Child of the Mind

By Ldynwaitin

Chapter Twelve

Best Laid Plans

"Guotin, are you all right?" Daniel said. Once Guotin saw Teal'c he froze where he stood. He stared up at Teal'c.

Teal'c started feeling uneasy. "Is he unwell, Daniel Jackson?"

"Did it hurt?" Guotin said.

"Did what hurt?" Daniel asked him.

Guotin pointed to Teal'c's forehead. "The gold brand on his forehead. My grandfather spoke of such things, but I never believed it was true." He sadly looked at Teal'c. "I am sorry, little one, for what your friend has had to endure being branded by the glowing eyes. Designating him as their property."

Daniel was impressed with Guotin. He realized that Teal'c was a slave for the Goa'ulds. "Teal'c, he said he's sorry that you were branded by the Gould, marking you as their slave. He also wondered if the branding hurt. I've wondered that myself."

Teal'c bowed his head. "Tell him that the pain of slavery was more unbearable than the branding. But now it serves to remind me that I must keep it from happening again."

After Daniel told Guotin what Teal'c said, he benignly smiled. He looked at his friends. He saw how strong in spirit they were. "Daniel, your friends, I can see they are as brave in their hearts as you are. I would be honored to call them my friends."

When Daniel translated what Guotin said, Cameron stepped up to him. He extended his hand.

"We shake hands with friends," Daniel told Guotin.

Smiling widely, Guotin's wrinkled hands took Cameron's, they both shook. "I'm happy to be your friend, too," Cameron told him.

Guotin tiredly sat down. "Come, my friends. There is much we have to talk about."

Teal'c stood by the window and watched the street while they talked. Daniel translated when someone spoke, so they all knew what was being said.

"As we saw today, Lord Qi is not well," Guotin said.

"Is he using a sarcophagus?" Sam asked. "That is how Yu lived so long."

Daniel explained to Guotin what a sarcophagus was. Guotin slowly nodded his head. "I have heard of a magic box at the palace. Perhaps this is the sarcophagus you speak of? The records show that he has been the ruler on our world for a very long time. Lord Qi has never been well in the head. His father knew this. As Qi began to show signs of weakness, he took a wife. I remember when Zhong and Tai were born. As they grew up, they were both sweet boys. I believe Tai changed because of Lord Yu."

"How, Guotin?" Daniel asked him.

"There was a time when Lord Yu visited our world when they were just boys. He took Tai and Zhong with him into the palace. It was not long before Zhong left, but Tai remained in the palace. No one saw him for over a day. When he did leave, he changed. He was no longer the sweet boy that we all knew. Lord Yu did something to him, he grew up vicious and mean. But Zhong." Guotin's eyes curved to sadness. "He did not change. He was our hope, our future. He was not cruel, like his brother. He was a good and just leader. I cannot believe that he is gone."

"Daniel," Sam said. "I can't believe what I'm about to say. I think Yu made his grandson a Gould. How could he do such a thing?"

"I know," Teal'c said. "Remember Apophis and Klorel? Guotin said Qi was never right in his mind. Lord Yu must have been ashamed of his son. He would want someone strong like him to inherit the kingdom he built. I believe he was grooming Tai to be his successor."

"Guotin," Daniel said. "We need to find a way to stop Tai. If he is able to take power, he will expose your world to the Goa'ulds. I saw the last system Lord killed. But there are other Goa'ulds out there, and they would do anything to achieve the same power status that the system Lords had. Knowing the secret of the sarcophagus will help Tai rise up in the ranks."

"He would rise very fast, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said. "Only the system Lords had a sarcophagus. If every Goa'uld had one it would help them climb to the power they once held. We cannot allow that to happen."

"We won't, Teal'c," Cameron said. "Jackson, I thought we were caught up in a royal rat battle. Now I can see it's much bigger than that. If Tai takes over as the new Lord of this world, he's going to use it to bring the Goa'ulds back as a ruling power of the Universe. As Teal'c said, we can't let that happen."

"We won't," Daniel said. "We already have a way to get into Qi's home."

"Your invitation," Cameron said.

"Daniel," Sam said. "You said that this Zhan Shi is with Tai. They won't let you get close enough to destroy that amulet and expose him."

"I don't have to, Sam. The device is using some kind of technology to mask the scar. Can you figure out how it's doing it? And if you can, can it be blocked?"

Sam smiled, "You've been thinking about it, haven't you."

"Since I got my memory back."

"Okay, this sounds like the makings of a plan," Cameron said. "I wish there was a way we could go with you, Daniel."

Daniel saw a grin on Guotin's face. "Did you think of something, Guotin?"

"Yes, little one," Guotin said. "I believe there is a way. Tonight, we celebrate the moon flower festival. During the festival some dress as imperial guardians. They were ancient soldiers that were said to be giants. Tonight, I will have three giant guardians accompany me to Lord Qi's house."

"Now that's a plan I like,"Cameron said.

"I will go now and fetch the costumes. Everyone must stay here until I return." Guotin brightly smiled. "This excitement does this old heart good."

Getting up, he rushed out of house.

Daniel saw Ying Lee standing outside. "I'll be back," he said.

Leaving the house, he walked to her. He saw her face stained with tears. "Ying Lee, what is wrong?"

"Daniel, I need to know now, when you are going to help me?"

"Ying Lee, something important is about to happen. I cannot say for sure when."

"But you promised me, Daniel. You promised."

"Ying Lee, if all goes well, I am going to make sure you come home with me."

"With you!" she brightly said. "Then you wish me to be with you."

"No," Daniel said. "Not like that. Ying Lee, I am old enough to be your father. When I bring you with me, I will find you a place on my world where you can stay, where you will be taken care of."

"But not with you."

"Ying Lee, I like you, but not the way you think I do."

She wiped her face with her sleeve. "I do not care how old you are. I love you, Daniel. From the moment I saw you, I loved you."

"Ying Lee, I think you're mistaking love for something else."

She angrily stamped her foot. "No, I am not. I am not a little girl. I know what my heart feels. But I can see that you do not feel the same. I told you I would rather die than live with Changming's family, rather die!" She ran off. He never meant to hurt her feelings, but he didn't want her to get the wrong impression. Sighing, he walked back to Yong's house.

"What was that, Jackson?" Cameron asked Daniel as he walked into the house. "Looked like girl trouble to me."

"She thinks she's in love with me."

"Know what that's like. Just got to set them straight before it gets to sticky."

"Sticky, Cam?" Sam said.

"Yeah, that's when they just won't let you go. You know, sticky like glue."

Daniel looked out the window. He promised he would help her, she just came to him at a bad time.

It was nearly two hours later that they saw Guotin walking down the street, Ru was with him. He was pulling a small cart piled high with costumes. Yong rushed outside.

"Yong," Guotin said. "Do not worry, I told Ru everything. He is here to help."

Ru began picking up the costumes. "I am anxious to see more giants like Daniel."

Yong helped him with the costumes. "Not all of them are like Daniel. They are as different as you and me. Be prepared, Ru."

Entering the house, they found only Zi and Daniel waiting for them. Guotin tiredly sat on the floor. "This old body is betraying me."

"I am sorry," Daniel said.

"It is all right, little one. My body is old, but my soul is still young."

Ru dropped the costumes on the floor. He looked around. "Hello, Daniel," he brightly said.

Daniel stepped up to him. "Hello, Ru. I want to thank you for helping me before. You are a true friend of Yong's."

Ru looked up at him, the innocent look was gone. Replaced by kind and gentle eyes. He blurted out, "You remember!"

"You did not tell him, Guotin?" Daniel asked him.

"I am sorry," Guotin said. "My mind was filled with other things."

"Guys, it's all right to come out," Daniel shouted.

Ru saw the curtain to Junjie's room open. He saw a man step out that looked similar to Daniel. Then he saw a man with a woman's head. He stepped back when he saw a man taller than Daniel. His skin was as dark as night. He saw a gold emblem on his forehead.

"You are right, Yong. Some of them are nothing like Daniel."

Daniel introduced Ru to the others. Ru looked up at Daniel. "Daniel, I realize that you are not as strange as I thought."

"Ru, do you know what you will be walking into?"

"Daniel, I want to let you know that if I die tonight, I will be a happy man. For I will be fighting for a noble cause."

Yong proudly smiled. "We used to play heroes when we were young. Now we have a chance to be one."

"I will do all I can to avenge the death of Lord Zhong and stop Tai from destroying our world."

"It will be dark soon," Guotin said. "Come, let us get your people ready, Daniel."

Guotin and Ru helped Teal'c, Cameron and Sam with the costumes. Daniel kept watch outside. He noticed Ying Lee standing at the end of the street. She was looking at the house.

"Yong, I see Ying Lee. She was upset when she left, I am going to talk to her."

"She is scared, Daniel."

"I know, that is why I want to talk to her."

"Cam, I'll be back. Need to get some of that stickiness away."

"Good luck, Jackson."

Daniel slowly walked to where Ying Lee was standing. Seeing him, she turned and began walking away.

"Ying Lee," he called. "Please wait."

She stopped walking after the turn in the street. Rushing to her, Daniel touched her shoulder. She slowly turned around. Her head was bowed. "They were going to take me early, Daniel. I told you, I would rather die than go with them. I am sorry, but I had to do it."

"Do what, Ying Lee?"

Her eyes stared behind him, Ying Lee stepped back. Daniel spun around in time to see Liang with a wooden club. He jumped back as he swung the club. He grabbed Liang's arm. At the corner of his eye he saw three more men coming out of a dark alley. One of them was Zhan Shi. It was a trap! Ying Lee brought him here to be caught in a trap. With no one to help him, he was on his own. The only advantage he had was his height.

Grasping Liang's arm, he pulled him in front. He wanted to use him as a shield. He realized it wasn't going to work when Zhan jumped up and kicked Liang in the stomach.

"So much for honor among thieves," Daniel said. He threw Liang into Zhan. Spinning around, he tried to run far enough for his friends to see him. Unfortunately, the men behind him was too fast. One of them leaped in the air and tackled him to the ground.

Daniel saw the other one holding shackles. He quickly clamped them on Daniel's wrists. Grabbing them they struggled to get him to stand. He stood well over a head above them. He tried to pull out of their grip. Liang was grasping his stomach.

"This is your fault," Liang gasped. Pulling back, he slammed his club into his side. Daniel gasped in pain.

"No!" Ying Lee shouted. "You did not say you were going to hurt him. The Lord promised to only talk to him. He promised."

"Go away, little girl," Zhan snarled. "Lord Zhong said for giving him information about this giant, your debt to go to your betrothed's family is annulled. Now go home to your family. This one is not your concern."

Daniel didn't know how much Ying lee told them. If they knew his memory was back, Yong and Zi could be in danger. He had to test her. He fought against their hold. He pulled them towards Ying Lee.

"Ying Lee, you betrayed my trust. You said you would keep my secret. You said you would not even let Yong know that I got my memory back."

Ying Lee stared at Daniel. She could see him pleading with his eyes. She began to cry, "Even if I told Yong your secret, I knew he could not help me. Only the Lord could. That is why I told him, he promised me that he would help me."

Zhan grabbed Ying Lee by the arm, "Do you lie girl? Are you the only one that knows he has his memory back?"

"Yes," she sobbed. "I saw it in his eyes. I told him that I loved him, but he would not help me. He would not love me back."

"Foolish girl," Zhan snarled. "Listen to me, no one else is to know his memory came back, is that clear? If Yong finds out, we would have to kill him and Zi. Your contract with the Lord will be void. You will have to spend the rest of your life with your betrothed's family. Do you understand?"

Ying Lee nodded her head. "I promise, no one else will know." He threw her on the ground.

Zhan pulled out a cloth scarf. "Gag him, I do not want him to cause any trouble with the villagers as we take him to the Lord's home."

Daniel choked, as they pulled the scarf tight in his mouth. As they began dragging Daniel down the street, he looked back to her. His expressive eyes told her thank you.

Ying lee started to cry. She gave him up to the Lord, and yet he thanked her. She could not believe after she betrayed him, that he would thank her. Sitting on the ground, she watched them drag him away.