Rising from the Ashes of Ascension
Chapter 18
Disclaimer: As much as I might wish, I do not own Stargate: SG1, Highlander: the Series, or any recognizable characters from either show. If I did, I wouldn't be working in the public schools system. However, any characters that are not from either show are mine and I will use and abuse them as I see fit. Everyone else will be returned eventually, for I am only borrowing for awhile, but they might end up a bit scuffed.
Warnings: Potty language, violence, and occasional sexual references
The General, O'Neill, and Dr. Jackson spent the next several days in committee meetings. Daniel had to sit through several interrogations about his time among the Ancients, led by Senator Kinsey. Finally, after the third haranguing by the man, Jack came very close to losing his cool and nearly yelled at the man to shut the fuck up and to go to hell on behalf of his friend. However, common sense and a gentle clearing of the throat by Hammond prevented him from totally losing it. Instead, Jack grimaced and continued to listen to Daniel repeat that he did not remember his year among the Ascended, all the while aware that Kinsey did not believe Daniel one iota.
Daniel could not help but notice, though without showing it, Josiah's presence in the meeting. The man continued to gaze upon him, taking occasional notes so it looked like he was doing something useful, but instead he sat there, gazing upon the man that should have been a long-time friend but instead someone that spared his life due to compassion and pragmatism.
Finally, when Generals Post and Jumper called a halt to the interrogation, Daniel looked relieved.
"I think Dr. Jackson has had enough Senator. I am sure that if he remembers something he will inform General Hammond," Jumper said. He was at a near breaking point himself having to listen to the Senator go on and on. It was maddening to have to sit there and endure the ranting of Kinsey, but if he wanted the funding for Project Blue Book, he had to somewhat appease the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, damn it.
"I don't care what you think General. I am more than certain that Dr. Jackson is holding back something from us that will enable us to protect the United States. He may not be willing to tell us, but I am sure that those out at Area 51 or the NID could help him recall his lost year," the senator said, his voice oily and slick.
Daniel felt the blood drain from his face – cold shock taking over, jangling his nerves. The thought of being in the hands of a bunch of scientists, experimenting on him, delving into the darkest corners of his mind, discovering all of his secrets, finding out about his Immortality frightened him more than any opponent ever had in his entire life. Facing the giant frying pan in Czarist Russia has been less frightening that the idea of being turned into a guinea pig and him being the reason for Immortals being outed.
Jack, sitting behind his friend started to voice his objections, loudly and angrily. Thankfully, Hammond grabbed a hold of Jack and yanked him back down, telling him to shut the hell up.
Josiah also paled slightly, knowing immediately the dangers Kinsey posed to the SGC, and more importantly, to the Immortal community. He knew that it was imperative that he work with the members of SG1 and try to prevent Kinsey, or someone else like him, from finding out about Immortals.
"Senator Kinsey," Daniel said quietly, his tone belying the anger that he truly felt. "I will not allow myself to be carted off to Area 51 to be experimented upon like some sort of lab rat just because you say so. The last time checked, the Constitution is still the law of the land and you have no grounds to detain me in any way. I am not an enemy of the state and I can reassure you that if I do remember anything that will help defend this planet against the Goa'uld, General Hammond will be the first person I tell. Otherwise, you can go to hell." With that Daniel stood up, collected his belongings and stormed out of the room, the hell with protocol. A guard at the door thought about trying to stop the enraged archeologist, but decided to let him pass when he saw the fury blazing in the man's eyes.
Just before he left the room completely, he looked at the senator briefly before his eyes settled on Josiah. The two Immortals locked their gazes, each of them understanding the necessity of their positions and how they needed each other if the Immortal race were to stay out of the government's limelight.
After that, Daniel slammed the door open and strode through and allowed the heavy wooden door to crash behind him. He went a few steps further on down the hall, ignoring the inquisitive looks military personnel and civilian contractors were giving him and lean up against the plastered over cinderblock walls, trying to calm down his breathing and heart rate.
Fifteen minutes later, Hammond and Jack came out of the conference room and found their compatriot standing in the hallway, his eyes closed, lost in some sort of trance.
"Daniel?" Jack called out cautiously.
No response.
"Danny?" Jack tried again, walking closer; careful to stay at least an arm's length away and not touch the man, least he set the ancient Immortal off in the largest military instillation in the world.
"Yes Jack?" Daniel replied, sighing as he opened his eyes.
"You okay?"
"Oh, you know me – fine and dandy as usual. They aren't plotting to send me off to the Nevada desert are they?" Daniel grumbled.
"No son. They aren't," Hammond reassured his old friend. "You missed Post ripping Kinsey up one side and down the other. Apparently the General has six months left until he retires and couldn't give a damn about what Kinsey has to say. The military is not going to start experimenting on you."
"What about the NID?"
Jack shrugged. "You know how they are, bunch of sneaky bastards. However, they've been after all of us for years now. Just watch your back and keep your front door locked and security system on at home."
"Lovely. What now? Are we done yet? I really want to get back to the Mountain. I have tons of work to do and we're scheduled to go off world next week," Daniel asked, really wanting out of the mega-office building that housed the command structure of the U.S. armed forces.
"I need to stay here and finish up a few things, but I am going to send you and the Colonel back to the base. The Colonel will take over for Reynolds and I will see the both of you in about two days," Hammond pronounced. "If you want, you can take the plane we flew in on and I'll catch a commercial flight out to Colorado Springs."
"Thank you General, but Jack and I will catch our own flight. That way we can sit back and enjoy the flight and not have to worry about any conversations being interrupted," Daniel said quietly, thinking about the possibilities that Kinsey and the NID would try to listen in on him and overhear something that would be damaging.
"Very well. I will see you both back at the Mountain. Take care of you both," Hammond advised in his fatherly way, despite that one of the two men in front of him could easily be his grandfather to the nth degree.
"Thank you sir," Jack said and quickly hustled his friend out of the depths of the Pentagon. They managed to find someone to take them back to their hotel where they grabbed their belongings and then took a taxi to the airport over in Baltimore.
There, Daniel quickly secured two plane tickets to Colorado Springs, choosing to forego typical government arrangements and just buy the tickets himself; it wasn't like money was really an issue for him. He even splurged and up-graded to first class for the both of them. When Jack started to protest, Daniel waved him off, telling his friend that it was no big deal.
"Daniel, you don't have to do this," Jack protested, fingering his boarding pass.
"Jack, I want out of here. I want to be as far from Kinsey as possible right now. I just want to go back home to my office and play with my rocks and know that that snake isn't within striking distance," Daniel said, a tiny smile on his face.
"Ha! You said rocks," Jack crowed triumphantly. He had finally gotten Daniel to call his junk rocks.
"I called them rocks because that's what SG-15 brought back from MF4-227. Apparently there is some writing on them that they think is important," Daniel said smugly.
"Dang," Jack muttered, slightly disappointed that he didn't get one up on Daniel.
"Cheer up there. I am sure the free drinks and meal will make up for your disappointment," Daniel said, handing over his sword to the baggage handlers (he had it in a case he had purchased in DC). While it made him slightly nervous to not have his sword by his side while in public, he knew that the odds that he would run into another Immortal at thirty thousand feet was next to none.
Once the formalities were over, they made their way through the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to their gate and quickly boarded their flight. Being in first class did have some perks. However, neither of them noticed the almost non-descript man following the duo through the terminal. His only tell was a familiar tattoo on the inside of his right wrist.
Soon they were on their way back to Colorado Springs, happy to leave the mayhem of Washington politics and politicians behind them.
SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1
Back at the mountain, they resumed their normal duties, busy with translation projects, paperwork, and making sure that Earth was safe from some of the more nefarious beings in the galaxy. All four members of SG1 managed to keep themselves busy until their next scheduled off-world deployment.
The next week, SG1 was geared up, armed with P-90s, zats, and enough supplies to get them through the next five days, standing in the gate room waiting for the Stargate to finish dialing up to PX1-330. They, along with members of SG-9 were headed to a jungle world (at least that was what was the topography that was within a twenty mile radius of the Stargate according to the UVA) that contained a cave area that resembled the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, coupled with other crumbling archeological monuments that looked like they were transplanted from the subcontinent of India. The SGC was hoping that within the cave system or the surrounding ruins something could be found to help them in their fight against the Goa'uld.
The telemetry already gathered from the planet indicated that the temperature was in the upper eighties to low nineties, high humidity, and lots of bugs. On the plus side, human habitation and hostile animals were not near the target site they needed to explore.
The Gate suddenly erupted with a big blue ka-whoosh before being sucked back inwards to form the rippling blue event-horizon.
"Let's move out people. Remember to keep all hands and feet inside while the ride is in motion," O'Neill cracked to his team, who all either laughed out-loud or raised an eyebrow in amusement. The members of SG-9, except for Adam who smiled slightly, kept their faces impassive, not sure how to properly respond to the Colonel's sense of humor.
The teams found themselves on a humid, jungle world with trees and plants larger than what they were used to back in Colorado Springs. The wind was minimal, giving the surrounding growth an eerie feel to it, as if was a giant monster cleverly disguised, waiting for the right moment to explode and attack. For now though, all was quiet and the members of the SGC fanned out, looking for possible threats as Daniel quickly looked over the DHD, making note of the different symbol that was necessary to know if they wanted to go home.
Jack looked around and sighed as he took off his cap and wiped his brow. Already the heat and humidity of the planet were causing him to sweat. "According to the UVA, the ruins are five klicks north of here," he said, indicating a trail that looked to be slightly over grown with vines. "Did anyone bother to bring a machete or a flamethrower?" he asked, not liking the idea that he might have to crawl and fight his way through five kilometers of jungle.
Francis and Brennan pulled out a pair of machetes, preparing to start hacking and slashing.
"You two take rear-guard, let Adam and Daniel take the machetes," Jack pronounced. Both of the Immortals gave Jack a wry look. "What?" he asked with an air of innocence.
Daniel and Methos gave each other a long look, silently pledging that if given the chance they'd get Jack back for this.
"Just because we've got a fixation for swords, he treats us like his personal weed whackers," Danil bitched to Methos in Greek as they took the weapons from Adam's teammates.
"Bide your time grasshopper. Revenge is a dish best served cold and all that," Methos smirked as he slashed his way through thick vines, careful to stay out of Daniel's way, remembering the drawings he had in his possession (he had even went so far as to contact the artist and had her expand the piece of artistry to include all of the members of SG-1). And then there was the video. Oh his time was coming; he just needed to find the perfect moment to unleash his version of hell.
Three hours later, SG-1 and SG-9 found themselves in a clearing surrounded by a low, intricately carved building and caves that screamed ancient India. The caves, a series of overhangs and shallowly hollowed out depressions into rock faces formed the perimeter while the building looked vaguely like in style to the Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal. A big difference was that this temple was slightly smaller than the one back on Earth; the rock was a gleaming jet black and the temple was clearly dedicated to the goddess Kali.
"Okay kids let's take a look around, Francis, you and your group take the caves and we'll check the temple. Call us if you find anything and don't touch any shiny buttons you may find," O'Neill barked out his orders, wanting to make sure the place was secure before he allowed the grave robbers of SG-1 and 9 to start going over the place with a fine-toothed comb. While there might be something valuable, he wanted to make sure there were no snakes (of the Goa'uld-type) hiding somewhere in the near vicinity.
They explored the ruins, taking note of the statues and carvings of Kali, a mother-goddess, the goddess of Time and Change, associated with the concepts of death and destruction.
They also noticed Yogini statues, supposedly created by the goddess Durga to assist in the killing of demons. Carter noted that according to her readings there appeared to be a low level power source emanating from several of the statues. Daniel, taking cursory looks at the statues that Sam indicated were showing signs of activated internal power sources, noted a combination of Sanskrit and Goa'uld writing.
"Guys, I think several of these are holding symbiotes. Not all of them, but the ones with the energy readings probably do." Daniel told the group, pushing his glasses up his nose, peering closely at the statuary, examining the writing on the figures.
"I'm not sensing anything sir, but that might not mean anything. The EM field emitted by the containers could be blocking my ability to sense the presence of a Goa'uld," Carter said, not bothering to look up from her hand-held device, staring at the screen intently.
"Lovely. So why are they here?" Jack asked, looking between the statues and his friend with perplexity, scratching his head in wonder.
"Maybe because Kali wasn't into commemorative Elvis plates," Daniel snapped, examining the writing on the figures closely. "I think these are actually Kali's enemies. They could be Tok'ra for all I know. I need Adam in here and may be together we can figure out what we are looking at. Looking at these things though, they seem familiar. I would swear that I've seen similar figures on Earth, in a museum somewhere."
"Oh boy," Jack breathed. "You mean to tell me that there might be trapped snake-head on Earth in a museum somewhere?"
"Is that not what I just said? Did I suddenly slip into a foreign language or stutter?" Daniel asked, being slightly puckish. "I want to say yes, but first I want to look more carefully at the temple and then I will have to do an internet search for any similar statuary when we get back home. Do you have any idea how many museums there are in the United States alone?"
"According to a survey conducted in 1998 by the National Conference of State Museum Associations there are approximately 15,848 museums in the United States alone," Teal'c offered, looking serenely back at the group, his face impassive while the others gaped at him.
"How, why do you know that?" Jack asked, dumbfounded.
"I have my ways O'Neill," was all Teal'c would say, enjoying every second of blindsiding his teammates.
"So what now?" Daniel asked, fairly hopping from one foot to the other, really wanting a chance to investigate the temple and surrounding areas further.
"Go see if Adam's found anything and once we make sure that the place is secure, you two can go play in your version of Chucky Cheese's," Jack said, knowing that he was going to end up either regretting the trip to the planet or bored to death; probably both actually.
It took all of Daniel's self-control to not go all seventh-grade girl on his team leader, but instead nodded and went off to find Methos and see if he had found anything of interest.
Suddenly Daniel paused before he left his teammates behind and turned around with a slightly feral look in his eyes. "Jack, I think I remember a promise you made to me awhile ago."
Jack swallowed nervously. "I make lots of promises Daniel. Which one are you referring to? Would it be the one where I promised to use coasters at your house when I set my beer down on the coffee table?"
"No," Daniel said, grinning. "Though that is a good one. I am talking about the one you made on the planet with the giant Smurfs and the whips, the one where you promised me that you'd refrain from bitching on the next archeological-type mission. I'm calling in my marker pal." At this point, Daniel was beyond grinning; he was fairly gloating
"D'oh!" Jack exclaimed, slapping himself in the forehead.
A/N: Well, what do you think? Crap or not? Hit the shiny review button and let me know what you think.
Okay, it has been a while since I updated this story. I am really sorry that I haven't been as quick to post as I was with the first story. Real life, work, exhaustion, sickness, lack of inspiration, and my NLTZ series got in the way of finishing this chapter. I hope you will find this chapter to be satisfactory. It's not very action orientated, I know. I have my reasons and plans. /cackles gleefully/
Anyway, thank you once again to Lorilei for her continuing support, encouragement, constructive criticism, and evil plot bunnies. Woman, I hope you can appreciate the amount of post-it notes that have multiplied all over my desk because of you. I am running out of post-it notes!
Also, thank you for reading my stuff, putting the story or me on your lists; you all really know how to make a gal feel good about herself even when everything around her looks like crap and she's five seconds away from justifiable homicide.
The brief stuff about the Yogini statues came from Wikipedia and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (one of my favorite places to go). The stuff about the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters I think came from wiki at least partially, but I am probably wrong about that. I am sure I had it written down at some point, but I can't find it right now. The Virupaksha Temple in Pattadakal info (though minimal) was taken from /indiarchitecture.html; and Teal'c odd factual info came from /aboutmuseums/abc.cfm. And if you don't know, Chucky Cheese's is a pizza place for kids, complete with video games, skee-ball, a ball pit, and animatronic characters that sing. It's a hoot and a half – I had my 25th birthday there a few years back – I play a mean game of skee-ball let me tell you.
So, thanks for reading and let me ramble on. Cheers!