A/N: I was out of commission for like... EVER. Amazing what 18 credits can do to ones sanity. Anyway, this is the second to last installment, and it shouldn't take nearly as long for the rest to come out (if I have any say). So, one final part after this, and then the prologue/epilogue. The way it will be written I think it can be read before the rest of the story, or after you've finished reading the other parts (set several hundred years before), and it should provide some interesting hindsight/things to keep in mind as you continue. That's what I'm hoping for at least. Bottom line, I have every intention of finishing this story, even if I have to type with my feet after a horrible pedestrian accident... And once again we all love my beta, the queen. Thanks for all of your feedback, it gives me a happy squishy feeling.
Xel'naga
Jack reeled momentarily as the ground suddenly shook. It wasn't strong, and was gone almost as quick as it had started.
"What the hell was..." the rest of his question was drowned out as the building truly began to shake. It had been hit... by something.
Teal'c was the only one who remained standing after the second wave, though he did have the grace to look disheveled. The others were scattered in various degrees of disarray on the ground. Jack got back to his feet as fast as possible, eyeing the ceiling dubiously. It looked normal, but the last thing they needed was for it to come down on them with the door securely locked.
Everyone looked around the room for several moments, waiting for another shock. None came. "Earthquake?" Daniel wondered.
"No, that last one was definitely a hit." Jack replied.
"It would appear that the Xel'nagans are under attack." Teal'c said.
"By the Goa'uld?" Sam asked.
"Not exactly outside of their M.O."
"How did they find this place? If they were searching randomly they would probably never find one single planet." Daniel added.
"Doesn't matter," Jack responded, "we need to get out of here."
"If it is the Goa'uld who attack, they have likely secured the Stargate." Teal'c pointed out. It was probably true, but first they needed to get there.
They were brought to silence as a voice barely penetrated the solid walls. The reverberations in it identified it as that of a Gould, and the distortions meant that it was traveling through several walls to reach them. For a moment Jack felt sorry for anyone out on the street listening to it. The words were all but impossible to make out.
"It is not speaking Goa'uld." Teal'c stated. How he could tell was a mystery. But if Teal'c said it wasn't Gould, it wasn't.
"Ah, a message for our friends then. That can't be good." What really wasn't good was that the size of the shocks they felt indicated that the blasts came from a mothership. And, as far as Jack had noticed, there weren't any anti-aircraft weapons anywhere. It was definitely bad news if the Gould could just sit in orbit and turn the city into molten slag at their leisure.
"So, what now?" Daniel asked.
"Plan B." Jack said without missing a beat.
"We had a plan A? What was that?"
"To come up with a plan B."
"Do we have a plan B then?" Daniel continued.
"Nope. Plan A has been a total failure so far."
They could only stand there, bracing every time the floor trembled beneath their feet, and listening helplessly as heavy feet raced by the closed door. This was so not good, and there wasn't a damn thing they could do about it. It drove Jack absolutely bonkers.
The thud of more feet coming by sounded, but instead of continuing on, the door seemed to open faster than Jack could follow, and a red streak shot through, followed by several other figures. A robed scientist was yelling something in the rear.
It had only just registered that his second-in-command was pinned against the wall by a forearm to her neck when Jack lunged forward, only to be caught by a guard. Gaor-Diq held her effortlessly even as Carter and Alahn fought desperately against him. Jack's struggles were equally useless, and he saw that Daniel and Teal'c were similarly restrained.
"Hey, Dreadlocks," Jack yelled while still resisting, "let her go!"
Jack's attempt to get the focus on him instead failed. Gaor-Diq didn't even act like he heard the words, though their general meaning couldn't have been lost on him. The Xel'nagan spoke, his words laced with hate and promising death to them all.
"Dammit, Daniel, what the hell is going on?"
"He thinks we brought the Gould here." Daniel responded, still struggling himself.
Alahn struggled to breathe, but the Xel'nagan had her firmly pinned. The Scientist was still yelling something at Gaor-Diq, but he wasn't listening.
'Doesn't this just take the cake...' Jack thought to himself, their inability to help causing him to fight even harder.
Xel'naga
"(This is not the time for such childishness!)" Xyshokana-Esan insisted, but he made no physical move to stop Gaor-Diq from the murder he was in the process of committing.
"(We are enemies of the Goa'uld. They wish our demise as greatly as your own.)" Teal'c tried to reason. Even his physical strength was no match against the warrior that held him at bay. All they had were words, and they weren't producing the desired effect.
He could only watch as Alahn's eyes bugged in a mixture of terror and lack of oxygen. Her lips were clearly turning blue and her struggles were weakening.
"(While you waste time seeking revenge here, our people die on the streets.)" The scientist tried to reason.
"(We are under attack because of them!)"
"(Their deaths will not stop the attack. You claim to be a warrior, now act like one. Stop wasting time here and use your skills to help us all survive this!)"
Gaor-Diq's internal conflict was evident. A cord had very clearly been struck. Teal'c watched his body twitch as he warred with himself over what to do. The seconds stretched into eternities until another blast hit the building, the tremor deciding for Gaor-Diq what he should do. None too gently he tossed Alahn to the ground. She gasped for air, the sudden abundance where there had been none causing her to pass out. But she was alive, and at the moment that was all that mattered.
As Gaor-Diq made his way out of the room he left one command. "(Take them where they can be closely observed.)"
Xel'naga
"He truly believed he could contain a god indefinitely?" Terak asked incredulously. A host that truly thought it could control the Goa'uld within was unheard of. The idea was ludicrous.
"His belief is what brought the heretic to his untimely demise. And now the rest shall feel my wrath."
Never before had Terak seen his brother hold such a level of pure hatred for anyone. Tralik was too cool, too calculating to let emotions gain such a tight hold on him. From what Terak understood of the ordeal, though, he agreed that every one of these infidels must die. To assume equality with a god could not go unpunished.
And as the two Ha'taks bombarded the city from low orbit, and the many gliders strafed the ground all but uncontested, he knew that retribution would be at hand.
The only significant losses came from the ranks pushing forward from the Chappa'ai. While the creatures had no air defense to speak of, their ground forces proved to be extremely resilient. In the initial attack on the Chappa'ai, the Xel'nagan's meager forces inflicted significant casualties to the assault team. Terak didn't like the realization that, were this just a contest of infantry, they might not come out victorious. Terak's contingent of jaffa was rather paltry, and Tralik had only been able to capture and lure so many from various System Lords. Troops were something they didn't have to waste.
"They will fall. It is only a matter of time." Terak assured.
"That much is certain. After all, I did make a promise. I never break promises."
Terak raised his eyebrows slightly, but didn't question his brother's statement.
Xel'naga
Alahn's head throbbed angrily. She brought up a hand to try and contain the explosion of brain matter that seemed imminent.
"Easy there." She heard Jack caution.
"Ow." Alahn groaned. The throbbing only got worse as she opened her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Daniel asked.
Alahn turned her head towards him to respond, and immediately regretted it. She choked back a yelp as a searing pain shot through her neck. Tentative probing revealed that, along with sudden movements, her neck refused to be touched as well.
"Ow." She reiterated.
That was a bit too close for comfort.
No kidding. Alahn responded wryly.
"That bad, huh?" Jack replied.
Alahn noticed a Xel'nagan out of the corner of her eye. Cautiously she turned her head and saw two warriors standing guard outside of their new prison, bars allowing them to see into the hall.
"Where are we?"
"Gaor-Diq ordered us to be placed under guard. We were escorted to this room." Teal'c informed her.
Well, that seemed silly. Why wouldn't they have just been put in this room to begin with?
Maybe at first we weren't technically prisoners. Sam suggested.
I guess. Alahn didn't want to think about it. It hurt to think. Actually, it just plain hurt to exist.
She managed to sit up, though the effort was far from pleasant. Shuffling back against the wall, Alahn waited for her muscles to stop protesting before she did anything else.
"Bad to worse." Alahn mumbled to herself.
"That's SG-1 for ya. No low-budget productions here. Everything's bigger in Cheyenne." Jack quipped.
"Is that not the motto for the state of Texas, O'Neill?"
"Hammond of Texas, T." Jack said as if it explained everything.
Alahn found herself chuckling at the exchange, Sam's thoughts explaining the social idioms. She didn't really mind that it hurt to laugh, either. There hadn't been that much to laugh about lately so she'd take it whenever it came.
The faint rumblings of a near miss dragged her back to the situation at hand. "Did I miss anything?"
"Disorganized chaos." Jack supplied.
"Any idea who's winning?"
"From what little I heard a passing councilmember say... not the Xel'nagans." Daniel answered.
That was hardly surprising, but certainly not what she had hoped for. At this point it probably didn't matter who won anyway. The demons would kill them, or probably worse, and the Xel'nagans had labeled them as conspirators to the demons. Whoever did win, they would lose.
Xel'naga
They had known this day was all but foretold. The gods had taken their other worlds with hardly any resistance. The warriors, as well as the other castes, still called them gods. Xyshokana-Esan and his fellow scientists knew better. The Xel'nagans weren't gods and nor were their foes that now attacked.
And therein lay the warriors' flaw; they could not see the forest for the trees. Of course their simple ancestors had interpreted the actions of the Goa'uld as godly. They'd had nothing to compare it to. It was all science, though, and that was one subject he was well aware of.
The warriors didn't understand that the Goa'uld didn't represent the ceiling of achievement.
While the warriors insisted upon hiding behind their own pride, the scientists had been preparing for this day. It had been difficult to do in secret, but if they hadn't the warriors would have destroyed their efforts.
Another scientist approached with a diagnostic. His solemn demeanor alerted Xyshokana-Esan that there were problems even before he looked at the readout on the screen.
"It would seem that our efforts have been for naught." Zetho lamented.
"Smuggled parts and computerized simulations in place of actual tests... it would have been a miracle to make it work the first try." He replied.
"We have yet to isolate the problem," Zetho stated, "it could be something easily fixed."
"Our people hardly have the time for complications, easy or otherwise." Xyshokana-Esan replied.
"Yes, but we will continue in the hope that we can prevail."
He thought on the scientist's words a moment. Zetho was quite young, still awaiting his 100th rotation around the sun, but he held the wisdom and potential of one much older. It was easy to see why he had been one of the few made aware of the project.
"We can only hope it is something simple. Give me copies of all the relevant data. I shall communicate them to Malo-Sentat before we are cut off from the city."
Xel'naga
Daniel sat against the wall near the bars of their cell. There hadn't been much going on in the hall for quite some time. He had only the passing Xel'nagans to mark the time, but there had been very few in the recent hours.
Jack had noted the recent halt to the bombardment, indicating that the jaffa had probably forged within the perimeter of the city. A prospect that made Daniel cringe.
He really had no interest to sit in on the slaughter of a species.
"How long do you think the Xel'nagans can hold off the Gould?" he asked.
"It could take some time for them to eradicate all the pockets of resistance. But it won't be long before they have the run of the planet." Jack replied.
"Either way we're in trouble," Alahn commented.
"Ah, now ain't that the kicker." Jack said.
"The Xel'nagans believe we are in collusion with the Goa'uld, and Terak would not mourn our passing." Teal'c said simply. There it was in a nutshell.
They had to hope that the Xel'nagans would come out victorious, and that somehow they could persuade the aliens of their innocence. Daniel had no idea how they would go about that. Certainly they couldn't prove that they DIDN'T help the Gould. Up until this point the aliens had taken them for their word, and now that was in question. As long as they remained in this cell there was nothing they could do to earn back any sort of trust.
"We have to prove otherwise." Daniel said. Not that it was as simple as he made it sound.
"I'm open to suggestions." Jack raised his eyebrows as he looked from person to person, waiting for something to be offered up.
"We'll just have to think of something when the time comes." Sam added.
There was a confidence in her voice that she had been lacking, and Daniel felt the corners of his lips lifting slightly. It was just one sentence but he could tell that her whole mindset was turning back around.
"That we will." Amusement was clearly evident in Jack's voice. The whole atmosphere of the cell lifted noticeably.
Xel'naga
Alahn was glad. The realization came so suddenly that both were shocked by its very existence. Together, she and Sam had come to the conclusion that they weren't just going to sit back any longer. The idea had always there, but their feelings had overwhelmed it as though it never was. But now it had grown, and the initial shock and despair had faded enough for it to show through. They had played the victim long enough, and it didn't suit either of them well.
Nor was it getting any results.
Daniel was now sitting down beside them. They had all noticed her mood change; Alahn and Sam could tell.
"So what brought on the reversal?" Daniel asked. Jack and Teal'c approached, including themselves into the conversation.
"Whining isn't going to get us anywhere." Besides, it felt a whole lot better to be taking some control of events. Not that they could do much in their current situation, but they certainly weren't going to let an opportunity pass them by. Sam had realized she couldn't let her current situation cloud over everything.
"Well, you weren't without justification." He answered. Sam mentally cringed... it was nice of Daniel to give her, and Alahn, an excuse, but they had rode that one just about as far as it could take them. It was time to bite the bullet, so to speak. Alahn was in full agreement.
If nothing else, it was common sense that the solution wasn't just going to fall at their feet while they moped about feeling sorry for themselves.
Sam spoke up. "There comes a point where it just gets excessive. We passed that point a while ago."
"There is no shame in feeling overburdened by what has happened." Teal'c responded.
"Being overburdened and letting something beat you are two different things." Finally they saw which had been happening.
He nodded appreciably at Sam's reply. "You are stronger than you both know."
A silence prevailed for a few minutes, but it wasn't awkward.
"Hey, Major," Jack finally spoke up, "welcome back."
A jovial smirk crossed his lips, playfully quashed as Alahn replied. "And what am I?..."
Chopped liver. Sam supplied.
Ewwww. Not a pleasant image. But then that was the point.
"... Chopped liver?" she finished, trailing off.
"More like ground round. Veal cutlets even." Alahn rolled her eyes while Daniel and Teal'c simply looked puzzled.
"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not." Alahn answered.
"Hey, that came from the bottom of my... stomach."
"Your stomach?" Daniel echoed dubiously.
"Do you think anyone delivers this far out?" Jack wondered.
"Good luck, sir." Sam responded dryly. Though, the idea of a delivery boy stepping through the 'gate with his insulated bag of pizzas was an intriguing one.
Xel'naga
The guards stood against the opposite wall looking into the cell. Teal'c admired their training as neither had moved from their post nor acknowledged any of O'Neill's prods. Even though they may not have been able to understand him, certain actions had a universality that translated across most cultures.
Teal'c idly touched the bandana that was still around his head, glad that the aliens had not insisted upon its removal. Their situation would only worsen if the Xel'nagans saw that he was jaffa.
Watching their guards had been Teal'c's pretense as he observed Alahn and Major Carter out of the corner of his eye. They were asleep on their back as it was more bearable than any other position given their injuries. Despite stiff neck muscles, Teal'c could see that the pair seemed more at ease than they had been. It was a sight that he greeted. Far too long had they been consumed in a pit of despair. He knew that Major Carter wouldn't let herself simply give up as she had been close to. Thankfully he turned out to be correct.
Words in Goa'uld drifted to Teal'c from somewhere beyond his field of vision, catching his attention. It was a few moments before they became clear enough to make out.
"(... most unfortunate twist of fate.)" One voice said.
"(We are going over the diagnostics as we speak, though I am holding out little hope of a quick solution.)" Teal'c recognized the second voice as Xyshokana-Esan's host. He shook awake Daniel and signaled for him to be quiet and listen.
"(This is our last chance. There is nowhere for our people to run, and now that our enemy controls the Transportation Circle, no way to get there. We must get the weapon operational while there's still something left to save.)" The first voice continued.
"(As I am well aware, Malo-Sentat.)"
"(Of course. You will forgive my passion on this subject. What do we know of the problem?)"
"(Power is not being applied through the system. There are many points where the flow may be encountering difficulties. Systematically testing each will take far too long if the problem does not lie near the beginning of the system.)" Xyshokana-Esan noted.
"(For now it's the best we can do. I will see what I can make of this. I know I do not have to suggest that you do the same.)"
"(Of course.)"
The familiar discharge of a staff weapon shifted Teal'c to his feet. He watched on helplessly as one of the guards was driven against the wall by several blasts. Despite his injuries he and the second guard returned fire. A decidedly human scream filled the air as a jaffa was hit.
The first guard finally succumbed to more staff blasts, and Teal'c heard another, perhaps two, jaffa fall. He, and by then the rest of SG-1, could only look on as the battle played out.
Despite the guard's effort, he was finally taken down by the few surviving jaffa. The victorious soldiers came around the corner into view. They looked at SG-1 and SG-1 returned the stare. One of the jaffa had the mark of Terak while the other two had symbols of Goa'uld that Teal'c didn't know. Apparently Terak had converted the jaffa of various minor Goa'uld.
"You." Terak's jaffa said after recognition flashed in his eye, followed by a look of sheer glee. "My master will be pleased to have you in his grasp once more."
Teal'c eyed the jaffa in defiance. There was nothing they could do in their current situation, but Teal'c was prepared to act the second their new captors made a foolish mistake.
Something he was almost certain they would do.
One moved to search for a locking mechanism on one of the fallen guards. The other jaffa was flying through the air before anyone could register that he had been attacked. As the other jaffa moved to react a second Xel'nagan was already barreling forth, batting his weapon aside and crushing him against the wall, denting his shoulder armor. Terak's jaffa had turned in surprise, and Teal'c acted. He grabbed the jaffa by the shoulders and pulled him against the cell bars. His staff weapon fired, but the shot went wild and chipped the wall. O'Neill assisted and disarmed the jaffa.
Xyshokana-Esan grabbed the jaffa and slung him against the far wall, landing him on top of one of the other jaffa. Then all was silent.
It was an awkward moment as SG-1 stared at the two scientists who returned the gaze. Teal'c was sure that he could see a hint of surprise in their eyes. Were the situation reversed he would be equally confused. They had assisted in the overpowering of the jaffa.
"(The jaffa were pleased to see you, but in the way of a predator catching its prey and not allies reuniting.)" Malo-Sentat stated dubiously.
"(The Goa'uld attacking you is also intent upon our destruction.)" Teal'c responded, hoping this time the words held more weight.
"(Tralik is against you as well?)"
"Tralik?" Daniel Jackson repeated in surprise.
"(You're under attack by Tralik?)" Daniel asked.
"Woah, woah, woah! Tralik? Just what the hell is going on here?" O'Neill cried out. That was the dead snake.
"(With his brother Terak, yes.)" Something in the Xel'nagan's tone made Teal'c think that he believed their ignorance to be sincere.
"(Was Tralik not blended with one of your own?)" Teal'c questioned.
"(He was, but Kintari-Tralik disappeared long ago, we believed them to be dead. He stated that he killed Kintari and has returned to punish us for our audacity.)"
"If I don't hear what's up in five seconds... I'm not going to be happy." O'Neill intoned.
"Apparently Terak AND Tralik are attacking." Daniel Jackson finally replied.
"Isn't he supposed to be dead?"
"It would seem not." Teal'c stated.
"And Jack, they have a weapon that could stop the Gould." Daniel continued.
"Big honkin' space gun?"
"I don't know. But the point may be moot anyway. It isn't working."
"Well then that's a whole heap of help." O'Neill answered sarcastically.
"Perhaps Major Carter can be of assistance in finding the fault in their design." Teal'c said.
"(We do not have time to waste with you.)" Malo-Sentat suddenly said.
"(Please wait, we might be able to help.)" Daniel pleaded.
"I may not be able to do anything, though." Major Carter warned.
"(Help?)" Xyshokana-Esan sounded dubious.
"It can't hurt to try, can it?" All of them nodded slightly at Daniel Jackson's words. It was worth an attempt.
"(Major Carter is a scientist of our world. She may be able to help you figure out whatever is wrong with your weapon.)"
"(An outside view may be what you are missing.)" Daniel added.
The two Xel'nagans looked at each other for several moments. Teal'c could not blame them for still having doubts. However, they had proven themselves far more open than Gaor-Diq had... perhaps they would believe SG-1's sincerity in their offer.
Xyshokana-Esan spoke slowly. "(These are desperate times.)"
Malo-Sentat nodded his approval warily. He moved to grab the locking mechanism and opened the cell.
"I take it this is a good thing." O'Neill said cautiously.
Teal'c nodded as he stepped out of the cell.
Xel'naga
"Sergeant, report." Hammond ordered as he entered the Control Room. They had been trying to establish a wormhole to the planet for over two hours. Each time the connection had not been made. The other Stargate was in use.
After the third attempt had failed the General had ordered SG-3 to prep for a possible rescue mission.
"We're scheduled to dial in five minutes, sir." Davis replied.
"Do it now."
"Yes, sir." The 'gate began to turn and Sergeant Davis called out each chevron. When George noticed he was grabbing the empty chair so hard that his knuckles were turning white, he loosened his grasp.
"Chevron seven... has locked." Davis' voice was filled with obvious relief as the 'gate kawooshed to life.
"It's about damn time. Send through the MALP."
The probe trundled forth on the ramp, disappearing into the rippling surface. Everyone in the Control Room eyed the monitor, waiting to see what was on the other side. Hammond just knew it was not going to be good, whatever it was.
Only enough video came back through to show several jaffa firing at the probe as soon as it appeared.
"Sir?" Davis queried.
"Shut it down, Sergeant." Hammond activated the intercom into the Gate Room. "SG-3, stand down."
"What now?"
"SG-1 will have to get home on their own. The Stargate is under guard by jaffa and we don't know anything beyond that. It would be suicide for anyone to step through the 'gate." He really should be more surprised that the Gould were there. However SG-1 was so good at getting into impossible situations it wasn't really that far of a stretch for this situation.
Jacob would want to be informed of the current situation, what little Hammond could tell him. "Dial up the Tok'ra."
Xel'naga
"Am I the only one that sees a problem with this?" Sam asked sarcastically. They had made their way to one of the side exits of the building, and as soon as they cracked open the door the hiss of energy dominated. Staff discharges were streaking through the air in a seemingly haphazard fashion, both sides' weapons indistinguishable from the other. Going out there would be treacherous at best.
It was the dead of night but she could make out other buildings in the glow of the firefight.
"If you have a better idea I'm all ears." the Colonel retorted. One good thing was everyone was too busy shooting at each other to notice them. Hopefully.
Their two Xel'nagan guides raced across the street into a smaller building on the other side. They carried the fallen guards' weapons, while SG-1 had pilfered the staff weapons of the jaffa. It was all for looks, though. If they got caught up in the firefight, then they would lose. They couldn't afford to be bogged down.
She rushed through the street with the others, keeping as low as possible while still running headlong through the open door, her neck injury all but forgotten. When they reached the other building Sam's mind immediately returned to trying to figure out the problem with the alien weapon. A fruitless endeavor since she didn't know what the problem was, or even what technology she would be dealing with. It would probably be based on Goa'uld technology, which gave her a better chance of knowing enough to actually be able to help.
Maybe you should save this for when we actually get there. Alahn suggested as Sam nearly walked into the wall, stopped only by Teal'c's hand on her shoulder.
Right.
"Are you well?" he asked.
"Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking." Sam answered sheepishly.
And not thinking about what a fool she had been recently. That thought had plagued her mind since she and Alahn had decided enough was enough. So, in true Carter spirit, she shirked it off. Feeling like an idiot could wait until later.
Considering the danger they were in, hopping from building to building, Sam was surprised how cluttered her mind was with other things. For now she pushed the doubt and relief to the side, and focused on not getting shot.
"So where exactly are we trying to get to?" Colonel O'Neill asked.
Daniel exchanged a few words to Xyshokana-Esan. "There's a secret entrance to their bunker at the edge of the city."
"Ah hell, that's going to take forever."
The Colonel was right; they had to navigate their way through buildings only to rush into others. However, remaining on the street for any significant length of time was out of the question. Maneuvering around both the jaffa and the Xel'nagan's fighters was taking more time than any of them were comfortable with.
Apparently Malo-Sentat noticed their discomfort and spoke.
"He says that we are nearing an alleyway. Assuming it is not a major cataract for the fray, our pace shall make great improvement." Teal'c translated for the others.
"Ah, speed is good." The Colonel replied.
"The fighting seems to have reached a standstill." Sam added. Neither side seemed to be gaining or losing ground. Maybe it would buy them some more time. Apparently Terak and Tralik were both a little too eager to take this planet down. While the larger buildings were decimated, the bombardment had done little to quell the defenders within the city. If anything the debris only made it easier for the Xel'nagans to hold their ground.
The group that had made it into their holding area had obviously been a fluke that managed to bypass the heavy fighting.
"I wonder if Hammond has tried to contact us yet." Daniel wondered aloud as they dashed into another building.
"Yeah, I'd imagine he's tried. We are just a wee overdue. Probably got a nasty welcome at the 'gate." Colonel O'Neill answered.
Chances were any probe that was sent through didn't last long. They weren't expecting any help.
Xel'naga
As soon as George had said 'there's been complications' Jacob had insisted upon continuing the conversation on Earth. He had been made aware of SG-1's mission to the planet before they had left. It had been on his mind ever since.
Constant worrying does no one any good. Selmak chided. It just makes my job harder. If you humans only realized what you did to your bodies...
That's my daughter out there, I think I have the right to worry.
Of course. I only attempt to lighten the mood.
As soon as Jacob stepped through on the other side, he caught Hammond's eye in the Control Room and silently communicated that they would talk in the Briefing Room. He wasted no time in ascending the stairs. Jacob wanted to know what was going on as soon as possible.
"What went wrong, George?" Jacob finally stopped walking and faced his friend.
"We don't know exactly. SG-1 was well overdue for contact. We tried to dial the planet five times before we were able to establish a connection. The MALP was destroyed almost immediately on the other side."
"Destroyed?" Did he mean by an iris-type barrier, or deliberately by the inhabitants on the other side?
"We received just enough video to make out several jaffa on the other end."
"Jaffa? I thought this was a planet that belonged to these aliens." Jacob responded in surprise. Jaffa shouldn't be there.
If they are, it is safe to assume that the planet has fallen under attack.
That's NOT what I wanted to hear. Jacob said, his worry rising.
I would not dishonor you by telling lies, Jacob.
God, what the hell is going on over there.
Please calm yourself, Jacob. I shall continue the inquiry. Jacob acquiesced to Selmak, who stepped forth and took control.
Selmak spoke calmly, her voice even. "Please forgive us. Jacob is having some difficulty with this new information. I must admit that I too am at a loss."
George nodded solemnly. "Since the probe was destroyed so quickly, we were unable to attempt radio contact with SG-1. Right now we have no idea what's happening on that planet."
"I see. It is a common Goa'uld tactic to keep the Stargate open to prevent their enemy from sending reinforcements through it." Selmak informed him. It was useless knowledge that didn't help the current situation.
This isn't good.
Truly it is not. But perhaps we do not give this species proper credit. They could very well be driving back the Goa'uld invaders.
Forgive me if their track record doesn't give me much hope. Jacob scoffed. They had already lost two planets, what would stop them from losing one more?
"We are prepping a UAV run to see if we can get some idea of what's going on over there." George stated.
"It will be destroyed like your previous probe." Selmak warned. But, Jacob knew, if George was suggesting this then he had thought of something.
"A series of smoke and fragmentation grenades will be sent through just prior to launch. With luck the screen will allow the UAV to get out of weapons range before it can be destroyed." The General explained.
"There is a great chance of failure, but I fall short of offering a better course of action." Selmak admitted. It was the best they could do in the current situation.
Jacob signaled his wish to speak and Selmak pulled back. "Selmak and I are going to stay until this whole situation is resolved, of course."
"Of course." George replied, expecting no less.
"When is the UAV going through?"
"As soon as it's prepped we'll attempt to dial the planet in fifteen minute intervals."
Jacob and Hammond stood in the control room as a connection was established. They were lucky and managed to get through on only the third try. Below the UAV awaited on its launch pad as soldiers sent through the grenade package.
Ample time was given for the smoke to thicken, and then Hammond nodded to the technician who activated the UAV's launch propellants.
"UAV will arrive in 3... 2... 1. Receiving video." The technician announced. Flares of light could be seen in the smoke pocket as staff weapons fired in the air, but so far none of them hit their mark. The probe gained altitude, leaving the smoke pocket, and giving them all a splendid view of what lay beyond.
Jacob, as well as the others, had hoped to see the Goa'uld being beaten back by the aliens. What unfolded as the UAV gained optimum altitude was anything but. Death Gliders streaked through the air unopposed. A city was barely visible over the terrain, the signs of bombardment impossible to miss. The Goa'uld were walking all over these people, and by the looks resistance was all but nonexistent.
"Weren't they preparing for this sort of thing? Did they think that the Goa'uld would just leave them alone?" Jacob couldn't help but put voice to his thoughts.
"Open up the channel." Hammond ordered, receiving a nod from the technician. "SG-1, this is General Hammond. If you can hear me, respond."
He tried a few more times, each followed by silence.
Perhaps they are within one of the buildings, and the signal is unable to penetrate. Selmak offered as a lame consolation to her host.
He ignored her. "The Death Gliders had to come from somewhere. A mothership must be in orbit."
"I'm afraid that given the current circumstances I can't send any personnel through." George announced slowly.
Jacob knew that it hurt his friend to not be able to help his men. It hurt him even more to respond. "I understand."
Xel'naga
"What's with these guys and narrow tunnels?" Jack asked no one in particular. Daniel had been told that they'd reached the entrance to their bunker. The entrance was little more than a trap door within Malo-Sentat's home near the outer fringe of the city. Now they walked through a dimly lit tunnel that was barely wide enough for one Xel'nagan to squeeze through.
"The dimensions are similar to those of the pyramid." Teal'c commented.
"There's probably some sort of cultural significance." Daniel said something to one of their guides asking about it, Jack assumed. He wasn't surprised when Daniel began to rattle off an explanation after receiving a pretty detailed response. "He says that it's a habit retained from their homeworld. Apparently every year some species called the Kalwa would grow to swarm-like numbers and attack their settlements. They would build everything to defend themselves in sieges."
Having to face enemies one at a time definitely would be advantageous in a fight. It also explained the fighting up in the city. They'd probably picked up a thing or two about staving off attackers. Maybe they actually had the time to fix whatever was wrong.
The tunnel widened slightly and a pair of Xel'nagans wielding their versions of staff weapons stopped them. Jack wasn't sure but he thought he could see a door around their bulks. They wore robes, so Jack could only assume that they were scientists. Their escorts began talking to the two guards, and it was more than obvious that the presence of four humans was a tense subject. He couldn't help but hold his own weapon a little tighter, just in case things went wrong. It was disconcerting to not know exactly what was being said about them, but the fact that they hadn't been killed yet had to mean something. He glanced at Teal'c out of the corner of his eye and saw that he was also prepared for trouble.
Thankfully they didn't get any. The guards finally nodded to the two council members, and led them through the door. The room was huge and very well lit in contrast to the long corridor they had to walk through to get there. Robed scientist scurried around the domed area holding what appeared to be some sort of handheld computers. Tension was thick, and in here Jack felt an even greater apprehension than he had dodging through the actual fighting. Unless something happened, they were going to lose the fight, and the scientists knew that.
Jack felt the sense of urgency to be contagious and found himself shifting impatiently. He spoke to Daniel. "So, what... now?"
The hesitation came from Jack's gaze finally moving past the hurried figures to the large machine in the middle of the room. With the lights reflecting off of it he didn't know how he had missed it in the first place.
"That's... that's big." Daniel stated.
"Huge." Jack corrected.
"Huge." Daniel agreed.
They both just stared at it for a few moments.
"Now THAT is what I call a big, honkin' space gun." Jack finally broke the silence. The turret stood at least 40 feet high, easily dwarfing everything else in the large room. It put the Tollan ion cannons to shame, that was for sure.
It was too bad that there was something wrong with it.
Jack cracked his knuckles in preparation. "Ok folks, guess we should get to it."
Xel'naga
Daniel looked on as one of the scientists opened up a panel at the base of the weapon at Malo-Sentat's beckoning. It didn't mean anything to him, even when he had relayed information about the weapon to Sam, but Sam looked at the innards with keen interest. The only thing Daniel could make out was that it looked Gould, crystals poking out of the panel.
"This just might be possible." Sam commented, receiving a questioning look from Daniel. "I was afraid that their technology might only resemble the Goa'uld's on the outside, and then I'd have no frame of reference."
"So, piece of cake." Jack replied.
"I didn't say that." Sam said, slightly bemused. Her reaction was short-lived as she continued her inspection.
Daniel sighed at Jack, receiving an innocent shrug in reply. Sam continued examining various panels that contained God-knows-what. Teal'c looked on appreciably, but Jack didn't even pretend to understand any of it. Instead he kept looking about the room while rocking on the balls of his feet.
"Hey, Teal'c and I are gonna go mingle, see what else we can learn." Jack announced, leading Teal'c off.
Daniel watched them walk around for a few moments. The two went from station to station, Xyshokana-Esan providing translations for Teal'c.
"This thing uses a huge amount of power." Sam said to herself, bringing Daniel back to the moment.
"Well, as Jack so eloquently put it, it is a 'big honkin' space gun'." Daniel responded. If it did have any chance of turning the tide it would have to use a lot of power. A Gould mothership wasn't just going to fall out of the sky on its own.
"All of these crystals are required to channel the energy it takes to run this thing."
"And that means?" Daniel still couldn't see what she was trying to say.
"If there were a problem with these there would have probably been an explosion, or at least a power surge that could cause some severe damage. But from what they said that isn't the case. Power is simply being diverted somewhere." She explained.
"The problem is figuring out where." Daniel concluded. Didn't sound like anything new, but apparently she had eliminated one possibility.
"Right. I'm going to need some more info." Sam declared, indicating that Daniel would have to once again put his translation skills to use.
Xel'naga
"SG-1, this is General Hammond. If you can hear me, respond." The recording went silent for a few moments before continuing. "SG-1, do you copy?"
"How long ago was this?" Jack asked.
Teal'c asked the scientist who was escorting them. "I am unfamiliar with the units of time, but Zetho assures me that the message is not new."
If that were the case they definitely couldn't count on the folks back home to help them out. "So we missed contact with Hammond. Our friends here say the 'gate is heavily guarded."
"General Hammond would not likely send a team into such perilous conditions." Teal'c added, having reached the same conclusion. "Sending a message would have been most difficult."
"Which means they probably won't try again. And that leaves us right back where we started." He knew that the General would feel otherwise, but he'd be hard pressed to justify expending any more resources on what seemed nothing less than a hopeless situation. The fact that no one had answered the hail just meant that Hammond couldn't even be sure that they were still alive.
The backup would have been nice, but probably wouldn't have made any real difference. They'd just have to do without. Hopefully the troops up top would hold things long enough for them to get the weapon working. Well, there wasn't much of anything that he could personally do to speed things up, but he could still drag Teal'c around and see what else he could figure out.
Xel'naga
This test should narrow down exactly where the problem was occurring. Several scientists were around opened control panels preparing to scan the crystal relays. To reach them the scientists had to stand on the platform at the base of the weapon. When they powered up the weapon the sensors, having been recalibrated, should be able to determine where the power was being redirected. Then it would just be a matter of replacing or working around the system in question.
I'll just be glad when this is over with, one way or the other. Alahn interrupted.
Sam agreed. It was long past time for a break. She rubbed the back of her neck, trying to work out an especially stiff muscle. Amazingly some had relaxed a bit from her encounter with Gaor-Diq First, she had to help the Xel'nagans get this weapon working, and then she could take a moment.
Everything was about set for the test.
All that power has to go somewhere. Something was beginning to nag at Sam.
So you've said. Alahn was far from an expert in electronics, but she could feel Sam's uncertainty.
Nothing blew up, and their diagnostics showed no damage after their first test. And that would be exactly the thing to look for if a control crystal had failed. There was something that she was missing.
Then that rules out a control crystal. Alahn pieced together.
But... the weapon utilizes a lot of crystals to focus power to be sent to the firing mechanism.
The problem lies there. Alahn deducted from Sam's thoughts.
Not necessarily, the gun can't build up a charge to release. The energy is being released somewhere else... She was so close to the answer it nagged at her.
When the test began, the hum of power was accompanied by screams. The scientists on the weapons looked almost possessed. They convulsed wildly for a few moments that seemed to stretch into an eternity. As the power was cut they fell in a boneless heap to the ground.
"What the hell was that?" the Colonel exclaimed over the ensuing chaos.
Sam was too stunned by the complete lack of effects that accompanied the electrocution to answer. The Xel'nagans converged upon the fallen scientists, pulling them clear even though the danger had passed and the damage had been done. Only one appeared to be semi-conscious, she wouldn't be surprised if either or both of the others were already dead.
Snapping back to the moment she finally offered up a response. "They were electrocuted."
Orders were being shouted, making it hard to hear. One of them was obviously dead, having been abandoned for the other two. They were eventually taken away to whatever medical facilities there were.
"What happened?" Daniel asked.
"There's a flaw in the insulation, the power never reached the firing mechanism because it jumped to the outer casing." She pieced together from the display. It disturbed her to have to figure it out this way.
"So it fried them," Sam nodded to the Colonel's remark. "How come it didn't toast the rest of us?"
"The gun is grounded."
"Can this problem be solved?" Teal'c asked.
Sam admonished herself for being just a moment too slow. The accident did highlight the problem, but at the cost of at least one life. Alahn was still trying to absorb exactly what happened.
"Yeah, it's not that difficult now that it's obvious what is going on. It's just going to take a little time to do it." She had a job to do.
Xel'naga
"Their fortifications within the city are proving most troublesome." Terak stated. He felt odd being the voice of reason in such a conversation. Usually it was he that would want to send their forces in headlong. "It would have been wise to continue the bombardment for some time longer."
"They ARE failing, slow as it may be. Those that survive the battle will be made to suffer for their indiscretions." Tralik replied, not even turning to face his brother.
"Be that as it may, perhaps it would be wise to pull back and resume the aerial attack for a while longer."
Tralik then fixed him with such a glare that Terak found fear creeping into him. Never before had he felt anything close to fear of his brother, but now he simply did not know the Goa'uld standing before him. What could these creatures have possibly done to change him so much? Terak was sure that something had been left out when Tralik told his tale, because even he couldn't figure it. The anger he could understand, but to completely forego strategy to achieve revenge was not like Tralik.
He'd only have to hope that vengeance would return his brother to something like what he had been before. Until then, he'd have to watch his step.
After a brief pause, Terak amended his previous statement. "You are, of course, a more brilliant tactician than I."
For the moment Tralik seemed satisfied.
Xel'naga
Teal'c stood on as they once again attempted to power up the weapon. Major Carter had mentioned something about the outer skin of the weapon having its polarity reversed, which he only understood to mean that this time it should function properly. She had spoken that it was not necessary to fix the insulation to get the gun to work, just to make the path to the core the easiest for the power to flow.
It was no surprise that O'Neill and Daniel Jackson seemed to understand as well as he did. However, both Major Carter and the Xel'nagan scientists were confident that the weapon would now work. Tracking systems outside of the bunker had located the position of two motherships in low orbit. All that remained was to attack.
The gun wouldn't be able to purge the jaffa already within the city. But the destruction of their ships would deal a great blow to the morale of the troops. To be sure, the Xel'nagans chances would be greatly increased without the motherships and their glider escorts present to dispatch anyone not sheltered within the city.
"They're going to start now." Daniel advised. Everyone distanced themselves from the gun, just in case.
When the area was clear the technician activated the controls. There was a deep hum of power, and then nothing. After a few seconds the gun rotated to point directly overhead and then stopped. Then with a nod from Malo-Sentat the overhead doors were opened, some dirt and debris falling into the bunker.
"Bye bye." O'Neill waved to the sky.
Xel'naga
"My lord, there is a large source of energy on the planet, scans indicate it to be a weapon." The jaffa cried from his post at the pel'tak.
"What? You only picked it up just now?" Terak berated.
"We are being targeted."
"Raise the shields!" Terak ordered. As the words left his mouth he saw the other Ha'tak explode in the view screen. "Lock onto the signal! Destroy it!"
"What is this?" Tralik was truly perplexed.
"Lock acquired, my lord." The jaffa stated.
Terak was about to bellow the command to fire when he saw a purple bolt streaking towards them. An instant later the ship jolted with such force that he immediately knew that the shields had not completely stopped the attack. Grabbing the throne for his life was the only thing that kept Terak from spilling to the ground with everyone else. The lights flickered ominously.
"Destroy it!" he commanded.
"Main power is down, only backup systems are functioning. Nearly half of the ship is venting as we speak. We cannot defend ourselves." The First Prime panicked.
He couldn't believe it. Victory had been assured, even with the premature end to their bombardment. How did this weapon go undetected until now? How were they losing?
"They will all die." Tralik stated evenly.
"Not before us, brother."
Tralik looked surprised. "You have changed. You are not as you were."
"It is you that I do not know anymore. What could these beasts have done to you to make you lose your senses so thoroughly? You were once the greatest tactician that I ever knew. Were you truly yourself you wouldn't have allowed this travesty to come to pass!"
"I am a god!"
With Tralik's proclamation a second bolt raced towards them and the Ha'tak exploded in spectacular brilliance.
Even in the morning light a flash in the sky could be seen. The Death Gliders that were patrolling the planet went into disarray, communications disabled. While most didn't know what to do, a few took initiative and prepared for attack runs on the open bunker. But the weapon was already prepared, locking on the various gliders. None had a chance to enter weapons range before they were incinerated.
Just as soon as it had started, it was all over.
Xel'naga
Malo-Sentat stood before a large group of Xel'nagans. Many from all castes were present, waiting to hear what he had to say. Everyone knew it was the scientist's weapon that had ultimately driven the invaders away, it had not taken long for this news to spread. The ground forces were slowly fleeing from the city after their support had been decimated. With the scientists raised up as heroes, Malo-Sentat hoped to use their new position to erect certain changes. Changes he was sure that many would be in favor of, but tradition was a powerful deterrent to many. It would only be more difficult the longer he waited.
"Times have changed. The gods themselves have been thwarted, and our people's existence preserved. But now is not the time to think ourselves invincible. We must continue to better our race and strive for more." He may not have believed them to be gods, but it wasn't the time to argue that with the people. Only so much could be addressed at once.
"Just what do you propose?" Gaor-Diq asked dubiously.
"The Council is biased. To only have two castes represented is preposterous."
"It is how it has been for ages. Kintari-Tralik himself declared it, The Council shall be made of seven and they shall be from the mind and body of the people." Gaor-Diq interrupted before more could be said. He spoke with the blind devotion that marked a zealot, fanatical and unyielding in their beliefs. Even if those beliefs were proven false before their very eyes.
"Were all the laborers to disappear, or the healers, or any of the others, they would be as sorely missed as the scientists or the warriors. Yet they do not receive the same respect. All are needed for us to be as we are, and all contribute to what we will become. I only suggest that all should have a say in matters of The Council. Only in that way can we be sure that decisions made will truly benefit our people." Malo-Sentat rebutted.
It was but a moment before Krenal, a respected healer, stepped forward. "Honored Malo-Sentat speaks wisely. It is time for change. Just as the vlashi adapts to the season, we must adapt to the times around us. Something serving us in the past does not mean that it always will."
Many assembled voiced their approval. The warriors, however, looked less than pleased. In fact, they looked absolutely vehement, their expressions windows to the anger burning within each. Malo-Sentat smiled on the inside, because he knew that the warrior's anger stemmed from the fact that they were losing. The people were with him.
Malo-Sentat continued. "Each caste should have an equal voice within The Council. To that end I believe that the castes should all have one joined representative... chosen by their own."
"This is outrageous!" Gaor-Diq shouted. Fighting a losing battle.
Everyone else showed support for the idea. "You seem to be the only one who disapproves. Do you really find yourself that much greater than the rest of our people that the idea of working with them appalls you so?"
Malo-Sentat could have rubbed the budding victory in even further, but he didn't want to turn those assembled against his cause, or divide the people any more than necessary. The warriors would resent the power shift, but if everyone approved, they'd have no choice but to obey. Since the beginning of their civilization, the warriors' first charge had always been the protection of the Xel'nagan people. No matter their disputes, it was the one directive they simply didn't know how to stray from.
They would survive the loss of their power, but not the loss of their honor.
Xel'naga
"All of the jaffa are out of the city now?" Daniel asked.
"Many fled at the first opportunity, but others would have exposed themselves had they attempted escape." Teal'c replied.
It had been two days since the ships were destroyed and the attacking forces fell apart. Each squad was fighting for their own survival, no longer coordinating with any others. Those near the outskirts of the city retreated almost immediately, while those further in had to work their way out. The ones guarding the Stargate probably hadn't remained long.
When they left the bunker with the scientists, Daniel had been surprised by the atmosphere. Everyone was starting to come out of hiding, lying praises upon the scientists for saving them. The warriors were still busy cleaning up the pockets of jaffa that were still scattered about, but Daniel was sure that they wouldn't want to be around even if they weren't occupied. They had lost face to the people. Though they couldn't understand the words, the gestures were telling enough. The Xel'nagans were supporting their saviors, and those were the scientists.
Something had happened behind closed doors, and despite Daniel's inquiries he hadn't been able to learn much about it. All he knew was that The Council was not the same one they had met with before the invasion. Malo-Sentat and Gaor-Diq were there, but everyone else was new. Judging by clothing, many castes were assembled, two of the new Xel'nagans belonging to each. The chamber wasn't designed for so many people to be on The Council, so all stood on the dais.
The only thing Daniel had really been able to gather was that the new council members were only waiting to be joined, blended, or whatever terminology one wanted to use for getting a symbiote in the head. He still couldn't really grasp the idea of blending being so neutral. The only reason the Tok'ra worked was because the symbiotes chose to share the body with the host. In the case of the Xel'nagans, something biological prevented complete control. These people had no concept of slavery to a parasite, and probably didn't realize the human hosts weren't always willing partners.
Malo-Sentat stepped forward, bringing Daniel out of his thoughts.
"(We have spoken at length about your situation. While our scientists could perhaps have solved the problem with the weapon themselves, time was short. As such, we both acknowledge, and offer the thanks of the people for your aid.)" With that all the Xel'nagans assembled crossed both pairs of arms and bowed their heads briefly, Gaor-Diq's stiffness making it well known that he did not agree with the others.
Daniel cleared his throat. "(We're honored. It is our hope that our two people can become friends and perhaps open relations.)"
"(In time I believe this would be possible,)" Malo-Sentat paused briefly, "(until then, we shall honor your request and work toward helping your friend.)"
Daniel was shocked into silence. He couldn't believe what he had heard.
"What's wrong?" Alahn asked, seeing his bewildered look.
"Nothing... they agreed to help us."
There was a long pause as everyone let it sink in.
"Seriously?" Jack asked.
"Seriously."
Sam and Alahn remained speechless. The wind knocked out of them, it was all they could do to stand. Daniel watched as they struggled to grasp what exactly was going on.
"We had to catch a break somewhere." Daniel whispered to them, then translated their gratitude to the Council.
Xel'naga
Teal'c and Jack approached the Stargate. Several warriors stood guard for any jaffa that continued to linger throughout the countryside. They all avoided looking at the two humans, all outraged that their place in society had been rocked so severely, no doubt setting heavy blame on SG-1. Teal'c ignored them as he dialed earth, and Jack sent the iris code. Getting the green light, both stepped through.
There was an obvious relief of tension in the Gate Room as the pair stepped through, short lived when it was obvious they were the only ones coming.
"Colonel O'Neill, where are Doctor Jackson and Major Carter?" Hammond asked.
"Still on the planet, sir."
"Is everyone ok?" Jacob stepped forward and asked, and Jack knew he wouldn't live long if his answer was negative.
"Better than ok." Jack rocked back on his heels, reveling.
"For someone who just came from a planet besieged by Gould, you seem rather pleased with yourself." Hammond commented.
"Well, sir, it's all fun and games until somebody loses a ship."
"They in fact lost several vessels." Teal'c corrected. Jack wondered for a moment if he didn't see a smirk grace the large man's features for a second.
"Ships." Jack amended, receiving a nod from Teal'c.
Both generals were quickly losing their patience, which Jack took as his cue to lay on the good news.
"Bottom line is the bad guys got their butts kicked and our fine alien friends have agreed to help us out."
TBC