All the regular disclaimers apply - see earlier chapters...
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Seshat's Secret - Chapter Three
Only two desk lamps and the glow from the computer screen illuminated the archeologist's office. The screen displayed a very detailed image of the wall found by the SG team. Weather and time scoured away much of the detail. Some cartouches were completely gone. Sitting side by side in the dim room, Seshat and Daniel worked to transcribe the engravings. With Seshat at his side, it went even faster than it normally did.
"The punishment of those in search of the knowledge of Thoth comes after confrontation of the immortal serpent. Of seven true sources, thrice the number of false vessels shall exist, holding the anger of Ra. Death will befall those of the trespasser along with those of their family, their brethren, their livestock, and their lands." Daniel read aloud.
Seshat grew dark beside him. Anger practically radiated from her. "Not punishment. Education."
"Yeah, okay." Daniel reread it with the alternate meaning of the hieroglyph. They were interchangeable, after all.
"That asshole." Seshat growled out through clenched teeth.
"What?" Daniel laughed in surprise. She threw her angry glare at him. "I mean, where did you learn that word?"
"I shared a meal with Samantha and O'Neill yesterday. He used it with explanation. Did I not use it correctly?"
"Leave it to Jack." He pushed his glasses back into place. "I assume you're referring to Thoth?"
"Yes," She crossed her arms, furious. "He's contemptible."
"What happened?"
"We were bound, but refuse to call him husband. Once we were partners, scientists working in conjunction. For him it was not enough. He began planning to politically crucify me. He over took my followers. Discredited me in front of theGoa'uld. He basically accused me of treason, saying I was educating too many Tau'ri and my actions would threaten our way. In the end, it was his accusations that made Ra imprison me." She pointed an angry finger at the computer screen. "And all the time it was HIM that broke covenant and recorded his knowledge."
Daniel sat back a little, watching Seshat's eyes glow as her fury mounted. This being was more like the Goa'uld he was used to, and was a far cry from the way Ati behaved. She turned her glare on him. It took a few moments, but eventually she took slower breathes. She calmed. "My apologies for losing my temper."
"It's okay. Um," Daniel wasn't certain how to proceed. "I have to ask. What would be in these vessels?"
Seshat stood so quickly her chair rolled back and nearly fell over. "It would. . ." She spun, wanting to hit something, wanting to throw something. With a huff, she gripped the counter with both hands. "I can't believe he . . ." Her entire body was rigid. She literally shook with fury. Still, she had not lashed out at Daniel.
He stood, cautiously moving closer to her. "Are you alright? We don't have to take about this right now." He spoke softly.
Her white knuckled grip on the counter top relaxed. She looked into his eyes and saw his genuine concern. Feeling too angry, she retreated into herself, allowing the human part of her come forward to explain. Although Daniel could not see her internal dialog, he could see the subtle shift in her posture.
"I am sorry, Daniel. This is most infuriating." Ati's voice growled out. Soon, the anger began to give way to tears of frustration. "If this is true, then Thoth recorded his knowledge on seven scrolls and hid them among twenty-one false vessels, holding bombs that would wipe out entire cities. Recording his knowledge in a device like I built for Samantha is strictly forbidden. Once he built one holding the knowledge that I gave him, and presented it to Ra saying I built it for my Priests. That's when I was ostracized, eventually hunted. I'm certain Ra would have just killed me, but Thoth wanted me to see him take over everything that was once mine, destroy it all. It would have been kinder to kill me."
Daniel reached up, wiping a tear away with his thumb, cupping her cheek. Ati's eyes closed, but her face turn into his touch. She felt him pull her close, wrapping his arms around her. The sense of warmth and safety was like nothing she'd ever experienced. His hands drew lazy circles around her back, and he whispered words of comfort into her hair, like you would for a frightened child. Enjoying the feeling surprised her.
After a while the tension in her body subsided and her tears stopped. Still, Daniel held her. He ran his fingers through her silky hair, brushing the long strands from her face. He meant to lay his lips upon her forehead, but she tilted back to offer her mouth. Again, he found himself drawn into her kiss. A far away voice in his mind reminded him of the dangers of this road, still the voice was drowned out by the delectable feel of her.
- - -
"Thank you for coming." General Hammond extended a hand to the two Tok'ra stepping off the Stargate platform.
"Martouf sends his regrets. He is currently in negotiations for trade routes and cannot leave. I am Corwin, and this is Tristom." The tall brown haired man introduced himself and his dark skinned companion. "I must admit to a little trepidation at responding to your vague message. Martouf, however, assures me you would not make contact without a good reason."
"Yes, I understand completely. If you'll follow me to my office, I'll explain everything." The General led the two visitors to his office through the Gate Control Room, instead of going out through the hallways. He didn't want to run into Dr. Jackson.
Over the next half hour the General briefed the Tok'ra on the situation with Seshat. "I gave my word that she would be safe here for the agreed length of time, but honestly gentlemen, I don't know if she can be trusted. Dr. Jackson and Major Carter have been working closely with her. They agree she's been forthcoming with a great deal of valuable information. Still, she is a Goa'uld."
"Know little of Seshat, other than recognizing her name. She is an old Goa'uld. It's possible she knew of the beginnings of the Tok'ra movement."
"She allows her host to speak freely. Dr. Jackson says her host's name is Seshat-Ati." Hammond leaned further back in his chair. "Could that be an elaborate trick?"
"There's another possibility." The one name Tristom spoke up for the first time. "What if a human child was raised in her Priesthood, or by Seshat herself, specifically to be a host? Such a child would welcome the symbiote. It would be possible for the host to be molded, taught, and mentally conditioned for blending with Seshat."
"Would that make her Goa'uld or Tok'ra?" The General felt no closer to an answer.
"That would depend on whether the host was a willing participant or was brainwashed." Corwin interjected. "It's something that would be extremely difficult to determine."
"I'm at a loss here, gentlemen. How can I determine the trustworthiness of this woman? And what do I do with her when the seventh day is up?"
Corwin and Tristom exchanged glances. It was Corwin to continue. "We could take her back to the Tok'ra base with us and examine her memories. Since she's not of our line, it would be her actions and beliefs that would make her Goa'uld or Tok'ra. If she's been truthful with your people, we would gladly accept her help and offer her a place amongst our people. If not, then we will have to contend with her."
The General considered their offer. He didn't like to dump his problems on others, but this was beyondhis resources. He would undoubtedly have a fight on his hands in regards to Daniel. Still, the safety of the SGC surpassed any one person's desires. The good doctor would just have to understand.
"Very well. I appreciate the help. I'll speak to my people and we will contact you when we need her picked up."
- - -
All morning Jack could smell the roast beef cooking in the commissary. He'd been working with the SG Team leaders on tactical training in a room right behind the kitchen. He figured he'd grab Daniel on the way to Carter's office and make sure they hit the chow line early. They'd kill him if they missed out on the good cutswhile he went directly to lunch for his share.
The words were falling out of his mouth even before he turned the corner. "Just slap the horns off and bring it to the table mooin' – whoa!"
Daniel jumped away from Ati like a scared rabbit. Without his glasses, wet mouthed, and rapidly turning a bright red, he began to stammer. "I, ah, Jack, uh. . ."
"You know for a linguist, you sure don't have a lot to say." Jack spat out.
"Sorry." It was a stupid thing to say, but it was the only thing that came to Daniel's mind.
"Sorry!" Jack turned his glare to Ati, who was suddenly very interest in the floor. "Get out here. Now!"
Daniel followed him out to the hall. Jack slammed the door to the office hard. The archeologist flinched just a little at the bang. "Jack," He began.
"No, don't say anything. Not a fucking word." The Colonel began to pace. He wanted to yell, to scream, but they were in the hall and she was behind the closed door. He should have thought out this plan a little better. He finally stopped, staring in disbelief at his friend. "Have you lost your mind?"
"It just kind of happened," came the sheepish answer.
"Dude, that's a Goa'uld. What is it with you, man! Are you bound and determine to get fucked over, again? I don't care what kind a mojo she's throwing around, that is a bad, bad, beyond bad idea!"
Daniel didn't know there was a way to whisper and scream at the same time, but Jack managed to do it. "Jack, you're right. It's not the brightest of ideas. But, she's not Goa'uld. Ati is. . ."
"The host of a Goa'uld. You ever stop to think this damsel in distress act might all be a load of crap?" Jack cut him off. "Just tell me, please, tell me that's it. That - in there - thatwas a far as it went. I'm not ready to haul your butt out of a shotgun wedding or anything."
"No! I mean yes. That's as far as it went. Like I said, it just kind of happened." Of course, Daniel conveniently left out that it wasn't the first time it 'just happened'.
"Use your head, Daniel. . .and I mean the smart one!" Jack stomped off, completely forgetting about the roast beef.
When Daniel reentered his office, Ati immediately apologized. "I've caused you trouble with your commander. I never meant to cause you strife."
"It's not your fault." He came closer to where she sat in front of the computer. Even after Jack's dressing down, he moved her hair back from her face with tender fingers. "He was surprised."
"He doesn't trust me." She stared straight ahead at the computer screen.
"No, he doesn't. It's very hard. The Goa'uld have been a merciless enemy and Jack is a formidable soldier." Daniel mulled over Jack's words. They stung, mainly because they was sense to them. "He just wants to look out for me."
"What would it take to earn his trust? To earn the trust of the others like him?"
Daniel was so wrapped up in his own thoughts he didn't notice the far away tone to her voice and her intent stare at the picture on the computer. "I don't know."
- - -
"Carter!"
"Sir?" Sam jumped a bit at Jack's loud bark.
"Grab your coat. Follow me." He didn't wait before turning away from the door.
"Sir?" When he didn't turn back, she grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and darted after him. She didn't catch up until he stopped to wait for the elevator. "Sir, what's going on?"
"I'm hungry."
"What? Sir, I've got. . ."
Jack physically grabbed her shoulders, turning her back to face him. "I'm hungry. You and I have something to talk about away from here. And I need adrink."
Sam just stood there until the elevator doors opened. She followed him inside silently, madly going over things in her mind. What could have his so upset? If there was anything going on with the SGC command he would have said so in her office. Same was true if it was family. The only other thing she could think of was . . . no, it couldn't be that. They were very careful. Not knowing what else to do, she just followed him to his car.
They pulled out of the lot and drove passed the checkpoint before he began to speak. "God! I can't believe him! For a genius he's the biggest dumbshit I know."
"Sir?" She began, but he reached over placing a hand on her thigh. She stopped and started again."Jack, what are talking about?"
"Daniel, our dear boy, was swapping spit with the new house guest." He didn't even glance over, just watched the road as he picked up speed down the mountain.
"What? With Seshat?" Sam turned sideways in the car seat. "But, he. . . She's . . ."
"A snake-head. A Goa'uld. The Bad guy. Yeah."
"Actually, I was going to say she's been nice enough," Sam winced a bit when Jack's head snapped around. "BUT, we don't know that we can trust her."
"Sam, you can't tell me you GET this stupid, dumb-ass, move of his."
"No, I don't. He barely knows her. There's no way we can know if she can be trusted. Never mind the security riskgetting involvedlike that would cause. He knows better. But Daniel. . ."
"Is the stupidest smart guy I know, especially where alien chicks are involved." Jack shook his head, feeling the anger burn away. He felt Sam's fingers entwine with his. He squeezed, appreciating her silent support. "Let's go for barbeque. I'll buy the first pitcher."
- - -
Daniel was privately thankful for the call summoning him to the General's office. In the time after Jack stormed out, he and Ati sat in awkward silence trying to read more of the frieze. Going back and forth with his own thoughts, he didn't accomplish much. He enjoyed spending time with her and honestly thought of her more as Tok'ra than he did Goa'uld. But, he had to admit, Jack was right. It could all be an act.
As he walked down the hall, with his hands buried deep in his pockets, he couldn't help but wonder if Jack had said anything. The General said he needed to speak with him, alone, right away. Still, he couldn't see Jack running to the brass just yet. Whatever it was, though, Daniel was pretty certain it had something to do with her.
Daniel had been so absorbed in his thoughts, he failed to see that Seshat stayed in his office instead of heading back to her room like she said she planned to do. Inside, she formulated a plan. She, too, was certain the call from the General involved her. She was running out of time. But, as she read, a plan began to formulate in her mind. She had to act quickly.
- - -
Look for more this weekend!
