A/N: As promised since this morning's Interlude was very, very short. Since I have now caught up with the other site where I'm posting this story, I will be moving to updating this story every other week to synchronize posting schedules across the two sites.
Very little changed after Sujanha's bombshell explanation for why the Furlings truly hated the Goa'uld so much and her summary of the recent history of the Furlings and why they had not been able to step in to deal with the Goa'uld before. Days and then weeks marched on. Armed, in part, with the information and gate addresses Daniel had provided, scouts were sent out. Among many other tasks, their job included searching out the Free Jaffa and the Tok'ra.
Life on Uslisgas continued on, busy with preparations for war. Sujanha spent long hours and longer days at her desk, relentlessly working at planning for a war that would sweep across another galaxy … for hopefully much, much less than 3000 or so years. (A war that long was still hard for Daniel to simply imagine.) As the days passed and as Daniel spent more time helping her or just sitting with while he studied the Furling language, he became more aware—or she's not trying to hide it anymore—of the tells that spoke of the lingering effects of the Enemy's poison: pained noises, tea that was actually medicine, tremors … which explains why she asks someone else to take notes for her if she doesn't record a meeting.
How severe her condition was, Daniel did not know, but her comparatively easy manner and movements on Gaia seemed to have been the exception that proved the proverbial rule. That being said, she seemed to manage well on a day-to-day basis with some aids, like her holographic screen, recorders, and beaming technology. Even when she was obviously hurting, Sujanha, dutiful almost to a fault, soldiered on, making detailed plans and going over the nitty-gritty matters that a general of corresponding rank in the USA likely would have left to subordinates quite a bit down the food chain.
With great power comes great responsibility, as the old saying goes.
If it wasn't for entertaining me, I think she might not even have a life outside of work.
Anarr—Sujanha's brother … not sure whether he's older or younger, though … and the current Supreme Commander of the Furling Army—passed through his sister's office periodically, sometimes multiple times in the same day and other times at intervals several days apart. He looked almost identical to Sujanha, which also made him one of the Maskilim, one of the two main-subspecies of Furlings, except that his limbs were much more proportional to his body and his eyes were pure gold, instead of the pure black of the Asgard. Anarr spoke a little English and always greeted Daniel politely, but his conversation was mainly reserved for his sister. He seemed quite reserved and grim. Given what Sujanha had said of the Great War, Daniel really did not want to imagine the horrors he had seen on the front lines.
From what I know of her, I don't think either of them leads from the rear.
And then there was Anarr's bodyguard … a sentient … grizzly bear-sized tiger. A telepathic, sentient, grizzly bear-sized tiger. That had been mind-blowing … after Daniel got over being scared out of his wits.
There had not been bears … or tigers … anywhere near any of his dig-sites in Egypt. Snakes, yes. Scorpions. Daniel had even seen more than a few nasty crocodiles down on the banks of the Nile. But bears or tigers, never! Not outside of zoos.
Understanding more of what drove the Furlings, Daniel went to great lengths in the ensuing weeks to be helpful to Sujanha, splitting his time between learning about the city (and his way around it) and taking up residence in her office. Sometimes helping her entailed answering more questions about the Goa'uld Empire and the Systems Lords, plumbing the depths of his memories for any tidbit that might be useful. Other times that just entailed getting her a new mug of tea or telling her something good about his friends on SG1 and his time with them or about his time on Abydos with Sha're, when she needed a distraction from work, from battle plans.
Sha're.
His wife was never far from his thoughts, either, and what she must be going through as a host, how she was suffering, caused most of his nightmares. The Furlings had given him more hope that he might find her and Skaara one day, might see them freed and safely reunited with him, with each other, and with Kasuf on Abydos.
All those missions, I never found her, could never help her, but now …
As the weeks ticked by, Daniel was ever mindful of his promise to Kasuf to return in an Abydonian year. I was supposed to come back with Sha're. That's not going to happen, but I need to go back, tell him I'm trying, tell him there's still hope. Keeping track of the day he needed to go back required trying to convert times between multiple calendrical system. Abydonian to earth, which was familiar, and then earth into Furling, which was less familiar, but he had a specific date pinned down.
Now all he had to do was wait.
4th of Vysad, Winter, 6544 A.S.
(c. May 8, 1998)
Uslisgas, Asteria
Daniel had arrived on Uslisgas toward the end of fall—the season of fading, as the Furlings called it—when the trees had turned more glorious colors than he had ever seen on earth. By the time the one-year anniversary (by Abydonian measurements) of his departure from Abydos grew close, fall had turned into winter, and the ground soon grew thickly covered in snow, making Daniel glad for the heavy coat he had bought on his first shopping trip. He had faced colder temperatures in Chicago—bless the freezing and boiling points of water for helping us compare units of temperature—but after spending a year plus on Abydos, his body's thermostat seemed to have changed, and everything cold seemed colder. It had been like that on earth, too, before all this had happened.
On the morning of that anniversary, Daniel woke from a pleasant dream, a dream of being back home with Sha're on Abydos, a dream where he had never reopened the Stargate, where Skaara and Sha're had never been taken. Sometimes those dreams were almost worse in their own way than the bad ones where he saw Sha're being helped from the carrying chair by Apophis, seeing her in those gauzy, gaudy garments that were such a far cry from her practical, homespun dresses.
Daniel knew that he had to go back to Abydos. He had promised his father-in-law that he would try his hardest to bring Sha're back. For now, he had failed. Sha're was still a prisoner, but Daniel had hope now with the Furlings at his back that eventually Sha're would be free. Once he found her, the Furlings could keep her safe until the Goa'uld could be removed. There would be no threat from the NID, from Maybourne, from 'disappearances' into government facility for tests and interrogations. Daniel had hope, and he could try to give Kasuf hope. He could tell Kasuf that he had not given up.
"I can go off world, right?" Was the first thing Daniel asked Sujanha as he padded into the kitchen, dressed for the day but still feeling somewhat groggy. It was mornings like this that he wished there was coffee available.
Sujanha looked up from her tablet and glanced at him, her black eyes full of stark confusion. She set her tablet down first—she was working over breakfast … again—and then the spoon with which she had been eating a bowl of what almost looked like oatmeal … except oatmeal never came in THAT color on earth. "You went off world yesterday, Doctor Jackson," she said slowly.
(Daniel had grown used to eating a lot of new foods and dishes the last two months. Some were very unfamiliar compared to earth or Abydos. Other seemed very similar, except for differences in color or flavor.)
Why, yes, he had. (He had explored multiple planets these past weeks, and the previous day he had visited a planet closer to home: Numantia, a planet in the same solar system as Uslisgas, where the Furlings buried their dead. One could learn a lot from how a people cared for and treated their dead.)
This was again an instance of his mouth getting in front of his brain. Listen to what I mean, not what I say. "Sorry, sorry," said Daniel, slapping a hand across his eyes in annoyance, not that Sujanha would recognize what a face-palm meant. "That wasn't what I meant. I need to go back to the Milky-Way today. It's really important."
"Not to Midgard, I hope, for your own safety?" Said Sujanha, her mind probably turning to the warning his teammates had passed onto him through Lya.
"No, to Abydos," Daniel replied, plopping down into a seat across from her at the other end of the kitchen table. "I promised my wife's father that I would try to return with Sha're a year after I left. Today is the day that they will unbury the gate. If I don't go back today, I might not get another chance."
"In a hostile galaxy, traveling off our bases or allied-controlled worlds is generally restricted to the military, for safety's sake. Elder Brother and I concluded that, until we know more fully of the spread of the Goa'uld, it would be unwise for non-fighters to go…wandering." Sujanha replied, fumbling slightly at the end for the appropriate English word. Her English was almost perfect within the scope of words Daniel knew and could share, but now and again she still fumbled for or stumbled over a word. "If you think Abydos is a safe world and will take an escort with you, I think the risk should be limited. Do you think we might be allowed to scan the cartouche?"
Elder brother … well, that answers whether Anarr is older or younger than she is.
Elder brother. That's a somewhat strange form of address, at least in English. It might be normal in Furling, though.
(Daniel's grasp of spoken Furling had expanded greatly over the past two months, but for extended conversations, it was easier and faster to stick to English for the time being.)
"As long as your guards at least look human," Daniel said carefully and apologetically, "No offense, but guards that looked like you would provoke some reactions you do not want." The Furlings looked like they had stepped out of a religion textbook or a movie, and such species were rare in the Milky-Way.
The only ones I can think of are Unas and Nem's people.
"Of course, that is easily arranged. We had to do such when sending out scouts," Sujanha nodded, "Would you expect to stay on Abydos longer than a day?"
"No … well, probably not," Daniel hedged.
"Go prepare to leave once you have eaten. I will have guards ready to accompany you in an hour."
Fifty-three minutes later, Daniel entered the large hall containing the Stargate. (Once somewhat infamous at the SGC for perpetually being late to meetings after getting distracted with a book or a new artifact, Daniel was now much better at being on time.) He found that his two escorts were already waiting for him. Score one for Furling efficiency, since I'm early. Both men looked human to his eyes. Considering the apparent commonness of half-blood, hybrid sub-species in Asteria, they could actually be human, a near-human race like the Boii, or a half-human, half-Furling who just looked human. I'm probably neglecting a few options. The one on the left had a small box tucked under one of his arms.
The one without the box first saluted him and then stepped forward to greet him, as behind them the gate began to dial Abydos. "I am Ovitix. This is Rasik." He said slowly in heavily accented English, motioning first to himself and then to his companion. "We are assigned to you as guards today."
"And to look at the cartouche?"
"Yes, I will guard. Rasik will look."
The Stargate opened with a whoosh and a splash, and the three made their way through the gate, Ovitix first, Daniel in the middle, and Rasik at the back. In the depths of the pyramid of Abydos, the Stargate chamber was empty when they arrived. It seemed to Daniel almost as if no time had passed at all since the 'good old days.'
Daniel looked around, drinking in the familiar sights of his old home. It did really seem for a moment like he had never left. Yet, there was the distinct lack of bodies, reminding him of the stark contrast to the last time he had been here. The memories of that last day were too close and yet so far in that moment: Sha're and Skaara missing, Ferretti badly injured, the screams of the wounded Abydonians, the mourning cries for those who had died in Apophis' attack, which wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gotten curious about the cartouche and unburied the gate.
Suddenly, from the edge of the room, there was a noise. Rasik and Ovitix stiffened, though no hidden weapons appeared … yet. Kasuf, who somewhat more aged than a year prior, appeared a moment later from behind a pillar. Without a MALP to give him a clue, he would not have known for certain who was coming through the gate, though the date would have made it likely that it was Daniel.
Kasuf seemed startled to see Daniel in company not of the Tau'ri, so Daniel hastened to say, "Don't be afraid, good father. These are Rasik and Ovitix, new companions of mine. They mean you no harm."[1]
Both bowed in the typical Furling fashion, but neither spoke. Ovitix spoke only limited English and knew no Abydonian. I haven't even had to teach the Commander or Ragnar or Ruarc any. From his utter silence even during the introductions in the gate room, Daniel guessed that Rasik probably spoke no English at all. Kasuf returned their greeting and spoke the traditional words.
Now came the hardest part for Daniel.
He finished descending the steps, leaving Ovitix and Rasik at the top of the steps but out of the way of the kawoosh if the gate were reopened while they were there. Daniel knelt before his father-in-law and, looking him in the eye, pushed aside his mingled feelings of guilt and hope and said, "Good father, I ask your forgiveness. I have returned without your daughter."
"So it is." Confusion replaced Daniel's other feelings as Kasuf spoke. Of all the things Daniel had accepted Kasuf to say, that had never entered his mind.
Confused but still resolute, Daniel pushed on. "I fear that my search will continue for many seasons, but …"
Kasuf nodded brusquely, interrupting Daniel's words, and began to turn to leave with an indifferent, "Come!"
Uh …
Even more confused, Daniel rose. "My companions wish to see the cartouche chamber. May they have your leave?"
Kasuf paused and turned back, voice still brusque, "I will send a boy to guide them. Now come!"
Utterly flummoxed by this strange reception—I've failed. I said I would return with Sha're, and I've failed, and this is the reaction I get. It's like he's not even hearing me … or something. It was totally unlike Kasuf—Daniel turned quickly to Ovitix, "Kasuf will let you see the cartouche chamber. He will send someone to lead Rasik there."
Ovitix nodded and spoke quickly to Rasik in Furling, his words torn away by the noise of Daniel's footsteps on the stone floor as he ran to catch up with his father-in-law. The walk through the hallways that lead out of the pyramid was familiar, so much so that Daniel thought he might almost be able to navigate these halls blindfolded he had walked them so many times. Just before they stepped outside into a world of blazing sun and burning sands, Ovitix caught up with Daniel, who had himself just caught up with Kasuf.
Kasuf led the way toward the village, hurrying at a pace that was quickly making Daniel even more concerned. This entire visit so far was off. Kasuf was acting weird.
What is going on?
Even Ovitix seemed to notice something weird was going on, if the confusion and slight wariness in his face were anything to go by. He could have just been reading off of Daniel's body language and concerned face.
The sights and smells of the village were familiar as Kasuf led the way, threading his way through a medley of animals, tents, cooking fires, workbenches, and many people, young and old. Finally, they reached a large tent, which was draped in cloths that were dyed red and tan. Kasuf ducked in first, past the door-hangings that were tied open to let in the light while it lasted.
Daniel followed his father-in-law into the tent without hesitation, his bodyguard a step behind. The inside of the tent was dark, even with the light coming from the fire pit and the sunlight streaming through the 'door.' A woman with dark hair, dressed in traditional Abydonian garb, sat on the far side of the tent, half-turned away from the door, her face hidden in shadow. Hearing the group's arrival, however, the woman turned, revealing her face.
Her very familiar face.
A face that Daniel had seen in his dreams (and nightmares) so many times.
Daniel felt his heart stop.
It was Sha're.
It was Sha're.
Daniel had spent a year searching for her, hoping to see her freed from the Goa'uld who had taken control of her body.
But now, now she was here, here on Abydos, here of all places.
He blinked, resisting the urge to pinch himself or scrub at his eyes in case he was dreaming or hallucinating. "Sha're?!" Daniel said, stunned beyond belief. He could barely believe what his eyes were seeing.
Sha're rose to her feet, revealing her abdomen rounded heavily with child. What the h**l? At her movement, Ovitix stepped forward and half-in-front of Daniel, shielding him with his own body. Daniel finally noticed what he really should have seen before: Ovitix was wearing thick metal gauntlets on both forearms just as Commander Sujanha, Ragnar, Ruarc, and many others at Headquarters openly wore. Considering she had said that the gauntlets were the modern version of the Goa'uld hand-device, which contained a personal shield, the gauntlets almost certainly contained a personal shield, as well.
Joy at seeing his wife mingled with confusion and a sense of growing dread.
Then reality fully set in for Daniel.
This couldn't be Sha're, wouldn't be Sha're. Not truly. Amaunet might look like his wife, talk like her, speak like her, act like her, but Amaunet would never, ever be Sha're. It was Amaunet looking at him, not his beloved wife. Just as a monster manipulating her body like a glorified puppet on strings.
There was a long pause before Daniel, starring across the tent wide-eyed, could bring himself to speak again. Grief, relief, and anger warred within him: grief at what Sha're was suffering mentally and physically at the hands of the Goa'uld; anger at knowing that it was not his beloved, strong, brilliant wife looking at him through her beautiful eyes but a Goa'uld. And yet there was relief, relief to see her again. The last time he had seen her, she had been dressed up in finery like a Goa'uld queen, but now she … the body … looked … physically well … mostly … tired … but she … the body … looked okay.
How Sha're must have been struggling mentally, locked in her own mind, starring out at Kasuf, at Daniel, as Amaunet spoke and acted like her. (Daughter or not, Kasuf would have not accepted her if she had come striding in like a System Lord, and Daniel had seen no sign of Jaffa, no sign that the village was under threat or being held hostage.)
She was pregnant.
The body was pregnant.
Sha're had been raped. She had been violated by the snake controlling her body and now sexually. Daniel had been powerless to protect her, and locked inside her own mind, Sha're would have been powerless to resist.
That only added to the level of horror.
"Kasuf, we're in danger," said Daniel finally, fighting to keep his voice level and relatively calm, "How long has she been here?"
"More than a season," his father-in-law responded immediately, confusion clear in his voice and face.
"What?!" replied Daniel.
Not good.
Not good.
So, so not good.
"Why are we in danger?" Kasuf asked, his puzzlement evidently becoming stronger the longer this unexpected conversation went on. As far as he probably knew, his daughter had returned. Now his son-in-law had returned, and this confrontation should not be happening.
Even as Kasuf was speaking, Amaunet moved from her place, half-concealed behind him, around his other side, until she was standing only a few feet away from Daniel himself. "Husband!" Her imitation of Sha're's mannerisms and accent were horrifyingly, gut-wrenchingly good.
Ovitix shifted uneasily at Daniel's side. The arm that he had thrown up when he had moved in front of Daniel, preventing Daniel from moving forward or someone from moving toward Daniel, he had slowly lowered after a minute when there was no immediate danger, but he still stood so that Daniel was still largely shielded by his own body.
"I am Sha're's husband. Who are you?" Daniel replied. It took all his strength to keep his voice level, to not let it break like his heart was breaking.
"My Dan'yel, please!" Said Amaunet in a pleading tone, full of fake confusion at her husband's actions. She took a small step forward, then a second. Everything about her screamed Sha're, but Daniel knew that could not be true.
In response, Ovitix raised his arm again in front of Daniel and took one step back, forcing Daniel to do the same, but drew no visible weapon, his actions purely defensive. Who knew what instructions Sujanha had given him?
Amaunet recognized the guard's actions for what they were and retreated to her father's side, heartbreak and grief in her face and expressive dark eyes. Masquerading as Sha're, the Goa'uld queen was putting on a wonderful show. Obviously convinced, Kasuf put a comforting arm around his daughter's shoulder, scowling at Daniel as he asked, "Good son, do your eyes not see?"
I know what my eyes see.
And I know what my eyes can't see: the symbiote wrapped around her spine, manipulating her like a puppet.
"Sha're has been taken by a Goa'uld. A demon now lives within her. One of great power and evil," Daniel replied, his words sharp and curt, anger finally leaking in through his control. The whole situation had thrown him for a loop, and the longer the standoff went on, the more confused he was getting. He was not sure how it could not be Amaunet standing across from him, but the pain and grief in Sha're's dark eyes at his reactions and words seemed sincere.
Could Amaunet have left her?
Could this really be Sha're?
It couldn't be.
Can it?
Kasuf turned to his daughter, who bowed her head, unable to meet his eyes for shame, another emotion that seemed all too sincerely real and not at all faked, even by a master deceiver. "He speaks the truth, Father," Amaunet … Sha're? … said in a shaky voice.
"But you said you returned to me." Questioned Kasuf, stark confusion plain in his voice.
"And I have," pleaded Sha're.
"Stop it!" Daniel snapped in a harsher tone, his emotions brimming. With his focus on his wife, he had almost forgotten his guard's presence beside him, an uneasy presence in this uncomfortable and potentially dangerous family drama … depending on who this really was, his wife returned or Amaunet trying to deceive them all. "Okay, just stop it. You can't fool me. I know what you are. I've seen what you are."
"Please, believe me!" She begged, her eyes begging for understanding, her face torn with grief.
"No," Daniel shook his head.
"The demon sleeps because I am with child," Share's eyes were shiny with unshed tears. When Daniel did not reply, she continued, her voice breaking, "Hear me, husband. The Goa'uld that has stolen my soul is called Amaunet. She sleeps for the sake of the child."
"Why?" Daniel forced the question past the lump in his throat.
"If she awakens, the child will come forth, stillborn."
Finally, Ovitix spoke in a low tone to Daniel, the first words he had spoken since leaving Rasik at the gate. "No news of scouts has said of Zukish[2] children among Goa'uld masters."
In a split second, Daniel made the horrifying mental jump, "Apophis is the father?" He asked, his voice full of horror and disbelief.
Sha're broke down into tears, which begin to trickle down her cheeks, "Yes."
"Is Apophis here?"
Ovitix tensed at the question.
Still sobbing, Sha're shook her head, "He has hidden me away. He does not want to reveal the true purpose of this child to his enemies." She buried her face in her father's shoulder as soon as she could force out the words.
"What true purpose?" asked Daniel. "Sha're! What does Apophis want with a human child?"
Finally, Sha're raised her head and, in a voice that shook with tears, replied, "He wishes the child to one day become his new host."
Daniel, stunned beyond belief, struggled to comprehend this new bombshell. He felt like he had been kicked in the stomach. The depth of depravity to bring a child into the world just to make it your host was staggering.
But why?
What was the point?
If Apophis needed a new host, why wait the years it would take for the child to grow up? Why not pick one from one of his worlds? Between all of his worlds, there had to be some human slave that would fit his fancies for what his host should be.
I wish Teal'c were here. He could help explain … all this.
And why does Apophis not want the other System Lords to know about his plan?
None of it made sense.
"Is that true?" He asked, wanting, needing confirmation. When Sha're didn't reply, he prompted her, much more sternly than he really meant, "Sha're, is that true?"
Sha're nodded her head, unable to bring herself to speak.
Outraged, horrified, angry, and sick but unwilling to vent his feelings on his wife who was the victim in this whole convoluted mess, all Daniel could do was retreat, leaving Sha're, Kasuf, and Ovitix in the tent. The sand seemed to suck at his feet, turning his steps into a trudge, as he walked away from the tent and took a seat on a nearby dune, starring moodily into the distance. He ran his hands through the sand, letting it trickle down through the gaps in his fingers, as he tried to figure out what to do next. Several minutes later, there was the sound of intentionally noisy footsteps, and then Ovitix folded himself down onto a seat on the sand next to him.
"I'm sorry," Daniel said after a long silence, scrubbing the cuff of his sleeve across his eyes to dry his tears, "that you had to hear all that."
Ovitix was quiet for a long moment but finally responded slowly, "Much was said I did not understand. What I understand, I speak of to none without permission."
"Thank you."
"In a few moments, I will take word to Rasik with news. He will take word back to the Commander. She must know of this." He rose. "I will come back soon." Ovitix quickly departed towards the Pyramid, though whether he was actually physically taking word to his partner or just trying to find a quiet spot to send him a message, Daniel did not know.
Daniel stayed outside, sitting on the sand for a while longer, trying to get his temper and volatile emotions back under control. This whole day had thrown him for a loop. The lead up to the day had been bad enough, not being able to bring Sha're home to her father, but then coming back to find her here? But Sha're's freedom was only temporary … until her child was born, and she was pregnant.
And you think you're having trouble absorbing all this?
It had to be a thousand times worse for her.
Get back in there.
The way you were shouting, she probably thinks you're angry with her.
To be a prisoner in her own body, forced to helplessly watch the atrocities that Apophis or Amaunet committed, forced to have her own body used for violence or sex against her will. However horrified Daniel was by the mere thoughts of those events, Sha're had lived them.
Those thoughts drove Daniel to his feet. He dried his eyes one more time and polished his glasses on his other sleeve, more for the calming motions than anything else. Long strides then took him back across the sand, and Daniel ducked back under the door-hanging and into the shadowed interior of the tent. Kasuf was sitting by the fire, starring into its depths, and Sha're was sitting at the far side of the tent, her back toward the entrance. She did not move or turn around or, really, even make any sign that she recognized that Daniel had returned.
After patting his son-in-law kindly on the shoulder, Kasuf departed silently, leaving Daniel and Sha're alone. What do I say? What do I do? Even as Daniel hesitated momentarily, Sha're rose from her seat but kept her back turned. Her shoulders were curled, her whole posture defensive. I caused this. I snapped at her. Daniel was kicking himself now.
"You hate me," she whispered.
Daniel's heart broke. He hated the emotions that his hasty words had provoked, and he hated seeing the changes that a year in captivity had wrought in his wife. "No, no. I love you," he replied, pouring all his feelings and sincerity into his voice, "I could never hate you."
"Will you forgive me?"
Quick steps brought Daniel across the tent to Sha're's side, and he pulled her gently into his arms. "There's nothing to forgive."
Uslisgas, Asteria Galaxy
Same Day
The hour for the midday meal had come and gone, and Ruarc was contentedly sprawled in a chair in his commander's office, his belly pleasantly full of meat. In her chair on the other side of the desk, Sujanha was sitting, head propped up on one fisted paw, moodily scanning through reports. Whether her sour mood was spawned from her not feeling well or from her being concerned about Daniel being off in Avalon, he wasn't sure. Or it could be from the reports she's reading, or a combination of all three, or none of the above. She had been muttering to herself earlier, including a complaint about someone's composition skills … her brother again? … and the problems inherent in someone's plan for something … Ruarc had not been paying that much attention to what she was saying … if she specifically wanted me to know or wanted my opinion, she'd have made that clear. Sujanha had then slipped out of Furling and then, some minutes later, had fallen silent.
A knock on the open door-frame broke Ruarc from his thoughts and jolted Sujanha's attention out of her reports. It was only Asik, tablet in hand and concerned frown fixed firmly in place. Internally, Ruarc was kicking himself for not hearing Asik move and approach the door. Yes, they were on Uslisgas. Yes, they were at Headquarters, and yes, Ragnar was in the outer office between any potential problems and their commander.
But I need to be paying more attention, good meal or not.
Sujanha's sharp gaze snapped up, focusing on Asik with nerve-inducing intensity, "Problem?"
Asik nodded, "A report just came in from Rasik on Abydos. Sha're is there."
Shouldn't that be good news? Ruarc wondered, pushing himself upright out of his sprawl. How is that a problem? It was shocking that after all the time Daniel had spent searching for his wife that he would find her when returning home to tell his law-father that he had not found her.
"What?" Was the usually articulate and largely unflappable Supreme Commander's shocked reply.
Though … the timing is suspicious. Ruarc felt a hint of worry, and he could feel the beginning swell of battle-focus[3] starting to push away his sated-tiredness.
Asik nodded and glanced down at the tablet he was holding, probably referring to his notes or the specific words of the message sent. "Yes, Commander. Ovitix had sent word to Rasik that Sha're is on Abydos in the village. She is still a prisoner of the Goa'uld but in temporary command of her own body. Her symbiote … it …" his voice trailed off in stutters that did nothing to alleviate Ruarc's growing sense of unease.
Ruarc glanced over at Sujanha. There was worry in her dark eyes, and her ears flicked back to lie flat against her skull.
"Take a seat, Asik," Sujanha said calmly, gently, "Say what must be said and have it done with."
Asik took the offered seat beside Ruarc and then slowly forced out the rest of the story, "The System Lord Apophis has made her with child, a child that when grown, he hopes to make his new host. Sha're's symbiote sleeps until the child is born, which should be soon, so that the child does not die in the womb. Apophis has hidden his queen away to protect her from his enemies—apparently even his enemies would think ill of his actions—and he knows that she is on Abydos. There is no immediate danger, but Ovitix request guidance."
Are there no depths to the depravities that the Goa'uld can sink?
Bringing forth your own son to make him your host!
It was an act so repulsive that Ruarc felt sickened at the mere thought. The thought of what Sha're was facing was just as bad. To face rape without the means to fight back, to be forced to bear your captor's child, to know that your freedom was only but for a moment, and that your own child would face the same captivity and horrors as you … it was a fate beyond imagining.
"Maker have mercy," Sujanha breathed out the prayer, one paw going tight around the arm of her chair. She took a deep breath, her mind almost visibly spinning. "There are two urgent things that must be done. If she and Doctor Jackson are willing, she should be brought here. I doubt that there would be time for judgment and for the healers to be ready to attempt to a removal before the child comes forth, but this will be a less dangerous and less traumatic method … for both of them … of bringing her into our care than capture in battle. Since Apophis knows that his queen is on Abydos with his child and future host, he will return to find her and soon, or if one of his rivals finds out that she is vulnerable, they might try to take her. Sha're and Dr. Jackson need to be brought away before Apophis returns for her, and protections need to be put in place so the people of Abydos do not pay the price for her disappearance."
Ruarc nodded. My thoughts precisely. "And we might have only days, if that."
"Yes," Sujanha agreed, her chin dropped onto one fisted paw for a moment, and her ears flicked back again, "Where's your brother?"
"Here!" Came Ragnar's voice from the doorway, "At your service, Commander."
Sujanha's eyes flicked up and toward the door and then back to Ruarc, "I want you two to go to Abydos and bring back Doctor Jackson if they are willing. In the short term, the simplest method for protecting Abydos will be to simply rebury the Stargate. Asik, send word to the Commander closest to Abydos to go there and put a long-range probe into orbit. If Apophis or any others come by ship, they have my permission to do what must be done. The rules of war apply, and they should take what prisoners they can, but no one must escape to spread the word before we are ready to begin the War. Someone will need to speak to the leaders on Abydos if they wish to keep the Stargate open in the future. Have Jaax send word to Vaazrodiiv. A scanner will likely need to be put in place in Abydos' gateroom to send any Jaffa or Goa'uld coming through the Stargate to somewhere safe until we can collect them. Oh, and if that method of protection is used, guidance will need to be sought from the Asgard so that the scanner will not treat Doctor Jackson's companion Teal'c like the rest of his brethren or former captors. One of the Asgard engineers should be able to tell Vaazrodiiv's engineers the updates to the scanner."
There was a chorus of acknowledgments and a series of bows, but before he withdrew to carry out the Commander's wishes, Ruarc turned back, "I am assuming we should not go in our true forms?" He asked.
Sujanha nodded, "As much as I dislike the necessity of such a disceptation, yes. I doubt the people of Abydos are ready for a revelation of peoples such as us, especially not at this moment with the looming threat of Apophis' return."
"Of course, Commander." Ruarc turned to leave, but his name being called brought him up short.
"Be careful," Sujanha said simply.
"Of course, Commander."
Abydos, Milky-Way
Same Day
Two quiet hours passed before there was any sign of Ovitix's return. Daniel had remained with Sha're inside the large tent, and husband and wife had spoken quietly, reconnecting and talking of what had occurred since they had last been together, that wonderful and horrible day when Jack and Sam had come through the Stargate, that day when he had seen his friend for the time in a year or more, that day when Apophis had attacked and taken Sha're and Skaara and killed his friends. Daniel told her in broad strokes (without the gory details) of the recent events in his life, leaving Earth and finding a new home with the Furlings, leaving out any details that he did not want to risk Amaunet knowing when she eventually retook control.
Just in case.
Finally, there was a noise outside, and Kasuf pushed open the door hangings. Sha're started badly at the sudden noise and movement, and after ensuring that she was alright, Daniel looked up. Outside through the open doorway, Daniel saw Ovitix standing next to two broad-shouldered, dark-skinned men whom he did not recognize, almost certainly the people the Commander had sent as help/back-up after receiving the update about Sha're.
Ovitix made a motion for Daniel to come outside, so he nodded, rising from his seat. "I'll be back in a few minutes," Daniel said quietly to his wife and then stepped outside, being replaced inside by Kasuf.
Waiiiittttttt … I think … Ragnar and Ruarc?
On closer inspection, the two 'men' looked quite familiar. Their human appearance was foreign, but they wore Furling-cut garments and small military insignias on their collars, and the more broad-shouldered of the two, though his face was young, had salt-and-pepper hair, while the other, obviously related by appearance, had jet black-hair. Hair-color … fur color. It was Ragnar and Ruarc, Daniel was almost certain, though he was flummoxed on how they looked human.
Probably some piece of tech I don't know about.
Sam would be over the moon to see something like this.
"Daniel," the man he was almost certain was Ruarc greeted him with a smile and a flash of human teeth. The voice confirmed Daniel's suspicion. It was Ruarc, and with human teeth, smiling actually looked friendly, not threatening.
"Ruarc!"
"I bring news from Commander Sujanha," said Ruarc, guiding Daniel several yards away from the tent and keeping his voice low so not to carry. It would be convenient if I knew Furling right about now … well, more than I do. "She fears that Apophis will soon return for your wife or that a rival might seek to seize her while she is vulnerable. Thus, if your wife is willing to leave Abydos, the Commander strongly recommends that she come to one of our worlds."
"What about Abydos?" Daniel asked, mind whirring, "If Apophis finds out …"
"In the short-term, the Stargate should be reburied. We will ensure none can attack by ship. In the long-term, the Commander thinks a scanner like Thor's Hammer should be erected to enable the people here to continue using the Stargate as they wish."
Maybe she means just the scanner, not the symbiote remover.
Seems reasonable.
I'll need to speak with Kasuf.
"And after the child is born and Amaunet reemerges?" Daniel asked cautiously. He had spoken with Sujanha about the end result, freeing Sha're and how that would be done, but not as much about what would happen between finding her and freeing her.
"Sha're will have to be imprisoned for her own safety and ours until our healers are ready to safely remove symbiotes. Our priority will be the safety of the innocent host. If Amaunet in her arrogance speaks more than she should, our commanders will welcome any news, but Sha're will never be interrogated. She will be kept in a comfortable cell with female guards and access to good healers, and you may see her as often as you wish. She will be safe as it is possible to make her until she can be freed from her torment."
Sha're could still be hurt by Amaunet, but Amaunet couldn't hurt any others. The latter would, at least, be a relief to Sha're.
To Daniel, it sounded like a good plan and was infinitely better treatment than Sha're would probably receive on earth … considering Maybourne et al. No interrogations, no slimy officers, and with the Furlings, she would probably be freed sooner.
"I won't force her," Daniel cautioned, "We can go tell her what the Commander recommends, but it will be her choice to stay or go."
I think we should go, but after all that had happened, I couldn't stomach her being pressured into doing anything that she doesn't want to do. Sha're was her own person and perfectly capable of making her own decisions.
"Of course, we would have nothing else," replied Ruarc with a firm nod, a flash of some emotion crossing his face for a split second. A human face was less inscrutable than his own.
Ruarc turned and spoke a few quick sentences in Furling to Ovitix, who, when Ruarc had finished speaking, hurried off toward the pyramid. Then the three of them entered Kasuf's dwelling. In the shadowed interior of the tent, Sha're and Kasuf were both sitting by the fire but looked up as Daniel entered first, with Ruarc and Ragnar entering on his heels. They both had to duck down further than Daniel had to avoid bumping their heads on the pole that held the door hanging. Ruarc and Ragnar, almost in unison, executed a deep bow first to Kasuf and then to Sha're, as Daniel retook his seat beside his wife, before themselves sitting down on the opposite side of the fire from the three.
"Sha're, this is Ragnar and Ruarc, two of the Furlings I was telling you about," Daniel said, taking her hand in one of his and pointing out each in turn with the other, "They are good friends and brought a proposition for you."
Sha're looked across at the newcomers shyly but did not speak, but from the look on her face Daniel gauged she was willing to hear the news, so Daniel gave Ruarc a slight nod, a signal to go ahead.
"Lady Sha're," Ruarc began in clear, though still slightly accented, English, "As you have been told, my people are called the Furlings. We are an old race and live on a far-distant world beyond the reach of the System Lords. The news of their cruelty and foul deeds has spread even to the ears of my people, and Daniel may have told you that we soon hope to bring about the fall of the System Lords." He was picking his words carefully and spoke formally as if Sha're was a great lady and not simply the daughter of a village leader on a minor world that could not hold a candle to the Furlings in terms of power, influence, or development. "As well as freedom to those like you. My … general … recommends, if you are willing, that you leave Abydos with your husband and come to our lands. There you will be safe until your child comes forth, and the dark one that controls you will not be able to harm others until our healers can set you free. My general will leave protections so that Apophis cannot harm your people when he returns."
There was silence for several minutes as Sha're parsed those words. She always got a little frown between her eyebrows when she was thinking. "Can I stay with my Dan'yel?" She finally asked, her gaze flicking back and forth between Daniel himself and Ruarc.
"Until the child is born, yes. Once Amaunet reasserts control, you will have to stay in one place under guard for your own safety and ours. But you will be well treated and well cared for, and your husband, your father, any who wish may visit you as often as they desire."
Whatever … prison … there was no nicer word Daniel could think of … which the Furlings would use to secure the Goa'uld hosts until they could be freed would be much better than what Sha're would have looked forward to if he were taking her back to earth. Also, as had already been promised, there would be no interrogations.
No Maybourne.
No NID.
"And what of these protections? If Apophis returns to find her gone, he will destroy the whole village?" Kasuf asked pointedly. As village leader, he had to balance his daughter's safety with his responsibilities to the rest of his people.
"Rebury the Chappa'ai as soon as we depart," replied Ruarc, "That will serve in the short term to protect from those who come through it. My general is sending protections to protect your world from enemy ships. If somehow Apophis or another Goa'uld slip past our guard, tell them the truth, an enemy of Apophis came and stole your daughter and her child away."
"I will come with you," said Sha're after a moment's thought. Daniel smiled in relief.
"Pack anything you wish to bring. We will depart for the gate as soon as you are ready."
Sha're had few belongings that she wished to bring with her. Amaunet's gaudy and impractical garments, she rejected with a shudder, but she assented to Ruarc's request to bring the hand device, as it might prove useful for the Furlings to study. The journey from the village to the pyramid and the Stargate took longer than Ruarc seemed comfortable with from the wary glances he kept shooting around and his low-voiced comments to his brother. The sun was blazing high in the sky, and the walk across the burning sand was slow and tiring, especially for Sha're who was leaning harder and harder upon Daniel's arm the longer the walk went on. By the time they all reached the gateroom and Rasik was beginning to dial, Daniel was not sure that Sha're could have even stood without assistance she was so exhausted.
Then, suddenly, she proved him wrong. As Rasik finished dialing the Stargate, Sha're jerked backwards several steps. Daniel started at her sudden movements and turned, his face full of concern, "Sha're, what's wrong?"
Suddenly Sha're's eyes glowed, and Amaunet spoke in that horrific dual-toned, flanged voice that put shivers up Daniel's spine, "You dare lay hands on me to take me from this place. I am your goddess."
D**n it all.
"The naquadah in the gate," Ruarc snapped, "That's what rousing the dark one." His human features did little to hide his unease.
Just hold on, my love.
Just a little longer.
Daniel watched his wife for a moment, cautiously, waiting for her posture to change back to familiar before he approached her. Framing her face with his hands, he begged her, "Sha're, fight this thing. You have to hold on, a little longer, please!"
Sha're blinked, her eyes a little glassy, and her muscles shook with exhaustion or fear or both. Her eyes slowly focused on his face, and her hands clutched at his arms, "Dan'yel?"
"It's okay. It's gone now," Daniel replied, trying to comfort her. His hopes for having even a little more time with Sha're before the child was born were fading quickly.
If Amaunet is already rousing …
"We must go," Ruarc prompted. "The longer we are here, the sooner Amaunet will return."
With Daniel supporting her on one side and Ovitix on the other, Sha're made it up the steps to the open Stargate. Ruarc was in front, and Rasik and Ragnar were acting as rear guard. When they all emerged from the wormhole—somehow nothing else had gone wrong, preventing them from making it through to safety—they were on a vastly different world. Given Rasik had dialed the gate, not used an auto-dialer, Daniel guessed they were still in the Milky-Way.
The Stargate stood in the middle of a grassy plain that was as flat as any terrain Daniel had ever seen in his life. The vegetation was only ankle-high as far as he could see, providing clear sightlines for any surrounding guards, and the closest cover—a grove of high trees—was at least half-a-mile away. Awaiting the new arrivals were … two, four, six, seven … people, probably guards and healers. Four were human or, at least, near-human enough to pass inspection, while two Furlings and one Lapith made up the rest of the complement.
Seeing the strange, inhuman faces, compounded by Ragnar and Ruarc's disguises dropping at almost the worst possible moment, Sha're shrunk back into Daniel's side with a cry of fear, eyes wide in terror.
"It's alright," Daniel tried to reassure her, "You're okay. You're okay. You're safe. These are my friends. I know they look frightening, but they want to help you. You're safe. I promise." He switched into Abydonian and repeated the same string of soothing words.
Suddenly, Sha're's eyes flashed as Amaunet roused again, but then Sha're was back an instant later, doubling over with a cry of pain as she clutched at her belly. Daniel froze for a moment but got a hold of himself in time to ease Sha're to the ground as her legs collapsed under her. At her cry, a woman—human with salt and pepper hair—pushed her way through the crowd to Sha're's side.
"It's alright, my child," the woman said in English, pressing a gentle hand to Sha're's forehead. When she pulled her hand back, Daniel caught side of a colored stone on her palm, "Your child comes. All will be well."
To Daniel she said, "I'm Kaja, Sujanha's personal healer. Our lady sent me." Then she turned back, calling something urgently in Furling to the others. In moments, Kaja, Sha're, Daniel, and Ruarc were all beamed away to the infirmary in the hidden base underground.
The next hour was a blur. As soon as they reached the infirmary, Sha're was surrounded by even more healers and helped into a high-tech bed. The pain of labor combined with the fear of Amaunet's return and the utter foreignness of the faces frightened her. It was all Daniel could do to keep his wife somewhat calm. He had hoped there would have been more time for them to spend together, more time for Sha're to get acclimated to what for her was a strange new world and an ever stranger new people before the baby came.
I was expecting us to actually make it back to Asteria before the … our … baby made an appearance.
Daniel had known of this earth-shaking new situation less than a day, but already he was coming to care for the child in Sha're's womb. The child could not help who was his or her father was, and he or she would be as much a part of Sha're as they would be of Apophis … of his host.
Soon Kaja was laying a baby in his arms, "You have a son." His arms automatically came up to cradle the boy … my son … in a familiar hold. Childbirth and babies were a familiar thing after that trip to the Yucatan … a very long time ago.
Seconds later, Sha're's eyes flashed. "Give me the child." Amaunet commanded imperially, or as imperially as she could while stained with sweat and bodily fluids, barely past the pain and exertion of childbirth. When the healers moved to restrain her, the Goa'uld's temper exploded, "You dare touch…" Her words trailed off as a healer injected her with a sedative, and she collapsed.
Daniel, still cradling his son with eyes full of wonder, backed up out of the way of the healers. "What will happen to Sha're now?" He asked Ruarc, who had been in the hallway outside but had come to the doorway at the sound of the commotion.
At least we had time to talk about names before Ruarc arrived.
"Once the healers deem her strong enough for travel, Sha're will be taken back to Asteria. A stronghold has been prepared until the hosts can be freed."
Shifu.
Light.
It fits.
Three days later, Daniel stood in front of a large and comfortable cell on Ardea in Asteria as a hulking orderly gently laid a temporarily sedated Sha're down on the cell's bed. Save for the attached bathroom, the cell and its accoutrements had been fashioned in the likeness of an Abydonian tent, and holograms covering the three walls and Sha're's clothing completed the illusion that they could have been in Kasuf's tent on Abydos. Little things scattered here and there combined with the bathroom kept the illusion from being 100% effective, but hopefully, the familiar things would be a comfort to her, even in the shadow crevices of her own mind. Here Sha're would stay for the foreseeable future, safe from external harm.
Until we can be together again.
The protections the Commander had ordered had been set in place to guard Abydos, including some sort of early warning satellite with long-range sensors in orbit and a scanning device like on Cimmeria in the gateroom so that the gate no longer needed to remain buried. The protections would prevent any further problems on Abydos. Further, that was since a ship sent by Sujanha had been forced to deal with an attempted incursion by one of Heru'ur's underlings the day after Sha're and Daniel had left.
These few days had given Daniel time to think and plan, and after using both Sujanha and Ruarc as a sounding board, Daniel had made the heartbreaking decision to leave Shifu on Abydos for now. Wet-nurses were a thing among the Furlings, and Sujanha had been more than willing to make room for a(nother) new addition at the house, but given his present circumstances, Daniel did not feel that he could care for Shifu as the boy truly deserved.
Child-raising, especially on your own, was a full-time job, and a job that, for any child's sake, deserved to be done right. (Considering his childhood in foster care after his parents died in an accident at the New York Museum of Art, Daniel knew that well.) Abydos was not that far—with one step Daniel could move from galaxy to galaxy—and there Shifu could grow under the watch-care of his grandfather and his people. Daniel could visit, planned to spend time with his son as often as possible, especially since the Furling healers wanted to monitor the boy. A child of two Goa'uld hosts was unprecedented, and though he appeared fully human by all accounts, they still want to keep an eye on him.
And soon … all three of us … we'll be together again.
[1] From here on out, this chapter contains direct quotes from the episode transcript of "Secrets." These dialogue lines were created by the writers and producers of Stargate, not by me. This site was used to compile the dialogue: /wiki/2.09_Transcript.
[2] Human.
[3] Adrenaline.
