A/N: At last, I'm writing again. As much as I like winter, it comes along with annoying things like college applications, and all the forms that need filling out. Oh, well. I'm back to what I like best. I hope you enjoy this installment. I've started the next chapter, so I should have it posted before the week is out. Keeping my fingers crossed. Hope you enjoy, and I apologize for the hiatus. Happy Spring!
~SGC~SGC~
Teal'c looked around curiously as he followed Yokan to the baker's shop. He was, indeed, feeling the need for food.
He was continually amazed by how peaceful the Yetri were. The tall, stocky aliens talked, laughed, and worked together with nary a dispute. The doctor that he and Major Carter had previously seen now tended to a crying child. He rocked the small boy in his arms, as he used the glowing sphere to scan him. When he was done, he rummaged in his bag and handed the boy's mother a jar of salve.
The mother who had entertained her baby with the hologram pendant had gathered more children about her. She appeared to be telling them a story that accompanied the illustrations.
Yokan noticed Teal'c's preoccupation, and chuckled. "Are you wondering how we get along so peacefully?"
Teal'c tilted his head. "Indeed. I find it intriguing that such a large number of people live in true harmony."
"As far back as we can remember, we have lived this way. Like the Nox, we make it our goal to harm none. Some – including the Tayi – have told us we should learn to defend ourselves. But we have never needed to, and I doubt we will."
Teal'c frowned a little. "However, there are enemies that would attempt to harm you, only to steal your technology and resources. The Taur'i were correct. You should be able to defend yourselves."
Yokan shook his head. "I doubt that any of us could bear to raise a weapon to harm another being. In the last rotation of the sun, one of our younger adults raised a fist to hit his friend, but before the blow could land, he fell to the ground, weeping in remorse. We have lived so long with this ideology, that to harm another would be to harm ourselves."
Teal'c nodded slowly in understanding. He truly hoped that the Yetri would never meet threats such as the Goa'uld. They would surely lose.
"Ah, here we are!" Yokan spoke cheerfully, and gestured into a shop that emitted enticing smells of baking bread. "Pick whatever you like, and something for Major Carter, too. She and Darrow will be hungry, even if they haven't noticed yet."
Smiling slightly, Teal'c nodded a bit. He knew that Major Carter often worked too long, and forgot to eat until she was very hungry. Then, she ate a large meal in the commissary, before she went back to work with a mug of coffee.
He walked into the shop, looking at the various breads arranged in baskets on shelves around the walls. He selected two small-sized loaves, then paused. He glanced at Yokan.
"How am I to pay for these?"
Yokan laughed out loud. "Oh, that's simple. You don't. We don't have a money system. We barter, or trade, or simply help our neighbors. No one ever goes without what they need."
Teal'c eyebrow rose. In his experience, nothing was ever truly so simple. However, he decided not to question Yokan, and nodded deeply.
~SGC~SGC~
On the way back to Major Carter and Darrow, Teal'c began to ask questions about the Yetri.
"Have you ever encountered enemies such as the Goa'uld?"
"No, thiang. They never discovered our planet."
"What is the basis of your technology?"
"Actually, we use naquadah, to power our technology. We simply use it differently than the Goa'uld." Yokan smiled a bit at Teal'c's startled – for Teal'c – look.
Teal'c took several moments to compose another question. He decided he needed to learn more about Yetri culture, and asked Yokan to tell him about his people.
Yokan smiled. "I'm glad you're curious. I like to tell people about us.
"We evolved here, on this planet. Yetraham. Home of the Yetri, translated into English. We do not receive very much sunlight, due to the thick forests. Therefore, our skin is nearly translucent, as you can see. It makes it easier to absorb the nutrients that make it possible to form what the Taur'i call vitamin D. When we enter patches of sunlight, the shimmering of our skin and hair reflects much of the light, preventing us from being burned. And we are very tall because, as we evolved, much of our food came from trees, and those tall enough to reach it survived. Now, of course, we help each other, instead of competing to the death." He laughed a bit.
Teal'c nodded, absorbing the information. "What of your religious practices?"
Yokan smiled. "Surprisingly enough, we have none. At least, none that contains a deity, or worship of anything in particular. We help one another. That way, we have everything we need. We have never been able to believe in a higher power that knows and sees all."
Teal'c nodded again.
Yokan grinned widely. "Are you out of questions, for now?"
"Indeed. However, I am certain Major Carter will be very curious, as well."
Yokan shook his head a bit. "Yes. The Major Carter I remember was very curious. As was Doctor Jackson."
Teal'c inclined his head in agreement, but mentally withdrew from the conversation. Mention of Daniel Jackson reminded him that he and Major Carter were far from returning home, to their friends. To their lives. Quickly, he pushed the melancholy emotions back, refusing to dwell on things that could weaken him here and now.
He had to be strong. For himself, and for Major Carter.
S-G-C-S-G-C
Carter looked up when she heard Teal'c and Yokan returning. The warm, rich smell of bread wafted ahead of them, and made her realize how hungry she was.
Teal'c smiled gently at her, and placed a pastry on a napkin in front of her. She chuckled, and grinned at him.
"Thanks, Teal'c. I didn't even realize I was hungry."
"Indeed. You are notorious for doing so."
She gratefully bit into the pastry. Her eyes widened, and after she finished chewing, she looked at it. "Wow. That's amazing. What's in it?" She looked between Teal'c and Yokan.
Teal'c inclined his head to Yokan, who smiled broadly. "You will have to ask Lithae. She's the baker. The best we've ever had, I think."
Carter stood up and stretched. I don't know about you, Darrow, but I need a break. Mind if I take a walk?"
Darrow looked up distractedly. "What? Oh, no. Go have some fresh air. I'll probably be along in a little while." He went back to his notes, pastry in hand.
Carter put her hand on Teal'c's arm as she left the lab, and he followed her outdoors. She breathed deeply as she rolled her shoulders. She was stiff from so long bent over the table, reading diagram after diagram. Darrow had had to translate the Yetri text for her, which meant it took even longer.
She caught Teal'c's eye, and nodded to a soft, mossy patch beneath a particularly tall tree. They sat, and she waited for him to tell her what he'd learned.
"I do not believe the Yetri to be dangerous, or deceitful. They seemed to me to be very honest and forthright, as well as gentle. Yokan told me of the evolution of the Yetri, and that they have no belief in gods. They use a barter system, and use naquadah to power their technologies."
Carter blinked. "What?"
"Yokan informed me that although they use naquadah, they have utilized it differently than do the Goa'uld. They have not been influenced by them in any way. They have never encountered them."
"I should ask Darrow more about that while we're here. That could be incredibly useful."
Teal'c nodded his agreement.
"Hey! How's it going with you two?"
Carter and Teal'c looked up, and saw Kowalski headed for them. He sat cross-legged on the ground in front of them, and looked at Carter expectantly.
She shrugged. "Darrow and I will be working on this for a while. I think I'd like to learn more about the Yetri, in general, too. Might be worth it to stay for a while, as much as I'd like to go home."
Kowalski nodded. "They're pretty fascinating people. Ask Yokan to take you to the historian. She can tell you more than anyone else."
Carter nodded at him. "Thanks, I'll do that."
"Yokan told me to tell you that there's going to be a celebration tonight. One of their season-change celebrations, now that spring's here. Should be fun. And you can meet more of their people. We're staying for a while, too," Kowalski told them.
"That does sound nice. It'd be a good break from work."
Kowalski grinned, then got up and wandered away, seemingly headed nowhere in particular.
"Guess we're going to a party tonight."
"Indeed."
S-G-C-S-G-C
"Dr. Lee, welcome to the Yetri world! And it's about time!" O'Neill said.
"We needed to gather supplies together, Colonel! You never know what you might need!" Dr. Lee protested.
"Fine. Come on. You'll need to meet Lonyi."
As O'Neill and Dr. Lee headed out, the other scientists following, they passed Daniel and Habrin at the pillar that had so captured Daniel's interest before.
"Come on, Daniel."
"You go ahead, Jack. Habrin's teaching me the Yetri language. I'm trying to translate this. We'll catch up."
Habrin grinned at O'Neill. "Don't worry, Colonel. I'll make sure he gets back soon. We're perfectly safe, here."
"Yeah, well, Carter and Teal'c were perfectly safe, too, apparently." The biting tone in O'Neill's voice did not go unnoticed.
Daniel turned to Habrin. "Don't mind him. Grouchy is his normal state of being."
Habrin shook his head sadly. "He is right to be angry. It is because of us that your friends are missing."
Another Yetri spoke. "Sinn tana andrio Miye Taio."
Habrin looked at him sharply, then nodded. He turned to Daniel and O'Neill.
"Carrin has made a useful suggestion. He says that we must ask our Blessed Mother for help and advice."
Daniel blinked. "Blessed Mother?"
"Yes. It is what we call the oldest and wisest woman among us. The wisest man is Kiye Taio, or Blessed Father."
O'Neill nodded. "Right then. After we get Dr. Lee and his people settled, we'll ask her."
He hoped she could help.
S-G-C-S-G-C
Glossary:
"Thiang"means"Thanks be."
"Yetraham"means"Home of the Yetri"
"Sinn tana andrio Miye Taio"means"We must ask Blessed Mother."
"Kiye Taio"means"Blessed Father"