For disclaimers please see Chapters 1 and 2.
Since starting this story the actor who played Ares on Xena and Hercules has died. In memory of a great actor I am dedicating this chapter to Kevin Smith. My condolences go to his wife and children.
Read and enjoy.
One, Two, Three ………. (part 3)
'So?' Chris asked.
I am really going to have to think quickly here. Ahh yes I know how to tell them without revealing who I am. I'll just have to stay out of the prisoners way and then he cannot tell them who I am. Vin thought.
'Remember that picture postcard book that SG-1 found amongst Melchoir's lab.?' Vin replied.
'Yer, what of it?'
'Well, cowboy I'm almost certain he was in it.'
'Well hell Vin why didn't cha say so.'
'I jist did.'
Chris did not seem to raise his voice but it could now be heard at the other end of Med-Lab, 'Jack, wait up we may have something for you.'
Jack turned around and walked back towards SG-7. 'Larabee this had better be good.'
'Oh I think you'll like it.'
'Well spit it out I haven't got all day.'
Chris looked at Vin who squirmed slightly on his bed. Ezra lent over and stage whispered to Jack, 'I see this remarkable telepathic like communication quite regularly but it still sends horrendous vibrations up and down my vertebrae.'
Jack thought he had just understood what Standish was saying. Jack thought he said it gives him the willies watching the non-verbal conversation that Tanner and Larabee are having. It is very weird and does give you a spooky feeling especially the first time you see it and this was his first time. He'd heard about it from others, Daniel would not shut up about it and even Teal'c seemed impressed, but that raised eyebrow could have been constipation for all he knew.
'Ah hell. Alright you good for nothing, sorry, green-eyed glaring monster I'll tell him but then yous and me are having a talk about this.' Vin suddenly broke the silence.
'Colonel O'Neil do you remember the artefacts you brought back from Melchoirs lab.?'
'Yes.'
'Well among 'em was that picture postcard book.'
'The what?'
'Um, well that's what I's called it and it kinda stuck. It was a pad with pictures on it.'
'Oh yes, well what of it?' It's like trying to squeeze water out of a stone getting information out of Tanner.
'I'm almost certain that your prisoner's picture is in it.'
Jack walked straight to the nearest phone and called Carter. She agreed to go and get the pad and Daniel, and bring it straight to them. A few minutes later both Daniel and Carter walked into Med-Lab.
She handed the pad over to Jack and he could see that she had already found the prisoner's image. He looked over at Daniel and asked 'Can you read the writing?'
Daniel was beaming like he had won the first prize in a competition. 'Yes Jack I can read it and it states that this is a picture of Ares, God of War.'
'You mean that the prisoner is actually a goa'uld?'
'No. I get absolutely no reading off him.' Sam replied.
'Well if this is correct,' Jack waved the pad around, 'what is he and why is he here?'
'If you just ask me I might actually answer you.' Came a voice from the other end of Med-Lab. Oh shit he had been listening in on our conversation.
Carter, Daniel and myself walk down to the other end of Med-Lab leaving Doctor Fraser and her staff to deal with the injured members of SG-7.
Daniel opens the curtains around the bed and holds them open so that Carter and I can enter. Laying on the bed the dark haired and bearded prisoner looks directly at me.
'I love a good battle don't you?' He asks me. 'The smell of the blood, the adrenalin, the feeling of immortality and the fear all combine to make a sweet package.'
I can feel the look of outrage on my face but Daniel jumps in before I can say anything.
'Jack's not like that. No soldier today is.'
'Ahh the scholar. Daniel Jackson isn't it? Danny, Danny any soldier today will tell you that's exactly how it is. They may have shrinks telling them it is not and its alright to cry and let it all out but that is what every soldier feels. Right Major Carter, Colonel O'Neil?'
'That's not why we are here.' I state trying to get this conversation back to the why and the who. He has definitely struck to near home with his words.
'Oh yes you want to know why I'm not a goa'uld. Well that definitely was not in daddy dearest plans. Where to start, where to start?'
'The beginning's usually a good place.' I suggest, then realise that I've just done something that I absolutely hate. I've used a cliche.
Ares chuckles knowing what he has made me do.
'You are right my name is Ares and I am the son of Zeus and Hera. We were the gods of Ancient Greece and Rome. Both mummy and daddy were goa'ulds.'
'Hang on, if your parents were a goa'uld that would make you a…'
'Yea I'm a Harcissus. Daddy dearest wanted another body for him to be able to use after his old one wore out and I was bred for that purpose and that purpose alone. My parents did not care for me, my half siblings saw me as a shell for daddy dearest except for Aphrodite she was the only one who cared for me. Sad isn't it. So when it came to deciding what godhood I should have daddy decided that he wanted the most powerful and manipulative for not just the slaves but the other gods as well. So I was given War.'
'If you're a Harcissus then you should have all the knowledge of the goa'uld.'
'I do but only up to a point. I was born approximately 4,000 years ago.'
'So what happened, how come you're still on Earth and exactly who were those other two?'
'Zeus became very ill and decided it was time to use my body. This was about the time of the Trojan Wars. The goa'uld tried to leap into my body but surprise, surprise found that it couldn't enter. That's right Dr Jackson, Aphosis would never have been able to use Amounet's child as a host. Big cosmic joke or what. Being a Harcissus makes us immune to a goa'uld takeover.'
'Why did not Omar Desala tell us this?' Daniel demanded.
'Maybe she does not know.' I answered. 'Get on with the story.'
'As you imagine Zeus threw a hissy fit. We're lucky Greece is still standing. He banished me as I was of no use to him now. Aphrodite kept in touch to let me know how things were going. And then we came to the Twilight of the Gods and daddy dearest decided he needed War to win. Only problem was that War no longer wanted to obey daddy dearest. So when the Egyptians overthrew Ra and the Greeks did the same to Olympus I tried to avoid as much as I could and even started a rebellion among some of the goa'uld still on Earth. Called ourselves The Tok'ra. Well things went downhill pretty fast from there. The only working Stargate was in the Antarctic and the System Lords were too busy licking their wounds and fighting each other. Some of us decided to remain on Earth hidden among the populace.'
'You mean to tell me that there are more goa'ulds hiding out on Earth.' I asked incredulously.
'Yes, I know you found Seth and now me but yes there are others. And no don't ask me where they are as I do not know.'
'As I sensed a goa'uld from one of the two that left can we assume that another has just left Earth?' Carter asked.
'Yes that was Aphrodite and her son Cupid.'
'Well that explains all that doe eyed looks and control she had. She was like Hathor wasn't she?' Daniel asked. I just shuddered at Hathor's name.
'Not exactly. Dite would not have unwilling partners Dr Jackson. She never forced anyone. Besides she was a member of the Tok'ra. She has become so ill recently we decided to send her away to my brother Apollo's world as he could cure her. She decided that once she was cured she was not coming back to Earth but would seek out the remnants of the Tok'ra and continue the fight.'
'I suppose we better warn them that she is coming.' I reluctantly agreed.
'So if you have all the secrets of the goa'uld and you have willing told us this what is it that you want?' Carter asked. Good ole Carter getting to the heart of the matter I was beginning to wonder this as well. Did he want to be sent after Aphrodite? Did he want to continue hiding on Earth?
'Dite is not the only one who wants to get back into the fight. I'm a soldier. I'm probably the best soldier you are ever going to find. I want back in the fight. I want to join the SGC. You do realise that I could have escaped at any time that I wanted to.'
'With what? Can you walk through mountains?' I scoffed.
'Like this.' Ares said and disappeared in a flash of blue light only to reappear a few minutes later. All the guards in the place had their guns out and were looking highly nervous.
'Stand down.' I ordered as all the guns were slowly lowered and put back into holsters.
'I'll take your request to General Hammond.' I stated.
'No. I want to make it myself. I have no intention of becoming NIC's or Maybournes next project. The SGC protects Teal'c. I want that same type of protection. If you cannot guarantee it. Then I'm outta here.'
'I'll see if the General will see us now.' I picked up the phone and after a brief explanation I escorted Ares to see General Hammond. We passed the members of SG-7 who were all sleeping in their curtained off beds although I swear I could hear cards being shuffled in one.
General Hammond was not happy after his talk with us but he did contact Washington and with his connections and Ares it was agreed less than 24 hours later that Ares would join the SGC.
Hammond made it very clear that he was in charge and if Ares tried anything or dis-obeyed him he would treated like any other soldier who did not obey orders.
General Hammond decided to let Ares keep the rank of General and set up a new SG team for him to command. They would be a mixture of front line like SG-1 and also research like SG-10.
After all of this was agreed and Ares settled in Hammond decided Jack could take Ares to the canteen and introduce them to the members of SG teams who were there.
Around the table furthest from the door with their backs to the wall were the whole of SG-7. As they were involved in the situation Jack decided to introduce them first and he still wanted to know what had happened on the mountain.
'Boys, I'd like to introduce the newest SG-Team commander. Ares I'd like you to meet SG-7.'
'Hi. I'm JD Dunne.'
'It's a pleasure to meet you I'm Josiah Sanchez. Ares are you named after the Greek god of War?'
'No I am the Greek God of War.'
Oh great now comes the questions , Jack thought. I decide to see if I can glare the rest into silence. Doesn't work. Well if they are used to the Larabee glare mine is nowhere near as deadly.
'Really. Well it's not often that we are in such high company and usually we are trying to obliterate the culprit. I'm Ezra Standish.'
'Well lookee at that. I'd say SG-1 are trying to get their revenge for that little joke of Ezra's last week. Oh I'm Buck Wilmington.'
Oh so that was Ezra, was it. Itching powder in our environmental suits is not pleasant. Especially if you cannot get to the scratch.
'Now that SG-1 know it was Ezra the rest of us will have to go around with eyes in the back of our heads. Thanks Ezra. I'll go and get the extra medical supplies now. Nice to meet you Ares my names Nathan Jackson. No, no relative of Daniel's.' Nathan rose from the table and left the canteen.
'Oh Hell. I'm..'
'Telamon. Long time no see.' Ares responded.
'Umm you must be mistaking me with someone else. I'm Vin Tanner.'
'Whatever you say.' Ares leant in closer to Vin and whispered in his ear, 'I know you're Telamon but if you want to pretend different I'll go along for now.'
'Get your hands off Vin and move away slowly.' A voice hissed in Ares ear and was backed up by a gun pressed under his ear.
'Woe, woe I'm backing off. He's even more protective than you are Jack.'
'Ares meet Colonel Chris Larabee.'
Well that went well. I think. We wandered off to introduce Ares to others.
The End for now.
Since starting this story the actor who played Ares on Xena and Hercules has died. In memory of a great actor I am dedicating this chapter to Kevin Smith. My condolences go to his wife and children.
Read and enjoy.
One, Two, Three ………. (part 3)
'So?' Chris asked.
I am really going to have to think quickly here. Ahh yes I know how to tell them without revealing who I am. I'll just have to stay out of the prisoners way and then he cannot tell them who I am. Vin thought.
'Remember that picture postcard book that SG-1 found amongst Melchoir's lab.?' Vin replied.
'Yer, what of it?'
'Well, cowboy I'm almost certain he was in it.'
'Well hell Vin why didn't cha say so.'
'I jist did.'
Chris did not seem to raise his voice but it could now be heard at the other end of Med-Lab, 'Jack, wait up we may have something for you.'
Jack turned around and walked back towards SG-7. 'Larabee this had better be good.'
'Oh I think you'll like it.'
'Well spit it out I haven't got all day.'
Chris looked at Vin who squirmed slightly on his bed. Ezra lent over and stage whispered to Jack, 'I see this remarkable telepathic like communication quite regularly but it still sends horrendous vibrations up and down my vertebrae.'
Jack thought he had just understood what Standish was saying. Jack thought he said it gives him the willies watching the non-verbal conversation that Tanner and Larabee are having. It is very weird and does give you a spooky feeling especially the first time you see it and this was his first time. He'd heard about it from others, Daniel would not shut up about it and even Teal'c seemed impressed, but that raised eyebrow could have been constipation for all he knew.
'Ah hell. Alright you good for nothing, sorry, green-eyed glaring monster I'll tell him but then yous and me are having a talk about this.' Vin suddenly broke the silence.
'Colonel O'Neil do you remember the artefacts you brought back from Melchoirs lab.?'
'Yes.'
'Well among 'em was that picture postcard book.'
'The what?'
'Um, well that's what I's called it and it kinda stuck. It was a pad with pictures on it.'
'Oh yes, well what of it?' It's like trying to squeeze water out of a stone getting information out of Tanner.
'I'm almost certain that your prisoner's picture is in it.'
Jack walked straight to the nearest phone and called Carter. She agreed to go and get the pad and Daniel, and bring it straight to them. A few minutes later both Daniel and Carter walked into Med-Lab.
She handed the pad over to Jack and he could see that she had already found the prisoner's image. He looked over at Daniel and asked 'Can you read the writing?'
Daniel was beaming like he had won the first prize in a competition. 'Yes Jack I can read it and it states that this is a picture of Ares, God of War.'
'You mean that the prisoner is actually a goa'uld?'
'No. I get absolutely no reading off him.' Sam replied.
'Well if this is correct,' Jack waved the pad around, 'what is he and why is he here?'
'If you just ask me I might actually answer you.' Came a voice from the other end of Med-Lab. Oh shit he had been listening in on our conversation.
Carter, Daniel and myself walk down to the other end of Med-Lab leaving Doctor Fraser and her staff to deal with the injured members of SG-7.
Daniel opens the curtains around the bed and holds them open so that Carter and I can enter. Laying on the bed the dark haired and bearded prisoner looks directly at me.
'I love a good battle don't you?' He asks me. 'The smell of the blood, the adrenalin, the feeling of immortality and the fear all combine to make a sweet package.'
I can feel the look of outrage on my face but Daniel jumps in before I can say anything.
'Jack's not like that. No soldier today is.'
'Ahh the scholar. Daniel Jackson isn't it? Danny, Danny any soldier today will tell you that's exactly how it is. They may have shrinks telling them it is not and its alright to cry and let it all out but that is what every soldier feels. Right Major Carter, Colonel O'Neil?'
'That's not why we are here.' I state trying to get this conversation back to the why and the who. He has definitely struck to near home with his words.
'Oh yes you want to know why I'm not a goa'uld. Well that definitely was not in daddy dearest plans. Where to start, where to start?'
'The beginning's usually a good place.' I suggest, then realise that I've just done something that I absolutely hate. I've used a cliche.
Ares chuckles knowing what he has made me do.
'You are right my name is Ares and I am the son of Zeus and Hera. We were the gods of Ancient Greece and Rome. Both mummy and daddy were goa'ulds.'
'Hang on, if your parents were a goa'uld that would make you a…'
'Yea I'm a Harcissus. Daddy dearest wanted another body for him to be able to use after his old one wore out and I was bred for that purpose and that purpose alone. My parents did not care for me, my half siblings saw me as a shell for daddy dearest except for Aphrodite she was the only one who cared for me. Sad isn't it. So when it came to deciding what godhood I should have daddy decided that he wanted the most powerful and manipulative for not just the slaves but the other gods as well. So I was given War.'
'If you're a Harcissus then you should have all the knowledge of the goa'uld.'
'I do but only up to a point. I was born approximately 4,000 years ago.'
'So what happened, how come you're still on Earth and exactly who were those other two?'
'Zeus became very ill and decided it was time to use my body. This was about the time of the Trojan Wars. The goa'uld tried to leap into my body but surprise, surprise found that it couldn't enter. That's right Dr Jackson, Aphosis would never have been able to use Amounet's child as a host. Big cosmic joke or what. Being a Harcissus makes us immune to a goa'uld takeover.'
'Why did not Omar Desala tell us this?' Daniel demanded.
'Maybe she does not know.' I answered. 'Get on with the story.'
'As you imagine Zeus threw a hissy fit. We're lucky Greece is still standing. He banished me as I was of no use to him now. Aphrodite kept in touch to let me know how things were going. And then we came to the Twilight of the Gods and daddy dearest decided he needed War to win. Only problem was that War no longer wanted to obey daddy dearest. So when the Egyptians overthrew Ra and the Greeks did the same to Olympus I tried to avoid as much as I could and even started a rebellion among some of the goa'uld still on Earth. Called ourselves The Tok'ra. Well things went downhill pretty fast from there. The only working Stargate was in the Antarctic and the System Lords were too busy licking their wounds and fighting each other. Some of us decided to remain on Earth hidden among the populace.'
'You mean to tell me that there are more goa'ulds hiding out on Earth.' I asked incredulously.
'Yes, I know you found Seth and now me but yes there are others. And no don't ask me where they are as I do not know.'
'As I sensed a goa'uld from one of the two that left can we assume that another has just left Earth?' Carter asked.
'Yes that was Aphrodite and her son Cupid.'
'Well that explains all that doe eyed looks and control she had. She was like Hathor wasn't she?' Daniel asked. I just shuddered at Hathor's name.
'Not exactly. Dite would not have unwilling partners Dr Jackson. She never forced anyone. Besides she was a member of the Tok'ra. She has become so ill recently we decided to send her away to my brother Apollo's world as he could cure her. She decided that once she was cured she was not coming back to Earth but would seek out the remnants of the Tok'ra and continue the fight.'
'I suppose we better warn them that she is coming.' I reluctantly agreed.
'So if you have all the secrets of the goa'uld and you have willing told us this what is it that you want?' Carter asked. Good ole Carter getting to the heart of the matter I was beginning to wonder this as well. Did he want to be sent after Aphrodite? Did he want to continue hiding on Earth?
'Dite is not the only one who wants to get back into the fight. I'm a soldier. I'm probably the best soldier you are ever going to find. I want back in the fight. I want to join the SGC. You do realise that I could have escaped at any time that I wanted to.'
'With what? Can you walk through mountains?' I scoffed.
'Like this.' Ares said and disappeared in a flash of blue light only to reappear a few minutes later. All the guards in the place had their guns out and were looking highly nervous.
'Stand down.' I ordered as all the guns were slowly lowered and put back into holsters.
'I'll take your request to General Hammond.' I stated.
'No. I want to make it myself. I have no intention of becoming NIC's or Maybournes next project. The SGC protects Teal'c. I want that same type of protection. If you cannot guarantee it. Then I'm outta here.'
'I'll see if the General will see us now.' I picked up the phone and after a brief explanation I escorted Ares to see General Hammond. We passed the members of SG-7 who were all sleeping in their curtained off beds although I swear I could hear cards being shuffled in one.
General Hammond was not happy after his talk with us but he did contact Washington and with his connections and Ares it was agreed less than 24 hours later that Ares would join the SGC.
Hammond made it very clear that he was in charge and if Ares tried anything or dis-obeyed him he would treated like any other soldier who did not obey orders.
General Hammond decided to let Ares keep the rank of General and set up a new SG team for him to command. They would be a mixture of front line like SG-1 and also research like SG-10.
After all of this was agreed and Ares settled in Hammond decided Jack could take Ares to the canteen and introduce them to the members of SG teams who were there.
Around the table furthest from the door with their backs to the wall were the whole of SG-7. As they were involved in the situation Jack decided to introduce them first and he still wanted to know what had happened on the mountain.
'Boys, I'd like to introduce the newest SG-Team commander. Ares I'd like you to meet SG-7.'
'Hi. I'm JD Dunne.'
'It's a pleasure to meet you I'm Josiah Sanchez. Ares are you named after the Greek god of War?'
'No I am the Greek God of War.'
Oh great now comes the questions , Jack thought. I decide to see if I can glare the rest into silence. Doesn't work. Well if they are used to the Larabee glare mine is nowhere near as deadly.
'Really. Well it's not often that we are in such high company and usually we are trying to obliterate the culprit. I'm Ezra Standish.'
'Well lookee at that. I'd say SG-1 are trying to get their revenge for that little joke of Ezra's last week. Oh I'm Buck Wilmington.'
Oh so that was Ezra, was it. Itching powder in our environmental suits is not pleasant. Especially if you cannot get to the scratch.
'Now that SG-1 know it was Ezra the rest of us will have to go around with eyes in the back of our heads. Thanks Ezra. I'll go and get the extra medical supplies now. Nice to meet you Ares my names Nathan Jackson. No, no relative of Daniel's.' Nathan rose from the table and left the canteen.
'Oh Hell. I'm..'
'Telamon. Long time no see.' Ares responded.
'Umm you must be mistaking me with someone else. I'm Vin Tanner.'
'Whatever you say.' Ares leant in closer to Vin and whispered in his ear, 'I know you're Telamon but if you want to pretend different I'll go along for now.'
'Get your hands off Vin and move away slowly.' A voice hissed in Ares ear and was backed up by a gun pressed under his ear.
'Woe, woe I'm backing off. He's even more protective than you are Jack.'
'Ares meet Colonel Chris Larabee.'
Well that went well. I think. We wandered off to introduce Ares to others.
The End for now.