Sticks and Stones - Chapter 8 - by Emma Nisbet
Wednesday – 13 days after collapse – last day on P7X-962.
The next day, Janet and I wander around the site, talking to the various members of the SGC. I answer their various queries as to what's been happening back on Earth while they have been posted here. They are all too aware that today if their last full day on that planet and none of them are even vaguely optimistic that Daniel's body will be recovered before we have to leave tomorrow.
The day passes uneventfully and I find myself sharing my tent with Teal'c again for the last night on the planet
Thursday – two weeks after collapse – return to the SGC.
There is an oppressive atmosphere in the camp this morning. After breakfast we fire up the gate and speak to the General. He informs us that our return has been scheduled for 1400 hrs and that all the equipment must be returned to the SGC at the same time we are.
It has been decided that the address will not be locked out of the gate computer but no return trip will be authorised. There is nothing of benefit to Earth on this god-forsaken lump of rock and it will be retained on record as the last resting place of Doctor Daniel Jackson.
I find it comforting that Daniel's 'grave site' will be left in peace. That it won't be subjected to soldiers or scientists crawling all over it. Hell we've done enough of that in the last couple of weeks and where'd that get us? True, I'd rather have taken his body back to Earth and given him a traditional burial, but unfortunately that is not to be.
I relay the message to the SG crews working on the site and it's decided that the excavations would be ceased from that moment on. There's a lot of stuff to pack up, tents to take down…goodbyes to be said.
#
Not long before 1400, all the equipment is packed, the FREDs are loaded and the signs of our two week habitation are minimal. The gate is dialled and most of the SG team members are waiting, ready to travel back to the SGC with glum expressions on their faces.
Just Carter, Teal'c and Doctor Fraiser are to remain on the planet with me. The two women are very teary eyed and are standing together near to the ruined pyramid. Teal'c is standing with me near the gate as the last of the SG personnel pass through. The wormhole collapses in on itself when it is no longer being used.
Only a brief few moments later the gate begins to spin again. General Hammond is coming to pay his respects to Daniel's final resting place. He has only travelled via the gate a couple of times, officially he is supposed to remain Earthbound at all times. With the President's approval he's making an exception for the young man who he thought of as the son he never had.
The wormhole is established and the kawoosh blooms out of the gate. Once the event horizon settles, the familiar bulk of our commanding officer emerges. Teal'c and I stand to attention as he walks down the steps and onto the dry soil of this dusty planet.
"Colonel, Teal'c," he acknowledges, "At ease, people. All the rescue crews are back and accounted for, no injuries to report, I'm glad to hear. Where is the Major, Colonel?"
"Major Carter and Dr. Fraiser are over by the pyramid, sir. Saying goodbye to Daniel." I reply. I find I can't keep my eyes on his and look at the floor.
"Understandable, Jack," says the General, putting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently, "Shall we go and join them?"
"Yes, sir," I agree, "…but before we do there's something I'd like to discuss with you. Something that I couldn't discuss over the radio link. Teal'c, you go ahead. Can you tell Carter and the Doc. that the General has arrived. We'll be there shortly."
"Indeed I will, O'Neill. If you need my assistance, please do not hesitate to call me." Teal'c answered, with a small bow of his head.
I outline my idea to the General. Obviously because there's no physical body to take back to Earth to bury, there will be no gravesite for people to mourn Daniel's passing. Nowhere that they can sit and 'talk' to Daniel when they need to feel close to him. My suggestion to the General is that he send one last small team through, after we return, to gather one of the large rocks from the pyramid. This could then be engraved with a fitting memorial to our fallen comrade and be situated either in the Colorado Springs cemetery or possibly somewhere peaceful on the mountain above NORAD. We've all escaped up there before now, when things have got rough under the mountain. There's a tranquil atmosphere up there and if you walk a little way you leave behind all signs of civilisation, you can really be at one with yourself and leave your work behind for a short time.
Straight off he seems agreeable to the idea. He explains that he will have to get permission from the Pentagon for the location of the stone but can't see a problem with the idea in principle. I think between the two of us we have pretty much decided that we would want it located on the mountain. If it's set a little way back in the woods then the it's unlikely that anyone not related to the project (with the exception of NORAD personnel) will stumble across it. The SGC are Daniel's only family now, have been for a long time. It's only fitting that he is commemorated near to where the people who care about him the most are located.
With the decision made, as much as possible, between us, we start to walk in the direction of the doctor and the two remaining members of SG-1. We spend more than a few minutes in complete silence, each saying our own personal goodbyes to the youngest member of our team.
After a while the General clears his throat and announces that it's time that we were all leaving. Janet and Carter cling to one another, both in floods of tears and I realise that my cheeks are wet too. Another good reason for doing this personal little parting ceremony with just the five of us here is that Carter wouldn't let herself go like that back on Earth, where people could see her. I'm not sure Janet would have either, for that matter. I know I damn well wouldn't. Here, with just our team and the closest two members of the SGC, I think we've all felt that we could say goodbye like we really needed to. Sure, there will be a memorial service back at the SGC in a few days time, that will be much more of an official, military affair though. This, well this was more like a small ceremony for immediate family.
We wait a few moments for Carter and the Doc. to compose themselves and I surreptitiously wipe my face with my handkerchief. I know the General saw, but I also know that he won't comment. I'm not sure his eyes aren't holding more moisture than normal anyway.
Then the five of us turn away from the pyramid and return to leave P7X-962 for the last time.
Goodbye Daniel, my friend…my best friend. You will never be forgotten.