Stargate Hastings Part two

Chapter One: One year later

October 1883, beneath the Stamford estate.

A year had passed since the team had returned from Abydos, minus one member. Nebu and his little brother Nasseef had pledged themselves to the cause, immediately upon meeting the Lion, as they insisted on calling him. The device or the strange man that was made of light, had not. He was cooperative when they would ask about their enemy but would refuse to answer any questions concerning their technology and the more he learned about the people of this planet, the less chance there seemed to be, that he would ever answer them.

Bishop and his team had been making progress, on the earth's first off world scientific base. The experiments carried out on the Naquadah had been moved to laboratories, that had been built underneath the surface of that world. One of the underground facilities that were on the Stamford estate, had been destroyed and three people killed. So all future experiments, were now being carried out in a specially built laboratory. One that had been designed with safety in mind.

Heliopolis was now the only world, that the Stargate would be connected to. The crowns oversight committee had wanted the programme stopped completely but her highness saw the potential of the site and gave her blessing to continue creating the off world science base. He could understand their reluctance to continue operations. The information they had been able to discover about the gods from Larry, had even taken Richard by surprise. He was expecting them to be powerful but their technology was simply incredible and far more advanced than he had first thought.

The only advantage that the humans of earth had over these aliens, were their superior military tactics. From what they could get out of Larry, the only enemy their soldiers faced were their own kind. Since they were a society that never really evolved and seemed to stay stuck in the same moment of time. Their tactics were geared towards facing an enemy they know well and not the unpredictable, ever evolving militaries of the earth. If they could match their technology, Richard Hastings believed humanity were a match for these would be gods.

He was going to speak to Larry now, as he had done every day for the past twelve months. They had given Larry the entire archives level of the facility and although everybody had told him not to, he had also had every history book that they had, sent to him. It had backfired as everyone said it would but Richard was certain that honesty, would be the only way that they could get him to trust them. He had lied to him about a personal matter, involving how he felt about James Eldens death. Larry had gone into a detailed explanation, about the human body and its reactions to different emotional states or when they are lying or being truthful. He knew more than ever after that, he could not lie to this, whatever he was.

When he made it down to the archives, he was amazed by the sound of an opera, an actual opera. When he found Larry, he was singing the Male leads part and what must have been an Abydonian woman, was singing the female leads. They were both perfection, he had never heard anything like it. He did not interrupt them, he could not. To do so would spoil the song.

It was about a soldier who had died at war but was given one song to say goodbye to his lover. The woman could not hear him through her grief and screamed to the heavens for her lover to return, for just one last time, to say goodbye. He was declaring his love for her, giving her the goodbye she craved but she could not hear him. The song finished suddenly and Richard thought he had disturbed them or him, he was not quite sure which.

"Please don't stop for me, that was very beautiful and sad but very beautiful. I have never heard that song before. If I may ask, who gave you the composition, for the piece?". The Male was singing in Italian and the woman in Spanish.

"You did not disturb me, I have not finished it yet. I am hoping for a happy ending to the song. As I have told you, your friend is still alive". Larry still returned to his neutral expression, even with the Abydonian woman still stood their full of emotion.

"How do you know that?".

"If I were human, it would be what you would call, a feeling. I am not human, so I would call it, statistical analysis. Ra will revive your friend and then torture him. From what I know of your friend, I believe he will endure this".

"How do you know that?". He was Richard's best friend, they had not seen each other for some time but even he could not know that.

"I believe I just explained but if you require a thorough explanation. The usual people that Ra and his Jaffa torture, are either slaves, Jaffa who are also slaves or other false gods. I am certain they have never tortured a man like him or even yourself for that matter". The woman was still standing there sad, never once looking Richard in the face.

"I am flattered but I do not understand, what makes us so special?".

"Not just you, the warriors of your world. You are a barbaric race and yet you are capable such beautiful things, music, art, literature, poetry, the list goes on and there is so much of it. Why have you shown me your history or should I say war, do you not want my help?". He still returned to his neutral expression but before he did, there was a puzzled expression there.

"I felt it best to show the worst first, you may have believed I was hiding it from you. Being dishonest". Richard explained.

"Do you never listen? I will know if you lie. Do you believe the people who created me, would allow my technology, my knowledge to fall into the hands of dishonest men? No they would not. The reason you would survive Ra's torture methods, is because of the negative effects of the Sarcophagus. Each time Jim goes into that thing, it will only make the part of you that is barbaric and savage, even more so. The final part is maybe a little wishful thinking, I have nothing to compare it to but I do believe that when Ra implants a Gau'auld Symbiote, into your friend. Something new may happen".

"What would that be?". Richard asked.

"I do not know, did I not say it would be something new?". As always he returned to the same neutral expression.

Richard asked him, "Why do you not pretend to be more human, why do you stand perfectly still when not speaking?". He was curious, Larry when speaking was as normal as anyone else, it just looked paused or frozen, when he wasn't.

"I was pretending to be human but I believe I know what his happening. I was alone for over six thousand years, with no need to use my avatar form. It is a long time to be alone, I am comfortable when I return to that state. That is if I was a human, I would feel comfortable. I am merely trying to pretend, as you say". Richard was sure the artificial intelligence, was being sarcastic. Maybe he felt a little offended by the question.

"Six thousand years, our records say the uprising was five thousand years ago. You were created that long before the rebellion?".

"No, I was created even before that. The people who Ra taught his power to, were not needed for long. When they were killed or replaced. It was the people they had taught that knowledge, that built me. It took many years to build the rebellion but they did not begin, until I was created. Your cousin knows all this, did she not inform you?".

"My cousin as not spoken to me, since she returned. She will not even let me see her daughter". A sad look came upon his face.

"Would you like to see her, she is very lovely?".

"Yes please, I would like that".

As he showed him a thousand different images, Larry gave a commentary, "I have them from one day old to three months seven days old. She brings her to see me, so that I can show her, her father. I am composing the song for her mother, it is my hope it will make her see, that how she is acting is not healthy for her. She is a very stubborn woman".

"I do not think that would be a good idea Larry, if there is a way to hurt you, she will find it. The one who wants to take you to pieces, taught her everything she knows". He warned him.

"I was informed that was only a joke, does he really want to take me to pieces?". He didn't sound worried, more intrigued.

Richard laughed. "Yes and no. He would love the opportunity but he already knows you are more valuable intact". He pointed to the Abydonian woman, who he now realised was Rachael Hawthorn and added, "She however as a very bad temper, especially when she is grieving. Please continue as you have been. My wife tells me she is happy enough, living the fantasy for now". He implored.

"It is not healthy..." Just then the bells started ringing throughout the underground facility.

"I must leave Larry but I hope we can continue this conversation, I do not think we have ever just had a conversation, before now". He then took his leave. Jacob was waiting for him at the stone elevator, that led straight to the command level of the Gateroom.

Joseph Hammond was on the command level, in his personal office. He still had not decided on a command structure, for the operation yet. There were so many variables, that it was truly headache inducing. It would seem simple enough, military operation, military ranks easy. Except this was not a completely military operation. That in itself was not a problem, it was easy for civilians to be given equivalent ranks. Their would only really be officer ranks, for the teams. It would be when the military were required, it became more difficult.

In time, when all of this would be revealed. The world would be asked to join as one and fight an external enemy. In the process it was hoped world peace would come from this common enemy. Joseph was not so sure about that part but it would help, he supposed. All of these different militaries had different ranking systems, which meant a lot of confusion in their future.

The only system that would be truly universal, would be a colour and number system. That could be taught to all of the troops, with little difficulty but he would still need to include ranks, that were used in the majority of the different nations armed forces. A different level of command would be a different colour, with each department having their own colour. With the level of military involvement, dictating who has the seniority.

It would not be advised to have a military commander, giving orders to scientists on how to do their jobs but if the threat level of the situation was to change to a different colour, the military officer could then take seniority. He still had a lot of work to do but he was at least getting somewhere now. Everything was set up as far as the logistics were concerned but now the finer details needed to be perfected.

The bells in the Gateroom started ringing. Joseph calmly got to his feet, for the first unscheduled off world activation, he had been present for. His office door led straight on to the command level and he waited for any indication that a signal had been received. It did not have to wait, a very scantily dressed young woman appeared in front of the shield door. She had the same ghostly visage as the strange black man, in that device they bought back with them from Abydos .

The woman said, in a deep bass tone. That sounded unnatural to Joseph's ears. "I am Selmak of the Tok'ra, I have news of a man named James Elden and must speak with a man named Richard Hastings. Is he here?".

Joseph Hammond raised his voice so the alien could hear him, "Excuse me but I am currently in command of this facility but I am sure he will be here shortly madam, may I be of any assistance?".

Selmak looked up to the balcony and seemed to press something in her hand. The next minute she had instantly travelled the fifty or so yards, to appear next to him. The soldiers all raised their weapons, as those down in the Gateroom had but Joseph brushed his hand through the woman and indicated for the men to stand down.

"It is only Richard Hastings that I require but please have no fear, I am not here to harm you".

Give me a heart attack maybe, Joseph thought to himself. It was not fear that threatened to give him a coronary, the flesh that the woman was showing to the whole world or was that universe now, was. "You will have to forgive me madam but we are led to believe that your kind, believe yourselves our gods and we nothing but slaves". He said with a polite but stern manner.

In a very matter of fact way, Selmak replied, "I am a Tok'ra not a Gau'auld, we are the same species but please do not mistake the Tok'ra, for those Ha'taaka. Our name literally means, against Ra.".

This was interesting if true, the enemy of my enemy and all, Joseph thought to himself. "But you take humans as hosts, like the Gau'auld?". It was a fair question.

The young woman's head dropped and then rose again, except her voice was different, normal, "Selmak is the name of my Symbiote, my name is Sharoosh I am the host". She had a warm smile now and not the stern look from before.

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you young lady, both of you". Joseph said with a hint of Texas charm thrown in.

"Please sir from the looks of you, I am sure I am older than you. I am..." She looked at a device she held in her hands and finished, "...eighty eight of your years. Unless you just look very young and handsome for your age". She gave him a cheeky smile.

She is trying to give me a heart attack, she looks young enough to be my daughter, granddaughter at a push. He was about to stumble through a reply, when first Donald followed shortly after by Richard Hastings, came on to the command level. When Sharoosh saw the wheelchair, she looked down again and the stern expression returned. "You must be Richard Hastings, he said that you were injured and required assistance?".

"Who said this?" Richard asked, daring to dream it was him.

"James Elden, I am sorry to inform you of this but he is dying and he wishes for our two peoples to meet before that happens and also to say goodbye". Even though Selmak was in control, the look on her face as she said the words, was one of sympathy.

Before Richard or Donald McCain who was dumbstruck by the revelation, could insult their potential new ally, Joseph said, "These two people are Selmak the Tok'ra Symbiote and her host is Sharoosh. A very lovely young eighty eight years old lady".

With her voice enhanced, the laugh she let out was throaty but booming. Then replied, "Sharoosh is eighty eight years old, I am far older than that but she was right, you are handsome". She still had the same stern look on her face, as she said this.

Richard could see how uncomfortable Joseph Hammond was looking and decided he would ask him about it another time. He decided to save him, for now. "Against Ra. That is what that means in our language, is it not?". He asked, his discomfort at her voice now eased with the revelation.

"Yes precisely. While I am enjoying this conversation, the power requirements for this technology is very high. It would not be advised to bring Mr Elden here, you will understand when you meet with him but there are several people, that are requesting to meet with their King. There is no reason for them not to be sent through the Chappa'ai". She then started talking to someone, who must have been with her on the other side.

When she said King, Richard gave Donald a look that told him, that he was still not happy with him becoming these people's monarch. Even if it was not, technically his choice. When a large man about the same age as his uncle Robert, came into view. "Donald my son, thank the ancestors you are safe. My sons are they well? And Meera of course, do I have more grandchildren?". He somehow made the last one, sound the most important of the two questions.

"They are fine father, your sons are training and your daughters belly is heavy with child. How father, how are did you get away?". They must not be on Abydos. Ra would not leave the place without Horus guards again for quite some time surely, Donald thought to himself.

Selmak cut in then, "If he and his people are given permission to come to your world, then you can hear it all then but we really do have a limit, to the time we have here".

Joseph looked to Richard, who was his only superior as far as the Stargate was concerned. He thought about it for a moment, then said, "Tell everyone to be on high alert, we are expecting friendlies but our guests are to be placed in quarantine, until they have been fully examined by doctor Larry". He then looked at Donald's father in law and said, "Please do not misunderstand the way you will be treated on your arrival, it is unfortunate to greet guests in such a way but we must ensure the safety of our people. Once you have been fully examined, you will be given heroes welcomes, I assure you".

The mans image was jumping up and down with excitement. "I am going to see my Meera again, I did not think I would ever see her again". He turned to Selmak and said, "thank you beautiful lady". Then gave her a hug.

Joseph Hammond gave the orders, to prepare for their guests and when he was informed they were ready. The shield door was opened, sixteen men, a woman and a small boy of four years or so old came through. Donald would at least have the chance to accept the man as is father, even if he was going to die.

To see Nebu's wife and son come through the Stargate, was the most satisfying sight of all. He had not just risked his own life to try and warn them about Ra but he had risked theirs most of all. If Nebu had never seen them again, Donald would never have forgiven himself. Then it dawned on him, these people were free now and he was their bloody King.