Chapter Two
Burden
Paper bags and angry voices under a sky of dust
Another wave of tension has more than filled me up
All my talk of taking action; these words were never true
Now I find myself in question
They point the finger at me again
Guilty by association
You point the finger at me again
I wanna run away
Never say goodbye
I wanna know the truth instead of wondering why
I wanna know the answers
No more lies
I wanna shut the door and open up my mind
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When Irisa Sullenger graduated with top honors with her degree in archaeology the last thing she expected was to be plucked up by the Air Force. What would they want with a young linguist with radical ideas about the past? When she found out she was more giddy and excited than she was shocked or frightened. Since then she had worked at Stargate command, mostly translating alien texts and visiting other planets to do off-world excavations. Sometimes she even did work as an interpreter when someone like Daniel Jackson wasn't available.
She had always tried to do what was needed and asked of her.
Until now.
"No Way!" Dr. Sullenger cried, leaping to her feet. "There is no way I'm gonna work with that no-good, slimy, murdering Goa'uld! You understand me General? I am not with your little military unit here, and I have made it perfectly clear that if anything comes up I feel uncomfortable with I will decline Well, I'm severely declining."
Irisa liked General Hammond very much. In fact, he was the Father to the entire SGC in a way. Like a parent he always made sure home was a nice, safe, and mostly happy place. However, none of that could sway her ideas. She hated the Goa'uld and everything they were with everything she had. To willingly work with one would be going back on everything she had ever said or promised herself.
"You have done very well in serving this institution, Doctor. I don't force you to take this assignment, but I must impress the importance of this."
Irisa nodded. "I understand, but I'm sure you know my reasons. If I change my mind then I'll let you know immediately." When Hell freezes over. She stood. "May I be excused? I have some work to do."
Hammond let her go.
O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O
"No-good, slimy, murdering Goa'uld. Good description of Klorel," Skaara commented with a smirk, "and she hasn't even met him yet." He, Daniel, and Jack were watching the proceedings from another room.
However, the joke eluded Daniel. "I really hoped Irisa would agree to this." Daniel said, his brows furrowing with worry. She was perfected for this job, and frankly she was one of the only ones he trusted with this. And the only one he knew could get the job done quickly and precisely.
"I knew she wouldn't. Especially after what happened to Matthews." Jack replied, leaning against the wall. "I don't blame her."
"What happened?" Skaara inquired.
"Brent Matthews was a member of her research team, not to mention her fiancé. On an off-world dig they uncovered some interesting finds. Unfortunately one of them was a Goa'uld symbiote. It took control of Matthews and tried to kill the team and return to earth. Irisa… Irisa was forced to kill him." Jack said, "she hasn't been the same since."
Skaara didn't know what to say to that. Dr. Sullenger must feel terrible.
"I think we should try to talk to her again." Daniel said, "Skaara, you want to come with me?"
"If it's all right, I would like to talk to her. Maybe if she hears she will be helping someone it will change her mind."
"Perhaps." Daniel agreed.
"Go ahead." Jack said, "I'll tell Hammond. I don't think he'll mind the help. You know this wouldn't be a problem if Klorel wasn't so damned picky."
Skaara shrugged. He couldn't help that.
O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O
They kept all the artifacts in the same area so Dr. Sullenger's Lab and Office were very close to that of Daniel's. It was smaller, but very homey. Irisa spent most of her time on the compound working. She liked to be alone. The only time she ever moved from the quiet and solitude of her niche was when she was out assisting others on a project. Outside work she had a very thin spread of patience for her fellow humans. It was easier to think when she was by herself, and it seemed now was a good time to be thinking.
"Doctor?"
An accented voice made her turn to the door. Standing there was a young man, perhaps late teens, if she really pushed her assumptions, maybe early twenties. He was very dark, in that he had long dark hair and deep brown eyes. Those eyes were full of question.
"Yes?" She put down the artifact she had been studying. "Is there something that you need?" Apparently there was something he wanted to ask her. She didn't typically care about interlopers, and would more often than not bite their head off when they disturbed her, especially when she was thinking about something important. Yet there was something vulnerable and unthreatening about him so she tried to tone down the attitude. He probably didn't mean any harm, much less know about her rules.
"I wanted to speak to you if that is possible." He said, slowly pronouncing each word as if he were nervous about something. He came all the way into the room.
"Who are you?" She asked. "Not to sound suspicious or anything, but I don't usually have strangers waltzing in here."
"I understand." He nodded. "My name is Skaara. I'm Daniel's brother-in-law. Dr. Jackson." He elaborated.
Wait… Skaara. That sounds familiar. Dr. Jackson's brother in law… Yes… I remember now. "You're a Goa'uld." She spat, stepping back. "Get out!" She threw her hand toward the door. "Get out of her, now! Get away from me."
"Please." He pleaded. "I just want to have a few words with you."
"You've had more than your share. Out." She said angrily. "I don't take to being in the presence of murderers."
He paused, but didn't leave. "I'm not a murderer." He said softly, "and I'm not a Goa'uld, although there is one present here."
"You're not?" Irisa challenged, but then she saw the expression in his eyes. The deep sorrow and the pain. "…but you can't be. You can't really be Daniel's brother. The Goa'uld don't allow their host to talk."
"It's part of the truce. If Klorel wants the Tau'ri to help him on his venture then he must let me speak at will. To prove this he has allowed the Tollan to place this device on me so everyone will know who is speaking." He lifted his hand and touched a necklace-like collar around his neck. There was a gem of some sorts emitting a blue light. "When it is blue it is I. When it turns Red you are talking to Klorel. With this he cannot silence me, not like he could anyway if he wants to defeat his father. When all this is over he has promised to release me and choose another host."
"So, you're just signing someone else's death warrant. How rich… If I had know this I would have told Hammond 'hell no.'"
"No, wait. Listen., please…"
Irisa sighed and waved her hand. It wouldn't hurt, would it? "This better be good."
"The next host much be voluntary, and he has made a deal that he will act similarly to the Tok'ra. He will share the body he inhabits."
"And you believe him?" Either he's really trusting, or really naï ve.
"He seems sincere. Doing this will assure him Apophis' domain. He believes this is a small price to pay for being able to rule completely."
"Brilliant." Irisa said, rolling her eyes. "So he's an entrepreneur. Give him a Scooby snack."
Skaara ignored her negativity. "He'll do what he has to so he can get what he wants." He paused. "This is the first time something he wants overlaps something the Tau'ri want. He is willing to work with them, and you, to reach this common goal."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." She said humorlessly.
"I have been trying to find a way to get home for so long. Please, you have to help us. Help me."
"I really care about your plight, I do, but why can't Dr. Jackson help. He's closer to you." She asked.
"Klorel insists minimal contact with SG-1." Skaara said, speaking clearly, as if he were quoting directly from the source. "He said they were 'too biased when handling his delicate situation.'"
Irisa grinned at his obvious sarcasm. "You mean the fact they know you."
"That would be it." He said, "Daniel said you were the best here. I trust his judgment, and I would very much like to work with you."
"You pose a good argument, Skaara." Irisa said, spinning a pencil in her hand. "I don't know what to say. If I tell you no then I'll feel bad, but it I tell you yes…" She sighed.
"I heard about what happened. I'm very sorry. I understand if that is a problem."
Irisa bowed her head. He just had to be sweet about it. "Tell you what. I'll think about it, which was more than what I was going to do."
"Thank you."
"I haven't made my choice yet." She reminded, pointing the pencil at him. "Don't get too excited." He nodded, but was confident.
O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O
:: She won't do it. :: Klorel said smugly as Skaara left Dr. Sullenger's office.
:: She will. I know she will. :: Skaara replied, smiling to himself. Klorel was such a pessimist sometimes. One little thing out of place and he predicted the whole universe was to crumble to pieces.
:: Now, you see that's the difference between you and me. I'm a realist. I see things the way they are - - not the way I wish them to be. You're going to be very disappointed. :: Klorel was sure he was right. And he wasn't a pessimist. That was such a bad word. He just didn't see a reason for seeing the sunny side of everything. It was pointless and didn't help a situation any. You had to take action to get what you wanted, not sit back and let it happen like Skaara was always pushing him to do.
:: No, the difference between you and me is that you like to be miserable. Don't even try to argue. It is true, and you know it. You want a reason to whine and throw a tantrum and act the part of angry little demi-god, but-- ::
:: I don't act, and about those so-called tantrums, it just gets tiring being around clueless, stupid humans all the time. It's frustrating. ::
:: And I don't know frustrating? :: Skaara countered scoffing. :: Please, Klorel, remember who you're talking to. I'm not one of your naïve little servants. ::
There was silence for a moment before Klorel spoke again. :: Yes, you're right. You're my host, and that means you shut up and leave me alone. ::
:: You never do like to lose an argument. ::
:: I'm not losing. I'm just tired of hearing your voice in my head. ::
:: Then get a new host. :: Skaara commented, then delivered his parting shot, ::and you are very much losing this argument. ::
O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O
Irisa knew she was doing the right thing. Then why does it feel so terrible? She thought to herself, sipping her drink as she leaned back in her chair. The fire in her hearth roared with the same chaos that was rising in her chest. She didn't want to be doing this. In fact she felt like a traitor. She knew she would be helping that young man, Skaara, and indeed, he deserved to be helped. Yet in helping him she would also be furthering whatever dastardly plans that Goa'uld had.
And that was unacceptable.
She threw her glass against the wall and it shattered, the shards tinkling briefly before resting on her hard wood floor. She buried her head in her hands and leaned forward, the tears coming in an onslaught of anguish and sorrow. "I don't know what to do, Brent." She whispered, voice choked with emotion as she picked up the picture from the side table. "I just don't know what to do. I wish you were here."
She curled up on the couch and drew a blanket around her shoulders. Sometimes she wished she had never heard of the Stargate, or the Goa'uld. Maybe it would have been even better if she had never met Brent. If she wouldn't have fallen in low she wouldn't be in so much pain. She closed her eyes and let the fire's warmth drift over her until she fell asleep.
Time moved on.
O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O
"I don't think she's coming." Jack O'Neill said, leaning back in his chair. He was so tempted to prop his feet up on the briefing room table, but he didn't feel like getting glared at by General Hammond so he refrained. He raised his wrist and looked at the watch. "Nope, don't think she's coming at all."
"Be patient, Jack." Daniel said, tapping his pencil against the table. "I saw her getting out files on Klorel yesterday. I think she's considering taking the job."
"Or maybe she was just finding more reasons to decline." Jack shot back. "I'm tellin' you, Dr. Sullenger's never going to go for it. If she does show up it will be to tell us where to shove it - - in a nice way of course. Irisa would never openingly become disrespectful."
"I didn't know you were such a great student of character observation, Colonel O'Neill, especially mine." A feminine voice said humorlessly from the doorway. They all turned. Irisa was standing there, her arms full of folders and papers. She turned her head to where Skaara was sitting and smiled. "Looks like we will be working together."
"I take it, Doctor, that you are accepting the assignment?" Hammond asked.
"Yes, sir, I am. After a very interesting chat with our friend here," She nodded at Skaara, "he convinced me its worth it. I don't suppose that I can get out of meeting Klorel?" After a moment of silence she said with a sigh, "thought not."
Song quote used above is "Runaway" by Linkin Park
Chapter two, complete. Apparently, cos I posted it. Ha. Ahem. Anyway. I was trying to make the situation as personal for Irisa as I could. Tell me what you think, you usually do. Thanks for the support. And for all those reading Best Kept Secret I'm still trying to work on the next chapter. I've just had lots of inspiration for other stories, such as this one, and my classes get in the way. And now I'm sick again and have FMS. Fuzzy Mind Syndrome. Haha. I'll try to work as fast as I can.
Toodles all.
Chapter Three: Irisa begins work with Klorel… and proves just how unsmooth he is…