Paradise

By Ldynwaitin

Chapter One

Geata

Dr. Daniel Jackson waited at the stargates horizon as Chief Medical officer Doctor Janet Fraiser stepped through the gate. Seconds later the stargate blinked out.

Daniel slightly bowed his head. "Welcome to P4X-222, or as the locals call it, Speur. The Celtic word for paradise."

The stargate was standing next to a large forest. Several wooden shacks sat on each side of the gate. Janet saw a dirt road that led to the edge of the forest. In front of the gate stood a white obelisk.

"That's there to protect this planet," Daniel told her. "No Gould can step foot on this world. It's protected by the Asgard."

Janet didn't hesitate when asked if she wanted to go on a mission. SG1 found a town on a planet that was suffering from a deadly plague. After testing the blood brought back, she found that they were immune to the plague. It only affected the inhabitants of the planet. Janet came to this world to try and find a cure.

Because Teal'c was unable to come to the planet, SG3 was ordered to join Daniel and Doctor Frasier. Colonel Reynolds tapped his walkie talkie. "Dr. Jackson be sure to keep in contact with us. We'll set up camp behind the shacks."

"You're welcome to come."

"General Hammond ordered us to keep watch by the gate." He pointed to the Obelisk. "You never know if that thing might stop working. Be careful, Dr. Jackson. I've been to enough planets to know you can't trust anyone."

"I'll remember that." He tapped his walkie talkie. "I'll keep in touch. See you in three days."

"Don't worry about us, Dr. Jackson. This is going to be like a vacation." He shouted, "Three P's, make camp."

"Yes, sir!" they replied. Powers, Philips and Peterson sprinted to the wooden shacks.

Daniel motioned Janet to go ahead. They walked down a dirt road that led to the end of the forest. "The Town is a thirty-minute walk from here. From what I was able to gather, their ancestors were Celtic in origin. The people here live in a way they did during the Elizabethan era, 1600's. They still use Celtic words, but the Gould that ruled here had a strong influence on their language. The townspeople still remember the 'dearrs Sula', or glowing eyes."

"So, they're gone?" Janet said.

"Yep, thanks to the obelisk. They left, well they have no concept of years here. The Gregorian calendar wasn't invented in the time their ancestors were taken. They have no idea how long ago the Gould's were driven out. Here they judge the passage of time with the harvest of their crops."

They continued down the road, as they neared the end of the forest, Daniel saw a large grin on Janet's face. "You look happy."

Janet took in a deep breath, the air here was so clean, no pollutants. "Very happy. I've always had to take care of everyone's bumps and bruises, now I have a chance to get my own."

Daniel chuckled. "I doubt it will happen. The people are peaceful farmers. We shouldn't see any trouble."

Twenty minutes later Janet saw a town with a large field on one side, and a forest on the other. It appeared to be a quant old English settlement.

"Welcome to the fair town of Geata," Daniel said. "It means Gate. The town was once used as a way station for the stargate. They grew their crops exclusively for the Goulds. Since they were driven out, the farmers now live there."

Janet warmly smiled as she saw several children running to them. "Daniel, you came back," a tow haired boy said.

"I told you I would." Daniel placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "This is Brasil, it means battle." Daniel fisted his hand.

"Yes," Brasil proudly said. "My father is Fynbar, he works the fields. When I grow up, I'm going to be like my Uncle Romach, he is a geard."

"Geard?" Janet asked Daniel.

"Guard, a protector. The Ceannard or leader of the town told me that the other towns sometimes come to steal their crops. Romach's job is to protect the fields."

Janet squatted in front of the small boy. "Hello Brasil, my name is Janet, it means god's gift. Your Uncle has a very important job."

"Yes, he does. That's why I want…I want…" Brasil started coughing. Janet became concerned as the cough continued, she slowly stood up. Daniel saw a look of alarm on her face.

"That's why I asked that you come, Janet. Since we first came here, five have died."

Janet gently rubbed Brasil's back. "Then let's see what I can do about it."

Brasil cleared his throat, "Daniel said you are a lianna, Janet."

"Healer," Daniel said.

Janet shook her head. "Daniel, I don't know how you're able to remember so many different languages."

Daniel half grinned, "The same way you can remember so many diseases and their cures."

Janet knowingly smiled. "Because it's something we love to do."

Daniel pointed ahead, Janet saw several people standing at the towns edge. "Your patients await you."

"Patients?" Janet said. "Daniel, I came here to find a cure for the plague, not to play Doctor."

She saw a concerned look run across Daniel's face. "Janet, they can't remember the last time they had a doctor here. When I told them you were coming, they were eager to see you." Daniel nudged Brasil.

Brasil looked up at her, he gave her the saddest eyes. "Can you help us, Janet? Please." His lower lip quivered.

Janet fought not to smile. "Well, maybe I'll see a few."

Daniel pressed his hands. "I promise, only a few."

As they walked toward the town, Janet said. "How many times did you have him practice that look?"

Daniel looked hurt. "Janet, he didn't practice it, he's a natural."

Once entering the town, she was happy they set up a house to use as a temporary clinic. Anyone sick could come there to see her. Taking out her equipment from the backpacks, she set up a small laboratory. She now began to see patients.

Janet was glad Daniel was with her during most of the day, as he introduced her to the town's residents.

"There, you go, Devona," Janet said to a young girl. "Does that make you feel better?" She had a deep cut on her leg from working the farm. Janet stitched it for her.

"Thank you, lianna," Devona said.

"You can call me Janet, and you are very welcome."

As Devona left the cottage, Janet cleaned her hands. Stepping outside, she saw that it was getting dark. Brasil was playing outside with other children.

"Brasil, do you know where Daniel is?"

Brasil shrugged his shoulders. "He is where he always is." He pointed down the street. "He is in the leabhar-lann. It is the tall building with a white fence around it."

"Thank you Brasil, I'll find it."

As Janet walked down the street, she saw lights being lit in the houses she passed. She came to the end of the street. To the right was a dark two-story building. It was obvious that it had not been used in years. The wood siding of the building was well aged, and broken shingles on the roof had not been replaced. She saw a peeling white picket fence surrounding the building. Its gate lay on the ground. Walking up several steps, she tried to open the door. She had to push hard to get it to open a crack. As she drew back to give it a hard shove, the door slowly moved. A man with red hair and beard peeked his head out, "It sticks," he told her.

Entering the building, she was surprised to find herself standing in a library. "So that's what the word means," she whispered. The word Brasil said, leabhar-lann, she now knew it meant library. She saw several lit lamps sitting on long wooden desks. They were strewn around the room. Most of them was covered in a thick layer of dust. Wooden shelves that were half filled with aged books lined the walls. Daniel was sitting at a large desk piled high with books.

Janet looked at the man with the red beard. He was dressed in red from head to toe. "Who are you?"

"Janet," Daniel said. "This is Romach. Romach this is Doctor Janet Fraiser."

Romach executed the perfect bow. "Doctor Janet Fraiser, I am pleased to finally meet you. Friend Daniel has told me much about you." Standing, he winked at Daniel. "Friend Daniel, you did not tell me that she was so beautiful. Is she married?"

Daniel looked embarrassed. "Romach has a reputation of being a lady's man."

"Ah," Janet said. "Well I'm pleased to meet you, Romach. In answer to your question, I was once married, but now I'm married to my work."

"Then you are married," Romach said, as sat down in front of one of the desks. Placing his boots on the desk, he pulled out a knife and began twirling the blade in his hand. Grinning he said, "Never stopped me before."

Janet looked at Romach, then Daniel. Clearing his throat, Daniel said, "Romach likes to bother me at night."

"Friend Daniel has told me wonderful stories of your world. I come here to listen to them. I grow tired of chasing thieves off the fields." Sitting up he said, "He said there are cities that float in the sky. I would love…"

"Janet," Daniel said. "How was the rest of your day?"

Romach chuckled. "I see your dancing eyebrows, friend Daniel. That is his way of telling me I talk too much. Please, talk, I will be quiet." Sitting back, he threw his knife into the desk. Pulling it out, he continued.

Brushing the dust off, Janet sat on a chair next to the window. "My day, well I've seen over ten children with injuries from farm work."

"Everyone here works the farms," Daniel said. "When they're old enough, the children help out."

"I've seen so many children today, Daniel. One family had ten."

"All towns have large families," Romach said. "To help with the crops."

"I saw Brasil today, his cough seemed to be getting better. Why does Fynbar only have one child?"

Romach chewed on his beard. "That is a sad story, Janet. His wife, Brenna, died in a farming accident. He told me that no one could replace her."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Janet said. "I also noticed something today. Even with all the people in the town, you're growing much more than you can eat. Do you sell what you produce?"

Sitting up, Romach sheathed his knife. "The Ceannard has us send what we grow to the Caisteal. He says that it is needed for the other towns."

"A castle," Daniel said, to her unasked question. "Janet, do you have any idea what this plague is yet?"

Janet took in a deep breath. She hoped she would have found what was causing it by now. "It's hard to determine, the few sick that I've seen present multiple symptoms, but nothing life threatening. From the blood samples you gave me, they are very similar to us. I have to say the adults here are the healthiest people I've seen."

Romach glowed. "Thank you, Janet."

Daniel pointed up. "Sam said it has something to do with the sun's radiation. She thinks the sun's rays helps them get stronger."

"With their added stamina I don't know why they can't fight this plague. You said five have died since you were here. Where are the bodies? I'd like to see them."

"That's going to be a problem," Daniel said. He looked at Romach.

Looking uncomfortable, Romach said. "The Loach Keary has declared that anyone that died from the plague must be sent immediately to the Caisteal. It is our law."

"Loach Keary is their king," Daniel told Janet.

"My god," Janet said. "I can't believe you are denied burying your dead."

She looked out the window and saw children playing. "Coming here, helping these people. I think I know what an old town doctor felt like, Daniel." Warmly smiling, she said, "It feels good. This is why I gave up everything to be a doctor. I'm going to make sure no more bodies are sent away."

Glancing around, Janet said, "Did you find any answers here?"

"I've been going over the books in the library. I've found some books written in gould and Celtic. It was the usual propaganda. We are your gods, bow down to us." Daniel eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "So scary."

"Why is it so dusty in here?" Janet said. "It looks as if no one has been here in years."

"The school was closed years ago. Romach said all towns closed their schools. I haven't found anything in the books to indicate why they stopped teaching the children. Other than writing their names, they don't know how to read or write. Their math is basic."

"This is true," Romach said, "We've always been told that working in the fields is more important than to know writing."

Janet shook her head, "I can't imagine children growing up without learning how to read and write."

Daniel agreed. "Neither can I. You would have thought once the goulds were gone, teaching would naturally pick up, but it didn't." He put his hand on a small pile of books. "These are from the local doctor."

"They have a doctor here?"

"Had a doctor," Daniel said. "For reasons not given or unknown, they no longer have one." He picked up a leather-bound book. "These are the local Doctor's journals. I've collected twelve books so far. From the entries of harvesting times I've guessed the books record forty harvest years. I found the normal notes of births, deaths, cuts and broken bones. I also found that in each book the doctor posted a growing number of deaths from the plague. I'm not sure what happened, but the entries just abruptly stopped. I have no idea how long ago he stopped posting, but I believe it was around the same time the school stopped teaching."

Romach chuckled, "Friend Daniel, I keep telling you, you are going to wear your nose to a stub from reading all those leabhars."

Janet could see redness in Daniel's eyes. "He's right, Daniel. As the current doctor, I'm prescribing that you get some rest."

Daniel took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. Touching his nose, he said, "I'm fine, Janet. Hazards of being an archeologist. Tomorrow I want to get back to reading the doctors notes. Who knows, I may find out what's making these people so sick."

"I pray that you can, friend Daniel," Romach said.

Blowing out the lanterns, they left the library. As Daniel closed the door, a small red light above the door blinked out.