De'kara
Stargate Assembly Area
Teal'c, Bratak, Carter, Jackson, and the members of SG-7, in full combat uniform, stepped from the gate onto the new homeworld of the Jaffa. The gate shut down behind them with a whirl, and a myriad of Jaffa were busing themselves with work. A few were carrying supplies for, two Jaffa men walked past in animate conversation, and a group of children ran past, playing an ancient Jaffa game. The group, with Teal'c and Bratak in the lead, walked past another group of Jaffa, this time a bunch of youth, training for combat with sticks and performing exercises.
"Well, I see the Jaffa haven't completely let go of their fondness for fighting," Jackson observed dryly.
Bratak smiled slightly. "No, they have not. It would be foolish to expect everyone to dispense with the old ways so easily. Most have just come to terms with their freedom and what it means to them. The young ones are more willing to conform with the changes sweeping around them, while others, their elders, stand fast like rocks in the river of progress. It will take some time for them to change, and yet not all of them will completely let go of the things they have built their lives around. It would be far to much to ask of them."
"It must really be difficult to lead them," Carter said. "What with the history of your people and all."
"Yes," Bratak wearily said. "It is quite difficult indeed. The rifts between my people, generated from centuries of combat, mistrust, and enslavement by the Go'ald, have made it very challenging to keep them together. The arguments that arise are often bitter and equally pointless. Sometimes I think it was easier to fight for our freedom rather than maintaining it. The enemy was clear, and a crisis could be resolved with force. But now, the enemies to the Jaffa future are not so clear, and problems must be solved through other means than force. And unfortunately, force seems to be the only thing many Jaffa know."
"It must be really tiring, having to bear all those responsibilities," Jackson said.
"Well," Bratak said, clasping his hand on Teal'c's shoulder. Teal'c returned the gesture with a nod. "It is fortunate that these old shoulders should not bear the burden alone. I am but one member of the council, after all. However, I have lived my entire as a warrior, subservient to the Go'ald. It would probably have been better that I died in battle, for the freedom of all Jaffa. It was a task for which I am better suited than the one before me."
Just then, they came across two arguing Jaffa men. One was a younger, in his forties, and bore the mark of Apophasis. The other, a slightly taller Jaffa, was well-built, with a hideous scar running from his left eye down to his jaw, the eye swollen shut, and on his forehead he bore the mark of Anubis. The two stopped arguing as they neared and turned to face them. The younger Jaffa's was surprised to see them and extended his right hand to Bratak. He took the Jaffa's arm in traditional Jaffa fashion.
"Tek mel tek, Master Bratak," the Jaffa said reverently. Letting go of Bratak, he repeated the gesture with Teal'c. "Tek mel tek, Master Teal'c."
"Tek mel tek, Jeak'ma," responded Teal'c, nodding his head in respect. "Jeak'ma, this is Colonel Samantha Carter, and Dr. Daniel Jackson from SG-1."
Jeak'ma nodded his head. "Samantha Carter, and Daniel Jackson, It is an honor to met both of you. All Jaffa should be grateful for the help you have provided us in fighting the false gods."
"Jeak'ma was one of our causes earliest supporters," Bratak explained. "He was an engineer on one of Apophasis' ships. He is our leading expert in research of new technologies to better the lives of all Jaffa, and will be joining us on the trip to the planet."
"Teal'c has told us stories of his journeys with SG-1, and I am impressed not only with the Tari's tremendous capabilities in combat, but with your adept understanding and application of technology, " Jeak'ma said. "I am particularly interested, however, in the use of a ships hyperspace engines to transport an asteroid through a planet, and of the utilization of a Stargate to explode a sun in order to destroy Apophasis' fleet. Fortunately, I was not on one of those vessels."
"It was nothing, really," Carter stammered, embarrassed.
"Certainly not," the taller Jaffa sneered.
"And you are?" asked Carter, a little annoyed.
When he did not respond, Bratak said, "This is Vik'lar, and he will also be joining us."
"I do not know why the Tari are coming," Vik'lar said in disgust. "This is purely a Jaffa matter, they are not needed. We should not always go crawling on our knees to the Tari for help, especially when we are capable of dealing with the problem ourselves."
"The Tari are friends to the Jaffa. You should do well to remember that, Vik'lar," Bratak said sternly.
"I will not call anyone who has looked out solely for themselves a friend," said Vik'lar in retort. "The Tari have only helped out the Jaffa when it suited their best interests. They fought not for our freedom, but for their own protection, sacrificing the lives of countless Jaffa to do so. They do not care about the Jaffa."
"That's not true," countered Jackson. "We've given you supplies, gave you shelter at the Alpha Site…"
"Where you also harbored the treacherous Tok'ra," Vik'lar snorted.
"The Tok'ra are our allies," Jackson said. "And yours as well. They've sacrificed their lives to help you."
"The Tok'ra have sacrificed nothing. The Tok'ra have done nothing. For centuries the Tok'ra hid in the shadows, where they struck at the Go'ald like cowards. Many Jaffa were lost to their tactics. They have done nothing for the Jaffa."
"The Tok'ra lost their mother to provide you with Draconian," Carter said angrily. "I think that counts for something."
"Pah," said Vik'lar. "They did not let her die for the good of the Jaffa. They did all that they could to save her, and only allowed her to die when they realized there was no other alternative."
"Well, wouldn't you try to save the person who spawned your entire species?" Carter asked heatedly.
But before Vik'lar could respond, Bratak intervened. "Vik'lar, that is enough!"
With his right eye narrowed, Vik'lar glared at Bratak, then stormed off. Jeak'ma looked at them apologetically, and went off after Vik'lar. There was a short silence. Bratak took a deep breath. "I am sorry you had to hear that. Not all of the Jaffa feel so kindly to the Tari as Jeak'ma does. Vik'lar is but one of many Jaffa who do not feel kindly towards out allies. These feelings are especially prevalent in the youth, which has many of the Council members worried. We have tried to combat these feelings, but to no avail. They view the Tok'ra as spineless cowards, and the Tari as exploiters of the Jaffa. It took a lot of convincing for us to gain your assistance."
"We're always happy to help," Carter replied.
Bratak smiled. "And for that I am grateful. But come, there are many things to do before we depart."