Chapter 5: Returning To Cythera
Daniel paced at the bottom of the Stargate. Nine days had passed since he had last seen his friends. For nine days he had buried himself in his translations and research trying not to imagine what his friends were going through, trying not to imagine the worst.
Today was the tenth day. Daniel and Teal'c were waiting for Jacob/Selmak and SG-3 to arrive in the gateroom so that they could finally return to Cythera. Frankly, Daniel was surprised that Jacob/Selmak wasn't pacing beside him.
With noise and enthusiasm, SG-3 joined them in the gateroom, joking and jostling each other. Daniel glanced up at the control room to see Anise/Freya talking to General Hammond while Jacob/Selmak was finally heading down the stairs towards the gateroom. For this mission, Anise would be staying at the SGC. She would report success or failure to the High Council. Jacob refused to allow any other Tok'ra to take on this mission knowing that it could easily be a trap and result in his torture and death.
"Sorry, Daniel," Jacob apologized as he joined them at the ramp. "Anise just doesn't feel the same sense of urgency that we do."
"No problem, Jacob. SG-3 only just got here," Daniel offered a wane smile to the older Carter as the Stargate started to dial out. He stopped pacing and stood ready.
General Hammond's voice boomed over the loud speaker, "Jacob, SG-1 and SG-3, you have a go. Bring 'em home, people. Good luck and Godspeed."
The wormhole splashed to life and SG-3 trooped up the ramp taking point. Daniel and Teal'c nodded to Jacob/Selmak one last time before they entered the wormhole. The Tok'ra was going to wait until Daniel gave them the all clear before coming through the Stargate.
Daniel doubted that Aphrodite would spring her trap at the Stargate but Anise had been insistent and the others didn't care to argue over such a minor point. As he exited the wormhole, Daniel noticed that SG-3 were in a defensive stance and had only ventured far enough into the clearing to ensure that they didn't collide with anyone coming out of the wormhole.
Daniel then noticed one of Aphrodite's Jaffa standing at ease further in the clearing. He was not making any hostile moves, merely waiting to be approached. Daniel glanced at Teal'c and made a quick sign to watch his back.
Daniel approached and the Jaffa gave him a regal bow, "Doctor Daniel Jackson, Master Teal'c, my queen ordered me to await your arrival and to escort you to the palace once you have arrived."
Daniel narrowed his eyes and scanned the surrounding area. He couldn't detect any more Jaffa lying in wait. "I'm not going anywhere but directly to see my friends."
Daniel was surprised when the Jaffa nodded in agreement, "My queen has already authorized me to take you to the temple first, if that is your wish."
Daniel glanced at Teal'c again only to receive a subtle nod. This was their prearranged signal. Teal'c didn't detect any subterfuge. "Very well," Daniel replied with a sigh he relaxed his stance and reached for his radio, "Sierra-Golf-Charlie, this is Sierra-Golf-One-Niner."
"Go ahead, Sierra-Golf-One-Niner," was General Hammond's clear reply.
"We are all green. Copy?" Daniel relayed.
"Copy. All green. Sending passenger now. Sierra-Golf-Charlie out," Hammond responded.
The Jaffa guard was momentarily alarmed at the exchange, "You betray my queen?" he asked moving to an alert position, but not quite pointing his staff at Daniel.
Daniel held up a soothing hand, "No. Your queen asked us to contact the Tok'ra. The Tok'ra asked us to ensure the safety of their representative." As he said this, Jacob/Selmak stepped through the wormhole in his Tok'ra uniform.
Jacob approached Daniel and the Jaffa guard. The guard seemed suddenly nervous and when Jacob's eyes flashed, he immediately dropped to one knee, hand over his chest in salute, "My lord, forgive me. We were not expecting anyone else. My queen meant no disrespect."
Selmak answered using a dual tone voice, "No offense has been taken. Rise. Our arrival is unannounced, though we hope it is not unwelcome."
"Let me call another guard to escort you directly to the queen, my lord," the Jaffa asked.
"No," Selmak stated. "We will see to our Tau'ri allies first. Any negotiations will depend on their condition first and foremost."
"Yes, my Lord," the Jaffa showed his acceptance with a deep bow. "This way, my lord."
The Jaffa escorted them through the town towards the temple and stopped at the entrance in front of a tall willowy woman wearing the elaborate robes of a High Priestess. He dropped to one knee before her, "Mistress Alana, these are the Tau'ri you were expecting."
"Thank you, loyal Jaffa. You may rest here while I conduct them inside," High Priestess Alana replied regally.
"Thank you, mistress," the Jaffa guard rose and took position next to the temple door.
The High Priestess then turned to the group of Tau'ri, "Welcome to the Temple of Aphrodite. I am High Priestess Alana. The queen asked that I conduct you to the Tau'ri supplicants upon your arrival. However, the supplicants are still serving penance until sunset. You may see them, but you are asked not to interfere."
Daniel stepped forward, "But we were told that they would be released today."
"And they will," the priestess replied, "at the end of the tenth day of their penance offering. They will be free to leave the temple at sunset."
"But we can see them now?" Daniel pressed.
"Of course," she stated with a coy smile.
Daniel returned the smile with a smirk. He and Teal'c wouldn't interrupt the temple services, but he doubted that Jack or Sam had made the same promise. As soon as his friends saw them, they would most likely throw a wrench in the priestess's plans.
Daniel turned to SG-3, "Wait here. We'll be back shortly."
"Yes, Sir," Colonel Reynolds replied and motioned his men to take positions around the temple door.
Daniel, Teal'c, and Jacob followed the High Priestess into the temple. Daniel momentarily let his wonder at the architecture of the temple overwhelm his worry for his friends. It was only as he approached one of the curtained alcoves, trying to see the glyphs on the column next to it more clearly, that he heard the soft moans coming from the other side. He jumped back as if stung. The person behind the curtain was definitely NOT in pain.
"Um… ah… What…?" Daniel stammered as the High Priestess stopped to wait for him.
"It is most likely a supplicant with a private offering for our queen. My priestesses are often called to serve Aphrodite thus," Alana replied more than happy to explain.
"Oh, yeah," Daniel replied lamely. "I guess that I'm used to the old-fashioned offering of gold and jewels."
The High Priestess smiled tolerantly, "Worldly possessions do well to furnish the temple, but do nothing for the soul. Love is a pure emotion. It lifts the soul and endures all types of pain and suffering. The physical expression of that love is a blessing given to all the creatures of the earth. That makes the offering of that love to our queen more pure than the purest gold."
High Priestess Alana escorted them to the back of the main temple. Here the alcoves were open and most of them were occupied by couples in various states of bliss. Most of the couples were oblivious to anything except to the attentions of their current lover.
"The Tau'ri supplicants are here," Alana said pointing out a particularly vocal couple. It took Daniel a moment to recognize the woman straddled across her lover, vigorously riding him as his hands guided her hips. He had seen his teammates in various stages of undress before, but he had never seen their faces so open and unguarded in pure rapture.
At that moment, Daniel clearly heard Sam's voice rise above the rest, "Oh, yes, Sir." He turned beet red and whirled around with his eyes closed trying to block out the sounds of flesh on flesh and moans of ecstasy behind him.
Jacob soon joined him with Selmak in obvious control. Both men resisted the urge to run from the temple. However, they were unable to stop themselves from taking several paces back down the hallway away from Jack and Sam and the orgy behind them.
Teal'c's quiet voice joined them a few moments later, "O'Neill and Major Carter appear to be in good health."
Daniel snorted and then frowned, "But they… uh…"
Selmak finished the thought, "They do not appear to be acting normally."
Daniel nodded vigorously, "Yeah… that."
The High Priestess smiled as she listened to the exchange, "Yes, the Tears of Aphrodite have helped them forget their worldly burdens so that they my serve their penance with a glad heart. My acolytes have ensured that they took nourishment and rested as needed."
"Fuck! Carter!" Jack suddenly screamed behind them.
Daniel almost turned before he remembered that he really didn't want to know how they looked at that exact moment. Hearing it was more than enough.
Selmak paled, "Can we continue this discussion outside? Jacob is most upset."
"Oh God! Of course," Daniel stammered as he started to quickly lead the way back outside, Jacob/Selmak hot on his heels with Teal'c and the High Priestess following more sedately.
Daniel and Selmak burst through the temple doors like the hounds of hell were hot on their tails. SG-3 immediately went on alert.
Daniel and Selmak took several deep cleansing breaths, hoping to clear the images from their minds and the sounds from their ears.
"Doctor Jackson, where's Teal'c?" Colonel Reynolds asked, doing a quick threat assessment.
"He's coming. He's fine. They're all fine," Daniel stated as he tried to regain his composure and failed miserably.
"Holy Hannah, Daniel!" Jacob exclaimed as Selmak finally released control. "You could have warned me. I would have been willing to stay outside."
"You and me both," Daniel replied. "I didn't think it was a possibility. I mean… ack!" He took another deep breath and felt guilt settle over his shoulders, "I should have known. She's the goddess of love, beauty, and…" he sighed, "… and fertility. I am so sorry, Jacob."
"Doctor Jackson, General Carter, what the hell is going on?" Colonel Reynolds asked forcefully.
"Nothing, actually," Daniel replied, finally calming down. "We were just surprised when we saw… ahem… Jack and Sam."
"Are they alright, Sir?" Colonel Reynolds asked concerned.
"Yeah, from what we could see… I mean…" Daniel stammered.
Teal'c exited the temple with the High Priestess, "O'Neill and Major Carter are both in good health. We will return at sunset to collect them." Without missing a beat, Teal'c added, "Colonel Reynolds, O'Neill and Major Carter are without proper uniforms."
Daniel and Jacob choked.
"I required you to return and retrieve them, Colonel Reynolds," Teal'c continued. "We will wait here for your return. We have much to discuss with the High Priestess Alana in your absence."
Colonel Reynold's eyed Teal'c suspiciously, "Are you okay with that, Doctor Jackson? General?"
"Yeah, Steve. It's okay," Daniel replied. They really didn't want an audience for this conversation and he really did need to know more about the Tears. He needed to know how it was affecting his friends. "Thanks, Teal'c."
"We'll be fine, Colonel," Jacob added for good measure.
"Yes, Sir. We'll be right back." Reynolds turned to his men, "You heard the General, move out."
Daniel turned back to the High Priestess, "I apologize for my behavior in the temple. Our people usually do not provide that kind of offering to our gods."
The High Priestess smiled, "I understand. Not every planet shares the same beliefs. I accept your apologies."
"Um, can you tell us more about these Tears?" Daniel asked uncomfortably. "How exactly does it affect… them… the, ah, supplicants?" That's right, Daniel. Objective distance.
"Of course. The Tears of Aphrodite are taken to allow the supplicant to put down their worldly burden and give their offering freely. It also enhances the offering, making it richer and more meaningful," Alana supplied. "The Tears allow no lies and restore a child-like fascination in the world." The High Priestess was obviously enjoying herself.
"Do the Tears wear off? I mean… they aren't like this… uh…" Daniel couldn't continue.
The High Priestess Alana smiled indulgently, "Yes, they should no longer feel the effects of the Tears around sunset. It would do my people harm if they were not able to pick up their worldly burdens once their offering was made."
Jacob looked pained as he asked, "Will they remember… when… later?" he choked out.
"Remember?" Alana asked confused.
"Yeah, remember what… the, ah, offering?" Daniel tried to clarify.
"Of course. The Tears of Aphrodite not only allow the supplicant to remember but to remember with clarity of thought. An offering of love should never be forgotten," Alana lectured in full High Priestess mode.
Daniel looked sick, "Great. Just great."
"Is something wrong?" Alana asked confused by his reaction.
"Uh, yeah, sort of…" Daniel replied looking at Jacob. "Our people just don't allow that kind of…" He faltered, "Two military officers aren't… It's against our rules for… them to… to give the offering… together…" he finished lamely. "We don't… share our… love quite so freely. They will be upset when they… come around."
The High Priestess looked shocked, "Really? We had put them together to avoid complications should they be blessed by Aphrodite for their offering. We had no idea that we would cause them problems."
Daniel and Jacob blanched again at her words, "Blessed?" Jacob managed to squeak out before Selmak took control.
"Yes, blessed with a child," Alana replied. "It is not an uncommon occurrence with prolonged penance offerings. Here we believe that the children belong with the mother, but some planets believe that the children should stay with the father. Since we didn't know the Tau'ri beliefs, we decided that less harm would come if both the father and mother were from the same place."
"Oh boy," Daniel exclaimed as he digested that last fact. "Jack and Sam are gonna be so pissed."
Selmak laid a reassuring hand on Daniel's arm, "I don't think they're going to be that angry when they find out the alternative."
"What alternative?" Daniel asked.
"They could have been doing… this… with complete strangers for 10 days," Selmak explained sorrowfully.
"No, Selmak, I disagree. I think that being drugged and… that… all… will be enough to make Jack go ballistic. Not for his own sake but for Sam's." Daniel let out a soft sigh, "We'll deal with this later."
"Indeed," Teal'c boomed. "O'Neill and Major Carter are strong warriors. This speculation provides no useful course of action. It should be discontinued."
Daniel straightened and addressed the High Priestess again, "Thank you, High Priestess Alana for escorting us. Should we return here at sunset?"
"Yes, we will move the supplicants to a separate antechamber as the Tears wear off. I will meet you here at sunset to escort you once again," the High Priestess Alana replied. She gave them a solemn bow before returning to the temple.
SG-3 arrived carrying an extra rucksack. Colonel Reynolds eyed the three men and their obvious silence. Finally, he addressed Teal'c, "Mission accomplished, Sir."
"Well done, Colonel Reynolds." Teal'c turned to their Jaffa escort, still waiting by the temple door, "We are now prepared to meet with Queen Aphrodite."
The Jaffa nodded to Teal'c and Jacob/Selmak before leading them to the queen's audience chamber to wait for Aphrodite's arrival.
The queen entered with her First Prime in attendance. Instead of sitting on her throne, she strode purposefully to Jacob/Selmak. She addressed him formally, "I am Aphrodite, Queen of Cythera. I welcome you to my home."
"I am Selmak of the Tok'ra. I claim no home. My host is Major General Jacob Carter of the Tau'ri," Selmak replied formally. "I believe that you already know, Doctor Jackson and Teal'c."
"I do. Although the other Tau'ri are new to me," the queen replied. "I had only asked the Tau'ri to relay a message for me. I had not even hoped to hear back from the Tok'ra so soon. You honor me with your quick response."
"The High Council has heard your request and they are willing to consider it. However, you must understand that we will only proceed under extreme caution. The council has decided that we could assist in relocating your people to a safe planet first. During the course of the move, we will watch for deceit and betrayal. We see no need to remove you from your people while we continue negotiations. After you have gained our trust, we can discuss a closer alliance," Selmak stated briskly.
"The safety of my people has been my greatest concern. Thank you for your generous offer," Aphrodite replied.
"This offer is not without restrictions. The planet we have in mind is on the edge of the galaxy and has no chappa'ai. We will not allow you to have any spacecraft larger than a tel'tak for your defense. Finally, all your people will be screened by a za'tarc detector to ensure that no spies or traitors can betray your new home to the System Lords." Selmak's voice softened, "To our knowledge, no other goa'uld has visited or has any interest in this planet. You and your people will be safe there. Are you willing to comply with these restrictions?"
The queen looked to her First Prime. He gave her a deep bow as he replied, "The restrictions are severe, but not as bad as we had feared, my Queen. My main concern is that you are not separated from your people."
"I agree," Aphrodite smiled at him softly before turning back to Selmak. "I agree and am willing to comply with the restrictions," she replied formally.
"Then we have much to discuss in detail later," Selmak finished. "Right now, my host is reminding me of our original purpose here, to return Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter to the Tau'ri."
"Of course. I trust that you found them well at the temple?" Aphrodite inquired, finally mounting the steps to the throne.
"Indeed, they are physically well," Teal'c replied when Daniel and Jacob were both unable to form a reply.
"Good. I was afraid that they would come to harm in the mines. Temple service seemed a much better place for our potential allies," Aphrodite replied regally as she took her seat.
Jacob took control and addressed the queen, "Ah, yeah, about that, what crime did they commit exactly?"
Aphrodite was momentarily taken aback by the change in stature and voice, "You are the host?"
Jacob smiled and crossed his arms, "The one and only."
"I had heard that the Tok'ra were different in their uses of the host. I had not realized the extent." Aphrodite regained her composure and continued, "On Cythera, violence is not allowed. It still happens and when it does, it is punished. Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter led the attack on my Jaffa. I understand their mitigating circumstances and reduced their sentence accordingly. However, I could not excuse their actions by allowing them free without paying for their crimes. Our highest law is for all be held accountable for their actions."
Daniel winced and stated sadly, "Bad for discipline."
"Exactly, Doctor Jackson," Aphrodite graced him with a smile.
"And yet, you forced them to violate their own laws and beliefs," Jacob continued allowing some of his anger to show.
"I don't understand. I told them their sentence and they did not protest that they could not morally fulfill it," Aphrodite stated.
Daniel chipped in, "I assume you told them that they would serve penance at the temple, am I correct?"
"Of course," Aphrodite replied.
"Yeah, well, until we visited them at the temple, WE didn't know that 'penance at the temple' involved…" Jacob stopped suddenly and Selmak resumed control.
"Jacob is most upset. Their culture views sex and love very differently. They are not so free at sharing love as your people do. According to Jacob, they would most likely have preferred penance in the mines where physical labor would have served the same purpose, even though the risk of physical injury was also greater." Selmak gave Aphrodite a regal bow before relinquishing control back to Jacob.
"I see," Aphrodite said, considering. "So the Tau'ri will see this as harm in spite of my care. I am sorry."
Daniel felt guilty, "It's not totally… This is all a misunderstanding. You didn't know. We didn't know. How were we supposed to know?... My point is that your intentions were good, in spite of the results. My people will not be happy, but you did what you had to do and tried to minimize the damage in the meantime… I can see that… Hell, Jacob can see that…" Daniel glanced at the older man and received a curt nod. "What's important is what we do about it now that we know.
"Let us take them home. We'll see what happens then. For now, you have a treaty to negotiate with the Tok'ra. The rest is water under the bridge…" Daniel finished his little impromptu speech.
"I believe I understand what you mean, Doctor Jackson. It is almost time for the sun to set. Go to your leaders and escort them home," Aphrodite stated, sadly.
Selmak resumed control, "Queen Aphrodite, there a still a few details that we need to work out. Do you have time to work on them now?"
"Yes, let us retire to my conference room," Aphrodite replied.
Teal'c interrupted, "SG-3 will escort Jacob/Selmak. It is their duty to ensure his safety during these negotiations."
H'rak nodded to his own Jaffa and the whole group headed to the more comfortable conference room.
Once they were gone, Daniel turned to Teal'c, "So, how pissed do you think Jack will be?"
Teal'c let a small quirk of his lips show, "Very."
"Yeah, that's what I was afraid of," Daniel commented as they left for the temple one last time.
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