CHAPTER 69
EPISODE…………………………BABYLON
SG-1 had a mission scheduled dealing with finding some Jaffa that went by the name the Sodan. They had been fighting for the freedom of Jaffa for longer than anyone, but for some reason, they had yet to come out of hiding and join the other free Jaffa. So, with the intel they had gathered, this planet they were currently on was where they had settled. Unfortunately, they had yet to find anything that said they were on this planet. Seeing as Reynolds was on the base and not meant to be anywhere, off world anyway, he was currently in charge. All of SG-1 was off world, and it made them all feel good to be off world as a complete team. Though, instead of wearing camouflaged uniforms, where they could blend in with the local fauna, they were all in the black outfits. Teal'c and Ford were the only ones without hats. Mitchell had on a black cap, backwards. Sam had on a black cap, but it was on facing forward. Daniel had on a black bandana. Ford couldn't ever remember seeing Daniel with a hat on since he joined. And he didn't count the helmets the SGC once had everyone wear.
There was another team also out there, looking for the Sodan warriors as well, but in another location. They had made periodic contact back and forth, relaying what they spotted or not. Mostly some birds and other animal life, similar if not the same as most of what was seen on Earth was around. Pretty much all of the wildlife had stayed far enough away that they didn't get much chance to see whatever it was long enough to identify it really well.
Birds twittered in the trees high above them as they walked out from a large section of rain forest like trees. Teal'c was in front, holding a large, thirty millimeter machine gun, with a big clip on it instead of the belt feed. He lifted a hand, clinching his fist making everyone stop. Mitchell was behind him, with a PC-90. He stopped quickly and looked around with the gun pointed. Daniel had his PC-90 as did Sam who both looked around with theirs pointed as well. Ford, who was taking up the rear with Sam, kept his gun down, but looked around quietly. He felt they weren't alone, but had yet to notice anything really.
"Whatcha got?" Mitchell asked quietly.
"Shh." Teal'c said glancing around with his hand still in the air, but now unclenched.
"We are being watched." Ford muttered quietly tapping Sam's arm. She lowered her gun as did Daniel and then Mitchell.
"Is it them, the Jaffa?" Mitchell asked.
"Quiet." Teal'c hissed continuing to look.
"Teal'c, you getting the same feeling we are being watched?" Ford asked a lot quieter than Mitchell.
"Indeed. I am uncertain if it is them. This was nothing." he said moments later lowering his hand and moving off again.
Mitchell didn't move for a moment as they other three walked up.
"He's not doing that on purpose is he? You know, to keep me interested?"
"Well, that depends. Are you loosing interest?" Daniel asked.
"He reminds me of Jack, somewhat." Ford muttered low enough for her to hear as the other two walked a bit away from them.
"I've noticed that." she said glancing up into the trees. "We're going to have to send a wild life expert out here sometime."
"Yeah. Might find a new type of domesticating animal."
"I've heard of blue birds and seen them, but nothing that big." she said quietly pointing at one high in the tree.
Daniel and Mitchell had kept talking and continuing forward, not paying attention to the two behind them. Though several feet away, Teal'c did look back a few times to check on them all.
"Nah. We haven't so much as found a snapped twig on this planet, but hey, me, it's all good baby." Mitchell said answering Daniels question.
"If the intel we have is correct, and these guys are here, I'm guessing they were a lot smarter than most people and hid their, home or whatever, a lot farther from the gate." Ford said.
"Keep people from thinking they might be here. Hide it far enough away, then no one will look around unless they have a ship and a lot of time to look." Daniel said.
"Yeah. But all this intel we got, came from Jaffa that Teal'c used to be enemies with." Mitchell said.
"The Jaffa wanted peace and freedom for a long time, now they have it and it all started because of what these Sodan warriors believed." Ford said.
"True." Mitchell said. "But I feel we're grasping for straws here."
"I wouldn't tell Teal'c that." Daniel said.
"Already did. He said and I quote, The warriors of the Sodan exist Colonel Mitchell. I am certain of it." Mitchell said trying to sound like Teal'c. Teal'c looked back over his shoulder slightly, but didn't say anything.
"Needs more bass." Daniel said.
"A lot more Mitchell." Ford said patting him on the shoulder as they walked by.
Mitchell stopped as they kept walking and noticed a branch move, that wasn't touched by them. And it was a few feet from all of them.
"I'm guessing you saw that Mitchell." Ford muttered stopping and looking at the shaking branch.
"Yeah, I did. I don't think…"
Several staff blast came flying by and landing near all of them.
"Everyone down!" Ford yelled dropping to one knee.
Teal'c, Daniel and Sam were also down on one knee near a small fallen tree firing blindly into the forest as blast after blast of staff weapon discharges came at them.
"Does anyone see anything?!" Ford yelled. He hadn't fired and was currently changing clips.
"No!" they all yelled.
"Get out of here, all of you! I've got your six!" Mitchell exclaimed waving at them.
The other's started off, but Ford hadn't moved. He started taking aim when Mitchell grabbed his shoulder.
"Get out of here General!"
"I'm the one that can't get hurt, remember, I'll…."
"No! You're not playing the hero here and neither am I. I'll be right behind you! You've got to keep them covered and a baby to get back to, remember?!" he said pulling Ford up off the ground. Though it was a little hard.
"You better be following behind us Colonel!" he said firing off a shot before running off after the others.
"Wow, he is good." Mitchell said firing as he backed away and saw a large tree fall over less than 30 yards away.
Bushes that were in the line of the trees path, but hadn't been landed on yet all rustled and moved. He kept firing around and then started to follow.
"Where the hell…" he said as he spun around and was caught in the face by some weapon.
Ford came sliding up to the rest of SG-1, who were firing back behind him from a position on the ground.
"See anything yet?!" he asked searching for his glasses.
"Not a damn thing!" Carter yelled still firing as several more blast landed around them. "SG-22, this is SG-1! We need backup!"
"Where's Colonel Mitchell?!" Daniel asked.
"That moron was suppose to be behind me!" Ford yelled pulling his glasses out and putting them on quickly.
He stood up and got behind the tree near them, hit the button and looked out. He had to pull back as the tree was hit.
"Damn, that was close."
"Cameron, what is your position?!" Carter asked sitting behind his legs as Teal'c and Daniel got down lower to the ground, but still firing back.
Mitchell fell to the ground seeing a Jaffa holding a short version of a staff weapon. He grabbed his PC-90 and tried to take aim, but the Jaffa shot him in the side making him drop the gun. He rolled over as the Jaffa came around and heard Carter on his com. He quickly swung a leg out tripping the Jaffa as he came close. As the Jaffa hit the ground he got up and landed on him quickly, both fighting for the staff weapon. The Jaffa, not injured, hit Mitchell in the side and got up with him, both gripping each other's hands as the staff was dropped. The Jaffa hit Mitchell in the injured side again then got behind him with a choke hold. Mitchell back up hard into a tree making the Jaffa grunt in pain and let go. He dropped down and scrambled over, grabbing the staff weapon and swung it around quickly shooting the Jaffa in the side as he came rushing at him. Now really tired and hurting, he dropped the staff weapon and fell onto his back breathing hard. Mitchell tried staying awake and even reached for his com, but his hand slid away as he passed out.
"Hey, they stopped firing." Daniel said as it got quiet.
"I can see movement, but they are running away."
"How are you seeing them?" she asked.
"Infra red. Looks like Jaffa. Let's go get Mitchell and hope he isn't dead."
Another Jaffa walked up with some other's as they came across the unconscious Mitchell and the injured Jaffa.
"His wound is grave my lord. His symbiont is badly damaged." a Jaffa with short dark hair and a beard said after checking the downed man.
When the same man went to attack Mitchell, the tall slightly bald man in charge stopped him with his hand.
"No! Bring him."
The Jaffa nodded, but was not happy as he looked at a couple of other Jaffa for help. They picked Mitchell off the ground, cloaked and started running away. SG-22 came around the corner firing their weapons quickly as they saw the other Jaffa. The leader yelled for everyone to retreat. They cloaked and were gone as the SG team ran up, fired for a few moments and then stopped. SG-1 came rushing up quickly and looked around with them.
"What happened?"
"We came across several Jaffa General. When we opened fire on them, one of them spoke in Goa'uld, then they ran away while turning invisible."
"Where's Mitchell?" Carter asked not seeing him or his gun.
"We assume he was taken Colonel."
"This man is still alive General Carter." Teal'c stated. "His symbiote will not be able to sustain him much longer."
"Is he capable of being taken to the gate right now?"
"I believe so."
"Get him back to base then, quickly. I want to know the instant he wakes up. I want answers. Better let Lam know this is a priority emergency."
"As do I." Teal'c stated getting help from a two of the other members of SG-22.
"What do you want us to do General?"
"They can cloak and attack without being seen, so keep a close watch on everything. Do not do anything alone. Since your other two members are gone at the moment, stay with him and go watch the gate for now. I don't want these Jaffa cutting off our escape route."
"Understood General."
"What are we going to do?" Daniel asked.
"Going to go take a look around. That much staff weapon fire, there had to be a lot of them. Would had have to have left some sort of trail. Damn! He was suppose to follow me! When we find his ass, I may put him on PT duty for a week. Hey Teal'c, I want another team out here, heavily outfitted, to help look around."
"I shall inform Colonel Reynolds when we return."
"Thanks. Let's go."
At a village, where there was no technology in site, down in the valley between a few mountains, was where they Sodan warriors lived. They all lived in huts, did farming, practiced their ways of life, had a nice agriculture set up, and few predators. This area was on the planet where SG-1 was attacked but in a far away region, though close enough to find if you had a few ships really looking. Even then, finding the community would be difficult, mostly because the Stargate on the planet was many months away.
Mitchell awoke, feeling a lot of pain in his side. His eyes slowly came into focus seeing another Jaffa looking at him from a few feet away from the end of the small cot. He was looking at him while holding a short staff weapon. A tall man, with metal body armor came in, with a barely noticeable amount of hair on his head. They both walked up and looked down at him.
"He'll be dead soon, if not by sunset." the man with the staff weapon stated.
"Then, you must keep him alive." the leader said.
Cameron saw hate in the man's eyes as darkness over took him.
The other team had showed up, and they had spread out enough to not be caught in a cross fire, but enough they could back each other up pretty well. They'd been looking for some time now and had called the SGC earlier to have Walter send up a U.A.V. to look around. The SG-1 unit was staying close by though.
"Walter should have something by now. I'm not picking up anything on the infra red or otherwise." Ford said lifting his glasses. "So many trails everywhere makes it hard to determine what direction they went. And I can't get anything on the tracking device."
"I'll check. Carter to the SGC, you have anything yet Walter?"
"Colonel, we are reading U.A.V. telemetry five by five, so far, no sign of Colonel Mitchell."
"Okay, let us know when you've completely your first sweep."
"Affirmative, SGC out."
They both looked up seeing the small plane fly by overhead.
"Hey Teal'c, I noticed back there that that Jaffa had no tattoo." Carter said.
"Indeed. He is a warrior of the Sodan."
"Sorry, don't get why." Ford said.
"According to legend, no Sodan warrior has been enslaved to a Goa'uld for over 5,000 years." Daniel said.
"On any other day, I think I would have got that rather quickly." Ford said putting his glasses away as he looked around.
"Indeed. You are under much pressure."
"It that obvious?"
They all nodded.
"Let's keep looking. I got an idea on how to look a…."
"General, Colonel, Doctor Jackson, I found something you'll all want to see." a man's voice said coming through the line.
"Okay, that idea can wait. Let's go see whatever it is."
Several minutes later, they all came up to a large stone column. Almost two feet wide, but at least twenty feet high. At the bottom, also covered in lots of growing vines, was a couple of columns, four in total going around the central column. They were about six feet high with a language on them.
"There's writing." Teal'c stated.
"Yeah….know what it is Ford?" Daniel asked.
"Obviously Ancient, or are we now calling them Alteran's?" Ford asked.
"That's the race, not the lang…well, I guess it is both….never mind."
"So, what's it say?" Sam asked.
"Don't know yet. Can't read anything though all this…" he said making the blade on his right arm come out.
"Be careful Ford. I'm detecting energy readings. There's some form of technology here." she said looking at her scanner.
"Got it." he said carefully whacking away a few vines.
"Perhaps this technology is how the Sodan escaped so easily." Teal'c said.
"Actually, that's exactly right." Daniel said.
"If this says what I think it does, then yeah." Ford said.
"What's is say already?" Carter asked.
"That this is some sort of gate way or aperture…." Daniel said.
"To enlightenment." they both said.
"Not what I want right now." Ford said stepping away.
"That's it?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's all it says." Daniel said looking it over some more. "Yeah, nothing else."
"What was this idea you had in mind General Carter?"
"What idea T?"
"The one you spoke of before we were interrupted."
"Oh….ah, I have no idea what is was now." he said scratching his head and sitting on a fallen log. "Still got nothing."
On a small dirt entrance into the village, a few red flags, like Samurai's of old used on horse back, were on stakes in the ground marking the path into the village. There was a small black mark, on the flag representing the Sodan. A few Sodan men came running up the path, holding staff weapons as the entered the village. From their pace, they were most likely exercising. Other people in the village were going about their daily business. One man was carrying a collection of long poles, possibly for house repairs or making a new one. Another guy was walking out of the village area with a large cart he was pulling on. Some kids were playing in the grass area nearby, enjoying their youth.
Inside one hut, Mitchell had awoken and the Jaffa he saw earlier was working on his wound. He still had his pants and boots on, but his shirt and everything else from the waist up was taken off. He kept from crying out as the Jaffa worked, but ended up sitting up slightly with a moan of pain. The man placed a hand on his chest making him lay back down.
"Hold still."
"You know, your bed side manner, totally blows." Mitchell grunted out.
The Jaffa looked at him and got up taking away the rag he was using to clean the wound. He added some water to it before coming back over.
"Your wound is infected. It must be cleansed, or you will die." he said taking a bowl of ground of herbs and such off a open wooden shelf. He sat back down dipping the rag into it.
"This will cause you a fair amount…..of pain."
Mitchell clenched his teeth, and almost bust a blood vessel or more as he tried to keep from screaming. He let out a small scream and tried to fight it, but ended up yelling loud enough everyone in the small village heard him as the pain became too great. And then he passed out again.
Back at the SGC, where they were home again. Daniel and Teal'c were watching from an upper level monitoring room as the doctors continued to work on saving the injured Jaffa. Ford walked in and tossed a file on the small table that the two sat in front of.
"He going to make it or do either of you not know anything yet?"
"It's been touch and go. They've been working on him for six hours." Daniel said.
"Most Jaffa would not survive such wounds." Teal'c stated as he opened the folder.
"Well, I've been assured that along with Janet, she's one of the best out there. As for that device he was wearing, it's Ancient technology. Lee's looking at it right now. Hope it still works." he said with a sly smile.
They both looked at him.
"What?"
"You have some plan in mind or…."
"No. I was thinking of personal use. With the right adjustments, I could make the General turn invisible….what?"
Teal'c went back to reading the file. Daniel just shook his head.
"What about the transporter?" Daniel asked.
"Sam is with a team looking at it still. I wanted to stay, but she told me to go home. She'd be fine and if I stayed, it would mean I don't trust her alone."
"Don't you?"
"Yes Daniel, but it doesn't mean I ain't worrying myself into a headache thinking about what could happen. At least the team guarding the Stargate is going to call if anything happens. I'll be out of here quicker than a hurricane if anything goes wrong and they get attacked."
"They figure anything out yet?"
"Not a damn thing. Can't open it up much less turn it on. I touched it, pushed on it and even tried thinking to it, but nothing happened. And the text is so cryptic, I'm not surprised you came up with nothing."
"Yeah, little to go on."
"I've got the Prometheus there, just in case, looking around the other planets and moons, and keeping a watch on the planet our teams are on. A couple of the X-302's are scouting the planet to see if they find anything. Though they are having some trouble because of the planets ionosphere causing trouble with the scanning equipment. "
"You believe that Colonel Mitchell is not longer on P9G-844." Teal'c said.
"Possible. I'm not limiting the option and with them there, I feel safer about everyone there, not just Sam." he said seeing Daniel's look. "Unfortunately, it's all a waiting game. And at the moment, I'm going to go back to my office before I get sick. Watching this sort of thing is rather disgusting."
Mitchell awoke to hearing a lot of talking and movement going on outside. He could tell that it was not night time by the light coming through the small window. He got up slowly, grabbing his side in the process with a moan. Looking down, there was a large leaf covering his wound. He removed it and tossed it aside, then picked off the unknown white paste that covered it. A few more grunts and he was standing. A quick look around showed he was in some small hut, probably a guest hut or storage unit. On a small bench near the end of the bed was a shirt, not his, but one provided. A few more painfully grunts and he had it on. Outside the bamboo window, that looked more like a cage window in jails, he saw people moving about. What he mostly saw, was a couple of Jaffa fighting each other, sparring more than likely, with wooden poles. But they were fighting pretty hard and looking like they had hurt each other a few times. He glanced down near the front area of the hut he was in seeing the man that worked on his wound earlier, was standing there with his thumbs in his pants while talking to someone. When the man lightly patted the other guys arm and started for the door, Mitchell looked around at the shelves quickly, and found a small knife of some sort. He got behind the door and waited. Once it opened, he grabbed the man around the neck and placed the knife to his throat as the door closed behind him.
"Don't move. Don't make a sound. You call to the others, it's goodbye Jaffa."
The man looked down at the knife then looked back up.
"It appears you have me at a disadvantage."
"It certainly looks that way. Now, you are going to tell me how to get…."
The Jaffa grabbed his arm, pulling the knife away quickly, then elbowed him in the face, spun around and flipped Mitchell to the floor, right through the bench. Mitchell groaned as he tried to roll over to get up.
"How things seem, and how they truly are, are two very different things." The man said tossing the knife aside on the window sill as he stood against the wall watching Mitchell roll over.
"Yeah. The General mentioned something similar to that once." he muttered out, still on his back.
"For example, you are free to leave this place whenever you choose."
"Now you tell me." he said finally getting to his knees.
"But to reach the Chapp pai would take months on foot through the mountains of Dor Tanak. A trek which no one has ever survived."
"So how did we get…." he asked leaning against the bed.
"You were brought through the Eye of the Gods."
"Which is?" he asked looking up.
"Your questions can wait." the man said impatiently. "Your strength has returned. We should begin Jomo Se Telek immediately."
"Well, if that is breakfast." Mitchell said rising to his feet slowly. "I could eat."
The man reached out and grabbed his throat, lifting him a few inches off the ground.
"You have spilled the blood of a Sodan warrior! Did you not think our mercy was for a purpose!" he said holding him for a second longer then letting go. Mitchell never stopped keeping eye contact, despite trying to breath again.
"Lord Haikon has decreed that you will answer for your crimes by way of the Kel Shak Lo, ritual battle with another warrior. And on that day, " he said looking Mitchell over. "You will die."
Mitchell only felt his throat after the man left.
"So, I hear that congratulations is in order doctor. As certain superior officers and some of lower rank have said, you are a credit to your profession." Ford said entering the room and standing on the other side of the bed. Lam was on the other side with her elbows on the small tray table.
"Thanks, but I have to say, how he survived all this, is beyond me."
"Nine hours of work and you don't think it was you and your team?"
"I just did my job."
"Hear the symbiote didn't make it."
"No. It was to badly injured. He's on Tretonin right now."
"Hmm. Well, the symbiote wasn't worth saving anyway. Would have tried to infest someone and then cause more problems."
She nodded.
"As soon as he regains consciousness, I want my phone ringing or someone coming up to me wherever I am."
"Why? So you can interrogate him?" she asked a little rudely while taking a drink of her coffee.
"I can see you're a little tired, so I'm going to let that slide. But yes, he needs to be questioned. I'm going to let Teal'c talk to him. We won't be beating the hell out of him if that's what you think."
"Getting an interrogation, from anyone, was not the post op sort of recovery I had in mind General."
"If Mitchell wasn't out there, then he'd be able to sleep for a month if it took that long to heal, in this case, we don't have the time to wait doctor. That's an order. Now please, don't pull a Daniel. Go get some sleep. Someone will be watching him at all times, other than your staff, and they'll let you know as soon as he wakes, then you let me know, got it?"
"Yes General." she said.
He nodded and left. Two security men, one outside and one inside the room both stood at attention then went back at ease as he walked past. Unfortunately, it happened a lot. At least most of the base had stopped saluting unless they had to.
In a certain area of the village, near a section of large red arch ways that formed a open hallway, none of the arch ways connecting, went a path of sand to where the Sodan leader sat and prayed, kinda like a Buddha squat. It was an out of the way of everyone else sort of place. Several flags were around, though these were brown with a white symbol on them. A Jaffa was walking down these archways, Mitchell behind him, to this sacred area. On either side, outside the ring, was a couple small wooden structures, kinda like a water well, but under these was items on display. From the looks of it, large stone tablets written in Ancient writing. Mitchell stood, waiting as the leader continued to pray, quietly. The man that brought him, walked away and stood guard nearby with the other guard under one of the arches.
"Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Mitchell, United States Air Force, Earth." he said holding his hands behind his back with his legs slightly apart.
The leader continued to hold one hand up, eyes still closed. His other hand was on his leg.
"I don't know if you know what's been going on out there, but things are a little different now."
The man rubbed his head with the held up hand while Mitchell talked.
"The Goa'uld have been defeated."
"The Goa'uld should have been defeated 5000 years ago. My ancestors were one of the first of the Sodan. They were part of an elite command force, under the Goa'uld Ishkir. For years, they pillaged and plundered under his name, driving fear into all those who would oppose his rule. The further they ascended among his ranks, the more they were able to discern the truth, that he was not a god at all, but merely an impostor."
He uncrossed his legs and got up still holding out his hands.
"Our true gods, are those that came before us."
"You're talking about the Ancients."
"Ishkir branded my ancestors as traitors, and ordered their deaths." he said then turned to Mitchell. "They tried to fight, to show their brothers the faith, but the odds were too great, and they were forced to flee. They set out to find Kheb, hoping that their souls would find peace."
He was looking and touching one of the large stone slabs off to Mitchell's right. "But instead, their search led them to this world."
"You knew about the Goa'uld, but you didn't help the other Jaffa defeat them."
Mitchell didn't move as the man walked around behind him and stood on his left.
"Look, for the first time in their history, the Jaffa are free. But it won't last without strong leadership." he said not looking at the man. "They need your help."
"Their fate is no concern of ours."
Mitchell was surprised by the uncaring statement, but didn't let it show.
"I hope you are prepared to die well, Mitchell."
As the guy started walking away.
"What if I told you I know an Ancient, personally." he said quickly.
"I would tell you, you are lying." he said walking away.
"Yeah, doubt that you'd believe it if the General was hear telling you it either."
Daniel and Teal'c were looking at a monitor on the wall across from the bed of the injured Jaffa. Their backs were too him as they studied it, even as he woke up. The Jaffa opened his eyes quickly and sat up, only to be stopped. He tried breaking free of his restraints despite the futility of it..
"You will not be able to break your bonds." Teal'c stated turning around. Daniel joined him seconds later.
"We sought out the Sodan in peace, only wishing to open dialogue." Teal'c said as the man laid back on the bed breathing deeply. "Instead, you attacked us and took our comrade."
"All enemies who transgress our sacred grounds forfeit their lives!" he said forcefully.
"Yeah, well, you might want to post a few signs." Daniel said. "Look, we just want our friend back. And your fellow warriors might want to know that you're still alive and kicking. How about a straight swap, our guy in exchange for you?"
The Jaffa had a smile on his face.
"If your friend has been taken, mourn him, for if he is not dead, he soon will be."
Daniel sighed and Teal'c decided to speak to him, Jaffa to Jaffa.
"Hear me when I say that all free Jaffa have always had the greatest respect for the warriors of the Sodan." Teal'c said.
"You speak of respect, but you condemn me. Without my symbiote I will be dead soon enough!"
"A medicine called Tretonin courses through your veins. You have been freed from your burden."
"Such a thing is not possible."
"Oh, but it is." Daniel stated.
"It is very real, I assure you." Teal'c said with a smile. "It is now used by several thousand free Jaffa with no ill effects."
"Your poisons will not work. Had you any honor, you would have let me die on the battle field."
"Strange thing to ask, seeing as if we had done that to you, for honor sake, then why wouldn't you have done it for our friend, hmm? Or is your honor so good only to apply to you?" Ford asked walking in and up to the end of the bed.
"Your people have no honor!"
"Hmm. I can admit that I lost a lot of mine a long time ago and have been trying to reclaim it. My people though? Interesting statement, but not surprising seeing as you don't know who you are talking to. So, are you going to talk to us, about anything?"
"Torture me all you like! I will never talk!"
"Torture? No." Ford said drawing out the word no for a couple seconds. "There's no honor in that. Besides, we only want Colonel Mitchell back. Not strategic information or anything like that."
"Lies! You Tauri are pathetic!"
"Teal, wasn't part of the intel we had on the Sodan warriors, say something about them revering the Ancients? Or as they are really called, the Alterans." Ford said first looking at Teal'c, then at the Jaffa on the bed. The man slightly flinched.
"Indeed."
"Thought so. Unfortunately, we must leave for awhile. Doctor's coming over to make us leave. But I leave you with this piece of information. You're looking at an Ancient. I just live, work and help the Tauri, amongst other things."
"Lies!" he said straining against the bonds.
"No, that's the truth. We'll explain later." Daniel said before they left.
"So, is it that you just don't know what's going on in the rest of the galaxy, or…." Mitchell asked as he followed the Jaffa that was taking care of him to a large sandy ring for sparring. "You just really don't care."
"The Jaffa made their choice 5,000 years ago. Their affairs mean nothing to us."
They both walked by a few children working in the tall grass. They smiled at them, but did little else.
"Yeah, but how do you survive? At some point you've got to go hunting for…you know." he said pointing at his abdomen.
"We raid Goa'uld strongholds for shipments of symbiotes that have yet to be implanted within any Jaffa." the Jaffa said walking over to a collection of different wooden weapons that sat against a small stand.
Two of the weapons current on the stand were long staffs, with semi hard ends about the size of small blocks of round wood. Around then was a thin chain, going around it like the weaving of fabric on the handle of a sword.
"Such missions are rites of passage for our youngest warriors."
"Well, it sounds like fun." Mitchell said glancing around.
"The fighting styles of the Sodan have been a closely guarded secret for hundreds of generations." he said. He grabbed the two and threw one to Mitchell, who was now standing in the middle of the ring.
"It is a shame you will die shortly after learning it."
Mitchell looked at the unusually staff as the Jaffa spun his putting it behind his back.
"Attack me."
Mitchell didn't do anything but sighed and dropped the end of the staff onto the ground, holding himself up.
"You find me an unworthy opponent?" the Jaffa said insulted as he pointed at himself.
"No. It's just that I don't feel like…"
He ducked quickly as the Jaffa took a swing at him. Though he didn't see the back swing as the staff connected into the back of his legs taking him to the ground. The Jaffa walked a few feet away as Mitchell slowly got to his knees, laughing darkly. He picked up the staff and stabbed at the Jaffa a few times, only for them to be blocked. The Jaffa took a chop attack for his head and Mitchell blocked it, only to get hit in the chest by the man's foot hard enough he was pushed back and fell face first into the sand, a couple feet away.
"Ow. Okay." he said getting back up. "Let's try that one more time."
He rushed the guy, trying for another stab, the Jaffa grabbed it, and also went for a stab. Mitchell managed to grab it, then was flipped onto his stomach as the Jaffa spun both staffs as he twirled himself. Mitchell grunted and spit out sand as he turned over holding his right shoulder.
"You are slow and undisciplined. If you were to fight today, you would die without landing a single blow." he said tossing the staff next to Mitchell.
"When I get back, I'm taking the Generals classes. Being thrown around bites. Though I wish he was here to give me pointers." he muttered.
"Say again?"
"Muttering to myself. So, what happened if I refuse to fight? You kill me quickly?" he asked sitting up slowly.
"It is an alternative you do not wish to explore."
"Doctor Lam tells me you refuse to eat." Teal'c stated walking in and seeing mashed potatoes with a side of nice beef gravy. A cup of water, some vegetables that were once warm, red Jello, and a nice T-bone steak, that smelled incredibly good to Teal'c.
"The very odor of your food turns my stomach."
Teal'c thought it was strange to hear since no one had ever refused Ford's cooking. Everyone he had encountered loved it. What was before the man was not his best, but it was still good.
"Hmm. If you are to survive without your symbiote, you require sustenance."
"It is only because your drug has weakened me."
"On the contrary brother, it has freed you."
"What do you know of freedom, hmm? You who have served false gods, who chooses to live amongst this squalor rather than live among his own people." he said forcefully.
"I know I have heard stories of the Sodan, since I was but a small child. They're bravery and skill are legendary among all Jaffa."
"It is because of my failure as a warrior, that I languish here now, prisoner to a former slave and his pitiful allies! Speak not of skill to me."
"Many Jaffa have fought and died for the cause that was started by the warriors of the Sodan!"
"And for what?! Instead of respecting the traditions of our ancestors, you would only seek to lead them further astray!"
"Teal'c, don't let him get to you." Ford said putting hand on his shoulder as he walked up behind him. "He's looking for someone to kill him. Easy way out."
"Of this I am aware."
"Kinda figured that. As for skill, I have an idea. Once your better, you'll get a chance to show what skills you have."
"You intend to fight him General Carter?"
"Yeah. Why not? He says he has skill and you've said the Sodan warriors are great fighters. I won't kill him if that's what you thought."
"Pitiful Tauri! You are no match for me!" he said pulling against his bonds.
"Dude, if Mitchell could do what he did to you, with your own weapons, then on your best day, you couldn't kick my ass. My wife is the only one who's ever really bested me."
"Then you are a pitiful warrior! Release me that I may show you how ignorant you really are!"
"Man, I really did a good job cooking that meal there, and you won't eat? And then you call me stubborn? Teal'c, have you ate yet?"
"I have not."
"Ah, then let's go find what we can." he said putting a arm around his shoulder. "This guy needs more time to rest up, and think."
Mitchell was walking around, mostly out of curiosity, looking around and eating something close to jerky. He stopped at a table that had a bucket of water and got a drink from the ladle. Then he dumped some on the back of his neck. At the entrance to the village, a few Jaffa were escorting a man. Mitchell looked up seeing it was a Prior. Several of the villagers walked up following the Prior as he kept walking and glanced around. Mitchell didn't know the Prior and the Prior didn't seem to know who he was, but it still didn't make Mitchell feel any less afraid. He walked away quickly, but did so without drawing attention.
The next day, he was taking some sort of endurance test. Running through a course in the forest near the village. His problem, the Jaffa training him was following him, and attacking him, while being cloaked. He ran past a tree with a red ribbon on it and kept going. Then he was taken off his feet and landed on his back, ignoring the pain.
"That way." the Jaffa said uncloaking.
"Blue is left, red is right, got it." he said getting up quickly and taking off again.
Before making it to the end of the course, which was a loop, he was clothes lined, tripped twice, flipped once, and shot at for not going faster. When he made it to the end, the small bag of sand was empty and the Jaffa was standing there waiting for him under the small archway. Another small bag of sand was hanging there with two empty ones.
"Alright, how'd I do?" he asked out of breath as he bent over holding himself up in his knees.
"Badly. Again."
"Well, if you stop using that gadget." he said dropping to one knee. "I guarantee you, I'll do better."
"A Sodan warrior must anticipate an attack at any moment."
"Man, you're starting to sound like my commanding officer more and more. Where'd you get those things anyway?"
"The writings of our gods, instruct us on how to construct many of their devices." he said walking over and setting the short staff weapon against the archway. "We use them to protect our sacred grounds."
"Speaking of gods." Mitchell said standing back up. "I know this is probably taboo, but I need to talk to your boss."
The man looked at him as he removed a knife from the pole.
"That man that visited yesterday, I'm going to assume that this isn't the first time he has been here. I've met their kind before. They're bad news." he said as the Jaffa got ready to poke a hole in the other bag.
"Look, I'll do any crazy training exercise you want." he said. The Jaffa turned to him and crossed his arms. "Within reason."
"Finish the course in time, and I'll consider it."
"You know, a bag of sand with a hole in it isn't an accurate timing device." he said as the bag was poked.
The Jaffa pointed for him to run.
"You are an evil man." he said sprinting off.
Luckily, he finished and was able to talk to the leader that night. Up on the balcony of what would be considered back on Earth a Buddhists temple or some big Chinese house, sat the leader looking out over the village from the second story. He was sitting on the small railing as Mitchell was brought before him, under guard. The guards were waved away and walked back to the stairs, standing guard their with staff weapons.
"Please, sit." the man said holding a small instrument that could have been mistaken for a ukulele. He had a small open book and some inches behind that was a few lit candles on a special stand.
"Nah, I'm okay." he said waving a tired hand.
The man gave him a look.
"Okay, maybe I will sit." he said sitting on the rail slowly. He was extremely tired and sore. "Thanks."
The man looked at him, waiting.
"You know, I'm starting to get an idea, on why you guys attacked us. The Prior is telling you we're enemies."
"Is he wrong?"
"You could have cut us down, well, almost all of us, the second we stepped through the gate. But you didn't."
The man laid the small instrument aside and clasped his hands in front of him like he was praying.
"Generations of my people have fought and died under exile. Praying for the day when we could, seek the path without recrimination. When we prayed to the gods, did they hear us Mitchell? Did they once give us a sign as to proof of their existence?"
Mitchell slightly looked away seeing the man was already sold. Especially seeing the book the Prior left behind in front of the man and the man placing a hand above it.
"I know that the Ori are not the Ancients. But can there be any doubt that they are gods? And if they can lead us, to the path of enlightenment, how can I refuse them?"
"You are making a big mistake. These Ori are not what you think they are, they are not even close."
"To Kel Shen!"
The guards came up, holding the weapons at ready.
"Perhaps, when you face your death, in your final moments, you'll understand." the man said as Mitchell got up, slowly.
"I've already been there. I understand. And I have more faith in my General than the Ori. With the Ancients, you have a choice." he said then walked away before he was attacked or something worse.
The next day and days afterward, Mitchell spent a lot of time training with the Jaffa. Mostly on evading attacks and blocking them as the Jaffa used a weapon against him. Mitchell used no weapon and many times got hit and knocked down. On one particular day, after blocking a few blows and taking hits, which got less and less with each day, the Jaffa walked away from him to a water pouch, filled with a tea near where the weapons were placed.
"You may rest now."
"No, I'm good, let's keep going."
"You are not tired?" the man asked surprised.
"Nah. Six weeks, airborne training at Fort Benning, that's tiring." he said with his hands on his hips. He made a motion for the Jaffa to continue. "This is nothing. Come on."
The Jaffa looked at him strangely.
"If I want to survive this Kel Shak Lo thing, then I'm going to need to know a hell of a lot more than your teaching me. Now stop pussy footing around and stop holding back, let's go."
The man nodded and tossed a staff with an edged metal blade on one end looking like a flame.
"You believe that this staff is what makes you strong?" he said taking a swing.
Mitchell blocked it and several more swings, and then blocked a shot for his head.
"The Krantu is nothing but an extension of your body." the Jaffa said not moving at first, then dropped his attack stance. "No true warrior depends on a weapon for strength for an advantage."
"See that's what I'm talking about." Mitchell said twirling the weapon with both hands as the Jaffa went back to the bag. "I'm still trying to figure out if General Carter was ever here before. You really are starting to sound like him."
"What?"
"Never mind. Talking aloud again."
"You do that much? Drink." he said tossing the bag.
"No. Not really. The talking to myself part." he said taking a drink and then spitting part of it out. "I'll never get used to this stuff."
"Were it not for my teas, you would have died many days ago." the man said insulted as Mitchell sat down on a bench inside the ring.
Mitchell thought a moment before speaking.
"It was self defense you know. The Jaffa I killed. It was him or me." he said watching the Jaffa refit his arm bands. Mitchell also had on the same things, to protect him from getting cut to badly.
"It does not matter. Blood has been spilled. Our laws decree you must answer for it."
"So, who was he?" Mitchell asked.
"His name was Volneck." the man said picking up the edged weapon similar to Mitchell's. "A most, skilled warrior."
"Look, for what it is worth…" Mitchell began saying until he saw the look on the mans face. He let out a breath of air audibly. "There's nothing I can say is there?"
"No." the man said putting the weapon back and walking over.
Mitchell put the cap back on the water skin and stood up.
"So, who do I fight?"
"Lord Haikon will determine that on the eve of your battle. Usually, it is the closest blood kin to the slain warrior."
"Right. And the next of kin is just as tough as he was." Mitchell said walking over to the weapon stand. "Do I stand a chance?"
He got a look he couldn't really determine.
"Never mind." he said putting the weapon back. "I promise I'll die well and all that jazz, but before I kick it. I gotta ask, are you buying what these Prior's are selling?"
"Lord Haikon has lead us for more than a hundred years. He knows what's best for us all." he stated.
"Yeah, yeah. Look, I get it. You are a team player. I asked, what do you think?"
"It is not my place to question Haikons judgment, nor is it yours." he stated forcefully as he walked.
"Well, somebody better! Because if all of you start following the Ori, all your traditions, your Kandu staffs," he said pointing at the weapons. "Your precious paths, your precious beverages, it will all go down the drain!"
"Enough!" he said grabbing the skin and walking away. "We are finished for the day."
Two weeks later………
Carter and Daniel were both up in the observation room watching as Teal'c walked around the table where the now more healed Jaffa, Volneck, sat. He was in gray prisoner garb with his feet and hands handcuffed. A guard stood against the wall just a few feet away behind him and another was against the wall to his right.
"You say a Prior has come to the Sodan. And you have decided to follow the word of the Ori."
"I walk the path of our true gods…"
"The Ori are not gods!" Teal'c yelled.
There was a moment of silence as Teal'c walked past him back to the front of the table, glaring at him.
"What did the Prior promise you? A place of honor at his side, as heralds for your new masters? This Prior, will have you hunt down and kill all Jaffa that refuse to follow the path of Origin. That is the path you walk."
Volneck said nothing, but kept the distain look on his face. Teal'c walked up and placed his hands on the table.
"I will learn the codes of the Ancient transporter, no matter how long it takes."
"This isn't getting us anywhere." Carter said looking tired as she glanced at Daniel who was sitting next to her, rubbing his face.
"Most Jaffa are trained to resist torture. Being a warrior of the Sodan, he's probably trained with even more resistance."
"Yeah. Uh oh." she muttered as the door opened and Ford walked in. One hand in his pocket. And a hard stone like look on his face that they knew meant he had something almost sinister planned.
"Out, now."
The two guards looked at each other too long.
"That's an order, out."
They stood at attention then walked out, closing the door.
"What is your intention General Carter?"
Ford waved his hand lightly, and Teal'c took a step back, and waited. Sam and Daniel didn't move, yet. He sat down on the edge of the table, causing it to visibly and audibly creak. He still had his left hand in his pocket.
"I can see you still refuse to talk. Not surprising. But you see, its been two weeks. Two weeks of having you here, and our friend out there." he said pointing at the door with his free hand. "Not knowing if he's alive still. Though something tells me he is. Our problem is, you won't talk and my superiors, are ragging my ass to come up with something in the next few days, or declare our friend M.I.A."
"Mourn him then. For if not now, then very soon, he will be dead."
"Hmm." Ford said getting up and going behind him. "Remember what I said about a week ago or so, about a fight between us, so you could show off your skills?"
"I cannot…." he began saying as he started raising his hands.
He never got to finish as Ford grabbed the back of his head and slammed it into the table top, hard. Daniel and Carter got up so fast their chairs fell over. Teal'c moved forward, but Ford waved a hand right after he slammed the guys head into the table, he also knocked the chair backward to the ground, catching it with his foot before it landed. He pulled his left hand out, holding a healing device which he activated over the man's injury. Ten seconds later, he lifted the unconscious man out of his seat and set him on the table and used it on his head.
"Now, I need to grab a few things. But have him brought to the mat's I work on. Once I arrive, have him unchained and left on the floor. If he wakes up before then, wait till I get there."
He left leaving them somewhat astonished at his behavior.
They were waiting for him to arrive, with Volneck awake. He wasn't happy at the treatment, but didn't say anything. Teal'c had the keys to the cuffs and had already undid the mans feet, but his hands he left. Ford walked in, nodded to the guards next to the door, dropped his coat on the floor and kept walking forward with a wooden pole. They noticed it had a K-bar knife tied to the end. He walked onto the mat and stuck it into it then stepped back a several feet. With a motion, Teal'c un-cuffed the mans hands and stepped off the mat standing near the other two.
"Ford, what are…"
He waved a hand at her.
"Okay, here's the deal. You managed to knock me down or defeat me…"
Volneck, who was inches from the staff, grabbed it from the ground and tossed it. They saw Ford had moved, but they didn't see how he did. He was now standing over the man, who was on the floor, with the knife less than an inch from his neck. One foot was on his chest, but not keeping him from breathing.
"Did you see that?" she whispered.
"No. Teal'c?"
"I did not." he said surprised.
"Now, first off, nice toss. Not enough speed." Ford said removing his foot. "You can try again, but you'll probably be on your back again."
He let go of the staff and walked away a few feet, then turned.
"Sam, go get my glasses from my coat pocket. And stand by the door with the guards. Same with you Daniel and Teal'c."
"What…you better explain this afterward." she said seeing him wave a hand in a order way. The other two followed in loss.
She removed the glasses and started to come toward him.
"Put them on and turn it to infra red. And let me know if he heads toward you. Otherwise, keep quiet and don't speak." he said tossing a small device at Volneck, who had sat up only.
"You have gave him his cloaking device back General Carter." Teal'c stated.
"Yeah. Use it. If you go towards them, you'll be shot if you get to close. She'll let them know when it's too close. If you attack me, you won't be shot. Now, the deal is, you defeat me, you can go free. If I win, you talk."
"No deal. For I shall defeat you." he said getting up and activating the device. The staff disappeared.
Only Sam saw it, but the other's only saw him lean back, grab something with his left hand and swung out with his right arm. Volneck lost grip as the staff was pulled from him and he was thrown back several feet from the impact. His field shut off as he sat up.
"How did I knock you down? I'll tell you, I heard you." he said tossing the staff back and closing his eyes. "Again."
He got up and turned it back on. It was really quite for a few good minutes. Only interrupted as Ford avoided attacks, knocking the man aside or over or throwing him away. His field always quit when hit.
"Ford's eyes are closed." Daniel whispered.
"He's behind Ford now." she said as Ford placed a finger on his lips.
He ducked forward, kicking back with a foot catching the man in the gut. Volneck landed on his stomach, loosing his field again and the staff, again. He slapped the mat as he stood up quickly to see Ford had turned around.
"Again."
He grabbed the staff and tossed the device aside. Ford didn't even move as he took swing after swing at him. Just ducked, bend back, forward, or lifted either leg to avoid the sweep.
"You are not trying your best here are you?"
Obviously pissed now, he took several stabbing motions which Ford shoved away easily. Then, one of the stabs he caught, in his palm. He tightened his grip in the end of the hilt keeping the knife from moving or being removed.
"I'm more dangerous, with my coat. I admit you have some skills, but you're so far beneath me." Ford said, growling out the last part as he pulled to the side hard making the staff break.
He pulled the knife out and tossed it aside holding up his hand. The man was shocked as the hand healed, then connected with his face knocking him flat out.
"Have someone clean this up and put him back in the brig." Ford said to the guards. "Oh, and have someone return that device to Colonel Carter's lab."
They nodded and went out the door grabbing the other two guards.
"He's probably not going to talk you know." Daniel said.
"Probably not. But maybe, just maybe, he'll have some respect. And maybe he'll talk too." he said picking his coat up and taking his glasses back. "If not, he'll stay in the brig for awhile until I figure out what to do with him. Hey Teal'c, wanted to let you know something."
Teal'c looked at him expectedly.
"I have to work harder when we spar."
"Indeed." he said with a smile as they all left.
(A.U. this Prior is the guy who played the smoking man on the X-FILES.)
It was mid day, the sun high in the sky and most of the village was on the second floor of the large temple like building. Everyone that was there, all sat down on their knees, in rows, watching as their leader spoke. He gestured at the Prior and stepped away bowing before him. The Jaffa training Mitchell, noticed and was upset, but bowed quickly with the others. The Ori then turned with a smile and spoke to them all. Sometime later, he left them and went back to the Stargate.
Inside the Temple like building, two guards stood in the open doorway as the leader, Haikon knelt in front of a small thick wooded table, small enough a child was about the only one that could even get legs under, and was lighting candles. A bonsai tree sat in the middle of the table in a small dish. There was a few small cabinets around and lots of weapons hanging on the walls. All hand weapons, nothing projectile from the looks of things. Mitchell came up the stairs, running up making the guards act quickly.
"I just need a minute." he said holding his hands up at the pointed staffs.
"Let him pass." Haikon said.
"Thank you." he said stepping into the room. "Alright, I'll make this quick. The Prior represents a race of Ancients, yes. But believe me when I tell you, they are not the Ancients you want to worship."
"The Prior has healed our sick. Caused our crops to grow if by magic." he said standing up. "Why should I doubt the power of the Ori?"
"Their power is not what you should question." Mitchell said taking a step forward. "It's how they use it."
Haikon placed a double bladed weapon back on its place, in a stand behind him as Mitchell continued.
"Anyone refused to worship them, and they die! And I'm not talking about a few non believers here and there, I'm talking about whole planets wiped out!"
"And I am to simply believe you and take your word for this?" he said still putting the weapon back in a certain way.
"You want to believe my people are godless and inferior, go right ahead. But we have never needed proof to of our gods existence in order to believe in them."
Haikon turned around as Mitchell walked over standing in front of the table.
"Faith, it was your faith that sustained you for 5,000 years. Not the Ancients themselves. Don't throw your faith and history away for a bag full of magic tricks."
"Admit it, Haikon has totally lost his mind." Mitchell said as he was once again sparring with the Jaffa again. He was doing a lot better as he blocked blow after blow, swing after swing of the dull bladed staff.
"A warrior cannot fight and talk at the same time." the man said holding his staff against Mitchell's side that was left open when Mitchell took a swing, that the man caught.
"A fact you refuse to accept." he said letting go and moving the dulled blade to Mitchell's throat.
"Got it." he said pushing the staff away.
The Jaffa stepped back and pointed his weapon at Mitchell. Mitchell knocked it away and started swinging and blocking with him. Several moves later, they crossed staffs, holding them together. Mitchell had managed to block all attempts to get hit.
"You may provide a challenge to your opponent after all Mitchell."
"Followed by my violent death, of course." Mitchell said as they stopped the battle a moment and he went to get a drink of the ugly tea.
"Of course."
"To my inevitable demise." he said holding the open bag up like a glass being toasted. He took a drink as the Jaffa stuck his weapon into the ground confused.
"Why do you do this?"
"What?"
"Train this hard? These are the last days of your life." he said grabbing the skin as it was tossed to him. "I would think you would spend more time in reflection."
Mitchell stretched by sticking the weapon behind his back before also setting it on the ground.
"All I know is, the moment you accept your fate, that's when your as good as dead. Until then, all bets are off."
"You cannot survive Kel Shak Lo." Jolan stated.
"Well, I've endured things I wasn't suppose to before, and yet, I'm still here." he said like it was no big deal.
The Jaffa looked around a moment before taking a step closer and turning slightly away from everyone.
"How can you be certain that the Prior speaks falsely?"
"Because….I've seen entire planets wiped out because they refused to follow the Ori." he said sticking his weapon in the ground and letting it go. "Look, I'm not trying to tell you want to think, but if everything I believed was being threatened, I'd want to know."
The man seemed to be considering the notion.
"Jolan, your people shouldn't suffer for their faith."
Volneck was sitting behind a different table, as he had been since the fight. He still didn't talk, despite what Ford told him about the deal and that it should have been honored. Ford had him in the brig for about an hour. When he tried to get up and possibly kill himself, he was taken back to the room Ford and them talked to him before in. This time, he was handcuffed with his hands attached by chain to his feet. Volneck still took the fight as a form of torture. And blamed his defeat on the fact they poisoned him with Tretonin. The door opened and the three of them walked in.
"You three again."
"Yes, us three." Daniel said as he stood in front of the table. Teal'c stood in the doorway while Ford stood next to Daniel.
"Save your words and attempts to goad me into a fight. I am not in the mood."
"Hmm. Fights are out of the question anyway. To me, you're not much of a challenge anyway, but I have to say, you're a lot better at fighting than any Goa'uld I've met in personal combat. As for the speaking part, we don't need to say much if anything. And if you don't talk, fine by me. But you will listen if I have to hold you against the wall and pin your ears there."
"He's joking." Daniel said giving Ford a small glare, then glancing at Teal'c.
"You require evidence that the Ori are not to be trusted." Teal'c said looking at someone in the hallway then at him.
"This is Tass'an." Daniel stated as a Jaffa, one with a black eagle spread out that was tattooed to his forehead walked in.
His hair was dark and curly and he looked like he needed a bath along with his clothes and possibly food. He walked up to the table with Teal'c.
"One of the founders of a Free Jaffa settlement on a planet called Sartorus." Daniel explained.
"Many Jaffa came to there to live in freedom for that which they had fought so long and hard to achieve." Teal'c said.
"He is Sodan?" Tass'an asked.
"Indeed."
"Tell him what happened." Daniel said.
"A month ago, a man came through the Chap'pai, he called himself a Prior. He told us of powerful gods called the Ori. Who he claimed, would give us protection and teach us the path of enlightenment. Then he left. He later returned, and told us we had to make a choice. Follow the Ori, or be destroyed. We chose to resist." he said with sadness in his voice, but anger on his face.
"Continue brother." Teal'c said giving support by a pat on the back.
"He dialed the Chap'pai, and merely placed his staff on the ground in front of it. Then the ground shook, with a fierceness that I had never seen nor heard before. In moments, our city was leveled. Hundreds of people wiped out in an instant."
"Enough. I've heard enough of these lies."
"Believe what you like, but you're going to hear this, because it is the truth. Interrupt again, and I'll have a tape of this made so that's all you hear for days if not weeks. Please continue Tass'an." Ford said.
"The destruction was far and wide. Very few of our people survived. The planet has since been abandoned. Heed my words brother, if a Prior visits your world, leave."
Volneck kept a stone face as they all left the room.
"Maybe I should have the tape made anyway. Nothing like pure annoyance to make someone give up something or drive them insane."
"I'm betting he'd tune it out. Might drive the guards insane first." Daniel said.
"Yeah, don't want that. Teal'c, do you mind taking our guest down to get something to eat before he leaves. Find out if there's anything we can send along to help the people who survived."
He bowed slightly with a smile.
"Thank you General. I am sorry we have nothing to repay you for your help."
"Tass'an, there's nothing you need to give or repay. We like to help." Ford said patting the man on the arm.
He bowed as well and then went with Teal'c.
"Anything yet on that transporter?"
"Not a thing. And Sam is still looking over everything. Though we have learned how the personal cloaking device works. Can't make more since they need technology we don't have all the parts for."
"Anything on that crystal thing yet?"
Ford fidgeted.
"Come on Ford. That think has got to have some sort of importance dealing with the Ancients."
"It does. But I don't know what. I can't let anyone touch it. Just the thought makes me think something bad will happen. I'm going to have her look at it later, just not right now. If it is bad, then I don't need to worry about another problem while still worrying about Mitchell."
"But…"
"Let it go Daniel. Nobody is going to get it or anything else. I keep it on me at all times. K-9 assures me that it is in a strong crystal that couldn't be shattered if I slammed a sledgehammer into it. Beyond that, he needed at least an hour to scan it because of its complexity, density and the fact he had no idea what sort of crystal it was. Just, trust me please."
"Alright. But find out soon, okay."
"Yeah, sure." he said unsure.
Up on the second level, Mitchell and Jolan walked up with two guards behind them. Haikon hit a large metal cymbal that was hanging nearby making it give off a loud noise that made everyone in the village turn or come forward to see what was going on.
"You have spilled the blood of a Sodan warrior human! Do you deny it?!"
"No…but it wasn't." he said. He stopped seeing Haikon look at him. "No. I don't deny it."
"If any blood kin of the warrior, seek recompense, let him step forward, now!"
Jolan stepped forward surprising Mitchell.
"I seek it!"
"You?" Mitchell muttered.
"In the name of Volneck of Geshrell." Jolan said looking at Mitchell. "My brother."
"Figures." Mitchell muttered to himself.
Less than an hour later, they were both dressed up in leather armor, that only covered most of the upper body. Leaving the arms open. Everyone had gathered around to watch as the two stood in the middle of a large sand ring that was in front of the large temple.
"May the blood spilled here today, settle this debt, once and for all!" Haikon said.
He walked out of the ring and turned to the two who both looked at each other. Both wearing the same clothes and holding Kandu staffs, but these were extremely sharp.
"You may begin!"
"May you die well." Jolan said pointing his staff, then placing it behind his back as he bowed slightly and placed his left arm across his chest.
"Likewise." Mitchell said doing the same stance.
For about ten seconds, they blocked blows, and then Jolan got a knee into Mitchell's side. He grunted and moved away quickly. Mitchell blocked a few swings and managed a small hit across Jolan's face and a kick to his leg. Jolan backed off and they started swinging their weapons at each other, blocking attacks. Mitchell managed to blow a few attacks and knock Jolan to the ground. As he came for a downward attack, Jolan swung his staff around giving Mitchell a not to deep cut across the left leg. He cried out and stumbled away. His vision started going blurry as Jolan came at him. He got three successful blocks in when Jolan hooked his staff and tossed it away. Jolan got behind him and used the staff to do a backwards choke hold. Mitchell tried to pry it away as he dropped to the ground, but he failed to do so as darkness over took him. Jolan dropped his body to the ground and stood up. Haikon walked up and placed a hand on Mitchell's chest.
"The human is dead! The blood of the Sodan has been avenged."
"He fought and died a warrior my lord. It is only fitting he be given the right of Shel Mak Assah."
"Very well." Haikon said making a motion.
"With your permission my lord. I would like to take care of it myself."
Haikon looked at him as he placed the staff in front of himself and held both arms on it. Haikon nodded and he picked up the body, leaving the weapon with someone else.
Hours later, Mitchell awoke to find himself on the ground and barely able to move. And in a place he recognized. The beginning of the running thing he did with the sand bags.
"Oh…..oh…."
"I was afraid you would not wake." Jolan said sitting in front of a small fire.
"Maybe I shouldn't have." he said sitting up slowly. "How long was I…"
"Seven hours."
"Seven? I thought it was suppose to be two." he said rubbing his neck.
"I may have inadvertently made the elixir to strong."
"Yeah." he said not believing it as he sat up more and moved himself to the pole to sit up against it. He laughed grimly as he looked at the bandaged leg. "Oh yeah, that's going to leave a scar. So, did it work?"
"The ruse was most effective." he said with a smile. "They believe you are dead."
"Hmm. Well done Bones."
Jolan looked at him strangely.
"Never mind. So, where does this leave you?"
"If the Prior intends to mislead the Sodan as you say, then I am his enemy."
"And Haikon?"
"It may be too late to convince him of his mistake, but there are several other warriors who feel as I do." he said setting his armor aside. "We will continue to walk the path of the Sodan, until the others, see the error of their ways."
"For what it is worth, you won't walk alone."
Jolan nodded to him and got the same in return.
"Damn. That guy is just plain stubborn. Even after showing him all that footage."
"Yeah, doesn't believe a word or scene of it." Daniel said as they entered Ford's office.
"I guess the idea to keep showing him more footage, like Teal'c suggested isn't bad."
"Might just annoy the hell out of him instead."
"Might."
"Unscheduled off world activation! Repeat, unscheduled off world activation! General Carter to the gate room!"
"Hot damn! I knew he'd be coming back!" Ford said racing out of the room with Daniel on his heels.
"You really think it is him?"
"Is it him Walter?!" he said coming off the stairs by jumping them.
"It's Mitchell's I.D.C General."
"Let's let him come home then." Ford said walking out quickly with Daniel.
"Opening the Iris."
They came down into the gate room as Mitchell came slightly limping out of the gate.
"Reporting home General." he said with a salute.
"Never gave up Mitchell." he said grabbing his hand after saluting back.
"Nope. Never crossed my mind to even try."
"Ah, no. I meant we never gave up. Prometheus and them are out there looking for ya still. Walter, call them up and tell them to come home please. Let's…no, Daniel, you mind taking him to the infirmary? I'm going to go tell Sam the good news."
"Sure. You still remember where it is Colonel?" Daniel asked.
"Oh ha ha."
About an hour later, and Sam meeting him in the infirmary instead, mostly because she was busy with other work and Sally, the men walked to the room where their, guest was.
"You have a visitor." Teal'c said entering the room first.
Mitchell, Daniel and Ford all walked in. Volneck got up out of his seat, quickly and started toward them.
"You?!"
"Yeah,
I thought you were dead too." Mitchell said.
"Oh, we have unfinished business!"
"Yes, you both might. But not today. You're going home, after he tells you some interesting information we've learn, such as, your name is Volneck."
Volneck was visibly surprised to know they knew that and wondered what else they knew.
"Look here, I don't care if you think we're enemies and any personal vendetta's you have against me can be settled later. Right now, you need to hear the truth. Since they tell me that you won't listen to them at all." Mitchell said taking a step forward.
"You have nothing I want to hear!"
"Sit down." Ford said pointing at the chair.
"I have a few words from your brother you might want to hear." Mitchell said as the man refused to move.
His eyes flinched.
"How do you know my brother?"
"Jolan taught me how to fight." he said explaining, in less detail than what he told the others about why he had to fight and such. "He saw the truth, now will you?"
He said nothing at first until he stood again.
"You say I am being sent home?"
"Yeah. Right now if you want to leave." Ford said.
He nodded.
"Let's go then."
Ford and Mitchell were down in the gate room as the planet was dialed. Though his device was not returned to him, his former clothes were. Several guards were also in the room.
"You are fortunate that my brother drugged you. You would have never survived a true Kel Shak Lo." he said looking at the un-open gate.
"I don't know. Took you down pretty good." Mitchell said almost boasting.
"You were lucky."
"Lucky, is good."
The gate opened and they looked up.
"Granting my freedom changes nothing Mitchell. And nothing with you." he said pointing at Ford.
"Yeah, well." Ford said as Volneck walked up the ramp. "I took you out, while you were cloaked and had a weapon. And I didn't know any Sodan styles of fighting. So remember that if any of your people are around me and my team again. Also, despite what you may think and believe, I am a Ancient."
"That is not possible. But we will be keeping watch for you. As for you, we will meet again."
"Looking forward to it." Mitchell said.
Volneck walked through and the gate shut off.
"What were you talking about, fighting him?"
"Well, I had an idea Colonel." he said telling him what happened as they left the gate room.
The next night, after nothing had happened that day and it was rather slow.
Ford walked into Carter's lab seeing her working on her laptop and from the looks of it, it was another report.
"Hey Sam, want to go out tonight, with the guys?"
"With the guys? Which ones?" she said turning on the stool.
"SG-1. Wanted to go to O'Malley's and take Mitchell there. Kinda like you guys did with me when I first joined."
"Oh. Well, I wouldn't mind it but what about Sally?"
"Your mom and dad said they'd watch her for the night. They really enjoy being able to see her while she's still able to be spoiled as a baby. They….well, your dad really mentioned he missed out on being able to actually see his grandchildren as babies." he said rubbing the back of his neck.
"He used the guilt trip tactic."
"Well….um…"
"I can tell it worked."
"I can't help it. I know what he missed, especially with you when you were growing up and then not being able to see your brothers kids grow…."
"I know." she said getting up and walking over. "It's okay. I don't mind. Besides, I could use a beer again after all this time."
"Just one though?"
"I'll just do one, for you."
"Great. I'll tell the others while you….I guess finish here or get ready. Mostly I need to get Daniel out of his office."
"Good luck." she said slapping his arm lightly.
"Oh, that won't be a problem." he said chuckling as he left.
Daniel was working on some translation or artifact when Ford walked in.
"Hey Daniel, get up. Time to go. We're all headed out to O'Malley's." he said waving him toward the door.
"Thanks, but this is really…."
"Daniel, don't make me call Walter." he said with a slightly high pitched scolding voice.
Daniel really looked up at him confused. Whether it was the tone or the implication, Ford wasn't sure.
"Okay, now that makes little if any sense. Why would you call him?" he said setting a pen down.
"When I took over, I had the people that worked on the power and maintenance, when they were doing that remodeling, come down and do a little work on your and Sam's office. Just in case you both ended up staying here."
Daniel started looking around the room, but he didn't see anything different.
"You won't find anything done that you can see." he said putting his hands into his pockets. "I had them place your and Sam's office's on separate circuits. All I have to do is call Walter and he shuts down power to this room and it effects no other area's of the base. Same can be done with Sam's, but there has yet to be anything that makes her want to not go home and see Sally."
"That's cruel." Daniel stated. "Going to put me in the dark so I leave."
Ford placed a hand on his chest and looked offended.
"Daniel. I know you and Sam and knew you both before I got here. Because of my cooking, you both actually come and eat then get right back to work. Beyond that you both lost sleep to keep working, but with Sally around Sam does try to get as much sleep as possible, but you won't get much sleep unless I make you leave. But if you want to blame someone, blame Jack. He ordered me to keep a watch on you both and make sure you both don't work to hard. Made me swear on it."
"Well, when you put it that way." he said getting up. "Sounds like something Jack would do. Hey, you weren't serious about the wiring thing were you?"
"Yes, I was."
"What if someone accidentally…"
"It's not that easy to hit. I made sure of that."
About an hour later they were inside O'Malley's, enjoying the meal and talking in a corner. Mitchell was surprised to see Ford didn't drink though. Ford sat with his back to most of the room, Sam sat on his right, but could see most of what was behind him. Daniel was on her right, then Teal'c and Mitchell. Ford's coat was draped across the back of his chair.
"Why don't you drink Gen…Ford?"
"One, I don't like the taste of beer, and anything really hard….makes me pass out. Though Sam has been helping me get used to drinking wine. So far I can drink one glass and not have a funny feeling anymore."
"Daniel can't have anything past one beer." Sam said.
"What about you Sam?" Mitchell asked.
Both Ford and Daniel laughed lightly as she blushed.
"Can I tell him?" Ford asked.
"Might as well. If we go to another planet with them serving drinks, and you're not there to stop me. Unlike the Colonel…" she said with a growl.
"You start stripping don't you?" Mitchell asked quietly.
She nodded while blushing.
"Well, that's, different."
"Don't let her drink off world if I'm not there. Goes for you all. If she does, bring her home, or zat her before she does something stupid." he said with a order tone.
They all nodded.
"I'm doubting you'll answer this question Ford, but have you ever gotten Sam drunk on purpose just too see…"
"Daniel. I'm surprised you'd ask something like that." Ford said slightly shocked.
"So am I. Must be the beer." she said.
"No Daniel, I haven't mostly because she would still be functioning and I'd be passed out on the floor. But I have to admit, I have thought about it."
"Oh, right. I forgot."
"Let's tell him a different story, something not about me." she said quickly giving Ford a look.
"It was a thought, nothing more." he said holding his hands up.
Several minutes later.
"So, we had just gotten back, rather recently from the Gia'as mission and I wanted to go eat here. Well, they told me that it wasn't possible and I already knew why and so I paid the owner to let us in. So far he hasn't minded us being here." Ford said looking at Mitchell. He took a drink of his pop then continued.
"Now, this was before I really knew a lot more about Sam and when we just started going out."
"You mean started dating?" Mitchell said.
"Yeah. I was still nervous, but with our work schedule, it seemed more like we spent more time at the base together than being able to go out and do anything together."
"When we worked together, back then, if it was seriously important work, he was really focused. If it was just working on something, he was focused enough the job got done, otherwise we talked as though it was like being on a date. Getting out much wasn't easy." Carter said.
"Anyway, where was I going with this…oh yeah, the pool game. Okay, so we are there, talking and such when I figured since I played pool quite a few times before and was once rather good at it, I guessed I could easily beat Sam. Now I had only saw her play that once and figured that…..um, that 'arm band' was helping her along."
Flashback………
They were all gathered in O'Malley's eating and enjoying being back in the place. The owner was keeping a watch on them discretely, hoping that the place wouldn't be trashed like the last time. But after Ford dropped some large bills on the counter, hundreds, the man smiled and didn't stop them.
"I'm really glad to be here guys. I've always wondered about this place. Little crowded, but nice." Ford said.
"Glad you brought us and happy to hear you're paying for it all." Jack said, then laughed.
"I don't mind though."
"Well, I'm glad that we are able to be in this place again. I really like it here and the food is really great. Better than that stuff in the base." Sam said.
"Same here." Daniel said.
"Indeed."
"Hey Sam, do you have five hundred dollars?"
"Say what?" she said in surprise.
"What do you want…"
"Jack." Ford said waving a hand. "Sam?"
"What for?" she asked suspiciously.
"I'm betting five hundred dollars, I can beat you at a game of pool."
Jack, Daniel and Teal'c all laughed. It was rare for Teal'c to laugh but Ford was confident he could beat her.
"What?"
"Sure, I've got it, but you'll be paying me that money." she said smiling. "I could use an extra five hundred."
"Ford give up. You can't win. She'll clean you out in seconds." Jack said. "You're better off just handing her money."
"I know you have lots of money, but it would be better to just keep it in your pocket. She'll clear your bank account if you play her more than one game." Daniel said.
"She can't be that good. No offense Sam."
"None taken. I know I can beat you." she said standing up with a smile. "Especially with that sort of thinking."
"You're going to loose, badly Ford. We warned ya." Jack said as he watched them walk to a table nearby.
As they set up the table to play, she gave him the first strike.
"So Jack, do you have any problem with them going out together?"
"What? No. Not really." Jack muttered taking a drink of his beer.
Teal'c turned more toward them as he listened to the conversation with interest.
"Why didn't you tell him…"
"He already knows. Hell, even you and Teal'c know. Came to me the other day and asked permission to ask her. Besides our careers, she deservers better…"
"Wait a minute. Before you ask me out on our first date you asked the Gen…Jack if you could even ask me?" she said interrupting the story as Daniel was telling the part that happened during the pool game.
"Yeah. Other than because he was your superior and we worked together, practically everyone on the base, including General Hammond knew you two cared for each other a lot and if the regulations had suddenly changed to allow you both to be together, you both would have been married in less than a week. Or so the betting pool said." Ford stated. "I didn't make any bets, but I certainly believed it."
"There was a bet on me and Jack getting together?"
"You've got to be kidding Sam. You must have known, everyone practically did and was in on the bet, including Hammond." Daniel said. "A lot of people thought one of you two would have gave up your careers and got together."
"I was never in on any bets that involved you that I can remember, other than the bet with that pool game." Ford said. "But I do remember that Walter had to redo the whole betting pool when we started going out. A lot of people figured you'd dump me within a week or month and the longer we stayed together, the more the betting pool changed."
"The betting pool really went another direction when you both got married. Jack made quite a bundle off that including the baby bet."
"How many other bets are going on about us still?"
"A few. Thankfully the bet about us breaking up is gone. I know there's one about how many children we'll have." Ford said. "I can't remember the other's though."
"But it's a good thing that you and Ford got together. Look at all the good that came of it. I'm not saying that if you and Jack had gotten together, it wouldn't be as good, but…." Daniel stated.
"In this case he managed to bring back our loved ones." she said.
Daniel and Teal'c nodded.
"As much as this is a happy moment, I want to hear the rest of how the famous pool game turned out." Mitchell said.
"Right. Okay, so…" Daniel said.
"Jack…"
"Daniel. I'm an old man who has way to much baggage and bad knees. And you both better keep that to yourselves if you know what's good for ya." he pointed out. "Besides, with my knees, I could never keep up with her in any capacity. Sometimes wonder how I do it on the field."
"He came to you and asked to ask her…"
"Yeah. He knew how I felt and quite blatantly pointed out that a lot of people knew we cared for each other but refused to do anything because of our careers." he said taking another drink. "So I told him to go ahead and stipulated to keep it professional on the base."
"Well, that explains why he's not as nervous around her and you anymore." Daniel said.
"Indeed."
"You noticed Teal'c?" Jack asked.
"Ford Primus has been very agitated when working with Major Carter, when in close proximity. Until recently." Teal'c said with a nod of his head.
"I also told him if he hurt her, I'd kill him. So if you guys notice he does before I do, let me know."
While they were talking at the table, Ford had already broke and sank two of the striped balls.
"That's two Sam. Only a few more to go." he said lining up a shot.
"Games barely started." she said leaning on her stick on the other side of the table.
He smiled and sank another ball. The cue ball rolled away toward the end of the table, far from the other balls.
"Not bad. You don't shoot this right, I win."
"You haven't even had a chance to sink one ball yet and you're already sure of winning?" he said walking to the end and looking for his next shot. "And you tell me I'm over confident."
She was right, if he missed, he'd sink one of the solid balls and if not careful, he'd sink the eight ball that was near the right corner pocket. Which unfortunately was where one of his striped balls was.
"Tricky shot, but I think I can sink that one into the left corner." he said getting ready to line the shot up.
She stood at the other end, set her stick next to the table and leaned down slightly.
"You're doing that on purpose." he said trying not to look up at her. At least she was wearing a shirt that went up to her neck.
"I'm just watching." she said with a sly smile.
"You're trying to seduce me, and it's working." he muttered.
"What'd you say?" she asked barely hearing it.
He went for the shot and completely missed sinking the cue ball instead. He dropped his head shaking it as he heard Jack and Daniel moan at his miss. He would never admit it, but she did make him lose concentration.
"It's over man." Jack said. "You just lost."
"Thanks Ford. This will be the easiest $500 I've ever made." she said pulling the cue ball out.
Two minutes later she had sunk all the solids, except the eight ball, as Ford stood nearby shaking his head.
"I don't believe it. I've been hustled."
"No. It's all based on physics, math and geometry." she said lining up the last shot as she got beside him. "You know what, I'm going to show you just how good I really am."
"Huh?" he asked keeping his eyes on hers as she leaned over.
She stood back up, turned to him noticing he hadn't broken eye contact, and lined the shot up behind her back.
"Eight ball, side pocket."
"This is humiliating." he grumbled.
"Yep." she said looking at him with a smile as she sank the eight ball in the side pocket, without looking. The people that were watching cheered her, but did little else.
"To anyone else, I would be thinking I was cheated." he said handing over five one hundred dollar bills.
"Thank you. It was a short, but fun game." she said happily as she took the money. "Want to go again?"
"I'm better off just handing my wallet over huh?" he said shaking it.
"You don't have a chance." she said with a sly smile. "Though the money would be nice, if you wish to hand that over."
"Not yet." he muttered putting the wallet away as she held her hand out.
"We warned you." Jack said shaking a finger as they sat back down.
"Why do you think we don't play." Daniel said.
"I had fun, and didn't mind losing to her to much. I know the money will be used for good purposes. But, I certainly won't be trying that again though."
"Still the fastest amount of money I've lost. Handing out to someone anyway." Ford said.
"What'd you buy with all that money?" Mitchell asked.
"Some clothes. Most of it went to a few parts I needed for my Indian."
Mitchell was confused by the look on his face.
"Her motorcycle." Ford and Daniel said.
"Oh. You like those vehicles huh?"
"Oh yeah. I used to ride it to work, that was until I got that really cool Mustang." she said happily.
"I've seen that car. Very nice ride. I like the Mustang too. Very good car."
"Have you learned to ride this motorcycle Ford Carter?"
"No Teal'c." Ford said shaking his head.
"You don't know how, to ride a, hog?" Mitchell asked.
"I don't like them. And….I never actually learned how to ride a bicycle either."
"He's afraid of them." she said.
"With good reason." he muttered. "Those things are dangerous."
"This is coming from the same man you likes to drive a hundred or more miles an hour in a car. What was the highest speed you said you've done?" she asked.
"Almost five hundred, in the Nevada desert. But if I crash in the General, which I've done by accident and on purpose, I know I can survive. Hit 532 mph, I think, on the Autobahn, but that didn't even last a minute, actually, it didn't even last ten seconds."
"And you let her ride one even though you don't like them." Mitchell said.
"There's only one thing I don't trust Sam with, and that's my guns."
"Actually, he doesn't trust anyone with those." Daniel said.
"Why not? If they are indestructible as I have heard, then…." Mitchell said not understanding.
"They have too much kick to them. Anyone else fires them it could take their arm off, dislocate the shoulder if lucky or break the wrist. Any number of things."
"I've dislocated my shoulder and broke my wrist." she said. "I haven't touched them since. And they are pretty much the only things of his I'm not allowed to touch."
The conversation continued on for another hour and they told Mitchell another story.
"Now, this mission that we were on, took place about a week after the Gia'as mission." Ford said shaking his pop at him. "What Jack did was so…."
"Like something we'd see Ford do now." Sam said. "We got captured, again, and was being brought before some very minor, guy, who was a servant of….who was it again Daniel?"
"I think it was Aphosis or Yu or, I really don't remember right now." he said shaking his head with a whisper and blinking his eyes. He was on a second bottle that was almost empty.
"No more beer for you Daniel."
"I've only had two."
"Two to many." Ford and Sam said. Ford motioned for the waiter and asked for a strong coffee for Daniel.
"So who captured you?" Mitchell asked.
"Well, ah….I don't remember either. Very minor, kinda like when Vala told us about that, lady Nut. She was out there, but we never saw her. Anyway, our stuff taken, our hands tied up, being pushed, sometimes literally to this cargo ship to be taken into the mothership." Ford said looking up.
"Now we couldn't get loose, but we all had whispered quietly enough to each other an escape plan. All Ford needed was to have a distraction so he could break his bands and then get the rest of us free." Sam said.
"We…never did find out the name of the…Prime guy, who was very, over confident. This guy had four guards with him to keep…watch on us. But we'll never forget him, not only because of his….stupidity, but also his size." Daniel said as the coffee was set in front of him.
"Size?"
"Oh, he was big. Like a wrester." Ford said waving his hands. "I knew I could easily take him, but at the time I had, backup, with me."
"He was 4 inches taller than I, and had much more muscles." Teal's stated.
"Whoa. So what happened?" Mitchell asked.
"Well, we get put into the cargo hold, this First Prime tells his men to stay in the cockpit while he watches us, to make sure we don't escape." Sam said. "Knowing our record and all."
"We're all still standing. Not being allowed to sit down. The door was open so he had one man behind him, just in case. Jack decided to start, the distraction." Ford said.
"What he did was so distracting that I had to tell Ford to keep going." Sam said. "He started to look ready to burst out laughing, which he used to do a lot around Jack. It would have blow it right away."
"Oh yeah. I was surprised at what Jack was doing." Ford said as Mitchell gave him a strange look. "I know, I usually don't loose focus, but Jack was making it hard to keep from watching. I almost started laughing bad."
"O'Neill insulted the First Primes honor." Teal'c stated as Mitchell looked ready to ask.
"That doesn't sound funny."
"It was how he did it. This First Prime laughed and decided to play the game as well. He insulted Jack the same way." Ford said as he waved his hands with a laugh. "They went back and forth with insults, from everything from manhood to mothers and wives."
"Now Teal'c….told us later some of the words that that….guy, used. And as the saying……goes, they could make a sailor blush." Daniel said.
Mitchell let out a low whistle.
"That's bad."
"It was worse for us, Jack let out a few strings that even made us blush." Carter said.
"Whoa."
"Now I had already freed myself and managed to free Sam with one hand and Daniel with the other. Though one at a time. Sam was on my left and Daniel on the right."
"Okay."
"I couldn't reach Teal'c without making it known….anyway, so far these two, which were still going at it, and even the guard behind the First Prime was surprised at what he was hearing, still hadn't made comments on children. Why, we never found out. But then this, guy, made a rather rude comment about Jack's son and things about worthlessness."
"Now I've seen Jack mad, angry and even pissed off before. And been on the receiving end a couple of times. But that time, he has never hit it again." Carter said.
"It was….beyond pissed off." Daniel said. "This was like…"
"So pissed he didn't care about nothing but killing that, guy, even if it meant cold blood."
"Despite their differences in size, O'Neill smashed his head into the Prime's face." Teal'c stated.
"Ouch. Bet the General…well at the time, Colonel had a headache." Mitchell said.
"If he did, we ah, never found out." Daniel said he said finishing his coffee.
"Jack had busted the face enough it instantly killed him. His nose, front teeth and eyes were all sunken in. Jack didn't even let the guy have time to drop. He rushed past him and slammed into the guard. Then proceeded to kick the hell out of him before he could get off the floor. Daniel or Sam got Teal'c free while I took care of the other two."
"So, what happened after that?" he asked after no one said anything.
"We gathered our stuff quickly, got to the gate and came home." Sam said.
"The cargo ship was worthless, mostly because of the mothership in orbit. And the gliders were coming down to check things out, so…"
"We blew it up and left." Carter said.
"Bummer. I remember reading about that mission, but you guys left out quite a bit of detail."
"Not everything that happens on missions goes into the reports." Ford said.
"Yeah, like the time…uh oh." Daniel said looking up.
"What's wrong?" Ford asked seeing the look on Daniel's and Sam's face.
"This does not bode well." Teal'c said.
"What's going on? Who are these people?" Mitchell asked quietly as Ford turned aroundto look at who was behind him.
Ford stood up slowly and had to look up at the almost seven foot man standing in front of him. Behind him was three other men, who he had seen before, but where escaped him. He took his coat and put it on as the chair started falling back from the weight.
"Those are the people we….um, got into a fight with when we had those armbands of Anises on." Daniel whispered.
"But not the tall guy." Sam said standing up with the others.
Ford didn't hear any of what was said behind him. Mostly because he was talking and noticed the owner coming over with a angry and scared look on his face.
"So, who are you guys and what do you need?" Ford asked crossing his arms. "The owner said the table was free of reservations."
"We want some payback." one of the men said with a sneer. The tall, bald man in black clothes, smiled at him evilly.
"Payback?" Ford asked dropping his arms and turning slightly to the others. They had a slight bit of fear in their eyes, but mostly recognition. "Explain who you all are fir…."
Ford was turning back as he talked. Then suddenly his face was hurting, bad. His nose was broken and bleeding. There was shouting and other commotion going on as he started being able to see straight again.
"What the hell…." he said realizing he was on the floor or actually on the table they were eating at that was now on the floor in pieces.
"You just punched out a Air Force General man!" Mitchell exclaimed.
"Who cares jackass! You'll be on the floor with him soon!" one of the men yelled as the other patrons backed away farther. The tall man that punched Ford dead in the face popped his knuckles and took a step forward.
"Come on then! I could use a good workout!" Mitchell said getting ready for a fight with Teal'c. Carter was ready if she had to and Daniel was trying to help Ford up.
"STAND DOWN!"
"General…" Mitchell said backing away slightly.
"I have this Colonel. Thanks Daniel." he said patting Daniels shoulder then dug into his pocket for his hanky. "I've got it Teal'c."
He nodded and backed off with a smile.
"Ford, we can't kill them..." she said.
"They are…"
"I know who they are Daniel. Hasn't been that long.." he said wiping his nose after popping it back into place. "Damn that hurt."
"A broken nose wasn't enough for ya huh, General?" the tall man said with a somewhat southern cowboy accent as he pulled a buck from his pocket. "Since you're crying, why not go call your mother. Maybe ask your girl here for help."
He and the other boys laughed as he tossed the dollar at the group. Ford waved his hand enough that SG-1 realized to back off a few steps.
"Couple things." Ford said eyeing the dollar on the floor that was soggy now. "You're the first to break my nose. Congrats. And knowing what she knows, she'd be able to kick all your guys asses. Not as a group probably. Second, I'm so called crying because my nose hurts. You hit anyone's nose hard enough, they are going to cry, kinda like getting kicked in the nuts. Speaking of which…"
Everyone heard a crunch nose as Ford's boot connected with the mans crotch. Before he could even get fully bent over to grab himself, Ford's boot went up connecting with his chin causing teeth to crack as his head snapped back. He fell backwards into another table, taking it with him as he was knocked out. The other three started to rush forward when several guns were cocked and even more shouts of the words freeze and don't move were heard. Nobody moved as the local police walked over.
"That was quick." Daniel said.
"Ah, sheriff? Andy!" Ford said quickly seeing someone he knew. The man walked over and stopped his men from taking SG-1 away for the moment.
"Not you guys again….wait, I know you. Oh, you're that co worker of Jack O'Neill's that he brought to the poker game on Friday once. Ford something…"
"Carter. It's actually General Carter now Andy. I wasn't present when the last incident happened. The only actually altercation came from me and that knocked out guy you took away. The owner over there can tell you everything. We didn't start it."
"Yeah, the owner was saying something about that over the phone." Sheriff Andy said. "You going to press charges?"
"No. We just would rather make a statement and go home for the night, if that's possible." Carter said.
Daniel, Teal'c and Mitchell agreed quickly after.
"Alright then. I'll have one of my officers come over then you can all leave. Do you need a doctor to come over?"
"No. I'll be fine. Had worse." he said holding the hanky over his nose.
"All right then." he said leaving.
Thankfully it took less than an hour and after paying the owner, mostly so they could come back again, they left.
"You just…paid for everything. Including everyone else's meal, in the place, that he didn't get paid for." she said as they drove home.
Mitchell had his own car as did Teal'c, but Daniels needed maintenance. And since Ford was so busy and Daniel was completely illiterate when it came to performing maintenance on vehicles, it was in a local shop.
"I know. It allows us to keep coming back. I like this place as does a lot of personal at the SGC. Besides, I could drop ten grand in his lap and have it back tomorrow in triple."
"This is going to sound like a really strange question, but how much money do you both have? Have you finally looked into it yet?" Daniel asked.
"I have no idea still." Carter said.
"You haven't looked, why?""
"I knew I could look at anytime, but….it never seemed really important to check. It's not like we ever buy anything extremely expensive anyway." she said with a casual wave.
"True. We're so constantly busy saving the world, buying anything like that would be rather pointless." Daniel said.
"Never have much time to enjoy it."
After dropping Daniel off at his house, Sam slowly drove up to their house with the lights off.
"What are we being quiet about?" he whispered.
"We need some alone time. Besides, she's in good hands until later." she said getting out quietly.
"Alone time? What did I…oh! That alone time." he said seeing the look on her face.
"Once she starts getting older, we'll have less time to ourselves and she'll be a little more curiouser each day. So we need to enjoy the time we get together while we can." she said as she opened the door. They barely had the door locked before they made it to the bedroom.
