Chapter Eighteen: The Nebari and the Archaeologist


When they'd first come aboard the Rising Star, D'Argo, Rygel, Chiana and Jool had become celebrities of sorts. The Colonials had seen aliens of course, but nothing like any of their species before. Thankfully the Humans were polite and courteous. Jolly and Boomer who had been assigned by Adama to look after them weren't too excited about baby-sitting the four aliens. However the two warriors were slowly coming to appreciate their company. They liked D'Argo, a sort of protective yet gentle giant for the group, although they sensed that he could break a man in half if given a good enough reason to do so. They also found Rygel to be quite a character, who couldn't seem to keep quiet even if his very existence depended on it. Boomer and Jolly also had their doubts about his claim of being a ex-ruler of some Galactic Empire. And being red-blooded males, the two Colonial warriors quickly warmed to the two alien women. In turn, Jool and Chiana appreciated the gentlemanly treatment that the two warriors accorded them, especially the flirtatious Chiana.


The four Moya crew members enjoyed the recreation facilities on the huge luxury liner. Being the warrior of group, it took D'Argo a while to unwind, since he was always half expecting trouble to erupt at any moment. On the other end of the spectrum, Rygel was fully immersed in the hospitality that only Rising Star could provide, crowing that this ship and its crew really knew how to treat a Dominar. The two women, Jool and Chiana also took full advantage of their time on the ship, though without the overindulgence like Rygel who ate just about anything remotely edible that was placed in front of him.....and a few things that weren't.


Boomer and Jolly gladly explained things and answered any questions that they had about the sights on the pleasure ship. Another reason they were there was because there weren't enough universal translators to go around the entire fleet, and the Moya crew could only talk to those who had one. Adama still had his doubts about those translator microbes that Sheba kept talking about. The fleet scientists were diligently studying the microbe technology to see if it was safe for everyone to use.


After a day or so, everyone had just about their fill of the sights on the Rising Star. It was about the nicest vacation the four had ever had. Once they learned from Boomer that Talyn had returned to the fleet, they all wanted to go over to the Galactica to meet their returning friends.


Boomer and Jolly saw no problem in that, for the truth was that the two warriors were curious as to why Apollo, Starbuck and Sheba had boarded the smaller alien vessel with four Vipers, and headed off into space along the fleet's course.


There had been a lot of hush-hush stuff going on ever since the aliens shown up. Boomer and Jolly had even overheard Rygel talking between breaths as he stuffed his mouth full of food, something about Scorpius and a Stargate....and their friend Crichton being a complete farbot about going after him? The others quickly told him to shut up.


There was indeed something going on, but the aliens had refused to say more.


Boomer and Jolly decided the answers had to be on the Galactica, and if the aliens wanted to go there, then so much the better. It would give them a chance to snoop around, pump a few people for information, and find out what is going on between their superiors and the aliens.


***


The shuttle ride over to the Galactica was uneventful. Chiana and Jool watched with intense interest as they approached the huge battlestar. Unlike D'Argo and Rygel, the two women had never had a chance to visit it before.


Once they'd landed in Beta Landing Bay, Boomer and Jolly led them from the shuttle.


Crossing the landing bay deck area, Jool glanced about, giving the spacious interior of the bay the once over. Everything is grey. Not as nice looking as the Rising Star.


It's a warship, Jool, Chiana commented while following her closely. I don't think that they were worrying about the colour schemes when they were painting it.


I know that, but why grey? Grey is so... Jool stop when she noticed the harsh glare from Chiana.


Grey is so what? The grey skinned Nebari demanded.


Jool met Chiana's stare, with no intention in backing down. Where should I start? she challenged. It's so plain and unimaginative, a boring colour that it drains the light right of the room. Shall I go on?


Why ask permission? Chiana laughed. Nothing stopped you before, from being such a windbag!


Windbag! You cheap little tek! Jool growled.


Better being a tek than a loud mouth royal bore that can put men dead asleep! Chiana shot back.


D'Argo and Rygel along with the two Colonial warriors watched the heated exchange until Jolly leaned forward and asked the two alien males. Do they argue like this a lot?



Spoil brat!


Both D'Argo and Rygel replied in unison.


Rygel spoke to D'Argo as Chiana and Jool continued to yell at each other. We'd better break them up before their shouts work up to screams. You know what will happen next.


D'Argo nodded in agreement, knowing that Jool could melt a good sized hole in this ship with one of her metal destroying screams. He was stepping forward to separate the two bickering women when Chiana's body suddenly jerk backwards as her hands flew up to her mouth, covering it as if she'd been hit.


For a second, D'Argo thought that Jool punched Chiana and he somehow missed it, but Jool looked just as surprised and worried.


What happened? A now concerned D'Argo demanded, looking from Chiana to Jool and back again. Are you injured? he asked the Nebari girl.


I didn't touch her, Jool exclaimed, moving closer to check the young Nebari, while also asking, Are you hurt?


Chiana stood there wide-eyed, she slowly removed her hands from her mouth, but she gently brushed her fingers over her lips and smiled faintly. She was still speechless. Even a worried Rygel, Jolly and Boomer came closer to investigate.


Are you hurt, Chiana? D'Argo asked again.


Chiana shook her head slightly. No, I'm fine... It happened so fast, that it took me by surprise. I needed a moment to realize what was happening to me... I had another vision. This one was physical rather than just sound or sight.


Vision? She can see into the future? Boomer asked in disbelief.


From time to time, and then only in glimpses, Jool said, then she gave a snort of borderline amusement. And more often than not her visions just create a bigger mystery than they solve as you try to make sense out of them.


The young Nebari slowly gathered her wits, saying, Well, I can tell you all one thing. It doesn't concern you guys, just me. Chiana suddenly smiled brightly. Someone... I even saw his face... He kissed me.


***


It was hard to believe.


So far, whenever Humans were found living on other worlds that the SGC had visited, there was always evidence that they'd originally been brought there from Earth via the Stargate to be used as slaves by the Goa'uld. Now, here they were confronted by proof that the people of Earth themselves were actually colonists from another world called Kobol.


Incredible!


This new information fascinated Daniel Jackson as he tried to unravel the puzzle of what had happened to their space travelling ancestors of so long ago. Whatever it was, it must have been devastating enough to destroy their civilization and erase all knowledge of their past, thus causing the huge technology gap between Earth and the Colonials. Maybe there was something to the legend of Atlantis. It was said in myth that the people of that island nation had technology far superior to Earth's current technological level. Unfortunately, there were no ruins or artefacts to study, just writings and legends passed down by word of mouth that offered previously questionable claims of its existence.


He needed to find those few missing pieces to fit the puzzle together......and if he could, it would either make him a laughing stock, or the envy of his peers.


Daniel was perched inside the frame of a large porthole window of the Galactica. It was big enough for him to sit in with his feet stretch out, and with room to spare. From there he had a clear view of several of the Colonial refugee ships, and a beautiful shimmering starfield lazily floating by.


Their meeting with Commander Adama, that ended several hours ago, had gone incredibly well. Right now, O'Neill was with Adama and Captain Crais going over the scans of Scorpius base and defences , as they decided how best to attack it. Not able to bring much to the military table, Daniel asked to look over some of Adama's ancient literature and books about Kobol, and any information on when the thirteen tribes of humanity had fled from it. Unfortunately, the Colonial written word was very nearly alien to him. However, after close examination of the words, he discovered that they vaguely resembled some extremely ancient and rare Egyptian texts that pre-dated hieroglyphics. As a result, he was slowly and painfully managing to read some of words on the pages. As he slowly moved through the pages of the book , he found a word here and there that he probably could have asked for help with, but that wouldn't have made for much of a challenge.


One question that made Daniel curious beyond all else, which Adama's books and ancient parchments failed to answer. Why did the Tau'ri long ago headed off on their own rather than following the other Twelve Tribes to the new colonies as originally intended?


Daniel suddenly felt someone's eyes on him. He looked up from the papers that Adama loaned to him and found a grey skinned girl, cautiously peeking around the corner of a nearby corridor junction.


She regarded at him with cautious interest. He waved politely to her. Hello. I'm Daniel Jackson.


The grey skinned girl stepped out into the middle of the corridor, and grinned before saying,


Daniel blinked in surprise. I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you just said.


The girl smiled. She pointed to him before gesturing to her ear. Daniel understood and sheepishly reached up to reinsert the tiny ear piece for his translator, making sure it was connected to the computer collar about his neck.


After a moment, the girl said softly. Can you understand me now?


he responded with a rueful smile. Sorry about that.


It's okay, the girl said, as she cocked her head to one side, studying him. Are you from Earth?


That's right, he answered. And you must be Chiana. Crichton and the others mentioned you.


Don't believe everything that you hear, Chiana smiled to Daniel. People tend to exaggerate.


Actually, they have a lot of nice things to say about you.


Chiana beamed. She quickly hopped up next to him in the porthole window. Like what?


Daniel was taken aback by her forwardness. He gathered his thoughts for a moment before saying. Well, they said that you're brave, maybe a little too curious for your own good sometimes, that you always have a smile for everyone, and that you're a loyal friend.


Chiana's smile grew as she eyed Daniel closely. You know, you're not like most of the Humans around here.


Daniel blinked. Excuse me?


Chiana giggled. I mean, you don't have that fighting look in your eyes and you surround yourself with paper and books. Are you a scientist or something?


You're right, Daniel was surprised at how perceptive she was. I'm an archaeologist to be precise.


Chiana furrowed her eyebrows. An archo-what?


An archaeologist. I study artefacts and relics to learn about ancient cultures. How they lived, what their level of development was, what type of society they had.


Chiana's frown deepened. And you can do that by studying old junk?


Daniel smiled. It's more than just junk. Examining what people used in their everyday life can tell me much about them and their society. If they used steel then it tells me that learned to smelt and forge iron. If I find coins, then it tells me that they developed enough commerce to need to use currency. Every little thing I find can reveal so much about a society, even if its people are long since gone.


Chiana snorted. Sounds very... Boring.


Daniel chuckled. That's what Jack keeps telling me, but I enjoy it and I get to do it almost every time I travel through the Stargate.


Chiana brightened. Now that sounds exciting. Travelling to other worlds as if you were going for a walk around the block.


It's all that and more, but it has its hazards. Daniel looked at Chiana for a moment. Her exotic beauty was not lost on him, nor her catlike grace and mischievous smile. However he kept himself in a polite, but professional and distant manner. It had served him well in the past, especially when confronting a beautiful woman.


For a very long time, he'd suffered from insomnia and nightmares resulting from the kidnapping and death of his wife, Sha're. Apophis had captured her in a surprise attack on Abydos, and he'd selected her as the host for his new queen, to be possessed by Goa'uld parasite, Amonet. He'd hoped to rescue her someday, but that was not to be. Two years later, the SGC had gotten word from Abydos that a Goa'uld was enslaving the population. SG-1, supported by several other SG teams, had answered the call for help. They'd quickly learned that the Abydonians tormentor was the Goa'uld Amonet. While SG teams freed the Abydonians and battled Amonet's Jaffa forces, Daniel had spotted Amonet and pursued her into her tent. He'd tried to speak with his wife, to reach her, but quickly found himself at Amonet's mercy and on the receiving end of a Goa'uld ribbon device. Although Daniel was armed, he couldn't bring himself to fire, but Teal'c had appeared and, seeing Daniel in grave danger, he'd fired his staff weapon, killing Amonet and Sha're.


Daniel had long since forgiven Teal'c for doing what he felt was right in defending the life of his friend. Unfortunately, for Daniel a small part of himself still couldn't answer that small persistent question, could he have done more to save her?



Daniel suddenly looked up to see Chiana staring at him inquisitively. Are you okay? You just had one of Crichton's 1000 metra stares.


John Crichton always had one of those when he was suffering from the pressures of life on Moya and in the Uncharted Territories or just Aeryn, in general.


Jackson sighed. I'm fine.


Sure you are, she shot back, but are you okay?


Daniel almost did a double take. Didn't he have this conversation with O'Neill on the shuttle...only from the opposite end? Maybe he should follow his own advice? Chiana certainly looked more than willing to lend him a sympathetic ear. So, Daniel told her about the loss of his wife, Sha're to the Goa'uld. He didn't hold anything back, once he opened up to her, Daniel couldn't stop. After he'd finished, there were tears welling in Chiana's eyes.


She whispered to him softly. Hey, you did everything you could. No one could have asked more.


The thing I hated the most was breaking the news to her father. I promised him that I would find Sha're and return her safely , instead I had to bring her body home for burial. Daniel looked down at his shaking hands. Maybe this is why he drove deeper into his work. So he wouldn't stop to think about that horrible day....like he was now.


Chiana said, as she reached out and placed her hands over his. You are not the bad guy in this. Frelling bastard Apophis was. You were a victim, every bit as much as Sha're was. You did as best as you could.


Daniel reflected a moment and decided to change the subject in an effort to lighten their conversation, saying. May I ask a favour?


Chiana grinned and said, I am all ears.


I'm going to turn off my translator. Can I hear you speak in your native tongue again?


Sure but why? Chiana cocked her head to one side.


Daniel pulled out his digital recorder from his vest pocket. Because I'm building a data base on alien languages and dialects. There's no telling when it might come in handy.


Chiana blinked in surprise. What do you want me to say?


Anything that you like, but keep it about a hundred words of so, Daniel said, before removing his earpiece and pressing the record button on the machine.


For a second, Chiana stared at the tiny machine that Daniel held in his hand before looking back up to him. The human was watching her in anticipation of hearing what he obviously thought of as her enchanting alien language once more. Chiana consider it for a moment and finally decided what to say. Thus, knowing that he had his translator off, she gave voice to what was on her mind.


I'm sitting here looking at you and all I can see is Crichton's kindness in your eyes, and even some of his sadness too. I can tell that you also have his curiosity about the universe and his gift for understanding the seemingly impossible. Do you believe in destiny? I don't know my own future yet, but everyone seems to have his or her own path to follow even though they appear to question.. and sometimes deny...their own destiny. I can see things you know, glimpses into the future, and I had a vision of you. You were looking at me like you are now, with your funny but cute looking optical aids on, and you leaned over to kiss me. I felt the love you had for me. It was real and it was good. Maybe I'm wrong about my vision, but my power has never let me down before. Do you believe in destiny Doctor Jackson?' is the question I would like to ask you... Because I sure do, Chiana shook her head. Now I'm babbling like an idiot, but I already finding myself caring for you.


When she had finished, Daniel stopped the recorder and reinserted his earpiece and said with a smile, That's a very lovely language you have there Chiana. He was actually understating. He'd almost been spellbound by her alien voice.


Thank you, she responded. However, after she watched him push a few buttons on the recording device he held she asked, What are you doing now?


Jackson smiled. Just going to replay it so I can hear what you said.


Chiana panicked. Oh, frell! Why didn't I consider that he would do that later?! Then she silently cursed herself. Because you ARE a frelling idiot, that's why!


With a sudden cry, she tried to grab at the recording device in Daniel's hands. Wait! You don't want to hear that!


Surprised, Daniel held onto it a little tighter as he tried to calm her down. It's okay Chiana, it's not like I'm going to publish whatever you said. I just want to properly translate your native language.


Can we do it again? Chiana pleaded as she held onto Daniel's hands and the recorder, trying to prevent him from playing it. Just tape over what I said before.


he said, looking bemused, But why? Are you embarrassed over something...


Then, with their hands and fingers over the tiny recorder, a button was accidentally pushed and the recorder started play.


I'm sitting here looking at you and all I can see is Crichton's kindness in your eyes, and even some of his sadness too. You also have his curiosity about the universe and his gift for understanding the seemingly impossible. Do you believe in destiny? I don't know my own path yet, but everyone ...


Blushing furiously, Chiana couldn't even hope to look at him now. Cursing her own stupidity and naiveté, she stood up and bolted down the corridor. Fleeing from Daniel Jackson..


Surprised, Daniel got up and called after her.


But she was already out of sight. He stood there alone in the corridor of the Galactica as the recorder played the last of Chiana heartfelt message. After it finished, Daniel gave voice to the only word that his poor short circuiting synapses could come up with after listening to it.