Star Granger Season 5 - Chapter 9
Thoughts
"speech"
"Goa'uld speech"
SG SG SG SG SG SG SG
December 11th 2002 - Moon base
I'm engulfed by daddy's hug as soon as I step off the rings. He beat mum by a step, and she has to wait for him to let me go before she loses patience and pushes him away to take his place.
Behind them, Harry is looking at me impassively.
I want you to notice
When I'm not around
So fuckin' special
I wish I was special
Mum finally sets me free and it's Harry's turn. His lips are soft and eyes tender.
"I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?" I tell him softly, and earn another soft kiss, and a shade of a smile.
He still loves me!
"We need to discuss Anubis, director Potter," I add softly.
"I've watched Captain Deignan's memory," he answers quietly. "I'll need to see yours."
Many are here to welcome me back. It hurts to notice those who aren't. There is also a change in the mood. It is almost tangible. People are quiet. Muted. Reserved?
"Let's go home?" Harry offers. "When did you last have a home-cooked dinner?" he asks with a small smile.
"Actually…"
Once I found my way off Anubis ship and to a planet with a Port, I made my way to Ishta's village. It was the only place I could think of with both an accessible Port I knew the address for, and a way to contact home. Locals were happy to see me and welcomed me with quite a feast. Apparently, ROUS are an actual thing, and roasted over open fire are considered a delicacy on some planets. To my undeveloped English palate, though, it was, how to put it delicately? - Rather minging.
Mark me disgusted.
On our way to the rings we meet Luna again at the observation cafe. She's having tea and feeding crumbs of biscuit to this strange and rather large yellow and blue caterpillar. They seem to be having quite a friendly whispered conversation.
"Don't ask," Harry whispers to me, but I can't hold myself.
"Who's your friend?" I ask.
Luna smiles at me brightly.
Like a ray of sunshine in this gloomy place.
"Everyone can see the Nargels now!" she answers, all excited.
I turn to Harry, rather alarmed. "Don't ask?" he repeats, quite exasperatedly. "I'll update you back home," he adds softly.
Next to the rings we find Sam and this Jonas bloke having an animated conversation with one of the Tria's engineers.
"You lads just saw this contraption," the engineer's tone of voice clearly reveals his opinion of such undertaking. "And decided it's a jolly good idea to go and turn it on?"
"This thing turned itself on as soon as we approached it," Sam tries to defend their professionalism.
"So, your next best move was to manually handle it?" he asks.
I'll give it to Jonas - he looks properly sheepish.
"There's a reason the universe is multi-phasic, yet most beings are not," the chap lectures on. "Where did you find the rudy thing, for that matter?" he asks. Naturally, the combination of letters and digits Sam quotes tells the Lantean chap bugger all. He goes on and taps Sam's answer into a nearby post, then a loud snort escapes him.
"Something funny?" Sam is clearly not amused.
"Nothing like that," the Lantean placates her, still clearly amused by his findings. "This planet you visited used to host a research institute, before the migration," the chap explains.
Cough escape, cough.
"Let's just say that no reputable scientist has ever come out of that place," he elaborates. "Did you find any other devices of interest, while there?"
"Only other thing we found was sand," Jonas answers.
"Good, good," the Lantean engineer replies, giving Harry a look that clearly conveyed that the place should probably be better scanned, sometime soon.
"Take me home?" I whisper to Harry. "I need a shower."
Home is waiting for me with a warm, freshly cooked meal of some of my favourite dishes - much to Harry's chagrin. Dobby is the dearest, but Harry was really looking forward to cooking for me himself.
"You can help soaping my back, later," I tell him softly. He does - gladly. I didn't quite understand Harry's prolonged showers when he came back from being 'lost'. Now, I have to practically force myself out of the shower.
Harry bluntly refuses my requests, demands, and pleads for an update.
"Come to bed. I'll hold you," he tells me tenderly. "There's time enough for updates tomorrow."
Bed's too comfortable to sleep…
It's the middle of the night, and just when some semblance of sleep finally catches with me, when a mobile buzzes. I lie with my back to Harry, wide awake, and listen.
"Harry," he answers.
"Replicators?" he asks.
"I'll be up in ten," he answers and disconnects. Then sighs.
I'm up sitting immediately, but Hurry stops me. "Don't worry about it," he tells me. "Get some more sleep. I'll be back as soon as I can." And within a blink of an eye he's gone. Clock is showing 03:24.
Bed's still too comfortable to sleep…
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here
I toss and turn for a while. Then, in desperation I set free all of my memories. Surprisingly enough, it helps, sorta, and I fall into a fitful sleep. I wake up with a start, covered in sweat, and shaken by a forgotten dream.
Clock is showing 05:47.
Sleep won't come back; Harry's at work; and I'm in the kitchen in search of breakfast. Unsurprisingly, a warm full English is waiting for me on the table.
"Thanks dear!" I tell the empty room softly, and Dobby appears.
"Dobby be worried," he rebukes me, and I can only hug my dear little friend, and smile tenderly.
"I've missed you too,"
December 12th - Shoreditch
Seeing that Harry, my parents, and all my friends are at work, yet I'm forbidden, I dress well and go out to the streets. It's bright if freezing outside. Some say it's the perfect London weather. Most others prefer springtime. I start my walk at the Old Spitalfields Market. We have lived around here for five years now, and It's only the second time I visit this lovely place during a weekday. It's a Thursday, though, and everything opens early.
When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily
Oh joyfully, playfully watching me
This early in the morning, the place is camera free and very few people give me a second look. I let my feet carry me through the maze of stalls, browsing here and there. You will never catch me in a fur, but,
Humm, leopard jacket.
I can't stop myself and buy me a yummy sushi pyjamas. Seller is certainly amused. I also pick myself my first mulled wine for the day. I'm a tad embarrassed when offered a flower by the florist.
"Have a nice day as well," I answer.
I go on my wandering ways, through alleyways and High-Street to Boundary Gardens. I always loved it here. There was even a thought about moving here, when a nice flat came out to the market.
But honestly - why bother?
I take a seat in the gazebo and watch the sun rises above the red brick houses.
I spend the rest of the morning walking the streets, looking at street-art and browsing little shops on my way.
I don't remember the last time I had the chance to do such a thing.
Naturally, my legs are leading me along the canals on my way west, till I finally find myself standing in front of Beatrix's home in Islington. It is most probably the last place on Earth I want to visit at this exact moment. I angrily wipe away a few tears that escape me and take a cab home - all mood ruined.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable
Oh clinical, oh intellectual, cynical
"I'm glad you're feeling better, miss," the news-stand owner tells me kindly, when I stop for today's Financial Times.
What?!
My surprise is probably showing, since he browses about and with a satisfied exclamation, shows me yesterday's Sun. There, just under the fold, is a few months old picture of me, under the heading 'Off for a secret rehab?'
I can't help myself, and a loud snort escapes me. "Just been to a remote research lab for about a month - sorry to disappoint," I deadpan.
The owner smiles ruefully. "Right miss," he replies. "This is good news to hear." Apparently, the pride of London's choice journalism had me on my deathbed, by a variety of incurable illnesses; having a complicated abortion; running away with a secret lover; getting over my broken heart; and naturally - hidden away in various rehabilitation institutions, for various addictions.
"Lovely," I remarked and amuse him. "Mum probably kept copies for me to read."
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
Please tell me who I am
There's a soft 'pop' from the hall, and soon after I hear Harry's voice from behind me.
"Kim Possible?" he deadpans. If he's surprised by the pyjamas I'm wearing - he doesn't show it at all.
"Professor Dementor just nabbed off with the Trans Dimensional Vortex Inducer. Drakken is trying to nick it from him." I explain without hesitation, or shame.
If the 'director' doesn't allow me to work…
"We can probably do with a Trans Dimensional Vortex Inducer at this point in time," he shrugs my boredom. I don't even bother to turn away from the telly.
"You should go away for a week or about," he adds softly. "Koh Tao should be lovely at this time of the year?" This gets my attention, and I turn to him with a clearly hopeful look upon my face, only to see him grimace slightly. "Sorry," he adds. "It takes all that I have, and a lot of support from the Prime Minister's office, just to protect R's office from the Royal Navy. Nevermind everything going on in this galaxy and the next."
Right Mr Director…
"What was it, last night?" I ask softly, and Harry sighs heavily and rubs his face.
"An update?" he asks me reluctantly. And I nod.
Just as reluctant to hear it.
"Anubis attacked Abidos," he tells it plainly. "Destroyed the docking pyramid looking for something. Killed the whole population." Harry looks twenty years older, saying this.
"Poor dears!" I exclaim in shock. I don't, didn't! know anyone there personally, but Jack and Sam must be gutted.
"We sent a division, and SGC sent the Prometheus when the word came, but by the time they reached Abidos, there was nothing to be done." he details. "Not that we can fight Anubis' fleet directly without extensive Asgard support. Certainly not this close to Earth," he adds tiredly.
"What else happened in the last month?"
I'm actually afraid to ask.
"We lost Bel'dun," he keeps giving me the bad news.
And I'm lost for words.
He was a good friend!
"What happened?" I whisper.
It was this horrible Dakara idea. It actually went according to plan for a while. Generally speaking, the planet was left to itself. Slaves, Jaffa, and priests went their usual way, labouring, oppressing, and looking for the lost temple, while several relatively low-level Goa'uld bickered about in orbit, neither having the forces to actually control the place.
The free Jaffa arrived in orbit with their decent fleet of Ha'tak and Al'kesh. Rather easily cleared orbit from the five-six bickering capital ships, and gladly declared Dakara, the sacred birthplace of the Jaffa race - free.
Then, instead of leaving with the fleet, as the plan dictated, that twit, Gerak-one-R persuaded the crew of the ship he was on to land on the palace's docking pyramid, publicly declaring himself leader of the Jaffa nation and ruler of the planet. He also accused Bel'dun of being too cowardly to stay and protect 'the Jaffa land'. All this sent the Jaffa fleet into total disarray. It sadly also attracted the attention of a few of the real powers in the galaxy. By the time order in the Jaffa fleet was regained enough for any kind of action, Dakara's orbit was already swarming with fleets sent there by Sokar, Bastet, and Svarog, declaring each one's sovereignty over the planet.
For a short while, Bel'dun held his own, using the superiority of his Anubis donated Ha'tak to try and cover the retreat of as many of the Jaffa fleet ships as possible. Then Anubis' fleet arrived and it all went down the tubes.
"He died trying to protect his retreating ships from Anubis' fleet," Harry explains. "Gerrak got out with only five of the initial eleven ship fleet they came to the planet with."
For a while, I find nothing to say. "One-R twit?" I finally ask.
"First ship destroyed."
Not that it's of any consolation.
We just sit quietly, sipping our tea.
"Beatrix declared you her will's executor," Harry finally tells me softly.
"Me?!" I all but squeak.
He smiles bitterly at that. "Wrote something about you being reliable, and uninterested," he remarks. "You will need to meet with her solicitor, sometime soon. The Prime Minister told me the Earldom is going dormant, at least for a while. There's a fourth cousin, twice removed, somewhere in Canada, but it's not clear if he's eligible, or even interested. I understand that a large part of the estate goes to her butler. You'll need to meet with him too. Otherwise, most of it goes to the guys." Harry summarises and I feel sick.
"Went for a walk this morning," I tell him softly, in a way of an answer. "Found myself in Islington, in front of her home."
Once again we sit in silence, each one lost in his own thoughts. "What was the emergency with the replicators last night?" I finally ask.
Harry sighs. "Apparently, the replicators are back on the offensive."
This is alarming news!
I'm probably looking alarmed since it earns me a somewhat bitter smile. "The Asgard still manage to keep them at bay, but they are more organised as of late. The replicators also gained some sense of urgency to their actions. Almost as if they're desperate or some such."
Desperate mechanical buggers?
"We have no explanation for this," Harry answers my unasked question. "In any case, the Asgard warned us about a group of replicator ships on their way here to Avalon. Had to scramble and try to stop them before they could gain a beachhead, though no one had an idea just how one locates a fleet in the void in between galaxies. Nevermind just how we might go about destroying those ships. We certainly lack the number of torpedoes needed for such an adventure." He sighs.
"Victoria took most of the fleet, but we were lucky and there were a few Asgard divisions, returning from missions and patrols in the Milky way. They handled most of the locating and lifting. Victoria says she has learned quite a bit, though" he tells me.
"The replicators will try again," I remark softly, and receive no reply.
"Calvin and Keira reckon they are looking for Neutronium outside Asgard control." Harry adds.
I nod in agreement. "Might be it," I shrug.
"Good thing is that the replicators probably don't know where Neutronium is available here in Avalon," Harry goes on with the explanation. "Asgard told us that there isn't an abundance of it here, in any case. We thought about posting sensor satellites at the very few planets the database noted as a source, but it will take years. Also, Jeremy's afraid we'll just point the replicators the right way, doing this." And again I can only nod in agreement.
"That's how most of your days are like?" I ask.
"About," he agrees. "I try to put down as many of the fires as I can. I do my best to guard R's inner office from the forces of Her Royal Highness' Navy - mostly by sitting there. Went for lunch the other day and found Admiral Boyce at my table when back, boldly stating that 'he couldn't find a free office'."
I look at him incredulously at that.
"Make sure to lock the door ever since." He adds. "I also do my best to stop the Navy from doing anything too stupid. Victoria and Peers are good people, but Peers always wanted to be more proactive, and Admiral Boyce wants us to go the Invincible and Inflexible way."
I roll my eyes at this. Wasn't a good idea, even back when Britain was great, and mostly ruled the seas.
"Peers doesn't have the will to stand up to Boyce, especially not when there isn't someone he truly respects in the inner office."
I reply with a rather incredulous look, to which Harry just shrugs.
"Anything else interesting to tell me?" I ask and can't quite hide the sarcasm from my tone of voice.
Harry actually looks uncomfortable for this. "MET looked for you." he tells me softly and moves to give me a soft hug. "Wanted your statement for the 'The End' case. Also wanted you to hold an identity parade for the barman. Had to set him free without your formal statement."
"So," I ask with quite a bit of depression. "A whole month long and no good news at all?"
Harry gets this grim smile on his face as a response.
More of a grimace, truly.
"Well, someone offed your dear friend the Senator, just before your return. Does it count?"
Thanks Merlin for small mercies…
"Better the devil you know?" I ask in response.
December 13th 2002 - Clapham Common gardens
"Clapham? Honestly?!" Jane asks R in her cultured way.
R just rolls her eyes at this.
Jane's misgivings regarding R's new abode aside, she has no problem at all playing 'aunty Jane' and holding young Jade tenderly in her arms. "Lovely," she sighs softly.
"Are we gonna run, today," I ask them exasperatedly, "or are we here just to freeze our knickers off." Both are looking at me with narrow eyes now.
See if I'm bothered.
Still, Jade is laid in his sport pushchair, and we begin our warm-up. Now, generally speaking, I can hold my own these days. But Jane is obviously in peak form, and R is bored out of her mind since giving birth, and had nothing to really do, but try and return to her former exceptional form. I, on the other hand, have just spent a month on Anubis' ship, hardly being able to show my face outside my hidden cell. It takes only three short miles for me to start dragging behind, while both dear representatives of Her Majesty's security services are trotting lightly in front of me, like elegant gazelles.
"Would you like to cut today short?" R's calling to me from ahead.
"You shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself," Jane agrees. "I can do my six miles tomorrow."
"I'll run with you," R offers her.
"I'm alright, girls," I call back after the two bints.
Jane turns towards me, not bothering to stop running for this. "Right," she smiles. "See you at the cafe", and they both pull even farther ahead of me, still not showing any indication of an effort.
Showoffs!
Half an hour later I enter the cafe, drenched and puffing, to find both sipping their tea, nibbling their muffins, and chatting, while Jane is feeding little Jade.
"Bottles?" I ask in mock shock.
"Struggled with breastfeeding for a month, till finally decided it's not my cup of tea," R replies with no regrets at all.
"But," I feign my shock, "You are missing the whole point of motherhood!"
"Right," R answers dryly. "We'll discuss it again after you've gained some 'field' experience."
Jane smirks at me, still holding Jade tenderly and feeding him.
I can see R looking at her pensively. "Isn't it time you retire from field work?" she asks gently and earns a narrow-eyed stare in response.
"Not everyone gets an inner office at thirty, Wren" Jane remarks coolly.
"Still, saving the realm by doing fieldwork is for the young," R tells her, pointing at me.
I feel old suddenly.
Jane holds the stare for a short while longer, then sighs tiredly. "Ellie is retiring in eighteen months' time." she tells us. "We talked about trying to live together then."
"Here or across the pond?" R asks smirking
"Depends on which one of us is offered the larger desk," Jane replies dryly.
"Find the largest desk you can, and I'll offer it to you tomorrow," I tell her openly.
Tea and scones for elevenses is a delight.
Tables around us are full of young women having their tea with their friends. Most with little ones in pushchairs and carriers. One woman recognises R and comes to our table to see just how big Jade got in the last week. For just one moment, I can understand living in nappy-valley.
Not really.
Then the door opens and three people walk in. Two men and a woman. All three in decent, but inexpensive work suits. All three don't belong. I notice R tenses in her chair, still smiling and sipping her tea. Jane keeps holding Jade yet posts the bottle on the table to free her right hand. I just look at the three as they look around, notice me, and slowly approach our table.
Certainly not wizards.
"Miss Granger?" the man on the right asks carefully.
I give him a small smile and a nod in response.
"I am Detective Chief Inspector Escott," he introduces himself. "Those are Detectives Oldham and Dotson. We are with the Metropolitan Police," he also presents his partners.
"Is it about the club's bartender?" I ask. "I've just come back home. I was about to get in touch with you, honestly." They certainly look uncomfortable with this, though.
"You are under arrest according to an international arrest warrant, on suspicion of the murder of the US Senator Robert Kinsey." The inspector tells me levelly.
WOT?!
"You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence." he goes on telling me.
"Kinsey?" I ask incredulously. "When he was murdered, I wasn't even on…" And I stop myself on time.
Bollocks!
"DCI Escott," R intervenes in the conversation with a soft tone. "I'm Director Rose Smith, of MI5. Miss Granger here has quite a good alibi for the time of the said event." she remarks levelly.
"Miss Granger will then have to present it in her interrogation," the inspector replies plainly.
"The thing is - it's rather classified." R adds.
The inspector looks between us, clearly disturbed. He then looks reluctantly at Jane, who is still busy bouncing a smiling Jade on her knee. She flashes her MI6 ID and winks at the detectives beside him. He then clears his throat uncomfortably.
"All this will clearly need to be handled at the station. Would you please come with us, Miss Granger?" He asks me, and I nod reluctantly.
"I'll call Stefan," R tells me.
"I'll bring you a clean change of clothes," Jane adds.
"Tell Harry?" I ask.
This is such a cock-up...
AN:
You might have noticed that I've started to post this story weekly. This is since it was edited by both my beta in full. Huge shout, once more, to flyboy38, my beta, who takes the time to make sure the story is a much better read. Also to Dalwolf For doing Brit-Picking for, well - you all, and help my British characters stay British.
I am eternally grateful!
