The Times They Are a'Changin'
Anunnaki Part 30
By Michele
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Jack has a new toy, the Anunnaki are ready to leave for their new home, Hayes wants a party, and a group of old astronauts get the ride of their lives.
Note: This is the final chapter of Anunnaki. This story continues with Unification.
Just an FYI: all the Anunnaki/Sumerian words I've been using come straight from "A Concise Dictionary of Akkadian," edited by Black, George, and Postgale. The words and phrases are combinations of Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian. I put a vocabulary at the end of this chapter. Another FYI: an 'E' on the end of a word is not silent. Only English uses a silent 'E.' It's usually pronounced as an 'AY'.
For reference, I highly recommend Gods, Demons, and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia by Black and Green, Sumerian Mythology by Samuel Noah Kramer, Inanna by Wolkstein and Kramer, and the above mentioned Akkadian Dictionary. If it isn't used in universities, I don't read it. Kramer is the #1 author to read on this subject, he's the one who translated the famous Inanna's Descent to the Underworld from its original cuneiform. It's on my website in the mythology section, if you'd like to read it.
Jack got out of the shower, checked the baby, and went into his bedroom. Daniel was laying on his stomach under the covers as he talked with Sam. Jack watched for a moment and then went back into the closet, rummaged around, and came back out. He lifted the covers at the end of the bed and slid beneath them.
"What are you doing?" Sam asked in amusement. The large lump slid up the bed.
"Jack?" Daniel asked. The lump stopped and there was a tearing sound.
"Jack!" Daniel swatted at the lump. "You tore my pajamas? It would have been easier if…. Jack, what are you doing? Jack…." Daniel melted into his pillow. He stopped in mid-groan and jerked his head up. "What…? Jack, I swear to all the gods…."
The lump moved further up the bed and stuck his head out. Jack was flushed.
"Turn over," he said. Daniel glared suspiciously at him.
"What did you stick in my ass?" he asked.
"Turn," Jack repeated, twirling a finger. Daniel slowly turned. He got tangled in what felt like a cord and lifted the covers. Jack slapped them back down and reached under to untangle whatever was wrapped around Daniel's legs.
"Answer me or I use the full name," Daniel warned him. Jack smiled and held up a hand. There was some sort of control in his palm. "What is that?" Daniel asked. Jack flipped the switch. Daniel's eyes bugged.
"Holy fuck!" he shouted as he arched his back. Jack shut it off. "What the hell is that?!"
"An egg," Jack told him.
"A what??"
"Egg," Jack said. "Paul discovered it. You can thank him for the suggestion."
"I'm going to fry the bastard," Daniel promised. Jack handed Daniel the lube.
"Please?" Jack begged. "I love watching you jerk off, please do it for me." He wiggled the control box. "Come here, baby," Jack patted the space in front of him and Sam jumped over Daniel to get to it. Jack knelt on the bed, Sam in front of him. He reached around and slowly lifted Sam's t-shirt until it rested just above her breasts, nipples peaking out, tantalizing, mouthwatering. Daniel watched, his eyes narrowing as Jack teased her nipples. Jack's hands slowly slid down her flat belly and into the front of her pajamas. Daniel took the control and turned it on. He hissed and jerked, and shoved his pajamas down. Jack slid Sam's pajamas down to her thighs and ran both hands back between her legs. He spread Sam open to Daniel's gaze and teased her clit with a finger. Sam bit her lip and reached back to hang on to Jack's hips. Daniel coated his hand with the lube and began stroking himself. He moved and discovered that the little electric egg inside of him bounced against his prostate. His knees went high and one hand went slightly lower to pull at his balls. One of Jack's hands went lower and several fingers slid inside of Sam. She grabbed his biceps and rubbed back against him. Daniel stroked himself harder. With the vibrating egg inside of him, it didn't take him long until a stream of white shot across his stomach. Jack's strength kept Sam upright as he stroked her into an orgasm.
When she began to relax, Jack withdrew his fingers. He licked one and held out the others to Daniel. He drank like a drowning man. Jack leaned over and licked the white from Daniel's belly.
"Oh, my God, Jack," Daniel finally verbalized. He shut off the egg and Jack reached between his legs and gave a pull. The egg, attached to a cord, nestled inside a condom, came out. "Give me a heart attack, why don't you?" Daniel moaned. "Ooof." Jack lay fully on top of him and pulled Sam down.
"Love you," Jack murmured, kissing him. He pulled Sam in and kissed her, too. "Love you." They settled, sharing kisses, leaving wet, messy tongue trails on each other.
"Listen to me," he quietly requested, not leaving Daniel's torso but nestling between his legs. "I'm sorry if I've been an ass lately. I was having a problem and I didn't realize it. Enki helped me fix it."
"What problem?" Sam asked, frowning as she stroked his hair.
"That thing I've been learning? The reading people thing? Apparently the on-switch was stuck," he told them. "I was being bombarded with emotions from everyone. And I mean everyone. Walking down the street, eating at the diner, stopping the car next to someone. Everyone. My head was buzzing, I couldn't think, I couldn't get any rest. It was wearing me down to the bone. All I could think of to do was to tell people what I was getting off them. Like trying to empty myself. Danny, you only yell at me when I really fuck up, so I went upstairs. Enki told me what the problem was and he showed me how to fix it. It's what we were doing in the bedroom. It's off now, and I'm almost afraid to turn it back on. Even for a minute." He rolled off Daniel and leaned up on an elbow, one arm across Daniel's stomach, holding Sam's hand.
"I needed to let you both know that I love you. Very much. And it would kill me to lose either of you to my own …assholeness." Jack pouted and pulled Sam's hand to his mouth, brushing the back with his lips. "I still don't understand what either of you see in me, but I do know that you love me, so I'm not going to argue it. I guess…I'm afraid. And I don't think you know how hard something like that is for me to admit. Saying I'm afraid of sex with a man, is one thing; this…. Sometimes I no longer feel like myself. What if I turn into someone I hate? The allies want me to lead this unification, guys. Do you know what a power trip I'm fighting inside? I can't do this. I want to stay here, making love with you, holding hands with you, and raising our kids. I…."
Daniel pulled him down and held him tight. Sam climbed over and curled into his back, keeping him secure between them. Daniel brushed his mouth against Jack's forehead.
"The fact that you can still question yourself is proof that your thought process is on the right track," he told Jack. "You have seven people in this house that will put you right if you try and leave that track. Just read us when you need a pointer. If you ever feel you can't trust our words, our emotions will tell you if you're wrong. And as for this whole alliance thing, just let it fall as it will. Trust, Jack. You trusted your heart by letting me in, trust the universe to lead you to where you need to be. As long as you're heart is in the right place, we will support you in whatever decision you feel you need to make."
"We're not exactly calm about all this, either," Sam told him. "We see the changes happening. Not only in you but also around us. Things have been happening while you were gone, Jack. Stacy picks up languages faster than Daniel, Matthew is doing something strange with religion, Katie picked out an undiagnosed illness in one of the neighbors just by looking at her, and Davy seems to be doing this emotions thing that you're doing. And Zu said something strange yesterday. About Olivia. He said she was daltu. Danny, I forgot to ask you…."
Daniel lifted his head, one eyebrow arched. "Are you sure? Daltu? He said that about Olivia?"
Sam nodded. "He said she was a happy cub, train her well, she's the next generation. I asked him what he meant and he said, Daltu, Ezib sha."
"Daltu is the doorway to heaven and the underworld, and the rest is just, never mind."
Sam and Jack both frowned. "What do you mean never mind?" Sam asked. "Tell us."
Daniel shook his head. "No, honey. The translation of ezib sha is, literally, never mind. He told you to never mind."
"Ok, that's weird and I'm not sure I like it. What's Matty doing?" Jack asked, rolling off Daniel and rubbing a wrist over his eyes.
Sam frowned in thought. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "He's been reading comparative religions. The big books. From Daniel's library. He's been conceptualizing what he's been reading. I don't think he even understands what he's doing. He seems to understand what he's reading without anyone interpreting the concepts. While you were gone, Jack, he sat with Father Joe and they talked about something in the Old Testament. Danny, I think you were out with Stacy. But Matty argued with Fr. Joe about something. The Father said it was history and Matty said it was a parable. He then went to the library, took out another book, and pointed out the exact same story from a different culture."
"The evolution of spirituality and religion," Daniel commented thoughtfully. "Almost the entire Bible is composed of much older mythological stories from other cultures. Mostly Ugaritic, Sumerian, Babylonian, and a little Hittite. Each generation and each culture rewrites them to fit their own particular needs at that time. He's picking that out? By himself? Those books are doctorate level reading. Why hasn't he talked to me?"
"I don't know but he's doing it," Sam nodded. "Has the Padre thinking, too. I asked him, if he understands the other religions, why does he choose Catholicism? He said the stories of Jesus make him feel good. Nothing else, just those four books. He isn't happy with the obvious blanks in the stories, but he fills them in and he feels good. He doesn't care if Jesus existed or not, it's the words and their meanings, their intent that does it for him. And he finds the concept of self-sacrifice to be beautiful."
"Holy smokes," Daniel murmured in quiet shock. "I think Matty and I need to talk. Most adults don't understand sacrifice."
Jack looked from one to the other. "Just our kids are being weird?" he asked.
"No, I don't think so," Daniel said, thinking. "I think older isn't as fast, but the younger kids have been a little strange. There was a story in the paper last month about a boy in Russia who found missing skiers just by looking at a map. It was dismissed as one of those sensationalism stories but something about it spooked me, so I remembered it. I think I have it somewhere. It's the kids, Jack; I think if adults already have something going on, even if it's been buried, maybe it's starting to show up a little stronger, but the kids are just doing it. Maybe all the talk of being oneself, thinking for oneself, is taking hold. Guys, just a couple generations ago, our generation, we were told not to argue with the parents, or the elders, we were told to obey and not ask questions. The generation that is coming up now, especially here in the West, are being told it's ok to question, asking questions makes the brain stronger; brains are sexy instead of the jocks. Zu is right, it's the next generation. Sam, could you run some sort of search on the 'net and find weirdness? Probably more in the kids, than adults. Something that stands out from the typical rag mag stories."
"Yeah, sure," she nodded. "That'll be easy. And it'll give a couple of interns something to do."
"As for you," Daniel poked Jack on the head. "Seems to me, if you're going to lead this unification thing, you can't be the Tau'ri representative, too. Conflict of interest. Since the Jaffa accept you as a brother, and Enki accepts you as an in-law, through me AND Jonathan, you could legitimately claim at least three races you are loyal to. You stand between the worlds, as it were. If Earth is going to participate, there needs to be a Tau'ri representative that is NOT you. I've been making notes on this subject, actually, just a little doodling I've been doing for a couple of years. I'll show you my notes in the morning, if you want to see them. It's been pure fantasy and speculation up 'til now; this is do-able, Jack, and it isn't as scary as you think it will be."
In the morning the kids were allowed to stay home from school so that they could see the Heaven's Bow off to her new home. Sam begged off from the seminar, leaving Dr. Lam in charge for the day. Enki made sure Landry understood that their gate address was NOT to be public knowledge. As far as the rest of the gateholders were concerned, the Abydos address was still history. Bre'tac and Teal'c knew it was open, though, as did the Asgard. Landry and Jack both promised. M'Net playfully offered Jack and Daniel one last try at his sleeping pillows. They both playfully refused. Paul had taken him up on the offer the night before and was walking around with a pleased smirk on his face. Nick had experienced M'Net's pillows, also, and was looking a little shocked at his first time with an alien. M'Net had been having fun with quite a few people; he and the other Sua were being dropped off at their own planet on the way to Kalam, so they were getting their licks in. T'Keet and Zu were currently raiding the kitchen for fruit to take with them on the trip home. It was only about an hour ride, and Enki did plant fruit trees, but it was the principle of the thing.
"You can do it, Jack, trust in yourself," Enki told him, gripping him by the shoulders for a shake. "Be judicious. Remember, sometimes we must choose between two evils, and live with our choice. Cut off the arm if it will save the body. When the time comes for those types of decisions, harden yourself and do the right thing. You are a good man, Jack; you are welcome to join us at any time. We're not far away, a walk through the gate, an hour or so by ship. All our people know that I have claimed Daniel as my child; as his mate, you also have the right of family. Samantha," he turned to her and took her hands. "You are the queen of your family. Never forget that. Just as Jack is the strength and Daniel the truth, you are the heart. Only you can balance strength and truth. You not only saved our lives, you are my son's queen; call upon us." She hugged him hard and kissed his cheek.
Enki turned to Daniel. "I had many sons, many who have died. Daughters, too. Only Ninurta survives and I bless Life herself for him. You remind me of Ba'eru. He was a curious little fellow, always poking his nose into places just to see what was there. He was lost to me long before we came to this planet. I wish he had lived to see this world; he would have fallen in love with it. Ninurta was born on this world, just after we came here. I love him for who he is, not for those that I am missing. I cannot replace your own father, I have no desire to, no one should, but as you have taken in children not of your body, and have loved them with all your heart, I hope that you can understand my heart. It may not be logical, but I don't know when love is ever logical. Know that I don't speak lightly, Dan'el; my family is yours, just as fully as Ninurta makes that claim."
Daniel hugged him and kissed both cheeks.
"I think my father would have approved," he whispered huskily.
Ninurta stepped in, took him by the ears, and gave him a shake. "Little brother," he said. "Come and play with me, once in a while. I will keep a horse just for you. I will teach you to hunt with falcons."
Daniel hugged him, too. "Thank you…for Jack," he said.
"I kept him safe for you, I could do no less," Ninurta said and gave Daniel's cheek a pat.
"What did Zu mean by calling Olivia daltu?" he asked with a frown.
Ninurta lifted an eyebrow. "I don't know, ahu," he said. "Zu sometimes knows things we don't. He doesn't explain to us, either. That's an interesting epithet for a baby, though. Powerful connotations. Perhaps we should call her Ammartu. Come here, babu," he cooed, taking the baby from Katie. Olivia gurgled happily, drool pouring over the fist in her mouth. Ninurta kissed her anyway and looked thoughtfully into her eyes which had begun turning from newborn blue to O'Neill brown.
Inanna hugged Sam nearby and kissed her cheeks. "Dadu, you have a present waiting for you in your Yard," she told Sam, scrubbing lightly at a cheek with a thumb. "I'm sure you'll figure it out yourself. Come for tea. Soon."
Shara handed Jack a piece of leather. Jack looked at it. It was a short scabbard with delicate patterns tooled into it.
"This is beautiful," Jack said. "What's it for?"
"The pukku," Shara said. "You can't go around with it poking out the back of your pants. This attaches to your belt." Jack nodded, impressed at the work that went into the leather, and took Shara's forearm. He then took Ninurta's forearm in a clasp but didn't say anything. As Ninurta turned away, Jack touched his arm and he paused. Jack hesitated and then leaned forward, brushing the warrior's mouth with his own. Ninurta smiled softly and touched Jack's cheek.
"Cassie isn't here," Daniel mentioned as he turned to Jonathan.
"I saw her yesterday. I spent time with Mom, too. They're both fine. Cassie's fine," Jonathan assured him. "She's happy, Daniel; I think Dean is good for her. Be happy for her."
"I am," Daniel said with a nod.
"And be happy for me," Jonathan said gently. "I'm happy, too. I don't know where this is going to take me, but I'm finally free of Jack's memories. I'm me."
Daniel hugged him and held him for a moment. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you," he said.
"What do you mean?" Jonathan asked, leaning back to look at him. "You were. You are."
Daniel shook his head. "No, I mean…I couldn't be there. For you." He put a hand to Jonathan's face, touching the new, dark beard shading the thin cheeks, touched the long, silky, brown-blond strands of hair, looked into the dark, chocolate eyes, and leaned in. He kissed him, slowly, opening Jonathan's mouth and tasting him. Daniel pulled away after a moment. "Under different circumstances, another place another time, yadda yadda; not to get mushy, here, but you are worthy of being loved, Jonathan. You. For yourself."
Jonathan swallowed and hugged him again. "Thank you," he whispered. Shara looked on with an approving nod.
The children got in hugs and kisses from all around, and clamored to know when they could come and visit. Enki declared himself grandpa and told them that grandpas always got frequent visits from the grandchildren. He gave a warning glare in Jack's direction.
"Lady Inanna," Jack said, standing straight with his hands resting behind his back. "As an official representative of Tau'ri, our world thanks you and your people for your assistance over this past year. And unknown to the rest of the world, I thank you for your assistance in our past. We wouldn't be here, if it wasn't for you and your people. Especially that old goat. If you ever need help, just call."
"Thank you, general," she said with a royal incline of her head.
"And I'll be by sometime soon," he said. "Talk about this unification thing. I think I need a meeting with my council."
She laughed easily. "Anytime, Jack. Our home has a wing set aside for your family. And the Anunnaki are grateful for your assistance; we would still be lost, if not for you and your people. You have done a tremendous thing, and I don't believe you are fully aware of the gravity of this."
Jack cocked his head and looked at her. "Are you going to tell me who you guys really are?" he asked. She laughed again and brushed his mouth with hers.
"Salimu, mersiya," she said. "Gade."
They all beamed up.
"Damn," he muttered, snapping his fingers.
"Why didn't you just flip your On switch?" Paul asked. Jack glared. Paul wasn't buying it. Jack then glared at Daniel.
"Peace, sweetie, I'm off," Daniel translated. Laughter broke out and Jack slapped a hand to his face.
"I really need to learn that friggin' language," he muttered to himself.
Once the crowd was gone and the house was quiet again, Daniel slouched on the couch with Olivia on his legs, bouncing her.
"I kissed him," he commented.
"We noticed," Jack said. Sam had escaped into her office to find out what was left at Area 51.
"I feel bad," Daniel said, making the baby laugh by lowering her backwards and pulling her up again. "He has your feelings for me, Jack; he loves me like you do and he knows he isn't entitled to it. To me. I needed him to know that I understood and that I was sorry."
Jack leaned down and brushed his mouth. "I know why you did it, and it's ok," he said. "As long as you don't make a habit of it." He smiled at the happy baby noises.
"He's becoming an interesting person," Daniel said. "I can still see you in him but this new thing he's doing is bringing out a lot of unknowns. Do you have any of that in you?"
Jack pursed his lips and sat at the dining room table. "I think I can understand this whatever it is he's doing with Shara. To an extent. I like it when you Top me, there's something about giving up control to you. I trust you, so when I give up control, I know I'm in a safe place. I honestly can't see myself doing that all the time, though. It has nothing to do with trust, it just isn't in me. Maybe Ninurta is right; it comes from the soul, the heart and mind only fill in the blanks."
"Do you believe in a soul?" Daniel asked him, curious. Jack nodded.
"Sure," he said. "You came to me several times when you were dead. I can only believe that it was your own willpower that kept your soul together and conscious. I can't believe the soul can be duplicated, so if I have a clone, he must have his own soul. I'm not sure I believe in soulless creatures, and he's definitely alive."
"Maybe Jonathan was a little more borderline than he let on," Daniel said. "He had all those memories and knowledge in him and he couldn't do anything about them. So he surrendered. There may be a time when he no longer needs to have someone else in charge and he'll return to the Alpha he came from. Then again, he seems to have found peace where he is. I think it's good for him. Healthy. He just may be becoming a new person. Jack, you really have never looked at another man before me?"
"I've been thinking about it," he said, looking at the floor as he leaned over, hands clasped between his knees. "I didn't think so, but since he's been doing whatever it is he's doing, I took a step back and thought about it again. I looked through my high school year book and tried to remember different guys. I think there may have been one, but I'm not sure. I remembered that I enjoyed wrestling with him, pushing each other around in the shower. We used to go skinny-dipping in the summer at a lake in the woods. We'd talk about girls, and a couple times we jerked off together. We never touched each other, but I would watch him, pretending my eyes were closed. So, maybe I repressed a few things."
"Come here," Daniel said, crooking a finger. Jack walked to the couch and sat on the floor. Daniel pulled him forward and kissed him. "That's all actually pretty normal, so don't beat yourself up about it. A lot of boys jerk off together when they're teenagers, some even jerk each other off. They never touch another male for the rest of their lives and then deny being at least bisexual or even bi-curious. Society does a real head-trip on people."
The front door opened and Jerrie came in with an armful of groceries. Jack jumped up and took them from her.
"Am I interrupting?" she asked, seeing them sitting together.
"No," Daniel shook his head. "Jerrie, can I ask a personal question?"
"Ok," she shrugged and smiled as she started to put groceries away.
"When did you know you were gay?"
She gave it some thought. "I think I always knew I was different," she finally said. "When I was little, and my friends were giggling over cute singers and actors, I wondered why they were always talking about boys. I wanted to talk about girls. I loved seeing my best friend naked. We were only five but I knew I found her body fascinating. I didn't know what to do, but I knew there was something special that I could be doing."
"Have you ever been with a man?" Daniel asked.
"Once. Out of curiosity. Don't take this personally but I wasn't impressed. And that little worm thing was kinda gross." Daniel laughed, startling Olivia who stopped playing with his fingers and looked at him. Jerrie smiled. "It was with a male friend who's gay. He was curious, too, so we gave it a try. The kissing and all is nice, but the other stuff we could have done without."
"Well, that wasn't a fair test," Jack protested. "Neither of you had a vested interest, so of course it wasn't good."
"I don't know, Jack," she said with a shrug. "The sight didn't appeal to me, the smell was funky, and his taste was really strange. Gooey, bitter salt. I'll take a woman, any day."
"I'd say Amen to that, but Daniel knows where I sleep," Jack commented.
"Hey, you love my gooey, bitter salt, so stuff it," Daniel informed him. Katie had come out of her room and stopped at the top of the stairs. She covered her ears and la-la-la'd her way back to her room.
The phone rang and Jack picked up the kitchen extension.
"O'Neill." He listened as the other person spoke for a while. "Henry, slow down," he said, holding up a hand to thin air. "It's a good idea, I don't mind, really. It isn't a chore, I'd be honored. Just be sure to include Russia; they were, technically, the first. Have the outline sent to Major Davis, and I'll take a look. The timeline sounds do-able. A bit soon for this kind of thing, but do-able. Sure, Henry. You're welcome."
"What was that?" Sam asked, coming down the stairs. She looked excited about something.
Jack went back into the living room. "Hayes wants to do some kind of memorial, honors, and site-seeing tour for retired astronauts," he said. "Take them for a spin around the solar system."
Sam's eyes lit up. "That's actually nice of him," she said with a nod. "The current pilots are being reshuffled, it would be nice to honor those retired."
"Yeah, and it's fast," Jack said. "Apparently Major Erikson has a nasty tumor growing into his spine, inoperable. Hayes would like something to happen before Erikson dies."
Sam caught her breath, her eyes wide. "He's the last of the original First Flight crew," she said. Jack nodded. "Yes, we need to do something. What's the plan?"
"Is the Europa ready yet?" he asked thoughtfully. Sam thought about it.
"Almost," she said. "Those bugs were hell to find, but she's almost ready for another test flight. Col. Powers was scheduled for her."
"He died," Jack commented. "We need to replace him." Sam nodded.
"303-5 is in the final stages, too," she said.
"That one is research, though, isn't it?" Jack asked. Sam shook her head.
"It was going to be, but the committee decided to make the Europa research," she said. "That was part of the de-bugging process; a few systems needed to be changed out for medical equipment."
"I've been picking out the linguists and dirt specialists, too," Daniel commented. "It was one of those things that happened while you were gone," he told Jack.
"Can we afford a ship like that?" Jack asked, dubious. "I think we need security patrols, not exploration."
Both Sam and Daniel bristled. "You just got rid of the main problem, Jack," Daniel said. "The allies are talking unification for the first time in, well, the history of the galaxy. I'd say it's time to start exploring, say hi to new neighbors, do a meet and greet…. You have three ships already on patrol, a fourth is about to launch, and a fifth is being built with two more on the drawing board. I think we can afford ONE ship for patching and digging."
Jack held up a hand. "I was just asking," he said. "Daniel, we don't know what's going to come out of the woodwork, now that the Goa'uld are no longer terrorizing everyone. We've been to a few planets that I'd rather not visit again."
"Granted, but that's what allies are for," Daniel said. "We no longer need to take the entire weight on our shoulders; you don't have to call on our ships to chase down some asshole, you can send others. How many ships, altogether, came back from this war? Come on, Jack. Several hundred? Over a thousand? Give me one ship to go digging with, please."
"Alright, I see your point," Jack conceded. "I wasn't thinking of allies. I guess we need to start doing that. Sam, does this new ship have a name, yet?"
"No, not yet," she said, still a little miffed. "A few suggested the Columbus, but the Native Americans are objecting."
"How about Lincoln?" Daniel suggested. "Washington?"
"Something a little more universal," Sam said. "Multi-national crew, remember?"
Daniel nodded and thought about it. He got up and took Olivia into the nursery to change her.
"Who's the commander?" Jack asked.
"Down to three candidates," she said. "The Russians are politely asking for a Russian to be recognized."
Jack nodded. "Well, Col. Belarus did an outstanding job," he commented. "He led one of the teams on Daedalus. He's calm, quick thinker, delegates well, personable, and willing to make command decisions. He was also in their cosmonaut program until the Stargate business."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Jack, you're suggesting a Russian for this position? I'll toss his name into the bucket."
"Just because I'm old doesn't mean I can't learn new tricks," he told her.
Jack took a look through Hayes' proposal, made a few suggestions, and sent word to his 303's and told them to scour their ships from head to foot, inside and out. He told the commanders privately what was happening, and they rousted all their personnel from comfortable homes and families. The crews went into overtime when they found out the reason. Jack had a talk with Col. Chekhov and things were readied from there, too. Chekhov was surprised but honored to be included.
Sam flew out to the base. It seemed that someone (feathers and leather) had dumped some sort of arch made of rocks on their doorstep. Sam had recognized it as the arch that sent Jack and Maybourn to a moon. Daniel had already translated the writing on it, but still didn't know how it worked. Sam was almost salivating to get her hands on it.
While posts were buzzing with the upcoming ceremonies, Jack read through Daniel's fictional peace treaty. He read it again. He sent it to Davis. The major made a few minor revisions and sent it back. Jack sent it to Hayes and Maynard. He received awed phone calls from both men. He then sent it to a few other people around the world, a few of his HomeSec council members that he had been learning to trust. They reported excitement from their leaders. Jack drove over to the university, ignored the startled looks from students and staff, and made his way to Daniel's classroom. He watched quietly from the back of the room as Daniel and his students poured over a tablet. One of the students argued with Daniel over a translation and then pointed out Daniel's mistake in the translation. Daniel paused, cocked his head, and pushed his glasses up.
"I think that's an A for the semester," Daniel finally said.
"Semester?" the young lady said. "I just passed the entire year."
"You translate the side panel, and I'll consider it."
All the students stopped.
"What side panel?" the young lady asked.
"Those chicken scratches on the side," Jack said. The students jumped, not having heard him come in.
"General!" Several went over to him and offered hands.
"Don't let him fool you," Jack said, pointing a thumb at Daniel. "That tablet had him stumped for months until he realized that those weren't scratches."
"That's cheating, Jack," Daniel said with a smile.
Jack came into the room. He put the printout of Daniel's treaty on the table.
"This game is on, hasduk," Jack said to him. He kissed Daniel soundly, much to the amusement of the class. Nonplussed, Daniel pushed his glasses up, licked his lips, and cleared his throat.
"Pronunciation and usage was right," he commented. "To what do I owe this visit, though?"
"Sheer amazement," Jack said, patting Daniel's cheek. "So brilliant. I'm taking this to the allies; just thought I'd let you know."
"Jack, I was doodling," Daniel protested.
"It's brilliant, Danny-boy," Jack informed him. "Works for me, Hayes, Maynard, and several other people. Paul tweaked a few things; he sent you the revised version. You never cease to amaze me. I'll see you at home, babe, I need to drop in on the Mountain."
It took only two very fast-paced weeks to get the ceremonies in order. While the allies were looking over the proposed treaty, Jack put on his dress uniform and took his al kesh to pick up Major Erikson. The major was in surprised shock as his eldest son pushed his wheelchair onto the vessel. Erikson tried to lift his arm to salute. Jack offered honors instead and then took the major's hand.
"Major, this honor is mine," Jack told him. "I hope you enjoy the ride, it'll only be a few minutes."
"We're in Seattle, General O'Neill," Mrs. Erikson reminded him. She was a little pale, weepy, tired. "Isn't DC longer than a couple of minutes?"
"No, ma'am," he said. "And we're going to Nevada, not DC. Either way, it's only a couple minutes."
"Nevada?" the youngest daughter, Betty, asked with a frown. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, general, but what's in Nevada?"
"Area 51," Jack said with a smile. He got the family seated, set Erikson close to the screens, and pressed the controls. Major Erikson was almost 75; the rest of his team had already died. The first US astronauts to leave the atmosphere and return alive. Erikson came aboard the al kesh with his wife, Lily, and three adult children, Frank, John, and Elizabeth, all between 35 and 45 years old. Most of the general public remembered a little of the astronauts who landed on the moon but few took note of the ones who pioneered the space program by orbiting the Earth. Air Force pilots remembered.
"It really exists?" Frank asked.
"Thought the major would like to see the newest 303 being born," Jack said. "If anyone has earned the right, Major Erikson has. I just wish we could have done this before Hagan, Brandt, and Newton passed away."
"We thought the ships were from Nellis," John said, his eyes a little wide. "We thought the Area 51 stuff was nonsense."
Their questions were put on hold as they were abruptly crossing desert just moments after leaving the ground.
"I didn't even feel that," Betty said faintly.
"Inertial dampeners," Jack commented.
As they came up to the base, the family gasped. Prometheus, Daedalus, and Argos sat proudly across two miles of sand. Behind them sat rows upon rows of gliders, all gleaming black in the sun, bright Tau'ri sigils decorating their wings. Hundreds of people in their dress uniforms all stood next to their ships. They came to attention as Jack landed. Wooden runways had been built across the two miles in front of the 303's with gangways leading up to the ships themselves. A group of 18 retired men in dress blues stood together, unable to keep their eyes off the ships. Two honor guards came forward to take charge of Erikson but one of the retired astronauts insisted upon taking Erikson's chair himself.
President Hayes and the Joint Chiefs stepped forward and shook Erikson's hand, murmuring soft words to him and then to his family. Hayes offered Mrs. Erikson his arm and they walked behind. The other retired astronauts fell in line. Markham, Caldwell, and Galanakis each greeted Erikson. He was then further surprised to be greeted by his Russian brothers. Colonel Chekhov took Erikson's hand and inclined his head as he spoke. When they reached the end of the line, at the main entrance to the underground, President Hayes stepped up to the podium. The Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs took seats behind him. Sam and Daniel were both there; Sam in her dress blues and Daniel in a formal suit and tie. The children were dressed in their best and seated in the audience. All the current SGC and HomeSec personnel lined the podium on either side. The retired pilots all sat in sectioned seating in the front.
"This day is long overdue," Hayes began. "When word reached us of Major Erikson's battle, we knew this needed to happen. Yes, the space program received an unexpected leap forward just a short time ago but we would never have left the ground to begin with, if it weren't for people like Major William Erikson and all these men before us. Our world is changing daily due to our new circumstances, and no matter where life goes from here, we must not forget the sacrifices made by those men and women who have gone on before us." He looked down at his papers and smiled softly.
"I was just thinking of our Founding Fathers and wondering what they would have thought about all this," he commented. "It's been a little over two hundred years since this great country began from humble beginnings. I don't believe our Fathers would recognize us. To even contemplate traveling off the ground would have brought charges of insanity. To say we have been off the ground, even to the stars, would have brought charges of blasphemy. Those men who made the first attempts at travel stared death in the face just as those colonials did when they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Progress is a scary thing; these men pushed the envelope of progress and forced us to take those steps toward maturity. Mr. Henry George said, Progressive societies outgrow institutions as children outgrow clothes." There was a smattering of laughter and head nodding. Hayes smiled. "And Goethe said, He who moves not forward, moves backward. Yes, recent happenings are scary to many of us. But remember that it was also scary to those of us old enough to remember those first trips off the ground, made by men who deliberately placed themselves in seats sitting on top of bombs. Progress was scary then, and it's scary now. General O'Neill?"
Jack stepped forward to the podium.
"Human salvation demands the divine disclosure of truths surpassing reason. Thomas Aquinas, if anyone is interested. During this past year, we have seen truths that surpass reason. I can only apologize that the space programs from various countries were not involved in this from the beginning. A few knew what was going on, but most didn't. It was need to know. They are involved now. Astronauts and cosmonauts are being retrained, at their own choice, for space missions. They are participating on these ships, the X-303's. A few are taking their turns walking through the Stargate. Their reasoning has had to take drastic steps to keep up with truth. I'm still rushing to catch up. Today is a birthday. Our newest 303, the Europa, is ready for launch." There was an excited rustling in the crowd as people craned their heads to look for the ship. "There's still a little tinkering to be done on her, but she's ready to stretch her wings. Unfortunately, the commander we had planned for her was one who of those died during the recent battle. Colonel Anthony Powers will be remembered by all. It is my privilege and honor to announce the new commander of the Europa, Colonel Alexander Belarus."
It was unsure who was more surprised, the US contingent or the Russians as people stood and clapped. Belarus jumped to his feet and proudly saluted Jack and then Chekhov. The other 303 commanders shook hands and welcomed him to their small brotherhood. Jack pinned the new wings to Belarus' uniform, only the fourth set of newly minted wings to be given out. Jack handed him a remote control.
"Colonel Belarus, would you care to birth your new baby?" he asked. Belarus took a deep breath as he looked at the control box. Just before he touched the button, he stopped. Belarus stepped off the stage and to the seated astronauts.
"Major, would you do the honors?" he asked Erikson. He held the box out and placed it under the pilot's hand. After fighting with a hard trembling of his hand, Erikson pressed the button.
Everyone looked as the ground rumbled. A large hole began to appear behind the group. Eyes were shielded as sand was swept up. The Europa appeared, slowly, majestically. She turned in the air, giving everyone a good look at her, and then took her place at the end of the line. The ship opened and the crew walked out, all in dress uniforms, and stood proudly at the side of their ship. The air was filled with applause, shouting, and whistling. Belarus took his seat next to Galanakis. The Russians were all sitting a little straighter.
"Alright, pipe down," Jack told the crowd. There were some chuckles as they settled. "Welcome aboard, colonel. All of our crews and ships have been taking a long deserved vacation; it's time to get back to work. Colonel Markham, you wanted to say something?"
Markham stepped up to the podium. "Yes, sir. It would be the honor of the Prometheus and her crew to escort the esteemed gentlemen for a flight around the galaxy, sir." There were more excited rumblings as the retired astronauts looked at each other and then at the Tau'ri flagship and her commander.
After spending time shaking hands and greeting people, the astronauts and their immediately family were taken on board the Prometheus, as well as various heads of state that were present. A few argued with advisors who were against their leaders heading off-world. Davis smoothed a few ruffled feathers; not everyone could go on the trip but there would be other trips.
"Colonel," Jack said quietly. Belarus looked over to him. Jack held out his hand. "Well done, colonel."
"Sir. I wasn't sure of the protocol, but it seemed the right thing to do." Jack assured him it was.
The children were allowed to attend after they promised to mind their manners and not run off. Markham wheeled Erikson to the controls and pointed to a panel. He placed Erikson's weak hand on the panel. A moment later, the ship came alive. Everyone watched the large screen and saw the ground slowly fall away. The people below became small as they waved excitedly.
"My God, she's beautiful," Hayes murmured in awe as they watched the Earth becoming smaller below them until it was just a blue-white spec in the darkness of space.
Sam was talking to people, explaining equipment and the science behind it all.
"General O'Neill, will we be meeting any aliens?" someone's teenage grandson asked.
"I don't know," Jack said. "I don't know what Colonel Markham has planned; this is his party."
"I'm not sure I want to meet them," someone else said with a shudder. "All those abduction stories."
"That's been taken care of," Sam said. She went on to explain the problems with the Asgard genetics and the reasons behind the abductions.
"So cloning really is a bad thing?" someone asked.
Sam shrugged. "Point of view, I guess," she said. "I understand that people are afraid of dying and want to live longer, even if they need to put their brains into a new body, but think about it –the world is over-crowded. All the people and the pollution those people create are causing the planet to fail. Is longer life worth the price of our planet? And if so, who gets to chose who lives longer and who doesn't?"
"I'd like my father a little longer," Betty Erikson said bitterly.
"Nnnnooo."
Everyone stopped and looked. Major Erikson puffed into the tube near his face. John Erikson leaned over his shoulder and read the words on the screen.
"Love you. Don't want to live longer than God planned. Good life. Blessed."
Betty wiped tears from her face as her mother put an arm around her.
"He once told me that he'd like to be cremated and scattered through the Crab Nebula," Frank Erikson commented. "It was a fantasy. Those colored images of the Crab are beautiful."
"No longer a fantasy," Markham said. "Would you like to see it up close?" He ordered up the Crab Nebula. Prometheus was there within minutes. "Major Erikson, when the time comes, and if it is your wish, the Prometheus would be honored to escort your family back here for the ceremony." Jack gave him a small nod.
They went to several inhabited worlds, some of them disappointingly human, others completely alien. Daniel lectured on the history of humans and how they got into space. They stopped at Chulak and were joined by Teal'c and Bre'tac. Jack took the new grandbaby from Rya'c and presented him to Olivia. She stared at the baby, not quite sure what to make of the thing in daddy's arms.
"SG-1. Our original first contact team," Hayes said, looking at Jack, Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c standing together. Stacy clamored for the story so Daniel told everyone a summarized version of their story. It kept everyone occupied and they didn't notice that they were being taken the long way around areas of the galaxy that were still in semi-hostile hands. Or claws.
They had lunch and many got over their hesitancy and began asking questions of Teal'c. The heads of state on board cornered Bre'tac into an impromptu private discussion as everyone wandered around. The crew was more than happy to discuss their jobs and equipment. The recent battle was still fresh and many veered away from the topic. Those with war experience understood and respected the space.
To the surprise of their guests, many alien ships stopped to greet Jack when word got out that he was off-world. Daniel had a long, careful talk with Chaka, the Unas. They weren't evolved enough for space flight, but Chaka radioed through a gate and the Prometheus swung by to pick him up. The Unas were curious about the Goa'uld situation and were reassured by Daniel that there was nothing more to fear from them. It wasn't necessarily the Goa'uld that the Unas feared but the humans on a few planets. Jack gave the leadership a quick over-view of the Unas problems with human slavers. The leaders were shocked that humans could do such things.
"You'd be surprised what humans are capable of," Jack informed them. "And seems to me we had slave issues of our own, not too long ago. There are still slaves on Earth." Jack promised Chaka once more that if they needed help, the Tau'ri would help them.
"And if the Unas join the unification?" Daniel translated.
"The Union will help the Unas in freeing themselves from their slavery," Jack responded. "But we will not give them weapons. They can be placed as a protectorate until they are ready to join as full members, if they want."
Daniel translated and Chaka's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Stacy was watching carefully from behind Daniel and Jack. Chaka looked her over and sniffed. He said something to Daniel.
"Yes, my cub," Daniel nodded. "Mates," he said, indicating Jack and Sam. Chaka said something else.
"Jack, he wants assurance that human slavers would not be allowed to join the Union," Daniel said.
"Give it to him," Jack said.
A few family members dared to watch the incredible meeting from yards beyond the floor where Daniel and Chaka sat face to face. Hayes, Maynard, and other Earth leaders watched as Daniel negotiated with the rough, primitive alien.
"Why not teach it…him…to use a table and chair?" Ambassador Piccoli from Italy asked after Chaka left.
"Because he wouldn't understand," Daniel said. "If we talk with them at their level, we show respect for their culture and they will be more open to negotiations. To them, having a table between us would indicate that we have something to hide. I've had to negotiate naked with some cultures because even clothing would indicate something to hide."
"This is how Daniel makes new friends, so we go with the flow," Jack told Piccoli.
"He's very primitive," Lansky, an astronaut, said. "Why negotiate at all? What can his people offer?"
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Do you need a reason to make someone your friend?" he asked. "Primitive doesn't mean stupid. The Unas may not have technology, but they were among those who taught us how to talk with aliens. They are also the first victims of the Goa'uld. The snakes are from the Unas homeworld. The Unas are far older than us and they're dying out. Their last days should be peaceful ones."
Jonas was next to visit. Sam took Danna from him, since Jack's arms were filled with a slightly jealous Olivia who continued to glare at baby Dor'nar. All the SG-1 children were put together for pictures. As the children played, Jonas quietly let Jack know that Langara as a whole was behind the unification. They had a few requests for the treaty, but in general, they approved.
As the word got out that O'Neill was in space, word came to Jack from worlds that were behind the unification. Many worlds had been scared into retreating behind a cloak of xenophobia and refused all further contact. Note was taken of those worlds, putting them on a no-contact list. They would still be watched, however, silently observed from time to time. If the culture showed signs that it would welcome contact, the Union would be ready to step in.
Other worlds, although not technologically advanced enough for space travel, also sent word of their support. Jack warned them that no advanced technology would be given out, but they would help with whatever else they could. Jack had never lied to them, so they would accept Jack's word.
One by one, visitors either came to the Prometheus or contacted them in some fashion. When the most recent visitor left, Hayes sat next to Jack.
"This has been quite the experience," he told Jack. "Humbling, actually. Not one of these people give a crap who I am, they ignore me completely. I can't remember that last time that happened. I think I'm starting to see the bigger picture, Jack, and it really has nothing to do with us."
"No, it has nothing to do with individual countries," Jack corrected. "It has everything to do with us as a whole. This is it, Henry, the big step. Earth must become united. It must. No more political games, no more egos, no more my gun is bigger than your gun, because you know what? My gun IS bigger. You want to kill yourselves, go right ahead; I have better things to be concentrating on and I don't need to be on Earth to do it. There are three other planets out here who have already issued an invitation to me and my family to make our home elsewhere."
Hayes was nodded. "Up til now, I'd put all that down to hyperbole," he said. "Seeing all these people coming out of nowhere, just to talk with you for a few minutes…. I believe you, Jack. And seeing this crew, all these people from different countries, all working toward a common goal, ignoring borders…"
"They have another flag to follow," Jack said. He touched the sigil on his shoulder. "This one unites them as a planet. That's why I've refused to put national flags on ships and uniforms. The only competition they have is between teams, not countries, and that's a good, healthy competition."
"We must do this, Henry," Jack said, looking out at the children. "It's time to grow up. I know you're scared, wondering what you're place will be, the upheavals countries will go through. I'm fully aware that religion will be taking the largest hit and it's scaring them shitless. It's religion that controls the masses, Henry, not governments, and it needs to stop. No more bowing down to the will of the Religious Right. Let them rant and rave, let them threaten their doom. I don't give a shit. The Crusades were wrong way back then, and they're wrong now. The Witch Hunts were wrong. The Burnings were wrong. Don't let them continue, Henry, don't continue to feed their flames. Keep your spirituality, dump the religion.
"In case you haven't noticed, the changes have begun. It's time, Henry." Jack reached over and put his hand over a scratch on Hayes' forearm. A moment later, he took his hand away. The scratch was gone. Hayes whitened as he touched his arm.
"I'm scared, too, Henry, but my will is for life, not death."
This is the end of Anunnaki. Stand by for Chapter One of Unification.
Thank you all for your kind, encouraging words of support throughout this series.
Vocabulary
Ze ki angu I love you
Aba father
Adda daddy
Agashu youngest son
Ahatu sister
Ahatatum little sister
Ahu brother
Sehru little brother
Ammartu eaglet
Anna yes
Innna no
Babu small child or baby
Ba'eru hunter (not really a son of Enki, I made that up. He has only Ninurta, according to the myths.)
Binu son
Bishru small child
Dadu darling
Daltu door of heaven / underworld
Didila child
Ezib sha never mind
Gade I'm off
Gerru lion cub, puppy (they used to believe felines and dogs were the same species. I don't know how they figured it.)
Hasduk beloved
Mersiya sweetie pie
Salimu peace
Inanna Queen of Heaven and Earth, Goddess of Passion
Enki Lord of the Earth, God of Water (It's a long, complicated story. If a lot of people are interested, I'll post a summary on my site.)
Ninurta Lord of Storms, God of fertility –plants and livestock. The sweeping, all-consuming storms, not the gentle rains. He was a warrior, not a gardener.
Shara warrior at Ninurta's side, his name means 'foundation'
Gibil god of fire. The consuming, destructive fires.
Erra demon of disease, consort of Ereshkigal. Demon in the Greek sense, daemon, meaning spirit. He's a warrior. His name is also spelled Irra, depending on the translator.
Ereshkigal Queen of the Underworld
Zu a very naughty, colorful bird. See The Myth of Zu in the myths section of my website. VERY naughty bird.