Chapter 40: The Expert
Earth Orbit, Solar System, September 23rd, 1998
"I'm dying."
Adora rolled her eyes at Catra. "You aren't dying. You just stuffed yourself."
"Against my will. This was an attempt to kill us. A very subtle and cunning attempt. All those fish dishes… they knew I would be unable to resist." Catra groaned from their bed. "I'll get back at them for that."
"They just wanted to curry favour with you," Adora told her as she finished putting her clothes into their locker - or armoire since it was in their cabin. It was her best dress, after all, and deserved to be cared for. It would be a little embarrassing if she had to ask an Earth tailor for another dress.
Not that that deterred Catra. Her lover had dropped her clothes on the floor on the way to the bed. And not in the sexy way - she had groaned and complained until she hit the bed.
Adora sighed and started picking up the pieces.
"Just leave it for the bots. They need to be cleaned anyway," Catra commented from the bed.
Adora pressed her lips together. "It's still not right to just drop stuff on the floor."
"We're not cadets any more."
"That's no excuse."
Catra snorted. "I'd say you're making the job harder for the bots - they need to get it out of the locker now."
She had a point, but Adora wouldn't admit that. You just didn't leave your clothes on the floor. Unless you were seducing your lover, of course - it would kill the mood if you started gathering the clothes. Even Adora knew that.
So she still put the clothes into Catra's locker, sent a message to the bots to get it cleaned, as well as her dress, and then finally joined Catra on the bed.
"Took you long enough," Catra complained.
"It seems you have survived the cunning attack on your life."
"The fish I can't stomach has yet to be born. Not counting fugu."
"Fugu?"
"Some poisonous fish people eat on Earth. Deadly poison."
"They eat poisonous fish?" Were they crazy? Crazier than Adora had thought?
"Well, they cut the poisonous part out or something. Unless the cook makes a mistake, it's perfectly safe." Catra shrugged - a bit too nonchalantly.
Adora knew her lover. "You're not going to eat that fish." No one was perfect, after all. Everyone made a mistake at least once.
Catra frowned at her. "I didn't say I was going to eat it."
"I know you were planning to eat it."
"I wasn't really planning to eat it. We aren't even planning to visit Japan. And I don't think they would serve it at a state dinner, anyway."
Adora narrowed her eyes. That was a lot of research into a fish. "Of course they wouldn't serve poisonous fish at a state dinner!" Because it was poisonous!
"So, there's no reason to worry about me." Catra grinned widely.
There was only one answer to that. Adora slid over, then rolled on top of her lover. "I do worry about you anyway. Because I know you," she said, looking down at Catra.
"Well, you shouldn't. I survived fighting you," Catra retorted.
Adora suppressed a sigh. That was typical for Catra, mentioning the war to change the subject. "I worry anyway," she repeated herself.
Catra bit her lower lip. "I know," she whispered after a moment, glancing to the side. And blushing under her fur.
Adora smiled and bent down, planting a kiss on her lips. And another. And then a third, longer one, when Catra wrapped her arms around her.
Earth Orbit, Solar System, September 24th, 1998
Glimmer and Bow were already at the table when Adora entered Darla's kitchen with a yawning Catra in tow. Hordak and Entrapta were probably still asleep - they had worked late into the night.
"So… what dastardly plans of us have the news revealed now?" Catra asked as she grabbed some bread and butter.
"The usual," Glimmer replied. "Blah blah forced laws on us blah blah unfair discrimination blah blah plan to corrupt our youth blah blah weak government blah blah corruption at the highest level blah blah global conspiracy."
She must have watched quite a lot of the news already, Adora realised.
"Well, most were quite positive," Bow amended. "Just a few channels and newspapers were… critical."
"And all of them are owned by the same people," Glimmer said. "Most belong to the same person, even. At least in England and America."
That was… well, not surprising. "Should we talk to them? Explain that we aren't corrupting anyone?" Adora asked.
"Won't help if they're a bigot," Glimmer said. "But they might just expect a bribe," she added. "They might want something in exchange for stopping this. They aren't as… fanatical as the others who hate us."
Adora frowned. "They are trying to blackmail us?" That was…
"Not blackmail, more like… extortion," Bow corrected her.
"It doesn't matter whether they hate us or want to extort something." Glimmer scoffed. "We have many more important people to talk to."
"But we could ask the Americans what's up with them," Catra suggested. "Have them do something about that. I mean, not that we would ask that, but I bet they would do something if we mentioned that this was annoying."
That was… likely, actually, but Adora didn't think it would be a good thing to do. It felt wrong. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said.
"Yes," Glimmer agreed. "The Americans might think that we owe them for anything they do."
Adora frowned again. That wasn't why she thought they shouldn't do this.
"So… did you find anything that I missed and that we should be aware of during our trip to Germany?" Adora asked when breakfast was over - well, almost over; Catra was finishing the scrambled eggs.
"We didn't actually do any research after yesterday's state dinner," Bow told her.
"As if you'd have missed anything," Catra said after swallowing. "You obsess over that stuff."
"I like to be prepared," Adora defended herself. "And the better we understand the Tau'ri, the fewer problems we'll have."
"Half of the time, nobody can understand them. Probably not even Earth people themselves," Catra said with a chuckle.
Everyone laughed, though it was a problem. Misunderstandings could have tragic consequences, as Adora and her friends knew very well. "Well, I don't think we'll have any problem at the signing. We didn't have any trouble in France or Britain, and they're supposed to be similar countries." She had mapped out some differences, but most of them didn't seem to apply. Except for the whole thing about the world war. The Second World War. As long as Catra didn't ask about the war, they should be fine. Though, speaking of the war… "What do you think about the supreme commander question?"
"It's a no-brainer," Catra said. She scoffed. "Without a unified command, we'll be as bad as the Alliance was before you took over."
"Hey!" Glimmer protested. "Adora didn't take over - we had to restore the Princess Alliance because it had fallen apart at that point. That was why the Alliance was so ineffective!"
Catra shrugged. "Same thing - you had no overall commander."
"It's not the same thing!"
Bow shook his head. "Let's not argue about the Alliance, OK?"
Adora nodded emphatically before Glimmer and Catra could continue their disagreement. "Yes. We all know we need a commander. The question is: Can we persuade our allies on Earth of that? And who will take the post?"
"Why would they baulk at this? They aren't that stupid," Catra said. "They had one in the big war as well. At least one per front or something." She grinned. "And I think we can persuade them - we've got the fleet and the technology they want."
That was a good argument. But… "And who would become supreme commander?" Adora asked.
"Not one of theirs," Catra said at once. "They have no experience with our technology or war in space."
"We don't have much experience with a war in space either," Adora pointed out. Well, she had personally cut fighters in half, but…
"It's still more than they have." Catra grinned. "And the clones have lots of experience - and Priest will follow you."
Adora grimaced. That was true, but she didn't like being reminded of it. "Still, we can't let them lead us." The only clone with actual experience as a commander in a war was Hordak. And Adora didn't think anyone except, possibly, Entrapta would want him to lead the Alliance.
"But we have less experience fighting the Goa'uld," Bow pointed out. "The Americans have been fighting them for years."
"They aren't in the Alliance," Catra retorted.
"But they might join," Bow told her. "They are making progress with their reforms."
"And they have access to Goa'uld technology and a ship of their own," Adora added. "They could fight without an alliance - they did that so far. And they have the Stargate, so they can keep fighting the Goa'uld."
"The whole planet has access to the Stargate," Catra said. "Technically." She flashed her teeth in a grin.
"If we don't get them all united under one command, this will be a mess," Adora said. "But we can't ally with countries where we would get imprisoned - or worse - for loving each other."
Glimmer nodded. "Fortunately, the British and the French are part of the Security Council. If the Americans join the Alliance, that would mean they could control the Stargate. At least to some degree."
"I don't think the other countries would let them control the Stargate," Bow said.
"But if the Americans join, they'll want to have command," Catra said. "Hey! We all talked to SG-1. Remember Daniel's lectures? They are used to being in charge. And they don't like following orders. Especially from princesses - remember the comments about you? And our age?"
Adora did remember those comments on their television. As if you had to be old to lead! Or male!
"Well, we can't let them be in charge," Glimmer said. "They're not even in the Alliance yet."
"We haven't launched any operation yet, either." Bow shook his head. "By the time we're ready for an attack on a planet, we might have an alliance with the Americans."
"That means we should have our structures down for the new Alliance before that happens," Glimmer said. "And I think one of us needs to be in charge."
"Priest will only follow Adora, anyway," Catra pointed out. "Not anyone from Earth."
Adora frowned, but her lover was likely correct. "But I could be a subcommander." She beamed at Glimmer. "You could lead. You lead the Princess Alliance in the war."
Glimmer didn't look as enthusiastic as Adora had hoped.
Catra, though, did. "Yes. And you have the political experience and rank to wrangle all the others."
Glimmer frowned. "I also have a kingdom to rule. Unlike in the war against the Horde, I wouldn't be on Etheria for long."
"Micah's got that in hand," Catra retorted. "Besides, can you see Adora dealing with all those Earth rulers and politicians?"
Adora frowned when both Bow and Glimmer nodded at Catra's words. She wasn't that bad! "What about you, Catra?" she asked with a wide smile.
"No chance. I'm used to leading the Horde, where I could tell everyone what to do and didn't have to worry about a dozen princesses or rulers disagreeing." Catra grinned. "It's you or Glimmer."
"Glimmer!" Adora said at once.
Area 51, Nevada, United States of America, Earth, September 24th, 1998
"Don't worry, Carter - you'll be back working with these alien thingamabobs soon enough."
Samantha Carter frowned as she turned away from her laptop, where she was cross-checking the inventory of the transport, to look at the Colonel. "I wouldn't presume to forecast my future deployments, Sir." And she wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to work at Area 51 anyway, instead of at the Stargate - or join the still-developing Space Force.
"Oh, come on - this is the Air Force's newest and most secret research facility!" The Colonel grinned. "Where else do you think the brass would send their best scientist?"
"Somewhere they can work with alien researchers without having to go through an hours-long security check?" Sam tilted her head for a moment, then went back to check off yet another piece of alien technology that hadn't been fully identified yet. Probably part of a lattice used to grow crystals for data storage, but Sam hadn't been able to get around to testing her assumption.
"Good point!" The Colonel nodded. "Security is tight here. Very tight."
Sam half-expected him to make an off-colour joke about how tight it was, but he didn't. He was correct, though - security had increased since her last visit. Of course, that had been before first contact with Etheria and all the troubles that this caused - Sam still winced when she thought of the attempted storming of the base by a mob.
But they might have overdone it a little. Daniel and Teal'c hadn't been allowed on-site, presumably because their presence wasn't needed. And because they were civilians. Sam couldn't imagine foreigners, much less alien researchers, being allowed into the base. Having them land at the base was one thing, but entering the base proper was a completely different matter.
Which meant she didn't really want to work here, either. Not to mention that the whole base was about applying alien technology, not groundbreaking research.
And, she added to herself as two transport containers were unloaded from the plane under even heavier security, now containment for alien prisoners as well. Apparently, the United Nations weren't trusted with Seth or Osiris. Sam had pointed out that this would delay interrogation efforts that needed the Etherians' help, but the transfer had gone through anyway. She wondered what would happen when the Etherians wanted to visit - or check up on how the prisoners were treated. Well, that wouldn't be her problem, would it?
Once the two containers were put on trucks bristling with guards and driven out of the hangar, the Colonel spoke up again: "I don't like this. I can't help feeling that the resident nerds and brass underestimate the snakes."
"They will have read the reports and files," Sam said.
"Reports and files are well and good, but they can't replace practical experience. And what are the chances that someone who thinks he's smarter than he actually is comes up with some 'genius plan' that involves the Goa'uld?"
Like offering them some sort of host in exchange for cooperation? Too high, in Sam's opinion. She knew a number of the scientists working here. And some of them she wouldn't trust to look after a hamster. But it was out of their hands for now, with Stargate Command now under the control of the United Nations. "I wouldn't presume to make any estimates," she said.
The Colonel snorted but didn't press her. "Well, the Etherians will find them, should they escape. They've got that magic scanner, after all. But, in the interest of fostering good relations, someone ought to inform them of the transfer as well."
Was he asking her to do it? She was meeting Entrapta tomorrow - today's trip to Nevada took too long to do any more work with the princess - and it would be easy to tell her. She hadn't been ordered not to tell, after all. And Area 51 was supposed to be secret, but the Etherians had landed here for their first visit...
So she nodded. "It would certainly be rude to have them find out once they want to talk to them." Or think the Goa'uld escaped from Colorado.
"Exactly!"
The Colonel watched as the last container with alien technology was opened and both Sam and the local officer in charge went through the inventory. Nothing came up missing or unaccounted for, and the last truck soon left the hangar.
Half an hour later, they were back in the air on the way to Colorado. And catching up on the news.
"...and the crowds are already lining the streets in anticipation of the Etherians' arrival. Berlin is ready for the aliens!"
"But are the aliens ready for Berlin?" The Colonel snorted. "I've been there, actually, during the Cold War. How things have changed."
Sam knew better than to ask him about what he had been doing there. "After today, the Etherians will have an alliance with three of the most powerful countries in Europe."
He scoffed. "Just signing a treaty won't create a working alliance. They still have to hash out all the nitty-gritty details. Troops, command, missions, technology… It'll take a while until anything comes of this." With a chuckle, he added: "Just sorting out who is to be in charge will take a long while."
"I would assume Adora or Glimmer would be in command," Sam said.
"They're the logical choice. But both are young - I've had second lieutenants older than them. That will cause problems."
And their gender, Sam silently added. Many, probably most of the officers would have trouble following the orders of a young woman. She knew that better than most.
"And no one wants to let foreigners command their soldiers," the Colonel went on.
"Least of all the United States," Sam said.
He frowned at her reminder that the United States was working on an alliance with the Eherians as well, with all that entailed. "Yes. Working out who is in charge once we join will be difficult."
Mostly for the United States, in Sam's opinion. Given the discrepancy in experience and resources, the Etherians were the obvious choice for supreme command of Alliance forces in the field. The Colonel was aware of that as well, but she knew he didn't like it.
Sam wasn't entirely sold on it, either. It was logical, obvious, but… it took a lot of trust to let foreigners command your own troops. Who could say if they didn't favour their own troops, even just a little, over others? It was one thing to have a few troops under someone else's command, but all of them?
Flughafen Berlin-Tegel, Berlin, Germany, Earth, September 24th, 1998
"As I said: The same as in Paris and London." Catra smirked as they stepped out of Darla. "Flags, soldiers and reporters. And a minister or two." Typical.
"Those aren't ministers. Those are the chief of the Bundespräsidialamt and his partner," Adora corrected her.
"Bundespre-what?" Catra asked.
"The office of the head of state of the Germans," Bow explained.
Right. The Germans were infamous on Earth for using weirdly long words. "Still the same. They're just here to greet us," she insisted.
Then they reached the bottom of the ramp, and the whole circus started. Formal greeting, walking past soldiers, past reporters - no answering questions, though - and then getting into cars. No carriages here.
The drive through Berlin felt the same as in Paris or London - lots of people waving and cheering, lots of flags, big and small ones, until they reached a sort of palace, where more soldiers and the German Bundespräsident waited. Now that was a figurehead, in Catra's opinion. No real power at all. And he wasn't like the Queen either. Friendly, but not princess material - she found that out quickly after they started talking in the palace.
"...so, you act as the highest judge?"
And he wasn't interested in their military but their judges. Talk about weird!
"Only for the worst crimes," Glimmer replied. "But those are really rare."
"Really?" The man looked surprised.
"Yes. The normal judges can handle pretty much everything." Gimmer nodded.
"That's surprising. And you pick the judges?"
"Yes. Though most were picked by my mother."
Catra didn't wince. She kept smiling politely, even though being reminded of one of her greatest mistakes - or crimes - that had led to Queen Angella sacrificing herself made her want to wince. She grabbed another snack to distract herself. Tuna salad canapés, those were called, and they were heavenly. She'd have to ask Sea Hawk or Mermista if Etheria had any fish like this.
"...and do you use magic to determine the truth?"
"Yes, when the judge or the people in court ask for it."
They were still talking about the law? Catra wanted to roll her eyes.
"Aren't you concerned that this would force everyone to ask for magical means to prove they are telling the truth or be suspected of or assumed to be lying?"
Glimmer tilted her head with a frown. "Without truth, there is no justice. Why would we want to let people lie?"
"But what if people honestly believe that something is true? Would your magic detect a lie instead?"
"No. But it would still show what the person honestly believed, which is usually decisive for a case."
"Usually, but there are always exceptions, aren't there?"
"Few of them. And even those can be solved with care and attention. We…"
Catra tuned the discussion out. Who cared about the law when they had a war to fight? Especially if it wasn't about war crimes? And why would the right to lie be a right at all? Hell, Double Trouble would love this system!
Schloss Bellevue, Berlin, Germany, Earth, September 24th, 1998
"...and with this signature, the alliance has been officially formed!" the German Chancellor announced.
Finally! Catra clapped loudly and enthusiastically as applause filled the room. They were here to sign the treaty, not to discuss the finer points of the law. Worst meeting ever, in her opinion. Even if the food had been good. Better than expected, after what Adora had read up on German cuisine. At least they knew how to cook fish.
And now came the press. Gah! Catra blinked as cameras flashed.
"Hans Meier, FAZ. Herr Bundeskanzler, do you expect that this treaty will decide the upcoming election?"
The Chancellor slowly nodded. "Entering this alliance is one of the most important decisions I ever took for the future of Germany - on par with the reunification of our country. With this, we have assured the safety and future of Germany and its place at the forefront of technology."
"Karl Reissmann, Der Spiegel. Herr Bundeskanzler, what do you say to the accusations that you made too many concessions to the Etherians in order to secure this alliance?"
"Those accusations are completely unfounded! All we conceded was the implementation of laws that should have been implemented long ago, to grant equal rights to all citizens and residents in Germany no matter their life choices."
Yeah, the reporters were the same as well. They should have skipped this, in Catra's opinion.
"Jasmin Kowalski, TAZ. Herr Bundeskanzler, how do you feel, having committed Germany to another war of conquest?"
"This comparison is in very bad taste - and wrong as well! We aren't in a war of conquest; we are in a war for our very survival against an enemy that has enslaved countless planets."
"And yet, according to what we know, the Bundeswehr will be expected to help conquer planets. Excuse me, 'liberate' them. Was a diplomatic solution even considered?"
Adora took a step forward. "We're always open for a diplomatic solution - but not if it means accepting slavery. If the Goa'uld desire peace, all they have to do is liberate their slaves, both humans and Jaffa. And if we have to conquer their Empire to liberate their slaves, then we will do that. How would you feel, knowing that you could free a slave but deciding not to?"
"How will you feel, knowing that millions will die in a war that could have been prevented?"
Adora frowned at the woman. "As I said, if the Goa'uld want peace, they have to release their slaves. We will certainly give them the option."
Catra frowned as well. They hadn't discussed that yet with their new alliance members. And contacting the Goa'uld first would ruin the element of surprise. She suppressed a sigh. Sorting this out wouldn't be pretty.
Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, United States of America, Earth, September 24th, 1998
"...and experts are divided in their views on whether or not the Goa'uld will respond to any diplomatic offer. Retired Colonel Barnes, United States Air Force, was cited that 'any such offer would be repeating the mistakes made in Munich in 1938', although several prominent activists have already launched a proposal to focus on a 'peaceful resolution of the current differences', and…"
Jack O'Neill wanted to shoot the television. 'Experts'? None of them had any experience with the Goa'uld - or with the Etherians or any other aliens. He had never even heard of Colonel Barnes, and, judging by his age, the man had retired from the Air Force before Stargate Command had been a thing. He definitely didn't know anything. Although Jack would grant him one thing - the man was correct that trying diplomacy with the Goa'uld was stupid. But those 'activists' calling slavery and genocide 'ideological differences'... "God damn it!" he cursed as he stabbed his jello - blue! - with his spoon. "I leave for half a day, and see what happens?"
"I do not think that you could have prevented Adora from voicing her views even if you had been present at the base, O'Neill."
"Da! Unless you have open channel to headphones of aliens, or ability to mute her microphone."
Jack gritted his teeth. Why had the Russian spy - well, the most annoying of their spies - started to sit at their table? Because he had invited himself along when Jack had been in the field training the FNGs, and Daniel hadn't had the balls to tell him to get lost. "It was a figure of speech," he said. Daniel opened his mouth, and Jack shot him a glare. He wasn't in the mood for pedantic linguistic corrections.
While Daniel pouted, Carter spoke up: "Adora didn't actually make any offer - she merely stated what conditions she considers essential for a peace treaty and that she was open to a diplomatic solution. She didn't announce that they would attempt to find a diplomatic solution before taking military action."
"Yep. But everyone took it as a 'peace for our time' moment," Jack said.
"Not everyone," Daniel cut in, still pouting. "None of the involved governments, at least."
"But the press did," Jack retorted. "Until the Etherians clarify what they mean, people will keep arguing about this." They would keep arguing after any clarification, of course, but it wouldn't be as bad as it was right now. "They really should put out a communique."
"They're currently busy with the state dinner," Daniel said.
Probably gorging them on good food. Well, decent food - they were in Germany, after all. "By the time they finish, some fools will have started building a Goa'uld hotel for the peace talks," Jack said.
Daniel laughed, as did the Russian spy. "Funny! A snake hotel, like roach motel?"
"PETA would probably object," Jack told him. Unfortunately, the man didn't look confused but nodded, laughing again.
"It's just the media overreacting to every little slip of the tongue," Daniel said.
"And the politicians who think they can capitalise on this," Carter added.
"Damn vultures," Jack said. Them and their useful idiots. As if you could trust the Goa'uld to keep a treaty!
He finished his jello and looked around. The TV was showing some academic talking about how you couldn't truly understand real aliens' culture and what that supposedly meant for diplomacy with the Goa'uld. "What a nutcase!" he muttered.
"What a hypocrite!" Daniel hissed next to him. "Why would anyone give that charlatan the time of day, much less screen time?"
Jack blinked. "Is there a story here?" he asked his friend.
"Dr Baker was one of, well, my most vocal critics when I published my hypothesis," Daniel replied, scowling. "He called me a UFO conspiracy theorist. And now he's talking as if he were an expert on aliens! The man isn't even an expert in his own field - he needed help reading hieroglyphs!"
Ah, touchy subject. Jack nodded. "The actual experts are all working for us, so who could they drag in front of a television?" He shrugged.
"Someone who actually has an open mind!" Daniel answered his rhetorical question. "Not someone angling to agree with anyone who'd give him a grant!"
Really touchy subject.
"I should call the studio to set things straight. Baker's totally misrepresenting the Thirteenth Dynasty! Which has nothing to do with Goa'uld, anyway!" Daniel went on.
Jack blinked. That was… "I think you should call."
"What?" Everyone, not just Daniel, was staring at him. Even the Russian.
"What?" Jack frowned at them. "This isn't spilling some alien secrets - this is just Daniel correcting a colleague about Ancient Egypt."
"Right." Daniel nodded. "No talk about aliens, just Egypt." He stood and walked away.
Carter owned her mouth, then closed it and frowned at Jack. "You know they'll announce him as an expert on aliens."
"Of course. But Daniel's too smart to spill anything important." Jack grinned. And it might derail the damn peace talk frenzy.
"Really?" Carter's eyebrows rose. "You think Daniel will simply not comment when they ask questions about the Etherians and the Goa'uld? When they make up wrong statements about them?"
Jack blinked again. "On second thought, maybe I should go with him…"
Schloss Bellevue, Berlin, Germany, Earth, September 24th, 1998
"...and I do not think that we should open with diplomacy. That would give away the advantage of surprise."
"Striking without a declaration of war? I think history shows why that's a very questionable plan."
"Are you comparing a war to defend ourselves and to free countless humans kept as slaves and hosts for parasites to a war of aggression?"
"No. But once we have struck, any offer to negotiate will either be seen as a ruse - or as a sign of weakness."
Adora frowned at the discussion between the two German politicians. It seemed they had forgotten that this was a dinner, not their parliament. Or wherever they discussed like that.
"The Goa'uld don't know about us," Glimmer cut in. "Any negotiation will be difficult when one side doesn't know the strength and goals of the other side."
"And giving out that information would be stupid beyond belief," Catra added.
"Then how are we supposed to negotiate in good faith with them?" the German asked.
"That's easy: Once we have them at our mercy, we let them surrender." Catra flashed her fangs at the man. "All honest-like."
Adora chuckled almost against her will - and barely managed not to laugh when she saw the man's reaction. So did Glimmer, and Bow hid his smile behind his napkin.
But the rest of the Germans, even the one who had argued against trying diplomacy first, didn't look amused. Even the Chancellor frowned. "One should never enter a war lightly. Germany has a special responsibility there."
"You mean because you started the last world war?" Catra asked, cocking her head.
"Germany did far more than starting a war," the Chancellor replied. "The shadow of the crimes done in our country's name - by our parents and grandparents - still lies over Germany."
"Yeah, but this time, you're on the right side," Catra told him. "And that's how you make up for your past crimes - by doing good."
Adora nodded. "You are now helping to protect and free others. That's the complete opposite of what your ancestors did."
"But we can't just ignore our past - Germany has a historic guilt."
Adora frowned. That made no sense. "But you changed."
"Yes," Bow spoke up. "We studied your history. You have rejected your past ideology. Like others have."
"Germany has a unique legacy. We carry a collective guilt. An obligation to ensure that this shameful, terrible history won't ever repeat itself." The big old man slowly nodded.
"But that's exactly why we are fighting this war - will be fighting this war," Glimmer protested. "To save millions of people from being enslaved and turned into hosts for the Goa'uld."
"Or worked to death," Bow added.
Adora nodded once more - they had seen the data Stargate Command had gathered on the Goa'uld's practice of slavery.
"It's still a difficult decision," the Chancellor told them. "Germany will stand with you and with the other countries on Earth. We will defend ourselves and our allies - and there is no doubt that we are under attack, through no fault of our own. However, our history will not allow us to enter any war lightly, and even when we do, we should consider all alternatives before committing to war."
"But none of you fought in the last war," Glimmer said. "What happened wasn't your fault."
Adora looked around. None of the people present looked old enough to have fought in that war.
"I escaped that guilt by a hair's width," the Chancellor said. "I was already recruited and training to fight when the war ended."
"Even if you had fought," Adora told him, "you aren't the same person you were back then - you changed." She glanced at Catra, but her lover seemed very interested in the remains of dessert. "That's what matters. The future, not your past."
The Germans were staring at her, she noticed. At her, not at Catra.
"You do believe that," one of the Ministers said, slowly shaking his head.
"Of course." Adora nodded emphatically. "Everyone can change." Her friends proved that. Catra proved that. "We hope the Goa'uld, too, will change. At least some of them."
"So, you think we should talk before we start a war?"
Adora frowned. "We're already at war. They started it long ago. They keep slaves. They use them as hosts. They attacked Earth - and I have no doubt that they would attack Etheria if they knew where we are."
"Oh."
"Yes." Glimmer nodded sharply. "We will not refuse to talk with them if they offer an honest peace proposal - but neither will we stop fighting them. That would be a betrayal of all we stand for - and a betrayal of those who depend on us for their freedom or their very lives."
Someone muttered 'München', but Adora didn't know who it was.
"So, we'll fight," she went on. "And we'll fight until all their slaves are free."
"Whether that means we'll fight to the last Goa'uld or not is up to them," Catra said with a toothy grin.
As Adora and her friends nodded, she couldn't help noticing that the Germans looked… surprised and concerned. "Do you disagree?"
The Chancellor shook his head. "No. It's just… surprising to see people who have fought a war for years entering the next so… eagerly. You know how terrible war is."
Oh.
"We're willing to fight this war because we know the alternative," Glimmer said.
Adora nodded in agreement, but she couldn't help wondering if the Germans had a point.
Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, United States of America, Earth, September 25th, 1998
"...and we are talking to Dr Daniel Jackson, who predicted the existence of aliens years before it was officially revealed. Dr Jackson, you wanted to chime in on our analysis of the Goa'uld?"
"Yes, Mr Ballantine. As you know, since you checked my credentials, I am a consultant for Stargate Command. In that capacity, I have met Goa'uld, and I am afraid that I disagree with the conclusions drawn by Dr Baker based on his studies of ancient Egypt, chiefly that we cannot understand a literal alien culture."
"Is this about my dismissal of your theory? Dr Jackson, back when you postulated the existence of aliens, you had no proof to prop it up. It was pure speculation."
"Speculation? I based my hypothesis on the results of various interdisciplinary research - results which were dismissed by everyone because they didn't fit established assumptions about the age of the pyramids. Instead of testing my hypothesis, which was what a scientist should have done, it was ridiculed. But that is not why I called today. I called because your lack of primary or secondary sources means your conclusions are incorrect."
"I have valid secondary sources!"
"You have, at most, tertiary sources. Hearsay, in other words. You have neither talked to any Goa'uld nor spoken with their subjects, much less visited their worlds."
"And you have?"
"Actually, I have, yes. And I can confidently state that your hypothesis that we cannot understand the Goa'uld is not supported by any evidence or experience. The Goa'uld aren't a misunderstood alien species with ethics incomprehensible for humans - their ethics are easily understood but simply reprehensible."
"That is a very biassed claim. Of course you'd say that, seeing as you work for the same organisation that started the war with the Goa'uld."
"Killing Ra was a reaction to his planned invasion of Earth. Any aggression started with him - I would know since I was there!"
Samantha Carter winced when General Hammond turned the television off. He was frowning, as were the other generals present. "I think there's no need to listen to the entirety of your scientific debate with Dr Baker, Dr Jackson."
Daniel flushed but stood his ground. "I merely corrected his mistaken assumptions about the Goa'uld."
"By citing your own experiences in the employ of Stargate Command," General Hammond said. "Which, I shouldn't have to remind you, are still classified."
"Daniel said nothing that was actually a secret," the Colonel spoke up. "Everything he mentioned was already publicly known."
"Yes. I did not reveal any details that might still be classified."
"Classified information isn't automatically unclassified just because it's leaked to the public," General Sidorov cut in.
"Of course a Russian would say that," Sam heard the Colonel mutter under his breath.
"That's a very illogical stance," Daniel retorted with a deep frown. "The President himself revealed the existence of Goa'uld, the Stargate Program, and our history with the Goa'uld, including the death of Ra."
"You aren't the President of the United States," Sidorov shot back.
"And we aren't in Russia," the Colonel said. "If you expect us to keep silent about things everyone, including elementary students, is talking about, then I think you'll be disappointed."
"No one expects you to act as if this were still a secret," General Hammond said. "However, neither does anyone expect you to act as if you were the spokesman of Stargate Command."
Daniel flushed again. "I merely corrected quite mistaken claims by someone puffing himself up as an expert."
"But you did so as an employee of Stargate Command," General Haig said. "This means the public will consider your views as views shared by the entire program."
"Views? I am talking about facts!" Daniel frowned. "I did not say anything about Stargate Command's goals and policies; I just corrected factual claims that were wrong."
Sam nodded. Her friend was correct - from a scientific point of view. Unfortunately, they were dealing with politics, not science.
"Without having received orders or permissions to do so." General Li didn't show any expression, but his tone indicated disapproval.
"I gave permission," the Colonel said.
"You don't have the authority to do so, Colonel O'Neill," Li told him.
"I wasn't aware that Stargate Command had passed gag orders," the Colonel faked surprise. At least he didn't mention free speech in a dig against China and Russia. Small mercies.
"I doubt that such a call would have been permitted back when Stargate Command was an American program," General Haig said.
The Colonel shrugged. "Back then, it was a secret. Things change."
"Let's not mince words, Colonel." General Hammond was still scowling. "This wasn't just about correcting a scientist or settling academic grudges. This was about politics."
Daniel blinked, obviously surprised. Sam could see his eyes widen for a moment as he realised it.
The Colonel's equally obvious surprise, however, was faked. Sam was sure of that.
"The United States Armed Forces take a dim view of their members trying to make politics, Colonel O'Neill."
"Yes, Sir." The Colonel still didn't look concerned.
Well, he had good reasons not to be. Stargate Command couldn't afford to relieve him - or anyone else in SG-1. They needed their experience. And their connections to the Etherians.
But Sam had no doubt that whatever the timetable for their dismissal from Stargate Command was, it had just been accelerated to some degree.
Which probably had been the Colonel's goal. Or one of his goals.