SG1 still shell shocked as they walked through grey walls to their teammates' room. Jack suddenly swerved into an empty room and hit a wall. Teal'c and Sam hurried over to him but Jack turned away and violently paced the room water droplets flying from his still damp hair.
"Sir, Daniel is expecting us." Sam said after a few minutes
"I know Carter." Jack said shortly but then stopped "I'm sorry, it's just seeing Daniel coldly gunning down an unarmed man I never wanted to see that."
"I know." Sam said putting a hand on his arm "What I saw in that tunnel, I have no idea how any of the men survived without losing themselves completely."
"None did Samantha Carter the men either died in battle or to suicide or dedicated themselves entirely to the Herotie's beliefs. " Teal'c said
Jack quietly walked out of the room, Teal'c and Sam falling the conversation too dark to be continued. They got to Daniel 's room to find two guards outside. They went inside to find Daniel and Dr. Ford moving books, and papers onto the floor from the table. The work was hampered by Daniel using only his right arm and the lack of space to put stuff. Jack, Sam, and Teal'c pitched in and by stacking most of the stuff on the dresser uncover the table, chairs, bed, and most of the floor. Daniel sank onto the bed his face grey from pain, and exhaustation.
"How many Jack?" Daniel asked apprehension in his voice.
"At least eight sinners and seven guards; I don't know anything about the villagers." Jack said.
"How do know those numbers? Anise told General Hammond that you and Sam were the last to leave the mountain." Ford said.
"I had to kill three guards in order to arrest the priests, and." Sam cut him off "Daniel." She said going over to the bed and taking his hand "The sinners and guards were attacking each other, some of those attacks proved fatal."
Daniel sighed and leaned against the headboard sad but clearly not surprised. " I thought that might happen, but I was hoping I was wrong." He said quietly.
"Why didn't you tell General Hammond the Heretics might turn on each other?" Ford asked
Daniel didn't answer instead he got up and went to his prayer corner and started to pray. He remained there until a knock at the door half an hour later. Ford opened the door and let in two Air Men bearing two heavily laden trays. They put them on the table and left without a word. Jack started going through the food, upon seeing his contents he went over to Daniel and gently dragged him to feet and over to a chair at the table.
"Eat." Jack ordered putting a sandwich in front of him "You'll feel better."
Daniel shook his head and moved to get up from his seat when Dr. Ford grabbed his hand "You promised you would eat when SG1 returned." He said handing Daniel the tuna sandwich.
His family looked at each other but didn't say a word. Daniel ate the sandwich and half an orange then retreated back to his prayer corner. Jack, Sam, and Teal'c pounced on the rest of the food, while Dr. Ford contented himself with a sandwich and an apple. A guard cleared the trays soon after and the five spent the next hour in silence processing everything that had happened. A phone call broke the silence "O'Neill" Jack said he listened then handed the phone to Dr. Ford.
"What is it?" Sam asked when Dr. Ford was done.
"There's been fighting between the Heretics and the villagers, there's also disputes between the Sinners and guards." Caleb sighed "Two of the Sinners tried to commit suicide, they were stopped but Dr. Fraiser is sure more refugees will try."
Daniel was already on his feet and putting on his coat before Ford had finished speaking. Jack caught Daniel before he reached the door and turned him around to face him.
"Daniel you can't go, you're under arrest remember." Jack said
"They deserved their deaths." Daniel said
"I'm not disagreeing with you; however you shot an unarmed man in the gate room with a weapon stolen from an Officer. Until Hammond decides what to do you have to stay here, you're too dangerous to be free even with an escort" Jack said
"Sir." Sam protested but quieted at the fierce commanding look Jack gave her.
Ford slipped out and Daniel sagged at the closing of the door. Sam hurried over and Daniel let her help him out of his coat. She was leading him over to the bed when she put her hand to his left shoulder and found blood. Daniel didn't protest as Sam helped him lie down and fell asleep almost before his head hit the pillow. It was as if knowing he could not help anymore released him to rest and find a measure of peace. Sam bandaged his shoulder and rewrapped his wrists. The three then watched over him until it was time for the briefing. A soldier came to get them, while Airman Johnson entered the room to watch over Daniel.
SG1 entered the room to find and after grabbing some coffee took seats at the table.
"What are these?" Hammond asked looking at the papers they had handed him.
"Our mission reports Sir; we'll type them up later." Jack said
"How is Dr. Jackson?" Jacob asked
"Asleep, his shoulder is bleeding, and his wrists are raw but otherwise fine." Sam said
"I'll take a look as soon as we're done and the three of you as well." Dr. Fraiser said.
"I'm afraid this won't be formal debriefing due to the current state of the base. Dr. Fraiser please report first." Hammond asked
"We've had five deaths so far all residents of Veridous Xylo, however thanks to Anise and the Hand Device I don't believe we'll lose anyone else." Fraiser replied
"Isn't Anise the one that caused the fire in the first place?" Sam said
"She is, I've placed the rest of the Tokra in the isolation quarters and will be sending them and Zelen back as soon as the device is removed from Dr. Jackson." Hammond said "This is not up for debate." Hammond finished seeing every member of SG1 ready to object.
"And her research? Are we allowed to study her notes and question her?" Sam asked
"George personally oversaw the removal of all materials taken from the Zelen's laboratory, and her removal to a separate room for questioning." Jacob said.
"Sir, what's going to happen to the Sinners?" Jack said desperate to change the subject in order to keep his temper.
"High Councilor Tuplo has agreed to house the prisoners in the Land of Light. SG16 is already establishing a refugee camp outside the city walls and I've assigned four therapists to accompany the Sinners along with Dr. Silver."
"Dr. Silver?" Jack and Sam burst out angrily, while Teal'c raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, he's in expert in medieval society and religion and volunteered to help, in order to try and make up for his mistake with Dr. Jackson."
"Mistake." Jack said harshly.
Sam was studying the wall and was tapping her hand lightly on her leg. "Sam what's wrong?" Jacob asked noticing
"It's, " Sam broke off "It's just you can't trust these men."
"Major?" Jack asked hoping that formality would help her speak.
"In the prisoner tunnel, some of the men showed an interest in me, in ways that made me uncomfortable." Sam said clearly holding information back.
"Daniel Jackson did report incidents of rape at Glowden." Teal'c said
"I've already warned Tuplo about the Sinners, I'll give additional warnings for him to keep women and children away from the camp."
Before more could be said Ford came in "The villagers are demanding to see Calif, I told them he was being housed separately but they're threatening to riot."
Hammond rose to his feet and the meeting broke up.
Daniel slept through the rest of the day and through the night. Dr. Fraiser came and changed his bandages, and Jack changed his clothes but Daniel barely stirred. He woke up at nine the next morning and in ten minutes the rest of SG1 was in his room with breakfast and coffee. They ignored the current situation at the SGC and discussed sports and other irrevelant topics.
"Listen Daniel, the Sinners are going to the Land of Light in a couple of hours. Hammond said you're welcome to see them and say goodbye if you want." Jack said uneasily
Daniel nodded and got his feet, Sam called Dr. Ford who came in thirty minutes later with Daniel's Heretic's clothes which had been removed and cleaned as he slept. Daniel changed in the bathroom and when he came out he seemed changed. No longer guilt ridden or ashamed he stood calm and proud. Due to his injuries Sam helped him into the leather coat which Daniel accepted with an easy grace no shyness or embarrassment at needing help. Dr. Ford handed Daniel his sword and the group left the room. Walking to the Sinner's room Daniel seemed to become a stranger; a warrior, a leader, confident in his skills and command.
"Daniel." Jack said stopping him a few feet from the camp
Daniel didn't say a word but turned to him and stared him straight in the eyes.
"Listen if this is too much, or if things go wrong just tell me and…" Jack trailed off unnerved by the utter coldness and self-assurance of Daniel.
"Everything will be fine Jack." Daniel putting a hand on his shoulder.
Daniel turned and walked to the room where he was bombarded with people clamoring with greetings, condemnations, and questions. A portly middle aged man with scars started pushing through the crowd and the sinners quickly drew back to let him through.
"Daniel it is good to see you." The man said putting a hand on Daniel's arm.
"Isal." Daniel said with great respect and relief "I am glad to see you well again." He said putting a hand on Isal's arm.
"We are free thanks to you but we wish to know about the Land of Light and when we can return home." Isal said
Daniel removed his hand from Isal's arm and held up his hands and told them about the land of light, and the setup of the refugee camp. After he was done speaking he took questions before signaling for Isal to take over.
"Daniel and the people of the Tauri have freed us from our captors and will soon help us return to our loved ones. We must give thanks for our deliverance and pray for a safe swift journey home."
Isal knelt and as one Daniel and the other sinners joined him. They prayed silently but they all finished and rose to their feet as one. Daniel hugged Isal and a few of the other sinners before leaving the room ahead of SG1 and walking quietly to the elevators. Sam was the first to catch up to him and put a hand on his arm. Daniel shook her off and stared at the elevator doors. Upon returning to the room Daniel took off his clothes and handed them with his sword to Dr. Ford. No one said a word but jack quietly handed Daniel his uniform. Daniel put it on, instead of retreating to his prayer though he turned to Jack somehow deminshed.
"Jack put on something, anything." He pleaded his voice full of pain and grief clearly trying not to break down.
Jack signaled to Sam to put on the Simpsons as he slipped an arm around Daniel's shoulder. Teal'c grabbed blankets and pillows from the bed and put them against the wall. As Dr. Ford quietly left the room to the Simpsons theme he saw SG1 curled up trying to cope with the pain of the past few weeks.
A/N Please review all comments, questions, concerns welcome and deeply appreciated. Or let me know your interest by Following/Favoriting.