A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to get this posted. I've been housesitting without internet service for a few days...eek! Anyway, I'm up and running again.Also, chapter six is already written it just needs to be proofed. Thanks again for all the support!
Seshat's Secret: Chapter Five
Daniel's head came up off the pillow with a jerk, hazily trying to identify what woke him. The phone rang again. Reaching in the dark, he grabbed the receiver, at the same time glancing at the clock. 03:17.
"Hello," his voice raspy and deep with sleep.
"Doctor Jackson?"
"Yeah." He fought the urge to just lay his head back on the pillow.
"Sir, this is Major Henderson from General Hammond's office. There's been an incident. You need to come in right away."
That had his attention. Throwing back the covers, he swung his bare legs over the edge of the mattress. "What happened?"
"I can't go into details over the phone, but it's involving our guest." The Major responded.
"Tell him I'm on my way." Daniel hung up the phone. He sat for a moment, hugging his arms to his bare chest. His first instinctual concern was that Ati has been hurt. Daniel gave himself a mental shake. What if it was she who hurt someone else? He'd been sleeping fitfully as his mind mulled over his conflicting feelings. He ran his fingers through his hair. Best to just go and see what happened. He got up and dressed quickly, grabbing the nearest pair of jeans.
The early morning hour made the drive to the base much faster than normal. Daniel didn't bother changing into uniform, opting to go straight to the General's office. Approaching, he could see Hammond, Sam and Teal'c in the office already. The General and Teal'c were, of course, in uniform. However, Sam looked as if she's been pulled out of bed as well, with rumpled hair and wearing jeans and an Air Force sweat shirt.
"What's happened?" He pushed up the sleeves of his blue sweater, more to something with his nervous hands than anything else.
"Thank you for coming in so quickly." The General leaned back in his chair, obviously tense. "Teal'c was just beginning his report. Please continue." He motioned to the Jaffa.
"Approximately seventy minutes ago SF Andrews was knocked unconscious. Immediately thereafter the skeleton crew in the Gate Control Room succumbed to a temporary nerve agent, leaving them unconscious for a short time as well." Teal'c reported tightly, with an edge of anger to his voice.
"Seshat?" Sam asked, knowing that Andrews was assigned to protective duty.
"Gone." The Jaffa growled.
"I've ordered a check on the computers to see where she dialed out to, but if she's smart she will have made several gate jumps by now. She could be anywhere." The General added.
"Oh, she's smart enough." Daniel mentally began cursing himself. "What I don't understand is what she could expect to accomplish."
"Last night Teal'c called me to your office," Sam informed Daniel. "He'd come across her alone in your office."
"Yeah, we were working on the translation of the engravings from P5J-323." Daniel nodded.
"When I entered your office to question her, she quickly shut down the computer but not before I could see she had several of your archival databases open. I asked MajorCarter to attempt to recover what she closed down." Teal'c explained.
"Did you give her access to that system, Doctor?" Hammond's jaw clinched.
"No," Daniel anxiously looked at them all. "I didn't. I don't even have the passwords written down. The image viewer was the only system we had open. I wouldn't have willingly given her access to classified information."
"It's conceivable she hacked in." Sam concede. "I image her inherent technical knowledge would make it relatively easy."
"No matter the how, I want to know the why." General Hammond stood. "Major, I want you and Doctor Jackson to figure out where she went and why. Teal'c, you and I have some security planning to do. Dismissed."
Without another word, Sam and Daniel left his office. They continued in silence to Daniel's office. Finally, once he'd sat down behind his desk, he let out a long harsh breath. "Dammit. I trusted her. Jack's right, I can be a real idiot."
"I believed her, too." Sam lightly rubbed his arm. "Come on, I'll show you what I found last night. Maybe we can figure out where she went."
Over the next several hours, Daniel poured over the computer files Sam had recovered as used during the time Seshat had been left alone in his office. The sheer volume of material accessed in less than forty minutes amazed him. So far, he determined Seshat accessed seventeen locations on varying planets. Eight of the planets exhibited signs of mass destruction.
Sam disappeared long enough to bring him coffee. Taking the steaming mug from her, Daniel took several satisfying sips before he explained what he found. Sam listened intently, finally asking, "So, why these planets? What is she looking for?"
"I think she's looking for the seven scrolls, and maybe the twenty-one false vessels." Daniel supplied.
"Twenty eight locations to find. She accessed seventeen. Daniel, there are hundreds – maybe thousands – of possibilities. Seshat could be anywhere."
"Agh, this is all my fault." Daniel tossed his pen down. "How could I be so stupid?"
"Daniel, it's not your fault." Sam sat down on the corner of his desk. "I believed her too. You can't help that she hacked into the system, and it sure wasn't your fault she attacked our people. Don't blame yourself."
"Come on, we both know I've made some foolish choices. There was no reason to trust her. I should have been more cautious – kept my guard up more."
Sam gave him an understanding smile, and said lightly. "That sounds more like Jack, and one Jack is more than enough. I can't imagine two."
"Man," Daniel buried his face in his hands. "When Jack finds out, I'll never hear the end of it."
"So, it would be mean for me to say 'I told you so'." Jack's voice interjected from the doorway.
Daniel peeked out between his fingers. "Hey, Jack."
"So, she skipped town?"
"Yes, sir." Sam stood. "She broke into the system and accessed several files, including numerous planets that may hold the Scrolls of Thoth mentioned in the frieze from P5J-323. Dr. Frasier is looking into the agent she used to incapacitate the staff. There doesn't seem to be any residual effects, though."
"Except for the goose-egg on the back of Andrews' skull." Jack added. "So, what's it going to mean if she gets a hold of these Scrolls?"
"I honestly don't know." Daniel shook his head. "She was really furious when she discovered that Thoth made the recordings. But, she didn't give any indication of what they might hold, other than to say it would hold all that he knew."
"That could be a lot." The Colonel's eyebrows rose.
"Yep."
"Sounds like we have our work cut out for us." Jack moved back towards the door to leave. "Hammond wants a briefing in 30 minutes."
- - -
A half hour later all of SG-1, Dr. Frasier, Corwin of the Tok'ra and General Hammond gathered around the conference table. As each person added another piece to the puzzle, the image became clearer. The planets Seshat referenced that had experienced levels of mass destruction were rumored to house Scrolls of Thoth. The Tok'ra had long suspected they were destroyed by Goa'uld sleeper bombs, but they did not know why. All evidence pointed to Seshat seeking out these scrolls, and with so many possible locations it would be difficult to find her.
General Hammond agreed to assign five SG teams, including SG-1, to begin searching for her on the planets Seshat accessed from the database. The Tok'ra meanwhile would utilize their vast information network to search for Seshat as well as other possible locations of the scrolls. Even working quickly, they knew she had a considerable head start and could be anywhere.
As the meeting broke up and everyone went about their respective assignments, Daniel lingered. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something. Only now, with the way events were unfolding, he didn't quite trust his own gut.
Jack stopped at the door, noting the look on his friend's face, the deep frown. He watched silently as Daniel absently rubbed his fingers together. Knowing that look well, Jack waited to see if a solution presented itself.
"Agh!" Jack finally blurted out. "I can't take it! How do you think so hard for so long? I mean, doesn't making that face hurt after a while?"
Daniel looked up in confusion for a moment, then shook it off. "I was just thinking."
"I can see that. 'Bout what?"
"I think we're missing something." Daniel bit his lip. "I have this feeling, but I'm not certain."
Jack just sat there, eventually motioning for him to continue.
"You're going to think I'm delusional." Daniel rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I think we're missing something. The files referenced weren't just locations, there were Goa'uld – well evidence of ancient gods – in the searches. If Seshat was looking for the Scrolls, then why look up Goa'uld that, in all likelihood, would force her into servitude? It's just a gut feeling, but I know we're missing something. And despite what you all think, despite what all the evidence is telling me, I really don't think Seshat is evil."
"Daniel. . ."
"Jack, I know. It doesn't matter and I have work to do." He stood, starting to leave.
"Hey," Jack grabbed his arm before Daniel could walk away. "It matters."
Daniel stood there staring at Jack for a moment. It was just long enough for the Colonel to make a hasty retreat, and shout over his shoulder. "But you still have work to do!"
- - -
As the last chevron locked into place and the Stargate roared to life, all the Jaffa on guard swung their staff weapons around to the ready. Stepping through the shimmering blue event horizon, a raven hair Goa'uld woman approached them without hesitation. Her eyes flashed and voice resonated, "I am the Goddess Seshat. I demand to be taken to your master, Djedi, immediately."
It didn't take long before she was flanked by two large Jaffa and escorted into a grand throne chamber. Despite being dwarfed by the two large warriors, she held her head high and walked with a provocative sway. Waiting for her, lounged across the throne, Djedi waited for her. He looked different than she remembered. He'd obviously taken a new host – probably several since she'd seen him. Still, he favored the look of an angular faced human male, with black hair and a thin build.
"Seshat. You haven't changed a bit." Djedi rose, wrapping his flowing purple robe around him.
"Stasis will do that to you." Seshat replied coldly.
Djedi aligned himself with Thoth eons ago as Seshat's priesthood was under siege. He presented himself not as a god, but as a magician. He did so to gain favor with the human kings which allowed him to gather information and travel without impediment. The two of them were often at odds.
"Speaking of which," Djedi circled her, leering at her every curve. "How did you get out?"
"Foolish Tau'ri found my tomb."
"But you made it to a chap'ai? The only Tau'ri chap'ai is controlled by SG-1."
"That is what they called themselves." Seshat tilted her head and smiled secretly. "They are not as advanced as they like to think they are."
"True." Djedi stepped even closer, fingering her long hair. "However, I must question why you are here."
"Because I've had a very, very long time to consider all I can do for Thoth." Seshat purred.
- - -
"Report." General Hammond waited at the bottom of the ramp as SG-1 returned from off world.
"No scrolls, no recording devices, but we found a really, really big hole." Colonel O'Neill unclipped his P-90 and handed it to the waiting sergeant.
"How big?" The General turned to Major Carter
"Multiple square kilometers, sir. I couldn't tell you exactly without sending out a survey team. Judging by the immediate soil and the beginning of new growth, I would roughly estimate the blast happened within the last two years."
"That makes four." Daniel added, referring to three additional sites they had visited with evidence of mass destruction. They knew of eight sites from Seshat's research. Add that to the four they'd found in the last week, and thirteen of the twenty-one bombs had been detonated. The other three blast locations found by SG team were much older. The eight in the research material were even older still. "At least it doesn't look like any of these have gone off recently."
"True," Hammond agreed. "We have a meeting with the Tok'ra at 1430 in the briefing room."
"Just enough time to clean up and grab some lunch." Jack flippantly offered his acknowledgement.
In the locker room, pulling the black tee shirt over his head, Teal'c noted the faraway look on his friend's face. "DanielJackson," He stepped closer. "Is something troubling you?"
"Hmm?" Daniel snapped out of his contemplation. "Oh, I was just thinking."
"I have observed you 'thinking' with that look upon you face many times in recent days."
"Yeah, suppose so." Daniel sat down on the bench and began to pull on his boots. "I'm still having trouble believing she betrayed me, us."
"She is Goa'uld."
"Maybe."
"DanielJackson, sheis Goa'uld." Teal'c words were hard, but softened some when he added, "despite what you may feel for her."
"I just wish I knew what she's up to, you know, where she is." Daniel finished fastening his boots.
"As do I." Although Teal'c knew they sought this goal for very different reasons.
- - -
"Jaffa," Seshat purred, running a hand along the shoulder of his armor. "I will wait for Djedi's return in his quarters. I wish to greet him properly when he returns."
"My orders. . ."
"Perhaps I did not make myself clear!" she boomed. "I will wait for Djedi in his quarters." Seshat stalked off, followed closely by her guard.
She had been a 'guest' for more than a moon. Her movements were watched and reported. Still, she charmed her way to many areas of the complex. Working on the plans for a new temple design kept her busy much of the time. She also assisted in upgrades of several ships. Slowly, Djedi began to allow her small freedoms.
The Jaffa followed her into the large golden chamber. Without hesitation, she pulled off her gown, dropping it to the floor. "Leave me," she ordered as she crawled upon the bed. Her guard looked uncertain, adverting his eyes from her naked form. "Now! Or I will have to tell your master how you insisted on watching me please myself."
Only brief moment passed, before the Jaffa turned and left the room. She knew he would be waiting just outside the door. Leaping from the silken sheets of the bed, Seshat rushed to the data terminal in the adjacent alcove. With practiced efficiency she began to rifle through millions of terabytes of information.
Memorizing all she saw, she attempted to cover her electronic signature as she moved from database to database. Within minutes, she felt confident no further information pertaining to her quest remained uncovered from this connection. Seshat knew accessing outside connections would immediately raise concern.
Fortunately, nothing of which she sought could be found on this planet. It meant leaving was now an option. Seshat played to Djedi's jealousy as much as she dared. He wanted to possess and tame that which Thoth could not. So, she let him believe her time locked in the sarcophagus had softened her ideals and made her yearn for a stronger Goa'uld's protection. Djedi would not take her to Thoth as long as he thought he could be the one to which she pledged her allegiance.
Retrieving her gown, Seshat began to search the bed for secret doors. Goa'uld often hid weapons nearby places they used to take pleasure, especially ones willing to play the traitorous games Djedi did. Seshat soon found one, a gold engraving that when turned opened a small drawer. Inside, rested a za'tarc weapon. Perfect.
Slipping the small and easily concealable weapon onto her fingers, Seshat mentally prepared herself for battle. Now, with the knowledge and the means, getting to the Stargate became imperative.
- - -
"Unscheduled activation."
Daniel looked up at the blurry image of the intercom speaker, barely pausing mid-rep. A fine layer of sweat covered his skin and his muscles burned, but it felt good and he wasn't about to stop his workout for another unscheduled wormhole activation.
Three weeks ago Jack brutally teased him about jumping up like a puppy after a treat every time there was an unscheduled activation. They all knew it was because each time part of him hoped it was some news, whether good or bad, about Seshat. Still, he had to consciously force himself to not react. He just wanted, needed, to know. Anyone who knew him understood being in limbo, having unanswered questions, was his own private hell.
"Doctor Jackson, please report to the gate room immediately. Doctor Jackson to the gate room."
Dropping the free weight to the floor, Daniel fought the urge to rush from the room ill dressed and sweating. He toweled off his face, and slipped on his glasses before picking up the phone on the wall. A Sergeant responded. "This is Dr. Jackson. I'm in the weight room."
"Sir, there's a message for you coming through the Stargate."
"I'm on the way." Daniel toweled off as he headed briskly to the gate room. It only took a moment. "What is it?"
The technician called up the recording. "This message just came through."
"I need to reach Daniel Jackson. Hurry, I must speak with him."
"Ati." Daniel turned to the General. "That's Ati's voice."
"Send the response that Dr. Jackson is here, but do not open the iris." Hammond ordered, looking at the younger man sideways.
They waited. Daniel chewed his lower lip. The technician sent the message twice more, with no response. Then, suddenly the Stargate shut down from the other end.
"What happened?"
"I'm sorry, Doctor. The connection was terminated."
"She tried to make contact. I don't understand." Daniel ran his hands through his damp hair with frustration. "Dammit, why didn't she respond?"
- - -
more to come...
