Author Notes: Hey! Thanks for the reviews! I really love them :) Sorry I haven't updated as quickly as I said I would, but I've been a bit ill. Anyway, here's the last chapter of the third section in my story.
Chapter 18: Tau'ri
Daniel's throat constricted as he let out another series of dry coughs that tore at his throat. He was having trouble breathing and was in a state of semi consciousness. Maria shifted to a sitting position and laid a hand on Daniel's arm to prevent him from slipping onto his back. In one of his rare episodes of lucidness, Daniel had mentioned some liquid that the Jaffa, or Goa'uld as Daniel insisted, had made him drink. As time passed, Maria was becoming more and more concerned that her friend was having an allergic reaction to it. His breathing worsened with every passing moment and the fever did not show any signs of breaking.
Inside, Maria was fighting a war with herself. She doubted that the Tau'ri would come, and she knew Daniel needed medical help. Loath as she was to treat with the Jaffa, deals had been made in the past, and she was one of the most qualified people to do so. She sighed. Daniel's coughing had subsided, but his breathing was ragged. Making up her mind, Maria rose and strode up to the door. Banging loudly, she yelled, "I wish to speak with your leader, the Jaffa woman!"
Maria didn't have to wait long for the door to open. A young Jaffa stood in the doorway, "You will come quietly."
"This is dangerous."
"We were aware before we decided to do this."
"How can you be certain we were right to do this? The others may ruin it all before it begins."
"I have faith in Maria. She will see the truth before it is too late."
"And the other woman? What of she? Her sight is clouded."
"They will get through this."
A sigh. "Perhaps the Ancients were right. Humans are not the answer to the future."
"Are you saying the Asgard are wrong? And the Nox? Both races have seen the potential in the Tau'ri. We have seen it."
"No, Aquiell, you have seen it. I hope for your sake that Daniel and Jonas survive."
"They shall."
Another sigh. "One is close to death already; the other's is soon at hand."
"SG-1 is strong. They shall all survive."
"My warriors informed me that you wished to speak with me."
"Yes." Maria ignored the desire to lower her eyes away from the woman. "My friend is very ill. I'm willing to make a deal with you if you let him go alive. Please, priestess."
The woman looked at Maria sharply, "Priestess?" For a split second, too short for Maria to notice, a look of contempt flickered across the beautiful face. However, it soon passed, to be replaced by a sweet smile that masked the cold eyes behind. "You are a human who shows respect at least. It is true that peace has been negotiated before, although no written agreement has been made for centuries. However, as of very recently, Jaffa have begun to believe that we can come to a peaceful agreement."
Maria smiled cautiously, "War helps no one. Everyone has different beliefs, but there's no reason to fight over it."
"Well said child." The woman clapped her hands sharply, and a Jaffa entered, "Escort this woman to another room in preparation for the ceremony."
"Wait, I'm sorry, ceremony?" Maria's eyes darted in panic to the advancing soldier.
"Ceremony of …peace, of course. We will release your friend presently."
Maria wanted so desperately for peace that she smiled, and followed the Jaffa. As the door closed, the woman's eyes glowed with liquid fire, and a smile of ice spread to mar the beautiful face. Presently, an older Jaffa entered to take his goddess's orders.
"Dispose of the man. Throw him in the Nile or something; be imaginative. I want you to prepare the woman and the chamber, but make sure she knows nothing of what is going on. Oh, and double the guard, I want no interruptions."
It had been an hour since the meeting and Maria was beginning to think that she had been wrong. For a Jaffa, the woman had been awfully accommodating, and had even wanted peace, despite the Jaffa being a warrior people. A loud thud outside jerked her from her thoughts, followed by a hissed command, "Be careful, you will wake the human. She must be kept unconscious until our goddess has need of her."
Maria frowned; why on earth would they think she would be unconscious? Her eyes rested on the tray of water on the table and realization dawned – it must be spiked. She had been too worried about Daniel to even think of her thirst, and was now very thankful for it. Kicking herself for being so stupid for listening to a Jaffa, Maria crept up to the door and pushed gently. To her delight, it gave; presumably the Jaffa didn't expect her to deny water under such hot conditions.
Maria slid halfway out of the door to take a look. There was only one guard, and he was busy chastising the other two Jaffa who were dragging…Daniel. Bathed in the flickering torchlight, he looked even worse. Any illusions she may have had of the Jaffa honouring their part of the deal disappeared when the Jaffa growled, "Dispose of him as quickly as possible, and then return to your duties."
Maria swore, and then slipped back into the room before the Jaffa noticed. She had to get out before the 'goddess' could carry out her plan.
The two Jaffa dragged the limp archaeologist out to the back of the building. They wore clothes to make them look human and headscarves were secured over their tattoos. The younger Jaffa, one not even above the age where he would receive his prim'tah, turned to his superior, "I can get rid of the human, sir."
"You are too eager, boy, return inside."
"No." The simple answer was followed by a zat discharging.
"Colonel!" Lucy ran over waving a radio, "We have received word from one of our undercover operatives. He has Daniel."
A look of relief spread over Jack's face. He quickly radioed Carter and Teal'c over to their vehicle and the four sped back to the garrison. Afterwards, Lucy looked like she'd never want to be in a Jaffa-driven jeep again.
Jack stormed into the building, only to be halted by Amin. "Please remain calm O'Neill."
"Calm? I want to see my friend. Now." Jack growled.
Sensing her commanding officer's patience was reaching its uttermost limit with the old man, Sam stepped forwards. "Please, where is he?"
Amin sighed and gestured to the door to the left; he made no move to follow them. The three remaining members of SG-1 carefully pushed open the door to enter a small hospital room with a few beds. In the one occupied bed lay Daniel, hooked up to an array of machines. Silently, the three friends sat around him, not even moving when the doctor came to do his tests.
SG-1 stayed with Daniel until Lucy came to fetch them, "Master Amin wishes to see you. We're going to mount an attack and rescue against the Jaffa to get Maria back."
"We'll be out in a minute." Sam smiled.
It was Teal'c who broached the subject first, "Are we going to help the Tau'ri, or remain with Daniel Jackson?"
"I don't want to leave Daniel; we don't really have ties to these people." Sam shifted uncomfortably.
"Maybe, but d'ya reckon Daniel'd forgive us?" Jack sighed. "I don't want to leave him either Carter, but these are his friends, and right now, there is a hell of a lot of disillusioned Jaffa running around. I won't order you, but I'm gonna help."
Sam was surprised. She knew from that little speech that the Tau'ri were already above Colonel O'Neill's opinion of the Tok'ra, who he would never have said that for. She smiled weakly, "Then I guess I'll help too sir; can't have Daniel being pissed with me when he wakes up."
Teal'c inclined his head in agreement, "I may be able to help to infiltrate the facility."
Maria pretended to be asleep when the Jaffa came in. Willing her body to remain limp, she was picked up and carried effortlessly down the corridor to a cavernous room. The only thing in the room, lit by a single candle, was a stone slab, which she was laid on to.
Fear gripped Maria; she was not liking the way this was going. The whole room screamed sacrifice, and regardless whether it was just her over active imagination, she knew she had to do something. The Jaffa turned his back to her, facing the far wall. Maria leapt to her feet and ran…only to be snagged around the waist by the priestess. "Get off!" Maria screamed pointlessly, "I will not be a sacrifice!"
The Jaffa took Maria from the woman as she smiled, "Sacrifice? Whatever gave you that idea child?" Maria's eyes widened as the woman's eyes glowed, "You are to become my new host; you will be the new image of the goddess of the Jaffa. Unfortunately, this host is too well known to remain in public, but you will be perfect."
Maria kicked out as she was forcibly lifted and placed on the table; that voice was not normal.
"Tell me again how you did that." Jack was in awe of the boy, who had just successfully knocked out one of the Jaffa guards.
"I train. This way, I think."
Sam raised an eyebrow, "You think?"
"I'm a boy, they don't tell me that much."
Their talk was cut short by a piercing scream that rang through the passageway. The team pelted after the sound, the Tau'ri with swords and handguns, SG-1 with just very big guns. They burst in, two Jaffa losing their heads instantly. The Tau'ri had no idea what was going on, but one look at Maria made Sam zat her. The charge enveloped both her and the symbiote that had been inching up her chest; a woman lay dead on the floor, the ceremonial blade used to cut her throat lying still in the dead First Prime's hand.
It had taken a lot of explaining to get the Tau'ri to understand the scientific concepts involved in the Goa'uld, and Jack was sure that Carter explaining it had not helped – hell, he'd had trouble following.
Both Daniel and Maria were recovering, but SG-1 would not be joining Jonas for another fortnight. After contacting General Hammond on the night of the rescue, it had been decided to try and get the Tau'ri to become a branch of the SGC – like a Home Guard.
It was the day before they were due to return home, and Daniel sat with Sam, Teal'c Jack and Maria in the marketplace, watching the Tau'ri as they went about their routines as the day SG-1 had arrived. "Amin wants to see us before we go, said he had something to give us."
"Great, I love presents!"
Sam rolled her eyes at her CO, "When does he want us?"
Maria looked at her watch, "He's free now. I'll see you all before you leave."
Making their way to the Master's office with their new found ease, they knocked and entered. The Master smiled, "I wanted to thank you before you left."
"Ya welcome, always happy to get rid of snake problems."
Amin smiled again, "It has been decided amongst the masters of the Tau'ri that the US government may continue to use the Stargate, as long as it remains in the control of the SGC. You are clearly capable. However-"
"Aw, come on, can't you just leave it at the good stuff?" Jack groaned.
"However, it is under the condition that the base is under the command of either SG-1, or your leader General Hammond, who Dan'yel speaks of highly."
"You can't be serious." Sam frowned, "You mean if someone else tries to take command, you'll take the Stargate?"
Amin gave her a sly smile, "That is precisely what I mean Major Carter."
"Sweet."
"It has also been decided that you are worthy to be considered Tau'ri." Amin went over to his desk and returned with five pendants and an object wrapped in black cloth. "These are for you; Amulets of the Tau'ri. Wear them well and show people who you are." On the end of each piece of leather hung a small, wooden carving of the symbol of a shol'va.
"Thank you Amin." Sam took hers with care, and watched as Teal'c finally accepted the brand he had been given when they had first met him. Jack took his and Jonas', showing a care not normally displayed in his movements. Finally, Daniel accepted the last, rather worn looking Amulet, something that Sam suspected was not new to him.
The old master then returned to Jack, "This is for your leader, and whoever succeeds him." Unwrapping the cloth, Amin revealed a small ornate dagger.
"Thank you." Jack grinned, "It'll be great to have a friend who doesn't think we're young, primitive or just idiotic."
A fleeting frown passed across Amin's face, before he broke into a hearty laugh, and hugged Colonel O'Neill, much to the amusement of his team mates.
To Be Continued…
Author Notes: Yay! The third section is finally complete! I'm so sorry that it took so long. I'll try and get the next chapter up soon, because half term's coming up so I might actually get some time. Anyway, please review!