Chapter 3 News from Dakara

Sam went straight back to the Hammond after meeting with General Landry. She didn't want to be away from the ship for too long, especially with an unidentified Ha'tak flying about out there.

The Hammond was in orbit around Chulak – after discussing all of the options with the rest of her old team and the General, it had been decided that she and her crew would remain there and wait for further orders.

Both Landry and Teal'c felt that if the Gou'ald were going to start anything, it would be either on Dakara or Chulak, as both planets had strong ties to the Jaffa nation.

Teal'c stated his intention to return home immediately as well. He levered himself slowly from his seat at the SGC conference table, his usually serene countenance marred by a slight frown as he pondered the possibility of yet another threat to his way of life. "I cannot leave the Jaffa Council for long during this present time," he told his friends. "If such a thing as the rise of a new Gou'ald is even to be contemplated, then I must return to Dakara at once."

Vala patted his hand gently. "I'll come with you, Muscles. I can pick up my Tel'tak and carry on to Semjata tomorrow."

Daniel frowned. "Are you sure that you should be going all that way on your own? In a clapped out old Tel'tak, with what may very well be an enemy Ha'tak knocking about somewhere?"

"Darling, I've been flying that clapped out old Tel'tak around the galaxy since not long after I left the SGC." Vala laughed. "I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself, always have been." She grinned over at him as she stood up, tugging on a pair of black leather gloves. "Besides, I need to get things sorted out back at home. Make sure that there are routines in place to look after my children while I'm away."

"Then I'll come with you," Also standing Daniel folded his arms, scowl deepening. "I'll help you."

"One - I don't need help." Vala pushed her index finger against his chest and tapped firmly with every point that she made. "Any idiot can fly that old bucket of screws single handedly. Two – I know exactly what I'm doing where my children are concerned. I have associates who are lawyers and carers and doctors and everything. And three – you'd frighten my little ones, scowling away like you are now, darling." She nodded and turned away.

"Bolts." Daniel said.

"What?"

"Bucket of bolts. And it's a good thing that you do know 'doctors and everything!' Because you're going to need one if you meet that damn Ha'tak!" He glared again.

So did Vala. "You're very, very annoying, Daniel," she told him, through gritted teeth. "I am a big girl, and I am flying my bucket of screws and bolts back to Semjata – without you – after which I may, or may not come back here. Depending on how much you annoy me in the mean time!"

"Well then, I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am!"

Daniel and Vala were practically nose to nose by now – blue eyes spitting fire, gray ones glinting icily.

An amused snort from Mitchell interrupted them. "Nice to see the old team gettin' on as well as always," he grinned.

Daniel smiled reluctantly.

A moment later so did Vala. "Come then," she told him, grudgingly. "See if I care. But don't annoy me!"

"Wouldn't dream of it." Daniel hoisted up his duffle bag. "Semjata via Dakara then, is it?" He led the way down the stairs and into the gate room below.

As the wormhole sprang into life Vala followed Daniel up the ramp, trying to decide if she wanted to glare at him or not.

Behind them came Teal'c, who had no wish to cast a dark glance at either of them. The wise Jaffa had a feeling that they were all about to be plunged into events that would change things remarkably, for all of them.

o – o – o – o –

The three friends exited the wormhole to be greeted by a scene of business and mild panic. There was no doubt that the sight of the Ha'tak on the previous evening had stirred up many unpleasant memories, particularly in the older Jaffa who were present. The large courtyard in the main temple was full of small clusters of men and women, talking in low, worried voices. Several of these ex-warriors acknowledged the new arrivals from the SGC as the trio crossed to enter the cool, shaded antechamber, on their way to discuss matters further.

"Master Teal'c!" Their purposeful march across the marble was interrupted as the young Jaffa who had called for Teal'c when the Ha'tak was sighted hastened towards them. He bowed. "You inquired about Laylun, the recruit from Semjata?"

"Indeed." Teal'c indicated Vala. "This is his guardian. She is anxious to discover how he is settling into his training here."

Vala grinned goofily. Teal'c made her sound all proper and authentic.

The younger man inclined his head towards her. "Would you be good enough to come with me please? Master Or'tac wishes to speak with you."

Frowning, Vala glanced up at Teal'c. "Do you know what's going on, Mucsles?"

"I do not. I will accompany you."

"So will I." Daniel stuffed his hands deep into his pockets, a slight frown creasing his brow.

An air of faint unease was emanating from the young Jaffa messenger. He nodded and led them off down a wide hallway to a pair of thick, ornate wooden doors. Knocking, he motioned them to enter before returning upstairs to the higher levels of the Temple.

Teal'c led them into a large, plain but comfortable chamber.

A tall, slim Jaffa of indeterminate years, hair speckled liberally with silver, stood to greet them. He clasped Teal'c with a firm, brotherly clasp, before inclining his head towards Daniel and Vala. "Please, sit," he said, in a pleasant, low voice.

Teal'c settled on a low, cushioned stool.

Vala sat on a long wooden bench, Daniel next to her.

Or'tac smiled slightly as he turned to her. "I understand that you are the proprietor of the institution where Laylun lived before beginning Jaffa training."

She nodded, a slight frown creasing her brow. "That's right."

Or'tac's face had also sobered. "It is my unfortunate duty to have to inform you that Laylun has left the Jaffa training program."

"What?" Vala sat forward. "But – but – why? It was all he wanted to do – since he was a boy! It's his greatest wish! There must be a mistake." She looked from Or'tac to Teal'c, her face astounded. "He would never do such a thing! He wouldn't!"

Or'tac gently raised his hand. "One moment. He did not leave alone. Two others went at the same time. And the week before they left, another two. Last month Rak'nor reported from Chulak that several young men in the outlying villages had also departed their homes with no warning."

"Why?" Daniel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Why are all of your young men disappearing?"

"I do not believe that 'disappearing' is exactly the right word," Or'tac paused. "They take their possessions with them, and several have left messages with friends, to impart at a later date to family or loved ones." The warrior handed Vala a small, folded piece of papyrus. "Laylun left this for you."

She took it slowly, eyes large and apprehensive. "I'll just.." she half turned away from the men and opened the little missive, scanning it's words quickly. There was a lengthy pause. "I don't - ," screwing the note up she thrust it at Daniel, stood quickly and walked over to stand against the wall where she folded her arms and pressed her lips tightly together.

The archaeologist opened the papyrus note and read "Beloved mother Vala, forgive me for what I do – I know that of all people it is you who I may hurt the most with what I plan. But I and my friends – we cannot just stand by and watch the Lucian Alliance destroy our homes and our worlds and take our families into slavery for no other reason than greed and vice. We must take up arms against such atrocities. For this reason I have left, along with many others all over this system, to ally ourselves with a new Gou'ald priestess. She promises to aid us in our fight against the Alliance, and to bring back peace and justice for all. I know how this must cause pain to you, dear mother, but we must defend ourselves against these evil doers. Please forgive me for letting you down, but I believe that this is the only way. Your son, Laylun."

"What is he thinking?" Vala spat out, face flushed. She paced back across the room, snatching up the little note and ripping it to shreds. "How could he do this to me? He knows what they did – he knows – Qetesh…." She turned away and lifted her trembling hands up to her face. "What was he thinking?"

Daniel paused, then stood and moved slowly to stand behind her. He rubbed his hands gently up and down her arms. "He's a young man," he reminded her quietly. "They all think that they can save the world. He doesn't associate what you went through as host to Qetesh with what's happening now. Or with this – this – priestess?" Finishing on a query he turned towards the two Jaffa.

Or'tac inclined his head again. "Many rumors and messages have surfaced about her in recent months, from various different sources. Unfortunately the Council were divided as to whether to take these whispers seriously or not."

"Until yesterday?" Daniel suggested, still with his hands on Vala's arms.

Or'tac grimaced. "Indeed. Until yesterday. It would seem that this woman is in earnest about raising an army against the Lucian Alliance."

"Why does she not assume the personality of a false god, however?" Teal'c asked. "I have never known of a Gou'ald to masquerade by any other title than that of a deity."

There was a long pause.

"Perhaps because, whoever they are, they know that they can't get away with pulling off a trick like that again." Daniel turned Vala carefully towards him as he spoke, and very briefly stroked his thumb across her cheek.

Her face was hard, inscrutable - a veritable storm brewing up in those beautiful, huge gray eyes.

"I concur." Teal'c's deep voice broke in on everyone's thoughts. "Very few believe any longer that the Gou'ald are gods. By calling herself a priestess she shows cunning and guile. She masquerades not as a god, but as one who knows the mind of a god."

"So – nearly the same thing, then," Daniel's eyes widened. "Like – an untouchable leader. I'd lay odds on the fact that she's got some pretty tough body guards around her too!"

"And she would know how to manipulate Jaffa and ex-Jaffa to do her bidding." Or'tac clasped his hands in front of himself, pondering. "I do not understand where this Gou'ald has come from however. We believed that all Gou'ald had fled this galaxy. Is that not so?"

"All but one." Vala, arms folded, almost spat the words out.

Daniel wanted to hold her – he could almost feel the years of fear and pain emanating from his friend. After so much time apart, however, he wasn't sure how she would react.

"One?" Or'tac's gaze traveled between the three other people in front of himself. There was a pause.

"Indeed." Teal'c's tone was grim as he spoke. "Athena. Athena was present on Earth until at least 2007, probably even later. She has obviously been in hiding and biding her time, until an opportune time to bring about a rebellion."

"She appears to be intent on causing trouble for the Lucian Alliance, however," Or'tac suggested. He spread his hands. "Is this not so?"

"Oh, trust me," Vala had regained some of her flippancy. "If Athena's got anything to do with it, she'll be wanting to cause trouble for everyone!"

There was a lengthy pause.

"Then we must prepare for the possibility of tension and uprisings among the worlds that we govern," Or'tac told them, gravely.

"I believe so." Teal'c stood and bowed to his fellow council member. "With your permission I will call a meeting to inform the council of these new developments immediately."

Or'tac nodded. "I will join you." He turned to Daniel and Vala. "I am sorry that we cannot be more hospitable at this time."

"That's fine." Daniel gave both Jaffa a small smile. "We need to get to Semjata anyway."

"More than ever." Vala already had her black leather jacket on, she tugged the gloves out of her pocket as she spoke. "We'll be back soon, Muscles."

Teal'c bowed. "I will wait for your return. Then we will all go back to the SGC together."

"We'll be about five days." Vala nodded briskly. "Two there, two back, one in the middle to check on the children."

"Five days?!" Daniel sounded surprised.

"Yes, Daniel darling, five days. I hardly live just around the corner." Vala widened her eyes at him. She still seemed a little pale and edgy but otherwise had regained most of her composure. "Of course, you can stay here with Muscles, if you like."

"Oh no," Daniel already had his rucksack back up on his shoulder. "Nice try, but I'm doubly determined to come with you. Now that we know it might really be Athena out there."

"Not 'might be' – it is her." Vala's face was hard, but their was a glimmer of fear in her eyes.

As Daniel watched she stuck a long, wicked looking hunting knife down inside her boot before slipping a small Earth-made pistol into the back of her jeans. Then she pulled a Zat from her pack and stuffed it hurriedly into one of the pockets in her jacket.

Finally Vala glanced across at Daniel, pensively. "Come on then," she told him, before leading the way out of the temple and towards her Tel'tak.

TBC...