Sorry for the delay in posting. I'm getting lots of calls from home and it's taking my evenings. Hope you enjoy and keep the comments coming. They are very helpful and give me ideas. One reviewer mentioned it was frustrating that I didn't show a break when the POV changed. I have literally tried everything I can (lines/spaces/bars, etc) but the system just wipes them out as soon as I post. I'll put headings on although I really don't like to do that. I was told there is some way in HTML you can do this but I don't know that at all and it makes no sense to me. I know how to use Word only so my apologies.
Matsya's Camp
It was getting harder and harder to keep from staring. He was just so damn sexy! She'd always known that, but somehow seeing him everyday in his uniform or his BDU's kept her naughty thoughts at bay. But now, with the leather pants, her mind refused to obey her better self.
They'd had to adjust the pants pretty quickly. After the first few hours wearing them he'd started to limp. He'd finally sat down on the bed, told her to turn around and had struggled out of them, wrapping a blanket around himself.
He'd figured he could use one of the sheets or blankets and rig something up. The only problem was it would leave them short of bedding and, even worse, he'd have to either put up with scratchy wool or thin cotton, which wouldn't cover much.
She'd finally offered to try and come up with a solution. Taking the pants she looked at them to see if they could be let out at all. When it was clear that there just wasn't that much extra material she had sat and pondered how to fix them. Finally, with a small grin, she came up with an idea.
She cut off the bottom of the pants to give her some extra leather. She'd then ripped the side seams out to knee level. After that she'd sewn thin strips of leather between the front and back from waist to knee. It gave him substantially more room but also meant that there were openings down the side, between the strips.
He'd groused and complained when he saw them but finally tried them on. Even he had to admit they felt better although they were quite a sight. He looked like a combination of a little Austrian boy with short pants and a male stripper. He'd threatened her with all sorts of dire consequences if she laughed.
"I feel like a damned gigolo in these things!", he'd whined.
She had to admit he was right – they did indeed look like something an exotic dancer would wear – she also admitted, to herself only – that she really, really liked them.
She found herself feeling guilty about sneaking peaks. The sight of bare flesh and tight leather was highly erotic. She kept telling herself to stop looking; until the day she caught Jack staring at her bare legs!
She'd looked back at him in surprise. Up until that moment she hadn't thought he'd been in the slightest interested (which was silly really – he was a man!). Seeing his embarrassment and guilt when she'd caught him looking had made her want to laugh but she carefully held it back.
"Sorry Carter", he'd mumbled.
"T's'okay Sir", she'd mumbled in response. Better to not say too much, but she'd had to go into the bathroom where she'd stuffed a rag in her mouth so he couldn't hear her hysterical laughter. He'd looked like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
They'd been here three weeks and were managing pretty well. They were working very hard to be considerate of one another and give each other whatever space they could. While they got along surprisingly well, they were living in very close quarters. To give each other some privacy both of them would take turns sitting and working in the little bathroom.
As for their plan to get out – well, that was finally moving forward. For the first couple of weeks the only person they saw was the slave who brought them their food everyday. He'd knock and then enter their small house, putting down the basket of food on the table. He'd wait for them to empty it and then take it and leave.
He was a young man with a very sour expression and a severe limp. He was clearly not 'perfect' enough to have been taken as either a host or a 'host-producer' so instead was a slave. They had tried to speak with him but he would do no more than grunt, no matter what they tried. It was extremely frustrating, as they needed more information.
All that had changed on the fifteenth day of their captivity. There was a knock on the door and when it was opened there stood Martia.
She walked in quickly, shutting the door behind her, and placed the basket on the table.
"Martia – how are you?" Sam asked, surprised but pleased to see the young woman. She looked well – in some ways better than she had when she'd been home.
"I am well Samantha. How are you faring?" she'd answered.
"Well, we're kind of stuck here but otherwise we're fine. How come you're here today?"
"Toruz is ill. He asked to be relieved of the duty. I volunteered and they let me come. I do not have long – the guards are waiting to escort me back - but I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thank you Martia – that's kind of you. Will you be back?"
"Yes, tomorrow. I have been told this is my job from now on. Our Mistress is happy with my work but she does not know that we know each other."
"That's great. You'd better go now but maybe tomorrow we can talk. Maybe tomorrow you could tell us some things about this place. We haven't seen much."
Martia looked at her at that, fear in her eyes, but also determination. She was a strong young woman and she wanted to help if she could.
With a quick 'goodbye' she left. The guards were clearly visible at the end of the short walk, waiting for her.
For Jack and Sam it was a positive sign. They both felt much more optimistic now that they had a 'friend' who could help them.
The rest of the day they carried on with their routine. Sam worked for a couple of hours trying to get the medallion off the chain on Jack's chest. As she worked she couldn't help but grin to herself. What most of the women at the SGC wouldn't give to be in her position. She got to spend her afternoons looking at Jack O'Neill's naked chest. Sometimes there was definitely a silver lining to the that grey and dreary cloud!
Daniel and Teal'c
Daniel and Teal'c exited the gate at a run, having had to enter it quickly to escape the SF's. As they both came to a stop, they looked around at the disserted planet to which they'd gated.
They had visited this planet over three months ago on a routine mission. They'd hoped to find mineral deposits that would be useful to earth as there was some indication, on the MALP readings, of naquada. When they'd arrived, and Sam had done some more in depth studies, it had been obvious that it had pretty much been mined out and they left. There was nothing of interest here – other than wind swept plains and dry creek beds.
It was useful, however, as a jumping off point. The SGC computer would track where they'd gated to but from here they could move quickly to another world. With a swift glance at Teal'c, Daniel started to dial again before earth had a chance to engage the gate.
"You're sure these are the right coordinates Teal'c?" he asked just before pressing the final symbol.
"Yes. I have been to this planet many times while in the service of Apophis. It is a trading planet and therefore open to all. There will be Goa'uld there as well as people from many different races but we should be safe. No one wants to disturb the trade so we should be left alone." Although as he said this he was tying a scarf over his forehead; he didn't want to tempt fate by advertising who he was.
"Okay then, here it goes." Daniel pressed the last symbol and the gate shot open. With a final look at each other they walked forward through the event horizon.
Teal'c was right – Venora was a major 'trade' planet, which drew peoples from all different worlds. You could find just about any commodity on the planet. What drew the two men from earth here was the fact that you could also find information – for a price. On his way to get weapons Daniel had made a quick stop at his office and had picked up some small pieces of value. Hopefully they'd be worth something.
The crowds and noise and smells were quite something. Daniel could see Jaffa walking around as well as people dressed in all manner of clothes – from rich, vibrantly colored cloth to dirty rags. The sound of people shouting and selling their wares rose and fell like the ebb of an ocean at full tide. He could hear laughter, arguments and even one or two fights.
If it had been a different time he would have been fascinated by everything. In many ways it reminded him of some of the towns in the Middle East he had visited when on various digs in his younger days. He practically drooled as he walked by some of the booths and saw artifacts and items which any archaeologist would sell his or her soul for.
"Any idea where we're headed?" he asked his large companion. He had to remember not to use Teal'c's name in case it was recognized. Maybe he'd call him 'Murray'.
"Yes. We go to see one who has knowledge of almost everything that goes on in the galaxy. I just pray he is still here." They rounded a corner into a dark alley, filthy with refuse and things Daniel didn't even want to try and recognize.
About halfway down Teal'c walked up to a small door, partially concealed behind a stack of old boxes. He knocked softly and waited. After a few minutes there was a sound of something being moved on the other side. Finally, the door squeaked open a few inches.
"What do you want?" an old, craggy voice grated through the crack.
"I want your head on a platter, old man!" There was silence and than a gruff laugh. The door opened and there stood possibly the oldest person Daniel had ever seen (except maybe for Marcello although it was a close run thing).
"Come in, come in. Don't want the Goa'uld to see you." The old man gestured with his hands, telling the men to enter. Teal'c walked in and indicated that it was safe for Daniel to follow.
Daniel was shocked when he saw the interior. From the outside the place looked like a wreck – but inside it was closer to a palace. It was filled with beautiful tapestries, ornaments clearly made of precious metals and lush furnishings. Whoever this man was he had obviously done well for himself.
"So I hear you left Apollo?" the old man sat down and looked over at Teal'c. The former Jaffa took a large seat across from the man, leaving Daniel to flop down on an ornate, velvet (at least it looked like velvet) couch.
"Yes, I left the service of the false God. I am now free."
"Ooooh free are ya? I've heard about the free Jaffa. Are there many of you?"
"Not enough, but soon there will be."
"Really? How many?" Daniel wanted to grin. This was definitely a man who lived on gossip and information.
"We are not here to discuss the free Jaffa", Teal'c answered firmly, much to the man's disappointment. That was information he could have sold for a goodly sum.
"No? Why are you here then? And who is this young one?" he asked, pointing to Daniel.
"This is my friend, Daniel."
"Aren't you going to introduce me?" the old man grinned, showing a toothless mouth.
Teal'c raised his eyebrow but nodded. "Daniel, this is Feemy." When he didn't say any more the old man – Feemy – spoke.
"Yes indeed, Teal'c and I go way back. I knew him when he was just a young Jaffa, starting out in service to Apophis. Oh, he was a young firebrand all right. Wanted to be the best Jaffa ever. He was determined to rise in the ranks – and he did. Became First Prime, did you know that? Yup, it was said he was the best Prime Apophis ever had. He relied totally on Teal'c who was feared on over one hundred planets. We all knew not to cross him! So, it surprised me, it really did, when I heard that Teal'c had left. Of all the Jaffa I'd known I would have said he was the least likely to desert his Lord."
"Not my Lord", Teal'c said softly, "He is a false god – a false lord. I left him because he fed us lies. I am now free."
"Yes, I see that. So, free-Teal'c, to what do I owe this pleasure? You want some information do you? Now, what can I offer a free Jaffa? Or is it this one, this Daniel, who needs the information?"
"It is both of us Feemy. We seek information about a friend who was taken. We were on a planet with our friend when he was taken by the Goa'uld."
"Really? Why was he taken? Was there something important about the planet?"
"No – nothing. It was a primitive place and the people had nothing of value, nothing but themselves. While the men were away at a ceremony, the women were taken. That would not have been a bad thing except that our friend was with them and was taken too."
"Was this friend also a woman."
"No!" Teal'c almost shouted in disgust. Then, more quietly "no, we have no friends who are women. Our friend, his name is O'Neill, was taken with the women of the village. There was one woman with him, one whom we know. We believe she was responsible, that she gave information to the Goa'uld to direct him to the planet."
"Who was the Goa'uld?"
"His name is Matsya. Do you know of him?"
There was a pause while Feemy considered his old 'friend'. He felt like there was something off, something wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Feemy was a man who had decided, early in life, that business was better, was more faithful, than friends. His whole life had been about buying and selling information. That this information often resulted in harm and sometimes even in death was something he didn't want to know. He did his business, and he did it fairly. What happened after the people got their information he didn't care as long as he was paid.
Teal'c was probably one of the few exceptions to his life-long rule of staying indifferent and concentrating on profit and loss. This man – or this Jaffa – had impressed him from the first moment they had met. There was an honesty, an integrity about Teal'c that he had rarely seen in anyone. That Teal'c could be frightening and ferocious, there was no doubt; that he was also ultimately fair and honorable there was also no doubt.
Teal'c had saved his life once, when one of his disgruntled customers had come back to reek vengeance on him. It just so happened that the Jaffa had been visiting attempting to find out information about one of Apophis' enemies, when the customer had rushed out at him, dagger drawn. Teal'c had quickly put an end to the assassin and Feemy had never forgotten or ceased to be grateful.
He wanted to help Teal'c, he truly did, but he worried that something was seriously amiss.
"You are sure it was Matsya? He does not show himself very often."
"We believe it to have been him. His Jaffa wore the sign of the fish."
"Yes, that sounds like Matsya. So, he was collecting slaves and breeders was he?"
"Breeders?" Daniel jumped in, startled. This was something he hadn't heard before.
"Yes, do you not know about Matsya?"
"Only that he was the God of 'new life' – I assumed that meant he collected hosts."
"Well, he does in a manner of speaking. He doesn't use the ones he captures as hosts though – he uses them to breed new ones."
Daniel sat up, worried about what this could mean. Teal'c looked over at him, the realization beginning to dawn on him too.
"How do they determine who they 'breed'?"
"Well, Matsya is known for providing the best hosts. His goods are in great demand and he fetches a lot for them. He picks his breeders carefully. The men must be handsome and strong, the women beautiful. He likes to pick those with 'spirit' for it is said that a human with spirit makes a better host." He looked at his two visitors, seeing the shock and dismay on their faces.
"Tell me, your 'friend' – is he handsome? Is he spirited?"
Daniel looked up at that and slowly nodded. Yes, Jack was a very handsome man and certainly could be classed as 'spirited'. God, they couldn't be meaning to 'breed' him could they?
"Uh, how do they go about this 'breeding'?" he asked.
Feemy cackled, "you mean you don't know? I woulda thought a man as handsome as you would have figured it out. Unless you don't like women?"
"No, I mean yes, I like women – I just didn't know if they did something special or simply required the men to .. you know, mate with the women."
"Mate! Yeah I guess that's what they call it – although the women certainly don't have any choice. I hear the men enjoy it pretty much but it's harder on the women. They have to bear a number of children who are all taken away from them. Finally, when they can't bear any more they're either killed or turned into slaves. The men, of course, last a lot longer."
"What happens if the man refuses?"
Feemy looked surprised. He tried to remember if he'd ever heard of a man refusing before. "Knowing Matsya – or at least of him – I'd say it would go pretty hard on the man who refused. I don't know why he would though. I'd enjoy a life of nothing more than-"
"Yeah, we get it. Teal'c, we gotta get him out of there and fast."
"Yes indeed Daniel." He turned back to the old man. "Do you know where we can find this 'Matsya'? We must rescue our friend."
"No. No one knows where he is. He keeps it a secret so none of the Goa'uld can steal his slaves or his breeders. It is said that he also has a way to ensure the women get pregnant quickly and that their children are strong and healthy and especially blessed. It is said that it is this, more than anything, that the other Goa'uld want. That way they could produce the perfect hosts for themselves. But wait, did you not also say there was a woman with him? What of her."
"She is a traitor. She is responsible for what has happened to our friend. We want her as well, but only for justice."
"Is she beautiful?"
Daniel and Teal'c stopped and looked at one another, shock clearly written on their faces.
"Yes", Daniel answered slowly. "For a woman, she is beautiful. She is tall and fair, with blue eyes."
"Then her children will be much in demand and worth a lot." He stopped and appeared to consider something. He knew he was entering dangerous territory – there were some System Lords you just didn't mess around with – and Ba'al was one of them. Even so …. he owed Teal'c.
"I have heard one thing about Matsya recently."
"Yes? What?" Teal'c asked.
"I heard that he had offered a new host-child to Ba'al for a lot of money – and that Ba'al was very pleased. It is said that the host will be the child of one of Ba'al's worst enemies – a 'Tauri' who once defeated him. He will give anything for this child."
"Teal'c!"
"I know Daniel Jackson. We must find a way to save him and his child if there is to be one." He turned back to Feemy. "Do you have any ideas as to where we can find Matsya? Surely people must be able to get in touch with him if they want to do business with him."
"He usually appears every few months – often just shows up where two or more System Lords are gathered or sometimes he comes to planets like this one to trade his 'goods'. I do not know how to find him – but I can tell you where he will be soon." He licked his lips in nervousness and glanced around, making sure no one was listening.
"Where?"
"Shhh! You must be quiet – and you must promise never to say where you got the information. I owe you my life, Teal'c – but if it gets out that I told you my life will again be forfeit."
"You have my word, old man. I will tell no one."
"He will be meeting with Ba'al in eighty days time, on the first day of Santish – to show him proof that he has this 'Tauri' and that the child is on the way. Once Ba'al has proof he will give Matsya a 'down-payment' with the balance of the money due on receipt of the child."
"Where? Where will they meet?"
"They will meet on Sandor – it is a barren planet many light years from here. There is nothing there so it is difficult for an enemy to wage a surprise attach. That is all I can say. You must go now, please." Feemy really did look upset and frightened. Knowing Ba'al both Daniel and Teal'c could understand why.
Teal'c stood and put out his hand. Shaking the little old man's hand he spoke, "You need not worry, no one will ever know from whence we got the information. And your debt has been paid. I wish you well." The large man turned and strode to the door, followed by a visibly upset Daniel Jackson.
When they'd both left Feemy's house they walked to the central square.
"What are we going to do now Teal'c? We have over two months to wait. Where will we go? We certainly can't return to earth and they'll look for us on Chulak?"
"We can stay here for a while. We may be able to gather more information. We can also attempt to find out where Ba'al is and maybe join his forces."
"Join Ba'al? He'll kill us Teal'c."
"He will not see us. His forces are large Daniel Jackson. We will simply be two lowly followers among many."
"How will you hide your tattoo? And I'm not Jaffa so that won't work."
"I will wear a head covering. I will say I am from the Andor tribe. It is required of their faith to cover their heads at all times. You will be my slave."
"Great! Thanks. Just what I always wanted, to be a slave in Ba'al's service."
"Would you rather we leave O'Neill to his fate?" Teal'c asked sternly.
"No, of course not Teal'c. I'll do anything I have to, don't worry. I just wish this was the something I didn't have to.
Matsya's Camp
The next day, when Martia returned, Jack and Sam were ready with some questions. They needed to find out the 'lay of the land' around the house they were in; how many guards there were, where the slaves were kept and how many of them there were; would the slaves give them up or would they help, etc. etc.
Martia was overwhelmed by the questions at first. She had never been asked, in her life, to actually figure things out or to take a serious roll in anything. Other than in raising her girls, all the decisions had been made by Amdahl. As difficult as it was for her, however, she found herself beginning to thrive. She suddenly, for the first time in her life, saw herself as a person of value, someone who was both liked and respected. Even as a slave, she had more freedom than she'd ever had.
Jack and Sam began to gather bits and pieces of information, a little bit everyday. Martia only had a very few minutes to speak with them before the guards would get suspicious. Sometimes, she wasn't able to answer their questions so she would go away to discover the answers – under instruction to be extremely careful.
This she knew – her girls depended on it. As long as she behaved and did what she was told, she was allowed to keep her daughters with her. If she misbehaved, the threat was that they would be taken away. This was enough incentive for all the mothers.
The fact was, that the women from her planet were ideal slaves. They came already well trained. They were actually better treated in Matsya's service than they had been in their own homes.
The only fear they all had was that their children would be taken away. Any child that showed promise of beauty would be taken, at a young age, either as a host or to bear hosts. Some of the women would go so far as to disfigure their children to prevent this. Of course, they were horribly punished for this, many of them even losing their lives, but they felt this was preferable to their children being sentenced to a life as a host.
In fact, a week or so after she'd first started bringing the supplies, Martia showed up in tears. When they asked her what was wrong, she told them that her youngest daughter was showing signs of beauty. One of the priests (slimy bastards, thought Jack), has noticed and said he would be watching. She was terrified.
"We have to help her Jack!" Sam had cried after she left.
"And how do we do that?" he'd replied, angrily. He felt so frustrated and this just made it worse. He couldn't even save Sam, little alone the other women.
"I don't know. I just know that when we leave we have to take the women and children with us."
"Oh great!" he replied, furious. "You expect me to get us out of here and then to take a bunch of women and children – and for what? They're better off here than on their own damn planet." With that he'd turned and walked into the bathroom, slamming the flimsy door.
She looked after him in shock. This was so not like Jack. He was the first to want to help the helpless. She couldn't figure out where this was coming from.
In reality, neither was he. He desperately wanted to help these people. He remembered their fearful faces on the trip here, and how they'd looked to him for help and answers. Maybe that was it, he thought, everyone always expected him to ride in and save the day. Sometimes though, he just wasn't able to do it. He couldn't even get the damn chain off, how was he going to save everyone? The burden of command, of being one who lived to help others, sometimes got just too much to bear.
He sat in the small room for a long time, head in his hands, until he heard a soft knock.
"Come", he replied, not looking up.
"Jack, come on out now. You've been in here a long time." A soft voice, not judgmental and not angry spoke to him. He looked up and all he saw was a face and eyes full of compassion. If anything, that made it worse.
Sighing, he stood up, feeling like an old man. He walked out into the other room and just stood there for a moment until he finally turned to Sam.
"You're right. We have to get them out. I just wish I knew how in hell to do that!"
"We'll figure something out. We always do."
"Yeah", he looked up and gave a small smile, "I guess we do. Time to put your thinkin' cap on Carter. We gotta figure a way out."
So, they'd told Martia they were going to help her, but they needed more information. She continued to supply them with whatever facts she could ferret out. Soon they knew as much as possible about the layout of the camp, the numbers of guards, priests and slaves. The 'breeders' as she called them, stayed in the large building and they never saw them. There was some kind of enclosure to the back of that building where they must have had access to the outdoors.
In some ways, their time spent in captivity wasn't a totally bad thing. They both had time to rest and to get to know each other as people, not just as Air Force officers. Sam laughed a lot at Jack's stories of growing up and his early days in the Force. He avoided talking about his time married to Sara and never mentioned Charlie, but other than that she learned quite a few things about him. Most of what she learned charmed her. He was an interesting and intelligent man,
At the same time, she began to share some of herself with him. She talked about the time before her mother's death; what it had been like growing up in her household. She spoke affectionately, but also with some frustration, about both her brother and father. She loved them but they drove her crazy. She also talked about growing up as the 'genius' and how difficult that was as a teenager who really just wanted to be liked and to meet boys.
"Not that my Dad would have let a boy come near me even if he'd wanted to. He would have scared the hell out of him."
"Come on Carter. I'm sure lots of boys wanted to get to know you." He smiled.
"No, not really. I think they were all too intimidated by me."
"Really? I can't believe that. No, I take that back – lots of guys would be intimidated by your brains, in fact people of both sexes would be – but teenage boys will get beyond that if there are long legs and uh boobs attached to that brain."
"Colonel!" she squealed, shocked.
"Hey, I used to be a teenaged boy – granted it was a long time ago – but I still remember. In fact, I don't know if men ever really grow out of that." He sat there in deep thought. "Nah, I think we're all pretty much interested in the same things no matter how old we are."
She had to laugh at him – but was also a bit thrown by his comments. She realized, as much as he was teasing her, that there was an element of truth in what he said. She'd received enough looks in her life and career (and in the last few days in this room) to know that men were simply unable to not look at an attractive women – or any woman for that matter.
"So, you're telling me Sir, that you're not interested in me for my brains?" she challenged, a teeny grin on her face.
"Sure, I like your brains a lot – have relied on them more times than I can remember."
"But ….?"
"But what? You want me to tell you I like looking at you too?"
Now she was getting flustered. Why in heavens name had she pushed this conversation? They were definitely getting into areas they should be avoiding.
"No, that's okay Sir, uh Jack. Wanna play a game of chess?" Okay Carter, that was real subtle.
He looked at her quizzically for a moment, knowing exactly the corner she'd gotten herself into. He finally relented and pulled down the chess set from one of the small shelves.
"Black or white Sam?" he asked as he placed the men on the board.
"Uh, white Sir."
"There you go." He waited for her to make the first move and then stood contemplating his. They played for the next hour, Jack clearly many steps ahead of her the whole time.
She made one final move and it was only as she lifted her finger off the Bishop/Daniel that she realized she'd walked straight into a trap.
Jack picked up his queen and paused, a look she couldn't quite read on his face.
"Yeah, I like lookin' at you Carter …. Checkmate!"