Chapter 62

Cameron Mitchell and Elizabeth Weir stood at the foot of Daniel's bed, watching the archaeologist sleep.

"You do know that his time as a member of SG1 will more than likely end with this transplant," Mitchell said as he stole at look at Dr. Weir. "Regulation forbids active gate travel to transplant recipients. Thinks they're too much of a risk."

"I don't know about you, but I think they'll make an exception."

"I sure hope so," Mitchell replied as he stole a glance across the room to where Sam was standing with Netan. "What are we going to do about him?"

"He's the leader of the Lucian Alliance. They've committed countless numbers of crimes. We will have no choice but to turn him in."

"I know," Mitchell relented. "But it just seems wrong somehow. I mean, the guy made a few bad choices, who among us hasn't?"

"I know, I am not happy about the idea either. From the moment he was brought onboard I had this weird feeling he reminded me of someone."

"Daniel."

"Yeah. If Daniel had made different choices in his life. We often forget that our choices shape us into who we are meant to be. I wonder what Netan would have became if he had SG1 to support him like Daniel did."

"Well I don't see Netan as a lost cause, Dr. Weir, more like a work in progress," Mitchell took another look at Netan, whose tear-stained face was now buried in Sam's neck. "SG1 may not have had his back then, but we've got it now."

ooooo

Sam helped Netan to his feet as they made their way out of the infirmary. She wanted to check on Daniel, but saw Mitchell and Weir keeping vigil. It would have to wait. Netan had become a friend to her as well. She had not known his for very long, but in that short period of time, he touched her heart in a way few people had.

She would be lying if she didn't admit alot of that had to do with how much he reminded her of Daniel. Especially now. It brought back to Sam all the pain and memories of when Daniel lost Sha're. She would be the first to admit that she didn't handle that situation very well and fingered it as the moment her friendship with Daniel started to suffer.

As Sam and Netan entered his quarters, she watched as he slumped down on his bed defeatedly. His pain eschew of pain and misery.

"I want to thank you Samantha, for coming with me."

"Don't mention it," she replied taking a seat next to him. "I know it doesn't seem like it now, but things will get better."

"I know they will, but I am not sure what good it will do me."

"What do you mean?"

Netan gave Sam a look of resignment, "I am the leader of the Lucian Alliance, the galaxies most vicious smugglers and thieves. Now that I will live, do you believe I will end up anywhere besides a prison cell?"

"My people aren't like that, Netan. You will get a chance to tell your side of the story. Your actions saved Dr. Jackson's life. That will mean a lot to the people who make those kinds of decisions."

"Even if I did avoid prison, where am I supposed to go from here?"

"You're not planning on returning to the Alliance?"

"I have no reason to. The Alliance was my way of punishing the Goa'uld for what they did to my wife. Now that I have seen her with my own eyes, understand what really happened and have made my peace, I no longer seek retribution."

"I am glad to hear that."

"I am glad you are glad, but that still leaves me with the dilemma.I can never be who I was before the Goa'uld destroyed my planet but I no longer wish to be the man that rose up from its ashes. Which begs the question, Samantha Carter, who am I now?"

ooooo

Daniel just stood there, looking at Anubis with the most curious of grins.

"You know what's interesting," he said as began pacing circles around the Goa'uld. "Ever since this little adventure began I have been nothing but manipulated. Hell, my entire life has been one kind of manipulation after another."

"If all for a greater cause, Daniel Jackson."

"See, this is what bothers me the most. Everyone seems perfectly fine with making me their puppet, so long as it serves the greater purpose. As if that is supposed to make it okay. As if I am supposed to accept it as fact because its the right thing to do. Well, guess what. I don't care. I don't care about prophecy or destiny or genetic memory manipulation. None of it! You know what I do care about? Me."

"Be careful Daniel, before you make a decision you will later regret."

"I don't care if I regret it later. It would have been my choice," Daniel replied walking up to Anubis so that the two were face to face. You know what I think is interesting. Out of everyone who've been trying to manipulate me, Aja was the only one who said the decision was truly mine."

"Kebechet worked for me. She served my purpose."

"I didn't say Kebechet. I said Aja."

"Her host died, only Kebechet remained."

"You know as well as I do, that isn't true. Aja was mentally unstable. The Goa'uld was the only thing that kept her fragmented mind together. When it died, the only way she could remain from going completely insane was to develop an alternate personality. One mirrorred after Kebechet, with whom she always felt was stronger. She carried out Kebechet's plans but deep down, she could not follow thru with them. She wasn't trying to hurt me. She was to stop what happened to her to happen to me."

"And how would you know that?"

"The last thing she said to me was that there was no such thing as destiny. That is was our choices that lead us down certain paths. Now I realize that all everyone has been trying to do is take the choice away from me."

"Not take away, Daniel Jackson, guide."

"I'm not a child. I no longer need guidance."

With a swift move Daniel knocked Anubis to the ground, landing him on the ground. Beneath his long robes Daniel saw the very thing he needed. A very large, very thick knife. Anubis, sensing where Daniel's eyes were leading, pleaded mercilessly.

"You will need my help when this is all said and done, Daniel."

Daniel only smiled as he grabbed the blade and raised it above his head, "That may be true, but I don't want it. Now get the hell out of my head!"

Daniel brought the blade down with swift precision, stabbing Anubis right in the heart. Within moments, there was a bright flash of light as Daniel found himself in the long hallway once more. The blade, still dripping with blood in his hand. Aja had brought him here for him to make a choice. And he had. No longer was he going to be a follower. He was a leader. Looking around he noticed that the doors that had vanished before had now returned. With swift action he walked down to the first door and kicked it swiftly open.

With an ere of confidence and determination he stepped thru the doorway. He understood now what he was going to do - He was going to take back his life.