A/N: Hey all! Something came up in the comments that I thought was best addressed to every reader. All AUs change canon, and logically must lead to more changes, etc., like the ripples that spread when you drop a stone in a puddle. Since this story is told from characters' point of view, however, changes to canon will only be explained within the story if they are relevant to the plot or characters. This leaves out a lot of other changes, and several of you have been curious about those in reviews. I have no problem answering those questions in review replies, but if you don't want to have an account or leave a signed review here, you may be confused or think I forgot about something from canon. I have done my very best to take into account every possible effect that all Stargate canon and this AU's canon will have on my story—it is, of course, possible that I missed something (and if so, please call me on it!), but I truly hope that any confusion can be cleared up by simple communication. So from now on, I will put a short author's explanation at the end of each chapter pointing out the changes made. If you would like to know more, or think the change wasn't logical, feel free to contact me by email, PM, or review.
Chapter 16 - Change
Despite previously gulping down two cups of black coffee, even though he cringed while doing it, Daniel was yawning in the gateroom. He wasn't the only one—the sudden 6 am morning mission on a day that originally had no mission planned meant everyone was a little ready to doze right off. Mckay was slowly putting on his jacket, his yawn wide enough to take in Daniel's whole coffee mug, and he looked like he needed it. Dixon, of course, was standing straight and ready, despite the continual blinking to keep him alert. Jack, maybe, was the most rested, aside from Teal'c who needed none.
"I really don't see why I need to go on this one," said Mckay in the short space between yawns. "Nothing will be there."
"You say that every mission," said Dixon, rolling his eyes.
"No," said Mckay, but unable to finish his thought due to a big yawn. Dixon and Daniel waited patiently for him to finish while Jack was speaking to Hammond. Teal'c was ignoring them all. "Just to planets that would have nothing of interest to me."
"Like Cimmeria," said Dixon.
"He he, very funny," drawled Mckay, his own eyes rolling. "But what technology was on that planet where we were all nearly mined to death?"
"So how do you intend to improve things?" asked Dixon. "Are you going to travel back in time at the end of each mission to tell your former self whether he should go or not?"
"No," said Mckay. Dixon nodded, but Mckay continued, "There's no feasible way at the moment to time travel."
"What, you haven't built one yet?" asked Dixon.
"But in any case, I know that there's nothing on Abydos," said Mckay.
Any further banter was cut short as Jack walked over, face dark. "Okay, folks, we have a problem."
"What is it?" asked Daniel, feeling suddenly apprehensive.
"MALP is having issues," said Jack. "It went through, took a couple seconds of film, and then stopped transmitting."
"What? How?" asked Mckay, alert for the moment. He took the stairs up to the control room two at a time, and Daniel followed, equally curious. "Show me the film," Mckay said.
Daniel stood behind Mckay and watched. The others were a few seconds behind.
"This makes no sense," said Mckay, frowning, tapping his finger on the keyboard. "Atmosphere readings are normal, no noise to indicate sabotage..."
"And we were just there," said Daniel.
Mckay played the clip again, and then again. "There is no logical reason why this should be cutting out," he said.
"Any illogical reasons?" snarked Jack.
"Yes, hundreds," said Mckay shortly. "Which one do you want me to randomly guess first?"
"Wait, play that again," said Daniel, frowning. He leaned closer to the screen. "I think I know the problem. Look, Jack, that isn't what the Abydos gateroom looks like."
"So, what, they moved the gate?" asked Jack.
"That's not any other place I know of on Abydos," said Daniel, shaking his head. He frowned. "It almost looks like the ceilings in the pyramid."
"Wait, that could explain it," said Mckay, raising one finger and tapping it against the air. "The gate was probably knocked over; the MALP goes through, but it can't fly up and so it falls back and dissolves into the wormhole."
"Why would the gate have been knocked over?" asked Daniel.
There was a moment of silence.
"Permission to have a team of marines standing by, sir?" asked Jack, looking to Hammond.
"Permission granted—we don't know what happened on the other side," said the General. "And I want frequent updates on your status."
"Understood," said Jack. "Come on, team, let's go."
"You don't suppose they were attacked, do you?" asked Mckay, eyes wide.
"No, they couldn't be, no one knows about that planet other than Apophis," said Daniel, frowning. "And he'd have attacked by now if he planned to." But as they all got ready to go through the gate, he had a sinking feeling in his heart that their luck had gone sour again.
ooooooo
Sam and Jolinar didn't sleep in that morning, but instead woke early and went to the Tok'ra gate.
"Have you tried to contact Abydos?" Sam asked.
"Yes, but with no success," said one of the Tok'ra guards. "We tried twice, but the gate refused to connect, Perhaps it has been buried again?"
"Hmm," said Sam, brow creased. "That doesn't make sense, since I told him we would be contacting them shortly about Sha're."
"We will try again tomorrow," said the Tok'ra.
With no alternative recourse, Sam nodded and returned with Jolinar to the Tok'ra tunnels. She would have to meet with the Council to discuss missions anyway.
ooooooo
It was not a pleasant experience, going through an upturned gate. Grappling hooks were sent through, and then one held onto a rope and walked normally through. But immediately on the other side, the gravity suddenly pulled one back into the gate, leading one's grip to be sorely tested. Thankfully, they were all well aware of the life-or-death nature, and no one slipped while climbing up and over the gate onto the rubble. But that didn't mean there was no grumbling.
Finally, all resting by the shimmering pool of event horizon, they spared a moment to look around.
"This is the gate room," said Daniel. "But what's with the rubble? Where's the coverstone?"
The pillars were all standing, the DHD in its place, but rocks and broken pieces of tentpoles and pottery were in piles around the gate and up against the entrance as well. With the sun peeking through a distant crack and casting strange shadows, it looked ruinous.
"This doesn't look good," said Jack, standing up and pacing around.
"Doesn't look like attack, though," said Dixon, pointing at the various piles with his gun. "Too careful."
"So they wanted to pretend the Stargate was really buried?" asked Mckay between heavy breaths. He had been last, but even with help, it had been a strain on him to get out of the gate.
"If someone was looking for the gate with any determination, this would not deter them sufficiently," said Teal'c.
Daniel's face was dark and he didn't say anything.
"Shouldn't we try to get out of here and look around?" asked Dixon. "Where are the people?"
"I think we're looking at some kind of invasion," said Jack.
"Space invasion?" said Mckay. "You've got to be kidding, why? They'd dial the gate, and when it didn't work, why come all the way here?"
"Maybe they don't operate the gates," said Dixon with a shrug.
"If we go out there, they'll see we're different, assuming that's what's going on," said Daniel.
"Yeah, should'a brought your robes, huh?" said Jack.
"Could'a should'a would'a," said Dixon. "Just have to stay out of sight."
"I'll go," said Daniel.
"Dixon, you stay with Mckay and Teal'c," said Jack. "Daniel and I will browse around—no radio contact unless we initiate."
"Yes, sir," said Dixon.
"I will stand guard at the entrance in case of a swift retreat," said Teal'c.
"You do that then," said Jack.
Daniel got up and followed Jack to the main entrance to this room. The rubble was at head height but they would be able to see over it. Teal'c joined them and offered to help them climb without making noise. Daniel, as the lightest and nimblest, not that the difference was great, made his way to the couple feet of space at the top. Outside the gateroom he could see a few tents, but no people and no noise of them beyond sight.
"I don't see anything," he whispered down to Jack and Teal'c.
"Up and over then," ordered Jack. "Keep low, just in case."
From the outside, the rubble didn't look so obvious, and a well-placed broken shade added to the aura of abandonment. Sneaking through the empty tents in the pyramid, Daniel began to get even more worried when there was no sign of anything. By the time they stood on the outer steps, he was certain some tragedy had happened.
Looking down into the village, he saw some plainly Abydonian people and the glint of silver on marching figures. From this distance no more could be discerned; the sky and the horizon were clear in all directions.
"Where do we go from here?" asked Daniel.
"Nowhere," said Jack, indicating just below them. A few figures were leaving the village on a path that could only lead to one logical place—the pyramid.
Ducking back to hide and notifying Dixon, they sat still and waited. Eventually the marching feet left the sand and resounded loudly on the stone steps, coming ever nearer.
"My lord, the pyramid is not presently suitable as a temple or place of command," came a deep male voice.
"I do not want to do anything with it, I just want to look over my new planet."
Daniel and Jack shared shocked looks. That was a female Goa'uld voice if they ever heard one. As the footsteps stopped, Daniel peeked around the corner. Sure enough, they were Jaffa, though with a symbol he did not know. They were standing in two lines, and he could only catch sight of a piece of Goa'uld robes—and then the Goa'uld swept back away from the steps.
It wasn't the sort of face that blended with all the rest; this Goa'uld had chosen a striking host. Wide eyes, prominent cheekbones, a slightly crooked nose, and a strong but sensuous mouth—the parts together turned the whole face into one both beautiful and terrible. After a moment of appreciation at the power this Goa'uld portrayed with not a word spoken, Daniel turned his attention to the symbol on her Jaffa. Who was this?
Before he could make up his mind on her, the Goa'uld spoke again. "Have you selected the young males and females for the mining operation?"
"Yes, my lord," said the first prime. "The rest shall be taken to your worlds."
"Excellent," said the Goa'uld, a smirk on the corner of her expressive lips, her eyes glinting even without the traditional snakey glow. "Lord Ba'al may have thought this world stripped of all resources, but I shall make him a fool yet again. If nothing else there may be some attractive stock for my court. Begin loading the ships!"
The first prime clasped his forearm across his chest, bowing sharply, and then the whole troop descended the steps again. The Goa'uld paused halfway down, casting a languorous glance back along the once-magnificent pyramid. Daniel's heart leapt for a moment, sure her eyes had passed straight over where he was, but it must have been a trick of the light. She turned once again, and finished her magnificent departure down the steps.
Daniel looked back at Jack, who was already simmering in growing anger. "Not what we thought, then?"
"Doesn't matter. We're going to get Hammond to send us what we need to take out this snake," growled Jack, standing up and heading back to the rest of the team.
"Wouldn't the better plan be to rescue the people?" asked Daniel, pausing before standing. "We may not have time to infiltrate her ship."
"It, Daniel," said Jack sharply over his shoulder. "And I didn't say infiltrate."
"So what, you're going to ask for a warhead again?" asked Daniel, jogging to catch up. "You can't do that, Jack."
Jack didn't answer.
"Jack, we can't start a war like this," Daniel continued pushing.
"What else do you suggest, Daniel?" said Jack through gritted teeth, spinning around and stopping short for a second. "You think we can scoop a whole civilization out from under a Goa'uld's nose without them noticing?"
Daniel opened his mouth, and then closed it, eyes pained. "Do you think we can take out the ship? Or rather, that Hammond will agree?"
"We'll see, won't we," said Jack.
ooooooo
~So, these dangerous missions, that we won't be going on,~ said Sam, after the Council had given their final decision on where to send Jolinar. ~What exactly do you do?~
*Our goal is the end the Goa'uld,* said Jolinar. *We keep powerful factions warring with themselves, undermine the support system of minor and unimportant Goa'uld, and look for information that would help us destroy them altogether.*
~Undermine minor Goa'ulds...you mean start Jaffa rebellion?~
*Their human slaves are much more receptive,* said Jolinar. *The Jaffa rely on the Goa'uld to some extent and are harder to turn.*
~What about non-dangerous missions, then?~ asked Sam. ~What will we be doing?~
*Aid, negotiation, support for other missions,* said Jolinar. *Not particularly without danger, just less of it.*
~Yeah, even science missions can go wrong,~ said Sam.
*I prefer that,* said Jolinar. *Then I have a purpose on them.*
Sam grinned.
ooooooo
"Sir, these people are our responsibility!" said Jack through the radio.
"I'm sorry, Jack, but the Abydos people are not worth the risk of making another enemy," answered Hammond for the third time. "We can barely keep our own world safe from the ones we have now."
"How is it our responsibility?" asked Mckay. "Just because we know them? It's not like we did anything."
"Quetesh," said Daniel finally. "I do know that symbol—it's Quetesh."
"How do you think Quetesh found out about Abydos?" Jack asked Mckay after a glance to Daniel. "It's Apophis' world, or was until we cut him off by burying the gate. And it didn't sound like it was here on Apophis' orders. No, the only way another Goa'uld would hear of Abydos is through information, and I don't think Apophis is talking."
"Wait, what are you suggesting?" asked Mckay.
"Yeah, that's a good question," said Daniel, looking up from his brooding.
"Who's the one person out there who knows about Abydos and is with the Goa'uld, and would betray Apophis?" asked Jack, finishing with a toss of his hand at how simple it was.
"Sam?" asked Daniel incredulously.
"I do not believe ColonelO'Neill suspects CaptainCarter," said Teal'c.
"I know you want to believe that old Jolly's really a Tok'ra, but when it comes down to it we have absolutely no proof they exist, Daniel," said Jack.
"But why would she do this, it makes no sense?" asked Daniel. "She just got us to trust her a little, why betray that trust not three days later?"
"She didn't know we gave Kasuf a way to contact Earth," said Dixon, shrugging. "How else could he let us know what she did?"
"But—" said Daniel, not sure what his argument was but sure that he had one.
"Colonel O'Neill, I'm sorry, but there is no way that we can justify a military strike against a Goa'uld of unknown strength." Hammond's voice broke through the uneasy silence.
No one else had anything to say, either to Hammond or to Jack's suspicions. Dixon and Mckay seemed already on Jack's side—Teal'c was unreadable apart from the concern on his face. But for whom?
"Do I have permission to rescue as many as possible without drawing attention to Earth?" asked Jack.
There was a long pause. "You have two hours, Colonel. Godspeed."
The Stargate disengaged, leaving the room a little darker.
"I didn't think he'd approve even that," said Dixon, surprised.
"These people are almost family, Dixon," said Jack with emphasis. "And he knows I wouldn't accept a no anyway."
"So wait, this is a rescue mission now?" said Mckay.
"Looks like," said Dixon, grabbing the backpack he had set down while they waited.
Daniel shook his head. He looked at Jack, who's face was still grim, and then sighed and picked up his own pack. At this point, it didn't matter how it had happened, it only mattered that his people were in danger.
"We can't save them all, Daniel," said Jack quietly as he passed by him.
"I know," said Daniel softly. From the moment he had seen Quetesh, he had lost all hope in this turning out well. Jack might very well be right, as this situation nearly screamed of the same luck that had followed Jolinar's relations with them so far. He bit back any desperation, and steeled himself for making hard choices.
ooooooo
"You are going on Tok'ra missions?" asked Sha're, her eyes wide with question. She was able to sit up in bed now, and her skin had regained some more color. "I did not think—" She broke off.
Sam sighed a little. "It's not what you think, just that whenever I stay idle like this, I'm keeping Jolinar with me. Jolinar hasn't complained yet, but I know she's been thinking about it and so has the Council. I won't be gone for very long, just little things."
"Like SG-1 was?" asked Sha're.
Sam paused, thinking. "Yeah, I guess it will be a little like that."
"That is good, then," said Sha're, smiling. "You have been restless with all the waiting."
"That's not a good thing," said Sam, correcting her. "I get caught up in my work, but I should be able to relax."
"And you can," said Sha're with an encouraging smile, looking down to where Shifu began to fuss for food. "But not anymore, there is no need. I shall have to convince Martouf when you are gone that I am well enough for Tok'ra entertainment. They, also, find it difficult to relax, but they do and so shall I."
"I wonder if Saroosh or Selmak would like to see Shifu," wondered Sam. "I'm sure they would enjoy having someone with no more pressing business to talk to." She frowned. "I'm not sure if they could come down here, though."
"I am sure I will be fine, Sa'm," said Sha're, settling Shifu into position so that he could nurse happily while she spoke. "Shifu and the doctor's orders take up much of my day in the first place." She paused. "Why do I not hear from Jolinar? You often speak of her, but she only speaks to Martouf and Lantash, not to me."
~Oh, a challenge,~ said Sam, a little glee in her tone.
Jolinar took Sam's proffered control, coming forward to speak. "I did not think you would be comfortable around the voice of a symbiote—many hosts are sensitive when first recovering. And once that was no longer the issue, you were already familiar with Samantha, not myself."
"Did you not think that I could feel your presence?" asked Sha're. "What is a voice compared to that?"
"Are you so interested in one whom you will soon be leaving?" asked Jolinar in return.
"Not forever, surely," said Sha're. "Sa'm told me that she intends to propose an alliance."
Jolinar shrugged. "Whatever happens, I did not think your mind would dwell on us."
Sha're stretched forth her hand, her face losing its teasing appearance. "I do not forget kindnesses, to myself or to my friends."
Jolinar stepped forward, clasping the hand gently.
"Good, that's settled then," said Sha're, readjusting Shifu as he continued to feed.
*I believe you are right, she and Selmak and Saroosh would enjoy each other's company indeed,* said Jolinar. *They are of the same cloth.* She then gave control back to Sam.
"Just so you know, she doesn't talk much in any case," said Sam to Sha're.
"But now I know she does," said Sha're, simply satisfied. She sighed, and Sam caught a hint of weariness, but not enough to pry. Sha're could be very stubborn in refusing to talk about anything wrong with her; Sam hoped that Daniel had better luck, yet another benefit that this coming negotiation would hopefully bring.
"I will see you late tomorrow then, I believe," said Sam. "We shall take a short mission first."
"I cannot promise to be awake, but I will hope for it," said Sha're, smiling as before.
ooooooo
With Mckay and Dixon holding the position at the pyramid, Jack, Daniel and Teal'c pressed forward into the village. Their desert-colored BDUs kept any eyes from directly noticing them but there seemed to be few about to see in the first place. There were only a handful of Jaffa in the village, and before any discussion of the issue could take place, Teal'c and Jack had quietly disposed of them. Sneaking over to the crest of the hill, though, they saw the rest of the invading force crowded down by the mines.
There were many more Jaffa than seemed necessary, probably as Quetesh had not been fully aware of what population Abydos supported, and many were not even standing guard but loitering around. Quetesh was not there, but her first prime was directing things himself. Daniel watched as the Jaffa crowded the one group of people toward the mine, and the other into the two Goa'uld ships.
"There's not enough room in those ships," said Jack in a low tone. He pulled out binoculars and gave a closer look. "It looks like the snake's taking mostly the women and the children."
"What do we do?" asked Daniel.
Jack didn't answer, just continued to look down on the scene below. Finally, he closed them and put them back in his jacket. "Teal'c, how much C4 do you have?"
"Only a small portion, Colonel O'Neill," answered Teal'c.
Daniel glanced between them. "What?"
Jack pulled out his radio. "Dixon? I'm going to need your C4 in a minute—we're just on the crest of the hill."
"Jack?" asked Daniel, unsure and concerned.
"They provoked an attack, Daniel," said Jack without emotion. "We were forced to defend ourselves with lethal force. Hammond will understand."
"We are defying GeneralHammond's orders?" asked Teal'c with one eyebrow raised.
"Yes, yes we are," said Jack.
"But—" began Daniel.
"No buts, Daniel," cut off Jack. "At this point, I really don't care if this comes back to bite us in the ass. I'm not going to decide who's worth saving."
Daniel stood without words to add—his heart was aching at seeing his people shuffled like cattle, and Jack was saying what he wanted to say. And yet, because Jack had suggested it, he felt like he needed to be the one to object. But—why? He glanced back down at the ships, and clenched his jaw. As Jack would say, to hell with orders.
—
Notes:
Catchup from past chapters: No, there was no reporter that approached Jack in Washington, partly because he didn't have Sam and Jack's conversation as evidence, and partly because Jack didn't go to the bar and quickly left Washington all together.
Apophis and Heru'ur: Apophis did not come to Abydos because he was already aware that Sha're/Amonet had gone missing, hence he is searching for her. Heru'ur found Abydos because of Apophis' checking up on Sha're (I believe), so with Apophis otherwise engaged at the moment it takes Heru'ur longer to find where Abydos is.
Quetesh: I didn't just throw in a Goa'uld we all knew for no reason…there's some more explanation coming up on how and why she got to this planet.