Stargate SG-1: Broken

by mirwalker

Chapter 3

With minimal use of his staff as a cane, Britain confidently led the Team back through the cramped allies of the Menagerie village, and finally into the ramshackle building beside the main gate, that they'd noted on the way in. Ducking through its low door, they found the inside to be an even greater composite of materials—clearly an extreme example of the mixed design and found object construction apparent in the village overall. Despite its cramped quarters, and scattered holes through which sun and sky were visible, it was nonetheless remarkably neat and clean.

And Britain's movement through the small common space indicated a deep familiarity with its layout and levels, especially as he'd set aside the staff just inside the door. He spoke to two non-human, and apparently injured, inhabitants, using two very different sets of sounds. The one with obvious eyes looked nervously at the visitors; but both seemed to respond agreeably to Britain, and exited quickly. A few other figures lurked furtively down a few side chambers, more fearful than threatening.

Teal'c and O'Neill looked a little suspiciously at the unintelligible communication and activity; but Jackson didn't give them a chance to question their host to those points. He asked instead, "Britain, how many languages do you speak, exactly?"

As he replied nonchalantly, their host set a shoulder bag on the table near the fireplace, and pulled out a few handfuls of ragged-looking plants. "Only a few more than most here: forty-seven. …If you count Tsalik and Tsalin separately. They're identical in every way but name, but the two clans insist they are different."

Sam's eyes grew wide at a number larger than her own count, and certainly beyond her imagination. "There are 46 species here?"

"No," laughed Britain, as he removed the threadbare fabric that was apparently his outerwear cloak. "Some species speak several different languages, especially we humans. There are perhaps two dozens of separate species living in Menagerie, and many more wild, beyond the village."

He moved back toward them, his homecoming tasks accomplished. "I am afraid that we only have one bed large enough for two. Colonel and Major, as the parents, it will of course be yours. Daniel Jackson and Teal'c will have to sleep separately…"

The reaction was immediate, though the Colonel was first to voice it. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. The Major and I aren't sleeping together? I mean, we aren't. We don't." He turned to his team, "What makes him think we're sleeping together?"

Jackson held up his hand to head off the spiraling discomfort. "Thank you, Britain. I am also curious what made you think that we would be sleeping in pairs?"

"Newcomers almost always arrive in mate pairs. O'Neill and Carter both have titles; and so seemed together and of higher status. Daniel and Teal'c had no such titles, and so were together by default."

Only slightly mollified on the fraternization front, O'Neill still smarted at the age distinction. "And the "parent" thing? Where'd that come from?"

"Daniel said he is 'Jackson,' naming him clearly as 'son of Jack,' who is you. Major Carter is your mate, and so his likely mother. It is obvious; is it not? Have I misunderstood your naming and mating customs?" He looked worried at having clearly made some sort of mistake, and given some offense.

O'Neill pointed adamantly, despite the gestures' meaning nothing to his audience. "He is not my son. Carter and I are not together. And…" he tilted his head toward Teal'c and Daniel, "you two aren't, are you?"

Teal'c merely raised an eyebrow, as Carter and Jackson smirked at the astute, if off, logic.

Daniel's amusement turned to admiration for their host's perception, "You deduced all that social structure just from our names? Have you studied anthropology?"

Britain still looked embarrassed and remorseful at his faux pas. "I do not know that word, but as we have no schools here, I know that I've not studied it. I have simply had to learn patterns in order to sort newcomers well. But I have made some mistake here, clearly. Please accept my apology, and explain what I have misunderstood?"

The front door flew open at that moment; and Rors stood at the threshold, clearly choosing not to enter. Everyone jumped, and the background figures in the house hid away entirely at the sudden arrival.

Rors spoke to Britain, who had turned to face him without the same anxious reaction. "I would speak with their leader."

Britain turned his head toward Jackson, as if relaying the message.

Jackson demurred, not wanting to call out anyone's mistakes in front of the assertive reptile. "Britain, you were a little off on the family structure, but you did deduce the rank system correctly. Jack-Colonel O'Neill is actually in command of our team; Major Carter is his second."

Because of, or ignorant of, the introductions, Rors eyed O'Neill menacingly, and Carter hungrily; but said only, "Ohn-Eel will come with me," and turned on his spurred heels immediately.

O'Neill moved to follow, more to challenge his order-dropping, than to obey; but Carter touched his arm. "Sir, we probably shouldn't split up too much. I'll go with you."

His flash of irritation having passed quickly, he adapted her advice, "No; Teal'c will come with me. Because none of us is together…" He glared at Britain as he and Teal'c exited carefully, but casually to see what the leader lizard wanted.

Britain called out softly to a corner of the house, "Utuvien, boe bedich go O'Neill a Teal'c."

A young woman, wearing a plainly decorated eye patch, emerged from a behind a dark curtain, and headed out dutifully in the direction the others had gone.

"She will keep an eye on them for me," Britain explained. "Again, I am sorry for any embarrassment I caused to O'Neill or any of you; I meant no disrespect."

"None taken," Jackson forgave, again trying to smooth out the ruffled feathers, as was his wont. "It's just that relationships between officers, people with military titles like Colonel and Major, are not permitted. And two males, such as Teal'c and myself, are not a mate-able pair."

Britain nodded, considering some and flatly dismissing other parts of the explanation. "I did not know your custom among officers, and I know examples to the contrary of your sex-mating rules. A number of species have arrived in Menagerie in same-sex or sexless pairs, even one trio when I was very young. Besides, relationships can be more than the ability to make offspring."

With an 'oh, snap' look from Carter, Jackson had to bite his lip and nod. "True enough. Jack is just a little, sensitive. About the age thing…"

As he did, an older man and teenaged girl brought Carter and Jackson cups of drink.

"Thank you," said Carter to the young woman, nodding and sipping from the cup once Jackson had demonstrated that trust.

"Marisel cannot hear you, Major," Britain corrected. "She is deaf. Hamdi can, however."

Jackson noticed the male was missing part of one arm. He and Carter made guilty and knowing eye contact, while making efforts to show they appreciated and enjoyed the slightly floral-tasting water.

As the two water-bearers drew away, Jackson felt it was finally as good a time as any, to inquire about the increasingly clear distinction they had noticed. "Britain, I noticed that Rors referred to you as 'broken.' You invited us to stay here with you and the other 'broken,' and it seems that everyone here has a disability, a handicap…"

"Again, I don't know those words," Britain admitted, waving them in the direction of two tattered chairs, as he settled on a bench at the table. "But, if by them you mean crippled, mute, deaf and the like, then yes, we among those in Menagerie are those who are not whole, who are missing parts and capabilities. We are the Broken."

"Rors doesn't seem to treat you very well, or to hold you or them in very high esteem," Carter added her observation.

"This community struggles for its survival, Major, against the weather, beasts and the challenges amongst its own very different residents. The others see us as one of those challenges, as a drain on the community. We Broken have that treatment also against which to struggle." While sad, Britain seemed to accept the situation at face value; it was their reality.

Jackson sat forward in his seat, struggling to understand, or accept, the social structures he was realizing. "But you were standing guard at the Gate when we arrived, and it seemed to be on some type of regular watch schedule."

"You too are observant to deduce our sentry customs so quickly!" Britain returned the earlier compliment. "Yes, we Broken serve as the Watchers at the Gate as you call it."

Puzzled, Carter asked, "Britain, no offense, but you can't see. How can you make a good 'watcher?'"

"We Broken learn early to be fast judges of strangers' moods and intention; and so greet newcomers to quickly sense their fit with or threat to the community."

The young woman returned with a sheepish smile, and tugged at Britain's sleeve. He took her hand to follow, explaining, "If you'll excuse me, I will check on your bedding. Please make yourselves at home."

As they moved to the next room, Jackson stood, set his cup on the table and examined the handicrafts neatly placed around the room.

"Whaddaya think?" asked Carter, more curious about the larger picture than the pans and textiles.

"It's whacked is what I think," he replied immediately, without looking away from his curious inspections. "They use the villagers with handicaps as sentries at the Gate, to make first contact with whomever or whatever comes through. As if their disability gives them mystical insights into the character of arrivals. It's a classic overcompensation myth by able-bodied groups to make themselves feel better about their discomfort with others' disabilities."

"Tactically, they're also the most expendable," she pointed out.

"What?!"

"Think about it," she insisted, stating, not supporting the position. "In addition to this belief about supersensory intuition, they're also the least important should something unfriendly come through. Why waste a good warrior or strong farmer on guard duty, when somebody already perceived to be undercontributing can take that initial risk instead?"

He finally looked at her. "Am I the only one here the least bit bothered by that kind of savage survival of the fittest system?"

"I'm not saying I agree with it, Daniel. I'm just saying from a purely survivalist point of view, it makes some sense. And it fits with the larger situation here... Someone sends mate-pairs from a series of different species from a number of different worlds here over a period of time, and leaves those observation towers around to keep an eye on 'the zoo.' The 'Keepers watch as the community has to adapt to the new arrivals—figure them out, accept them and assimilate them, or defends itself against them. Including them or exiling them, it's a big Darwinistic experiment in inter-species cooperative living."

"It's not these people; it's this set-up that's broken," he growled, hands on his hips.

From the street outside, they could hear a commotion begin and grow closer. As if on cue, Britain returned; and they all headed outside to investigate.

Teal'c and O'Neill were coming up the little street, with a growing crowd and a group of angry heavies in tow. O'Neill shouted back to the unhappy men and creatures following, as if continuing an argument, "Well, you tell him, we can and we will be going through the Gate!"

As the grumbles and whispers continued to move their way, Britain took Daniel by the arm, and whispered to him, "No one ever goes into the Ring; we have seen that its touch brings death. Like the village leaders before him, Rors allows no one to waste their life in such a useless act."

"So our intention to go home is a contradiction of Rors' authority; he'll lose face?"

"Rors' face will be fine," Britain corrected. "It is yours we should be concerned with if you attempt to step into the Ring."

Jackson spoke quickly, trying to explain SGC's differing experience. "We travel through the rings regularly. Except for that initial opening, it's perfectly safe."

As O'Neill walked up, Britain nodded in non-disagreement, and reframed the conflict. "Then you will prove Rors wrong, and that will diminish the community's confidence in his leadership."

Not attending to the nuances of social order, the Colonel waved a remarkably advanced piece of technology toward Carter, catching them up on what he'd discovered in his brief audience with the lizard king. "Apparently, whatever people are carrying when they get snatched, they get to bring with them here. Most of it is pretty primitive or doesn't work anymore; but I traded them a flashlight, some glowsticks and a few MREs for some metal samples and this welder thingy." He handed it to Carter. "Take a look. One of the villagers says that when it's working correctly it will connect almost any two substances."

Looking it over, she connected it back to the overall situation. "That rules out the Goa'uld as our Zookeepers; they'd never let a dominated world hang on to technology like this."

Teal'c reported that, "The villagers are in need of some basic medical supplies and nutritional supplements."

"You're thinking some kind of trade relationship?" Carter looked to O'Neill.

Jackson added to the equation, "Jack, just looking around, I think we have a lot more to offer than they do, and there are some social issues here that we need to consider." He dipped his head toward the obvious henchmen still lurking at the edge of the crowd that the earlier shouting had attracted.

The Colonel pointed to the welder, "Still, it's worth considering if they've got more of these. Let's head back with these samples to show Hammond; we can bring back some humanitarian aid as a goodwill gesture, while he thinks it over…"

Jackson stepped back slightly, looking out at the loitering crowd, "Actually, Jack, if you don't mind, I'd like to remain. I think Sam has a pretty good idea about my social concerns; and I'd like to stay and study this community a little more. It is a unique mix of species; we could learn a great deal about each one and how they interact."

Reminding them again his ears worked well, Britain volunteered, "I would be happy to help Daniel learn more about our community and customs."

"Whatever…," O'Neill conceded. "Teal'c, Carter, let's go…"

As they turned toward the gate, Rors pushed his way through the crowd to block O'Neill's path. "I said that you will NOT go into the Ring."

Not missing a beat, the Colonel resumed his speaking back loudly, "And I said that I don't take orders from you." Gesturing to his own face, he stage whispered, "You know, I could bring you some lotion for the skin… thing…"

"Jack…," pled their peacemaker, as Carter and Teal'c both tensed at their weapons.

"Uh-uh, Daniel. He puffed his chest scales first…"

One of Rors' goons stepped toward them menacingly; and the Earth weapons were drawn instantly. The villagers pulled away from the opposing sides, but most did not leave, not without knowing how the challenge to the Menagerie leader played out.

Britain quietly waved some of the Broken back into the house, knowing this would go least well for those least able to flee or defend themselves. Jackson noticed this shepherding, and that Britain then returned to stand beside him, not removing himself from the danger, or abandoning his new guest-friends.

The standoff raged for a few moments, until Rors snarled and snickered with a solution he likely hoped would solve all the issues facing his leadership. "We do not need newcomers who have broken minds. Ohn-Eel may kill himself if he wishes, but the others will remain." He stepped aside, and gestured the Colonel to pass through the town gate.

But O'Neill shook his head, "All or nothing, scale-face."

Rors looked the SGC team over, seeming to again assess the threats and rewards they offered. Showing he was more than a bully, he cut the difference again and pointed at Teal'c, "I will allow you to take the quiet one. The many-eyed and the female will stay."

Both O'Neill and Carter moved to object, but Rors cut them off, explaining his logic for all those present. "If you are correct, Ohn-Eel about the Ring as a… a tunnel, then this will make sure that you return for your people. But when you find you are wrong, then we do not waste her beauty and his smarts on your craze."

O'Neill clenched his jaw, appreciating that this guy was smarter than he'd originally believed.

"It's OK, sir," Carter said quietly beside him. "With that kind of attitude, I'd feel more comfortable staying here to prove him wrong and to keep an eye on Daniel. Besides, I can learn more about their technology, and maybe something else about the 'Keepers."

Not seeing a less bloody exit strategy at the moment, O'Neill exhaled, and set his conditions on the compromise. "Fine; suit yourself. Keep your radios on, and we'll check back in a few."

With eye contact letting her know he meant it, and with a "behave" glance at Daniel, he and Teal'c headed off toward the Gate. Once they had dropped out of sight below the rise of the hill, the crowd began dispersing, and Britain led Carter and Jackson back inside the Broken house.

With a lusty glance after the light-haired female, Rors nodded one of his hairier cronies to follow the Ring-going pair. With a grunt of his own, he headed back into the village, glaring at a few lingering residents as he did.

The town gate closed behind the final traveler; and the watches continued all around.

NOTES

Points for anyone who can identify the entirely out-of-canon language Britain speaks to the one-eyed woman… Bonus points for correctly translating. Anyone?