Of Two Minds, Part IV
The trip from Teal'cs quarters to the briefing room was a laborious one. Images and minute details began filling Daniel Jackson's mind, but they were out of sequence, and hard to understand. He paused several times in the hall, muttering to himself and rubbing his temples.
"What has befallen you DanielJackson?" Teal'c asked, his voice gruff with concern.
"I'm fine really" Daniel put extra emphasis on the really as an answer to Teal'cs raised eyebrow.
"I've just got a headache, there is suddenly a lot of extra...stuff in here" he said pointing to his head.
"You go one ahead, get General Hammond and the others, I think I've got some news to tell him."
Teal'c looked him over pensively and seeing his resolved bowed his head in submission.
"I shall do as you request."
Daniel gingerly walked along the hallway, trying to make sense off all the different images, sensations, and emotions. One thing he felt for sure was that this Chamdar, whoever he was, had a hatred for Jana that was so deep, so severe that it turned his stomach. Daniel couldn't help but wonder why if he hated her so, he would choose her as a host, but then again Gou'ld motivations were often beyond his grasp, he could only deduce that it was some obscure form of revenge, though he did not know for what.
General Hammond, Teal'c, Jack and Sam were all seated around the briefing room table, talking softly among themselves when Daniel finally entered the room. He noted in passing that Dr. Frasier was also in attendance, but that was not so strange considering he had just been loosed from her infirmary.
General Hammond gave him a small smile as he sat down between Sam and Jack.
"I'm glad to see you're up and around Dr. Jackson, from what I hear you've had a rather busy day."
"That would be an understatement sir, but yes, I have." Daniel took in a deep breath.
"I know you're all wondering what's up so I'll get right to the point. I know the identity of the Gould within Jana. It calls itself Chamdar."
General Hammond leaned closer to the table while listening to Daniel speak.
"How did you find out this information Dr. Jackson? Ms. Desal's detention room is being monitored constantly and this information did not come up in the conversation that you recently had."
"I had Teal'c walk me through Kel-no-reem again sir, and I remembered." Jack snapped his fingers in annoyance.
"Ok see, this is where I have a problem. How could you just remember?? The only way you could have it's memories is if it was inside you so..." He trailed off and Daniel nodded gravely.
"Yea that's true. At some point recently I have been a host to Chamdar."
"I'm sorry Daniel, but I don't see how that's possible... You haven't had time off in a month, and I've checked you out myself after each of your missions."
Dr Frasier pointed out.
"I know," Daniel said sighing. He began rubbing his head again.
"There are so many images floating around in my head right now, and none of them make any sense. I can only tell you what I know for sure and that is this: The Gould is Chamdar. He took me as a host, and at some point today, he jumped into Jana. I had a blackout this evening and when I came too Jana told me I hit my head and was knocked out. I'm guessing that's when Chamdar took over."
"Ok" Said General Hammond, rationalizing the new information.
"So Dr. Jackson was taken as host to a Gould, who then jumped into this girl Jana. What we need to know is how and When Dr. Jackson was...infected." They all nodded in agreement.
"I also think it might be beneficial to find out more about who this Chamdar is." Daniel said.
"His is not a name I recognize and I have a feeling that their will be no historical record of him on this earth, but I'll do some research anyway. I think," He said somewhat slowly,
"that it might be a good idea if we contacted the Tok'ra on this one, they may have knowledge of this Chamdar."
"I agree" Said General Hammond rising.
"Major Carter, Teal'c please signal the Tok'ra. Dr. Jackson, Colonel O'Neill, I think it might be time to have another chat with this Chamdar. Once he knows we've figured out who he is, we may be able to extract some information out of him as to why he left Dr. Jackson and chose this girl as his new host."
Daniel kept mute about Oma Desala and her connection to Jana, he thought it might be more prudent to tackle one revelation at a time.
Jana was sitting cross legged on the floor, a bored expression on her face when Daniel and Jack entered the room. They each pulled a chair up to the bars and sat down. Jana continued to gaze at the floor, as if not seeing them. Daniel cleared his throat and looked at Jack. Jack nodded and Daniel opened his mouth to speak.
"Hello Chamdar"
Jana's head snapped up and she regarded him intently. When she finally spoke their was an amused note in Chamdar's voice.
"Impressive Dr. Jackson, most impressive. You have overcome the barrier I placed in your mind with relative ease. It is no doubt do to your former ascension, your body's chemical make-up is slightly different from what it would have been before."
She rose to her feet slowly, studying them all the way.
"Why do you come to me again?"
"We wanna know, what you know." Jack said. Chamdar kept staring at Daniel as if oblivious to Jacks' presence.
Daniel returned her gaze without flinching. Again he felt an overwhelming sense of hatred, that nearly made his knees buckle, but he held his ground.
"Why do you hate her so?" Chamdar smirked.
"Do you not know??"
"Not yet, but I will"
They stared at each other for a long second, neither moving. Chamdar's smirk widened as he crossed to the back of the cell and returned to the floor.
She opened her mouth to give Daniel the brush of when suddenly her body went ridged, and then started convulsing. Daniel felt a familiar spark in his mind and leapt to his feet.
"Jana? Jana, can you hear me??"
Jana was shaking her head as if trying to clear it, but was able to concentrate on the sound of his voice, and it led her gaze to him. She rose uncertainly from the floor and crossed the cell once more to face him.
"Daniel?" She put her hand on the bars that separated them.
"What's going on??"
Daniel took a deep breath.
"Jana listen to me, it's going to be ok. You're body has been inhabited by and alien symbyote but we're going to do everything we can to...Jana?"
But she was gone again.
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The next thing Jana remembered was a warm breeze on her face. She gingerly opened her eyes and sat up, blinking rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the light. jana was sitting cross-legged on soft ground at the base of a lone tree in the middle of a grassy field. Shoeless and wearing a breathy cotton sun dress, jana placed on her head a wide brimmed straw hat that was set next to her. Jana looked around. Apart from the tree at whose base she sat not a thing could be viewed as far as the eyes could see. She felt again the warm breeze against her skin that caused the long grasses to ripple around her in fragrant waves. Birds chirped in the distance and a bee buzzed lazily near her ear.
"Where Am I?"
"Your own little private place within your mind."
Jana started at the voice and looked up. A man sat on the lowest branch look down at her. His body against the trunk he straddled the limb with both legs which he swung absently to and fro.
"I am a friend" he said pointing to his chest.
"Chamdar."
In a graceful motion he unwound himself from the tree branch and leapt down to the ground. A beguiling smile on his face he held out his hand.
"Will you walk?"
He towered handsomely over her, at least six feet from his saddled shoes to the top of his sun kissed head. he wore archaic clothing in vivid blues and greens that brought depth to his dark eyes. Jana accepted his offered hand and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.
they walked away from the tree together and Jana was amazed by the softness of the grass underfoot. She wasn't sure how, but she new this man, every detail of his face was familiar to her, and a battle grew within her mind.
On the one hand he seemed nice enough as he watched for sharp thing in the grass that might sting her feet, but at the same time a warning rang from deep within.
"Why are we here?" she asked looking around. The tree had shrunk into the distance and all around their was a deep abiding stillness. Jana didn't recognize this place, yet it seemed so familiar.
"this is a quiet place in your mind."
"In my mind?"
"Yes your...happy place."
"But why?" Chamdar frowned.
"To protect you from those who would do you harm."
Suddenly Jana heard Daniel's voice.
"There is a symbiot within...hang on!"
"You're a...a...symbiote?"
Chamdar held out his hands, inspecting them as he spoke.
"Correct. The form you see is that of my former host, Sheldear. I miss him."
He touched her temples fondly.
"I am here now, within you. You who rescued me. Do you not remember?"
"No." Chamdar smiled.
"Give it time." He gestured to the wide expanse surrounding him.
"That is why I brought you here. So you can remember."
Jana shook her head
"Why?" Chamdar took her hand in his and Jana was struck by the warmth of his fingers.
"You were once of a powerful race of beings. You were a pure and influential force within them. You saved my life Jana, I'm grateful. I want to help you remember so you may take your place among them once more."
Jana's head was swimming. Again she heard Daniel's voice, and took note of the urgency in his tone.
"Where is Daniel?" Chamdar's smile faded.
"Do not concern yourself with him or his like, they are unsure, not worthy of you."
"why?" Chamdar placed his hands on either side of her head and closed his eyes. In a flash memories flooded her mind. The pain of Daniel's kiss, the mocking of his handsome face. Of Jack, Sam and Teal'c. Of hollow laughter. Jana was shaking.
"What did he do to me?"
"He tried to hurt you. I protected you, brought you here."
Jana was gasping for breath, she felt as if her heart was splitting in two.
"Thank you....Tell me...why??"
"Daniel and his companions are full of evilness." Chamdar said gravely.
"Daniel Jackson cares not for you, he was a wife. He seeks to posses your knowledge, and once done would destroy you. His friends are no better." Chamdar was pacing back and forth in front of her.
"Samantha Carter once had within her one of my kind who like me tried to protect her. She killed it." Jana grimaced.
"Jack O'Neill is an assassin who hunts my kindred for profit. Teal'c was once a noble man, much revered by my species, but Jack O'Neill turned him to darkness. Now he too hunts us. They harbor black souls all, and would only do you harm."
Chamdar knelt before her, his face animated with resolve.
"by my life Jana Desal, they shall not, I will protect you from them."
From nowhere a blackness settled into Jana's heart. An anger unlike anything she had ever known snuffed out the warning in her mind, and the heart of Jana Desal was as stone. With almost formal precision she placed a hand on Chamdar's shoulder.
"I believe you friend.
Chamdar Smiled.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
"Jack is was HER, I'm sure of it!"
Jack and Daniel rounded a corner deep in conversation.
"Daniel, you want it to be her, I get that. All I'm saying is we've seen these guys speak as their hosts before."
Daniel stepped off the stairwell and into the briefing room.
"It was her Jack. It was only for a moment granted, but it was her."
"How do you know?"
"I don't Jack I just...I know"
"Daniel..." Jack trailed off as they came around to the briefing table. General Hammond and Sam were deep in conversation with a third man seated serenely between them.
"Daniel...Jack...good to see you again."
Jacob Carter smiled broadly from his seat, eyes twinkling.
"Wow" said Daniel sitting next to Sam
"That was fast."
"The message sounded pretty urgent"
"We've just been telling dad what we know, that this Gou'ld is claiming to be Chamdar and that he took you as host recently." Sam said.
"Did you find out anything else?"
"Not much" Said Jack
"Daniel and Jana..er..Chamdar..whatever... had a stare down and then he started going into seizures or something. Daniel thinks Jana might have emerged their for a second."
"I don't think"
"I know, I know...you just know" Jack finished and Daniel narrowed his eyes.
"Anyway" Jack continued
"Jacob, Selmak, we could use your help, do you know anything about this Chamdar??"
Jacob nodded and then lowered his head briefly. When raised again his eyes flashed and Selmak, the Tok'ra who resided within him greeted them all.
"Yes, that name is not unknown to us. We were under the impression that he was dead, as he has not been heard from in nearly three thousand years."
"You know, seems like I've heard that before somewhere" Jack said.
"Wasn't Anubis supposedly dead too before he made his big appearance? I'm sure I could think of a couple of others too... you guy's really need to brush up on your intell." He would have continued but General Hammond raised his hand in warning and Jack fell silent.
"Go on"
"Well" Selmak continued
"Chamdar was a powerful system lord until about three thousand years ago. He was quiet vicious really, someone who would make Anubis seem kind." Selmak smiled to himself.
"Actually, Anubis started out as a minor Gou'ld in his court, he became a protégée' of sorts. Many of Anubis's nastier traits come from Chamdar." Sam's eyes widened at that.
"Chamdar was as innovative as he was ruthless, he was one of the only Goau'ld's to date who chose not to take on a God-like role. He believed that truth was much more effective. His subjects knew that he was no God, he made it very clear to them. They knew he was a being with superior technology that would obliviate them if they did not do as he commanded. Chamdar ruled with an iron fist, without myths or fairytales, and his subjects followed him because they were much to afraid not to."
It was Daniel's turn to be wide eyed.
"Really? Wow that's...significant." Jack looked blank.
"How?"
"Well if this Chamdar was confident enough to tell the people he lorded over who and what he really was, it speaks a great deal about his character. He obviously had no benevolence in him. I can see how he could influence someone like Anubis." Selmak nodded in agreement.
"Chamdar was the most powerful of the system lords at that time, his empire was growing faster then that of any Gou'ld to date. And then he just disappeared. Most believed him dead. Obviously something else happened to him. The remaining system lords over took his domain and killed every living creature that knew of him, as they felt his forward ideals were a threat to the fragile myths on which their empires were bases. Millions upon millions of innocent Jaffa died, it was the most horrific Goau'ld massacre of all time. In the end, nearly all who knew of him had perished, the system lords had effectively erased him from history."
"That would explain why I have no knowledge of this Gou'ld, Aphophis did not know of him." Teal'c said.
"You are correct" Selmak continued
"Even the oldest of the System Lords, Yu, had not yet come to be. Only Anubis remains from that time."
"Ok" Jack broke in
"Maybe this is just me being thick, but, if no one else is alive who remembers him, how do you know who he is?"
Selmak smiled.
"Chamdar made a powerful impression upon his queen, who was one of the only survivors of the System Lords tirade after his disappearance. Though she did not hold with the more evil of his ways, she was impressed by his willingness to be truthful to his subjects, and as time went on, she became more and more disillusioned with the way the Gou'ld were running things. As she was Chamdars Queen, her memories of him were passed unto her offspring."
"Wait a minuet" Sam said
"That would mean...."
"That is correct Major Carter" Said Selmak
"Chamdars Queen was none other then the Beloved Ageria, mother to all Tok'ra"
"Wow" Said Jack
"Sounds...significant"
After about an hour of Selmak's descriptions of Chamdars seedier side, they broke for a time and General Hammond led Jacob and Selmak away to see Chamdar. Jack made a noise about being hungry and he and Teal'c headed off to the mess hall. Daniel rose from his seat and gazed out the observation window at the Stargate, not realizing that Sam had not left the room.
"Big news hu?" She said after a time, joining him at the window.
"You could say that."
They stood side by side in silence for a long while, neither knowing just what to say. After what seemed like an eternity Sam put her hand on Daniel's arm.
"This isn't your fault." Daniel shook his head grimly.
"That's where you're wrong. It is."
"How?"
"Chamdar knows Jana, he was seeking her, and I lead him right to her. He's inside of her because of me, because through my memories he was able to learn where she was."
"Daniel, how could he have been seeking her? Why would he? He's been MIA for nearly three thousand years, and she's what 25?"
Daniel opened his mouth to tell her about Oma, but General Hammond and Selmak, along with Jack and Teal'c re-entered the room.
"Well that was a gigantic waste of time" Jacob said as they all sat down.
"I should have known he wouldn't tell us anything. Daniel, do you remember anything else of use?"
Daniel nodded
"I'm beginning too. I think I know why he chose Jana."
"Why?" Sam asked.
"Revenge."
"Ok" said Jack
"Once again...how?"
Daniel took a deep breath.
"Jana was once ascended. Like me she got into human affaires and was cast out. She trapped Chamdar, that's why he disappeared."
Jacob was staring at him curiously.
"How do you know that Dr. Jackson?" Selmak asked.
"Oma told me." Jack's eyebrow shot into the air.
"Oma Desala?" Daniel nodded.
"Oh for crying out loud" Jack muttered. General Hammond cleared his throat.
"May I ask Dr. Jackson, why you didn't feel this information was prudent enough to share before now?"
"I wanted to know more about Chamdar, and try to sort through some of the memories left in my mind first General. I'm sorry I should have told you earlier.
"Back up a second!" Jack said.
"Just when did Oma Desala show up?"
"The first time I went to see Jana, with Teal'c."
"Teal'c...buddy...tell me you didn't see her too and decided to keep quiet."
"I did not."
Jack paused a moment.
"Did not what? see her or keep quiet?"
"I did not encounter Oma Desala." Teal'c was quiet for a moment before continuing.
"However, you did seem unfocused for a time DanielJackson, I called your name several times but with no answer."
"It must have been then. She came and told me who Jana was, or rather, who she used to be. She warned me that Chamdar would be endeavoring to uncover Jana's lost memories and pleaded with me to save her."
"Why?" Sam asked.
"I thought she wasn't supposed to interfere."
"Well that's pretty much what I said, but she told me that technically she wasn't, she was mearly setting me on the correct corse. Anyway" Daniel said sucking in a breath.
"Apparently when the others Cast Jana out, they were unable to return her fully to her human form. She retains much of her powers, but has no memory of them. If chamdar were to unlock those memories while still within her he could figure out how to ascend and we'd have another Anubis on our hands. I'm guessing Oma doesn't really want that. Besides she has some personal interest in Jana's well-being."
General Hammond looked slightly confused.
"Such as?"
"Well, according to Oma, when still human before they ascended Jana was her older sister."
Jack gave a low whistle.
"Really?...Yikes..." He smiled
"Well, she totally doesn't look her age."
Sam nodded interestingly.
"How do you think she is able to look so young? Is she some kind of, I don't know, immortal or something?" Daniel opened his mouth but Sam kept talking.
"And how is she able to rationalize the fact that she's like a million years old?"
"I have no idea." Daniel said tonelessly and Sam's excitement drained away.
"Sorry, it's just...."
Jack shrugged.
"I know, I know, fascinating right?"
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
A tall blond archiacly dressed man sat cross-legged at the foot of a large tree. As far as the eye could see their was nothing but long flowing grasses. He waited silently, his back resting against the tree trunk. Every few moments he would crane his head to scanned the horizon, as if looking for someone. Suddenly in a flash of incandescence she stood before him. The man's eyes stared lustily at the Beautiful red haired woman looking down at him, and lazily pulled himself to his feet.
"Jana Desala" He said, a slow smile sliding over his handsome face.
Her's was equally as brilliant when it flashed and she held out her hand.
"My Chamdar"
Taking her hand in his he pulled her close and closing his eyes drank in the fragrance of her long hair.
"Tell me luv" He whispered, his lips very near her ear.
"Of you're power...tell me of all the things we will do together."
She continued to smile as she pulled slightly away from him.
"I will my beloved, that and more, but first...."
She traced his lips with her finger, and he didn't have to be told twice. He crushed her against him and covered her mouth in a searing kiss. Time and space seemed to float away in their embrace and he knew...saw...imagined nothing, only the feel of her lips against his and the roaming of her hands. And then in the space of a moment a giant pain spread through his very being and he broke away from her gasping for breath. He fell to his knees before her and looked up horrified into her smilingly placid face.
"What..."
He felt as if he were being ripped apart at the seems and holding out his hand watched terrified as his body began to break down before his very eyes. The form of his fingers wavered and then exploded into mist, like steam rising from a tea pot. In the space of a few seconds he was gone, only a golden mist remained.
From behind her back she brought a small clay jar and opened it's lid. With suction like a vacuum the mist flowed into the Jar and she fixed the lid tight upon him. She waved her hand over it and the clay jar became as air, it could not be seen. Very carefully she laid the invisible jar at the base of the tree, her mouth forming a hard line.
"You shall never more do anyone harm."
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
Daniels eyes popped open and he shot upright in his bed.
"Woaw."
Fumbling in the dark he reached for his phone and quickly dialed. After a few rings a groggy and somewhat annoyed voice came on the line.
"General Hammond?"
"Dr. Jackson...do you have any idea what time it is?"
"No sir I don't and I'm sorry to wake you...but we need to call the others, right now, and get them all back to the base."
"Why?"
"Because sir, I have it."
"Have what Dr. Jackson?"
Daniel smiled into the night
"The answers."
End of part IV
The trip from Teal'cs quarters to the briefing room was a laborious one. Images and minute details began filling Daniel Jackson's mind, but they were out of sequence, and hard to understand. He paused several times in the hall, muttering to himself and rubbing his temples.
"What has befallen you DanielJackson?" Teal'c asked, his voice gruff with concern.
"I'm fine really" Daniel put extra emphasis on the really as an answer to Teal'cs raised eyebrow.
"I've just got a headache, there is suddenly a lot of extra...stuff in here" he said pointing to his head.
"You go one ahead, get General Hammond and the others, I think I've got some news to tell him."
Teal'c looked him over pensively and seeing his resolved bowed his head in submission.
"I shall do as you request."
Daniel gingerly walked along the hallway, trying to make sense off all the different images, sensations, and emotions. One thing he felt for sure was that this Chamdar, whoever he was, had a hatred for Jana that was so deep, so severe that it turned his stomach. Daniel couldn't help but wonder why if he hated her so, he would choose her as a host, but then again Gou'ld motivations were often beyond his grasp, he could only deduce that it was some obscure form of revenge, though he did not know for what.
General Hammond, Teal'c, Jack and Sam were all seated around the briefing room table, talking softly among themselves when Daniel finally entered the room. He noted in passing that Dr. Frasier was also in attendance, but that was not so strange considering he had just been loosed from her infirmary.
General Hammond gave him a small smile as he sat down between Sam and Jack.
"I'm glad to see you're up and around Dr. Jackson, from what I hear you've had a rather busy day."
"That would be an understatement sir, but yes, I have." Daniel took in a deep breath.
"I know you're all wondering what's up so I'll get right to the point. I know the identity of the Gould within Jana. It calls itself Chamdar."
General Hammond leaned closer to the table while listening to Daniel speak.
"How did you find out this information Dr. Jackson? Ms. Desal's detention room is being monitored constantly and this information did not come up in the conversation that you recently had."
"I had Teal'c walk me through Kel-no-reem again sir, and I remembered." Jack snapped his fingers in annoyance.
"Ok see, this is where I have a problem. How could you just remember?? The only way you could have it's memories is if it was inside you so..." He trailed off and Daniel nodded gravely.
"Yea that's true. At some point recently I have been a host to Chamdar."
"I'm sorry Daniel, but I don't see how that's possible... You haven't had time off in a month, and I've checked you out myself after each of your missions."
Dr Frasier pointed out.
"I know," Daniel said sighing. He began rubbing his head again.
"There are so many images floating around in my head right now, and none of them make any sense. I can only tell you what I know for sure and that is this: The Gould is Chamdar. He took me as a host, and at some point today, he jumped into Jana. I had a blackout this evening and when I came too Jana told me I hit my head and was knocked out. I'm guessing that's when Chamdar took over."
"Ok" Said General Hammond, rationalizing the new information.
"So Dr. Jackson was taken as host to a Gould, who then jumped into this girl Jana. What we need to know is how and When Dr. Jackson was...infected." They all nodded in agreement.
"I also think it might be beneficial to find out more about who this Chamdar is." Daniel said.
"His is not a name I recognize and I have a feeling that their will be no historical record of him on this earth, but I'll do some research anyway. I think," He said somewhat slowly,
"that it might be a good idea if we contacted the Tok'ra on this one, they may have knowledge of this Chamdar."
"I agree" Said General Hammond rising.
"Major Carter, Teal'c please signal the Tok'ra. Dr. Jackson, Colonel O'Neill, I think it might be time to have another chat with this Chamdar. Once he knows we've figured out who he is, we may be able to extract some information out of him as to why he left Dr. Jackson and chose this girl as his new host."
Daniel kept mute about Oma Desala and her connection to Jana, he thought it might be more prudent to tackle one revelation at a time.
Jana was sitting cross legged on the floor, a bored expression on her face when Daniel and Jack entered the room. They each pulled a chair up to the bars and sat down. Jana continued to gaze at the floor, as if not seeing them. Daniel cleared his throat and looked at Jack. Jack nodded and Daniel opened his mouth to speak.
"Hello Chamdar"
Jana's head snapped up and she regarded him intently. When she finally spoke their was an amused note in Chamdar's voice.
"Impressive Dr. Jackson, most impressive. You have overcome the barrier I placed in your mind with relative ease. It is no doubt do to your former ascension, your body's chemical make-up is slightly different from what it would have been before."
She rose to her feet slowly, studying them all the way.
"Why do you come to me again?"
"We wanna know, what you know." Jack said. Chamdar kept staring at Daniel as if oblivious to Jacks' presence.
Daniel returned her gaze without flinching. Again he felt an overwhelming sense of hatred, that nearly made his knees buckle, but he held his ground.
"Why do you hate her so?" Chamdar smirked.
"Do you not know??"
"Not yet, but I will"
They stared at each other for a long second, neither moving. Chamdar's smirk widened as he crossed to the back of the cell and returned to the floor.
She opened her mouth to give Daniel the brush of when suddenly her body went ridged, and then started convulsing. Daniel felt a familiar spark in his mind and leapt to his feet.
"Jana? Jana, can you hear me??"
Jana was shaking her head as if trying to clear it, but was able to concentrate on the sound of his voice, and it led her gaze to him. She rose uncertainly from the floor and crossed the cell once more to face him.
"Daniel?" She put her hand on the bars that separated them.
"What's going on??"
Daniel took a deep breath.
"Jana listen to me, it's going to be ok. You're body has been inhabited by and alien symbyote but we're going to do everything we can to...Jana?"
But she was gone again.
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The next thing Jana remembered was a warm breeze on her face. She gingerly opened her eyes and sat up, blinking rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the light. jana was sitting cross-legged on soft ground at the base of a lone tree in the middle of a grassy field. Shoeless and wearing a breathy cotton sun dress, jana placed on her head a wide brimmed straw hat that was set next to her. Jana looked around. Apart from the tree at whose base she sat not a thing could be viewed as far as the eyes could see. She felt again the warm breeze against her skin that caused the long grasses to ripple around her in fragrant waves. Birds chirped in the distance and a bee buzzed lazily near her ear.
"Where Am I?"
"Your own little private place within your mind."
Jana started at the voice and looked up. A man sat on the lowest branch look down at her. His body against the trunk he straddled the limb with both legs which he swung absently to and fro.
"I am a friend" he said pointing to his chest.
"Chamdar."
In a graceful motion he unwound himself from the tree branch and leapt down to the ground. A beguiling smile on his face he held out his hand.
"Will you walk?"
He towered handsomely over her, at least six feet from his saddled shoes to the top of his sun kissed head. he wore archaic clothing in vivid blues and greens that brought depth to his dark eyes. Jana accepted his offered hand and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.
they walked away from the tree together and Jana was amazed by the softness of the grass underfoot. She wasn't sure how, but she new this man, every detail of his face was familiar to her, and a battle grew within her mind.
On the one hand he seemed nice enough as he watched for sharp thing in the grass that might sting her feet, but at the same time a warning rang from deep within.
"Why are we here?" she asked looking around. The tree had shrunk into the distance and all around their was a deep abiding stillness. Jana didn't recognize this place, yet it seemed so familiar.
"this is a quiet place in your mind."
"In my mind?"
"Yes your...happy place."
"But why?" Chamdar frowned.
"To protect you from those who would do you harm."
Suddenly Jana heard Daniel's voice.
"There is a symbiot within...hang on!"
"You're a...a...symbiote?"
Chamdar held out his hands, inspecting them as he spoke.
"Correct. The form you see is that of my former host, Sheldear. I miss him."
He touched her temples fondly.
"I am here now, within you. You who rescued me. Do you not remember?"
"No." Chamdar smiled.
"Give it time." He gestured to the wide expanse surrounding him.
"That is why I brought you here. So you can remember."
Jana shook her head
"Why?" Chamdar took her hand in his and Jana was struck by the warmth of his fingers.
"You were once of a powerful race of beings. You were a pure and influential force within them. You saved my life Jana, I'm grateful. I want to help you remember so you may take your place among them once more."
Jana's head was swimming. Again she heard Daniel's voice, and took note of the urgency in his tone.
"Where is Daniel?" Chamdar's smile faded.
"Do not concern yourself with him or his like, they are unsure, not worthy of you."
"why?" Chamdar placed his hands on either side of her head and closed his eyes. In a flash memories flooded her mind. The pain of Daniel's kiss, the mocking of his handsome face. Of Jack, Sam and Teal'c. Of hollow laughter. Jana was shaking.
"What did he do to me?"
"He tried to hurt you. I protected you, brought you here."
Jana was gasping for breath, she felt as if her heart was splitting in two.
"Thank you....Tell me...why??"
"Daniel and his companions are full of evilness." Chamdar said gravely.
"Daniel Jackson cares not for you, he was a wife. He seeks to posses your knowledge, and once done would destroy you. His friends are no better." Chamdar was pacing back and forth in front of her.
"Samantha Carter once had within her one of my kind who like me tried to protect her. She killed it." Jana grimaced.
"Jack O'Neill is an assassin who hunts my kindred for profit. Teal'c was once a noble man, much revered by my species, but Jack O'Neill turned him to darkness. Now he too hunts us. They harbor black souls all, and would only do you harm."
Chamdar knelt before her, his face animated with resolve.
"by my life Jana Desal, they shall not, I will protect you from them."
From nowhere a blackness settled into Jana's heart. An anger unlike anything she had ever known snuffed out the warning in her mind, and the heart of Jana Desal was as stone. With almost formal precision she placed a hand on Chamdar's shoulder.
"I believe you friend.
Chamdar Smiled.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
"Jack is was HER, I'm sure of it!"
Jack and Daniel rounded a corner deep in conversation.
"Daniel, you want it to be her, I get that. All I'm saying is we've seen these guys speak as their hosts before."
Daniel stepped off the stairwell and into the briefing room.
"It was her Jack. It was only for a moment granted, but it was her."
"How do you know?"
"I don't Jack I just...I know"
"Daniel..." Jack trailed off as they came around to the briefing table. General Hammond and Sam were deep in conversation with a third man seated serenely between them.
"Daniel...Jack...good to see you again."
Jacob Carter smiled broadly from his seat, eyes twinkling.
"Wow" said Daniel sitting next to Sam
"That was fast."
"The message sounded pretty urgent"
"We've just been telling dad what we know, that this Gou'ld is claiming to be Chamdar and that he took you as host recently." Sam said.
"Did you find out anything else?"
"Not much" Said Jack
"Daniel and Jana..er..Chamdar..whatever... had a stare down and then he started going into seizures or something. Daniel thinks Jana might have emerged their for a second."
"I don't think"
"I know, I know...you just know" Jack finished and Daniel narrowed his eyes.
"Anyway" Jack continued
"Jacob, Selmak, we could use your help, do you know anything about this Chamdar??"
Jacob nodded and then lowered his head briefly. When raised again his eyes flashed and Selmak, the Tok'ra who resided within him greeted them all.
"Yes, that name is not unknown to us. We were under the impression that he was dead, as he has not been heard from in nearly three thousand years."
"You know, seems like I've heard that before somewhere" Jack said.
"Wasn't Anubis supposedly dead too before he made his big appearance? I'm sure I could think of a couple of others too... you guy's really need to brush up on your intell." He would have continued but General Hammond raised his hand in warning and Jack fell silent.
"Go on"
"Well" Selmak continued
"Chamdar was a powerful system lord until about three thousand years ago. He was quiet vicious really, someone who would make Anubis seem kind." Selmak smiled to himself.
"Actually, Anubis started out as a minor Gou'ld in his court, he became a protégée' of sorts. Many of Anubis's nastier traits come from Chamdar." Sam's eyes widened at that.
"Chamdar was as innovative as he was ruthless, he was one of the only Goau'ld's to date who chose not to take on a God-like role. He believed that truth was much more effective. His subjects knew that he was no God, he made it very clear to them. They knew he was a being with superior technology that would obliviate them if they did not do as he commanded. Chamdar ruled with an iron fist, without myths or fairytales, and his subjects followed him because they were much to afraid not to."
It was Daniel's turn to be wide eyed.
"Really? Wow that's...significant." Jack looked blank.
"How?"
"Well if this Chamdar was confident enough to tell the people he lorded over who and what he really was, it speaks a great deal about his character. He obviously had no benevolence in him. I can see how he could influence someone like Anubis." Selmak nodded in agreement.
"Chamdar was the most powerful of the system lords at that time, his empire was growing faster then that of any Gou'ld to date. And then he just disappeared. Most believed him dead. Obviously something else happened to him. The remaining system lords over took his domain and killed every living creature that knew of him, as they felt his forward ideals were a threat to the fragile myths on which their empires were bases. Millions upon millions of innocent Jaffa died, it was the most horrific Goau'ld massacre of all time. In the end, nearly all who knew of him had perished, the system lords had effectively erased him from history."
"That would explain why I have no knowledge of this Gou'ld, Aphophis did not know of him." Teal'c said.
"You are correct" Selmak continued
"Even the oldest of the System Lords, Yu, had not yet come to be. Only Anubis remains from that time."
"Ok" Jack broke in
"Maybe this is just me being thick, but, if no one else is alive who remembers him, how do you know who he is?"
Selmak smiled.
"Chamdar made a powerful impression upon his queen, who was one of the only survivors of the System Lords tirade after his disappearance. Though she did not hold with the more evil of his ways, she was impressed by his willingness to be truthful to his subjects, and as time went on, she became more and more disillusioned with the way the Gou'ld were running things. As she was Chamdars Queen, her memories of him were passed unto her offspring."
"Wait a minuet" Sam said
"That would mean...."
"That is correct Major Carter" Said Selmak
"Chamdars Queen was none other then the Beloved Ageria, mother to all Tok'ra"
"Wow" Said Jack
"Sounds...significant"
After about an hour of Selmak's descriptions of Chamdars seedier side, they broke for a time and General Hammond led Jacob and Selmak away to see Chamdar. Jack made a noise about being hungry and he and Teal'c headed off to the mess hall. Daniel rose from his seat and gazed out the observation window at the Stargate, not realizing that Sam had not left the room.
"Big news hu?" She said after a time, joining him at the window.
"You could say that."
They stood side by side in silence for a long while, neither knowing just what to say. After what seemed like an eternity Sam put her hand on Daniel's arm.
"This isn't your fault." Daniel shook his head grimly.
"That's where you're wrong. It is."
"How?"
"Chamdar knows Jana, he was seeking her, and I lead him right to her. He's inside of her because of me, because through my memories he was able to learn where she was."
"Daniel, how could he have been seeking her? Why would he? He's been MIA for nearly three thousand years, and she's what 25?"
Daniel opened his mouth to tell her about Oma, but General Hammond and Selmak, along with Jack and Teal'c re-entered the room.
"Well that was a gigantic waste of time" Jacob said as they all sat down.
"I should have known he wouldn't tell us anything. Daniel, do you remember anything else of use?"
Daniel nodded
"I'm beginning too. I think I know why he chose Jana."
"Why?" Sam asked.
"Revenge."
"Ok" said Jack
"Once again...how?"
Daniel took a deep breath.
"Jana was once ascended. Like me she got into human affaires and was cast out. She trapped Chamdar, that's why he disappeared."
Jacob was staring at him curiously.
"How do you know that Dr. Jackson?" Selmak asked.
"Oma told me." Jack's eyebrow shot into the air.
"Oma Desala?" Daniel nodded.
"Oh for crying out loud" Jack muttered. General Hammond cleared his throat.
"May I ask Dr. Jackson, why you didn't feel this information was prudent enough to share before now?"
"I wanted to know more about Chamdar, and try to sort through some of the memories left in my mind first General. I'm sorry I should have told you earlier.
"Back up a second!" Jack said.
"Just when did Oma Desala show up?"
"The first time I went to see Jana, with Teal'c."
"Teal'c...buddy...tell me you didn't see her too and decided to keep quiet."
"I did not."
Jack paused a moment.
"Did not what? see her or keep quiet?"
"I did not encounter Oma Desala." Teal'c was quiet for a moment before continuing.
"However, you did seem unfocused for a time DanielJackson, I called your name several times but with no answer."
"It must have been then. She came and told me who Jana was, or rather, who she used to be. She warned me that Chamdar would be endeavoring to uncover Jana's lost memories and pleaded with me to save her."
"Why?" Sam asked.
"I thought she wasn't supposed to interfere."
"Well that's pretty much what I said, but she told me that technically she wasn't, she was mearly setting me on the correct corse. Anyway" Daniel said sucking in a breath.
"Apparently when the others Cast Jana out, they were unable to return her fully to her human form. She retains much of her powers, but has no memory of them. If chamdar were to unlock those memories while still within her he could figure out how to ascend and we'd have another Anubis on our hands. I'm guessing Oma doesn't really want that. Besides she has some personal interest in Jana's well-being."
General Hammond looked slightly confused.
"Such as?"
"Well, according to Oma, when still human before they ascended Jana was her older sister."
Jack gave a low whistle.
"Really?...Yikes..." He smiled
"Well, she totally doesn't look her age."
Sam nodded interestingly.
"How do you think she is able to look so young? Is she some kind of, I don't know, immortal or something?" Daniel opened his mouth but Sam kept talking.
"And how is she able to rationalize the fact that she's like a million years old?"
"I have no idea." Daniel said tonelessly and Sam's excitement drained away.
"Sorry, it's just...."
Jack shrugged.
"I know, I know, fascinating right?"
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
A tall blond archiacly dressed man sat cross-legged at the foot of a large tree. As far as the eye could see their was nothing but long flowing grasses. He waited silently, his back resting against the tree trunk. Every few moments he would crane his head to scanned the horizon, as if looking for someone. Suddenly in a flash of incandescence she stood before him. The man's eyes stared lustily at the Beautiful red haired woman looking down at him, and lazily pulled himself to his feet.
"Jana Desala" He said, a slow smile sliding over his handsome face.
Her's was equally as brilliant when it flashed and she held out her hand.
"My Chamdar"
Taking her hand in his he pulled her close and closing his eyes drank in the fragrance of her long hair.
"Tell me luv" He whispered, his lips very near her ear.
"Of you're power...tell me of all the things we will do together."
She continued to smile as she pulled slightly away from him.
"I will my beloved, that and more, but first...."
She traced his lips with her finger, and he didn't have to be told twice. He crushed her against him and covered her mouth in a searing kiss. Time and space seemed to float away in their embrace and he knew...saw...imagined nothing, only the feel of her lips against his and the roaming of her hands. And then in the space of a moment a giant pain spread through his very being and he broke away from her gasping for breath. He fell to his knees before her and looked up horrified into her smilingly placid face.
"What..."
He felt as if he were being ripped apart at the seems and holding out his hand watched terrified as his body began to break down before his very eyes. The form of his fingers wavered and then exploded into mist, like steam rising from a tea pot. In the space of a few seconds he was gone, only a golden mist remained.
From behind her back she brought a small clay jar and opened it's lid. With suction like a vacuum the mist flowed into the Jar and she fixed the lid tight upon him. She waved her hand over it and the clay jar became as air, it could not be seen. Very carefully she laid the invisible jar at the base of the tree, her mouth forming a hard line.
"You shall never more do anyone harm."
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
Daniels eyes popped open and he shot upright in his bed.
"Woaw."
Fumbling in the dark he reached for his phone and quickly dialed. After a few rings a groggy and somewhat annoyed voice came on the line.
"General Hammond?"
"Dr. Jackson...do you have any idea what time it is?"
"No sir I don't and I'm sorry to wake you...but we need to call the others, right now, and get them all back to the base."
"Why?"
"Because sir, I have it."
"Have what Dr. Jackson?"
Daniel smiled into the night
"The answers."
End of part IV