So sorry for the long delay in writing. I try, but my job gets crazy sometimes and I just don't have the energy to write! I hope you are all staying well.
"Is there anything else you would like to know, Jack O'Neill?" asked Councilwoman Alethea.
"Do our folks on Earth know we're here?" he asked.
"They know," Deimos snapped. "Although we did not tell them where our world is located. We do not believe the people of Earth are ready for that information."
"Great," Jack muttered, rolling his eyes. "Here we go again." He looked up at the Furling Councilor. "Uh – why not?" he asked. "We've travelled the whole galaxy, we rid it of the Goa'uld – which no other races were able to do over thousands of years! We saved the damned Asgard – before they all decided to kill themselves – as well as lots of other races. So tell me again, why we're not ready?"
Deimos looked angry, although before he had a chance to speak Ikaros spoke up.
"It is not that we do not trust the Tauri," he explained, "it is just that our peace was hard won, and our people are not sure whether we are ready to reestablish relationships with others in the galaxy."
Oulixes laughed – silently of course – and then sneered. He had said little of nothing since they'd arrived, although the way he sat gave clear evidence of his feelings towards the Tauri.
Jack turned to him. "Something is funny? Want to share it with the rest of us?"
Sam glanced at him in surprise. She hadn't heard that tone of voice from Jack since – well – since he'd talked to the Goa'uld, years ago. In fact, she hadn't really heard it now, since he was "think speaking" but she could still understand his tone. She could tell he was pissed, as was she, but they were in a precarious situation and she didn't want them to make these people mad.
Oulixes raised an eyebrow, but then he relaxed and sat forward in his chair. "I am happy to share," he responded. "I laughed because you have to spend time justifying yourselves – which serves no purpose. You are a young race with much to learn. There is nothing you can offer to the Furling so this whole conversation is useless."
This time it was Jack who laughed – which seemed to irritate Oulixes. "Hey, you're the ones who brought us here and wanted to talk," he said. "We just want to go home, especially since you say there's nothing we can offer – not that we did – offer anything that is. Just point us in the right direction and we'll be out of your hair in no time!"
His words caused a number of the Councilors to look worried, although Sam noticed that Oulixes and Deimos, rather than looking concerned, appeared angry. She wondered what that was about.
"If you wish to return home, of course we will arrange it," Councilwoman Phaidra told them, "although we wish you would stay a while longer. Contrary to what my colleagues have said, we believe there is much we can learn from the Tauri." She took a breath and glanced at her colleagues – many of whom seemed to nod, while a few of them continued to look angry – or worried.
Phaidra continued. "Most of us have determined that it is time for us to rejoin the galaxy," she said. "For many years we have remained isolated, as we repaired our worlds and as our people healed. But now we feel it is time to once more take our place in the universe. We have spoken to the Nox, who have urged us to again reinstate our alliance. They have suggested that we also join with the Tauri – to our mutual benefit."
"You keep saying "we" Phaidra," Deimos interrupted. "But there are many of us that do not agree. We believe that Furlin is much safer and healthier on our own. We do not need these," he indicated the two humans, contempt in his voice. "Good for them that they have rid the galaxy of the Goa'uld – but that simply means they are a warring race. We have given that up and have worked hard for peace. I say we send them back and do not establish a treaty with them. They will bring us nothing but anguish!"
Jack glanced at Sam and shrugged. He didn't like Deimos at all – but had some sympathy for his desire for Furlin to stay isolated. There were definitely some days when he thought it would have been better for Earth to remain ignorant of the rest of the galaxy. But then he thought of all they had learned – of all the amazing beings they had met – and he knew that he would not wish to return to those days. At the same time, he understood the desire of many not to want to open what could be Pandora's box.
"Look," Jack said then, "I understand that this is a difficult decision for all of you – and it's not up to Sam or me to try and convince you one way or the other. If you do choose to reach out to Earth to establish a treaty, then we'd be happy to present that to our leaders. If you want to stay isolated, then we'll respect that. We are not the ones with an agenda here."
The Councilors spent a few minutes talking to one another – at least that's what Sam figured was going on, although she couldn't "hear" anything. When she looked at Jack he shrugged.
"They must be whispering to each other," he said.
"They can whisper?" she chuckled.
"Well, somehow they're keeping us from hearing them." He frowned. "Or I guess not hearing them but – uh – hell, what should we call it?"
"Uh – thinking them?"
"No – sounds weird. Well, I guess mind-hearing them then. I wonder what they're saying?"
"They're arguing about whether they want to deal with the Tauri or not," she suggested.
"Probably. I wonder if they realize that they haven't asked us if we want to deal with them?" he pointed out.
"You don't think Washington would be interested?" she asked in surprise.
"Oh yeah, they would be. I mean the healing device alone would be worth a treaty. In fact their technology in general seems more advanced than ours, so it would be worthwhile."
"If they share it," she pointed out.
"Mmm," he agreed, "although they would have to offer something. It's not like we need them to fight the Goa'uld or anyone else."
"I expect they need us more than we need them," she agreed. When he looked at her with a question on his face she continued. "To communicate. It sounds like they can't communicate with others in the galaxy."
"They said they talked to the Nox."
"True – but didn't they say they had to use some kind of technology for that? They did say that the Ancients were the only people they could talk to."
"What about you?" he reminded her. "You're not Ancient so it must be something other than the damn gene."
"Maybe it's humans in general," she suggested. "That would make it even more advantageous to them – if we could all speak to them."
"Maybe," he agreed. "Well, we'll just have to see who wins this fight," he said, nodding to the Councilors who were still communicating with one another.
It was rather strange watching what was obviously an intense debate between people who didn't say a word. Their expressions were telling, however, with some appearing angry, others looking worried and some obviously trying to mediate between the two sides.
Finally Councilor Elpis held up her hand and then faced the two humans. "Our apologies," she said. "We do not mean to be rude, but there are important matters for us to discuss. Please know that none of this has anything to do with you personally but is a discussion that we have debated many times recently over the future of our civilization."
"Hey – no worries. We've had these debates too. Just – talk among yourselves," Jack said, waving his hands about. "We'll just sit here and take it easy."
Sam choked back a laugh, and wouldn't look at him during his comment. How she'd missed this part of him.
"It would be inhospitable of us to make you stay while we continue our discussion," Elpis told them. "I am sure you must be hungry. I have called for my assistant Kore to take you home to where you may rest and partake of sustenance."
"That would be lovely," Sam replied, for the first time speaking to the Council. She received a smile from a couple of them, so didn't think it was a problem to have spoken. Fortunately they didn't seem to be at all sexist, which was a nice change from many of the planets they'd visited.
They waited for a few minutes for the maidservant to appear. When Kore arrived she indicated that they were to follow her. After saying a quick "goodbye" to the Council, both Sam and Jack left with the young woman.
"Well this is a relief," Jack said, as they exited the chamber. "One thing is clear, however," he said.
"What's that?"
"Politicians are the same across the whole universe," he snorted. "What a pain in the ass! Why don't they just let us go home? You know, I've dealt with too many politicians and bureaucrats for the last twenty years and I'm ready to retire and buy a dog!"
"Hey, what about me?" she reminded him.
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. "You're a given," he told her. "You don't make me want to Zat you into oblivion!"
"You don't have a Zat," she reminded him.
"I know – more's the pity!"
They were walking through some of the streets of the city – admiring the beautiful architecture as they walked. Everything was clean and there were plants and flowers everywhere. It really was a gorgeous city – although the quiet was still eerie.
There were people about – many of whom stared at them as they walked past. But no one was unfriendly and they certainly didn't look frightened at the two visitors.
"Do people know about us?" Jack suddenly asked Kore.
She glanced at him, a frown on her face. "Yes," was all she replied. That caused Jack to raise his brows at Sam and to comment out loud - "A little testy."
"Do they know we're from Earth?" he pushed Kore.
"Yes."
"I see – and what do they think about us?" he asked.
Kore glanced at Jack, clearly uncomfortable talking to him. Sam watched her carefully – getting the feeling that the young woman didn't like them. Why that would be, she couldn't fathom, especially as her mistress had been very friendly.
"I do not know," she answered shortly.
"What do you think about us," Sam suddenly asked.
That caused Kore to stop and she looked briefly at Sam before starting to walk again. "I think we should stay to ourselves," she answered. "No good can come of dealing with the Tauri."
"Why?" Jack wanted to know. "What harm could come from meeting new people?"
"We are fine the way we are," she told him. "We are at peace – we are a pure race. We do not need to be contaminated by others."
"Whoa!" Jack stopped and stared at the young woman. He then turned to Carter and spoke to her again out loud so the Furling woman wouldn't understand. "That does not sound good!" he said.
"No, it doesn't. It sounds like there is a faction here that believes in racial purity."
"Shades of Euronda or Nazi Germany," he said, sounding uncharacteristically serious. "I think the sooner we get out of here, the better."
"But it may only be a small faction," she reminded him. "I mean, we have those people at home too, but they're not the majority."
"I know – but that's our world and we have to deal with it. I don't know if I want to get into this fight on another world."
"No – I don't either. Well, maybe they'll let us go now. I will miss the food though."
"Yeah," Jack sighed, "Me too."
Just then they arrived at a two story building. It was similar in architecture to those around it, but this one looked as if it could be a private home. There was a beautiful garden in front and the air was fragrant with the smell of flowers.
Sam took a deep breath. "I'll miss this too," she said. "Everything here seems more alive, more vibrant than on Earth."
Kore led them up the short path to the front door and then placed her hand on an oval plate set in the wall. The door opened – silently – and she waved them inside.
They walked into what was definitely a private home. It was lovely – with tall ceilings, large windows looking out into the garden, and simple yet elegant furniture.
"Please, have a seat," Kore gestured to what must have been the living room. Sam and Jack walked forward, glancing around at the home, and then sat down.
"This is lovely," Sam said to the young woman, hoping to soften her. Kore simply nodded.
"I will bring you some food," was all she said.
"Not a particularly friendly young woman," Sam commented.
"No," Jack answered, sounding distracted. He had stood up and was wandering around the room, looking at what must have been decorative pieces of art. "I wonder whose place this is?" he asked.
"Maybe one of the Councilor's. It could be – Elpis, I think her name is – Kore's mistress."
"Could be," Jack nodded. He finally sat down, next to Sam, and took her hand and sighed. "I don't want to do this anymore," he said.
"This?"
"Deal with aliens – I mean, the good ones are okay – but it seems like we always end up in the middle of some local fight. I just want to go home."
"And retire with a dog?" she whispered, as she leaned into him and gently touched her lips to his.
"Mmm – you're – a much better – retirement – plan," he replied, in between kisses.
"You food is ready!" Kore interrupted them. "It is in the kouzina."
Jack gave Sam one more kiss, and then slowly sat back and regarded the young woman. "Whose house is this?" he asked.
This caused Kore to frown. "It is yours," she answered sharply.
"Ours?" Sam asked. "While we're staying here, you mean?"
"No – it is yours. The Council – some of the Council – want you to stay and be ambassadors of the Tauri. They have provided this house to entice you to remain with us."
"And you obviously don't think that's a good idea," Jack commented. "Well, let's eat," he said, standing and reaching down and helping Sam up. "Are you staying?" he asked Kore. He figured that since she hadn't been very friendly, he didn't need to be either.
"I must return to attend Councilor Elpis. You will find everything you need here. There is food and drink and you may rest or go out into the garden. I suggest that you do not leave the house. You may get lost."
With that Kore turned and was gone in an instant.
"Well, I can't say as I'll miss having her around," Sam commented. "She's a little brat, isn't she?"
Jack grinned at that. "Yes, she is. Come on – let's go find this koozina and get something to eat. I'm starving. Sitting and listening to politicians makes me hungry!"
They wandered through the main floor of the house, eventually coming to what was obviously the kitchen. Sitting on one of the counters was a whole variety of cold foods. Most of the items they now recognized so each of them filled a plate.
"Let's eat in the garden," Sam suggested. "Through there," she nodded with her head. Behind the kitchen was a back garden, private from the surrounding buildings. The found the door and moved out into the back. There was a small table and two chairs, so they set their plates and sat down.
"Mmm – this is nice," Jack said, closing his eyes. "So – we have a house," he commented suddenly.
"Doesn't that seem a bit strange to you?" Sam asked. "Why would they give us a house? What do they want with us?"
"I don't know," he answered, sounding as if he didn't really care. Then slowly his mouth turned up in a smile and he leaned forward. "But I do really like the idea of the two of us setting up house together."
She looked at him closely, and then allowed herself to return his smile. She reached out and took his hand. "Sounds good to me General."
With that his smile widened and he settled back in his chair. "So – let's eat Carter!"