Stargate Hastings Part Two

Chapter Two: Family reunions

Earth, beneath the Stamford estate.

After Larry had given the Abydonians the all clear, they were escorted to the briefing room. Meals had been prepared for them and they were left to eat their food, before the debriefing would begin. They were also waiting for their family members to arrive, along with Rachael Hawthorn. Richard was not looking forward to telling her, that James was dyeing but she would at least get to say goodbye. He thought to himself.

Nebu arrived first with Nasseef, dressed in strange clothes. Nebu could not believe how many were there. All of the rebels were there but one of his brothers were missing. "Where is Darrik? Father were is Darrik?". Nebu asked, fearing the worst.

"There were twenty five men when we attacked the Chappa'ai, they died free men. Your brother died protecting your wife and son, I am sorry but we could not leave them there son. If Ra would have raised them from the dead, this world would be in danger. I am sorry my son". Hassif had pride for the men who had died, especially his son but Nebu would blame himself. They were his men and he left them.

"You shoot three times?". All of the men nodded their heads, taking equal responsibility. They would have all agreed to the act.

"Good, we have no place for weakness. We no longer have a resistance on our world but we are the resistance. I hear that you say Donul is our King. He is not our King, not until all of our people are free. Me and Nasseef, we have pledged ourselves to the lion, if our people are ever to be free, so must all of you. What we learned in the caves was nothing, compared to what we have learned here". He looked to the five men, who must have trained the new rebels but it was one in particular, whose reaction he was looking for.

Kaar had a big grin on his face, "When do we begin?", he said. The reason Nebu had not chosen Kaar to become his second in command, was because he only cared about fighting. The more he learned, the more he liked it but he was definitely not cut out for command.

"First we wait for everyone to get here, then you tell us what happened to Jeem". Nebu replied.

The table was big enough for everyone to sit around. It was to be used by the military leaders of the various countries, when they were bought into the fight. They were still waiting for Meera and Rachael, Donald had gone to fetch them. Richard, Joseph, Thomas and Robert Parker were in a different room discussing what had just happened. When the others arrived, they would all join them to hear their tale.

When everyone had arrived and all of the greetings were finally over. Between the men and the one woman among them, they each told what they knew of the past twelve months. All of the personnel, that had anything to do with the Stargate, had been taught the language of the Gau'auld now. So they were told to tell their story, in their own language.

Abydos.

Ra had not called upon the people to punish them yet but they all knew that it was coming. The day cycle had passed twelve times and they still did not even know, if they had made it through the Chappa'ai. Ra was here in his palace, that travelled the space between worlds. Only none had approached the city and when Fa'ruuk approached the pyramid, he was told to return to the city and await Ra's judgement.

All of the people were scared but it was only the rebels, that knew why they should be scared. Hassif had almost gone straight to Ne'rut and strangled him with his bare hands but Hassif Jr had talked sense into him. It was all he could do to stop himself, when Ne'rut sought him out.

He was returning with his cargo but before he arrived, he was met by Ne'rut senior. They were a good distance from the city and were alone. He had calmed down a lot but he still felt hatred towards the man. What made it worse, was the fact that he had to pretend to be his friend. "What are you doing out here Ne'rut, is there something wrong. Is your son missing my friend?".

Ne'rut looked terrified, Hassif even felt for the man a little. "It is your son's that are missing Hassif but I want to talk to you about something else first". Hassif nodded his head, to indicate he was listening. "Why are we not friends Hassif, we grow up together but one day you just stop being my friend, why is this?".

"We are friends, our children are friends. What is all of this Ne'rut and what do you mean my son's are missing?". Hassif just wanted to end this conversation quickly and get out of there.

"Do not lie to me Hassif. I have come to you here, in the hope that Ra will not be able to overhear us".

"Ra is all seeing, all knowing, he hears everything Ne'rut". Hassif lied.

"If he is all knowing, then why would he need me, to spy on my own people". Ne'rut looked ashamed when he said this but when he continued, he was defiant. "If it was not me, it would have been someone else. I know he is not all knowing, so I only tell him things that mean little. If I have put your sons in danger, I am sorry Hassif but I just thought he would find your son and bring him back. Nasseef is only a boy". The man was genuinely sorry and the things he had told Ra before, were only trivial things. As far as Hassif knew, no one had been killed because of his information.

Hassif did not know what to say, it could be a trick or he could be telling the truth. So he implored him, "If you truly mean that, then go back to your home. When Ra asks about my family, tell him we know nothing and that we are worried about them. Maybe you can save my remaining son's".

"I have already done this, I tell him that I only know about the boy and what he say to my son". Ne'rut replied.

Hassif knew that if it was a trap, they would know soon enough. He had no choice but to trust him, even if he did not betray him, he knew that someone else would anyway. Ra would come soon, he did not know why he waited. Ra would usually deal out swift justice to stop any rumblings of rebellion, before it begun. Why was he waiting, did they have his son's, were they torturing them?.

They could all run to the caves where Sha're And her son Nebu Jr were but to do that and leave his people to face the punishment. That was something he could never do or his sons. They would wait, Ra would come soon and his family would face their fate, together.

The next day cycle came and so did Ra, wearing the mask that hid his true face. He was carried to the cities outskirts by four large Male slaves. From the size of them, they looked like Jaffa but unlike the other Gau'auld, Ra's Jaffa were not branded, so they could simply have been human slaves. When he arrived, it was Fa'ruuk who went to meet him. They did not hear what was said but Fa'ruuk told them after he had left.

They met in the caves, as they were the safest place. "Ra says, that when the suns are next all three in the sky. A new God will come, to punish those who are in league with the demon". Fa'ruuk told the rebels, sat around the circle.

Hassif Jr, the now leader of the rebels, asked, "Did he say who would be the host, of this new God or anything about my brothers?".

"No he say nothing about anyone, only that his son knows who the traitors are and when he will arrive. I must go now, Ra could send for me at any time. I am sorry I do not know more". Fa'ruuk and his family were the first to face Ra's wrath, if he was ever displeased with the Abydonians. It was a risk to even come to the caves, while Ra was here but he knew that they would be worried and Nebu was his son as much as Hassif's.

When the three suns were in the sky, the time came. Where Ra had met Fa'ruuk, four Jaffa and a man covered from head to toe, in a fine silk golden robe, approached the gathered people. Three of the Jaffa were acting as the Horus guards always had but one kept looking at the man in the robe. When they reached the people, the man reached up his hands to pull back his hood.

It was Jeem and he was smiling, as his eyes flashed with a bright light. He then started speaking in an unnatural voice, the voice of the gods. "I am your God and I am all knowing". He pointed his right hand at Kaar, revealing a gold bracelet wrapped around his wrist. "You, kneel before me".

Hassif tried to block his way but Kaar gently ushered his father out of the way. "I am ready father". He said to him and then headed, towards his fate. Telling himself over and over in his mind, that he would die free. He was still a slave but in his heart he was a free man. Kaar walked towards the man who had been a mentor, a hero even to him. With his head held high.

When he knelt before Jeem or whoever he was now, the false gods voice said, "San'kha tell me, do you see the defiance in his eyes?".

San'kha removed his helm, so he could see the young mans eyes, with his own. When he did, he saw acceptance. The man had accepted his death, not like a slave begging for his life but like a man, choosing to accept his fate. "Yes my Lord, this one is certainly, one of those who helped the demon".

"What should I do with him San'kha?". He then pointed, to the other four rebels. "You, you, you and you, join him". All four of the men did not hesitate and followed Kaar's bravery. Still speaking in the bass voice, he stated, "Five human slaves have more bravery than any Jaffa, how does that make you feel San'kha?". All four of the Jaffa tensed up at the question but none would say anything, except San'kha, "I do not understand my Lord, they are shol'va. They are not brave, they are kek my Lord".

The God with Jeem's face laughed, then said, "Yet they refuse to be slaves and the Jaffa do not". One of the Jaffa, aimed his staff at his God. "You dare raise a weapon to your God, slave?". The Gau'auld shouted. Instantly the Jaffa next to him, hit him with his staff in the back of his legs. San'kha and the other Jaffa aimed their weapons at him, as he fell to his knees. The Jaffa who had took his legs, pressed the mans helm release and a face with dark skin, was revealed.

The man that was once Jeem, raised his right hand and sent a stream of orange energy, into the mans forehead. When the Jaffa's body was shaking no more. He asked San'kha, "Tell me San'kha, were his eyes as strong as theirs?".

"His eyes showed only fear my Lord". His words were unsure.

"Yes they did, as it should be. You are all slaves, because you are all servants to your gods!". He had raised his voice so he could be heard by all. He looked at the three remaining Jaffa, as he said the words also. "Now I will punish the wicked, to protect the rest of you from their evil".

He raised his hand to make Kaar his first victim but his hand stopped and in a normal human voice he said, "The God I spoke of his in their eyes San'kha". He was speaking quietly but the Jaffa did not react, out of fear of joining their dead comrade. "Do you want to know his name San'kha?". When San'kha did not reply, he added, "Did my pain open your heart, open your eyes?".

San'kha still did not reply but his face revealed the conflict within him. "Jaffa give me a Zat'nik'tel, these slaves do not deserve, to have their lives ended by a gods weapon". He said to the Jaffa, that had taken his fellow Jaffa down. San'kha looked like he was about to warn him but something seemed to stop him.

The God was speaking in a human voice but the death of the Jaffa, made the others ignore that fact. With the Zat'nik'tel in his left hand, he readied the weapon to fire. Then he span around and shot the Jaffa who had handed him the Zat'nik'tel, while simultaneously releasing a blast of invisible energy, at the Jaffa stood next to San'kha. After he placed another blast of energy, into the Jaffa who had given him the weapon. The only Jaffa left standing, was San'kha himself but he did not move, he seemed to be frozen in time.

When Jeem's voice returned to the one that Kaar remembered, he did not understand. No one had ever been able to fight the demon within but he also knew, that Jeem was not like the men he had known before. He still expected to be killed but the longer he stayed alive, the more ready he became to act. Jeem was playing a game with the Horus guard, that he kept referring to by his name. Kaar was certain of this, the man was having some kind of emotional crisis.

It was when Jeem asked the Jaffa for his weapon, that Kaar knew he must be ready to act. When he shot the two Jaffa, Kaar and his four rebel brothers moved to act but Jeem held up a hand to stop them. He then said to the Jaffa still standing. "You can die a slave San'kha or you can live free. I told you that I am my God but the truth is, I worship no God, only freedom. Make your choice San'kha. Die for a false God or join me and free your people from bondage? You must choose now!".

Kaar then shouted out, "Live free brother!". He did not think it would work.

San'kha said to Kaar and the man he had witnessed, defeat the God within him, "Ra will find us". He told them.

Kaar then rushed to Jeem and placed his own robes on him, then he told one of the others to do the same to San'kha. Before racing into the crowd of people, that were completely stunned by what was happening. The flying machines that fire death from the sky, then came racing after them. Just as they had reached Nagada, a bolt from one of the Udajeet's, struck a wall just behind them. Once under the cover of Nagada's buildings, it was a race against time.

When they were in the caves, Ra's technology would not be able to find them but until then, Ra truly was all seeing. Jeem kept saying to them, that he could not keep the demon subdued for long and that he had tricked him into thinking he was weak and killing the first Jaffa for him but the Gau'auld inside was fighting back, so they had to hurry. They also were told to tie him up, when they reached their destination.

If they could get their before Ra's Jaffa cut off their route to the caves opening, they could lose them in the labyrinth of caves. They would then be able to ambush them, using their knowledge of the vast cave network. There was food and water in the caves, even if the only food was the sweet tasting roots. The people of the Tauri had left most of their protein cubes behind, to create extra room for the Naquadah, they had taken back with them but their was not enough to last very long.

They made it to the caves but when they were halfway to the one, where Larry had been found. The sounds of Jaffa searching the caves, could be heard clearly. They had cleared their tracks and made false ones to lead them down into the caves with the traps in and they hoped they could retrieve their weapons, before any stumbled across a route to find them. There was no need to worry, they never even made it to the ambush point, they had set up.

They were safe for now but they knew that Ra would grow tired of sending Jaffa to their deaths and when he did, he would use his ship to destroy the caves and bury them alive. Jeem, they had used their robes, to completely restrain him. When twisted, they became as strong as any rope. Jeem would one moment be giving them advice about using the maps of the caves, that they had left behind for the rebels to use and continue mapping them out. To try and find another way out of the cave system. The next he would be screaming at them, in the voice of the false God, he was having an internal war against.

After several days, they started noticing a change in both of them. Which ever one was in control, Jeem or the demon, they would both beg to be returned to Ra. Jeem would promise that he would not turn them over to Ra and the beast would echo his words. San'kha had been quiet the whole time but when they would beg, it was he would tell them to ignore them. They had not been tempted to release them, that would be suicide but they even felt pity for the demon.

The worst thing about being stuck down there, was not knowing what had happened to their people, after they had made their escape. They still had not found an escape route but even San'kha agreed, that the people who built this place, must have made several exits, as a means to escape if found. They had all they would need to survive but survival was not enough. They needed to find a way to communicate with their people, two of the five rebels had wives and children. All of them had family out there and Ra could be torturing them or even just killed them by now. It was not knowing that was the hardest part and the knowledge that what they had done, was the reason they were in danger, did little for morale.

As the time passed, the two minds in one body, stopped their begging for release. The internal conflict that they had temporarily called a halt to, was once again reignited. When they had both fallen into unconsciousness, after a bout of fighting each other for dominance. That was the first time San'kha opened up to the rebels. "How can a human resist a God like this, it should not be possible". He said looking to Kaar, as if believing him to be their leader.

For all Kaar knew, he probably was the leader of the rebels now. His brother Hassif, would surely have been taken by now. "You still believe they are gods?". Kaar asked him.

"You have seen their power. Who else but a God, could do such things?". San'kha asked in reply.

"The gods power is a lie, it is only a more advanced version of this". He raised the hand held crossbow, that they all carried. "Technology, they call it. Not power. Jeem told us this, he say that one day, his people will be strong enough to defeat the false gods". Kaar said with real pride in his voice.

"Ra told me, that this one was my destiny but what kind of destiny is this?" He pointed at Jeem. "He tells me I am free but this is not freedom". The frustration on San'kha's face, was plain to see.

Kaar felt for the Jaffa, he had only came with them because he feared Ra's wrath. He was obviously questioning his devotion to the gods but a lifetime of worship, could not just be forgotten. It was easier for the rebels, their families had known the gods were false. They had been waiting for their deliverer, since the Chappa'ai had been buried, on the first world but like the majority of his people, the Jaffa were devoted to the gods. More than the human slaves were, even. "Ra is an Ha'taaka. I say this as a free man and would willingly die for such words. That is our freedom, my thoughts are my own. Even if Ra takes me and locks me away, I will still be free. If he kills me, I will die free".

San'kha simply nodded his understanding. Then continued his constant vigil, guarding Jeem and the false God.

Richard Hastings then stopped Kaar and asked him, "Where is this San'kha now?".

Kaar answered him, "He says that Jeem is his destiny and will not leave him, they keep him in a cell next to Jeem's".

"In a cell, is he their prisoner?". Richard asked.

"Yes the Tok'ra have been fighting the Gau'auld for a very long time, many of them have been killed by their Jaffa. I may even become a host, I have not decided yet but I would be as strong as a Jaffa if I did and would live twice as long". He looked to Nebu as he said this and was not surprised by his reaction.

"You would have a Gau'auld inside you, how can you even consider this brother?". Nebu had a look of disgust, on his face.

"They are not Gau'auld, they fight against them. We are not all as strong as you Nebu and I have tested San'kha's strength. You may have been strong enough to break his neck but we are not and I am not the only one, who is considering it brother".

"His neck, you mean to tell me, this Jaffa is the one I killed?". He asked, stunned by the revelation.

"Ra bought him back to life and we would not be here if it was not for San'kha, he is my friend now". Kaar said defiantly.

Hassif Jr then said, "The Jaffa are as much slaves as our people brother, even more so. We only work in the mines, they are forced to die for their gods and many Jaffa are executed, if they fail. Even if they fought well and lost, they would still be executed Nebu. I know you hate them but they are people, just like you and me".