Chapter Four: Discovery
The August thunderstorm blew gusty blasts of rain against the windows of the Oval Office. Power was out all over the city. Outages affected the suburbs in both Maryland and across the Potomac river in Virginia. Lightening had hit the 10th street power station run by Pepco, the area's power company. Trees were down and therefore so were power lines operated by Dominion Power in Virginia. A weather front, carrying moisture from a dissipating hurricane that had hit Florida, had stalled over the area. Power substations were flooding from ground waters rising. Because of the downpours, over 60,000 Metro Washington residents were without air-conditioning at the height of the summer. It would take days to restore power to everyone.
Power interruptions were normal in summer. The aging infrastructure of the East Coast of the United States was regularly subject to rolling brown outs. One district then another would experience temporary outages as the obsolete power grid tried to handle the load. This storm only made the problem worse. Unfortunately, irresponsible TV and radio commentators were speculating that the aliens had some hand in this mess. Riots were breaking out in the poor areas along the Anacostia River southeast of Capitol Hill. This storm had bad timing for many reasons.
Gun bolts slammed and shots rang out. President Hayes spun around only to collide with a Secret Service Agent, covering him. "Whoa! It's me, Sir!" Jack stood in the room and looked at the activity dispassionately. "Look, I'm a hologram."
"Hold your fire! Hold your fire," called out the Agent in charge. The guns were lowered.
"Jack, you should warn us when you are going to do that. Now, I have to get White House repair crews to fix the plaster. Do you know how long that took after Anubis? Well, let's just say the government works slowly here too." President Hayes sank into his chair with a relieved grunt. "I assume you are here for a purpose?"
"I'm not here, uh there, sir. I'm up there, here, sir." Jack pointed up. He frowned having confused himself. "I'm on board the O'Neill. In my office, sir." Jack smirked, frowned, and then looked down.
"Doesn't get old for you, Jack? I mean this is the second alien ship named for you. You should get over it." President Hayes was tired.
"No, sir, and this one isn't blown up." Jack referred to the short-lived Asgaard vessel that Carter blew up to destroy a Replicator fleet. "Anyway, the reason I called is that we have figured out, generally speaking, why these aliens are here. They really do want me. No kidding. They want to kick some alien butt of their own and think I know how to do it better than anyone. They think I took down the Goa'uld and can do the same to this new crew of Goa'uld wannabe's. In exchange, they are willing to give us pretty much what we want so long as I am part of the package deal. And what they offer is incredible." Jack proceeded to relay that morning's findings and analysis.
"So, The Lady is willing to make a joint statement with me, here in the White House?" President Hayes was digesting all this information. "I have to say it doesn't make sense. There has to be more. I just view the situation differently. They offer too much." Hayes paused to reflect. "I would give them access to your expertise if they only gave us a few trinkets. But they offer, well, a new age of mankind. No, they are after something bigger. Find out what it is. In the meantime, I'll have the speech writers get busy. Now, go. I have a party to plan."
"Yes sir, O'Neill out." Jack dissolved. A party. Jack wondered what kind of cake would be served. He was hungry.
Teal'c walked out of Lady Anna's office feeling very disturbed. She had been extremely polite and even spoke in the Chulak dialect to him. Her command of the language and customs was impressive. Their conversation was little more than diplomatic pleasantries. Nevertheless, he had the distinct impression that he had given away something important. But, he could not think what that could have been.
In the anteroom, Emmett Bregman waited with his film crew. Dale James and Shep Wittenhouse stacked the equipment against the wall. Teal'c nodded to the crew as he passed. Bregman accosted Teal'c saying, "Teal'c, wait. What is she like? I just have to know." Teal'c looked back with a disturbed look on his features. The children by the tables became silent. Teal'c just looked around and shook his head. He asked a guard to take him to O'Neill, and walked out. Bregman looked at the two airmen and said, "He never did say much." Dr. Jackson walked in and greeted Bregman. At that moment, a child appeared and beckoned to the film crew to enter the Lady's office. Emmett looked over at Dr. Jackson and shrugged.
"Jack asked me to be on hand to handle the diplomatic angle. Don't mind me. Just bow and wait for her to address you." Dr. Jackson took the lead. "Mr. Bregman, remember she is the most powerful person you have ever met. Be respectful."
"Be respectful. Right. Phew. I never would have thought of that." Bregman looked at Daniel as if he saw an idiot.
Lady Anna looked at the group Lord O'Neill sent to have an interview with her. They were a strange bunch. As a sign of goodwill, she did not activate her personal shield. The little dark haired man in charge wore the same dull costume all the men of this world seemed to affect. Without DNA identification, they all looked the same to her.
This experience was really bizarre. After some awkwardness, Lady Anna decided that these people really were here to record her and not to hurt her. She wondered what they would do to her next. Some woman was applying a cosmetic paste then powder to her face. There was nothing wrong with her face. The finest biosculpt doctors in the Commonwealth had seen to it. But this woman was acting as if there were some flaw. Dr. Jackson assured her that this was the usual way things were done. Then they attached little black boxes with wires all over her. The men trained very bright lights at her. Then they aimed more little boxes at her. At first she was alarmed that these devices were set to kill her. But no one seemed anxious or fearful in the group. The technicians were calm and focused on the tasks at hand. All the equipment was so bulky and heavy. Lady Anna could have offered to let her people handle the technical aspect, but she was curious. And it was such a change from the usual. All she could ask herself though, was how did these hopelessly backward people destroy the Goa'uld?
The little old man had no respect. He questioned her. Worse, he expected her to answer. It was an interrogation not an interview. She began to wonder if he comprehended the situation. She remembered the old Proverb, "he that is soon to anger deals foolishly." So she bit her tongue and tried another approach. "I fear there has been a great misunderstanding, today. When My Lord O'Neill suggested that I grant you an interview, I did not understand his meaning if this is the result. As the President of the United States, the leader of your people, how is it that you can speak so harshly to me?" She waited patiently for some sign of apology. Everyone looked surprised. No one spoke. "Until you know something about us, understand that this discussion is not suitable. At some point, we shall gain a better understanding and appreciation for each other as individuals and as great peoples. So, I suggest we table this discussion for another time. This interview is over." She rose and swept out of the room.
In August, Washington, DC looks normal but does not feel normal. August traffic flows down Massachusetts Avenue more smoothly. In the trendy Georgetown district, there are no crowds jockeying to cross at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. From the wealthy suburbs of Chevy Chase and Silver Springs, the commute down Georgia Avenue, down into the heart of the city, to the Capitol Building, is shorter. Congress has left town. On Capitol Hill you see the epitome of August, all the empty parking spaces. Still every dead hot August, the taxi cab drivers suffer in the heat. Fully 40 of the upscale residents leave town for vacations to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Delmarva beaches, or more exotic places like Martha's Vineyard or The Hamptons in New York. This August, Washington experienced a mass exodus. No one wanted to be around with the aliens here.
However, the news media was in Washington just to cover the visit by the aliens and the government's response. There wasn't much response. It had been two days since the aliens returned the people they abducted. Since then, it had been quiet. The alien ship no longer hovered over the Pentagon, across the Potomac River. The power outages caused by the remnants of a hurricane from farther south, had been fixed. People were sweltering in the hot damp August weather, as usual. Although many were saying that the aliens caused the power disruption for some evil plan, the Government of course denied it. What else could it do?
President Hayes could not leave the Capital with this alien situation. He had to do something to show he had the situation under control. But, he did not have the situation under control. His plan to show he was accomplishing something became an unmitigated disaster. He planned to have the alien leader give an interview to a respected journalist for broadcast. Then, she would come down for a joint statement of friendship. Lady Anna felt the journalist had insulted her. When she mistook him for the President, she felt annoyed, but when she realized he was a nobody, Lady Anna got pissed off. As to the make-up, Lady Anna thought it was some part of a primitive face painting ritual as part of the greeting ceremony. When the Lady found out it was just the make-up lady touching her royal person, she went ballistic. Apparently, an interview to her did not mean questions and answers. It meant she made a statement and everyone listened and recorded her. So she was not in a mood to come down.
President Hayes discussed options with General O'Neill, the hologram. At least the Secret Service men learned not to shoot at O'Neill's hologram every time it appeared. That he could control. "Jack, we have to do something. Our allies down here are ready to tar and feather me. They can't understand what you are doing up there and why they can't talk to the Lady themselves. I tell them she does not want to speak to them, but they aren't buying it. And get this; the Queen of England is demanding that she take over the diplomatic efforts. She figures they can talk one royal person to another." Hayes was frustrated.
"The Queen of England. Yeah, sure, you betcha, that'll happen." Jack snorted a short laugh. "The Lady thinks she has no equal on our planet. Her protocol officers gave us a briefing on their society, customs, and manners. Daniel just lapped it up. But the upshot of it all is, she's through being Lady Nice Guy. She made it plain that she represents 38 billion people in 26 star systems, which counts for more than any one regional ruler on Earth. And it turns out; the Lady is the great-granddaughter of the King of the Commonwealth. She wants full protocols instituted because she feels she has been horribly insulted and vows it will never happen again. At the moment, I am the only Earth representative admitted to her presence. Even then I have to jump through the hoops. Oy," Jack growled. He hated conducting diplomacy. He preferred battle.
"So what's your recommendation, Jack? I can offer a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. Would she come down for that?" Hayes knew he was being crucified at the U.N. in New York.
The United Nations General Assembly had met constantly during the week to point fingers. Most of the finger pointing was at the Americans because they had run the Stargate program. The previously unbriefed representatives believed the whole matter was a United States ploy to gain advantage from the aliens. It was getting out of hand in New York. Something had to be done to show that the United States was not gaining a better status with the aliens at everyone else's expense. The foreign press was bashing Americans big time over this. In every big city in the world, mass demonstrations erupted against the U.S. with American flag burnings the norm. In Vatican City, the Pope was holding round the clock prayers in the courtyard of St. Peter's Basilica. You would think the world was coming to an end.
"I recommend against it, sir. That's the last thing any of us need. She told me this morning what she wants in exchange for, well, our souls. We have a lot more work to do up here to convince her that her demands are unreasonable." Jack looked worried. "We can't let her loose at the U.N. And we can't let her send down a representative that looks 12 years old."
"Understood. So, you got her to start negotiations. This is good. Let's hear it, Jack. So what is she after? " Hayes figured this was going to be some fancy bargaining. He knew how to deal with that situation. He paced, while listening.
"In exchange for their knowledge, advanced medicine, and a military alliance, Lady Anna has a list of impossible demands. I can tell you that she is ready to wait a hundred years to get them. And for her, that isn't even a lifetime." Jack pulled out his notes. These are the big ticket items she wants."
Jack began to read from his notes. "The Commonwealth has a constantly expanding demand for food because of its rapidly expanding population. Farm colonies are being established. To augment the average diet, their scientists want living samples of every edible thing on Earth. They want enough to propagate these samples, along with the necessary expert advice. Also, the Commonwealth wants to leave scientists here to survey the planet for other substances, which might prove useful. They think the rain forests may have species with medicinal properties and realize we cannot do the investigation ourselves. They are not ruling out the oceans either. Whatever they discover, they will share with us. But, transporting these samples will require them to build an orbital docking station for their ships. The Stargate can't handle the volume on either side."
"They also have strong human genetic programs. From our own files, they learned about the Ancient Gene. But because they are so religious, they do not want to use samples of our DNA. The whole no adultery commandment plays here. They believe that procreation must be done the old-fashioned way." Jack scowled and paused. "Arranged marriages are normal in their society. According to Daniel, they are very clannish, maybe even tribal. To join our respective "clans," she insists that wholesale marriages take place between those with the Ancient gene on both sides to the tune of hundreds of thousands of people. The resulting children are to cross breed in more marriages to spread the gene. Also, some marriages are to include persons from prominent families whether or not they have the Ancient Gene. They view these marriages as the cement to any treaty."
Jack looked up from his notes. He studied the President's face for a reaction. Seeing no explosion, Jack continued with the list. "The Commonwealth wants our leaders to travel to their Homeworld for treaty signing ceremonies. Lady Anna wants her experts to examine the Ancient Chair in Antarctica. The Lady wants to travel to Atlantis and have her experts look it over. A meeting with Thor and the Asgaard High Council is requested. She wants to establish an embassy on Earth and have ours established on her Capital planet. To create our military alliance, she wants her officers and command staffs to have direct access to our leaders in the Pentagon and other command centers in other countries, with a regular exchange of personnel. And they want to build a defense network throughout this solar system." Jack looked up and scowled. "Oh, and I am still on the list. In addition, the Lady wants to me to submit to Genetic Restoration. However, Thor would have to help because of the genetic marker he put in me." Jack paused again to take stock. "No one here told her about the Ancient Outpost, Thor, or Atlantis, sir. They obtained the information from our data banks."
"I'm impressed. That's quite a list of demands. And, they are proving to us that our security is a shambles. Well, none of that is so horrible. I am sure some of the marriage issues can happen naturally over time. They sure have family values on a galactic scale." Hayes grinned at the thought.
The President became serious again. "While marriage is a traditional way to secure an alliance, this is something more. And, I am not so keen on them building an orbital anything, let alone our system wide defenses just yet." Hayes took a moment to think. "I doubt we can stop them from going to Atlantis. They obviously read the files and know where it is. The rest is horse-trading. My father used to do a lot of that and taught me a few things in the process. If we could establish that they really are good guys, we would do most of those requests anyway over time. But all that is a lot at once. We'd be getting in bed with a total stranger and have no way out later if they got rough."
Jack paused not knowing how to tell the President the kicker. "Sir, the last demand is a doosie. This one is really special. In all seriousness, you should sit down. Really." Jack waited until Hayes was seated, took a big breath, and said, "I tried to tell her this is the worst thing she could ask to have. I really tried, sir. The Lady insists there is a faint power source under some important ruins down here. Her people are ready to begin excavations for a piece of property she says rightfully belongs to her people from before the time of their abduction. And they mean to retrieve it with all haste." Jack closed and opened his eyes, speaking slowly. "Mr. President, Lady Anna wants her people to excavate underneath the ruins of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to find what they believe is the Ark of the Covenant."
"Oh my God! She's going to start World War III." The President lost all color in his face to the point the Secret Service called the White House doctor. He felt sick. The world was coming to an end.
The Security Council of the United Nations began its closed-door session. Additional anti-eavesdropping equipment was working. Tension ran high among the fifteen members. The American Ambassador read General O'Neill's report. They listened until the last demand and gasped in unison. The American Ambassador asked the others to consider a solution outside the norm. Since the aliens were so powerful that they could do this thing anyway, the U.N. should accommodate them. A united front was the only way to convince the populace that war would only be a waste of lives. The Ancient Chair in Antarctica was nearly out of drones anyway and was not an effective defense. Unless the Asgaard came to intervene, there was nothing to do except capitulate. The aliens were offering so much in exchange, that maybe Earth should just accept. Judging by the faces around the table, there would be trouble.
Daniel walked into Jack's office on board the alien ship. Even after all these years seeing weird things, looking at Jack hard at work reading memos in his own office up here was frankly bizarre. Jack even had assistants assigned around the clock. Oh yes, Jack was a minor god up here. But he seemed oblivious to it all. By the look in Jack's eyes, clearly, things weren't going so well.
"You've settled in nicely, I see." Daniel stuck his hands in his pockets.
"What?" Jack asked. He looked up to see Daniel standing there regarding him with curiosity.
"I spoke to Commander Eli. He's as high as I get anymore. They've practically banished me to the other end of the ship, except when they escort me to see you." Daniel remarked.
"Which end," responded Jack?
"Well, there's no up or down in space and this is the middle of the ship, so I don't know." Daniel answered quickly.
"I'm sorry I asked." Jack went back to pressing the console. Finally he got the image he wanted. It projected in front of him without a terminal. "Cool. Tell them we want a dozen of these."
"Anyway, Commander Eli says her ladyship has approved our request to visit their homeworld today in about an hour. However, if we leave today, we can't come back until the day after tomorrow in the evening their time, which is middle of the night our time." Daniel looked excited.
"How come?" Jack knew this was going to be good.
"How come they approved the trip or how come we can't come back until later?" Daniel spoke rapidly, indicating he was excited.
"The second one. I think." Jack looked confused.
"We can't come back until after their Sabbath. We, no actually you, are invited to the Lady's home to celebrate with her family. Sam and Cameron are assigned to Commander Eli's family. He and Sam really hit it off. Teal'c and I are going to Dr. Gilead's. He's an archeologist, too." Daniel was fairly bouncing at this point.
"Daniel, stop it. What's with the jiggle?" Jack was not impressed. "Do we have to go to church, too?"
"Um, that's a good bet. I suppose. But the way I hear it, they treat the whole thing as a real family get together. So, can we go? Just give the order. I'm ready to go. I am so ready." Daniel motioned with his hand in an upward sweep. "What?"
"I'm thinking," replied Jack.
"Aw c'mon, Jack. It's what we do." Daniel whined.
"I'm thinking that I don't want to go through an entire weekend with all this protocol. It's been a long week and I was looking forward to a quiet day off by myself." Jack looked aggrieved. "And I am wondering if they will let me leave afterwards. They haven't wanted me to go back to Earth since I got here. They don't say I can't but they always seem to steer me away from doing it. First came the office. Then they gave me the villa. A villa on a starship just for me means they don't want me to leave."
"But, it would be a perfect opportunity to witness how their culture has changed and evolved since they left Earth. And you would be able to smooth things over a bit with the Lady in a less formal setting. She might even forgive us if you are nice to her." Daniel stopped and looked at Jack. "You got a villa? I only got a bunk in a cabin. Do I get to see it?"
"I don't know. They said only flag officers are allowed on that restricted section of the ship." Jack sighed. "But I can ask. They like me. Computer, get me the Protocol Officer please." He turned to Daniel, " I swear I am not bowing and scraping on my day off."
"Lt. Rachel here, sir. How may I be of assistance?" The disembodied voice took shape in the form of a hologram.
"I understand I've been invited to a shindig at Lady Anna's for the weekend. How bad are the protocol requirements going to be there?" Jack looked tired.
"Sir, no one observes protocol on the Sabbath. We are all equal in the sight of God. You should give the King a small nod when he arrives. After that, everyone relaxes. Once the week resumes, and you have exited the house, revert to standard protocol. I shall be there as you leave." She waited for his response.
"The King is going to be there? Are you kidding me?" Jack knew the Lady was connected as his great-granddaughter. "Oh no."
"Jack! Jack! You HAVE to go. You will be the first person from Earth to meet him and you'll do it in his home! You will be able to talk to him informally! Jack! He's the most powerful human in the Galaxy. You can't miss this opportunity. Say yes...go on...yes, say it." Daniel was frantic, his arms were waving and his face was all animated.
Jack succumbed to the inevitable. "Yes, I suppose. What do I wear? All my clothes are at my apartment." He had been supplied with replicated uniforms in his villa. The material was soft and the tailoring was perfect. He had not been home in days.
"You will be supplied at the residence with everything you need, sir. Just be at the Stargate in one hour and twelve minutes for your departure. Your page can guide you. Our Lady will meet you there. Please be sure that you stand to her right, and half a step behind at all times in public. The position next to her and to her right is the place of honor. I shall be nearby until it is time for me to go home. Is there anything else, sir?" Lt. Rachel was certainly on top of things.
"No, that's fine. Thank you. Tell Lady Anna that I accept, just use the right words please. O'Neill out." Jack turned to Daniel. "Are you happy now?"
George Hammond sat in the Oval Office chuckling. He looked at the President. "He really told you he's going to spend quality time with the King of the Commonwealth." Hammond just chuckled some more, and shook his head from side to side. "That's Jack for you."
"And he said they gave him a villa on board the ship. Not just an office, but a villa too. George, I think we are going to lose him to these aliens. He seems to think they have been discouraging him from returning to Earth by making everything a little too convenient so he would stay. I'm guessing that they will do the same once he is on the other side of the Gate. George, I don't think they would let him go even if he asked outright." The President was not amused.
Hammond thought for a moment and replied, "Bratac said these folks were relentless as well as ruthless. They've come right out and said they want O'Neill badly. Sounds as though they are doing everything short of actually kidnapping him."
"The King has a gun pointed at our collective heads. We need to hear what he has to say. Obviously, the invitation was extended for a reason. You don't get a direct dialogue with the most powerful human alive, unless he wants it. I've got a good idea what the message is going to be. But I told Jack to convey our resolve. They are not going to take over this world without a fight. But the writing is on the wall, George." President Hayes rose to walk Hammond out, "Mark my words. And they are not going to let Jack just wander off."
O'Neill took his place at Lady Anna's side with SG-1 and the rest of the party bringing up the rear. The Stargate engaged. Jack found himself in a large terminal much like an airport only better. Many people were floating baggage behind them. Large stacks of containers waited in the queue for transport. Announcements were heard over the address system. Some officials appeared to whisk Lady Anna's party through to waiting vehicles. Teal'c looked dubious. Mitchell knew he had arrived at something wonderful. And Daniel was talking a mile a minute. Jack looked over at Carter and gave a small smile. She was really enjoying this adventure. He was glad she was there. Jack turned to her and whispered, "God, I miss going off-world."
Jack ducked into the waiting vehicle, subconsciously humming, "Que sera, sera. What ever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see..." The melody of the Doris Day song played along in his head.
"Humming, sir?" Carter just grinned at him.
"Was not." Jack objected.
"Were too," replied Daniel.
"Not," insisted Jack. "I never hum."
"And yet, you were," Daniel corrected, with an arch look and a nod.
"Indeed, O'Neill. I heard you, too." Teal'c raised an eyebrow.
"This is all very hum worthy, sir." Carter smiled broadly. Mitchell had a look of utmost satisfaction. "Try enjoying this as much as we are, sir."
"Carter, you're enjoying this just a little too much." Jack was being surly.
Yep, this was just like old times, thought Jack. They all looked out the windows at the city all around them. This place was something out of Star Wars, only better because it was real. But, the other shoe would fall. And, then things would go horribly wrong. Until then, he decided to enjoy the trip.
