I'm still alive! Sorry about the MASSIVE gap since I last updated. Reality can be demanding. I think this chapter is longer than normal, so hopefully that makes up for it a bit. But for those who are enjoying the story, I DO intend to finish, no matter how long it takes! I have basically what I want to happen mapped out, so hopefully updates should be more frequent than they have been. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far and is sticking with the fic!
Chapter 12: Warriors Oath
Einar, undoubtedly bored, was swinging his sword in a succession of arcs in his quarters when Sam arrived. The alien looked very much like Teal'c, honing skills of combat like a true warrior of ancient traditions. Given the limited space, the Innarim ceased the exercise as she drew closer. Though Einar was facing the other way, Sam didn't even announce herself. She had learned from previous experience that his keen wolven senses would have noticed her coming before she had arrived.
"Don't you still have the Vapenvulv?"
"I do, Major," he said, sheathing the sword. "I do, but if I am to fight against my former brothers from Stoneheim, a metal blade will harm them where the Vapen blades will not. Besides, this weapon was a parting gift from Gairwyn's people on Cimmera… those that did not fear me, at least. Did you wish something from me?"
"Answers," Sam replied cautiously. "You're… well, different…"
Einar nodded, his expression giving away nothing. He sat and motioned for her to do the same.
"Since I left Cimmera, I visited twenty other worlds. Never did I find anywhere that would fully accept me. Where I was not immediately hated and cursed, I was still feared. Rejection is not pleasant. After that, I remained on my own, eventually ending up on Traer."
"But you must have dealt with that before. Last time you were here, you did say that some Innarim were killed after Hakon was defeated because humans feared and attacked you."
Sam paused for a moment.
"What else happened to you?"
Einar gazed away, his mood suddenly worsening: "What happened? Jack O'Neill is what happened to me!"
"What?"
"O'Neill is a noble soul, but do you realise what his mind gave to me?"
Sam shook her head, frowning. Einar narrowed his eyes further.
"Darkness."
"Darkness?"
"His past is steeped in nightmares. It is little wonder much of his previous work is classified. To relive in his memories, even though those events have never occurred to me… trapped inside my head… inescapable…"
With a short growl of frustration and a defeatist sigh, he trailed off.
"He can't help being who he is, Einar," Sam defended.
"That is little consolation."
"I guess so. Wouldn't those memories fade back into dormancy like yours did for the Colonel though?"
"They have… but my mind was altered by their influence before they faded. That change remains with me even if the direct memories do not."
"It can't have helped your state of mind if you've found out about Stoneheim."
"I did go back there – it is how I know about the other Innarim – but it was when it had been destroyed, the atmosphere turned toxic and irradiated. The trip, brief though it was, nearly killed me."
Sam shrugged awkwardly: "No wonder you're so angry."
Hammond was summoned to the control room by gate technicians after an incoming wormhole connected to the Stargate. The audio-only transmission was from the Tok'ra.
"This is Turam of the Tok'ra. Our agents have more information concerning Deimos."
"This is General Hammond. Thank you for contacting us, Turam. What can you tell us?"
"Deimos is planning to establish a base of operations on a planet called Farlor," Turam said.
"We've very recently visited Farlor. There is a rustic society there," Hammond replied.
"Indeed. As you know, the Tok'ra do not have the manpower for an evacuation. We would be unable to help, but we believe that the Tauri would be properly equipped to assist the people there."
"Turam," Hammond began. "We'll do what we can, but our past experiences are usually that people are reluctant to leave their homeworld, despite the danger."
"We trust you will do what you need to, General. We will contact you again if we have more to tell you."
Jack was once again glad to be on a mission. Farlor reminded him of his identity crisis, but Einar simply escalated the problem. He was glad to be millions of miles away from at least a short while. It was the day following the Tok'ra message, and Hammond was sending SG-1 back to Farlor with orders to offer relocation to a safer world to the Farlorans. SG-7 were being sent as well – if the people agreed, the plan was to begin organising the evacuation immediately.
Teal'c was the last to arrive. Jack considered that strange in itself. Teal'c then detoured to the control room to talk with General Hammond. The two seemed uncertain about whatever they were discussing. Suspicious, he left the gateroom to join them himself.
"Is there a problem, sir?" the Colonel asked.
"Teal'c tells me that Einar is asking to join the mission."
"Well, the clear answer is no. Let's get going, Teal'c," O'Neill said.
"It's not that simple, Colonel," Hammond stopped him. "Einar is getting more and more frustrated, and in turn he's less co-operative with the negotiators. It might be an idea to let him join you to let him relax a little – a goodwill gesture."
"Indeed," Teal'c added. "I have invited him to spar with me, warrior-to-warrior, several times since he arrived to preoccupy him, but it seems to have little effect."
"Hey, this is an evacuation, not a vacation!"
"I'm aware of that, Colonel," Hammond said firmly, "but we're facing a crisis here. If Einar really does know about technology that can help us, we need him on our side."
"He might not be the only one with that knowledge, sir," Jack retorted fiercely. "Why do we have to pander to him?"
"But so far you haven't shown any evidence of possessing Hakonan knowledge," Hammond declared. "I understand that you have some strong opinions about Einar, but we're here to do our jobs in defending Earth. You will leave your negative feelings out of this. SG-1 has the most experience where Einar is concerned, so if he is going to go offworld I would prefer it to be with you. You will allow him to accompany you."
Jack glared, but said nothing as he turned to go back to the gateroom.
"And, Colonel?" the General said. "That is an order."
Jonas took the initiative when they arrived at Farlor and made their way to Torran's village. Torran himself – the village elder – was summoned to greet them. Einar had made an immediate impression, unsettling the natives. He seemed to predict this and stayed out of the way of the curious onlookers as they entered the village clearing. Teal'c stood with him as Jonas explained the situation and outlined the offer of relocation to Torran's people. As Hammond had originally suspected, the villagers were hesitant.
"Your offer is generous," Torran explained. "Yet this is our home. We do not wish to leave it behind."
"We understand you'd be upset," Jack spoke, his voice betraying annoyance, "but I don't see where the discussion is, Torran. If you stay here, this Gou'ald guy is definitely, definitely going to come along. So, if you don't want to be killed or enslaved by a power-hungry egomaniac, I suggest you get packing."
Torran didn't look impressed.
"Perhaps you don't understand. We are farmers, and as such we have strong ties to our land. We cannot simply tear ourselves away as you suggest."
Jonas tried to interject, but Jack wasn't about to be silenced: "The Goa'uld will be even less understanding, I can promise you that!"
Across the clearing, Teal'c regarded the Innarim warrior, noticing his look of concentration. It's wasn't hard to deduce what he was doing.
"You can hear O'Neill and Torran from this distance?" Teal'c quizzed.
"Yes."
"How is the meeting progressing?"
"Not good."
Jack soon ordered the teams back to the gate, frustrated.
"Sir, I really think you should let Jonas take some more time to convince them," Sam voiced.
"They don't want us to help, Carter. You do remember what happened at K'Tau, don't you? Two SG members were killed. It's not happening again if I have anything to do with it."
As they passed Teal'c and Einar, Jack gestured for them to follow. Teal'c obeyed silently, but Einar stubbornly stayed put. The two teams stopped when they realised the Innarim wasn't following them.
"Hey, back to the gate!" Jack hollered at him, starting to backtrack to the village clearing.
"No."
Jack bristled, "Why not?"
"You know perfectly well. The Innarim are sworn to fight the Goa'uld above all else. Remember the Highest Law: no attacking friends or aiding foes? To leave now would be to help the Goa'uld."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Farlorans would be attacked. They could become slaves or hosts from our inaction. I will not leave knowing that may be their fate!"
"Einar stop being an idiot! Not even you could stop an entire army single-handedly," Jack barked.
Hammond was greeted by an irate O'Neill when the teams sent to Farlor returned. In a short debriefing, Jack explained how Einar had steadfastly refused to budge, no matter what the others had said. In the end, he left Teal'c at the village with Einar in case their valuable source of new knowledge decided to disappear completely during the night.
"This could be a problem. I've received word that Kinsey is en route to the SG concerning the negotiations. If Einar isn't here…"
"With all due respect, sir," Jack said, "I did let you know this was a bad idea. I don't recommend letting him offworld again."
"I'm afraid it may be impossible to prevent that – access offworld is part of Einar's official demands. There is also the problem of the Farlorans," the General stated. "There is little chance of relocating them?"
"It doesn't look likely, sir," Sam answered him. "They're at a low level of technology, so I don't think they fully comprehend the danger they're in."
"I'd be willing to try again, General," Jonas pitched in.
"Sorry, but I agree with Colonel O'Neill. There may be very little time left, and if they are so adamant about staying then there isn't much we can do, as much as I wish it was otherwise."
"What about Einar?" Sam reminded. "It'd be a simple trip to go back and get Teal'c but Einar won't come. We can't just leave him behind if he's our best chance at finding new technology right now."
"Then he may have to be forcefully returned to the SGC."
"It would probably have some serious diplomatic shockwaves," Jonas spoke out. "He'd be furious, wouldn't he?"
"These are tough times, son," Hammond admitted. "Earth itself could be hanging in the balance here."
Night fell on Farlor. Teal'c had been offered shelter for the night by Torran. Though thankful, he remained awake and followed Colonel O'Neill's order to keep an eye on Einar and make sure he didn't sneak off.
Einar had thus far skirted the village, apparently exploring. Teal'c made sure the wolf alien was in view at all times, following him where necessary. The Jaffa understood that Einar needed to stretch his legs and enjoy the open air and the wide spaces – he had been confined to the base for such a long time himself when he had first joined the Tauri. As it had become darker, Einar had returned to the clearing at the village centre and sat where there was a clear view of everything. Teal'c had joined him and the two warriors sat in the silence, ever vigilant.
Teal'c finally broke the silence: "It is no wonder the Innarim commanded the fear of the Goa'uld. Your laws demand great bravery and conviction."
"That is good to hear, Teal'c. I no longer command the respect of O'Neill though," the voice answered through the darkness.
"Nor you his, Vaktarv Einar."
"Do not call me that!" Einar barked.
"Is that not your proper title, Einar? Given to you by your creator?"
"It is a title forced on me by Jarl Sigrun," Einar corrected disdainfully. "I am an Innarim warrior, not just a database for schematics. Would you not feel demeaned; being reduced to the likes of a computer?"
Teal'c frowned. Clearly it wasn't just Jack who was having identity problems. Perhaps the Innarim just didn't realise that – after all, Jack and Einar had been mostly avoiding each other.
"You are uncertain of yourself, Einar," he probed. "Would it calm you to know that you are not alone?"
"No."
"You're hostility of O'Neill seems irrational in the face of the progress the Tauri could make with your help, rather than your distrust."
"Irrational…" Einar echoed with a sigh. "Pure reason can be cold and cruel, Teal'c. Better to follow our emotions – they are what make us alive. Is it not more honest to listen to them than to conceal and smother them? You yourself followed your heart rather than your mind, did you not? What is rational about turning against one of the most powerful races in this galaxy in favour of joining a technologically inferior one?"
"There is truth to your words – my heart did lead the way down that path, in the knowledge that it was the benign option. I too would stand with those who would die trying to stop the false gods," Teal'c admitted. "Yet, reason is important to the warriors of the Tauri. However much their hearts wish for something, they must often look to the greater cause to preserve themselves in this war."
The pair were interrupted as several of the Farlorans, led by Torran, approached, carrying lit torches to illuminate the way.
"You are the one called Einar?"
"Correct."
"You truly intend to stay here? To fight?" the Farloran questioned.
"It is my oath as a warrior," Einar stood proudly.
"He speaks the truth," Teal'c added, remembering the rejection by the Stoneheimers after Einar had helped the SG teams to escape them. "The laws of his kind demand this of him."
There were murmurs from the small group.
"The others said that to stay here would be almost certain death. The same must be true for you, formidable though you both appear. Why do you stay in that knowledge?"
"True warriors defend those who need it," Einar answered firmly. "If you will not leave for your safety, then I must attempt to bring safety to this place instead. This is my purpose, until the very end if I so choose."
The rest of SG-1 was taken aback when the returned to Farlor. A stream of people was trickling towards the gate. Among them, Teal'c and Einar were helping to haul a heavy cart for some of the farmers. Torran the elder explained to them.
"We are deeply grateful for your offer and hope that it still stands. At first we believed you were simply too cautious and that this alien warlord would ignore our simple, harmless people. When these two remained, we began to doubt…" Torran said. "The determination of the wolf to help us no matter the cost, even death, swayed us. It is clear that our safety is of great concern, and to ignore the selflessness of this offer would be of great disrespect to our saviours."
"What about the other villages?" Jonas asked. "You said that there are several of them near to the gate?"
"Ah yes, but we have sent messengers to pass word of this exodus to them. They should follow in a matter of days."
After a brief message to the SGC to make ready for the Farloran villagers, the natives were soon shepherded through the gate to safety.
SG-1 came through the gate with the last of the farmers from the first village, Einar with them. As Jonas and Teal'c followed the Farlorans to give guidance and help, Jack confronted the Innarim at the base of the gateroom ramp.
"I might not be able to stop you from going offworld," Jack snapped harshly, "but when you're with my team you'd better not try something like that again. I'm not going to tolerate that kind of rebelliousness."
Einar seemed unconcerned. "Why not? It succeeded, did it not?"
"And if next time it gets someone killed?"
"You are just angry because I did what you could not," Einar was clearly referring to the mission.
The look that crossed Jack's face was one that Sam recognised. He was fuming, and it was about this point he lost control and pounced at the antagonist. She grabbed his arm pre-emptively. It concerned her that this was a rare emotional display for him. As a military man he was trained in keeping his cool in difficult situations.
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me over the past year?"
"Oh, I can imagine," Einar stated sharply.
"Then you can imagine that I'd love to break your jaw!"
Einar darkened, leaning closer to Jack threateningly: "So the mind of a lifelong warrior brought you nothing but misery?"
Jack didn't back down, and Einar emitted a deep, primal growl.
"Join the club, Jonathan…"