Chapter 37
End of the Battle
SHIP
It was decided that some of the Rebel Jaffa would clean up the scene of the fighting, disposing of the body of the Goa'uld and confirm to the villagers that they were now free to make their own decisions. The Jaffa would protect them, shuttle them and their good around to the other villages and trade with them as well. They planned to use the excess of the harvest to supplement the settlements of the new Rebel Jaffa bases. The people below would be free to pursue their own lives without interference.
Then all the SG teams, including the now intact SG-1, as well as Cyn'ac and many of his men took one of the cargo ships back to the Ha'tak.
The Rebel Jaffa took possession of the Ha'tak as their booty and would use it as a buffer to protect the planet below.
As soon as Thor was informed the brief fight was over, Carter and O'Neill were retrieved and all combatant were safe, he wished Jacob Carter well and transported him to the Ha'tak. Thor sent a brief message of greeting to the rescued soldiers and with that the Asgard ship departed for the ultimate battle with the insidious Replicators.
Jacob arrived to a garrulous crowd of soldiers celebrating a successful mission. Jacob was there to greet the victorious warriors but most especially his long lost daughter. And there was his daughter smiling at a tall bearded stranger who looked back with affection… it was O'Neill. She looked healthy and happy. She was safe and headed home. What more could a father want.
Jacob saw something in the glances between O'Neill and his daughter and he realized it was something he had already known. He felt a deep contentment down to his very bones and a stinging in his eyes. He heard Selmak call him a maudlin old man and felt her swell of joy and contentment as well. Jack glanced at Jacob nodded and smiled. Jacob returned the gesture, an understanding between the two men.
Meeting up with the contingent left to guard the ship the soldiers traded information. The returning heroes told the details of their victory and those left on board told of their discoveries. It seemed Belial was skimming. The ship's hole was filled with tons upon tons of ore. The assorted consumables and poorer grade ore had been shipped out to Ba'al while the almost pure grade ore filled the Ha'tak. This wealth of minerals could be used to trade with the Tau'ri for tretonin and make the Rebel Jaffa feel less like beggars.
A few of the Jaffa left on board by Belial asked to join the free Jaffa. They as well as Jalrow, the Tokra were bound hand and foot. The young Jaffa did not know whom they could trust and so trusted no one.
Jalrow spoke up from his place on the cargo hole floor "Selmak would you mind freeing me." Jacob was relieved to see his friend. He would be of great help in integrating the villagers and Jaffa and protecting all from an unsuspecting Ba'al. Hopefully protect Jalrow's cover as well.
Jacob asked Jalrow if he knew about Belial's skimming.
"Of course I kept separate accounts for Ba'al and for Belial"
"Two sets of books?"O'Neill asked.
"He had other cashes of ore on the planet."
Dixon asked Cyn'ac if they could have samples of the ore for their report.
"Show and Tell?" O'Neill asked as Cyn'ac hefted a fist sized chunk of ore to Dixon.
The thing weighed a ton so smaller samples of gold, and naquadah were obtained.
Jalrow led them to a few crates of raw crystals yet to be shaped and formatted.
Jack felt a slap on his shoulder, he turned to see Jacob Carter grinning at him.
"Thanks Jack."
O'Neill brushed the words off and said "Thank you for the rescue, I see it was a concerted effort."
"You gotta thank Teal'c and Daniel and Hammond for that."
"Stickin' around?" Jack asked.
"No unfortunately got to go mend some fences. I appreciate you looking out for my little girl."
"Who's to say she didn't look out for me."
Jacob smiled and said "I'm still holding you to your promise."
Jack nodded. "Will do Jacob."
"And Jack don't wait too long." With that Jacob was gone back to Sam's side.
"Sorta Belial's ace in the hole if things went south for Ba'al." Dixon said looking over the vast stock piles of ore.
"What's been happening since we've been away? Win the war yet?" Jack asked.
"Sure Jack, actually can't do it without you, glad your back."
"What have you been up to?"
"Oh you know, ruins here, false leads there. You're in luck though, while you were lounging around on the farm you haven't missed the reporter. I hear he's due any day now and Hammond is irritated." Dixon said.
"Oh crap." Jack smacked himself on his forehead.
"You sure you want us to take you back?" Dixon asked with a smile.
After briefly reconnecting with his daughter Jacob Carter reluctantly took his leave. He had to find out just what was going on with the Tok'ra. He needed to assure this fragile alliance didn't fall apart. The galaxy was too dangerous place for this allies to be sniping at one another.
As soon as Jacob exited through the Stargate it was again dial this time to Earth. The rebel Jaffa raised their staff weapons in salute and all the SG teams, the now complete SG-1 included, saluted them in return, then gated home.
The entire base was anxious awaiting the return of the special rescue mission but none more than General Hammond. So much political capital had been spent but more so the lives of so many of his brave and loyal men and women had been placed in jeopardy. When the Stargate began to spin everyone stood stock still waiting for word, waiting for word of success, waiting for the return of all. The down the ramp they trod ever last one, hale and hearty, smiling and Carter and O'Neill in their midst. The general took a breath, mumbled thanks to the universe and welcomed his errant children home. He looked O'Neill up and down and try as he might failed to keep the amused smile off his face.
"Welcome home, son. And you too Major Carter." The general was actually grinning.