Chapter Nine: Battle

In the wee hours of the morning, General Hammond arrived at palace. His expression was grim. O'Neill had been a loose cannon many times before. But he had never acted out so badly with so much at stake. Hammond was here to sort things out. The President wanted to know what really happened. From what the alien Ambassador told him, he realized that Jack just delivered another bargaining chip. By contacting the President, the Lady revealed that she still had use for Jack. Even better, she needed the President to get what she wanted. Hayes looked at Hammond and said, "go."

The aliens took the general to where Jack and Daniel were locked up. Hammond looked around and decided that this place did not get much use. Then he saw Jack was sleeping. The guard was watching. Hammond knew the area must have surveillance as well. So put on his angry face for the benefit of those watching.

"On your feet!" Hammond barked. The force field was lowered. Jack did not move. So Hammond walked up to the bed and used his foot. "Get up you insubordinate sonofabitch. I said get up. Now, airman." Jack awoke confused to be hearing Hammond's voice. Instinctively, Jack got himself up. It was Hammond.

"Nice to see you, George. Gonna spring me?" Jack rubbed his eyes. And then he saw Hammond's face. It was pure fury. "Aw crap. I don't want to hear it. I got it all night from Daniel."

"The President wants to know what were you thinking? " Hammond turned to the guard and nodded for him to leave. Then he spoke softly to Jack, "Have a seat, General. Let's hear it."

Jack realized he was not really in trouble. He thought for a moment and said, "This hero worship is out of control. It's going to backfire big time. When it does, she's going to take a fall and we go with her. I wanted to leave and regroup back on Earth. They over reacted and the museum, where we were.Ittook some damage from the sprinkler system accidentally going off."

"Understood." Hammond whispered. More loudly he said, "From what I have heard from these folks, you are one nasty bastard." Jack never heard things like this come from a gentleman like Hammond. This was serious. "Your orders, General, are to play ball with the Lady. Let us handle the politics. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir. It's clear." Jack checked Hammond again and realized his message had been received. Now it was up to his superiors to deal with the situation.

"Good. You will assist them in every way possible. You will smile and like it. You will be an absolute gentleman. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir." From Hammond's tone and stance, Jack knew this time Hammond meant it. Reflexively, Jack saluted Hammond as the older man stomped out. Jack followed behind with Daniel bringing up the rear. The guards directed the group to Lady Anna's sitting room. Hammond went inside alone.

"Thank you for coming, General Hammond. We are grateful for the prompt response from your sovereign, the President." Lady Anna smiled up at Hammond.

"Yes, ma'am. The President wants me to assure you that we are able to handle O'Neill. He can be unpredictable, but now he understands the situation better." Hammond paused and added, " I was thinking that I could spare you any other problems by meeting with General O'Neill more regularly, say once a week. I think we could smooth over any problems before they happen, if you know what I mean."

Lady Anna pretended to begrudge him her consent with a small hesitation. "Of course you must be right, My Lord." She rose from her chair. "Thank you for your kind attention to this small matter." Hammond bowed and left. Anna smiled to herself. The lines of communication with Earth just stabilized. O'Neill was reined in. It wasn't worth thinking about any more. She went back to reading reports.

While Jack and Daniel cooled their heels in Lady Anna's waiting room, the Lady herself reviewed the last month's events. The disaster yesterday at the Museum of Ancient History actually played into her plans. The public was aroused by the accusations of an assassination plot against Lord O'Neill. Of course there was no plot there, it had happened in the plaza with the Mayor. But the sprinkler accident needed an explanation and she needed to show Jack who was boss. His leader played into her plans as well by sending his advisor to rein in a recalcitrant hero. The newsies lapped up the visit by General Hammond to the palace.

All in all, she decided the fishing expedition to Earth was paying off. While nothing substantial was really accomplished, the propaganda she could use was enormous. She was the one to find the Holy Mother Planet and the hero Jack O'Neill. As a result, her prestige and power were in the ascendant. Her efforts to build a military and continue the funding against powerful political opposition were on track. And she seemed to have won the hearts and minds of the populace more. But real tangible gains were minimal. The Earth Force advisors sent by the President had not told her anything she did not already know about waging war. They reviewed her plans and also concluded this war would be messy and extended. True, they found a few elements to adjust, but nothing too drastic. They did not know her real capabilities after all. But the one thing to which she could point as a discovery was chocolate. Yes, chocolate was definitely a find.

Now what remained before launching her attacks on their enemy was solidifying her internal allies to cover her back while she was away on the front. The family connections between each clan formed the basis of real power in her society. Each clan had a Matriarch who dealt with her peers in other families to secure the peace. While the men ran the external government of the Commonwealth, the women were the true power in the society. They arranged internal clan matters and dealt with the other clans to settle disputes, make marriage alliances, and trade favors. Anna had an appointment to meet with her clan Matriarch that morning. Anna had been told to bring O'Neill for inspection. Anna's Matriarch was not ready to grant her support, and that support was the key.

A short time later, Daniel and Jack were being packed off again in an air car. Jack saw that the next stop was a huge palace. The air car descended and rolled to a stop. Upon exiting the vehicle, liveried attendants met the two of them. Jack ran his fingers through his short silver hair. It was one impressive house. On a tour of duty in Europe, Jack had visited Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. Compared to this place, the Earth palace was a tract house in suburbia. He wondered how the owner would react to his cabin in Minnesota. In true American style, Jack became concerned how this accumulation of wealth affected the ordinary citizen. He made a mental note to ask Daniel for a report on the attitudes of the common people to the hereditary rulers here.

The palace was so imposing he wondered who could be here. Before he could ask, a transporter beam set them somewhere inside the palace. Lady Anna was waiting for them. Jack gave her his best salute. Daniel bowed. Lady Anna regarded them coldly and told Jack his saluting privileges were revoked. He could just bow like everyone else. Reluctantly, Jack offered a proper bow. She just turned on her heel and left them to follow her.Lady Anna knew where she was going so they just followed her like puppies. Everything was exquisite and very expensive. The art, the decorations, the furnishings all made a huge impression. These people did not do things by half measure in anything from ships to palaces. Lady Anna stopped at a set of doors and turned to him.

"My Lord General, I must ask you, please, whatever you do, do not upset this person. She is extremely old." She regarded him with some anxiety. He looked at her with a question in his expression. "She is over two hundred years old. Please, she is not well." He nodded. She acknowledged his assent by instructing the footman to open the doors. Well, thought Jack, he had never met a two hundred year old person. This was interesting. Daniel raised his eyebrows and Jack shrugged back.

Jack wondered how much of this visit was really personal business. Following Anna into the room, Jack observed how Anna respectfully stood until summoned. Inside the room sat a very old woman at the fireplace. The old woman motioned to Lady Anna to come forward. Jack saw that Anna was nervous. He found her discomfort a sign of something important here. As Jack observed the situation carefully, he saw Anna lean over and kiss the old woman on the cheek. Then the Lady sat on a chair next to the old woman and held the woman's hand. They spoke quietly for many minutes. Jack's assessment of the interchange indicated there was deep affection between the women, but they did not agree about something. He watched to see what would develop. He was correct, very little of Anna's personal business was actually personal. She was a consummate politician.

Jack waited patiently to find out just who this important old lady could be. Anna spoke softly and indicated at Jack to the old woman. The old woman looked at him appraisingly and looked back at Anna. An ironic smile crossed the old face. The woman sighed deeply. Anna stood up and motioned to Jack to approach and sit.

"My Lord General Jack O'Neill of Earth, Princess Ellen, my great-great-great aunt. Princess Ellen is my oldest living relative and the Matriarch of our family."

Jack smiled pleasantly and said, "Pleased to meet you, ma'am." Daniel had said something earlier to him about this being a somewhat matriarchal society. However, all the public officials except Lady Anna seemed to be men. He should have paid more attention. It was just that Daniel did go on and on about so many things. One of these days Daniel would learn to prioritize. "Ma'am, this is Dr. Daniel Jackson, a member of my team, SG-1." Daniel bowed again to the old woman.

The Princess turned to Jack. "So, you are the One?" Ellen's voice was deep but soft. She looked back at Anna. "He really exists?" Anna nodded yes. "Hmmph. Little Girl, you never cease to amaze me. I thought he was just a myth you invented." Ellen looked him over again. She motioned for Jack to come and sit next to her. He complied. The Princess took a few moments before speaking again. "Did you really do what she says you did?"

Jack nodded, "Most of it." And then he looked down in modesty.

"Hmmph. Do you have any idea what she wants to do?" He nodded yes again. "Hmmph. She wants to start a war." The sharp clear eyes were angry. "I told her she doesn't understand what she is unleashing." Ellen closed her eyes for a few moments and continued. "Did you try to tell her, too?" Jack made a small shrug. "Yes, she doesn't listen to me either." Ellen looked over to the fire. "Are you going to help her?"

"Yes, ma'am, I am trying." Jack did not know what else to say.

"Then neither one of you knows what you are doing." The Princess looked sad. After a few moments of thought, the old woman added, "My girl will preside over the destruction of our people just as surely as if the enemy did it. All we have built, all we have struggled to make, our entire society will be swept away." She turned away and motioned for them to leave.

"Nana, will you?" Lady Anna was anxious. She looked at the old woman with a question on her face.

"No." The old woman gave a cold stare. Anna bit her lip and looked down at the floor.

"But, this is the last time I can come for a very long while." Anna was getting worried. "I need your blessing."

"You will inherit the whirlwind, girl. And that's my last word on the subject." The old woman motioned again for them to leave. Anna went white. Jack saw it. He had never seen her unnerved. Clearly, this old woman was important and powerful. And she had just made an important decision.

"Can you tell me what just happened?" Jack asked softly. Seeing the Lady turn white was exceptionally disturbing. Anna turned away to leave. Jack became concerned for his team. He wished diplomacy were as direct as the battlefield. At least there he knew what to do and who was the enemy. Now he had to do a threat assessment. So Jack took the initiative to find out just what the powers that be on this world really thought.

"Ma'am, I know I am an outsider here, but since I am involved and now my people are too, I am wondering what you decided." O'Neill scrutinized the old woman's face. He could tell that Anna was shocked that he had asserted himself and had spoken out of turn. But, he did not care.

"My Lord General, my aunt has given us her leave to go." Anna gestured to the door with a worried look. "We must go."

"Jack, I think..." Jack interrupted Daniel.

"No, not before I understand what she means." Jack planted himself firmly before the old woman, "What happens here will affect Earth. I cannot leave, my lady." He cocked his head and stuck his hands in his pockets. The old woman regarded him sternly. He just kept her gaze. Jack had all his chips in. Anna was visibly uncomfortable.

"General O'Neill, I told Lady Anna I would not give her my blessing for this war," said the Princess.

Jack raised his eyebrows. "And, so, therefore, what?" He turned to the Lady for an explanation. Anna was horrified. He had just promised not to act out. Before she could react, the Princess spoke.

"I am told you are a hero because you fight to defend us all." The old woman continued. "How do you know making war is the right course for us to take?" Jack looked over at Anna. "I am speaking to you, young man, not to her."

"Daniel?" Jack indicated Daniel should answer. Dr. Jackson took a moment to phrase his answer. "Ma'am, we have learned through hardship that trying to appease aggressors and tyrants only makes things worse in the long run."

Princess Ellen looked at the Lady. "My Girl, you are ignorant, reckless, and careless." Ellen lectured on. "How can you make the decision to fight for so many people on so many worlds?" To Jack she added, "You assume that our situation is like your own. You assume too much." Princess Ellen closed her eyes.

Ellen tried again. "Lord O'Neill, you are a fighter so you advise us to fight. Your people are accustomed to the perversity of war. But we are not. Worse, you have not explored other options. You have not been told enough about us to even think about other options. That is your fault for not asking. It is her fault for not telling you. In this, you act in ignorance."

Jack had to admit she had a point. Anna had not been forthcoming but he had not pushed too hard either. He wanted what she was offering to his people, speedy advancement, information, and technology to defend his world. Selfishly, he had not explored other options or thought of the implications for the other side. He wasn't sure there were any other options. And the fortunes of Earth were now connected to these people. What happened to them would impact Earth.

This interview was tiring the elderly Matriarch. But maybe she could reach out to this man and stop the madness before it went much farther "Lord O'Neill, what makes you think you know enough to advise us?"

"Ma'am, I know this enemy. Their ways are not your ways." Jack was getting frustrated. "Look, I don't want to fight them. But they give us no choice. I believe in peace. Really I do. But sometimes turning the other cheek just doesn't work." Jack believed that statement with all his heart.

"I ask you: How does it profit us to destroy ourselves while trying to save ourselves? Hmm?" The Princess paused to collect herself. "You have not made plans to deal with the aftermath. You are careless with the lives of my people. You do not understand how our people will deal with all of this. Not knowing but acting is reckless."

"Listen to me." Jack became impassioned. "These enemies will enslave you. It's what they do. If they can't, they will destroy you. And now they know about you. Whatever else happens, you had better get afraid enough to fight."

Being a major general meant O'Neill had to deal with more than just military issues. He spent his time developing policy. As a Special Ops Colonel in the field, he had one job. He had to obtain alien knowledge and technology to defend Earth. But now, he was a senior member of Earth's defenses. And what this woman said was true. He did not know what the fallout here would be. If Earth was going to get in bed with these folks, he had more to consider. As his people's representative, Jack was a de facto diplomat and statesman. The realization hit him, as it never had before. He was not just a military man any more.

The old woman relentlessly continued her lecture. "The forces in our society that make us peaceful have not adjusted enough to allow for the carnage that will come. When that happens, I tell you, we are finished as a people." The old woman turned to Anna. "Girl, if you act upon your hurt and take this arrogant course before I have done my job, you will destroy this society. I am commanding you to restrain your desires and be prudent. Have patience a while longer. You cannot proceed until I have settled the internal opposition. Disobey me at your peril."

"Nana, the enemy is almost in position to strike us. We have little time left to protect ourselves. I must strike before they can act." Anna had tried to reason like this before. She needed the powerful support that this woman could give her. Anna operated the military and was a political power herself. But the Matriarch had resources far beyond Anna's capabilities. The Matriarch was right; the internal situation was far from ideal. Her people were not ready to fight and take great losses. And time was short.

"My Girl, you must develop a better overall strategy than just giving these monsters a bloody nose." The Princess turned to O'Neill. "General, what can you offer to provide the extra time while limiting our exposure?"

"Ma'am, I have brought experts to Lady Anna. But you must tell us the grand strategy you propose. Describe to us your criteria and limiting factors. My people can formulate a response to whatever strategy you decide. Then, we can provide the military expertise to get the job done." Jack paused and raised the stakes. "But you have to act. Because I am certainly not going to sit around here and watch a slaughter."

The old woman considered for a moment, and then spoke tiredly. "The strategy is simple. We have to make these enemies abandon their plans to annihilate us. But, we must act in such a way that our society can survive. Our philosophy limits our course of action. You must understand that our people will not accept a situation where they must take life on the scale Lady Anna foresees. There must be a way to make this enemy understand that we can inflict terrible damage to them without actually taking life. As the leaders of our people, it is our duty to protect our people. Our government will fall if our people suffer the loss of another planet. So, we must make this enemy incapable of inflicting significant damage to us. While I manage the internal politics, can you limit the damage to something our society can accept and develop a better plan to defeat this enemy?"

"I don't know, Ma'am." Jack looked at Anna and took his time to think. "I can tell you that we shall do everything possible to limit the casualties while making it very difficult for the enemy to act. You have to beat the crap out of them a few times until they realize you can hurt them. But sometimes, you do not go for a direct all out victory. Sometimes you have to create a stalemate, as a stalling tactic to buy time. You have to fight a Cold War."

Daniel jumped in. "We went through a period we called the Cold War because we did not actually fight battles but positioned ourselves to fight. Our enemy realized we could hurt them badly. As a result, they pushed themselves to meet the counter-threat we posed. However, they were reluctant to act violently against us. But all their resources went to getting ready to fight and not to their people. Eventually, their people rebelled. In the end, there was no blood shed between us."

Jack paused and thought for a moment. "And you have to abandon this propaganda campaign about me. Daniel tell her."

Daniel interrupted. "Lady Anna, you are separating the need to kill for defense from the struggle to decide to do it. You focus on the wrong thing. You try to teach your people it is good to kill for defense. You point to Jack as the ultimate killing machine. But you should focus on his humanity. All you will get from your message is a bunch of homicidal maniacs. Then, you will lose control."

"I have always portrayed you as a man of great morality, My Lord General." Anna was flustered. "Surely you can see how honorably I have described you? I have emphasized how you have adhered to the principles of justice and the defense of the innocent."

"No, that's just it, Ma'am." Daniel saw his opening. "On my world we have had societies with killers who pretend to protect the innocent while being ruthless against their opponents. Eventually, the killers decide who is innocent. Their murdering gets out of control quickly. Even the governments they serve become the servants of the killers."

"The difference between us and our enemies at home is the training to check ourselves every time we kill. Before and after every battle, I review the decision to kill to see if I can live with myself. My warriors all do the same thing." Jack paused to see if she understood. She did not. "Daniel, feel free to jump in here."

"Many times, the struggle over this decision to kill causes policemen or soldiers such anguish they can not continue." Daniel waited for that information to be processed. "My Lady, you focus only on the ability of a hero to kill for the sake of defense, not his internal struggle that goes with it."

"And, you are misleading your people about the situation out there. The Goa'uld are not really defeated. They just had a big set back. They are still at it. The shipbuilding just proves it." Jack looked sadly at Anna. "Ma'am, you are not focusing on the right message. And I am telling you straight out, it will bite you in the ass." Daniel shook his head. Some things would never change with Jack.

"Anna, do you understand that telling the masses that Lord O'Neill defeated the Goa'uld works against you?" To Jack she added, "I can see you understand that you that the enemy still has the will to act. Little Girl, until the enemy realizes they are beaten, they are not defeated."

"So, what you are saying is that the enemy's will must be destroyed. I understand that, Nana. That's what I am trying to do. Once they understand we can destroy their ships, they will think better about coming after us." Lady Anna looked around for support and found none.

Ma'am, that's exactly what we are telling you is not true. As long as they think they can act, they will work to find another way to come against you. Blowing up some ships accomplishes nothing." Daniel looked over to Jack. "Tell her what you need to do to solve this mess."

"To really help here, my people need to know more about your capabilities." Jack thought for a moment and continued. "And, we need to know what the Wannabes get from the Goa'uld that is critical to their society so we can keep it from them. We can make them understand that we have the ability to destroy them if they try to destroy you. And we can assure them you have the will to do it. It's called M.A.D. or mutually assured destruction. From that point, we can strangle their trade and bring their production to a halt. In the process, we can make them so miserable that their people's will to act is eroded."

"Finally someone understands that an enemy with the will to act was never defeated." The Matriarch regarded Jack with approval. "The Goa'uld know that however many Jaffa they lose, there will be some other method to rise and strike again."

You mean like Anubis' drones?" Jack understood her point. The old woman looked confused.

Daniel explained. "When the Jaffa rebelled in big enough numbers, Anubis built drones to take their place. The drones pose their own problems. We have been aware for some time that the Goa'uld are making some other type of new army."

"So long as the Goa'uld think they can continue, I agree, they are not defeated." Jack looked at Anna with a look that said he was way ahead of her.

"You knew about their attempt to rise again?" Anna was speechless.

"We keep tabs on them, yes. Anubis left behind some pretty scary experiments to breed another kind of soldier." Jack gave her a look to say he was nobody's fool. "And we know that Ba'al has gotten his hands on the means to breed more drones."

"You know about that, too? Why didn't you act against his facilities?" Anna was confused.

"We were acting on it. We just didn't tell you." O'Neill turned his attention back to the old woman. "And no, you don't know everything about us. Some data was not kept on computers." Anna's eyes grew wide. He frowned. "What?"

"My Lady," Daniel began soothingly. "Even though we are less advanced in science than your people, we are not without our own strengths and abilities. Let us join together as friends and allies because we want the same thing, the same way, for the same reasons. We are more alike that you admit."

Anna had her doubts. Maybe these barbarians were more than first appearances suggested. If the Earth Advisors really could work to this grand strategy, maybe she could try to buy some more time. They did seem to understand the same concepts of morality. But did she need Jack? It would not be the first time her prophecy had come true. She had predicted he would come and help them. Right now she would settle for having him make even a small difference.

"Lady Anna will tell you everything you want to know and what you do not know enough to ask." The old woman gave a meaningful look at Anna. "Isn't that right, Girl?" Anna nodded. "My Dear, these men have told you as best they can what you need to do and why. Do not confuse their style with the content of their remarks."

"Yes, Nana." Anna dutifully replied, but she was not convinced. How could these primitives know so much about these matters? Looking at the state of their own society, Anna had doubts they knew much of anything.

"My Lord General, I have heard that you are a barbarian. But truly, the only barbarian here is my Anna." Princess Ellen was obviously impressed with this discussion. Anna was aghast. "You have shown great wisdom."

"Thank you, Princess Ellen. We are grateful for your kind words." Daniel bowed to her. Jack thought it was a good thing he brought Daniel along this time. Without him to tag team Anna, this could have gotten very ugly.

A few moments passed with silence in the room. "I shall do what I can. See that you do not act before you have my permission." Princess Ellen nodded. The interview was too much. The old woman looked at O'Neill appraisingly. Then she closed her eyes. She motioned for them to leave.

Outside the door, Anna looked at him with new eyes. O'Neill smiled back at her. "That went well." He offered her the opening. "I guess we have to get busy."

Anna decided that she lost nothing by trying. Maybe there was a low tech solution to this problem. These folks were certainly low tech enough. And, working with them did not stop her other efforts. "My Lord General, you spoke with great wisdom. Truly, I am grateful. Come."

Jack wondered where he was going. But, he had been wondering that since the aliens came to Earth.

"Where do you suppose we are going now?" Daniel asked Jack. They were following Lady Anna's guards somewhere in an enormous palace. The place was so huge it took a transporter to get around. Getting beamed around inside a building was proving very disorienting. And this was one extravagant setting with room after room opening to more rooms.

"I have no idea, Daniel." Jack marched along looking grim in full dress uniform with all his medals flopping on his chest. "And I am tired of this dance."

"Well, the meeting turned out good." Daniel looked around at the opulence, the art, and the architecture. "The old lady seemed to be receptive."

"Daniel, when were you going to explain to me about this Matriarch thing?" Jack kept marching without looking at Daniel.

"Uh, I did, Jack. Remember, last week before we left the base."

"No you didn't."

"Yes I did."

"Didn't"

"Did." Daniel scowled at Jack. "You never listen to me. I really prepare these things. I wasted a lot of time on that one."

"Wasted your time?" Jack finally gave him the look.

"Yeah, wasted. That's how it feels. Wasted. Yep." Daniel shot him a look through his glasses.

"I got the part about a somewhat matriarchal society. But it was in there with a whole bunch of other stuff, and I sorta lost track." Jack shifted his hat to under his other arm.

"So, then, I did tell you."

"Ok. But Daniel what did I say about prioritizing and keeping it short?"

"I thought I did."

"No, you didn't." They turned a corner and were asked to wait. Jack took the nearest chair. Daniel pulled one up in front of him.

"Ok, let's go over it again." Daniel waited until Jack had focused. "These people are organized as follows. There is a King and a nobility." Jack nodded. "There is a kind of parliament called the Great Council. The King can veto like the President. Lady Anna has a seat in the parliament and is also in charge of the military directly like the President and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs together." Daniel waited for Jack to catch up and nod. "Most government officials are men. But, here's the matriarchal part. The women form a kind of government that rules the different clans. You can't operate one without the other. The head of each clan is a woman called a Matriarch." Daniel paused and waited for Jack, who was looking confused. "You just met the Matriarch or Head of the Royal Family's clan." Jack nodded. "She is just as powerful as the King but in a different direction."

"Ok, now I am lost. How can she be as powerful as the King? I don't get that part." Jack frowned and concentrated.

"She controls all the internal matters for the Royal Family, its clan members, and their client families. She also works with other Matriarchs to arrange the internal matters between clans. She controls stuff like who marries whom, or disputes between clans, inheritance, or politics between the clans. Anything related to internal clan business falls under her control. Even the King has to do what she says if it is internal to the clan."

Daniel stopped. Jack's eyes were glazing over. "Jack you have to concentrate. This is the important point of it."

"Ok, the Matriarch can veto the King? That's just weird." Jack was really confused.

"In a sense, yes." Daniel continued. " I don't know exactly how that works, but you just saw the Matriarch tell Lady Anna she could not wage war without her permission. The King had already given Lady Anna permission. But Lady Anna's hands are tied now. And she was instructed to work with you, closely and stop screwing around."

"So who really runs the show, the King or this Matriarch?" Jack rubbed his eyes.

"Both."

"Both?" Jack sat back and tried to digest it. "So, I have to please her to get whatever Anna promised Earth?"

Daniel began to nod his head and shrugged instead. "Probably she has something to do with the approval process at the highest level. And this is the kicker, Jack." Jack shifted in his seat to refocus. "Lady Anna is the last of her line. That means she will become the Matriarch after this one dies."

"Oy. So really powerful?" Jack scowled. He had been pulling the tail of the tiger for the past month. He could have rolled over and played a good boy for Anna, but he would not have been able to respect himself. So, he had fought back where he could. He had insulted her, hurt her, contradicted her, and had been, well, surly was the nicest word he could choose. "Daniel, if she is the last of her line, why isn't she going to become Queen when the King dies? Or will she?"

"As far as I can tell, she can't rule outright because she is a woman. But it is possible that her son could."

"She has a son? She never mentioned having a family this whole time." Jack was interested now.

"No, Jack. I told you this too. Remember when I told you about my conversation with Dr. Gilead the archaeologist friend of mine on the ship." Jack looked blank. "When I said you were royal." Jack groaned. "Ok, well that's when he told me and I told you that she had lost her family when the Goa'uld attacked and burned their planet."

"Oy. You mean her kid died?" Jack knew how that felt.

"Jack, all her children died, all six. So did her husband, her parents, brothers, sisters, the works." Daniel was very quiet for a long while. He knew Jack was digesting this information.

"Go on, what else should I know about her? I am listening this time." Jack looked away for a moment to compose himself. This was awful.

"Jack, she has been terribly wounded in battle leading the troops when no one else would. She has died twice in battle and been revived in the sarcophagus, just like you." Daniel paused until it registered with Jack. "This beautiful, small, frail woman went into battle to set an example when none of the men would lead. She took a few very trusted and loyal friends and tried to beat up the Goa'uld herself hoping someone would be ashamed enough to help her. Or be ashamed enough after she died. It has taken her seven years to get to this point, having ships with crews that will probably fight. As you heard, sometimes they don't."

"Oh god." He groaned again. Jack sat there amazed. "You mean she really started from scratch? I didn't believe it." He had really misjudged her as a being a dilettante noblewoman playing at war. "I didn't realize."

"She started from zero, seven years ago. She got lucky that Apophis did not come back sooner to finish the job. But Sokar got him first. And then we got both of them." Daniel got up to pace. "Sure they had ships for shipping and transportation. But they didn't have warships with any real weapons. They had shields, cloaking, and speed. That's all." Daniel waited until Jack caught up again. "Everything they have now is because she got the King to let her commandeer the economy to produce weapons, ships, and god knows what else to prepare."

Jack thought for a few minutes. "Daniel, if she can do all that, what does she need me for?"

"She was trying to shame them into fighting. The idea was if this honorable but primitive man could do all he did with the little he had, they should be able do it too. It didn't work until we took down Apophis at Vorash." Daniel grimaced. "Even so, all she can get are some of the younger generation to do it. And she has powerful enemies. You saw today that her own Matriarch, the one person as powerful as the King, would not support her until you intervened."

"Ok, I have heard enough. Daniel next time I miss all this, kick me until I listen." Jack threw a small smile at Daniel.

"Next time don't be an ass."

Many meetings and many revisions of battle plans later, Lady Anna's force was ready for its first operation using their Earth Force Advisor's recommendations. This day, Commander Eli stood on the bridge of his ship. He had his doubts about the outcome of this exercise. But, he was willing to try the new tactics proposed by O'Neill's specialists. With him stood Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell and Teal'c. They were there to observe and offer insights. But the Commonwealth had to act for itself in battle. Intelligence reports indicated that a large convoy of Wannabe's commerce was enroute through a nearby system on the way to deliver goods to their shipyards. Those shipyards were preparing a new armada for the Goa'uld to make a comeback. Commander Eli's mission was to stop that convoy.

"Lt. Col. Mitchell, are you sure that the Wannabe's crew will abandon ship when we confront them?" Commander Eli just could not believe it would be that simple.

"Sir, commerce raiding is an old tactic. The crews of freighters know they cannot survive an attack from a more powerful ship. Freighters are just that, cargo carriers. Typically they have few weapons. They have no reason to die fighting for cargo that can be replaced. Once you establish that the crews can use the lifeboats and be left alive, you will give more cargo ships the reason to heave to and give up without a fight. Trust us, we know how this works." Cam Mitchell had studied the convoy battles in the Atlantic during the World Wars.

"I hope you are right." Commander Eli turned to Teal'c. "Master Teal'c are you ready to deal with any Jaffa on board?"

"I am ready Commander. You may proceed." Teal'c assumed a satisfied expression. If they did comply, then fine. If not, so be it. "Are you ready to kill the ones who do not give up?"

"Unfortunately, Master Teal'c, yes. Let's hope Colonel Mitchell is correct and they all surrender." Eli looked at the crew. He hoped they would do their duty. He had no desire to be exiled for an Act of Refusal by the crew. The Act of Refusal was the equivalent of a mutiny in that a crew in battle would refuse to take life in a fight. The penalty was exile for any of the crew that survived. "Captain Michael, you may decloak and hail the lead ship."

"On screen, Commander." Captain Michael adjusted the sound. He was worried too. The crew had performed well in drills. They had been screened and re-screened for loyalty. But sometimes, such precautions were not enough. A face appeared with no Jaffa insignia. It was one of the Wannabe's. The face was pale and not quite human with brow ridges and strange ears. But it could speak.

"I am Jaron, Lord of the Vessel Artan. Why do you hail us?"

"I am Commander Eli of the Commonwealth of Planets, Commander of this Starship O'Neill, the Great. You have trespassed in our space and are in violation of our laws. Heave to and be boarded or be destroyed."

"Ridiculous. I have never heard of you. If you try to board us, you will be the ones destroyed. Now get out of my way, Jaron out."

Commander Eli looked at Mitchell who shrugged and said, "Ok, throw some shots across their bow, then take out one of the ships if they don't comply."

"Captain Michael, execute that order." Everyone stood and waited holding their breath. The convoy did not stop. Instead they lobbed a few shots toward the O'Neill. The shields held. "Captain Michael, hail them again."

"No response, My Lord." Captain Michael stood over the tactical weapons officer. If necessary, he would execute the firing sequence. He had no desire to be exiled either. Last week's Ceremony of Penance made a deep impression on everyone here. The last ship to make the Act of Refusal had been publicly humiliated before their families and the King. Then they were sent into exile for the rest of their lives. The threat was that the next time a crew did it, they would have to make Penance before O'Neill the Great, himself. That thought was too much to bear.

Commander Eli drew a breath and said, " Rescue and damage control parties ready. Fire on the second ship." The second ship in the convoy took a hit to the stern and began to drift out of the sequence. The other ships opened fire on the O'Neill. The shields held. "Hail the Artan." The same face appeared, but was worried this time.

"How dare you fire upon us? We have done nothing to you. You will have to pay for the damages to my vessel." Lord Jaron tried to bluff but the crew behind him was acting afraid.

"Again I say, heave to and be boarded or be destroyed. You cannot out run this ship. Look at it. Your weapons have no effect. The next shot will be at you. And this time we shall disintegrate your ship entirely." Commander Eli's face was impassive. "Are there any Jaffa on board compelling you to make a stand?" Lord Jaron looked to his side before he realized his mistake.

Teal'c interrupted as planned. "Kree Jaffa. I am Teal'c of the Tauri. If you know my name, you know enough to be afraid. Here me, Brother." Teal'c waited until the Jaffa came to the screen. "This ship is capable of destroying you. But I offer you freedom from false gods. The Jaffa are free. Join us, Brother. No harm will come to you."

"Kree, Sholvah! Never! I serve my god." The Jaffa's face was pure fury.

"Very well, die in disgrace. It is all the same to me." Teal'c nodded to Commander Eli. Commander Eli turned to Captain Michael, but before he could give the command to fire, the Jaffa on the screen took a blast and dropped. "Shall we assume you intend to surrender, Lord Jaron?"

"Yes, yes, don't fire. We surrender. But there are other Jaffa on the other ships. They are listening. But, wait, what? You are sure?" Lord Jaron spoke to someone off screen. "Teal'c of the Tauri, the other Jaffa have been neutralized. What is your command?"

"Instruct all your crews to abandon ship in the escape pods. If you do not have enough, we can beam them to a prison ship in this compliment and will set them free on the world of their choice." Teal'c nodded to Commander Eli.

Captain Michael spoke, "My Lords, multiple escape pods have launched from all ships." The screen on the Artan went dark as the crew evacuated. "Life signs are all accounted for from the vessels. The prison ship reports they have everyone on board."

"Have Lord Jaron beamed over here. I want him to witness this." Commander Eli nodded at Mitchell. A few moments later, Lord Jaron stood on the observation deck escorted by several large guards. "Destroy those ships, Captain." One by one they exploded from one shot a piece in the vacuum of space. "Have Lord Jaron escorted to comfortable quarters and post a guard. He is not to be mistreated. Separate the human slaves and secure the Jaffa and the Wannabes." Cheers erupted on the bridge.