Chapter 7
"Alright. This is how we're going to do this."
Sam watched as Colonel O'Neill took a seat opposite from Thoth, revealing a paper bag. He feigned a smile, shook the bag, and glared at the Goa'uld.
"We'll ask some questions and if you reply in a way that we like, you get a reward. If not, well then…" He glanced over at Teal'c. "You get the idea."
Sam had told her superior officer this was a bad idea. She had asked him seven times to try a different approach, but he would not listen. She knew he was upset, hurt, and angry, trying to figure out a way to overcome this obstacle to save Daniel. But taking out his frustration in this manner would not get them very far.
He was on the edge, she had realized, and she didn't think he could take much more of this. With Daniel dying, then returning, then having twelve personalities downloaded into his mind, only to then suffer torture and abuse in Honduras, the colonel couldn't stand the thought of losing him again.
None of them could.
"You believe that will work?" came the guttural voice across from them.
"You bet. Daniel loves junk food."
Thoth sighed, shaking his head. "Very well. I will play your game."
"This isn't a game," O'Neill snapped. "You have no right to be in him."
"Says who?"
"Says who?" the colonel repeated angrily. "Doesn't matter, says who. Says me. Daniel didn't consent to this so you don't belong."
"How do you know he did not consent?"
"Because I know Daniel."
"He is attempting to bait you, O'Neill."
"Stay out of this, Teal'c," Colonel O'Neill grumbled crossly while glaring at Thoth. "Now, are you going to answer our questions, or not?"
"Of course I will," Thoth replied. "I offer my knowledge freely."
"Yeah, yeah." O'Neill glanced up at Sam, and she stepped forward.
"Who are you?" Sam asked.
Thoth frowned, eyeing the rest of them carefully. "Did we not already do this?"
"Just answer the question," O'Neill said impatiently.
"I go by many names. I am whoever you wish me to be." He smiled. "You may call me Daniel if you'd like."
Sam's stomach turned, and she looked away. Some of that excitement she'd felt before was starting to wear off.
"I don't think so," O'Neill snapped.
"What do people normally call you?" Sam asked, regrouping.
"Depends on where I am, it seems." Thoth was no longer smiling. "And who is calling me. Language is a curious study and each species, even within a species, has many ways of expressing it."
"Fascinating," O'Neill said offhandedly. "Skip the lectures, professor, and just answer the questions."
"Okay," Sam said, feeling uneasy over her commanding officer's behavior. "What would you like us to call you? Aside from Daniel," she clarified quickly.
"Thoth is adequate. I understand that most peoples of your world are more inclined to identify with the Hellenized versions of the name."
"What other names have you gone by?" she asked, wishing Daniel were here.
Really here, she thought as she gazed solemnly at the alien that used his face. Her knowledge of Egyptian mythology and history was nearly nonexistent, the bits and pieces she knew coming from Daniel's lectures. She'd feel more comfortable in her lab examining the technology that Daniel…Thoth had brought back with him.
"Djhuty, Djehuty, Dhouti, Djehuti, Tehuty, Tehuti, Thout, Zehuti, Sheps…." Thoth rattled off before pausing. "Plus, various epithets."
Sam nodded, glancing to Teal'c. She knew Teal'c was in a better position than she was in understanding the history behind the Goa'uld, but he lacked knowledge in Earth history and mythology to bridge the two.
"Got quite a few aliases there," O'Neill remarked, his face never breaking.
Thoth smiled, but did not answer. "Have I done well enough to win some food for myself?"
"No."
Thoth sat straighter, regarding Colonel O'Neill coolly. "What else would you like to know?"
"What were you doing on P9R-139?" Sam asked, continuing.
"Were you not paying attention to the lecture?" Thoth asked, gazing down at his fingernails, picking at the fingertips.
"We want you to elaborate," Sam stated hotly. "What were the labs for? And how did you get into Daniel? What was the purpose of that shrine?"
"I am a scientist," Thoth put simply. "I conduct research. Would it not make sense then that I would have a laboratory and a library at my disposal?"
"What was the purpose of your shrine?" Teal'c said, repeating Sam's question.
"What would you have me say?" Thoth said, without any malice in his voice. "Is it not true that no matter what I say, you won't believe me anyway?"
"That's not true," Sam rebuffed.
"Of course it is. No one believed Jolinar's pleas when she was held prisoner here."
Sam glanced away again, refusing to look at Thoth. Standing in here, talking to him while Daniel was so far away and yet so close, made her skin crawl. She felt helpless and she hated not having that control. Had Jolinar caused her friends this much distress?
"What's going on with Mueller and the rest of them?" O'Neill continued for her.
This time Thoth did not answer, having become completely engrossed at staring at Daniel's fingernails. Finally, after a few sighs, and a wince, he brought his head up. His gaze was distant. Surprised, Sam thought she even saw remorse in his eyes.
"Failures," he said sadly.
"What do you mean by failures?" Teal'c insisted.
"Incomplete. Rejects. I do not wish to speak of it," he muttered quietly.
Sam wanted to know more, to understand what he meant by his cryptic words. She shot a glance over to Colonel O'Neill direction, but he shook his head.
"What's going to happen to our people?" O'Neill questioned aggressively. "Is there any way to help them? Any way to take those bugs out of them?"
"Bugs?" Thoth replied hotly.
"Uh, Colonel…"
O'Neill shook his head, ignoring her. "Yeah, bugs. They go right up there with snakes and worms in my book. In fact, I'm pretty well known for taking my foot and crushing the little buggers."
Thoth appeared furious. Sam could already feel Teal'c tensing by her side, ready to take action.
"How can you stand to forever wallow in your ignorance?" Thoth grumbled fiercely.
"It's a gift," O'Neill retorted.
"Is it also a gift that you are uncompassionate? You can only make petty remarks while your friend here is helpless as he serves as my host. How decent of you."
Before Sam could even react, her CO had leaped out of his seat and had charged at Thoth. If not for Teal'c and his strong arms and swift motions, Sam was afraid that Colonel O'Neill would have completely lost it.
"You son of a bitch!" O'Neill swore, glowering at Thoth, struggling against Teal'c. "When we get you out of there, I am going to step on you myself!"
Thoth appeared unperturbed. "Very nice. May I eat now? My host is extremely hungry."
O'Neill get his hard glare on Thoth, but relaxed, and Teal'c released him. "Give him the damn food," the colonel stated, walking away from the table. "I can hear Daniel's stomach a mile away."
Sam picked up the bag from the floor, and glanced back, frowning as she realized her commanding officer was leaving. "Sir?" she asked, watching him head for the door.
"I've had it, Carter. I'm not playing his way anymore." With that, he left the confines of the room, the door closing behind him.
Stone-faced, Sam took the seat Colonel O'Neill had been sitting in only moments earlier, briefly stealing a glance in the direction of mirror. She knew that General Hammond was keeping track of everything from the observation deck, and she silently hoped that soon he'd bring her news that Janet had made a breakthrough in the infirmary that would solve all their problems.
Not likely, she thought, sighing to herself. Not that she doubted Janet but…
She gazed to her left, noticing Teal'c held the same concern in his features as he came to stand beside her.
Slowly, she withdrew the food and placed it on the table, and put the empty bag on the floor by her feet. Then, she opened the notebook she had been carrying and laid it out in front of her.
Thoth took a glance at the notebook and smiled, already reaching for the food she had given him. "French fries," he said happily, twirling one around in his fingers.
"Yes," she said, watching him carefully.
"Big Mac," he said, grabbing the burger greedily, and munching down hard. As he chomped away on the fat-filled mess, he made a noise that sounded like contentment, and his eyes—Daniel's eyes—twinkled with delight.
"You might want to chew," she advised him, as she had said to Daniel on several occasions, feeling nostalgic as she watched the sight in front of her. He reminded her so much of Daniel that, at times, it was frightening. How Thoth had gone from being so stiff and rigid, when he had first revealed himself, to this more relaxed state, she couldn't guess. But it was something that troubled her.
Thoth shoved a handful of fries in his mouth before offering her the container.
She shook her head. "No, thanks."
"You're not on a diet again, are you?" Thoth asked, between mouthfuls.
Sam cleared her throat. "No," she replied quietly.
"It bothers you that I am in your friend, correct?"
"Yes, it bothers me," Sam replied passionately. "You don't belong in him. He doesn't deserve this."
"You assume that it is so terrible for me to be joined with him," Thoth said casually, taking another bite of his burger.
"We've seen what the Goa'uld do," Sam stated.
"And as I have said, I am not a Goa'uld."
"Then what are you?"
"I advise caution, Major Carter," Teal'c spoke, standing closer to her.
"I am eating, Teal'c," Thoth said, taking another swallow. "I am no threat."
Teal'c remained firm, his gaze never leaving him.
"What are you?" she repeated.
"I once was a Goa'uld, long ago," he admitted. He paused to take a couple more bites, and then placed his burger down. "But those days have since passed."
"Are you Tok'ra then?"
He shook his head, licking his fingers one by one. "To be Tok'ra would imply resistance against Ra. I was one of Ra's most favored."
Teal'c had mentioned something to that effect when they had spoken before. So, if he wasn't a Goa'uld or Tok'ra, what could he be?
"Are you a subspecies of Goa'uld? Or at least part of the Goa'uld gene pool?"
Thoth cocked his head, considering her words. "Something like that, I guess you could say."
Somewhere. At least they were getting somewhere.
"You and my host get along well, do you not?" Thoth asked suddenly, finishing off his fries.
"Uh, yes. Yes, we do." She felt warmth as Teal'c placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Both curious. Both explorers. Both scientists. Only, you have different viewpoints and different interests. You feed off each other," Thoth stated.
Though she wasn't exactly impressed with his wording, she had to admit it was true.
"Yes, we work well together."
"My host enjoys your company," Thoth said with a smile, taking his burger.
She felt the protective pressure from Teal'c has he squeezed her shoulder and stood taller.
"I enjoy his company too. That is why I want him back."
"You have strong feelings for him."
"Yes. Yes, I do. We all do. We won't let you take him," she uttered defiantly.
Thoth did not seem to hear her comment. "You lost him recently, correct? He died of radiation poisoning. But his spirit lived on. He became one of the Ascended. Joined the Ancients, correct?"
Sam bit back her emotions, feeling the sting of Daniel's death once again. Even if Thoth was not a Goa'uld, he was still a monster.
"You know he did," she muttered bitterly. "You have access to all his memories."
Thoth smiled, but she felt no warmth in his eyes. "I did not mean to upset you."
"I believe that you did," Teal'c stated coldly. Teal'c squeezed her shoulder again. "Perhaps we should leave, Major Carter."
"No," she stated firmly. "I'm not going to let him win."
"Then, what else can I assist you with, Sam?" Thoth asked, the corners of his mouth puckering into a wicked smile.
"First, you can start by calling me Major Carter," she announced. "Next, we will discuss the schematics that you drew in this notebook."
Thoth bowed his head slightly. "Very well."
"Daydreaming now?"
Daniel shook his head, frowning as he gazed up at Sadji. The younger man was standing over him, his arms folding, shaking his head with disgust at Daniel.
"I do not see why Teacher likes you best. You lie around in the garden far too much."
Daniel looked straight up, staring into the blue sky and musing over the wispy clouds that floated by him. He felt very relaxed, and content, and really couldn't be bothered into moving.
"I'm resting after a good meal," Daniel admitted, patting his bare stomach.
"Well, you had better hurry. Our break is almost over."
"Okay."
Daniel went back to staring at the sky. He really could just remain here for hours, blocking out the buzz in his mind, and just "being" for a change.
With a sigh, he sat up, finding that Kemsa was sitting in front of him. "Can I help you?" Daniel asked the dark skinned man.
"You must forgive Sadji," Kemsa said softly. "He lost his father in the latest war and has not been the same since."
"I'm sorry," Daniel said regretfully, stepping up to the pool. For a moment, he stared at his reflection, skewed by the strange colors that marked his face. He took off his glasses, and moved closer. Leaning over, he brushed water over his eyes and his lips, scrubbing lightly.
"What are you doing?' Kemsa asked.
"I don't wear make-up," Daniel replied.
Kemsa chuckled. "There is one in every bunch."
"What?"
"One who tries to be different. Or is different." He smiled again. "Let us go."
Daniel nodded, wiping his face on his arm and slipped on his glasses. "What happened?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" Kemsa replied, as they paused on their way to the study room.
"About Sadji and losing his father. What war was that?"
"The latest war between Ra and Apophis."
Daniel froze, feeling a chill. He looked upwards to the sky, watching as a glider sliced through one of the clouds.
Oh my God, Daniel thought.
"I have to go," he said quickly, feeling a panic attack ready to seize him. Where was he? When was he?
"Where to?" Kemsa said, pointing to the palace. "Lessons are this way."
"I don't know," Daniel admitted, allowing Kemsa to drag him along, back to the safety of the palace. "I don't think I'm supposed to be here."
"Of course you are," Kemsa said, almost sounding concerned. "Did you injure yourself while you were on break?"
"No…No, I don't think so…"
Daniel felt as if he were in a daze. The buzz continued to grow in his mind, making it harder and harder for him to concentrate. He barely heard the heated conversation between Sadji and Kemsa as he numbly walked into the study room.
"No, don't go in there!" Sadji shouted.
Daniel stopped, gazing wide-eyed as Teacher paced back and forth, prowling in front of two bound men, his movements cold and catlike.
"You have defiled the law of ma'at. There is no greater transgression," Teacher said with a hatred that Daniel could not even begin to fathom. "You shall feel the pain of a thousand deaths."
Daniel narrowed his eyes, the glint of something golden in Teacher's left hand reflecting off the lenses of his glasses.
"What is this?" Daniel asked.
Teacher's posture suddenly changed, and he appeared almost ashamed. "Remain outside for a moment. I have business that must be attended to."
Daniel held up a finger to protest, but Kemsa and Sadji quickly dragged him out of the room and back into the garden.
"Are you mad? You never walk in on the trial of the unjust!" Sadji scolded, urging him into the farthest part of the garden.
"What? Trial?"
"You are clearly insane," Sadji muttered, shaking his head.
Maybe I am, Daniel thought. Maybe I am really losing it this time.
"There is no mercy for those who break the law of ma'at."
"Ma'at. Justice," Daniel murmured, understanding.
"Yes. It is up to the head scribe, or priest, to uphold the laws of ma'at," Kemsa explained calmly. "Our teacher is this such person. He has dedicated his life to Ma'at so that he can allow her will to be done."
Were they talking about ma'at or Ma'at? Confused, Daniel stared at them. "What--?"
"Down!" Sadji called, tugging at Daniel's kilt. Kemsa and Sadji both bowed to the ground to the figure that had emerged from the gardens in front of them.
"I don't kneel for—"
Daniel was abruptly cut off when Sadji pulled him down, forcing him into a kneeling position.
Daniel could only stare. She was beautiful, emitting both a power and elegance that seemed well beyond her years. She wore queenly robes and she had a stunning headdress that she wore over her black hair. Fitted neatly in the top of the headdress was a lone ostrich feather. Smiling softly, she gazed down at them.
Blushing, Daniel attempted to fight the effect she had on him. He exhaled, feeling somewhat better, only to stiffen when she walked from man to man, patting them on their heads affectionately.
Feeling an ache deep within, Daniel looked away, suddenly missing Sha're more than ever. Forcing himself to remain calm, he finally looked up, watching her as she urged them to their feet.
"Should you not be learning?" she asked the men.
"Your Lord is currently holding your word," Sadji stated.
"I see. Then you are welcome to join me by the trees," she said pleasantly.
"We should return," Kemsa said reluctantly. "Your will should be done by now."
She nodded. "It should. You must go back and meet with Truth."
Sadji and Kemsa nodded, dragging the still-stunned Daniel away from the woman and back towards the study room.
Ma'at. Justice personified.
Confused, and starting to feel dizzy and disoriented, Daniel stumbled back into the study room. Within the chamber, there was no sign that anyone else had ever been there. Teacher stood alone in the middle of the room, welcoming them with his arms open.
What the hell was going on?