Stargate Revealed: Power & Politics, Part 14
by Livi2Jack

Summary: Jack is a hero again. The President's plot is revealed. The Goa'uld are on the way. Sam pays a heavy price.

Rating: All Ages

Category: Action/Adventure, Drama, Humor, Mystery, Point Of View, Other

Related SG-1 Episode(s): 703 Fragile Balance, 817 Reckoning, Part 2, 901 Avalon, Part 1, 902 Avalon, Part 2
Related Atlantis Episode(s): 201 The Siege, Part 3

Featured Characters: Jack O'Neill, Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Hammond, President Hayes, Jack's Clone.

Author's Note: Spoilers for Season 9+.

Feedback is requested.


Chapter 14: Eve of Battle
From Virgil, through Dido,

"against my will, my fate,
A throne unsettled, and an infant state,
Bid me defend my realms with all my pow'rs,
And guard with these severities my shores."

Lady Anna had to consider her next line of action as to present affairs. She was now sufficiently powerful and partly secured from immediate dangers by having armed herself in her own way. In a great measure, she crushed those forces in her vicinity that could injure her if she wished to proceed with her conquest of the Goa'uld. She ordered executed all the persons involved in the conspiracies and their families. Never let little vipers come back for revenge for killing the big vipers. Lady Anna had the king in custody. Next, She had the Religious Council arrested for treason. Her domestic situation was resolved. But her new alliance with Earth was not secure.

Lady Anna reached sovereignty by popular favor. The mob loved her even if the nobles plotted against her. She was their champion for trying to protect them. The King was despised for being weak and unprepared for the complete destruction of a whole planet by Apophis. After that disaster, Lady Anna prepared for seven years afterwards. By being popular and prepared she had those who would obey her. Lady Anna was a powerful and courageous ruler. She overcame difficulties by giving at one time hope to her subjects that the evil would not be for long, at another time fear of the cruelty of the enemy. As a result, her people were ready to follow her. She had laid her foundations well.

And through those seven years of preparation, she never acted to oppress her people, however much she bent them to her will. Because men, when they receive good from one of whom they were expecting evil, are bound more closely to their benefactor; thus the people quickly became more devoted to Lady Anna.

Such was the case in the Commonwealth and on Earth. For both expected Anna to be harsh and to take without giving. Her actions surprised many, including President Hayes and General O'Neill. No other ally had ever acted in such measure as to arm them with powerful weapons. True, the Asgaard had given Earth shields for two ships, transporters, and technical assistance. But they retained the right to operate any equipment given by them to protect themselves from less advanced peoples such as Earth. In contrast, Anna gave and offered much more. She gave the SGC the means to secure the Earth Stargate from intruders and alien germs. The Lady saw need and so gave medical devices. She found unwanted alien surveillance and gave security devices. Most of all, Anna offered the means of independent action. She offered to refill the Ancient Chair weapon. She offered power sources unrivaled in the known galaxy, two Z.P.M.'s. The Lady had already given them one ZPM, but she offered two more to Jack O'Neill.

Such offerings secured the alliance between Earth and the Commonwealth against the Goa'uld. However suspicious the Earth government felt about her, President Hayes had to acknowledge her actions had on the whole been positive. He was not so sure about her judgment. The particle tags had compromised her and O'Neill. Setting the bait for the new System Lords at Earth was extremely disquieting. Knowing that her defenses were not complete did not help. But she did have a powerful fleet at the ready and that counted for a lot. How they would perform was another question. These people were new to warfare. He did not doubt her resolve, just her competence. As an ally, Hayes and his advisors had to make her aware of this limitation and offer help, because the fate of the planet depended on this battle. The alliance was very young.

In the White House Red Room Tuesday morning, Lady Anna conferred with President Hayes after the broadcast back to the Capital of the Commonwealth. She tried to conduct a meeting to put everyone in agreement about the coming battle in two days with the Goa'uld. Her forces were prepared. Her Solar System installations were mostly complete. But the Ancient Outpost in Antarctica had the best weapon of all, the Chair Weapon. The Chair could only be activated by someone who had the special Ancient Gene. And this one also needed a power source and a re-supply of drones to use. One problem was solved since O'Neill had the Ancient Gene. He was the most adept of anyone who did have it. But Anna had the means to re-fill the weapon and give it the necessary power source.

"Ma'am, that is quite an offer. You would really refill the Ancient Chair Weapon knowing we could use it against you?" President Hayes was shocked.

"Sir, I am aware that you have made your own plans to assassinate me. I heard your duplicity. Proposing to send enhanced nuclear devices against me, O'Neill, my ships, my bases, and a diplomatic embassy do not speak well of your character." She noted the surprised looks on the conspirators. "Yes, and Lord O'Neill is aware too. It is a shameful situation in front of the most honorable man alive." Anna regarded Hayes archly. There was only silence in the room. General O'Neill kept an impassive face. He was first and always a subordinate of his Commander-in-Chief.

Anna's presence and gravitas filled the room. Her charisma was tangible in her indignation. She said no more, instead letting their thoughts try to find a resolution. Mostly, they could not believe that she really believed her own press about O'Neill. From their point of view, he was a loose cannon and sometimes a yahoo commander. They were the ones who promoted him out of running the SGC as a reward for defeating the Goa'uld and the Replicators, not because he was such a good general. Clearly, she saw something they didn't. But now, with the tags compromising both of them, no one knew what Earth's exposure really was. Instead of remedying the situation their duplicity created, they united against the pair and closed ranks. O'Neill's loyalty was now suspect. Her motives were entirely questionable. But she did seem to have the upper hand.

"Ma'am," began the President. "I should have realized you would conduct surveillance. But that does not change my responsibilities to my people to secure them against any threat. You do pose a threat. And denying us the protection of the Asgaard could be construed as a hostile act. The fact that you say you are willing to defend us makes us wonder why. Why would you all of a sudden be willing to protect a planet you never knew three months ago? And why are you so intent on creating a permanent presence here with your financial interests and property holdings created in such short order? We have to think that you have a proprietary interest in this planet. And if you do, we must oppose you. It is our duty."

"Um, sir, I can explain if I may offer an explanation here?" Dr. Jackson raised his hand and politely interrupted. They all turned to look at him wondering why someone so junior in this delegation dared speak at such a pivotal moment in such august company. Lady Anna was the new Regent, effectively the monarch of an empire consisting of 26 planets with 38 billion human beings on them. Her realm contained more than six times the total population of Earth! The White House had never before hosted someone so august. Dr. Jackson was only staff to General O'Neill. But Jack was glad Daniel was here. And so was George Hammond. They hoped that maybe Daniel could diffuse the situation. Both men realized they were all on the clock with the Goa'uld fast approaching.

"Go ahead, Dr. Jackson. If you think you know." Hammond decided to intervene. He knew Daniel to be correct most of the time. In Hammond's opinion, the others at the meeting were just angry at having lost control of the situation. He looked to Lady Anna for permission. She nodded her head to proceed.

"Well, it goes like this. Ma'am, I think you are trying to do this for religious reasons. Am I right?" Daniel looked to her for confirmation. He got it. "Lady Anna told us from the beginning four things. But we weren't listening. First, she wants Jack above anything else. Second, she wants the Ark of the Covenant. Third, this is the Holy Mother Planet. And most importantly, she is the "Judge of All the People." All the people, that means us as well."

Murmurs of uneasiness went with the men shifting their positions in dismay. Daniel waited a moment before continuing to let them settle down. Hayes gave them a sharp look that said 'knock it off.'

"Go ahead, Dr. Jackson," President Hayes encouraged. "I want to hear this."

"A judge in this context must protect the people. It is a sacred duty, not just any duty. She believes she is commanded by God himself to do this. Am I right, Ma'am?"

All heads swiveled over to Lady Anna with disbelief on their faces. She patiently regarded them for the primitive naughty children they were. The men said nothing but were obviously disturbed. Did they have some religious kook holding the fate of the planet in her hands? Daniel began again.

"If you read the Old Testament Book of Judges, there is a story how a woman named Deborah, who was a Judge, called a man named Barak to come and help her lead the troops against a powerful enemy oppressing the people. Deborah and Barak were from different tribes. But they worked together and won. But Barak would not help if Deborah as Judge did not go with him. He said to her, and I'm pretty much quoting this: 'Where you will go I will go and where you will not go I will not go,' said Barak to Deborah. And she said, 'Then I shall surely go with you not withstanding the journey that you take will not be for your honor for the Lord will give Sisera, the captain, over into the hands of a woman.' That's nearly a quote." He had their attention now.

"The story goes that Deborah and Barak gathered an army of 10,000 soldiers to fight against a king with 900 chariots of iron, high tech for those days. Deborah took a contingent on foot to the gates of the king's city and lured out his forces. Then she pretended to retreat and made them follow her. They raced after what they thought was a small band of amateurs. But they were destroyed by the waiting army of 10,000 at the foot of Mt. Tabor. And that's what Regent Anna just did here. She has lured the Goa'uld after a seemingly unprotected prey and set an army to wait and trap them. And it had to be here at the Holy Mother Planet. Regent Anna and Jack are from different peoples who both believe in the same god. So, Jack fulfills the prophecy as her 'Barak' or general."

Daniel gave a small smile and nodded to the Lady. She nodded regally back to him. He was absolutely correct.

"We are pleased the old Teachings are known here, Dr. Jackson. As you say, we have more in common than we realize." And then she turned to Jack. "Remember how you said to me those very words? 'Where you go I go. But if you won't go, then I won't go? Togetherness cuts both ways,' was your expression. It was prophecy fulfilled that day in the aircar. I knew then we would prevail."

Everyone's head swiveled back to O'Neill.

Jack was floored. His mouth opened and moved but no sounds came out. Daniel was right? This was some nutty religious situation? Comparing the Goa'uld to a force of chariots? And then it hit him that she wouldn't have done this without him. None of this would have happened without him. No wonder she wouldn't let him go too far from her.

"So you think I'm like this 'Barracks' guy?

He knew he really was the lynchpin in the deal for real. Unbelievable.

"Did you do the tags to keep us together, Ma'am?"

"No. I did not. And I don't know why we feel compelled to stick together. Lord O'Neill, even before I came here, I knew you were the one I needed. I never expected to find your company so compelling." Anna looked at each person of the assembly. "Now, I know what I HAVE to do. Gentlemen, do not stand against me."


As the sun rose over Washington, DC that December morning, a man went for a stroll along Pennsylvania Avenue. Seeing his way blocked, he passed around the perimeter to better observe the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the most famous address in the world. From the position on H Street at Lafayette Park, he observed the activity on the grounds. At the front of the building, on the steps leading inside stood his quarries, Lady Anna, General O'Neill, and the President of the United States.

'Well, wasn't that convenient? They were all in one place together. Excellent. Intelligence information was accurate for a change.' He continued his stroll casually observing the show on the brightly lit stage. It was cold so he turned up his coat collar and stuck his hands in the pockets of his coat. No one could see him transmitting the information.


"Sir?" Lt. Col. Samantha Carter saw General O'Neill exit the Red Room conference. He had been in there a while. But she needed to speak to him. So she waited. Sam was there to oversee the interface between the Anubis' new com system and Earth based equipment used to make the historic broadcast to the Commonwealth.

"Carter. Good job." He pointed to the Blue Room where the next broadcast would be made. He looked around anxiously then back at her. She looked around as well. No one was close by.

"Jack, we need to talk."

"Does it have to be now, Carter?" He was looking down the hallway.

"Yes, we haven't talked in days. You've been with that, well, her." Sam was pretty ticked off. "Don't you think the whole thing is, well, weird?"

"Yes, I do. Satisfied?" Jack started to move down the hall.

"Jack, you could take a minute to hear me out."

"That's, sir, to you in public, Carter." He saw the door he was looking to find. Impatiently he said, "I have to pee, Carter, that ok with you?" And he walked in to the powder room marked 'Men.' She went straight on in with him. Another man hurried to finish washing his hands and ran out. Jack just gave her a look and went into a stall. Another man came in and saw Sam, got confused and went back out. He came back in.

"Get out. Now!" Sam barked. "Go find someplace else. Then she locked the door. "We're alone. So, JACK, what the hell has been going on? You are acting like a lovesick puppy. All you men are just doing whatever she asks. It's Hathor all over again. You are in trouble because of that woman." No answer. "I know we think it's the tags. But tests are coming back finally. It's been what, four days? And we think that our people were tagged a long time ago. Records from well before her first contact indicate we were all tagged. We are running some more tests. But, Jack, it doesn't explain this, oh I don't know, crush you two have on each other." The stall door opened. O'Neill went to wash his hands. He left the sink running and turned on all the other sinks. Then he eyed her. She hit the air dryers to start them. The more noise, the more private the conversation. Someone was banging on the door.

"Closed for repairs. Find another." Barked Sam, again. "So, what exactly is going on?"

O'Neill looked at her trying to decide what to say. He never knew what to say. She saw him working at it. Nothing came out. It was just so infuriating. He could shoot his mouth off under heavy fire from Jaffa and have nothing to say here. He just looked at her. How could he tell her what he just discovered? It was all so weird. She was just a Lieutenant Colonel. This was stuff for the brass not her.

"Sam, it's 'need to know' only. Don't worry. We have it under control." She gave him a disgusted look. "So I am ordering you to figure out the tags. We think it was done by the Asgaard." That surprised her. "And you can't call them to find out. That's an order too."

"Wow! I never thought of the Asgaard. It would make sense though. They always seem to know where you are." Sam's mind started to whirl but she wasn't getting the answer she wanted. "I don't understand how subatomic particles could make you two so attracted the way you are. It shouldn't happen that way. If they…"

"Ack, Sam, just take care of it. Figure out a way to stop it, block it, or render it useless. I don't care which." Jack hit another air blower again.

"You may have done it again, Jack." She looked up amazed.

"What? And I'm glad to help when I can."

"Block it. That's the answer. If I can put you two in a really intense magnetic field or a field that would block neutrinos from flying around, then maybe we could sever the link."

Sam started to tell him more when Jack waved his hands in front of himself. It was the usual gesture to say, no more, enough. He hit two more dryers as they stopped.

"Right. Mum's the word." More intense pounding on the door made them turn their heads toward the sound.

"Fine, make the Nintendos stop. Carter, maybe we had better," he made the hand motion to exit ladies first. She nodded and took one more look at him but he was already right behind her almost colliding with her. He reached out to steady them, hesitated, and unlocked the door. The expressions were enough on the waiting faces. "All fixed, the plumbing, nice work, Colonel." Sam's genuine startled look of disbelief was comical. He smirked, nice diversion if he thought so himself.


A warm breeze blew through the open balcony door. The moon was out shining brightly. The young man could not sleep. Thoughts of a woman stole sleep from his eyes. All he could think about was how to have her. What he would do with her. It was driving him crazy. He kept imagining her face. What did it look like? Well, sort of a cross between Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, in their prime. She was beautiful, delicate, intelligent, and feisty. 'Well, that certainly dates you pal.' Jack chuckled. Thinking some more about it, he couldn't think of any recent female stars that would compare.

Ack, what was one woman more or less in this world? The world was filled with pretty women, interesting women, available women, but why her? She wasn't even blonde. He liked tall, independent, intelligent blondes. Always had. 'That kind of thinking will make me crazy,' Jack reminded himself. 'I wonder what she is doing this night. I wonder if she wonders about me?' Jack couldn't remember the last time he was so infatuated. Consumed, compulsively thinking about her, Jack lay there listening to the waves break on the shore.

"Jack," a soft soprano voice called to him sleepily. "Come to bed." Slender arms reached up to embrace him. He sank down on the bed taking her in his arms. She was so soft. She smelled so good. The eyes beckoned to him. He needed no more invitation. Gentle kisses began on her sensual mouth. He buried his head in her breasts. She sighed lightly from his weight.

"Jack," he heard another voice. From nowhere he felt someone--- else. Someone he knew well. Someone he wanted more than anything. Warm breath on his ear felt sweet. As he turned to see who it was, his eyes flew open.

"Crap! Ack!" Jack realized he had spent the night on the balcony and was lying soaked through from the rain. He had a stiff neck and that wasn't all.


"Okay, now what?" Jack wanted to know why people were scurrying towards him. He nodded to Carter and turned to face the commotion. Then he heard it. People were screaming. Shots rang out. He dove for cover behind a large piece of furniture pulling Sam down with him. In the White House, they had been relieved of their side arms for security purposes. Jack and Sam looked around for something to use as a weapon. No luck, he had to do something fast. He was about twenty feet away from the Red Room where the President and Lady Anna were still meeting. The screams were coming from just about there.

"Sir, my com link says there's an assassin, maybe an ashrak, in the building. He's taking out everyone in his path with an unusual weapon. He just made it to the Red Room." Sam got up to make her stand running to defend the President.

Jack heard himself screaming 'nooooo!' "Damn it Carter, I have a shield. He activated it and charged after her. The ashrak heard them. He pivoted and aimed from his fingers. Jack saw it all in slow motion. Sam took a glancing shot just before he could reach out to push her behind him. She fell backwards, her blood spurting up towards the ceiling. He caught her before her head hit the marble floor. The ashrak aimed at Jack to no avail. The shield held.

Jack got up and charged forward yelling for everyone to get down. The doors to the Red Room slammed open as the ashrak moved inside. Not being able to take down O'Neill, he went for the next two targets. His orders were alive if possible. So it wouldn't be possible. He aimed for her head and shot. By that time her shield was up. He aimed at the President. Some kind of barrier prevented the shot from making the target. In a flying leap, Jack tackled the man. Secret Service Agents piled on both of them. The ashrak managed another shot, which killed one of the agents piled on him from the front. A groan and then a sagging body testified to the kill. Jack grabbed a weapon from one of the agents and pulled the trigger. The head exploded. The rug would never be the same.

"A zat, give me a zat quick!" Jack demanded to no one in particular. His outstretched hand received one from a Secret Service Agent, who had been prepared to use it on Lady Anna. Jack stood up and used it three times. The body disintegrated. O'Neill looked to see the circumstances in the room. The people were in shock. But no one else seemed to move or make a threatening play. He held both weapons outstretched making sure the room was secure. "He could have also had a bomb. No one in or out." Jack moved to the door. "We need an ambulance. Carter is down. Go." He started to stride out the door.

"NO! I go with you." Anna was on the move. She caught up running. "You, over there, used your shield for the President. Move!" She plunged out the door holding some kind of device in her hand. Where it came from he didn't want to think about.

"You stay in there. I don't need the distraction." Jack shot back over his shoulder to her.

"Shut up. You need someone to cover your back. I'm here. That's an order." Anna half walked sideways to see behind. "Here take this." Anna held something out to him. He took it without looking. "It's a naquadah detector. My forces are sweeping the building for anyone else or a bomb. How the hell did this one get through?" She shook her head. "Damn primitives."

As he walked down the hall, Jack swept the area with the device. Nothing beeped. Jack got back to Sam as medics arrived. Both of them stared down at the uniformed woman lying in a pool of her blood. Jack's heart was in his throat. Sam's eyes moved to his. Clearly she was bleeding to death. Jack knelt down at her head to stay out of the way of the medics.

"Don't you die on me Sam," he choked up and looked at the medic who was not happy. Anna was saying something softly. Jack looked at her. She shook her head.

"The force field is on. We can't get out before someone deactivates it. I ordered it done, but the President's security is refusing. They think there could be more in the building, or a rocket could land here." Anna's heart went out to him. She spoke softly again and seemed to be listening. Anna shook her head again.

"Idiots." The medic shook his head and looked at Jack who was holding Sam's head. She had passed out. The medic stood up. Anna pushed him out of the way.

Jack looked at her like she was nuts. She had something in her hand. A glow appeared under her hand. Jack watched in despair. Sam gasped without opening her eyes. The effort was taxing Anna. She had to stop.

"What is that?" Jack nodded to the device.

"It's a variation on a Goa'uld hand healing device. We think it uses some principle of Ancient technology." Anna moved to try again. Sam's body convulsed. "It's not working so well. It's not good for this kind of wound, Jack." Anna was tiring out. "Here. I can't anymore." She gave it to Jack. "Hold it so the smooth side faces down, like this." She adjusted it in Jack's hand and positioned it over the wound. He didn't know what to do. "Just concentrate." He closed his eyes and concentrated as he did with Ancient technology. It sort of began to work.

"Jack, take my hand." Jack startled. At a time like this she wanted reassurance? "Oh just do it." Anna held out her hand as she knelt down. He held out his to steady her. Anna put her hand on Sam. But Anna leaned on him. His efforts weren't working. Anna grabbed his hand to reposition it and the thing glowed like a sun. The medics jumped back. The guards raised their weapons. It seemed like hours but it was only minutes. By that time, Daniel arrived to see what was happening. He pushed his glasses back up his nose as he skidded to a stop. Interesting, he thought. Sam opened her eyes with comprehension. She was breathing normally. The gurney arrived to take her down in the basement where the White House keeps an operating room for the worst-case situation. Daniel held them back.

"They, she, they, they, don't disturb them." He blocked the medics. Then the device went dark. Anna and Jack slowly regained themselves. He looked down to see Sam looking up and smiling at him.

"Thank you, sir."

"Sam?" He smiled back.

Anna collapsed backwards and hit her head on the floor. One of her attendants moved to prop her up. She was knocked out cold.

"Somebody move her to a couch or something." He motioned at Anna. "Sam, how are you feeling?"

"Not bad, Jack."

"Feel like moving?"

"No, not just yet. I want to rest a while."

"Ok, shows over, go, do whatever it is you do. Secure this area and continue sweeping the area. MOVE!" He ordered in command voice. The crowd dispersed. "Someone deactivate that force shield. We may be able to save some of these folks if we can get them to the ship." He stood up and took one more look down at the two women. Then, he moved off to deal with the situation, never noticing he was covered in blood and gore.


"This is Kendall Cross at the CNB News desk bringing you this breaking bulletin. A lone gunman got into the White House early this morning and tried to assassinate the President and his guest, the alien leader, Lady Anna of the Commonwealth. They are both unharmed. However, Lady Anna fell in the scuffle and hit her head on the floor. She is receiving medical attention. Major General Jack O'Neill who was attending the meeting killed the assassin. This marks the second time in a week that assassins have breached security at the White House. It is not known how the gunman managed to get into the building.

Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter was shot trying to tackle the assassin. She was severely wounded. Medics at the scene managed to save her and the others shot as the assassin made his way through the main hall to the Red Room. Here now is footage taken by the camera crew on site to interview Lady Anna in the Blue Room this morning."

A whispered voice over began to the film. "This is Emmett Bregman in the White House as a mad gunman is shooting EVERYTHING that moves. We are in the Blue Room which is adjacent to the Hall where the man is shooting up the place and next to the Red Room where the meeting is being held with the aliens…." The camera panned to the hall from a floor perspective through a crack in the door. Shots and running figures came through on the feed. The nation saw Lt. Col. Samantha Carter make her dash to take on the gunman and get blown back by the blast. The report continued as General O'Neill made his running tackle into the Red Room. A shaky handycam shot caught the action in the Red Room from the doorway to the Blue Room. O'Neill tackled the bad guy as Secret Service Agents ran forward. Then the figure of General O'Neill was shown standing, covered in blood.


Sources:

Old Testament, Book of Judges, Chapter 4 especially, verses 8 & 9 and Chapter 5. http/ http/en. size1 width100 noshade>DISCLAIMER: "Stargate SG-1" and its characters are the property of 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.