Chapter 4
15 minutes later they came to a large brick building the color of sand. Jonas looked at it queerly, cocked his head and turned to Lepsga.
-Why isn't this building the same as the others?
Lepsga smiled.
-I would not expect you to know such a thing. The other buildings are the residential and commercial section. This…this is a place of learning and knowledge.
-Like a school?
-That, and so much more my friend. The likes of you and I and the dear colonel cannot fully fathom it. But the others…
He pointed to Sam and Katie.
-…they understand. But come, Rokell is just inside.
They entered the building and found themselves in a strange environment. It was part library, part office, part warehouse, part factory and part grocery store. As they stood gaping in amazement a woman with shoulder length dirty blonde hair came walking toward them. She smiled at Sam and Katie, bowed, then offered her hand.
-I am Rokell. But you may call me Rocky as my friends do.
Katie smiled and took her hand.
-It's good to meet you Rocky. My name is Katie.
Rokell shook Katie's hand then turned to Sam. They too shook hands.
-Sam.
Rokell smiled.
-Katie and Sam. Welcome. We have much to talk about. But first, we must get your cloaks. Please, come with me.
She turned towards the office part of the complex. SG-1 followed. Rokell led them into a small, ornate carpeted room. She pointed to two dusters on a table in the corner.
-These are for you. Please excuse me for a moment as I attend to some arrangements for your stay.
With that she bowed and left the room. Katie and Sam walked over and picked up the cloaks. Sam grimaced. Jack walked over to the table.
-There something wrong, Carter?
-No, sir. Nothing wrong.
Jack turned to Katie who sighed with resignation as she put on the cloak.
-Katie? Is there a problem?
-No. Well, kind of.
-Well, what is it?
-It's just that…well…they're urple.
-Urple?
Katie nodded.
-Urple is that disgusting combination of pink and purple.
-Ach. Urple…what's wrong with urple?
Katie smiled. She couldn't expect a guy to understand something this complex.
-Urple is a gross interpretation of what a color scheme is. It's a mutation…a monster…a monster that never should have been created. I had hoped it was an anomaly isolated to earth…apparently not…
-Uh huh.
Just then Rokell came back accompanied by Lepsga. She smiled at the sight of Sam and Katie in their cloaks.
-How do you like them?
Sam forced a smile.
-They're swell.
-Good. Colonel O'Neill and…I don't believe I know your name.
She was of course addressing Jonas. He smiled.
-Jonas Quinn.
Rokell nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
-The colonel and Jonas will go with Lepsga to discuss relations between our peoples. I will take Sam and Katie on a tour of our facility.
Jack started to object to them being split up but Rokell interrupted him.
-I can assure you that they will be quite safe now that they are wearing their cloaks. No one would dare violate that. And, this is our most secure facility.
Jack nodded resignedly.
-All right.
He turned to Sam and Katie.
-See you gals later.
Jack and Jonas left with Lepsga. After they were gone Katie turned to Rokell.
-If you don't mind Rocky, rather than going on the tour is there someone I could talk to learn more about your culture and customs?
Rokell smiled.
-I had a feeling you'd say that. Jelsina will be able to tell you what you want. This way.
