here."
"Would you like anything to eat or drink?" she asked, wondering if he needed anything.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you, though."
"All right. I have some work to do in my office but call me if you or Daniel need anything, Being."
He nodded his thanks and looked at the sleeping man. Looking at him brought him back to his question. How close could someone be to a line and not cross it? Couldn't what he was doing be considered on a par with the deeds of the Ashah? After all, his race and the Ashah were both meddling with another species and on each side they were claiming to do so with the best of intentions. Wasn't what he was doing just as bad as what the Ashah had already done? He and his race had interfered, just as the Ashah had interfered. Wasn't it the same thing?
His first instinct was to say no, it wasn't the same thing at all. The Ashah were trying to influence the human race evolutionally rather than…what could their influence be called? Personal influence? He wasn't sure. Still, they were interacting with a race that could still panic at the knowledge that there was other life—life that was untold times more powerful than humans—out in the universe. Some people would take the news well, some would panic, some would be suspicious, and some people would decide that the arrival of alien beings was a sure sign of Armageddon.
The whole situation was not going to be easy in the future. He only hoped that the humans would be ready for it. In the past people had panicked at the odd signs of other life in the universe, and the human imagination had painted that other life as hostile towards humans. Why so many people had thought other beings were inherently hostile to humans was beyond him, but he had seen snippets of human popular culture in Daniel's mind. Clips of old sci-fi thrillers, the covers of comic books, and posters about alien abduction were everywhere.
Perhaps we ought to take it as a warning, the being thought. I know Daniel and the people of the SGC aren't like that, but what about the rest of the planet? There are no overt movements against aliens, but then again, most people believe extraterrestrials to be science fiction.
His head hurt.
Daniel shifted in his sleep and made a noise that was surprisingly close to a moan, so the being took the man's hand and sent warmth and reassurance into the physical contact. Daniel quieted and buried his head in the pillows, calm once more.
When a problem seems to be without a solution, examine it from another viewpoint. An old lesson from his teachers came back to him and thankful for their wise advice, he began to look at the problem again. Technically, humans had met his people already. The humans of the SGC had met him. All right, there was one point. Also, who could say that their first reactions would be violent? Popular culture was just that—popular culture, and most of it was entertainment. Aliens were often the "unknown threat" in stories because they were…well, alien and unknown. In earlier stories the unknown threats had been fairies and ghosts. Who knew how the humans would really react when they met beings from another world? Perhaps the SGC could help arrange an easy transition for the Earth. All told, it might be a good thing. Knowing they were not alone in the universe might unite humanity and help them to work toward peace in their own conflicts. Okay, point two.
The third point he was considering was more difficult. Could his and his people's actions be considered interference? Was what they were doing right? What would the consequences of their actions be in the years to come? Not only were they working on Earth, but now they were working heavily on Ashah. Could they justify what they were doing? Yes, they were keeping a more powerful race from interfering with the Tau'ri, but could what they were doing also be considered interference?
"Stop that."
He was actually startled. He'd been so deep in his thoughts that he hadn't realized Daniel had woken up and was now looking at him through sleepy eyes. "Stop what?"
"Stop fretting."
"I wasn't fretting; I was thinking," he corrected. "There's a difference."
"You were turning your 'thinking' into 'fretting' there," Daniel said lightly. "So, what were you 'thinking' about?"
The being gave him a look but Daniel kept a light smile on his face. "I was thinking about whether what we were doing here was justified. Whether it was right, or whether it was an instance of interference on our part."
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing," Daniel said.
Certain he was quoting something, the being waited.
"It's a quote that's most commonly attributed to Edmund Burke. He was a British political writer and statesman in the 1700s. What it means is that evil will triumph unless good people do something to stop it."
"I see," the being said. "You're saying that my people stepping in kept the Ashah from doing more evil?"
"Exactly. You might wonder if you did the right thing and I tell you that you did. Consider this: the Ashah felt that they were doing nothing wrong. What if they had begun to do more and more that they didn't feel was wrong? Wasn't it better to stop them now instead of letting them continue on until they would have been too hard to stop?"
"Stop a snowball before it becomes an avalanche?" the being said. "I see your point. However, what I'm worried about is something a little different. What if we decide to become a…police force, if you will…for the rest of the universe? Step in and try to fix something just because we think it's wrong?"
"I think the Ashah were already trying to do that," Daniel pointed out. "We weren't living up to our potential, you know."
The being felt his mind moving at a fast speed. Yes, that was right. That was exactly right. Still… "How will we know if we have stepped in where it wasn't warranted?"
"I have a feeling you'll know on your own through your own conscience," Daniel said. "You haven't done anything wrong and already your conscience is bothering you."
The being smiled. "Thank you, Daniel."
"You're welcome."
Daniel was quiet and he looked so odd that the being had to ask. "You've helped me with what was troubling me, now will you permit me the privilege to do the same for you?"
Daniel looked at him. "Will you tell me what will happen to the Ashah?"
The being considered this. "Yes. I can do better than that, though. I can show you. I can show you everything that's happened so far and everything that's happening this very minute. All it would take would be for you to open your mind to me again."
"Like the reading?"
"Yes, like that."
Daniel nodded. "I'd like that."
The being nodded and stretched out on the bed next to Daniel and wrapped his arms around him. It should have been odd, being held by…well, himself, but in the next instant the oddness faded and the old familiarity of the being returned and he relaxed. The being had been his friend for a while now and there was no reason to fear him now.
Ease and comfort spread through him and his entire body relaxed. His eyes closed and complete lassitude took over just as the being touched his mind.
Hello, Daniel. Ah, I've missed you, youngling, the being said.
I've missed you, too, Daniel confessed.
They fell back into the old ease of two friends while the being showed Daniel exactly what he needed to do in order for this "seeing" to work. The being marveled once again at the amount of pure trust in Daniel—it was a compliment to how much Daniel trusted him when Daniel opened his mind without a qualm. An instant later and they were seeing Ashah and everything that had happened since they had been returned home.
"What is going on?" Ara demanded, seeing the familiar surroundings of the compound where the humans had been kept.
"You have been returned home," a voice said. "It has been decided that you have done too much harm to the humans you have selected to 'protect.' You will remain here and you will learn better ways than the ways you have used until now."
"By what right are you doing this?" Lar snapped. "How dare you--!"
"By the same right you exercised when you kidnapped several sentient and sapient beings from their homeworld," the same voice interrupted. "One of those beings, Daniel, has asked that you be treated leniently."
Something in the voice's tone told the Ashah that this was serious.
"Show yourself," Ban ordered.
They waited but they saw nothing.
"Show yourself!" Ban demanded. "What are you? Where are you?"
"We are here," said the voice.
"Then why won't you show yourself?"
"You did not ask."
Ara blinked. "Yes, we did."
"No, you didn't," the voice countered.
Daniel could see that Ara was thinking very quickly. "Would you please show yourself?"
The request did it. Five beings appeared in all of their glowing beauty and more than one of the Ashah gasped.
"I'd almost forgotten," Ara said. "The one in Daniel's mind said that you would step in if you felt it was warranted."
"It was warranted, Ara," the voice--which being was it coming from?--told him sadly.
Lar snorted. "I don't think it was. You're interfering where you have no cause to interfere!"
"So were you," the voice pointed out. "You did harm."
"We were trying to help!" Lar insisted.
"You gave more harm than help," the voice insisted just as strongly. "In the past, your people have usually been the stronger when it came to dealing with other races. This strength has led you to think it is superiority, rather than just strength. You must learn and realize that strength is not always superior."
Ara was starting to look very worried. "What do you mean?"
"We mean that we will teach you. We will help you come to understand what it is that you've done wrong and we will help you learn better ways."
"Who is to say that your ways are better?" Steaira asked uncertainly. "It may be that your ways will not be good for us."
"They are ways that will harm no one," the voice inisisted.
There are only five of them. It was Lar's voice and he seemed to be speculating on if it were possible to overpower the beings.
"I would not try it, Lar," the voice said.
Lar choked. "You can read our minds?"
"As easily as you can read the minds of the humans, especially when you think loud."
"They're our minds; they're private!" Iri protested.
"Did you grant that privacy to the humans?" the voice asked. "You did not. Therefore, your minds will not be secret to us."
"B-but th-that isn't r-right!" Iri spluttered. "That isn't fair!"
"But that is the way things are for now," the voice told them. It seemed to be coming from the center being. "We will live here with you, we will order your days, we will teach you, we will punish you when you do wrong, and hopefully, we will help you learn better ways of gaining what you want without interfering with other races."
"But it was all for the best--" Ara began.
"For whom?" the voice wanted to know. "Was it the best for the humans or for yourselves?"
Silence.
"I think it was the best for all concerned," Pater said hesitantly into the quiet.
The beings turned their attention to him. "How so?" asked the center being.
"We would gain a chance to continue to exist as a species and the humans would reach their potential."
The center being raised an eyebrow. "And what potential would that be?"
There was something that had been implied and Daniel couldn't grasp it, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't like it once he understood.
"Our offspring will continue to live," Pater began, but Lar cut him off with a sharp "Pater!"
"Your offspring will continue to live if you were able to make advanced offspring of the Tau'ri for them to have as mates," the center being said. "Their race combined with yours--that is the great potential you saw for the Tau'ri."
He didn't like it. He didn't like it at all. He wished he'd never heard it. "Being? Could we stop? Please?"
Abruptly, they were no longer on Ashah, they were in his mind. Are you all right, Daniel?
No, Daniel admitted. I feel a little sick. That's like...that's like...How could they do that? Did you know that was what they were really planning?
No, I didn't, the being told him. I suspected that there was more than I was seeing, and their shields were good enough so that I could only sense the thoughts they were thinking at the moment I was reading them, but no, I didn't know. There were several times when I wished I were omniscient.
Daniel smiled. A lot of people have wished that. In stories, the people who gain omniscience consider it more of a curse than a blessing.
The being chuckled. I see. I will take it as a caution against foolish wishes.
Daniel was quiet for a moment before something occurred to him. How will you keep the Ashah on their planet? Can't they just...I don't know...fly off whenever they like?
They will find their abilities greatly curtailed, Daniel, the being said. They will not be able to leave their planet or travel until they have learned not to interfere with other races. Don't worry about it.
Daniel got quiet again and the being didn't have to ask to know that he was worrying. He'd hated what the Ashah had done to him and his fellow prisoners, but he was not a vindictive man. When he'd said that he wouldn't wish the same thing on anyone, he'd truly meant it. While thinking about a past event and coming to terms with it was good, that was not what Daniel was doing now. All he was doing was allowing worry to eat him up inside and that was just about pointless. The being knew he had to distract Daniel before he turned himself into a big knot with worry.
I would ask what the matter was, Daniel, but I think I already know. Is there anything I could do for you to help you feel better?
Daniel thought about it. He could always ask the being to bring forward a favorite memory so he could experience it again, but he wasn't certain he wanted that. No, he wanted...what was it? Would the being think it was too much? That was when Daniel realized the being was letting him think on his own without being in his head. He was giving him privacy. That was okay, but he really didn't want the being to leave him alone. What he really wanted was just company. Do you think you could stay with me? Keep me company?
Of course, the being said. Just in your mind or in the waking world?
Waking world, Daniel told him. Now that all this is settled I know you'll be heading home, so I'd better get used to you not being in my head.
I'll be around a while longer, the being promised. I have a strong feeling that General Hammond would love to have a long talk with me, most likely about the security of his base.
Daniel laughed. We might have to give you your own IDC.
I'd like that. I could come for visits and replenish my supply of power bars.
Would seeing a certain archeologist be a part of the reason for those visits?
Imp, the being said. Of course you would. You would be the main reason.
That was when Daniel became conscious of lying down with arms around him. Oh, yes, that was right. The being was lying on the same bed and was holding him. That was nice. When a hand smoothed his hair that was even nicer and he settled into his pillow with a sigh. It had been a long, long time since he'd been this relaxed.
Feel better? The being was communicating with him mind-to-mind, but the being's consciousness was in his own body. He wasn't leaving Daniel alone just yet.
Mmm-hmmm, Daniel admitted readily. This is nice.
There was gentle amusement from the being and Daniel sent back a silent query, confused by the amusement.
I'm amused because you look so much a child when you're asleep, the being told him.
The being was looking at him while he slept? Wait a moment. I'm not asleep, being.
Your eyes are closed, your breathing is regular, and your body is relaxed, the being replied. You look asleep.
Are any nurses lurking? Daniel asked, michief coloring his thoughts.
Several, the being admitted after searching with his mind for the presence of others. Why?
It's good to know. That way, I won't do anything heartbreakingly cute while I'm lying here and I won't have to put up with 'Oh, how cute!' more than I have to.
Another wave of amusement caught Daniel's attention but the being explained it before he could wonder about it. They find the fact that there's two of us curled up together to be very, very cute. I wonder if they can tell us apart? He paused and seemed to listen. Yes. They know I'm Being and that you're perfectly adorable.
Is that what they're thinking? Daniel asked, a bit alarmed.
More amusement. Oh, yes. They're thinking loud.
Oh, no. Could you make them go away?
The being's amusement was even greater now. What, don't you like having nurses fuss and flutter over you?
You make them sound like a flock of hens, Daniel told him. They're professionals and they do their jobs very well and they take great care of you when you're hurt or sick, but I really don't...well, if any of them do like me, I don't want them to get their hopes up that it might turn into something more. They're all very nice and they're attractive, but I just don't find them that attractive, you know?
I do know, the being said. You're very considerate, Daniel, but I don't think they would thank you for that consideration.
I can always hope, Daniel pointed out philosophically.
Someone entering the infirmary drew the being's attention and he smiled when he saw Colonel O'Neill. He was looking at the two of them with a quizzical expression, as if he weren't quite sure what he thought about what he was seeing. "Hi. What's all this?"
"Daniel asked me to keep him company."
Jack's eyebrows went up but he didn't comment. "Is he asleep?"
"Not quite, he's half-asleep and half-awake. I've been helping him relax. Would you like me to wake him up?"
"No, I just stopped by to see how he was doing. The general says that as soon as he feels up to it he can debrief and submit his report. Once that's done, he'll be allowed some time to begin recovering."
"Good to hear," the being said before turning his attention to Daniel. Daniel? Would you like to wake up and talk to Jack or would you like to go back to sleep?
I think I'd like to talk to Jack, if just to reassure him. He tends to worry.
All right. The being drew away from Daniel's mind and encouraged his body to wake up and in the next second Daniel's eyes opened and he spotted Jack. "Hi, Jack."
"Hey, Danny. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay, I wasn't really asleep, and I heard what you said."
The being took this opportunity to leave the infirmary to get Daniel and the colonel something to eat. Daniel would be hungry in a short while and Jack could do with having something, too. His last meal had been a few power bars fifteen hours ago. There were few people in the commissary at that time, so it didn't take him long to get a tray and load it with sandwiches and the men's favorite sweets. Sometimes a person dealing with a great deal of stress and fatigue responded well to a little gustatory pampering and he felt that it was called for in this instance.
"Daniel? You've already left the infirmary?"
"Hello, Major Carter," he said, seeing Sam crossing circumnavigating a table to reach him. "No, Daniel's in the infirmary talking with Colonel O'Neill and I felt they should have something to eat. Should I have asked an airman to come with me?" Too late he remembered the stringent security measures in place on the base.
"Well, I can be your escort now that I'm here. Aren't you eating?"
"I don't need to eat that often," the being told her, topping off the tray with two bottles of juice. "Do you think those two will agree to eat all this?"
Sam eyed the tray speculatively. "Maybe if you keep them distracted with something."
"I'll ask them for their opinions on hockey."
Sam laughed and headed back to the infirmary with the being. She was more than amused when she saw the being take her suggestion, and both men ate almost everything on the tray while they argued about the merits of hockey. Daniel didn't see much point to it while Jack regarded it as the finest sport in the world. More than once she had to stifle sudden laughter as the two of them butted heads over the topic, and she saw a glint of amusement in the being's eyes as well. Soon after the food was gone Daniel curled up in his bed again and went back to sleep without any prompting, and as one Jack and Sam looked at the being for an explanation.
"He's been stressed for a very long time, so he'll be tired. Dr. Frasier can tell you more about that."
"You didn't...you know, put him to sleep or something?"
The being shook his head. "No, that was all Daniel."
Jack didn't say anything as he covered his best friend with another blanket, but the being knew what he was thinking even without reading the colonel's mind: He'd better be okay, or I'm going to kick some Ashah tail.
The next morning Daniel debriefed to the general after a very hearty breakfast and an a-okay from Janet. Then, he went to his office, wrote and submitted his report, and then he wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. He could go home if he wanted as long as he remembered to report for his mandatory psych session tomorrow morning, but he really didn't want to. He didn't want to go into town, either. At least, he didn't want to go by himself, and all of his friends were busy. Sam, Jack, and Teal'c were all busy working. The being probably wouldn't be allowed off the base.
He was distracted from his thoughts when his phone rang, and it was good to pick it up and say, "Daniel Jackson."
"Hello, son," Hammond said over the line. "I forgot to ask you something while you were here."
"Oh, no problem," Daniel said. "What's up?"
"I think it would be a good thing if you got back into the real world for a little while, and the being was just here asking if it would be possible for him to see Colorado Springs. Do you think you could do him that favor?"
"Oh, sure," Daniel said, pleasantly surprised. "When?"
"I've sent him to your office, and I've already explained that he needs to be as human as he can be. He'll explain everything as soon as he sees you. Thanks, Dr. Jackson."
"Thank you, sir," Daniel said. "I wanted something to do and you've just given it to me on a silver platter."
"Happy to oblige, son."
Daniel hung up the phone in a much better frame of mind and not five minutes later...someone...stood in his doorway.
"I'd like to introduce myself," the man said. He was dressed in civvies but his haircut and bearing were all military. He took out an ID badge and looked at it. "Oh, that's right. I'm Lieutenant Michael Campbell, a visitor to Cheyenne Mountain Air Force base."
Daniel stared at him. "Being?" The voice sounded just like the one he was used to hearing in his head!
The man smiled. "You should call me 'Michael,' Daniel. Do I look all right?"
Daniel looked him up and down. "Yeah, you do. Better than all right. You look like a regular guy."
"That's good?"
"Very good," Daniel assured him. "You'll blend right in. So, what made you decide to see Colorado Springs? Haven't you already seen it?"
'Michael' looked thoughtful. "I have, but I've only seen it through your mind. I'd like to experience it, too. Also, my people are curious about your planet and I'd like to take back as much information as possible about it. Colorado Springs looks like a good place to start. Besides, a possible ally should be shown a little bit of a good time since he can't always be a serious diplomat."
Daniel blinked, surprised. "Possible ally? I thought your people felt we weren't ready for that yet."
"Your people aren't ready as a whole, it's true, but it's possible that the SGC is ready. The Council has already approved the move."
Daniel's face broke into a huge smile. "That's great! You'll be able to stay long enough to establish diplomatic relations!"
"And I'll be here long enough to spend some time with you when you aren't in a seige situation. I have to say, I'm looking forward to that."
"I am, too," Daniel admitted. "So, what would you like to do first?"
"How about we go into town and see what we can do when we get there?" Michael suggested. "I don't really know what the options are."
"I'm more than okay with that," Daniel said. Within twenty minutes he had changed into civvies, stashed his stuff in his locker, and led the being through the security checkpoints up to the surface and to his car. Fortunately, the SGC had kept it in their lot for when he came back. It was touching, seeing that little token of belief in him. With a full tank, no less! Within five minutes they drove out of the base and headed for town.
"I won't be able to talk mind-to-mind with you while I'm in this form, Daniel," Michael said. "I've suppressed most of myself so I'll seem human."
Daniel sneaked a glance at him. "I didn't know you could do that."
"It's something we don't do often since it takes so much effort to undo, but I think in this case the caution is warranted. I don't want to give myself away."
"Even if you hadn't suppressed most of yourself, I don't think you would," Daniel said as they reached the highway. "You're far too careful."
"Why, thank you, Daniel. I hope I can justify that impression."
"No justification needed."
Michael was quiet for a few minutes but then he spoke. "General Hammond asked me to tell you that you're to enjoy yourself as much as you can today and to relax. Also, he gave me an expense card and a mobile phone to use in case of an emergency."
"That was nice of him," Daniel said. "So, the base foots the bill for your day out?"
"He said that you deserved it as much as I did," Michael added. "Besides, isn't it normal for the host country to pay for things?"
Daniel laughed. "Yeah, it is. Almost forgot." Daniel realized how close they were to town and grinned. "If you'll look up ahead, Michael, you'll see your first glimpse of downtown."
Daniel watched the expression on his friend's face and fought down another grin. Oh, this was going to be fun.