Disclaimer: Don't own it. Wish I did. All hail the creators of Harry Potter and Stargate.
Intermission
If not for his time in Azkaban, Sirius's time aboard the Prometheus would have been the worst period in his life. Sure there were no soul sucking beings of darkness, but for two weeks all he did was sit disillusioned in the corner of a supply closet. He had a month's worth of nutritive potions, but he could feel himself wasting away anyway. He was entirely certain that he would sell his teeth for a walk, and an arm for a chicken wing.
Security on the ship prevented him from doing much of anything though, and his getting off of the planet relied on his remaining undetected. For the most part, Sirius spent his time in a light doze. His only form of entertainment, a worn book on tracking magic, had all ready been read through three times. He was startled out of his doze when a woman ran into the room.
The woman rushed to the door's control panel, but was not fast enough. In the next instant, a man rushed into the room, a firearm outstretched.
"That's enough major," he cocked his weapon. "You really should have stayed with the group." The intent to shoot was clear on the man's face.
Sirius was up in a flash, and he brandished his wand as he shouted out, "Expelliarmus!"
The firearm flew through the air, and Sirius caught it deftly. A quick 'Stupefy,' sent the man to the ground. Sirius's already weakened disillusionment broke around the pressure of his spells, and he cursed as the woman turned to face him.
"Who are you," she asked, at the same time Sirius asked, "What's going on?"
The sound of footsteps interrupted them, and the woman returned her attention to the control panel and closed the door. Someone outside banged on the door, and a few seconds later, a light on the panel turned red. The woman turned back to Sirius.
"I asked first," he told her before she could open her mouth.
"I am Major Samantha Carter of the US Air Force-" she started.
"And you work for the Stargate program, and I'm in ever so much trouble for trespassing on your little ship." Sirius stretched his sore muscles. "But I think that you have bigger problems on your hands than me right now."
Samantha glowered at him. "It seems that the ship's being hijacked. Your turn."
"I assume you know Harry," he said. She nodded. "I'm his godfather. And as his godfather, I cannot do my godfatherly duties while I am on Earth, and he is not."
She stared at him incredulously. "Do you even have any idea what's out there?"
He shrugged. "Evil parasitic snakes, armies, whatnot. All the more reason for me to go."
"You're insane," she stated.
"Yeah, well, eight years in Hell on Earth will do that to you," said Sirius. "Now, back to the matter at hand, what's your plan here?"
"Excuse me?" asked the Major.
"Well I can't in good conscience just leave you here to face this," said Sirius.
"You can't be serious," said the Major.
"Wait, how did you- I mean, I'm completely serious." Damn his homonym name.
"We need to get out of this room, and retake the bridge," said the Major.
"What's stopping us from getting out of here?" asked Sirius.
She gestured to the red-lit panel. "The door's locked, and I can't bypass it from here."
Sirius gave a surreptitious wave of his wand and a silent 'Alohamora' turned the light green.
"You sure about that?" he asked.
She frowned at the panel, and then back at him. "How did you do that?"
"I didn't do anything," he lied, using his best look of innocence. "The ship's not exactly finished yet though, is it?"
She shook her head and looked down at the unconscious man at their feet. "I don't suppose you have some of that truth serum on you?" There was an added glare there, most likely over that Air Force Colonel.
Sirius shook his head. He had sold the last of the serum for the nutritive potions.
"Right," she said, "you're sticking with me then?"
"To the end," he said. "But don't expect me to stick around after. You wouldn't shoot me with this, would you?" he held out the weapon. "It's just that I think you have more experience with firearms."
Samantha took the weapon. "I think I could restrain myself."
"Look, you know about how Harry has abilities, right?" asked Sirius.
"I'm guessing he's not the only one with abilities," said the Major.
"Right, so I figure it won't blow your mind if I make things a little faster."
"I travel to other planets," said the Major.
"Right, so just grab my arm," said Sirius.
"Excuse me?"
"Just hold on to my arm, and I'll save us some time," said Sirius.
Samantha looked warily at him as she grabbed a hold of his arm. Sirius focused on a small map of the ship, printed on the bulkhead, before spinning and disapparating. They reappeared in the corridor outside of the bridge.
Samantha looked at him shrewdly. "That was less than two hundred miles."
Sirius could not imagine why that was relevant, and gave a noncommittal, "Hm."
"Stay behind me, and don't get in the way," said Samantha. Sirius nodded, fearing that he had used too much magic in the first place.
Samantha cocked her weapon and opened the door to the bridge. She walked forward forcefully, her firearm outstretched. "Get on the ground," she shouted, "keep your hands where I can see them!"
There was one woman in the room, and she made a move for her weapon, which she had left at another console, but Samantha interrupted her.
"I don't think so. Get down on the floor," she commanded in a voice that had Sirius nearly wanting to follow her instructions.
The woman obviously knew that she couldn't make it, and held her hands up, as she got down.
"Seal the door behind us," Samantha ordered Sirius. Not sure how to work the door controls, Sirius gave a surreptitious 'Colloportus,' while the Major wasn't looking, which caused the door to close and seal.
"What's next?" asked Sirius.
"Now we seal the compartments the intruders are in, and call in reinforcements," said the Major.
"Right then, you do that," he said, before apparating out to his camp. He would have to pack up; the ship would probably be under too much security for him to try to hide out again. He loudly cursed the blasted hijackers. It looked like Russia was now his best lead, and the country was notoriously hard to get into.
!
"With Anubis gone, the chaos that we carefully cultivated has become more… chaotic. A goa'uld that we have never heard of before, Garren, was able to take up much of Anubis's ships and worlds. However, with the many failures of the goa'uld, many of Anubis's Jaffa have begun to leave. Many of them have joined the rebellion, though some of them, more disturbingly, have begun having repeated fights to the death. An apparent form of suicide without actually killing one's self."
They were holding another meeting on Tollana, and First Officer Tellis had opened the discussion.
"The Tok'ra have never observed this kind of behavior," said Lantash.
"This is not a Jaffa tradition," said Teal'c darkly. "How it started, I do not know."
"Our intelligence has shown that the Jaffa engaging in these fights were among those who went to Anubis after the System Lords fell, rather than those acquired in battle," said Tellis.
"The Jaffa rebellion has sent out emissaries to those engaging in the fighting, but there has yet to be any progress," said Teal'c. "I fear that this problem will soon end on its own terms."
There was nothing else to be said on the subject, so Harry cleared his throat.
"I still don't think we know enough about Anubis' condition to call him 'gone'."
"We know almost nothing about his physical nature," said Sam. "For all we know, he's on the other side of the galaxy, regaining his strength."
"Or he may be stuck in the system his ship was destroyed in, or dead," said Narim.
"I agree with Harry," said Lantash, "we cannot let our guard down. We must assume that he will return, ready to fight us once more."
"Yes," said Tellis, "but without knowing more about him, we have no way of determining the matter one way or another. We never will, unless he does return."
"As I see it," said Jack, "being prepared for Anubis to return, is the same as what we'd be doing if we didn't expect him. We need to neutralize Garren, keep the others fighting amongst themselves, and help the rebellion to grow. Anubis can't take over the galaxy if he doesn't have an army to do it with."
"It's hard to explain exactly how evil and," Harry searched for the right word, "diabolical Anubis is. He waited thousands of years to return to the playing field after his banishment. I don't think we want to be with the System Lords on the list of people who thought they had Anubis taken care of."
"Right now, all we can do is keep our eyes open," said Narim. "If Anubis is coming back, he isn't going to announce himself until he's ready to destroy us."
!
Jack and Sam walked up to Harry after the meeting.
"So," said Sam, "I've got an update on this godfather situation,"
"Is this going to be as interesting as the last time?" asked Harry.
"Oh yeah," said Jack.
"You remember the ship we're making?" asked Sam.
Harry smiled. "You're asking if I remember Earth's first interstellar space ship?" he asked, not counting the fighters.
"Right," she said, "anyway, he tried to stow aboard."
Harry laughed. "That's crazy," he said. "I mean, that thing must have security in spades."
"Oh, we might not have found him if not for the hijacking," said Sam.
"I thought you said that he was a stowaway," said Harry.
"Oh, he wasn't a part of the attempt to take the ship. Some rogue federal agents managed to get a team aboard. They wanted to find a stash of off world Ancient technology, though the address they had didn't lead anywhere. Anyway, your godfather came out of hiding to save me. He helped me retake the ship, and then he just left. He's got a method of instantaneous travel, by the way, that's completely different from either of yours."
"Right, but what was he trying to do anyway? Stowing away."
"Same thing he was doing when he drugged me," said Jack. "He wants to find you."
"He said that if you're out here, he wouldn't be doing his duty by staying on Earth," said Sam.
"He wouldn't be- his duty? Where was his duty before I was taken host?" asked Harry, suddenly riled.
"I don't really know, Harry, but it's possible that he was stuck somewhere," said Sam.
"Like where?" asked Harry.
"He mentioned being in Hell on Earth for eight years," said Sam. "My guess is prison."
"Hm," said Harry, slightly mollified in spite of himself. "That's better than some things. Not exactly reassuring though."
"Look," said Sam, "I don't know where he's been, or why. But he's going to some pretty great lengths to get to you."
"That's not entirely comforting either," said Harry.
"Creepy," suggested Jack.
"A little," said Harry.
"Well we thought you should know," said Sam.
"Thanks," said Harry, "and I'm glad he helped you."
"Well Harry," said Jack, "we've got to go. Our trip back is scheduled soon."
"I'll be seeing you guys," said Harry.
"You too, Harry," said Jack. "So stay out of trouble."
"You're ones to talk," Harry rebutted.
"Bye, Harry," said Sam.
The two walked away, joining Daniel and Teal'c on the other side of the room. Narim took the opportunity to approach him.
"Harry," he said, "I hope you don't have any plans."
"I wasn't planning on anything in particular," Harry answered.
"Good," said Narim. "I would like to talk to you about your future."
"My future?" asked Harry, drawing a blank as to where this conversation was going.
"Yes. The High Council has discussed this, and it is believed that for the time being, the best course of action would be for you to take a much less active role in the war effort."
"What? But I didn't do anything wrong?" said Harry, feeling more hurt than he would have believed he could in such a situation.
"This isn't a punishment, and please know that you can always have a home on Tollana," said Narim gently. "We feel though that with Anubis' disappearance, and the current state of the war, your special skills are no longer in demand; there is no need for you to fight, and put yourself in danger. You can still be a part of planning our war strategy, but for the time being your time would be better spent in school."
"School," said Harry dryly.
"You would have the opportunity to learn sciences far beyond those of the goa'uld," said Narim.
"I can't sit in a class room while the galaxy is being ruled by the goa'uld," said Harry.
"But the galaxy is not being ruled by the goa'uld," said Narim simply. "They are still a threat, but one that can be managed without you fighting. You are currently the only ten year old that is actively fighting; not even the Jaffa fight so young."
"And if I decide to fight anyway?" asked Harry.
"As I said, you will always have a home here, but we will not support you in fighting the goa'uld further. Not if you do not at least try to settle down and attend lessons with other youth."
"Try," said Harry. "So I could try it, and decide I don't like it."
"Yes," said Narim. "You saved our entire civilization, Harry; we want only what is best for you."
A Tollan education was tempting. "How involved would I still be able to be?"
"We would still appreciate your attendance at meetings such as these. Your insight into the goa'uld, as well as your creativity in fighting them is much appreciated."
Harry sighed. He felt as though he had been backed into a corner, but the offer was tempting. "Fine," he said, "I'll try it."
"Excellent," said Narim with a smile. "There is a lecture that expands on naquadria technology tomorrow. Perhaps you should attend it."
Harry shook his head. It figured that the Tollans would invite him to a lecture on a technology that he had invented.
!
The Tollan education system seemed to be more like what Harry imagined secondary school, or perhaps college to be like than his prior experience in school. There weren't grade levels or specific classes that one had to take. Each student took the classes that best suited their needs, and to an extent they were able to attend any class that interested them. Harry liked it.
It was something of a surprise to him when the lesson on naquadria technology had gone mostly over his head. The Tollans had quickly taken the technology beyond the sciences that he was familiar with, which was how he found himself taking lessons mostly with children closer to his own age, though he was still always the youngest.
Back in Surrey, school had been a haven of sorts for him. He never shared classes with Dudley, so he only had to deal with the boy during recess and lunch, and the other children usually left him alone when his cousin wasn't around. He had enjoyed learning; enjoyed the attention of his teachers. Even though he had held back on his work, for fear of out shining his cousin, most of his teachers at least had seemed a little fond of him.
On Tollana, he was able to flourish academically. His fellow students, and many of the instructors, treated him like a peer. He didn't get very close to any of his fellow students, but he did manage to get along with them rather well. He was interesting to them for many reasons, he knew. He was an alien, a former host, and the savior of the Tollan race, not to mention his special abilities. For once, Harry didn't mind the attention so much; no one was rude about it.
With things going better than he had expected, Harry allowed himself to relax. He had settled nicely into the apartment that he had been provided with. The war with the goa'uld was going well, there had been no major losses since Anubis had been neutralized. He could get used to this.
!
Harry's hands hurt. He shook his head, and looked down at his raw red hands, still under a stream of hot water. He pulled them back "They're clean," he reassured himself aloud.
Harry shook his head again as he turned off the water. He hadn't done this since before he had rescued Sarah. He had forgotten the feeling of his hands never being clean of the lingering essence of death. Ignoring the pain, Harry roughly dried his hands and walked out of the bathroom in his apartment on Tollana. Throwing himself down on the couch in his living area, Harry thought about this new development.
Obviously, he thought, this arrangement wasn't working. He had been just fine when he was out fighting, when he was an actual part of the war effort, and not just a worthless voice at a conference table. Why should he get to take a break, after all, when the rest of the galaxy was at war? He didn't deserve special treatment.
A conclusion made, Harry got up and went to find a pair of gloves to wear. He was going to go see Narim, and while the minor damage done to the skin of his hands was already rapidly healing, they were still very obviously red. That done Harry went to the apartment's communication system and connected himself to Anan's office.
"Captain Potter," the man greeted him, "what can I do for you?"
"I was hoping to see Narim, if I can," said Harry. "I don't need much time."
"He should be able to see you now, if only for a few minutes," Anan replied.
"I'll come over then," said Harry. "Thank you."
"Of course, Captain."
Harry terminated the call and left his apartment, going down the four flights of stairs, and walking the short distance to Narim's building. Walking up to Anan's desk, the man said, "You can go right in."
Harry nodded and strode forward, entering Narim's office. "Narim," he greeted. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"No Harry, it's fine. What can I do for you?"
"It's this whole 'being a kid' arrangement. It's really not working out," said Harry. "I mean, this isn't the right time. People are still dying out there, and I could be helping them."
"I see," said Narim. The man studied Harry for a moment, causing Harry to fidget. "Your voice at our war meetings has been of value to us, Harry. You should keep in mind that the nature of this war has changed. I believe that you can still have the luxury of not fighting. I have a proposition: why don't you think on this some more, and come back tomorrow, we can talk more then."
"But-" Harry started.
"I am sorry, Harry, but I cannot speak further today," said Narim, apologetically. "I need to leave soon, there is a meeting of the Curia soon."
Harry huffed. "All right," he said, "I'll be back tomorrow, but I don't expect that I'll have changed my mind."
"We'll see," said Narim, as Harry walked out of the office.
Harry reflected that one more day wouldn't be too bad. The series of lectures he was attending on excited neutrinos were interesting.
The next day, Harry had not slept well, nor had he changed his mind. His hands were back to normal, so he had doffed his gloves, and he now sat waiting outside of Narim's office. Apparently, the man was even busier today than he had been the day before. Harry turned his head as the oddest-looking woman Harry had ever seen walked into the room. He quickly identified her as one of the Nox, based on descriptions he had heard.
Anan stood to greet the woman. "Lya, my apologies. High Chancellor Narim is busier than he had expected. Perhaps you could wait for him?"
"That is quite all right, Anan. I have no need to hurry." Lya turned and smiled serenely at Harry. "Greetings," she said.
"Hello," said Harry. "I have heard of you, Lya of the Nox. I am glad to have a chance to meet you."
"It is always a pleasure to greet a new face, Harry of the Stars. I have heard of you as well."
Harry cleared his throat. "All good, I hope."
"I have heard of tragedy and bravery, and of a child who is still so young."
Harry shrugged uncomfortably. "I am what I am."
"As are we all," said Lya with a smile. She looked out through the large windows on the other side of the room. "I do so love to see the forests on Tollana. They try so hard to tame the world around them, but they never touch the forest."
"Why is that?" asked Harry, genuinely curious.
Lya smiled down at him. "Tellis told me once that the forest hides many things. Perhaps they wish to keep a reminder that the universe has much to teach them yet."
"Well I'm sure that they don't keep it for camping," said Harry, who had a hard time imagining any Tollan roughing it for a weekend.
Anan came up to them. "Lya, Captain Potter, I regret to tell you that High Chancellor Narim has had to leave to another province on short notice. He won't be able to meet with either of you today."
"There is no trouble in waiting," said Lya.
Harry did his best to follow her example in avoiding frustration. "Alright, but I'd like to see him when he's first available."
"Of course," said Anan. "My apologies."
Harry nodded and bid the man a good day. He left the room with Lya next to him.
"Perhaps we could take a walk into the forest," said Lya.
"A walk?" asked Harry.
"It is a lovely day," said Lya, "and our other plans have been interrupted."
"I think it might rain," said Harry.
"Would that be a problem?" she asked.
Harry shrugged. "I guess not."
They walked out of the building in silence, and then on towards the tree line. Harry finally spoke as the wilderness engulfed them.
"I don't know much of anything about your planet. Are there many forests there?"
"There are many systems of life on Oreillia. A great many of them are forests."
"Do you take a lot of walks in your forests?" asked Harry.
"I have at times spent many years in the forest."
"Away from society?" asked Harry.
"I had my family, and there were others to call on. I was away from the cities though." She looked up at a tree. "I have wondered if human children enjoy trees as much as the Nox do."
Harry looked at the tree and smiled. It was a good tree. He looked back at Lya. "I think that it's a good bet." He jumped up, and grabbed the nearest branch, using it to pull himself up. He lifted himself up a couple more branches, before looking down.
"Perhaps a better question would be: do the Nox grow out of it?"
Lya smiled and reached up to the limb that Harry had used and pulled herself up. She was quickly beside him.
"You must find the forest relaxing," said Harry as he climbed to a higher level.
"A walk through the forest can be good for the soul," said Lya, catching up with him again.
"Is that so?" asked Harry.
"My mother told a story when I was young, of a being who crashed on Oreillia. Her wounds were easily mended, but her soul was in such disquiet. She was many months journey away from the gateway, but my mother was offered to her as a guide."
"Couldn't your people have taken her there directly?" Harry asked.
"The journey was far more important than the destination," said Lya. "Her soul was young still by the end of their journey, but it knew peace in the end. Both souls did."
"Both- your mother befriended a goa'uld?" asked Harry.
"All are friends to the Nox, though I do not believe that she called herself goa'uld after she left."
Harry processed that piece of information, pausing in his ascent of the tree. "Are you saying that the being that crashed on your world was Egeria, Queen of the Tok'ra?"
"Yes," said Lya, "that was the name that she eventually took."
"That was some walk," said Harry, climbing again.
"As I said, walks are good for the soul," said Lya.
The branches were becoming thinner, and Harry decided that they had gone high enough. He sat down on his branch and looked at Lya.
"You didn't have any business with Narim today, did you?" he asked.
"No," she said, "but I did yesterday."
"That sneaky little…"
"Something he learned from our friends from Earth, I believe. I owed him a favor, and agreed to speak with you."
"You owed him a favor?" Of all of the questions in his head, Harry did not know why he chose to voice that one.
"Oh yes," said Lya.
"I thought that he owed you," said Harry. "You sent him home, and you saved his planet."
"Those were simple things," she said dismissively. "The Nox have been very grateful for the Tollan's regular gift of a fruit that they know we enjoy. We do not yet know if we will introduce the species into any of our ecosystems, but we appreciate having it available. They call them calpomums, but I believe that they are called pomegranates on Earth."
Only the Nox would think that fruit was a better gift than saving a person's planet. "I still don't understand why he felt the need to bring you here."
"He is worried about your well being."
"My well being is fine," said Harry, "what's to worry about?"
"Did you know that the Tollans monitor all water usage, in order to best use their resources?"
"He couldn't possibly- he's been spying on me?"
"He merely looked for the relevant information when he perceived a problem," said Lya. "The capital building also runs complete scans of all who enter."
"There isn't a problem, my hands are fine," said Harry.
"Yet you ran scalding water over them for ten minutes."
"It only happens sometimes," said Harry defensively, "and it only happened this time because I'm just sitting around doing nothing."
"Fighting will not heal your soul," said Lya.
"And taking a walk will? What right do I have to sit in classes with little kids, while the rest of the galaxy is tearing itself apart?"
"And yet you would be but one among many at this point," pointed out Lya. "Fighting may mask the pain of your soul's wounds, but it will not make you whole."
"Look, I don't want to fight, but isn't it better for me to fight, than for some goa'uld to come out on top of the power vacuum."
"But there is a better way," said Harry.
"Right. The Nox way."
Lya smiled. "I do not think that you are quite suited to the Nox way. Not just yet."
"I'll give you that," said Harry.
"Your fight will not be won by the person with the largest weapons and armies. And the best way to defeat your enemy is not always to destroy him. Even you must acknowledge that your future in this galaxy will go far beyond that of a fighter."
"What's that supposed to mean," asked Harry.
"You have a destiny, Harry Potter; more than one. I do not believe that your greatest accomplishments will come from fighting."
"I don't know much about destiny," said Harry. "All I do know is that I'd rather we all have a future."
"Yet what will your future be centered on? Life or death?"
"I save lives," said Harry. "The people I kill, the ships I destroy, they're the ones that would have gone on to destroy innocent lives."
"You know much of death," said Lya.
Harry shrugged. "I have to."
"What do you know of life?" she asked.
Harry ran his hands through his hair. "Not much, I guess." He was only ten, after all.
"You are young yet," said Lya. "There is much for you to learn."
"I have a destiny, right?"
"Most assuredly."
Before Harry could respond, his hand device alerted him. "Someone's tampering with my ship."
"What are they doing?" asked Lya.
"I don't know," said Harry. "But I'm going to find out." Without another word, Harry opened a micro-hyperspace window in front of his center of gravity, and shot himself through. He reappeared aboard the Tar'Chell, but he did not arrive alone. Lya seemed to have beaten him to the ship.
"What are you doing here?" he asked her.
"We had not finished our conversation," she answered.
Harry shook his head. It was little surprise that she still would not speak plainly.
"Just, don't get in the way." He started to the bridge, mentally composing a brief message to Narim through his hand device. Sending it, he began another to the chief of Tollan police when he suddenly lost his connection with the ship. Somehow the intruder had programmed him out. It shouldn't have been possible, not so quickly, not with the changes he had made to the system. He ran the rest of the way to the pel'tak.
There was a man there, a Tollan soldier that Harry recognized from the day they had destroyed Anubis' mother ship.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his shield already up.
"Destroying the Tollan defenses," said the soldier, stepping away from the command consol. As he spoke, Harry heard the distinctive sounds of the ship's weapons powering up. The soldier held up a Tollan stun weapon, which Harry knew would be able to pass through both of his shields, and he dove to the side as the man fired.
Harry used his magic to force the soldier against a wall as he ran to the control panel. The ship had already begun firing, and the display showed that the ship was firing both on the terrestrial cannons, and the weapons satellites. Harry's hands flew over the panel, but it was instantly evident that he had been locked out, the system password protected. He growled and quickly pushed his magic into the ship, through the console, in order to force the weapons to shut down. It required too much concentration though, and his hold on the man began to slip. As the soldier raised his weapon again, Harry desperately shot out a wave of pure magic at him, the bulk of his consciousness still in the ship's systems, trying to halt the destruction.
Harry was not sure what effect, if any, the magic would have on the man, but he was surprised when it stopped him cold. The soldier fell to the floor, and out of him came a black mist. Harry shut down the weapons and brought himself firmly back to reality.
"Anubis," he said.
The wave of darkness rushed at him, and before he could react it was inside of him. He was taken over completely. There was nothing for him to push against; nothing tangible for him to fight. Anubis turned his body around and Harry's right hand rose against Lya. She raised her arms though, and they all disappeared, appearing again on a field on Tollana. It did not stop Anubis from releasing a concussive force from the hand device, sending Lya flying through the air. Even as she was propelled back, Lya waved her arms again, and Harry's world went black.
!
"I don't understand why you didn't make him stop fighting sooner," said Sam as she and the rest of her team walked towards the transport pad on their way to the Capitol building with Narim and his aide.
"I could ask you the same thing, Samantha," said Narim. "You had him on your base. If you had tried hard enough, you could have rendered him unconscious, and taken him to Earth. You would have had at least a chance of keeping him there."
"A chance," Sam admitted.
"We never wanted Harry to fight, but we had no right to force him to stop. He was an alien, with no ties to us. What connection did he have with even his own planet? We waited as long as we did to ask him to stop because we did not think that he would say 'yes' before. The last thing we wanted to do was alienate him. This way at least, he had friends."
"Right now," said Jack, "I think that this is a conversation for another time. Anubis is loose, and we don't have long to figure out what to do about him."
"Of course," said Narim. "Our military advisors are currently analyzing the situation, and hope to have a proposed course of action. Representatives from the Jaffa rebellion and the Tok'ra have already arrived. Samantha, while your voice would be welcome at the council, I believe that there is something else that you could be doing right now."
!
The first thing that he heard was Anan's voice.
"Thank you for coming Major Carter. I'm sure that he will be glad to see a friendly face when he regains consciousness. I know that you would have liked to attend the meeting with the rest of your team."
"No, it's okay." There was Sam's voice. "I'm glad you asked me to come."
Anan's voice again. "His doctors say that he will awaken soon. They did not wish to hasten his awakening though, because they still do not know enough about what happened to him."
"I still don't understand how this happened," said Sam.
"As best as we can tell," said Anan, "Anubis's spirit was able to find it's way aboard one of our war ships after his ha'tak was destroyed, and he took over the body of a soldier. He spent the time since then learning what he could about our technology and defenses. As his presence seems to have a deleterious effect on the bodies he inhabits, he was forced to change bodies twice before we began to realize what was happening. We believe that he was originally planning to commandeer one of our satellites and force it to launch an attack on the planet, which would have likely destroyed much of our society. As we were raising security around key positions, Anubis apparently changed his plan, and decided to take over the Tar'Chell. He proceeded to attack our defenses. Because we knew that Captain Potter was on board, we attempted to board the ship, but found ourselves unable to. We were going to attack the Tar'Chell in order to disable the shields when the ship stopped firing."
"What I'd rather know," said Harry drowsily from his bed as he opened his eyes, "is how that," he struggled to find the right word, and settled on, "thing managed to control me."
"Captain Potter," said Anan in surprise, "well, we don't really know quite how. The very nature of his being, as well as how he interacts with the physical realm still eludes us."
Harry huffed. "I swore to myself that I would never be controlled like that again. How's Lya?"
"She is well," said Anan, "she regained consciousness shortly after she was injured. She was able to tell us what happened aboard your ship."
"What happened to Anubis," he asked.
Sam spoke up. "It seems that he took another host and escaped through the Stargate."
"We had the gate under guard, of course," said Anan. "However, Anubis took one of the guards as host."
Harry sighed. He thought that Lya could have convinced him. "So the fight begins again."
A/N: Five points to the person who can name the movie that influenced this chapter.
Exciting news: I am going camping for a week. Don't worry though, I will still be writing, even if it is with pen and paper. Please remember to leave a review. I thrive off of your feedback.
