Stargate Revealed: Politics & Power 11
by livi2jack

Summary: Jack's obsession with the Lady causes doubts about his loyalties. But is there a reason? Assassins are still after them and Maybourne is at it again. Earth powers react. A mystery is solved.

Rating: T
Category: Action/Adventure, Drama, Humor, Mystery, Point Of View, Angst, Other
Season: SG-1 Season Nine
Related SG-1 Episode(s): 717 Heroes, Part 1, 718 Heroes, Part 2, 720 Inauguration, 903 Origin
Featured Character(s): Jack O'Neill, Daniel Jackson, Samantha Carter, Teal'c, Cameron Mitchell, Hank Landry, Carolyn Lam, George Hammond, Maybourne
Pairings: Jack/Other

Spoilers for S9 and related.
Sequel to Stargate Revealed but not necessary to read it if you start with P&P Chapter 1 for catch-up.

Author's Note: Stargate Revealed: P&P is nominated for a 2006 Stargate Fan Award. Stargate Revealed won a 2006 Isis Award and is also nominated for a 2006 Stargate Fan Award.


Chapter 11 Terrorism in Outer Space?
'This can't possibly be Lady Anna,' thought Captain Amos. 'I have been sent to marry her. But this isn't her. I know it isn't her.' Captain Amos, commander of Lady Anna's personal yacht the 'Benjamin' stood in front of a woman who looked exactly like his Lady. But he knew her. And this wasn't her. For one thing, this woman had no presence. Lady Anna's presence was legendary. Her presence could fill a room, make men stand taller, give pause to formidable opponents, and charm the mob. This woman had no charisma whatsoever. Unless something was done to her, something was really wrong. 'This woman may look like her, but could not possibly be her.'

The betrothal ceremony was almost complete. He wanted to throw up. Amos knew enough to give no sign that he suspected. Assassins were after his Great Lady. What these people were trying to do escaped him. Were they setting him and this woman up as decoys to protect the real Lady or something else? He looked at her and smiled a reassuring smile. She stared back at him, her face a mask. Lady Anna was kind. She would have smiled back. Their hands were put together. Hers were as cold as ice. Other little signs were missing. Something was very, very wrong. He felt sick. The betrothal was done. The wedding would take place next week.

In the first place, he didn't want to marry Lady Anna. It was absurd. She was so far above him in station that the ground should have married the stars. But, in fairness, her previous husband had not been of such high station. It was a love match. No one could dissuade her, so the King gave in. He usually did with her. She was his favorite. But not this time. More was at stake this time. The whole succession hung in the balance. And no one else could be made to marry her. That was a certainty. She was pariah among the clans for waging war and taking life. Otherwise, the King and the Matriarch would have married her off sometime in the last seven years. What could have been offered that would have overcome his family's objections? For that matter, were their objections overcome? His Elder told him to marry her. He said it was the Family's decision. Was it? No one important was here to witness this ceremony on one of the lesser planets of this realm. Ok, this was too weird. Even if assassins were after her, this should have been done at the Capital.

Lady Anna trusted the Captain to command her own personal vessel. That said a lot. He would not let her down. As soon as he could, he would take that ship straight to, where? Where could he go? If this were legitimate, then he would create chaos by leaving. If it were not, then he was a dead man. Where to go? Amos turned to the woman. He smiled as if he were delighted. This problem required some thought.


A man asked the wrong question of the wrong person. Someone he never saw took him down with a zat. The people in the room hurried to get him out of the bar. Not one of the patrons was a regular. The barkeep worked for the Lady. The proprietor was conveniently on vacation. In the backroom, a doctor tagged the man to trace him back to his masters. A DNA sample obtained, the doctor collected spore and bacteria samples to analyze. The isotopes should reveal something of his route to this planet. Isotopes are forms of an element whose nuclei have the same atomic number--the number of protons in the nucleus--but different atomic masses because they contain different numbers of neutrons. The word isotope, meaning at the same place, comes from the fact that all isotopes of an element are located at the same place on the periodic table. The isotopic composition of elements is different on different planets, making it possible to determine the origin of meteorites. Or in this case, the origin of the man's dust and spores. With these tools, a man with the wrong questions could give the right answers.

And to be on the safe side, the doctor checked for a counter tag. Sometimes, their own people tagged operatives without their knowing it. Tags were very secret. And countermeasures were even more secret. If the operative's masters had tagged him, would this new tag be revealed by the other or negate it? The men worked carefully. The mobile medical bay had been installed the day before for just this purpose. Lady Anna's operatives laid signs for any one following Teal'c to come here. And sure enough, this one stumbled in.

The man came to feeling drunk and disoriented. The doctor had injected him with enough simulated alcohol to resemble a state of inebriation. The bottle and the cup attested to the drinks. The bill for it all lay next to him on the table. In utter confusion, the man paid the bill and staggered out with a hangover. He remembered nothing, just as planned. The only problem was that this operative rarely drank. And he never drank to excess. Somehow, the man knew he had been compromised. Best to leave word the regular way and disappear for a while.


Monday afternoon was productive. Over the weekend, Anna gave Maybourne the mandate to deal with the problem of the Earth assassins. She told him to let her know when it was all over. His operatives who contacted the conspirators on Earth managed to get some of the answers Lady Anna hoped to find. Some of the key people gave up some more of their associates. Gradually, the pieces of the puzzle were coming together.

The U.N. Secretary General heard her message loud and clear Friday night. The two boys with the high powered rifle appearing at the foot of his mistress' bed proved a point. He was vulnerable anywhere on the planet. Stupid he was not. He delivered the invoice and the purchaser's name of the high-powered assault rifle used in the Embassy attack at the end of his deadline. Interesting how efficient one could be if the alternative is your own death. Anna's officers told him to act normally. They would be in contact again.

The U.N. Ambassador who paid a bedtime visit to the Starship 'Daniel Jackson' also yielded a name. Not satisfied, Lady Anna's officers let him visit Harry Maybourne. The man was seated in a plain room. Maybourne walked in casually.

"No, I'm not your lawyer. But then you guessed that." Harry drawled and leaned against a desk.

"Ah, the Americans are in league with these creatures. I should have guessed." The Ambassador was uncertain about his location but not his interrogator. "You should be ashamed of yourself sneaking around with these beings. Come out in the open where all can see."

"The ability to sneak around was a prerequisite of my former occupation. I played a lot of 'Hide and Seek' as a kid. I could always find anyone anywhere. But they could never find me." Harry stared patiently, his eyes cold blue and deadly.

"That's because they didn't want to find you, you American pig." The Ambassador would not be intimidated. "You arrogant Yankees think you own the world. But you don't and neither do they." He waved his hands to indicate the aliens.

"Well, you are zero for zero. And, I am not an American agent, at least not anymore. I work for them." Harry indicated the aliens. "And THEY are very upset that you tried to kill their HERO. That's right. These nice people revere General O'Neill." Harry reached into his pocket for a stick of gum and slowly unwrapped it. "They want to tear you apart. I asked them to wait." He popped in the stick of gum and chewed thoughtfully never taking his eyes of the suspect.

"That's crazy. Aliens do not revere any of us. They want to conquer us." The Ambassador wasn't backing down.

"No, what's crazy is trying to kill an alien leader with a big fleet of spaceships or her Hero. Are you insane? Because if you are suffering, I'll be glad to put you out of your misery." The amused yet lethal demeanor of one Harry Maybourne was enough. He forwarded the results to Lady Anna's office. Her assistant sent the Ambassador's sorry ass to the White House trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey. Anna sent a note.

Throughout the day, Maybourne's team collected more people. The President called Anna and explained that legal issues made it impossible to imprison accredited ambassadors. She redirected Maybourne to by-pass the President's office. So, Harry fed his pique at the military by sending a few to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, in his office in the Pentagon. Harry just laughed and laughed. He also sent a few of them to their own people with a note. After Maybourne was done with the little fish, he sent them to that nice DC Detective who came to the Embassy on Saturday. It would make that guy's career.

The other U.N. Ambassador decided to be a hero. At the first location, he tried to duck out a secret doorway. However, he had been tagged. Via the transporter, he found himself right back where he started. Then, he got himself a zat shot for his trouble. When he awoke, he refused to cooperate for fear of retaliation on his family. After taking him to his family on board the 'Daniel Jackson,' he got a trip to the airlock. That airlock was special.

Harry Maybourne, Chief of Covert Operations to Lady Anna entered the airlock. He let the fear from the man wash over him. Then Harry spoke casually.

"I hear you have been a bad boy, Ambassador." Harry chuckled his menacing laugh.

"You, you are American?" The Ambassador didn't know what to say.

"I used to be." He let that fact register. "In my former life, I was in Special Operations. But let's just say I am on another career track now." He popped a peanut in his mouth and regarded his quarry without emotion. "I have a few questions for you. If you know what is good for you, you will give me the full prize package." He chewed a few more. "If not, then you get what's behind Door Number One over there." Harry pointed to the opposite airlock door.

The man began to bluster and threaten. Harry just chuckled. "You know how this game is played. And you know the kind of people who play it. Don't waste my time. Oh, that would be your time?" He chewed some more peanuts. "You know, these aliens REVERE General O'Neill? As in, they think he is a religious HERO. And every last one of them wants to tear you limb from limb. A death in this airlock would be a kindness."

"You can't do this to me. I am an Ambassador. I have immunity. You cannot threaten me. You cannot do anything to me. My government will retaliate."

"Ambassador, you have some nerve. I have to give you that." Harry cocked his head and grinned, then chuckled. "Retaliate against whom? No one knows you are here. And if they did, so what?" Harry decided to move out the door. "Absence of moral conscience was a prerequisite in my former occupation, in this one too. Really gives me the freedom to do whatever I need to do." Harry drawled, shrugged, then had the airlock door closed behind him. He twiddled his fingers to say good-bye. The Ambassador screamed and cursed. Harry had the officer lower the air pressure and vent the oxygen, slowly. He watched impassively. His cold blue eyes never wavered from the victim's face. The Ambassador could hear it hissing out. A small wind of air rushing out picked up. Then the man saw reason. It was a simple matter after that.


The DC Detective jumped back from his desk. Bodies materialized on his desk, around his desk, along the walkway to his desk, and on other people's desks. They were bound hand and foot. Some were conscious. Some weren't. Each one was labeled with his crime attached to his clothing, along with his confession. People came running in with guns in their hands ready for anything. But nothing else happened.

The Chief of Detectives arrived to see the spectacle. A holographic woman thanked the District Police for their efforts. And she commended the Detective on his competence and the Beat Cop was mentioned by name as well. She briefly explained who and what these felons were. She told them the notes explained the crimes and any additional leads obtained. She offered any assistance they might require. Her Embassy staff was at their disposal. They were prepared to assist the Detective at his convenience and asked for him especially. She expressed her confidence in him. The Lady wanted these vermin disposed of promptly. Please notify the Embassy when it was done. No one knew what to say. She thanked them and disappeared.

The Chief turned to the Detective and said, "In here." They went into his office. The Detective made Lieutenant that afternoon. And the Beat Cop made Detective.


"Whoa, hold up there, Harry." O'Neill had just left another meeting, when he ran into Maybourne who was on his way to another interrogation. "Where have you been all weekend? You don't write. You don't call? What's going on?" Jack was in a foul mood.

"Oh, you know Jack, a little of this, a little of that. You don't really want to know." Maybourne was in a hurry. "It's nothing."

"I don't want to know? Now I have to know." Jack knew Maybourne was probably up to no good. "Take a walk with me. It's really that bad?" Maybourne shrugged.

"You could help if you want, Jack. But then you like to pretend you are so innocent. And this would get your hands dirty in front of your lady friend," Harry snarked back at him. "You know, we make a pretty good team. If you ever want to retire, there's more money in this than..."

"Hey G. Gordon, don't give me another reason to shoot you." Jack marched along looking at the covert intelligence man. "So, working with any of your old friends at the N.I.D. today?"

"Friends is not the word I'd use for them. Just cleaning up a cesspool, Jack. Making the universe safer and helping Earth at the same time." Maybourne hesitated before a door.

"What, you're a humanitarian, now?" Jack was surly back.

"You want me to watch your back or not?" Maybourne drawled standing at a closed door. Jack said nothing so Maybourne opened the door. Jack's eyes widened and then his eyes narrowed at what he saw. "You really want to play in my sand box, Jack?"

"Actually, that overwhelming urge to shoot you has come back."


"Something has gone haywire. O'Neill has really lost it if he thinks this is how to handle matters." President Hayes listened on the other end of the phone. His headset kept his hands free. "No, the bodies keep piling up in strange places. He should know better. I'm just saying he doesn't have control of the situation. He should be able to tell her not to do this sort of thing. It looks bad every which way," Hayes replied to his Off-world Affairs Advisor on the headset. "The press is crucifying me. And the legal consequences will play through the courts for a decade."

The White House Chief of Staff walked in with more news. He stood and waited. "Look, it's bad enough that she has us over a barrel. But this ultimatum was outrageous. He couldn't stop that either. What's he doing up there, anyway?" Hayes waved his Chief of Staff closer to take the papers. "No, you tell that sonofabitch to get the alien to knock it off. And you tell him to get her to consider an apology. Right. And I want her to give an interview ASAP to whomever I choose. There has to be some give and take." Hayes hung up. "Whatcha got for me, Jerry?"

"Sir, several governments have filed official protests. They are outraged that we cannot influence her. They are convinced she is expressing her sovereignty over Earth. And they think O'Neill is in cahoots with her. I have sent messages to O'Neill but so far I have not heard back. We aren't sure just where he is today. Landry says he went to the Gamma Site this morning. But he's been back a few hours. What do you want us to do?" Jerry Wasserstein was frustrated. His day should not be absorbed dealing with the alien.

"Tell O'Neill if he doesn't rein her in, he can kiss this job good-bye. He's of no use when his 'advice' is ignored. And I don't care what she offers. If she can't behave, there is just no point." Hayes, reached for the files, "I have enough on my plate. I don't need this too. Now get it under control." He took the next phone call. The Chief walked back out the door shaking his head. This was not a good day.


The Newsies had a field day. The reporter assigned to the Police Department saw the whole thing. He phoned in his story and was told to interview the Lieutenant Detective and the new Detective for their backstories. It made the Six O'clock News. What a scoop! 'Aliens Solve Police Murder Mystery.' The Networks led with the story, 'Alien Leader Makes Citizen's Arrest!' It was a feeding frenzy as the media sharks took the bait. Then the law enforcement agencies around the globe got interested.

On various cable and radio shows, the talking heads went to work wondering if anyone was safe without due process. And others wondered if due process existed in Outer Space for foreign nationals. After all, the crime occurred on Earth in America. In deference to local sensibilities, officials termed the perpetrators, suspects. Since the 'suspects' were not caught in America, who's jurisdiction applied? Were they 'terrorists' and subject to the Patriot Act? The stated purpose of the Act is to "deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world. Could these assassins and their conspirators be transferred to Guantanamo Bay holding cells? Or was some other law applicable?

This ambiguous legal situation could be big business for the more prominent and aggressive international law firms. Lawsuits against the aliens were being prepared as 'class action lawsuits.' Rumors had it the aliens had big holdings on Earth, which could be attached. Enormous damages were listed. Defending against such lawsuits could get them huge legal fees from the Lady Alien. Rainmakers in the large firms smelled Money, with a capital 'M', riding on this problem.

The American Civil Liberties Union, (ACLU), was on the warpath. To them, the aliens were acting like vigilantes. They argued that the confessions would not be admissible in court. And was the Alien Leader even able to make a 'Citizen's Arrest?' After all, she wasn't a citizen. Did the aliens act in accordance with the law, and whose laws? For that matter, was this Lady Anna an 'Illegal Alien' and should she be deported for violating Immigration Laws? Legal minds wanted to know.

In The Hague, The Netherlands, the United Nations International Court of Justice was not impressed. Some treaties that conferred jurisdiction to the Court seemed to apply. The Convention on the suppression of the unlawful seizure of aircraft, The Hague, 16 Dec. 1970; the Treaty of Commerce (Benelux/USSR), Brussels, 14 Jul. 1971; the Convention for the suppression of unlawful acts against the safety of civil aviation, Montreal, 23 Sep. 1971; and the International convention against the taking of hostages, New York, 17 Dec. 1979 seemed to address the issues. Since the aliens essentially hijacked a person off an aircraft in flight, did these treaties apply? Were the aliens trafficking in human beings across national boundaries? Could their actions be construed as terrorist acts? And did the Court have jurisdiction over the cases and not the DC Police?

According to European Union Law, any terrorist crime committed against a citizen of the E.U. could be tried by the E.U. no matter where it occurred. The Court of Justice of the European Communities (often referred to simply as 'the Court') was set up under the ECSC Treaty in 1952 and was based in Luxembourg. The Court has the power to settle legal disputes between EU member states, EU businesses, EU institutions, and EU individuals. The court had questions. Were the aliens acting as criminals against these suspects? What methods of torture or other alien atrocities were committed to gain their confessions? Were laws against 'crimes against humanity' applicable, especially if the aliens might not be humans? Were the suspects even terrorists? Several of the detainees sent to the Washington, DC police were E.U. Nationals. The Court claimed jurisdiction.

Once the Court claimed jurisdiction, Europol asserted its priorities. Europol, the European Police Office, was set up in 1992 to handle Europe-wide criminal intelligence. It is based in The Hague, The Netherlands, and its staff includes representatives of the national law enforcement agencies (police, customs, immigration services, etc). Europol aims at improving the effectiveness and co-operation of the competent authorities in the Member States in preventing and combating terrorism, unlawful drug trafficking and other serious forms of international organized crime. In addition to a search of records begun on the detainees, Europol began to consider if the aliens had committed crimes against EU citizens by trafficking persons illegally across borders. The aliens abducted the detainees and sent them from one country to another. Was the Commonwealth acting as terrorists or organized crime?

Once Europol got involved, Eurojust did too. Eurojust was set up in 2002 and is based in The Hague, The Netherlands. Its job is to help prosecuting authorities across the EU to work together in the fight against serious cross-border crime, including computer crime, fraud and corruption cases, money laundering, and terrorism. Eurojust helps by making it easier for the national authorities to exchange information, to provide mutual legal assistance, and to extradite individuals wanted for questioning. An extradition request was submitted for the recall of certain detainees at the DC Police Station immediately. And subpoenas for Major General O'Neill and Lady Anna were issued as well. The problem was how to serve them in outer space.


An hour later, O'Neill sat in his office on board the 'Daniel Jackson' with Daniel Jackson. "Look, Jack it's not that I mind being your aide de camp, it's that I mind being your aide de camp. I'm an archaeologist/anthropologist. You should get someone like Walter or that Mark Gilmore guy. They know the procedures and the protocols for you military guys. You know, someone to run the office. The officer they gave you is good for running their stuff, but you need someone from our side. If you had someone like Walter up here, you would not be in this mess. She dumped those people off to the President because she didn't know what else to do with them or she was just too pissed to care. Walter could have intercepted it."

"Do you think I really need...?"

"Yes, yes you do. You really, really need someone. Soon."

"But I am used to you, can't you...?" Daniel interrupted him again.

"No. Now call Landry or someone and get some help up here."

"I suppose. Could you, I mean, last item on your list kinda thing?"

"No, and there's more on my list, Jack. The President says to tell you that if you can't get the situation under control, he is yanking you outta here. He says if you can't do this much, you are not serving your purpose. And," Daniel looked up at Jack over his glasses. "He is questioning if your judgment is impaired anyway."

"Oy. What do they think I can do to stop her?" Jack swiveled in his chair absently.

"That's the point. You are supposed to figure it out. The President is getting slammed in the press and the legal authorities all over the planet are in an uproar. They are screaming about 'due process' and jurisdiction. And, Jack, the ACLU filed a cease and desist restraining order on her." Daniel pushed his glasses up. "Jack, I also got a call from Hammond. He says to give you a heads up."

"A heads up for what?" Jack rubbed his eyes.

"Seems some people are beginning to think you are compromised. So compromised that they are wondering if you are still one of us? I warned you yesterday." Daniel looked away. He was disturbed. "Seems they have noticed how you look at her, too. And how she behaves to you. They think there is something more going on. Your loyalty is being questioned. And, they are saying that she staged these assassinations to manipulate you. Others think the aliens have done something to you to make you compromised. Hammond says some people are asking if maybe you wanted to be assigned to her for your own reasons."

"Oh for crying out loud. What reasons? That's insane." Jack leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "Ok, I have heard enough. Get Walter up here. He knows me. If he can't, then get that Gilmore or better yet, get Col. Rundell from the Pentagon. Yeah, you do it Daniel. I have to go talk to her. She just sent me a message to come see her." Jack got up to leave. "And, thanks, Daniel."


Emmett Bregman caught up with former Vice-President Robert Kinsey outside the Washington Athletic Club. The two had met briefly when Bregman was filming 'Heroes' at the SGC. Kinsey wasn't sure he wanted to speak to Bregman, who clearly sided with the Stargate Program and its former command structure. On the other hand, any publicity was good publicity in an election year.

"Mr. Bregman! Good to see you again." Kinsey offered his hand to the erstwhile journalist. "You did this country a real service with your documentary."

"Why thank you, sir. That's very kind. Well, actually, you had something to do with it if I recall." Both men had a chuckle. Kinsey was fully featured making a policy speech on the film. "Sir, I was wondering, since we have worked together before, if you would consider doing an interview with me again?"

"I might. What did you have in mind?" Kinsey never said yes, until he knew for certain it was good for Robert Kinsey.

"I am doing a Special for CNB on the Stargate Program since it has come out of the closet so to speak. And well, I was hoping to interview you for your perspective on how things have changed?" Emmett spread his hands and widened his eyes in a gesture that said 'pretty please?' Kinsey didn't meet his eyes but looked down at the ground.

"I might. But I would have to see some of the work first. And you would have to guarantee me that my words would not be edited out of context. I want full review of my part." Kinsey knew how things could get all twisted. "Contact my office when you are ready." With that they shook hands and parted. Emmett blew out his cheeks to release tension. He knew he had just scored one.


In her office on the Starship 'Daniel Jackson,' Lady Anna considered her next move. A master chess player thinks seventeen moves ahead. Sometimes, it isn't enough. With the news of the particle tags on herself and her people, she hit a snag in her game plan. If her opposition did these tags, then they had compromised her. Anna figured she was in terrible trouble since her defenses would be known and in what stage of completion they were in. It would be a disaster of monumental proportions. But the problem was how to find out if it were her people or perhaps someone else?

Sitting in her chair, the only possibility was to ask help from her Matriarch, the leader of her clan. As Matriarch, Princess Ellen had her finger in many pots. She was well over two hundred years old and had the years and experience to access resources even Lady Anna could not. The Matriarch of the Royal Clan was a formidable power. Within the Clan she was known simply as 'Nana.' In all matters internal to the Clan, Nana ruled without question. In those circumstances, even the King had to obey her. And truthfully, what didn't affect the Royal Clan? So it was an effective co-monarchy. But Nana's power was more hidden and subtle, sort of. And today was the day to bring that power to bear.

Anna had covered her tracks knowing it was a short respite before her opposition discovered her location and sent the assassins to Earth. In the meantime, she was racing to complete her plans and lay her traps to discover the instigators. Some of that had been accomplished. More had not.

Lady Anna made the decision to send the doctor who treated Teal'c at the Gamma Site with Teal'c to the Capital to explain the situation to the Princess. It had to be Teal'c since both the usual device and the new one tagged him. A comparison could be done there to find out who used which tag and trace the source. Her information was limited out here in this backwater of the galaxy. But Ellen's was not. For that she needed O'Neill's permission or Teal'c would not go.

Anna finished reviewing her daily dispatch messages. Even under these difficult circumstances, lines of communication had to be kept open. She had several methods. Knowing the changing political map was essential. And, keeping abreast of the military's actions was her mandate from the King. Admiral Zay's reports continued to tell of mounting resistance by the enemy. The Goa'uld and the Wannabe's, their henchmen, were shifting their efforts from production to espionage and sabotage. They were learning to fight back too.

Jack would be interested in the next message. Zay assured her that he was not the one attacking the renegade Jaffa systems out on the Rim. She hoped to have something to tell O'Neill and Bra'tac soon. Zay also told her that a delegation would be ready this week to go to the Jaffa High Council on Dakara as she promised. 'Well, that was one good piece of news I could tell O'Neill.' He was beginning to wonder if she were stonewalling him on the issue. But then he worried she was up to no good at every turn.

"Ma'am?" Jack waited for permission to enter her office. She still liked to keep him close by even if she was very angry with him, like today.

Lady Anna watched him come in. It had been a long and awful day. She had been harsh to him. And now she needed a favor. Well, he liked directness. So be it.

O'Neill entered and saluted. No reason to set her off some more over a simple gesture. If he weren't so irritated himself, he wouldn't have minded so much. Jack understood protocol and salutes were better than the bowing and scraping that went on around here. She motioned him closer from behind her desk. After finding out what Maybourne was doing, O'Neill was none too happy with her.

"Yes, General. Please, be seated." Jack looked around and decided to stand. He was unhappy about the entire situation. Anna decided to ignore his pique. "Ok, then, I received word from Admiral Zay in my dispatches. He says he is not attacking any Jaffa positions. He has put Intelligence on the case specifically to answer the question who is doing it. And he says to tell you that our delegation to the Jaffa on Dakara is ready to give them a briefing as we agreed. Please inform Master Bra'tac and arrange for an escort."

"Yes, Ma'am, thank you, Ma'am." O'Neill replied perfunctorily. He considered how to tell her about the situation on the planet.

"General. I would like to send Teal'c to Nana as soon as possible. May I have your permission?"

"You are ASKING me, ma'am?" Jack asked with just enough inflection to convey his dissatisfaction.

"I just did, sir." Anna thought, 'crap here we go with the male wounded feelings.'

"In that case, no, Ma'am." Jack just waited for the explosion. She only sighed. He could feel her doing it again. He caught himself looking at her...form. Jack averted his eyes.

"I would not ask if it were not dire, sir. The comparison would be easier with him present. I need him to deliver the message. He has come and gone without incident so far. So, it is a natural to send him again. I am hoping to wash his trail again." Anna waited patiently for Jack to process the reasoning. He was a tactician too.

"I regretfully decline, Ma'am. I will not expose a member of my team to such danger. You can send someone else who has also been tagged. Just tag them again with one of your own devices." Jack wasn't going to play nice today. Anna saw his logic but was not pleased. She continued.

"Also, I would like a preliminary review from you concerning our defensive positions in this system. You have spent several days touring the bases and the installations. I want a briefing tomorrow afternoon. Please schedule with my assistant. And, I have received numerous invitations from world leaders. Please have your staff contact the Embassy to devise a schedule and related security. In addition, please coordinate with Col. Maybourne for that security. He has the most up to date information regarding Earth related conspiracies and our countermeasures.

"We need to discuss those 'countermeasures' as you put it. Actually several other issues are on my list, with your permission." Anna gave him her full attention. "Ma'am, the President is seriously upset by the way you handled the suspects today. With all due respect, what the HELL were you thinking? The President wants you to stop immediately and coordinate through my office if you have ANY questions about our procedures on Earth. That's what I am here to do. Understand, Ma'am?" He snarled at her. "I must officially protest the actions of Harry Maybourne. You've created an unnecessary situation down there and you should apologize."

"Is that all?" Anna regarded him coolly. 'Primitives, you handle it for them and they complain. You don't and they complain why didn't you do something? Oh let's get this over with,' she thought. "And what is the problem according to your leader?

"On our world we have a judicial system that handles these problems very differently from the way you operate. Here if you don't work within the system, then the perpetrators go free to protect the rights of everyone else. Do you see the problem, Ma'am?" Anna considered his words and nodded doubtfully. "You have held yourself up for criticism. And you made no friends down there doing it. What a shocker."

Anna never liked his sarcasm. Jack waited for a sign she understood. She just sighed.

"Ma'am, the outcry down there is unanimous. Every government is upset because you usurped their jurisdiction and offended their sensibilities. And now they think I had a hand in it. They think I gave you this bad advice. I am less effective for you when you do that. Everyone thinks I am compromised. Do you understand?"

"I understand your meaning, General. Thank you. Tell the President we shall handle things differently now that we have your wisdom." She entered some commands into the console.

Jack hesitated about the second part of the message. "The President asks for an apology and an appearance with our media."

"I shall consider it." Anna figured a 'maybe' would hold them off.

Jack was seething. What could she possibly think was accomplished by this arrogant display? Such behavior was not like her. Normally, he knew her as a very controlled and focused individual. She knew what was and was not in her own interest. Lately, she had been acting out. Why?


Captain Amos considered his problem over the Nuptial Meal. He would be watched. There could be no doubt. Getting to the Stargate would be next to impossible. He was cut off from his ship. These people were not letting him off this rock before the wedding was completed. So how to get the message sent? Someone had to get to Nana and fast, and that someone had to be trustworthy and someone who would not be stopped. Who?

The meal dragged on and on. Each libation had an interminable toast. Speeches ran on and on. If he were not so upset, he would have fallen asleep. And then someone mentioned the Lady's accomplishment of finding His Honor, Lord General Jack O'Neill and the Holy Mother Planet, Earth. A weight fell off his shoulders. Of course, no one would dare touch O'Neill. And of course he should be present for the occasion. Captain Amos rose to make his own toast to his intended. In it he also praised her foresight for finding His Honor. And then as if by afterthought, he asked her if she would consent to inviting His Honor? The wedding and all the festivities this week would not be complete without him. As a special favor to him, would she consent to send for His Honor at once to bless their union? Such a blessing would be without equal and would show everyone just how honorable her marriage was. Amos knew that it was scandalous that anyone was marrying her. But no one said it to her face.

The reaction was uneven. Those who knew she wasn't the real Anna could not keep the shock off their faces. Those who did not were vociferous in their approval. Demands were chanted to bring His Honor, O'Neill the Great. It was a terrible oversight not to have him here today. There was no way to refuse. The "Lady" issued the command to bring him forth, knowing he could not be found in time. Interesting dilemma solved so she and her conspirators thought.

But the crowd was overjoyed. Someone in the crowd suggested that Amos go himself to offer a personal invitation since the omission today could be considered a social and political slight to the Great Man. Ah, thought Amos, there is someone else who suspects. Then he seconded the idea to his 'Lady.' What could she or anyone say, Except that O'Neill was on a secret mission and could not be diverted from his purpose? And no one bought it. Thank goodness for small favors.

Apparently, there were many who suspected. Someone suggested that Stargate Command on Earth would know how to reach him. Oh yes, there were many who suspected. Being the bridegroom, Amos volunteered to head the delegation as his right. No one could object. But would he make it to the Stargate alive? As if consumed with exuberance, Amos gestured that those who would go with him, leave immediately and escort him to Earth. It was known that a GDO was required, but considering the circumstances, a message could be transmitted and then Earth could send someone to verify them. It was now or never.


"Colonel Maybourne, a word." Lady Anna commed him as a holograph. He got to his feet and saluted promptly. It was no skin off his nose to make her happy with such a small gesture. 'O'Neill sure solved the problem to all that bowing and scraping by instituting salutes for military personnel. One for Jack,' thought Harry.

"I have been informed that the President, in fact most of the governments of your planet, would prefer that we do not interfere with their incompetence. I have received complaints about our methods." Lady Anna paused and looked at Maybourne standing stiffly at attention. Her Lord General could learn something from this man on that subject.

"Yes, Ma'am. What can I do for you, Ma'am?" Harry sensed another opportunity.

"For the future, coordinate our counter-terrorism measures with Lord O'Neill. I wish to accept certain invitations from planetary leaders. He is in charge of my security. As to the current situation, do not return the fugitives we seek to the authorities on Earth. They have committed crimes against a member of the Royal Family and therefore against His Majesty the King and the Star Commonwealth. We shall deal with them ourselves exclusively. You are charged with that duty. See to it that you act discreetly and make sure that the matter is resolved quickly. But do not retrieve those we have already sent back. Should they be released, retrieve them later and quietly. Understand?"

"Yes, Ma'am. My pleasure, Ma'am. And may I say that you are wise to be so discreet and yet responsive to the peoples of Earth?" Harry knew how to lick some boot. Especially boot that could kick him back to that hick planet he was so desperate to escape. Harry breathed a sigh. This assignment was so much easier than it used to be now that he had all her equipment and personnel. It was nice to report directly to the boss.


On Capitol Hill that afternoon, Administrative Assistants (AA) and Legislative Assistants (LA) ran themselves ragged to drop a motherhood bill in the House by the next day to cover Terrorism in Outer Space. After all, who would want terrorism in Outer Space? They were talking Motherhood and Apple Pie. To file or introduce a bill in the House, the signed text is left in the "hopper," a wooden box sitting to the left side of the Speaker's rostrum. In the Senate, bills are handed to the Bill Clerk seated at the front of the chamber.

The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee that oversaw Stargate Command's budgets was Senator Fisher. He did not want to be caught looking unresponsive to the public outcry, if there would be one. Senator Fisher's LA told the Bill Clerk to stay overtime. Working in such a rush, the best that could be put together was some mangy dog legislation that would die in committee. The work was so bad that it had more flaws than a dog had fleas. But Senator Fisher got it in by the close of business so it was good for a sound bite on the evening news. Senator Fisher knew how to play that game. The Anti-Terrorism In Outer Space Bill was mother's milk. It was an election year after all.


As General O'Neill stood in Anna's office, his phone rang. Jack answered it to discover it was Landry. After listening to the whole thing, Jack knew something was wrong. He was angry and that was wrong. Why should he care? Jack turned around and approached Anna. Jack kept thinking about what Daniel had said. He was compromised. And she did it. No amount of excuses could say that his distraction was normal. Even if the tags were not her doing, and he still was not so sure, then how to explain his attraction, no obsession with her? She must have arranged that too. But having his loyalty questioned was too much. Having his Commander-in-Chief question his loyalty was the ultimate slap in the face. It was unthinkable. Yet, it was the case. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. 'Here we go again,' he thought.

"Ma'am." Jack glanced over at Anna working at her console. She looked up. "Um, Ma'am," Jack began uncertainly. She just looked at him waiting casually. General Landry just called me. It seems there are some visitors at the SGC. Ever heard of someone called Captain Amos?"

"Yes, he is the commander of my personal yacht. Why?" Anna was sincerely perplexed.

"He's at the SGC with some other folks. Seems he is here to invite me to his wedding...to you." Jack raised his eyebrows, stuck his hands in his pockets and gave her the look.

"Amos? What is wrong with that man? He knows that this could not possibly be true. I wouldn't marry anyone like him. And he knows that it would take someone much more exalted to make that invitation to you." Anna huffed.

'What a drama queen,' thought Jack. And all of a sudden a horrible thought occurred to him. "Ma'am, this is off the record," Jack waited for her to nod yes and turn off the security recorder. "As your security advisor, I can't help but notice that you would never have reacted as you just did. All my instincts are telling me that Amos is bringing you some of the most critical news you have been expecting for the last couple of months. Your instincts seem to be silent. Something is wrong. Something's been wrong for a while."

The reaction on Anna's face was completely unexpected. She looked like she was about to explode and then she stopped herself. "How long have you noticed?"

"Since just before we came back to Earth. I recommend that we work together to figure out what is causing you to behave so unusually." Jack paused a moment and said, "I haven't acted like myself since we returned." Jack knew he found the problem. His irritability with her and her erratic decisions were signs.

"You may be right. We need to talk to the doctors." Lady Anna commed the medical center immediately.


Teal'c went outside to get some exercise and relax. Looking around the outside of the base on the Gamma site he saw a pleasant vista. It was a green universe, as O'Neill liked to say.

Sam came out for a while too. Being cooped up inside underground bases and on board starships gave her cabin fever. She really needed some fresh air. "So Teal'c, what do you think about these tags?" He only raised an eyebrow. "I mean, do you think Lady Anna is behind all of it?" They walked on in silence for a while.

"I am not sure. I am grateful to her for saving my life. She put herself at risk for me. If her assassins could have traced me, her life would be forfeit." Teal'c knew Sam really disliked Lady Anna. "You do not approve of her?"

"No, she's up to something." Sam wanted to know. "Look, I know what the General does is his business, but, there are just so many questions." Sam looked down to hide her hurt. "I just don't like her and I don't trust her."

"You think that she has an ulterior motive for spending so much time with O'Neill." He said as a statement more than a question. Sam felt uncomfortable and looked away. "She may have. But her logic is sound. She has many enemies. O'Neill is not one of them. She feels safe with him."

"I don't buy it, Teal'c. She has all those defensive systems, so many people, and 'toys' as the General puts it. Why does she need him too?" Sam stuck her hands in her pockets for warmth. The planet was in late spring and the suns were setting. It got cool in the late afternoon. "And I don't like how she drags him around and puts him on display." Sam was good and irritated. "Why does she want him around so much?"

"She is a very complex strategist, Colonel Carter. I know you do not like her, but you could learn a lot from her tactics." Teal'c stopped and sat on a rock.

"What tactics? She bullies him with all her protocol. She tempts the President with all her gifts." Sam blew out her cheeks to calm down. "She makes Jack bow and scrape to her. I can't stand it. It's just, well it's just wrong."

"Lady Anna insists on protocol just as you do, just as O'Neill does with his subordinates. You salute. You stand up when a general enters a room or leaves. These are signs of respect." Teal'c smiled again.

Carter zipped up her jacket. "But I don't like how she treats the General. It's, it's disgusting. More than that, I can't see that he has actually 'done' anything significant for her. So why does she still want him around?"

"O'Neill has given her a great deal. He has given her the way to make her policies happen against tremendous opposition. Through him, she has stopped the rise of the Goa'uld for a time." Teal'c looked at Sam. She really hated the Lady. "And O'Neill has given her and her people hope. It is a great gift."

"No disrespect to the General, but what they play up was done by us as a team. We are the ones who made all those things happen, you, Daniel, Dad, General Hammond, and me. Dad and I blew up that sun. I figured out how to disengage the black hole. I made the Gate operate without a DHD. Jack just says, 'Carter, fix the engines.' Every time he needs some engineering, I do it. 'Carter, open the doors.' 'Carter, what does it mean?' I even invented the particle accelerator so you could dig through to the Edora Stargate and rescue him. Most of the time he didn't even understand what was being done for him."

"Perhaps." Teal'c tried to formulate his response. "Colonel Carter, there is much more to command than doing any specific task. It is not necessary to know how to do everything. It is necessary to recognize those who can and enable them to do it and get them to do it as a team. Very few people, Jaffa or human, or even Goa'uld, know how to do that."

"But General Hammond knows that much better than General O'Neill or this woman. My father was better at it." Sam just couldn't let it go. "She tries to motivate with some trumped up image of Jack."

"I disagree. She built a military from nothing. It is a great accomplishment." Teal'c smiled at her and waited for her to understand him. "Colonel Carter, O'Neill and Lady Anna are great leaders. They know how to motivate people around them. Lady Anna turned a whole society around. Most impressive."

"Yes, but let's face it, Jack was a fish out of water running the SGC. He got promoted to get him out of the SGC. It was a reward for the defeat of the Goa'uld. He did an okay job, but he was no General Hammond." Sam huffed and huddled a little in the chill air. "And, she is so pompous, why would anyone follow her?"

"A good leader knows how to bring out the best in his people. He lets them do their job to the best of their abilities, like O'Neill does with you. A bad leader quashes the spirit of his subordinates and manages the small details." Teal'c eyed Carter. "O'Neill was in fact letting you do your jobs, only intervening when you went off on a tangent."

"We learned all that in Officer Training Classes. We learned to delegate and not to micro-manage our subordinates." Carter reflected on the situation with O'Neill. "Are you saying that General O'Neill did that with us? He seemed so re-active not active. I just thought he was going along with the flow until he got lucky and found the right opportunity."

"O'Neill and this woman see the goal, not the small tasks." Teal'c nodded and smiled back at her. "Very few people can even imagine the bigger picture, much less devise a way to make it happen. Getting many people to work toward the success of the bigger picture is very difficult. If it were easy, there would be more generals."

"Jack would rather be out in the field. And now he has the chance again with this alien. She is using him and he lets her because he hates being behind a desk." Sam would not be appeased.

"You underestimate them both. Both have the vision and the courage to see not what is but what could be." Teal'c got up. "Lady Anna does not concern herself with today or tomorrow or next year, only with many decades, perhaps centuries. Such a leader is rare and valuable."

"You really believe that?" Sam wondered aloud. "But what about Jack?"

"I believe O'Neill suspects or he would not waste his time. But he is naturally suspicious. He and the President are the only ones who can imagine what she has to offer. That is why the President sent so many experts to her, why he harbors her." Teal'c shook his head in wonder. "But the President has treated her badly. She has the patience of a Jaffa."

"How do you know her vision is not to conquer us?" Sam was curious. Teal'c had never before discussed leadership issues with her.

Teal'c thought a moment. How to make her understand he wondered. She hated the woman too much. "I have listened to her words. I have observed what she has built. I have learned about her society. It does not seem that anyone here has listened or learned, except for O'Neill. He sees the possibilities. The rest are too afraid." Sam had never heard Teal'c speak so long or so well about anything. His admiration for this woman must be immense.


"Right, okay. Got it." Jack hung up with Landry. He and Lady Anna were in the Medical Bay on the starship 'Daniel Jackson.' "Seems your boy managed to get away from the group and speak directly to Landry. He believes that your double is trying to replace you and that the conspiracy goes way up high in your clan. He needs to hear from you that you are fine and that he is correct."

"Well, that sounds more like the Captain. Besides, I know him. To be certain, I want him to have a medical scan." Anna got up from the medical table.

"Already done at the SGC by the medtechs there. The results have been sent here for comparison. I am having him transferred elsewhere off the base to a secure location where we can talk. With these tags, you could be detected if you go to the SGC. And, there is still the possibility he is a zatarc or is controlled by nishta."

"I understand that a zatarc is someone who is mind-controlled by Goa'uld pre-programming, Jack. But what is this nishta?"

"Nishta is an organism Goa'ulds secret. It's delivered by exhaling then it infects your body to make you controllable. So I want you come but stay at a distance. I don't want to trigger a zatarc situation or get you infected. If he is a good guy, we can go through with the charade about being off world. No sense in the bad guys knowing we are on Earth." Jack buttoned up his jacket after the examination.

Anna addressed the chief doctor. "Have a medtech accompany us to scan Captain Amos' DNA to identify him. I expect your report the instant the tests are done. Lord O'Neill's baseline data is available to us from the Pentagon. Please, avoid the SGC for now." With that, Anna and Jack disappeared to the planet.

They reappeared at the Air Force Hospital in Colorado Springs. In the room secured for their arrival, Anna looked around and smelled the chemical hospital smells. She wrinkled her nose.

"What?" Jack noticed.

"Oh, I forgot to take my nasal desensitizer. The smells are very strong here." Anna spoke into the computer softly and a medtech appeared with the medicine. Jack watched intently. She seemed to get immediate relief.

"Nasal desensitizer?" O'Neill and the Chief Medical Officer were curious. Dr. Lam held out her hand to sniff the drug.

"Yes, I have an acute sense of smell. It's part of the DNA manipulation heightening our sense of smell, hearing, and taste." Anna nonchalantly looked at the Spartan conference room. 'It is so sad that they had to live like this,' she thought.

"Are you saying that you have to do this just to be around us?" Jack knew he spent a lot of time with her in close quarters. The effects of the tag or whatever it was were more pronounced in close quarters. "What about around me? Do you have to do that around me?"

"Oh, no, My Lord General. I never meant to suggest that you were offensive to me in any way. Quite the contrary, I enjoy being with you. This has more to do with high levels of chemicals in this building. Could we go outside, perhaps?" Anna was still suffering and made a motion to exit.

"Wait just a moment, so you don't normally do this around me?" Jack knew he was on to something.

"No, not just for you. Actually you are the one person who is most pleasing of anyone on this planet." Lady Anna offered him a smile and a nod to be polite and gracious. And then it hit her. She walked up to him and sniffed. Something made her feel good. Better than good. "Let's go outside a moment away from these chemicals while we wait." She took his arm. He did not object.

Before going outside, the staff brought big overcoats and a blanket to them. Once outside they walked a piece away from the others to a bench and sat down. Colorado Springs in December is quite cold. Snow was on the ground. Anna moved closer to O'Neill to take advantage of his body heat. Anna regarded him a moment more and moved closer. "Jack, I think I have figured something out."

"What?"

"Jack, you smell really good to me. I mean really good."

"Well, thank you ma'am." He smiled a small smile.

"No, I mean unusually good." Anna couldn't help moving closer. He noticed. A small breeze blew her scent towards him. He caught himself staring at her. She smelled so good. Actually, he remembered thinking that very thought many times. Jack leaned over and sniffed at her head. 'Wow, she smelled good. She looked good too. And she seemed so gentle and soft.' He wanted, what did he want to say? There was something, it was on the tip of his tongue. He was completely distracted. So was she. Anna blew on her hands to warm them. Jack took her hands in his to warm them up.

"Do you see that, Dr. Lam?" The medtech indicated the two on the bench enthralled with each other. "Our Lady and Our Lord General are in love. We are surely blessed by God himself." He smiled broadly. Dr. Lam had other ideas. She walked over to the two.

"Um, excuse me, sir, but we have a problem." They hardly reacted to her. "Sir, General O'Neill." Dr. Lam watched him react in irritation at being disturbed.

"What?" Jack was totally confused.

"Sir, what are you doing?" O'Neill could not answer her. He didn't know. He looked up at her with a blank look. Anna was equally oblivious.

"What?"

"Sir, I think I know a side effect of this tag. You asked me if I knew how someone or something could be affecting your judgment." Dr. Lam had to call his name again. "General O'Neill, I said I know a side effect of this tag. Look at the two of you."

"Dr. Lam, really, you should not interrupt us when we are conferring together. You will please refrain." Anna was at her imperious self, getting good and irritated. And then she realized what the doctor had said. She looked at Jack who looked at both of them in his confusion.

"What?"

"Sense of smell, sir. You two are reacting to smells. It's some weird side effect of the tags." Dr. Lam indicated they were sitting very close. "See how you are close together. We've been watching you have quite a reaction to each other since she sprayed her nose."

"I think that's it, Jack. She's right." Anna moved a little away. Jack felt uncomfortable with that movement.

"Sir, smell is one of the most profound triggers in the human mind. Certain smells can cause people to remember long lost childhood memories." Dr. Lam waited for them to focus. They were trying hard. It seemed difficult. "And, we know that a person's scent is linked to their immune system. People are attracted to other people who have a different or complimentary immune system, not to people with the same. These scents are located on the face or on the hands." She pointed to Anna's hands still inside Jack's.

Anna and Jack just looked at each other with surprise. Then they waited for Dr. Lam to continue. Then they realized they were holding hands and let go.

"When we speak of two people having chemistry together, it is literally true. Biologically, it makes the species stronger to cross breed different immunities not the same. Also, scent is an indication of health. The sense of smell is a key component in deciding who will be our mate. Females tend to find the healthiest male specimens to produce the most viable children who have strongest immune systems." Dr. Lam stepped back. "We have discovered that the brain processes the information in the frontal cortex. And we have recently discovered that humans have tiny vomeronasal organ (VNO) receptor pits inside their noses at the septum about an inch inside. When the receptors react, the person doesn't consciously think about it. A person just gets a feeling of well being if she gets the right smell or is put off by the wrong one. You two probably don't even realize what you are doing."

"But what do we do about it, doctor?" General O'Neill was losing patience. This explanation was as long as one of Carter's.

"I believe this tag or whatever it is, causes you both to have this extreme reaction to one another. Sir, I'm just guessing, but the use of the nasal desensitizer allows her to exclude conflicting scents and just concentrate on yours. You aren't using it but you are male so it works differently for you. Tests have shown that males react to smells differently than females but not too differently. The key here is finding the way to remove the tag or discovering the mechanism at work to defeat it."

"Let's go inside, it's cold and we need to look into this more." Anna said to Jack. Jack stood up fighting the urge to put his arm around her and keep her close. Oh yeah, something weird was going on here. And for once she didn't seem to be the culprit. What a shocker.


Sources:

Smell and human attraction: Psychology Today

Isotopes: Wikipedia/isotopes

Patriot Act: Wikipedia/USA Patriot Act

European Judicial System:

wikipedia/International Court of Justic

wikipedia/europol

wikipedia/Interpol

europa.eu.int/institutions/court

europa.eu.int/institution/jha

europol.eu.int/

"Stargate SG-1" and its characters are the property of Sony Pictures MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp., Showtime/Viacom and USA Networks, Inc. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations and story are the property of the author(s), and may not be republished or archived elsewhere without the author's permission.