Author's note: I don't own Stargate, any of the lines, or the characters. All I own are my OC'S. I'm really excited about the upcoming chapters. Why? Not tell'n (while evilly laughing). Big shout out to all you guys. I love writing, but having people like you who like to read my stuff makes it all the more worthwhile. Thanks. P.S. I got a Goa'uld, Ancient, and Unas dictionary, I'm so happy. I can't wait to use what I learn from it here.
Chapter 20
Family
I was fast, but the Jaffa was faster. He swung his staff through the air, coming so close to my head that I had to duck. It whistled over my head. The Jaffa didn't miss a beat as he swung the staff in an arc. I twirled as he brought his staff down, catching the blow on my own staff braced over my head. Jumping up and using that momentum I shoved the Jaffa's staff off and he stumbled backwards. Quickly I kicked him in the stomach and raised my weapon, unwittingly opening myself up. He hit me on the small of my back causing me to lose my balance and fall on my elbows hard.
There was deep rumbling laughter behind me. "Haha, you're hilarious Kalen." I glared up at his smiling face.
"You're getting better." He said smiling as he helped me up off the training mat.
"Really? How you figure that? I landed on my face, again." I said while brushing off my sweatpants. For the last two weeks Kalen had been giving me lessons in basic Jaffa combat. I was actually kinda decent in hand to hand, since I had a basic groundwork from what Jack and Skaara had taught me. After my progress in that field, Kalen had thought it would be a good idea to introduce me to staff sparing. That was one broken staff and several bruises ago.
Kalen smiled down at me and brushed a lock of my unruly hair away from my face. " You managed to land a hand on me, well foot. And you didn't run into a wall this time."
Oh right, he was talking about a little incident where I made a run at him, missed by a mile, and plowed into the wall of the gym. Hence the broken staff.
I was so caught up in that memory that it took me a moment to realize that Kalen's hand was lingering a little too long on my hair. In fact, how did he get so close? "Um, Kalen, how about we get some lunch, huh?" I said taking a step back.
He blinked at me, processing my words for a second. "Yeah, um, good idea." He lowered his hand.
I wiped my face on a towel and let my hair down from its pony tail. Still feeling the heat from the workout I elected not to put on my jacket on over my white tank top and baggy green BDU pants.
"Unscheduled incoming traveler." A voice echoed over the PA system.
I let out a sigh, "Looks like lunch will have to wait. Let's get up to the control room."
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"What's going on?" I asked Daniel when Kalen and I made it up to the control room. Along the way I had tied my BDU jacket around my waist.
"I'm not sure." Daniel responded, furrowing his eyebrows.
At that moment Hammond, Teal'c and Jack made their way down the spiral stair case to join the rest of us. "There's no one due back today. Did you get and iris code?" Hammond asked the technician at the dialing computer.
"Yes sir we did," She said looking over her shoulder, "from SG-1." The woman finished by giving Jack a quizzical glance.
Jack turned to Hammond with a half-smile on his face. "Hi, how are you." He was just as confused as the rest of us, obviously SG-1 was here.
"Hey Jack. The only other person who has a SG-1 remote signal is…" I trialed off as I turned to Teal'c.
Comprehension dawned on his face, and with it came a small smile. "Tek-mate Bra'tac"
Teal'c glanced at Kalen, and they each bore identical expressions of glee. Well, as much glee as two warrior jaffa would show. They already started downs the stairs to the gate room before Hammond gave any order.
Hammond sighed and walked up behind the technician. "Open the iris."
The iris' plates spun apart, allowing the blue, watery reflection of the gate top fill the room. It was only a few seconds before a clearly troubled Bra'tac stepped through.
His eyes traveled around what he could see of the complex to get his bearings. Bra'tac stopped when he saw Hammond through the glass window of the control room. "Hammond of Texas." He raised his hand swept it over his head in the gesture he had come to associate with the General. "Will you give me leave to enter your compound?" He asked.
Hammond leaded over and spoke into the mic. "You have it Master Bra'tac. Unit's stand down." He ordered the security teams and they all immediately lowered their weapons.
Hammond stepped away from the mic, and turning, led Jack, Daniel and I down to the gate. Coming around the corner we saw Bra'tac clasp arms with both of his former pupils.
"Master Bra'tac." Kalen smiled at his mentor.
"Greetings from Earth!" Jack bellowed, announcing our presence.
"Hmm. Hasshak." Bra'tac used the jaffa term for "weakling" that had now become his endearment for Jack.
"I take it this isn't a social call." Jack said.
Bra'tac nodded grimly as he brushed past Jack to reach Teal'c. "Greetings, old friend. I am not the bringer of good news."
Teal'c raised his eyebrows in alarm. "My family?"
"Your wife is safe." Bra'tac informed him.
"What of Rya'c?" Teal'c asked.
Bra'tac placed his hand on Teal'c's shoulder as if to brace him. "Your son has been taken… by Apophis."
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Hammond took his usual place at the head of the briefing table. Bra'tac and Teal'c sat on either side of him as we discussed this new turn of events. Kalen, being a close friend of Teal'c's and Bra'tac had been allowed to join the briefing as well.
"What does Apophis gain by kidnapping Teal'c's son?" Hammond asked.
Teal'c twisted his face into a snarl. "He does not want Rya'c. He wants the Shol'va, the traitor. He wants Teal'c." With that he stood from his chair, nearly overturning it, and began pacing around the room.
Bra'tac's eyes followed his friend's pacing for a moment before turning to Hammond. "Teal'c is right. Nearly all the warriors and serpent guards loyal to Apophis died on those two ships. Apophis returned to Chulak in shame."
"He must act quickly to reinstate his power, or the system lords will send another Goa'uld to eliminate him and rule in his place." Teal'c said.
Bra'tac rotated his chair so he could address everyone. "Right now, there is a measure of chaos in Chulak. His guard is weakened. If we use this time wisely, we can rescue the boy."
Hammond shook his head. "I can't allow my best people to walk into what is obviously a trap."
"Of course it's a trap sir." Jack spoke up. "And in knowing it's a trap, we can avoid it." Then to Bra'tac. "He's vulnerable right now.
"He never will be more so." Bra'tac agreed. "And I still have a few friends among the serpent guards that Apophis does not know of."
Jack turned to Hammond, his face begging for permission to go. "If we can pull this off, sir, we can grab Teal'c's kid and nail this mother…" He stopped, catching himself before he swore, "Goa'uld in one sweep."
Hammond paused in his thoughts for a moment, then he nailed Teal'c with his gaze. "Teal'c, you originally withheld information about your family because you were afraid it would make you vulnerable. Well, it has. I want this must be the last time." After Teal'c bowed his head Hammond addressed Jack. "So, Colonel, you have a go. Get Apophis if you can, but the prime directive of this mission is to bring Teal'c's family back to Earth." He got up from his seat. As a reflex Jack and Sam stood immediately, followed shortly by Daniel and me.
"Yes, sir." Jack said.
"Sir." Kalen spoke for the first time. "I ask permission to accompany SG-1 on this mission."
"What about your own team, son?" Hammond asked. He was referring to the team Kalen had been assigned to with Ferretti, who were scheduled to go on an exploration mission soon.
"Sir, I feel I need to be on this mission." Kalen stated.
"General." I said, coming to his aid. "It would be of use to the rescue mission if we had another person with intimate intel on the layout of Chulak."
Hammond considered this for a moment. "Agreed. Gear up SG-1."
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The rest of my team had geared up by the time I had stripped out of my gym workout clothes and begun to put on my BDU's. I was about to close my locker when something glinted in the dim light on the bottom of my locker. Leaning over I picked up the small metallic object. It was Skaara's lighter. I paused for a second, then slipped it into my vest pocket. Maybe it would bring me luck. We could sure use all the luck we could get on this mission.
"You coming Erin." Jack stuck his head into the locker room.
"Yeah!" I shouted back while grabbing my P-90 and sprinting to the door. Once on the other side Jack shoved a glob of dirty white fabric into my arms. "What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked.
"Bra'tac said it would be a good disguise." Jack said, laughing at my disgust.
I slipped the robes on and followed Jack to the gate room. The Stargate was already active when we walked in.
"Alright campers lets head out." Jack said as we walked up the ramp to join the rest of Sg-1 along with Bra'tac and Kalen.
Jack reached into his robe and pulled out two small objects. My eyes widened when I recognized them as a shock grenades and gas grenade. He tossed them through. "Gas masks everyone."
Daniel handed me on and helped me strap it onto my head. After he had arranges his gas mask, Jack looked over his shoulder at our team and motioned for us to head through.
With my zat at the ready and my gun not too far from reach I stepped through. On the other side were five or six jaffa all passed out, thanks to the grenades.
Bra'tac took the lead and raised his hand, gesturing to a large settlement off in the distance.
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"This is our destination." Bra'tac whispered. He led us around a corner and across a darkened street to the door of a decently large brick house.
"Who lives here?" Jack asked, halting the old jaffa from opening the door.
"Drey'auc has offered her new home as a base." Bra'tac explained.
Teal'c raised his eyebrow as he took in the building. "But how could she afford such a home?"
"I do not know." Bra'tac shook his head and slowly opened the door inwards.
A woman was sitting at a table with her back to us when we entered. Hearing us, she jumped up revealing herself to be Drey'auc. "Teal'c?" She choked up and rushed to embrace him. "I was alone when they came. I tried to stop them." Her voice was heart wrenching.
Teal'c kissed the top of her head. "Of this, I am certain." He said trying to comfort her.
"Teal'c!" A voice shouted down from the level above us.
I looked up and saw a dark skinned man with a silver Apophis tattoo smiling down at Teal'c. The man hurried to the stairs at the side of the room and came down to our level.
"Kalen, my old friend!" He clasped arms with Kalen. "Master Bra'tac!" He bowed to the old jaffa in respect. "You are the warriors from the Tau'ri." The man said to my team, smiling in welcome. "I have heard much of you. I am Fro'tak of the High Cliffs."
Jack stepped forward and pulled down the hood of his robe and introduced himself. "Jack of the Windy City. This is Jackson, Clark and Carter." He pointed to each of us in turn.
"My thanks for your coming." Fro'tak placed a hand over his chest and bowed his head.
Teal'c let go of Drey'ac and walked to Fro'tak, clasping his arm. "Your presence in the home of my wife is greatly appreciated, Fro'tak."
Fro'tak gave his a confused look. "It is my home, Teal'c."'
Oh no. I could see where this was going. Kalen began backing away from the two men, coming to a stop beside me.
Either Teal'c didn't want to acknowledge what was happening or he truly was oblivious. "It was you who provided shelter for my wife and son." Teal'c grinned at his friend.
"Teal'c…" Drey'ac began, there was a plea in her voice.
Fro'tac stopped her. "I will tell him. When it appeared that you may never return, that you may indeed be dead," with every word Teal'c's face darkened, "Drey'auc had her marriage removed. She is now my wife, Teal'c."
Teal'c's gaze wavered between the two of them in disbelieve. His eyes twitching was the only warning we got before he lashed out and grabbed Fro'tac around the throat, tying to strangle him.
"My God!" Jack shouted and ran to pull Teal'c off Fro'tac. Seeing that Jack was next to useless against Teal'c, Kalen jumped in and finally the two of them pried Teal'c off.
When Teal'c made another lunge for Fro'tac Jack jumped in front of him and grabbed Teal'c's shoulders, forcing his to look at him. "Hey, knock it off! Come on, come on! Knock it off! Knock it off! You came here for your son. This doesn't help."
Teal'c settled down and gave up trying to kill Fro'tac, instead opting to pin him with his best death glare.
Fro'tac brushed off Kalen, who had taken up a stance between him and Teal'c, and took a step towards Teal'c. "I wished to be the one to tell you myself, old friend. I am sorry."
Teal'c ignored this and turned his rage to Bra'tac. "How could you not have known this?"
For the first time since I met him, Bra'tac was speechless.
"We will wait outside, and give you time to sort through this…uncomfortable news." Fr'tac said taking Drey'auc's arm and leading her outside.
Jack pinched the bridge of his nose and let out an exhausted sigh. "Captain Carter, why don't you go with them? See what you can find out about the kid."
"Yes, sir." Sam said, giving Teal'c one last glance before stepping out. None of us liked seeing our friend in pain.
"Teal'c." Bra'tac cautiously approached Teal'c and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "On my word as a warrior, I did not know. If I had, I would have told you before we arrived."
Teal'c shook himself out of Bra'tac's grasp and stormed to the table in the center of the room. Daniel, Kalen, and I quickly stepped out of the positively seething jaffa's path.
Jack spared Teal'c a troubled glance before turning to Bra'tac. "Look, I just want to know if this guy, Fro'tak, can be trusted not to turn us in."
"Is it not obvious, O'Neill? He cannot be trusted." Teal'c growled, while trying to burn a hole into the table with his glare.
"Well, no offense, Teal'c, but I don't think that assessment is born of a cool head. What do you think, Bra'tac?" Jack said.
"Fro'tak is one of Teal'c's oldest confidants. Both were my wards in the Bashaak training. He has indicated to me many times that he agrees with my beliefs that the Goa'ulds are false gods." Bra'tac assured Jack.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Can he be trusted?" Jack wanted a clear cut answer.
"I believe so, yes. But I suggest we keep a close eye on him at all times."
"A better response would be to kill him." Teal'c sneered, shocking all of us.
"Teal'c! You cannot." Bra'tac snapped at him.
"Teal'c…" Daniel walked to Teal'c's side, ignoring my attempt to grab him back. "Look, I know you probably don't want to hear this now, but I think you need to get some perspective on this. Maybe, in a way, you should be thanking him."
Teal'c whirled on Daniel. "How can you say that, Daniel Jackson? He has betrayed our friendship."
I ran to place myself between the irate Teal'c and my brother. " Teal'c, the last time we were here you were really upset because Drey'auc and Rya'c were barely surviving as outcasts in a camp. It seems now that they have a much better life now, and Fro'tac gave that to them."
Bra'tac approached Teal'c again. "Teal'c, listen to me. If you were dead, would you wish Drey'auc to remain alone forever?"
"I am not dead." Teal'c responded.
"In your current situation you may as well be. How long before you return to provide for her?"
"You know I cannot answer this."
Bra'tac nodded. "Yes…as does she. Dr. Jackson and Erin are right. Fro'tak has high station in Chulak. Thanks to him, your family is no longer outcast."
"Teal'c, I know it's tough, but you've got to focus on your boy." Jack said.
"Indeed. Before we proceed, give me your word you will not commit Kel Mar Tokeem." Bra'tac demanded of Teal'c.
Teal'c's face turned up in a snarl. "I give you my word."
"Then I will retrieve Fro'tak and your wife, and we will begin planning for the rescue of your son." With that Bra'tac went to the door, opened it, an went outside.
Jack walked over to Daniel and I. "Kel Mar Hokeem?" He said, asking what it meant.
I looked to Daniel, but he had his eyes scrunched shut. "Um. It means something like "revenge by the wearer of horns". Which I'm guessing is a Jaffa term for being a…a…" Oh, this was uncomfortable.
"A cuckold." Daniel finished for me.
Jack's eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up. "Hello."
Creaking came from the front of the house caused by the door opening. Drey'auc was the first to come in. Her cheeks were streaked, she had been crying. Behind her followed Cam and Fro'tac. Throughout all of this Teal'c refused to turn and look at either Drey'auc or Fro'tac.
"We will find Rya'c and bring him home. This I swear." Teal'c said in a dangerously low tone.
Relief flooded Drey'auc's face. "Thank you, Teal'c."
"After that is done," Teal'c turned to face her slowly. "I will never lay eyes on you again." He finished by brushing past her and exiting the house.
More tears streamed down Drey'auc's face. She pressed her hand to her stomach, as if she was in pain. After a moment she turned on her heel and followed after Teal'c.
Author's note: Whew, so many emotions. I hope you all enjoyed. Review, comment, I love to hear from you all.
