We have been slaves for over three years or so our calculations have told us. We being Daniel Jackson and Samantha Carter. I, being, Daniel. Everyone out there is probably wondering how two prominent members of SG-1 became slaves? Well, your not alone. We have wondered that same thing for the past three years. We have wondered how we became in the service of a Goa'uld? A Goa'uld that we have to worship everyday without fail.
All we really can remember is being with Teal'c and Jack near the Stargate. We were getting ready to head back after our mission turned up nothing. No artefacts. No intelligent life forms. No nothing. I had just dialed Earth when I turned to see Sam disappear. Next thing I know is that I was waking up in some kind of a cage with Sam still unconscious by my side. We've been here ever since, well not here per say. We started out on a ship then were transferred to a planet.
We were kept in the cage for a while. We'd go to sleep and when we woke a tray of food and drink will have appeared inside with us. That's basically how we spent the first month of our captivity. Sleeping and eating were our main things to keep us entertained. Of course we also spoke. I learned of Sam's brother, Mark. And she learned of the many foster homes that I was shipped to after my parents deaths. We grew close. Slightly closer than friends but never stepping over the boundary into anything else besides friendship.
You've gotta remember that we were scared out of our minds but couldn't show it. We both were trying to keep up a brave face so that the other didn't feel like our situation was hopeless. But in our hearts...in our hearts we knew. This looks like a perfect place for our story to begin. We're doing this in hopes that someday, somehow, we'll be able to return to our home on Earth.
The day or night, you really couldn't tell, started out normal for our two SG-1 members. The month had been rough but they were no worse for wear. After the first week or two they put there heads together to figure out that they were in some kind of a holding cell onboard a ship. This conclusion was based on the fact that no light was ever seen through the two small windows at the top of the cage. The only light ever seen was that of wall lights that turned on and off. Off when it was time to sleep, in which case the room got pitch black and very cold. And on when they were expected to be up and moving about.
The food came at the same time everyday and always consisted of a porridge like substance that had no flavor and a blue milky liquid for drink, it also held no flavor. Bathroom was the main problem to begin with.
A small pot had been provided but there was no privacy. Both captives had been embarrassed at first but as time wore on, the embarrassment faded. It was emptied while they slept. The strange thing was that they never saw their captors during there time on the ship. They never heard anything that suggested that anyone was even on board with them nor would they of thought so if the food hadn't appeared when it did or the bathroom pot wasn't emptied regularly.
We find Daniel and Sam on opposite corners of the cage deep into their own personal thoughts. The cage was only tall enough for them to stand in but big enough for them to walk around some. The room that they were in was huge but they were never allowed out of their caged prison.
"How long do you think it's been, Daniel?" Sam asked after pulling herself out of her own thoughts.
Daniel looked over to her, squinting since his glasses had been removed and never returned. "I don't know. I've tried to keep track of the hours but it's impossible to know how long we were unconscious for when we were first taken. But if I was to take a guess...a month. Maybe longer." He gave her a grim smile which was the only form of smile that either of them could muster.
Sam nodded her head and her dirty hair fell into her face. With a disgusted sigh she pushed it back behind her ear. Oh what she wouldn't give for a bath. A bath and a hair cut. Her hair already being down to her shoulders and dirty.
"I was just thinking about all the things that we took for granted. Like soap and water. A hot meal. Warm clothes." Daniel glances down at his outfit. He still wore his fatigue pants as did Sam but their tops had been removed and replaced with a thin cloth like top.
It was rather warm in the room when the lights were on but as soon as they went off, their breath could be seen and they had to huddle together to keep warm.
"I just wish I knew where we were going." Sam said quietly as she crawled over to where Daniel was sitting and leaned up against him for body heat. The lights were still on but sometimes they caught chills that made them very cold.
Daniel wrapped his arm around Sam and pulled her closer. "I know. But we have to stay strong. We've got to think about getting home." After that was said they fell into a comfortable silence. Neither of them having to speak to know what the other was thinking.
This was a common place occurrence for the next few months, two more to be exact. Sometimes they wouldn't say anything to each other for days but knew in the end what the other wanted or needed. They ate in silence. Talked in hushed whispers after the lights were turned off. Snuggled together to keep from freezing to death. Using the bathroom pot whenever they needed to without having to worry if the other was looking because they never were. They fell into a routine that was soon interrupted.
During their third month aboard they could feel it. Something felt amiss. Felt wrong. But they couldn't place it. Then it happened. The ship began to groan so loudly that they had to cover their ears. Then it began to shake. They thought for sure that this was the end but it wasn't. Everything seemed to stop after a few seconds and they heard footsteps coming from somewhere within the ship. Then they heard a door hissing open. It was the door to their confined area. The sunlight that steamed in was unbearable and they had to shield their eyes. That's when they saw the condition of each other. Both were filthy. Dirt covered their hands and faces. Hair was matted together and longer. Daniel had the beginnings of a beard that also looked as horrible as the rest of his hair.
"Who's there?" Daniel crocked. His throat having been dry and parched from long periods of non-use.
"I am called Hatcey. First Prime of Ma'at. You are now in the custody of Ma'at and will be cleansed then sent to work."
Daniel blinked and glanced over at Sam. "Ma'at is the Egyptian Goddess of Justice. Wife to Thoth who was the God of Wisdom, Time, Writing and the Moon." Daniel then looked back to the man in front of them who was in the process of un locking the cage.
The door swung open and Hatcey motioned for them to get out. His weapon of choice was a staff weapon and he also wore regular Jaffa armor with the head of a ibis.
Daniel crawled from the cage and offered Sam his hand which she gladly took but neither were able to stand and ended up sitting back on the floor. They waited for the blows to fall but none came.
Hatcey eyed his prisoners. They didn't look so dangerous. On the contrary, they looked horrible and had a stench that matched.
The transport ship that had brought them belonged to a bounty hunter by the name of Gregor who was known to the Goa'uld for his ability to obtain items that others could not. He then sold them to the highest bidder and this shipment was bought by Ma'at under protest of her husband. He apparently didn't know how to treat prisoners because the two in front of him looked near death. Way to skinny and deathly pale. He also noted their inability to stand on their own. He motioned to two guards that we standing outside. "Take them to the Hall of Hesat." He received several nods and the two were drug out of the ship and off towards a large pyramid that was home to the Hesat healers. Hatcey then went in search for Gregor to see that he was punished for his mistreatment of goods. His punishment would result in his death. He didn't have to look far since the man was still aboard the ship and soon the body of Gregor was laying in front of him, a staff wound through his stomach. He stared at the body in disgust and motioned for two more guards to take it away. Now he would have to face Ma'at and explain to her what happened.
The healers rushed to the aid of the two fallen souls and laid them onto two stone beds that were in the center of the pyramid and they dismissed the guards. They were stripped of their clothes and then cleaned with scented oils to rid them of the stench that they could no longer smell. After that was completed they were checked for open wounds. Several were found on the back of Daniels head and the same with Sam. The healers frowned at the shape the two were in but said nothing, having taken a vow of silence during their youth in order to serve their Goddess Hesat. Large jugs of a white silky substance were brought in and the healers filled small bowls with the liquid. They then placed it to Daniel and Sam's mouths and let the liquid run down their throats. This was repeated five times. The liquid was then applied to the open wounds and covered over with a thin cloth to hold it in. These things were done because the milk of Hesat had healing abilities. The jugs were then taken away and the healers left the two to be cared for by Hesat.
Several hours later it was Sam who woke first. Her body was shivering and soon she found out why. She was naked. Exposed on a cold hard surface but she felt better. Her strength had returned but her mind was still weary. "Daniel?" Her voice sounded foreign in the large room that she, no they, were in. She spotted Daniel laying a few feet away on another stone slab also very naked. She swallowed and laid back down. She felt tired so she left sleep claim her once again.
Daniel's eyes fluttered opened to the sound of words being spoken. Blinking he sat up and looked around. Several men wearing a short loincloth resembling a kilt stood at the end of his stone slab. They appeared to be speaking with another group of men wearing the same loincloth except it was longer, almost reaching their ankles. But this group wasn't saying anything. Only signing things with their hands. But when both groups saw that Daniel was awake, they stopped what they were doing and watched him. "Hello" He said quietly then looked down to be greeted with the sight of his nakedness. "Erm. I hate to be a bother but you wouldn't have any clothes would you?" He licked his dry lips and looked around. Sam was asleep a few feet away also naked or so it would seem. His eyes then were brought back the group of men still staring at him. He began to rack his brain for the language that he had heard them speaking. It was Egyptian but he had to get the correct century before he could be sure that what he spoke wouldn't offend them in anyway. Frowning he sighed. He was unable to pinpoint a correct year without his texts. So he would have to use the next best thing and pray that it worked. "Ave." He said quietly. It was Latin for hello and since Latin was a old language and many words were taken from there, they might just know it. But still he got nothing.
One of the men approached on Daniel's left side. "You do not remember me, do you?" He was a tall man with dark skin. He was completely bald.
Daniel blinked then shook his head. "No. I'm afraid that I don't remember you." He gave the man a apologetic smile.
"I greeted you upon your arrival here. I am Hatcey, First Prime of Ma'at. You are in the Hall of Hesat. I ordered my men to bring you here since you appeared to need care for the state your bodies were in. These are the Priests of Hesat but they also hold the title of healers amongst our people." He motioned his arm towards the men that were wearing the longer loincloths.
"Of course. Hesat's milk is said to be able to heal wounds of many shapes and sizes. And you worship her?" Daniel was very curious. This was the first people that they ran into that worshiped Hesat.
Hatcey nodded then eyed Daniel. "Bring him cover. The same for her." He motioned with his head towards Sam. "You will meet Ma'at now and she'll decide your fate." He bowed his head slightly and exited the room just as another man appeared with clothing.
Daniel was handed his, which he graciously accepted. It consisted of the same loincloth but it only reached his knees once he had it on. There was a blue silk belt that wrapped around the top and hung down. He glanced over at Sam to see her being dressed in a white see through dress with straps. Beads of blue hung from it. Daniel couldn't help but stare. She looked beautiful. But soon he pushed those thoughts aside as he was being escorted from within the chamber. Once he was outside he could see that they were in a large pyramid that looked bigger than any on Earth. He was in awe but couldn't stare for long since he was being lead by one of the healers towards a large palace. He was beginning to worry about Sam except now she was in step beside him, looking kinda flushed. From the outfit no doubt, Daniel thought to himself and offered her a small smile as they were steered up the large steps and into the palace. The writings on the wall were carved in gold and took the form of hieroglyphics. Again Daniel was in awe. This wasn't like anything they ever had encountered and now he was sure of it.
Sam kept throwing glances at Daniel but he seemed caught up in the splendor of their surroundings. She couldn't blame him. Her head was spinning from the beauty that was everywhere the eye could see. It felt as if they had traveled back to Ancient Egypt.
Soon they were stopped in front of a two large thrones. Both looking equal in design except one was slightly smaller than the other. Within a few seconds they were forced to their knees in a bow as Ma'at appeared from behind a silk curtain. She bowed her head slightly to the healer who returned the bow and left. Leaving Daniel and Sam alone with Ma'at.
Ma'at took her time sitting down. She was carefully looking over her newest purchase but couldn't see what the fuss was all about. Not really a purchase since the man who brought them was punished for their inadequate care during the long journey. When she began to speak her voice was deep and commanded respect. It was clear that she was a Goa'uld. "I am your new Goddess, Ma'at." She was silent a moment as she ran a finger over her full, inviting lips. "You are the humans that my brethren are after and would pay heavily for." She pointed to Daniel. "You are Daniel Jackson. The human responsible for figuring out how the...Stargate works." Her finger moved to Sam. "And you are the once host to the Tok'ra Jolinar. Both of you have caused us much trouble but I do not see the situation the same as my brethren. I am the Goddess of Justice and that is why you are still alive. Do not mistake my actions for kindness because they are far from it. But it is my duty to make sure that all receive what is fair and you two would not of gotten that had any of the other System Lords got their hands upon you." She eyed them with a coolness that made both of them shiver. "I have reviewed both your cases and your duties will be as follows: Both of you will be kept from the slave mines due to your value. But you will still be slaves. Servants if you will, to myself. You will work in the palace during the freezing time and the fields during the shining time. You will live amongst my personal servants." She stood and towered over the bowed forms. "Hear this, humans. I will not hesitate to kill you both if I am displeased." Her eyes glowed to prove her point. She then swept from the room, leaving Sam and Daniel alone.
Daniel glanced up from his bowed position and looked over at Sam who seemed to be shaking. He knew that this was a test and he could not help her or they would both be punished. So he put his head back down and waited until the healer returned to escort them to their housing. Which didn't take very long. Half and hour at the most. Soon he and Sam were left alone in a room which assumed they had to share. Looking around he spotted a pile of pillows in the center of the room which would serve as the bed. That's all that was within the room. "How are you doing?" He asked Sam as he slumped onto the soft pillows.
Clearing her throat she nodded. "I'm doing ok. I guess it could be worse." She gave him a weak smile before sinking down beside him. "At least were not in that cage anymore." After she said that both fell into silence until the evening meal was delivered.
The meal consisted of a hunk of meat that smelled delicious. Two small loaves of bread and two cups of spiced cider or wine. They couldn't tell which it was until the woke up the next morning with pounding headaches which suggested that it was wine.
Soon the months began to pass. Winter turned into Spring. Spring turned into Summer. Summer turned into Winter and the process began to repeat itself. Daniel and Sam fell into a comfortable routine that involved them being field hands during the hot months and personal servants to Ma'at during the winter. Soon it all became second nature to them and all thoughts of returning to Earth were forgotten. They were grateful to Ma'at for saving them from the other System Lords that would of surely killed them. But at the same time they hated her for being so different from the others. She was almost decent.