DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and all related characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, SciFi Originals, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp and MGM/UA Studios. This work of fiction is for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended and no money has changed hands. All original characters and events are the sole property of the author and may not be used or archived without express permission.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks for the heads-up, iamdragonrider. I got so wrapped up in them trouncing Artemis I let myself forget Ba'al and the drones. You get the answer to your question in this chapter.
Thanks for the heads-up, . I got so wrapped up in them trouncing Artemis I let myself forget Ba'al and the drones. You get the answer to your question in this chapter.WOMAN'S WORLD
by Darrin Colbourne
The cheering and rejoicing were the last things Samantha Carter and Sarah Gardner expected to hear in a defensive shelter in the midst of a war, but that was exactly what was coming from the door that led to the sub-basement, and it was perfectly understandable if what Scylla had told them over the radio was true. Artemis, System Lord and scourge of the Amazons for 5000 years, was dead, her forces broken, her ships smashed, her empire in ruins, and the good guys had absorbed relatively few casualties and there had been virtually no civilian losses reported. It had been a short, victorious war, the best kind to have if you were going to have any.
On hearing the news, Carter, Sarah and the Special Guards they were with in the emergency stairwell headed down to the sub-basement at a leisurely pace. In stark contrast to their presence in the Senate Chamber, the Guards were exceptionally chatty, wondering about how it must have felt to be part of Artemis's demise, or what the Stargate Watch Force Troops were thinking when it happened, but the favorite topic seemed to be imagining the look on Artemis's face just seconds before she expired.
A party atmosphere was prevalent in the sub-basement when they entered. The Hall of Arachne's occupants, who had all been ensconced in separate bunkers only moments before, had filled the main hallway. Senators, City Officials, aides, secretaries, visiting dignitaries, even messengers and sightseers were jumbled together in a celebratory mass. Several applauded in the Themysciran way, with their hands high above their heads. Several danced, by themselves, with Special Guards, with each other. Most everyone hugged, shook hands, smiled and laughed. The Taskmasters, of course, were the center of the social gathering.
Carter only barely got in the door when Clytemnestra spotted her. The Taskmaster grinned wide and waved, then made her way through the crowd to catch Carter in another big hug. The squeeze knocked the wind out of the Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and she noted that the Special Guard armor did little to compensate for the grip. I wish she'd stop doing that! Carter thought.
Sarah thought it was quite an amusing sight…at least until Clytemnestra finally broke her grip on Carter and decided to treat her new friend to the same show of love. Carter could see Sarah's eyes bug out even with her face half obscured by the helmet. "How funny is it now?" She mouthed when she caught Sarah's gaze.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Clytemnestra said when she released Sarah. "After so long, a world free of the threat of Artemis! This will be a day of celebration for centuries to come! Forever!"
"I'm happy for you, Clytemnestra." Carter said. "Really. I just wish I could have been more help."
"Oh, but you were!" Clytemnestra said. "If it weren't for you and the others making her feel trapped, she wouldn't have done exactly what we wanted her to do, which was make her way to the Stargate."
"Creatures of Habit." Sarah said. Clytemnestra nodded.
Carter smiled. "Then I was glad to help. Listen, now that she is gone, have you given any thought to what you'll do next?"
"Oh! Thank you for reminding me!" Clytemnestra said, then turned to the main group. "Taskmasters!" She called out. "Taskmasters! Gather here, if you please!"
Soon the Taskmasters of Themyscira were gathered around Clytemnestra. "Sisters," Clytemnestra said, "will still have a decision to make."
"Indeed," Daphne said, "but where will we continue our discussion?"
"Did your guardians not say the Senate Chamber was heavily damaged?" Cleis said.
"It was." Clytemnestra said. "We can't talk there. Then again, we may not have to. There's a shelter down here set aside for Taskmasters. It's not as large or opulent as the Senate Chamber, but there are places to sit, there's food, it has adequate ventilation and is quite secure from spying. It will not fit all our guards, but the bulk of them can remain outside and provide extra security."
As Clytemnestra spoke, Carter looked around. The noise level in the room had dropped considerably since the Taskmasters had regrouped, and now that they were talking about going back to their deliberations the crowd was starting to thin out. People were making their way to other stairwells and elevators and heading for the upper floors.
"I'm sure you're right." Melina said. "We all have similar shelters in our cities. I see no reason why we can't continue or discussion there."
Carter also noticed that none of the extra Special Guards that Scylla had dispatched were leaving with the others, They were gathering around the Taskmasters, and they had suddenly gotten very serious and silent again. What's more, at some point Scylla herself had arrived in the sub-basement, and was now watching Clytemnestra and the others intently.
"I agree." Daphne said. "Do you agree, sisters?"
"Agreed." The Taskmasters said in unison.
"Very good." Clytemnestra said with a smile. "Then it's settled. Now, there's just one more thing we must do."
And with that, everyone, Taskmasters and Special Guards alike, turned to Carter and Sarah.
"Samantha, Sarah, we appreciate everything you've done for us, but I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave." Clytemnestra said.
And with that, the Special Guards drew ever so close to the Earthwomen. The closest ones had their Stormbows at the ready, though they hadn't drawn the firing rods back…yet.
"I will also have to put you into seclusion." Clytemnestra said. "Just until we're done, of course, but you must understand, we can't risk having you discuss what you've heard until we've made our decision."
"Oh, naturally." Sarah said, eyeing the Guards nervously.
Scylla and another Arachinopolan guard made their way through the pack to Carter and Sarah. Both were unarmed. "We'll take those." Scylla said. Carter and Sarah turned over their Stormbows to the Chief Guardian and her partner. "Give your helmets to them." Scylla said, pointing to two other guards. The Earthwomen complied.
Clytemnestra spoke to yet another Guard. "They should be secure enough in my home. Take them there, have my servants prepare food for them and yourself. Keep them in the guest quarters. Their clothes and equipment should still be in the Guard barracks."
"We will return their clothes only." The guard said.
"Of course. You know what else to do?"
"Disable all communications and media devices, restrict access to the house to all but yourself, General Commander Iphigenia and your servants, and no one but you may speak with Colonel Carter and her companion until the Congress is over."
"Precisely. Samantha, Sarah, I need you to go with these guards."
Carter and Sarah did as Clytemnestra wanted, and then it was clear why the extra guardians had stayed. All of them were to be the Earthwomen's escorts. They traveled as a group to the nearest staircase, with Carter and Sarah in the center. They would head up to the Main Departure Level, where several vehicles were waiting to take the group wherever it needed to go.
When the last extra guard entered the stairs, the Taskmaster's Congress moved down the passageway to the shelter set aside for it. As they walked, Scylla, having assumed her rightful place as host guardian, worked out the guard assignments with her colleagues. There was enough room for roughly a third of their number to be in the shelter with the Taskmasters. Scylla worked out which third it would be by seniority. The rest would remain out in the hall to cordon the shelter off. It took about ten minutes to get everyone to the shelter, everyone in that was going in, and everyone else arranged outside. When the door to the shelter was closed for good, the guards inside, including Scylla, stood At Ease. A moment later, the audio and video feeds from the shelter's security equipment were turned off.
Once everyone was settled in, Clytemnestra stood and said: "Now, sisters, let us talk plainly."
Though there was already celebration in the cities, for Themyscira's frontline forces the partying would be delayed. There were still several things that needed to be done. For example, while all of Artemis's ships were thought to have been destroyed, no one would feel completely sure until a thorough search had been made of the entire system. On a much smaller scale, there would also be a thorough search of the grounds around the Stargate Facility and Arachinopolis to make absolutely sure all her Jaffa were accounted for. There was an old legend that after one of Artemis's attacks one of her male Jaffa had masqueraded as a Themysciran for almost a month before he was found and killed. No one thought that any such thing could actually happen, but no one wanted to take a chance on being wrong either. There also had to be a comprehensive accounting of friendly losses. Right now there were estimates based on the ship and fighter losses - the heaviest of which were suffered by the fleet, with ten cruisers lost (four of them with living crews) and all the rest damaged - but search and rescue operations were still ongoing. The right information on the subject was most important, because until it was completed Defenders and other family members could not be notified. Then there was the usual "mopping up"; the recovery and disposition of friendly and enemy remains, the clearing of debris from felled aircraft, clearing Themysciran orbit of debris, etc. One major task was putting out the forest fire just outside. That was being taken care of by emergency services personnel from the city.
At least the biggest question mark in the after-action report had already been resolved. Stargate Facility doctors and scientists had already examined the remains of the Goa'uld in the Stargate Temple and determined that it had been, in fact, Artemis. This news was joyous enough that Iphigenia ordered it disseminated to the armed forces and the general population immediately. As for the rest, she was still in charge of Themyscira's forces until it was all taken care of, but the fact that the ultimate goal had been achieved made the rest of the tasks seem…not so daunting.
"Iphigenia!" Someone called. It was Pete Shanahan. He and Daniel Jackson had offered to help in any way they could with the aftermath, so they were still with Line Commander Sibyl's company policing the grounds outside. At least, they were supposed to be, yet they were back in the control center, heading toward the platform where Iphigenia was standing. Actually, it looked like Jackson was trying to stop the Earth Enforcer.
"Come up." Iphigenia said. She thought she had a good idea of what he wanted to discuss.
The two men reached the platform. Pete couldn't see how to get to the top. Jackson found the right contact on the side and pressed it, causing a narrow set of stairs to extend from the side. Pete spoke his mind as he and Jackson climbed up. "I heard outside that Arachne Hall was attacked during the fighting. Is that true?"
It was what she thought. "Yes, it is." She said. "Artemis made a desperate attempt to capture the Taskmasters when she realized they were all in that building."
Pete turned and gave Jackson an I told you so look just as they reached the top of the platform. "Well, is everybody okay?"
"Everyone is fine. The Taskmasters resumed their discussions in another part of the building approximately twenty minutes ago."
"So I guess Sam's still with them, huh?"
"Actually, no. Samantha and Doctor Gardner were asked to leave."
"Well, okay. Where are they?"
"At my home. They're being sequestered there."
Jackson winced and bowed his head. Pete just looked confused. "Sequestered? What for?"
"To prevent them from telling anyone what they might have heard while they were with the Taskmasters."
"Well, can I see her?"
"I'm afraid that would defeat the purpose of sequestering them, Enforcer."
"Oh, for…!" Pete started, then dialed his frustration back. "Look, I don't care what your Taskmasters are talking about…"
"Good, Pete." Jackson mumbled. "Way to insult the host."
Pete ignored him. "All I want to do is see Sam and make sure she's all right!"
"And I understand that," Iphigenia said, "but I can't let you do it. It is our way."
"Can't you make an exception?"
"No, I can't. Not under any circumstance."
Pete was about to lose it. "But she's in your house!"
"Enough, Enforcer!" Iphigenia said, losing her temper. It got Pete to back off, and that gave her a chance to settle herself down. "Please understand, Enforcer - Pete - please understand that the fact that she's in my home is of no consequence. I couldn't send you in to see her, and even if I went home I wouldn't be allowed anywhere near whichever room Samantha is being kept in. And I meant what I said. I understand your need to see her. I would like nothing more than to see my Clytemnestra safe and sound with my own eyes…but I can't. All my authority and I can't until she is done with the Congress…and, for now, this goes for you and Samantha as well."
Pete was about to protest further, but thought better of it. "Fine." He said. "Fine, I'll respect your ways. I can wait." Like a good little Defender. He thought.
Wanting to change the subject and work on getting the mission back on track, Jackson said: "I'd hate to put a damper on such a momentous victory, but what about Ba'al? What are you going to do about him? I doubt he'll wait very long to pursue Artemis."
"Still, for now he is waiting." Iphigenia said, then turned to the technician. "Put up the recent intelligence on the Helios Sector." She waited for the display on the main screen to change to a tactical projection of the Helios system. "He's consolidating his control over Artemis's capitol world and his gains on the edge of her empire. As for Themyscira, he's done nothing but probe us from long range."
"He's wondering what happened to Artemis after she ran." Jackson said.
"He might be worried that the same thing that happened on Earth happened to her here." Pete said.
"If so, his hesitation would give us to time to prepare." Iphigenia said. "As to what I can do, my options are limited. For now, we've closed off all access to our address from the Helios Stargate."
"The same way you blocked our 'Gate three years ago." Jackson said.
Iphigenia nodded. "At least he can't deploy any of his drones that way."
"He can still send them in ships."
"True, but the ships can be destroyed before they reach the planet, and as formidable as the drone soldiers are I doubt they can do much damage floating aimlessly through space. So my next priority is getting our damaged ships repaired as soon as possible."
"Well, after seeing what you did today, I'm willing to bet you can handle Ba'al." Pete said. "You did just take out one of his pals."
"I appreciate your support, Pete, but Artemis had limited resources to call upon and her invasion was an act of desperation. Those circumstances played a part in our victory. Ba'al has a much larger and more powerful strategic reserve at his disposal, while I would have fewer women and machines to send against him."
"Because of the losses you suffered today?"
"It's not that. My authority over the militaries of the other cities derives from the Contract for Mutual Defense, which was signed specifically to counter the threat to the world posed by Artemis. It remains in force only as long as Artemis remains a threat, and after today that is no longer the case. I retain command of those forces only as long as necessary to deal with the aftermath of her invasion, but the contract was never intended to allow me to use those forces against other Star Gods without the authorization of the other cities."
"But that's crazy! Ba'al's an even bigger threat to your whole world than Artemis was! Why wouldn't the mutual defense contract cover him?"
"Because technically Ba'al and the other Star Gods are covered by a different contract: the one that gives the City of Arachne the authority to control the Stargate. Ba'al is an 'interstellar threat', one that relates mainly to our active use of the device."
"Oh, I see." Jackson groaned, then explained to Pete. "In legal terms Artemis was considered a home-grown, recurring threat, one that demanded the attention of the entire planet. On the other hand, as far the other cities are concerned, the other Gould or any other threats the Stargate Watch Force might encounter while using the 'Gate are the Stargate Watch Force's problem."
"And since the Watch Force comes under the exclusive authority of the City of Arachne," Iphigenia said, "its Commander must rely mainly on Arachne's resources in dealing with those problems."
Pete looked at both of them as if they were drunk, then shook his head. "Son of a…" he mumbled, then said "Y'know, this planet is in dire need of a good anarchist."
Iphigenia chuckled. "Actually, there are several people on this planet who would agree with you."
"Oh, really? Where are they?"
"Our jails are full of them." Iphigenia said with a grin.
Pete tried to keep from laughing, but couldn't, and was doubled over for a moment or two with the giggles, while Iphigenia chuckled along. When he recovered, Pete said "Touché." When he saw Iphigenia's confusion at the word, he clarified. "Ya got me. All right, can you at least ask for help from the other cities to deal with Ba'al?"
"Certainly, but without a binding, worldwide agreement that grants me the authority there is no way I can compel them to help me. They can always say 'No', and given the sacrifices they've already made today they'd be well within their rights to do so."
Pete let out a breath as he digested everything that was said. "So if Ba'al decides to move on the planet, you'd need a worldwide agreement to consolidate all its forces under your command."
"And the only way to ratify such an agreement quickly is through a Taskmaster's Congress." Jackson said.
"Which is why you don't want to disturb the Taskmasters while they're in Congress. Any delay might be holding up a decision that the security of the planet depends on."
Iphigenia smiled. "Now you've got it."
"Okay, but from what I understand this Congress isn't even talking about Ba'al, or any specific threat other than Artemis. Are they even taking the other Gould into consideration?"
"There's no way to know until they announce their decision. Samantha and Sarah might know…but we can't ask them yet."
"For our purposes we might be better off if they're not talking about the Gould." Jackson said. "The other cities might consider the System Lords the Arachinopolans' problem, but most of the Taskmasters think they're mainly Earth's problem. For all we know, they could decide to find a way to isolate Themyscira from the entire galaxy once and for all, starting with dismantling or burying the Stargate."
"It certainly sounds like something the Aegeans would advocate," Iphigenia said, "but I hope it doesn't come to that. Aside from the occasional difficulties, I enjoy my work here."
"Excuse me, Commander," The technician said, "but we're getting an alert from the Special Guard Command. The Taskmasters have concluded their deliberations."
Iphigenia smiled at her guests. "There. That didn't take long at all."
"Is that good or bad?" Pete asked.
"Who knows?" Jackson said. "Sometimes a Congress only lasts a matter of minutes, sometimes it can take months. It took five hours for them to decide against allying with Earth the last time. I would think deciding the future of their planet would take longer, but…" He shrugged.
"There's no need to speculate." Iphigenia said. "We may never know the specifics of the debate, but I imagine the decision will make perfect sense, no matter how long it took for them to come to it. Did Guard Command give you an idea of when the Taskmasters will make their announcement, Ranger?"
"Yes, Chief. The Taskmasters intend to make their announcement in the Hall of Lysippe. It is simply a matter of conveying them there and making the necessary preparations."
"The 'Hall of Lysippe'?" Pete said to Jackson.
"It was one of the landmarks I showed you in Clytemnestra's office." Jackson said. "Remember, the one you said looked like a miniature domed stadium?" Pete nodded in understanding as the technician continued.
"The Taskmasters request that the restriction on ring transports be lifted or lightened so that they may facilitate the transfer to Lysippe Hall."
"Contact Ring Authority in the City and have them reduce the restriction to Level Two." Iphigenia said, then turned to Pete and Jackson. "That will allow the use of transport rings by government officials only. We'll remove the restrictions altogether once we're done with recovery operations."
"Another request, Commander. Taskmaster Clytemnestra requests clearance for her aide to transport to the Stargate Facility."
Iphigenia looked at the technician. "Phoebe? I wonder why? I would think she'd be managing the preparations for the Taskmasters' announcement. Oh, well. Grant the clearance." Then to Pete and Jackson: "We'll just ask her when she gets here." With that, Iphigenia went to the stairs and left the platform, followed by the Earthmen. By the time they were halfway to the ring platform the device was going through its motions, depositing Phoebe in the SGF. She was still wearing her traditional robes of office.
"Thank you for receiving me, Commander." Phoebe said with a smile as she approached the others.
"A pleasure, Phoebe." Iphigenia said. "What can I do for you?"
"I was sent to deliver two messages to you, ones that could not be broadcast in the open."
"Very well. What are they?"
"The first is a personal one from Clytemnestra. She commanded me to assure you that she was not injured in any way in Artemis's attack on the Hall of Arachne and that you will be able to see that for yourself shortly."
Iphigenia smiled. "Thank you for that. And the other message?"
"It is a formal command. The Taskmasters of Themyscira in Congress require your presence in the Hall of Lysippe when they announce their decision to the People on the matter of Themyscira's Future."
Iphigenia's smile disappeared. "Can you tell me why?"
"I can not, Commander." Phoebe said. "I don't know myself. I was merely sent to convey the summons."
"Maybe they want to give you a medal." Pete offered.
"They wouldn't bother with that." Iphigenia said, looking confused. "Military Awards are given out by the city governments."
"Haven't Taskmasters' Congresses consulted with high-ranking military advisors in the past?" Jackson asked.
"Yes, but usually while they were in the midst of their deliberations. This Congress has already made its decision. They don't need my advice at this point, and right now there other things I need to take care of."
"Actually, Commander," Phoebe said, "the Taskmasters have already contacted the Senate's Stargate Administration Committee and advised them to send relief for you. They suggest you put your First Officer in command until she arrives."
"Oh, do they?" Iphigenia asked. She was slightly peeved to hear that, but she was masking it well…mostly. "Very well. Ranger!"
"Yes, Chief?" The Ranger on the command platform called back.
"Contact Commander Euboea and inform her that she is in command until my relief arrives!"
The Ranger hesitated for a moment, her eyes bugging out slightly at the command. She recovered quickly. "Yes, Chief!" She acknowledged.
Iphigenia turned her attention back to Phoebe. "You may tell the Taskmasters that I will be with them as soon I am prepared."
"Forgive my impertinence, Commander," Phoebe said, "but Clytemnestra commanded me to assist you in your preparations so that there is little delay."
Iphigenia's mouth twisted up in annoyance, then she addressed Pete. "Anyone with official business with the Taskmasters in Congress must appear before them in traditional dress. Apparently, my dear Defender has sent her overseer to make sure I comply with this directive, because she knows very well how much I hate wearing traditional dress." Iphigenia was staring daggers at Phoebe with the last. Pete just smirked.
Phoebe smiled as innocently as possible. "I am not privy to the Taskmaster's motivations. Again, I am here merely to deliver the message."
Iphigenia relented and her features softened. "Very well," she said as she touched the contact on her belt. in seconds, the armored look her uniform had acquired receded, until she was left wearing the "workout clothes" again.
"I keep my traditional uniform at home." She said. "May I go and retrieve it, or are Samantha and Sarah still in seclusion?"
"No," Phoebe said. "They are free to interact with the public again."
"That's great!" Pete spoke up. "I don't suppose we could tag along and see them?"
"If it pleases Commander Iphigenia."
"Of course you can come along, Pete, and I suppose the announcement will be broadcast, so you can watch it in my home if you wish."
"Oh, we wish!" Jackson said.
"Then let's go. We don't want to keep the Taskmasters waiting." With that, the four of them went over to the transport rings.
They were transported to what looked like a smaller version of the Stargate Temple, which seemed to be operated like a guard shack. The ring platform was situated in the center of the building and flanked by double doors on either side. Each set of doors was in turn flanked by a pair of Special Guards. Iphigenia headed straight to one set of doors with her entourage in tow. The guardians came to attention on her approach. "Stand and Identify!" One called out. Iphigenia stopped about a yard away from the door and addressed her.
"General Commander Iphigenia of the Stargate Watch Force; Phoebe, aide to Taskmaster Clytemnestra; Doctor Daniel Jackson and Enforcer Pete Shanahan of Earth."
The guardian waited while hidden sensors in the space verified they were all who they professed to be. When she got the green light from her control center she and her companion saluted Iphigenia and resumed their at ease stance as the doors they were guarding opened on their own. Iphigenia led her party through them.
As they followed, Jackson and Pete realized that they had just entered a large compound built on the Eastern slope of the valley the city was in. Off in the distance to the West they could see the Arachinopolan skyline in magnificent detail. Most of the spires seemed to be trying to earn the name "skyscraper" the hard way, dwarfing as they did the tallest buildings on Earth. The Hall of Arachne stood out prominently in the center, yet even with its massive dimensions it was still not the most impressive design. Scattered amid the conventionally designed four-sided towers were domes, pyramids, cones and conglomerations of all of the above, some painted in hues that Pete never expected to see on the outside of a city building. The only thing that marred its architectural beauty was the presence of columns of smoke rising from several places, no doubt part of the aftermath of the invasion.
In stark contrast to the city proper, Jackson thought that the compound they entered might have been lifted whole from ancient Macedonia or Crete. It was a collection of columned buildings, constructed from marble and adorned with statues and friezes. The complex was laid out in five levels which were stacked to match the slope of the land, and was surrounded by a high, thick wall. There were a few buildings that looked like they might be temples or other public structures, but most of the buildings were large megaron-type rectangular houses.
They'd exited what must have been a guardhouse onto the middle level of the compound. As Iphigenia started leading them to the upper levels via sets of outdoor stairs, Jackson said "This is where you live? It's incredible!"
"This place is where all the most important city officials live." Iphigenia said. "Senators, Magistrates, Leading Advisors. Clytemnestra was given a place here when she was made Taskmaster, so of course I moved in with her. I suppose a historian or a nostalgic might find it incredible."
"You don't like living here?" Pete said.
"I like the comfort, but I have little use for the ceremony that comes with it. I often joke with Cly that I'd be just as happy if she retired and went into business. I'm sure she could make just as comfortable a home for us in one of the estate neighborhoods, and I wouldn't have to spend my leave time feeling as if I lived in a museum. Before this we had an apartment together in the city. It overlooked Libra Stadium in the South. With a set of magnifiers I could watch any competition there from the bedroom window. Now that was incredible."
"Maybe if you weren't joking the next time…" Pete offered.
"Oh, I'd never really ask her to retire," Iphigenia said, "because I know she never would, any more than I'd retire from active duty if she asked me to. You do what you were meant to do, and those who love you let you do it."
They kept walking until they got to the top level, then started South until they were halfway down a row of houses. Iphigenia stopped in front of one whose wide entrance, situated just inside a rank of columns, was flanked by statues of women in robes holding scrolls. This was the Taskmaster's Residence. Iphigenia walked right up to the double doors in the entrance and waved her hand in front of them, cueing the electronic sensors to let her in and alert her servants of her arrival.
The house was essentially a large rectangle subdivided into smaller rooms and levels. The front doors opened up on the living room, the largest room. It extended from the front of the house to the back and the ceiling was a full two stories high. At the back of the living room were two sets of stairs which led to the upper rooms and two hallways that led to other rooms on the lower level, all of which flanked the living room. Most of the furnishings were modern. There were two sofas, two large easy chairs, several small tables and a large, ornate marble table between the sofas. The decorations ranged from a large portrait of Iphigenia and Clytemnestra hanging on the wall between the staircases to photographs of them and their family members, and, of course, there was the attendant statuary, though nothing bigger than a statuette or a bust.
As Pete and Jackson looked around two girls dressed in white blouses and slacks came running into the living from one of the hallways. They both seemed to be about sixteen or seventeen, and they had their hair tied back and wore no make-up. They came to a stop a couple of feet from Iphigenia, stood straight, folded their hands in front of them and bowed, saying something in their language.
"English, girls." Iphigenia said. "Remember, the Taskmaster wants us to speak English as long as our guests from Earth are with us."
"Forgive us, Commander," The girl with the light brown hair said, "but we were told by the Guardians that we were not to speak to Samantha Carter and her companion until the Congress was over, so we thought it wouldn't matter if we weren't speaking their language."
"Well, the Congress is over, so concentrate on speaking English until they leave."
"Yes, Commander." Both girls said in unison.
"Where are Samantha and Sarah?"
"In the guest quarters, Chief." The other girl, the one with raven hair, said.
"Would you please inform them that their other companions are here?" Iphigenia indicated Jackson and Pete as she said it.
It would have been funny had they been watching it on television. The girls leaned to either side of Iphigenia's body and stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the two men. Neither had paid much attention to the news when Daniel Jackson had first visited their planet, so neither recognized him, and Pete was a complete mystery.
"Girls," Iphigenia said, "you'll catch flies."
The girls recovered their composure. "We're sorry, Commander!" Raven-hair said.
"Just do as I asked, Persephone. Clio, please take their weapons and equipment and store it in the armory."
"Yes, Chief!" They both said, then Raven-hair - Persephone - trotted away and headed up the left staircase while Clio came up to the men.
"May I take your things…" She said. She suddenly got a strange look on her face. Jackson realized she was looking for the right word.
"'Gentlemen'." He prompted. "'Gentle-men'."
She smiled. "Gentlemen!" She said, then, as she reached for their gear she leaned close and whispered: "Are you really gentle?"
"Clio!" Iphigenia half-yelled, and the girl stopped talking and held out her hands. Pete and Jackson turned over their weapons and equipment harnesses. Laden down with Pete's weapon slung over a shoulder and the rest of the stuff in her arms, Clio gave them another quick smile then carried it off down one of the hallways.
"If you're here to help, then follow me." Iphigenia said to Phoebe. Pete noted that she walked off without waiting for an answer. She was apparently picking up some habits from Clytemnestra.
"Yes, Commander!" Phoebe said as she hurried to catch up with Iphigenia, who went up the stairs on the right. As they left the living room, Samantha Carter and Sarah Gardner came down the other stairs behind Persephone. The men could see they were back in their fatigues.
"Sam!" Pete said, and he and Jackson approached Carter and Sarah. Persephone got out of the way as the two Earth couples came together, hugged and kissed.
"I was so worried about you!" Pete said, then to Sarah: "Uh, we were worried about both of you!"
"Oh, sure." Sarah said, smiling, content in Jackson's arms.
"What happened?" Jackson said. "How'd they find out who you were?"
"I don't know." Carter said. "They would have found out when Scylla told me to get them ready for evacuation, but apparently they knew who we were all the time."
"I knew it wouldn't work!" Pete said. When Carter looked at him he continued. "I was watching you go into the Senate room at the base. I could easily pick you out."
The couples separated as Jackson spoke. "Well, that doesn't make any sense. If they knew you weren't real guards all the time they should have stopped the Congress until you were removed. Why go on with it?"
"We were wondering the same thing while we were locked up here." Sarah said.
"Locked up?" Pete said.
"Figuratively." Carter said. "They kept us in the guest suite and gave us back our clothes. The girls made food for us, but nobody would say anything, and would ignore us if we tried to talk to them."
"Well, that does make sense." Jackson said. "Look, can you give us an idea of what they talked about? The Congress is over."
"Already?" Sarah said. "The way they were droning on before we left I thought it would be Christmas before they came to an understanding!"
"Droning on?" Jackson said.
"They didn't really talk about much of anything." Carter said. "They basically just went back and forth about exploring the galaxy. Clytemnestra and Daphne were leading the pro and con sides, respectively."
Jackson turned away to think. "Clytemnestra had to have some reason for sneaking you in. I doubt she actually thought you wouldn't be caught. She's too forward-thinking for that. And if they weren't going to have any meaningful discussion…"
"Maybe it was another test for me," Carter said, "to see how I'd handle it if I were there when Artemis arrived."
"Maybe," He said, "but it could also have been a message to me: 'Don't interfere'. There's no way to know unless…"
Phoebe's voice interrupted him. "Commander, please! The Taskmaster specifically told me to make sure you were ready!"
Iphigenia and Phoebe were descending the right-hand stairs when the visitors looked over to them. "And you will," Iphigenia said, "when we get to Lysippe Hall. There are several places for me to change there." The General Commander was carrying her robes in her hand, while the Taskmaster's Aide was relegated to lugging a case while walking behind her.
"But wouldn't it be more expedient for you to change here?" Phoebe said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "I'm sure that's what Clytemnestra wanted."
"Ah, but if she didn't say that, we can do it my way," Iphigenia said, "and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing this until I had absolutely no choice." She stopped by one of the sofas. "Persephone, did they reactivate the media systems?"
"Yes, Chief!" The servant said. "The guards re-established the connections just before they left."
"Then set the receiver up so our guests can watch the Taskmasters' announcement, then see if they want anything to eat or drink." Clio returned just then. "Clio, you come with us." With that, Iphigenia strode to the front doors. Clio opened them herself, and the Commander's new entourage departed. As the doors closed, Persephone found a remote control and pointed it toward the ceiling. With the press of a contact part of it slid open to reveal a large screen, which flipped down and descended to about a meter above the floor. It was situated so that anyone sitting on the sofas would have to look to the side to see it, but it was directly across from the easy chairs. Another press and the screen came to life. Preliminary news coverage of the event was already underway.
The men looked expectantly at the remote as Persephone came over to the group, so they were a little disappointed when she handed the device to Carter. "Can I get anybody anything?" She said.
"We're fine." Carter said. Everyone else nodded their agreement.
"I'm going to watch in my quarters while I attend to my studies." Persephone said. "If you need me, just call my name. If I can't hear you, audio relays in the house will transmit the call throughout the house." With that, Persephone smiled and left the Earthpeople alone in the living room.
When she was gone, Sarah and Carter smiled at Pete and Jackson. "Neener, Neener, Neener!" Carter said, waving the remote. Their smiles faded as they looked down at the device, then a chastened Carter handed it to Jackson without looking. When he took it the men looked down at it, and then they smiled at their distaff companions. The controls were labeled in Themysciran.
"Neener, Neener, Neener!" Jackson said, waving the remote.
Pete laughed and the women shook their heads as they moved as a group to sit in front of the TV. No one felt comfortable taking an easy chair, so they paired off on the sofas. When they were settled, Jackson looked for the "Menu" control on the remote, called it up on the screen and selected "Languages". There were a few dozen, including Themysciran Common, Arachne Dialect, and Dialects for all the other cities. He was mildly surprised to find there were entries for Stargate-related languages, including Unas, Asgard and even Goa'uld (Though when any Goa'uld might have occasion to sit and watch Themysciran TV was beyond his ability to imagine). He found what he wanted in a sub-menu labeled "Motherworld Languages". At the bottom of a list that included Hellenic, Latin, Turkish, Slavic, etc., was "English, Western Hemisphere." He selected that, and suddenly the talking head on the screen was speaking American English. Along with the language change, the person's mouth broke down into pixels for a second. When it reformed, her lips were synchronized properly with her words.
"They even make awesome TVs." Pete breathed.
Carter, sitting next to him, nodded. "We can't leave here empty-handed again."
"There must be something we can offer them." Sarah said.
Jackson had a sudden insight. "T.E.R.s!" He said. When Carter looked at him, he elaborated. "Modified T.E.R.s! If they're going to go up against Ba'al, they could use them."
"What are those?" Pete said.
"'Transphase Eradication Rods'." Carter said, "They're Tok'Ra weapons modified to work against Anubis Drones. I thought of that, Daniel, but we only have a relative handful of them, and it's not likely we'll get more from the Tok'Ra to modify anytime soon."
"We only need to give the Themyscirans one." Jackson said. "They can reverse engineer it to figure out how it works and mass produce it themselves."
"That's fine for them, but how does it help us? You said yourself that they won't trade."
"Well, maybe we can sell the design to one of their manufacturers and make enough money to buy things we can use."
"It's a nice idea, Daniel, but I doubt that even in Themysciran money we'll make enough from the sale of one weapon design to buy what we need, at least not in time to matter. To really fight the Goa'uld we need things like hyperdrives, fighters, 'Big Honkin' Space Guns', but especially ships, enough to stave off any attack Ba'al or any other System Lord might throw at us and take the fight back to them, and we need those ships now. We can only last so long fighting a holding action and scrounging for Ancient weapons."
"Just a thought." Jackson mumbled as he turned his attention back to the screen.
"Keep thinking." Carter said. "I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point, but I'm holding out hope that Clytemnestra can pull off a miracle and get us something substantial."
Pete gave Carter a quick glance. When you spend your existence at war with God… Penelope's words came back to him then. Carter had apparently signed on to the local faith. But if Clytemnestra couldn't even pull off a joke on her own colleagues - and Pete wasn't convinced Carter and Sarah's discovery was anything but a screw-up on the Taskmaster's part - what kind of miracle could she produce?
They went back to watching the newscast as the image shifted from the newsreader to a building in the city. "And we've just received word that most of the dignitaries invited to be present have arrived at the Hall of Lysippe, so we'll take you there now and to our correspondent, Cassiopeia by Athena. Cassie, what's the mood like over there?"
Another voice came on. "Joyous to say the least, Aegena! A Taskmaster's Congress is an historic event, so everyone is thrilled to bear witness to one all the way to its conclusion, but today is especially historic because we also bore witness to the destruction of Themyscira's ancient enemy, Artemis…"
"Now, who's Lysippe again?" Pete said.
"I guess you could call her their George Washington." Jackson said. "She was one of the most successful warriors in their history, and she pretty much founded Themysciran civilization. She named the planet, created the original Contract for Mutual Defense and was the first to lead the world's forces in a coordinated campaign against Artemis. She was also instrumental in creating the post of 'Taskmaster', which is ironic because she was a Conqueror, and the rise of the Taskmasters' power in the cities corresponded directly to the decline of the Conquerors' domestic influence. Lysippe was the last one to have any significant domestic authority. The Hall is essentially a library dedicated to her and her contribution to history. It's the closest Themyscirans get to a place of worship."
"Think they chose to make their announcement there for a reason? No, wait, lemme guess: 'No way to tell', right?"
"Well, there isn't. Not until they make the announcement and we can put it in some context, anyway."
The Hall of Lysippe, like the Stargate Temple, was one of the few buildings on the planet whose appearance had remained virtually unchanged since its construction in the Classical Period. Though modern amenities had been included over the centuries, the museum itself was diligently maintained so that it retained its original form and beauty. It stood three stories high and had been constructed in the round and capped with a low, domed roof, making it look, as Pete had said, like a small stadium. The exterior was decorated with pillars and friezes which told the story of Lysippe in images. The interior space was divided into two concentric rings and a central core. The outer ring was the public part of the museum, and it contained exhibits and documents that told Lysippe's story in more detail. The inner ring contained the offices of the Curator and the museum staff. The core was an Amphitheater, used for special presentations and gatherings hosted by the museum, and it also marked Lysippe's final resting place, which was located under its center.
Iphigenia commandeered one of the staff locker rooms to change in. Clio, who was used to helping the Commander in this regard, assisted her in putting on her traditional uniform, leaving Phoebe free to make last minute preparations and make sure everything was in order for the announcement. When the Aide returned she saw that Iphigenia was ready and waiting patiently.
"We can go now, Commander." Phoebe said. "Everyone is here and ready."
Iphigenia nodded and let Phoebe lead her out of the locker room and through the corridors of the inner ring to the main access corridor, which led directly to the main entrance to the Amphitheater. This door was protected by Special Guards. They nodded to Phoebe, then saluted Iphigenia and opened the doors. Phoebe took a deep breath and stepped inside.
"And now we can see Clytemnestra's Aide walking in," The newsreader said, "which probably means the ceremony is about to begin."
Jackson and Sarah barely heard what was being said. They had been trying to take in every architectural detail of the Amphitheater since the cameras inside first started showing images. Half the space was taken up by sets of marble bleachers which flanked the main entrance. Opposite them was a high dais, which alternated as a platform for special presentations and a stage for theatrical performances. The height of the room matched that of the building and, like the Senate Chamber, the walls were decorated with murals. These images all depicted Lysippe, fighting battles, contemplating deep questions and helping to forge Themyscira's future. The dais was dominated by a statue of an ancient warrior that reached almost to the ceiling. That had to be Lysippe as well.
The Taskmasters of Themyscira were gathered on the dais. When Phoebe reached the end of the bleachers she called out to them: "Taskmasters, As You Command, I present to you Iphigenia by Phillippa, General Commander in the Army of Arachne and Commander of the Stargate Watch Force!"
On cue, Commander Iphigenia strode into the Amphitheater, walking tall and proud at a steady Parade March. The members of SG-1 marveled at the sight as the cameras zoomed in on her. Her breastplate, gauntlets and boots were all shiny gold and decorated with ornate, engraved designs, as was her helmet, which she carried under her arm. She also wore a gold girdle on which hung a polished, heavy broadsword. Her stark white short robes were augmented by a blood red sash, which was fastened around her by a large, jewel-encrusted brooch and on which hung several medallions and pins. She also wore a long cape, which was a deep maroon with gold trim along the edges. In her traditional warrior garb, Iphigenia looked every bit the Conqueror she was supposed to be.
"Okay," Pete said, "now she looks impressive dressed like that."
Carter swatted him in the back of the head with her hand.
As she walked past the bleachers, Iphigenia used her peripheral vision to see who else had been called to hear the announcement first hand. To her left were seated the Presiding Officers of the various Senates. To her right, the Commanders of the cities' Defense Forces, including her own boss. It was little comfort to see that they were all in full traditional dress as well.
The Taskmasters were all standing on the dais, with Clytemnestra at the center. Iphigenia couldn't help but notice that all of them were looking directly at her and smiling. Their smiles weren't wide or obvious, just there, and it bothered her. The Taskmasters were perfectly normal among their friends and loved ones, but this was as close to giddy as they got in a formal proceeding. Looking at them unnerved her more than she had ever felt when faced with the prospect of meeting Artemis's Jaffa in battle. She took comfort in looking at the giant statue behind them on the dais. In Lysippe's time the battle armor was a tunic and guards made of tough animal hides, and the main armaments were a spear and shield. They offered little protection against staff blasts at long range, but they weren't meant to. The infantry of the time were armed and armored to attack Jaffa with sheer mass, a bloody way to fight, but effective in its own way. At any rate, Lysippe looked much more comfortable in it than the elaborate costume Iphigenia was currently forced to wear.
Iphigenia ended her march a meter away from the steps of the dais, went down on one knee and bowed her head deeply. "As You Command." She said in a clear voice.
Clytemnestra came forward and climbed down the stairs till she was standing on the middle one. "Rise, Commander, and stand at ease."
Iphigenia did as she was commanded, rising to her full height and standing At Ease. Clytemnestra spared a moment to offer Iphigenia an apologetic look. True to her training, Iphigenia merely stared straight ahead, but Clytemnestra knew that, if she were given the chance, her Conqueror would never let her hear the end of this affront to her modern sensibilities.
Then Clytemnestra smiled a real smile. Yes, If given the chance…
"Leaders of Themyscira," she said, addressing the gathering, "on this momentous day, the Taskmasters were asked to consider the future of this world after the last battle with Artemis. Now that the last battle has been fought, and Artemis is defeated, we are ready to tell the world what we have decided. If you please, my aide will read that decision to you."
Phoebe, who was standing off to the right, approached the stairs. Clytemnestra was holding a large, sealed scroll. She handed the scroll to Phoebe, and the aide stepped back and faced the audience. She broke the seal, unrolled the scroll and prepared to read it aloud. She looked stunned for a moment as she skimmed the text, but recovered herself quickly and did her duty:
"'The Taskmasters of Themyscira in Congress Agree and Command that Iphigenia by Phillippa, of the City of Arachne, will be named Executor of Themyscira, and, as Executor, will be given the task of exploring and charting the Milky Way, of negotiating with its various peoples on Themyscira's behalf, and of preparing the Milky Way for the expansion of the Themysciran Race beyond the boundaries of its home system. To aid her in this task, the Executor will have the authority to Command the combined military forces of the several cities; to Command of the City Governments any material or economic support she may need; to Command of any Taskmaster or the Taskmasters in Congress any advice or support she may need; to Agree to Contracts with the other races of the Milky Way on behalf of the Themysciran Race; and to Choose and train her successor, so that the Office of Executor may continue. The Executor will retain her authority for the rest of her natural life, or until such time as she chooses to transfer it to her successor. Her authority may not be taken from her before her death or retirement without the consent of the Taskmasters in Congress.
"'This Agreement will be considered a Contract and will be considered In Force upon being signed by the Executor and The Taskmasters of Themyscira in Congress.'"
Phoebe stopped at this point and lowered the scroll, and tried to keep her face neutral, but it was difficult. At least now she knew why she'd been commanded to include a signing table in her preparations. Normally, the Taskmasters would already have signed the announcement before leaving their secure location, but this circumstance was anything but normal.
She went to where the table was sitting and laid the scroll across it, then rolled it over to the dais and placed it between Iphigenia and the stairs. When it was ready she removed a quill from an inkwell sitting on the corner and held it out to Iphigenia.
"Will you sign, Commander?" Clytemnestra said.
Iphigenia was too stunned to answer immediately. All sense of military decorum gone, she stared open-mouthed at the scroll, then at Phoebe, and finally at Clytemnestra, who simply stood there, smiling. The other Taskmasters were still smiling as well, waiting patiently for her to render her decision.
She wanted to ask her beloved if she were insane, but she already knew the answer. Of course Clytemnestra wasn't insane, but that just made the situation all the more maddening for Iphigenia. She wanted to say "No!", "Absolutely Not!" in answer to Cly's question. Does she think I want this? She thought. Does she think she's rewarding me for helping to destroy Artemis? I did nothing more than what I swore to do! And that was what angered her about this situation. Having done what she was sworn to do, her reward was supposed to be nothing more than to return to a safe home, to be with her beloved and enjoy the benefits of peace. That was all she ever wanted: Not power or position, but to be victorious and then go home!
If it had just been Clytemnestra she might have balked, but whether the decision had been arrived at by consensus or by a majority of one, when it was made all the Taskmasters were obliged to stand by it. That meant that she would be saying "No" to all of them, not just Clytemnestra, and ultimately she had to follow her upbringing. It was rare enough to say "No" to one Taskmaster, but no one said "No" to All of Them.
To everyone's surprise, Iphigenia chuckled. The sight made Phoebe look around nervously as she held the quill, and the smiles faded from some of the Taskmasters as they regarded her curiously. Only Clytemnestra's smile never wavered, and why should it? Iphigenia was sure she was supremely confident that Iphigenia's decision would be in her favor.
And that was why Iphigenia had to laugh, because she recalled what she and Pete Shanahan talked about earlier. It was true that neither Clytemnestra nor Iphigenia would seriously ask the other to stop doing what she loved, but Iphigenia forgot that her Defender had an advantage that she didn't: She could get her colleagues to make the request a Command, and then make the Command stick.
Finally, she sighed, gave Clytemnestra one last I'll get you, My Pretty! look, then took the quill from Phoebe and put it to the empty space left at the bottom of the scroll. In large lettering and with a flourish, she signed "Iphigenia by Phillippa".
The smiles returned to the other Taskmasters' faces and Phoebe let out a breath as Iphigenia returned the quill. Clytemnestra descended the stairs the rest of the way as Phoebe turned to her. She took the quill, then, right next to Iphigenia's name and just as large, she signed "Clytemnestra by Pandora".
After that, all the Taskmasters came down the stairs and signed their names, one by one. When they were finished, Phoebe examined the signatures to make sure they were authentic and there were the proper number. When she was done she turned to the gathering and announced: "The signatures are those of The Taskmasters of Themyscira in Congress and of Iphigenia by Phillippa of The City of Arachne. The agreement is hereby a Contract and has the weight of Law."
"If You Please, Beloved?" Clytemnestra whispered to Iphigenia as she took her arm. The Defender led her Conqueror away from the small crowd around the signing table and into the open where everyone in the Amphitheater could see her clearly. When she had everyone's attention, she announced: "Leaders of Themyscira, I present to you Iphigenia by Phillippa, Executor of Themyscira!"
Iphigenia was shocked to see that the military leaders were the first ones to stand and cheer, applauding and smiling madly. The Senate Officers, not to be outdone, followed suit a second later. And now the smiles on the Taskmasters' faces became wide grins, reflecting their confidence that they had done well in their decision-making.
And in the Taskmaster's Residence, the members of SG-1 looked on in awed silence. Jackson had been so stunned he dropped the remote on the floor. "Holy Sh--" he began.
"Yes!" Carter cheered, interrupting him. She was on her feet and grinning wildly herself, and then she started applauding like a Themysciran, with her hands high above her head. Sarah looked on and laughed, feeling just as euphoric.
Pete, naturally, was a little slow getting it. "What?" He said. "What? Is that good?" As a cop he tended to tune out legalese, so he had yet to realize the significance of the Taskmasters' decision.
"'Is it good?'!" Sarah said, grinning at him. "Oh, Sam, he's a gem!"
"Pete," Carter said, sitting back down, "don't you realize what just happened!"
Jackson turned to her. "Do you realize what just happened?" He said. He wasn't smiling. Typically, he was ignored.
"We've been knocking ourselves out trying to figure out how to get a majority of the planet's leaders or the Taskmasters to come around and decide to help Earth!" Carter said. "Now we don't have to!"
"The Taskmasters themselves just arranged it so that they're no longer an issue!" Sarah said. "And neither are the city governments! Now there's only one person on this entire planet that we have to convince!"
"And that one person…" Carter began.
"…is our best Amazon friend's husband!" Pete said. Now he got it! He was grinning as well.
"She did it!" Carter said. "I don't know how she did it, and I don't care, I just know Clytemnestra really did it!"
"Maybe we should care, Sam!" Jackson said. "I don't think you understand the impact this decision will have on their culture! It's…"
"Daniel!" Carter said, stopping him mid-thought. "Look, I'm sure it's fascinating, really, and I'd love to read about it when you update your cultural brief, but we have a greater priority here. Sooner or later Clytemnestra and Iphigenia are going to walk in that door, and when they arrive we need to have some kind of proposal waiting to hit Iphigenia with."
Jackson rose in exasperation and started to pace. Carter was getting more like Jack O'Neill the longer she was in charge of SG-1. "Well, I don't know what you want from me, Sam!" He said. "Iphigenia's already told us that her priority is the well-being of this world! I don't think that priority's changed in the two seconds she's been Executor, Clytemnestra or no Clytemnestra!"
"Then we have to make them see that helping us is a benefit to this world somehow!" Sarah said. Jackson laughed mirthlessly.
"Sarah, don't you think I tried that a million ways the last time I was here!" He said.
"But you didn't try it with Iphigenia!" Carter said. "Now's your chance! Maybe what didn't work with them will work with her!"
"Perhaps there's something in our history that might be used as an example." Sarah said. "Their world is so much like Ancient Greece, maybe there's something about that civilization that may be used as a parallel."
"I'm telling you, Sarah, I already tried that! I tried arguing for the preservation of Democracy, and the Rule of Law, and Western Tradition, and Honor and Heroism and everything else I could think of!"
"Well, forget Ancient Greece!" Pete said. "Pick another part of history! There has to be something you can use!"
"Well, I don't know what that would be, Pete! I can't think of anything that might apply to our situation…" Jackson's voice trailed off, and he stood still for a few seconds as he thought it through. "Oh, my God." He said. "You're right, Pete. Something else does apply, though it probably wouldn't have worked until now." When he saw everyone looking at him he explained. Sarah, naturally, was the first to get it, followed by Carter and then Pete.
"Okay." Carter said when he was done. "That's what we propose."
The press conference that took place in the public ring of the Hall of Lysippe lasted twenty minutes. It was the first conference ever with the "Executor of Themyscira", and it was obvious that the people on both sides of the microphones were feeling their way through it. The reporters scarcely knew what to ask Iphigenia, so several of the questions were fairly mild, things one might ask of a brand new celebrity. On the few policy questions she received, Iphigenia honestly replied that she wasn't sure what she'd do, but would rely on the advice of the Taskmasters, as provided for by her agreement with them. Carter, Jackson, Sarah and Pete watched the news coverage until the conference was over, then Jackson turned off the receiver. "Not bad for a first presser." He quipped.
"Okay, did one of those reporters actually ask when they'd see Iphigenia pose nude," Pete asked, "or did the TV just get the translation wrong?"
"Mm, No, that was right." Jackson said. "In a culture that tends to be as competitive and fitness-conscious as this one there tends to be a certain amount of body vanity. Here, leading citizens are encouraged to, essentially, show their loyal public what they're getting in a leader. Each city has its own publication dedicated to city leaders posing nude. Actually, they'll probably print up a special issue devoted to Iphigenia to be distributed worldwide."
Pete pondered that for a minute, then said: "Any chance of us coming back and getting a copy when it comes out?"
"No way," Jackson said. "The cover price'd be a month's salary in American Dollars. But if it's any consolation, the issue where Clytemnestra posed when she became Taskmaster ought to be around here somew--"
Neither man saw the throw pillow rocketing toward his head until impact. When they recovered, they saw Sarah and Carter brandishing the pillows and glaring at them.
"Would you two stop!" Carter said.
"What?" Pete said. "He's only familiarizing me with the local culture!"
"'Familiarizing' indeed!" Sarah said. "You two should be ashamed!"
"So you're saying I shouldn't get to know my hosts better?"
"Get to know them, yes!" Carter said. "I didn't bring you here to ogle them!"
"The heck you didn't! It was your selling point!"
"It was not!"
"'Me and Daniel would be the only two men on a planet full of beautiful women!' Your words, Sam!"
Carter thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, I guess I did say that." She said sheepishly. Pete just grinned at her. She smiled back, then hit him with the throw pillow again. This caused Jackson to laugh, until Sarah decked him again with her pillow.
"What was that for!" He asked her.
"Encouraging him!" She said.
Jackson and Pete looked at their companions, and then at each other. "Oh, it's on!" Pete said as he and Jackson lunged for the other throw pillows on the couch. The ensuing pillow fight went on unchecked for a little over a minute before Persephone, wondering at the commotion, came out of her quarters to investigate.
"What are you doing!" She cried out from behind the easy chairs.
The cry stopped the Earthpeople where they stood, pillows at the ready. For a split second, they looked at each other, then at Persephone. "Um," Carter began, "We were just, um, having a pillow fight."
"You were having a fight?" Persephone said. "With pillows?"
"Ee-yeah," Jackson said, "A Pillow Fight."
Persephone looked hopelessly confused. "Well, I don't know why you must fight on such a wonderful day, but if you must, you needn't use such soft things as weapons. I can simply get your weapons, or I'm sure my masters would let you use theirs…"
"No!" Carter said, wondering how she'd explain it. "It's not that kind of fight! It-it's a game!"
"A 'game'," Persephone said, "like for training?"
"Okay," Jackson said, "let's go with 'for training'."
"Well, how do you win?" Persephone asked.
"Well, there isn't really a winner." Sarah tried. "It's really just a game for fun."
Persephone looked even more confused. "Well, how could it be any fun if no one wins?" She said.
Pete wasn't even going to bother. "How about we just stop?" He said, and tossed his pillow back on the sofa. The others followed suit, and Persephone just shook her head.
"Persephone, I'm curious," Jackson said, "you said this was a wonderful day. I'm assuming you mean the defeat of Artemis, but do you also mean the Taskmasters' decision?"
"Of course I do!" She said.
"Can you tell me why you think so?" He said.
"Well, certainly! Don't you see? For the first time since our civilization was created it will truly speak with one voice, and the Taskmasters chose Iphigenia to be that voice! It is a wonderful thing for Themyscira and my master!"
"Well, I can see the benefits of choosing one person to speak for Themyscira, but do you think it might have been done a different way?"
Persephone looked confused again. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, if one person is going to be chosen to represent all of Themyscira, don't you think it would be better if all of Themyscira had a part in choosing her?"
"But we did."
Now Jackson was confused. "How?"
"We elected the Senators, and they chose the Taskmasters, and the Taskmasters chose the Executor." To her it was perfectly obvious.
"Oh, I see…no, what I mean is, shouldn't the Executor be chosen directly by the people, the way the Senators are?"
"But why should we, when we have the Taskmasters to choose her for us?"
"Of course, how stupid of me…" Jackson mumbled and turned away. Persephone just shook her head and went back to her quarters.
As Jackson stood thinking, Sarah came over to him. "Pardon me, Doctor Jackson," She said, "but when you're done planting the seeds for the Themysciran Youth Movement, do you think you might do something about that pesky Electoral College thing your people have when we get back to Earth?"
"Daniel," Carter said, "in the seven years since we first met, do you happen to remember all the times you lectured either General O'Neill or anyone else at the SGC about the dangers of interfering with the cultures of the people we visit?"
"Forget the past seven years!" Pete said. "How many times has he said it since we came here?"
Jackson turned to them. "Look," he said, "I'm just worried about how this decision will effect their future."
"Well, wasn't the whole point of the Taskmasters getting together in the first place for them to worry about their future?"
"Of course it was, but…"
"'But' nothing!" Carter said. When she was calm, she continued. "They've considered their future and found a way to deal with it. Our job is to consider Earth's future, and right now that's all you should be thinking about. That's an order, Daniel."
The two scientists glared at each other with their arms folded for almost a minute, then Jackson set himself to remind Carter that he was a civilian and as such her authority over him only went so far. He never got the chance. A chime sounded through the house just then, and a second later the front doors opened. In walked Iphigenia at a brisk pace, followed closely by Clytemnestra and Clio. The girl was carrying Iphigenia's modern uniform. The new Executor was still wearing her traditional armor.
As they walked in Persephone came trotting into the living room again. She approached Iphigenia and bowed before her. "Welcome home…Executor!" She said.
"Very good, Persephone!" Clytemnestra said. Persephone beamed with pride.
"Thank you," She said, "and Welcome Home, Taskmaster!"
"It's good to be home. Are our guests from Earth comfortable?"
Persephone glanced over at them quickly. "I'm afraid I can't be sure, Taskmaster. They were fighting earlier."
"Fighting?"
"Yes, with the sofa pillows."
"You mean, they were fighting each other, and they were using the sofa pillows?" Clytemnestra turned to look at SG-1.
"Yes, Taskmaster. It was odd. They said it was a game, but that couldn't be because they also said no one could win. Are there really games that no one can win, and do Earth people play them all the time?"
Clytemnestra smiled at SG-1 before turning back to Persephone. "I honestly don't know, Persephone. Why don't you help Clio with the Executor's armor, and while you're upstairs I'll ask them."
"Yes, Taskmaster." Persephone said.
"Thank the Mothers!" Iphigenia said as she led the way to the stairs. "I never want to see this thing again!"
"But you looked great!" Pete called after her. The look she returned could freeze the Sun.
Clytemnestra laughed. "She really does look great wearing that, Pete. She just hates it so. She always complains that there were valid reasons why Warriors stopped wearing such garments. She's right, of course, but tradition has its place too. So…you were fighting each other with the sofa pillows?"
"It really wasn't as bad as Persephone made it out to be," Carter said, apologetically. "We were just being silly."
"I see. Well, why don't I just tell her that it was really a way to celebrate our good fortune, and you just couldn't think of a way to explain it?"
"Bless you." Carter said.
"I wanted to ask before," Pete said, "shouldn't those girls have been in school? Or do you end their schooling early here?"
"It's not that. Themysciran adolescents are encouraged to spend time with a contracted couple other than their parents, so that they have disinterested guides to assist their decision-making when it comes time to make their Life-Choice."
"That's when they choose whether to be Defenders or Conquerors." Jackson said.
"Yeah, got that." Pete said. Clytemnestra resumed.
"Most of them do this by taking after-school jobs as assistants or servants or child caretakers with the couples, but sometimes they make other schooling arrangements so they can spend more time with their role models. In this case, since the Senate wants the Taskmaster to have live-in help, they stay with us and I take responsibility for their schooling myself." When she saw Pete understood, she addressed everyone. "So, how do you like my home?"
"It's beautiful!" Sarah said. "I was stunned to see it."
Clytemnestra smiled at her, then regarded Jackson. "What about you, Daniel?"
"Mm? Oh, she's right. It is…beautiful."
She smiled again. "You have questions." She said. "Why don't you ask them?"
"Oh, I wouldn't know where to begin."
"Why not ask the first one that comes to mind?"
"That would be 'Why?'"
"We needed it. And you needed it as well. Isn't that reason enough?"
"Yes, it is." Carter said, looking pointedly at Jackson. He ignored her.
"Then why not choose a Defender?" He said. "All of your other policy-makers are Defenders."
"A Defender isn't suited for the tasks we've chosen for the Executor."
"Some people on my world might disagree."
Clytemnestra's smile turned from friendly to tolerant. "Then it is good for all of us that no one on your world had a say in the decision."
Daniel, don't make me kill you, Carter thought.
"Well, I have a question." Iphigenia said as she came down the stairs. Everyone turned to look. Now she was wearing nothing but lingerie, specifically a lacy camisole and boyleg shorts. Clytemnestra's smile turned affectionate again at the sight. She knew the garments were a concession to her guests' modesty. Normally, Iphigenia found the traditional uniform so oppressive she wouldn't want to feel any clothing against her skin for an hour or so afterward. Still, they didn't conceal much, and it amused the Taskmaster to see the Earth males stare in awe.
"Why Me?" Iphigenia said when she reached the bottom of the stairs. "If it had to be a Conqueror, very well, but why me? Wasn't there another Conqueror you could have picked?"
"I had little to do with it. It was mostly your fault."
"My fault?"
"You did just save our world, Genie. The Executor has to be someone adept at commanding all the world's resources in pursuit of a single goal. For now, the only ones trained with such skills are Stargate Watch Force Commanders, operating under the Contract for Mutual Defense, and the best choice of those commanders is one with the most practical experience…and today, the one who best fits that description is you."
"So if I had failed miserably in my campaign against Artemis you would have chosen someone else?"
"Dear, if you had failed miserably against Artemis we would be her slaves, and thus the Taskmasters would have come to a completely different decision."
Iphigenia threw up her hands in defeat and simply went over to one of the easy chairs and threw herself into it. She crossed her legs and closed her eyes as she sunk herself into the fabric, trying to lose herself in the feeling and put the day's events behind her, especially the press conference. It had been the first time she'd felt real fear in ages, trying to answer the newswomen gathered around her when she had no idea what she'd do next. And she knew that wouldn't be the end of it. There would be the newswomen, and the Senators, and the Senior Commanders, and the Taskmasters, all looking to her for guidance into the future. This was what she was thinking when Pete spoke:
"So I guess 'Congratulations' is not something you want to hear right now?" He said.
She opened her eyes just long enough to glance at him, then she put her head in her hand and laughed mirthlessly again.
"Okay, I'll shut up now." He muttered.
Iphigenia raised her head again. "No, I'm sorry, Pete." She said. "It's not you. I'm simply finding it hard to accept this."
"But you must." Clytemnestra said as she went over to the easy chair. "It will be an adjustment for everyone, but you especially must accustom yourself to your new position in order for us to show proper deference to you. You must accept nothing less than the reverence due an Executor."
"But no one knows what reverence I'm due!"
"We will," Clytemnestra said, "in time." With that, she stood behind the chair. At that moment another chime sounded in the room. "Come in." She called out.
The doors opened automatically to admit Phoebe. "Forgive me for intruding, Taskmaster," She began. "but I wished to tell you that the Taskmasters have been returned safely to their home cities, and the Senate Presiding Officers and Force Commanders are almost all returned as well. Also, General Commander Callisto wishes to report that the Watch Force is reasonably certain that there are no Jaffa unaccounted for within the city limits."
"Very good. Thank you, Phoebe." Clytemnestra said. Phoebe bowed and then focused on Iphigenia.
"Forgive me for intruding, Executor," she said, "but you left so soon after the media conference there was no chance to tell you that the Presiding Officers and Commanders wished to arrange for you to address them concerning your plans for carrying out your contract."
"All of them?" Iphigenia said.
"Yes, Executor. Specifically, they wished you to address their respective Senates and Command Organizations."
Iphigenia threw her head back and closed her eyes again. "Address every government and army on Themyscira." She muttered. Clytemnestra took pity on her and reached down to put her arms around her Conqueror from behind. Iphigenia reached up and grasped Clytemnestra's wrists as she did so, and for that moment, at least, the Executor was at peace. This is my proper reward, she thought.
"If you wish, I could make the arrangements." Phoebe said. "I was actually wondering if you wanted me to serve as your aide as well as Clytemnestra's from now on, or if you wanted to choose your own aide?"
Iphigenia sighed and released her grip as Clytemnestra straightened up. She opened her eyes and said: "I would appreciate your help, Phoebe. I may choose my own aide eventually but for now I need people with experience to assist me."
Phoebe smiled. "I would be honored to serve you, Executor."
Iphigenia smiled back, then her smile faded as she turned to address SG-1. "I assume you want to discuss my plans as well."
"If this is a bad time," Carter said, "we can go back to Earth and come back when you're settled in."
"No, that's not necessary. You're welcome to stay the night. We can place you in Special Visitors' Quarters here in the compound." She looked up at Clytemnestra. "Can we do that?"
"We certainly can." She said. "Phoebe, please arrange for the Executor's guests to stay in the Special Visitors' apartments here and set a schedule for her to address the Senates and Force Commanders over the next several weeks."
"As You Command." Phoebe said with a bow, then turned and rushed out of the house, already juggling appearance dates for Iphigenia in her head.
Iphigenia watched her go, then turned back to "her" guests. "I should warn you. What I said to you when we first spoke has not changed: My first responsibility is to serve the needs of this planet. In fact, this is even more true now that I am…Executor. I can't agree to any alliance with Earth that will not be mutually beneficial."
Carter looked at Jackson, who looked to Iphigenia and said: "We understand that and, if I may, while we're waiting for Phoebe I'd like to tell you what we have in mind."
Iphigenia motioned for them to sit down, and they resumed their places on the sofas while Clytemnestra sat in the other easy chair. When everyone was settled, all eyes were on Jackson.
"Let me begin by telling you about a war on our world." He said.